USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The biographical record of Livingston County, Illinois > Part 6
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Mr. Hays' first wife died in MeLean county. in 1872, leaving four children, namely : Samuel L., who is married and en- gaged in farming in Oregon ; Mary Frances, wife of G. L. Howard, of Byron, Nebraska ; Jessie, wife of Andrew Vercler, of Salen, Oregon, and W. C., who is married and fol- lows farming in this county. Mr. Hays was again married, in Livingston county. in 1874, to Mrs. Frances .A. Clark, a daugh- ter of Almon Rhodes, an early settler, first of La Salle county and later of Livingston county. She was first married in the former county to Wilson M. Clark, a veteran of the Civil war, who died in 1870, leaving two daughters: Akla, a teacher of Black Hawk county, Jowa, and Laura B., wife of J. C. Rainbow. of Pottawattamie county, lowa. By his second union our subject has six chil- dren, namely : George M., who assists in the operation of the home farm: Nellie, Pearl
Politically Mr. Hays was identified with the Republican party until 1896, when he voted for W. J. Bryan and free silver. He cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He has been a delegate to numerous conventions; served as com- missioner of highways in MeLean county for six years, and as a member of the school board for over thirty years, having always taken an active interest in educational af- fairs. Mrs. Hays and her daughter are members of the Baptist church and the fam- ily is one of prominence in the community where they reside.
CAPTAIN HENRY B. REED.
Captain Henry B. Reed, an honored cit- izen of Pontiac, now living a retired life at No. 504 South Mill street, is a veteran of the Civil war and bears an honorable record for brave service in the cause of freedom and union, and in the paths of peace has won an enviable reputation through the sterling qualities which go to the making of a good citizen.
The Captain was born near Pottsville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, January 29. 1833, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth ( Barley) Reed. The father was also a na- tive of Pennsylvania and a son of Thomas Reed, who was born in the North of Ire- land and came to this country six years prior to the Revolutionary war, in which he took part. He first settled near Philadelphia, and throughout life followed farming, dying at about the age of eighty years. Our sub- ject's father was a life-long resident of Penn-
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sylvania and a carpenter by trade, but at the time of his death was following farming in Schuylkill county. Ile died in February. 1833. when our subject was only three weeks old. and the mother, who long survived him, departed this life in 1873. They had eleven children, of whom the Captain is the young- est. Only three are now living. Elijah. now seventy-six years of age, is living re- tired in Schylkill Haven. Pennsylvania. after having served for twenty-two years as superintendent of the car shops at that place. His wife died leaving five children that are still living. Rebecca is the wife of Jacob Zimmerman, who also worked in the car shops at that place for a great many years. but is now living retired at the age of sev- enty-five years, while his wife is sixty-nine years of age. They have a family of three sons and three daughters.
Captain Reed remained with his mother in his native county until nine years of age. and then lived with a married brother on his farm in the same county until twelve years of age, when he commenced learning the shoemaker's trade in Schuylkill Haven. serving a three-year- apprenticeship. The following year he was foreman in the shoe factory of Frederick Millett. at Tamaqua. Pennsylvania, and then started in business for himself at that place, remaining there until 1852 and building up a large business for those times. Receiving a good offer from the firm of Packer & Olewine, shoe manufacturers of Mauch Chunk. Pennsyl- vania, be accepted the position as foreman for that company, and was in the'r employ a year and a half, after which he returned to Tamaqua. He was elected constable and held that office until coming to Illinois in 1855. He first located in Du Page enmity. where he worked at his trade for a time.
and later was foreman for John Wallace, at Joliet, for about a year and a half, at the end of which time he removed to Blooming- ton. During the Lincoln campaign of 1860, he was captain of the Wide- Awakes, and came to this county with that political or- ganization. Being pleased with this locality he decided to remain and was engaged in the shoe business in Pontiac until the Civil war broke out.
.At the President's first call for troops. Captain Reed responded. being the first to enlist in Pontiac, and he helped organize the first company from that city. which was mustered in as Company D. Twentieth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry. Ile went to the front as second sergeant, but after the battle of Fort Donelson was promoted to second heutenant, his commission citing that his promotion was for meritorious conduct on February 14. 15 and 16, 1862. at Fort Don- elson. Returning home June 30. 1862, he organized a company under the large call of that year, and again entered the service as captain of Company G. One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Volunteer Infantry. which was under General Sherman's command on the march to the sea, and from there marched on to Washington, D. C. Our sub- ject was mustered out at Chicago, in June. 1865. as captain.
After the war Captain Reed returned te his family in Pontiac, and was here en- gaged in the boot and show business for a number of years, but finally retired on ac- count of ill health. He was appointed by Governor Oglesby as custodian of memorial hall at Springfiekl, and was re-appointed by Governor Fifer. Since 1804 he has led a «quiet, retired life at his home in Pontiac. By his ballot he supports the men and meas- ures of the Republican party, but has never
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
sought political honors. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist church, and so- cially belongs to Pontiac Lodge, No. 294. F. & A. M., and T. Lyle Dickey Post, No. 105. G. A. R., of Pontiac, of which he is past commander. His loyalty as a citizen and his devotion to his country's interests have ever been among his marked charac- teristics, and the community is fortunate that numbers him among its citizens.
On the 29th of September, 1850, in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, Captain Reed was united in marriage with Miss Esther Beck. a daughter of George and Mary ( Barbary ) Beck, of Carbon county, who were farming people and life-long residents of that state. The father died on his farm in Carbon coun- ty at the age of eighty-five years, his wife at eighty-six. Mrs. Reed's paternal grand- father was a native of Germany and came to this country at an early date. To the Cap- tain and his wife were born nine children. six of whom are now living, namely : George O., born in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, is now engaged in the boot and shoe business in Pontiac : Katie 1., born in Du Page county. Illinois, is the wife of Thomas Kay, a dry- goods merchant of Pontiac: Edward () .. born in Bloomington, in 1860, is now sery- ing as county treasurer of this county, and is a prominent citizen of Pontiac : Harry B .. born in Pontiac, March 17. 1862, has been mail clerk on the Chicago & Alton Railroad for fourteen years, running between Chica- go and St. Louis, and makes his home in his birthplace: Joseph S., born in Pontiac, in 1864, is now a groceryman of that city and has served as alderman from the second ward: Cora E. is the widow of Frederick O. Scrivens, late of Pontiac, and is assist- ant county treasurer at the present time. The other children died at an early age.
FREDERICK SCHOENBECK
Frederick Schoenbeck is one of the worthy citizens that Germany bas furnished to Livingston county, and is to-day one of her most prosperous and successful farmers. He resides on section 15. Pike township, where he has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and besides this property he owns two other farms of similar size on sections 10 and 20, respectively.
Mr. Schoenbeck was born in the king- dom of Prussia, Germany, February 26, 1850, and attended the schools of his native land for eight years. His knowledge of English has mainly been acquired through his own unaided efforts. In 1867. at the age of seventeen years, he crossed the ocean with his mother, brother and sister and joined an uncle in Peoria, where the mother subsequently married John Rutz, who later came to Livingston county and settled on a farm in Pike township. Our subject worked for an uncle in Woodford county, and then spent a year in Peoria county. In 1871 he came to Livingston county, and after work- ing for others two years be rented a farm. which he operated for the same length of t'me. At the end of that period he pur- chased eighty acres in section 15, Pike town- ship, where he now resides. The improve- ments upon the place at that time were of a very inferior order, but he has since erected a pleasant residence, good barns and out- buildings, has built fences, printed fruit and ornamental trees and to-day has one of the best improved farms in the township. Ile has extended its boundaries until it now contains one hundred and sixty acres, and his other farms are beth valuable places of one hundred and sixty acres each.
On the 25th of March. 1875. Mr. Schoen-
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beck was married. in Peoria, Illinois, to Miss Frederica Wenke, a native of Oklen- burg, Germany, and a daughter of John F. Wenke, who, on his emigration to America. settled in Peoria and purchased a farm ad- joining the city, where he spent the re- mainder of his life. dying there in 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Schoenbeck have four chil- dren, namely : Frederick, Jr .. at home: Katie, wife of John D. Klein, a son of John Klein, who is represented on another page of this volume: Anna and William, both at home.
Mr. Schoenbeck cast his first presidential ballot for Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876, and has never wavered in his allegiance to the Republican party since that time, but he has never cared for political preferment. His life has been one of industry and persever- ance, and to these characteristics as well as his good business ability may be attributed his success, for he has received no outside aid. Both he and his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith and are highly respected and esteemed by all who know them.
DAVID S. MYERS.
David S. Myers, of Pontiac. president of the Pontiac State Bank, is ranked generally as one of the safest financiers and most sa- gacious business men in central Illinois. If success is to be measured by results he must be regarded as an eminently successful man. for not only his individual affairs, but all the enterprises he has organized and pro- moted in Pontiac and elsewhere have pros- pered even beyond his predictions and the expectations of those he enlisted in these various undertakings. His active connec-
tion with so many projects, both of a public and private nature, most of which contrib- uting to the material advancement of his county and city, marks Mr. Myers as one of the useful and prominent citizens of Liv- ingston county.
David S. Myers was born February 10, 1838. on a farm near Russellville, Ohio. and is now. July, 1900, only in the early maturity of intellectual and physical man- hood. lle inherited much of the vigor of his constitution and force of character from his ancestors, who were people of reputation and intelligence. conspicuous in the pioneer history of Ohio. He is the son of William and Margaret Myers, both natives of Ohio, the former being born March 22. 1814, at Russellville, and the latter in 1823 at George- town. This lady, who was a woman of practical merit and mental attainments, was the daughter of Ebenezer Moore, a sub- stantial and influential citizen of Brown county, Ohio, where he resided all his life as a prosperous farmer and useful member of the community. His first political affilia- tions were with the Whigs, but later the progressive principles of the Republican party appealed to his sympathies and won his ardent support. As a girl Margaret had what she afterward considered the rare dis- tinction of being the schoolmate and study- ing the same lessons with an unpretentious lad who was destined to become the most famous soldier of his time, General U. S. Grant. the Grant and Moore families being neighbors.
Francis Myers, grandfather of D. S. Myers, was among the earliest settlers of southern Ohio, actively assisting in the de- velopment of the county, and. together with his family, resolutely undergoing all the toil and privations that were assumed by those
D. S. MYERS.
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY Ast . .
THINK
615.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
devoted pioneers who blazed the way and smoothed the path for the coming genera- tions.
William Myers, father of D. S. Myers, was in many respects a remarkable man. He passed the largest portion of his life in Ohio, his native state, where he achieved the noteworthy record of having taught school uninterruptedly for forty years. The entire course of his life was regulated and directed by his love of humanity, his sense of justice and his sympathy with the oppressed, and he was one of those dauntless spirits, who, known as Abolitionists, were the vanguard of that grand movement which resulted in the extinction of slavery within the borders of the United States. His home was one of the stations on the "Underground Railway," which was the significant name of a secret byway over which fugitive slaves were assisted and hurried from the yoke of bondage to the blessings of liberty. He was suspected and his life often endangered, but no intimidation could swerve him from his convictions of right. William Myers had been a Whig, but the noble mission of the abolition of slavery proclaimed by the Republican party induced him to pledge his voice and vote to that organization. For a time but two Republican votes were re- corded in his township, one of which was his OWI1. He enjoyed the distinction that few could claim of having cast his first presi- dential vote for William Henry Harrison and his last for that president's grandson, Benjamin Herrison. William Myers was a man of culture in book knowledge as well as of practical intelligence in the affairs of life. being a close observer and a clear thinker, with distinct though liberal views on all the political and social problems of the time. He was everywhere honored for
his excellent qualities of head and heart and universally respected for his unyielding fidelity to principle. He resided on his farm until 1888, when his son induced his father and mother to come to Pontiac and make their home with him, and he contributed to their comfort and the serenity of their de- clining years until death closed their eyes in eternal slumber. After a life seldom equalled in its steadfast purpose of uplift- ing his race. William Myers died in March, 1896, and was followed a year later by his worthy helpmate, a loyal wife, devoted mother and sympathetic friend. Both lived as exemplary Christians, being until death members of the Presbyterian church.
The boyhood and early manhood of David S. Myers was passed upon his father's farm, where he formed habits of industry, a fixed purpose in life and stability of char- acter, and in the district schools where he acquired the elementary principles of edu- cation, and under the vigilant eye of his fa- ther. the most effective training that any boy conkl receive. To prepare himself for the profession of teaching he attended different normal schools in southern Ohio and so im- proved his advantages that he soon qualified and was called to take charge of schools, first in Kentucky and then in Ohio. In 1883 he came to Livingston county, Illinois, a movement upon which all his later successes appear to hinge. Here he engaged in teach- ing for nearly two years in Owego and Sannemin townships, with the most satis- factory results. Going to Chicago he en- tered a real estate office, where he diligently applied his time for a year. familiarizing himself with the details and acquiring much valuable knowledge of realestate transactions. Returning to Livingston county he, with N. Q. Tanquary, opened the real estate office
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of Tanquary & Myers in Pontiac, an ar- rangement which continued in force until 1889, when Mr. Tanquary's withdrawal dis- solved the firm, since which time Mr. Myers has conducted an extensive real estate busi- ness independently, always beneficially to his patrons and satisfactory to himself. During the years following 1888 several additions to the city of Pontiac, owned by Mr. Myers. were platted and opened to market. By inviting buyers who improved the property and became actual residents, he has promoted the growth of the city in wealth and popu- lation and thereby enhanced the value of all real estate, stimulated business and in- creased the general prosperity. The first project of this kind in which he was inter- ested, known as Camp's addition, comprised sixteen acres of eligible lots and is now the most desirable residence portion of the city. A second addition to this tract has since been opened. Myers' first. second. third, fourth and fifth additions have also been platted. all of which have their attractions and in all of which lots are being rapidly disposed of to home builders, many of whom he has assisted in their improvements. At this time. July. 1900. there are but two other additions on the market, and in one of these. the Riverside addition, near the shoe factory. he holds an interest. In 1890 Myers soll thirty thousand dollars worth of vacant lots. in his various additions to Pontiac, which not only attests his ability as a real estate dealer. but is substantial evidence of the remark- able growth and improvement of the city. For the past ten years Mr. Myers has been interested in drainage and reclaiming ex tensive tracts of swamp lands in Livingston. Ice, Henry and Bureau counties, in Illinois, and La Porte county, Indiana, and is the owner of a large amount of very valuable
and highly productive land in each of these counties.
Mr. Myers does not believe that a city can become permanently prosperous without productive industries employing skilled labor. Hence he has encouraged such enterprises in Pontiac, and was one of the founders, as well as the first stockholler, and is still a director. in the Pontiac Shoe Manufacturing Company, one of the most extensive and prosperous plants of this kind in the United States, affording employment to more than three hundred persons, disbursing for its pay roll more than one hundred and twenty- five thousand dollars annually and an annual product valued at nearly one million dollars. In 1899 Mr. Myers became interested in the Allen Candy Company, which was incor- porated with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. He was chosen as one of the directors and the company is now in suc- cessful operation. Mr. Myers was the chief promoter of the organization of the Pontiac State Bank, which was incorporated and opened for business in February, 1899. Ile was the larest stockholder and was elected president, which position he still fills ac- ceptably to patrons and to the best interests of the bank. Under his able management. assisted by an efficient board of directors. comprising some of the most capable business men of Pontiac, the Pontiac State Bank was a success from its inception, and is recog- nized as one of the solid financial institu- tions of central Illinois. The bank occupies elegantly appointed rooms in the corner of the new Sterry block, which were especially designed for that purpose.
The Pontiac Chautauqua Association is the pride and boast of every citizen, and has been popular as well as prosperous from its first assembly. Mr. Myers actively pro-
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moted its organization and has since been one of its directors. In 1899 its earnings were fifty-five per cent. on its stock. He rendered valuable aid in founding the public library, and purchased, at a liberal price, land donated by Mr. Babcock, besides contribut- ing generously to the library fund. The township high school was another object of his generous public spirit, donating the grounds in the center of which stands the im- posing school building.
Mr. Mvers has always been an interested student of state and national affairs, and is well informed on all the public questions of the day. Politically, he is an avowed Re- publican of the most pronounced type. His first presidential vote was given to General Garfield in 1880. He has participated act- ively in county and city politics and rendered valuable assistance to his party. In 1892 he was selected as councilman from the first ward, and while acting in that capacity ad- vocated the system of sewerage and adoption of water works which marked the beginning of an era of city improvements. In 1897 he was elected mayor of the city, his ad- ministration being one of the most import- ant and successful in its benefits to the city in the ni. tonyof Pontiac, including the removal of the unsightly raised sidewalks and bring- ing the streets and sidewalks to a uniform grade. From June, 1898, to June, 1900, he served as chairman of the Republican county central committee and brought to that posi- tion the same energy and sagacity that he exercised so effectively in other affairs. A.s a prominent and active Republican Mr. Myers is well known to the leaders through- out the state.
Mr. Myers is a man of keen perceptions. almost unerring in his judgment of men and affairs and of the very first order of
executive ability. In his methods of thought and action he is very deliber- ative, weighing every word before it is ut- tered and measuring every step before it is taken. He is quiet and self-possessed, and he turns off transactions involving tens of thousands of dollars with less palaver than many men would require to consummate the most trifling transaction. The elements that contribute to his unexampled successes are undoubtedly his self-evident honesty and sincerity, which invite confidence, the clear manner in which he presents a proposition. his excellent judgment in making invest- ments and his exceptional ability in organiz- ing and maturing extensive enterprises. He is unselfish in his success, for every step in his prosperity has been marked by some ad- vantage to his city and county. As an ex- ample of what may be accomplished by a well-balanced, energetic and ambitious young man, dependent absolutely upon his own ef- forts, the career of Mr. Myers is invaluable.
Although an intensely busy man, and while engaged in business oblivious to every distraction. Mr. Myers, recognizing all the obligations of citizenship and society, has a very agreeable social side to his nature. He has a refined home, one of the most ele- gant residences in Livingston county, which is located on Grove street, overlooking the Vermillion river, and has a cultured family. On February 9. 1887, David S. Myers and Miss Louise Catherine Slyder were united in marriage. Mrs. Myers is a lady of acknowledged refinement, supplemented by a practical, womanly disposition and a cheer- ful nature. She was born in Livingston county, one of ten chikiren, her father being Simon F. Slyder, a prominent citizen of the same county. Four children came to bless this union, two of whom are living. Diller
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Slyder and Anna Louise. The family are regular attendants of and liberal contributors to the maintenance of the Methodist Epis- copal church of Pontiac. The passing years have justified the wisdom of Mr. Myers in the choice of a bride, for their domestic re- lations are very happy and their home life what may be truly termed ideal.
CHARLES L. ROMBERGER.
Prominent among the enterprising, pro- gressive and successful men of Dwight is the subject of this sketch, who as a lawyer and business man has been prominently identified with its interests for several years. His life history most happily illustrates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an honest purpose. Activity and energy have been the crowning points of his success, and his connection with various en- terprises have been of decided advantage to his community, promoting its material wel- fare in no uncertain manner.
Mr. Romberger was born in a log cabin in Wyanet. Bureau county, Illinois, June 12, 1862. Ilis father. L. D. Romberger, was born in Pennsylvania, April 23. 1831. of German ancestry, and was left an orphan when only a year old. . At the age of eight he started out in life for himself and served an apprenticeship to the tinner's trade. Ile was about twenty-three years of age when he re- moved to Wyanet, Illinois, where he was married, March 1, 1860, to Francisca 1. Weaver, who was also born in Pennsylvania, February 20. 1839, and had come west with her parents, who were engaged in the hotel business. Mr. Romberger was engaged in merchandising in Wyanet for a few years
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