USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 35
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 35
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 35
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W ILLIAM ALBAN GALLUP, a farmer, residing on section 17, Steuben township, Marshall county, with postoffice at Sparland, al- though not numbered among the pioneers of the county, has spent more than thirty of the best years of his life within its borders, and is recog- nized as one of its best and most deserving citi- zens, a man of culture and refinement, well read in the standard and current literature of the day. He was born in West Greenwich, Kent county, Rhode Island, July 5, 1829, and is the son of Alban W. and Lydia (Tillinghast) Gallup. The latter died when William was but a youth, and therefore he missed much of a mother's loving,
tender care at a period in life when such loving ministrations are greatly needed. His boyhood and youth were spent in his native village, and his education was finished at its high school.
The genealogy of the Gallup family can be traced back to 1620, and among its represent- atives have been many professional men, some of whom have been widely known in state and nation. The father of our subject was by pro- fession a physician, and it was his desire that William should also adopt that profession, and to that end directed his education in youth, and also gave him a place in his office, encouraging him in every way in his power, and trying to stimulate his interest in medical study. The night work essential in the life of a physician was distasteful to him, however, and the father abandoned his long cherished hope, and the son determined upon the life of a farmer as best suited to his tastes and inclinations.
When but twenty-one years of age, Mr. Gallup was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Tan- ner, also a native of Rhode Island, and has never for a moment had cause to regret the step taken, for his wife has to him been truly a helpmeet in the almost half a century in which they have to- gether traveled life's pathway. One year after their marriage, with the assistance of his father, he secured a small farm near West Greenwich, but later removed to Windham county, Connecti- cut, where he lived until 1856, when he deter- mined to come to Illinois, where the opportunity for securing land and success in his chosen life work would be much greater. He first located in Lee county, and there remained until 1865, being fairly successful in his operations. In that year he came to Marshall county, and purchased three hundred and twenty acres, of which he now owns one hundred and sixty acres, comprising a part of his present farm, to which, by sub- sequent purchase he added forty acres, making his fine farm of two hundred acres, which is under a high state of cultivation, and on which all improvements are of a substantial character. For his first tract he paid twenty-two dollars per acre. Taking the improvements into considera-
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tion this land is now valued at one hundred dol- lars per acre.
Since coming to Marshall county, Mr. Gallup has been quite successful, and is numbered among the well-to-do farmers of this section. He has always endeavored to have upon his place a good grade of stock and believes in diversified farming, having no hobby as to any particular branch of his calling. In addition to his farm- ing interests he has given some attention to the coal industry of Marshall county, and was one of the original stockholders of the Sparland Coal company.
In early manhood, Mr. Gallup was a whig in politics, but on the dissolution of that party, identified himself with the democrats, and has since been an earnest and consistent advocate of the principles of that party. For official posi- tion, however, he has never had any inclination, but has served his township in some minor offices. He usually represents his party in the township and county conventions, and his influence is al- ways felt on such occasions. Religiously he was reared under the influence of the Calvinistic Bap- tists, but the peculiar faith of that people has nev- er seemed to him consistent with the attributes of a divine being, and therefore he has leaned somewhat to Universalism, but has never identi- fied himself with the Universalist church. In educational matters he has ever taken consider- able interest, believing in good schools, and that every child should have the opportunity given it for an education.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gallup five children were born: Lydia married Archie Riddell, of La Prairie township, and on the death of her hus- band, returned to her parents' home, where she now resides; Sarah and Eunice both died in young womanhood, their deaths leaving a sad vacancy in the family household; Alvan married Miss Nellie Robb, and lives on a farm adjoining the old homestead; Benjamin yet resides with his parents, and assists in the cultivation of the home farm.
While declining to be a practitioner, Mr. Gall- up has kept up an interest in medical reading,
which has always been to him an interesting sub- ject, and the knowledge thus obtained has been of material interest to himself and family. As a neighbor and citizen, he has ever been held in the highest esteem.
E DGAR P. HANNUM, a member of the well- known firm of Dean & Hannum, furniture dealers and undertakers, of Spring Valley, is one of the prominent business men of that place. One of his leading characteristics in business affairs is his fine sense of order and complete sys- tem and the habit of giving careful attention to details, without which success in any undertaking is never an assured fact. He is a man of intrin- sic worth, esteemed in all the relations of life.
Born in Columbia county, New York, April 27, 1856, Mr. Hannumi is a son of Moses and Mary (Vadakin) Hannum, both natives of Massa- chusetts. The mother's death occurred on the 20th of October, 1872. Both were life-long members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which the father is an officer. He is a very de- vout man, an influential and highly respected citi- zen of the community where he makes his home, and among his many friends is known as Uncle Moses. Our subject and his twin brother, Oscar, who died in infancy, are the youngest in the family of four children. Loretta, the oldest, is the wife of Frank Hitchcock, of Harvey, Illi- nois, by whom she has three children, Charlie, Ida and Grace; Elizabeth is the wife of Edward Show, of Pelham, Massachusetts, and they have three children.
During his boyhood and youth, Edgar P. Han- num attended the common schools of the bay state, and in East Hampton, Massachusetts, learned the wagon-maker's trade, at which he worked for others until coming to Bureau coun- ty in December, 1876. For several years he was employed as a farm hand, but in 1886 came to Spring Valley, and for one year engaged in team- ing. At the end of that time he formed a part- nership with Mr. Dean, under the present firm style of Dean & Hannum, and they have since successfully engaged in their present business,
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carrying a stock of furniture valued at three thousand dollars.
In 1883, Mr. Hannum was united in marriage with Miss Clara A. Fleisher, one of a family of eleven children born to John W. and Mary Fleisher, of Pennsylvania. Two children grace their union-Ralph and Verna. . The parents are both consistent members of the Congregational church of Spring Valley. In politics, Mr. Han- num is a pronounced republican and a warm sup- porter of Major Mckinley. In his career we see what can be accomplished through industry, economy, sobriety, and strict attention to busi- ness, as he started out in life with no capital, save a pair of willing hands and a determination to succeed, and is to-day at the head of a pros- perous and paying business.
JOHN HECHTNER. We are now permit- ted to touch briefly upon the life history of one who has retained a personal association with the affairs of Bureau county for a number of years, and now makes his home in Princeton. His life has been one of honest and earnest en- deavor and due success has not been denied him.
He is a native of the city of Stralsund, in the northern part of Prussia, on the Baltic, and there served an apprenticeship to the shoemaker's trade, during which time he received his board and clothes. His employer was Alexander Lore, a Scotchman, but nearly all his fellow-workmen were Swedes, and he learned that language. At an early day he came to the United States with his parents, Gottfried and Mary (Kittendorf) Hechtner, and for two years they made their home in Princeton, building the second resi- dence north of the Christian church, which stands on Main street.
A year before their arrival Fred Hechtner, a brother of our subject, who had also worked in the shop of Alexander Lore, had come to Ameri- ca, and in 1856 the family all went to a farm which the father had purchased on section 36, Bureau township, and which comprised one hun- dred and sixty acres. This was divided in 1861, Fred taking one half, which he sold in 1864, on
going to Nichol, Muscatine county, Iowa, where he owned and operated a large farm. He died in 1890, at Davenport, Iowa, while under the doctor's care at that place. Before leaving Germany he had married Sophia Range, who died March 21, 1896, at Avoca, Iowa, and they became the parents of seven children, one son and six daughters.
Besides the brother of our subject there were also four sisters in the family, all of whom were unmarried on crossing the Atlantic. Mary is now the wife of Gustav Shultz, of Princeton; Henrietta first married F. Frank, and is now the wife of Fred Verth, of Davenport, Iowa; Eliza is the wife of Ernst Hessler, of Sterling, Illinois; Sophia married Fred Dietrich, of Gil- more City, Iowa. The parents continued to make their home with John until called from this life, the mother dying in 1863, and the father in 1872, at the age of seventy-two years. For nine years he has served as sergeant in the Prussian army.
John Hechtner and his brother worked to- gether for seven years, two years in a shop in Princeton, and five on the farm, and in 1861 they divided the land by drawing cuts, the old home- stead falling to Fred. They relied greatly on their father's sound judgment, always consulting him on important questions, and worked together in perfect harmony. Our subject owned one hundred and sixty acres of land in Bureau town- ship, one hundred and twenty acres in Princeton township, and after receiving a part of the old homestead he had four hundred acres of valuable land. Many predicted his failure without his father's guiding hand, but he continued very suc- cessful, and became the owner of much other valuable property. In 1876 he purchased a one hundred and sixty-three acre farm in Manlius township, for which he paid six thousand dol- lars cash; in 1878 the Frank Thompson farm in Bureau township, two miles from his home, six thousand four hundred dollars; in 1884, the Joel Martin farm, of one hundred and sixty acres in Bureau township for nine thousand eight hundred dollars cash; the Carl Smith farm of one hundred and sixty-three acres for eight thou-
JOHN HECHTNER.
MRS. JOHN HECHTNER.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
sand two hundred dollars cash, and in 1893 bought the old home farm of one hundred and sixty acres from Robert Tankinson, who had pur- chased the same from his brother Fred, for which he paid eighty-five dollars per acre, or thirteen thousand five hundred dollars cash. Some of his property he has sold and other tracts he has given to his children, but still owns three farms in Bureau township, amounting to four hundred and eighty acres.
Besides general farming, Mr. Hechtner has given special attention to stock raising, having horses, cattle and hogs upon his place, which he would feed and sell by the car loads. He was extensively engaged in breeding Norman horses, having an imported stallion which cost him twen- ty-two hundred dollars, and also a half interest in another costing one thousand dollars. He him- self has bred from twelve to eighteen horses per year, and on these animals has received some of the highest prizes at the fairs where they were exhibited.
On the 20th of December, 1861, Mr. Hechtner married Miss Elizabeth Mehlin, of Wiel, Switzer- land, who came to the new world at the age of ten years, and located first in Calhoun county, Il- linois buthad come to Bureau county in 1857. To them were born the following children: Mary, now the wife of Andrew Rudiger, who is operat- ing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, Bureau township; Emma, wife of William Dremann, living on the old Hechtner homestead; John, of Chicago; Eliza, who died at the age of eight years; Charley, who mar- ried Nellie Westbrook, and now lives on a farm in Bureau township; Lizzie, Carrie and Min- nie, all at home, and four others, who died in infancy.
Mr. Hechtner has taken a prominent part in public affairs and has been called upon to fill several official positions, being school director in his township for twenty years, pathmas- ter many years, commissioner of highways nine years, and supervisor nine years, his last term expiring in 1892, when he left the township to come to Princeton. Al-
though the township was strongly republican, he was always elected on the democratic ticket, with which party he always affiliates, and is a leader in its conventions. His election clearly indicates his popularity and the confidence and trust re- posed in him by his fellow-citizens. He is not a member of any religious organization, but his wife attends the German Lutheran church. He is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to Bureau lodge, No. 112, F. & A. M., and became a mem- ber of the order at Wyanet. With the chapter at Princeton he has held membership since 1860. He is also a Knight of Pythias, being a member of the lodge, No. 19, and Uniformed Rank, No. 8. He is a prominent member of Bureau lodge, No. 428. I. O. O. F., which on his fiftieth birth- day presented him with a beautiful gold watch and chain, for his faithful service in its official po- sitions, and for twelve years he has also attended the grand lodge of that order.
Mr. Hechtner is an honor to the country that gave him birth and to the country of his adoption. In 1878, being in poor health, he made an ex- tended tour of Europe, visiting the Paris expo- sition-where he met General Grant-Switzer- land and his old home in Germany, Stralsund. He returned in the fall entirely restored in health, and with a broader knowledge of the world.
J
JOSEPH GREENLEE is practically a retired
fariner, living in a very desirable home on a farm of fifty-five acres adjoining the village limits of Henry, Illinois. While simply one of the peo- ple, a man who has been content to go along the even tenor of his way, neither desiring or ac- cepting official position, he is yet well-known throughout Marshall and Putnam counties, hav- ing a reputation for honesty and uprightness that is indeed commendable. He is a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, born Feb- ruary I, 1834, and there grew to manhood on a farm. His parents, Elisha and Eunice (West) Greenlee, were also natives of that county, while his grandfather Greenlee was born in Scotland and emigrated to this country about the begin- ning of the present century.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Our subject remained at home with his pa- rents, assisting in the farm work, and as the op- portunity was afforded him attended the pub- lic schools, receiving therein a fair English edu- cation. Being of an enterprising spirit, and be- lieving that in Illinois he would stand a much better chance for future advancement, he deter- mined to follow the advice of the lamented Hor- ace Greeley and come west. Accordingly, in 1855, shortly after attaining his majority, he came to Marshall county, and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Saratoga township, for which he paid ten dollars per acre. With commendable energy, he at once commenced the improvement of the place, and there made his home for ten years. During that time he gave special attention to grain raising, as wheat and corn were almost invariably a sure crop and brought remunerative prices.
For seven years after Mr. Greenlee came to Illinois, he lived a lonely bachelor's life, when realizing that it was not good for man to be alone, he took to himself a wife in the person of Miss Caroline A. Lytle, who was also a na- tive of Washington county, Pennsylvania, but who had come to Illinois with her parents when a mere child of eleven years. Her father, Sam- uel Lytle, was a native of Pennsylvania, while her mother, Elizabeth (Aston) Lytle, was also born in that state. They were there married and there resided until coming to Illinois. They first located in Peoria county, where Mr. Lytle worked at his trade of blacksmith. In 1856 they moved to Saratoga township, Marshall county, where he carried on farming in connection with his trade. He died there some years ago. His widow survived him, dying in March, 1895, at Spencer, Iowa. Of their family two children are living, Mrs. Greenlee and Collin W. Lytle, who resides upon the old homestead in Saratoga township. To Mr. and Mrs. Greenlee one child was born, Charles, who married Elizabeth Duke, a sister of the Duke brothers, of Henry. They have one child, Carrie May, and reside upon the Greenlee farm in Saratoga township.
Some three years after their marriage, Mr. and
Mrs. Greenlee moved from the farm on section 21, which they sold, to one on section 14, in the same township. To his original purchase of one hundred and six acres, he later added one hun- dred and sixty acres adjoining on section 13, giving him a fine farm of two hundred and sixty- six acres. The farm was fairly well improved when he purchased, but he made more extensive improvements, including a large and fine barn. On this farm he continued to live, engaged in mixed farming until 1882, when he purchased the fifty-five acre tract adjoining Henry, to which the family moved, and where they have since continued to reside.
Mr. Greenlee attained his majority about the time the republican party sprang into existence. Being by nature a liberty loving man and con- scientiously opposed to the further extension of slavery, which then cursed this fair country, he naturally allied himself to that party, and has ever since voted its ticket in all general elections. His interest in political affairs was never such as to make him aspire to any office in the gift of the people, but he has shown his faith in the prin- ciples of the party by attending its conventions and voting its ticket. While not a member of any church, he endeavors to live in such a man- ner as to bring no reproach upon his name and to live peaceably with all men.
M ARTIN BRENNEMAN, now living a re- tired life in Princeton, but for a period of over thirty years was one of the active, enter- prising and successful farmers of Bureau county, is numbered among the honored old settlers, dating his residence here back to 1855. A na- tive of Pennsylvania, he was born March 12, 1819, in Canestoga township, Lancaster county, . and is a son of Martin Brenneman, whose birth occurred in the same county. The paternal grandfather was a native of Germany, became a prominent citizen of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and faithfully served the colonies in the Revolu- tionary war.
The father of our subject also took up arms in defense of his country's rights, being a soldier
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in the war of 1812. In his native state he mar- ried Verona Kendrick, who was born in Lan- caster county, and was a daughter of Henry Kendrick. Ten children graced this union, five sons and five daughters, of whom four are still living-Christian, a farmer, of Livingston coun- ty, Missouri, residing near Chillicothe; Anna, widow of Louis L. Messenkop, and a resident of Princeton, Illinois; Fanny, wife of David Get- tle, of Merrick county, Nebraska, and Martin, of this sketch. By occupation the father was a farmer, and cleared and opened up three farms in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. In 1830 he emigrated to Wayne county, Ohio, settling ten miles east of Wooster, and there also developed three good farms, becoming one of the foremost and most successful agriculturists of the com- munity. His wife died in Stark county, Ohio, after which he made his home with our subject for thirteen years, and on the latter's removal west he went to live with another son. In the fall of 1855, however, he came to Bureau county, spending the last years of his life with our subject, and now lies buried in the Malden cemetery.
Mr. Brenneman, of this review, began his edu- cation in the schools of his native state, but at the age of eleven years he accompanied the family to Ohio, where his time was taken up in assist- ing his father in clearing and developing his land. His school privileges, therefore, were limited, and he is almost wholly self-educated, having gained most of his knowledge since reach- ing manhood. He learned both the blacksmith and carpenter's trade, and followed the latter oc- cupation for some time. Going to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, he there rented land for about fifteen years, but in 1855 he came to Bureau county, Illinois, and purchased eighty acres of raw prairie land in Selby township, on which he erected a little house. He endured all the hard- ships and privations incident to pioneer life, and owing to a heavy frost, raised neither corn nor oats in 1857. He was not discouraged, however, and soon success crowned his efforts. As his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his farm until he owned a valuable
tract of six hundred and forty acres, upon which he erected a comfortable two-story residence and substantial barns and out-buildings, making it one of the best and most highly improved farms of Selby township. There he made his home until 1886, since which time he has lived retired at Princeton, and is numbered among the well-to- do and highly respected citizens.
On the 12th of January, 1843, in Stark county, Ohio, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bren- neman and Miss Lydia Young, a native of that county, who died in Ohio. Three children were born to them-Mary Ann, now the wife of James Lewis, a farmer of Jackson county, Kansas, by whom she has two sons; Henry, who was a union soldier in the civil war, and met his death by drowning after his return home, and Michael, who died at the age of two years. In Wayne county, Ohio, Mr. Brenneman was again married in 1847, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Garman, who was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1823, and was there reared. Her father, Philip Garman, was a na- tive of Germany, and for twelve years served as a soldier under Napoleon, taking part in many important battles, including that at Moscow. He received two severe bayonet wounds, one through the calf of the leg and the other through the hip. He became an early settler of Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Wayne county, Ohio, but spent his last days in Cuyahoga county, that state. Mrs. Brenneman is one of a family of twelve children, three daughters and nine sons, all of whom grew to maturity but one, and she has five brothers still living-John, Philip, George, Daniel and Charles, all farmers of Ohio, living either in Wayne or Cuyahoga counties.
Seven children blessed the second marriage of our subject-John, a farmer, of Clay county, Nebraska; George, a farmer, of Selby township, Bureau county: Martin, a farmer, of Adams county, Nebraska; Daniel, a farmer, of Prince- ton township, Bureau .county; Amanda Shettle, of Bureau township; Margaret, wife of Levi Coffman, of Clay county, Nebraska, and Hattie, wife of W. J. Stockham, of Hamilton county,
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Nebraska. There are also thirty-four grand- children.
Politically, Mr. Brenneman has ever been iden- tified with the democratic party, a firm believer in Jeffersonian principles, but has never aspired to office, although he has filled several local posi- tions of honor and trust. Both himself and wife are consistent members of the English Lutheran church. He is numbered among the honored old settlers of the county, where he has now made his home for over forty-one years, and has wit- nessed the vast changes which have here taken place, to the labors of which he has contributed his share. He is now enjoying a well-earned rest, and is surrounded by many warm friends and acquaintances, who have for him the highest regard.
F RANK D. SHAFER, supervisor of Lacon township, is the oldest member of the county board in point of service, and is well-known as a thorough and progressive farmer, and a sincere friend of the public school system. He was born October 5, 1837, in Knox county, Ohio, and is a son of Henry and Nancy (Feazel) Shafer, the former a native of Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, born July 4, 1800, and the latter of Knox county, Ohio, born in 1812. Henry Shafer was of German descent, being a son of Michael Shafer, a native of Germany. He was reared in Pennsylvania, but in early manhood removed to Knox county, Ohio, and there married Nancy Feazel, a daughter of Jeremiah Feazel, who set- tled in Hopewell township, Marshall county, in 1845.
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