USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 39
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 39
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 39
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county, dating his residence here back to 1854.
Warren county, New Jersey, was the earliest home of our subject, and where he first opened his eyes to the light, November 28, 1830. His grandfather, George Lance, was a native of Ger- many, while his father, Abraham Lance, Sr., was also born in New Jersey, where he grew to man- hood and wedded Miss Mary Mixsell, and who was also born in that state of German parentage. There they spent their entire lives. The father met his death by accident, being kicked by a horse.
Mr. Lance, the subject of this memoir. passed his boyhood and youth in the state of his na- tivity, during which time he received but a limited education. He has, however, by study and ob- servation in later years became a well-informed man. When a young man he came west in 1854 in company with a brother-in-law, George L. Vroom, and from Peru crossed the prairie where he now resides on the IIth of May. For one year he worked as a farm hand by the month, and then bought an eighty acre tract in West- field township, Bureau county, which he at once began to clear and cultivate. During the war he was drafted, but sent a substitute. Later he sold his place and purchased one hundred and thirty-three acres on section 5, Hall township, which was but partially improved. This he placed under a high state of cultivation, erected thereon a good two-story residence, together with substantial out-buildings, and he has paid out about six thousand dollars in improving his place. Recently he has sold one hundred acres of his farm and now loans his money. He still continues the operation of the small tract re- maining, but to a great extent is now living re- tired.
Starting in life with very little capital, in fact nothing but his strong hands and resolute will, the present condition of Mr. Lance, socially and financially, reflects great credit upon him, both as an agriculturist and a business man. Polit- ically he is entirely independent of any partisan- ship, and in the exercise of his elective franchise considers the man and not the party platform.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In Selby township, Bureau county, March 26, 1864, Mr. Lance led to the marriage altar Miss Margaret Martin, who was also born in Warren county, New Jersey, and came to Illinois as a young lady, with her father, Henry Martin, an early settler of Selby township, who spent his last days in Malden, Bureau county. One daughter was born of this union-Olivia, now the wife of James B. Nelson, a prominent citizen of Spring Valley, by whom she has two children, Lance and George.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Lance are true and sincere Christians, the former holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and the latter in the Baptist church. For forty-two long years he has been an honored resident of Bureau coun- ty, during which time he has witnessed its won- derful growth and development, and he has faith- fuly borne his share in its advancement and up- building. He is a most worthy citizen, whose honor and integrity are unimpeachable, his word being considered as good as his bond.
N ATHANIEL BOYD. There is particular satisfaction in reverting to the life history of the honored and venerable gentleman whose name initiates this review, since his mind bears impress of the historical annals of the state of Illinois from its earliest pioneer days, and with the interests of Bureau county, he has been iden- tified for the long period of sixty-six years. He was born in New York, city, September 1, 1819, but the same year was brought to Illinois by his parents, Charles S. and Eliza (Dixon) Boyd, who located at Springfield, where the father erected the third house in the place. He en- tered forty acres of land where the Illinois Cen- tral depot now stands, which he afterward sold for three dollars per acre and thought that he had made a good bargain as it only cost him one dollar and a quarter per acre. He engaged in farming to some extent and also worked at his trade of tailoring whenever he could find any- thing to do in this sparsely settled country. In 1830 he came to Bureau county, locating at what is now Boyd's Grove in Milo township, it being
named in his honor as he was the first to locate there. Our subject was the third in order of birth in the family of seven children, five of whom are still living. One son is now a resident of Princeton.
The family endured all the hardships and privations incident to life on the frontier where Indians were more numerous than white settlers. In January, 1831, their home was accidently de- stroyed by fire, and the inmates barely escaped with their lives. They knew they must raise a crop, however, or starve, and the younger chil- dren were taken to Fort Clark, now Peoria, for safety, while the father, our subject and an older brother remained to plow and plant their grain. Two would watch for the Indians while the other was plowing and at night they would sleep in the brush thicket so as not to be murdered. They lived at Boyd's Grove all through the Black Hawk war. Their home was near that of the Indian chief, Shabbona, who was very friendly and often assisted them during the severe winter. On killing a deer he would cut it in two and bring the Boyd family half. He it was who gave the alarm to the white settlers when Black Hawk started on his raid, and with them he took refuge at Fort Clark. The Boyd home- stead was the stopping place for the stage from Springfield to Galena, and after the house was destroyed the passengers would sleep on straw. Our subject often used a bull dog for a pillow, and one night he was offered fifty cents for the use of his dog for the same purpose by a passen- ger.
In 1840, the father removed to Princeton, where he spent his remaining days, at which time he gave Nathaniel and a brother a piece of land near Peru, La Salle county, Illinois. Our subject at once took up his residence there, keep- ing bachelor's hall for two summers while he cleared, improved and cultivated the land. On the 12th of March, 1844, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Ann Cummings, of Bu- reau county, who was born in Gallatin county, Illinois, February 20, 1827, and had come to Bu- reau county, in 1834, with her parents. Mr.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Boyd had made her acquaintance while peddling dry goods throughout the county. Upon his La Salle county land he erected a cabin, in which they began their domestic life, but the next year so many died of cholera in the locality, that her parents persuaded them to return to Bureau county. Selling out there he purchased eighty acres of the farm in Concord township which is still his home, and subsequently entered two hundred and forty acres from the government. He erected a good frame residence, which he has since remodeled and yet finds a comfortable home.
To Mr. and Mrs. Boyd were born eight chil- dren, four of whom are still living: Mary T., wedded Charles Witherell, of Concord township, and they have two children; Roxey is the widow of Harry Rawson, and with her three children resides in Princeton; John W. is married, and is a railroad man, residing in Texas; Cummings is a farmer of Concord township, whose sketch is given below. The mother of these children de- parted this life September 20, 1866, and her re- mains were interred in the cemetery near the family homestead.
In 1840, Mr. Boyd cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison, and took a prominent part in that exciting campaign, going all the way witli teams from his home in Bureau county to the rally at Springfield. Since voting for Fremont in 1856, he has been an ardent re- publican, but has never cared for political distinc- tion. As a representative man of the county and an old pioneer he stands pre-eminent. His solid worth and energy of character have made him many friends in the community, and all who know him have for him the highest regard.
C ONRAD MERDIAN, a native son of Mar- shall county, holds a good position among the agriculturists of Henry township, where he is engaged in general farming, and from which he derives annually a comfortable income. His birth occurred June 29, 1854, and he remained under the parental roof until after attaining his majority.
On the 23d of October, 1877, Mr. Merdian led to the marriage altar Miss Atillia Roth, who was born in Ontario, Canada, and came to Illinois at the age of seventeen with her parents, Joseph and Mary (Friese) Roth, who settled in Putnam county, where they both died, the father, Nov- ember 15, 1895, at the age of seventy-three years, and the mother about two years previously. After his marriage our subject rented a part of the old home farm, which he operated until 1882, when he removed to his present tract of one hun- dred and thirty acres of rich and fertile land. This farm his father had purchased the year previous of Peter Mattern, and in the settlement of the estate it fell to our subject.
Eight children have been born to Mr. Merdian and his excellent wife-Andrew, Anna Atillia, Joseph, Julia Ella, Mary Eva, Adam Henry, Pau- lina Maggie and Laura, all at home. The family is one of prominence in the community and its members belong to the German Catholic church. He uses his right of franchise in support of the democracy, and has served his fellow-citizens as school director. He is pursuing the even tenor of his way as an honest man and good citizen, and has the esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.
G EORGE STEPHEN McLEAN, who is engaged in the undertaking and livery business in Princeton, has been a permanent resi- dent of the city since 1873, during which time he has made many friends and acquaintances in every nook and corner of the county. He was born in Morris county, New Jersey, October 16, 1842, and spent his boyhood and youth upon a farm, assisting in the work and attending the common schools as the opportunity was afforded lıim. When seventeen years of age he was ap- prenticed for a term of three years to learn the trade of carriage making, and served his full time, receiving thirty-five dollars for the first year: forty dollars for the second, and forty-five dollars for the third year, including board each year.
On completing his trade, Mr. McLean con-
GEORGE S. MCLEAN.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
tinued with his old employer as a journeyman for several months, then went to New York City, and there followed his trade until 1865. The western fever then attacked him and he came to Illinois, and was engaged in farm work prin- cipally in Fulton and McDonough counties for two years, a part of which time he was foreman of a large stock farm. Returning east, he worked at his trade at Hackettstown, New Jersey, and Dover, New Jersey, until 1873, when he came to Princeton, and established the first regular car- riage repository in the place, selling the work manufactured by McLean & Co., of Hacketts- town. Previous to this time comparatively few carriages were used in the county and not one farmer in a hundred indulged in such a luxury. Lumber wagons were considered good enough for the average farmer and he little dreamed that the time would soon come when the farmers of even moderate circumstances would possess such a vehicle.
Mr. McLean continued in the carriage busi- ness as manufacturer and dealer some twelve years, and many of his make are yet in daily use throughout Bureau and surrounding counties. For some years the firm did a large and profit- able business, but were finally crowded out by the introduction of cheap carriages, manufactured in Cincinnati and elsewhere. In 1878 he engaged in the undertaking business, and two years later added livery, in connection, the double business being yet maintained. He is a practical em- balmer, and has all the embalming facilities found in an establishment of the kind. In his livery department he keeps a number of fine horses, with good buggies and carriages and in both departments does a satisfactory business. In the spring of 1896 he added two fine coaches for funeral purposes.
About one year after coming to Princeton, Mr. McLean returned to his old home to claim a bride. He was married at Hackettstown, New Jersey, January 14, 1874, to Miss Alice S. Grimes, a daughter of Richard Grimes, of En- glish descent. Her mother died when she was quite small, and she was reared in the family of
Casper Jones. By this union nine children have been born-Myrtle M., Charles R., Mary M., George L., Nellie E., Hazel, Nicholas, Richard WV., and Alice.
Immediately after the wedding ceremony was performed, Mr. McLean brought his young bride to his western home, and here they have since resided. They first rented property, but three years later erected a nice comfortable dwelling, which was remodeled in 1893. Mrs. McLean is a woman of domestic habits and tastes and has shown herself a worthy helpmeet of her husband. She is a member of the Presbyterian church, and evinces a lively interest in every department of the work of the church.
Mr. McLean has never identified himself with the church, but contributes to its support. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1870, and has passed all the chairs. He represented his local lodge four years in the grand lodge of the state, and is well posted in the principles and work of the order. He is a member of the Princeton Gun club and enjoys a good hunt. This club owns some three hundred and forty acres and has about six thous- and acres leased. With its fifty members, Mr. McLean ranks among the best as a shot, and none enjoys the sport more.
In addition to his regular business, he has served as director in the Farmers' National bank for some years, and for five years was on the board of directors of the Princeton public schools .. Politically, he is independent, voting for such measures as in his judgment will best advance the interests of his city or country.
C N. BOYD, a farmer and stock-raiser, re- · siding on section 21, Concord township, was born in the village of Sheffield, Bureau coun- ty, on the 18th of January, 1860, and he spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon the home farm. He completed the prescribed course in the common schools of Sheffield, graduating from the same at the age of sixteen years. The following year he entered the university at Champaign, where he graduated with the class
16
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of 1881. While attending that institution, at an inter-state oratorical contest he met Mr. Bryan, the democratic presidential nominee of 1896, who was then a student at the Illinois col- lege at Jacksonville.
On the completion of his education, Mr. Boyd turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he resolved to make his life work. For four years he engaged in farming in Missouri with a brother-from 1887 until 1891-and at the same time was extensively engaged in stock- raising. In 1892 he located upon his present fine farm, which comprises two hundred and fifteen acres of well improved, productive land.
On the 2nd of June, 1890, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Boyd and Miss Addie M. Hum- phreys, who was born and reared in Sheffield, and is the daughter of H. P. and Elizabeth (Fish- er) Humphreys. She is also a graduate of the schools of that place. Four children have come to bless this union, namely: Roland, Edith, Stanton and Marion.
Politically, Mr. Boyd follows in the foot-steps of his father, supporting the men and measures of the republican party, and cast his first vote for James G. Blaine in 1884. Socially he is a mem- ber of Sheffield Lodge, No. 802, I. O. O. F. His wife holds membership in the Unitarian church at Sheffield, of which she was organist for nine years, and previous to her marriage she also en- gaged in school teaching in that village. They are widely and favorably known throughout the community, and they are much esteemed.
JOSEPH YERLY, book-keeper for the Chi- J cago, Wilmington & Vermilion Coal Com- pany, located at Seatonville, Illinois, was born in Leige, Belgium, May 8, 1868, and is a son of John and Mary (Burton) Yerly, the former a native of Holland, and the latter of Belgium. With their two children they came to America in 1872, settling in Braidwood, Illinois, where the father worked in the mines until 1886, when he was killed by a falling stone, at the age of forty-four years. In Belgium he had also fol- lowed mining and served in the army for some
time. He was offered several good army posi- tions, but always refused. His wife is still a resident of Braidwood, where she is now con- ducting a store, and is a woman of excellent business ability. Since the death of her first husband she has married John Baiwir, of Braid- wood, who was also born in Belgium. Our sub- ject is the oldest of four children, of whom one died in infancy. Leona died at the age of seven years and seven months; Peter John, a resident of Braidwood, married Lucy Maltby.
The early education of Joseph Yerly was ac- quired in the common schools of Braidwood, and at the age of nine years began work in the coal mines with his father, but during the great strike of 1877 they were thrown out of employment. During this stringent state of affairs he started for himself in the dairy business under his moth- er's able direction, beginning with only one cow, but the number was afterward increased to thirty- five. He was industrious and persevering and displayed great aptitude for business, qualities which he inherited from his mother, and which were indispensable in achieving his success. Ardently desiring to become a good scholar he used the money he made in the dairy business to pay his tuition in school. He gave his best en- deavors to improving himself in his studies and made the most of his opportunities. At the age of thirteen he entered the Chicago & Alton rail- road office as errand boy, which position he filled for three years, and then went into the office of the Chicago, Wilmington & Vermilion Coal Company at Braidwood. There he also served as errand boy, receiving no pay for the first two months while he was becoming familiar with the business, and then was given twenty-five dol- lars per month. So satisfactorily did he dis- charge his duties that at the end of six months his wages were increased to thirty dollars, and eight months later to fifty, at which time he was also given ten dollars back pay. He remained at that place until 1889, when he came to Seaton- ville to accept his present position, and his salary has several times been increased. He has ever proven himself a most valuable aid in the office.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
On the Ioth of October, 1888, Mr. Yerly led to the marriage altar Miss Anna B. Watson, daughter of James Watson, of Sharon, Pennsyl- vania, and one of a family of eight children, the others being Florence, wife of William D. Mc- Miellen, of Sharon; William, who married Mag- gie McNamee, and is a druggist of Braidwood, Illinois; Charles, an engineer, of Sharon; Frank, who married a Miss Barr, and is a druggist of Toluca, Illinois; Alpha, deceased wife of John Wright, a merchant of Sharon; Conrad, married and residing in Sharon; and Edward, a fruit grower of California. To our subject and his wife has been born a daughter, Florence Theresa.
Mr. Yerly takes considerable interest in polit- ical matters, always voting with the republican . party, and the success he has achieved in busi- ness life shows what energy, pluck, perseverance and determination can accomplish when guided by sound business judgment. He is a practical book-keeper and excellent accountant, quick to grasp the situation of affairs and prompt to take advantage of the same.
S IMON PETER BREED, M. D., is one of the oldest and also recognized as one of the best physicians of Bureau county. He is a na- tive of Manlius, Onondaga county, New York, born February 1, 1819, and is the son of James and Elizabeth (Kinne) Breed. His father was born near Syracuse, New York, in the village of Salina, June 13, 1794, and was the son of Ger- shom Breed, a Baptist minister, who was born in Stonington, Connecticut, April 29, 1756, and died in August, 1815. Gershom Breed was the son of Allen Breed, who was born in Linn, Mas- sachusetts, August 29, 1714, a son of John Breed, born January 18, 1663, at Linn, Massachusetts. John was the son of Allen Breed, who was a na- tive of England and came to this country in 1630, locating in Linn, Massachusetts, and founding the family in this country. There are at present one hundred and fifty families, descendents of Allen Breed, living in the city of Linn, Massa- chusetts.
Rev. Gershom Breed settled in Manlius, New York, in 1792, where he engaged in ministerial work, organizing the first Baptist church in Onondaga county. He married Hannah Pal- mer, by whom he had twelve children, James, the father of our subject, being the youngest son; Allen, the second son, filled his father's charge in the Baptist church.
James Breed was born June 13, 1794, and died January 27, 1884, at the home of his son, George W., at Silver Creek, New York. He was a farm- er by occupation and a member of the Baptist church. His wife was a daughter of Ezra Kinne, an'd was born January 18, 1799, in Manlius, New York, and died at Hannibal in the same state, May 22, 1846. She was also a faithful member of the Baptist church. They were the parents of fourteen children-Sophronia, Simon P., Frank- lin, Candace, Hannah, Ezra, George W., Marvin, Justus H., Levi N., John, Adelia, Sarah E., Xenophon. Of this number, Simon P., George W., Justus H., Levi N., of the sons, are still liv- ing. Of the daughters, Hannah and Adelia are still living.
The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood at Cicero, New York, to which place the family removed in his early childhood, and where the father engaged in farming. The part of the town of Cicero in which the family settled was set off in 1825, and organized under the name of Clay. When old enough to be of service Simon was required to do his full duty in the development of the farm and was permitted to go to school usually in the winter months. When he was sixteen he accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Hannibal, New York, and remained at home assisting his father until he was nine- teen years of age, when he started out in the world for himself. The first winter he worked in a sawmill and the summer following at the carpenter's trade, at which he continued another year. In the fall of 1839 he attended the academy at Manlius, where he remained one year. He then taught school winters and attended the academy summers until 1842. In harvest time he worked in the field at cradling, for which he
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
received a dollar and a half per day. In this work he was an expert as well as in binding. By teaching and working in the harvest field he supported himself and secured means for de- fraying his expenses in school.
In 1843, a young man of twenty-four years, he started for the prairie state, taking a boat at Oswego, going around the lakes and landing at Chicago, though stopping one week in Milwau- kee, where he visited a cousin. From Chicago he went to Peoria, where he took a boat for Ha- vana, going thence to Table Grove, Fulton county, where his uncle, Justus Kinne was liv- ing, engaged in farming and blacksmithing, ar- riving there. June 13, 1843, being just one month on the road. He soon secured a school in the neighborhood at the munificent salary of thir- teen dollars per month, boarding himself. In the winter following he received seventeen dol- lars per month and "boarded round."
For some years it had been the earnest desire of our subject to enter the medical profession and the opportunity now presented itself. While teaching he commenced the study of medicine and was so far advanced that in the winter of 1846-7 he entered McDowell Medical college, of St. Louis, Missouri, the medical department of the Missouri State university, but that winter exhausted his funds and he was compelled to leave the school. Having a pretty fair knowl- edge of medicine he was advised to at once com- mence practice, and the village of Frederick on the Illinois river was recommended to him as a good place to begin as it was a sickly point. So to Frederick he went, hung out his shingle and for two years there practiced his profession. He then removed to Pleasant View, Schuyler coun- ty, where he remained ten years, building up a large and lucrative practice. His success, how- ever, only intensified his desire to complete his course in some good medical college. The medical department of the state university of Pennsylvania had the most attraction for him, and in that institution he took the full course and received his degree.
After remaining in Schuyler county eighteen
years, in 1865, the doctor removed with his fam- ily to Princeton, Illinois, and here he engaged in the practice of his profession, meeting with gratifying success. In 1870 he purchased a drug store in Princeton, and carried on the busi- ness for four years in connection with his prac- tice. About the time he purchased the drug store he also purchased a farm southwest of Princeton in Wyanet township, near the Bu- reau county almshouse. This farm was worked by others until 1876, when the doctor removed to the place with his family and took personal charge, having given up his business in Prince- ton. The original purchase was of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he soon afterward added forty more and a little later a tract of eighty acres, giving him a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres. To the improvement of the farm the doctor turned his attention and with characteristic energy he soon had a model home- stead, one of the best in the county and well supplied with modern machinery and stocked with good grades of horses, cattle and hogs. He carried on general farming, making a suc- cess of it as he had done in the practice of his profession. In the neighborhood he was re- garded as a model farmer.
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