USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The biographical record of Livingston County, Illinois > Part 30
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the business. Selling his store, he came to Livingston county, Illinois, in 1859, and purchased eighty acres of land in Union township for eight dollars per acre. In the house he erected thereon his wife taught the first school in the township, having pre- viously engaged in teaching in her native state. lle turned his attention to the im- provement and cultivation of his land, and so successful was he in his farming opera- tions that he added to his place until he had four hundred acres, two hundred and forty acres of which is still in possession of the family. He tiled the land and converted it into one of the best farms of the county. He took a prominent and active part in public affairs, especially along educational lines, serving as a school director and member of the board for many years. He also filled the office of assessor for a number of years, and was a stanch Republican in politics. In 18- he left the farm and moved to Odell, where he lived retired until his death, in 1898. He was a faithful member of the Congregational church, to which his wife also belonged. She is still a resident of Odell. In their family were five children, namely : Alexander R .. a teacher who lives in the Illinois State Reformatory; Mrs. Margaret Honchin: William E., a real es- tate dealer of Odell: Charles H., our sub- ject : and Frank L., a harness-maker of Odell.
Our subject commenced his education in the district schools of Union township, and later attended the Odell high school. On leaving the home farm at the age of twenty- two years, he went to Odell, where he suc- cessfully conducted a livery, sale, feed and exchange stable. building up a large and profitable business and shipping in car- load lots to New York, Chicago and other
markets, He was a fine judge of horses and was thoroughly conversant with every department of the business.
While engaged in business at Odell Mr. Hoke became interested in Republican poli- tics, and was elected constable, which posi- tion he acceptably filled for twelve years. He was a delegate to most of the county and state conventions of his party, and served as deputy sheriff for Odell under Sheriff Wilson for two years; four years under T. W. Coe, and four years under E. O. Reed, the present county treasurer. He was also prominently mentioned as candidate for sheriff in 1897. and received the second highest number of votes, W. L. Talbott being the successful candidate of the seven in the field. Mr. Hoke made a thorough canvass and after the election was at once appointed chief deputy by Sheriff Talbott. Since then he has been a resident of Pontiac, and now owns a beautiful home at No. 610 East Madison street. In his present position he has had charge of a number of noted criminals, including Sam- nel Rightsel, convicted of murder at Fair- bury; and the six bank robbers who looted the Cornell Bank. He has proved a most efficient and satisfactory officer, being prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties and true to every trust reposed in him, whether public or private.
On the 22d of April. 1803. Mr. Hoke was united in marriage with Miss Minnie G. Worthley, of Harvey, linois, a daugh- ter of Daniel Worthley. a veteran of the Civil war and an early settler of this state from Ohio, who is now living retired in Pontiac. By this union has been born one child. Georgetta D. They attend and sup- port the Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Hoke is a member. Fraternally Mr. Hoke
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is an honored member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. No. 404. of Odell, of which he is past grand ; also a member of the encamp- ment : the Court of Honor at Pontiac, and one of the charter members of the Toilers' Fraternity.
ALBERT GRANT TUTTLE.
Albert Grant Tuttle. one of the most en- terprising agriculturists of Livingston coun- ly. now owns and operates the northwest quarter of section 1. Saunemin township. which he has converted into one of the best improved farms of that locality. He was born in Verona township. Oneida county, New York, June 28, 1845, and is the only child of Solomon and Emeline ( Page) Tut- tle. The father was born near Camden, New York, AAugust 15. 1815. and is a son of Zopher Tuttle, a soldier of the war of 1812, who was born in England and on first coming to this country located in Connecti- cut, where he married, but later moved to Oneida county, New York. He followed farming and reared a large family of chil- dren, one of whom, Zopher Tuttle, became a prominent pioneer of Illinois and a large land owner, who recently died in Wichita, Kansas.
The father of our subject grew to man- hood in Oneida county, New York, and in early life was a successful boat builder on the Erie canal. Ile invested his capital largely in real estate and the dairy business and made quite a fortune. He was one of the early land owners in La Salle county. Illinois, and for years was a director and large stockholder of the First National Bank, of Rome, New York. He was one of the most influential men in his commun-
nity in raising money and soldiers for the Civil war, and has always been a stanch sup- porter of the Republican party. He served as supervisor of his township for some years, and is one of its most highly esteemed citi- zens. Religiously he is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which the mother of our subject also belonged, has ever taken an active part in its work, and is one of its most liberal supporters. The mother died when our subject was only a few days oldl. She was a native of Oneida county, New York, and a daughter of Na- thaniel Page, who at one time was a prom- ment boat builder and real estate owner of that county. He was born in England, and before his removal to Oneida county lived in Herkimer, New York, for a time. When our subject was two years old his father married Sarah Bailey, by whom he had three sons.
During his boyhood Grant Tuttle at- tended the common schools of New London, New York, and remained at home until he attained his majority, when he started out to make his own way in the world, working as a driver on canal boats for six months. The following year he steered, and then ran a boat for one man two seasons, at the end of which time he bought a boat and success- fully engaged in the same business for him- self, making seven trips each season between Buffalo and New York. Ile became well acquainted with the boatmen along the canal, and, when business began to drop off and he sold his boat, he was offered a position with a commission house in Buffalo, at good wages, the firm trying hard to get him. In September, 1882, Mr. Tuttle came to Liv- ingston county, Illinois, and purchased his present farm in Saunemin township, which at that time was entirely unimproved.
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ter building a small house he was joined by his family. December 12, 1882. He has thoroughly tiled his land, which was at first swampy, has built fences, a good set of farm buildings, and a beautiful country home in 1805-one of the finest in the township. He has been quite extensively engaged in horse raising, but now devetes most of his atten- tion to general farming, in which he has met with well-merited success.
Mr. Tuttle was married, October 1, 1872. to Miss Henrietta Belcher, a native of Ve- roma. New York, and a daughter of Alex- ander Belcher, a well-known farmer and mill owner of that place. Of the seven children born to them two are deceased. Those living are Marcia, Wells, Morris, Julia and Ellis, all at home. Mthough form- erly Methodists, Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle now attend and support the Emington Congre- gational church. He is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for office. preferring to devote his undivided attention to his business in- terests. He is, however, public-spirited an.l progressive, and gives his influence toward advancing any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit.
GEORGE J. WALTER.
George J. Walter, who has success- fully engaged in the manufacture of brick and tile for the past twenty years, is numbered among the leading and most suc- cessful of the business men of Chatsworth. of which city he has been a resident since September, 1866. He was born in New York city. December 5, 1852, and is the son of John and Elizabeth ( Reille ) Walter, the
former a native of Baden, Germany, and the latter of Wurtemburg, Germany, but who came to this country in early man and wom- anhood and were married in New York city, where they lived for some years.
In his youth John Walter learned the shoemaker's trade which he followed for twenty-five years, after which he engaged in the mercantile trade, in which he con- tinned until about 1896, since which time he has lived a retired life. After leaving New York he remained for a time in Indiana, and then came with his family to Chats- worth, in 1866, and bere has since con- tinued to reside. For many years he was one of the leading business men of the city, and carried a general stock of goods. For a number of years he served on the school board of that city, and was also for sey- eral years a member of the village board of trustees. John and Elizabeth Walter were the parents of six children, two of whom died in infancy, while Elizabeth died at the age of twenty-one years. GeorgeJ. is the subject of this sketch. Louis .A . is in the lumber busi- ness in Chatsworth, while Albert F. is in the dry goods business in the same city.
George J. Walter was fourteen years old when he came to Chatsworth. His educa- tien, begun in the public schools of his native city, was continued in the public schools of Indiana, where, as stated, the family re- sided for a time. On coming to Chatsworth he entered the public schools of the place and for about three years attended the high school. The education received in the schools was a practical one, and on leaving school he entered the store of his father, and later, in company with his brother Louis, took charge of the business for about two years.
In September, 1877. Mr. Walter was
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united in marriage with Miss Lena Heil- mann, who was born in Baden. Germany, in 1857. and who came to this country with her parents when but two years of age. By this union there have been born six children, one of whom died in infancy. Edna E. is at- tending Northwestern College, Naperville. Illinois, where she is taking a commercial course, and also the music and art course. Lydia is at home attending the high school of Chatsworth. Clara, Arthur and Esther are all at home.
After his marriage, Mr. Walter embarked in the bakery business in which he remained about two years with a fair degree of suc- cess. He was then one year in the furniture business, and in 1880 sold out and broke ground for his present plant for the manu- facture of brick and tile, and at once engaged in the business. He has four kilns for burn- ing brick and tile, and has erected large buildings and sheds for drying. with a floor space of nine thousand square feet. In 1881 he put in an engine of eighty-five horse power, and also two boilers of one hundred and ten horse power. The plant has a ca- pacity for thirty thousand brick and Mr. Walter does the largest business of any firm in the county, shipping his product by rail to many points in and out of the county.
In politics Mr. Walter is a Republican, and has taken an active interest in the politi- cal affairs of his country, though never an active politician. He has been a member of the school board in Chatsworth for seven years, and has taken great interest in main- taining good schools. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Evangelical AAssociation.
In his business life Mr. Walter has been very successful. For a short time he had a partner. and for about five years his fa-
ther was associated with him in business. but for the greater part of the time he has managed it alone, and as stated does the larg- est business of any firm in the county in like business, and he has the largest plant in the county. In addition to the plant which covers two and a half acres of ground, he owns eighty acres adjoining the city on the east. As a citizen no one is willing to do more to advance the interests of his adopted city and county, and as friend he is kind and obliging, ever willing to do a good turn. As such as he is entitled to a place in the historical annals of his county.
WALTER LEGGATE.
Walter Leggate, one of the leading agri- culturists of Germanville township, whose fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres is pleasantly situated on section 14, was born in the city of New York. December 7, 1853. a son of John and Elizabeth ( Fleming ) Leg- gate. The father was born on the 25th of August, 1816. in Lanarkshire, Scotland. through which county flows the far-famed and beautiful river Clyde, and is a son of James and Margaret ( Dalgleishi) Leg- gate, who had three children: Robert, who served for twenty years in the British army. and died at his home in Scotland in 1885: John, father of our subject : and James, who came to America when a young man and is now living in New Jersey. In early life John Leggate learned the weaver's trade. and in 1837 married Elizabeth Fleming, also a native of Lanarkshire. In 1848, with their family of four children, they took passage on a sailing vessel at Glasgow. and after ten weeks spent upon the water landed in New
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York city, where the father worked at his trade three years, and in a glass factory the same length of time. Later he moved to Canada, and made his home near London, until 1857. being employed in a brickyard most of the time. Having saved a little money by close economy and untiring in- (huistry, he resolved to invest it in western land and came to Livingston county. Illi- pois, where he purchased eighty acres in Germanville township. He prospered in his new home, and at length became the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land on section 10, where he is now living a retired life enjoying the fruits of former toil. He is a man of many noble traits of character, and is highly respected and es- tcemed by all who know him. Religiously he is a faithful member of the Presbyterian church, and has always taken an active part in church and Sunday school work. In his political views he is a Republican, and filled the office of justice of the peace in his township for many years. His wife died in Viay. 1893, at about the age of seventy- eight years, and was laid to rest in German- ville cemetery. She, too, was a devout member of the Presbyterian church and a most es. timable lady.
To this worthy couple were born nine children, of whom four are now living : James, a brick manufacturer of Chicago. who first married Matilda Linn, and second Anna Smith, of Chicago: John, an engineer of Chicago, who married Nancy Mckay: Walter, our subject: and Sarah, wife of Owen McMahon, who operates his father- in-law's farm in Germanville township. Of those deceased Marion died when a small child in Scotland: Margaret married John Beckman of Germanville township, and died in: lowa, where her husband is now engaged
in farming: Robert served three years in Company E. Eighty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and died in Iowa, leaving a wife and two children : George, born in Scotland, married Dora Lutson, of Germanville town- ship, where he followed farming for some time, but about fourteen years ago moved to lowa, where he died in March, 1898, leav- ing a widow and four children ; and Archie died in Germanville, at the age of four years.
Walter Leggate was only a year old when the family moved to Canada, and came with them to Illinois, in the spring of 1857. At the age of nine years he entered the pub- lic schools of Germanville township, where he was educated. He continued to assist in the operation of the home farm until four teen yearge ago, when he located upon his present place, and has since devoted his en- ergies to its further improvement and culti- vation. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, and he has been called upon to serve his fellow citizens as town- ship collector several terms and also as con- stable. He is widely and favorably known in: his adopted county, and those who know him best are numbered among his warmest friends.
On the 25th of December. 1876. in Ger- manville township. Mr. Leggate was united in marriage with Miss Ruth Ellen Mahood. a daughter of Alexander and Mary ( Sum- ney) Mahood. The father, who was a prominent and prosperous farmer of that township, died in 1874, and was buried there, but the mother is still living at the age of seventy-one years, and makes her home with our subject. Mr. Leggate has been called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who died June 1, 1897. leaving four chil- dren, namely : John Alexander, born March
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30. 1878: Laura. August 26, 1880: Walter F .. July 12, 1884; and Eva May, January 26. 1889. All were born in Livingston county, and the family is one of prominence in the community where they reside.
HON. CHARLES M. BARICKMAN.
llon. Charles M. Barickman, judge of the county and probate courts of Livingston county, is a native of the county, and was born in Newtown township, December 28. 1862. His father, Benjamin Barickman, is one of the oldest living settlers of the county. having located hore in 1832, when a lad of eight years. ( See sketch on another page of this work. )
On the home farm Charles MI. grew to manhood, and in the common schools of the neighborhood he received his primary colucation, while during his vacations he as- sisted in the operation of the farm. With the desire to obtain a more liberal education than that afforded by the public schools, he entered the Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois, from which institu- tion he was graduated with the class of 1887.
Leaving the university for the next two years. Mr. Barickman was engaged in teach- ing, first at Ancona and later at Cornell, spending one year in each place. During that time, in his leisure hours and during his vacations, he read law and made such prog- ress in his studies that in 1889 he was ad- mitted to practice in all the courts of the state by the supreme court in session at Alt. Vernon, Illinois.
On his admission to the bar, Mr. Barick- man located in Pontiac and at once entered
upon the practice of his profession. Ile very soon took rank with the leading prac- titioners of the place, and became well known throughout the county. His ability as an attorney was recognized, and in 1894 he was nominated for the office of county judge, and at the election in November of that year he was elected by a majority of about eight hundred over his Democratic opponent. So well did he transact the business of the office that in 1898 he was re- nominated and elected by a largely increased majority, receiving the largest number of votes of any candidate upon the ticket. his majority being twelve hundred and twenty- six votes. He is now serving his second term, and to say that his management of the office is satisfactory to the people goes with- out question.
On the 16th of April, 1890. Judge Ba- rickman was united in marriage with Miss Rena M. Ten Eick and daughter of Matthew and Mary ( Means) Ten Eick, of Blooming- ton, Illinois. The judge and his wife attend and support the Methodist Episcopal church. « f Pontiac, and socially they are hekl in the highest esteem. They occupy a fine resi- dence on Maplewood avenue, erected by the Judge, and their home is ever open to their many friends.
Judge Barickman was born during the time of the civil war, and grew up a loyal citizen and an ardent Republican. Ilis first presidential vote was cast for James G. Blaine in 1884, and since that time he has ever taken an active interest in politics, and his influence has been felt in the councils of his party and in the county of which he has been a life-long resident. Fraternally he is a member of Pontiac Lodge, No. 204, A. F. & N. M .; and of Crescent Lodge, No. 118. K. P. In the latter lodge he has held
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all the chairs, and has been a representative
to the Grand Lodge of the state. He is also a member of the Uniformed Rank, K. P., and has served as captain two terms, As a citizen he is alive to all that has a tend- ency to make the city of his adoption and the county of his birth take rank with the best in our fair state.
LEONARD LARGE.
Leonard Large, deceased, was for many years identified with the agricultural inter- ests of Pleasant Ridge township, Livingston county, Illinois, and was numbered among its highly respected citizens. He was born May 3, 1818, in Farrington, five miles from Lynn, England, and there grew to manhood on a farm, his father being employed as a farmer on an estate there. In 1853 he mar- ried Miss Sarah F. Mitchell, who was born near the same place, May 4, 1829. Iler father was Freeman Mitchell, a native of Wispich, England, and a blacksmith by trade, who died when she was eight years old, leaving a widow and four children.
For one year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Large made their home in Rose- berry, Topham, Yorkshire, England, and then came to the United States, settling first in Stony Rocks, New York, not far from Auburn, where they spent four years. At the end of that time they came to illinois and bought a small tract of ten acres of land five miles from Eureka, on which a log house was built. As his financial resources in- creased Mr. Large added to his property little by little until he had forty acres, which lie subsequently sold for eleven hundred dollars. In 1870 he came to Pleasant Ridge
township, Livingston county, and purchased eighty acres of land on which the family still reside. At that time not a fence had been built or an improvement made, but he erected a good house and barn, planted fruit and shade trees, tiled the land and placed it under a high state of cultivation, so that it is now a valuable farm.
Mr. Large died September 11. 1880, honored and respected by all who knew him. Both he and his estimable wife held mem- bership in the Episcopal church. In their family were the following children: Will- iam; Sarah A., deceased; Leonard, Isaac, Thomas, Mrs. Rebecca Minear, Mrs. Martha Bruner and John, all living near Lexington, Nebraska; Rachel and Robert, both at home.
MILES DESIRE.
Miles Desire, a farmer and stock raiser. residing on section 28, Chatsworth township. while not numbered among the early settler, is a well known citizen of the county, which has been his home since 1876. He is a na- tive of France, born March 1, 1853, and is a son of Casimer W. and Mary ( Savorvin ) Meillian, both of whom were also natives of France, where their entire lives were spent. and where they died about 1896. They were the parents of eight children, of whom one died in infancy. The living are Desire, the subject of this sketch; Marrius, Dennis, Ferdinand, Julius, Mary and Susan. Of the children none came to this country but our subject and Dennis. The latter is living in Colorado, where he is engaged in mining.
The subject of this sketch grew to man- hood and was educated in the public schools of his native land. He was reared to farm
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life and assisted his father on the home farm until 1873, when he came to the United States, with a view of bettering his condition in life. On his arrirval he took up his resi- dence in Marshall county, Illinois, where worked as a farm hand for three years. He then came to Livingston county, rented land in Germanville township, and commenced farming for himself. Two years later. Sep- tember 21. 1878. he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Bevins, who was born in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1860. After his marriage he continued to farm rented land in Germanville township until 1881. when he moved to Chatsworth township, where he also rented and continued to farm until 1889. when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 30, a partly improved farm. To that farm he moved and put it under an excellent state of cultivation,tiling and other- wise improving the place. He remained on that farm for six years and then purchased three hundred and sixty acres of swamp and timber land on section 28. This land was entirly umimproved, having neither building or fence on the place. He has since cleared about two hundred acres of timber. drained the swamp, and now has a good farm. The first year he raised ninety bushels of sod corn to the acre.
Mr. and Mrs. Desire are the parents of three children : Mary Ann, who is engaged in dressmaking in Chatsworth; and Lizzie and Joseph, at home. Mrs. Desire was one of a family of four daughters and one son, as follows: Annie, wife of Carl Drake, liv- ing in Chicago; Martha E., wife of our sub- ject; Sarah E., wife of George Pyles, now living in Missouri: Mary A., wife of M. Krebb, of Chicago: and Caleb E., living in Whiting, Indiana.
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