USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 42
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 42
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 42
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WILLIAM MILES.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Soon after making his home in Princeton, Mr. Miles purchased a tract of fifteen hundred acres of wild land in Pottawattamie county, Iowa, which he improved, dividing it into farms of con- venient size, which he disposed of to a good advantage. On one of these farms his son Lucius now resides. Lucius and William were sent by the father to improve the farms and give them their personal attention, a trust which they successfully accomplished.
Mr. Miles also invested in two farms in Bu- reau county, which he rented at a fair profit. He also handled some pieces of city property in addi- tion to his elegant home on Elm street, where the last twenty years of his life was spent. It can thus be seen that his life was a busy one, giv- ing personal supervision to so many diversified interests. But few mistakes, however, can be charged to his account, as he was level-headed and cautious in all his investments and move- ments.
Politically, Mr. Miles was a republican of the strictest sort. The principles of that party were thoroughly grounded into him, and he was ever willing to make such sacrifices as would best ad- vance its interests, believing that the success of the party insured prosperity to the country. While he did not enter into the service during the late war, his heart was in the cause and he gave of his means for its prosecution. Captain George Biles, a brother of Ten Eyck Biles, a partner of Mr. Miles, raised a company, and to each en- listed man, Mr. Miles gave ten dollars and the assurance of help to the volunteer's family, as help was needed. This promise was carried out to the letter. He never sought public office, but took particular pains always to vote and talk for his party and his friends.
Mr. Miles never became identified with any church, but was reared a Methodist. His time when not required for business was spent at home with his family and with his books. He was well read in history, especially in that of the French. He enjoyed listening to a good lecture and could well appreciate anything of the kind. His bearing was erect, tall and straight, light
complexion, blue eyes and of kindly feature. His last picture was taken with his son and . grandson, each of whom was named William. Few men in Princeton had more warm friends and his death, which occurred February 2, 1896, was a sad blow, not alone to his family and rela- tives, but to the community as well. His wife survives him, and is living in her old home on Elm street in Princeton, surrounded by many friends who esteem her for her many womanly virtues and good works.
E DWIN O. DOWNING, who is successfully operating a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Princeton township, is a native of Illinois, born in Carroll county, December 4, 1839, and is a son of Heman and Rachel (Holbrook) Downing, the former born at South Hadley, Massachusetts, in 1810, and the latter in 1812, near Keene, New Hampshire. The paternal grandfather, Abner Downing, was a native of Connecticut, but removed to Massa- chusetts at an early day. He came to Illinois about 1837, becoming one of the earliest settlers of Carroll county; while Enos Holbrook, the maternal grandfather, came from New Hamp- shire and permanently located at Lamoille, Bureau county, Illinois, in 1839.
It was in 1834 that the father of our subject came to Bureau county, and for a time engaged in carpentering in Princeton, erecting some of the first houses of that place. Two years later he was there married and continued to make it his home until the fall of 1837, when he removed to Carroll county, locating upon a farm in Car- roll township, and building the first frame barn in that county. In March, 1856, he returned to Bureau county, this time settling upon the farm now owned and occupied by our subject, and there resided until his death in April, 1882. His wife, who is still living, now resides at Coun- cil Bluffs, Iowa. Both took an active part in the work of the Congregational church, of which they were members and were earnest Christian people. The father was a republican in politics and for years served as road commissioner.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
The parental household included nine children who grew to years of maturity, namely: Angela, now the wife of Eli L. Shugart, of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Andrew, of Topeka, Kansas, who served as first lieutenant in the Seventh Kansas Infantry during the civil war; E. O., of this review; Elizabeth, wife of Zachariah Shugart. of Nevada, Iowa; Stephen, of Ainsworth, Ne- braska; Enos, of Barber county, Kansas; Mary Eliza, wife of George Fetrow, of Harper county, Kansas; Flora, wife of Walter Clay, of Iowa, and David, now deceased.
In the common schools of Carroll and Bureau counties, Mr. Downing of this sketch, acquired his education, and was reared to farm life. On the 23d of December. 1862, he married Miss Susanna Greenamyer, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Solomon Greenamyer, deceased, who came to Bureau county in 1856. They be- gan their domestic life upon the farm which is now their home, but in 1864 removed to Wyanet township. The following year was again spent upon the old homestead, after which they re- moved to the John Shugart farm on section 28, but in 1866 again returned to their present farm. In the spring of 1867 they removed to Hickory Grove, in Manlius township, and on selling out there in 1870 went to Princeton, where the fol- lowing year was passed. After three years spent upon a little farm in the river bottoms, Mr. Downing purchased the old Pendleton farm on section 32, Princeton township, which he made his home until 1880, when he returned to his present farm and there has since resided, devoting his time and attention to general farm- ing.
Our subject and his wife have become the parents of seven children, as follows: Mary Angela, now the wife of George Evelhoch, of Coffey county, Kansas, by whom she has four children; Adelaide, wife of Mason Sisler, of Itasca county, Minnesota, by whom she has three children; Mabel, Nora, Olive, Harvey and William.
Mr. Downing takes a deep interest in politi- cal affairs, always casting his ballot in support
of the principles of the republican party, has served as school director for years; and for twelve years was road commissioner, during which time he was instrumental in the establish- ment of the gravel roads in the county. In 1892 Mr. Downing commenced the dairy business, supplying milk and cream to the citizens of Princeton, running two wagons, and meeting with fair success. He is public-spirited and pro- gressive and has the welfare of the community at heart.
R USSELL MALLORY FRISBEY, residing on section 16, Steuben township, Marshall county, has been a resident of the county since 1843, a period of fifty-three years. He is well known and universally respected by all, a man who has gone in and out among the people, winning their confidence and esteem, and whose friends are many and enemies none. He was born in Middletown, Rutland county, Vermont, March 15, 1812, and comes of good old Revolu- tionary stock, his grandfather, James Frisbey, who prior to the Revolution settled in Vermont, serving faithfully in that struggle that secured the independence of the American colonies. His father, Samuel Frisbey, was also a patriot and served in the second war with Great Britain, his service being on Lake Champlain. Samuel Fris- bey married Hannah Mallory, a daughter of Silas Mallory, who also served in the Revolu- tionary war, and who drew a pension from the government for such services. Our subject has a clear recollection of his grandfather Mallory, who died at the age of about eighty years. His grandmother subsequently married when she was past eighty years old.
The boyhood and youth of our subject were spent in his native county. His father dying when he was but twelve years old, he was com- pelled to shift for himself at a very tender age, and rapidly developed the qualities incident to manhood. His marriage with Miss Rosalinda T. Johnson occurred before he was twenty years of age. She was also a native of Rutland county, Vermont, and was a woman of superior native
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ability. About one year afterward they removed to New York, and six months later to Summit county, Ohio, where they spent eight years, Mr. Frisbey working for others at odd jobs, but main- ly in a sawmill.
Not content with their Ohio home, and be- lieving that in Illinois they would find a place better suited to their condition, and with better opportunities for rearing their family and giving them a chance in life, in 1843 they came to Mar- shall county. The trip was made by lake to Chicago, where Mr. Frisbey hired teams to con- tinue their journey. Loton Frisbey, a brother, some seven years previously, had come to Mar- shall county and had located northwest of Henry where he now lives. It was by his advice that Russell came to Marshall county. After residing here about one year he purchased forty acres of school land on section 16, Steuben township, for which he paid one hundred dollars in trade. Here he has now resided fifty-three years, and in the many changes that have taken place, develop- ing this country from an almost unbroken wilder- ness, he has borne an honorable part. To his original tract he has added eighty acres, making his home farm consist of one hundred and twen- ty acres, all of which is well and substantially improved. In addition to this, however, he owns nearly three hundred acres on section 14, much of it underlaid with a fine vein of coal. Ten coal banks are now in operation in this vicinity, and a large quantity of the "black diamonds" are annually taken out, much of which is shipped to other points. In the development of the coal interests of this locality, Mr. Frisbey has always been greatly interested, and was one of the or- iginal stockholders in the Sparland Coal Com- pany.
Mr. and Mrs. Frisbey are the parents of three children-Edwin, now lives in Sparland; Lewis, died at the age of fourteen years; Orrin, served three years in the war for the Union as a mem- ber of the eighty-sixth Illinois volunteer in- fantry, and now receives a pension for disabili- ties incurred in the service. He married Mrs. Mary Stephenson in 1866, and they have three
children-William S., who was engaged with George A. Ogle, a leading map publisher of Chicago, Illinois, was drowned July 14, 1896; Russell Mallory, in a drug store in Blue Island, Illinois, and Clara L., now attending the Spar- land high school.
Russell M. and Rosalinda T. Mallory pursued the journey of life together a period of fifty years. Their married life was a particularly happy one, and the love given each other while yet in their teens was never broken, but rather increased as the years went by. Mrs. Frisbey was called to her long home in March, 1887, leaving behind a tender and loving memory cherished by husband, children and friends alike.
In politics, Mr. Frisbey is a stanch republican, and has voted that ticket since the organization of the party. In its principles he has an abiding faith, believing them best for the interests of the whole country.
JOHN WILLIAM HARLIN. Among the leading and representative agriculturists of Marshall county, stalwart and sturdy tillers of the soil, there is none who stands a more promi- nent figure than the gentleman of whom this notice is written. His fine farm is pleasantly located on section 12, Whitefield township. His birth occurred in Maryland, January 31, 1827, and at the age of six years was taken to Wayne county, Ohio, and later to Ashland county, by his parents, Solomon and Christina (Winbigler) Har- lin, also natives of Maryland. He learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in that state until 1856, when he accompanied his father and the four children to Illinois, his mother having departed this life some time previous. Before leaving Ohio the father had again married, and by the second union had one son, Franklin, who now resides three miles southwest of Sparland in Steuben township, Marshall county. The chil- dren of the first marriage were Daniel, now of Saratoga township, Marshall county; Roxana, wife of Isaac Walker, of Ashland county, Ohio; Henry, who died in Ohio some nine years ago;
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and John and George, who carried on farming together in this state for many years.
On coming to Illinois the family settled in Senachwine township, Putnam county, west of the lake, where our subject in connection with his brother George purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, paying ten dollars per acre for one hundred and sixty acres and twenty-five dollars for the remainder. They paid five hun- dred dollars down but had to go in debt for the remainder. They gave eighty acres of the land to their father, on which he made his home until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy- five years. His second wife survived him for some years, but has now also passed away.
For thirty years the brothers engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in Putnam county, where George died some fifteen years ago. They had purchased their land on five years' time, but after the first crop was raised were enabled to pay off the debt and had something left with which to make improvements. They were en- gaged in general farming and stock raising, in which they ever met with excellent success, but after the death of his brother our subject sold the land in Putnam county and removed to his pres- ent farm of two hundred acres in Whitefield township, Marshall county, on which he has erected a pleasant and comfortable residence.
Until the death of his brother George, Mr. Harlin had always lived in his family, and on coming to Marshall county his brother Daniel's wife was his housekeeper until his marriage, May 4. 1887, when Miss Ellen Paris became his wife. She is a native of Fairfax, Franklin county, Ver- mont, where she was educated in the New Hamp- ton institute, a theological seminary, and at the early age of sixteen years began teaching school. She naturally liked study, and the love she had for her work made her a very successful teacher. In 1872 she came to Illinois, having at that time a sister, Mrs. J. G. Faris, living in Whitefield township, Marshall county, but now a resident of Iowa. Making her home with her sister, Mrs. Harlin taught in that township, being for eleven years the efficient teacher at the Crow Meadow
school house, which position she continued to fill up to the time of her marriage.
On account of the great liking for her work and the independence of her position, Mrs. Har- lin rather disliked the idea of marriage, but finally accepted our subject, and they now have a pleas- ant home upon his farm, where they delight to entertain their many friends. As a teacher she was ever enthusiastic, keeping fully abreast with the times in her chosen calling, and therefore stood quite high as an instructor. She is a great reader, being well versed in poetry, history, the drama, etc., and lover of Scott, Byron, and es- pecially of the American poets Longfellow, Bryant, Whittier, etc. She also keeps in touch with Vermont authors, among whom is John G. Saxe, and takes all the leading magazines of the day. Being quite an elocutionist, her voice has been often heard in public, especially on temper- ance topics, in which reform she takes a com- mendable interest. Mr. Harlin always supports the democratic party, but his wife is a stanch re- publican and a firm believer in equal suffrage. She was reared in the Methodist Episcopal church, and has always taken an active part in the work of the church and Sunday school.
A. H. S. KEAY, a faithful and trusted em- ploye of the Chicago, Wilmington & Ver- milion Coal Company, now acting as weigh- master at Seatonville, Illinois, was born on the 17th of May, 1859, in England, where his parents, Peter and Emma (Welsh) Keay, spent their entire lives, the former dying in 1869 at the age of forty years, and the latter in 1864, at the age of thirty-five. Both were earnest mem- bers of the 'Methodist Episcopal church, the father being a traveling minister of the same for thirteen years. Our subject is the fifth in order of birth in their family of eight children, five still living: Elizabeth, wife of Henry Stubbs, an Episcopal minister, residing in Sheffield, Eng- land: John, a resident of Springfield, Illinois, who married Emma Griswold, and has three chil- dren-Clinton, Nellie and Willie; William, a molder in iron works of Sheffield, England: A.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
H. S., of this sketch, and Peter Frederick, cash- ier in iron works in Cardiff, Wales.
Being left an orphan at the tender age of ten years our subject was thrown upon his own re- sources. Previous to this time he had attended school, and though now a well informed man he is almost entirely self-educated. Until twelve years of age he worked in a printing office and then entered the coal mines in Sheffield, where he remained for five years. On the expiration of that period he emigrated to the new world, locating first at Streator, Illinois, where he arrived in 1881, and he continued to work in the mines at that place for seven years. After a short time spent in Pennsylvania, he came to Seatonville in 1889, at which time he was made weigh-master, and has since acceptably filled that position, the company placing in him the utmost confidence.
In England, March 29, 1880, Mr. Keay was united in marriage with Miss Mary Heath, daughter of Thomas and Mary (English) Heath, of that country, and to them were born four chil- dren-Harry Leonard, Albert Heath, Lawrence Edgar and William Oscar. The wife and mothi- er died June 4, 1890, at the age of twenty-nine years. On the 26th of October, 1892, Mr. Keay was again married, his second union being with Miss Anna Louisa Stonebreaker, daughter of John M. Stonebreaker, now living in Panola, Illinois. Her mother is deceased. Two children bless this marriage-Mary Clementina and John Marcellus.
Mr. Keay is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, having passed all the chairs in the local lodge, and in religious be- lief both his wives have been Episcopalians. His political support is ever given the republican party, and he is a warm supporter of Major Mc- Kinley. For four years he acceptably served as clerk of Seatonville, is now serving his second year as trustee of the village, and was school trustee for two years, which office he refused to fill for a longer period. He is a man of decided views and strong convictions, believes in doing the right as he sees it; and has come to his pres- ent honorable position with very little outside
aid, being what is commonly called a self-made man. In the battle with the world he has fared well, and his honest methods and pleasant ap- pearance have always been strong arguments in his favor, even before he utters his introductory sentence.
W ILLIAM P. PHILLIPS. Few men re- main long in Bureau county without becoming familiar with this name, which is borne by one of its earliest pioneers and high- ly respected citizens. His farm, which comprises eighty acres of rich and arable land on section 2, Westfield township, has been brought to a high state of cultivation, and improved with neat and substanial farm buildings, including a good residence. The place is conveniently lo- cated four and a half miles from Arlington and its thrifty appearance indicates the supervision of an enterprising, industrious owner.
Mr. Phillips was born in Massachusetts, near Boston, June II, 1825, a son of Cyrus and Ruth (Ames) Phillips, also natives of that state, the father's birth occurring in 1800. At an early day he took his family to Rochester, New York, mov- ing with a yoke of oxen and settling upon a tract of land near that city, which he cleared and transformed into a good farm. There he reared his family and spent the remaining years of his life, dying in 1874. His wife survived him two years, passing away in August, 1876. Their re- mains were interred in Mt. Hope cemetery.
Our subject is one of a family of five sons and three daughters, and upon the old homestead in Monroe county, New York, which is now within the city limits of Rochester, spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He is mostly self-educated, much of his knowledge being gained since at- taining to man's estate. It was in 1845 that he emigrated to Illinois, taking up his residence in Bureau county, where for a time he engaged in breaking prairie and running a threshing ma- chine. In 1854 he purchased his present farm, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted his time and attention with excellent results.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In 1852, in Bureau county, Mr. Phillips led to the marriage altar Miss Helen Aldridge, who was born in the town of Walworth, Wayne coun- ty, New York, and when ten years of age was brought to Illinois by her father, Ira Aldridge, who located in this county in 1839, becoming one of its representative pioneers. He opened up sev- eral farms, and here died in August, 1892, at the advanced age of ninety-two years, six months and twenty days. Seven children have been born to our subject and his wife, as follows: Ethan A., who is married and resides in Iowa; Mary, wife of A. C. Cullen, of La Salle county, Illinois: Ida, wife of Newton Thornburg, of Lamoille, Bureau county ; Linus, a fruit grower of California ; Eliza, at home; Alice, wife of Richard Lacy, of Sand- wich, Illinois, and John, an exemplary young man, who takes charge of the home farm.
In politics, Mr. Phillips is an ardent repub- lican, believing in a protective tariff, but cares nothing for the honors or emoluments of public office. On the 9th of December, 1894, he start- ed for California, and spent a most enjoyable win- ter on the Pacific slope, visiting his son, a sister and two nephews, as well as San Francisco and other points of interest. For fifty-one years he has now made his home in Bureau county, while his wife has here resided for fifty-seven years. They have seen this region transformed from a wilderness and swamp into one of the best coun- ties in this great state and have been important factors in aiding in the advancement and prog- ress that have here been made. They have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances throughout Bureau and La Salle counties and are held in the highest respect by all who know them.
J OHN NORTON, a retired blacksmith, and reliable citizen of Princeton, Illinois, is a native of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, born August II, 1826, and in that state the births of his parents, Jacob and Sarah (Lukens) Norton, also occurred. The father and grandfather John Norton, were also blacksmiths by trade. The former spent his entire life in his native state, dying at the age of seventy-nine years in the
faith of the Presbyterian church. The mother departed this life in 1830. The family consisted of three sons and two daughters, four of whom are still living.
At the age of fourteen years our subject en- tered his father's shop to learn the trade, and with the exception of about eighteen months, forty-five years of his life were devoted to black- smithing. On coming west in 1854 he located at Princeton, where for about a year he was in partnership with John L. Storm, but was after- ward alone in business until 1891, since which time he has lived retired, enjoying a well earned rest after so many years of usefulness.
In 1850 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Norton and Miss Belle McDowell, daughter of James McDowell, of Pennsylvania, who died in 1877. His second marriage occurred in June, 1879, Miss Mary Blanchard becoming his wife. They are both consistent members of the Pres- byterian church, of which Mr. Norton is an elder, and highly respected citizens of the com- munity. In politics, Mr. Norton has always sup- ported the democracy.
Mrs. Norton is the daughter of John Ray and Sybil (Lovejoy) Blanchard, the latter a sister of Owen and Elijah Lovejoy, who were prominent abolitionists of this state. Mrs. Blanchard died in Princeton, at the home of her sister, Mrs. Noah Wiswall, leaving a husband, with two sons and two daughters to mourn her loss. The younger son, Daniel, was a soldier in the civil war, and the other daughter, Elizabeth J., is the wife of John Mitchener, of Chicago. Charles Edward Blanchard enlisted, while attending school in Rhode Island, in the Ist Rhode Island cavalry, becoming captain of Company C. and after the close of the civil war served in the third auditor's office of the United States treasury, but died December 8, 1867, in Chi- cago, at the age of twenty-four years. He was a young man of much promise and people pre- dicted for him a brilliant future of great use- fulness. His body was interred where the Love- joy monument has been erected. At a meeting of the clerks of the engineer division of the
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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