USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 37
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 37
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
M ARSHALL LAMB. No man in Bureau county is probably more worthy of repre- sentation in a work of this kind than he whose name stands at the head of this sketch. For many years he has been identified with the agri- cultural interests of Ohio township, and was born
in 1850 on the farm which is still his home. His parents, Jeremiah and Martha Ann (Shiflett) Lamb, were both natives of the Old Dominion, where they spent their childhood and youth and were married. From there they removed to Ohio, and subsequently to the farm in Ohio township, Bureau county, Illinois, which is the home of our subject. The father led the quiet life of a farmer, caring nothing for the honors or emoluments of public office. He died in Keokuk county, Iowa, where he had resided less than two years, respected by all, and the mother departed this life in 1891.
During the boyhood and youth of our subject he attended the district schools near his home, thus acquiring a good practical education, while his training in farming work was reared on the homestead under the able direction of his father. His farm comprises one hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land, and indicates in all its appointments the supervision of a man of intelligence and sound judgment, and one who has been remarkably judicious in his investments. Mr. Lamb is a self-made man in the broadest sense of the term, having commenced life without any other means than his strong hands and reso- lute will, which were observable at an early period in his life. By industry and economy he has worked his way upward until to-day he is the owner of a good property.
In 1875, Mr. Lamb led to the marriage altar Miss Emma Yetman, daughter of George Yet- man, who is one of the old and respected citi- zens of Bureau county. Seven children came to bless their union, but only four are now living, namely: Laura, who for the past two years has been a student in the Princeton schools; Jasper, Eunice and Ethel. Mrs. Lamb is identified with the Christian church, while the oldest daughter is a Methodist in religious faith.
In politics, Mr. Lamb is a stalwart republican, and is an earnest advocate of the principles of that party. While not an aspirant for office, he has creditably served his fellow citizens in the capacity of school director, and is at present road commissioner. Upright and honorable in all
295
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
things, he has gained and retained the confidence and respect of his fellow men, and is distinctly one of the leading farmers of Ohio township, with whose interests he has always been identified.
SAAC C. BLACK. Prominent among the 1 energetic, far-seeing and successful business men of Bureau county is the subject of this sketch, now a leading merchant and grain dealer of Ar- lington. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his success, and his life history most happily illustrates what may be at- tained by faithful and continued effort in any chosen field of labor.
Mr. Black was born in Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, September 26, 1831, and is of German descent, his paternal great-grandfather coming from the fatherland, and becoming a pioneer of Bucks county. There the grandfather, Henry Black, spent his entire life. He faithfully served his country in the war of 1812.
Isaac Black, Sr., the father of our subject, was born, reared and educated in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Cynthia Carver, also a native of the same county. There he followed his trade of cabinet making until called to his final rest in 1837. His wife, who survived him many years died in 1867. Our subject is sixth in order of birth in their family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, all of whom grew to maturity. The others are Abram, who was killed at the battle of Antietam while serving as a union soldier in the civil war; William, now a resident of Walnut, Bureau coun- ty; Levi, of Lambertville, New Jersey; Ezra, of Bucks county, Pennsylvania; Jesse,, of Philadel- phia : Sophia, wife of Hile Wood, of Bucks coun- ty, Pennsylvania; Catherine, who died when a young lady, and Annie, deceased wife of Joseph Rice. Levi, Ezra and Abram were all mechanics.
In the county of his nativity, Mr. Black, of this review, passed the days of his boyhood and youth, receiving but limited school advantages, but by reading and observation in subsequent years has become a well informed man. Dur- ing his early life he engaged in the sawmill and
lumber business. In 1854 he emigrated to Illi- nois, locating in Arlington, where for a few years he followed the carpenter's trade, and then em- barked in the grain business, buying and sell- ing for others. About 1883 he began dealing in grain on his own account, which business he has actively and successfully carried on up to the present time. In April, 1892 he formed a partnership with E. D. Larkin, and they now carry one of the large and most complete stocks of general merchandise in Bureau county. They do a large and profitable business which is justly merited, as the goods which they handle are first class in every particular, selected with a view of pleasing their patrons.
Mr. Black was married at Dover, Bureau county, in 1858, to Miss Myra H. Simpson a native of Belmont county, Ohio, who came when a child of six years to this county with her father, James Simpson, one of the early set- tlers of this locality. Six children graced this union-Anna Estella, who died at the age of three and a half years; Ada D., who first married Harvey Milner, by whom she had one child, Joseph; she is now the wife of W. I. Wolf, of Arlington, by whom she has two children, Lewis and Isaac W. C .; Millie, who died at the age of seventeen years; Louis R., who died at the age of sixteen; Joseph R., also now deceased, and Bertha, who died at the age of twelve years. Joseph R. grew to maturity, was well educated in the Arlington schools, and for about six years engaged in the mercantile business with E. D. Larkin. At his death, which occurred in April, 1892, he left a wife, who died soon afterward. Mrs. Wolf is the only one of the children now living.
Mr. Black has ever taken an active interest in political affairs, in 1856 being one of the or- ganizers of the republican party in this locality, and he cast his first ballot that year for John C. Fremont. He has since supported every presi- dential nominee of that party. He has been called upon to serve in several positions of honor and trust, for three terms being a member of the county central committee, and during President
296
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Harrison's administration efficiently serving as postmaster of Arlington. In the discharge of all duties whether public or private he has been a like true and faithful, and his fellow citizens have for him the highest regard. He has served as a delegate to both the county and state conven- tions of his party.
Earnest and sincere Christians, both Mr. and Mrs. Black are faithful and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is steward and trustee, and fraternally he is a Master Mason and a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. He has passed all the chairs in the latter organization, being at the present time past grand. He was lodge deputy for a number of years and served as a delegate to the state conventions. For forty-two years he has been numbered among the honored and representative citizens of Bureau county, during which time he has witnessed much of its growth and development, and being a public-spirited, enterprising citizen has done much to aid in its advancement and prosperity. Upright and hon- orable in all things, his life is well worthy of emulation.
JAMES CHERRY, superintendent of the Seatonville coal mine, belonging to the Chi- cago, Wilmington & Vermillion Coal company, was born in Northumberland county, England, February 24, 1841, and is a son of William and Jane (Forbes) Cherry, the former a native of England and the latter of Scotland. They re- mained in England, where the father died at the age of sixty-six, and the mother some time later at the age of sixty. By trade he was a plasterer. Our subject is the oldest of their four children, the others being Elizabeth, wife of George Lid- dle, of England; Joseph, who died in that country at the age of twenty-two; and William, who is married and is a miner of England.
The educational privileges afforded our sub- ject were rather limited as he began work in a coal mine when only eight years and three months of age. He has therefore for almost half a century been connected with mining interests,
and has filled almost every position from "trapper boy" up to superintendent, so that he is thor- oughly familiar with the business in its various departments and is well qualified to fill the re- sponsible position which he now occupies. He passed the required examination at the last ses- sion of the state board for mine managers and received a certificate for his proficiency.
The year 1868 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Cherry in America and he at once began opera- tions as a miner at Braidwood, Will county, Illinois, where he remained for twenty years, during which time he worked his way steadily upward until becoming "Pit boss." It was in 1889 that he accepted his present position in the mine at Seatonville, which he has filled with honor to himself and the satisfaction of the com- pany. The mine was opened about 1878 and ten years later was transferred by Mr. Seaton to the present company. They take out about eight hundred tons daily although they have a capacity for lifting one thousand tons or over. It is a good grade of bituminous coal in three veins, and three hundred and twenty-five men are employed on an average all the year round, the number being increased during the winter season.
On the 16th of December, 1863, in England was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cherry and Miss Elizabeth Lonsdale, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Lonsdale, of that country, where her mother is still living. The father died in 1860, at the age of sixty years. Mrs. Cherry is one of a family of eleven children, seven of whom are still living, three sisters being residents of Braidwood, Illinois, and a brother Abraham, a miner of Seatonville.
Eleven children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cherry, namely: Elizabeth, married James Kibble, by whom she had five children: James, Fred, deceased; Mabel, Edith and Bell. John died at the age of one year and nine months. John T., the second of that name, works in the Seatonville mine, being night watchman and overseer of the pumps, which position was form- erly held by his father. He married Julia Smith, and has one daughter, Pearl. William, a farmer
297
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
by occupation, married Edith Swan, daughter of Newton B. Swan, of Hall township. James who works on top of the mine, still lives at home. Jane Ann, Hannah, Isabel, Esther, Joseph and Thomas Lonsdale are still under the parental roof.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Cherry is an ardent republican, a strong supporter of Major McKinley, for whom he voted in April, 1896, when a delegate to the congressional committee at La Salle, and he has been called upon to fill a number of minor offices. He is a member of Braidwood lodge, No. 704, F. & A. M., and is also a Knight Templar, being connected with the commandery at Peru, Illinois. He is in the prime of a vigorous manhood, is a jovial, genial gentle- man, and although an Englishman by birth has become thoroughly Americanized, giving his earnest support to all our free institutions. He is a thorough believer in protection for American industries, and is one of Seatonville's most worthy citizens.
T' THOMAS J. HIGGINS, now living a retired life in Henry, Illinois, is an Illinois pioneer of 1840, and dating his residence in Marshall county since 1855. He was born May 12, 1832, in Butler county, Ohio, that state which has sent out many of the grandest men in the nation, and which now ranks with Virginia as the "mother of presidents." His father, James Higgins, was also a native of Butler county, Ohio, while his mother who bore the maiden name of Sally Skill- man, was a native of Virginia, but whom in early life removed with her parents to Ohio, where her marriage with Mr. Higgins occurred. While yet residing in that state to them were born four sons and one daughter, as follows: Skillman V., who was a farmer of Whitefield township, and, dying in 1856, left two children, one of whom is yet living; Nellie Ann married John Hixon, a blacksmith of Peoria county, and removed to Dickinson county, Kansas, where she died in 1882; Hiram died at the age of twenty-two years; Thomas is the next in order of birth; and John was married and engaged in
farming in Saratoga township, where he died March 17, 1895. The wife of the last named died the year previous, leaving a family who yet reside in Saratoga township.
In the fall of 1840 James Higgins determined to leave Ohio for Illinois, with a view of not only bettering himself, but giving his children better advantages for their future lives. At this time his eldest son was a lad of but fourteen years, but a sturdy young fellow. Our subject was the next youngest in the family. With teaming and hauling the family and household effects they laboriously pursued their way from their Ohio home, arriving in Farmington, Illinois, January 6, 1841. The means of the husband and father were very limited, and consequently he could not purchase even a small farm, but was con- pelled to rent for a period of two years, taking a farm near Kickapoo, Peoria county, from which they removed to La Salle Prairie in the same county. In 1844 his wife died and he subse- quently married Miss Lydia Moats, by whom he had one son, James, now living in Buffalo county, Nebraska, where he is engaged in farming. In 1853 he moved with his family to Whitefield township, Marshall county, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1865, at the age of sixty-six years. His second wife survived him many years, dying at the home of her son, in Buffalo county, Nebraska, in 1892.
At the age of twenty-one years, Thomas J. Higgins came to Marshall county, and located in Whitefield township, there following farming. On the 25th of September, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Otto, born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, but who came to Illinois when a child of eight years with her parents, Christopher and Jane Otto, who settled in Peoria county, eight miles west of Peoria, where she grew to lovely womanhood. Her father there died some four years after coming to the state. Her mother, with true maternal love and affection, kept the three youngest children at home and lived on the farm until each grew up and married. She died in Woodford county, Illinois. some twenty years ago.
298
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In 1855, when our subject began life for him- self he had but one horse. He purchased another horse and an outfit for farming on a small scale, on credit, and rented a farm in Whitefield town- ship on which he lived until 1861. He then pur- chased an eighty acre tract on section 12, Sara- toga township, for which he was to pay fifteen hundred dollars. Of the purchase price he paid two hundred and fifty dollars, and had cash enough in hand to purchase all the stock he need- ed for the farm. Fortune favored him and it was but a short time before he cleared the farm from debt and added eighty more acres, giving him a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres. On that farm he resided for thirty-one years and there his family of eight children were reared and grew to be useful citizens. Of that family, Frances is now the wife of George Ettridge, of Russell county, Kansas; Alonzo married Lillian Lumbard, a daughter of George Lumbard, of Saratoga township, and resides on the old home- stead; Anna is the wife of Leonard Gray, a farmer of Lake county, Illinois; Alice is the wife of Edward Brown, of Saratoga township; Jennie resides at Mount Auburn, Iowa ; Ida is a trained nurse residing in Chicago; Minnie also makes her home at Mount Auburn; and Elmer lives with his brother Alonzo on the home farm.
Feeling that he and his good wife had earned a rest, in 1892 Mr. Higgins removed to Henry, where they are living retired. While on the farm they labored hard and faithfully, and to each of their children as they left the parental roof they rendered such assistance as possible. To each of them were given good educational advantages, which were well improved, four of the daughters engaging for a time as teachers in the public schools.
Politically, Mr. Higgins is a democrat, but simply votes the ticket, leaving to others so in- clined, the honors of public office, for which he has no inclinations. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Henry, with which they have recently united, although they have always attended and support- ed the church. In educational matters he has
always taken an active interest, and has served as school director and trustee for thirty years. As a citizen he endeavors to do his duty faithfully and well.
D AVID D. OWEN, who resides upon sec- tion 9, Richland township, is a well known citizen of Marshall county, and was born on the farm where he now resides, April 26, 1837, and is a son of Timothy and Jane (Dever) Owen, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of Ohio. (See sketch of Timothy Owen elsewhere in this volume.)
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on the farm in Richland township, and was educated in the district schools. He was reared to the life of a farmer and has ever followed that occupa- tion. He was married November 18, 1868, to Miss Emma L. Bequeaith, a native of Tazewell county, born near Pekin, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (King) Bequeaith, both of whom were natives of Ohio, the former born November I, 1820, and the latter January 7, 1821. Her parents moved from Ohio to Indiana in a very early day, and there resided until 1832, when they came to Illinois, and settled four miles southwest of Pekin, in Tazewell county, near the Bequeaith bridge. They there resided until 1881, when, retiring from active life, they purchased property on Buena Vista avenue, Pekin, and there resided until his death, September 29, 1893. His widow still survives. Their children were Mrs. Owen, James, Mrs. Alice Iliff, Mrs. Laura Lloyd and Louis. Three died before reaching maturity. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Owen were Joseph and Elizabeth (Kunkle) Be- queaith, who also moved to Tazewell county in an early day, where both died many years ago, and their remains were interred in the Bequeaith cemetery in Tazewell county. They were the parents of ten children-William, Mrs. Mary Dwyer, Mrs. Elizabeth Clarry, Joseph, Mrs. Annie Dixon, John, Mrs. Susan Whittaker, Michael, Louis and Nicholas.
Mrs. Owen was born March II, 1851, and re- ceived her education in the public schools of
299
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Pekin. Immediately after their marriage our subject and his wife took up their residence upon their present farm which comprises three hun- dred and twenty acres of highly improved land and where they have since continued to reside. They are the parents of five children, four of whom are living-Louis R., Jay J., Walter D. and James K. The one deceased was Timothy D., who died in early childhood. The others are all at home. Each have had good educational advantages, passing through the district schools and attending higher institutions elsewhere.
Politically, Mr. Owen has been a republican since the organization of the party, having voted for Lincoln in 1860, and for the republican nominees for state and local offices in 1858. While never aspiring for official position, he has served as township clerk and for twenty years has been a school trustee. His son Jay is at present township clerk.
In his life work, Mr. Owen has been quite successful, being a practical farmer and one ever abreast with the times. His place is always kept under the highest state of cultivation and his dwelling and outhouses show taste and refine- ment. In addition to his farm on which the family reside he is the owner of some sixty-six lots in the suburbs of Chicago. Mrs. Owen is the owner of a beautiful residence property on Buena Vista avenue at Pekin, Illinois, and has also a farm of one hundred and twenty acres three and a half miles southwest of that place.
S AMUEL P. PRESCOTT, a prominent men- ber of the Bureau county bar, has been actively and successfully engaged in the practice of law for twenty-six years in this county. He Is a native of the old bay state, born at Methuen, Essex county, on the 14th of October, 1844, while his father, S. P. Prescott, and his grand- father, Asa Prescott, were both natives of New Hampshire. The family is of English ancestry, and was founded in America at an early day, its members becoming pioneers of New Hamp- shire. They have taken a prominent part in pub- lic affairs in both that state and in Massachusetts,
many being noted men in the professions, and one cousin of our subject, Hon. B. F. Prescott, was governor of New Hampshire.
In the state of his nativity, S. P. Prescott, Sr., grew to manhood, becoming a resident of Essex county, Massachusetts, when a young man, and there wedded Miss Mary M. Carleton, whose birth occurred in that state. For many years the father engaged in the manufacture of shoes at Haverhill and held several important public posi- tions in that municipality, including that of alder- man. There he spent the last years of his life.
At Haverhill the subject of this sketch was reared, and during his boyhood and youth was furnished with excellent educational advantages, attending Philips Exeter academy, and graduat- ing from Dartmouth college in 1867 with the degree of A. B., and from which institution he received the degree of A. M. in 1874. After completing his collegiate course he engaged in teaching for a time, for two years serving as principal of the Francistown academy of New Hampshire.
In 1869 Mr. Prescott emigrated to Illinois. first taking up his residence at Princeton, and in 1870 was admitted to the bar, and formed a law partnership with George W. Stipp, now judge of the judicial district. After practicing for two years in that city, he moved to Chicago where he remained two years, and then came to Arling- ton, where he at once opened a law office and has since successfully engaged in practice. Since 1891 he has also had an office at Mendota and has practiced in all the courts in this section of the state. He has won an enviable position at the bar, and is now at the head of a large and lucrative practice.
In Princeton, Illinois, October 8, 1871, was consummated the marriage of Mr. Prescott and Miss Frances A. Van Velzer, who was born in Joliet, but reared and educated in Princeton. Her father, Granville Van Velzer, was a pioneer mer- chant of that city, but now resides with his daughter in Arlington. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Prescott, three of whom are now living, namely: Mabel, now the wife of Isaac
300
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
W. Wright, of Chicago, by whom she has one child, Ellis W .; Carl, now nineteen years of age, who holds a business position in Chicago, and Warren, who is a student in the Lamoille high school. Two died in early childhood.
Politically, Mr. Prescott affiliates with the re- publican party, and strongly advocates the pro- tection of American industries. He is at present serving as attorney for the village of Arlington, and has been a delegate to county, congressional and state conventions, but cares nothing for poli- tical preferment, prefering to give his entire time and attention to his professional duties. He is recognized as a thorough, painstaking lawyer. noted for his unswerving loyalty to the interests of his clients, and as a fluent, earnest and con- vincing advocate has but few equals in this sec- tion of the state. He is past master of Levi Lusk lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., of Arlington, and also holds membership in the chapter and com- mandery at Mendota. He is faithful and con- scientious in the discharge of every trust reposed in him, and he and his estimable wife have the respect and esteem of the entire community.
J AMES GILLILAND LAUGHLIN, a retired farmer, residing in Princeton, is a native of Illinois, born in Bond county, October 6, 1824. His father, Samuel Davis Laughlin, was a na- tive of South Carolina, who left that state with his parents in 1807. There were three families, those of Rev. James Gilliland, a Presbyterian minister; Willis Warnocks and the Laughlins, all leaving South Carolina at the same time on account of slavery, and all locating in Brown county, Ohio. While still residing in that coun- ty, where his youth and early manhood were spent, Samuel D. Laughlin married Miss Re- becca Dunlavey, and in 1820 emigrated to Bond county, Illinois.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.