USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The biographical record of Livingston County, Illinois > Part 37
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WILLIAM ROBERT MORRIS.
William Robert Morris, a progressive member of the agricultural class of Living- ston county, is one of the most successful young farmers of Amity township. Ilis
William R. Morris, more familiar known as Robert Morris, comes from an old and honored Virginia family, and his grand- father, Henry Morris, possessed that spirit which has filled the hearts of all of the sturdy brave pioneers who laid the foundations of future civilization and prosperity. Heury Morris first removed from the Old Dominion to the wilderness of Ohio, subsequently to- cated in Indiana and as early as 1837, when this country was new and sparsely settled. came to Livingston county. Choosing a tract of land in Amity township, he spent the remainder of his life here, his death oc- curring in 1841. His homestead, which he had partially cleared and prepared for culti- vation, is the identical one now in the pos- session of our subject.
C. F. Morris, father of William Robert Morris, was born in Tippecanoe county, lui diana. December 12. 1828, and from his tenth year until his death, February 10. 1900, he dwelt in Amity township one of her most esteemed citizens. His death - felt to be a public loss in this community. where so long and faithfully he used his in- fluence for its permanent welfare. In early manhood he wedded Susanna, daughter of Joseph Springer, who was an early settler in this locality, also. The young couple com- meneed keeping house in this township, and in the course of time came to live on the old Morris homestead, in section 17. having bought the interests of the other heirs. Un der his management the place was wonder fully improved, and a well-built house and
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barns added much to the value and desir- ability of the farm. Mr. Morris was en- gaged in the actual work of the farm until about fifteen years ago, and in 1892 he re- moved to Cornell, where he had purchased a pleasant residence. His long and useful life closed in peacefulness, and, surrounded by his loving relatives and numerous sincere friends he breathed his last and passed to his reward. His mortal remains were tenderly laid away in the old Morris cemetery, on the homestead, with which the name has been associated for more than three-score years. His first wife, the mother of our subject. died in 1874, and he afterward married again. Joseph C., his eldest son is a resi- dent of Kansas City, and Geneva, the only daughter, is the wife of William Gregory, a farmer of this township.
The birth of William Robert Morris oc- curred on the old homestead. May 20, 1868. and here his boyhood days were passed in the usual quiet pursuits of country lads. After completing the curriculum of the com- mon schools, he further qualified himself for life's duties by attending college at Dixon. Illinois, where he was a student for two years. He then returned home and assidu- ously devoted himself to the cultivation of the farm. deciding to make agriculture his chief business in the future. Since 1890 he has had entire charge of the old farm. and now manages about four hundred acres of well cultivated and highly desirable land. He is practical and in sympathy with the progressive spirit of the age, and it is safe to predict for him wealth and prominence, though these things are not his chief aspira- tions.
On the 27th of May. 1887. Mr. Morra married Ella G. Blake, daughter of Daniel Blake, of Cornell, her native place. Seven
children bless the union of this sterling couple. namely: Fred. Lena. Robert B .. Gertrude. Chester Warner, Daniel B. and Mary Geneva.
In his political faith Mr. Morris is a Democrat. For himself he has never as- pired to public office, as he finds his time fully occupied in attending to his manifold business affairs. Yielding to duty and the desires of his neighbors, he has officiated as district clerk and on the board of education, giving his influence to all measures calci- lated to benefit the community permanently in his opinion.
HENRY J. SANTELMAN.
Henry J. Santelman, one of the leading agriculturists of Newton township, whose home is on section 14. has been a resident of Livingston county since 1884. He is a na- tive of Illinois, born in La Salle county, De- cember 21. 1862, and is a son of Henry and Sophia ( Freeman ) Santelman, natives of Germany, who came to this country in early life and were married in La Salle county. By trade the father was a glazier. but here lie devoted his attention to farming, and although he had no capital with which to be- gin life, he worked hard and at the time of his death, which occurred March 12, 1898, he owned two hundred and forty acres of valuable land, acquired through his own well-directed efforts. He was seventy-three years of age at the time of his death. In politics he was always a Republican, and both he and his wife were members of the German Evangelical church. She is still living at the age of sixty years, and makes her home in Sunbury township, Livingston county. In their family were nine chil-
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dren, namely: Charles, who owns and op- erates a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Sunbury township; Amelia, wife of Will- iam Russow, who has a farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Newtown township; Henry J., our subject : Mary, wife of Chris- tian Cates, of La Salle county; Frederick, a resident of Sunbury township : William, who lives on the home place in La Salle county ; Edward, who works for his brother Charles; Albert, who is with his mother : and Joseph, who is with his brother Charles.
The subject of this review received his education in the common schools of La Salle county, and remained at home until attaining his majority. On January 1, 1885. he married Miss Sophia Beckman, who was born in Germany, December 3. 1863. and when seventeen years of age came to Amer- ica with her mother and the other children of the family. the father having died pre- viously. She has one brother. John, who owns and operates a farm in Rock county. Minnesota, and a sister, Mary, wife of Charles Santelman. The mother is still liv- ing with her children at the age of seventy- three years. Mr. and Mrs. Santelman have six children : Hilda, born September 27. 1885; Ella. September 17, 1880; Walter, December 7, 1891: Laura. September 7. 1894; Fred, January 23, 1897; and Roy. February 12, 1900.
On starting out in life for himself Mr. Santelman's father gave him five hundred dollars, a team and some farming imple- ments. For nine years he successfully en- gaged in farming in Sunbury township, and ou selling his property there bought his present farm of one hundred and ninety acres in Newtown township, for which he paid fifty-eight dollars per acre. This he has tiled and further improved, and as a
thorough and practical farmer he is meeting with well-deserved success. He possesses many of the admirable characteristics of his German ancestors, being industrious, ener- getie and persevering, and is highly re- spected by all who know him. As a Repub- lican he takes quite an active interest in po- litical affairs, but has never cared for office. though he is serving as school director in his district. Religiously he is a member of the Evangelical church. as is also his wife.
11AMMOND A. PEARSON.
Hammond A. Pearson. a prominent farmer of Nebraska township, and a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Livingston county, was born here. October 5. 1857, a son of Abel and Mary A. ( Bloodworth ) Pearson, both na- tives of England, the former born at lydd. St. Mary's, Lincolnshire. August 24, 1820, the latter at Tidd. St. Giles, January 15. 1823. It was in 1849 that the father crossed the broad Atlantic, and after spending one season in Rochester, New York, came to Illinois, settling at Walnut Grove, now Eu- reka, Woodford county. In May, 1850. he located on the west half of the northeast quarter of section 21. Nebraska township. Livingston county, for which he paid seventy-five cents per acre, and the grant for which he received from President Buchanan, April 15, 1857. On the 12th of February, 1870. he bought the east half of the north- west quarter from Joseph 1. Stitt, at thirty- five dollars per acre, and the west half of the northwest quarter from Thomas Ward. Jan- mary 24. 1876. There he successfully en- gaged in farming until 1880, when he moved
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to Flanagan and laid aside all business cares, living retired until his death, which occurred December 31, 1893.
On the 20th of October, 1851, AAbel Pear- son married Mary A. Bloodworth, the cere- mony being performed by William Martin, justice of the peace, at, Metamora, Illinois. She came to this country in that year, and died April 9, 1896. In their family were the following children: Susan A., born Sep- tember 18, 1852, was married December 24, 1872, to Thomas Bennett, of Nebraska town- ship, Livingston county; Abraham W., born January 1, 1854. died the following Octo- ber: Mahala, born March 4, 1855, was mar- ried February 16, 1875. to F. H. Martin, a native of Livingston county, but now of Gokifield, Iowa; Matilda J., born May 3. 1856, was married September 16, 1885, to George Woodworth, of Nebraska township; Hammond .A., our subject, is next in order of birth ; Clark, born November 7, 1859, died September 20, 1880; and Abel, born May 3. 1861, died October 6, 1862.
During his boyhood and youth Ham- mond JA. Pearson attended the district schools, and on the home farm acquired an excellent knowledge of all the duties which fall to the lot of the, agriculturist. Since starting out in life for himself he has devoted his time and energies to farming, and has met with good success in his chosen occu- pation. He was married, January 18, 1883, to Miss Fannie Wadsworth, a daughter of William Wadsworth, of El Paso, Woodford county, who was residing in McLean county at the time of their marriage. They have two children: Ernest B., born May 6, 1886; and Myrta Maud Lucile, born August 10, 1892.
Mr. Pearsn is president of the Nebraska Mutual Insurance Company, and has effi-
ciently served as school director in his dis- trict for ten years. He and his family are all members of the Christian church, and are held in high regard by all who know them.
ELIJAH DEFENBAUGH.
Elijah Defenbaugh, deceased, was for many years a well-known and honored citi- zens of Reading township, Livingston coun- ty, Illinois. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, March 9. 1828, a son of Daniel and Nancy ( Armstrong ) Defenbaugh, natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania, the latter be- ing of Scotch-Irish descent. The Defen- baugh family is of Holland extraction, and was founded in the United States at a very early day. Our subject's grandfather. George Defenbaugh, moved from Pennsyl- vania to Ohio, when the latter state was al- most an unbroken wilderness, and in the midst of the forest he made for himself a home. There the father, Daniel Defenbaugh, spent his entire life as a millwright. He ched and was buried in Ross county. In his family were ten children, namely : James, George, Elijah, Thomas and Caroline, all now deceased: Isaac, Allen, Martin, Mar- garet, and Angeline, now living.
In the county of his nativity, Elijah Def- enbaugh grew to manhood, receiving a com- mon-school education, and in early life work- ing as a farm laborer for eight or ten dollars per month. On October 5. 1851, he married his cousin, Miss Catherine Defenbaugh, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Good- man) Defenbaugh. also natives of l'enn- sylvania. The father was the oldest son of George Defenbaugh previously referred to. Ile was killed by a fall which broke his
ELIJAH DEFENBAUGH.
MRS. CATHERINE DEFENBAUGH.
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back. By trade he was a tanner. Neither he nor his wife ever came west to live. Their children were John. Daniel, Peter. Elizabeth, Henry, Catherine, Adam, Duma, Esther. Joseph, Amos and Maria, six of whom are still living. Of the ten children born to our subject and his wife the oklest died in infancy; Ammon and Mfred are both at home with their mother: Harvey is running an elevator in Reading, Illinois : Lucretia is the wife of Gideon Slaughter- back, of Indiana: Milton is a resident of Reading township, Livingston county, Ili- nois: Ephraim died at the age of eighteen years: Dora died at the age of three years : George died at the age of one month; and Lona did at the age of four years.
Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Defenbaugh came to Livingston county, Illi- nois, and entered eighty acres of land in Reading township, for which he paid one dollar and a quarter per acre. At that time it was all wild prairie land, deer and wolves were still to be seen in this region, and the early settlers would get up parties to go out and kill the latter to keep them from destroy- ing their stock. From time to time Mr. Defenbaugh added to his landed possessions until he had over twelve hundred acres of land, and throughout his active business life was successfully engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising. On coming to this state he had only three hundred dollars in money, a team and wagon ; but being indus- trious, energetic and progressive, as well as a man of good business and executive ability, he prospered in his undertaking, and acquired a handsome competence. Ile and his wife experienced many of the hardships and privations incident to frontier life. | t took them four weeks to drive across the country to their new home in Illinois, there 19
being no railroads at that time, and from their doorway they could look for miles over what seemed to be boundless prairie with no habitations. Mr. Defenbaugh helped to haul ties for the first railroad built through his section, and his wife spun wool and made clothes for her family. He died December 19. 1886, and was laid to rest in Defenbangh cemetery, Reading township. In his polit- ical views he was a Democrat, but never cared for official honors, though he served as school director in his district. His aid was never withheld from any enterprise which he believed calculated to prove of public benefit, and in his death the com- munity realized that it had lost one of its most valuable and useful citizens.
SIMON JAMISON.
Simon Jamison has been a resident of Livingston county since the fall of 1808. and was for many years actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, but is now having a retired life in the village of Cornell. Ile was born in Ross county, Ohio, May 31. 1837, a son of William and Sarah 1. ( 10- ams) Jamison, the former a native of Washi- ington county, Pennsylvania, the latter of Ross county. Ohio. Ilis paternal grand- father was William Jamison. Sr., who was ot Irish parentage and died in Ohio in 182t The father was born about 1813, and was only six years old when the family removed to the Buckeye state, In- carly hie being spent in Ross county, where he and his siy brothers cleared and improved a irm. later le lived in Fayette county. Ono, and spent his last days upon a farm in Mercer county, that state, where he died m 1882. His wife
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survived him a number of years, dying in sists of one hundred and sixty acres of land, December, 1804.
Simon Jamison grew to manhood upon a farm in Fayette county, Ohio, and at- tended the public schools to some extent. but at the age of fourteen commenced earn- ing his own livelihood by working by the month as a farm hand, and later was em- ployed as engineer in a grist-mill at Jasper for six years. In Fayette county he mar- ried, January 6, 1859. to Miss Mary E. Cline. a native of that county and a daugh- ter of George Cline, who was born in Cul- peper county. Virginia, in 1809. but was reared in Clinton county, Ohio. In Fayette county, that state, Mr. Cline married Cather- ine Figins, who was born in that county March 7, 1813, and belonged to one of the early families of Ohio. He followed farm- ing in Fayette county until his death, which parted this life January 29, 1894, both being laid to rest in Bush cemetery, where a sub- stantial monument has been erected to their memory. Mrs. Jamison's paternal grand- father, Philip Cline, was also a native of Vir- ginia. Our subject and his wife are the parents of three children, namely: Edward A., a business man of Pontiac and Cornell. married and has one son, Clarence, who lives with his grandparents ; Cary A., a farmer of Amity township, is married and has three children, Stella, Harold and Ross : and Cath- erine is the wife of Professor Clarence E. De Butts, superintendent of the Fairbury schools, and they have two children, Cary and Dean.
Mr. Jamison engaged in farming on rented land in Fayette county, Ohio, until 1868, and then came to Livingston county, Illinois, locating on a rented farm in Amity township, which he purchased afterward, after living there for four years. It con-
and to its further improvement and culti- vation he devoted his time and attention for many years. He erected a good residence. barn, granary, cribs and sheds, set out an orchard, and otherwise improved the place until it is now a valuable farm. In 1888 he rented it and moved to Cornell, where he has built a large, neat residence, one of the nicest in the village. He was in the store of his son for about six years after coming to this place, but is now practically living retired, though he oversees the management of his place. His success in life is due en- tirely to his own well-directed efforts, for he came to this state empty-handed and has made what he has by industry, perseverance and good management.
Mr. Jamison cast his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas, the Little Giant, and has since been an ardent Deno- crat, and has been a delegate to the county conventions of his part. He served fifteen years as highway commissioner and nine as township trustee with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of all con- cerned. His estimable wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Cornell, and both are held in high regard by all who know them.
IRA M. KNIGHT.
Ira M. Knight, a well-known farmer of section 13. Germanville township. Living- ston county, is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Will county, .August 23. 1861. His father, Marshall B. Knight. was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsyl- vania, April 5. 1831, and was a son of Amasa and Lovina Knight, natives of Ver-
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mont, who in 1845 brought their family to Illinois, locating first near Ottawa, where they engaged in farming. Amasa Knight died in 1850, when well advanced in life. and his wife, who survived him some years. lied of smallpox in Bureau county. this state. Marshall B. Knight grew to manhood upon his father's farm, and after the latter's death operated the place for some years. In 1851 he married Miss Althere C. Tillotson and they made their home in La Salle county for a time. Subsequently he was thus en- gaged in farming in Will county for about ten years, and then moved to the northern part of Ford county, where he followed the same occupation five years. Selling his farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in 1874, he came to Livingston county, and purchased three hundred and twenty acre- on section 13. Germanville township. to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his energies until his death. which occurred December 4. 1895. He was a public-spirited and enterprising man, who advocated all measures tending to the ad vancement and improvement of the locality. and was a stanch supporter of the Repub- lican party. He served as school director two of three terms, but never cared for political preferment. Ilis widow, who still survive- him, continues to reside on the old home- stead on section 13. Germanville township. To them were born nine children, namely : Mary, wife of Fred D. Pettis, of Nebraska : Almeda, wife of Charles Rudd, a carpenter : Joliet. Illinois: George, twin brother of Almeda, who died at the age of one year and a half: Warren, who resides on the home place : Ira M., our subject : Elmer, who mar- red Ella Nagle and lives on section 13. Vier manville township: Ellen, twin sister of Elmer and wife of William Marsh, a well
driller of Buckingham, Ilinois: Mice, who first married M. J. Davis, and second Hil- Gred Campbell, veterinary surgem and post- master of Roberts, Illinois; Eva, wife of Thadeus Hedger of the same place.
Ira M. Knight was educated in the pub le schools of Ford and Livingston counties. and remained under the parental roof until twenty-eight years of age, when he located upon his present farm of eighty acres on section 13. Germanville township, given him by his father. He has since made many improvements upon the place, and it is now one of the most highly cultivated tracts of land in that locality. The Knight family have been prominently identified with the development of the county, and have been instrumental in transforming the wild prairie into one of the richest agricultural districts of the state.
On the 13th of November, 1880. in Brenton township. Ford county. Mr. Knight was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Holmes, one of a family of nine children, all living, whose parents are Chris- tian and Maria (Hanson) Holmes, promi- nent agriculturists of that county. Our sub- ject and his wife have two children: VI- there C. born on the home place in Living -- ton county April 4. 1800, and Gladys M. born January 12, 1899.
Christian Holmes was born in Denmark February 10. 1842. He was educated in his native land and at the age of twenty five years emigrated to America. He was a carpenter by trade, having served his ap- prenticeship in the land of his birth. When he came to this country he first located in Nashville, Washington county. Ilmois. where he worked at his trade a few years. when he removed to Normal, Illinois, where he also worked at his trade until he was ab-
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liged to discontinue it on account of failing health. in 1875. At this time he concluded to engage in the more healthful pursuit of tilling the soil. He accordingly purchased eighty acres of land in Brenton township, Ford county, Illinois, where he immediately moved with his family and still resides on this farm of his first purchase. He also has purchased one hundred and ninety-two acres more since that time, which is under a fine state of cultivation and which ranks Mr. Holmes among the extensive land own- ers of that prosperous community. He was married, at Chicago, Illinois, in April. 1860. to Miss Maria Hansen, who was also a na- tive of Denmark. She came to this country in 1860 and they were married upon her arrival here. They reared a family of nine children, seven of whom are living, viz. : Hannah C .; Mrs. I. M. Knight ; Louis, who resides near Piper City, Illinois: George. same place : Minnie, at home ; John, at home : Freddie, at home: Willie, at home. Mr. Holmes has never aspired to political office. but has served his township on several oc- casions as school director. He is a stanch Republican, and the family are adherents to the Presbyterian faith.
HENRY M. CORNELL.
Henry M. Cornell, one of the honored pioneers of Livingston county and a veteran of the Civil war, is now living a retired life in the village of Cornell, quietly enjoying the income which he accumulated in former years. He has made his home in this com- ty since the spring of 1840 and can relate many interesting incidents of the days when this region was all wild and unimproved.
He has seen towns and villages spring up and all the comforts of civilized life intro- (luced. and in the work of advancement and progress he has ever borne an important part.
Mr. Cornell was born in Newport, Rhode Island. September 4, 1836, and he- longs to a family of English origin founded in this country by three brothers, one of whom settled in Canada. the second in New York and the third in Rhode Island. All were members of the Society of Friends, to which faith the ancestors of our subject have adhered for many generations. His grandfather, Walter Cornell, was a life-long resident of Rhode Island. The father, Wal- ter Cornell, Jr., was born in Newport, that state. April 3. 1811. and there married Sarah C. Eldred, a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of John Eldred, who be- longed to an old New England family. The original Eldred homestead is still in pos- session of the family and adjoins the birth- place of Commodore Perry. In early life the father of our subject was interested in the manufacture of cotton goods and was superintendent of factories. He came west in 1838 and first located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but in the fall of the same year came to Illinois to take charge of a stationary engine used in digging the canal. In 1837 he entered two hundred acres of government land in AAmity township. Livingston, which he commenced to improve, and in 1840 re- turned to Rhode Island and brought his fam- ily to the home he had prepared for them, the journey being made by way of the great lakes. In connection with farming he en- gaged in raising stock, fattening cattle and hogs, which he drove to the Chicago mar- kets. He was one of the best educated and well informed men of the county, as
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