USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The biographical record of Livingston County, Illinois > Part 58
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Alexander Hawk attended school both in Tazewell and Woodford counties, and under the direction of his father acquired an excellent knowledge of every department of farm work. He remained under the parental roof until he was married, in Oc- tober. 1866, to Miss Hatie Van Buskirk, a native of Marshall county, Ilinois, by
whom he had three children, but all died in childhood. The wife and mother died in May, 1871. They lived for a time in Clayton township. Woodford county, and then returned to Linn township, where her death occurred. After the death of his wife Mr. Hawk lived with his parents for three years. In 1874 he was married again, his second union being with Miss Mary Whiten, who was born in Tazewell county. December 31. 1850, and is the fourth in order of birth in a family of six children, two sons and four daughters. Her parents are both deceased. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hawk, Charles died in 1887, at the age of ten years, and William died in 1888, at the age of nine. Philip, the ekl- est of the family, married Daisy Perry, and have one daughter. Marian. He lives with his father and assists in the operation of the farm. He attended college in Bloomington an Eureka, taking a business and commer- cial course. Grace, the only daughter, re- ceived a good high-school education, and is row successfully teaching in the district schools.
In 1874 Mr. Hawk made his first pur- chase of land, consisting of eighty acres in Linn township, to which he has since added a forty-acre tract, all of which has been im- proved by him. He has tiled and fenced the land and erected thereon good modern buildings. He operates two hundred acres of land in connection with general farming and engages in stock raising, to which he formerly devoted most of his time and at- tention. In political sentiment he is a Demo- crat, but at local elections votes for the man and not the party. He has filled the offices of collector and assessor, and at present is serving as school treasurer of his township. AAs a public-spirited and progressive citizen
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he takes a commendable interest in any en- terprise tending to advance the moral, social or material welfare of his community. Re- lgiously both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
TJARK EILTS.
Tjark Eilts, agent for the Henning Brewing Company, of Mendota, Illinois, for the city of Minonk, is a native of Hanover, Germany, his birth having occurred July 0. 1843. He accompanied his parents, L. E. and E. K. Eilts, to the United States in 1856, and for sixty-four days was tossed to and fro upon the broad Atlantic. Com- ing direct to Illinois, the family located in Peoria, where the father worked at vari- ous pursuits. Our subject had attended the public schools in his native land prior to his emigration, and after becoming a resident of this republic it was not his privilege to devote much time to his education while he was young. The father is still living, and on the 12th of March, 1900, passed the eighty-third anniversary of his birth. The mother died in August. 1899, when about eighty-two years oldl. They have been iden- tified with the German Lutheran church for many years, and their lives have been noble and worthy of praise, in every respect. To their children they leave the priceless herit- age of an untarnished name and record. Margaret, the eldest daughter, is the wife of Peter Wiebbens, and resides near Flannigan. Illinois, and John J. and Tjande are ummar- ried and hving with their father.
Tjark Eilts, as the eldest son and main- stav of his parents, remained with them and assisted in the support of the family until
he was nearly thirty years of age. For six years thereafter he was actively engaged in farming, and eighteen years ago he embarked in his present line of business. For a score of years he has been a citizen of Minonk. which has grown rapidly, and, though he is not a politician, he does his duty as a patriot, and performs his full share of the obligations devolving upon him, as a voter and inhabitant of a prosperous republic. Ilis business ability is beyond question, and that his firm appreciates his services on its behalf is shown by the long period of his connection with the one house.
On the 12th of July, 1873, Mr. Eilts mar- ried Miss Imke Cordsen, daughter of Jacob and Renoldt Cordsen, both of whom died when she was a young child. E. Catherina, the first-born of our subject and wife, became the wife of Otto Klatt, and their only child bears the name of Otillie. Jacob E., the eldest son of Tjark Eilts, married Mary Vosberg. Ile resides at Minonk and is now in his father's employ. The younger mem- bers of the paternal family include Irena .A. and Villamena E .; John J., who died at the age of twenty-eight months; AAnnie T., who attends school; Matikdla, who died when twenty-seven months old. one who died unnamed, and John J., now eight years of age.
G. M. SIMPSON.
In the activities of the present age. we. the heirs of generations of brave, hardy pioneers who led the way for civilization. by going forth into the untrodden western wildernesses and there "enduring all things. suffering all things." are too apt to think lightly or seldom of the debt of gratitude
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which we owe to those strong, noble souls who "builded better than they knew." It is fitting that the names and annals of all of the worthy founders of each county and state should be handed down in the records of progress, for in biographies of active workers on the world's stage are to be found the truest histories of a nation's development.
G. M. Simpson is a son of Harrison and Maria ( Combs ) Simpson, who indefatigably labored in making a home and provision for their large family on the prairies of this state. The father was born in Ohio in the early part of this century, and was of Scotch de- scent. His father, who was one of the carly settlers in the Buckeye state, was a native of the land of the thistle and heather. but for a wife he chose a lady, who, though a native of Pennsylvania, was of German extraction. Mrs. Harrison Simpson, born in Virginia, October 19, 1813, resides at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Anna C. Hop- wood. of Livingston county, and has sur- vived her husband nearly sixteen years. He came to Illinois in 1848 and three years sub- sequently became a farmer of this county. In the course of time he became well to do and prominent, owning and cultivating more than a section of fine land. In all the varied relations of life he proved himself true, just and competent to meet every responsibility. He occupied numerous minor local offices and for many years was a deacon in the Baptist church.
G. M. Simpson, the fifth of eight chil- dren, was born in Canton, Illinois, October 27, 1849. Hlis older brothers were William Henry, J. A. and W. C. The last named, who was an able and successful lawyer. served as state's attorney and occupied mu- merous public positions in this county, and after going to Emporia, Kansas, where he
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also held a position as prosecuting attorney, and was retained as legal advisor of the Santa Fe Railroad, he died, in the midst of his activities. Benjamin F., who also has been an attorney and commanded an ex- tensive practice until he removed to Chicago, is now engaged in the real estate business. Charles T., the youngest brother, married Lillie Humphrey and carries on a farm in this county. Catherine, wife of John Hop- wood. is numbered among the agricultural class of Livingston county, and Laura wedded E. B. Kipp, who is a lumber mer- chant of Evanston, Illinois.
The birthplace of our subject is in Can- ton, Illinois, and his early years were passed ot: a farm. When he was a mere lad a taste for commercial life was developed in him, after completing a public school course he attended Illinois State University at Cham- paign, Illinois, and thoroughly mastered the business branches taught there. In 1882 he located in Woodford, and since that time has been connected with the grain trade of this section of the state. As this region is exceptionally fertile and productive of grain, a large and flourishing business is carried on, and Mr. Simpson attends to the management of three elevators here. He possesses marked ability and foresight, and to his efforts much of the financial activity of this place is due. He is considered one of the substantial men of the local business world, and in every respect is a progressive and public-spirited citizen.
On the yth of January, 1880, Mr. Simp- son married Miss Sophronia II. Colean, daughter of Edward and Nancy Colean, for- merly of Jerseyville, Ilinois. The father is deceased and is survived by his wife, Mrs. Simpson is a native of this state, and for several years prior to her marriage was
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numbered among its successful teachers. She enjoyed the advantages of an excellent education, and is a graduate of Mt. Carroll Seminary. Four children bless the union of this worthy couple, namely : Colean, Cora, Stella and Lorena.
In his political faith Mr. Simpson is a Republican, taking marked interest in the success of his party. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Ameri- ca and the Court of Honor. In the home circle he finds his deepest happiness, and as a husband and father, son and neighbor, his life has been above reproach. He delights in surrounding his dear ones with advantages and everything which contributes to an at- tractive home of culture. At the same time he is every ready to extend a helping hand to the poor and afflicted, and all who know lim speak of him in terms of praise and ap- preciation.
PROFESSOR I. G. LINVILLE.
Among Roanoke's best known and most popular citizens is Professor Linville, prin- cipal of the public schools of that place. He was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on the 11th of February, 1864, and is a son of B J. and Rachel ( Rosetta) Linville, also natives of Lancaster county. The Linville family was founded in this country by three brothers, who came to America with Will- iam Penn and settled in Pennsylvania. One « i the number later went to Ohio and found- cdl a branch of the family there, another went south and was never afterward heard from. The offer one remained in Pennsylvania and he was the great-great-grandfather of our subject.
B T. Linville, the Professor's father, was
a farmer by occupation. In 1870 he left his native state and with his family removed to Russell county, Kansas, where they spent one summer, and then moved to Mason City, Illinois, making that place their home for five years. Subsequently they lived for a short time on a farm near that city, and in 1883 removed to La Platte, Adair county, Missouri, where Mlrs. Linville died in 1895. The father is now a resident of New Hol- land, Logan county, Illinois. In the family were seven children, namely: H. F., a resi- dient of New Holland : Mary, wife of David Berrier, of Kirksville, Missouri; B, J., of New Holland; George, who died in infancy; I. G., the subject of this sketch; Rose, wife of John Brown, of Vinton, Iowa; and Robert N., a minister of the Christian church at Canton, Missouri.
Professor Linville received his prelim- inary education in the public schools of Ma- son City, Illinois, and in 1883 entered the Brashear Academy at Brashear, Missouri, where he continued his studies until 1886, and while a student there he was also em- ployed as instructor in that institution. Ile next attended the State Normal School at Kirksville, Missouri, for one year. For one year he taught at the Brashear public schools, and for the same length of time at Bee Grove, Illinois. He was then elected principal of the Brashear public schools, in which capacity he served two years, and at the end of that time entered the normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana, where he was a student during the school year of 1893- 1894. In the fall of the latter year he ac- cepted the principalship of the schools at Broadwell, Illinois, and served in that ca- pacity for five years. In 1899 he accepted his present position as principal of the schools at Roanoke, which he has since filled
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in a most creditable and satisfactory man- ner. He is progressive in his methods and has never ceased to be a student, but while teaching has attended the summer schools at Valparaiso, Indiana, Fenton, Michigan, and at Hoopeston, Illinois. Ile has been granted the degrees of Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Philosophy and Bachelor of Pedagogy.
On the 24th of June, 1896, Professor Linville was united in marriage with Miss Katherine Ginther, of New Holland, Illinois. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Court of Honor. He is an earnest and successful educator, who is out- ranked by few in thoroughness of prepara- tion and scope of experience.
HERBERT D. LEWIS.
Herbert D. Lewis, the well-known editor and proprietor of the Benson Bee, is a native of Woodford county, born in Eureka, in 1867, and is a son of G. W. and Helen M. (Bidwell) Lewis, natives of New York, and representatives of old families of that state. The father is a contractor and builder, and with his partner has probably built nearly one-third the houses of Eureka. For over fifty years he and his wife have traveled life's journey together, sharing its joys and sor- rows, its adversity and prosperity, and on the 14th of August, 1900, celebrated their golden wedding. Our subject is the youngest of their children. Of those still living, Mrs. Lillie Krater resides with her parents; Crayton is a farmer of Worth township, Woodford coun- ty; and Emma is the wife of I. G. Leach,
a farmer of Paxton, Illinois. One son, Fred, died at the age of two years, and a daughter, Minnie, married James Snead. She died in Peoria at the age of twenty- three years.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the Eureka schools, and at the age of nine- teen completed the course of study at the high school, after which he was chosen sec- ond assistant in that institution and filled that position one year. Later he taught in various district schools for nine years, and during vacations studied the printer's trade. After giving up teaching he entered the office of the "Woodford Courier" as com- positor, and worked three years. In 1896 he worked for D. Davis, the editor of the Benson paper, and afterwards connected with the "Journal" office. On the 8th of De- cember, 1899, he established the "Benson Bee," a bright, newsy sheet, which he pub- lishes wholly as a local newspaper, making no effort to write politics, but running it solely as an independent paper. Mr. Lewis also has a fine job printing department, which has proved quite profitable. With his work as reporter and other duties connected with the office, he is a very busy man, and is meeting with well deserved success.
In 1894 Mr. Lewis was united in mar- riage with Miss Maude C. Fisher, of Eureka a daughter of J. L. Fisher, a retired farmer of that place, and to them have been born one child, Ilarold. In 1898 Mr. Lewis served as city clerk of Eureka. He is a member of Walnut Grove Lodge, No. 344, K. of P., of that city, of which he is past chancellor, and also belongs to the Uniform Rank of the same order. Religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian church of Eureka, as is also his wife, who was an active worker in the church during her residence there. They
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have made many friends since coming to tom, Trigg county, that state, he enlisted, in Benson, and wherever known are held in high regard. 1863. in Company M, Third Kentucky Cay- alry, under Colonel Murray and Captain Shaw. Ile was mustered in at that place, his regiment being assigned to the Army JOSEPH A. HOLMAN. of the Cumberland. Ile did garrison duty most of the time, and went on a scouting expedition along the Cumberland river. The war having ended he was honorably discharged at Catis, Trigg county, Kentucky, in 1863.
This gentleman, who is one of Wash- burn's highly esteemed citizens and an hon- ored veteran of the Civil war, claims Indi- ana as his native state. He was born on the 20th of July. 1828, and is a son of Tanda and Laura ( Parker ) Holman, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of New York. The father grew to manhood in Kentucky and there learned the cabinet- maker's trade, which he made his life work. At an early day he moved to Indiana, and in 1855 came to Pattonsburg, Woodford county, Illinois, but his last days were spent in Missouri. Ilis wife survived him some years and died near Columbia, that state. In their family were eleven children, several of whom were soldiers of the Civil war, while the father aided in the defense of his coun- try in the war of 1812. Of the children I'maline and Elizabeth both died in Mis- souri; Joseph is the next of the family: Gideon entered the Union service from Woodford county, Illinois, and later died in that county; Samuel is a resident of Wash- burn; John enlisted in Woodford county, and is now living in the state of Washing- ton; Wilham was captain in an Indiana regiment and died in that state: Frank en- Inter at Springfield, Illinois, served two year's, and is now a resident of Petersburg Fiction, Indiana.
In 1852 Joseph Holman first came to M.ford county, Ilinois, where he en- Legel if farming for a time, but prior to the Rele hmomoved to Kentucky. In Can-
While living in Kentucky Mr. Holman was married, in Trigg county, to Miss Penina Elridge. of that state, who died leay- ing one child, Joe, now a resident of Colo- rado. Mr. Holman was again married, in Woodford county, Illinois, his second union leing with Rebecca Pickins, who also died leaving one child, Amanda. In 1875 he re- turned to Woodford county, and now makes his home in Washburn, where he is well known and highly respected. In his political affiliations he is a Republican.
PERRY W. HOSHOR.
The subject of this review was for many years one of the most prosperous and wealthy citizens of Spring Bay township, Woodford county, Hlinois, and was promi- nently identified with the agricultural inter- osts. He met death by accident November 21. 1802, and his loss was mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
A native of Woodford county, Mr. Hoshor was born on the old homestead in Spring Bay township. November 5, 1841. and was a worthy representative of one of its prominent pioneer families. Ilis father, William Hoshor, was born in Pennsylvania,
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and in an early day came to this state, being one of the first to locate in what is now Spring Bay township. Woodford county. where he erected a grist and saw-mill, and also opened up a farm, becoming one of the prominent and successful business men of that section.
Upon the home farm Perry W. Hoshor grew to manhood, and his primary educa- tion, obtained in the local schools, was sup- plemented by a course at Marion, Ohio. He thus obtained a good practical education, and by subsequent reading and observation be- came a well-informed man. He succeeded to the home farm, and to it added more land until he had over six hundred acres in one tract, while his landed possessions here and elsewhere amounted to nearly two thousand acres of choice farming land under a high state of cultivation and well improved. He was a thorough and systematic farmer, and a reliable and energetic business man, who carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook.
In Spring Bay township, June 18. 1865. Mr. Hosher was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Dwyer, who was born in Ireland, but was reared in Woodford coun- ty from her tenth year. On first coming to America, her father. Dennis Dwyer, now de- ceased, located in Indiana, and from there moved to Woodford county, Ilinois. Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hosh- or two are deceased. Ira having died at the age of two months, and George at the age of five years. Those living are as follows : Mary, wife of Solomon Belsley, of Roan- oke: Cordelia, wife of William Frederick, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume: William D .; Alfred, who is mar- ried and carries on the home farm; Ellen : John: Dora: Talbert and Christian, all at 29
home with their mother. £ Since her hus- band's death Mrs. Hosher has built a com- modious and pleasant residence in Spring Bay, where she now resides, while her sons operate the farm. She is a most estimable lady and the family are widely and favora- bly known.
Politically Mr. Hoshor was a stanch Democrat, but never aspired to office. His career was ever such as to win for him the confidence and respect of those with whom he came in contact. either in business or so- cial life, and he well deserved the high re- gard in which he was uniformly held.
JACOB J. F.AW.
.As an energetic and progressive farmer Jacob J. Faw has been actively identified with the development and upbuilding of Woodford county for over a third of a cen- tury, his home being on section 9, Linn town- ship, since 1862. He was born in Monroe county, Indiana, August 22, 1832, a son of Jacob and Mary ( Callaway) Faw, who were born, reared and married in North Carolina. On the paternal side he was of German de- scent. He has one uncle, John Faw, who was a soldier in the war of 1812. His ma- ternal ancestors came to this country from England prior to the Revolutionary war and settled in Ashe county. North Carolina. After their marriage the parents of our sub- ject continued to reside in their native state for a time, and then moved to Indiana, where Jacob J. was born, but in 1834 returned to North Carolina and located on the farm which they had previously occupied, making it their home throughout the remainder of their lives. The father was a farmer and
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Stock dealer and was a very successful man for these days In religious belief both he and his wife were Baptists, and his father, Jacob Law, was a minister of the Dunkard. : German Baptist church, at an early day. Our subject's maternal grandfather, Elijah Callaway, took a very active and prominent part in public affairs and represented his district in the state legislature many years.
Of the twelve children born to Jacob and Mary ( Callaway) Faw, two died in infancy. The others were Martin, a Confederate sol- vier, who died from disease contracted in camp: Eh, who died near Jacksonville, Illi- nois, while moving to Missouri; Noah, who l'ed at about the age of twenty-six years; Reuben, who lives at home in Ashe county, North Carolina, at the age of seventy-four ; Matilda, deceased wife of Alfred Graypeel, oi North Carolina: Caroline, deceased wife , i Harvey Johnson ; Jacob J., our subject ; Mary .A., wife of Winston Ilartzog, of North Carolina; Amos, who died in Mis- yuri; and Franklin, a resident of North Carolina. Farming has been the principal occupation of the family and all have been quite successful.
On the oll homestead in North Carolina Jacob J. Faw grew to manhood and he ac- quired 15, education in the common schools of the neighborhood. In 1853 he came to Illmois and first located in Fulton county, here he found employment as a farm hand. Ali there he was married. in 1856, to Miss Drusilla Barker, who was born in that coun- 1. Aigust 19, 1835. and they have become the parents of five children : Caroline is the WJe T'en & Coble, of Newton, Kansas, wat the nos have one child, Ina. Marvin, &farmer and exassessor of Linn township. Wwwforl comey, Illinois, is married and , 1 (1 c Moren. Reuben, now serving
as assessor of Linn township, is married and has four children. Mary is the wife of Columbus Raines, of Iowa. Franklin is at home assisting his father in the farm work.
Mr. Faw operated rented land in Fulton county for eight years, and in 1862 came to Woodford county and purchased his present place, for which he paid ten dollars per acre, although there were no improvements upon the place at that time. He erected buildings and immediately began to break and culti- vate the land, converting it into a most de- sirable land. Having succeeded in his new home he has added to the original purchase and now owns one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 9. Linn township. Ile also operates another tract of one hundred and sixty acres, and carries on general farm- ing and stock raising in a most profitable manner. He has given his children good common school educations and has always taken an active interest in promoting edu- cational affairs. Politically Mr. Faw is a Republican, but has never been prevailed upon to accept or hold public office. In carly life he and his wife united with the Baptist church and formerly took an active part in religious work.
PROF. BENJAMIN J. RADFORD.
Professor Benjamin J. Radford. dean of the Bible department of Eureka College and filling the chair of history and political sci- ence in the College of Arts, was born near the present city of Eureka, December 23, 1838. His parents, Benjamin and Frances ( Lawrence ) Radford, were both natives of Virginia and of English descent, the former born in Buckingham county, in 1797, the
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