USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The History of Livingston County, Illinois : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 73
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111
672
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :
REV. JAMES HALPIN, Pastor of the Catholic Church, Dwight ; was born in Limeriek City, Ireland, March, 1820 ; he came to this country in 1839, locating in Detroit, Mich., and there entered the Cath- olie Institute, and began studying for the ministry, thence to St. Louis, continuing his studies at the St. Louis University, where he was ordained a priest, after which he taught in the University for about five years, then was appointed to take charge of the St. James Church at St. Charles, Mo. ; his next charge being at St. Augustine, Ill., where he remained five years ; thence to Mason City, and now be ing the present Pastor at Dwight. During the late war, Rev. Mr. Halpin was appointed by the Bishop to the hospital at Louis- ville. Ky., where he had charge of the sick and wounded, for three years ; these many appointments he has filled with credit and honor to himself and to those that he rep- resented.
Z. L. JOHNSON, of the firm of Flag- ler & Johnson, lumber dealers, Dwight ; was born Sept. 9, 1856, and came with his parents to this county when quite young, and located on a farm of 160 acres south- east of Dwight, where he remained with his parents and worked on the farm, and attended district school during the winter months, until June, 1877, when he came to Dwight ; then he entered into partnership with G. Z. Flagler, in the lumber trade. Mr. Johnson is an industrious young man of good habits, therefore we anticipate for him success in mercantile life. He mar- ried Miss Jennie Miller, of this place, Dec. 25, 1877.
HOMER A. KENYON, Postmaster, Dwight ; was born young, and emigrated early, and has lived in Dwight tweny-one years ; his favorite recreation is reading self- written biographies of his self-made and emi- nent co-temporary friends; he is in the book and stationery business, also proprie- tor of Kenyon's Club Agency, news depot and circulating library, editor and proprie- tor of the Western Postal Review ; Mr. Kenyon's Club Agency is the largest in the United States ; was established in 1870, and during the year 1877, he received and forwarded over one hundred thousand newspapers and magazine subscriptions.
W. H. KETCHAM, Justice of the Peace, Dwight ; was born in Fishkill,
Dutchess Co., N. Y., Nov. 28, 1821 ; while with his parents, he received a good English education ; remaining with them until 1852, when he set sail for California, leav- ing New York Feb. 4; during his voyage he was shipwrecked off the coast of Mex- ieo, which detained him some five weeks, and arrived at San Francisco April 1 ; he remained in California three years and six months ; his principal business while there was mining ; then returned to his native State, and shortly thereafter emigrated with his family to Illinois, locating in Dwight, and in the same house where they now live. Mr. K. is a public spirited man, and has done much for the public interests of the place ; has held the office of Justice of the Peace for fourteen years and School Director for a number of years, also Vil- lage Trustee, which he now holds ; these offices he held with credit and honor to himself and those he represented. He married Miss Mary E. Losee, of Dutchess Co., N. Y., Nov. 30, 1841 ; she was born May 23, 1822 ; they are the parents of six children-John L., born March 1, 1844, and enlisted in the 129th I. V. I. August, 1862, was wounded at the battle of Kene- saw Mountain, and died in the hospital at Chattanooga, June 25, 1864; Jane E., born Feb. 16, 1847 (now Mrs. Smith) ; Frank, born Oet. 3, 1850 (now Mrs. H. Thomp- son) ; Mary II .. born Sept. 25, 1852; Emma V., born June 13, 1856 ; William, born Feb. 9, 1860.
GEORGE KEPPELINGER, general machine, carriage and wagon shop, Dwight; born at Byron, Germany, March 12, 1844; came to America in 1852, locating in Illi- nois ; received but a limited education, came to Dwight in 1873, and opened a blacksmith and repair shop, and in 1876, built a large building in addition to the shop, the upper story of which is used for a Town Hall; its seating capacity is 600 ; he owns property in Dwight to the amount of $7,000. Was married Oct. 6, 1867, to Miss Katie Klughart, of this place ; they have one child-Lizzie, born Aug. 18, 1870.
E. H. KNEELAND, farmer, Secs. 19 and 30; P. O. Dwight; was born in Watertown, N. Y., Feb. 26, 1831 ; when he was but 2 years of age, his father died, then he removed with his mother and fam- ily to Erie Co., Peun., and was raised on a
673
DWIGHT TOWNSHIP.
farm, but received a good education and taught school Winters for a number of years ; he came to Illinois in 1856, first locating in La Salle Co., then in 1861, came to Livingston Co .; removed to New York City in the Spring of 1864, and then served as weighmaster on a floating ele- vator for four years, after which he returned to Livingston Co .; he owns ninety acres of land valued at $40 per acre. He married Miss Diana Gallup, of La Salle Co., Ill., April 6, 1859 ; they have three children -Edith, born Dec. 13, 1862; Gertrude, born Jan. 24. 1870; Grace, born May 15, 1871.
HENRY KIMBLE, farmer and stock dealer, Sec. 20; P. O. Dwight ; was born on the coast of Africa ( Ascension Island) July 9, 1829 ; his father being a most able mechanic and engraver, was called upon to engrave the tombstone of Napoleon Bonaparte, which he did while on Ascen- sion Island; they remained but a few years, then removing to Prince Edward's Island, British America, where they remained twelve years; then came to the United States, first locating in Kendall Co., Ill., thence into Livingston Co. in 1869, locat- ing on his farm where he now lives, which consists of 320 acres, valued at $50 per acre; there being an artesian well on his farm makes it the best watered stock farm in the county. He married Miss Sarah Sheldon, of . Du Page Co., Ill., Dec. 6, 1854; she was born in Nov., 1831 ; they have two children living-Mary M., born Dec. 31, 1858 : James H., born April 18, 1861.
F. A. LAKIN, farmer, Sec. 35; P. O. Dwight ; was born in Sebago, Cumberland Co., Me., May 30, 1824; his early life was spent on the farm of his birth-place ; when Mr. Lakin was but a boy his father died, and at the age of 15 he was left to care for his mother, and having charge of the farm, remained fourteen years, then removed to Harrison, and there engaged in farming and lumbering, which he followed for eleven years. Ile married Miss Emma H. Barnham, of Harrison, Me., Nov. 6, 1851; she was born April 27, 1828; they came to Illinois in the Fall of 1864, locating in La Salle Co., where they en- gaged in farming for one year, thence into Livingston Co., where they now reside ; they came to this State with but little
property, and through their industry and economy have accumulated a good property. They own 186 acres of land, valued at $50 per acre. They are members of the Baptist Church, and have one child (adopted)-Edward H., born March 22, 1859.
J. H. LLOYD, farmer, Sec. 35; P. O. Dwight; was born in La Moille, Bureau Co., Ill., March 10, 1842, where he re- mained with his parents and received a good education, and learned the trade of plas- terer and brick mason; he entered the army in the late war, enlisting in the 52d I. V. I .; was in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka and siege of Corinth, and during the many engagements received but two slight wounds; he served three years and three months; was mustered out in November, 1864, then returned to La Moille and worked at his trade until 1869, when he came to Livingston Co., locating where he now resides. He owns 1063 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. He now holds the office of Second Lieutenant of Co. E, 10th Bat. I. N. G. Married Miss Julia A. Dean, of La Moille, Feb. 15, 1873; she was born Aug. 16, 1844; they have four children-Jonathan H., born Dec. 21, 1873; Serepta Jane, born Feb. 15, 1874; David H., born Feb. 19, 1875; Emma P., born Nov. 8, 1877.
JOHN LITTLE, section foreman on the C., A. & St. L. R. R .; P. O. Dwight; was born in Morris Co., N. J., March 24, 1828; his first business engagement was with the H. R. R. R. Co., where he remained three years. He married Miss Caroline Darcy, of Patterson, N. J., April 3, 1852; she was born July 23, 1830; they came to Illinois in 1856, locating in Dwight, where he took the position of section foreman on the C., A. & St. L. R. R., which he has held with entire satis- faction to the present. Mr. Little came to this country with but little meaus, and through his industry and economy has accumulated a good property ; they have three children-Ada, born Dec. 24, 1856 ; Minnie, born Nov. 3, 1859 ; Maggie, born Dec. 24, 1866.
LEANDER MORGAN, farmer and stock raiser; P. O. Dwight; is one of the pioneers of Dwight, who came here in its earliest days and took an active part in the establishing of schools and churches; he
674
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
was born in Wilton, Conn., Feb. 24, 1815; at the age of 24, he removed to Yonkers, N. Y., and there engaged in contracting and grading, which he followed for ten years, and after the death of his father returned to Wilton, Conn., and took charge of the home farm; he emigrated to Illinois in 1856, locating in Dwight ; he has held the offices of School Director and Road Commissioner for several years ; he resides on the farm that is known as the Spencer Place, where the Prince of Wales stopped when he visited this eoun- try in 1860, and where a number of Eu- ropean noblemen have been entertained. He married Miss Ann Eliza Barker, of South Salem, N. Y., June 29, 1837 ; she was born April 1, 1815 ; they have four children-Leander B., George A., William H. and Hattie E.
A. McKAY, harness manufacturer, Dwight ; born in Chambley County, Que- bec, Jan. 3, 1842, but removed with his parents, while young to Simcoe Co., Ontario, where he attended school, and be gan to learn the trade of a harness maker, finishing the trade at Bramton, ; in the Spring of 1864, he removed to Chicago, thenee to Dwight in 1865, and followed his trade until April, 1867, when he opened a harness shop of his own, and through his energy and industry, has accumulated a good property. Was Village Councilor three years, School Treasurer of Dwight Tp. two years, and at present Village Treas- urer. Married Miss Louisa Lytle, of Dwight, Nov. 22, 1875; she was born April 22, 1840 ; they have two children- James, born Sept. 23, 1869, and Harrie, born May 14, 1872.
DAVID McWILLIAMS, merchant, P. O. Dwight ; born in Belmont Co., Ohio, in Jan., 1834, and the same year his parents emigrated to Illinois, and located in Griggsville, Pike Co., where he remained un- til 1854; when not quite of age, he settled in Dwight ; is of Scotch descent ; only had the advantage of a few months schooling each year at the district school ; he began his business in a small frame store, 20x32, the first business house erected in Dwight, and at that time only three families lived in the place ; his first stock of goods was less than $2,000; has continued business ever since, and in connection with the merean- tile, has been engaged in banking, in which
he has been quite successful, and is now considered among the solid men of Central Illinois. He has been an active member of the M. E. Church, and has contributed lib- erally of his means for the erection and maintenance of the church edifice (which is one of the best in the county), as well as the general benevolence of his church, and is now honored by his lay-brethren as the first lay-delegate from Central Illinois Conference to the General Conference of the Methodist Church held at Brooklyn, N. Y., in May, 1872. He married Miss Louisa Weagley, of Griggsville, Ill., Dec. 2, 1856; they occupy the house they moved into two weeks after their marriage ; they have six children, all of whom are living-Edward, born in 1857 ; James W., / born in 1858; Nellie, born in 1860 ; John P., born in 1862; Louisa, born in 1870, and Charles, born in 1872.
J. McILDUFF, Police Magistrate, Dwight ; born in Dromara, Ireland ; Nov. 13, 1809 ; in the early part of his life, he attended school in the city of Belfast, and afterward attended at the Royal Academic Institute, where he studied navi- gation, but his parents being opposed to his becoming a sailor, gave it up and came to this country in 1834, and located in Phila- delphia, and there engaged in the business of transportation on the Pennsylvania Canal, which he followed with success for fourteen years ; came to Dwight in 1855. locating on 160 acres of land southwest of Dwight, which was the first farm opened in this township, and soon thereafter brought a car-load of fine-bred cattle, which were the first brought to this place. He was School Director for three years, and Post- master two years,. Married Miss Agnes Speer of Cassville, Penn., Sept. 1847; she was born Nov. 17, 1822; they have three children-Robert S., born Jan. 1, 1848; Agnes C., born July 18, 1854; Thomas E., born Sept. 22, 1860.
MRS. CATHARINE MORRIS, widow of the late William Morris, farmer; P. O. Dwight ; was born in Yorkshire, England, Nov. 30, 1820, where she received a good education ; came to this country in 1849, locating in Philadelphia, where she mar- ried William Morris ; he was born in Hay- wood, England, in 1820, and died Oct. 6, 1877. They came to Livingston Co. in 1854, locating on what is now known as the
675
DWIGHT TOWNSHIP.
Barton farm: afterward purchased 200 acres where she now lives, which is valued at $50 per acre; Mrs. Morris conduets the farm; they have eleven children -- David, born in 1852; Thomas, born in 1853; James, born in 1855 ; Lizzie, born in 1856 ; Willie, born in 1858 ; Joseph, born in 1861 ; Maggie and Charlie, born in 1862 (Charlie deceased ) ; Nellie, born in 1864 ; Samuel, born in 1866, and Lucy, born in 1868.
J. MARTIN, farmer; P. O. Dwight ; born in Niagara Co., N. Y., April 14, 1814: removed, while young, with his parents to Vermilion Co., Ind., where he lived with his parents on a farm, and at- tended district school during the winter months ; he came to Illinois in 1846, lo- eating in Grundy Co., where he purchased eighty acres of land, and shortly afterward bought ninety-seven aeres in Livingston Co., where he built a residence which was his home up to 1875, when he removed into Dwight ; he owns 177 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. He married Miss Sarah Scott, of Clearfield Co., Penn., in January, 1840 ; she was born Aug. 11, 1811; died Oct. 26. 1863, leaving ten children ; John, born Nov. 28, 1841; Jasper, born April 1, 1842, died January, 1844; Mary and Elizabeth, born March 23,1844; Mary died July 18, 1845 ; Albert, born Feb. 14, 1846; Hannah, born May 15. 1848; Sarah, born April 5, 1850; George W., born Jan. 23, 1852. William H. (deceased). Married Mrs. Jane Scott, Dec. 30, 1863; she was born Dee. 22, 1816 ; she has eight children-Eliza, born May 6, 1839; Marion, born Sept. 28, 1841, died Dee. 25, 1841 : Morgan D., born March 3, 1843 ; Mary, born Dec. 29, 1845, died July 27, 1872; Laura, born July 20, 1849; Delila, born Aug. 27, 1852, died Dec. 26. 1852 ; William R., born Oet. 27, 1853, died Feb. 7, 1876; John J., born April 24, 1856.
N. N. MICKELSON, grocery, Dwight ; was born in Denmark, July 29, 1850 ; his father being a cooper, he remained with him and learned the trade, and received an ordinary education ; he emigrated to this country in 1872, locating in Dwight ; he first found employment as a farm laborer, then engaged at his trade, then in the capacity of a grocery clerk for D. MeWilliams & Co., where he remained for four years, and now is engaged in the
grocery business for himself, and has one of the finest little grocery stores in the place.
H. T. NEWELL, real estate and loans, Dwight; was born at Pittsfield, Mass., Feb. 28, 1835; his early life was spent with his parents in Milford and Cuba, N. Y., the latter being where he received his education at a graded school; he came into Livingston Co., in 1858, locating in Dwight, and doing business in different. locations, dealing in hardware at Dwight, real estate in Chicago, and was connected with the firm of Newell, Judd & Sims, at Pontiac, in lumber trade ; his present busi- ness is real estate and loans ; he being a man of industrious habits and good busi- ness ability, is highly respected by all. He married Miss Eliza Gould, of Dwight, Feb. 21, 1861 ; they have four children- Nellie V. (deceased), Lillie A., Edna M .. and Maud M.
C. S. NEWELL (deceased ) ; was born at Pittsfield, Mass., Dee. 16, 1832; in 1837 he went from home to Springfield, and in 1839 to Milford, N. Y., and to Cuba in 1850, where he learned the trade of watch-making; in 1855 he emigrated to Illinois, locating at Waukegan, where he went into the business of watchmaking, which was his first commercial venture. He removed to McHenry, Ill., in 1857. where he married Miss Margaret McCol- lum, Nov. 21, 1858 ; she was born at Me- Henry, May 29, 1844; came to Dwight in 1860, associating himself with his brother, H. T. Newell, in the hardware, real estate, and loaning business, and operating successfully; in 1873, he, with his brother, H. T., had a prison contraet, and used fifty-eight convicts in the manu- facturing of galvanized iron cornice ; re- moved to Joliet in 1874, and engaged in wholesale confectionery ; passed away April 9, 1877, leaving three children- Charles E., born Dec. 19, 1859 ; Bert E., born Jan. 16, 1863 ; Clinton D., born May 3, 1867. He, as a business man, was respected and honored by all ; he had few equals, and no superiors; his loss can never be supplied in a large circle of acquaintances.
C. L. PALMER, editor and proprietor of the Dwight Star, Dwight ; was born in Macoupin Co., Ill., June 5, 1848; during his early life, he obtained a good educa-
676
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
tion, laying the foundation of his present business ; his first experience in mercantile life was in Litchfield, Ill., where he en- gaged in general merchandise ; he came to Livingston Co. in 1867, locating in Chats- worth, and there opened a store of dry goods and clothing; he came to Dwight and established the Dwight Star (in con- nection with the book and stationery trade) in Jan., 1868, and it made its first appear- ance on May 5 ; in a short time it became a popular sheet, and grew in demand until it consumed his entire time and attention ; he dropped the book and stationery busi- ness and devoted his time to the editing of the Star, which he has carried through nine enlargements ; after a successful career of ten years, it stands at the head of the Livingston Co. press, and is the only steam printing house in the county. He married Miss Mate E. McClure, of New York, Sept. 25, 1873.
L. G. PEARRE, attorney at law, Dwight ; he is a native of Ohio; during his early life, he received a good education, laying the foundation of his present busi- ness ; he came to Livingston Co. in 1858, and engaged in the grain trade, in which he met with good success; he was admitted to the bar in 1869, sinee which time he has devoted entire time and attention, and has built up a large practice in Livingston, Will, Grundy and La Salle Cos. ; his suc- cess is well known in the Supreme Court, and he has proved himself an able prac- titioner in common and chancery law.
J. B. PARSONS,agricultural implements, building materials, coal and ice, Dwight; was born in Penobscot Co., Me., Dec. 17, 1844 ; his father being a farmer, he worked on the farm and went to school until he was 14 years of age, then he started alone for Lowell, Mass. ; in the Spring of 1862, he returned, and having obtained consent of his father, he enlisted as a private in the 18th Maine Regiment ; was promoted to an Orderly Sergeant ; was in the service three years, then returned to Bangor, Me., and was discharged, and started for the West ; he arrived at Dwight in Aug., 1865, and engaged in teaming, and meeting with good success, he soon began to deal in coal, ice, brick, etc. ; his business has con- tinued to increase until he now stands high, if not at the head in his branch of business in this county. He now holds
the office of Lieut. Col. Commanding the 10th Reg. I. N. G.
A. G. POTTER, farmer and stock raiser ; P. O. Dwight ; was born in Huntingdon Co., Penn., April 3, 1833; removed to Livingston Co. in the Spring of 1858, and rented a farm of David McWilliams ; now farms quite extensively ; works 280 acres, turning his attention to raising stock ; he owns eighty acres of land, valued at $60 per acre. He married Miss Mary Jane Numer, of Huntingdon Co., Penn. ; she was born in Cumberland Co., Nov. 21, 1833; they have nine children-Addie V., born April 14, 1857 ; Willie L., born Dec. 22, 1858, died Oct. 28, 1861 ; Julie F., born Jan. 17, 1861 ; Lander, born June 24, 1863 ; Allen W., born Oct. 20, 1865 ; Rosealma, born July 12, 1867, died Aug. 31, 1868 ; Elsie M., born Sept. 21, 1871; Bertha M., born Sept. 10, 1873; Nellie E., born Jan. 19, 1876.
S. T. K. PRIME, farmer; P. O. Dwight; was born in Weston, Conn., July 31, 1834; he was brought up in New York City, where he received a fine education ; he was in business there until the Spring of 1858, when he came to Dwight and bought a half section of land, improved it, and re- sides there now ; Mr. Prime has devoted the greater portion of his life to farming and literary pursuits ; his taste being in the newspaper line, and both as an editor and as a correspondent, has the reputation of being a clear and concise writer; he is the oldest son of Dr. Prime, of the New York Observer, at present connected with the Chicago Tribune ; he has one of the most beautiful homes in the State ; a credit to the town and the admiration of every one.
F. RATTENBURY, farmer; P. O. Dwight; was born in Devonshire, Eng., December, 1832, where he remained with his parents and engaged at farming until 1857, when he left his native country and emigrated to America, locating in La Salle Co., Ill. ; came to Livingston Co. in 1857, and engaged in farming, which has been his principal business thus far through life. He married Miss Elizabeth Haydon, of his native place, March 31, 1856; she was born Oet. 1, 1830 ; they have six children living-Bessie, Alice M., Thomas, Jennie, Mary and Willie.
R. ROE, grocer, Dwight; was born in Manchester, Eng., Nov. 16, 1833, where
677
DWIGHT TOWNSHIP.
he learned the trade of prints printing ; came to this country and located in North Adams, Mass., where he engaged at his trade with the Arnold Print Works, and remained with them five years, after which he removed to Marshall, Mich., and learned the trade of a miller, and remained 21 years; came to Dwight in 1862, and had charge of the Dwight Flouring Mills for seven years, then operating a mill in Springfield for a time, returned to Dwight and engaged in the grocery business. He married Mrs. Ellen Johnson, of Pennsyl- vania, Nov. 18, 1857 ; she was born Jan. 9, 1830; they have three children-Eliza- beth (by first husband ), born Dec. 1, 1854; Lawrence, born May 3, 1861; Mary, born Jan. 5, 1863, died Feb. 17, 1864. Mrs. Roe is proprictress of a beautiful floral garden and hot house that would do eredit to a city. She keeps on hand a full variety of lawn and house plants from James Vick, Rochester, N. Y .; also B. K. Bliss & Co., N. Y.
W. S. SIMS, dealer in lumber and coal, Dwight; born in Rushville, Ind., Feb. 20, 1834; removed with parents to Clinton Co., and there attended district school ; thence to Lebanon, Boone Co., where he attended school at the Lebanon Seminary ; came to Dwight in April, 1861; entered the army August, 1862 ; joined the 86th Regt. Ind. Vols. as Captain; was wounded at the battle of Chicka- mauga ; also, battle of Burnt Hickory ; served two years and three months, after- ward returned to Dwight, and was ap- pointed cashier in the bank of J. G. Strong; served six years; was one of the building. committee of the County Court House; was a member of the School Board four years; served as Township Supervisor three years, fulfilling the duties of each office with credit to himself and fidelity to the people. Married Miss Sa- lina Strong, of Lebanon, Ind .; they have six children-Samuel E., Anna M. E., Carrie B., Lizzie M., George S. and Ella
J. F. SCHUMM, butcher, Dwight ; was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, March 15, 1831, where he served his time at the trade of a butcher; came to this country in 1851, locating in Kane Co., Ill., where he was a farm laborer until 1858, when he came to Dwight; he en- tered the army in the late war in August,
1862, enlisting in the 129th I. V .I., and served two years and ten months; was engaged in quite a number of battles, and came out without a scratch; returned to Dwight and engaged in the butcher busi- ness, which he has followed with success ever since. He married Miss Elizabeth Ash, of Dwight ; she was born in Ger- many ; they have eight children-Casper, Charles J., Lehonard F., Catharine L., Elizabeth K., Mollie, Jennie and Ruth.
WM. M. STITT, livery and feed stable, also Village Constable, Dwight ; was born in Pike Co., Ill., March 25, 1843, where he worked on a farm and went to school until August, 1861, when he entered the late war in the 36th I. V. I .; was wounded in the battle of Pea Ridge, Ark., and was taken to the convalescent hospital at Louisville, Ky., where he remained until October. 1863, when he was dis- charged ; he then came to Livingston Co. and engaged in farming for about seven years ; removed to the village of Dwight February, 1875, and opened a feed and livery stable, which he has managed ever since; was elected Village Constable in April, 1877, and re-elected in 1878. He married Miss Mary Wait, of Highland, Grundy Co., Oct. 7, 1864; she was born July 4, 1845 ; they have four children- Alvin E., Estella, Olive L. and William B. ; ali living.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.