The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 135

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 135

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983

DOWNS TOWNSHIP.

Mrs. Vandeventer is a daughter of John and Lucinda (Teter) Nichols, who now live in Cham- paign Co., Ill. : Mr. Nichols was born in Germany and Mrs. Nichols in Virginia ; they were the parents of seven children, of whom five are living.

GEORGE WADDINGTON, farmer, deceased ; born in Yorkshire, England, upon the 9th of June, 1818; he was brought up on a farm until 14 years of age, when he was apprenticed to the trade of cloth-dressing, and, until 1841, followed the business of dressing the finest English broadcloth, of some of which his own wedding suit was made ; the coat is now held as an heirloom by the family ; in the fall of 1841, he emigrated to America and landed at New Orleans ; he then came up the Mississippi to Grand Tower and settled in Williamson Co., III., where he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Kershaw ; she was born in Holdam, Lancashire, England, in 1826 : she was a daughter of Joseph Kershaw, who now lives in Le Roy, and whose biography appears among the sketches of Empire Township in another part of this work. In the fall of 1857, they removed to Downs Township, McLean Co., and, in the spring of 1859, located upon Section 27, where they lived until their decease ; Mrs. Waddington died March 10, 1870; in the spring of 1874, Mr. Waddington returned to England. visiting Liverpool, Huddersfield, his native city, Sheffield and spent one week in London, returning home in August, of the same year; his death occurred June 19, 1876. They were both members of the Christian Church and lived and died consistent Christians. They now lie buried in the Gelmore graveyard, and over their grave stands a marble monument erected sacred to their memory by their loving children ; they were the parents of five sons and six daughters, of whom all are now living-Sarah A. (now Mrs. John Lott, living in Sumner Co., Kan.), Hannah (now Mrs. William Kinsey, whose sketch appears in this work), Mary J. (now Mrs. Harrison C. Lott, living in Blue Mound Township, McLean Co.), Joseph K. (now living upon the home farm). Martha E. (also living at home), George W. (telegraph operator upon the Illinois Central Railroad), William A. (living at home), Esther E. (now Mrs. A. Montgomery, living in Downs Township), Ida A., John F. and Walter S. Mr. Waddington commenced in Illinois with an ax and one lonesome penny ; he worked and cleared eighty agres, which he afterward entered, and enduring all the hardships and privations of frontier life and battled against poverty, and, at the time of his decease, had accumulated a good farm of 160 acres and raised a family of eleven children.

HENRY WAGNER, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O. Downs ; born in Centre Co., Penn., April 15, 1819. His grandfather, David Wagner, was a Revolutionary patriot and served during the Revo- Intionary struggle, for seven years. He was under Gen. Washington, and was an eye-witness to the shooting of several horses upon which that eminent chieftain was riding. He was in many engagements and served until the independence of the nation was established. His father, Will- iam Wagner, was a soldier in the army of 1812. He was born in Dauphin Co., Penn , April 24, 1788. He was married in Centre Co., Penn., to Ellen Long; she was born in Centre Co., July 24, 1790. They were the parents of eight children, of whom five are now living. The parents both died in Centre Co , Penn. Mr. Wagner died Feb. 4, 1868; Mrs. Wagner died Oct. 10, 1869; The subject of this sketch attended the common school in his youth and assisted his father in farming until 22 years of age, when, on the 3d of February, 1842, he was married to Elizabeth Roop; she was born in Centre Co., Penn., May 20, 1824. They were the parents of nine children, of whom three are deceased ; the living are-Annie Maria, born Nov. 6, 1842, now Mrs. Thomas Rut- ledge: Emily J .. Feb. 13, 1846, now Mrs. W. W. Reser; Mary E., Aug. 25, 1853, now Mrs. Edward Stewart ; Charles C., Sept. 23, 1858; Henry H., Sept. 22, 1860; Frank E., Feb. 28, 1864. The deceased-Lydia C., was born Feb. 10, 1844, she married J. Darby, and died Nov. 30, 1870, and two died in infancy. Upon the marriage of Mr. Wagner, he emigrated to Indiana, where he farmed upon rented land until he emigrated to Illinois, and located upon Sec. 17, Downs Town- ship, McLean Co., in the fall of 1854, where he has since lived, during a period of one-fourth of a century. Hle first purchased 160 acres in 1854, to which he has since added by purchase, until he now owns 195 acres upon his home farm, with the best of farm buildings. He has brought the same from its wild prairie condition to its present high state of cultivation by his own hard labor : he also owns 100 acres in other parts of the county. He has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion and education, having been, with his wife, a member of the church of the United Brethren for a period of 18 years. He has been School Director for nine years, which office he now holds.

JOSEPH B. WEAVER, farmer : P. O. Downs; one of the early settlers of Mclean Co .; born in Lee Co., Va. His grandfather, on both his father and mother's side, were patriots of the Revolutionary struggle and served under Gen. Greene until the close of the war. His father, William Weaver, was born in Virginia Feb. 10, 1783. He was a Baptist preacher, which pro- fession he followed in connection with farming, until his decease, which occurred in Downs Town- ship, Sept. 3, 1838. He was married in Virginia Dec. 12, 1805, to Mary Sims: she was born in Virginia, Nov. 15, 1787, and died Oct. 13, 1854. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom eight are now living. They emigrated from Virginia with their teams, and located in McLean Co., in the fall of 1832, and the following spring located upon Sec. 4, Downs Township, where he lived until his decease. He entered and purchased land until he had accumulated 600 acres. A part of the village of Downs now stands upon his old farm. The subject of this sketch was the youngest member of the family, and now lives upon the old farm, where he has

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

lived nearly half a century, and is probably the oldest continuous resident of Downs Township. He now owns 112 acres of the old farm, with good buildings. He continued farming until Aug. 8, 1862, when he enlisted in the 94th Regiment 1. V. 1. His first active service was in the cam- paign of Missouri and Arkansas, being engaged in the battle of Prairie Grove, Dec. 7. 1862 : on the 3d of June, 1863, he was forwarded down the Mississippi River to Young's Point, thence across the country to Warrenton, where they crossed the Mississippi River, and, upoa the 14th of June, 1863, took their position upon the extreme left of the Union army, where they remained until the surrender of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863. They were then sent up the Yazoo River, cap- turing Yazoo City, upon July 12, when they were sent to New Orleans, via Port Hudson. Ou the 26th of August, 1863, Mr. Weaver was sent to the hospital on account of sickness, and did not again join his regiment until Feb. 22, 1864, at Brownsville, Texas, where he remained until July 30, when they were forwarded to Mobile Bay, landing at Mobile Point upou the 9th of August, and upon the 23d instant, Ft. Morgan surrendered. He was then engaged upon the attack upon the Spanish Fort, which surrendered April 8, 1865; Ft. Blakely fell about the same date, among the rebel prisoners was the rebel Gen. Cockerell, now a U. S. Senator from Missouri. Mr. Weaver was then, with the 94th Regiment, sent to Galveston, Texas, where he was mustered out of service, and, in August, 1865, received his discharge at Springfield, Ill., having served in the Union army three years. He then returned to farming, which business he has since followed. Of township and school offices, he has had his full share, having held the office of Supervisor, Township Collector, Justice of the Peace, School Director, and has been a member of the Board of Education for fourteen years. His marriage with Margaret A. Kimler was celebrated Sept. 30, 1855; she was born in McLean Co. Feb. 13, 1839. They were the parents of five children -- Theodore F., born Sept. 28, 1856; Mary B., Dec. 6, 1858; Charles W., April 24, 1862; Edward L., Sept. 2, 1866, and Lillie M., Dec. 22, 1875. Mrs. Weaver was a daughter of Bailey Kimler. one of the early pioneers of MeLean Co.

HENRY WELCH, farmer; P. O. Downs ; one of the early pioneers of McLean Co. ; born born in Northampton Co., Penn., Nov. 14, 1516; his father was born in the same county, in 1791 ; he emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio the spring of 1817, and in December, 1822. emigrated to Vigo Co., Ind., where he followed farming until his decease, which occurred in Feb- ruary, 1835. lle was married in Pennsylvania, to Susan A. Jacoby ; she was born in Penusyl- vania, in 1792 ; her grand-parents emigrated to America with William Penn, and settled in his colony : Mrs. Welch died in August, 1862; they were the parents of eight sons and three daughters. of whom four sons and one daughter are now living-William, born Jan. 25, 1815 : Henry, Nov. 14, 1816; Albert, Oct. 22, 1822; Jeremiah, July, 1825, and Eliza Jane, about 1828. Henry Welch came to McLean Co. in the spring of 1835, a poor boy ; he has suffered all the privations and hardships of frontier life, and has, by his hard labor and correct business habits, placed himself among the large land-holders and successful farmers and stock-raisers of McLean Co .; to accomplish this has been a life of labor : for many years. he followed the prairie-plow, drawn by five yoke of oxen ; he did not confine his breaking to Illinois, as hundreds of acres in Wisconsin have been broken by his labor : he has driven his hogs to Chicago on foot, camping out by night ; he has also driven his teams to Chicago loaded with wheat, for which he realized 18 cents per bushel ; in 1836, he hauled a load of goods from Pekin to Bloomington, then to Dixon ; he had two wagons, drawn by four yoke of cattle each ; one wagon carried a ton, the others one and a half tons. He has a vivid recollection of the sudden change in 1836: the day had been mild, and the ground was covered with slush of snow and water, when, suddenly, a roar was heard in the west, and the change in the atmosphere was so great that everything froze up instantly ; Mr. Welch says that, when the wind-storm came. his pigs huddled together in the pen to keep warm, but several of them carelessly allowed their tails to drop into the slush, and were frozen fast ; the next morning, his attention was called to the sty by the squealing of the pigs, and, upon going there, found some half dozen in the above position ; he loosened them by cutting their tails with his knife. His marriage with Minerva Colwell was celebrated upon the 24th of November, 1842: they were the parents of eight children-Sarah J., born April 12, 1845, diedl Sept. 10, 1847 : William Lee, Feb 11, 1847, died Jan. 9, 1871 ; James Adams, Jan. 6, 1849 : Susan Ann, Sept. 24, 1850; Eliza M., Oct. 8, 1853 ; Alfred J., July 5, 1855 : George H., June 13, 1858 ; Minerva E., June 6, 1866. Mr. Welch is among the large land-holders of McLean Co., being possessed of upward of fourteen hundred acres of land, with six sets of farm buildings.

GEORGE M. WILSON, farmer, Sec. 8, Town 21; P. O. Heyworth ; born in Lewis Co., Ky., Dec. 11, 1833. His father, George MI. Wilson, was born in the same county, where he followed farming until his decease, which occurred in 1838; he was married in Kentucky to Miss Rebecca Davis, who was also born and raised in the same county ; she now lives in Boone Co., Ky. The subject of this sketch lived with his mother until 11 years of age, when he lived with Joseph Givens until 16 years of age : he then emigrated to Illinois and followed farming until 1858, at which time he came to McLean Co., and was engaged in farming upon Sec. 10, Downs Township, until 1862, when he purchased his present place of 160 acres, upon which he located and where he has since lived; he has added by purchase until he now owns 320 acres, all un Ier improvement. Ilis marriage with Harriet L. Bishop was celebrated March 22, 1860 : she

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FUNK'S GROVE TOWNSHIP.

was born in McLean Co. June 7, 1838; she is a daughter of Jacob Bishop, one of the early set - tlers of McLean Co., who was born in Maryland, and emigrated from Ohio to Illinois in the fall of 1830. The children of George M. and Harriet Wilson were eleven in number, of whom seven are deceased ; the living are-Rebecca E., Minnie M., Narcissa A., Annic E .; the deceased died in infancy.

OTHO YOUNG, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Downs ; born in Madison Co., Ohio, April 1, 1839; he is the son of Joseph Young, who was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, May 26, 1813 ; he married Julia A. Thomas April 15, 1832 ; she was born in Madison Co., Ohio, April 5, 1812. Mr. Young learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed until his marriage, when he abandoned his trade and followed farming in Ohio until 1849, when he came to Illinois, and, after looking over the country, returned to Ohio and disposed of his property, and, the following year, came by team with his family, and in the fall of 1851 purchased 230 acres upon Sec. 4, Downs Township, upon which he then located and to which he afterward added 30 more and upon which he lived until his decease ; they were the parents of five children, of which three are now living, viz .: .John, born Jan. 4, 1836, living in Miami Co., Kansas ; Otho, April 1, 1839 ; Emily, May 25, 1843. Mrs. Young died in McLean Co., July 26, 1867. Mr. Young died Feb. 19, 1878. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years previous to their death, and lived and died consistent Christians. The subject of this sketch attended the common school and assisted his father in farming until 21 years of age, when, on the 16th of May, 1859, he was united in marriage with Susan Mannen ; she was born in Mclean Co., Ill., May 3, 1840 ; they were the parents of five children, of whom four are now living-Miles K., born Jan. 21, 1861 ; Charles J., May 11, 1863 ; William, Oct. 3, 1867 ; Belle, March 26, 1870, died May 7, 1877, and Harry L., born May 11, 1878. Upon the marriage of Mr. Young, he purchased his present place of eighty acres, upon which he located and where he has since lived. He and his wife have been members of the M. E. Church for a period of twenty years. Mrs. Young was a daughter of Henry and Susannah (Barnett) Mannen ; they were born in Kentucky, and emigrated to Illinois, and located in McLean Co. in 1830.

FUNK'S GROVE.

JOHN M. BURKHOLDER, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. McLean ; was born in Rocking- ham Co., Va., May 26, 1830. He remained there until 1852, engaged in farming, when he then moved to Knox Co., Ohio, and stayed there some two years ; was engaged in teaching school during the winter at $18 per month, and farming in summer. In 1864, he came by himself to McLean Co., Ill., and settled on a small farm of forty acres, which he has now increased to 240, every particle of which has been earned by their own labor and management. For some time subsequent to his settlement on this farm, he was engaged in teaching during the winter ; has taught two four-months' terms in De Witt Co. at $20, and three terms at Fremont, in Funk's Grove Township, at $28. In 1862, he was in service, enlisting in the 68th I. V. 1. On his return, he began teaching in Funk's Grove at $30 per month. On April 9, 1863, he was married to Rebecca W. Bean, born in Connecticut, April 12, 1841. Immediately after marriage, they settled on his farm in Funk's Grove Township, which they have made a magnificent home. He has held offices connected with schools, as Trustee of Funk's Grove Township, for nine years ; was also Collector of Revenue for two terms. Ile received but a limited education from instruct- ors, but has improved every advantage of informing himself by securing valuable literature. They have had two children, viz .: Ira E., born Aug. 20, 1865 ; Bessie M., Oct. 19, 1878.

O. H. BUCK, farmer ; P. O. McLean ; was born June 19, 1841, in Switzerland Co., Ind., and remained there until 1851, when he came to De Witt Co., Ill., and settled on a farm, remain- ing there engaged in farming for his father until 21 years old, when he managed the farm for his father until 1876. In 1869, be was married to Hannah Hammitt, who was born in De Witt Co. In 1876, they settled on the present farm of cighty acres. Mr. Buck has traveled somewhat. He works more or less at carpentering. He has recently improved his farm by adding a cosy little cottage, and has put down tile-draining to some extent. They have two children-Oscar O. and Cora A.

JOSEPH BAKER, farmer; P. O. McLean ; was born Feb. 21, 1834, in Morgan Co., Ohio. When 18 months old, he came with his father to what is now De Witt Co., and remained there, engaged in farming for his father, until about 22 years old. He worked three seasons, breaking prairie for the public by ox-team. In 1856, he was married to Margaret Taylor, of Ohio. They immediately settled in De Witt Co., IHl. He rented for four years, and then bought a farm of eighty acres in De Witt Co., remaining for some time, and then moved to a farm in McLean Co., and remained some four years. He afterward sold out, and bought the present farm of 209 acres, and remained there five years. From there he moved to De Witt Co., and settled on a farm given him by his father. He soon bought out three heirs, making him 136 acres, which he sold a year afterward, and moved back to his beautiful improved farm in Funk's Grove. At his

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

marriage, his father offered him forty acres of land, but he refused until later, and thus, with the aid of his industrious wife, made his beginning. He worked one season on the railroad, with ox-teams, at $5 per day. He has been Pathmaster, and has held offices connected with school interests. They have ten children, viz. : Rhoda A., Letha E., George C, Mary E., John W., Samuel G., Benjamin, Hattie May, Robert A., Joseph H.

JAMES COOPER, farmer; P. O. Heyworth ; was born July 24, 1828, in Ross Co., Ohio, on a farm, and remained there until 23 years old, when he moved with his parents to Madison Co., Ohio, and settled on a farm, remaining there until 1837 ; he moved from there to Illinois, set- tling at Lexington, McLean Co., and engaging in farming, renting of A. v. Gridley for three years ; from there they came to the head of Money Creek timber and engaged in farming. rent- ing of Isaac Funk : he moved from there to mouth of Money Creek and settled on Stroud's farm, moving from there to Randolph Township, and engaged in working by the month, at $9, for Benjamin Slatten ; he worked next season on farm for John Low, after which he commenced farming for himself; was renting of Mortin Bishop for two years, renting next of George Stillman one year; he moved from there by wagon to Texas and settled in Burnett Co., and engaged in farming, remaining there four years; he then returned to McLean Co., and settled on Judge Davis' farm (the one now occupied by J. O. Davis), remaining there until 1865; he next moved to Judge Davis' farm in Macon Co., and engaged in farming in partnership with Judge Davis and Lyman Betts in raising cattle and hogs ; was there seven years ; in 1872, he settled on the present farm of 300 acres which they have earned entirely by their own labor and manage- ment. He was married Jan. 23, 1865, to Frances Veatch, born in 1842 in McLean Co., Ill. IIe was in the civil war, enlisting in Co. C, 94th I. V. I., under James McFarland, Captain ; was in service eighteen months. Mr. Cooper has held offices connected with schools. In 1878, he met with quite a loss by his home burning down, but now has almost completed a beautiful mansion on his magnificent farm.

NEWTON CLIFFORD, farmer and stock-raiser : P. O. Shirley ; was born May 20, 1851, in Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, where he remained until he was 17 years old, attending school and clerking for D. B. Gardner in the wholesale and retail grocery business ; he then moved to Minonk, Woodford Co., Ill., and engaged in building hedge fences for D. Mooney, working by the month at $40 and $50 for three years ; from there he went to L. II. Kerrick's farm in Funk's Grove, and engaged in farming until 1867, when he made a sale and moved on Mr. F. M. Funk's farm of 2,000 acres, which he mostly controlled ; he receives a salary from Mr. Funk for his care of some five hundred head of cattle. He also rents of Mr. Funk. He was married Jan. 5, 1876, to Miss Alice Norton, the daughter of Alexander Norton, of Champaign Co., Ill .; she was born in 1858 ; they have one child, viz., Edith. Mr. Clifford superintends the Sunday school at the Mellvaine Schoolhouse.

V. R. DURGY, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Bloomington; was born Aug. 18, 1827, in Jefferson Co., N. Y., and remained there engaged in carpentering until 1849, when he was mar- ried to Elizabeth Hutchinson, who was born on the same day her husband was-Aug. 18, 1827. After marriage, he continued his work at carpentering until 1861, at which time he moved to lowa, settling in La Fayette Co., and engaging in farming for two years; in 1863, he moved to Ileyworth, Ill., and engaged in farming, renting of Enos Passwater for one year ; he then moved to the present farm of forty acres, which they have earned entirely by their labor and manage- ment, and have brought to a high state of cultivation, with all the modern improvements. In 1865, he went to the war, enlisting in 150th I. V. I., and remained until the close. He has held offices connected with the schools for fourteen years, and has been Commissioner of Highways. He was inspector of cars in New York for three years at $35 per month. He follows carpenter- ing during winter and farming in summer. They have three children viz., Eveline, Charles and Addie.

ABSALOM FUNK, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Shirley ; was born Aug. 4. 1828 (what was then election day), in Funk's Grove Township, Ill., and remained there, being engaged in farming, until 1856, when he went to Missouri and engaged in farming and raising stock, remaining there for some four years, at which time he held that no treasure on earth was so dear as the old homestead, and, in 1859, he returned to Funk's Grove and settled on Mr. Dunk Funk's farm, engaging in farming until 1873, when he bought and settled the present little farm of sixteen acres, which, by his skill, he has made into a beautiful home that even the most opu- lent might covet. Hle rents ground, and thus enlists his son-in-law. Mr. Thomas J. Gates, who makes a home with him. He was married Feb 20, 1851, to Lidda Beaver, a native of Fountain Co., Ind., who was born in 1849. He has worked on the C. & A. R. R., grading and building, and has held offices connected with districts. Ile has five children, viz .. Albert, deceased : Maggie, deceased : William, deceased ; Ellen, deceased ; and Sarah, the wife of Mr. Gates.

ISAAC FUNK, farm and stock ; P. O. Shirley ; was born May 13, 1844, in MeLean Co., lll., in what is Funk's Grove, and remained there, working for his father, herding cattle, all the time, until 20 years old. Ile then worked with his brothers, Ben and Ab, as partners, for five years, farming and stock-raising. In 1869, he was married to Frances Correll, who was born in Sangamon Co., Ill., Aug. 20, 1847, and, in 1870, they settled on the present farm of 2,240 acres given him by his father in 1865. This farm is the old homestead of Isaac Funk, Sr.,

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FUNK'S GROVE TOWNSHIP.

who had made it a magnificent place before his death, which occurred in 1865 ; his wife died on the same day, four hours later. Mr Funk has taken great pains in continuing the improvements on his farm. He makes stock a specialty, and employs numbers of hands. He was in the State Regi- ment six months. Mr. Funk well remembers the departure of his father, in company with the older boys, James Biggs and others, to Chicago, driving herds of cattle for market, while he was left at home herding cattle. He has stock in the National Bank of Bloomington. They have three children, viz .: Arthur C., Mabel, deceased, and Lawrence.

LA FAYETTE FUNK, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Shirley : was born on a farm in Funk's Grove Township in 1834, and remained there, working for his father (herding cattle and plowing prairie with ox-teams as was customary in those days) until 1860, when he began improv- ing his present farm of 2,000 acres, given him by his father. One remarkable feature connected with Mr. Funk's settlement is that on the 14th of May, 1824, his father settled in the Grove; on the 14th of May, 1860, La Fayette began improvement, and on the 14th of May, 1864, he settled on it with his wife. As stated, he began work on this farm, which was then a " raw prairie," which they have improved, and made one of the most beautiful farms in the county. Mr. Funk's means, by which he improved his farm, was acquired by his rearing and marketing cattle. Many of his lonely hours of night were spent on the prairie herding cattle, while the distant howl of the wolves brought fer and uneasiness upon him. He was married in Clark Co., Ohio, Jan. 12, 1864, to Elizabeth Paullin; born in Clark Co., Ohio, April 4, 1841 ; they have two children- Eugene D .; Edgar P., deceased. Mr. Funk has held office as Trustee six years ; Commissioner of Highways, fourteen years ; Town Clerk, four years : Supervisor of Funk's Grove Township, elected in 1874 and still holds that office. He owns stock in the National and National Stock Banks of Bloomington.

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The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 135

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

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