USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 55
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 55
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 55
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Mr. Durley continued farming until 1852, three years of which time on a farm six miles from Hennepin, in Granville township. He then sold out, and in company with several others left Hennepin for the gold fields of California, the outfit requiring four wagons. With the party was Enos Prickett, Mr. Watson, now of Tiskilwa, and Porter Durley, who died about three years since at Puget Sound. It required one hundred and twenty-one days' time in making the journey. They crossed the Missouri river at St. Joseph, Missouri, and were shortly afterward joined by a doctor from Ohio, who proposed making one of their company across the plains He was very much afraid of Indians, and one night when it came his turn to stand guard in company with our subject he became so frightened that he pulled out and left the company. The road for miles was lined with dead animals lying by the wayside.
Mr. Durley remained in California some three years, engaged in mining with moderate success. He then returned home, and the following year was elected sheriff, succeeding Amos T. Pur-
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viance, and served one term. In 1861 he went to Colorado at a time when the Pikes Peak fever was raging throughout the country, but con- tinued on to the Salmon river mines in Wash- ington Territory, where he found about forty claims had already been taken. There was great suffering in the camp at the time and as high as two hundred and fifty dollars in gold was paid for a sack of flour. From the mines he went to Elk City, Washington, and in the fall of 1863 re- turned home with no better success than before, but with plenty of experience. The war for the Union had now been in progress for two years, and he determined to enter the service. Raising a company for the one hundred day service, which became Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, he was elected and commissioned captain. With his company and regiment he went to Cairo, and from that city into Kentucky. The regiment was shortly sent back to Peoria, and later or- dered to St. Louis, Missouri, and took part in the campaign against General Price. For a time they were stationed at St. Louis and Franklin to guard the former city. After serving some five and a half months the regiment was mustered out.
Captain Durley returned home after receiving his discharge, and in 1864 raised a new com- pany, of which he was commissioned captain, and which became Company I, Forty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He joined the regiment at Spanish Fort, and was later sent to Blakesly, Montgomery and Demopolis, Alabama, where his regiment was stationed until Lee's surrender. It was a part of General A. J. Smith's army corps, and after the surrender of Lee it was retained in Alabama to guard government supplies. For a time the captain was district provost marshal at Selma, Alabama, where he had charge of nine companies, and where he had several interesting experiences. The regiment was mustered out and discharged in February, 1866.
Returning home, Captain Durley clerked in a general store at Hennepin for four years, and was then elected sheriff of Putnam county, and
re-elected in 1872. After an intermission of two years, in 1876 he was elected circuit clerk, which office he has filled to the satisfaction of the people to the present time. Since the organization of the party he has been an uncompromising repub- lican, and with one exception has been elected to office by safe majorities. He has always taken an active part in political affairs, and has done yeoman service in every campaign. He has close personal acquaintance of almost every man in Putnam county. At the congressional conven- tion held in Peoria in 1894, he was elected chair- man and served with ability.
Captain Durley has been a resident of Putnam county for fifty-two years, and for fifty years he and his good wife have traveled life's journey to- gether. Both are well known and highly re- spected. Fraternally, Captain Durley is a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic and has served as commander.
W ILLIAM HENRY BUTTS, deceased, was one of the well-to-do and prosper- ous farmers of Princeton township, Bureau coun- ty, residing on section 4, and one of those men who thoroughly understood the business which he was pursuing, and was progressive in all things. He was the architect of his own for- tune, having started in life with but little capital beyond his own industry and laudable ambition to rise in the world.
His father, William Butts, was born in New York, December 27, 1803, was there reared up- on a farm, but at the early age of five years was left an orphan, and soon had to begin life for himself, depending upon his own exertions for a livelihood. He learned the shoemaker's trade,. and used to go "cat whipping" from house to house. On the 18th of March, 1832, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Potter, who was born May 9, 1814, in Connecticut, where she was reared, and their carly married life was passed in that state and in New York. Coming to Illinois in 1853, they spent a few months at Withersfield, but in the fall of the same year came to Bureau county, settling in the south-
MR. AND MRS. W. H. BUTTS.
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west corner of Wyanet township. In 1866, they removed to Tiskilwa, where the following year was passed, and then located upon the Walker farm in Princeton township, but later settled on the farm owned by the late W. H. Butts, our subject. Subsequently they lived in the city of Princeton. The father died while on a visit to the home of a daughter at Hastings, Nebraska, January 10, 1892, and the mother passed away September 6, 1888. In their family were six children, namely: Charlotte, wife of Robert G. Holmes, of Hastings, Nebraska, by whom she has six children; William H., of this sketch; Ed- win C., a soldier in the late war, was killed Jan- uary 3, 1863; Anna Eliza, who was married to Clark Hayes, and died at her mother's home, in Tiskilwa, leaving one child, Myra; Garwood P., a resident of Omaha, Nebraska, who married Elsie Waterman, and has seven children, and George M., of Marion county, Illinois, who mar- ried Melissa Colver, and has one child.
The birth of our subject occurred in Dutchess county, New York, January 17, 1838, and in the fall of 1853, he accompanied his parents to Bu- reau county, Illinois, where he ever afterwards resided. He received a common school educa- tion, and early became familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist.
On the 8th of February, 1865, Mr. Butts led to the marriage altar Miss Martha Haiselden, who was born at Hackensack, New Jersey, Feb- ruary 16, 1845, and is a daughter of John and Mary (Maycock) Haiselden, both natives of Eng- land, who came to America when young, and were married, and located in New Jersey, where the father died December 12, 1845. He was born April 17, 1811, and his wife January 6, of the same year. She brought her family to Bureau county, Illinois, in the fall of 1854, settling at Buda, where her death occurred November 27, 1884. In her family were six children, as fol- lows: Mary Ann, wife of Benjamin J. Wester- velt, by whom she has two children; Elizabeth, deceased, wife of Henry Copcutt, by whom she had two children; George, a resident of Chi- cago, who married Lizzie Dickey, and had two
children; Martha Augusta, deceased; Samuel, deceased, who married Florilla Backus, and they had one child; and Mrs. Butts. Seven children were born to our subject and his wife, but only four are now living-Edwin W., who married Myrtle Edna Maham, and now lives on section 9, Princeton township; Samuel, Nettie and Nora. Those who died were: Rena, born November 3, 1870, died February 3, 1871; Georgia, born August 7, 1874, died November, 1878, and Lil- lian, born March 14, 1872, died November 12, 1878.
After his marriage Mr. Butts rented a farm in Wyanet township for eleven years, and then purchased eighty acres in the southwest corner of the same township, but in 1881 settled upon the farm in Princeton, which comprises one hundred and ninety acres, under a high state of cultiva- tion and well improved with all the conveniences and accessories which go to make up a model farm. His ballot was cast in support of the prin- ciples of the republican party, and for several years he was director of one of the best district schools in Bureau county. His wife is a member of the Congregational church of Princeton, and takes an active part in the work of both church and Sunday school, being a teacher in the lat- ter.
The death of Mr. Butts occurred April 9, 1896, in his fifty-ninth year, and was a sad blow to family and friends, and the community in which he so long resided. He was a man universally respected by all who knew him, and his circle of acquaintances was unusually large. Every one admired him for his sterling worth as a man, while in the family he was tender and true. Mrs. Butts yet resides upon the home place and is carrying on the farm. She is a woman of good business ability, and has patiently taken up the burden laid down by the one she loved.
C HARLES FIFIELD, a wide-awake, pro- gressive agriculturist, is extensively en- gaged in general farming and stock raising on section 25, Concord township, Bureau county, and makes a specialty of the raising of short
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horn cattle. He is a native of New England, born at Andover, New Hampshire, July 12, 1857, of which place his father, Silas C. Fifield, was also a native, while his mother, who bore the maiden name of Lucy A. Jackman, was born at Enfield, New Hampshire. She is still living, but the father's death occurred in that state in February, 1894. By occupation he was a farmer. The pa- ternal grandfather of our subject, Peter Fifield, was also born in the granite state, and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry.
Three children were born to them-Silas, liv- ing on the old home farm, at Andover; our sub- ject; Irwin, now farming at Milford, lowa.
On the home farm Charles Fifield was reared. and in the common schools of the locality began his education. At the age of sixteen years he en- tered Proctor academy to prepare for college. After a three years' course in that institution he became a member of the freshman class at Dart- mouth, where he was graduated with honors in 1882, taking front rank in a class numbering sixty-two. The following year he was employed as principal of the schools of Williamsville, Con- necticut, after which he entered upon the study of medicine at Dartmouth, as he had decided to follow the medical profession. For one year he pursued his studies along that line and then re- ceived notice that he was heir to his present farm by the death of a cousin. Albert J. Fifield.
In 1884 Mr. Fifield located upon this farm, which comprises three hundred and twenty acres of rich and valuable land, that he has placed un- der a high state of cultivation. During early life he became thoroughly familiar with agricultural pursuits upon the old homestead and therefore was well qualified to undertake the management of the extensive farming interests which fell to his lot.
On the Ist of June, 1886, Mr. Fifield was united in marriage with Miss Alice I. Davis, who was born in Sheffield, Concord township, Bureau county, and is a daughter of Hiram D. and Mary A. (Lawler) Davis. Her mother died on the 16th of July, 1893, but her father is still living. making his home in Sheffield. Mrs. Fifield was
reared on his farm three miles from that village, and in its schools she obtained her education, graduating with the class of 1876. For two years she then had charge of country schools, was a teacher in the Sheffield schools for three years, and for five years successfully taught in the schools of Buda. While at the last named place she became acquainted with her future husband. They are a pleasant, cultured couple, and occu- py a high social position in the community. They now have two interesting children-Gertrude, born August 11, 1890, and Clarence Eugene, born June 27, 1895.
In politics Mr. Fifield is a loyal and faithful democrat, which party his ancestors have always supported. Both himself and wife hold mcm- bership in the Unitarian church at Buda, of which he is one of the trustees.
R EV. CLES FREDERICK PAMP, the reg- ularly installed pastor of the Swedish Mis- sion church, of Princeton, Illinois, was born in Central Sweden, December 20, 1845. His father, Anders Pamp, was a private soldier in the Swedish army, and participated in the war against Germany, remaining in the service until he reached old age, when he was granted a pen- sion and retired. He died in 1866, at the age of eighty-five years, and the mother of our subject passed away the year previously at the age of seventy-five. Both were consistent members of the Swedish Lutheran church. The father was twice married and had twelve children, only three of whom are now living, all by the second wife. Gustav Anderson, the oldest, still makes his home in Sweden. Twice he came to this coun- try, but finally located in his native land, where he works at the tailors' trade. Mrs. Sophia Swanson also makes her home in Sweden, at the age of fifty-six years.
Our subject, the youngest of those still living, came with quite a colony to America in 1869. His early education was obtained in his native land and there he also worked on the tailors' bench with his brother. On coming to the shores of the new world, he made his home in
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Chicago until September, 1895, at which time he located at Princeton. In 1884 he began preach- ing at the Swedish Covenant church of Chicago and was also leader of the Sabbath school. Later he was pastor of the church at Lake View, which is continually growing, and in the near future will also be among the largest in the city. The membership of the Princeton church num- bers two hundred, composed of the best Swedish families of the city, and the Sabbath school is among the largest in the place. The cause of Christianity finds in him an untiring worker, and during his short, residence here his labors have met with good results and he has gained the con- fidence, not only of his parishioners but of the community at large.
In Chicago, in 1870, Mr. Pamp married Miss Hannah Sophia Anderson, who had come alone to the United States in that year. Her parents, together with two brothers and one sister yet reside in Sweden, and she also has a sister living in Chicago. Thirteen children have been born to our subject and his wife, six of whom are still living and are at home with their parents, ยท namely: Alma S., Anna, Ellis, Fred, David and Clarence.
H ENRY COOK, a retired farmer, living on Peru street, Princeton, has been a resident of Bureau county for sixty-two years. He was born in that part of Genesee county, now Living- ston county, New York, April 22, 1832, and is the son of Deacon Caleb and Lucy (Clapp) Cook, the former a native of Hadley, Massachu- setts, and the latter of Northampton of the same state, her family being among the early settlers of New England, and of English descent. Their marriage was celebrated in Northampton, Janu- ary 30, 1830.
Deacon Cook, in early life, learned the brick- maker's trade, but followed farming some years previous to his coming west, and never afterward resumed his trade. In October, 1834. he landed in Bureau county with his wife and two children, having driven the entire distance from New York. On arriving here, in addition to his
team and a few household goods, he found him- self possessor of five hundred dollars cash. He located about four miles southeast of Princeton, where he secured four hundred and eighty acres of land, lying in sections 23 and 25. The land not then being in market he purchased a squat- ter's claim, for which he paid two hundred dol- lars. When the land was thrown on the market he entered the tract, paying for it the government price of one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. One quarter-section, however, he had previously sold to his brother-in-law, Seth Clapp, who de- veloped a fine farm and there resided for several years.
Caleb Cook improved his tract of three hun- dred and twenty acres, and for years cultivated such grain as was profitable and also engaged quite extensively in stock-raising. When the railroad was completed to Chicago, he engaged for a time in buying and shipping grain and stock, in which business he was quite successful. He later invested in lands in Iowa and Wisconsin which he disposed of, however, previous to his death, which occurred on the farm March 28, 1876, at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife died April 13, 1883, at the age of seventy-six years.
The family of Caleb and Lucy Cook consisted of eight children-Mary Ann, born September 23, 1830, married James Durfee, and died on the home farm, October 7, 1887. Henry, of this sketch, is next in order of birth. Maria, born March 23. 1834, died in infancy. Jane, born April 27, 1836, is now the wife of U J. Trimble, of Bureau township. Sidney, born March 20. 1839. died June 5, 1841. Ellen, born September 20, 1841, died December 6, 1850. Dwight, born November 22, 1843, died March 15, 1850. Lucy, born August 8, 1846, is now the wife of Lysander Ward, of Avoca, Iowa.
Caleb Cook was originally an abolitionist and later in life was a republican. He always took an active interest in political affairs, and was quite radical and firm in his views, especially on the slavery question. He was an associate of Owen Lovejoy in anti-slavery agitation and was
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a member of the Congregational church of Princeton where Lovejoy preached, and was a deacon in the same. His wife was also a mem- ber of that church, and both died in the blessed assurance of a life beyond the grave, and with the further assurance that a crown awaited them.
Deacon Cook was quite a student of the Bible, and a firm believer in all its precious promises. He maintained family worship and daily offered up his prayers and thanksgiving to God. The services of the Lord's house were ever a source of delight to him, and in religious or political dis- cussion, he could usually hold his own with any who cared to discuss such subjects with him. He was equally radical on the temperance ques- tion, and always lived up to his professions. Few men have left behind them a better record and his memory is cherished by all who knew him. He loved his wife and children and always showed his devotion to their interests. Espe- cially may this be said of his love and devotion to his wife, who traveled with him life's journey for forty-six years, each supplemented the good in the other, and loved to be in each other's com- pany.
Henry Cook, our subject, was but two years old when he came with his parents to Bureau county, and here his entire life has since been passed. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and remained at home until his marriage, November 12, 1855, with Miss Orrilla S. Rich- ards, of Paynesville, Ohio. He then purchased eighty acres of his father's farm, and commenced life for himself in earnest. To his original eighty he added from time to time, until he was the owner of three hundred acres, divided into two farms. On one of these he lived until March, 1895, when he sold one farm and removed to Princeton. The other farm he yet retains and it is cultivated under his direction.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cook were born three chil- dren-Herbert, who married Miss Anna M. Sower, now resides at Fairfield, Iowa, where he is engaged in the flour and feed business. Ber- tha A., is now the wife of George P. Williams, of Fairfield, Iowa, her husband being a partner of
her brother in the flour and feed business. Jes- sie H., residing at home, has been a teacher in the graded schools of the county for a number of years and ranks as a successful teacher.
Mr. Cook commenced life with but limited means, but by careful management and industry has made a success and ranks among the well- to-do farmers of Princeton township. Politi- cally, he is independent, though generally vot- ing the republican ticket. He is not controlled by party bosses, and votes as his conscience and best judgment dictate. Mrs. Cook, who is a woman of good disposition and natural ability, is a member of the Congregational church, and her life is such as will bear testimony to the divine principles of Christ.
J. F. STEVENSON, a prominent farmer and . valued citizen of Lamoille township, Bu- reau county, was there born on the 2d of Febru- ary, 1855, a son of Aaron L. and Delilah (Brown- ing) Stevenson, natives of Ohio and Indiana, re- spectively. The father was a farmer and stock- raiser by occupation, and on coming from Jeffer- son county, Ohio, to Bureau county, in 1848, located upon a farm on North Prairie, where he made his home for several years. Subsequently he removed to Mendota, from there to Perkins Grove, and later to Lamoille, where his death occurred July 7, 1889. at the age of sixty-four years. In religious belief he was a Methodist, and in politics was first a whig and later a repub- lican.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Thomas Stevenson. His father, Thomas Steven- son, Sr., was a member of the militia of Virginia, and during the French Indian war was called out to suppress the outbreak on the frontier. He was wounded and taken prisoner to Fort Du Quesne, now Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and later to Canada. After a year and a half he was re- leased and returned to his home in Virginia- months after they had supposed him to be dead -thus making glad the hearts of his family and restoring the home once more to happiness. He belonged to one of the first families of Virginia.
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with whose interests they were prominently con- nected.
The mother of our subject died when he was in his infancy, leaving three children, the others being George T., of Lamoille, and E. J., a re- tired farmer of Mendota, Illinois. The former married Nellie Merritt and has five children ---- Susie, Joseph, Charles, John and Fannie. E. J. wedded Fanny McMurray, of Pennsylvania, and has two children-Lisle and Ralph.
In the district schools near his home, J. F. Stevenson acquired his early education, which was completed at Mendota, and his life work has been that of a farmer. His vacations are spent in travel, which he greatly enjoys, and one trip he visited the principal points of interest in Ire- land, Scotland, England and France, this being in 1878. Later he went to Victoria, Van- couver, Seattle, Portland, Tacoma and other noted places on the Pacific. In this way he has gained much valuable information that could not be obtained from text books.
Mr. Stevenson takes a deep interest in political matters, always casting his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party, and in May, 1896, had the honor of being chosen a delegate to the convention held at Springfield. For years he has been one of the foremost and also one of the most consistent and straightfor- ward workers in the republican ranks of his county, and his open, fair and able judgment and conduct in political matters have been such that he enjoys the confidence and respect of his party. His voice is loud and clear for McKinley, pro- tection and the best interests of America with all that implies. Socially, he is connected with the Masonic fraternity, and has held a number of of- fices in his local lodge.
F RANK F. DUNBAR, a lively representative of the mercantile interests of Princeton, is now conducting one of the leading book and jewelry stores of the place. In 1871 he embarked in the jewelry trade, and two years later pur- chased the book business of Mr. Bascom. He has since carried both lines of merchandise, and
is now conducting an extensive and profitable business. In connection with the current books of the day, he also keeps on hand school books and supplies, and the dailies and periodicals as they appear. His jewelry store is by far the lar- gest to be found in the county, and the store is supplied with one of the best fire and burglar proof vaults.
Mr. Dunbar was born on the 14th of May, 1839, in Waldo county, Maine, and his parents, . Otis and Mary (Talbot) Dunbar, were natives of Massachusetts and Maine respectively. In 1855 the father first came to Princeton, and the following year brought his family to this place. By occupation he was a contractor and builder, but on coming to Princeton opened a lumber yard, where Mr. Brown now carries on the same business. This he owned for several years, and then again took up building and contracting. The last five years of his life, however, he spent in retirement from active business cares, dying September 30, 1891, at the age of eighty-four years. In early life he was a whig, and later became a republican in politics. He attended and supported the Congregational church, of which his wife was a life-long member. Her death occurred in 1887, at the age of seventy-two years. She was a model Christian woman and an active worker in her church.
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