USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The biographical record of Livingston County, Illinois > Part 41
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Born July 20, 1834. in Glasgow. Sent land. John 11. Bruce remembers little of his father, and was reared by his uncle. Robert Bruce. About 18 40 this worthy man emi grated to Nova Scotia, and there the youth of our subject was passed. He received a fair education in the public schools, and in 1850 be determined to go to the west fal make his fortune. For two years he resided in Kansas, and, as he had previously learned the black smith's trade, he found plenty of employment. For nearly two years he served as a member of the state trumps, for in thise
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days and in that locality Kansas was the scene of fierce factions, for and against slavery and state's rights.
In 1858 Mr. Bruce went to California by the long overland route and spent about a twelvemonth on that coast. He engaged in mining operations to some extent. but found that his trade was more certain of good recompense, and for a period he was employed ly the Overland Stage Company in shoeing mules and horses. In the fall of 1861 he returned by stage through Ari- zona and Texas, and then came to Livings- ton county. Here he bought two hundred and forty acres of unimproved land, and at once commenced the great task of placing it under cultivation. For several years he conducted a blacksmith shop in connection with his farming, and is was not until 1864 that he came to dwell upon his land in AAmity township. Within a few years he had cleared away the timber and brushwood with which the land was encumbered, and later he further improved parts of the property by laying tile where needed, planting an orchard and building fences, enlarging and remodel- ing the house which he had originally con- structed. putting up barns and granaries. By his well-directed energy he has made a competence and the reputation of being one of the most thorough, practical farmers and keen financiers of this region.
The marriage of Mr. Bruce and Sarah Edwards took place in this county September 6, 1863. She was born and reared in this part of Illinois and spent her entire life here. She was called to the home beyond Septem- ber 14. 1875, and left two children, namely : Nettie, wife of Lewis Ryerson, of Rooks Creek township. Livingston county, and Mary, wife of Andrew Wiggins, of Iowa. Mr. Bruce wedded Mary Horrie. September
3. 1876. She is a native of New York state, and is of English descent. as her fa- ther. David Horrie, was born in England. Elizabeth, the first-born child of J. H. and Mary Bruce, married J. J. Phillips, of Chenoa, Illinois. William H., the only son of our subject and wife, is a promising young man. He assists in the management of the home farm and is identified with the Illinois state guards.
The first presidential ballot of J. II. Bruce was cast for Lincoln. Of late years he has been independent of party and votes for the man or measure best entitled to his support, in his opinion, regardless of party lines. Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows order, is past grand of his lodge and has represented it in the grand lodge of the state. For a quarter of a century he has served as a member of the school board. and for much of this time he has been clerk of this district. With his wife and daugh- ters he belongs to the Baptist church, con- tributing liberally to its support.
JOHN T. PHILLIPS.
John T. Phillips, whose farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres is pleasantly located on section 10. Pike township. Livingston coun- ty, six miles from Chenoa, was born in Taze- well county. Illinois, September 14. 1837. and is a son of Alfred and Susanna N. ( Cullom) Phillips, natives of North Caro- lina and Kentucky, respectively. The father was born in 1794. and in 1804 moved to Wayne county. Kentucky, with his father. Cornelius Phillips, who was also a native of North Carolina. In 1830 Alfred Phillips moved to Illinois in company with his brothers-in-law. Richard N. Cullom and
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William Brown, all bringing with them their families and settling in Tazewell coun- ty, where Mr. Phillips opened up'a farm, making it his home until his death, in 1875. His wife survived him, but died the same year, at the age of seventy-one years.
The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in the county of his nativity. and in early life assisted in the operation of the home farm. He was married, in Taze- well county, February 28, 1861. to Miss Elizabeth S. Monroe, a native of Scotland and a daughter of William Monroe, who brought his family to this country in 1853. when she was fourteen years of age, and located in Tazewell county, Ilinois, where she grew to womanhood. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have nine children living, namely : Lilly is the wife of John H. Sandmeyer, a farmer of Pike township. They have a fam- ily of eight children, Edith. Eugene, John. Lillian, Isabel. Avis, Elizabeth and Vincent. Isabel is a well educated lady and has been engaged in teaching for some years. Will- iam A. married Sophia Salzman, and they have two children. Llewellyn and Julia . 1. lle is engaged in farming in Pike township. Edward A. is married and is also engaged in farming in like township. Lucius C. married Elizabeth Crabbe, and their children are Shelby and Kenneth. Their home is in Pike township, where he is engaged in farm ing. Margaret is the wife of C. A. Jamison. of Amity township. Livingston county. They have three children. Estella, Harold and Ross. Morris M. married Nellie Blake and they have one child, Mildred. He is also engaged in farming in Pike township. Maud and Ralph W. E. are at home. Those deceased were Nora, who died at the age of three years, and Jane T., who died in in- fancy.
After his marriage Mr. Phillips engaged in farming upon rented land in Tazewell county until 1870, when he came to Livings- ton county and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Pike township. which place he sold in 1875, and now owns the farm where he now resides. He is a thorough and skillful farmer, and the neat thrifty appearance of the place plainly in- dicates his careful supervision. Since cast- ing his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, he has given his unqualified support to the Republican party and its
principles, and has taken an active and prom- inent part in local politics, serving as a dele- gate to nearly all the county, state, com- gressional and senatorial conventions of his party. He filled the office of assessor of Pike township twenty years, and has been a trustee of the township for a number of years. Whatever position he has been called upon to fill, its duties he has always must capably and satisfactorily performed, and he is numbered among the useful and valued citizens of his community. His estimable wife is a member of the Presbyterian church.
STEPHEN H. PATTERSON.
Stephen H. Patterson, one of the ste cessful farmers and stock raisers of Living- ton county, is ranked among our representa tive citizens. He is an honored veteran of the Civil war and is deservedly popular among his old comrades. At present he is serving as commander of the Grand Army Post at Cornell, and discharges his import ant duties in a highly commendable and efficient manner.
Several generations of the latter-uns
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dwelt in Pennsylvania, and the maternal an- cestors of our subject-the Helms-also were numbered among the pioneers of the Keystone state. A son of Samuel and grandson of William Patterson. natives of Washington county. Pennsylvania, Stephen H. was born January 26, 1840. His birth- place, as well as that of his mother, Mrs. Eliza ( Helm) Patterson, also was in the county mentioned, and there the lad grew to manhood. His maternal grandfather. William Helm, was of German extraction.
In 1852 the Patterson family removed to Illinois, the father. Samuel Patterson. buying a farm in La Salle county. Later, he sold that place and came to Livingston county, locating on the quarter-section of land in Amity township, now owned by our subject. He had lost his first wife in 1852, and is survived by the lady who afterwards bore his name. He was called to the slient land in 1879 and four sons were left to mourn his loss. One son, Charles, had of- fered his life upon the altar of his country, his death having occurred while he was in the Union army, at St. Louis, in 1863. An- other son. John, who was married and re- sided in La Salle and Livingston counties. died a few years ago. William and Sam- uel are agriculturists of La Salle county.
Stephen H. Patterson early learned the lessons essential to the successful farmer. and, under his father's wise instructions, he laid the foundation for a prosperous career. When he was in his nineteenth year he started out to make his own way in the worldl. and, carefully husbanding his small earnings, he finally had sufficient funds to embark in business on his own account. Lo- cating near Streator he rented a farm for five years, after which he bought out the inter- ests of the other heirs of his father's home-
stead and returned to the place so dear to him, by okl associations. To the original tract of one hundred and twenty acres, he subsequently added forty acres. Industrious- ly setting about the task of improving the farm he soon had everything in fine running order. and by judicious expenditure greatly increased the value and productiveness of the place. He keeps a good grade of cattle and hogs and has been successful in stock raising.
On Christmas day, 1871. Mr. Patterson wedded Cynthia Hathaway, in La Salle county. She is a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Simeon Hathaway, who removed to La Salle county, Illinois, more than thirty years ago. Three children bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Patterson. Charles, the eldest. is an enterprising young man, now engaged in assisting to carry on the home farm. Guy and Emma, twins, are yet under the shelter of the home roof-tree. A little girl, Ida May C. Patterson, also is numbered among the members of this happy household.
On the HIth of August, 1862, Mr. Pat- terson enlisted in Company B. One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. and with his comrades our subject took part in many of the important campaigns of the Civil war. He was actively engaged in the battles of Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Mis- sionary Ridge. Lookout Mountain and sub- sequently in the Atlanta campaign, where for nearly five months there was almost con- stant fighting along the line. He aided in the capture of AAtlanta, marched with Sher- man on his famous march to the sea, and, afterwards went to Washington and parti- cipated in the grand review, one of the most stirring events and memorable scenes of this
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republic. He was honorably discharged from the service in Chicago, June 17, 1865. when the terrible conflict had come to a close.
Ilis first presidential ballot was cast for General U. S. Grant, and with the exception of a few times when he supported Prohibi- tion nominees, he has given his allegiance to the Republican party. as in this, alone. he sees the best policy for the country. For three years he served as commissioner of highways and for several years he has offi- ciated as a member of the school board and as clerk of the same. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant church. He is one of the trustees of the congregation and has been a very active and valued worker in the Sunday school.
HENRY A. SAEMISCH.
Henry A. Saemisch, a representative farmer of Livingston county, residing on section 2. Long Point township, is a native of Germany, born in Prussia, October 13. 1844. and is a son of Andrew and Julia ( Rice ) Saemisch, natives of the same pro- vince. In that country the father followed the cooper's trade until 1852, when with his family he emigrated to the new work. After about a year spent in La Salle county, Ilinois, he came to Livingston county and located in Long Point township, where he worked at his trade for some time, hauling the product to Utica. In this way he se- cured a start in life and was at length able to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land, although he had no capital on com- ing to the county. His success was due en-
tirely to his industry, perseverance and good management. He died in 1883, at about the age of eighty-five years, but his wife. who was born in 1810, still survives him. She is still living in Long Point township. Both were members of the German Lutheran church, and in politics the father was a Democrat. Of the ten children born to them the following are still living : Louisa. wife of Jacob Schoenleber, of Ransom, La Salle county : Fritz, a farmer of Cas com- to. lowa: Henry A., our subject: Mary. wife of Charles Kaiser, Pottawattomie con- ty lowa: Robert J., a resident of Long Point township. Livingston county; Julia, widow of Theodere Girard and a resident of the same township, and Andrew, also ci Long Point township. Julia and Andren were born in Illinois, the others in Prussia. Germany.
The subject of this sketch was quite small on the emigration of the family to America, and his education was obtained m the common schools of Long Point town- ship. He remained at home until about thirty five years of age, managing the farm for his father, and acquiring an excellent knowledge of all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In 18St he Was united in marriage with Miss Amelia Stiethman, who was also born in Prussia, in 1855, and when about seventeen years of age came to this country with her sister. Augusta, now deceased. They were the only members of the family in America. Five children were born to our subject and his wife, but two died in early childhood. Those living are Frank H., quella and Bertha A .. all at home. They attended the district schools, and Frank was also a Student at a German sch of in Streator for une teTill.
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After his marriage Mr. Saemisch lo- cated on the farm on one hundred acres in Long Point township, which he had pur- chased in 1870. At that time it was all wild prairie and swamp land, but he has tiled and drained it, erected good and sub- stantial buildings, planted an orchard and otherwise improved the place, so that it is now one of the most desirable farms of its size in the township. He carries on general farming and has met with good success.
Religiously Mr. Saemisch is a member of the Lutheran church, and, politically, is independent, voting for the man whom he believes best qualified to fill the position regardless of party lines. He has served as school director in his district for a num- ber of terms, and has always faithfully dis- charged any duty devolving upon him, whether public or private.
NATHAN SPRINGER.
In tracing the history of the Springer family, of which the subject of this review is a worthy representative, it is learned that the founder of the branch in the United States was one Christopher Springer, who was a native of Germany. Ile had resided in Sweden previous to his coming to these hospitable shores, and there had occupied a responsible position. When a little colony of Swedish people decided to come to this country he joined their ranks, and with them located on lands near Wilmington. Delaware, and from that point his descend- ants have emigrated to all sections of this continent.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Uriah Springer, was born and reared in Virginia, and at an early day removed to
the wilds of Brown county, Ohio. His son, Nathan Springer. Sr., was born on the old homestead, which had been cleared in the forest. When he arrived at maturity he chose Lydia Lucas as a wife, and about 1832 they removed to Vermilion county, Illinois, accompanied by their respective parents and families. Mrs. Springer was a native of Brown county, Ohio, and was a daughter of John Lucas. After tilling the soil in Vermilion county for a score of years, Na- than Springer. Sr., came to Livingston county, where his father had taken up a large tract of land and had become wealthy and influential. He had served in various local positions and was looked up to with respect by all who knew him. When the death summons came to him he was placed to rest in Short Point cemetery, which he had laid out on his own land. in Amity township. From 1853 to 1872, the year of his death. Nathan Springer, Sr., was active- ly and successfully engaged in farming in Long Point township. He had located on a quarter-section of prairie land, and dili- gently improved the place, building a sub- stantial house and barn. His devoted wife survived him nineteen years and for much of this period she was a member of her son, Nathan's household. The father attained the age of three-score and ten, while the mother was in her eighty-fifth year when she was called to her reward. Both are sleeping their last sleep in Earp cemetery, in .Amity township.
The birth of Nathan Springer, Jr., took place in Vermilion county, Illinois, June 9, 1845, and his boyhood was spent in the usual pursuits of country lads. He learned to love his native land with the devotion of a true patriot, and when her stability was threat- ened, he eagerly responded to the call of the
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president for loyal sons, ready to lay their lives down for their principles. He was only seventeen years old when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 1862, and he faith- fully served in the ranks of Company C until the close of the war, his honorable discharge from the army occurring June 19, 1865. He participated in some of the most import- ant campaigns of the great war, at first being assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. Among the numerous battles in which he took part, Buzzards' Roost, Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and Bentonville may be mentioned. His last service was under the leadership of Sher- man in the Atlanta campaign, where battles and skirmishes were of almost daily occurrence. The last serious conflict in which he was engaged was that of Benton- ville, North Carolina, and after marching from Richmond to Washington, he was one ci the blue-coated veterans who were in the Grand Review. During his long and ardu- outs service, the young man was slightly wounded three times and three or four times was in the hospital for short periods.
For two or more years subsequent to his return home, Mr. Springer aided in the man- agement of the parental farm. After his marriage, in 1807, he rented a farm and a few years later purchased a tract of wild land in Long Point township. When he had materially improved the property he sokl it and removed to Allen county, Kansas. For about one year he engaged in farming there and then, in 1884, returned to Illinois and rented land for another year. About fifteen years ago he located upon his pres- ent homestead in section 19. Amity town- ship, and at once instituted a series of changes in its management. He has built 21
a comfortable house and barns, and by uling and fencing has materially increased the value of the farm.
The marriage of Mr. Springer and Mary Catherine Carpenter took place September 12, 1867. Mrs. Springer is a native of Ohio and since 1854 has been a resident of Illinois, as in the year mentioned her father, Robert Carpenter, became a pioneer of Liv- ingston county. Robert M., the eldest chikl of our subject and his wife, is married and is a successful farmer of this county. Dur- ing the Spanish-American war he enlisted and was sent to Porto Rico for a period. Charles Walter is married and is numbered among the farmers of this township. Na- than, Martha and Francis are at home. Alonza, who is the head of the household in this township, is engaged in tilling the soil. Otto C., a promising young man in his nineteenth year, was accidentally killed, March 22, 1808. Sarah Elizabeth died at the age of four years.
For two years Mr. Springer officiated as assessor, and after serving for two terms --- some five years-as highway commis- sioner, he resigned, in order to give his whole attention to his business affairs. A firm friend to education, he acted as a mem- ber of the school board for a score of years or more, and also was clerk of the district. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masome ira ternity, and, politically, he is a Democrat. Ile enjoys the esteem of all of his neighbors and associates, as he justly deserves, for his course of life has been upright and how rable
HENRY BELDEN WATSON.
Henry Belden Watson, a thrifty and en- terprising farmer residing on section 15. Forrest township. Livingston county. Illi-
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nois, was born in Litchfield county. Con- necticut, February 5, 1837, a son of George and Jane ( Belden) Watson. On the ma- ternal side he is of the tenth generation in direct descent from Richard Belden, a na- tive of England, who settled in Wethers- field, Connecticut, in 1640, and died in 1655. His son, John Belden, was born in England, in 1633, was married, April 24, 1657, and died in 1677, in Wethersfield, Connecticut, leaving seven children. One of these, Jona- than Belden, was born in Wethersfield. Jan- uary 21, 1660, was married, October 10, 1685. to Mary Wright, and died July 6, 1734. Of their five children, Silas was born in Wethersfield, July 23, 1691, was married, November 30. 1716. to Abigail Rubens, and died in 1742, leaving seven children. His son, Silas Belden, Jr., was born in Wethers- field. November 30, 1717, and moved to Caanan, Connecticut, where he died in 1773. Jonathan Belden, son of Silas, Jr., was born in 1738, and married his second cousin, Sarah Belden, who was born in 1744, and died October 26, 1777, while he died Jan- uary 9, 1774. Their son, Jonathan Belden, Jr., was born June 17, 1773, and married Love Dean, who was born October 10, 1783, and died September 8, 1832, while he died September 24, 1831. They lived near Falls Village, Connecticut, and were the maternal grandparents of our subject.
The paternal grandfather. Thomas Wat- son, was born in New Hartford, Connecti- cut, October 15, 1763, and throughout life followed farming. On the Ist of January, 1797, he married Millicent Wetmore, who was born January 10, 1772, a daughter of Joel and Sarah ( Yyman) Wetmore. The grandfather was a member of Colonel Zebu- lon Butler's regiment in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war, and
for his service he was receiving a pension at the time of his death, which occurred Jan- mary 23, 1850, on the old homestead farm in the same house where our subject was born. He was a man of independent mind and con- servative in his views, was a Henry Clay Whig, and a member of the Congregational church. Industrious and frugal in his habits, he became a successful farmer and at the time of his death left an estate which in- ventoried. free from incumbrance. fifteen thousand one hundred and fifty-eight dol- lars. George Watson. father of our sub- ject, was born in New Hartford, Connecti- cut. March 12, 1812, and followed the occu- pation of farming in that state until 1843, when he and his family came to Illinois, lo- cating in Warren county, where he pur- chased a tract of government land at one dollar and a quarter per acre. This he broke and improved, making it his home throughout the remainder of his life. He (lied at Roseville, Illinois, November 26, 1886. He was an extensive farmer and stock raiser and a prosperous and success- ful business man. In New Hartford, Con- necticut, he was married, September 10, 1833, to Jane Belden, who was born at Falls Village, that state, March 4, 1811, and died, April 22, 1867.
There were three children by this union, of whom our subject is the eldest. ( 2) Emma V., the second, is the wife of Charles Ilotchkiss, a farmer of Cheshire, Connecti- cut, and they had three children : Minnie. born January 2. 1869; Clarence H., who was born September 24, 1870, and died May 24, 1877, and Harriet T., born January 27, 1877. (3) Irene Jane, born November 3. 1840, is the wife of Harry Wooding, also a farmer of Cheshire, Connecticut, and they have two children: Ida Estella, born Sep-
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tember 8. 1868, married Benjamin Hatfield, July 12, 1800, resides in New Haven, Con- necticut ; and Waldo, born February 23. 1874. unmarried, resides in Cheshire with his parents.
In 1844, at the age of seven years, Ilenry B. Watson, of this review, was brought to Warren county, Illinois, by his uncle, Roman Watson, where he lived until he attained his majority, herding sheep on the prairie about eight years and later doing other farm work. He then engaged in farming on his own ac- count until after the Civil war broke out. when he enlisted at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, November 3. 1863, in Company .\, First Wisconsin Artillery. He was promoted to second lieutenant in the Eleventh United States Artillery, February 2, 1865, and hon- orably discharged at Providence, Rhode Is- land, October 25, 1865. The hardest fought battle in which he took part was that of Fort Stevens, near Washington, July 11, and 12, 1864, and it was here that he received his promotion and commission of second lieuten- ant. After his discharge he returned to Illinois, and bought eighty acres of his pres- ent farm in Forrest township, Livingston county, for which he paid fifteen dollars per acre. In 1882 he purchased another eighty acres, paying for the same forty-five dollars per acre, and now has a fine farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres, which is well tiled and under excellent cultivation. His home is one of the best in the township.
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