USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The biographical record of Livingston County, Illinois > Part 26
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in feeding cattle and raising Hambletonian horses, and was actively engaged in agricult- ural pursuits up to within the last two years. when he leased his land, though he still re- sides thereon.
At the home of his father. April 22, 1886, Mr. Potter wedded Miss Mary Glover, a popular and successful teacher, who taught school in this and Grundy counties for ten years prior to her marriage. Her parents were Samuel L. and Martha J. ( Dunn) Glover, also early settlers of this county, their home being in Broughton township. ller father was a native of New York. her mother of Pennsylvania, where their mar- riage was celebrated. They are now resi- dents of Nebraska, and both here and in that state. Mr. Glover has taken an active part in public affairs, serving as supervisor and school trustee. He is a Republican in politics, and in early life was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was active in organizing the Grange. In his family were the following children : Deett, wife of Warren McRae, a farmer of Custer county, Nebraska: Mary, wife of our subject : Grace, wife of E. V. Sparks. a ranchman and teacher of Trapahoe county, Colorado; Henry B., who is at home with his parents in Custer county, Nebraska; Percy D., who married Augusta Lower, of Broughton township, this county, and is now living in Custer county, Nebraska ; and Sidney L., a carpenter, who is living with our subject.
Mr. Potter has always taken an active part in political affairs and is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. The first office he was called upon to fill was that of township collector, in which capacity he served his fellow citizens from 1887 to 1894, inclusive. He was also elected supervisor of his town-
ship in 1887 and held that office for eight consecutive years, at the end of which time he declined a re-nomination. For several years there had been no opposing candidate. and when there was he was always elected by a large majority. He served on the equali- zation committee his entire term : was chair- man of the judiciary committee two years, and was also a member of the committees on education, fees and salaries, auditing. jail and jail acounts. During his admin- istration the new county house was erected. For sixteen years he has served as school director in district No. 5. In 1892 he re- ceived the Democratic nomination for the legislature, and, notwithstanding the large Republican majority in other portions of the district, he received a vote sufficient to make his campaign a worthy one as an index to his popularity and ability. In all the rela- tions of life he has been found true to every trust reposed in him, and commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact, either in public or private life. Socially he is a charter member of Campus Camp. No. 2619. Modern Woodmen of America.
ALBERT J. SNEYD.
Albert J. Sneyd, one of Chatsworth's representative business men and most pro- gressive citizens, was born in Lockport, Illi- nois, July 19, 1867. a son of Joseph and Mary ( Kobliska ) Sneyd. natives of Austria. who came to America with their respective parents when about fourteen years of age. The families settled near Lockport, Illinois. where the grandparents of our subject died soon afterward. There the father worked as a farm hand for eleven years, and after luis marriage moved to Ashkum, Illinois.
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where he purchased and improved a half- section of land. He was successfully en- gaged in general farming and stock raising until his death, which occurred in 1890. His wife died at the home of our subject in Chatsworth in 1896. Both were members of the Catholic church and he was a Democrat, but never took any active part in politics as'de from voting.
Albert J. Sneyd grew to manhood on the home farm, aiding his father in its opera- tion and attended the public schools of .Ash- kum. On leaving the farm in 1893 he came to Chatsworth, where, in partnership with Charles Burns, he embarked in the hardware business. purchasing the stock of E. A. Jack- si n. Under the firm name of Sneyd & Burns they successfully carried on business for six years, during which time they enlarged their stock, as well as increased the volume of trade. In the spring of 1899 Mr. Sneyd sold his interest to Mr. Burns, who still continues the business, and for a year lived retired, but in the spring of 1900 he pur- chased a lot, upon which he erected a com- modious warehouse and stocked it with a full line of buggies, wagons, planters, and in fact all kinds of heavy and light farm ma- chinery and implements. He has made a decided success for the first season's venture in the new enterprise. for. being among the well-known and reliable business men of the town. he has secured a liberal share of the public patronage. He not only owns his present place of business, but has a half interest in the building where he was for- merly engaged in the hardware trade, his home property in Chatsworth and a fine farm of one hundred and ten acres on sec- tions 16 and 17. AAshkum township, Iro- quois county, which was part of the okl homestead.
On the 23d of May. 1894. Mr. Sneyd was united in marriage with Miss Annie E. Phillips, who was born in Chebanse, Illinois, October 1. 1869, a daughter of Thomas and Kate ( MeGlone ) Phillips. Her father is now deceased, but her mother is still living and resides on the oldl home farm near Ash- kum. To Mr. and Mrs. Sneyd have been born two children: Francis and Leo Al- bert. bright chiklren, who are the joy of the home. The parents are both members of the Catholic church and Mr. Sneyd is also a member of the Modern Woodmen Camp. No. 1829. of Chatsworth. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. Ile is widely and favorably known and in social as well as business circles stands deservedly high.
WILLIAM D. McMILLAN.
William D. McMillan, the well-known Forrest, Illinois, and a member of the vil- lage board of trustees, is a native of Liv- ingston county, born in Rooks Creek town- ship October 5. 1846, and is a son of Will- iam and grandson of Andrew McMillan. The father was born in Jonesville. Lee coun- ty. Virginia, September 27. 1802, and there grew to manhood upon h's father's farm. He came to Livingston county, Ilinois, as early as 1834, and located in Rooks Creek township, when the Indians were still liv- ing in this region. Here he took up a large tract of government land. abont four hun- dred acres, which he improved. retaining most of it until his death. He became one of the most prominent and influential citi- zens of his community, in politics was first a Whig and later a Democrat, and held the office of justice of the peace from the earliest
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recollection of our subject. In 1838 he mar- ried Eliza Breckenridge, a daughter of Rob- ert Breckenridge, who was also one of the pioneers and land hoklers of Rooks Creek township. having come here from near Sar- dinia. Brown county, Ohio, about the same time as Mr. McMillan. By this marriage were born four children, three of whom are still living, one of these being our sub- ject. The mother, who was a member of the Methodist church, died in 1849. and the father subsequently married her sister. Mrs. Anna Anderson. He died in June, 1864. honored and respected by all who knew him.
The early education of William D. Mc- Millan was acquired in the common schools of Rooks Creek township, and he remained at home until his father's death. Desiring a better education he sold forty acres of the home farm, and after giving his mother her dowry used the remainder in paying his expenses at Eureka College. Having thus secured a good practical education he returned home and engaged in farming until 1870, when he went to Pontiac. The fol- lowing year he commenced learning photog. raphy and devoted his attention to that art until 1874, when he entered the service of the United States Express Company at Pon- tiac. A year later he was transferred to Springfield, and in 1880 was made express messenger on the Forrest and Streator train of the Wabash Railroad. On the ist of June, 1893. he was appointed agent at For- rest, where the company does a large busi- ness, as the town has two lines of railroad. The position is therefore one of much re- sponsibility, and he discharges his duties in a most creditable and satisfactory man- ner.
On the 8th of April, 1876, Mr. McMillan married Miss Laura Harper, of Livings-
ton county, who was born in Waynestown, Indiana, a daughter of John Harper, an old resident here, who settled in this county when Mrs. McMillan was only six years old. By this union have been born five children : Ira Douglas (deceased). Frederick W .. Artie Ray ( deceased), Leslie C. and Edna E. The parents are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. MeMillan is now serving as steward. He cast his first vote for the Democratic party, but since then has been a stanch Republican, though he has taken no active part in politi- cal affairs. While a resident of Rooks Creek township he filled the office of col- lector, and without his knowledge he was nominated as a member of the city council on the no-license board in 1899 and elected by a good majority, though he made 10 ef- fort to secure the office. During his teri the board has done considerable toward street improvements, which have greatly pleased the people of the town. Fraternally Mr. McMillan is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
JOHN ELLINGER.
John Ellinger, a prominent farmer of section 35. Pontiac township, Livingston county, comes from the fatherland, and the strongest and mostereditable character - istics of the eutonic race have been marked ciements in his life and have enabled him to win success in the face of opposing cir- cunstances. He possesses the energy and determination which mark the people of Ger- many, and by the exercise of his powers has steadily progressed, and has not only won a handsome competence but has com-
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manded universal respect by his straight- forward business methods.
Mr. Ellinger was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, October 16, 1849. a son of George and Carrie D. ( Keibler) Ellinger, life-long residents of that place and active members of the Lutheran church. The father was a farmer and land owner and was one of the highly respected men of his community. He died in 1893. the mother about eight years before.
Our subject obtained a good practical ed- ucation in the public schools of his native land, and at the age of fifteen went into the village of Oppenweiler, which was near las father's home, devoting a year and nine months to learning the baker's trade. Not liking the business, he decided to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic, and celebrated the seventeenth anniversary of his birth on board a vessel bound for America. His ticket took him to Washington, Illinois, where he borrowed three dollars with which to proceed to Peoria, from a fellow passen- ger. his own means being exhausted by this time. He secured work on a farm near that city, where he remained for some time, and with his employer went to Peoria, work- ing for him two years, but his wages were never paid for the last six months. Secur- ing an old horse he again started for the country and after spending a few weeks in El Paso, he hired out to a farmer north- west of that place for one year. Later, being refused the privilege of attending church, he entered the employ of a neighbor. for whom he worked until fall. He was employed in that neighborhood for five years during which time he managed to save enough money to start in life for him- self, renting eighty acres of land in Ford county for two years.
In the meantime Mr. Ellinger was mar- rried. July 27. 1870, to Miss Sophia Muel- ler, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daugh- ter of George Mueller, who with his family moved from that state to Indiana and later to Illinois. To our subject and wife have been born twelve children, namely: Carrie, now the wife of John Schaffer of Eppards Point township. Livingston county ; Lizzie. wife of William Schaffer, of the same town- ship: George, who married Maggie Young. and also lives in Eppards Point township: John, who married Alta Porter and resides in Pontiac: Emma, wife of Edward Greid- ner of that city: Katie. William, Christian, Arthur, Albert, Frank and Robert. all at home.
In 1872 Mr. Ellinger came to Living- ston county and successfully engaged in farming upon rented land in Saunemin township two years, at the end of which time he purchased eighty acres of land in that township, but hard times coming on, he lost it, and again rented a number of years, one year being spent in Sullivan township. and ten on one farm in Owego township. Subsequently he bought eighty acres in Char- lotte township, which he soon sold to ad- vantage, and then came to Pontiac town- ship, where he rented a half-section of land one year. It being sold at that time he had to move, and in 1893 he purchased his pres- ent fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, one and a half miles from Pontiac. for which he paid ninety-two dollars and a half per acre. It is one of the finest and most productive farms in the county, and is well improved with good buildings. In connection with general farming, Mr. Ell- inger gives considerable attention to the raising of cattle and hogs. While a resi- dent of Owego township he bought a half-
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section of land in Minnesota, for which he paid cash, and which he hekl until 1899.
In 1899 Mr. Ellinger returned to his old home in Germany to visit his father. Since the age of nineteen years he has been a mem- ber of the Evangelical church, and he and his family are now connected with the church at Eppards Point. He is a Republican in politics but has never been an aspirant for office, though he served as school director three years.
CHARLES T. BURNS.
Charles T. Burns, who is engaged in the hardware business in Chatsworth, Livingston county, has been one of the leading business men of the city since 1893. He commenced business as a junior member of the firm of Sneyd & Burns, No- vember 29, 1893, and that relation was con- tinned until 1899, when his brother, Thom- as, purchased the interest of Mr. Sneyd, and the business has since been conducted under the firm name of Burns Brothers.
Charles T. Burns was born in Chicago, Illinois, June 11, 1863, and is the son of Thomas and Eliza ( Gallagher) Burns, both of whom were born in Ireland, and both coming to this country in childhood, the former locating in Boston, Massachusetts, and the latter in Chicago, Illinois. In his youth Thomas Burns learned the ship car- penter's trade, which he followed for some years, and until coming west and locating in Chicago, where his marriage with Miss Gallagher was celebrated. He is now en- gaged in farming in Iroquois county, Illi- nois, which has been his home for some years, and where he owns a farm of two hundred acres of well improved land. In
his family were nine children: Charles T., the subject of this sketch: James, living on a farm in Iroquois county: Anna, living at home: Mary, who resides in Chicago; Thomas, now in partnership with our sub- ject : Kate, wife of O. Ergang, who is in the postal service in Chicago, which is their home: Walter, in a grain office in Ashkum, Illinois ; Terrence and William, at home with their father. The mother of these children died in 1886. She was a devout member of the Catholic church, in which faith she died.
The subject of this sketch grew to mant- hood on the farm in Iroquois county, and in its public schools received his education, which was supplemented by one term in the commercial department of the Northern In- diana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indi- ana. He remained at home until he came to Chatsworth in 1893 and embarked in his present business. Success has crowned his efforts, and in addition to his stock of hard- ware, paints, oils, etc., he owns residence property in the city and an interest in the store building occupied by himself and brother. The firm carry a fine stock of goods and have an excellent trade, which extends many miles into the surrounding country.
In politics Mr. Burns is a Democrat in national affairs, but in local matters he votes for the best man for the office regardless of party ties. By his fellow citizens he has been honored with local office, having served as alderman for five successive years. . As a member of the board he has shown himself a progressive citizen, advocating every meas- ure proposed that seemed beneficial to the best interests of the place. He was interested in the putting in of brick walks, the building of the bell tower, the improvement of the water works, and the erection of the new brick city hall. He is chairman of the fire
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and water committees and a member of the finance committee and other committees. He is also a member of the volunteer fire com- pany.
Fraternally Mr. Burns is a member of Camp No. 1829, Modern Woodmen of America, and religiously he is a member of the Catholic church. . As a citizen he is en- terprising and loyal to his adopted city and county.
CAPTAIN HENRY FOX.
Captain Henry Fox, a gallant ani fear- less officer of the civil war, and now a prom- inent citizen of Dwight, Illinois, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, October 4, 1833- He was educated in a college near Stutt- gart, taking a literary course, and on leav- ing school entered a general mercantile establishment, where he served a three- years' apprenticeship and was then granted a diploma. He remained with that firm two years longer and then entered the em- ploy of a commission house, where he con- tinued to work until his emigration to the United States in 1854, landing in New York city on the day he attained his ma- jority.
Business being dull there, Mr. Fox pro- ceeded to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he clerked in a wholesale dry-goods house for two years, and while there served as second lieutenant in the Wisconsin Militia. His company was sent to Madison on the in- stallation of a new governor, in January, 1856. they having much the same trouble as has recently been experienced in Ken- tucky. The incumbent of the office denied the validity of the claimant and who had the certificate of the canvassing board and
refused to give up the office. This was the Bashford and Barstow contest which ere- ated great excitement throughout the coun- try at the time. In September. 1856, Mr. Fox went to St. Louis, where he engaged in clerking for a short time, and then re- moved to Mt. Pulaski, Logan county, Illi- nois, where he was employed in the general store of John Mayer, who was engaged in business there for many years, and was one of the first settlers of Logan county. While there Mr. Fox married his employer's daughter, Miss Magdalene Mayer, Septem- ber 10. 1857. After his marriage he was engaged in business for himself at Mt. l'u- laski a short time, but in the spring of 1861 removed to Lincoln, Illinois, where he was living at the outbreak of the civil war.
In August, 1862, Mr. Fox enlisted as sergeant in Company 11, One Hnudred and Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at Lincoln, being ordered to Jackson, Tennessee, in September. In refer- ence to his service we quote the following from the Chicago Inter-Ocean: ". Sol- dier's Brave Deed. In the later part of December, 1862, when a small detachment of soldiers was scattered along the line of the railroad from Columbus, Kentucky, to Holly Springs, Mississippi, guarding the bridges and trestle work, the following in- cident took place, which for cool courage excelled anything that came to my attention during my three years' service. After the capture of Holly Springs, Mississippi, Gea- eral Forrest's cavalry made a raid north- ward upon this line of railroad and captured every station between Jackson, Tennessee, and Columbus, Kentucky, exceut a small detachment of about seventy-five men who were guarding the bridge and the long tres- tie work across the Obion river about ten
HENRY FOX.
THE
YORK
_ BR
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miles north of Jackson. This detachment was composed of parts of Companies IF and I, One Hundred and Sixth Ilinois Infantry, and commanded by Captain P. W. Harts, now of Springfield, Illinois, and Captain John Shockey, now of Pappinsville, Mis- souri. Atter the attack on Jackson and the capture of Colonel Ingersoll and a part of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, a detachment of some five hundred of Forrest's cavalry. with two pieces of artillery, was sent by General Forrest against this handful of men guarding the Obion bridge. The Federal guard had hastily made rude breastworks directly under the bridge, determined to make the best possible defense. Promptly at 1 o'clock on December 23, before the breastworks were completed, this station north of the river were surrounded by these five hundred rebel cavalry, who, after mak- ing a great display on horseback, riding round m a circle three or four times, thus making believe that the whole of Forrest's cavalry was present, dismounted and made a desperate effort to capture the guard and destroy the bridge and trestle-works in order to break the railroad communication with Jackson, Tennessee. Here the unequal bat- tle raged until the middle of the afternoon, the shrieking shells and the swishing bul- lets crashed through the heavy bridge tim- bers with which the breastworks were made. Capture seemed inevitable. Reinforcements could only be hoped for from Jackson. It was decided that some one should venture to leave the fort, climb the open trestle some fifteen feet high and run over this, about one hundred and twenty rods, then through the timber toward Jackson, to secure rein- forcements. This task was solicited by Sergeant Henry Fox, of Company II. Hand over band he gained the top of the bridge, 14
and then with a regular double-quick step, he ran from tie to tie across this dreadful line, the enemy from both sides of the road shooting at him, but while his clothes bore ample evidence of the danger he had run, he was untouched. Fortunately, the fire from the breastworks was too dangerous to permit the enemy to bring their artillery through the woods within close range of the fort and from the distance the heavy tim- ber obstructed the effectiveness of the shot and shell. The station was not cap- tured. the bridge was saved, reinforcements arrived after dark, and after the enemy had withdrawn and left their dead in the farm- house on the hill. Sergeant Fox. after call- ing for reinforcements, returned alone, mak- ing the run of nine miles in one hour and forty minutes." This article was written and signed by David Harts, captain of Company (, One Hundred and Sixth Ilinois Volum- teer Infantry. For this gallant service our subject received a medal from congress with the following inscription: "The congress of the United States to Serg't Henry Fox, Company 11. One Hundred and Sixth Illi- nois Infantry, for gallantry near Jackson, Tennessee. December 23. 1862." In Janu- ary. 1863. he was detailed as recorder of mihtary commission at Memphis, and in May was appointed by General Hurlbut as captain of the Fifty-ninth Regiment United States Colored Troops, being mustered in as such June 1, 1863. He participated in the battles of Parker's Cross Road. Gun- town and Tupolo, and went on to the ex- pedition of Oxford. In April, 1865. he was detailed as acting assistant inspector gen- eral of post and defenses at Memphis, Ten- nessee, and was on the staff of Brevet Major- General A. L. Chetlain. In July. 1865, he was detailed on the staff of Major-General
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John E. Smith, United States Army, in the same capacity, for the district of Tennessee, and was finally mustered out on the last day of January, 1866.
Returning to his home in Lincoln. Illi- nois, Captain Fox worked in the lumber office of Buffham & Company for a year and a half. then for Elliott & Company in the same business until New Year's Day, 1869. By his doctor's advice, he then removed to a farm in Logan county, which he had pur- chased about a year previous, but as his health did not improve, in May. 1874. he moved to Dwight. Illinois, where he has since had charge of William Ccully's lands, consisting of several thousand acres, which he has managed in a most creditable and satisfactory manner.
To the Captain and his wife were born eight children, namely: Frederick \\'., who died in February, 1897, at the age of forty years, leaving a widow and two chil- dren: Henry, who has charge of a large tract of land for Mr. Scully in Nelson, Ne- braska: Anna E., wife of Benjamin Show- walter, of Davenport, Nebraska; Lydia L., who is teaching in the public schools of Dwight: Louis E., a resident of Kansas City. Missouri; Susan M., who is an artist of superior ability and is now giving paint- ing lessons in Dwight and neighboring cities: Pauline E., bookkeeper and cashier for Miller Brothers, at Dwight; and Daniel S. Fox, who was born in Dwight, Illinois, Jannary 27. 1876, and was educated in the city and high school. He was then with his father until the time of his enlistment, April 26. 1808, in Company .A. Third Illi- nois Cavalry, for a term of two years. The regiment was organized at Springtiekl. Ili- nois, from which place it was sent to Chick- amanga, where, on the 6th of July, 1898, he
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