USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The biographical record of Livingston County, Illinois > Part 25
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and Quincy, being thus engaged until the fall of 1865. He hauled many of the sol- diers proceeding to the south. He carried cighteen cars of sokliers out of Quincy one day and another train of eighteen cars fol- lowed. They stopped at Keokuk Junction for water and the second train oertook them. The sokliers had been fooling with the hand- brakes, and Mr. Button told the officers if they did not keep the men away from the brakes they would be stopped and the other train would run into them. This did little good and after six or seven more miles had been passed, as they were going around a curve near Augusta, the sokliers again stopped the train. Mr. Button then jumped off and told the conductor to start the train as soon as he could get the brakes off. and he ( Mr. Button ) woukl crawl over the train and into his engine. his object being to get the brakes off as soon as possible and get out of the way of the other train. He just succeeded in this when the other train came around the curve, and he signalled to the fireman to go ahead and get out of the way, thus saving the lives of many sokliers. Mr. Button then again saw the officers in charge and told them he would not pull out until a guard was put at the brakes. This was done, after which all went well.
In the fall of 1865 Mr. Button went to Springfield, Illinois, and ran an engine on the Wabash road until the fall of 1880, when he was sent to Forrest to take charge of the shops as general foreman, holding that posi- tion until January, 1893. This is an im- portant shop, in which many men are em- ployed. It was not then finished and he put in the machinery, placing everything in working operation. He had charge of about sixty men and continued as superintendent
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of the shops and his retirement from active business labor, other than the supervision of his property interests. Working his way steadily upward, he was familiar with every branch of the work and was therefore very competent to direct the labors of others. Hle was one of the most trusted representa- tives of the road, enjoying the confidence of the corporation and the respect of all whom he superintended.
In the meantime Mr. Button had be- come the owner of both farm and town prop- erty, and in addition to his realty in Liv- ingston county, he owns farms in MeLean county, Illinois, and also in Indiana. He erected the business block at the corner oc- cupied by the drug store and by the Masonic lodge- one of the best blocks in the town. He has also built a large two-story brick building on the next corner-one of the most modern and improved in the city. Since 1893 his attention has been given to the management of his investments and to real estate dealing.
While in Mendota Mr. Button was mar- ried on the 24th of December, 1803. to Miss Jennie Jewitt, daughter of Charles Jewitt, who removed to Mendota from De Kalb county, where he had engaged in farm- ing until 1849, when he went to California, where he remained until 1852. Hle then engaged in the grain business in Mendota. He had come to Illinois from Yorkshire. England. After his first residence in Cali- fornia, he again spent two years there, and then once more lived in Mendota for a time, but ultimately removed to Remington, In- diana, where he purchased a farm. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Button has been blessed with one child. Clara, now the wife of David T. Torrence, of Chicago. Mr. Button is a Republican in his political views
and votes for the men and measures of the party, but has never been an aspirant for office. Ile belongs to Forrest Lodge, No. 614. F. & AA. M .. and attends and supports the Congregational church. In politics he is recognized as an important factor in local party ranks and has frequently been a dele- gate to county and state conventions. He aided in nominating Governor Fifer, was again a member of the state convention in 1892. and supported Governor Tanner's candidacy in 1896. His life has been one of marked industry and usefulness, and in every relation of life he has commanded the respect, confidence and esteem of his fellow men. Always just and upright, ofttimes generous and liberal, ever an advocate of the right, his life stands in exemplification of our highest type of American manhood.
WILLIAM . WILLIAMSON.
William A. Williamson, one of the high- ly respected and honored citizens of Saune- min township, Livingston county, Illinois, was born near Russellville. Brown county, Ohio, March 18, 1858. His father. William Williamson, was a native of Fleming coun- ty. Kentucky, and a son of John William- son, a Revolutionary soldier, who removed to southern Ohio when his son was only ten yearsold and there followed farming through- out the remainder of his life. He died at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. The father grew to manhood in Ohio and also followed the occupation of farming in that state until his death, which occurred October 20, 1886. Ile was quite an extensive farmer and served as justice of the peace. In early life he married Nancy Snedaker, a native of
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
southern Ohio and a daughter of Garrett Snedaker, who moved from Pennsylvania to that state and was also an agriculturist. Mrs. Williamson now makes her home with our subject. She is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, of which her hus- band was an elder for twenty years and a Sunday school teacher many years, always having taken an active part in church affairs.
During his boyhood and youth William A. Williamson obtained a good education in the common schools near his home and at Russellville, Ohio. At the age of twenty years he left home and commenced life for himself as a farmer. In 1884 he came to Livingston county, Illinois, and rented a farm in Forrest township for eight years. In the fall of 1891 he purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Saunemin township, but did not locate there- on until the spring of 1893. It had pre- viously been used as a pasture and there was not a single improvement upon it, but he crected a pleasant residence, a good barn and windmill, set out trees, and made many other improvements which add greatly to the value and beauty of the place.
On the 4th of September, 1884, Mr. Williamson was united in marriage with Miss Ella Heckert of Forrest, a daughter of Joseph and Margaret ( Miller) Heckert. She was reared by E. R. Francis, as her mother died when she was quite young. By this union have been born five children : Ed- ward, Susie and Harry, living, and Morris and Ada, deceased. The parents are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. and the family is one of high standing in the community where they reside. Socially. Mr. Williamson affiliates with the Modern Wodmen of America, and politically, is identified with the Republican party. For
six years he has served as school director, and in 1900 was elected road commissioner, in which capacity he has assisted in making many improvements in his township. incluid- ing the construction of a new bridge over the Vermilion river at a cost of three thon- sand dollars.
WILLIAM P. GOEMBEL.
When after years of long and earnest labor in some honorable field of business, a man puts aside all cares to spend his re- maining years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil, it is certainly a well deserved reward of his early industry.
" How btest is he who crowns in shades like these A youth of fabor with an age of ease,"
wrote the poet, and the world everywhere recognizes the justice of a season of rest following an active period of business life. Mr. Goembel is now living retired at his home on section 4. Fayette township, Liv- ingston county, and his history is one that shows the accomplishment of well-directed labor.
Mr. Goembel was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, February 20, 1833. a son of Philip and Caroline Eliza ( Stoeber ) Goembel. also natives of that country, where the father carried on a damask manufactory for a pe- riod of thirty years. He then came to the United States in 1851, and first settled in Tazewell county, Illinois, where he followed farming five years. At the end of that time he came to Livingston county, and made his home in the extreme southeastern part of what was then known as Oliver's Grove, but is now Germanville township. until his death in 1875. In early life he was an in-
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dustrious, energetic man, but spent his last years in retirement from active labor. llis wife also died in Germanville township in 1872, and they now sleep side by side. In their family were only two children : Will- iam P., our subject : and Caroline, also a native of Germany, and now the wife of Nicholas Froebe, a well-to-do farmer of California, who still owns over two hundred acres of land in Germanville township. Liv- ingston county, Illinois, which he leases. They had six children, namely: William P., a farmer of that township, who died at the age of thirty-eight years, leaving a widow and five children, the former now de- ceased : Caroline, wife of Henry Hendricks, a prosperous farmer of Germanville town- ship, by whom she has six children; Ma- tilda, who married Henry Hummel, a well- to-do farmer of the same township, and died in 1896, leaving four children: Eliza- beth, wife of John Hummel, of Germanville township, by whom she has several children : Emma, who is with her parents in Califor- nia: and Charles, a farmer of that state, who is married and has one child.
William P. Goembel was educated in private schools of his native land, and ac- companied the family on their emigration to America, remaining with his parents tin- til twenty-three years of age, when he com- menced farming for himself in Tazewell county. In the fall of 1856 he came to Liv- ingston county and purchased one hundred and four acres of raw prairie land in Ger- manville township, which he tiled, broke and improved, making it one of the best farms in that locality. Ile resided there twenty-four years, during which time he bought a large amount of land, including two hundred and forty acres in Charlotte township; one hundred and sixty acres ad-
joining his home farm in Germanville town- ship, and also property in Chatsworth and Fayette townships, Livingston county. In connection with general farming he devoted considerable attention to the raising of stock. In November, 1880, he moved to the village of Strawn, where he successfully engaged ir business as a dealer in grain, lumber, coal and farming implements until 1891. when he located upon his present farm on section 4. Fayette township, making it his home ever since. It consists of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and arable land, and is successfully operated by his sons. After his removal to the farm, Mr. Goembel con- tinued to carry on his business in the vil- lage for a few years, but for the past six or seven years has lived a retired life.
On the 13th of December. 1863. Mr. Goembel married Miss Elizabeth Shroen, also a native of Hesse-Cassel. Germany. born in 1844, on the farm of her father. who spent his entire life on his native soil. dying there in 1852. Her mother came to this country and died in Fayette township. Livingston county. To Mr. and Mrs. Goembel were born the following children : Catherine is the wife of Nelson Kiner, a prosperous farmer of Marseilles, Illinois, and they have two children, Earl and Eva : Mollie is the wife of F. M. Curyea, a farmer of Fayette township: Maggie is the wife of J. M. Mahon, station agent for the Big Four Railroad Company at Mansfield, Illinois : John, a farmer of Fayette township, married I aura Welling, and they have two children. Marguerite and William P .: Charles N. is living on the home farm; Mary is the wife of C. J. Bartlett, station agent on the Wa- bash Railroad at Mansfield, and they have two children. Clinton and Elizabeth: Will- jam, a farmer of Belle Prairie township.
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Livingston county, married Ida Younger. and they have one child: Paulina and Min- nie are both at home ; and Della died in Far- ette township. September 17. 1889.
The family are members of the German Lutheran church, and Mr. Goembel is also a member of Sibley Lodge. F. & .A. M., and the Chapter and Commandery at Fairbury. Int his political affiliations he is a Democrat. and has taken quite an active and influential part in local politics. During his entire residence in Strawn he was a member of the village board: was the first supervisor of Germanville township, which office he held for a number of years in that township, and for some time in Fayette township. Ile has also served as township treasurer several years and as justice of the peace, and takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, doing all in his power to promote the general welfare.
JOHN THOMAS LOVELL.
John Thomas Lovell, one of the most successful agriculturists of Broughton town- ship. Livingston county, and one of its rep- resentative citizens, was born in Barnwell. Northamptonshire, England. April 3. 1837. and is a son of Moses and Mary ( Bowen ) Lovell. Throughout life the father was em- ployed as a shepherd in that country, and also as a stacker during harvest. . After a long and useful life he died. in 1888, and his wife passed away in 1885. In their fam- ily were five children, namely: William. who died at the age of nineteen years: John T., our subject: James, a farmer of Knox county, Nebraska : Samuel, a resident of England: and Elizabeth, wife of Henry
Golden, a cabinetmaker of that country. Only our subject and James came to the United States.
John T. Lovell was reared on a farm and attended the public schools of his native land. At the age of eighteen years he came to America, landing in New York, and Grst settled in Castleton, Rutland county. Ver- mont, where he was in the employ of Dr. Joseph Perkins, a professor in the Burling- ton Medical Callege for eight years, work- ing at first for twelve dollars per month. Ile remained with him until after the civil war, and in 1866 came to Illinois, spending a year and a half in Grundy county, where he herded cattle or worked at anything he coukl find to do. Subsequently he rented a farm and began life for himself.
In 1867 Mr. Lovell married Miss Caro- line Coskey, a daughter of John and Eliza- beth ( Nooks) Coskey. The mother is now deceased, but the father is still living at the age of seventy-eight years and makes his home in Braceville, Grundy county. Mrs. Lovell was born in Lockport, Illinois, in May. 1850, but was living in Grundy county at the time of her marriage. She is the oldest of a family of eight children, the others being Alice, Emma, Martha, Louisa. Mary. Frederick and Charles, a farmer of Sullivan township. Livingston county. Our subject and his wife had four children, of whom Alvin died at the age of six- teen years. William, a farmer of Broughton township, married Lena Trecker and they have two children. John and Frederick. Bertram operates the home farm for his fa- ther. Ollie Mae is the wife of George Ker- sey, a farmer of Cardriff, Illinois.
On coming to Livingston county in 1867 Mr. Lovell purchased forty acres of wild prairie land in Broughton township and has
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made every improvement upon the place, in- W. and An E. ( Davis) Chapman, were chuling the erection of a barn and resi- dence, the planting of an orchard and the tiling of the land. So successful has he been that he has added to his landed possessions from time to time until he now owns six forty-acre tracts, all under a high state of cultivation. In June, 1887. he had the mis- fortune to lose his barn, which was struck by lightning, killing his horses and destroy- ing his hay. His loss, which amounted to about one thousand dollars, was only partly covered by insurance. With characteristic energy, however, he at once erected a larger and better barn. He carries on both: farming and stock raising, and has prospered through his own unaided efforts. He is a man of good business ability and sound judgment and well deserves the success that he has achieved. Since 1898 he has practically lived a retired life, and has recently pur- chased a comfortable residence in Cabery. where he expects to make his home and enjoy a well-earned rest.
In his political views Mr. Lovell is a Re- publican and during almost his entire resi- dence in this county has filled the office of school director in a most acceptable man- ner, having always taken an active interest in maintaining good schools. He also served as constable four years.
GEORGE H. CHAPMAN.
George IT. Chapman, a progressive, en- ergetic and successful agriculturist, whose home is on section 12. Odell township. Liv- ingston county, Illinois, is a native of New York, his birth occurring in Ontario coun- ty. January 4. 1851. His parents, Hiram
born in the same county of good okl New England stock, and were farming people, who continued to reside in New York until 1855. in which year they moved to La Salle county, Illinois, the father purchasing a quarter-section of land near Marseilles, to which he subsequently added another quar- ter-section. He speculated in land quite ex- tensively, and was very successful in his operations, owning at the time of his death about five hundred acres. In political senti- ment he was a Republican, but at local elec- tions voted for the man and not the party. Although he was not a member of any church, he gave to their support, and his wife was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. She died on the old home farm in 1882, at the age of fifty-nine years. Three years later he retired from active labor, and died March 2, 1897. at the age of seventy-seven. In their family were six sons and one daughter, of whom two died in infancy. The others are George H., our subject : Osmer, who was born in New York, and is now engaged in farming near the old homestead in La Salle county : Frank O., who is engaged in farming and the rais- ing of full-blooded Poland China hogs and Short-horn cattle near the homestead : Lu- cina, who died in 1878. soon after grad- uating at a school in Battle Creek, Michigan ; and Otis, who also lives on the old home farm. Those living are married and have families of their own.
During his boyhood and youth George 11. Chapman aided in the work of the farm through the summer season and attended school in winter. He remained under the parental roof until he was married, January 24. 1877, to Miss Roselle Olmstead, Who was born in Grundy county, Illinois, May
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G. H. CHAPMAN.
MRS. G. H. CHAPMAN.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1, 1855. a daughter of Andrus and Ann and finished in natural woods, mostly E. ( AArchibald) Olmstead, residents of La cypress. It is beautifully located and will be one of the finest homes in the township. In connection with general farming Mr. Chapman has carried on dairying and has also dealt in short-horn cattle, for which he finds a ready sale in the local markets. For the past three years he has lived retired from active labor, but still superintends the opera- tion of his farm. Salle and Grundy counties for over fifty years. The mother, who was of Scotch «lescent, died in 1884, but the father is still living at the age of sixty-eight years and finds a pleasant home with our subject. He had four daughters besides Mrs. Chapman. namely: Mrs. J. E. Fingston, whose hus- bend is a butcher of Odell; Mrs. Eliza Lay- man, a resident of Scandia, Kansas; Mrs. Helen Duttenhavor, who lives near Kent- land, Indiana; and Mrs. Esther Pope, who died in Odell, in 1883. Of the seven chil- dren, four sons and three daughters, born 10 Mlr. and Mrs. Chapman, one died in in- fancy, and Harry at the age of nineteen years. Those living are Fred : Annie : Hat- tie, twin sister of Harry ; Ernest and Gracie. They were educated in the Odell high school and the sons are now assisting their father on the farm.
For one year after his marriage Mr. Chapman was employed as a traveling salesman. having previously followed that occupation during the winter for eight years with good success. He lived upon a part of his father's land in La Salle county until the ist of January, 1883. when he came to Livingston county and purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land in Odell town- ship, which he improved and transformed into a good farm. Later he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land near Dwight, which he fully improved and after- ward sold, and at one time owned a similar amount in lowa, which he sold at a good profit. Upon his fine farm in Odell town- ship he has now ( in the summer of 1900) erected a commodious and beautiful resi- dence at a cost of thirty-five hundred dol- lars, fitted with all modern improvements
At notional elections Mr. Chapman sup- ports the Republican party, but in local affairs he votes independent of party lines. supporting the men whom he believes best qualified for office. He has served as pathmaster and school director, but has; never cared for political preferment. So- cially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, being chief consu! of his camp three years and a charter mem- ber of the same. lle is a man of high standing in the community where he resides, and has many friends both in La Salle and Livingston counties.
ELVIE T. POTTER.
Elvie T. Potter, a prosperous farmer and one of the most popular and in- fluential citizens of Round Grove township. Livingston county, Illinois, his home being on section 15, was born March 9. 1857. in the house where he still resides, a son of Stephen and Mary A. ( Killmer ) Potter, na- tives of Washington county. New York, the former born April 1, 1806, the latter February 23. 1814. In the county of his nativity the father was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools until
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fourteen years of age, when he went to Es- sex county, New York, and was there mar- ried August 25. 1834. Immediately after his marriage he removed to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, where he bought one hun- dlred acres of heavily timbered land, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his energies until 1844. when he sold the place and moved to Joliet. Illinois, becoming one of its early pio- neers. Leaving his family in that city he went to California in 1849, and engaged in mining for five years with good success. He returned to Joliet in 1854. and in the spring of 1855 came to Livingston county, where he purchased a claim, consisting of the south half of section 15. Round Grove township, which at that time was all raw prairie. He erected thereon a story and a half frame house, eighteen by eighteen feet. it being the fifth house in the township and the first frame house, the rest being built of logs along the east branch of the Mazon. He made his home there until his death. which occurred August 31. 1889. and his remains were interred in Round Grove cem- etery. He took an active part in public affairs and always supported the Democratic party. He was one of the leaders in organ- izing his town, and hekl most of the town- ship offices. He was especially active in school matters, having assisted in organizing the school districts and build- ing the first frame house. During the most of his life he was a member of the school board. serving as either director of trustee. His wife is still living and now re- sides with a daughter in Dwight. His parents, Thomas and Wealthy ( Weller) Potter, were also natives of New York, while the former was of English and the latter of German extraction.
The subject of this sketch is the young- est in a family of eight children, the others being as follows: Charlotte B., born Octo- ber 17. 1835. married Jesse Ekfred, of Round Grove township, and died leaving four children : Cora, wife of Anthony Kern. of Streator, Illinois; L. J., a resident of Stockton, California : Stephen, of San Fran- cisco; and Minnie, wife of William Farrar, of Peru, Indiana. (2) Mary died in child- hood. (3) George W .. born October 27, 1839. is connected with the Enterprise Man- ufacturing Company, of Joliet. He married Emma Godfrey, of Du Page county, 11h- nois, and they have three children: Edna. wife of Roy Hess, of Joliet : Pearl and Ciaire. (4) Margaret S. is living with her mother in Dwight. (5) Reuben K., born September 26, 1844, was telegraph operator and sta- tion agent at Dwight and Joliet for many years, and died July 7. 1885. unmarried. (6) .Albert. born December 3. 1847. Was engaged in detective work for some years, and is now serving as deputy sheriff of Miami county. Indiana, his home being in Peru. He. married Louisa Hubbard, of Round Grove township, this county, and has one son, Guy E. (7) . Manson, born Oc- tober 27. 1855. died January 28. 1858.
Elvie T. Potter grew to manhood on the old homestead and was educated in the dis- trict schools of the neighborhood. His brothers had all left home by the time he was fifteen years old, and he was therefore his father's only assistant in his extensive farming and stock raising operations. For ten years prior to his father's death our sub- ject had entire charge of the place, and since then has purchased the interests of the other heirs in the farm, consisting of two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land. He has engaged extensively
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