USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The biographical record of Livingston County, Illinois > Part 38
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well as one of its most prominent and in- township, which he has since greatly im- fluential citizens, and was honored with im- proved. He laid out that part of the village of Cornell north of Main street and which was named for the family, and has since de- voted considerable attention to the real es- tate business, but is now living retired. portant official positions, serving as super- visor, superintendent of schools and county treasurer three years. He died in 1805. highly respected by all who know him. Of his family two sons are still living : Henry M., our subject, and Walter B., a resident of Great Bend, Kansas.
Henry M. Cornell was only four years old when the family settled in Livingston county, where he grew to manhood upon a farm. His educational advantages were rather limited, as the schools of this region at that day were much inferior to those of the present time. At the age of twenty he started out in life for himself as a farmer, but later rented his farm and traveled some. In 1861, at the opening of the Civil war, he enlisted in Company 11, Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and his first battle was that of Shiloh, followed by the siege of Corinth. He was in five important battles and a mi- ber of skirmishes, being under fire twenty- eight times. He was taken prisoner by For- est at Lexington, Tennessee, but was soon paroled, when he came north and was put in charge of paroled men until exchanged. He was put on detached duty as pro- vost marshal at Grand Junction, Missis- sippi, for a time, and was promoted from orderly sergeant to first lieutenant. He lost no time except when granted a short furlough, but was at length forced to resign and was mustered out on account of disabil- ity. being taken home on a bed. When he had sufficiently recovered he resumed farm- ing. but sold his farm a few years later and moved to the southern part of the state. In 1871, however, he returned to Livingston county, and purchased his old place in Amity
On the ist of January, 1861. in Living's- tom county, Mr. Cornell married Miss Mary S. Coe, a daughter of William Coc. She was born in Covington, Indiana, but Was principally reared in Illinois, and died in this county January 3, 1800, leaving nine children, two sons and seven daughters. namely: Dick H., who has successfully engaged in teaching school and served as a sollier of the Spanish-American war, being with the army in Porto Rico; Walter, who is now among the Indians in northwestern Minnesota : S. Lillian, who is a graduate of Eureka College, and was formerly engaged in teaching school, but is now a resident of Great Bend, Kansas; Lora L., who taught school five years, and is now the wife of C. W. Hadley, of Cuba, Missouri: Mattie E., who also taught five years, and is now the wife of Stephen Dunbar, of Cornell; Ber- tha E., who followed the same profession five years, and is now the wife of Irwin Finley, who was deputy sheriff of Living's- ton county four years and is now a resident of Estherville, lowa: Joe D. a teacher re- siding at home; Lulu, also a teacher : and Ada, at home.
Politically Mr. Cornell has been a life- long Republican, and has been a delegate to a number of county conventions, but has never sought office, though he served one term as supervisor. Fraternally he is a member of Cornell Post. G. A. R., and is a Royal Arch Mason, who served three years as master of the blue lodge at Cor- nell. As a liberal-minded and progressive
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citizen he has aided materially in the de- velopment of his adopted county, has given his support to all enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit, and is justly entitled to prominent mention among her most hon- ored and useful citizens.
CHRISTOPHER C. LEONARD.
Christopher C. Leonard, an honored vet- eran of the Civil war, and a successful agri- culturist of Newtown township, has been identified with the interests of Livingston county for almost half a century, having lo- cated here in 1852. He was born in Brad- ford county, Pennsylvania, April 26, 1836. and is a son of Edmnud D. and Elizabeth H. ( Remington ) Leonard, natives of Mas- sachusetts and New York, respectively. In early life the father followed different ocen- pations, but after coming to Illinois, in 1852. he devoted his attention to farming exclu- sively. He took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land in Newton town- ship. Livingston county, which was wild prairie land, entirely unimproved, and he and our subject at once began to break it and continued to work together for some time. The family endured many hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, and at first had to haul all their produce to Ot- tawa, which was the nearest market place. The two oklest sons worked out at twelve dollars per month and paid for the land. while the father and our subject devoted their energies towards its improvement. The father died in 1860, but the mother, who was born January 24, 1808, is still liv- ing. To them were born nine children, of whom one died in infancy; Franklin, the
oldest son, died in the service of his country during the civil war, being a member of Company G. One Hundred and Twenty- ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry: Mrs. Harriet Jacobs died in Ford county, Illinois : and Mrs. Mary Ide in Aconda, Livingston county. Those living are Myra, wife of Andrew Stewart, of Kempton, Ford coun- ty : Roscoe, who owns a part of the old home farm in Newton township: Christopher C. our subject ; Sarah, wife of Andrew Hoob- ler, of Streator: and Isabelle, wife of John L. Cusick, of Newton township.
Christopher C. Leonard began his edu- cation in the schools of his native state, and after coming to Illinois, at the age of ten years, attended school in Livingston county for a time. He remained under the parental roof until he was married, in 1858. to Miss Mary Mason, who was born in Michigan, in August, 1838, a daughter of Enoch and Elizabeth Mason. Iler family came to Livingston county in 1852 and set- tled on the farm in Newton township now occupied by our subject, where her parents die1. She has one brother. George, a farmer in Iowa.
For a year and a half after his marriage Mr. Leonard engaged in farming in Amity township. Livingston county, and then re- turned to Newton township. After the civil war broke out he laid aside all per- sonal interests, and enlisted, in August. 1862, in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. with which he served until the close of the war. being all through the Atlanta cam- paign and taking part in many battles. He entered the service as a private, and when discharged. June 17, 1865, held the rank of corporal. After his return home Mr. Leonard operated his mother's farm until the death
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of his wife's parents, when he purchased the interest of the heirs in the farm which he now occupies. It consists of one hun- dred and forty-two acres of rich and arable land on section 34. Newtown township, upon which he has made all of the improvements. and he also owns forty acres in Amity town- ship. In 1808 he purchased a general store in Manville, which he now operates in part- nership with his son. This property has all been acquired through his own well-directe l and energetic efforts, for he started out in life for himself with no capital save a pair of willing hands and a determination to succeed.
Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard, one died in infancy. The others are as follows: (1) Edwin, a farmer of Newton township, married Effic Hlvenshell, and they have three children. Lloyd. David C. and Lela. (2) Olivia is with her parents. (3) Emily is the wife of John Weidman, a farmer of MeHenry county, Illinois, and they have six children. Ervie. Arthur, Lawrence, Bertha. Mary and Roy. (4) Clora is the wife of Alvin Gil- man, of Newtown township, and they have three children, Mary, Alma and Lula B. (5) Ira, a resident of Amity township. married Lizzie Gilman, and they have two children, Alma and Ralph. (0) Andrew, also of Amity township. married Ada Walker, and they have one daughter, Flor- ence. (7) Frank is at home with his par- ent». (8) Fred married Tie 1. Davis, and is now a partner of his father's store in Manville.
Since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont. Mr. Leonard has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and has taken quite an active and prominent part in local politics, holding
some offices for several years. He has served as road commissioner six years. school director, ten years; collector, three years, and assessor, two years, being elected to the last named office for 1001. In 1800 he was appointed census emmerator. and has been a delegate to the county conven tions of his party. He is an honored mem- her of the Grand Army Fast. No. 700, at Cornell, in which he has held all the offices. and is an active member of the Mehto.list Episcopal church, to which has estimate wife also belongs, His useful and well- spent life has gained for him not only a comfortable competence. but also the re- spect and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact either in business of social life.
G. E. ROHRER.
G. E. Rohrer, a popular and successful photographer of Flanagan, was born in Rutland, La Salle county, Illinois. Septem- ber 20, 1860, and is a son of Emanuel and Harriet ( Koontz ) Rohrer, natives of Mary- land, who came to this state in 1844. and first located in Chicago, which at that time was a mere village. Six years later they moved to Champaign, where the father died November 22. 1800. Since then the family have made their home in Rutland. The children are as follows: John, a harness maker of Rutland: Henri- etta, wife of G. B. Horner, of Lmcom. Illi- nois: Aaron, a machinist Ra; iam, a grocer of that place; Elizabeth, wife di 1. W. Kelly, of Rutland ; Salas, foreman of the Kansas City Transfer Company; Charles, a barber of Rutland; and (i. E. our subject.
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In his native town G. E. Rohrer grew to manhood and is indebted to its public schools for his educational adventages. . \t the age of seventeen he commenced working at the barber's trade there, and on coming to Flanagan in 1885. opened a barber shop. which he successfully conducted until March. 1890. when he sold out. In connection with the barber business he had been en- gaged in photography for ten years, and since disposing of the former he has de- votel his entire time and attention to the latter. lle is well known for the excellency of his work and receives a very extensive patronage.
On the 28th of May, 1889. Mr. Rohrer married Miss Carrio Willoughby, of Rut- land, who presides with gracious dignity over their home. . As a public-spirited and progressive citizen, he takes considerable interest in the welfare and progress of his town, and has served several years as a member of the board of trustees of Flana- gan. Politically he is identified with the Republican party.
WILLIAM H. ROTH.
William H. Roth, owner and proprietor of the leading machine and repair shop of Pontiac, was born in Lacon, Illinois, Sep- tember 3. 1860. His father. Henry Roth. was born in 1822, near Cologne. Germany, where he was reared and educated, and for some time he was a soldier in the German army taking an active part in the war of 1848. In 1852, on the expiration of his term of enlistment, he came to the United States and located in La Salle county, Illi- nois, where he worked on a farm, having
become thoroughly familiar with agricultural pursuits in his native land. While in La Salle he was married to Elizabeth Weber. who was also born in Cologne. Germany, in 1831. After his marriage he settled near Lacon, where he operated a rented farm two years, and then, having been able to save some money, he purchased eighty acres of raw prairie land, which he at once com- menced to improve and cultivate. He has since added to his farm and now has a quarter-section of land in Bennington town- ship. Marshall county, all tiled and under a high state of cultivation, it being one of the best kept farms in the township. There the father still resides and continues to en- gage in active farming. He came to this country with no capital and the first year worked for twelve dollars per month, but his ability and fixed purpose have brought him independence, and he is now one of the successful and highly respected men of his locality. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church at Minonk, were among the first to unite with the same, have con- tributed liberally to its support and helped to build the church edifice. The father also helped build the first school house in his dis- triet. In his family are seven children who are still living.
During his boyhood William II. Roth received a good practical education in the common schools, and being an inveterate reader he has stored up a large fund of use- ful information and has acquired a fine li- brary. He assisted his father in the opera- tion of the farm until twenty-four years of age, and after working for others one year. he traveled through the west of a sort of inspection tour. On his return to Marshall county, Illinois, he worked on a farm in Bennington township four years, and then
WILLIAM H. ROTH.
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came to Union township, Livingston county, of toil. Commencing life. a stranger m a where he was similarly employed.
On Thanksgiving day. November 27. 1881. Mr. Roth married Miss Catherine Ilor- bach, a daughter of John Horbach, who who was born near Cologne Germany, and they have became the parents of four chil- dren, namely: Margaret. William, Mary and Bertha.
For four years after his marriage. Mr. Roth engaged in farming near Emington. and then came to Pontiac, where he was em- ployed as engineer at the tile factory two years, having previously become familiar with the duties of that position. Liking the work he decided to follow the machinist's trade and opened a shop of his own, buying his present property at No. 417 West Howard street. He now has the principle machine shop in Pontiac and has met with marked success in this venture, being em- inently fitted for that line of work. Besides his business property Mr. Roth now owns a good house and two lots in the west part of the town. His success in life is due en- tirely to his own well-directed efforts and good business ability. He and his family are members of St. Mary's Catholic church, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Toilers Fraternity.
THOMAS G. RYERSON.
Thomas G. Ryerson has witnessed al- most the entire development of Livingston. county, and has contributed his full share to this grand work. By concentrated effort and indefatigable energy he has wrought out success, and now. in his declining year -. is reaping the just rewards of his long years
strange land, without a dollar, and, mileed, in debt for the cost of his voyage across the Atlantic, he certainly has displayed a fortitude and application to business amount - ing to heroism.
The career of Mr. Ryerson possesses much that is worthy of emulation by his. posterity, and his many friends will take pleasure in tracing this record. Born in Stavanger, Norway. September 8, 1834. he grew to manhood there, and obtained a fair education in his mother tongue. In com- pany with an older brother. Ole Kver- m. he emigrated to America in 1855, and, at the end of a voyage that consumed six weeks and six days, they arrived at their destination-Quebec. Coming to Chicago by way of the great lakes, our subject then proceeded to Ottawa, where he witnessed the celebrations attendant on the fourth of July. He was stricken with the typhoid fever, and during that summer was in very poor health in consequence. As soon as he was able to work the brave youth ob- tained a position on a farm, and for ser- eral years thereafter worked for others.
On the 14th of August, 1802. Mr. Ryer- son enlisted in the defense of his adopted country, becoming a member of Company F. One Hundred and Fourth Illinois In- fantry, which was placed in the Army of the Tennessee. At the first severe engage- ment in which our subject was engaged he was wounded by a shell in the right hip, and being so disabled, was sent to the hos- pital at Gallatin, Tennessee. Subsequently he was transferred to the hospital in Nach- ville, and thence tor one in Chicago. When he was convalescent he was honorably di- charged from the army and returned to La Salle county in April. 1803.
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When he had recovered a measure of his usual health. Mr. Ryerson resumed agri- cultural labors, and in 1865 came to Living- ston county. Here he bought eighty acres in Amity township, only thirty acres of which property had been broken and placed under the plow. A small cabin served as a home for a period, but in time this was supplanted by a large, pleasant house, which was built under the owner's supervision. He also built barns, sheds and fences, and planted an orchard and fine shade trees. As he could afford it, he invested his surplus funds in more land, and to-day is the owner of four hundred and seventy acres. Most of this is productive and valuable land, yielding a generous return for the labor ex- pended upon it.
The marriage of Mr. Ryerson and Liz- zie Larson, a native of Norway, took place in La Salle county in 1863. The wife was a child of, yerhaps, twelve years, when she came to the United States, and, with her husband. she has been a faithful member of the Lutheran church since youth. To her helpfulness and brave spirit during the years of their struggle for a home and com- petence. Mr. Ryerson attributes much of his success in life. Two of their children died in infancy, but nine survive. Louis is married and is a prosperous farmer in this district. Anna Belle is the wife of Rasmus .Aarvig, of Pontiac. Theodore is the agent and telegraph operator for the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad Company at Cullom, Illinois. The younger children who are at home are namol as follows: Oliver, Adolph, Mil- dred. David, Clara and Mabel.
Mr. Ryerson is especially desirous of giving his children good educations, know- ing that thereby they will be fitted for the battle of life. He is deoply interested in
the maintenance of schools of a high stand- ard, and for three terms has officiated as a member of the school board, doing all within his power to increase the efficiency of our educational system. In political creed he is a true-blue Republican, and since casting his first presidential ballot for Lincoln, in 1864, he has ardently supported the party of his choice.
ADAMI F. MORRISON.
Lixingston county attributes its wonder- ful growth and flourishing state to the fine, enterprising citizens classed among its agri- culturists, and in Amity township the sub- ject of this article is one of the foremost. He is a native of Illinois, his birth having taken place in La Salle county, May 27, 1858.
Ilis father. Adam Morrison, one of the honored pioneers of the county mentioned. was born in Glasgow, Scotland. in 1827, and when he was in his eighteenth year he sailed for America, his future home. He accompanied his father, James Morrison. who likewise was a native of the land of the thistle and heather, and their first location in this country was at Fall River. Massa- chusetts. In 1844 they removed to the west, and thenceforth were identified with this prairie state. Adam Morrison, who for the past four years has been living re- tired at his home in Streator, was actively engaged in farming in La Salle county for many years. He made a success of the business and accumulated considerable ex- cellent land. about three hundred acres being comprised in two or three farms situated near Streator. His wife. Fanny, a daugh- ter of William Dickenson, was born in Man-
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chester, England, and with the parental family came to the new world fifty-nine years ago, and. like the Morrisons, first set- tlet in the pretty town of Fall River, Mas- sachusetts.
Adam F. Morrison, whose entire life has been spent in Hlinois, became familiar with the varied duties of a farmer when h: was a mere child, and it was not until he had fully arrived at mature years that he left home and started upon his independent career. The most important step in his life, perhaps, was his marriage. July 23. 1880. to Miss Mary Welch, whose birth had occurred in Marshall county, Illinois. The young couple commenced keeping house upon one of the farms belonging to the senior Morrison, but by industry and econ- omy they managed to make a good start to- ward financial success within three or four years.
In 1884 Mr. Morrison purchased homestead of some eighty acres, situated in Livingston county. From time to time, as his means afforded. he bought additional land, until his farm comprises two hundred and five acres. By judicious expenditure of money he has greatly increased the value of his land, and by tiling. fencing and rota- tion of crops, he has proved his enterprise and wisdom. For a period the family used an old house and barn, but now all is differ- ent, and a commodious new house and paris and granaries bospeak the thrift of the pro- prietor. . An orchard, in which a great va- riety of fruits may be found, and an abund- ance of well-trimmed shade trees about the farm, add much to the beauty and desira- bility of the place.
In all of his efforts to gain a livelihood and pleasant home. Mr. Morrison has found a true helpmeet in his wife. She is a daugh-
ter of Noah Welch, a name of Kentucky. and from his fourteenth year a resident of Pennsylvania, Missouri and Illinois, his ar- rival in this state occurring in the early part of the Civil war. Ilis wife. Jane, was a daughter of Jared Ely, and both were Penn- sylvanians by birth. They were married near St. Joseph, Missouri, where the Welch family were then living. The four chil- dren born to our subject and wife are Will- iam M. Lee N. Frank and Helen, all of whom are promising students in the local school. Mr. Morrison is a Democrat, but he never has been an aspirant to public honors. He commands the respect of this community, and his friends are legion throughout the northern part of this county, and wherever he is known. The family at- tend the Methodist Episcopal church.
DENNIS GLINNEN.
Dennis Glimmen, one of the old settlers and much respected citizens of Avoca town- ship and a resident of Livingston county for over half a century, was born in county Westmeath, Ireland. May 9. 1833. a son of James and Mary ( Dunn) Glinnen, who emigrated to America in 1838 to make a home for themselves and children. In Ire- land the father worked as a laborer and farmer, and on first coming to this country found employment in an iron foundry m Sussex county. Maryland, where he re- mained a number of years. In November. 1844. he came to Illinois, and six years later purchased a claim and also some govern- ment land in Livingston county, owning at the time of his death. in 1858, two hundred and forty acres of land in Avoca township.
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Ile was a self-made man. who started out in life as a poor laborer, and by hard work and good management, as well as honest dealings, not only won a comfortable com- petence. but also commanded the respect of all with whom he came in contact. Of his seven children three died young, and four are still living, namely: Dennis, the sub- ject of this sketch: Mary, wife of John Monahan, who lives north of Chatsworth, in Charlotte township: Christopher, a resi- dent of Avoca township; and Matthew, who owns and occupies the old home farm.
During his boyhood Dennis Glinnen received a very limited education, which was mostly acquired in the home schools. but schools wero scarce in those days and boys had no such opportunities as are now offered. After the death of his father he assumed control of the farm work, being the oklest son, and for a number of years carried it on vory successfully. At length the property was divided among the heirs and the homestead fell to the youngest son. with whom our subject lives. They have made extonsive improvements upon the place, erecting barns and feeding sheds for the accommodation of their stock, and have fully tiled the land and placed it under a high state of cultivation. They make a specialty of the raising of cattle and hogs. Our subject is the owner of eleven hundred acres of land in the belt of the most fertile land in the township, upon which he super- intends the raising and feeding of stock, which enterprise he has carried on most successfully for some years. Since 1885 he has lived retired from active labor and now rents a part of his land. though he still has goneral supervision of the same and attends to all repairs.
Religionsly Mr. Glinnen is a devout
member of the Catholic church and a liberal supporter of the same. On national issues he is a Democrat, but at local elections votes for tho men whom he considers best quali- fied to fill the offices regardless of party lines. He has served as school director in his district for twenty years, and also filled the office of road commissioner in a most creditable and satisactory manner. Though quiet and unassuming, he makes many friends, and is held in high regard by all with whom he comes in contact.
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