USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The biographical record of Livingston County, Illinois > Part 39
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HENRY GRIESER.
Henry Grieser, one of the industrious, enterprising and successful citizens of Waldo township, who has done his part toward making Livingston county one of the fore- most agricultural counties of the state, was born in Germany, May 12. 1848, a son of Christian and Catherine Grieser. He lost his mother when only two years old, and his father died two years later. He was thus left an orphan at the early age of four years. He was reared and educated in his native land, and cmigrated to America in 1868, locating in Woodford county, Illinois, where he made his home for four years. In 1872 he came to Livingston county and located in Waldo townhsip, with whose farming interests he has since been promi- nently identified. Throughout his active business life he has engaged n agricultural pursuits, and his labors have met with well- deserved success.
In 1873 Mr. Grieser was united in mar- riago with Miss Elizabeth Smith, of Lowa. a daughter of John P. Smith, who now re- sides in Waldo township, and is one of the
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prominent farmers of that section of Living- ston county and to them have been born four children, namely: John, Henry, Au- gustus and Christian. In his political views Mr. Grieser is deci.ledly a Democrat. and takes a commendable interest in the success of his party. He is one of Waldo town- ship's most reliable citizens, and is a man highly repected and esteemed wherever known1.
FRANK R. STEWART.
One of the oldest employees in years of continuous service on the lines with which he is connected is Frank R. Stewart, who is agent for the Wabash and the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroads at Forrest. Long connection with the extensive corpora- tions which control the lines of transporta- tion in our country indicates marked faith- fulness, ability and fidelity on the part of employes, and therefore Mr. Stewart's ex- tended connection with railroad interests is a high testimonial of his ability. He has the trust and confidence of the company and is a most popular agent, owing to his uniform courtesy, obliging manner and his fidelity to duty.
.A native of Dixon, Ilinois, he was born on the 16th of March, 1856, a son of Lewis Henry and Sarah E. (Appler) Stewart. Ilis father was a native of Uniontown, Car- roll county, Maryland, born August 28. 1831. The grandfather was also born there and the great-grandfather was the owner of large landed property in that locality. He belonged to one of the old and prominent families of the state and at the time of the Revolutionary war loyally aided the colonies in their struggle for independence.
The father of our subject was educated in the place of his nativity and was reeng- nized as a man of considerable influence in that locality. He married Miss Appler. who was born in Carroll county, in May. 1834, a daughter of isaac Appler, who lived to be ninety years of age. dying in 1805. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Judith Winters, is now living at the ad- vanced age of ninety-four years. Both he and his wife were natives of England. He became one of the wealthy landhoklers of Carroll county, Maryland, where he resided until his removal westward, in 1859. He located in Hannibal, Missouri, and there re- sided until called to his final rest. The fa- ther of our subject left Maryland in Jan- uary. 1856. en route for Hannibal, Mis- souri, and while on the way, during a tem- porary residence of the family at Dixon, Illinois, Frank R. Stewart was born. The family soon afterward proceeded to Han- nibal, where the father remained until 1859, When he went with his family to Quincy. Illinois, and there engaged in merchandis- ing.
During the time when much of the traffic of the Mississippi valley was transported by means of the river, he was one of the leading representatives of commercial interests there, and he carried on business until 1875. Ile then retired to private life, and seven years later. in 1882, was called to the home beyond. He was a member of the linde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and at all times he commanded the respect and e- teem of his fellow men. His widow still survives and is a member of the Methodlist Episcopal church, taking an active part in its work. In their family were four children, of whom our subject is the oldest am. ile has one brother still living. Charles A., who
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is a conductor on the Missouri Pacific Rail- road, running between Sedalia, Missouri. and Kansas City.
Mr. Stewart, whose name introduces this review, obtained his education in the schools of Quincy, and received his business train- ing in his father's store, where he spent the months of vacation. In 1878, however. he entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad as brakeman on a passenger train. running between Springfield and Quincy. In 1879. when the Chicago division of the Wabash road was opened, he came to Forrest as brakeman on a freight train, and in Feb- ruary, 1880. was promoted to the position of conductor on a freight train, while in March, 1883, he was made a passenger con- ductor. In November, 1884, he was injured at Cornwell, Illinois, losing one of his legs. In 1885, after his recovery, he was made clerk in the agent's office, at Forrest, in 1886 was promoted to the position of super- intendent's clerk, and on the 30th of No- ember. 1888 he was appointed agent of both the Wabash and the Toledo. Peoria & War- saw roads. The junction of the roads is at this place and the station is a very important one, his duty embracing a general oversight of the business of both roads, passenger. freight and also includes the supervision of the trainmen. numbering thirty. The busi- ness of these roads at this point is constant- ly increasing, due in no small measure to the efforts of the obliging agent at Forrest. AAmong all the officials and employees of the road there are but two his senior in years of continuous service. He neglects no duty or detail, no matter how slight it may seem, is extremely accurate and care- ful. and is at all times courteous to the patrons of the road. Those qualities have won him favor with the company and with
the public and he has gained the esteem of all with whom he has been brought in con- tact.
Mr. Stewart is a member of Olive Branch Lodge, K. P., in which he has passed all the chairs. He is one of the oldest rep- resentatives of the fraternity in the state, his connection therewith covering a period of twenty-three years. He has six times represented his local lodge in the grand lodge, has many times been district deputy and thus has instituted new lodges and in- stalled many officials. He is also a member of the Order of Railway Conductors, which lie joined in 1882-one of the first to be- come identified with the society. As a member of the board of education he has done efficient service in the interests of the schools, supporting many measures which have proven of value to the schools. He has acted as treasurer of the board and was fill- ing that office at the time the school build- ing was remodeled, and also serving as chair- man of the building committee. He has likewise been treasurer of Forrest, and is a citizen whose earnest support and co-op- eration are given to all measures for the public good.
Mr. Stewart was married on the 28th of November. 1883, to Miss Cordelia Wil- son, of Forrest, a daughter of Nicholas and Nancy Wilson. She was born in this city, in 1860, and by her marriage has become the mother of two daughters. Iva Mildred and Greta Rodell. Mr. Wilson, her father, was born in Sweden and became one of the pioneer settlers of this part of the state. being well known at an early day as a ped- (ller and later as a farmer. Ilis wife was a native of Ohio, and with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, came to Livingston county, in 1837. the family here entering
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land from the government. Mrs. Wilson knew Shabbona, the noted Indian chief and saw many of the red men in this section of the state. Mr. Wilson passed away in 1877. and his wife, long surviving him, was called to her final rest November 15, 1808.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are members of the Congregational church and in the community where they reside they are high- ly esteemed for their many excellencies of character. They have a pleasant home in Forrest, which was erected by Mr. Stewart. lle is also the owner of considerable farm-
ing land in Texas. He was one of the or- ganizers of the Building & Loan Associa- tion, of Forrest, whereby many of the com- fortable homes of the place have been erected. In his political affiliations Mr. Stewart is a Republican, and is recognized as one of the leading members of the party in Forrest. For twelve consecutive years. prior to 1898, he was a delegate to every county, state, judicial, congressional and senatorial convention and was an alternate to the national convention at St. Louis. Ile is a recognized factor in political circles and is a man of influence, active and prominent in the community, his labors resulting to the public benefit along social. material, intel- lectual and moral lines.
PAUL. HEISNER.
Paul Heisner, one of the most prosperous agriculturists of Pontiac township, whose home is on section 20, has been identified with the upbuilding and development of this county for over a third of a century. He comes from across the sea, being born in Castle Dume, Prussia, Germany, June 27.
1837, and in that country grew to manhood and served for three years as a soldier in the German army. In the spring of 1844 he emigrated to America, and came direct to Illinois, joining some German friends in Cook county, where he worked as a farm hand by the month for a short time. In October, 1804. he enlisted in Company B. Thirtieth Ilinois Volunteer Infantry, and joined his regiment at Atlanta, Georgia, in time to take part in Sherman's celebrated march to the sea. Ile participated in the engagement- at Savannah, and through to Raleigh, and after the surrender of the last named city marched through Richmond on his way to Washington, D. C., where he took part in the grand review. Returning to Illinois, he was honorably discharged at Springfield. in July, 1805.
In the fall of the same year Mr. Heisner came to Livingston county, and purchased forty acres of raw prairie and swamp land three miles south of l'ontiac, upon which be built a little shanty. For three years he devoted his energies to the improvement and cultivation of that place, and on selling it bought eighty acres in Rock Creek town- ship, of which a few acres had been broken and a small house erected thereon. That farm was his home for about four year -. at the end of which time he purchased an- other eighty-acre tract adjoining, and lived there for six years. On disposing of that place he bought one hundred and forty acres of partially improved land on the river in Pontiac township, where he now resides, and to its further improvement and cultivation he has since devoted his energies with most gratifying results. As his financial re- sources have increased he has added to his property from time to time until he nell owns four hundred and eighty acres of va'-
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uable and productive land, which he has tiled and placed under a high state of culti- vation. Upon this land he has built four good residences, barns and other outbuild- ings, and was actively engaged in agricult- ural pursuits until 1900, when he rented his land and is now living retired, enjoying a well earned rest upon his farm, which is pleasantly located within two miles of Pon- tiac. He built a residence and lived in the city for two years, but in 1898 he returned to the farmn. Hle now owns two residences in the city.
Before leaving his native land, Mr. Heisner was married, in February, 1864, to Miss Catherine Trender, also a native of Prussia, and to them have been born five sons, namely : Philip, a resident of Pontiac; Frederick, William and Frank, who are en- Paul, Jr., who travels.
gaged in farming on the home place, and
Since casting his first presidential vote for General U. S. Grant, Mr. Heisner has been unswerving in his allegiance to the Re- publican party, and in this regard his sons all follow in his footsteps. He has never cared for political office, preferring to de- vote his undivided attention to his business interests, but for six years most acceptably served as school director. Fraternally he is an honored member of T. Lyle Dickey Post. G. A. R., at Pontiac. As a young man he came to America, and with no capi- tal started out in a strange land to overcome the difficulties and obstacles in the path to prosperity. llis youthful dreams have been realized and in their busy fulfillment he sees the fitting reward of earnest toil. He is not only one of the most successful men of his community, but is also highly respected and esteemed by all who know him on account of his sterling worth.
LIBERTY LOUDERBACK.
More than sixty-three years ago this gen- tleman came to Livingston county, and dur- ing this long period, which covers nearly the whole span of the county's development from a primitive state to its present flourish- ing condition, he has been identified with its interests. For over half a century he car- ried on farming in Amity township, but is now living retired in the village of Cornell.
Mr. Louderback was born in Brown county, Ohio, July 4, 1824, and was given the name of Liberty by his grandfather, Uriah Springer. Michael Louderback, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Ger- many, who came to this country with two brothers at the close of the Revolutionary war. He settled in Ohio, while one brother located in Virginia, the other in Pennsylva- nia. Our subject's father, Thomas Louder- back, was also born and reared in Brown county, Ohio, and there married Saralı Springer, a daughter of Uriah Springer, who at an early day moved from Virginia to Ohio. There Mr. Louderback followed farming until 1831. when he came to Illi- nois and settled in Vermilion county, near the present city of Danville, then a cross- roads village. He bought land and resided there a few years, but in 1837 moved to Amity township, Livingston county, where he entered a tract from the government and opened up a farm, on which he spent the re- mainder of his life, dying there March 6, 1854. His wife had passed away October 25. 1842. In their family were five sons and three daughters who reached mature years, and four sons and one daughter are still living.
Liberty Louderback. who is the oldest of this family, grew to manhood in Amity
LIBERTY LOUDERBACK.
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township, only attending school a few of W. It. Graser, of Luiverne, Rock county, Minnesota.
months during the winter, but carly becom- ing familiar with every department of farm work. On attaining his majority he began life for himself by working as a farm hand or at any occupation which he could find. He took up a claim of about one hundred and twenty acres of land, broke fourteen acres, and commenced farming. On the 26th of April, 1849, in Livingston county, he married Miss Mary Jane Corbin, who was born in Virginia, in 1827, but was reared in this county as her father, David Corbin, with his family, located here in 1831.
Mr. and Mrs. Louderback began their domestic life on his farm in a primitive log cabin with furniture of his own manufacture. His first land he purchased from the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and to the origi- nal tract he added until he had two hundred and twenty-two acres of valuable land on section 20, Amity township, which he placed under a high state of cultivation and im- proved with good buildings. He continued to actively engage in farming until 1877, when he moved to Cornell and purchased the property where he has since made his home. He was interested in the real estate and insurance business for a time, but is now living a retired life.
Mr. Louderback has been called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who died May 11, 1900, and was laid to rest in Cornell cemetery. Six children were born to them, namely: John H., who is married and now operates the okl homestead farm ; George W., who owns and operates a farm adjoining the homestead; Chester W., who is married and lives in St. Louis: Julia, widow of Thomas J. Gregory, and a resident of Cornell; Hersey J., wife of Harry L. Manley, of Streator, Illinois ; Hattie C., wife 20
In 1854 Mr. Louderback was elected justice of the peace, and most creditably and acceptably filled that office for nearly thirty-five years. He is familiarly known as Squire Louderback. He also served as stt- pervisor five years, township treasurer, co !- lector and school trustee, and always per- formed his duties in a faithful and satisfac- tory manner. He cast his first presiden- tial vote for James K. Polk, in 1844, and became identified with the Republican party on its organization, voting for Fremont in 1856, but since 1878 he has been a Prohi- bitionist, having always been an earnest ad- vocate of temperance. He is an active mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. of Cornell, and his upright course in life com- mends him to the respect and confidence of all who know him. His labors as one of the founders of the county justly entitle him to a prominent place in its annals.
CHRISTIAN WELTE.
Christian Welte, a prosperous and pro- gressive farmer residing on section 31. Ve braska township, Livingston county. Ilinos. was born in Wurtemberg, Germany. De- cember 20, 1842, and is a son of Vimcent and Elfans ( Strubby Wehte. When he was five years of age the mother died leaving a family of six children, namely : Marcelhuis, now a resident of El Paso, Ilmor: Bertha. wife of John Rover, of lowa: An-ilem, deceased: Joseph, who was a member of Company F. Fifty-sixth New York Volum- teer Infantry, and during the Civil war was Killed at the battle of the Wilderness; Ma-
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tilda, wife of Christian Reust, of Kansas; Christian, the subject of this biography; Sebastian, of Panola, Illinois, and l'eter, of Wurtemburg. Germany. Under the guar- dianship of the father the family emigrated to America in 1855 and settled near the Catskill mountains, in New York, where they resided two years and then came to Illinois, finally locating in Woodford coun- ty. The father died in 1872, in Nebraska township.
The same year Christian Welte came to Livingston county and purchased the farm where he now resides. Its neat and thrifty appearance shows conclusively that he is a man of good business ability and sound judgment, as well as a thorough and scien- tific farmer. On the 7th of November, 1867, he married Miss Margaret Ingeler, of Woodford county, and to them have been born eight children. namely: Staffan, wife of William Kalwarf, of Flanagan ; Thomas, a resident of Woodford county; Joseph and Christian, both of Flanagan; Effie, wife of R. C. Evans, of Chalmers, Indiana : John. Margaret and Clara, all at home.
When the war of secession threatened to destroy the Union, Mr. Welte turned from the quietude of home to join the awful scenes of death and carnage south of the Mason and Dixon line. He enlisted at Minonk. August 16, 1861, in Company I, Forty- seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the engagements of New Mardid, Island No. 10, Shiloh, Farmington, Corinth. Jackson, Black River, Pleasant Hill and the siege of Vicksburg. In the Red river expedition he took part in the engage- ments at Fort Berusha. Alexander, Grand de Core, Shreveport, Mansville, Lake Chi- coch, Tupelo and several minor skirmishes. He was wounded in the second battle of
Corinth. His term of enlistment having ex- pired, Mr. Welte was discharged at Spring- field, Illinois, October 11, 1864, and is now an honored member of the Grand Army Post at Minonk. Although born on the other side of the Atlantic he has become a thorough American citizen in thought and feeling, and is as true to his duties of citi- zenship in times of peace as when he fol- lowed the old flag to victory on southern battle fields.
CYRU'S S. ELLIS.
Cyrus S. Ellis, a well-known farmer re- siding on section 22, Long Point township. has been a valued citizen of Livingston county, since December. 1879, Coming from near Magnolia, Marshall county. this state. He was born in Greene coun- ty. Ohio, February 11, 1829, and is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Venamon ) Ellis, natives of Virginia, who spent the greater part of their lives in Greene county, Ohio, where the father followed farming during his active business career. He died on the home place at the age of fifty-seven subject several years. She died at the age years, having survived the mother of our of thirty-nine, after which he was again married, his second union being with AAman- dla AAldridge, a widow, by whom he had three children, namely: John, a member of an Ohio regiment during the Civil war and now a resident of that state : Jesse, who lives in southern Illinois, and James, who died at the age of thirty-five years. By the first marriage there were ten children, of whom one died in infancy. Three sons and two daughters are still living: Cyrus S., our subject; Milton W., a retired farmer of
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Nebraska: Henry R., who served three years as a member of Company II. One Hundred and Fourth Ilinois Volunteer Infantry. during the Civil war, and is now living in Iowa, but was formerly a resident of Cor- nell, Illinois; Hannah, the wife of John Hlay, who lives in northern Ohio ; and Emily, wife of Thomas Brenn, of La Salle county. Illinois.
Cyrus S. Ellis was but two years okl when the family left Nenia, Greene county. Ohio, and moved to Clinton, the same coun- ty. where he attended the common schools. remaining with his father on the home farm until the latter's death. At the age of sex- enteen he started out in life for himself, and in 1854 removed to Indiana, where he op- erated a rented farm for two years. . At the end of that time he came to Illinois and made his home in Marshall county for twen- ty-two years, his time and attention being devoted to general farming. In the mean- time he purchased land in Nebraska, and on selling it bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 22, Long Point township, Livingston county, Illinois, but did not locate thereon until two years later, in 1879. AAt that time is was not im- proved to any extent, but he has since tiled it. erected a house and other buildings, planted an orchard and otherwise improved the place.
On the 230 of January. 1851, Mr. Ellis married Miss Martha J. Curtis, who was born in Clinton, Ohio, May 23, 1834, a daughter of Edward and Elizabeth ( Lyons ) Curtis, who after her marriage moved to Indiana, where they spent the remainder of their lives. She has two brothers still liv- ing. namely : Edward, a resident of Marshall county, Illinois, and James, of Savanna, Ohio. Of the twelve children born to Mlr.
and Mrs. Ellis three died in early childhood. while Mary F., wife of Amos Lake, of Toluca, Illinois, died April 28, 1900, leav - ing one daughter. Blanche. Those living are Luemma, who is the wife of William Gill, a representative farmer of Long Point township, and has one son, Frank : Laura. at home: Frank, a general farmer of Long Point township, who married Lyda Cole- man and has three children, Bessie. Ora and Vera : Mbertine, who married Frank Clark, of Reading township, and hasoneson, Elmer ; Cora, wife of Carl Stratton, of Long Point township : Edwin, a barber of Flanagan, who married Ata Ensign and has one daughter. Elita: Alva C. and Ray, both at home as- sisting in the farm work. The children were educated in the common schools and are well fitted for the positions they till.
Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is now one of the trustees, and has held other offices. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, but has never cared for public preferment. though he has efficiently served as school director for a number of years.
REV. HORACE TIFFANY.
For two-score years the Rev. Horace Tiffany has dwelt in Livingston county, and few citizens of this portion of Illinois are better or more favorably esteemed by the inhabitants. His devotion to the people and his long years of indefatigable labors for their welfare, have met with a just reward in one respect, at least-that his name has been a household word for goodness and self sacrifice, and to his posterity he will leave a record of which they must be proud.
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The Tiffany family is of English origin and early in the history of Connecticut they were numbered among her pioneers. Horace Tiffany, for whom our subject was named, was born in Connecticut, whence he removed to Delaware county, New York, in its infancy, and there became influential and prosperous. His son. Walter, father of our subject, was born on the old homestead in Delaware county, and for three decades or more he was actively engaged in agri- culture there. In 1856 he came to Ilinois and for twenty-one years was successfully occupied in farming near Victoria, Knox county. In 1870 he removed to a home- stead in the vicinity of Cambridge, Illinois, and February 27, 1872, he as summoned to his reward. His first wife, the mother of our subject, died when the son was young, and the father subsequently married again. The wife of his youth bore the maiden name of Jane Hammond, and her father, Jonathan Hammond, was an carly settler in Dela- ware county, New York, in which state her birth took place. He was from the old Green Mountain state, and was prominently connected with the founding of Delaware county.
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