USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 67
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 67
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 67
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Mrs. Smith P. Hill, served as county clerk of that same county for thirty-three consecutive years. H. W. died at the age of fifty-nine years. It is very questionable if Mr. Henry Heth's official record has ever had a parallel in the state of In- diana, either in length of time or efficiency of service. Politically Mr. Hill is a prohibitionist, and firmly believes in the principles of that party. He believes that if all Christian voters would come together as one man the saloon power would soon be blotted out. On account of ill health for the past twenty years, he has been un- able to take the active part in political affairs he has desired, but has the satisfaction of voting as he prays and praying as he votes. Frater- nally he has been a Master Mason for over thirty years, having membership with the lodge at Whitefield Corners. Formerly he took quite an active part in lodge work, but of late years has not been able so to do. Religiously he has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, and has in the local church held the position of class leader, trustee and steward. Mrs. Hill is also a member of that church, and takes an active interest in all its work for the salvation of mankind. They were both among the first members of the church at Whitefield Center.
T HOMAS FRANCIS CLOVER. This able lawyer of Henry, Illinois, now serving as state's attorney, was born on the Delaware In- dian reservation in the Territory of Kansas, January 23, 1859. His father, G. Clover, is a na- tive of Indiana, of German descent. During the revolutionary war two brothers came over with the Hessian army, and taking a fancy to the country and its brave men who fought so cour- ageously for their independence, concluded to remain here. One of the brothers settled in New York and his descendants yet remain there in large numbers. The other settled in Pennsyl- vania. From the Pennsylvania brother our sub- ject traces his descent.
In early childhood G. Clover was taken by his parents to Grundy county, Illinois, and there
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T. F. CLOVER.
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grew to manhood. Before attaining his major- ity, however, he went to Hardin county, Iowa, where he formed the acquaintance and wed Miss Susan D. Maddox, who was also born in Indiana, but grew to womanhood in Iowa. While both were natives of the same state and both lived for a time in Illinois, it was not until removal to Iowa that they became acquainted. By this union were two sons, Edward L., an attorney and democratic politician of Morris, Illinois, and our subject.
Soon after their marriage the young couple moved to Kansas and settled on the Indian reser- vation, and there began to improve a farm. They were not, however, permitted to occupy it and were forced to abandon their claim, not having sufficient means to pay the price demanded. While residing here with the intention of mak- ing it their permanent home our subject was born.
From Kansas the family returned to Iowa. The war for the union was now in progress, and the husband and father determined to enlist. Bidding his loved ones good-bye, as a private in the Sixteenth lowa Volunteer Infantry, he marched to the front, after spending a few days in camp at Marshalltown. The sixteenth Iowa is noted as being one of the fighting regiments from that state. In almost all the great battles of the southwest it was actively engaged, including Shiloh, Inka, first and second battles of Corinth and Holly Springs. It was with Sherman on his march to the sea. In all this service Mr. Clover did his duty faithfully and well, and while mect- ing many hairbreadth escapes, came off without a serious wound.
While at Goldsboro, North Carolina, the time of the regiment expired, and there Mr. Clover received his discharge. Taking a vessel he went to. New York and there by rail hurried to his home. Before arriving there he was offered a colonelcy and $1,000 in cash if he would again enter the service. While only a private he was a thorough drill master and this fact was ap- preciated by those in authority. But three years' active service was enough and he put aside the
offer that he might again enjoy the society of wife and children.
While he was in the service his wife returned with the children to Grundy county, Illinois, and thither he hastened. On a farm near Gardner they resided for several years, until on account of the failing health of the father, they removed to Labette county, Kansas, and there remained three years, and again returned to the old home in Grundy county, Illinois, where they still re- side, Mr. Clover being postmaster at Gardner.
The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in Grundy county, where he was engaged in farm work during the summer months, while through the winter season he attended the dis- trict school, completing his course at the Morris high school, of which he is a graduate. At the age of eighteen years he engaged in teaching for one term in Kansas, where his father was then living. With the design of making the law profession his life work, at Oswego he began reading law in the office of Webb & Glass, prominent attorneys of that city, and was ad- mitted to the Kansas bar in 1880 before he had attained his majority.
Returning to Illinois, Mr.Clover was examined before the supreme court of this state, and was admitted to practice here. Locating at Braid- wood, he there followed his chosen profession until coming to Henry in 1889. He has here built up a large and paying practice, ranks high among his professional brethren, and in 1892 was elected state's attorney for four years, being the regular democratic nominee. He takes an active part in political affairs, and at the Peoria convention in 1894 placed in nomination the democratic candidate for congress, Hon. George O. Barnes, of Lacon. He also goes as a delegate to state conventions, and takes a prominent part in all campaigns, being particularly active in committee work.
On the 27th of April: 1893, Mr. Clover was united in marriage with Miss Losty Delzer, who was born in Henry, and was there reared and educated. She takes quitc an active part in the Woman's club, and is a devout member of the
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German Catholic church. Socially, Mr. Clover is a charter member of Henry lodge, No. 489, Knights of Pythias.
Our subject is a man who thoroughly loves his profession, and is eminently gifted with the capa- bilities of mind which are indispensable at the bar. He was counsel in the Seeley case in which Mrs. Seeley applied for separate maintenance, and argued before the appellate and supreme courts that the plaintiff would not have to prove the same degree of cruelty for separate main- tenance as for divorce. The supreme court sup- ported this view, and the fact has become pre- cedent in such matters. He has also been en- gaged on many other important cases in which he has come off victorious. In preparing a case for trial every fact, however insignificant, is care- fully studied and its possible relevancy to the merits of the case weighed and considered. He is thoroughly familiar with authority and never at a loss for a precedent. He has a large circle of personal friends, the regard of the entire pro- fession and has won the respect of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
AMES S. ECKELS for nearly forty years J has been engaged in the practice of law in Princeton, and enjoys the reputation of being one of the best attorneys, as well as one of the most esteemed citizens of the city. He is a na- tive of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, born December 7, 1827, and is the son of William and Jane (Starr) Eckels, both of whom were also natives of the same county and state. On the father's side the family are of Scotch-Irish extraction, Nathaniel Eckels, the grandfather of our subject, being a native of Belfast, Ireland, but who emigrated to this country prior to the beginning of the present century. Wm. Eckels was born March 3. 1787.
William Eckels was married three times. His first wife was Rebecca Houston, by whom he had five children: Isabella, Jonathan, Nathaniel, Margaret and William Houston, all dead. After her death in January. 1820, Mr. Eckels was mar-
ried the second time to Jane Starr, by whom he had four children, Mary, Francis M., John S., and James S. Mrs. Eckels died December 23. 1830. All the children died but our subject. His third wife was Hannah, cousin of the second wife, by whom he had two children: John S. and Samuel C., all deceased.
He was a farmer by occupation and an active member of the Presbyterian church, having a love of the cause of Christ at heart, and a stead- fast desire to live in accordance with the will of the divine Master. His death occurred Noven- ber 15, 1861. His wife preceded him to their heavenly home many years, her death occurring December 23, 1830, at the age of about forty years. They were the parents of twelve children, three of whom died in infancy, while the others all lived to mature years. Of the number, how- ever, our subject is the only one now living. Two of his brothers, Wm. H. and John S., died with- in the past three years, the former at the age of seventy-five years. The others all died before reaching the age of three score and ten years.
The boyhood and youth of our subject were spent on the home farm in his native state, and his primary education was received in the dis- trict schools. Entering Jefferson college in Pennsylvania, he pursued the regular course and graduated with honors in the class of 1853. The profession of law he decided upon as his life's work, and after a course of reading he entered the Albany law school, from which he was grad- uated in 1857. Immediately after receiving his diploma he turned his face westward, coming to Princeton, where he at once formed a partner- ship with J. T. Kyle for the practice of law, and under the name of Eckels & Kyle, the firm have since engaged in their profession with good suc- cess, prosecuting in all the various courts of the state and in the United States courts. The un- divided attention of our subject has been given to his profession from the time he came to Prince- ton to the present time. Political preferment has never had any attraction for him, and he has al- ways felt that he would rather be a good lawyer than a poor politician. As a lawyer he ranks
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high at the bar, his abilities being recognized by his associates and the community in general. As a trial lawyer he is unexcelled in Bureau county. his knowledge of the law, aptness in question- ing and cross-questioning witnesses, and his readiness of speech make him very effective and' almost invincible. As a public speaker he is among the best, and if he had turned his atten- tion to political affairs he would have exercised a great influence in state and nation.
Mr. Eckels was married October 19, 1854, in his old Pennsylvania home, with Miss Margaret D. Herron, a daughter of James and Isabel (Johnson) Herron, of Cumberland county, Penn- sylvania, where Mrs. Eckels was born. By this union four children have been born: Frank J., a graduate of the Albany law school, in the class of 1875, and who for five years practiced law in Princeton, but who is now residing near Welling- ton, Ohio, where he is engaged in farming. His wife was Miss Jennie Wadsworth, and they have seven children, Elmer P., Jennie W., Herron A., Frank J., jr., Maria E., James S., and Benjamin. James Herron, who since March, 1893, has been comptroller of currency under President Cleve- land, and who is now temporarily residing in Washington. He is a graduate of the Prince- ton high school, and also of the Albany law school, class of 1880. After his graduation he removed to Ottawa, Illinois, where he devoted himself to his profession until his appointment as comptroller. In this latter position he has made a fine reputation and his good judgment on finan- cial matters is conceded by all. He was mar- ried December 13, 1887, at Ottawa, Illinois, with Miss Fannie L. Reed, of that city, and they have one child, Phoebe. Jane Isabel, now the wife of Dr. Charles A. Palmer, of Princeton, and the mother of four children, Margaret Ellen, Charles, Alice and Eckels. George M., who is a graduate of the Columbian law school, Washington, D. C .. is now engaged in the practice of his profession in Chicago. His marriage with Miss Edith Oberly occurred in Washington, District of Co- lumbia, April 18, 1892. They have one son, George M.
The wife and mother passed to her reward March 7, 1892. She was born December 23. 1830, and was therefore in her sixty-second year. As a member of the Presbyterian church, she lived the life of a devout Christian, and died in the full assurance of the life beyond. While in this life she gave as best she could of her time and talent to the work of the church which she so dearly loved. Mr. Eckels is also a member of the Presbyterian church and is well grounded in the faith. As a citizen he has always mani- fested an interest in the prosperity of his adopted city and state, and in social circles he is ever welcomed.
S. D. CLIFFORD. The farm in Evans town- ship, owned and occupied by this gentle- man, invariably attracts the eye of the passing traveler as being under the supervision of a thorough and skillful agriculturist, and a man otherwise of good business qualifications. He was born December 21, 1834, in Harrison coun- ty, Ohio, where the marriage of his parents, Ed- ward and Rebecca (Dunlap) Clifford, was cele- brated.
His father, whose birth occurred in Virginia, in 1806, was the son of Samuel and Nancy (Walker) Clifford, the former a native of Ireland, but at an early day became a resident of the Old Dominion. Accompanying his parents to Har- rison county, Ohio, in 1814, Edward Clifford was there reared. His wife was born in that county, in 1807, and was the daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Dickerson) Dunlap, both of whom died in Ohio.
For a time after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford continued to reside in Ohio, but in 1853 came to Illinois, and located upon the old Jones farm, which was partially improved, on section 10, Evans township, Marshall county. There the father died August 20, 1881, but the mother still survives him. He was exclusively a farmer and erected a good residence and barn upon his place. Politically, an earnest democrat, he served as a delegate to the Greeley convention,
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and in his township held the office of road com- missioner.
The parental household included seven chil- dren, five still living, as follows: Sarah is the wife of James Phillips, by whom she has eight children-Donelson, Mrs. Jane Colehower, Mrs. Amanda Bosman, Edward Clifford, John, Mrs. Ida Morris, Mrs. Eva Hollenbeck, and Boyd. Nancy lives upon the old home farm. Our sub- ject is the next in order of birth; Jane is the widow of William Dunlap, of Wenona, and is the mother of six children-Edward, Joseph, Mrs. Ella Judd, Retta, deceased; William Der- ley, and Lucy; Margaret is at home; Susan is the wife of W. T. Hamilton, of Galesburg, Illi- nois, and they have four children-Mrs. Ettie Evans, John, James, and Samuel.
In 1853, our subject came with his parents from Ohio to Illinois, walking the entire dis- tance, and in the high school at Wenona com- pleted his education, which was begun in his native state. He remained upon the home farm until his marriage, which important event in his life was celebrated in 1863, Miss Sarah E. Hoyt becoming his wife. A native of Marshall coun- ty, she was born in Roberts township, July 6, 1842, and after attending the district schools, was later a student at both Henry and Gales- burg, this state. Five children graced this union, four still living-Leslie, who married Hattie Get- ter, by whom he has two children, Jo Sterling and Mona, and is now living at Scotia, Ne- braska; Anita M., wife of Harry Day, of Chilli- cothe, Illinois, by whom she has one son, Frank- lin C .; Hoyt, and James S.
The parents of Mrs. Clifford are James and Maria (Hitchcock) Hoyt, who were married in New York city, and came to Illinois in 1837. The following year they located in Marshall county, where they rented land for three years. and then purchased land in Roberts township. The mother died in 1850, but the father, who was born in 1807, still survives at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Four of their nine chil- dren are also still living-Julia, wife of John Bobbitt, of Sutherland, Nebraska, by whom she
has eight children; James Henry, a farmer, of Golden City, Missouri; Mrs. Clifford, and Sey- mour, ex-county judge and attorney at law, liv- ing in Dade county, Missouri. After the deatlı of his first wife, Mr. Hoyt wedded Eliza Jane Mathis, and they have two children-Charles E. and Jennie M., wife of Judge Richmond, of La- con.
After his marriage, Mr. Clifford settled upon the old family homestead, where he remained un- til 1870, and then removed to his present farin, which was then but partially improved, but is now under a high state of cultivation. It con- prises eighty acres of fertile land. Politically he supported the men and measures of the demo- cratic party, and served as school director and as- sessor. He provided his children with excellent educational advantages, his oldest son being a graduate of the Normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana. Mr. Clifford was suddenly taken sick on Sunday, May 31, 1896, and died June 12 fol- lowing. His funeral, which was one of the larg- est ever held in Evans township, was from the Cumberland Presbyterian church, on Sunday, June 14, the services being conducted by Rev. Freeman. While not a member of the church, Mr. Clifford was a believer in the Christian religion. and his reputation for honesty and integrity was well known throughout the community.
T HOMAS I. STRAWN, a well-known and leading agriculturist of Bureau township, residing on section 2, is a representative of one of the old and highly esteemed families of Bu- reau county, with whose interests its members have been identified for over forty-five years. He was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1851, but when only two years of age was brought to Bureau county by his pa- rents, Levi and Elizabeth (Ingram) Strawn, also natives of Greene county, Pennsylvania, where the father's birth occurred in 1810. On coming to this state he first located on a farm two miles cast of Princeton, but a year later purchased a farm in Bureau township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his time
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and attention until called from this life in March, 1880, at the age of seventy years. His wife passed away in 1876.
In their family were eight children who grew to mature years, namely: Olive, who married James H. Dutro, a resident of Henry county, Missouri, where her death occurred; William, who married and resided at Montrose, Missouri, for years, now deceased; Elizabeth, deceased wife of J. Manley, of Sioux City, Iowa; Mrs. Adeline Hulderman, of Chillicothe, Missouri; Mrs. Susan Ashenfelter, of Bureau county ; Mrs. Sarah Tucker, of Montrose, Missouri; Thomas I., of this review, and B. F., who is living in Omaha, Nebraska. There were also three sons who died in childhood.
In Bureau county, Thomas Strawn grew to manhood, remaining under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, when he be- gan operating rented land. In 1884 he pur- chased his present farm, comprising eighty acres of rich and arable land, and besides its cultiva- tion also operates one hundred and sixty acres which he rents. He is one of the successful and representative agriculturists of Bureau town- ship, being thoroughly familiar with farm work in all its departments.
In March, 1872, In Bureau county, was per- formed a wedding ceremony which united the destinies of Mr. Strawn and Miss Mary Cole. who was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, and came here with her mother and sister. Her father was Henry Cole, of Trumbull county. Five children have been born to our subject and his wife, as follows: Harry L., who is married and resides at Walnut, Illinois, and William E., Oma, F. L., and Bessie, all at home.
Politically, Mr. Strawn is identified with the democratic party, being an earnest advocate of free silver, and he takes quite an active part in local politics. He is now serving his ninth year as commissioner of highways, has been a men- ber of the school board for fourteen years, and has been delegate to county and congressional conventions. He has made a most faithful and efficient officer, winning the commendation of his
political enemies as well as his constituents. Fraternally, Mr. Strawn is a Master Mason, be- longing to Wyanet lodge, and is also a member of Princeton lodge, No. 89, I. O. O. F. During his long residence in Bureau county he has wit- nessed the wonderful changes which have taken place within its borders, the wilderness and swamps transformed into good homes and farms, and villages springing up. He is well known throughout the community as a man of good business capacity, whose career is above re- proach, and he is justly entitled to be represented in the biographical record of this section of the state.
L UTHER DICKINSON GUNN. In the career of this gentleman we find a very ex- cellent example for young men just embark- ing in the field of active life, of what may be accomplished by a man beginning poor, but honest, prudent and industrious. He was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, July 28, 1814, and was only a week old when his father, Luther Gunn, died. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Delia Dickinson, was left with the care of two children, his sister being Sarah. The family is an old one of Montague, Massachusetts, and his paternal grandparents were Captain Na- thaniel and Hannah (Montague) Gunn, the former the son of Lieutenant Nathaniel Gunn, of Sunderland, Massachusetts, and the latter a daughter of Major Richard Montague, one of the founders of North Leverett, of the same state, where he died in 1794. During the French and Indian war, the Major was in the battle of Crown Point in 1759, while in the Revolu- tion he took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was an able officer.
After the death of the father of our subject, his mother took her two children to the home of her father at Whately, Massachusetts, where she remained until her marriage with Levi Gunn, a second cousin of her first husband, after which they made their home at Montague, the step- father working at his trade of blacksmithing. The mother's death occurred at Greenfield that
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nam county, by whom she had eight children. He died some years ago, and the widow is now living in Chicago; John Walker married Vir- ginia B. Turner, and now resides in Hennepin. He owns a farm adjoining the old homestead, as well as his home in the village. Their children died in infancy ; Mary is the widow of Rev. James Templeton, and resides on the old home farm; Susanna, who died two years ago, was the wife of Captain James Campbell Moore, of Peoria; Mar- garet first married Alexander Armstrong, and after his death, Gaspard L. Tetu, of Peoria; Sam- uel Gilmore manages the old homestead, and Elizabeth is the wife of Dr. J. T. Milling, of Peru.
After his father's death, Robert Leech took charge of the business, carrying on the home farm, and became the father of the family. In connection with his brother, Samuel G., lie added to the original farm a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, and there devoted his attention to general farming and stock-raising with excellent success. He was very active in public matters, was a strong democrat in politics, and often served as a delegate to the conventions of his party. For some years he was supervisor of his township, and also held the offices of commis- sioner and school director. During the war he took an active and leading part in public affairs, and did much toward relieving the distress of many a soldier's widow.
Samuel G. Leech, the youngest son of the family, as he grew up aided his brother in the operation of the farm, and by purchase, became half owner of the place. For about ten years he dealt in grain at Hennepin, but since that time has given his entire attention to the cultiva- tion and improvement of the farm. After the death of his brother he became sole owner.
The mother, whose death occurred in April, 1888, at the advanced age of ninety-three years, was ever devoted to the interests of her home and family, and was well preserved, retaining all her faculties to the last. A consistent member of the United Presbyterian church, she was a great Bible student and followed closely its teachings. She had a wide acquaintance throughout the
county, and her house was ever open for the en- tertainment of her many friends, and she also took great pleasure in extending her hospitality to many noted men of the state.
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