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 96

Author: Western Historical Co., pub; Tilden, M. H., comp
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 746


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 96


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M. W. KURTZ, general merchandise, Davis ; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1837; came to Illinois in 1869, and engaged in the mercantile business ; owns town property. In religion, Lutheran ; in politics, Republican. Has been Town Trustee for five years, and School Director. His wife, Kate Markel, was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1849 ; married in 1862, and have had seven children-Rolland, Howard M., Lilly, Bertha, Levi, died in Pennsylvania in 1864; Stella, Martin, Jr.


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ROCK RUN TOWNSHIP.


D. G. LASHELL, of the firm of Young & Lashell, general merchants, Rock City; born in Loran, Stephenson Co., in 1849; his wife, Mary Rayner, born in Stephenson Co. in 1850; married in 1876, and have two children-Robert Alfred and George. Has been Town Collector; is now Secretary, of the Rock Run Insurance Company, and School Treasurer.


J. LAUEK, farmer, Sec. 30; P. O. Dakota; born Oct. 15, 1809, in Penn- sylvania ; came to Illinois in 1845 ; bought 133 acres and made the improvements ; has also 87 acres in Dakota Township. Has been Pathmaster. In politics, Democrat ; in religion Lutheran. First wife was Rebecca Sullivan, born Oct. 25, 1815, in York Co., Penn .; was married Aug. 16, 1834; died in 1849, aged 33 years 9 months and 21 days, and left eight children-Sarah Ann, deceased ; Jacob, in Rock Run Township ; William, deceased ; Rebecca, now Mrs. Kline, in Kansas ; John Andrew, in Hardin Co., Iowa, Peter Henry, in Illinois; George Samuel, deceased ; David Silivan. Second wife was born in Schuylkill Co., Penn., April 24, 1831 ; married in 1851, and have had ten children-Catherine, Elisabeth, now Mrs. Cross, in Davis ; Joseph William, at home ; Martin Luther, at home; Moses E., deceased ; Stephen A. Douglas, deceased ; Edwin Deitz, Aaron Washington, Annie Mary, Leonard Marion, Martha Jane.


S. B. LEACH, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O. Pecatonica ; born in Maine, in 1845 ; came to Illinois in 1868, from New York City, where he had been to work for the Harlem Railroad ; then went to Nora, Ill., and engaged with his brother in the carriage business ; then to Winnebago Co., and bought a farm of 80 acres, and this he traded for property in Rockford, Ill., and went to work for the Rockford Water Power Company, and then to Pecatonica in the carriage business; from there to Stephenson Co., and bought 100 acres and made most of the improvements, and is now in Chicago to work for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, as master mechanic. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Free Methodist. He took the first locomotive into Western Texas, set it up and ran it. First wife, Fannie Dean, deceased, was born in Maine, and they had one child, William, now in Chicago, foreman in Hayes & Prentice's, corner of Canal and Washington streets. Second wife, Harriet M. Westfall, was born in New Jersey, in 1829; married March 31, 1853, and have eight children-Henry, deceased; Garfield, deceased ; Walter H., Porter F., Eveline W., Frank B., Fred B., deceased, and Richard C.


C. P. LEY, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Dakota; was born in Warren Co., Ohio, in 1856, and came to Illinois in 1869, and bought 200 acres. In religion, Presbyterian ; in politics, Republican. F. C. Ley was born in Warren Co., Ohio, in 1849; came to Illinois in 1869, and bought, in company with his brother, 200 acres; they have a fine spring of water and a fine stream, which makes a fine stock-farm ; the place was bought from Zimmerman, one of the old settlers of the county.


CHARLES J. LILJEQUIST, painter, Davis; born in Sweden in 1841 ; came to America, in 1865; to Rockford, Winnebago Co., in 1866; then went to Mississippi and Tennessee; then returned to Rockford, and then to Davis in 1868; owns town property. First wife, Agner C. Lindebled, was born in Sweden, in 1842; married in 1866, and had one child, Agnes C .; wife died in 1867. Second wife, Sarah Regles, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1846; married in 1869, and had four children- Annie May, Clara A., Ada Adella, John Alfred.


JOHN LONG, restaurant and grocer, Davis; born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1843; came to Stephenson Co. in 1846, with his father, who bought a farm, and also owns town property. Enlisted in 26th I. V. I., in 1861, and remained until 1864. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Evangelical; one of the Trustees of Davis. His wife, Mary Alberstedt, was born in Germany in 1845; married in 1868, and had one child -Cora Adella.


R. J. LONG, dealer in furniture and burial cases ; born in Bavaria in 1839; came to America in 1852, to Pennsylvania ; in the fall of 1852, to Stephenson Co. At the breaking-out of the rebellion, he was in the regular army, stationed at Fort Leaven- worth, Kan .; mustered out and enlisted in the 46th I. V. I., September, 1861 ; dis- charged September, 1864; was in all the engagements from Donelson down the Mis- sissippi ; received commission in United States Regular Army as Lieutenant. Owns


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town property ; is a carpenter by trade. His wife, Miss Mary Kaller, was born in Ger- many in 1849; came to America in 1852; married in 1865, and have three children -Jennie V., Elnora and Adella.


HENRY MAEIR, farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Davis ; born in Germany in 1820 ; came to America in 1847, and bought 180 acres of land ; made the improvements ; also owns 30 acres of timber. His wife, Barbara Weber, was born in France in 1830; came to America with her parents ; she married in 1848, and have eleven children- Henry, Matilda, now Mrs. Runta, in Iowa; Fredrick, John, Herman, Mary, Martha, Sophia, Louisa, Daniel and Wilhelm.


WILLIAM MYERS, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Ridott; born in Germany in 1830; came to America in 1850, to Oneida Co., and remained about five years, and then came to Stephenson Co., at Freeport, in the railroad shops, and then, about nine- teen years ago, came to this place and bought 40 acres of land, and made the improve- ments; now owns 285 acres, and a fine house, and other good improvements. Was in the army in the old country. In politics, Democrat ; in religion, Catholic. Has been Pathmaster. His wife, Mary Terney, was born in Ireland, in 1835 ; came to America in 1845; married in 1855; have had four children-Henry, Ida, Clara, Annie.


WILLIAM S. NEIL, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Dakota; born in Center Co., Penn., in 1821; came to Illinois in 1855; bought 71 acres; in 1859, 35 acres more, and this spring bought 35 acres more, and made all the improvements ; built a barn 40x36, with windmill, wagon-shed, 30x24; fine house. In politics, Democrat; in religion, Presbyterian. His wife, Jane Colgan, was born in Ireland in 1824; married in 1845 ; died in 1864, and have four children living; second wife, sister of Sarah Colgan, was born in Ireland in 1832; married in 1875; children by first wife-Will- iam, in Doniphan Co., Kan .; Isabell Smith, now Mrs. Neal; John S. and Mary E., twins.


ALEXANDER NIBLO, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Pecatonica ; born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1815; came to America in 1820, and to Stephenson Co. in an early day ; he owns 160 acres, and made the improvements ; only 25 acres of the place were under the plow ; now has 100 or over cultivated. His wife, Emily Amelia Nay, was born in Scotland March 17, 1839, and have had ten children, four living-Maggie A., Thomas R., George S. and Abraham; John James was drowned in Rock Run, in sight of the house, while in bathing, June 25, 1869; when they first came to Illinois, they lived in the house in which the first white man lived with his squaw ; his name was Americag Mack.


S. OLSON, farmer, Sec. 26; P. O. Davis; born in Norway in 1822; came to America in 1842, and worked for Mr. Marsh, in Stephenson Co., and worked here and there for about two years, then entered 40 acres of land, and now owns 233 acres, and has made fine improvements ; there is a fine stream on the land. Was Pathmaster twenty years ago. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Lutheran. His wife, Jane Kundson, was born in Norway in 1817; came to America in 1843; married in 1845, and have six children, two living-Isabell and Ola; Knud, deceased; Sarah, deceased ; Knud, deceased ; Knud, deceased ; wife died April 24, 1856; second wife, Isabel Crer- son, was born in Norway, in 1830; came to America in 1854; married in 1857, and have eleven children-Jane, born in 1857, died in 1858 ; Ezra, born in 1858, died Oct. 25, 1858; Jane, born in 1860, died in 1860; John, born in 1861, died in 1861; Johu, born in 1862, died in 1862; Georgiana, born in 1864, died in 1864; Isabell, born in 1866, died in 1866; Ira, born in 1867; John, born in 1870, died in 1870; John and Johnnie, born in 1873; John died in 1873.


JACOB ORTH, general stock, Davis; born in Hesse Darmstadt, Erich, Germany, Nov. 3, 1840 ; left there and came to Illinois in 1852, and settled in Rock Grove on 200 acres of his father's land, who died June 9, 1869, aged 69 ; his mother is still on the old homestead ; Jacob engaged in the brick business in Eplay Ann for three years. His wife, Elizabeth Wilkey, was born in Wisconsin, in 1845, and married Nov. 20, 1862, and then worked the farm for three years, and in the fall of 1866, came


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ROCK RUN TOWNSHIP.


to Davis and engaged in the present business, under the firm name of Smith & Orth ; Smith remained one year and a half, when his brother bought him out, and the brother remained ten years, when Jacob bought out his brother. Have had six children-Ella M., the eldest daughter, was born in Rock Run, Stephenson Co., Sept. 7, 1863, and died Jan. 15, 1880, at the residence of Rev. H. Huetsler, of Naperville, Ill., aged 16 years 4 months and 8 days, while attending the Northwestern College ; Ella was con- verted under the labors of Rev. W. H. Bucks, during a revival at Davis; her remains were brought home on the evening of the 15th, and on Saturday, the 17th, the funeral services were held in the Evangelical Church ; services by Rev. W. H. Bucks, of Free- port, he taking the text from Matt. ix, 24; Nettie Laura, fourth child, was born at the village of Davis, and died Feb. 27, 1880, age 9 years 11 months 22 days ; during her last sickness she requested that something be sung, and, when several stanzas of "I will sing you a song," "We're going home to-morrow," "Sweet Bye-and-bye," and " We shall gather at the river " were sung, she tried to sing too; but faint sounds could be heard, but they were from the heart and soul ; she expressed a willingness to depart and be with Jesus and her sister Ella; Clara J., at home; Malinda, at home ; Irene May, at home ; Arthur J., at home.


PETER ROW, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. O. Ridott ; born in Bethlehem, N. Y., in 1814 ; came to Illinois in 1838, and took up a claim of 160 acres, and now owns 200 acres; made all of the improvements ; is paying considerable attention to the rais- ing of bees. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Liberal.


CHRISTOPHER SCHLEITER, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Davis ; born in Germany in 1820; came to America in 1857, and came direct to this place, and bought 86 acres of land ; made all the improvements, and owns now 361 acres of land. His wife, Minnie Maeir, was born in Germany, in 1821; came to America in 1847, and have four children-Christopher, in Rock Grove Township; Henry, at home ; Louisa, now Mrs. Nedemier; Hannah, at home. In politics, Democrat ; in religion, Evan- gelical.


HENRY SCHLEITER, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Davis ; born in Germany in 1827 ; came to America in 1848; came to Illinois in 1848; bought and now owns 140 acres of land ; made good improvements. His wife, Elizabeth Schrader, was born in Germany in 1828; came to America in 1828; married in 1850 ; have had nine children-Frederick, Mary, Martha, David, Elizabeth, deceased; Louisa, deceased ; Henry, deceased ; Daniel, John, deceased. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Evan- gelical.


JACOB SLAGLE, miller ; P. O. Davis ; born in Northumberland, Co., Penn., in 1825; came to Stephenson Co. in 1865; bought 160 acres of land, and now owns 96 acres of land, including the mill known as the Rock Run Mill, situated on the Rock Run, half way between Rock City and Davis, doing a fine business ; this mill was built; in 1854, by Catherine Epley, now residing in Missouri. His wife, Catherine Guist, was born in Pennsylvania in 1840 ; married in 1860, and have three children- Laura Alice, born Feb. 20, 1862-died Feb. 25, 1876; Dora Hester, born July 6, 1876; Walter Grant, born Nov. 12, 1872. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Liberal. Enlisted in the Pennsylvania Battalion, June, 1864, and served six months.


D. B. SNIVELY, farmer, Secs. 14 and 15; P. O. Ridott ; born in Franklin Co., Penn., in 1828 ; came to Illinois in 1865, to Adams Co., and to Stephenson Co. in 1869; bought 120 acres of land and now owns a saw-mill, known as the Rock Run Saw-mill ; it was bought from John Josler ; built fourteen years ago. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Liberal. His wife, Elizabeth C. Layman, was born in Franklin Co., Penn., in 1834 ; married in 1852; have had four children-Benjamin, Henry, Albert, William.


SAMUEL STRONG, farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Ridott ; born in Center Co., Penn., in 1828 ; came to Illinois in 1839 ; bought 45 acres of land in Eleroy Township ; sold and came to Rock Run and bought 40 acres in Rock Run Township, 80 in Ridott Township, and has made the improvement ; has a stream of water and good mill. In politics, Democrat ; in religion, Free Methodist. His wife, Phebe Gillman, was born in Union Co., Penn., in 1820; came to Illinois in 1840; they were married in the fall of


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1840, and have eight children-William, in Ridott ; Esther, now Mrs. Willits, in Lena; Charles Edward, in Stephenson Co .; Oscar, at home; Matilda, now Mrs. Westimer ; Emma; two infants deceased. Has run a thrashing machine for the last thirty-five years, and is still ready for the business of 1880.


S. W. TALLMAN, editor Davis Review ; born in New York in 1852, Jan. 12; came to Illinois in 1878, Jan. 18, and engaged in the Review, at Davis, Ill.


WILLIAM TEMPLETON, farmer, Sec. 31; P. O. Dakota; born in Union Co., Penn., in 1839; came to Illinois in 1844 with his parents, and they bought a claim of 160 acres, and made most of the improvements on the place ; has a barn 36x67, with good bank stable, good spring of water, and in all a fine stock-farm; his father died several years ago. William is a Republican in principle, and, in religion, United Presbyterian. His wife, Amanda Frantz, was born in Center Co., Penn., in 1842; married in 1869, and have had four children-Annie P., Samuel P., Willie and an infant.


JOHN WEBER, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Davis; born in France in 1833; came to America in 1838, with his parents, and they settled in New York, and remained about two years, then came to Wisconsin, and then, in November, 1844, came to Ste- phenson Co. and entered 160 acres, and made the improvements; he bought 80 acres of land, and paid about $600; on this place he made all the improvements, and has a fine stone house and large barn ; now owns 237 acres of land, with good improvements. His wife, Mary J. Walker, was born in Center Co., Penn .; came West at the age of 17; was married in 1856, and have eleven children-Ellen, now Mrs. Mathews, in Iowa; Emma, George Franklin, Malinda M., Rosa, Clara, John H., Alice, Nettie, Charles, Lora. In politics, Democrat ; in religion, liberal. Has been Pathmaster, Trustee and Justice of the Peace.


JOSEPH A. WEIR, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Rock City; born in Berks Co., Penn., in 1835; came to Illinois in the winter of 1855-56, and then returned to Pennsylvania, and then, in 1857, returned to Stephenson County ; bought 40 acres of land, and now owns 151 acres, and has made all the improvements from the wild land. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Methodist Episcopal. His wife, Elizabeth Stew- art, was born in Freeport, Ill., in 1840, and married in 1862; have had eight children -William S., Jennie, deceased ; Joseph R., Charles Colfax, James H., Maggie Eliza- beth, Henry Kucher, George A., deceased. Alexander McKenny, an uncle of his, came to this county from the Galena lead mines, with Mr. Carnefix, in the year 1836.


MICHAEL WOLF, deceased; he was born in Pennsylvania in 1824; came to Illinois at an early day, and entered 40 acres, and at his death, owned 470 acres, and 160 in Nebraska ; made the improvements on the first 40 acres. In politics, was Republican ; in religion, Liberal. Died May 7, 1880, after a short sickness. His wife, Hettie Cable, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1829; married Feb. 19, 1856, and have had twelve children-Emma Alice, now Mrs. Foundray, in Indiana ; Mary, now Mrs. Claws, in Rock Run; William, Charles, David, Thomas, Stephen, Newton, Susan, James ; Franklin J. and Jacob, deceased.


PETER WOLF, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O. Dakota; born in Center Co., Penn., in 1830; came to Illinois in 1855; bought 153 acres ; now owns 40 acres in Sec. 32 and 40 in Sec. 28; made all the improvements. In politics, Republican; in religion, Methodist Episcopal, and a Trustee of Berlin church. Has been Assessor, Town Col- lector and Road Commissioner ; is School Trustee. His wife, Elisabeth Rowray, was born in Union Co., Penn., in 1829; married in 1848, and have had twelve children- George William, in Rock Run Township; John P. at home; James F., at home ; Kate, now Mrs. Tate, in Buckeye ; Lizzie, at home ; Ellen, at home ; Frank, at home ; Sally, at home ; Eddie, at home ; Volney Orin: Mary, deceased ; Charles, deceased.


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DAKOTA TOWNSHIP.


DAKOTA TOWNSHIP.


LUTHER ANGLE, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. O. Dakota ; born in Stephenson Co. in 1847 ; his father, John B. Angle, came to this county in 1844; the subject of this sketch has always been a resident of the county, though a considerable portion of the time temporarily absent. During the civil war he was a soldier in Co. G, 46th I. V. I., participating with his command in all its engagements during his term of service; honorably mustered out at the close of the war, he reached home in February, 1866 ; he was then three years in school at Mt. Morris, Ill., and at Mad- ison, Wis., devoting his time especially to the acquisition of a thorough knowledge of the branches most closely identified with his chosen profession, that of farming. Since leaving school has been engaged in farming ; has 120 acres of land in Dakota Town- ship, and his wife has 84 acres in Buckeye Township, inherited from her father's estate. Mr. A. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and of the Republican party. He was married, in 1870, to Miss Sophia Clingman, daughter of Josiah Clingman ; their children are Fred C., Harvey Jason and Mary Octava. Mr. Angle's family are deserving of mention as among the earliest settlers in the county ; her parents, Josiah and Maria Clingman, came to Stephenson Co. in the spring of 1837, made their per- manent home at the place of their first settlement, a mile north of Cedarville ; the father .died March 28, 1865, aged 57 years ; the mother, aged 71, is yet living in Cedarville ; their children were George W., deceased; Mary, now Mrs. Lutts, of Missouri ; Chester, deceased ; Eliza A., Thomas S., deceased ; Jason, Wm. M., Edwin, deceased ; Sophia, now Mrs. Luther Angle, and Ethel B. ; the son Thomas S., deceased, was a Corporal of Co. A, 46th I. V. I .; wounded at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862; he was sent two or three weeks afterward from the field hospital to the hospital at Quincy, Ill., from there was brought home in July, and died in consequence of his wounds, on the 4th of August, 1862. As evidence of their patriotic devotion to the cause of the Union may be here mentioned the fact that, in the same company with Thomas S. Clingman, were six others of the same name, a brother and five cousins.


A. M. ARTLEY, proprietor hotel, Dakota ; was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., Aug. 23, 1845 ; came to Stephenson Co., Ill., with his father, Daniel Artley, and family, in 1856; had been engaged in farming, dealing in produce, etc., previously to his occupancy of the hotel, which has been under his proprietorship since March, 1879, and he still carries on some farming in connection with his other business; he keeps a comfortable, well-arranged and desirable hotel, owns some property in Dakota, attends carefully to his business, and is thoroughly respected by all who know him. During the civil war, he was for two years a soldier in Co. K, 46th I. V. I., par- ticipating in the battles of Ft. Blakely, Spanish Fort, etc., being mustered out with his command at the close of the war, which ended these years of faithful service.


WILLIAM ASKEY, druggist, Dakota ; born in Center Co., Penn., May 1, 1837 ; came to Stephenson Co., Ill., in 1849; he has an extensive and somewhat varied experience in professional and business pursuits ; for the years 1865-67 and 1872-73, he was connected as teacher with Cole's Commercial College, in Peoria ; in the interval between the dates above given, he was agent and operator on the Chicago & Alton Railroad ; in the spring of 1873, he engaged in his present business in Dakota ; has been located here since, and is thoroughly identified with the town, his business, property and home all being here. He was married in 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Brenizer, a native of Wooster, Ohio ; their children are Ella, Jennie, Mary and Bertha.


W. R. AUMAN, grain-dealer, Dakota ; born in Center Co., Penn., June 25, 1831; at the age of 8, came with his parents to Stephenson Co., Ill., in 1839, locating first in Lancaster Township, between Freeport and Cedarville; Mr. A. was employed in farming up to 1865; for the last fifteen years has been engaged in the grain trade in Dakota ; has some property in the town; has been Town Clerk for the last ten years; has held other town and school offices, and is a good worker for the


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interests of his community. Politics, Republican. He was married, in 1855, to Miss Susan Lattig, daughter of George W. Lattig, an old and honored citizen of Lancaster Township; their children are Howard, Horace, Elwin, Orrin and Perry, deceased.


D. B. BOBB, physician, Dakota ; born in Pennsylvania, June 1, 1837; came to Stephenson Co., Ill., with his parents in 1845 ; studied his profession first with Dr. Hayes, then of Buena Vista, now of Freeport, afterward with Dr. Alexander Fisher, of Chicago; graduated at Chicago Medical College, then Linn University, in 1864; before his graduation, had been in the practice for a year at " Bobtown," or New Penn- sylvania, and, after graduating, practiced for some six months in the same place ; he was then located for two and a half years at " Graball," or Jamestown; he removed to Dakota in the spring of 1867, where he has since resided, and has built up a fine prac- tice, his practice having extended over this territory before his removal here ; he has been in professional life in the same field for the past sixteen years. Religion, Meth- odist ; politics, Republican. He was married in 1860, to Miss Arminda F. St. John ; they have two children living-Eugene Lafayette and Dwight ; three deceased-Byford, Quincy and Pardie. Dr. B.'s father, David Bobb, still lives in Buckeye Township, is over 67 years old, a much-esteemed citizen, and has materially aided the march of improvement since the time (thirty-five years ago) when he came to the county ; the trip from Pennsylvania here was made in company with several families, comprising over forty persons in all, and the journey (made in wagons) occupied some six weeks' time. Mrs. Dr. B. is a daughter of Andrew St. John, who came here in 1836, and still lives in Buckeye Township at the advanced age of 72 years ; his father, Andrew St. John, was an early trader in the Cahokia region, near St. Louis, when all that country was under French control ; he removed here at a later date, and died in Buck- eye Township, April 8, 1849, aged 103 years ; his father, also named Andrew St. John. a soldier of the Colonial period, fell in the war of the Revolution, while doing duty as a patriot under the command of La Fayette.


JOHN BROWN, farmer, Dakota; born in Pennsylvania June 30, 1811 ; the family moved to Belmont Co., Ohio, when he was quite young ; lived there until 1828, when they removed to Vermilion Co., Ill .; during their first summer in Ver- milion Co., his father, John Brown, aged 62, was killed by a fall from a horse ; the family were left in rather straitened circumstances ; but, the boys working out by the month, and the whole family being industrious and economical, the little farm then in their possession was improved and yielded them a living; in the spring of 1835, Mr. Brown came to Stephenson Co., there being then but one family resident in Freeport ; after making a claim here, building a house and establishing his mother in the dwelling, he went back to Vermilion, and remained there four years, after which he returned here for a permanent home; lived some time near where Squire W. B. Mitchell now lives ; then for a winter in Cornelius Furst's house, north of Ridott ; during that winter he built, about two miles southeast of where he now lives, a house, 14} feet square ; moved into this house the following May ; in this house, to which some additions were subsequently made, he lived until 1867, when he removed to his present residence ; in company with Col. Dornblaser, he built the first warehouse in Dakota ; completed and grain stored there before the track was laid to the warehouse; for many years after coming to the county, he was engaged in breaking prairie in connection with farming; after the railroad came here, he was, for about a dozen years engaged in buying and selling grain, hogs, cattle, etc. (part of the time in company with George Bordner, of Freeport), for several years of the time doing more stock-buying than all the other dealers in the place ; for the past three years has devoted his attention exclusively to farming ; he has 435 acres of land in Rock Run Township, 80 acres in Lancaster, 160 acres in Dakota and 25 acres in Ridott; during the Black Hawk war, he was a soldier in Capt. James Palmer's company, Col. Moore's regiment. He has been Supervisor of his township. and has held various school and township offices. Religion, Methodist ; politics, Republican. He was married, in 1833, to Miss Mary A. Hickman, a worthy, intelligent and energetic lady ; she was a native of Brown Co., Ohio, removing with her parents to Vermillion Co., Ill., when in her 16th year; her parents, Jacob and




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