USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 41
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 41
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 41
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After his marriage, Mr. Norris located on a portion of the old homestead where he now resides, operating three hundred and fifty acres of rich and arable land, and has erected thereon a neat and substantial residence. He is identi- fied with the republican party in politics, but has never aspired to office. He takes a deep and commendable interest in the success of his party and has served as a delegate to the county con- ventions. Educational affairs find in him a warm friend, and he is now efficiently serving as a member of the school board. As he is a young mian of superior business capacity, of correct
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habits and upright character, an honorable career lies before him in his chosen calling, and in social circles he and his estimable wife hold an enviable position.
H AMILTON F. COREY, a wealthy and in- fluential farmer of Ohio township, was born on the 17th of July, 1811, in Cayuga coun- ty, New York, and is descended from old and respected families on both sides. His parents, John L. and Lucinda (Rhodes) Corey, spent their entire lives in the empire state, where the father followed agricultural pursuits until about fifty years of age. He was also largely en- gaged in sheep shearing.
In the state of his nativity, our subject was reared to manhood. As the schools of that early day were of an inferior order his education was rather limited, but by reading and observation in later years he has become a well informed man. At the age of eighteen he purchased his time from his father and started out in life for himself, empty-handed. He began his business career as a farm hand and to agriculture has de- voted his time and attention throughout life.
In 1835, Mr. Corey emigrated to Morgan county, Illinois, where he successfully followed his chosen calling, saving enough money with which to purchase eighty acres of land in Bureau county. On coming here in 1850, he lo- cated upon a farm in Ohio township, near his present home, and purchased a quarter section of government land which he at once began to clear and cultivate. He added to his possessions from time to time as his financial resources would permit until he at one time owned seven hundred and seventy-six acres, and still has seven hundred and fifteen acres of valuable land.
In March, 1835, Mr. Corey was united in marriage with Miss Esther Mead, of Onondaga county, New York, who died in 1873. Six chil- dren were born to them, but John, the only son, died in 1892. He was a veteran of the late civil war. The three daughters are Elizabeth, widow of Miles Smith, who was killed at the battle of Missionary Ridge; Amelia, wife of
Wesley Hammers, of Missouri, and Elsie, wife of Perry Raynor, of Nebraska. In June, 1875, Mr. Corey married Rachel Martin, a daughter of Henry Martin, a native of Kentucky. They have one son, Harry F., who is still with his parents, and like them is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Corey has ably assisted his children, giving to his daughter in Missouri, three hundred and twenty acres of land costing about three thousand dollars; to the one in Ne- braska five thousand dollars, and to Mrs. Smith of Dakota, seven thousand dollars. He also gave to his older son several thousand dollars.
Mr. Corey started out in life with nothing but his own indomitable energy, and his accumula- tion of this world's goods is attributable to his good judgment, industry, enterprise and econo- my. He has met with reverses, but has steadily overcome these until to-day he is numbered among the prosperous citizens of Bureau coun- ty. During the past few years he has lost over four thousand dollars through bad debts. His word in business transactions is considered as good as his bond, and he is justly recognized as one of the energetic and representative citi- zens of the county. His political support is ever given the republican party but cares nothing for public office. As a citizen of the community in which he has so long lived and been so active, he is highly respected, enjoying the confidence of his neighbors and the regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
J JOHN C. WHITE, M. D., a practicing phy- sician and surgeon of Seatonville, Illinois, was born in Coldstream, Scotland, May 18, 1846, and is a son of John and Mary Caroline (Waite) White, also natives of that country and both now deceased. By profession the father was also a physician, engaged in practice in London, Eng- land, to which city he removed in 1830, and there died in 1870, at the age of seventy-three years. The mother's death occurred in 1873, at the age of sixty-four years. Both were consistent men- bers of the Scotch Presbyterian church. In the family were eleven children of whom three
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daughters died in infancy. Of the eight sons three are still living-Anthony, who is the owner of considerable property; John C., and Dr. Oc- tavius, a physician attached to Her Majesty's service as brigade surgeon, now residing in Kent, near London, England.
The education of our subject was acquired both in Scotland and England, graduating from a medical college of England on the 19th of May, 1867, and the following titles were con- ferred upon him, M. R. C. S., in England; L. R. C. P. and L. M., in Edinburg, Scotland, and L. S. A. L., in London, England. He has filled many important positions including those of house physician, house surgeon and junior house surgeon at Westminster hospital; as- sistant medical officer at the Stockwell smallpox hospital, of London, England; surgeon to Her Majesty's emigration commissioners of India; and resident medical officer at the Royal Kent dispensary, of Kent, England. He has the high- est testimonials of his skill and ability from those highest in authority in the above named posi- tions, showing that his services were most valu- able and well appreciated.
In 1873 Dr. White was united in marriage with Miss Mary Merrick, of Wales, by whom he had five children, only one now living-Mary Frances, who still makes her home in the old country. His wife died in 1882, and in that year Dr. White came to America and first located in New York city, but taking Horace Greeley's advice he came west two years later, and prac- ticed in Chicago until the close of 1885. He then removed to Malta, De Kalb county, Illinois, but one year later went to Spring Valley. In that city and in Seatonville he has since successfully engaged in practice. He is one of the leading and influential men of the community, now serv- ing as justice of the peace, notary public and deputy county clerk. He is also assistant sur- geon of the Third Regiment Uniformed Rank, Knights of Pythias. He became a member of that order in Sheridan lodge, No. 198, at Spring Valley, in January, 1889, and for two terms served as chancellor commander, and was twice elected
grand lodge representative from Ladd, Illinois. He is now a member of Harrison lodge, No. 403, K. P., which he twice represented in the grand lodge, and was instrumental in instituting both Bureau and Harrison lodges, being a charter member of all three of the above named lodges. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows society, of which he is past deputy, and of the Modern Woodmen at Hollowayville, of which he is camp physician.
In religious belief Dr. White is a Presbyterian, and in politics is a pronounced republican, being vice-president of the Mckinley Republican club of Seatonville. He has done all in his power to perfect himself in his chosen calling and has a broad and comprehensive knowledge of the science of medicine and its application to the needs of suffering humanity. His skill in his practice is shown by the liberal patronage which he receives. Besides being one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Bureau county, the doctor is a most useful and valued citizen, such as gives character to a community.
R EUBEN BROADDUS, one of the highly esteemed and progressive farmers of Rob- erts township, traces his ancestry back to Ed- ward Broaddus, who came from Wales, and set- tled upon Gwynn's Island, Virginia, and in 1715, located in Caroline county, Virginia, where some of the descendants of the family yet reside. Ed- ward Broaddus married Mary Shipp. Their son married Frances Prior, and their son Reuben, the grandfather of our subject, married Elizabeth Garland, and their son, Lunsford Broaddus, the father of our subject, was born in 1794, in Caro- line county, Virginia.
Lunsford Broaddus was reared in his native county, and received a fairly good education. He served as a captain in the war of 1812, and according to all reports was a good and faithful soldier. He married Nancy Gale, also a native of Caroline county, Virginia, born in 1802. She was a daughter of Josiah Gale, who lived and died in Virginia. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Broaddus moved to a plantation in their native
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county, which he operated some years. Accord- ing to the custom of that day he was the owner of several slaves, but was never satisfied with the institution. For the reason that he was op- posed to slavery, he moved from Virginia to Indiana, and in the fall of 1835 came to Marshall county by wagon across the prairies and was sixteen days on the road. On arriving here he found a small settlement near Lacon and a few Indians yet remaining in the neighborhood. Wild game was in abundance. He first located one mile east of Lacon, Hopewell township, in a hazel thicket, purchasing the claim of Newton Reeder, on which was a small log cabin, in which he lived for four years. He then built a finer log house on the bluff, and later added to that a gravel and cement house. He died in 1864, his wife surviving him and dying January IO, 1872. To Lunsford and Nancy Broaddus were born eleven children. (1) Christopher, now deceased, married Minerva H. Hall, by whom he has seven children-Cynthia, Helen, Jessica, Jen- nie, Marshall, Florence and Alice. (2) Eleanor, deceased wife of Eli Strong, who is also de- ceased. Their children were C. C. Strong, an attorney of Pontiac, Illinois; Mrs. Martha Barry, of Chicago, Illinois; Frank, of Kansas; Henry, and Mrs. Nancy Thompson, of Lacon, Illinois. (3) Elizabeth, married Enoch Sawyer, and both are now deceased. Their children were Luns- ford, Jesse, Simeon, Jordan, Enoch, Lucy, Mark and Christopher, the two last named being twins. (4) Helen M., widow of William Strawn, deceased. Their children are Mrs. Lucy Foster, Jacob, Mrs. Caroline Marsh, Leland, Leroy, John, Ellen M. and William, twins, Ralph and Alfred. (5) Leland, who lives in Putnam coun- ty, Illinois, married Harriet Crane, by whom he had two children, Lunsford and Hervey E., and after the death of his first wife married Susan Case, by whom he has three children-John, Clara and Irving. (6) Lucy is deceased wife of Francis H. Bond, of Wenona. (7) Caroline, who married Henry E. Weir, died leaving one child, Mrs. Susan Bullman. (8) Reuben is next in order of birth. (9) Susan married Peter Bogar-
dus, who is now deceased. Their children were Lunsford, William, Anna, Ida and Charles. (10) Andrew married Sarah Forbes, now deceased, and to them were born the following children- William, Christopher and Gale. After the death of his first wife he wedded Jennie Hewett, and their children are-Benjamin, Viah and Rea. (II) Irving married Ruth Forbes, and their chil- dren are Mrs. Savella Davidson, Mrs. Cora Cook, May, Walter and Nancy.
Religiously, the father was a member of the Baptist church, while his wife was a member of the Christian church. He was well versed in the scriptures and was ever ready to discuss scriptural questions with any and every one. Politically, he was originally a whig and later a democrat. In local political affairs he took active part, making public speeches in almost every campaign. He was a well known auctioneer and attended sales in not only Marshall but in the surrounding counties. As a fisherman few men were more successful. His death, as well as . that of his wife, was mourned not alone by the large family, but by a large circle of friends as well.
Reuben Broaddus, our subject, was born July 6, 1832, in Fayette county, Indiana, and came to Marshall county with his parents, in 1835. When but ten years of age he went with his father to Caroline county, Virginia, making the trip in a four wheeled rig, called a carry-all, with home- made top. They started from home about the last of August, and en route passed through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, crossing the Alleghany mountains. At the foot of the mountains he heard, for the first time, what is now the old familiar song of "Suwanee River." After a very tiresome journey they reached their destination, had a very pleas- ant visit and started back home, where they ar- rived in the middle of October, having traveled over two thousand miles.
Mr. Broaddus grew to manhood on the old homestead in Hopewell township, and was edu- cated in the log school house. He remained at home until his marriage, November 21, 1855,
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with Miss Mary J. Forbes, a native of Hopewell township, born September 12, 1835, and a daugh- ter of William and Hannah (Buckingham) Forbes, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Her father was a son of Caleb Forbes who came to this county about 1830, while her mother was a daughter of Isaac Buckingham, who came from Pennsyl- vania to Lacon about 1832, coming up the Illi- nois river on a flat boat, and landing among a large band of Indians on the bank. The parents of Mrs. Broaddus were married October 26, 1834, and settled in a log cabin, where W. H. German now lives, in Hopewell township. The father there died November 14, 1842, at the age of thirty-three years. His wife died March 16, 1857, at the age of forty-four years. They were the parents of six children-Mary J., now Mrs. Broaddus; Sarah, deceased wife of Andrew Broaddus; Ellen, who first married William Verney, by whom she had two children, Nellie and an infant, both deceased, who dying, she then married Charles Casey, by whom she has three children, Mrs. Clara Monier, Laura and Wilbur; Amanda, now deceased: Isaac, who married Sallie Orr, by whom he has one son, William O. and they now live in Anthony, Kansas: Court- ney, now deceased, married Ozell Trask, by whom he had four children-Gilbert F., Belle, Grace J. and Isaac.
Soon after their marriage our subject and his wife settled on Sandy creek, Roberts township, where they resided until March 10, 1868, when they removed to their present home, which he has greatly improved, and for which he paid sixty dollars per acre. From time to time he has added to his possessions, until he has now over twelve hundred acres of fine tillable land. For many years he has made a specialty of the breeding and raising of fine cattle, a report of which may be found in the state agricultural re- ports of 1877 on page 348. In fact it may be stated that he has been in the cattle business for over fifty-four years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Broaddus five children have been born-Lawrence married Luella Du
Chesne, of Varna; Minnie E. is now the wife of Daniel C. Wright, of Varna, and they have one son, Maurice B .; Warner, married Emily J. Spangler, by whom he has one son, Lynn S., and they also reside in Varna; Mary Hannah, mar- ried Morgan Norton, of Varna, and Andrew Lee, married Gertrude Maleham, and they reside on the old home farm.
Mr. Broaddus has taken great interest in edu- cational matters, and has been a school director for thirty-nine years continuously. He has been assessor five years, and collector one term. Polit- ically, he is a democrat, "a man for the people."
A RTHUR TRUE, residing on section 5, Whitefield township, Marshall county, and receiving his mail at Whitefield post office, Bureau county, came from the old pine tree state. He was born in Portland, Maine, May 10, 1824, and is a son of Benjamin True, also a native of that state. When but a small boy he removed with his father to Dearborn county, Indiana, where he grew to manhood, assisting his father in the development and improvement of the farm, and remaining at home until he attained his majority. Purchasing from his father the home farm, he continued its cultivation until 1853, when he sold out and removed to Marshall coun- ty, Illinois. His marriage, however, occurred some years prior to this removal, that interesting event taking place March 4, 1846. He married Sophronia Abigail Darling, who was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, May 23, 1823.
On his arrival in this county, Mr. True had but seven hundred dollars 'with which to begin life in this country. He brought his family and a few household articles by team from his Indiana home, and therefore spent but little on the journey. His first purchase of eighty acres was made on long time. The place was slightly im- proved, and on it was a small house in which the family moved and where they remained sev- eral years. After making some necessary pur- chases, much of the seven hundred dollars was used up, and, as may be imagined, the next few years were not such as to bring tears of joy.
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The discomforts of pioneer life had to be en- dured; ground had to be broken and sown in grain, barns and outhouses erected, orchards planted and stock purchased and cared for. Sev- eral years of hard labor, ceaseless toil and strict economy were required in which to pay for the land already purchased and add enough more land to make them a respectable sized Illinois farm. It must be remembered that what would constitute a fair sized farm in the east would be considered little more than a garden patch in this new west, and so at the earliest opportunity forty acres more were added to the original pur- chase. This was prior to the war.
When the war came on, the price of grain and other commodities advanced, and the future with greater abundance of this world's goods was made brighter. Stock raising was also more profitable and Mr. True became a breeder of Poland China hogs and quite an extensive feeder of swine. A larger and more commodious dwell- ing house was erected which was occupied until 1892, when it was destroyed by fire, entailing on him quite a serious loss. He subsequently re- built and is now comfortably living in the new home.
To Mr. and Mrs. True twelve children have been born, as follows: Mary Adeline, wife of Abraham Shurts, of Bureau county ; Harriet Ann, widow of Labon H. Cox, of Whitefield township; Huldah Jane, wife of Elliott Bunch, of Perry, Iowa; Albert, a farmer of Saratoga township; Ellen M., wife of James Patterson of Iowa; William Morton, of Bureau county; John Wes- ley, at home; Caroline Augusta, wife of George Shurts, of Saratoga township; Ruth Alma, who died at the age of two years; Alice Eugenie, wife of John Frailey, of Henry, but who first married William Applegate, by whom she had one son, Louis, who makes his home with our subject; Charles Burt, at home, and Sarah Emma, who died in infancy.
In politics, Mr. True was originally a whig, and cast his first presidential vote in 1844, and has voted at every presidential election since that time. By nature and training he was a strong
anti-slavery man, and it was but natural for him to unite with the republican party on its or- ganization. With that party he has since acted, and has voted for its nominees for president from General John C. Fremont, the great "path- finder," to General Harrison, the warrior and statesman. He was and still is a great admirer of the immortal Lincoln, and while he did not enter the service during the late war, he did much in promoting enlistments and raising bounties for those who could go.
Religiously, Mr. True is a free thinker, in- clined to the Universalist belief, although he has never attached himself to that religious body. He has been a Bible reader and has his views in relation to that book. In early life he was quite a sportsman, and loved especially to chase the nimble footed deer, and with a long shot from his rifle secured the game. On coming to Mar- shall county prairie chickens were in great num- bers and it was high delight to take them on the wing. He yet takes an interest in the sport and excels many young men in the use of the rifle. While in his youth and early manhood, he was fleet of foot and could out run and out jump almost any one in his vicinity. He was naturally of a strong constitution and could en- dure great fatigue. Of late years he has prac- tically been living a retired life, enjoying the love and respect of family and friends.
Albert True, of section 13, Saratoga township, Marshall county, was born in Dearborn county. Indiana, October 4, 1851, and came with his parents to this county when but a child of two years. His boyhood and youth were spent on the home farm, and his education received in the public schools. He remained with his par- ents, assisting in the farm work until twenty years of age, when he commenced life for him- self, renting a farm in Saratoga township, which he operated for eleven years. He then bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres. on which he has made good improvements, and where he engages in general farming. For twen- ty-six years he has run a threshing machine and corn sheller, and much of his time has been de-
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voted to that work, in connection with a feed grinder. He has operated his machine not alone in Marshall, but in surrounding counties, and is well and favorably known throughout his sec- tion of country.
Albert True and Miss Mary E. Culton were united in marriage September 11, 1872. She is a native of Canton, Illinois, and is a woman of good judgment and ability. Two children have come to bless their union-Ora May and Jarvey J., both yet residing at home. Like his father, Albert True votes the republican ticket "both spring and fall" and is a firm believer in the principles of that party. A practical farmer, an honest, industrious man, he goes on the even tenor of his way, doing as his conscience dictates, and as near as possible living up to the teachings of the golden rule.
W ILLIAM MILES, deceased, was for thir- ty years a well-known and highly re- spected business man of Princeton, one having the interests of his adopted city at heart, and who endeavored to so live as to merit the goodwill of his fellow-citizens, doing unto others as he would have others do to him. He was born in Steuben county, New York, July 26, 1822, of which state his parents were also natives. They died when William was quite young, leaving another child, a half brother to our subject.
On the death of his parents, William was taken by his grandfather, Isaac Miles, and grew up as a member of the latter's family. The grand- father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving two years in a Connecticut regiment, of which state he was a native. In 1823 he moved to Steuben county, New York, and there spent the remainder of his life, living to an advanced age. In Steuben county, he engaged in his trade of blacksmithing, which trade he followed until his death. After his death, his widow made her home a portion of the time with our subject until she too passed away.
As our subject advanced in years, he was put to work in the lumber yard and mills of the neighborhood, and thus learned the lumber busi-
ness in all its departments, becoming thoroughly schooled in the trade, and an expert in all varie- ties and qualities of lumber. He received but a limited education in the schools, but being a man of inflexible will and purpose he rose above his environments, and by careful reading and study became a well informed man.
The marriage of Mr. Miles and Miss Nancy A. Parker was celebrated May 19, 1844. She is also a native of Steuben county, New York, born in the same vicinity as her husband, and there grew to womanhood, receiving her education in the schools of her native county. By this union seven children were born-Harriet M .. wife of S. D. Beach, late of Steuben county, New York, but now of Princeton; Lucius P., who resides at home with his mother; George, of Grinnell, Iowa; William, with Spaulding Company, also of Grin- nell, Iowa; Louisa, wife of Guy Bryant, of Prince- ton : James, an attorney of Chicago; and Edward, who lives at home.
After his marriage, Mr. Miles embarked in the lumber business for himself, and continued in that line in his native state until 1866, when he came to Princeton, Illinois, which was ever af- terward his home. Just before his marriage he purchased a two-hundred acre tract of wild land, and in company with his wife's father, Lucius Parker, erected a mill and commenced sawing and shipping lumber. Later he purchased an- other tract, erected a mill, and continued the business. The Erie railroad was at this time in process of construction, and he secured some large contracts for the building of railroad fences, furnishing the lumber from his own mills. On coming to this city he again took up his old business, and established a yard, and did a large and successful business for sixteen years, when he sold out to Cone, Brown & Company, the yard now operated by J. H. Brown. On the organization of the Farmers' National bank, he invested in its stock and became a director, serv- ing as such until his death, giving much of his time to its active management. The success of this bank is due in a large degree to his wise foresight and careful business methods.
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