USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The biographical record of Livingston County, Illinois > Part 42
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Mr. Watson was married. November IL. 1808, at Forrest, to Miss Emma J. Francis. who was born AAugust 15, 1850. a daughter of John and Margaret ( Ross) Francis. They have three children, of whom Flora Adelaide, born January 10, 1870. is the oldest. Thomas F., born September 1, 1871. is engaged in farming on section 19. Char-
lotte township. He married Alice Owen, and they have three daughters : Mary, Bessie and Florence. George Edward, born Jan- uary 21, 1885, is attending school and assists his father on the farm.
Religiously Mr. Watson is a member of the Congregational church, and, socially, is a member of Forrest Post, No. 114. G. A. R., of which he has been commander sev- eral times. He always affiliates with the Republican party, but has never sought of- fice. He is entirely a self-made man, who by hard work, perseverance and good man- agement has become quite well-to-do and highly respected.
THOMAS WILLEN.
Thomas Whalen, who is wel and favora- bly known in Koks Creek township. Liv- ingston county, is a native of Ireland, his birth having occurred February 8. 1845. He is a son of Michael and Mary ( Doran ) Whalen, of counties Wexford and Carl, respectively. The father, who was born in 178;, departed this life when in his sixty- sixth year, and the mother lived until Feb- ruary, 1886.
Thomas Whalen was about four years of age when he accompanied the parental family to the United States. Salling from the Emerald Isle to New Orleans and thence proceeding up the Mississippi and Imois rivers to Ottawa, Illinois, they located on a farm on the tyth of March. 1849. Some three years subsequently the father was sum- moned to the silent land, and to the mother tell the task of rearing their sis sons and four daughters, and of the number only one is deceased at the time of this writing.
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In 1856 Thomas Whalen. his mother and brothers and sisters, came to Living- ston county, and for forty-four years he has been associated with its upbuilding. His educational privileges were extremely meager, but by observation and reading he has become well informed on general topics since he reached manhood. He possesses the ready wit and keenness of perception so characteristic of his race. Ofttimes he has been called upon to make addresses at pub- lic meetings and on the Fourth of July. His first address was at Flanagan, July 4, 1885. With the exception of two years he has delivered addresses at different points each year since.
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Loyally did Thomas Whalen aid his mother in the maintenance of the family when he was a young man, and it was not until October 22, 1871, that he embarked on an independent career, his marriage to Miss Mary Wheeler being solemnized on that date. \ native of La Salle county, Il- linois, she came to this locality when six years of age, and after uniting her fortunes with Mr. Whalen she faithfully shared his joys and sorrows during the early years of his struggling for a competence. She was called to her reward December 20. 1885. her youngest child, Fannie, being but three weeks old. Katie, the first born, re- ceived an excellent education in the public schools at Morris, Illinois, and in St. Mary's College, South Bend, Indiana, and is now employed as a teacher in that institution of learning. Mary, the next child, is im- bered among the teachers of this county. Fannie resides with her maternal grand- parents, and Josephine is at Morris, Illinois, in school. John W., the only son, now an enterprising young man is helping to carry on the old homestead. On the 8th of Feb-
ruary, 1893, our subject married Miss Kate McGreham, who was born and reared to womanhood in Ireland.
For two-score years Thomas Whalen has been engaged in tilling the soil in this county. In 1866 he purchased his farm on section 7. Rooks Creek township. and hore has made wonderful changes for the bet- ter. He planted fruit and shade trees, built fences, a substantial house and barns, and otherwise improved the property: In 1875 he bought forty acres, thus increasing the boundaries of his farm until it comprised one hundred and twenty acres, and in 1892 he invested in an additional eighty acres. Success has attonded his efforts, as he justly deserves, and sterling rectitude of word and deed has won him the high regard of friends and neighbors.
Politically, Mr. Whalen is independent, voting for the nominee or measure which, in his opinion, is best qualified to benefit the county, permanently. In 1888 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, and by consecutive re-elections has been the incumbent of this responsible position for the past twelve years. He has also sorved on the local school board, and for some time has been the district clerk, as well. He was the first president of the county Farmers' Alliance on its organization. With his family, he belongs to the Catholic church at Flanagan.
FREDERICK RISS.
Frederick Riss, one of the leading Ger- man-American citizens of Livingston coun- ty, and a successful farmer of Newton town- ship, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, February 2. 1851, and was brought to this
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country in 1856 by his parents, Christian and Helena ( Wingleman ) Riss, who were born in the same province as their son. The family first located in La Salle county. Illi- nois, which at that time was wild and unim- proved and but sparsely settled. their nearest neighbors living about ten miles away. There the father rented land for seven years and successfully engaged in general farm- ing. Ile then came to Livingston county. and prospering in his farming operations hore he became the owner of two hundred and seventy-four acres of valuable land, which he divided among his children. His success was due entirely to his own well- directed labors, as he had to borrow the money with which to come to America. By trade he was a mason and followed that occupation in Germany and also in this country in connection with farming. Po- litically he always affiliated with the Re- publican party, but took no active part in politics. He was a member of the Evan- gelical church, a strong supporter of the same, and one of its trustees for many years. Ile died November 21. 1890. his wife January 20, 1890, honored and re- spected by all who knew thom. Of the six children born to them one died in infancy before the emigration of the family to Amer- ica: Charles is a farmer of Nebraska: Sophia is the widow of Ernest Pappenburg, a farmer of Livingston county, and she still reside on the home place: Frederick is next in the order of birth: George is en- gaged in the implement business in Streator, Illinois ; and Mary is the wife of Frederick Welge, who owns and operates a quarter- section of land in Newton township.
The subject of this sketch was only five years old when he crossed the Atlantic and became a resident of La Salle county, Illi-
nois, and in the common schools of this state he acquired his education. He grew to manhood upon the home farm, assisting in its operation until twenty - four years of age. After his marriage he settled upon his pres- ent farm, which was given him by his father. and to its further improvement and culti- vation he has since devoted his energies. In 1803 his residence was destroyed by fire at a loss of over one thousand dollars, and he has since erected a nice. commodious houses supplied with modern improvements. He has added to his landed possessions at time, but has since disposed of some of his property, and now owns one hundred and twelve acres, which he has tiled and place ] under a high state of cultivation.
On the 25th of December. 1874. Mr. Riss married Miss Carrie Bruner, who was born in La Salle county, June 20. 1854. Hor parents, John M. and Annie (Henney ) Bruner, were both natives of Germany, but were married after their emigration to this country. The mother is now deceased, and the father makes his home near Hastings, Nebraska, at the age of eighty years. Of their thirteen children only two are having in Livingston county, John and Mrs. Riss. Our subject and his wife have a family of eight children, namely : Edward, who is quito successfuly engaged in dairy farming in Norwood Park, Illinois, and who was a member of Company A. Third Regiment, United States Army, and served during the Spanish American war both in Cuba and the Pilippines as a musician, and is now confined at home with rheumatism from the effects of his service: Levi, who is working as a farm hand in La Salle county : Albert. who assists his father with the farm work; Mary. Frank. Jesse, Otto and Annie, all at home. The children have been given good
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common-school educations and Albert took an elective course at the Northern Illinois Normal School at Dixon.
In his political affiliations Mr. Riss is a Republican, and has held the office of road master and school director for several years. He and his family are prominent members of the Evangelical church of Missel, of which he has been trustee for a quarter of a century and superintendent of the Sab- bath-school. He has always taken an active and influential part in all church work, and contributed liberally to its support.
EDWIN R. LUCUS.
For forty-four years Edwin R. Lucus has been closely associated with the dovel- opment of Livingston county. and within his recollection marvelous changes for the better have been made by the industrious. thrifty population. In his boyhood herds of deer and great varieties of wild game roamed over these prairies, and to-day this same territory supports a large number of happy, useful citizens, who are playing an important part in the economy of this com- monwealth. Edwin R. Lucus is justly en- titled to an honored place in the annals of his state, for he has been a loyal, worthy citizen, in peace and war alike.
John B. Lucus, grandfather of the above. was born in Virginia, thence removed to Kentucky and later to Brown county, Ohio, where he was one of the early settlers. In 1833 he removed with his family to Ver- milion county, Illinois, where, also, he was one of the first white settlers. His son. John IL .. father of Edwin R. Lucus, was born in Brown county, Ohio, January 4.
1820, and from his fourteenth year his life has been spent in Illinois, with the exception of one year. He grew to manhood in Ver- milion county, and there welded Sally Smith, a native of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. She died when her son. Edwin R., was an infant, and the father subsequently married again, and is survived by this wife. In 1855 he went to Grundy county, Missouri, but at the end of a year he returned to this state and settled in Amity township. Livingston county. Here he bought eighty acres in section 19, erecte:i a log cabin, and soon cleared much of the land. Later he sold the place and bought another of like size in the same section, and. after developing the property, disposed of it and invested the proceeds in one hundred and eighteen acres, situated on the Vermil- ion river, in Amity township. This home- stead. also, was improved by him and sub- stantial buildings erected. His home was here for many years, and until his death, December 20. 1898.
The birth of Edwin R. Lucus occurred February 27, 1844. in Vermilion county, and his youth was passed in the quiet routine of country life. A great crisis, however, in his own life, as well as in that of his country, was approaching, and as soon as his age entitled him to a place in the ranks of soklier-heroes, he enlisted in the defense of the Union. It was in July. 1862. that he became a private of Company .A. One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regi- ment of Illinois Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. His brother, John B., died at Bowling Green, Kentucky, in the following January, from illness due to army service. Before going to the front our subject received a sun- stroke at Kankakee, Illinois, and while he
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was in the service he had sieges with the years, Mr. Lucus has found a true helpmeet measles and the small-pox. He was de- tailed as a scout for eight months while in Tennessee, and one of the most notable military maneuvers in which he took part was the charge at the fort near Resaca, Georgia. Then followed the battles of Cass- ville, Burnt Hickory and Lost Mountain, and at the last named place his regiment was in a charge and went within one hun- dred and twenty paces of the masked bat- teries of the enemy, at which point they remained twenty-four hours, until the enemy retreated. On the 20th of July, 1864, he was a participant in the hard- fought battle of Peach Tree Creek, where there were many desperate hand-to-band contests. During the Atlanta campaign he was in innumerable skirmishes and battles, being under fire almost constantly for four months. The battles of Averysburg and Bentonville ( North Carolina ) were the last ones in the southeastern states, and then the brave boys in blue were mustered out. The One Hundred and Twenty-ninth was honorably discharged in Chicago, June 18. 1865. after having marched to Washington and participated in the grand review.
For four or five years afterward Mr. Lucus industriously worked at agricultural pursuits, and subsequent to his marriage, in 1870. he commenced keeping house in . small cabin. Year by year he accumula- ted more of this world's goods and by care- ful investments and improvements trebled or quadrupled the value of his farm. The place. comprising eighty acres, is located in section 19. Amity township, and a comfortable house. commodious barns and well-kept fences speak well for the enterprise of the pro- prietor.
In all his life work for the past thirty
in his wife, formerly Martha .A. Comwell. She was born in Licking county, Ohio, 4 daughter of John 11. Conwell, who died in that state. The mother later married Elijah Dean, and the family removed to MeLean county, Illinois, at an early day. The mar- riage of our subject and wife occurred in Waldo township. Livingston county, April JO, 1870. Their oldest child. Anna A., is the wife of T. N. Bennington, of this could- ty. Viota married William Bennett, of Long Point, Ilinois. Viola J. is the wife of Warren Winter, and Lithe 1. wedited . I. G. Wider, of this county. Edwin Harper and Jesse Ross are at home, assisting in the work of the farm, and Millie L. completes the family circle. Three children are de- ceased.
Though he was reared in the Demo- cratie faith, Mr. Lucus, after making a thorough study of the party principles, cast in his lot with the Republicans, and is one of its stanchest adherents. Ile has acted as a commissioner of highways for six years and for three years served on the local school board, but has never been destrous of office. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic, and his wife is an honored member of the Woman's Rchef Corps.
RICHARD ML HOLT.
Richard M. Holt, an honored veteran of the civil war and one of the representative farmers of Livingston county, residing on section 6. Waldo township, was born in Peoria, Illinois .. June 27. 1843, and is a son of James W. and Ellen (Ingham ) Helt. natives of Lancastershire, England. They
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emigrated to America and settled in Illinois, in 1840, spending the remainder of their lives as farming people in Peoria county, where the father died in 1895, the mother in 1894. They had a family of seven children, namely : Thomas, a resident of Peoria county; Richard M., our subject ; Eliza, wife of Henry Morris, of Peoria county; Martha, wife of James Morris, of Peoria : Elizabeth, wife of John Yetter, of Peoria: and John and Frederick, both residents of the same place.
Reared on a farm in his native county, Richard M. Holt attended the public schools of the neighborhood and early acquired an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits. On starting out in life for himself he com- menced farming in Peoria county, where he was living when the civil war broke out. On the 8th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Seventy-seventh Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, his company being organ- ized in Rosefield township, Peoria county. They were first sent to Cincinnati, and from there wont to Louisville, Kentucky, where they were assigned to the Thirteenth Army Corps. They were in a number of skir- mishes up the Yazoo river, and took part in the battle of Arkansas Post. They went into camp at Young's Point, Louisiana, and later took part in the seige of Vicksburg, being placed in the rear of the Confederate army during that siege. They were in the engagement at Yazoo river and in the other charges against Vicksburg. After the fall of that city they were given a furlough which they spent at home, and then rejoined the army at Decrase Pount, Texas, where Mr. Holt was discharged on account of disability.
Returning to Illinois, he remained at home one yoar, and then engaged in farming
in Peoria county two years. In the spring of 1867 he came to Livingston county, and settled on section 6, Waldo township, where he has since successfully engaged in general farming. On the IIth of January, 1868, Mr. Holt was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Morris, a daughter of Henry and Ann ( Rigley ) Morris, who were natives of England and early settlers of Peoria county. By this union have been born the following children: Mattie, wife of John Roth of Woodford county: Anna, wife of Robert Boyd, of the same county ; James, of Living- ston county ; Harvey. Harry, Elmer. Ella and Richard, all at home.
By his ballot Mr. Holt supports the men and measures of the Republican party, and for twelve years he has acceptably served as school director of his district. He is one of the progressive and enterprising farmers of Livingston county, and is a man of whom any community might be justly proud.
CHARLES S. EARP.
Charles S. Earp is a worthy representa- tive of a family whose name has been closely identified with the history of Livingston county since the days of its infancy, some seventy years. His valuable homestead is one of the landmarks of Amity township, as it has been under steady cultivation for more than half a century.
Flere the birth of Charles S. Earp oc- curred July 26. 1849, and here, with his seven brothers and sisters he passed his carly years, laying the foundations of health and strength, upright principles and indus- trious habits. Two of the number and their devoted parents, Charles and Hestor Anna
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(Molledge) Earp, have been called to the better land, and the surviving members of the family occupy honore l places in the com- munites where they dwell. The Earps originatol in England, and our subject's fa- ther was reared in the British Ise. When he had come to the United States and set- tled in Ohio be there made the acquaintance of his future wife, herself a native of Eng- land, but from childhood a resident of the Buckeye state.
About 1830 Charles Earp, with his wife and their two children, removed to Illinois. The father took up four hundred acres of land in Amity township, and with charac- teristic energy set about the great task vi clearing and improving the place. In the course of time, the first humble dwelling and barn were replaced by large. well built struc- tures, and fences, orchards and other im- provoments trebled the original value of the farm. The father, who was loved and re- vered by his neighbors and associates, passed to his reward in 1873, and the mother, who survived him many years, at last followed him to the silent land.
During his entire life, fifty-one years, Charles S. Earp, of this sketch, has resided upon the homestead which he still cultivates and manages. His educational advantages were limited, as the little district schools of his boyhood in this locality were few and poorly conducted, bearing small resemblance to those of the present day. He remained with his father until the death of that sterling pioneer, and subsequently the young man purchased the interests of the other heirs and succeeded in the ownership of the old WILLIAM MCKINNEY. home. I comprises a quarter of section 20. and is considered one of the most desirable William Mckinney, a prominent re- tired farmer living on section 20. Reading pieces of farm property in this region. Mr. Earp has drained some of the low lands township, Livingston county. Ilmois, was
with ditches and tiling, and by other espe- dients has increased the tillable acreage.
Never having been a politician in any sense, Mr. Harp has resisted all propositions to the effect that he should officiate m pib- lie positions, and when he has cast huis bab ot for Democratic principles and nominees, ac- cording to his belief, he feels that he has per formed his whole duty as a citizen. Soci- ally. he is identified with the Modern Wo Ml- men of America, belonging to the bulge at Cornell. He is a member of the Methodlist Episcopal church, and strives conscien- tiously to meet all of the obligations resting upon him, in all of the relations of life.
About twenty years ago the destinies of Mr. Earp and Miss Auma Furgus were uni- ted by a marriage ceremony, performed in this county. She was a native of Shelby county, Ohio, and was reared to womanhood there, later becoming a resident of Illinois. She was summoned to her eternal rest. May 11. 1898, and. turning from her quiet grave in the Earp family cemetery. her innumera- ble friends and dear ones sorrow fully re- turnol to the duties awaiting them, feeling that her place in the community can never be filled. Five children are left to mourn the loss of a loving, tender mother, namely : Elmer, Cora, Ernest. Reaben and Clyde. They are receiving good educational advan- tages and are surrounded with all of the comforts and privileges which their wise father can furnish them, or considers to be for their permanent benefit.
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born September 20, 1833, near Lancaster, the county seat of Fairfield county. Ohio, and is a son of Patrick and Mary A. ( Gil- lick ) Mckinney, the former a native of Scotland, the latter of London, England. The father, who was a stone mason by trade. came to this country at an early day and settled in Ohio, where he was employed as superintendent in charge of the construction of the locks of the Ohio canal. He was an expert at his trade and the locks are as good to-day as when built. He died suddenly of heart failure when our subject was only eight years old, and the mother died of con- sumaption four years later. Their children were William, our subject : Annie, deceased ; Patrick, a retired business man of Newark, Licking county, Ohio: and Mary, who died in childhood.
After the death of his parents William Mckinney made his home with Samuel Coulter, a farmer of Licking county, Ohio, until he attained his majority. He was only able to attend school about one month dur- ing the winter. The school house was a primitive structure built of logs, with puncheon floor, slab benches and one log cut out to make a window. The greater part of his education has been acquired by reading and observation since reaching man- hood. In the fall of 1853, at the age of twenty-one years, he came to Illinois in company with his future father-in-law. Will- iam F. Hunt, the journey, which was made by team, consuming three weeks. They located near Bloomington, where he rented land for six years.
Soon after reaching Bloomington Mr. Mckinney was married, October 18. 1853. to Miss Albina Jane Hunt, a daughter of William F. and Mary L. ( Barnes) Hunt. natives of Vermont and the former of Rev-
olutionary stock. Mr. Hunt was a strong abolitionist, and in Ohio kept a station on the famous underground railroad. thus aid- ing many a poor slave on his way to Canada and freedom. To one of his sons he gave the name of Lovejoy. His children were Albina Jane, wife of our subject : Fidelia, wife of Seymour Chambers, of Ohio: E. P. Lovejoy, of Orange county. California; William L. G., who was a member of Cush- man's brigade in the Civil war and was starved to death in Libby prison at the age of seventeen years; Cornelia, wife of George Olmstead, a wholesale jeweler of Kansas City: Myron H., who died in California ; Lenora, widow of Egbert Pratt and a resi- dent of Ohio: and Virgil. state evangelist for the Second Adventist church, living in Santa Cruz. California. After coming to Illinois the father of this family engaged in farming in Livingston county until 1872. when he sold out to our subject and moved to Sumner county, Kansas, locating near Wellington, where he died December 3. 1875. His wife survived him some time. dying in California. All the trees upon our subject's farm were set out by Mr. Hunt and his wife. On receiving the news of President Lincoln's assassination he set out a hard maple, to which he gave the name of Old Abe, and which is now a magnificent tree.
To Mr. and Mrs. Mckinney were born ten children, namely: Samuel G. died at the age of thirty-two years, leaving a widow and one child, both now deceased : Clarence P'. died at the age of eighteen months : Clara E. died at the age of seven years; Mary E. died at the age of eighteen months ; William Lincoln also died at the same age ; Annie L. died at the age of fourteen years ; Nettie J., a resident of Pontiac, is the widow
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