The History of Will County, Illinois : containing a history of the county a directory of its real estate owners; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; general and local statistics.history of Illinois history of the Northwest, Part 79

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Chicago : Wm. Le Baron, jr. & co.
Number of Pages: 980


USA > Illinois > Will County > The History of Will County, Illinois : containing a history of the county a directory of its real estate owners; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; general and local statistics.history of Illinois history of the Northwest > Part 79


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DIOGRAPHICAL DADICHES:


from first wedlock, four children were born -Katie, Marcus M., Martin S., Horace A .; of these, Marcus and Martin are dead ; from second wedlock, she las two children -George B. and Jennie L. Owns fifty acres in Lockport Tp., forty of which is set in fruit. Mrs. Smith has seen much of pioneer life in the West, and is one of the few that is left who settled here in those early days.


JULIUS SCHEIBE, dealer in boots and shocs, Lockport. To the handiwork of no one individual is Lockport more in- debted for her first-class buildings than to Mr. Scheibe. Under his immediate super- vision was erected the stone business houses of Messrs. Myers, Col. Martin, Lull & Lynd; the M. E. Church, the brick business house of Dr. Bacon; in 1871, he built the Northwestern College, at Naper- ville. He was born in Saxony, Germany, Jan. 20, 1828; immigrated to America in 1850, and first settled in Milwaukee, Wis .; in 1851, he came to Lockport, and worked a short time for Robert Milne in the saw- mill; in the Fall of 1851, engaged at his trade, that of stone and brick mason; was engaged on the work of deepening the canal in 1864 and 1865; in the winter of 1873, engaged in the sale of boots and shoes, his present occupation. He was married in 1854, to Elizabeth Fickensher, a native of Germany : has six children. The large and commodious stonc school-building, an ornament to the city and a inonument to the liberality and enterprise of its citi- zens, was erected by Mr. Scheibe ; this structure cost the district the snug sum of $40,000.


FRED'K W. SCHOOP, M. D., physi- cian and surgeon, Lockport; was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, Fcb. 20, 1849 ; his father's family immigrated to Amer- ica in 1852, and settled at Blue Island, Ill .; here he engaged in farming, but soon abandoned it and moved to Chicago, where he now resides engaged in the real estate business; at the age of 12, young Schoop left home and engaged in various pursuits till he was 17, when he located at the Grand Crossing, near Chi- cago, and entered the employ of the I. C. R. R. Co., working at night and attending school during the day; in June, 1874, he graduated from the Englewood High School, and the following October, began a


course of study in the Chicago Medical College, which he completed March 20, 1877 ; he entered upon the practice of his profession in Chicago, where he remained four months ; October 2, 1877, he located at Lockport. He was married March 27, 1878, to Ida O. Johnson, a native of Illi- nois. Rep .; Episcopalian. Dr. Schoop is the first German practitioner ever lo- cated in Lockport, and is rapidly building up a fine paying practice ; being a thor- ough scholar and polished gentleman he is worthy the support and confidence of the people.


F. F. STOWE, merchant, Lockport ; was born in Jamestown, N. Y., July 11, 1834 ; his early life was such as is com- mon to most farmer's sons ; beginning in 1850, he attended the High School at Jamestown for three years completing, the course in 1854; soon after finishing his studies, he camc West and settled, pur- chasing 240 acres in Clayton Co., Iowa, which he improved ; having sold out his farm, in 1856, he went to Erie Co., Penn., and purchasing 100 acres, engaged in farming and the dairy business; in 1869, he came to Lockport and engaged in his present business, that of the retail grocery trade. He was married Oct. 27, 1855, to Sophia F. Barnard, a native of New York State; has three children-Fred W., Grace E. and Wayne B. Much of his early life was spent in teaching, thus ac- quiring means to complete his education. While a citizen of Erie Co., Penn., he served tlic county as Auditor for a term of three years ; he is at present a Justice of the Peace; has held the office six years ; is Master of Lockport Lodge, A., F. & A. M., No. 538. His son, Fred W., con- ducts tlie news office of the city.


JUSTIN TAYLOR, farmer ; P. O. Lockport; was born in Lockport Town- ship, Will Co., Jan. 24, 1843 ; he is the son of Justin and Katharine (Smith) Tay- lor ; he has lived all his life on the farm on which he was born, excepting his tempo- rary absence in the army. He enlisted in the service Aug. 20, 1862, in Co. C, 100th Regiment, I. V. I. ; he remained in the service three and one-half years, and participated in the battles of Stone River and Chickamauga ; was in Sherman's cam- paign to Atlanta ; was also in the battle of Nashville and in the campaign of Gen.


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LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP.


Thomas; he was mustercd out of the service at Nashville, Tenn., in July, 1865. On returning from the army, he again en- gaged in farming, and was married March 7, 1866, to Marian Stewart, a native of Illinois ; she died in Nov. 1874 ; his sec- ond marriage, to Catharine Chapin, a native of Michigan, was celebrated Aug. 13, 1876 ; has two children from first wed- lock-Lizzie and Gracie. Owns 160 acres, valued at $9,600. In connection with his farming, he keeps a large number of milch cows and ships milk daily to Chicago; he has been engaged in the milk trade for the past ten years.


WILLIAM THOMAS, General Su- perintendent of the Illinios & Michigan Canal, Lockport ; was born in Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., Fcb. 20, 1821 ; his opportunities for acquiring an education were limited; at the age of 14, he came West to Michigan, engaging in various pursuits to obtain a livelihood ; in 1840, he returned to Western New York, and learned the trade of house carpentering ; here he remained till 1857, when he came West again to Lockport, Ill., and served four years as Master Mechanic on the canal; in 1862, he was appointed Assist- ant Superintendent, and placed in charge of the Western Division, with headquar- ters at Ottawa, La Salle Co .; this position he held till Dec. 1871, when he was ap- pointed General Superintendent, with headquarters at Lockport, a position he at present holds. He was married Feb. 22, 1844, to Phebe D. Wilder, a native of New York ; has one child-Ella P., wife of Col. D. Hapeman, of Ottawa. Rep .; Cong. Mr. Thomas is altogether a self-made man and has attained to his present important position through indus- try and correct business habits.


STEPHEN J. WILLIAMS, farmer and dairy ; P. O. Lockport; was born in Dupage Township, Will Co., Ill., Sept. 22, 1845 ; his literary attainments were so far advanced that at the early age of 15 he entered Wheaton and completed the full course, graduating in the second class sent out from the Institution, in the sum- mer of 1863; in 1864, he went with the force sent out to survey the Union Pacific R. R., and accompanied it as far west as Salt Lake City; herc he left the force and returning to Omaha, spent some time


prospecting with a view to speculating in property ; in 1866, he returned home and engaged in farming and raising stock. He was married Feb. 14, 1866, to Mary E. Burns, a native of Grundy. Co., Ill. ; he lost his wife Jan. 22, 1876 ; has thrce children-Jamcs, Thomas C. and Maud C. Owns 263 acres in Lockport Town- ship. In addition to his farming opera- tions, he keeps on hand about eighty milch cows ; at present he is milking 47 cows and ships the milk daily to Chicago ; this he finds more lucrative than raising grain at present low ratcs.


GEORGE WIGHTMAN, farmer; P. O. Lockport; was born in Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., Sept. 15, 1821; at the age of 12 years, he came West with the family ; his father settled on the Au Sable in La Salle Co. (now Kendall); here they re- mained two years ; then moved to Plain- field Tp., and at the end of two years moved to Wheatland Tp., where they re- maincd until 1868, when they located in Dupage Tp., where his father now re- sides, at the advanced age of 78 years. George remained at home till 20 years of age. He was married Sept. 18, 1850, to Susan E. Sisson, daughter of Capt. Holder Sisson, one of the pioneer settlers of Will Co .; she was born Junc 7, 1831; after marriage he settled on his farm in Wheat- land Tp., where he remained fifteen years ; in March, 1865, he moved to his present place of residence ncar Lockport; twelve children have blessed their union ; ten- Annie B., Frank H., Josiah W., George S., Silas F., Clara S., Ella M., Mary P., Percy R., Clarence C .- are living; two- Holder J. and Hattic S .- arc dcad. Owns 250 acres in Lockport Tp., valued at $18,000. Has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Constable, School Director, etc. Though bordering on thircescore years, Mr. Wightman bids fair to be an active and useful member of society for many years to conie.


G. H. WEEKS, Foreman lumber yard, Lockport; was born in Homer Tp., Will Co., Ill., March 10, 1836 ; his father was among the earliest settlers of the county, having come to Illinois in June, 1833; although a successful practitioner of the healing art, he purchased a farm, on which; he remained until 1843 or 1844, when he removed to the village of Lockport, and


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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:


devoted himself altogether to his profession. At the age of 16, George began the trade of painting, which he followed about four years ; in 1856, he bought a boat and en- gaged in boating on the canal from Lock- port to various points ; in 1864, he left off boating, and engaged in various pursuits until June 17, 1868, when he entered the employ of Gaylord & Co. as Foreman in their lumber yard. He was married June 3, 1861, to Ellen Morgan, a native of Newark, Ill .; has three children-Arthur, Ida, George.


MICHAEL WALTER, grocery mer- chant, Lockport; was born in Kleinuelz- heim, Germany, Dec. 6, 1838; in 1851, came to America, and settled in Geneva, Kane Co .; in 1853, engaged in learning the shoemaker's trade at St. Charles; in the winter of 1855, worked at his trade in Batavia; next to Dixon, Lee Co., a short time, and in August, 1856, came to Lockport, followed his trade a short time, and then entered the employ of J. S. Finch, as clerk in his grocery store ; was in his employ one year, and then clerked in the clothing store of N. S. Rafferty six months ; he opened out a saloon for him- self, but not liking the business, sold out in 1859, and went to Pike's Peak ; in- vested all his funds in a sluicc, and after one month's labor had as a reward for capi- tal and toil invested, a goose-quill of gold, valued at 40 cents; returned to Lockport, and worked at his trade again, April 15, 1861; enlisted in Capt. Hawley's Battery ; three month's service; Aug. 31, re-en- listed in the thirce years' service in Capt. Dressers' Battery ; was mustercd out Oct. 5, 1864 ; participated in the battles of Forts Henry and Donelson, in the battle of Shiloh and the siege of Corinth; in the spring of 1865, he engaged in the grocery trade with his brother ; in a short time his brother retired, and the firm of Walter & Bohle was formed ; in 1872, he started in the dry goods business alone, and failed in October, 1873; in the spring of 1874, went to Lemont and superintended a gen- eral merchandise store for J. A. Boyer ; May 22, 1875, opened out 'his present grocery store in Lockport. Was married Oct. 19, 1865, to Margaret Pitts, a native of Germany ; has eight children.


JOHN H. WEEKS, carriage painting and trimming, Lockport; was born in


Monroe Co., N. Y., Fcb. 13, 1830 ; in the Spring of 1833, his father's family came West and settled in what is now Homer Tp., Will Co .; in 1843, the family moved into the town of Lockport; in 1847, John H. engaged in learning the trade of harness making with his brother, Judge C. H. Weeks, now of Joliet; in 1858, he quit the harness trade; Sept. 1, 1861, he went into the United States service as assistant leader of the military band of the 19th Regt., Ill. V. I .; he was mustered out March 18, 1862; during almost the entire term of service, he acted in the capacity of leader ; in 1863, he commenced the trade of carriage painting and trimming with his present employer, H. Norton. He was married in 1852 to Maria Lc Valley, a native of Lockport, Niagara Co., N. Y .; has had two sons-Frank (dead) and Edwin L., who at present is engaged in the same business with his father.


ROBERT WHITLEY, Foreman Nor- ton & Co.'s mills, Lockport ; born in the town of Wakefield, Yorkshire, Eng., in November, 1831; he immigrated to America in 1854, and first settled in Oswego, on Fox River, where he engaged in milling ninc and a half years ; in 1864, he went to Chicago and remained a short time ; in the latter part of the same year, went to Plain- field, Will Co., where he remained until the summer of 1866, when he came to Lockport and entered the employ of Nor- ton & Co .; in 1871, went to Chicago and remained until after the great firc, when he returned to Lockport, his present home. Owns 120 acres of land in Lockport Tp., known as the Frasier Farm. Mr. Whitley is thoroughly posted in everything pertain- ing to first-class milling, and is an import- ant factor in the directing and working force of Norton & Co.


SAMUEL WILMOT, Supt. Lockport Paper Co., Lockport ; born in Manchester, Eng., May 10, 1831 ; he immigrated to America June 5, 1851, landing in New York July 12; he first settled in Fitch- burg, Mass., and engaged in running the machinery in the Stone Mills, now owned by Burbanks & Crocker; herc he remained six months ; thence to Pepperell, Mass., two years; next to Manchester, N. H .; thenec to Lawrence, Mass .; thence to Portland, Me,; thence to Windsor Locks, Conn .; thence to Rainbow, in the same


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REED TOWNSHIP.


State; leaving the East, his next move was to Hamilton, Ohio, and from there to Cincinnati; in the two last-mentioned places, he tarried about ten years ; in May, 1872, he located in Lockport, his family follow- ing about a year later. He was married June 18, 1852, to Justina Monning, a native of Virginia; has three children- Adelaid, Vancino and Justice. His entire life so far has been spent in connection with paper manufacturing establishments.


ADOLPHUS YOUKER, dealer in agricultural implements, Lockport ; was born near Ogdensburg, Canada, Oct. 20, 1832; May 24, 1857, he left Canada, going to St. Paul, Minn., where he stopped a short time ; thence to Rockford, where he engaged in carpentering a short time ; in the fall of the same year, came to Stony


Creek, Mich., taking charge of a saw-mill for one year ; July 17, 1858, he came to Lockport, Ill., and entered the employ of Norton & Co .; in 1859, he engaged in the business of underground ditching, and fol- lowed it two years ; in 1861, came again into the employ of Norton & Co .; in 1871, was employed in carpentering for the State in the yards at Lockport ; in 1875, went to Chicago and run a meat market and vegetable store one year ; in 1876, he, in company with Ira Williams, began the sale of agricultural implements. He was mar- ried Sept. 12, 1859, to Mary M. Reinhart, a native of New York State; has had two children-Eliza Elnora and George Ed- ward, both deceased. Owns 160 acres of land in Kansas.


REED TOWNSHIP.


PETER BARR, merchant, Braidwood ; was born in Renfrewshire. Scotland, Oct. 20, 1840, and is the son of Daniel and Margaret (Hercules) Barr, of Scotland. His father was a miner; died February, 1859. Mr. Barr, at 8 years of age com- menced working in the coal mines; in 1865, he emigrated to America, and landed in New York City ; came direct to Braid- wood, Will Co., Ill., and entered the coal mines; followed mining until 1871; he then entered the saloon business ; to-day owns one of the best drug stores in Braid- wood, which business he commenced in 1878. Mr. Barr is one of the prominent business men of Braidwood. Is one of the City Aldermen. Is a Republican in politics, and a Presbyterian in religion. Married in 1860, to Miss Jennie Stell, of Ayrshire, Scotland (the home of Robert Burns) ; six children. Mr. Barr's mother is living in Scotland.


JOHN B. BACKUS, M. D., Braid- wood ; the subject of this sketch is one of the most prominent physicians of Will Co .; was born in Ontario, Canada, April 29, 1845; his parents are John A. and Sarah M. (Bostwick) Backus. His father was educated for a lawyer, but was a retired gentleman. Dr. Backus received a grammar school education in Canada ; he received


his medical diploma at McGills Medica University of Montreal, Canada, also re- ceived a second diploma from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Ontario, Can. ; he practiced medicine one year in Canada, and in 1871, he came to Braidwood and commenced the practice of medicine here ; he has been very successful, having received a very large practice. Dr. Backus has been married twiee. Is a member of the Epis- copal Church.


H. W. BLOOD, manufacturer of soda and mineral water, Braidwood ; was born in Erie Co., N. Y., Nov. 27, 1842; came West in 1863; farming for two years ; he then entered the bottling house of J. D. Page, of Joliet, Ill., and remained tliere some two years ; he then went to Wilming- ton ; here lie purchased a half interest in the manufacture of mineral water, in com- pany with J. D. Page ; also engaged in the ice business ; he then purchased entire control of the manufactory in 1870; in 1873, he came to Braidwood and started the present manufactory, which to-day is one of the most complete in this vicinity. His many ingenious inventions have ren- dered the employment of a large number of men unnecessary, and with but few men, Mr. Blood can turn out of his establish- ment an equal quantity of goods, with firms


1


who employ a far greater number of per- sons. Thus it will be scen that with the obviation of so mueh expense in his eourse of manufacturing, Mr. Blood is enabled to sell his goods cheaper than any other firm, and at the same time give the purehaser as fine a quality of goods as can be found in the country. The building is 24x50, two stories high ; eapaeity of 200 boxes per day ; employ three hands; two two-horse wagons find sales for goods in Braidwood and towns in this vicinity. Mr Blood manufactures soda and mineral water, bottled lager beer, ale, porter, eider and spruee beer. He was married in 1861, to Miss Franeis Quaekenbush of Illinois ; seven ehildren.


IRVING BARKER, foundry, Braid- wood, of the firm of I. Barker & Co., foun- dry ; this popular firm has been established in the city of Braidwood sinee 1873, and in that time, the superior quality of their work, coupled with their honest transaet- tions, has lifted them to the front, as first- elass manufacturers ; both are gentlemen of long experience, and thoroughly praeti- eal in the knowledge of all its details ; Mr. Irving Barker was born June 11, 1847; his father, Jas. M. Barker, with family, settled in Will Co., in 1849; when Mr. Barker was 17 years old, he commenced to learn the blacksmith trade, and worked at this trade for four years; he then en- tered the foundry business with Wm. Me- Intosh, at Wilmington, Will Co .; he then entered partnership in company Russell, Barker & Co., of Wilmington ; firm changed to I. Barker & Co .; his brother, Orsen Bar- ker, forms the company, is a native of Michi- gan ; was born in November, 1844; these gentlemen eame to Braidwood in December, 1873, and eommeneed business by ereeting the present foundry; the machine depart- ment is 22x30, two storics high ; the molding department is 22x50 ; they make a specialty of manufacturing coal mine supplies and stove eastings which they find sales for in the vicinity of Braidwood. Mr. Irving Barker has applied for a patent on a hand lawn mover which eclipses anything of the kind now in the market, is much lighter, cheaper, and can guage it to eut the grass at any height.


JOHN BAMRICK, saloon, Braid- wood; this gentleman was born in Queen's County, Ireland, May 18, 1847, and his


parents are John and Ann Bamrick, of Ireland ; his father was engaged in the mining business, and when Mr. Bamriek was but 10 years of age, he commenced the mining business, and in 1868, he emigrated to America and landed in New York City, from there he came direet West to Illinois, and settled in Braidwood ; here he com- menced mining, and engaged in this busi- ness until he met with a very unfortunate accident in Sept., 1872, by the steam ears running over and cutting off his left arm ; he then entered the saloon business which he has followed ever sinee. In April, '78, was elected Town Clerk of Reed Town- ship, by the National Greenback party. Mr. B. is a strong National Greenbacker, and has been ever sinee the Peter Cooper movement originated. Married in 1867 to Miss Sarah Mulligan of Ireland ; have had five children, three living. Is a mem- ber of the Catholic Church.


JAMES BRAIDWOOD, proprietor of the Braidwood coal mines, Braidwood. The subjeet of this sketeh is the founder of the city of Braidwood, which was named by Mr. John H. Daniel, Braidwood in honor of Mr. James Braidwood, who claims that he built the first house in Braidwood, had the first house to burn, sunk the first coal shaft in Braidwood, his wife had the first ehild born and the first child to die in Braidwood. Mr. Braidwood was born in Scotland March 1, 1831, and is the son of Jamcs and Ellen (Hereules) Braidwood, of Scotland ; his father was engaged in the mining business, and when Mr. Braidwood was but 9 years of age he commeneed coal mining ; he then worked at machinery and boiler mak- ing; was four years engineer on a steam- ship ; shipwrecked twice ; two years with the East India Company ; in Oet., 1863, he landed in America, at New York City ; went to Middlesex, Penn .; here but a short time ; he then came West, to Illinois and. settled in Belleville ; then to Danville, and in Aug., 1865, came to Braidwood ; here he set out in coal mining, in working for the Chicago & Wilmington Coal Co .; was in the company that sunk the Eagle Shaft, near the depot, in 1869 ; he went to Cham- paign Co., Ill., and was engaged there in, sinking a shaft for eoal ; after working for six months. abandoned without finding any coal; he lost $6,000 eash ; he returned to. Braidwood and commenced the coal busi-


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REED TOWNSHIP.


ness on the present shaft he now runs, which he has been very successful in ; when Mr. Braidwood came to America, he was financially very poor, but with hard labor and good management, to-day he ranks as one of the successful miners of Braidwood. Married in 1854, to Miss Ellen Ralston, by whom he has had twelve children, eight living ; his oldest son, James, at 17 years of age, July 16, 1871, was struck by lightning and instantly killed. Mr. B. is a Republican in politics and a Presbyterian in religion.


ROBERT BURT, saloon, Braidwood ; was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, Nov. 15, 1833 ; son of Peter and Christina (Hay) Burt, of Scotland ; father was a miner ; Mr. Burt, at the age of 9 years, commenced working in the mines, and fol- lowed this business for over twenty-seven years ; in 1858, he emigrated to America, and landed in New York City ; thence to the coal fields of Pennsylvania, and engaged in mining until 1860; on account of his health, he returned to Scotland ; returned to America in 1866; in Pennsylvania nine wecks ; thence to Braidwood ; here he com- menced mining, and followed this until 1870 ; he entered the restaurant business and followed this for two years; then in the saloon business; to-day owns one of the best and most orderly sample rooms in this vicinity. Married in 1860, to Miss Sarah Carrigan, of Scotland, by whoin he has three children.


JOHN R. BRAIDWOOD, Secretary and Manager Braidwood Coal Co., Braid- wood; was born in Elderslie,Scotland, March 29,1855, and is the son of James and Ellen Braidwood. Mr. Braidwood at 10 years of age, entered the coal mines and has been engaged in the coal business ever since ; in August, 1865, he emigrated to America and settled in Braidwood ; here he has remained ever since. Married in 1877 to Miss Hamilton, of Scotland.


W. P. BARKER, foundryman, Wil- mington ; is a brother of I. Barker & Co., foundrymen, and is engaged in work- ing in the molding department ; was born in November, 1837. Participated in the late war ; enlisted in Co. A, 100th Ill. V. I., for three years or during the war; was taken prisoner at the battle of Chicka- mauga ; was paroled, and finally mustered out in June, 1864.


JOHN BROADBENT, hotel, Braid- wood; was born in Yorkshire, England, Dec. 12, 1833, and is the son of William and Sarah Broadbent. Mr. Broadbent emigrated to America in 1856. He mar- ried Miss Jane Crepps of England ; after marriage, made his residence in Morris, Grundy Co., Ill .; from there he came to Braidwood in 1870. In 1871, erected the present hotel; this business he has been. engaged in ever since. The Braidwood House, very conveniently located, being adjacent to the depot, is a first-class hotel.


THOMAS CONNOR, butcher, Braid- wood ; was born in Ireland May 8, 1838, and is the son of Thomas and Bridget (Walder) Connor of Ireland ; his father was a farmer, died when Mr. Connor was young ; his mother then married Patrick Carroll. In 1847, emigrated to Quebec, Canada, then to Vermont ; here Mr. Con- nor was engaged in working on a railroad, and in 1848, came West to Illinois, and. settled in Joliet ; here he was engaged in working in a woolen factory, then as a driver on a canal boat six years, then station. agent for the canal company three years ; from here he went to coal digging in dif- ferent parts of Will and Grundy Counties ; in 1866, he settled down, and commenced farming and butchering, known as the Con- nor Brothers, who are the oldest butchers at the business in Braidwood; his mother is still living on the old homestead. Mr. Connor has held several offices of public trust. Is liberal in his politics, and is a a member of tha Roman Catholic Church. He came to America a poor boy, and with hard labor, good management, is one of the successful men of Braidwood ; owns 800 acres of land.




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