USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 38
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 38
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 38
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Samuel D. Laughlin in early life learned the blacksmith trade, and became an expert. In after years, while not working regularly at his trade, he was often called upon to assist or complete some job requiring extra skill. On his removal to Bond county, Illinois, he entered a claim for
one hundred and sixty acres of land. In 1827 he laid claim to a tract of land in what is now Putnam county, being attracted thereto by the settlement in that county of James Willis, who was its first settler, and who likewise came from South Carolina. The Warnocks also came from Ohio, and settled near Union Grove, where a church was erected and presided over by Rev. Mr. McDonald. This building was also used for a school house.
While the elder Laughlin located his claim in 1827. he did not make Putnam county his per- manent home until 1830. His claim was near the present village of Florid, where he developed a fine farm of about four hundred acres, which was his home during the remainder of his life. He died in 18.49, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife died on the same farm at the age of fifty years. He was a leading member in the Presby- terian church at Union Grove, though quite lib- eral in his religious views. For many years he served as justice of the peace, and was known far and near as Squire Laughlin.
The anti-slavery views of the father were in- stilled into the heart of the son, and Samuel D. Laughlin was a well known abolitionist. In 1830, when he removed from Bond county, he brought with him an escaped slave named George, concealing him for days in his wagon. His home in Union Grove was a well known station on the underground railroad, and he was a conductor on that celebrated line. By his guiding hand many colored men and women were assisted on their way to a free land, amid their hearty "God bless you.'
To Samnel D. and Rebecca Laughlin a family of four sons and four daughters were born, as follows: Keziah Jane, who married Larned Davis, lived for some years at Mount Palatine, and is now a widow residing at Hennepin; John Wilson, who was a blacksmith and farmer in Putnam county, removed to Sumner county, Kansas, in 1885. and died there four years later ; Mary Amanda married Harvey B. Leeper, and they now reside in Princeton; James Gilliland, our subject, is next in order of birth: William
JAMES G. LAUGIILIN.
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MRS. J. G. LAUGHILIN.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Martin, who is a justice of the peace, now re- sides in Granville township, Putnam county; Sarah Ann, who married William McCord, died at Onarga, Illinois, in 1884; Addison Dunlavey, who was for years a teacher and justice of the peace. now resides in Kewaunee, Kewaunee county, Wisconsin, and Emma Caroline, died at the age of eighteen.
After the death of the parents the family scat- tered, each doing as he or she thought best. Our subject remained at home until that time, when he, too, began life for himself. He learned the blacksmith's trade, but engaged principally in farming until 1862, when, in company with his brother John, he established at Mt. Palatine, Putnam county, a blacksmith and wagon shop. They did a general repairing business in connec- tion and built up quite an extensive trade. The partnership continued for eight years, when he sold out and resumed farming at Mt. Palatine, where he owned one hundred and sixty acres of land. He continued thus actively engaged in general farming and stock-raising until 1885, when he removed to Princeton and has since lived a retired life.
On the 28th of November, 1850, Mr. Laughlin was united in marriage with Miss Julia Smith, a daughter of Beriah Hartshorn and Philena (Mor- ton) Smith. She was born in Mohawk, Herki- mer county, New York, in 1829, and came with her parents to Putnam county, in 1847. Her father was a native of Connecticut, but of Eng- lish origin, the first of the family coming to America before the year 1700. His grandfather died a French prisoner in the French and Indian wars. Philena Morton was a native of Massa- chusetts, also of English origin. Both parents are now deceased, her mother dying in Nebraska at the age of " "enty-seven years, and her father in Princeton, a the age of eighty-six:
Nine children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin-Marian Eliza, who died in 1894, was a woman of strong will and determina- tion, having in 1837 located a claim in Colorado, on which she remained to prove up. She died at Wyanet while she was keeping house for her
brother in 1894. Charles Emmet also resides in Iowa; Nettie is now the wife of James Mc- Nabb of Putnam county; John Baird is a rail- road agent at Franklin, Idaho; James Adelbert is a farmer of Wyanet township, Bureau county; Jennie is the wife of Fred Lauder of the Chicago stock yards; Frederick married Rosa Pryor and resides on a farm in Wyanet township; Howard, engaged in the laundry business in Princeton; Mabel, died at the age of two years; Amanda, an adopted child, is the wife of Clay Barr, of Hold- redge, Nebraska. She was reared in the family from the age of six years, took the name of Laughlin, and had the same advantages as the other children.
Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin now reside in a neat and comfortable house on West South street. Since coming to Princeton he invested in a farm in Wyanet township, now occupied by his son Fred. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church. In the church and tem- perance work she takes an active interest, being a worker in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Politically, Mr. Laughlin is a republican, as are each of his five sons. For some years he served as justice of the peace at Mt. Palatine, an office which was filled by his father and all of his brothers. He has frequently been a delegate to the various conventions of his party and has always worked in the ranks. With his wife he has taken many tours for pleasure, and together they visited the Centennial, the Columbian exposition and the Atlanta exposition. They believe in en- joying this life and do enjoy it to the fullest ex- tent.
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P ETER MERDIAN, residing on section 5, Henry township, is one of the leading farm- ers and stock raisers of Marshall county. He was born February 1, 1852, on the old Merdian homestead, south of the village of Henry. His parents, Johann Joseph and Mary Ursulla (Loth- ringen) Merdian, of whom a sketch is given else- where, were numbered among the pioneers of 1843. On that old farm our subject grew to manhood, received a good common school edu-
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
cation, and remained at home assisting in the cultivation of the soil until January 25, 1876, when he was united in marriage with Miss Theresa Schubert, a native of Bavaria, and a daughter of George Schubert, of Whitefield township, also a native of that country, who came to the United States in 1874, and direct to Mar- shall county. Her father died in May, 1893. At the time of coming to this country, Mrs. Merdian was twenty years of age. She soon afterward formed the acquaintance of Mr. Mer- dian, which acquaintance ripened into love, with the result of marriage as stated.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Merdian removed to a farm of one hundred acres in Whitefield township, where for seventeen years they resided, and where their family of nine children were born-Mary, William, John Joseph, Theresa, Vincent, Rosa, Helen, Leo and Bertha. All vet remain at home and are being educated and trained for future usefulness in this life.
Soon after the death of his father, Mr. Mer- dian removed to his present residence, the farm consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, which came to him on the division of the estate. He is a thorough and practical farmer, and with per- sonal knowledge and experience in every de- partment of farm work. His place is well im- proved and well stocked with labor-saving im- plements of the latest design. Politically he is a democrat, and religiously adheres to the views of his father, being a member of the Ger- man Catholic church. A lifelong citizen of the county, he is well and favorably known through- out its length and breadth.
G. W. TAYLOR, M. D., who for over forty I. years has been one of the leading and successful physicians and surgeons of Princeton, as well as one of the highly esteemed and hon- ored citizens, was born in Saratoga county, New York, October 9. 1815, having now passed the eighty-first mile stone on life's journey, but has the vigor of a much younger man, and in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime. There is
an old age that is a benediction to all that comes in contact with it, that gives out of its rich stores of learning and experience, and grows stronger intellectually and spiritually as the years pass. Such is the life of Dr. Taylor, an en- couragement to his associates and an example well worthy of emulation to the young.
His parents, Niles and Estella (Morris) Taylor, were natives of Connecticut, where they were married, but in 1813 removed to Saratoga county, New York. The father served in the war of 1812, for which he raised a company, and after- ward received a pension. By occupation he was a farmer and miller. From Saratoga county, he removed to Oneida county, and subsequently to Erie county, New York, where he died at the home of his son, James M., at the age of eighty- three years. He was an upright, worthy citizen, a member of the Baptist church. His wife died at the home of our subject, in Oneida county, New York, in 1840, at the age of sixty-eight years. She was reared in the faith of the Pres- byterian church, to which she always adhered. The doctor is the youngest in the family of twelve children and is the only one now living. Of his brothers and sisters, James M. was the last sur- vivor, and his death occurred in 1873.
In early childhood the home of Dr. Taylor was changed to Otsego county, and later to Oneida county, New York. At the age of twelve years he left the parental roof and started out to fight life's battles unaided. Although he has met with many difficulties and trials, he feels that his life has been ruled by a kind and loving father, who has directed and shaped his course.
In 1839 Dr. Taylor was united in marriage with Miss Orpha Bartholemew, by whom he had three children-Charles, who died in infancy; De Verne, who died at the age of fifteen months; and Juliaette, now the widow of Thomas P. James. She makes her home in Minnesota, and has seven children-Henry A., George T., Am- asa, Morris, Orpha, Oretha and Juliaette. Mrs. Taylor, who was born in 1813, died December 28, 1844. Later the doctor married Christiana Durfee.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
About the time of his second marriage our subject began the study of medicine, and in 1846 began its practice. Later he took the pre- scribed course of lectures at the Syracuse medical college, graduating in 1853, and the same year started with his wife and daughter for Princeton, Illinois, where he has since successfully engaged in practice with the exception of four years spent at Humboldt, Kansas.
Before leaving his native state, Dr. Taylor visited his brother James M. at Buffalo, where he heard for the first time of the people calling themselves Disciples, his brother and wife being members of that denomination. He attended their church on the Lord's day and after listening to the sermon, he said, "I felt it was the first gospel sermon I had ever listened to." In 1840 he had joined the Congregational church, but at that time was a Methodist, and on coming to Princeton joined the Disciples, or Christian church. In 1866 he was ordained as a minister by Elder George McMannis, and from 1880 until 1884 was engaged in evangelical work at Hum- boldt, Kansas. He also practiced medicine at the same place. In 1878 the United Order of Ancient Templars prevailed in Illinois, and the following year Dr. Taylor was made grand templar for the state. Later for some time he held both the offices of grand templar and supreme templar. All ob- jects for the promotion of the welfare of his. fel- low men receive his hearty co-operation, and he takes a leading and prominent part in all church work, presiding at many sessions of the district meetings and ministerial institutes. He has served as justice of the peace and county commissioner. For over fifty years he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and a member of the uniform rank of Knights of Pythias since 1872. He has served as delegate to Canada, Davenport, Iowa, and Kansas City, when the Knights of Pythias held their meetings there, and March 27, 1895, he was appointed by the major-general commanding, captain and chaplain of the Fifth Illinois Regi- ment Uniform Rank, K. P. On the 27th of Octo- ber, 1890, he was elected assistant surgeon with
the rank of captain in the supreme lodge of the Uniform Rank of the Knights of Pythias of the world. He is a public-spirited, prominent citi- zen of Princeton, always abreast with the times, and has the love and respect of all who know him.
D ANIEL H. SMITH, president of the First National bank of Princeton, Illinois, and also president of the Bates-Smith Investment Company, of the same place, is one of the most enterprising men in the city, and few men have a wider acquaintance among all classes of citi- zens of the county. He is a native of Orwell, Vermont, born December 2, 1835, and is a son of Joab and Mary (Horton) Smith, both of whom were natives of the same state. They were the parents of three sons, only one of whom is still living-the subject of this sketch. The father and mother are both deceased.
Daniel H. Smith was reared upon a farm in his native state and received his education in its common schools, and the academies at Poultney and Johnson. At seventeen he left home and en- tered a store at Sheldon, Vermont, where he was employed as a clerk. He remained there two years, in which time he acquired considerable knowledge of trade, and an insight in human na- ture. Having relatives in Bureau county, Illi- nois, upon their recommendation he came to Princeton in September, 1855, and almost im- mediately secured the position as clerk in the general store of A. & M. Carse, at a salary of four hundred dollars per year. With this and- another firm he remained two years, and then removed to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he en- gaged in the real estate business for about a year and a half. Fort Dodge at that time was quite an important place, a government land of- fice being located there, thus attracting a large number of emigrants. While at Fort Dodge, he made some money, but not being satisfied he returned to Princeton, and for about one year was in the grain trade, buying and shipping to the Chicago markets.
Being their only living child, his parents re-
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
quested him to return to Vermont, that he might at least be near them in their declining days. In December, 1859, he went back to Vermont, and located at Sheldon, about one hundred miles from his birthplace. He there engaged in manu- facturing and in general merchandise trade, in which he continued through the war with poor success. In 1866 he returned to Princeton, a poorer man financially than when he left seven years before, but richer in experience. Soon after his arrival he entered the office of the circuit clerk as deputy, a position he acceptably filled for ten years, during which time he made a host of friends.
In 1876, Mr. Smith was nominated for the office of circuit clerk and was duly elected. After his four year term he was renominated and re- elected, serving the second term. No man elected to that business ever filled the office in a more acceptable manner. Thoroughly qualified by nature and education, he acquired a knowl- edge of the work required and every duty was faithfully discharged to the satisfaction of every patron of the office, and to the judges of the circuit court and attorneys practicing at the bar.
While still serving as circuit clerk, Mr. Smith, in 1882, was elected by the directors, president of the First National bank. Since 1875, he has been one of the directors of the bank and has shown business tact and ability of a high order, and his associates felt that they had made no mis- take in placing him at the head of the institution. Until the expiration of his term of office as cir- cuit clerk, he could give only such time to the banking business as would not conflict with his official duties, and it can never be charged against him that he neglected his public duties that he might give the time to his private affairs.
In 1869, Mr. Smith began a loan business. His experience in the office of recorder, which is combined with that of circuit clerk, in this state, enabled him to become familiar with titles and the knowledge thus acquired has been util- ized in the business. The present Bates-Smith Investment Company is the outgrowth of his loan business, combined with that of a like busi-
ness established by Charles Baldwin, who died in 1882, and was succeeded by E. C. Bates. In 1885 the two united, and did business under the firm name of Bates & Smith. Two years later they opened a branch office in Omaha, Nebraska, and in 1891, the firm incorporated under the name of Bates-Smith Investment Company. The business has at all times been an extensive one, loans and investments being made throughout the northwest.
The First National bank, of Princeton, under the wise management of Mr. Smith, has been quite successful, and is rated as one of the sound- est financial concerns in northern Illinois. It was established in 1865 by Benjamin S., H. H. and W. W. Ferris, the first named being its presi- dent from the date of its organization up to the time of the election of Mr. Smith. The capital stock of the bank is one hundred and five thou- sand dollars, with undivided profits of eighty- nine thousand dollars in the spring of 1896. While no stock is on the market it has been quoted at one hundred and eighty dollars per share. It has always been a conservative and paying institution and owns its building on Main street.
The Bates-Smith Investment Company, which as already stated was the outgrowth of the private business of Mr. Bates and Mr. Smith, has from a small beginning grown to be one of the colossal concerns of the country. In 1885 the loans of Mr. Smith were about four hundred thousand dollars and that of Mr. Bates about the same amount. The company now has some two mil- lion dollars represented on its books, principally in Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. It does strictly a loaning business.
Mr. Smith was married May 27, 1862, at Fair- fax, Vermont, to Miss Jane M. Hubbell, a daugh- ter of Homer E. and Maria (Gove) Hubbell, also natives of Vermont. By this union one son was born-Louis J., a dentist, residing and doing business in Chicago. Mrs. Smith is an active and influential member of the Episcopal church of Princeton. While Mr. Smith is not a member, he is a liberal supporter of the same. Fraternal-
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ly he is a Mason, and also a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and has served in the grand lodge of both orders. The family reside in an elegant home on East South street, Princeton. A large private library adds to their enjoyment.
Since his retirement from office, Mr. Smith has not taken an active part in politics, but yet maintains his interest, and on all national ques- tions votes the republican ticket.
H' ERVEY E. BROADDUS, supervisor of Roberts township, resides upon a fine and well improved farm on section 17. His grand- father, Lunsford Broaddus, who married Nancy Gale, was a pioneer of Marshall county, in 1832. They were both natives of Virginia, where their marriage occurred. On coming to Marshall county, they located in Hopewell township, one and a half miles east of the present city of Lacon, on which farm they spent the remainder of their lives. Their children were Helen M., widow of William Strawn; Elizabeth, the deceased wife of Enoch Sawyer, also deceased; Christopher, de- ceased, who married Minerva A. Hall, a resident of Urbana, Illinois; Lucy, the deceased wife of F. H. Bond, of Wenona; Caroline, the deceased wife of Henry E. Weir, of Richland township; Leland, the father of our subject; Susan A., widow of Peter Bogardus, who now lives in Kan- sas; Andrew S. and Irving, of Lacon; and Reu- ben, of Roberts township.
Leland Broaddus was reared on the home- stead in Hopewell township, and after attaining his majority, married Harriet M. Crane, who was born near Hamilton, Ohio, March 8, 1830. She is the daughter of Hezekiah T. and Clarissa Crane, the former a native of New Jersey, born January 30, 1797, and the latter born near Cin- cinnati, Ohio, July 4, 1803. Her parents came to Marshall county, in 1835, settled in Richland township, where the father improved a farm, but soon after moved into Lacon, where he was county judge, postmaster, notary public and jus- tice of the peace for many years. Both parents died in that city, the father, October I, 1871, and
the mother, November 25; 1863. Their chil- dren were Eliza, wife of John Conklin, of Gales- burg, Illinois; Harriet N., the mother of our sub- ject; Martha, who resides at Galesburg, Illinois; Joseph V., who married Mary Nye, and is now deceased; Maria Louisa, wife of N. M. Laws, of Denver, Colorado; Eunice, now deceased. The parents of our subject were married in Marshall county, but immediately removed to Putnam county, locating in Hennepin township, where the father improved a farm in the river bottom. They were the parents of three children, two of whom are now living-Lunsford T. married Ara E. Hailey, by whom he has six children-Myrta, John, Henry, Willard, Walter and Ralph, and our subject is the younger.
The mother of these children died April 24. 1858, and the father married Miss Susan Case, by whom he had four children-John L., Clara E., James and Irving E. The first named mar- ried Emma Burt, by whom he has one child, Clara E. The daughter married Wayne I. Ham, and they have three children-Stella S., Clara Ella and Lee H. James is now deceased. The parents yet reside on the old homestead in Hen- nepin township, Putnam county, and are well- known and universally respected throughout the entire section of the country. Politically the father has been a lifelong democrat.
Hervey E. Broaddus was born March 27, 1858, in Hennepin township, Putnam county, Illinois. His mother dying when he was but a babe, he was taken by his grandfather, Crane, then resid- ing at Lacon, with whom he remained until four- teen years of age, in the meantime receiving his education in the public schools of that city. On leaving the home of his grandfather, he went to the home of his father, where he remained until grown to manhood.
On the 22nd of December, 1881, Mr. Broad- dus was united in marriage with Miss Cordelia B. Glenn, a daughter of Y. A. and Elizabeth (German) Glenn, of Magnolia township, Putnam county, Illinois, who have five living children- Isaac Dawson married Helen Otto, by whom he has two children, Murray and Dawson, and they
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
live in Magnolia township: Mrs. Broaddus is the next in order of birth; Clara Ellen is the wife of Robert G. Wilson, by whom she has two chil- dren, Marshall Nelson and Young Glenn, and they also live in Magnolia township; Anna Eliza- beth is the wife of Marshall H. Broaddus, and is the mother of one child, Minerva Elizabeth, and they live in Roberts township, Marshall county; Young Sherman, who married Clara Golden, lives in Magnolia township. Mrs. Broaddus was born December 25, 1859, in Magnolia town- ship, and was educated in the district school known as the Caledonia school.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Broaddus settled upon their present farm, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres, on section 17, Rob- erts township, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Broaddus has been a life- long farmer, in which line of business he has been successful. However, during a part of this time he has taught school in Marshall and Putnam counties. He has always taken a great interest in educational matters and has served as school director and school trustee for many years. In politics he is a democrat, and has voted that ticket since attaining his majority. He has served as collector of Roberts township one term, and is now serving the township as su- pervisor.
Mr. and Mrs. Broaddus are. the parents of three children-Grace Idell, Young Glenn and Leland H., all of whom yet remain under the parental roof.
A BRAHAM S. LANCE is numbered among
the energetic and enterprising farmers of Hall township, Bureau county, residing on sec- tion 5. His operations have been marked with uniform success, and in addition to being a thorough and skillful agriculturist, he is a busi- ness man of more than ordinary ability, wise and judicious in his investments, and has taken ad- vantage of the facilities afforded at this day and age by improved machinery and all the other appliances required by the modern tiller of the soil. He is one of the honored old settlers of the
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