USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 30
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 30
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 30
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
en grew to maturity-Annie, now Mrs. Gotchall, living in Nebraska; William, who died in Mar- shall county, in 1866; John, who lives in Michi- gan; George, now living in Richland county, Ohio; Jacob, who lives in Marshall county, Illi- nois ; Henry, now living in Nebraska ; Mary, now Mrs. Benedict, living in Richland county, Ohio; and T. W., the subject of this sketch.
Our subject was born February 2, 1841, in Richland county, Ohio, and there grew to man- hood on his father's farm, receiving his primary education in the public schools, then attended the Savannah Academy, in Ashland county, and finishing his course at Baldwin University, near Cleveland, Ohio. After leaving the university he taught school for a time in his native county, and in 1864 removed to Marshall county, Illinois, where he also taught several terms of school in Bennington township, in connection with his farming operations.
On the 15th of October, 1868, Mr. Stoner mar- ried Miss Eleanor Ann German, a sister of W. H. German, of Hopewell township. She was born on Ox Bow Prairie, Putnam county, July 19, 1848. By this union six children were born, five of whom are now living-Wilbert Lee, Effie May, John R., Edna A., George H., and Harry C. Of the number, John R. is deceased.
After living upon rented farms for five years, in 1873 Mr. Stoner came to Hopewell township, Marshall county, and settled upon his present farm on section I. The farm was partially im- proved at the time, but many improvements have since been added by him. He has now five hun- dred acres, of which three hundred and eighty acres are under cultivation. In addition to gen- eral farming, Mr. Stoner has engaged somewhat extensively in stock raising, in which line of busi- ness he has been quite successful. Upon his farm he has a number of head of blooded polled Angus cattle, full-blooded Poland China hogs, and also Duroc Jerseys. In addition he has im- ported Belgian and full-blooded draft horses.
In politics, Mr. Stoner affiliates with the dem- ocratic party, and has taken an active interest in township affairs. For twenty-three years he
has served as school director, has been supervisor of Hopewell township four years, tax collector in Bennington township one year, clerk of Hope- well township two years, assessor of Hopewell township three years, and is now serving his third term as justice of the peace. He has been a delegate to county conventions for twenty years, and has been a leader in his party. He comes of a patriotic family, his grandfather, John Stoner, serving in the Revolutionary war, being present at the battle of Bunker Hill. His broth- er Henry was a soldier in the civil war as a mem- ber of the Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Stoner is not a member of any church, but was reared a Methodist. Mrs. Stoner is a mem- ber of the Christian church, and in all religious and benevolent work takes an active interest and does all in her power to advance the interest of the Master's cause.
JOSHUA L. MILLS, one of the most highly respected and prosperous farmers of Mag- nolia township, Putnam county, residing on sec- tion II, comes of a good old Pennsylvania fam- ily. His grandparents, Henry and Elizabeth (John) Mills, were natives of that state, the lat- ter the daughter of Abel John, who was of Welsh extract. They made their home in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, where the grand- father died about 1829 and his wife two years lat- er. They reared five children to maturity, all of whom are now deceased, namely: Rachel, who married Jehu Lewis and had three children, Sam- uel, Joseph, deceased, and Elizabeth; Martha, who became the wife of Nathan Pusey, and had six children, Mary Ann, Joseph and Parker C., all deceased, William M., Elizabeth and Joshua; Elizabeth married Nathaniel Gregg and had three children, all deceased, Martin, Nathan and Ruth Ann; Joseph was the father of our sub- ject, and Abel married Catharine Ulery, by whom he had three children, Emeline, deceased, who married Robert Morris: Matilda, widow of Wil- liam McVey, and Joseph, who married, but had no children.
MRS. J. L. MILLS.
JOSHUA L. MILLS.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Joseph Mills, the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, October 29, 1792; was there reared and received a fairly good educa- tion. In that state June 3, 1813, he married Miss Sarah Raley, who was born in Virginia Decem- ber II, 1792, of Irish descent, and a daughter of Eli and Mary (Lupton) Raley, who removed from Virginia to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where her mother died in 1837. In 1840 her father came to Putnam county, Illinois, settling in Magnolia township, where his death occurred three years later. In their family were six chil- dren-Sarah, Joseph, Nancy, Robert, Eli and Elizabeth, all now deceased.
After their marriage the parents of our sub- ject located in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and later removed to Fayette county, where the father conducted a general store in connection with farming. At one time he also operated a glass factory. Later he returned to Washington county, but in 1840, with his wife and younger children, he emigrated to Putnam county, Illi- nois, locating upon a roughly broken tract of land a half mile north of the village of Magnolia, where his death occurred August 24, 1847. His wife survived him some years, dying March 4, 1864. They were by birthright members of the Friends church, and the father frequently ad- dressed the meetings. He was an influential and popular man, who was often called upon to settle difficulties between his neighbors, and was a thorough business man, taking hold of any work that fell to his lot. In Pennsylvania he served as justice of the peace, and in Magnolia township served as school treasurer.
The parental household included six children who grew to maturity, as follows: Eli R., mar- ried Elizabeth H. Kimber, both now deceased, and they had seven children, Susan, Joseph and Thomas, deceased, Sarah, Henry C., Andrew H. and Isaac R .; Henry, deceased, married Esther R. Rhodes, and they had seven children, Parker P., John H. and Sarah Elizabeth, all deceased, David R., Elmira, William H. and Esther. Mary Ann is the deceased wife of John Taylor, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Joshua
L., of this sketch, is next in order of birth. Pusey married Lydia Hartley, both now deceased, and they had five children, Joshua, Rebecca, Willis, Jonathan and Oliver. Abel lives in Magnolia township, Putnam county.
The birth of our subject occurred November 25, 1821, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and in that state he grew to manhood and re- ceived most of his common school education, only attending school for one month in Mag- nolia township, at which time his teacher was George W. Minear. He remained upon the home farm until seventeen years of age, when he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for two years after coming to this state. On his arrival in Putnam county April 2, 1842, he made his home with his father for two years, and the following six years were passed at his brother Eli's.
On the 14th of March, 1850, Mr. Mills led to the marriage altar Miss Hannah S. Hoyle, who was born in Ohio, September 14, 1831, and was only an infant when brought to Putnam county by her parents, Joseph and Ruth (Newport) Hoyle. Her father had purchased land in Mag- nolia township in 1832, and the following year moved his family to that farm, where the par- ents spent their remaining days. They had three daughters, the sisters of Mrs. Mills-Sabina and Hannah S. being now deceased.
Mr. Mills began his domestic life in a log cabin on his father-in-law's place, where he remained for five years, and then removed to his present location, the farm at that time being all wild prairie. He has since engaged in its cultivation and improvement, erecting a good residence, barns and other outbuildings, and has set out all the trees upon the place. He has engaged in mixed farming, raising some cattle, horses, hog's and sheep, as well as the cereals adapted to this clime. He is numbered among the self-made men of the county, his accumulations being the result of his own industry, obtained by self-denial and economy, and the exercise of a naturally good judgment, both in regard to agricultural pursuits and business matters. On coming to
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the county his property consisted of but five dol- lars, but he now owns seven hundred and fifty acres of valuable farming land, about three hun- (red acres of which was received through his wife.
Mr. Mills has been called upon to mourn the loss of his excellent wife, who died May 28, 1895. She was a member of the Society of Friends and served as elder in her church. In their family were the following children: Mary Louisa is the wife of Oscar Bumgardner of Magnolia town- ship, and they have nine children, William Leslie and L. Raymond, twins, Joseph, Joshua, Jona- than, Isabel, Ethel, Irmy and Ruth; Sabina is the wife of Elmer C. Dickey of California, and they have one child, Ziska; Edith Ann is now deceased, and Ruth Eva is the wife of John C. Sutherland of Magnolia township, by whom she has two sons, Leon Eugene and Wilbor Mills.
Mr. Mills is also an elder in the Friends church and takes an active part in the meetings here. Formerly, in politics, he was a republican, but now votes the prohibition ticket and attends the state conventions of his party. A warm friend of the cause of education, for years he served as school director, and has also been assessor of Magnolia township. He was paymaster for the proposed Plymouth & Kankakee railroad, dur- ing which time he paid out $90,000. He has also been president of the Putnam County Farm- ers' Insurance Company and the Putnam County Agricultural Society. He has been called upon to fill other positions of responsibility and trust, and it is needless to say that he always dis- charged his duties with the utmost fidelity. He settled up the estate of his brother Eli, which was one of the heaviest in the county, and was guardian for one of the children for nineteen years and three days. They presented him on Christmas, 1874, with an elegant gold watch, upon the inner case of which was inscribed, "A token of respect to the faithful guardian from those faithfully served." He also closed up the estate of James E. Blake, after which the widow left her share of the property in his hands for twenty years.
E DGAR D. LARKIN, one of the enterpris- ing and substantial business man of Arling- ton, has been actively and successfully engaged in merchandising at that place for sixteen years. He was born on the 29th of July, 1853, in Har- risville, Harrison county, Ohio, but almost his entire life has been passed in Bureau county, Illinois, where he was brought by his parents in May, 1855, and has since been prominently identified with its interests.
His father, Townsend T. Larkin, was a son of John Larkin, and a native of Pennsylvania, where the family was founded at an early day in the history of that commonwealth. There the father grew to manhood, receiving a good education, and when a young man went to Har- rison county, Ohio, where he married Miss Julia A. Richardson, a native of that county. In Har- risville he engaged in contracting and building for a number of years, and in 1849, made a trip through portions of Illinois and Iowa, but it was in 1855 that he took up his residence in Bu- reau county, settling in Westfield township, on the present site of the village of Arlington, where he engaged first in the lumber business and then in general merchandising, and later in the furni- ture trade. He was one of the most able busi- ness men of the community and continued active operations until his death, which occurred Octo- ber 24, 1876. He held various positions of hon- or and trust, and was a prominent Mason, a so- . ciety made of the best and most honorable of men. He organized the Temple of Honor of Harrisville, Ohio, and later helped to institute various lodges in that state. On his seventieth birthday, the Larkin family held a reunion at the old homestead at Newton Square, Pennsyl- vania, May 1, 1872, at which were present all his brothers and sisters then living, namely: Mrs. Pennell, Mordecai Larkin, Mrs. Eliza L. Thomas, Mrs. Hannah Sharpless, Mrs. Martha Yost and John Larkin, Jr. The last time the family was previously collected together was May 5, 1824, forty-eight years before, at the marriage of one of the sisters. On that occasion all the children, ten in number, were present, but
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
since then death had removed three, leaving sev- en still living, of whom the youngest was sixty- eight years of age. This is an instance of long- evity not often equaled. Mrs. Larkin died in 1888, and was buried by the side of her husband in the Arlington cemetery, where a substantial monument marks their last resting place.
Our subject is the only son of the family of four children, all of whom are still living, his sisters being Celina T., wife of William Waugh, of Black Hills, South Dakota; Mary Ellen, wife of E. J. Hills, of Tampa, Florida, and Anna L., wife of M. D. Paxton, of Rapids City, South Dakota.
Mr. Larkin, of this review, acquired his edu- cation in the common schools of Bureau county, and assisted his father in the store, remaining with him until the latter's death. He then took charge of the estate and cared for his mother until she, too, was called from his life. In 1880, he made a trip to the Black Hills, where he re- mained for nine months, and on his return to Arlington, embarked in the grocery and jewelry business, having learned the latter with his fath- er. In September, 1886, he formed a partner- ship with J. R. Black, and this firm continued until 1892, when I. C. Black succeeded his son, and the firm now carry a large and complete stock of dry goods, groceries, queensware, glass- ware, etc. They have built up an excellent trade and established a reputation for good goods and fair dealing.
At Arlington, on the 4th of May, 1877, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Larkin and Miss Alforetta Berry, a native of Bureau county and a daughter of Rufus B. Berry, an honored pioneer of the county. After completing the high school course at Arlington, Mrs. Larkin successfully engaged in teaching for a time previous to her marriage. She has become the mother of four children-Justin E., Edna B., Juliette and Town- send T., all attending school.
Politically, Mr. Larkin gives his support to the republican party, with which he has been identi- fied since casting his first presidential vote for General U. S. Grant, and takes an active part
in local affairs. He most capably served as mayor for one year, for about ten years has been alderman, and treasurer of the village two years. He has served as a delegate to numerous county conventions and also to the state convention. He has ever proved a faithful and most trustworthy official, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity, and his course in both public and private life is worthy the highest commendation. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, being at the present time treasurer of his lodge, and though not a member of any religious denomination, he and his wife attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church. They hold a prominent position in the social circles of Arlington, where they are so widely and favor- ably known, and enjoy the friendship and high regard of the best people of the community.
G USTAV SHULTZ. As a representative of the agricultural class, and one who has met with good success in his independent call- ing, we take pleasure in giving a brief sketch of the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this notice. He has now, however, laid aside business cares, and is living a retired life in Princeton, Illinois.
The birth of our subject occurred in Prussia, Germany, January 27, 1830, and he is a son of Peter and Mary (Gurtz) Shultz. In that country the father carried on the occupation of farm- ing, and there died in 1853, at the age of sixty- four years. The mother later came to the United States, and her death occurred in Iowa, in 1864, at the age of seventy-six years. Both were mem- bers of the Lutheran church. Eight children were born to this worthy couple, namely: Joseph, wedded Mary Peel, who died in 1891, at the age of sixty-two years, and he died in 1885, in Iowa, at the age of sixty-six; Christopher, who died in Iowa, in 1894, at the age of seventy- two years, left a wife who bore the maiden name of Mary Rahbarg, and is still a resident of that state; Henrietta, wife of John Ahrens, makes her home on a farm in Iowa; Carl, who married Minnie Burns, is a retired farmer of Welcome,
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Iowa, near which place the family all reside; Caroline is the wife of Carl Lapp, and is still a resident of Germany; Gustav is next in order of birth; Henry married Mary Rahberg, and lives on a farm in Poweshiek county, Iowa.
In 1854, with his brother Charles, Gustav Shultz embarked on a vessel bound for the new world, and on their arrival located at Princeton, Illinois. On the 6th of August, of the same year, he wedded Miss Mary Hechtner, daughter of Godfred and Mary (Kent) Hechtner, who came from the fatherland on the same vessel with our subject, being five weeks upon the Atlantic, dur- ing which time they encountered several storms, but it was considered a quick passage. Mr. Shultz was first employed in a shoe shop, later in a brick yard, and then rented land. In 1858 he went to Iowa, but five years later returned to Bu- reau county, where he remained for three years and then went to Muscatine county, Iowa, there spending the three following years. On selling out there, he purchased a half section of land on Central Prairie, Bureau township, sections 22 and 25, which he continued to cultivate and im- prove until coming to Princeton, in 1893, when he sold the same to his children.
The parents of Mrs. Shultz located upon a farm near Princeton, where the father died June 24, 1873, at the age of seventy-three years, and the mother departed this life while on a visit to a couple of daughters in Sterling, Illinois, De- cember 6, 1862, at the age of fifty-seven. In their family were six children, all born in Prus- sia. Fred, married Sophia Range, and both are now deceased, his death having occurred De- cember 14, 1890, at the age of sixty-five years, and his wife's in 1896, at the age of sixty : Mary, the wife of our subject, who was next in order of birth, and was born August 24, 1831; Henrietta is the wife of Fred Werth, of Davenport, Iowa; John is the fourth of the family ; Lizzie is the wife of Gotlieb Hessler, of Nebraska; Sophia is the wife of Fred Deitrich, an agriculturist of Iowa.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shultz-Fred, died at the age of six months, and Mary at the age of fourteen months, and their re-
mains were interred in Knox cemetery, Illinois; Fred, the second of that name, married Mattie Lempke, by whom he has eight children-Gus- tav, Fred, Emma, Willie, Julius, Carl, Henry and Freda; the family reside upon the old home- stead farm in Bureau township; Henrietta is the wife of John C. Becker, a farmer of the same county ; they had six children-Fred; Mary, who died at the age of eight years and a half; Johnnie, Lizzie, Minnie, and Frankie.
While residing on his farm, Mr. Shultz served as school trustee for several years, and in politics is independent, voting for the best man regard- less of party ties. He and his family are all worthy members of the Lutheran church, and are highly esteemed and honored citizens of Bu- reau county. He was ever one of the best of farmers, enterprising, wide-awake and of the strictest integrity, and is now enjoying a well- earned rest among his many friends.
C ONRAD J. HELD, a well-known and pro- gressive farmer of Hopewell township, Marshall county, resides upon section 36, where he owns a fine farm of over seven hundred acres, all of which he has himself greatly improved. His father, Conrad Held, is a native of Baden, Germany, and came to America in 1845, a single man, locating at Hennepin, Illinois. He there married Apalona Freeze, a native of Bierne, Ger- many, November 2, 1845, and shortly after set- tled on section II, Hopewell township.
On arriving in this country the father found himself the possessor of only seventy-five dollars in cash, but with true German grit, he determined to achieve for himself a home if not a fortune. The land which he purchased was in a wild state. He first built a log house and then began clear- ing and grubbing out the brush. In due course of time he had the farm well improved, and built a frame house which is still standing. He there lived until 1861, when he sold the place to Enoch Sawyer, and removed to section 25, Hopewell township, where he purchased a farm of Charles Parker, comprising a half section of land partial- ly improved, for which he paid twenty-five dol-
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
lars per acre. He fenced the entire tract and in due time tiled the same and the farm became one of the most productive in Marshall county. The house which he found upon the place on his re- moval thereto was burned some years ago, after which he erected a large residence now occupied by his son, Peter Held. After being actively engaged in farming and stock raising for some years, in about 1884 he retired from active life, removing to Lacon, where he resided three years. He then moved to Varna, where he still resides. He was a very successful farmer and also a stock dealer, which line of business he followed some years, and all that he now has is the result of his perseverance, industry and good management.
To Conrad and Apalona Held were born six children, three of whom are now living. Mary married William Kock, and now resides in Rob- erts township. They have three children, Emma, Conrad and Lizzie, the first named now being the wife of Albert Hoffert, also residing in Rob- erts township; Peter W. married Tillie Hoffert, by whom he has three children-Loretta, now the wife of John J. Myers; Olive and Mary. They reside on section 25, Hopewell township. Our subject completes the family.
Religiously, the father has been a lifelong member of the Lutheran church, while his wife is a member of the German Methodist church. Politically, he has always been a democrat, and while caring nothing for the honors of office, he has yet served his fellow-citizens in official capa- city, serving three years as supervisor of Hope- well township, and road commissioner two years. He has always taken a great interest in the pub- lic schools and has done all in his power to ad- vance their interests. Purely a self-made man, he is entitled to great credit for what he is and what he has been.
On the 2nd of November, 1895, Mr. and Mrs. Held celebrated their golden wedding, at the residence of their daughter, Mrs. William Kock. It had not entered the mind of the aged couple to celebrate this event, but their three children determined it should not pass without being
properly observed. With the exception of the Rev. William Schultz, of Washburn, there were none present but relatives of the couple to the number of thirty-five. A sumptuous dinner was served, one specially fine cake being contributed by Mrs. Conrad Held, Jr., which was decorated with monograms. After a very pleasant day and evening being spent all retired to their respective homes with the hope that the father and mother might be spared to celebrate their diamond wedding.
The subject of this sketch, who is the young- est child living of Conrad and Apalona Held, was born January 18, 1851, on the old farm on section II, Hopewell township, where the first. ten years of his life were spent. The family then removed to section 25, in the same township, and there he remained until after attaining his majority. His primary education was obtained in the district schools, and his literary training completed at the Northwestern College, of Plain- field, Illinois. The succeeding two years were spent on the farm with his father, and in 1872, he married Miss Helen M. Strawn, a native of Rich- land township, Marshall county, and a daughter of William and Helen M. (Broaddus) Strawn, and a granddaughter of Colonel John Strawn, the first settler of Richland township. She was born July 21, 1854, and was educated in the dis- trict schools of Richland township, and in the high school at Lacon. She received her musical training at Lacon, and has kept up her practice, being a musician of more than ordinary ability.
After his marriage, our subject was in the stock business with his father for one year, and in 1874, settled on his present farm on section 36, Hopewell township. The farm at that time was but little improved, and Mr. Held went to work at once, fencing and tiling and otherwise improv- ing the same. He has put down over three thou- sand rods of tiling and has erected the present residence, barns and other out-buildings. In ad- dition to general farming, Mr. Held has usually been engaged in stock raising and also for a time as a dealer in 'stock. The family consists of three sons-Ralph Waldo, Edward Lester, and J. Fos-
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