The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 113

Author: Le Baron, Wm., Jr. & Co., Chicago, Pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : W. Le Baron, Jr.
Number of Pages: 1092


USA > Illinois > McLean County > The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 113


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).


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HIRAM BUCK, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O. Le Roy ; one of the pioneers of Illinois; born in Seneca Co., N. Y., March 20, 1801 ; his father, William S. Buck, was a soldier of the Revolu- tion, and assisted in the capture of Cornwallis, at Yorktown. Hliram Buck received a common


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school education ; he remembers the war of 1812, as three of his brothers were soldiers in it, one of whom was captured at Queenstown Heights. In 1818. he removed, with his parents, to Hamilton Co., Ohio, the journey being made from Seneca Co. to the headwaters of the Alle- ghany River on sleds, then floating down the river from Orlean Point on a flat-boat, a distance of 900 miles, the time consumed being seventeen days. He then engaged in farming, which business he followed until 26 years of age, teaching school during the winter for five years ; here he became acquainted with Gen. Harrison, who was afterward elected to the highest office within the gift of the nation. During the seven years following his leaving the farm, he was engaged in supplying the steamboats on the Ohio River with wood, for which he received, deliv- ered, $1.25 per cord, and also made several trips down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, to New Orleans, taking down provisions, etc. In 1826, he removed to Switzerland Co., Ind., where he lived until 1833, when he emigrated to McLean Co., Ill., and located at Randolph's Grove, where he lived for a while, in a cabin near Campbell Wakefield's house; his first claim of eighty acres, for which he paid $50, he entered in 1835. He opened the first hotel in Le Roy in 1837, which business he followed, in connection with farming, for eight years, when he located upon his present place, where he has since lived ; his first tax receipt was for 20 cents, which increased until it reached upward of $500. He became a subscriber to the Star of the West upon the pub- lication of its first number, and has continued his subscription, which he has always paid, for fifty- two years. of township, county and school offices he has had his share, having been Justice of the Peace eighteen years, Postmaster at Le Roy seven years, County Commissioner, Surveyor, County Judge under the Constitution of 1848 for eight years, Supervisor of Empire Township four years, which office he now holds, Township Trustee of Schools, School Director, etc. In 1874. he was appointed, by Gov. Beveridge, one of the Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University, of Urbana ; in 1875, he was elected Trustee of the Lombard University, at Gales- burg, which office he now holds. Mr. Buck is one of if not the largest landholder in Empire Township, and has never laid a claim against a deceased estate. His marriage with Mercy Karr was celebrated April 4, 1827 ; she was daughter of Capt. John Karr, one of the patriots of the Revolutionary struggle ; the golden wedding of the above couple was celebrated April, 1877; it was attended by friends and relatives, from far and near ; they came from surrounding counties and cities and States ; they came from Iowa and from Cincinnati, Ohio; over one hundred representatives of all ages, from childhood to old age, came, among the latter being upward of thirty over sixty years of age; they gathered around the table, bonntifully supplied; prayer was offered by the Rev. D. P. Bunn, of Decatur; the address of welcome was delivered by C. A. Buck, youngest son of the aged couple, out of respect to whom this vast company had gathered, and who showed unmistakably their feelings of love and respect by the many and valuable presents which they brought, among which was a heavy silver-headed cane to Mr. Buck, from the Hon. David Davis, of Bloomington, a solid gold-headed cane, from his neigh- bors, the presentation speech being made by Rev. D. P. Bunn, responded to, with much feeling, by the recipient; they also received a set of upward of fifty pieces of china, with gold band; Mrs. Buck was the recipient of a solid silver castor, from her children, large silver sugar-spoon, the gift of Mrs. Judge Davis, a $5 gold piece, from Mrs. Campbell Wake- field, a set of solid gold sleeve buttons and cuff pins, from ladies of Bloomington ; of the above company gathered, three had witnessed the marriage ceremony, fifty years previous. The children of Hiram and Mercy Buck were-Amanda M., born July 10, 1828 (wire of James H. L. Crumbaugh, living three-quarters of a mile south of the old home) ; Thomas L. Buck, born Oct. 23, 1831 (lives in Le Roy) ; Elizabeth R., born Feb. 21, 1834, died Feb. 13, 1837 ; Martha E., born Dec. 14, 1838 (now wife of John McConnell, lives in Downs Township) ; Nancy J., born Feb. 19, 1843 (now Mrs. Isaac F. Dawson, of Downs Tp.), and Charles Albert Buck, born Ang. 19, 1849 (he is a graduate of Lombard University, of Galesburg, and lives across the road from his parents).


THOMAS L. BUCK, farmer; P. O. Le Roy ; born in Switzerland Co., Ind., Oct. 23, 1831 ; he emigrated, with his parents, to Illinois and located in Randolph's Grove in 1833; his father opened a hotel in Le Roy in 1837, which he kept eight years, after which the subject of this sketch remained with his father and engaged in farming until marriage, when he located upon Section 6, Town 21, and followed farming until the fall of 1874, when he removed to Le Roy, that he might have better privileges of churches and schools; he now owns 160 acres of land upon his home farm, 80 acres in De Witt Co , 35 acres within the city limits of Le Roy, where he resides, upon all of which he has good buildings, aud also several hundred acres of timber and pasture. lle is now one of the Aldermen of Le Roy, which office he has held for three years. His marriage with Mary J. McConnell was celebrated March 16, 1859 ; she was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, June 16, 1829; they have two children by this union-Rose E., born Jan. 25, 1860, and Orral M., born Aug. 23, 1862.


CHARLES ALBERT BUCK, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O. Le Roy ; the subject of this sketch is the youngest son of Hiram Buck, whose biography appears in this work; he was born in Empire Township, McLean Co., Aug. 19, 1849; he attended the common schools during his youth, among which was the school at Le Roy ; at 19 years of age, he entered the Normal University, at Normal, which he attended one term, when he entered the Lombard University, at Galesburg,


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in 1870, from which he graduated in the spring of 1875; he has since engaged in farming, in partnership with his father. during the summer, and school-teaching during the fall and winter. His marriage with Harriet Claycomb was celebrated Feb. 3, 1876 ; she was born in Warren Co., III .. Dec. 23, 1848; they have one child by this union-Nannie Mer, born Aug. 16, 1877.


GEORGE W. BUCKLES, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Le Roy. The subject of this sketch is among the oldest settlers now living who was born in MeLean Co. ; his birth occurred Feb. 14, 1834, in what is now Empire Township ; he was the oldest son of Peter and Jane ( Rut- ledge) Buckles, who were among the early settlers, locating in Empire Township, McLean Co., about the year 1828 or 1829. Peter Buckles was born in Tennessee, Dec. 10, 1809; the maiden name of his wife was Jane Rutledge; she was born in Kentucky, in November, 1814; they were united in marriage May 10, 1833, and located upon Sec. 29, Empire Township, where they passed the remainder of their days ; they were the parents of ten children, six of whom are now living, the oldest being George W., born Feb. 14, 1834: Thomas J., born April 16, 1836 ; Robert, born in 1840; Andrew J., born April 7, 1844 ( his sketch appears in this work ) ; Martha (now Mrs. Davis Ross, lives near Shirley), Emma D. (now Mrs. William Gay, Empire Township) ; Mrs. Buckles died Nov. 2, 1868; Mr. Buckles died April 21, 1871. The subject of this sketch remained upon the farm until May 22, 1856, when he was united in marriage with Mary Bishop; she was born in McLean Co., July 18, 1838; she was the daughter of William G. Bishop, who was born in Tennessee, in 1785, and located in Money Creek Township about 1835, where he was appointed the first Postmaster, which office he held for eighteen years ; he died April 13, 1862 ; Mrs. Bishop's maiden name was Jane Briggs : she was born in South Carolina, Jan. 30, 1796, and now lives in Money Creek Township. The children of George W. and Mary (Bishop) Buckles were mine in number-Harriet, born March 21, 1857; Rebecca J., born Dec. 3, 1858; William Robert, born March 17, 1860 ; Peter D., born July 25, 1862, died Sep. 4, 1864; Clar- rissa A., horn Nov. 20, 1863, died Aug. 29, 1864 ; Olive W .. born Nov. 15, 1865, died March 17, 1867 ; Thornton A., born Feb. 25, 1868 ; Laura E., born Nov. 10, 1871, died Oct. 3, 1872, and Nolan A , born Nov. 9, 1878.


ANDREW J. BUCKLES, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Le Roy ; born in McLean Co., Ill., April 7, 1844 ; he was the youngest son of Peter and Jane ( Rutledge) Buckles, who located in Empire Township, McLean Co. about the year 1828 or 1829 ; Peter Buckles was born in Tennessee, Dec. 10, 1809; the maiden name of Mrs. Buckles was Jane Rutledge ; she was born in Ken- tucky, in November, 1814; married May 10, 1833, and lived in Sec. 29, until her decease ; Mrs. Buckles died Nov. 2, 1868; Mr. Buckles died April 21, 1871 ; their children were ten in number, of whom six are now living-George W., born Feb. 14, 1834; Thomas J., born April 16, 1836; Robert, born in 1840; Andrew J., born April 7, 1844 ; Martha (now Mrs. Davis Ross), and Emma D. (now Mrs. William Gay.) The subject of this sketch has always lived upon the old place where he was born, and where he is now engaged in farming, his farm being located about one mile south of Le Roy, where he has about one hundred acres under fence and culti- vation. His marriage with Angeline Watt was celebrated Oct. 3, 1867 ; she was born in De Witt Co., III., Oct. 5, 1849; they have two children, now living, by this union-Frank P., born Nov. 24, 1872; Ada B., Aug. 10, 1876. Mrs. Buckles was the daughter of P. P. Watt, who was born and raised in De Witt Co., Ill., and located in McLean Co. in 1865; where he lived until his decease, which occurred March 26, 1876 ; Mrs. Watt died in Logan Co., in October, 1853.


S. F. BARNUM, lumber and grain merchant and miller, Le Roy, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Canton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Aug. 11, 1824; when he was 10 years of age. his parents moved to Erie Co., N. Y., and in the year 1847, came to Defiance, Defiance Co., Ohio ; after the death of his father, his mother, in the spring of 1864, moved to Blooming- ton ; she now resides with her son, Mr. Barnum, in Le Roy. The subject of this sketch remained, however, in the State of New York, and from the age of 14 up to the age of 23 was employed in woolen-mills in Erie Co., which employment he was compelled to give up on account of ill health, turning bis attention to farming. In 1856, he came to Le Roy, and engaged in farming, returning the. same fall to New York State, and during the year 1857 filled the position of book-keeper in the wholesale produce and commission house of Irving Kester, in Buffalo. In the fall of 1858, he formed a copartnership with Henry Case in the general merchandise business, in Eden Valley, Eric Co., N. Y., and having continued in the same for two and one- half years, sold out his interest, and in the year 1861 again turned his attention to farming, continuing at such up to 1865, when he came to Bloomington, and was engaged as a book-keeper in the house of Bruner & Whitmer up to the year 1870, when he moved to Le Roy and started the lumber business. in connection with Mr. Bruner, to which was afterward added that of coal and grain. In 1872, having purchased the "Empire Flouring Mill," they took in also as a partner Joseph Keenan ; in 1876, they purchased the interest of Mr. Bruner, and have con- tinned up to the present time as the firm of Barnum & Keenan. Before Mr. Barnum's removal to Le Roy, he held the office of Justice of the Peace for twelve years in Erie Co., N. Y. Ile has been married twice, his first wife being Miss Clarinda Bunting, of Eden, Erie Co., N. Y. ; mar- ried in 1844 ; she died in 1862; they had three children, two living-Matilda M. and Henry I., and one dead, IIenry. He married his present wife, Miss Adeline E. Patterson, in the fall of 1865 ; they have two children-Percy D. and George P.


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ZACHARIAH CHICK, wagon-maker, Le Roy ; born in Dimington, Somersetshire, England, June 6, 1826 ; at 14 years of age. he was apprenticed for six years to learn the wagon-maker's trade ; after completing the same, he worked in his native town a short time, when he went to the Channel Islands and worked upon the Island of Jersey upward of one year, when he volun- teered as carpenter and shipped from Portsmouth upon the British flag-ship Penelope, going to the south west coast of Africa, where he remained about fifteen months, making the coast at Sierra Leone Cape l'almas, Island Fernando Po and the adjacent islands, among which were the Cape de Verde and Canary Islands ; after returning to England, he received his discharge and worked at his trade until he emigrated to America, landing in Quebec, Canada, May 9, 1851; remaining in Canada two months, he came to Chiaago, and worked at carpentering until fall ; he then went to Griggsville, Pike Co .; worked as journeyman during the winter, and the follow- ing spring started a wagon shop of his own, which he continued two and a half years; upon Oct. 3, 1854, he started for England, and arrived at Liverpool upon the 16th of November fol- lowing. Ile was married Dec. 16, 1854, in Barrington, to Caroline Bond; she was born in Barrington, Somersetshire, England, Dec. 3, 1826; she was the daughter of Thomas Bond, of Barrington, Somersetshire, England, a prominent contractor and builder: Mr. Chick was a son of John Chick, who was born in Somersetshire, England, April 23, 1787, and who also was a prominent contractor and builder at the time of his death. In the spring of 1855, Mr. Chick again sailed from England with his wife, landing in New York, April 16; coming West, he worked at the agricultural machine shops at Ottawa, fifteen months, and, in June, 1856, he removed to West Township, McLean Co., where he followed farming for five years ; in the spring of 1862, he located in Le Roy, and engaged at his trade, which business he has since success- fully followed; the children of Zachariah and Caroline (Bond) Chick are Thomas Z., born Aug. 28, 1857; John Bond, April 29, 1860; Sarah Bond, Jan. 17, 1862, and Caroline, June 26, 1864. GEORGE M. CONRAD, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Le Roy ; the subject of this sketch was born in Henry Co., Ind., July 27, 1840; he was the son of Adam and Hannah (Maples) Conrad ; his father was born in Hardy Co., Va., Nov. 30, 1796; he located in Indiana in 1839, and at Twin Grove, McLean Co., Ill , in 1864, where he lived until his decease, which occurred Nov. 30, 1873, aged 77 years ; he lies buried in the beautiful cemetery at Twin Grove ; Mrs. Con- rad was born in Lewis Co., Ky , Oct. 9, 1803; she now lives with the subject of this sketch, who has erected a residence for her especial benefit upon his place near his own, and although now in the 76th year of her age, she is in possession of all her faculties and daily attends to her own household duties, which afford to her much happiness; G. M. Conrad came West with his parents and was engaged in partnership with his father until 1866, when he entered the law office of Judge Tipton, at Bloomington, where he read law one year, and, in 1867, he engaged in the grocery trade at Bloomington, under the firm name of Hardisty & Conrad, which firm was dissolved in 1868; in 1869, he removed upon his present place, where he has 121 acres of land under cultivation. upon which he has good farm buildings. He was united in marriage with Matilda Sexton, Feb. 15, 1869; she was born in Fond du Lac Co., Wis., June 24, 1848; they were the parents of two children, of which one died in infancy ; the living, Lola E., was born April 15, 1878.


CHARLES COPE, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Le Roy ; one of the old settlers : born in Fred- erick Co , Va., Oct. 21, 1813 : he emigrated with his parents when quite young, and located in Marion Co. until about 34 years of age, the last twelve years of which he was engaged in buying cattle and driving them across the Alleghany Mountains to Lancaster, where he could dispose of them ; in 1847, he came to Illinois and located in Empire Township, McLean Co., at which date he purchased eighty acres of his present place, and, in 1849, purchased 400 acres, upon which he then settled, and where he has since continned to live; he now owns 640 acres, upon which he has good farm buildings. Ilis marriage with Mary E. Crumbaugh was celebrated Jan. 28, 1847; she was born in Kentucky, Oct. 3, 1827; she was the daughter of Daniel and Martha (Robinson) Crumbaugh, who emigrated from Kentucky to Sangamon Co., Ill., in 1828, and located in Empire Township, McLean Co., Ill., in 1830; Mrs. Crumbaugh died June, 4, 1857, leaving ten children : Mr. Crumbaugh died May 19, 1874; the children of Mr. and Mrs. Cope were twelve in number, of which five are deceased ; the living are-John J., born June 19, 1849 : William, Nov. 30, 1854; Francis M., July 25, 1857 ; Eleazer H., Nov. 3, 1860; George L., Dec. 28, 1862; Mary E., Jan. 12, 1866; Ann M. R. C., Sept. 22, 1869. Mr. L'ope has been School Director for eighteen years ; is a life-long Democrat, having cast his first vote for Andrew Jack- son, and has voted the Democratic ticket for forty-five years. Ilis limited school education was obtained in a log schoolhouse with log benches and mud fire-place : of the deceased children, four died in infancy ; one, Isabel J., was born Aug. 13, 1852, married George W. Simpson, and died Sept. 19. 1876, leaving one child-Mary F.


JAMES H. L. CRUMBAUGII, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 7; P. O. Le Roy; one of the pioneers of McLean Co .; born in IIenderson Co., Ky., May 1, 1826; he emigrated with his father Henry Crumbaugh to Illinois in 1828, and first located in Sangamon Co. for two years, when they removed to what is now Empire Township, McLean Co., in 1830 ; Henry Crumbaugh was born April 26, 1789, in Frederick Co., Md .: he died Oct. 22, 1877, in McLean Co., Ill .; his widow still survives him, and lives upon the oll place; her maiden name was Sarah Baldock.


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The subject of this sketch remained with his father and engaged in farming and stock-raising until 27 years of age, the last ten years of which he was in partnership with his father in the above business. as well as buying and driving cattle to Chicago ; he removed upon his present place in 1857, where he purchased 210 acres, where he has since lived, and to which he has since added by purchase, until now he owns 950 acres, all of which is under fence and cultiva- tion. His marriage with Amanda M. Buck was celebrated Sept. 28, 1851; she was born Feb. 10, 1828; three children were the fruit of this union-Laura E., born Aug. 26, 1852; Edith, May 31, 1856, and Hiram Il., June 29, 1861; Mr. Crumbaugh has frequently made trips to Chicago with oxen and horses, loading up with grain and provisions, and back with salt, leather, etc .; he hauled the humber for his present buildings from Bloomington in 1865 and 1867.


DANIEL T. CRUMBAUGH, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Le Roy ; born in MeLean Co., Ill., Jan. 24, 1832. His father, Daniel Crumbaugh, was born Dec. 7, 1791, in Frederick Co., Md .; he came to Ohio in 1812, then to Seott Co., Ky .; he served in the army in 1813, and was engaged against the British and Indians ; he emigrated to Sangamon Co., Ill., in 1828, and, in 1830, located in what is now Empire Township, McLean Co., where he lived until his decease, which occurred May 19, 1874. His first wife was Susan Winters, of Scott Co , Ky., with whom he was united in marriage in 1816; she died, and for his second wife he married Martha M. Robinson, of North Carolina ; she died June 4, 1857. Daniel T. Crumbaugh was raised upon the farm until 21 years of age, when he, with another brother, purchased 160 acres of land, which they worked in partnership until Oct. 17, 1859. when he was united in marriage to Mar- garet Willey. She was born Sept. 29, 1840, in MeLean Co .; she died Aug. 31, 1864, leaving three children, viz .: David, born Oct. 5, 1860; Martha M., Aug. 5. 1862 ; and Daniel T., June 15, 1864. His marriage with Laura A. Stine was celebrated Nov. 22, 1869. She was born in Mon- roe Co., Ind., May 8, 1845. Two children were the fruit of this union, one of which is deceased. The one living is James Wilmer, born Oet. 12, 1875. Mrs. C. was daughter of Elias and Mary Siine, who emigrated from Indiana and located in McLean Co., Ill., in 1848. Mr. Stine died in 1853. Mrs. Stine now lives with Mrs. Crumbaugh. Of township and school offices, Mr. Crum- baugh has had his full share ; in politics, is a Democrat, but has never run for office.


JOHN E. CRUMBAUGH, farmer and stock -raiser, Sec. 14; P. O. Le Roy ; born in MeLean Co., Ill., Aug. 3, 1837. His father, Henry Crumbaugh, was born April 26, 1789, in Frederick Co., Md. In 1810, he removed to Kentucky, where he lived several years, and, in 1828, he located in Sangamon Co., Ill., living there until March, 1830, when he located in MeLean Co. and followed farming until his decease, which occurred Oct. 22, 1877. He was married in April, 1820, to Sarah Baldock, who survives him, and is now living with the youngest son upon the place first settled upon in 1830. John E. Crumbaugh was brought up on the farm until 27 years of age-the last four years receiving one-third of the crops. He first removed upon his present place in 1864, living one year, when the next three years upon the farm of James Pemberton, and, in 1869, purchased 105 acres, and located upon his present place, where he has since lived. He now owns 295 acres upon his home farm, and has good farm buildings. Ilis marriage with Margaret Pemberton was celebrated Dec. 29, 1859. They had three children by this union, viz .: Simeon H., born June 30, 1861, died June 10, 1864; Martha E., July 17, 1867; Cory May, May 18, 1873.


GEORGE W. DAVIS, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Le Roy ; born in Wood Co , W. Va., Aug. II, 1829 ; he emigrated with his parents when 6 years of age, and located in Champaign Co., Ohio, where he engaged in farming until 26 years of age, when he purchased the home farm, upon which he engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1869, when he emigrated to Illinois and located upon See. 7, Empire Township, McLean Co., and purchased 100 acres of land, upon which he has since lived. ITis marriage with Maria Benedict was celebrated March 15, 1854 ; she was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Aug. 30, 1834 ; they have seven children by this union- Elias M., born Dec. 9, 1854 : Jeremiah F., Nov. 18, 1856 ; Angeline M., Oct. 9, 1858; Sarah L., Dec. 6, 1861 ; George II., June 4, 1864 ; Mary J., Sept. 6, 1866; Samuel E., Nov. 8, 1870. The father of Mr. Davis died Nov. 8, 1861, 79 years of age ; his mother died at the age of 74; both died in Champaign Co., Ohio. Mrs. Davis father died in Champaign Co., Ohio, March 8, 1859. Her mother is now 80 years of age, and lives in the above county.


HENRY C. DICKERSON, retired farmer; P. O. Le Roy ; one of the carly pioneers of McLean Co .; born in Hamilton Co., Ill., Aug. 30, 1825 ; his father, Michael Dickerson, located in McLean Co. in 1829, where he died in 1835; at 21 years of age, Henry C. entered 40 acres of land, and paid for the same with money which he had earned at $5 per month ; two years later, he bought 80 more, and a few years later found him the owner of the old homestead and other land to the amount of upward of 700 acres in this county, and 900 aeres of land in different parts of Kansas ; he has settled on his three married children $9,000. Although not a member of any church, he contributes liberally to their support, having donated some $600 toward the erection of the M. E. Church in Le Roy. He built the Empire Mill and Elevator, one of the best mills in the county, at a cost of upward of $25,000; he has had his full share of misfortunes, having lost by security debts $15,000, and, in April, 1877, his residence, which he had erected at a cost of $7,500, with $1,500 worth of furniture, was destroyed by fire, upon which there was an insur- ance of $2,500 ; during the summer of the same year, he lost nearly $3,000 by the Phoenix Bank


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at Bloomington, aside from which he has lost largely in smaller amounts. Although Mr. Dick- erson has been a resident of McLean Co. for a half of a century, he has traveled largely in the Western States and Territories. IIis marriage with Leodicy Maxwell was celebrated Oct. 27, 1850 ; she was born in McLean Co. July 16, 1830; they have five children-Elizabeth J .. Corelia, Adelaide, Rose L. and Belle. Mr. D. has driven ox-teams to Chicago with grain, loading back with goods, the trips being from twelve to fifteen days ; has also driven hogs to the same market, and cattle and horses to Milwaukee.




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