USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The biographical record of Livingston County, Illinois > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
On the 16th of January. 1868, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth B. Pope, a native of Kentucky and fourth in order of birth in a family of seven children. Her father, Thomas W. Pope. moved from Kentucky to Ilinois in 1856. locating in a grove in Ford county, now known as Pope's grove, and which was named for him. There he engaged in farm- ing for many years and then moved to Piper City, Ford county, Illinois, where he lived retired and where his death occurred.
211
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
To Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born three children. R. Finley, who is engaged with lis father in the banking business, and who is vice-president of the bank, was a mem- ber of Troop K. First Illinois Cavalry, dur- ing the Spanish-American war. With his regiment he was sent to Chickamauga Park. where he was taken ill and returned home. Later he was sent to Fort Sheridan, where he was honorably discharged and mustered out of the service. He is a graduate of Peeksville. New York, Military Academy. and also of the New York Military Academy at Cornwall, New York. Elizabeth MeKec. at home. is a graduate of a female seminary near Peekskill. New York. Madge Everett is attending Oxford College at Oxford. Ohio.
On his restoration to health, about one year after his removal to Chatsworth. Mr. Brown went into the bank of C. A. Wilson & Company as cashier, and held that posi- tion until 1885. when he purchased the business, and under the firm name of J. E. Brown & Company it was continued until January, 1900, when it was re-organized as the Bank of Chatsworth, with Mr. Brown as president. R. Finley Brown, vice-presi- dent. and Ed M. Reesing, cashier. The bank is doing a very satisfactory business and has the confidence of the entire com- munity. In addition to his regular banking business Mr. Brown is agent of some of the leading fire insurance companies of the United States, in which he has placed many policies. Ile is also interested in farm lands in Illinois, Indiana and North Dakota, and in the latter state has two thousand, five hundred and sixty acres in the counties of Steele and Cass. He was formerly largely interested in the Ogallala Land & Cattle Company, importers of Hereford cattle, but
of late years he has confined himself to his private business.
Mr. Brown is a worker in the Presby- terian church of Chatsworth, in which for many years he has been one of the trustees. Fraternally he is a member of Chatsworth Lodge. No. 538, A. F. & A. M .: Fairbury Chapter. No. 99. R. A. M., and St. Paul's Commandery, No. 34. K. T., of Fairbury. He is also a member of E. G. Trask Post. No. 388. G. A. R .. and was its first com- mander, and has since almost continuously served in that office. In politics he is a Republican and cast his first presidential vote for the great Abraham Lincoln. He has served as a member of the village board of trustees and has been president of the same. He also served on the school board while residing on the farm. He has, how- ever. never been a seeker after office.
.As a citizn Mr. Brown has always been enterprising, ready to do his duty when that duty is presented to him. He shipped the first car-load of corn from Chatsworth, go- ing to Gilman to order the car. At that time corn was shelled with a hand sheller, there being no others in use. In the forty-three years in which he has been a citizen of Liv- ingston county rapid changes have been made, the county now ranking with the best in the entire state, with improvements second to none. In all that has been done he has borne well his part.
JOSEPH FARNEY.
Joseph Farney, who is successfully en- gaged in agricultural pursuits on section 28. Forrest township, Livingston county, Illinois, was born in Lewis county, New York. March 16, 1842, a son of John and
212
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Annie ( Zchr ) Farney. The father, a native of Germany, came to the United States at the age of sixteen years and located in Lewis county, New York, becoming one of its well- to-do and prosperous farmers. He died there at about the age of sixty-three years. His wife is still living near the old home- stead at the age of eighty years. Our sub- ject is the oldest of their nine children, six of whom survive.
Joseph Farney remained at home with his parents, assisting in the work of the farm until 1868, when he came to Livingston county, Illinois, and purchased a farm of eighty acres in Forrest township, which he operated for ten years. He then bought one hundred and forty acres of h's present farm. which at that time was only partially im- proved, and to its further development and cultivation he has since devoted his energies with most gratifying success. He has ex- tended its boundaries until he now has two hundred and forty acres, upon which he has built a substantial residence, a commodious barn and other outbuildings, and now has one of the best improved farms in the local- ity. His success is well deserved, as he is an industrious, enterprising man-one who has helped to make the county what it is to-day, one of the richest farming districts in the state. Besides the valuable farm al- ready mentioned he now owns forty acres on section 21 and eighty acres on section 16. Forrest township. For several years he has held the office of school trustee and has done much to improve the schools of district No. 8.
and when a boy came to America, residing in the New England states until he reached manhood. Subsequently he made his home in New York state for a number of years. and in the spring of 1867 came to Livings- ton county, Illinois, and purchased a farm in Forrest township, which he improved and cultivated for some time, but the last three years of his life were spent in retirement from active labor in Fairbury. He became quite a prominent and prosperous man of his community. He died May 23. 1888, leaving a widow, who is still living, three sons, three daughters and twenty-seven grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Farney are the parents of seventeen children, all living with the ex- ception of Lydia, who died at the age of eight weeks. John. the eldest, now twenty- seven years of age, is a farmer in the em- ploy of Mr. Watson, of Forrest township: Samuel works on his father's farm; Edward operates eighty acres belonging to his fa- ther : Joseph is engaged in farming near the homestead : Andrew is also an agriculturist ; Rachel, now residing with her father, is the widow of Andrew Weisser, a carpenter. who died May 24. 1899, leaving one child. Aldine, born March 3. 1899: Mina is the wife of Conrad Wenger. a farmer of Fair- bury, and they have one child, Roy: Annie. Emma and Elmer, twins, Fred, Malinda, Orville, Walter. Jess and Arthur are all at home. . All were born in Livingston coun- ty. educated in the local schools and live on the home farm or near it.
On the 12th of April, 1871. Mr. Far- ABRAM LOWER. ney married Miss Lena Yoder, one of a family of six children, whose parents were Abram Lower, a prominent and influen- tial citizen of Broughton township, residing Joseph and Annie ( Kempf ) Yoder. The fa- ther was born in Alsace, France, in 1822. on section 10, has been a resident of Liv-
213
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ingston county since the spring of 1860. and has been actively ident tied with its ag- ricultural and political interests. He was born in Blair county. Pennsylvan'a, Octo- ber 10. 1835. a son of David and Susan ( Rhodes) Lower. Though in early life the father learned the trades of weaver, carpen- ter and joiner, he followed farming prin- cipally. On coming to Ilinois in 1861 he settled in Livingston county, but two years later moved to Carroll county, and died at his home in Lanark, in 1882, at the age of eighty years. His wife survived him for some time, dying in December, 1898, at the age of eighty-eight years. To them were born ten children, of whom one died in in- fancy. The others were Levi, a veteran of the civil war, who now lives in Kansas and whose sons are prominent in banking cir- cles ; Samuel, a resident of Dwight, Ilinois ; Abram, our subject; Catherine, wife of Samuel McCoy, of Lanark: Rebecca, who died in 1864: Martin, who died from disease contracted in the army during the civil war : Anna, wife of John Chestnut, of Adair. lowa: Leah, wife of George Weed, of La- mark; and Eli L., who was also one of the boys in blue during the civil war and is now a resident of Lanark.
Abram Lower received his education in the common schools of his native state and was reared upon his father's farm. In 1858 he came to Illinois and settled on the pres- ent site of Lanark, the locality at that time being unbroken prairie. In 1860 he came to Livingston county, where his father had pur- chased land, and he undertook the arduous task of opening up the farm, on which not a furrow had been turned nor an improve- ment made. ' For some time he operated a half-section of land and still owns one hun-
dred and sixty acres in the home place on section 10. Broughton township, and eighty acres on section 14. all of which has been under cultivation for many years and is well improved. In connection with general farming he carries on stock raising and has made a decided success of his life work.
October 16, 1860, Mr. Lower married Miss Catherine Miller, a daughter of George and Margaret ( Davis) Miller, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively. The Miller family made their home in Penn- sylvania until 1854, when they came to Illi- nois and settled in Carroll county, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in June, 1877. the mother in December, 1891. They had thirteen chil - dren. of whom two died in infancy. The others are still living, namely: Mary ... wife of C. E. Cross, a veteran of the civil war and a railroad engineer residing in Marion, lowa: Catherine, wife of our sub- ject, who was born August 7. 1842 : Samuel E .. a resident of Chenoa. Illinois: Emma R., wife of Philip Galwicks, of Butler coun- tv, Nebraska: William .A., a hotelman of Streator: John L., of Beatrice, Nebraska; Martin L., twin brother of John L. and a resident of Mt. Carroll: Upton, a magnetic healer ; Gertrude, wife of Edward Sullivan, of Aurora: A. L., a physician of Dixon ; and Margaret. a resident of Rockford. The three youngest were born in Illinois, the others in Pennsylvania.
Of the twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lower three died in infancy. The others were as follows: (1) Maggie is the wife of Walter Morrison, a railroad man of Omaha, Nebraska, and they have four chil- dren : Clarence. Lillie. Eethel and Clara. (2) Augusta is the wife of P. D. Glover,
214
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
a farmer of Custer county, Nebraska, and they have seven children : Earl, Fay. Guy. Ruth, Lloyd. Glenn and Rex. (3) AAlbert. who lives on his father's farm. is extensively engaged in general farming on a half-section of land and also carries on stock raising. He married Mary E. Lorigan, and has five children : Abram. Salisbury, Bernice. Al- bert and Madeline. (4) Le Roy, a pros- perous farmer and stock raiser, operating a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Broughton township, married Hannah E. Morris and has two children, AArthur and an infant. (5) Frank D., also a farmer and stock raiser of Broughton township, married Mary E. Weller and has one daughter. Eulalia. (6) Marriette is the wife of Cyrus Hiddleson, of Broughton township, and they have two children, Vera and George. (7) Lillian is a dressmaker residing at home. (8) Grace is the wife of Benjamin Morris, of Round Grove township, and they have one daughter. Lila. (9) Gertrude is at home.
In politics Mr. Lower is a stanch Dem- ocrat. and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have often called him to office. He has served as supervisor five years, road commissioner seventeen years, and after assisting in organizing the school district in 1860 was made one of the first directors, which office he held for fifteen years. He assisted in laying out all of the roads of Broughton township, and did not resign his position as commissioner until the last mile had been opened up. Ile is one of the best known men of his community. and that he has the entire confidence and respect of his fellow citizens is manifest by his being called upon to act as guardian for several children and as administrator of sev-
eral estates, which were settled up most sat- isfactorily. Since 1894 he has lived a retired life upon his farm, surrounded by all the comforts which earnest toil in former years have brought him.
ROBERT RUMBOLD.
Robert Rumbold, who is engaged in the insurance business in Chatsworth, dates his residence in Livingston county from 1856, almost half a century. He was born in Hampshire. England, July 23. 1831, and is a son of Joseph and Martha ( Sherman) Rumbold, both of whom were also natives of England. the latter dying there about 1845. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, three of whom died in infancy, while the family were yet residing in England, and three died after coming to the United States, so that our subject is the sole living representative of the family. Joseph Rum- bold became a veterinary surgeon in Eng- land, and followed that profession, in con- nection with farming, after coming to this country. Shortly after the death of his wife Joseph Rumbold, Sr., came with his family to the United States, and first lo- cated at Lockport, Will county, Illinois, but shortly afterward moved to Livingston county and commenced farming near Fair- bury, an occupation in which he success- fully continued until his death, in 1868.
Robert Rumbold, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the board- ing schools of his native country, and was twenty-one years old when he accompanied his father to the United States. On his ar- rival he engaged in farming, in connection with his father, and they were extensively
ROBERT RUMBOLD.
217
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
engaged in farming on rented land in Ken- dall county, until 1850, when they came to Livingston county. Our subject here pur- chased an interest in a quarter section of land near Fairbury and was successfully en- gaged in farming there until 1869, when he disposed of his interest in that farm and pur- chased eighty acres of his present farm in Chatsworth township, which was then un- improved prairie land. This he began to improve and soon had it all under cultiva- tion, and on that farm he has since contin- ued to reside. For some years he continued to superintend the work of the farm, but has now given its management mto the hands ot his son, who is a thorough and practical farmer.
In 1859, after he had made a start in this new country, Mr. Kumbold visited his native land, and while there was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Osmond, who was born, in 1830, in Hampshire, England. With his bride, he returned to his new home, since when he has been identified with the county in many ways. Seven children came to bless their union, two of whom died in infancy. Of the five living chil- dren, Edward 11. resides in West Pullman, where he is engaged in the real estate and insurance business, in which he is making & success. He is married and has one daughter, Esther. Alice M. is the wife of Samuel M. Wilson, and they have one daughter, Edna. Their home is also in West Pullman, where he is assisting his brother- in-law in the real estate and insurance busi- ness. Ann Elizabeth is cashier for her brother in his office at West Pullman. Cecil Robert is assisting his father in the insur- ance business in Chatsworth. Joseph B., who, after leaving school, engaged in teach- ing for one year, is now managing the farm 12
of his father, and is doing a successful busi- ness.
Mr. Rumbold commenced the insurance business in 1869 and is now one of the old- est in point of service in this line of busi- ness of any in Livingston county. Ile has the agency of fourteen of the best fire and life insurance companies in the country, inchiding the Aetna, of Hartford, Connecticut ; Home, of New York; Continental, of New York; Insurance Company of North America, of Philadelphia : Underwriters, of Philadelphia ; American, of Philadelphia, and the Wash- ington Life Insurance Company. For the last twenty-five years, Mr. Rumbold has given his entire time to the insurance busi- ness and has built up an excellent trade, having many patrons, not only in Livings- ton, but in adjoining counties. He has made a success of the business and deserves all that he has made.
Mr. Rumbold came to this country at a time when the slavery question was the all-absorbing topic of interest and he be- came a voter just about the time of the or- ganization of the Republican party. With that party he became identified and has since been an earnest advocate of its principles. While he has always manifested a com- mendable interest in the questions of the day, he has never been a politician as the term is generally understood. By his friends, he has been elected and served as assessor of his township, collector, justice of the peace, and is now serving as trustee of schools. He has been a delegate to many county conventions, and also to the con- gressional convention of his party. He is a man ever ready to take his share of re- sponsibility and to advocate any good cause beneficial to the community in which he lives.
218
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Fraternally, Mr. Rumboldl is a Mason. first becoming identified with the order while living in Grundy county. He is now a member of Chatsworth Lodge, No. 539. A. F. & A. M .: of Fairbury Chapter. No. 00. R. A. M .. and of Fairbury Command- ery, No. 34. K. T. He is the only living charter member of the blue lodge in Fair- bury. In the principles of the order he has ever had an abiding faith, believing them to be beneficial to mankind. On the occa- sion of Mr. Rumbold's re-election for the twenty-first time as treasurer of the Chats- worth Lodge. he was presented with a beau- tiful gold headed cane bearing the inscrip- tion :
"Presented December 16, 1808. 10 Robert Rumbold at his twenty-first election as treasurer of Chatsworth Lodge, No. 539. .A. F. & . 1. 3."
It is needless to say Mr. Rumbold values the gift very highly, not for its intrinsic value, but from the associations surround- ing the gift. Mr. Rumbokl has passed through all the chairs of the lodge and is now holding the office of worshipful master. Reared in the Episcopalian faith, he has al- ways adhered to the teachings of that de- nomination. As a citizen. no man in Liv- ingston county is held in higher esteem. Of a social nature. it is easy for him to make and retain friends.
MICHAEL. REISING.
Malael Resing, engaged in the general neremade Inness, Chatsworth, Illinois, is a nature of Hanover, Bremen, Germany. and was born July 17. 1838. He is a son of George A. and Margaret ( Reising ) Reising.
who, although of the same name, were not related. Both were natives of Bavaria, Ger- many, where they were married. By occu- ration George .A. Reising was a farmer in his native land, a vocat'on which he followed throughout life. With a view of bettering his condition he left the old world. with his family, when our subject was but a few weeks old, coming to the United States and direct to Woodford county, Ilinois. On his arrival in the latter county he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, only one acre of which had been plowed. Clear- ing the land of its timber he commenced the improvement of the farm and later added to its area by the purchase of eighty acres from the government and forty acres fr m an- other man. With the exception of two years spent in Peoria, Illinois, he spent the re- mainder of his life on that farm, dying when sixty-one years old. His wife died when she was forty seven years old. They were the parents of six children that grew to ma- turity and two that died in early childhood. Those who grew to man and womanhood were Peter. Adam P., Mary, Michael, Eliz abeth and Annie. All are yet Living save Elizabeth.
The subject of this sketch grew to man- hood on his father's farm in Woodford coun- 11. Illinois, and as the opportunity was af- forded him attended the common subscrip- tion school, having to walk a distance of two miles to the school house. He could only attend a few weeks in the winter. as Ins services were needed on the farm at other times. He remained at home until he at- tained Is majority, when he rented land and engaged in farming for himself. After 11. - death of his father he went to Tazewell county, where be rented a farm and engaged in its cultivation for two years. From
219
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Tazewell he returned to Woodford county and bought eighty acres of land near El l'aso, which he farmed for about three years. Selling this place he moved to Claremont county, Ohio, where he remained for four years. He then returned to Woodford coun- ty, Illinois, and engaged in farming fr two years. He next came to Chatsworth, Illinois, and purchased the general store of Mrs. Barbara Scherer, and here he has since continned to reside. In 1883 Mr. Reising met with a serious misfortune that left him thirty-five hundred dollars worse than penni- less. but with that sturdy determination that characterizes the German race he would not own that he was beaten. but pushed forward in the face of obstacles that would have dis- mayed almost any other man, and by dint of hard work and perseverance succeeded in again establishing himself in business. After a few years, however, seeing that he was paying out his profits for rent. he assumed fresh indebtedness and built the fine store building that he now owns. Few men could have accomplished what Mr. Reising has. being forced as he was to start over the bat- tle of life at almost fifty years of age. For the past twenty years Mrs. Reising has been engaged in the millinery business in connec- tion. She has a good trade and gives sat- isfaction to her patrons.
On the 24th of January, 1860. Mr. Reis- ing was united in marriage with Miss Mar- garet Pfarr. a native of Claremont county, Ohio, and daughter of George Pfarr, a na- tive of Germany, who came to this country When a young man, locating in Claremont county, and later moving to Woodford conn- ty. Illinois, Mrs. Reising is one of a family of six children, the others being Barbara, Mary. Peter, Kate and John. Of these Bar- bara and Peter are now deceased. Mr. and
Mrs. Reising have no children of their own, but have an adopted son, Joseph, who bears their name.
Mr. and Mrs. Reising are members of the Catholic church, and in politics he is a Dem- verat, having voted the party ticket since at - taining his majority. He has served ser- eral terms as a member of the village board of trustees of Chatsworth, but has no in- clination for office holding. He prefers to give his time and attention to his business and work for the interests of the people in selling them goods at living prices. He aims at all times to carry as complete a stock of goods as the wants of the common- ity will warrant. Ilis residence of twenty- seven years in Chatsworth has made him many friends.
REV. SAMUEL ELBRIDGE VANCE. .
Rev. Samuel Elbridge Vance, who is now living a retired life in Pontiac, enjoying a well-earned rest. was for many years actively engaged in religious work as a Presbyterian minister. He was born in Paris, Edgar county, Illinois, July 29, 1835, a son of An- drew Milton and Esther ( Shelledy ) Vance, who were married in that city, of which city his paternal grandfather, Samuel Vance, was a prominent pioneer. He was a native of Abingdon, Virginia, and on leaving that state removed to east Tennessee, but as early as 1822 he came to Illinois and took up his residence in Paris, erecting the sec- ond house in that place. There he engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his life, dying about 1857, at the age of eighty- five years. He was an eller in the Presby- terian church of Paris for a great many years, and donated all the brick for the first
220
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
church of that denomination erected there. county, remaining there six years. Subse- lle was a life-long Democrat, and in the quently he was at Lexington, Illinois, for five and a half years, and from there went to Wisconsin, where he spent sixteen years in the work of the ministry. His health fail- ing him, he went to Kansas, where he re- mained some years, and in 1895 came to Pontiac, Illinois, where she has since lead a retired life, having never recovered his usual health. south had been a slave owner, but freed all his slaves on coming to this state. The fa- ther of our subject was born in Virginia, in 1809. In 1826 he came to Illinois and followed merchandising in Paris through- out his active business life. He died there in 1874, at the age of sixty-four years. He hekdl some minor offices, but never sought political honors, and in politics was a Democrat until On the 220 of December, 1803. at Mor- ris, Grundy county, Illinois, Mr. Vance was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Frame, a daughter of Rev. Reuben and Mar- garet Stewart ( Selby ) Frame, and grand- daughter of Captain Selby, who followed the sea throughout life. For many years her father was in charge of the Presby- terian church in Morris, but died in Chi- cago, in 1891, at the age of eighty-seven years. His widow is still living in that city at the advanced age of ninety-two years, making her home with a daughter. the organization of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks, becoming a stanch supporter of its principles. He, too, was an elder in the Presbyterian church for many years, and was a man honored and respected by all who knew him. The mother of our subject died when he was only twelve years old, leaving three children, of whom he was the oldest. Julia married J. C. Collom, a merchant of Paris, and died leaving a family. James . A., a resident of Pierce City, Missouri, was a soldier of the civil war and is an attorney by profession. He is married and has a family.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.