USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The biographical record of Livingston County, Illinois > Part 54
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litically he is a stanch Republican, and So- cially is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America: William C. Hobb Lodge, F. & .A. Ml. : Tazewell Chapter. No. 199, R. A. M .! Comer de Leon Commandery. K. T., at El Paso, and Mohamet Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Peoria. The record of Mr. McGuire is that of a man. who, by his own unaided ef- forts has worked his way upward to a posi- tion of affluence. His life has been one of industry and perseverance, and the sys- tematic and honorable business methods he has followed have won him the confidence and respect of all. Without the aid of in- finence or wealth, he has risen to a position among the prominent business men of Eu- reka, and his native genius and acquired ability are stepping stones on which he mounted.
SAMUEL WYLIE.
Samuel Wylie, one of the early settlers of Illinois, has been a witness of remarkable changes for the better in what was a prairie or wilderness when he first beheld the coun- try. He came here a young man, full of ambition and vigor, and with the character- istic energy of the New England "Yankees" soon acquired a fortune and nolly played the part of a patriotic citizen of his adopted state. No one, therefore, is more justly en- titled to an honored place in the records of Illinois, and the many friends to whom he has endeared himself by a thousand acts of kindness, integrity and justice will take pleasure in perusing the story of his life.
He comes of good old Revolutionary stock, his paternal grandfather, Peter Wylie. having served for all of the seven long years of the terrible conflict between the colonies and the mother country. He was a sergeant
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for some time, and often saw the great leader of the heroic forces, Washington. Two of Peter Wylie's sons, Peter, Jr., and Sammel, were soldiers in the war of 1812. A third son. Ephraim, the father of our subject, was a man of peace, utterly averse to warfare, in accordance with the principles of the Society of Friends, with which he was identified for years. He was a hard-working, just and highly respected farmer, and reared his chil- dren to take places of trust and esteem in the busy world. From New York, his native state, he removed to Vermont at the close of the eighteenth century, and there passed his remaining years. He was one of seven chil- dren-David, Peter, Samuel, Ephraim, Mrs. Polly Page, Mrs. Sarah W. Adam and Mrs. Hannah Goodrich. Beloved and mourned in the community where he had dwelt for more than two-score years, Ephraim Wylie passed away. in 1842, when he was in his fifty-fifth year. His wife, formerly Lucy Mason, a native of Massachusetts, survived him many years, her death occurring in 1867. when she was in her seventy-seventh year. Their eldest child. Wyram, lived to attain his seventy-fifth year, dying in 1896. and John departed this life in 1873. when fifty years of age. Angeline and James, twins, and Raymond died when young.
Samuel Wylie was born on the old Ver- mont homestead, in Orleans county, Novem- ber 9, 1821, and for over twenty-four years he lived with his parents, becoming thor- oughly conversant with agriculture, in all its departments. The desire to come to the west, to "grow up with the country." finally became his daily thought, and at the close of one of the long, severe New England win- ters he started toward the setting sun. Making his way to Buffalo, he there em- barked on a ship bound for Chicago. The
trip was made in eight days, but the accom- modations of the vessel for passengers were so meager that he and some companions had to sleep on the heads of the salt barrels with which the boat was laden. Reaching the Chicago river dock, the young man walked to a block-house inn, where he obtained lodging for a day or two, while he explored the future city, then little better than a "mud- hole." With several young men, he started in a wagon on one of the old trails, which proved so muddy that it required their united efforts to lift the wagon out of the ruts, now and then. At Downer's Grove they passed the night on a hay-mow, the only available place. and then continued their journey towards La Salle. One of the party, a jolly doctor, remarked, as they passed a graveyard. "Boys, I guess I'll hang 11], my shingle here. I see, by the slabs, that some other doctor has been here before me." From La Salle to Peoria Mr. Wylie pro- ceeded on a steamer, and finally, locating in Metamora, spent fifteen years in that place. engaged in carpentering work.
In 1854 our subject entered half a sec- tion of land adjoining Minonk, and this property, then entirely unimproved, has been in his possession ever since. He was the first person to break the prairie in the vi- cinity of the village, and he holds the palm of having been the first man that made any improvements in this township. His indus- try and good business ability brought goklen returns to him, in the course of time, and today he is the owner of one thousand acres of splendid farm land, two hundred acres of this being situated in Lee county, and the balance of it in this county. The rais- ing of cattle, hogs and horses added not a little to his income for years, and he found it profitable to feed live stock for the market.
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For some time Mr. Wylie has leased his farms, receiving grain in payment, and thus he became connected with the business of dealing in corn, wheat and oats, with his home in the thriving town of Minonk, just a mile from his former residence on the farm which he purchased about half a century ago. He has not been an office-seeker, but Served as assessor of his township, as he was called to do so, by his hosts of friends and neighbors. From the organization of the Republican party he has been an ardent ad- herent to its policy, and prior to the war he was one of the devoted friends of abolition- ism and the "underground railway" sys- tem. In fact, he always has been the friend of the poor and down-trodden, and has found great happiness in lending a helping hand to his brother men, thus fulfilling one of the most sacred obligations of humanity.
For thirty-two years Mr. Wylie was blessed with the companionship of a devoted wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Davidson. Her parents, Emory and Nancy Davidson, were natives of the Green Mount- ain state, and Mrs. Wylie was born in Croftsbury, in 1818. She came to Illinois with her brother. Solomon, who gave his life for his country during the dark days of the civil war. Mrs. Wylie departed this life September 1. 1894, and is mourned by a multitude of sincere friends.
A. VON NORDHEIM.
cestors, he undoubtedly is the better able to enter into the hearts of the people, and has deeper insight and sympathy with them in their struggle for a livelihood.
One of the youngest journalists in Woodford county, and certainly one of the youngest proprietors of a flourishing news- paper, our subject's history is of especial in- terest. Ile possesses the well known ster- ling qualities of the Germans and both of his parents are natives of the Fatherland. The father, Edward 11. Von Nordheim, left Ger- many when he was a youth of sixteen, and. arriving in the United States poor and im- familiar with the language and customs of the people, he was glad to procure almost any work whereby he might earn an honest dollar. At first he worked for farmers, but soon the mercantile instinct latent in him came to the surface and he was engaged in clerking for several years. In the mean- time he thoroughly mastered the principles of business, and when a favorable oppor- tunity presented itself he bought a stock of groceries and dry goods and embarked in the enterprise of managing a general store. When a number of years had rolled by he disposed of the business, from which he had made a goodly fortune, and with this capital he commenced dealing in real estate. also carrying on an insurance business in connec- tion. lle stands well in the estimation of the public and has frequently been honored with local positions of responsibility and trust. He has been city clerk and an active member of the board of education for several years. Ilis marriage to Beka Schmidt took place in the United States, she having ac- companied her parents to the new world a few years previously.
This popular young business man of Minonk is not ashamed of the fact that he has risen from the working class, and by his own varied experience and the vicissitudes A. Von Nordheim, whose birth occurred of life which betell his parents and an- in Minonk. October 11. 1877, is the next to
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the youngest of five brothers and sisters. The eldest, John, who is a farmer of Clayton township, Livingston county, married Louise Meierhofer, and has one child. Flora, wife of John Grampp, manager of the Minonk electric plant, has one child, Alvina. Sena is the wife of Albert Meierhofer, a clothier. Anna is still attending school.
As his entire life has been spent in this city, our subject is thoroughly identified with its progress and no one is more con- cerned in its improvement and high stand- ing. His education was obtained in the public schools, and when he had finished his studies he started upon his life work by ob- taining a position in a printing office. Gradually he mastered the different depart- ments of the business and thus thoroughly qualified himself for future responsibilities. In January, 1880, he dates his first experi- ence in a printing office, and when, eleven years later, in February, 1808, he bought the "Register" and started on what has been termed the "thorny path of journalism" he was only a little more than twenty years of age. He possessed enthusiasm and ambi- tion, however, and. better still, a knowledge of the practical part of the business that few young men of his age have as working capital. The paper is ably edited, is devoted chiefly to the interests of this immediate lo- cality, and presents the news of the day and current events in a brief, breezy manner. The circulation is about one thousand at present, and everything promises that it has : greater future in store. The editor spares neither time, effort nor expense in making this a model paper. It is independent in 1 Cities, fearless 1 censuring wherever cen- -ure is needed, and equally ready to praise Where prane is due. Thus it reflects in its columns the real opinions of its editor. in
most instances, for he strives to present the truth, unbiased by obligations of any kind. save an innate love for justice.
On St. Valentine's day, 1900, Mr. Von Nordheim was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Kenyon, daughter of one of the highly honored citizens of this county-Ed Kenyon. She is the eldest of the four surviving chil- dren of that worthy gentleman, the others being named, respectively: Grace, Florence and Elmer. Mrs. Von Nordheim is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and her culture and social attainments make her a general favorite. Fraternally, our sub- ject is connected with the Knights of Pythias. the Modern Woodmen of America and the Court of Honor.
LYON KARR.
Lyon Karr, the well-known and popular county treasurer of Woodford county, and also cashier of the State Bank at Eureka, is a native of Illinois, born at lleyworth, Mc- Loin county, December 29. 1861, and is a son of Henry . A.'and Martha ( Storey ) Karr, still prominent residents of that place. The father was born near Cincinnati. Hamilton county, Ohio. August 5. 1830, and traces his ancestry back to Sir Walter Kerr (as the name was then spelled). a native of Scot land and the founder of the family in Amer- ica. Ile was one of the pioneers of New Jersey and the family became quite promi- ment in Sussex county, that state. There our subject's great-great-grandfather, Cap- tain John Karr, an officer of the Revolu- tionary war, spent his entire life. The great- grandfather, Thomas Karr, was also a native of Sussex county, New Jersey, where the grandfather, Walter Karr, was born July 7,
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1797. About 1817, the latter moved to latter place, he was appointed by the board Hamilton county, Ohio, where he married a second cousin, Eliza Karr, also a native of New Jersey. In 1834 they came to Me- Lean county, Illinois, and spont the re- mainder of their lives at Heyworth, where the grandfather died in March, 1879. his wife in 1838.
Henry A. Karr, our subject's father. grew to manhood in McLean county, and was married in Heyworth, Jannary 10, 1801, to Martha E. Storey, a native of Hamilton county, Illinois, and a daughter of Henry and Mary ( Allen) Storey. Her father was from Georgia. To Mr. and Mrs. Karr were born four children: Lyon, our subject : Grant, who is now principal training teacher in the Oswego, New York, Normal School; Mary, a successful teacher of Chicago; and Frank. now a student at Leland Stanford University. Throughout life the father has devoted considerable attention to agricul- tural pursuits, and still owns a fine farm near Ileyworth. He is a Jacksonian Democrat, and has taken a very active and prominent part in local politics. Fraternally he and his sons are members of the Masonic order, and religiously his wife is a member of the Pres- b. terian church.
In 1878 Lyon Karr was a member of the first class that graduated from the lleyworth public schools and then attended the normal school for two years, after which he success- fully engaged in teaching in MeLean county for three years, having charge first of the Hickory school near Leroy, and later the Pleasant Hill school in Lexington township. The following two years he again attended normal and was graduated in 1885. For three years he taught school at Loda. Ito- quois county, and one year at Minouk, Woodford county. In 1889, while at the 27
of supervisors to fill a vacancy in the office oi county superintendent of schools, and the following year was elected to that position on the Democratic ticket for a term of four years. Ile filled the office in a most credi- table and satisfactory manner, and during his term a uniform course of study for coun- try schools was adopted, which was the greatest step in advancement that had been made for a number of years. In 1894 he was re-nominated, but was defeated on ac- count of the county seat contest.
In 1895 Mr. Karr assisted in organizing the State Bank of Eureka, with a capital stock of thirty thousand dollars, and after serving as assistant cashier four years was made cashier, which office he now holds. The bank is doing a successful and con- stantly increasing business, and its deposits now amount to eighty thousand dollars. Mr. Karr has been prominently identified with the Eureka Building & Loan Associa- tion, which he organized, and under his management has become a very successful institution. Ile also owns a third interest in the Eureka Telephone Exchange, and is a stockholder in the Farmers' State Bank of Mason City, Ilinois. As a business man he possesses untiring energy, is quick of percep- tion and forms his plans readily and is de- termined in their execution ; and his close ap- plication to business and his excellent man- agement have brought to him a well-deserved success.
On the 20th of June. 1890. Mr. Karr was unitel in marriage with Miss Emma Dillon, of Normal, Ilinois, who was educated at the Normal and Wesleyan Universities and the Bloomington Conservatory of Music, and is a member of the Christian church. They have one daughter, Helena.
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Ellis Dillon, Mrs. Karr's father, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, March 25, 1816, a son of Jesse and Hannah ( Pugh) Dillon, also natives of that state, and a grandson of Daniel and Anna Dillon. In 1823 he removed with his parents to Taze- well county, Illinois, where he grew to man- hood. Ho married Martha Fisher, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, July 10, 1827, a daughter of James and Amy ( Bennett ) Fisher, natives of the same stato. Iler family moved to Tazewell county, Ilinois. in 1828, and there the father died October 22, 1844, the mother September 11, 1861. In early life Mr. Dillon became interested in the stock business, making a specialty of fine horses, which he imported from Europe. In 1865 he moved to Bloomington and three years later to Normal, where he made his home throughout his life, dying thore April 13, 1899. For over sixty years he was an earnest and active member of the Christian church, to which his wife also belongs, and in politics was a Republican.
Mr. Karr was made a Mason in Abra- ham Jonas Lodge, o. 254, of Loda, and de- mitted to William C. Hobbs Lodge, No. 300, F. & .A. M., of Eureka, of which he has been senior warden one year; worshipful master two years; and a representative to the grand lodge in 1892 and in 1896. JJe is also a member of Mackey Chapter, R. A. M., of El Paso; Couer de Leon Commandery, K. T., of the same place; and Mohamet Tem- ple of the Mystic Shrine at Peoria. He be- longs to Walnut Grove Lodge, No. 394, K. P., in which he is serving as master of ex- chequer ; and Republic Court of Honor of Eureka. In 1868 he was elected county treasurer of Woodford county on the Dem- ocratie ticket, and is now filling that office 111 a most crednable and acceptable manner.
In 1892 he had the honor to represent the ninth congressional district in the national Democratic convention at Chicago, at which time there was quite a struggle in the elec- tion of a delegato. Mr. Karr is a pleasant, genial and polished gentleman of high social qualities and is very popular, having a most extensive circle of friends and acquaintances who esteem him highly for his genuine worth.
JOHN ADAMS.
.Among Panola township's honored and highly respected citizens must be numbered John Adams, who has been a resident of Woodford county since August, 1866, and has been actively iden- tified with its industrial and agricultural in- terests. Ile was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, June 11, 1827, and is a son of John and Mary Margaretta (Rottman ) Adams, who spent their entire lives in that country. By occupation the father was a wagon- maker.
Reared in his native land. our subject received about the average common-school education, and learned the wagon-maker's trade with his father. In 1854, at the age of twenty-seven years, he came to the United States and first located in Albany county, New York. He worked at his trade for three years and a half in the city of Albany, and then opened a shop of his own at Bethle- hem, the same county, where he carried on business until 1866, which year witnessed his arrival in Illinois. From April until Nugust of that year he had charge of the wagon shop of Mr. Steinhauer, at Vandalia, and on the 6th of August moved to El Paso, where, in partnership with Adam Henning,
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he engaged in business for three years. In August, 1869, he came to Panola and bought a shop of John Ward, where he followed blacksmithing and wagon-making with good success until 1890, when on account of fail- ing health he retired from the business and has since rented his shop. He still assists in the work of his farm, however.
In Albany, New York, Mr. Adams was married, in 1859, to Miss Mary Margaret Hugelshafer, also a native of Bavaria, Ger- many, and to them have been born eight children, as follows: (1) George Albert, born in Albany, August 8, 1860, died in St. Louis, Missouri, December 9, 1891. He was a painter and a temporary resident of St. Louis at the time of his death. For a time he lived in Bloomington, Illinois, where he served as mail carrier from 1884 to 1888. He traveled considerably and in 1882 visited Europe with his mother. (2) Mary Mar- garet, born in Albany, March 12, 1862, is now the wife of Lewis Senf, of Fort Dodge, Iowa. (3) Carl Johan, born April 11, 1863, was reared and educated in Woodford coun- ty, and has made farming his principal oc- cupation in life. He aids his father in car- rying on the home farm, where he has lived continuously with the exception of one year spent in Kansas, where he pre-empted a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Deerhead township, Barber county, Kan- sas, which place he still owns. Ife is one of the progressive young men of Panola township, is a stanch supporter of the Democracy, and is now serving as tax col- lector. (4) William Henry, born May 14, 1865, died August 13, 1866. (5) Fred- erick Wilhelm, born July 14, 1867, became a minister of the Lutheran church. Ile was exceedingly well educated, being a gradu- ate of several colleges, and studied theology
at St. Louis, being ordained in 1889. He began his ministerial work in the Lutheran mission of that city, and later erected a church on the southeast corner of Garrison and St. Louis avenue, St. Louis, where he died December 17, 1891. This was the first English Lutheran church of the Mis- souri synod in St. Louis. Although his career was short, he accomplished much and was a faithful worker in the Master's vine- yard. (6) Amelia Louise, born April 14, 1869, is at home. (7) John Henry, born July 29, 1871, is engaged in farming on the home place in Panola township. (8) Henry Harmon, born December 5, 1875, died .April 3. 1878. The family is one of which any parents might be justly proud.
The Democratic party has always found in Mr. Adams a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has labored carnestly for its success. Ile served as tax collector for two terms, and as a public-spirited and en- terprising citizen his best wishes are for the welfare of his neighbors and his adopted country. Religiously he is a faithful mem- ber of the Lutheran church, and he is high- ly respected and esteemed by all who know him.
JAMES KERRICK.
James Kerrick, who is one of the sub- stantial and highly respected citizens of Minonk, and whose elder brother is the present representative of this district in the state legislature (see sketch of Hon. Josiah Kerrick ) is a worthy scion of one of the long-established families of Illinois.
Born in Woodford county, February 15. 1858, James Kerrick has been a life-long resident of this immediate locality, and is closely identified with its upbuilding and
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progress. Ilis parents, Armstead and Sarah (Sloan) Kerrick, natives of Virginia and New Jersey, respectively, were pioneers of Indiana and Illinois, and to their posterity they left an inheritance far better than wealth -the record of noble, well spent lives. The father was a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and with lofty, self-sac- rificing spirit he labored for the good of his fellow men. Few of the pioneers of cen- tral Illinois were better known or more thoroughly beloved, and their children were reared to a high standard of integrity and dinty. Eleven in number, they were named as follows: Joanna, Mary, Steven, Josiah, Jacob, Thomas, Harrison, Henry, James, Benjamin and Phobe. The mother depart- ed this life in 1870, in her fiftieth year. By a second marriage of Mr. Kerrick three children were born. Orpha ( deceased ), John B. and Richard L., residents of Fairfieldl, Jowa, where the mother also makes her Home. The husband and father was sum- moned to the better land in 1873, when he was about seventy three years old. I See sketch of Hon. Josiah Kerrick, elsewhere in this work. for further family history ).
The birthplace of James Kerrick was upon the parental homestead in this county. not far distant from the village of Low Point, and much of his boyhood was passed on a fine stock farm near Belle Plain, Illi- mois. Ile mastered the various details of agriculture and stock raising, and when he was twenty two years old he entered into an agreement with his father and leasing a part of the farm, commenced its cultivation, aided by the team and implements which his senior furnished him. At the end of three years he removed to Minok, and for the past seventeen years has made his home here. Hle Has been engaged in the buying, selling
and shipping of horses, frequently sending away a car-load every two weeks and in less in his chosen occupation. Since his early busy seasons he ships according to the de- mand. Heowns and conducts a large feed and sale stable and has met with deserved success his chosen occupation. Since his early years he has been a lover of good horses, and developed great ability in managing them. lle is considered an authority on the good points of a horse, and rarely makes a mis- take in his judgment.
Fully appreciated as a citizen, Mr. Ker- rick was selected by the public for the po- sition of assessor of this township, his term ( f office extending from January, 1898, until January, 1001. In his political standing he i, an uncompromising Republican, as to the policy of that party he believes the prosperity of the nation since the "reconstruction" period should be largely attributed. Strictly honorable and worthy of confidence. he possesses a host of friends.
The marriage of Mr. Kerrick and Mar- tha Emma Hollenback was solemnized An- gust 5. 1883, near Belle Plaine. Four chil- dren have been born to them, namely : Orpha .A., Edna L., Ruth H. and Walter \. The eldest daughters, Orpha and Edna L., now attending the high school, possess consider- able artistic ability, as is plainly shown by some cleverly executed paintings they have made.
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