USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 77
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 77
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 77
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Thorp, and has one child; Caleb, who married Nellie Green, and is now deceased, and has three children ; and Sarah E., wife of Samuel Croft, o. Harper county, Kansas, by whom she has seven children.
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs Broaddus, namely: Savilla, wife of John David- son, a farmer of Hopewell township, by whom she has four children, John, Ruth I., Le Roy and Isaac ; Cora, wife of Leroy Cook, of Chicago, who has been connected with the Simons saw manu - factory since thirteen years of age; Lillie May, at home. Walter, who is a member of the class of 1897, at Brown's Business college of Peoria, and Nancy R., who will graduate at the Lacon high school in 1897.
Politically, Mr. Broaddus is a free silver demo- crat, and socially is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is public-spirited in an eminent degree and has always done much in behalf of his county's interests and in the general welfare of his community. He is popular and is the center of a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances who honor and esteem him for his many virtues and his genuine worth.
H ON. GEORGE F. WIGHTMAN is a well known civil engineer of Lacon, one who has a very wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and who is truly a representative citizen of Mar- shall county, of which he has been a resident since 1846, save for the period mentioned further along in this sketch. He was born in Ontario, Canada, near St. Catherine, February 5, 1827, and is the son of Samuel and Anna (Roy) Wightman, who emigrated from that country in 1836, when our subject was but nine years old, locating in Mercer county, Illinois. There the father secured a tract of government land and commenced its improve- ment. He was a natural mechanic and in addition to carrying on the farm engaged in mechanical pursuits, having a shop on his place. He did all kinds of mechanical work and the Wightman shop was patronized by all who were in need of repairs of any kind or who wished some new contrivance made. His house was a station on
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the underground railroad, and many a poor slave was sent by him on the road to frecdom, our subject on more than one occasion acting as conductor, taking the escapcd slaves to a station at Andover, in Henry county, from which place they were sent on their way. The father died in 1863 at the age of seventy years.
The subject of this sketch remained upon the home farm until he was seventeen years of age, and in that time only attended school two weeks, his primary education being attended to by his mother, who was a well educated woman. In 1846 he spent two months on a boat on the Mis- sissippi river, after which he helped take a barge up the Rock river as far as Dixon, that river be- ing then a navigable stream. His time, how- ever, was principally spent in labor upon the farm or in the shop with his father. Having thoroughly mastered the cooper's trade, on leav- ing home he came direct to Lacon, where hc entered the employ of William Fisher & Co., in their cooper shop and packing house and after working about four years was made forcman. For thirteen years he remained with that com- pany, working, however, only in the fall and winter season. In the summer he took up civil engineering in company with General Curtis on the survey of the Air Line railroad. He was ein- ployed on this work and in the office of the gen- eral engineer in Lacon for some time. General Curtis was a West Point student and during the rebellion was in command of the Army of the Arkansas. His son, Samuel Curtis, now residing at Omaha, was also engaged with Mr. Wightman in the survey of this road.
In 1859 and 1860 Mr. Wightman was engaged in steamboating on the Illinois river, having the command at different periods of three vessels, the Edmonia, the Movaster and the Diana. His run was from La Salle to St. Louis, and his vessels were for freighting purposes only. For the first season or two he did a fairly prosperous business, but later it fell off perceptibly. He continued, however, in business until the breaking out of the civil war, when he secured a position in the quartermaster's department. After the battle of
Pittsburg Landing he enlisted in the Independent Tennessec Infantry and served until after the capture of Vicksburg, when he again engaged in steamboating, as captain of Mississippi river transports for the government, and also on a gunboat. He continued in this line until the close of the war on the Mississippi river and at Galveston, Texas, and was therc made superin- tendent of ocean and river transportation with headquarters at Galveston. Hc was on the trans- port Diligent at the time of the Red river ex- pedition, and was engaged in carrying dispatches. Later the boat was sunk near Austin, Missis- sippi. He was mustered out of service and honor- ably discharged at Galveston, in April, 1866, one year after the surrender of Lee.
Returning to Lacon, Major Wightman again engaged in his old occupation as a civil engineer, and made the survey of the Keithsburg, Lacon & Eastern railroad, which is now a part of the Central Iowa railroad, and was its chief engincer. He was also chief engineer of the Chicago, La- con & Keokuk railroad, making its survcy. He was assistant engineer in building the road from Lacon to Wcnona, which now forms a part of the Chicago & Alton railroad. His work in this line was always satisfactory to those by whom he was engaged and his reputation as a civil engineer was second to none in the locality. While still engaged in these duties, hc was nominated on the republican ticket as a representative from the twentieth senatorial district to the general as- sembly of the state. He was triumphantly electcd and served with credit to himself and constitti- ents, declining a re-election. It was during this session that the ever memorable contest occurred resulting in the election of John A. Logan as United States senator. Major Wightman was loyal to General Logan, for whom he had the greatest respect, admiring his ability both as a warrior and statesman. While still serving as representative he was appointed by President Hayes as postmaster of Lacon, duly qualified and served one year, making an efficient officer.
After serving about one year as postmaster, the position of civil engineer for the city of Peoria
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was tendered him by its mayor and common council. Resigning his position he accepted the offer from Peoria and at once removed to that city, where for twelve years he continued to act as civil engineer. Those twelve years were busy ones and during that time the present fine sewer system of that city was inaugurated, as was also the brick paving, he being a pioneer in this line in the state of Illinois. Brick paving is now ex- tensively used throughout the whole country, but when Major Wightman first advocated the sys- tem he was laughed at by almost the entire com- munity. His experimental block, however, satis- fied the people, and at the end of twelve years there were laid in that city about five miles of brick pavement. The sewer system, of which mention has been made, reflects great credit upon his ability as an engineer, and during his term about thirty miles of sewer were constructed. He also laid two miles of asphalt. His entire at- tention, while in Peoria, was given his profession- al duties and his work was eminently satisfactory.
On the 8th of July, 1893, he severed his con- nection with the work in Peoria and returned to Lacon. He is now vice-president of the Peoria, Lacon & Northern railroad, with a capital stock of $1,000,000, which has recently been granted a charter to build a railroad from Peoria to Spring Valley, a distance of fifty-two miles, and open up Lacon, Putnam and Granville with the coal cen- ter, and also open up the finest agricultural coun- try in the state without a railroad. Major Wight- man has made the survey and is at present (spring of 1896) engaged in securing the right of way. Among those interested with him in the road may be mentioned Edward Howlitt and Dr. Mc- Ilvaine, of Peoria; Judge McNabb, of Putnam county, and Hon. Robert B. Fort, of Lacon. In addition to the railroad work now oceupying his attention our subject has been made civil engin- eer in the survey and construction of the Asylum for the Ineurable Insane at Peoria. The build- ings are now in process of erection.
On the Ist of January, 1849, Major Wightman was united in marriage at Lacon with Miss Dor- cas Lindsay, at the residence of Dr. Boal, she
being an orphan and reared in the doctor's fami- ly. To them were born two children: Charles R., who is a civil engineer and is engaged in business with his father, and Laura, now residing with her father, is the widow of William Bellows, of Lacon, who was an engineer on the Chicago & Alton railroad, and was killed in a wreck while on duty, leaving three children: George, William and Annie.
Major Wightman is not a member, but is a supporter of the Episcopal church. He was made a Master Mason in Lacon lodge, No. 61, about 1850, and was one of the first initiated here into the mysteries of that ancient order. He has also been made a Royal Arch Mason, and holds membership in Lacon. In the work of the order he has ever manifested a commendable interest and has filled nearly all the chairs. In politics he is an uncompromising republican, and firmly be- lieves in the principles of that party. He was a delegate to the Bloomington convention in 1856, at which time the party was formally brought into existence in this state. He was also a delegate to the state convention in 1858, and favored Abraham Lincoln as the party's candi- date for the United States senate. Mr. Wight- man has never sought office, but served as coun- ty surveyor for some years. As a eitizen, friend and neighbor lie is highly esteemed by all, and his life affords a good example to the young.
F FELIX BOYLEN, a leading blacksmith and wide-awake business man of Lacon, Illinois, was born in County Cavan, Ireland, September 15, 1846, a son of James and Catherine (McEntee) Boylen. In 1850, the family came to the new world, landing at New Orleans, but while coming up the Mississippi river the father died of cholera. The mother with her children proceeded to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, where they made their home for some time. In 1855, our subject came to Lacon, and his mother three years later, where her death occurred in 1883, at the age of seventy years. In her family were four children, but one died on the Emerald Isle. Patrick enlisted in the union ser- vice in March, 1862, in Company C, Sixty-fifth
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Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and after three years and a half on southern battle fields was honorably discharged in August, 1865. His death occurred in 1872, at the age of twenty-nine years. Mary, the sister of our subject, is the wife of Charles Bradley, a farmer of Iroquois county, Illinois.
In early life, Felix Boylen learned the black- smith's trade, which he has made his life work, and has the name of being a most proficient and painstaking workman. In 1875 he led to the marriage altar Miss Martha Deal, a native of Ver- mont, and a daughter of Adam and Martha Deal, who were also born in the Green Mountain state. Five children blessed this union: Catherine, Frank, Mary, Isabel and Nellie. The wife and mother was called to her final rest November 12, 1887, at the age of thirty-four years. She was a devout member of the Catholic church, to which her husband also belongs. He is a worthy and valued citizen, and has been called upon to serve as commissioner of highways and alderman, be- ing twice elected to the latter position and the present incumbent from his ward. In politics he is a democrat. He stands high in the regard of his friends and acquaintances, and as a public officer has won the commendation of even those opposed to him politically.
R ICHARD MELLOW, a dealer in monu- ments at Lacon, Illinois, is conducting a successful and well established business, which occupies an important place among the various industries of this thriving city. Upright and re- liable in his dealings, he has gained the confi- dence of the public and justly merits the liberal patronage which he receives.
Mr. Mellow was born in Cornwall, England, July 25, 1852, a son of William and Caroline (Hotten) Mellow. The father, whose birth oc- curred in 1828, was a quarryman in early life, but is now living retired in his native land. There the mother's death occurred at the age of fifty- three years.
In the schools of his native land, Richard Mel- low acquired a fair education, and there learned the trade of a granite cutter. On crossing the
Atlantic to America in 1882, he located first at St. Louis, where he worked at his trade for dif- ferent firms for about three years, and in July, 1885, came to Peoria and engaged with the Peo- ria Steam, Marble and Granite Works Company. April 20, 1884, he was married to Lillian H. Coker, daughter of James R. and Mary S. Coker, Pecria. In 1890 Mr. Mellow removed to Lacon and started business for himself, dealing in all kinds of domestic and foreign stones, granites and marbles, for building and monumental pur- poses. He has erected many of the best monu- ments found in different cemeteries of Marshall, Putnam, Peoria and other counties. He put up the Reed monument in Wenona cemetery and that of the late Albert Judd in Cumberland ceme- tery, which weighs about twenty-seven thousand pounds. He also erected the soldiers' monument of Lacon. His excellent workmanship stands well the test of time and criticism, and its merit is justly recognized.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Mellow has been cheered by the birth of three children: Howard C., Spencer R. and Olive May. The parents both hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, which Mr. Mellow joined when nineteen years of age, and his wife when still younger. He takes but little interest in political affairs, aside from casting his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party. Socially, he affiliates with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Modern Woodmen of America.
NSON J. SCHAEFFER, editor and pro- prietor of the Marshall County Democrat, published at Lacon, Illinois, is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred June 26, 1864, in Williams county. His parents, John and Fran- ces (Bardner) Schaeffer, were both born in Mary- land, but were married in Doylestown, Wayne county, Ohio, where the father engaged in farm- ing for some time. He now makes his home in Butler, Indiana, at the age of sixty-six years, but his wife died September 22, 1887, at the age of sixty years. In their family were four children, namely: Mary, who married William Killinger,
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of Edgerton, Ohio, but is now deceased; How- ard, who married Addie Kleckner, and is in the mercantile business in Hicksville, Ohio; Caro- line, widow of A. J. Ackerman, and a resident of Butler, Indiana, and A. J., of this review.
Our subject was a student in the high school of Edgerton, Ohio, and subsequently attended Oberlin college for three years, but was unable to complete the course on account of trouble with his eyes. After leaving college, he traveled for nearly two years through the south, prospect- ing in company with another gentleman. In 1887 he embarked in the newspaper business at Ed- gerton, Ohio, and later conducted the Sandusky County Democrat at Clyde, same state, for a ycar. The following four years were spent at Spencerville, that state, as editor and proprietor of the Spencerville Journal, and on selling out there he came to Lacon, Illinois, November, 1893, where he has successfully conducted the Marshall County Democrat, which was founded in 1852. It is an ably edited, well printed sheet, and receives a liberal patronage from the read- ing public.
Mr. Schaeffer was married March 17, 1888, to Miss Flora Yackee, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Lewis and Rachel Yackee, who are still residents of that state. Three children graced this union: Marie, Helen, and Ila, who died July 30, 1896, at the age of two years and four months.
Fraternally, Mr. Schaeffer holds membership in the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias, while politically he is identified with the demo- cratic party. He is a fluent, able writer, and in his chosen calling has met with a well deserved success. A worthy citizen, genial and courteous in manner, he is well calculated by disposition and dealing to make and retain hosts of friends.
A MASA GARRETT, deceased, was for many years a familiar figure in Marshall and ad- joining counties, and was doubtless personally known by as many men as any other person within the radius of fifty miles. He was a native of Washington county, Ohio, born April 14,
IS18, of which state his father, who was of French ancestry, was a pioneer. In 1836, the family re- moved to Bureau county, Illinois, and located in that section which was then a part of Putnam county. Subsequently he removed to Bulbona Grove, near the present village of Wyanet, Bu- reau county.
In early life our subject commenced trading in furs, in which line of business he continued for some years. Later he engaged in the stock busi- ness, buying and shipping cattle, principally to the Chicago markets. He then became an agent for the location and sale of land lying in the Mili- tary Tract of Illinois, making the subject of titles a study, and becoming a recognized authority on titles of the lands. The Military Tract com- prised that territory lying between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, and north of the base line near Quincy, Illinois, a portion of which was set aside in payment for services rendered the gen- eral government in time of war. The operations of Mr. Garrett extended within a radius of forty miles, and within that distance he invested in the military lands, owning at one time about one thousand acres. When these lands were mostly disposed of by the government, he turned his at- tention to his farming interests and confined him- self to the cultivation of the soil and raising stock. He was a very active man and always pushed his business until within a year or two of his death.
Mr. Garrett was thirty years old before he entered the married state, his union with Miss Sarah Orr occurring at Lacon, February 20, 1848. She is a daughter of James and Sarah (Ramsey) Orr, both of whom were natives of Maryland, from which state they removed when Sarah was but eight years old, locating in Mar- shall county. Her father was by occupation a farmer and entered land one and a half miles from the village of Lacon, in Lacon township. This tract he proceeded to improve, and in time it was one of the best cultivated farms in the coun- ty. Of their family of six children, Sarah was one of the youngest, and is the only one now liv- ing. One daughter, Mary, who married Asa
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Thompson, resided for years in Steuben town- ship, and died on Thanksgiving day, 1895. One daughter, Elizabeth, married William Hancock and died some years ago. The father died when upward of seventy years of age.
When the marriage of Mr. Garrett and Sarah Orr occurred, he was residing in Bureau coun- ty, but had purchased land in Marshall county, in what was known as the Bethel neighborhood, where he erected a house and to which he took his young bride. On that farm he resided for twelve years, when he removed to the farm now the home of Mrs. Garrett in Steuben township. Five children came to bless their union: James O .; Josephine, who married Samuel McFar- land, both of whom dying left two children, Alma S. and Anna Josephine, the latter now be- ing a member of Mrs. Garrett's family ; Augustus, who married Electa Sargent, lives near the old farm; Clara, now deceased, and Allison, who runs the home farm.
Politically, Mr. Garrett was a stanch democrat, and for years served as justice of the peace, and at a time when the office in his township was of some consequence. For sixteen consecutive years he served as supervisor from Steuben town- ship, a fact that speaks well for the confidence and esteem in which he was held by his fellow citizens. A great admirer of the lamented Ste- phen A. Douglas, he followed the fortunes of that great statesman until the death of the latter, and served as a delegate in the Baltimore conven- tion which nominated Douglas for the presi- dency. His face was a familiar one in the coun- ty, state and district conventions, and his influ- ence was great among his fellow members. He was a candidate for county office at a time when the party was in a hopeless minority, and while he always made a good campaign, he yet failed of election. His relation with W. E. Cook, also a prominent politician, was a close and intimate one.
Mr. Garrett was well posted on current litera- ture and thoroughly enjoyed the reading of good books. He was a good neighbor and always tried to avoid strife, never engaging in needless
lawsuits, but settling all differences out of court. He was not what is called a society man, thoughi of a social turn, neither did he ever affiliate with the fraternal societies of the day. His death oc- curred August 24, 1891, and his remains were interred in the Bethel cemetery. Mrs. Garrett resides on the old homestead, loved and respect- ed by all. A member of the Methodist Episcopal church, she lives the life of a true Christian wo- man, doing her duty faithfully to her family, friends and neighbors.
M AJOR HANSON J. DE PUE, an honored veteran of the late civil war, and a promi- nent citizen of Lacon, is a native son of Illinois, born in Du Page county, April 7, 1846. His parents, James and Eliza (Daniels) De Pue, were natives of Ravenna, Ohio, and New York, re- spectively. The major began his education in the common schools, but at the age of sixteen he laid aside his text books to don the blue and go to the front in defense of his country. On the IIth of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, which was a part of President Harrison's brigade. He was always found at his post of duty, and participated in every engagement in which his regiment took part until the battle of New Hope Church, Georgia, May 25, 1864, when he had his arm nearly shot off. It was then am- putated by the regimental surgeon, and on the Toth of September, following, he was honorably discharged after twenty-five months of faithful and arduous service on southern battlefields.
After his return home, Major De Pue was for three years a student in the Soldiers college of Fulton, Illinois, and was then engaged in teach- ing country schools for many terms. In 1873 he was elected treasurer of Marshall county, and so satisfactorily did he fill the office, that he was twice re-elected. For a few years he then fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, but in March, 1889, soon after his inauguration, President Harrison appointed him postmaster of Lacon, the duties of which position he discharged in a prompt and able manner for a little over four years. He was
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not only a member of General Harrison's brigade during the rebellion, but is his warm personal friend as well. Mr. De Pue has also been called upon to fill other official positions within the gift of the people, including the offices of supervisor and alderman, which he held for one term each. A recognized leader in the ranks of the republic- an party in Marshall county, he has twice served as chairman of the central committee, the last being in the campaign of 1896.
Major De Pue was married October 3, 1876, the lady of his choice. being Miss Stella A. Bane, a daughter of Jesse B. Bane, of Marshall county, and they now have four children: Florence, Fan- nie, Helen and Georgia. Mrs. De Pue is a mem- ber of the Congregational church. For the past eight years the major has served as commander of the Lacon Grand Army post, and in August, 1896, at Minonk, was elected commander of the Big Bend Reunion association.
YOUNG A. GLENN, the owner of one of the most desirable homesteads in Putnani county, located on section 31, Magnolia town- ship; belongs to an honored and highly respect- ed pioneer family of the county. His father, Isaac D. Glenn, was born in Kentucky, in 1800, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth Glenn, who came from Indiana to Illinois in 1830 and settled on section 31, Magnolia township, where they were numbered among the earliest pioneers and were living at the time of the Black Hawk war, in which the grandfather participated. His wife died in Magnolia township, and was buried on the farm where our subject now resides, after which he went to Iowa, where his death occurred.
Isaac D. Glenn was reared in Kentucky, but at an early day accompanied his parents to Craw- ford county, Indiana, where he remained until 1828, whence he removed to McLean county. Illinois. Two years later he took up his residence in Schuyler county, this state, and in 1832 set- tled upon the farm which is still the home of our subject. The father had purchased the claim the year previously, and was the first white man to locate thereon, his first home being a log cabin.
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