USA > Illinois > Stephenson County > The History of Stephenson County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches war record statistics portraits of early settlers history of the Northwest, history of Illinois, &c. > Part 94
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RUDOLPH K. BRUBAKER, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Freeport ; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Sept. 25, 1817; lived in Pennsylvania until 1853, when he removed to Stephenson Co., Ill., built his present large, convenient and comfortable dwelling in 1854, and from that pleasant home, has since daily gone forth to indus- trious laborers ; his farm embraces 140 acres, well cultivated, and his location gives him all the advantages of good society, fine markets, etc. Religious faith, Mennonite. He was married in 1840, in Pennsylvania, 10 Miss Elizabeth Siegrist, also a native of Lan- caster Co., in that State ; they have nine children-Abram, John, Andrew, Maria (Mrs. Ebersole), Benjamin, Jacob, Elizabeth (Mrs. Shoemaker), Daniel and Rudolph.
E. B. CLINGMAN, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O. Cedarville ; born in Stephenson Co., July 22, 1852; his father, Josiah Clingman, a well-known citizen of the county, settled here in 1836, and was intimately associated with the affairs of the county until his death, which occurred in 1865. Mr. C. has been all his life a resident of the county, except the years from 1873 to 1878, during which time he lived in Black Hawk Co., Iowa; has been chiefly engaged in farming, though employed as a teacher in his district for the winter of 1879 and 1880; his landed possessions comprise 168 acres, in
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Dakota and Buckeye Townships. Politics, Republican. He was married, in 1871, to Miss Anna M. Bell, daughter of Thomas Bell, whose biography also appears in this work. Their children are Harry A., Minnie, Wad and Thomas J.
CONRAD DAMBMAN, farmer, Sec. 16; P. O. Freeport; born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1828; immigrated to America in March, 1849; lived in New York until 1854, when he came to Stephenson Co., Ill .; for eleven years lived on the farm near where Tobias Engle now lives ; for the last fifteen years has resided in his present location. Starting in America without a dollar, he has, by the irresistible combination of hard work and economy, made for himself and family a handsome property, and a home noted for its many conveniences ; his farm consists of 252 acres, in Secs. 16 and 17; near his house is one of the finest springs of living water to be found in the State ; connected with this bounteous water-supply, is a splendid two- story brick spring-house, with special adaptations to dairy purposes ; and his large barn, granary, carriage-house, and comfortable dwelling, all show the care taken to have his surroundings in good condition. His political party is the Democratic. Mr. D. was married, in 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Dreitzell, who was born in Germany, in 1833. They have five children living -- Henry, Conrad, Katie (Mrs. John Schetzel, of Dakota Terr.). Enlie and Lizzie ; three deceased-Mary, Angusta and Emma.
SAMUEL DAUGHENBAUGH, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Freeport ; born about twenty miles from Philadelphia, in Chester Co., Penn., in the year 1807 ; was raised, principally, in the portion of Centre Co. that was, at a later date, called Clinton Co .; removed to Stephenson Co., Ill., in May, 1848; his farm here comprises 94 acres, in a good state of cultivation ; for the last few years, unable to perform the active labors of the farm, he has entrusted the farm-work chiefly to his willing boys, who, with younger energies, carry on the industry. Mr. D. has held township and school offices. His political preferences are Democratic. In 1830, he married Miss Susan Wilt, who was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., in 1809; their children are William J., Mary J., deceased; Amanda C., now Mrs. Prosper Lloyd ; John S., Rebecca E., now Mrs. Joseph Diemer; Darius F., Sarah F., now Mrs. William Strong ; Samuel A., Benjamin F. and Henry A.
DAVID L. EBERSOLE, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Freeport; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1844; in 1868, removed to Whiteside Co., Ill., and from there, after a two years' residence, came to Stephenson Co., in the fall of 1870; has a farm of 80 acres, under good cultivation, with good farm buildings, etc. Religion, Mennonite ; politics, Republican ; has held school offices. He was married, in December, 1870. to Miss Maria Brubaker, daughter of Rudolph K. Brubaker, a well-known and worthy citizen of the same neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Ebersole have two children-Ella May and Annie Laura.
TOBIAS ENGLE, farmer, Sec. 28 ; P. O. Freeport ; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., March 9, 1829 ; removed to Stephenson Co., Ill., in the spring of 1851 ; for his first eight years in the county was engaged in the hardware business in Freeport- most of the time in partnership with Henry Strohm; while in business there, he and his partner built some three business houses on Exchange Block, and in this and other ways aided materially in the building-up of the city. Since 1860, he has been chiefly . engaged in farming and stock-raising; his farm consists of 280 acres, in Secs. 21, 22 and 28; and he has, besides this, some property in Freeport. He is a member of the Embury M. E. Church; is identified with the Republican party ; has held school offices ; been County Commissioner, etc. In 1853, he married Miss Mary A. Myers, a native of York Co., Penn .; they have eleven children-Albert H., Jacob M., Tobias S., Charles A., Rosa, Mary, Ida, Emma, Lillie, Cora and Nettie.
D. G. FAGER, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O. Cedarville ; born in Northumberland Co., Penn., March 23, 1839; removed with his parents to Stephenson Co., Ill., in May, 1844; has been engaged in farming, except six years, in which he was employed as a carpenter ; he has 95 acres of land in Sec. 7, Buckeye Township, and 8 acres in Waddams Township. Is a member of the Evangelical Association, and of the Repub- dican party ; has held school and township offices. He was married in 1858, to Miss
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Sarah Wagner, a native of Pennsylvania ; their children are Jestie, Anna, John, Will- iam, Ezra N., Joel U., Bertha May and Mary Ada.
LEVI FAHS, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O. Cedarville; born in York Co., Penn., in 1831; in 1852, emigrated to Ohio, where he remained three years, removing to Stephenson Co. in 1855; has a good farm, embracing 216 acres in Lancaster and Waddams Townships. Is a member of the Evangelical Church, and identified with the Republican party ; is president of School Board in his district. In 1861, he married Miss Ellen E. Bear, a native of Pennsylvania ; she died Feb 27, 1878 ; in the fall of 1879, he was married to Polly Jones, also a native of Pennsylvania ; his children, liv- ing, are Elizabeth, Estella, Orlando, May and Emma; those deceased are Minerva, John, Levi, and Wesley.
WILLIAM GLASSER, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Freeport; born in New York, Feb. 11, 1834 ; at the age of 18, left New York and came to Chicago ; stopped near that city for half a year, then went to the Lake Superior region for two years ; returned then to his native place, and six months later came to Stephenson Co , in 1855, and has since that date made his home in this county ; he worked at the carpenter trade until some time after settling here ; of later years has been exclusively engaged in farming; has a good farm of 160 acres, well improved, good buildings, etc. Is a mem- ber of the Reformed Church, and a highly esteemed citizen of his community. In 1855, he was married to Miss Lavina Mitchell, daughter of M. P. Mitchell, a well- known citizen of this county ; their children are Hannah M., Mary R., Irvin M., John F. and Eurie L ; three deceased-Elmira, Willie and Ascenath.
L. F. HENDERSON, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Freeport ; born in New York, Sept. 22, 1829 ; resided in that State until 1850, when he removed to Stephen- son Co., Ill., reaching this county on the 23d of May, in that year. On the 6th of January, 1853, he married Mrs. Emmaretta S. Crocker; she died Sept. 7, 1872 ; in 1874, he was married to Miss Annie A. Kramer ; they have two pleasant, bright-eyed children-Emmaretta M. and Freddie O ; Mr. Henderson's comfortable home, not far from the city limits, is one of the pleasantest locations in the vicinity of Freeport ; his farm comprises 154 acres, and is well cared for by its genial proprietor, whose business enterprise in years gone by, in starting various manufacturing establishments in Free- port, has resulted in much benefit to the city, if not to himself. His religious connec- tion is with the Presbyterian Church ; his political affiliations with the Republican party.
W. W. HUTCHISON, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Freeport; is a native of Union Co., Penn., and was born Oct. 15, 1829 ; came to Stephenson Co., Ill., in 1843; has a finely located and well-improved farm of 80 acres in the north part of Lancaster Township. Is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and identified with the Republican party ; he has the confidence of his fellow-citizens to the fullest extent : has held school and township offices; is the present Treasurer of Stephenson Co., and warmly alive to the best interests of the people among whom he lives. He was married in 1853, to Miss Isabella Young ; she died April 9, 1854; in 1867, he married Mary C. Hayes ; have four children-Mary B., Florence L., Annie L. and Edith J.
RUDOLPH KENCKE, farmer, Sec. 27; P. O. Freeport ; born in Wash" f ington Co., Wis., Oct. 10, 1844; came to Stephenson Co., Ill., in 1859; has a farm o 83 acres, in good condition, with comfortable residence, etc. During the civil war' Mr. Kencke gave four and a half years of faithful service to preserve the Union, being a member of Co. G, 46th Regt. I. V. I., participating with his command in the battles of Ft. Donelson, Ft. Henry, Pittsburg Landing, siege of Corinth, Holly Springs. Hat- chie River, siege of Vicksburg, Ft. Blakeley, etc., being discharged at the close of the war as Orderly Sergeant of his company. In politics he is a Republican; has been School Director of his district. He was married in 1867 to Miss Martha E. Smith, a native of Stephenson Co .; they have four children-Edgar, Flora, Henry and Arthur. Mrs Kencke is a daughter of Samuel Smith (deceased); one of the oldest and best known of the early settlers in Stephenson Co .; he came to this county from Rockbridge Co., Va., in the fall of 1836, and was during all the subsequent years intimately con-
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LANCASTER TOWNSHIP.
nected with the best material interests of his community ; he owned some 40,0 acres of land at the time of his death, and had probably broken up more of the wild land here than any other man in the county. His habits of industry were kept up to the day of his death, which was caused by a railroad accident on the 19th of November, 1878.
A. LAMBERT, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O. Cedarville ; was born in Somerset Co., Penn., in December, 1851; resided in that State until June, 1874, when he removed to Stephenson Co .; has been constantly engaged in farming, and is regarded by his neigh- bors as a worthy, intelligent, and enterprising citizen. Politics, Republican. In August, 1877, he was married to Miss Mary A. Bear ; they have one child living-Forrest Earle ; one child died in infancy.
GEORGE W. LATTIG, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Freeport ; born in North- ampton Co., Penn., Aug. 22, 1795; lived in his native State until 1851, when he removed to Stephenson Co., Ill. ; for many years he pursued his occupation of weaver ; finally, gave his attention exclusively to farming ; by a long life of upright conduct, he has gained the respect of those associated with him, and is universally esteemed by all who know him ; has a farm of 65 acres ; he has held school and township offices. In politics, is a Republican. For sixty-six years has been a member of the German Reformed Church. In 1819 he married Miss Anna Jacoby, who was born near Philadelphia ; she died in 1871; the children living are Peter, Anna, Elizabeth, Hannah, Sarah, Maria, Emma, Matildah, Rosanna, Susannah, George, John and Eleanora; those deceased are Lovina, George, William and Vina.
OBED H. LINTNER, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Freeport. The subject of this sketch, who is a son of Rev. Christian H. Lintner, an honored minister of the Evangelical Association, was born in Lake Co., Ill., in July, 1846; came to Stephenson Co., in September, 1866; has a farm of 80 acres, finely situated and in good cultiva- tion. His church membership is with the Evangelical Association. His politics, Repub- lican. He was married in 1868 to Miss Sarah E. Brown, of Stephenson Co ; their children are Fearon, William, Warren O., Oliver C., Edna C., John J. and Salinas M.
J. F. MCKIBBEN, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O. Freeport ; born in Pennsylvania in 1824; resided there-where his father had been one of the early settlers in that part of Pennsylvania-until June, 1845, when he emigrated to Stephenson Co. ; has a nicely located, well-watered, and finely-improved farm of 200 acres. Is one of the leading men of his township; having been Town Clerk for fourteen years; a School Director for twenty-two years, and is ever ready to work for the good of his community. Is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church in Freeport, which church he helped to organize. In politics, he is a Republican. He was married, in 1845, to Miss Mary J. Mckibben, also a native of Pennsylvania; their children are Ann, Elizabeth, now Mrs. J. T. Lease, of Ridott Township ; Clarissa, Amanda, Susan, now Mrs. R. Gardner, of Harlem Township; James, Perry, Mary, now Mrs. W. H. Brubaker, of Lancaster Township; Frank, Nellie and Mary J. (deceased).
R. K. MADDEN, teacher, Sec. 10 ; P. O. Freeport ; born in Pennsylvania Sept. 27, 1834; resided in Pennsylvania until 1857, when he removed to Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio ; remained there five years, removing to Perry Co., in Southern Illinois, in the fall of 1862; in 1862, went to Washington Co, Ill., where he lived until 1875, when he came to Stephenson Co., where he has resided since that date ; the profession of teaching is the one in which Mr. M. has been chiefly engaged ; he was admitted to the bar in Ohio and re-admitted in this State, but pursues teaching, because to him it is more congenial than the practice of law. He was married in Ohio, in 1861, to Miss Hattie Somers ; she died in 1879 ; three children-Klem, Otto and Edgar.
I. N. MALLORY, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. O. Freeport ; born in Belmont Co., Ohio, Nov. 27, 1829 ; when a year old, removed with his parents, D. W. C. and Ellen Mallory, to Vermillion Co., Ill .; where they resided until the removal to Stephenson Co. in the fall of 1836, and this has been the place of residence since that date; Mr. M. has a good farm of 137 acres in Sees. 24 and 25, with good dwelling and other build- ings, etc. His devotion to the Union was shown during the civil war by his enlisting
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
as a soldier in Co. B, 46th I. V. I., a gallant regiment, which did faithful work in many battles of the war; he was mustered out at Mound City, Ill., for disability caused by exposure in the line of duty as a soldier. He is a member of the Christian Church, and, in politics, a Republican of unquestioned devotion to the best interests of the country ; has heid school and township offices. In 1855, he married Miss Miranda V. Webb, who was also born in Ohio, but removed to Illinois in early life ; their children are Harriet E., De Witt M., Jasper J., Mary E., Albert N., Almira W., James H., Jane M., William E., Sarah Belle and Martha A.
REUBEN MEYERS, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Freeport ; born in North- ampton Co., Penn., Jan. 16, 1829 ; removed to Stephenson Co., Ill., in 1852 ; his first three years in this county he worked in a mill, and after this, until the war commenced, was employed in a woolen factory. During the civil war, he was three years in the serv- ice as a soldier in Co. G, 93d I. V. I., being with his command in all its numerous engagements in the West and Southwest, among which may be mentioned the battles of Missionary Ridge, Altoona Pass, siege of Vicksburg, etc., etc. Since the war, he has been engaged in farming ; has held school offices ; in religion a Presbyterian, and in politics a Republican. He was married in 1852 to Miss Sarah M. Lattig, daughter of George W. Lattig ; their children are George William, died March 8, 1880; Stephen S. J., Anna E., Eugene L., Susie L. and Frederic C.
JACOB P. MITCHELL, farmer, Sec. 11; P. O. Freeport ; born in Centre Co., Penn., Sept. 18, 1818 ; the part of Centre Co. in which he lived was after- ward named Clinton Co. ; removed to Stephenson Co., Ill., in the spring of 1842 ; being a carpenter and joiner by trade, he worked at that business until about 1875, much of the time also employing other workmen, and has erected many of the buildings in Stephenson Co .; since 1875, he has been farming, which vocation he had also car- ried on previously in connection with his other work ; has 205 acres of fine land in Lan- caster Township, besides 15 acres of timber land in Ridott Township. Mr. Mitchell has an accurate knowledge of much of the settlement of the county, and extensive informa- tion derived from personal observation of other localities, having traveled many thousands of miles at different times through Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, at early and exciting periods in their history. In politics, he is a Republican. In 1842, just pre- vious to his removal here, he married Miss Eleanor M. Pollock, of Clinton Co., Penn. ; she was a native of Union Co., Penn. ; they have seven children living-Norton L., Robert T., Austin H., Mary J., Martha A., James W. and Sarah E .; three deceased- William B., Maggie Isabella and Emily M.
WILLIAM B. MITCHELL, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O. Freeport ; born in Clinton Co., Penn., Dec. 16, 1815 ; came to Stephenson Co., Ill., about the 1st of Sep- tember, 1840 ; being a carpenter by trade, he pursued that vocation in Pennsylvania and for a good many years after coming here; of late years, has devoted his attention to farming; has 656 acres of land in this county, an exceedingly comfortable, home- like residence, and, having started in life a poor man, he is indebted to his own exer- tions for his present ownership of a very considerable property. He has held various public offices-Supervisor, Assessor, Justice of the Peace etc., etc., at different times, almost ever since the organization of his township. Politics, Republican. In 1842, he was married to Miss Lydia Furst, a native of Pennsylvania; their children are Laird A., Duncan N., Ann R., Ellen S., Jerusha Jane (Mrs. Jacob L. Thomas), William F., Laura C. and John A.
JOSEPH MYERS, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. O. Freeport ; born in Crawford Co., Ohio, Nov. 22, 1843; when quite young removed with his parents to De Kalb Co., Ill .; they being among the first settlers in that locality. In 1868, he came to Stephenson Co., where he has since, for most of the time, being engaged in farming ; his farm comprising 40 acres of land, under fine cultivation. During the great rebel- lion, he was for two years a member of Company A, 17th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, doing faithful service with his command, and being honorably discharged with his com- pany and regiment at the close of the war. He is a member of the Evangelical Associa- tion ; in politics, affiliates with the Republican party. In Sept. 1867, he married Miss
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LANCASTER TOWNSHIP.
Sarah E. Lintner, daughter of Rev. C. H. Lintner ; they have five children, William E., Obed H., John J., Lillian C. and Lurie C.
WILLIAM PETERS, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Freeport ; born in Centre Co., Penn., ()ct. 2, 1816 ; lived there until 1844; when he removed to Wayne Co., Ohio ; from thence in the fall of 1845, he moved to La Grange Co., Ind .; remaining there eight years; coming to Stephenson Co., Ill., in June, 1853 ; his farm consists of 60 acres, in a beautiful situation, and on which he carries on, very nicely, the kin- dred pursuits of farming and fruit growing. Mr. Peters is, by profession, a surveyor, and in various States and localities, has pursued his profession since 1840 ; was for eight years the County Surveyor of Stephenson Co., enjoying in large measure the confi- dence of his fellow-citizens. He has been entrusted with various local offices ; has been Notary Public, in his town, for the last sixteen years; has also been Justice of the Peace, and held various school and township offices. Is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church in Freeport, and is much esteemed by all who know him. He was married, first, to Miss Isabella H. Swansey, of Pennsylvania, on the 8th day of June, 1844 ; She died, Aug. 29, 1871; his second marriage took place on the 9th of Feb. 1873, to Mrs. Susan Garman, also a native of Pennsylvania ; three children living- Henry E. of Fort Scott, Kansas ; Lillie A., Mrs. M. J. Becker; also of Fort Scott ; and Egarie ; one daughter-Laura Frances, died July 6, 1870.
WILLIAM W. PHILLIPS, farmer, Sec. 21; P. O. Freeport ; born in Albany Co., N. Y., in 1818; lived there until April, 1846, when he came to Stephen- son Co., Ill., being one of the first pioneers here from his part of New York ; has a neat farm of 80 acres, which he has brought to its present comfortable condition, by patient industry and care. Religion, Methodist ; politics, Republican. He was married in January, 1845, to Miss Hannah Townsend, from the same neighborhood, in New York, from whence he came; she died in 1864. In June, 1874, he was married to Mrs. Sarah Schermerhorn (maiden name, Stafford) ; three children living-Wesley R. in Kansas ; George O., and Vernie R .; three deceased-Sarah Melissa, Joseph Avilla, and Amla.
JACOB W. RUTTER, blacksmith and carpenter, Cedarville ; born in Dau- phin Co., Penn., Nov. 15, 1817; he learned his trade in Berks Co., Penn., with his father, in 1835 ; went to Ohio at journey work in 1840. October he married Miss Hartman ; worked in a shop of his own in 1845, Schoolkill Co .; he was here over seven years, and afterward in Dauphin, and Fisherville ; he came West in 1854, April 15, and located in Cedarville; first lived in his shop, then built his present home, in 1855, Dec. 17 ; in 1860, put his blacksmith shop up. In 1861, Nov. 16, enlisted ; however, his health failing, returned after nine months' service. Went into his shop, and has followed the business since. Has had a family of eleven children-William H., Sarah A., Benjamin F., Anna C., John J. A., Mary E., one deceased, no name ; Susan R. H., Winfield S. H., David W. J., Isaac T. F. R.
R. F. REZNER, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. Freeport; born in Union Co., Penn., Aug. 25, 1825 ; he was raised a farmer, but, at the age of 25, engaged in mercantile business, in partnership with his brother-in-law, in Columbia Co., Penn. ; after five years of mercantile life, he sold his interest in the store to his partner, and came West, to Stephenson Co., in 1856, and has since been engaged in farming ; has 80 acres of good land, with large and convenient buildings, and all the surroundings of a comfortable and cultivated home. Has been School Director nearly all the time since his residence here ; for the last six years Supervisor for his township, and universally spoken of as " one of the best men in the county ;" politics, Republican. His religious preferences are with the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is a member-Second Presbyterian Church, of Freeport. He was married in December, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Sheller ; she was born in Lebanon Co., Penn .; removed to Huntingdon Co. when quite young, and to Union Co., in the same State, a few years before marriage; they have four children living-James, Laura, Jobn and Scott ; three children deceased-Scott, Maggie, and one. who died in infancy.
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JOSEPH SIEFERMAN, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Freeport; born in Baden, Germany, Oct. 3, 1827; emigrated to America in 1858, and settled in the same year in Stephenson Co .; coming here with the honest desire to find a place where he could secure fair pay for industrious toil, he has done much hard work and is rewarded by the possession of a comfortable home and a carefully tilled farm, comprising 80 acres. His religion is Catholic; his politics, to vote for " the best men." He was married in February, 1865, to Miss Teresa Benc, also a native of Baden ; they have three children living-Mary, William and Caroline; one child died in infancy.
LORENZ SIEFERMAN, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Freeport; born in Baden, Germany, in 1837; came to America, and settled in Stephenson Co., in 1864. He soon afterward enlisted in Co. C, 46th I. V. I., and for the remainder of the civil war did faithful service as a soldier for his adopted country, being engaged in the battles of Black River Bridge, Mobile, Spanish Fort, and the other engagements of the final year's warfare; since the war he has been industriously engaged in farming ; has a good farm of 80 acres. He is a member of the Catholic Church. In November, 1872, he married Miss Wilhelmina Hunt, also a native of Baden; they have three children-Wilhelmina, Anna and Helena.
WILLIAM W. SMITH, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Freeport ; born in Can- ton, Ohio, July 20, 1826; removed with his parents to Stephenson Co., Ill., in 1835, landing in the county on the 31st of October of that year; his father, Julius Smith, deserves special mention, as an early settler; being a carpenter and builder, he did about the first work of that kind that was done in Freeport; as examples of his work may be mentioned his building the first court house, and the first bridge across the Pecatonica River ; he was one of the first Commissioners after the organization of the county ; for many years a Justice of the Peace ; one of the charter members of the first Masonic lodge in Freeport, and in various other ways intimately associated with the early settlement of the county; the confidence reposed in him during the earlier days was continued by his numerous old-time friends and younger acquaintances down to the day of his death, which occurred Feb. 15, 1879; his wife, Eleanor Smith, had died July 15, 1850. The first business in which the subject of this sketch engaged for him- self, was the manufacture of shingles, which he carried on extensively in Freeport, from 1843 until after the railroad from Chicago reached this point; he was subsequently engaged in dealing in lumber, wood, etc., in connection with farming, and has, of late years, devoted his entire attention to agricultural pursuits ; he resided in Freeport until the fall of 1876, when he removed to his present residence ; his farm comprises 160 acres of well-improved land, with a neat farm-house, commanding a fine view of the city near it. He has held several important offices ; was first Marshal of Freeport under the city organization, filling that office during the years 1855, 1856 and 1857, and filled various other city offices, and had been one of the Town Trustees previous to city organization ; during most of the years of the civil war he was engaged in the secret service. He is identified with the Republican party, and well known throughout the county as one of its most honorable, upright citizens. Mr. S. was married on the 6th of March, 1843, to Miss Margaret Lawn, a native of New York ; they have three children living-Charles W., married, and living in Lancaster Township; William O., married and living near Ackley, Iowa, and Minnie; four children deceased-Ellen, Josephine, Elizabeth and Martha (Mrs. Charles Haggart) ; the last-named daughter died in Freeport in 1875 ; her husband died April, 1879 ; their two orphan children-Ellen M. and Carrie, live with their grandparents, William W. and Margaret Smith, subjects of this sketch.
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