Surnames "B"
A. N. Bacon, Princeton, was born May 5, 1815, in South Egremont, Berkshire Co., Mass. He is the son of Andrew Bacon, who was born 1791 in Canaan, Conn. He died 1875 in Egremont, Mass. He was a farmer by occupation, and was married to Clarissa Vosburgh, who was born in Sheffield, Mass. She died in 1828, in Egremont, aged thirty-eight years. She was the daughter of Henry Vosburgh, and was the mother of six children, viz.: Henry V., Amos N., Milton H., (deceased), Mrs. Amelia C. Hull, Porter A. and Andrew U. (deceased). Mr. Andrew Bacon was married a Second time to Betsey Bronson. She was the mother of two children, viz.: Mrs. Nancy J. Potts and John Bacon.
Our subject received a common school education in his native town, but is mainly self educated. Un early life he was a farmer by occupation, and has always followed that pursuit. In 1838 he came to Bureau County, Ill., where he bought land in Section 3, and yet resides. He was joined in matrimony in this county May 9, 1841, to Julia A. Harris, who was born January 11, 1824, in Harrisville, Medina Co., Ohio. Her parents were Ebenezer and Lucy (Lawrence) Harris, who were natives of Connecticut. Mrs. Bacon is the mother of the following children, viz.: Coridan H., Mary L., Clinton V. (deceased), Ernest W,. Herman L. (deceased), Alida M. and Harry E. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon are members of the Presbyterian Church. The former is an active member of the "Princeton Academy of Science." During the war he was a member of "Union League." Although Mr. Bacon may not have reached the acme as a speaker or writer, yet to his credit it must be said that he has always striven for the advancement of good instead of evil.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BACON, George H.
Indiantown.
The Yellowstone National Park, with its many attractions,
is well known to our citizens, but few know the fact that the subject of
this biography was one of the discoverers of that wonderland. Mr.
Bacon was born May 4, 1838, in Amanda Township, Hancock Co., Ohio.
His father Harvey Bacon, was a native of Candor Township, Tioga Co., N.
Y., born April 9, 1806. He died January 19, 1883, in Tiskilwa.
He was a successful farmer, an Abolitionist and a school teacher in early
life. He fostered education and filled school offices. The
grandfather of our subject, Eli Bacon, was born 1778, in
Connecticut. He died 1854 in Bureau County,
to which he came in 1847. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary
War, and died in the terrible prison ships in Wallabout Bay. The
mother of our subject, Betsey A. Robinson, was born in Barton, Orleans
Co., Vt. She is a daughter of Joel and Celia (Whitaker) Robinson,
who died in New York. Mrs. Betsey Bacon survives her husband, and
is now living in Tiskilwa. She is the mother of four children, viz.:
George H., Mrs. Mary J. Harsh, Charles H. and Seymore A.
Our subject was educated in Bureau County, and reared on the farm. In the spring of 1803 he went west, passing through Denver and Salt Lake City till he reached Virginia City in Montana Territory, where he mined, and was so engaged in the stock business for a period of nearly nine years. During that time he traveled over a great part of the northwest. In the fall of 1863 he, with a party of thirty men, discovered the geysers, solfataras, etc, in the Yellowstone Park, which remained unknown to the outside world till the fall of 1869, when Mt. Bacon acted as guide to a party of forty-eight men, consisting of the Governor, two Chief Justices, tourist, artists and reporters, who circulated the news of the wonderful discovery.
In 1864 Mr. Bacon participated in one of the most noted events in the history of the Territory, namely, the extermination of Henry Plummer's noted band of road agents by the vigilantes. While Superintendent of Mines and acting as amalgamator he was also interested in the stock business, and after an absent of nine years, which were full of adventure, he returned to his old home, where he now has a farm of 240 acres.
He was married June 17, 1875, to Elizabeth R. Phelps, who was born September 4, 1838, in Sharon, Medina Co., Ohio. She is the daughter of Cicero and Betsey (Crane) Phelps. To Mr. and Mrs. Bacon four children, now living, were born, viz.: Cicero Phelps, J. Harvey. George Arthur and Grace E.
Politically Mr. Bacon is Independent. He is also an A. F. & A. M., Sharon Lodge, No. 550, and with his esteemed wife is an active member of the Congregational Church.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BACON, Paul Clifford
P. C. Bacon, Indiantown, was born August 24, 1856, in Senachwine Township, Putnam Co., Ill. His father, Emory Bacon, was a native of Ohio. He fought bravely in the late war, and died in the hospital at Memphis, Tenn. He was married to Susan L. Ash, who died in Putnam County. She was the mother of three children, who are now living and whom she reared after her husband had offered up his life on the altar of his country. The names of the children are: Paul Clifford, Joseph Chauncey and Maude Bacon.
Our subject was educated at the State Normal University. He came to this county in 1877, and bought 160 acres of land. The last four years he has been engaged in the cheese business. He was married February 7, 1877, to Mary E. Dorr, a native of this county. She is the mother of two children, viz.: Edgar D., born Oct 29, 1880, and Jessie M., born August 27, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon are members of the Congregational Church. He is a Republican, and member of the A. F. and A. M. and I. O. O. F.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BAILEY, D.D.
D. D. Bailey, Berlin, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, June 20, 1838. His parents, Wyatt and Miranda (Wooten) Bailey, were both natives of Virginia, but had removed to Ohio in early life, and were among the pioneers of that state. The father died there in October, 1851, and the mother died in August, 1861, in Wisconsin.
Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools, and Academy of Jarnesville, Ohio. At the age of eighteen years he began teaching in his native county, and continued till he came to Bureau County in 1859.
September 17, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Col. Isaac Wilson. He was mustered in as First Sergeant of the company, and promoted to the captaincy May 10, 1862. He remained in the service till October 24, 1864, and was mustered out in Rome, Georgia. The first battle he took part in was at Pittsburg Landing; he was also engaged in he siege and battle of Corinth, Iuka, Atlanta, etc.
After leaving the army Mr. Bailey again engaged in teaching, in Lomoille, Malden and vicinity, until May, 1878, when he entered the firm of J. James & Co., in the grain business in Malden.
Mr. Bailey was married in Monroe County, Ohio, February, 1859, to Miss Isabella Chaddock, born in Jefferson County, Ohio, February 25, 1842. She is the daughter of Richard and Eliza (Nicholson) Chaddock, both natives of Baltimore County, Ind., where the father was born December 24, 1805, and his wife September 4, 1808. They came to Bureau County in 1864, and are now residence of Malden.
Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have two children living and two dead, viz.: Ida, born November 15, 1859, died May 13, 1860; David M., born April 23, 1861, died March 25, 1881; Everett H., born May 28, 1862, a resident of Lincoln, Neb.; May, born October 22, 1881.
In politics Mr. Bailey had been a Republican until recently, but is now identified with the Prohibition party. He is a member of I. O. G. T., of Malden, and of A. F. & A. M., Lamoille Lodge, No. 383.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BAILEY, John W.
John W. Bailey, Princeton, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 15, 1830. He is the son of William S. and Caroline A. (Withall) Bailey. William S. Bailey is a native of Massachusetts, but in childhood removed West with his family, and settled in Ohio, and there he was married.
At the age of eleven years, after having spent five years in the common schools, John W. Bailey commenced as "devil boy" in a Cincinnati job office, where he remained until he had thoroughly mastered the jobbing trade; and in the meantime had begun to write sketches for the daily papers of the city. Mr. Bailey then became connected with various daily papers of Cincinnati as a reported and news editor; next assisted in establishing a Republican paper in Indiana, and in 1858 became a half owner of the Tiffin, Ohio, Tribune. His interest in this he sold in 1860, and he became a one-third owner of the Bailey Toledo Commercial. In 1863 Mr. Bailey purchased the Bureau County Republican, and has since resided at Princeton (see chap. on press).
In early life he was identified with the Abolition party, and also with the "underground railroad" business, and as he lived on the dividing line, he relates many incidents connected with the work which would read well in romance. He cast his first vote for Gen. Winfield Scott, in 1852, while strongly sympathizing with the Free Soil party under the lead of John P. Hull, realizing full well that either Scott or Pierce would be the choice of the people. He vigorously opposed the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, in 1854, voted for John C. Fremont in 1856, and for every Republican President since that time, always the uncompromising opponent of slavery, and the firm advocate of liberty. He was among the first to favor the arming of the Negroes to help put down the Rebellion; to favor their right to citizenship and the ballot, and he maintains now that the points of the war to preserve a free Republic will be lost unless the purity of the ballot an be firmly established.
The chief energies of his life have been devoted to upbuilding the newspapers with which he has been so long connected, and his papers have ever taken the part of all enterprises calculated to benefit the public. The Republican has ever been the stanch supporter of the high school, manufactories and various improvements. Mr. Bailey has given but little attention to any other business that that of conducting his paper in the best and most successful way. However, at the beginning of the war he spent one winter in Washington, D. C., as correspondent for his paper, in the mailing department of the House; and in 1880 he accepted the Supervisorship of the Census for the Third Illinois District, embracing fourteen counties lying between Bureau County and the Mississippi River.
In Masonry he became far advanced, and is now a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery, and in Scottish Rite Masonry he has taken the thirty-second degree. He is an I. O. O. F., and in religion is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
March 27, 1860, at Tiffin, Ohio, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma D. McClelland, who was born in Lancaster County, Penn., October 10, 1835. She is the mother of the following named children: Ella C., William J., Harry U., Howard and Mable; also two others died in infancy. The two eldest are following in the footsteps of their "dad," and are now in he Republican office.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BAIRD, Charles C.
Charles C. Baird, Lamoille, was born June 28, in Fairfield Township, Westmoreland Co., Penn. His grandfather was William Baird. His father, Joseph Baird, was a native of Chambersburg, Penn. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in Bolivar, Penn. The mother of our subject, Jenny Henderson, was a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., where she died. Her mother, Mrs. Polly Henderson, was a native of Ireland, and was three months crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Mrs. Jennie Baird was the mother of seven boys and two girls. Of these only three are living, viz.: Charles, our subject, who is the oldest child; Joseph Baird, a resident of Ford County, Ill., and Samuel, who is the youngest child, and resides in Lamoille Township.
Our subject was reared in Pennsylvania, where he boated seven years on the Pennsylvania Canal. First he drove for $12 per month, and then steered for $14 per month. After that he worked three years repairing the Pennsylvania Canal for 75 cents per day, boarding himself and family. After this he farmed successfully.
In February, 1865, he removed to Bureau County, Ill., where he bought a farm of 180 acres, at $40 per acre. He has now 230 acres of land and ten acres of town property in Lamoille Township. On his farm he keeps some fine horses. His success in life is due to his indomitable perseverance and industry.
Our subject was married in Pennsylvania to Martha Snyder, a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., and the daughter of Nicholas and Christina Snyder. Mrs. Baird is the mother of seven children, who are now living, viz.: Mrs. Hannah J. McCray, Mrs. Sarah Hainey, Mrs. Martha Maine, Mrs. Mary Schwabenland, Francis R., Andy J. and Charles t. Baird, who is managing the home farm. All of the children own real estate, and are settled in Lamoille Township.
Politically, Mr. Baird is a Republican. He and his excellent wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their grand-daughter, Miss Sally McCray, brightens their home with her presence.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BALLOU, Martin
Judge Martin Ballou, Princeton, was born July 18, 1812, in Halifax, Windham Co., Vt. His father, Asahel Ballou, was born January 18, 1771, in Rhode Island; he died March 20, 1851, in Halifax, Vt. He was a mechanic and farmer by occupation, and a son of Benjamin Ballou, whose brother, Hosea Ballou, was the celebrated clergyman of New England. The Ballou family is French extraction. The mother of the Judge was Martha (Starr) Ballou, who was born May 28, 1776; she died October 9, 1839, at Halifax, Vt. she was the mother of nine children, viz.: Hosea, Asahel, Perley, Levi, William S., Reuben and Martha (twins), Alvin and Almon. Of these Reuben died in infancy, and only Martin, our subject, Alvin and Almon still survive.
Judge Ballou received his primary education in the common schools and academy of Brattleboro, Vt. Afterward he studied law with C. K. Field, of Wilmington, Vt. and also attended the Harvard Law School at Cambridge, Mass., and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1839, at Fayetteville, Vt. He then resolved to go West to grow up with the country.
In the same year that he was admitted to the bar he hung out his shingle in Princeton, Bureau Co., Ill., and here he has followed his profession ever since, and is the oldest member in the legal fraternity. In March, 1857, he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court of the old Twenty-third Circuit, serving till June, 1861. The Judge can look back with pleasure upon a well-spent, active, professional life, from which he is gradually retiring.
Judge Ballou was joined in matrimony in Princeton, Ill., to Miss Catharine S. Tuttle, who was born in Medina County, Ohio. she is the daughter of Carolus Tuttle, a native of Connecticut. Mrs. Martin Ballou is the mother of five children, viz.: Charles T., now living in Marshalltown, Iowa; William S., an attorney in Colorado; Frank M., a merchant in Boone, Iowa; Elizabeth M., who is the wife of Seth Mendell, a merchant of Boston, Mass., and Addie B., a student in Boston, Mass.
Mrs. Judge Ballou is a member of the Congregational Church. The Judge and his estimable wife have made many friends in Bureau County, and are widely esteemed for their many good qualities of head and heart.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BAMBURG, J.J.
J. J. Bamburg & Co., Princeton.
In 1856 M. Denham engaged in business in Princeton, and the same business has been continued till the present time. In his employ were Messrs. J. J. Bamburg and A. Oppenheim, both natives of Baden, German.
In 1872 Mr. J. J. Bamburg purchased the business of M. Denham, and the same year took as partner Mr. Oppenheim, and for twelve years the firm of J. J. Bamburg & Co. have done a large and successful business as Clothiers and merchant tailors. They carry a stock of goods which will aggregate at least $25,000 in value, and have annual sales reaching $45,000 to $50,000. In the tailoring department they employ eight hands besides al the cutter, and in this department, as in all else, Thee customers are given the benefit of the proprietors' large and judicious purchases.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BARKER, Augustus K.
Section 2, P.O. Deep River. He was born in Morgan county,
Ohio, December 4, 1842; was raised on a farm, and educated in part in his
native county. In 1859 he went to Reading, Michigan, where he learned his
trade as a mason, and remained until April 7, 1861, when he enlisted in
company E of the Fourth Michigan volunteers. He participated in
the battles of Bull Run, Bull Run No.2, Siege of Yorktown,
Chickahominy, Mechanicsville, Gaines’ Mill, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Turkey
Bend, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, second Fredericksburg,
Wilderness, Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, and many others, besides numerous
skirmishes. After receiving his honorable discharge January
28, 1864, he re-enlisted, and was again honorably discharged, April 4,
1865. He then lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, until April 8, 1867,
when he entered the United States regular army for an enlisting term of
five years, and served until he was the third time honorably discharged,
June 30, 1871. He then returned home, and has since been chiefly engaged
in farming and threshing, and occasionally working at his trade.
He married, March 18, 1874, Sarah J. Black, of Victor, Iowa, who was born in Bureau county, Illinois, February 24, 1848.
Mr. Barker owns fifty-four and twenty-six-one-hundredths
acres of farming land, in splendid condition, and ten of
timber. He has served his township as school director,
and is an energetic and successful gentleman.
Source: History of Poweshiek County, Iowa Des
Moines: Union Hist. Co., 1880 p 710 Deep River Twp
BARR, George
George Barr, Berlin, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, May 26, 1841. His father, George Barr, was also a native of Germany, where he passed his life chiefly in farming, though for twenty years he served in he army. His wife, Salmon Busteter, was of French birth, but moved to Germany with her family when a girl. She died when her son George was six years old. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom are still living, all except one in America.
Our subject came to this country when about eleven years old, and lived in Wisconsin three years, removing to Bureau County in the spring of 1859. August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Ninety-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, served for one year, when he was discharged for disability. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg. Since his return from the war he has been engaged in farming, and has also run a threshing-machine and corn-sheller for several years. In 1877 he bought his present farm of eighty acres in Section 33, Berlin Township. Presently he had resided on a farm near DePue.
He was married October 14, 1867, to Rachel Martin, a native of Warren County, N. J., born October 14, 1840. She is the daughter of Henry and Mary (Brown) Martin, both natives of New Jersey. Mr. Martin died at Malden in April, 1879, but his widow still resides there. Mr. and Mrs. Barr have two children, viz.: Fleedia, born March 14, 1879, and Henry, born October 30, 1874.
In politics Mr. Barr is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Malden.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BARRETT, Benjamin
Benjamin Barrett, deceased, was born March 12, 1800, in Jonesboro, County Aramah, Ireland. He died August 6, 1879, in this county, where he had spent the best part of his life and labored faithfully for his family and for all things pertaining to the interest of the community, especially in the support of churches and schools. His parents were George and Mary Barrett.
He was married April 18, 1834, to Elizabeth Barrett, born November 14, 1814, in Jonesboro, Ireland, where her parents, William and Jane (O Neil) Barrett died. Soon after Mr. Barrett was married he removed to Belmont County, Ohio.
In 1847 he removed to LaSalle, Ill., and in September, 1856, came to Westfield, Bureau County, Ill., where he bought a farm which he improved and on which he died. Mrs. Elizabeth Barrett survives her husband and is living on the old homestead. She is the mother of nine children, viz.: Mrs. Mary A. Nelson; William of Mendota; Ann J.; Mrs. Elizabeth Holbrook; Joseph, of Wyanet; Robert , of Dakota; Mrs. Fannie Butler; James M., of Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Mattie Gill of this county. Of these Fannie is the wife of William H. Butler, a native of Madison County, N. Y. They married October 1, 1878, and are the parents of Nettie E. and Jessie M. Butler. Religiously, Mrs. Barrett is connected with the Protestant Episcopal Church, as was also her husband.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BASCOM, Charles P.
Charles P. Bascom, Princeton, was born July 5, 1842, in Chicago, Ill., and is the eldest son of Flavel Bascom, D. D., and Elizabeth Bascom, nee Sparhawk. The latter died in Galesburg, Ill. Rev. Flavel Bascom was born in Connecticut, June 8, 1804. After working his was through Yale College, he came to Illinois in 1833, under the auspices of the Home Missionary Society. For some years he resided at Pekin, but later went to Chicago, where he was pastor of a church for ten years and during that time was President of the first anti-slavery society in Chicago. In 1850 he became pastor of the Congregational Church at Galesburg. In 1855 he removed to Dover, Ill., and in 1864 to Princeton, where he was the pastor of the Congregational Church. He now resides at Hinsdale, Ill. More of his life will be found in connection with the church history of Bureau County.
Since 1855 Mr. Charles P. Bascom has been a resident of this county. He was educated in Beloit College, Wisconsin, graduating in the class of 1864. December 11, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Lucia M. Colton, who was born in this county and is the Daughter of Egbert Colton, deceased. December 1874, Mr. Bascom became junior partner in the Republican printing office, and his connection with this paper will be found in the chapter on the Press.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BASS, Edwin Sr.
Malden
The Bass family came from England to this country some time in the seventeenth century, and settled in Massachusetts. From there the different branches scattered; Our subject being a descendant of a family which located in Connecticut, where for 150 years the old farm in Windham County has been owned by some one of the Bass name. Edwin Bass, Sr. was born in Windham, Windham Co., Conn., January 28, 1816. His father Ebenezer Bass was born July 4, 1784, and died February 28, 1875. His wife, Sarah McCurdy, was a native of Nova Scotia, born May 9, 1789, and died September 24, 1850. In early life she removed to Connecticut and was there married. They were the parents of seven sons and five daughters, all of whom are living except two sons and two daughters, but are scattered through Missouri, Kansas, Connecticut and Illinois.
Edwin Bass was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his native State, afterward teaching several terms. At the age of twenty-one he began working by the month and in three years saved $400. April 13, 1840, he started for this county, and after three weeks on the way, by the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, he landed at Hennepin. He then invested the reminder of his $400 in ninety acres of land in Berlin Township, and for three years worked by the month, teaching school, etc.
April 27, 1843, he was married to Emeline J. Stanard, born May 6, 1824, in Madison County, N. Y. She is the daughter of Lebins and Luceba (Fay) Stanard. the father was a native of Vermont, near Montpelier, the mother of Connecticut. They came to the county in the fall of 1840, and lived in Lamoille for some time. Mr. Stanard died in Clarion Township in October, 1858, and his wife died January 3, 1842.
Mr. and Mrs. Bass are the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living: Caroline L., born August 28, 1844, died February 6, 1873, wife of Thomas L. Phillips; Lucian, born March 26, 1847, lives in Walnut Township, Bureau County (he was in the Civil war for one year); Luther G., born July 25, 1848, is a physician in Roseland, Ill.; Sidney B., born March 18, 1850, died October 26, 1853; Oscar S., born May 19, 1854, an attorney by profession; Edwin, Jr., born April 23, 1856, a farmer in Berlin Township; Heber and Howard, born February 15, 1858 (Howard died September 15, 1858, Heber died September 25, 1858); Wallace, born March 12, 1860, a farmer in Lee County, Ill.; Alonzo C., April 12, 1862.
After marriage Mr. Bass remained on the farm he first bought until February, 1851, when he came to his present farm in the corporation of Malden. Mr. Bass has been successful in his business career, and now owns as the result of his labor 1, 432 acres of land in this and Lee Counties, besides other property. He has been a Republican in politics since the party was first organized. Mr. Bass and wife are members of the Baptist Church of Dover.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BATES, Eugene C.
Eugene C. Bates, Princeton, was born in Cummington, Mass., November 9, 1840, his parents also being natives of the same Green Mountain nook. Jacob Bates, son of Alvin Bates, and father of Eugene C., was born in 1805, was bred a farmer, and served for a time as Captain of Massachusetts militia. He married in 1831 Miss Mary Mason, daughter of Elisha Mason, a lady five years his junior, of great personal beauty and unusual intelligence, with whom he lived happily until her death in Princeton, in 1878. The fruits of this union were a large family of energetic sons and daughters, faithful in filial affection, and, like their parents, " diligent in business, serving the Lord," in a manner excellent, if not evangelical. These parents, Jacob and Mary M. Bates, were active of mind and body, liberal and outspoken in religion, earnest in the cause of temperance, and stood with the faithful few, unflinching in devotion to liberty, in the days when it cost something to be an Abolitionist.
It was in this healthy atmosphere that E. C. Bates passed his boyhood, and learned to believe in honest industry and liberty as the right and left hands of human progress. His early years were divided between the schoolhouse and the farm, the latter getting the larger share. At the age of eighteen he took his place behind the counter of a store in his native town, where he served four years, afterward adding a shorter term as salesman in the city of New York. Meantime the war for the Union being in progress, he enlisted, but on account of his slender physique could not be accepted. A second attempt was no more successful, though he did succeed in getting as far as Key West on a man-of-war. On this trip a severe sickness came very near terminating his voyage of life.
In 1864 Mr. Bates married Miss Lora S. Ward, of Worthington, Mass., and in 1865, rich in wife's companionship, but quite otherwise in the matter of funds, he came to Peoria County, Illinois. After a few months' work as salesman in Elmwood, he removed to Princeton, where, in partnership with his brother, J. R. Bates, he opened the dry goods store which afterward became so widely and favorably known. J. R. retired in 1869, and removed to Stuart, Iowa, and Mr. Bates continued the business alone till 1878, when another brother, Charles E. Bates, and C. M. Durley became members of the firm, C. E. Bates retiring in 1882. In November of the same year the firm sold the business to Messrs. Palmer Bros., since which time Mr. Bates has conducted a real estate and loan business with marked success, being himself an extensive land owner in Bureau County and in the West. He was also for fourteen years a partner in the firm of Robinson and Bates, in the boot and shoe trade, withdrawing in 1884. He is also a Director and stockholder in the First National Bank of Princeton.
Successful business men are not rare in Bureau County, but the success of E. C. Bates has been so unusual in degree and of so broad a character as to demand special mention. Business is not alone a means of making money, but, properly conducted, it is also a civilizing force, a means of maintaining social order and friendship and for the development of character. The business conducted by Mr. Bates is a forcible illustration of this fact. His clerks and salesman as well as most of his customers, became his firm friends. From small beginnings the trade grew, until for ten years the pay roll of employees averaged $17,000 per annum, an amount larger than that of any manufacturing concern in the town. In seventeen years over $2,100,000 worth of goods were sold over the counters. Over $1,000,000 of that amount went on to the books of the house as credit sales. Of this amount, strange to say, the loss by bad debts was less than one-fourth of one per cent. Facts like this are not only honorable to the people of Bureau County, but prove Mr. Bates' accurate judgment of men and his admirable methods of doing business. These close collections were not the result of harsh measures, for, in the entire seventeen years, only four or five law-suits were brought against customers. Mr. Bates has been doubly fortunate in being able to keep his head cool and his heart warm, and it is not too much to say that his example as a trader will be felt for good in this region for many years to come.
Mr. Bates has recently built and furnished and now occupies a capacious and elegant residence in the city, which, with its wide and generous sweep of lawn, is a credit to Princeton, and a source of well-earned satisfaction of its occupants.
Mrs. Lora S. (Ward) Bates, wife of our subject, was born in 1840, in Worthington, Mass., where her father, Daniel Ward, was also born, and where he died in 1881. The Ward family was of English extraction, with many silent traits of character. This was true of Daniel Ward, the father, and especially so of Col. William Ward, grandfather of Mrs. Bates. he was for a long time a prominent figure in western Massachusetts, a gentleman of the old school, and in real life. Mrs. Lucretia Ward, an amiable and well-preserved lady, mother of Mrs. Bates, resides with her daughter. This sketch of the social and business career of E. C. Bates would be sadly incomplete if we failed to state that during all those busy years Mrs. Bates has been a most efficient co-worker, both in the store and the home. Her rare and well-known taste and skill in the dry goods business were only equaled by her easy grace in society, thus furnishing a living testimony to the fact that business tact and capacity are not necessarily incompatible with true delicacy and gentle womanhood.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BATES, Samuel H.
Farmer and stock-raiser,
section 25, P.O. Montezuma. Was born in Neponset, Bureau county, Illinois,
January 1, 1855, and was there educated and raised. His father, Thomas
Bates, pursued the vocation of a farmer.
The subject of this sketch
came to Poweshiek county in the spring of 1877, and located where he now
resides. He was married, December 25, 1877, to Miss Fannie E. Handraker
of Mt. Vernon, Jefferson county, Illinois. She is a lady who devotes her
time to making home comfortable and inviting. Their family consists of
one son, Harry Lee (born October 19, 1878).
Mr. Bates owns eighty acres of land, well stocked with cattle, horses, hogs, etc. He has begun life with a fair start, and being an industrious and persevering young man his success as an agriculturalist is certain.
Source: History of Poweshiek County, Iowa, Des
Moines: Union Historical Co., 1880 Pleasant
Twp, p 771
BATES, Thomas
T. Bates, Neponset, was born October 26, 1823, in Derbyshire, England. He is a son of John Bates, an able minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who was born in 1790 in England. He died September 18, 1871, in Bureau County, Ill. The mother of our subject, Mary (Weekley) Bates, was born in England, and died in August, 1847, in Madison County, Ill.
Our subject, T. Bates, came to Neponset in 1849; he settled on Section 16, where he now resides, and owns 240 acres of well improved land. He was married March 14, 1850, in Madison County, Ill., to Emma Handsaker, who was born June 19, 1829, in Derbyshire, England. She is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Falkner) Handsaker, natives of England, where he died August 5, 1836. She died in Madison County, Ill., and was an intelligent and religious lady. Mrs. Emma Bates was the mother of six children, viz: Joseph H., born January 4, 1851 (he married Mary J. Wood); Mrs. Mary J. Weed, September 10, 1852; Samuel H., January 1, 1855 (he married Fannie E. Handsaker); John William, July 17, 1857 (he married Emma J. Carr); James T., March 28, 1860; and George E., who was born July 1868. Mr. Bates' eldest son, Joseph H. Bates, is a physician in Neponset; he has practiced three years in Altona, Ill. He was educated in the Northwestern University of Evanston, Ill., and received his medical education at the Chicago Medical College, where he graduated. Politically Mr. Bates is a Republican, and religiously he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BATTEY, O.W.
O. W. Battey, Tiskilwa, was born June 15, 1823, in Foster, Providence, R. I. He is a son of Sampson Battey (see the preceding sketch)(of Silas Battey).
Our subject received a common school education in Connecticut, where his entire life was spent on the farm. He came to Illinois with his parents, and lived several years in Peoria and LaSalle Counties. In 1854 he came to Tiskilwa, where he was appointed station agent on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, which position he has filled ever since, and is know as the oldest and most trusted agent on the route. For the last twenty years he has also been engaged in the grain and lumber business.
He was married March 18, 1851, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Pauline A. Walker, who was born February 1, 1825, in Vermont. Her parents were Asa and Elizabeth (Mathewson) Walker. She is the mother of three children; Galen S., Losada L. and Owen W.
Mrs. Battey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Battey has filled town and school offices. He has taken a lively interest in political affairs, and has supported the Republican party. He was formerly a warm supporter of the famous underground railroad, which had done so much to break the shackles of slavery in the land of the free.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BATTEY, Maj Silas
Maj. Silas Battey was born in Providence County, R. I., July 10, 1815, to Sampson and Abigail (Phillips) Battey. The father was a native of Warwick, R. I., and of an old family of that State.
The life of Maj. Battey has been quite varied. He was reared on a farm, but soon after starting for himself became interested in an iron foundry, and there learned the business of moulder, and later years followed his trade in Providence, Bristol and Pawtucket, until coming to Bureau County in 1854, where he purchased a farm, upon which he lived until the fall of 1862, when, having been elected Sheriff of the county, he moved to Princeton. After a term of two years as Sheriff, he, in the early part of 1865, recruited a company of soldiers for the war, and was mustered into the service as its Captain in February of that year. They were assigned to the One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as Company H, whereupon Captain Battey was almost immediately commissioned Major of the regiment. During most of his service the regiment was stationed at different points in Georgia. They were mustered out in January, 1866, at Columbus, Ga. Maj. Battey also had four sons in the army: F. A., who enlisted on the 12th day of September, 1861, as a Private in Company F, Fifty-seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and passing through all the successive grades, except that of Lieutenant, became Colonel of his regiment, one of the youngest of that grade in the army. He served through the entire war, and participated in all the battles of his regiment, being twice wounded at the battle of Shiloh, and once a prisoner, captured at Dalton, Ga. In command of his regiment he was with Sherman on his famous "march to the sea." After the close of the war he was commissioned First Lieutenant in the Regular Army, and served as such until he resigned, October 31, 1870. Marshall enlisted in the same regiment and company with F. A. in the fall of 1861, but was afterward promoted to a Lieutenancy, then to a Captaincy in the One Hundred and Eleventh United States Colored Infantry, serving through the entire war, and participating in some of the most sanguinary battles of the West. George and Alonzo each served about six months toward the close of the war, the former as Orderly Sergeant.
After retirement from the army Maj. Battey moved to a farm about one mile west of Sheffield, which he had purchased, and upon which are extensive coal deposits. For a number of years he varied his farm pursuits with coal mining, operating at times quite largely. His valuable farm consist of about 500 acres, well improved. In March, 1884, he moved to Sheffield, retiring from active life.
Maj. Battey has ever taken an active interest in the political matters of the day, and since the Republican party was organized has been identified with its principals. While still in his native State he was a participant in the Constitutional troubles of Rhode Island, and was on the side of the people. He also served as Deputy Sheriff of Providence County for some time, and besides being Sheriff of this county has held various township offices.
November 9, 1833, he was united in marriage to Miss Mercy Bennett, who was born November 23, 1814, in the same township as her husband, and the daughter of George and Martha (Wilcox) Bennett, both natives of Providence County, R. I. Mr. and Mrs. Battey are members of the Unitarian Church of Sheffield. Mrs. Battey is a woman of sterling qualities, her life and energies having been dedicated to the good of those about her. To the interest of her large family she has been especially devoted, and to her husband she has been a helpmate indeed, a reliance in the weary strife of life. They are the parents of fifteen children, viz: Sanford W., born January 8, 1835; Martha M., March 12, 1836; George, July 4, 1837; Frederick A., November 21, 1838; Cryean, August 27, 1840; Bernard, November 17, 1841; Marshall, February 26, 1843; Silas Alonzo, October 19, 1844; Betsey M., July 7, 1846;, died in Providence, R. I., December 27, 1852; Linnaeus A., February 28, 1849, died in Providence, R. I. May 25, 1853; Linnaeus A, the 2d, May 14, 1853; Edson T., September 19, 1854, died April 28, 1862; Jared, April 29, 1856, died April 5, 1882; Herbert O., October 26, 1857, died November 3, 1882, and Elmer E., born June 11, 1861. Sanford is in the mercantile business at Creston, Iowa; Martha is the wife of C. W. Abbott, of Bureau County; George is in Portsmouth, Iowa, dealing in grain, etc; F. A. is an extensive publisher in Chicago, Ill.; Cyrean is a teacher in Bureau County; Barnard if railroad agent, etc., in Dexter, Iowa; Marshall is in business at Sabetha, Kan.; S. Alonzo, a farmer in Nickerson, Kan.; Linnaeus A. is a farmer in Bureau County; and Elmer E. is with Col. Battey, of Chicago.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BAUDLER, J.F.
J. F. Baudler is president of the First National Bank of Fontanelle and in business cirlces occupies a most enviable position. He is honored and respected by all, not alone by reason of the success he has achieved but also owing to the straightforward business policy that he has ever followed. Moreover, his record proves that success is not a matter of genius or of luck, as held by some, but is rather the outcome of clear judgment, experience and enterprise.
Mr. Baudler is a native of Saxe-Coburg, Germany, where his birth occurred July 6, 1855. His parents were Ernest and Elizabeth (Kaiser) Baudler, both of whom spent their entire lives in Germany. The son was reared under the parental roof and was educated in the public schools of his native country. In accordance with the laws of the land he served for three years in the German army, from 1874 until 1877. His father was a farmer by occupation, and after leaving the army, Mr. Baudler worked on his father’s farm until 1883, when he came to the United States, bringing with him a capital of but twenty dollars.
He first took up his abode in Bureau county, Illinois, where he was employed as a farm hand, thus gaining his start in the new world. In the spring of 1885 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Ritter, also a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 1884.
Immediately following their marriage they removed to the west, making their way to Iowa. They settled in Jackson township, Adair county, where Mr. Baudler rented a half section of land owned by an Illinois man. The farm was badly run down at that time and was largely covered with a growth of briars, so that his neighbors predicted that he would starve to death before he could get the place into a cultivable condition. With determination and characteristic energy, however, he began his work, cleared the farm and in the course of time transformed the place into productive fields from which he annually gathered good harvests. He also extended his efforts to the live-stock business, beginning, however, with but five cows and five hogs. A few years later he bought with his first carload of cattle an eighty-acre farm, and from that time has continued to prosper, increasing his farming interests and his live-stock business from time to time until he is now one of the substantial residents of Adair county. He still owns two hundred and forty acres of valuable land and has sold off two hundred acres since his removal to Fontanelle.
In 1904 he took up his abode in the town, where the succeeding years have been passed, and he is today one of the foremost business men of the city. Some time after removing to Fontanelle he purchased some stock in the First National Bank and in 1912 he bought the stock of William Johnson in the bank and was elected president of the institution. He still owns the controlling interest and remains at the head of the bank, carefully directing its policy and winning for it a substantial measure of success. He has made a close study of the banking business and his laudable ambition and energy have been elements in the growth of the institution.
To Mr. and Mrs. Baudler have been born four children, as follows: Katherine, the wife of Ernest Miller, who operates his father’s farm; Lydia, who gave her hand in marriage to Diedrich Stamberger, of LaSalle county, Illinois; Louise, who is the wife of Fred Welsch, of LaSalle county, Illinois; and Pauline, at home.
Mr. Baudler and his family are all members of the German Lutheran church and are interested in those elements which are forces in the moral development of the community. In 1906 he returned to his native land for a visit, spending about six months in that country. His political indorsement is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. Though of German birth, he is strictly American in spriti and interests. The man who comes to the new world to establish his home should no longer remain a “German-American” or retain any other term which indicates in a way a half-hearted allegiance to his adopted land. Mr. Baudler, since becoming allied with the new world, is thoroughly American and his attitude toward all question relative to the welfare of his community is that of a public-spirited citizen. He has given generously to further plans for the public good and his business life has been such as has been such as has added to the material prosperity of the district in which he lives. His example indicates what may be accomplished when energy points out the way and his record proves that success and an honored name may be gained simultaneously.
Source: History of Adair county, Iowa, and Its People;
Kilburn, Lucian M ed., Pioneer Publishing Co Chicago 1915
BAUER, C. Henry
C. Henry Bauer, Clarion, was born January 16, 1828, in Strauszfort, Prussia, where his parents, Friedemann and Sophia (Starkey) Bauer died. They were the parents of seven children, viz: Frederick, William, Fritz, C. Henry our subject, Mrs. Fredericka Goetz, Mrs. Hannah Schultze and Mrs. Minnie Ditmar. Our subject, C. Henry Bauer, came to Clarion, Township, Bureau County, Ill., in 1854; here he worked on a farm and finally in about 1862, he had saved enough money to buy forty acres of land. He has now 273 acres of land which is the reward of persistent industry and economy. Mr. Bauer was married here to Mrs. Catharina Erlenborn (nee Schulle), who died here. She was the mother of seven children, viz: Henry Erlen, born, Mrs. Rebecca Buehlhorn (nee Bauer), William, John, Therese, August and Louisa Bauer. He was married a second time to Maggie Zopf, who is the mother of Augusta, Fred and Matilda Bauer. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer are members of the Lutheran Church.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BAUER, John H.
John H. Bauer, Clarion, was born June 3, 1818, in Au, Kronan, Bavaria, Germany. His parents, Henry and Catharina (Bauer) Bauer, died in Germany. They were the parents of the following children; George, deceased; John H., our subject; John, deceased; Thomas Bauer, of New York City; Mrs. Julia Fisher, of Bavaria, and Margaretha Bauer.
John H. Bauer, our subject, came to this country in August 1847. He worked fourteen months for Squire Dayton, and two years for William Lewis, and then moved on to his farm of eighty acres, which he entered in 1848. At present he has 340 acres, the result of hard work and economy, as he came here a poor man, and gradually worked his way to his present prosperity. Mr. Bauer was married here in December, 1850, to Kunigunda Miller, who was born in March, 26, in Au, Bavaria. She is the mother of nine children; Thomas, George, Mrs. Susan Keen, Mrs. Katie Rapp, Mary, Barbara, Lucy, Rosa, and Philip, who died in infancy. Of the above Lucy Bauer is one of Bureau County's wide-awake teachers. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer are members of the German Emanuel Evangelical Church. Politically he is connected with the Republican party.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BAUER, John H.
John H. Bauer, the other member of the firm of Bahlman & Bauer, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, and was born in 1824. In his native country he was engaged in the swine business.
He emigrated to the United States in 1848, settling in Joliet, Illinois, where he worked on a farm till 1850, then going to Bureau county, in the same state, where he bought a farm, which he afterwards sold, and bought one in Lee county containing three hundred and sixty acres. He sold that also, and then came to Adair county, Summerset township, and bought six hundred and forty acres of land on sections 6 and 7.
He afterwards sold forty acres of this land, and bought eighty acres on section 1, in Jackson township. His land is all fenced and has good buildings and a small orchard. One hundred and fifty acres of his land is timber, his house being located on the south side of the same, on section 7. His sons run the farm, stock raising being the principal feature.
Mr. Bauer was married in Bureau county, Illinois, on
the 19th day of March, 1854, to Miss Margaret Buttner, who has since died,
leaving three children, who still live at the old homestead. Their names
are--Theodore, Mary and Henry.
He was married to Katie C. Fleishman, a native of
Germany, but who came to America in 1876, the Rev. Shirer officiating.
Mr. Bauer is the owner of the building used as a furniture store.
Source: History of Guthrie and Adair Counties, Iowa
Springfield, Ill: Continental Hist. Co., 1884.
BEACH, Dr. J. M.
Dr. J. M. Beach, Princeton, was born in Burlington, Hartford County, Conn., December 16, 1813. He is the son of Joel and Lydia (Sutliff) Beach, both natives of Connecticut, which State they made their home till the time of their death. Of their family one son and two daughter yet survive, viz: Dr. J. M., of Princeton; Mrs. Squires, of Winona, widow of Martin Squires, and Mrs. F. A. Raymond, of Henry, Ill.
Dr. Beach was reared in his native county, and in 1836 began the study of dentistry with Dr. Crane, of Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1839 he began the practice of his profession in Pittsburg, Penn. In 1851 he came West and settled in Mount Palatine, Putnam Co., Ill., where he continued the practice till 1864, when he located in Princeton. The Doctor has been in active practice for forty-five years, and is one of the oldest dentist in the State.
In 1844 he was married in Pittsburg, to Miss Josephine Williams, a native of Philadelphia. She died in 1849 of the cholera; she was the mother on one son---James---who died when about eighteen months of age. In 1851 Dr. Beach was united in marriage to Mrs. Ann (Wiley) Smith. She was born in Pittsburg and died in Princeton in 1879. She was the mother of one daughter by Dr. Beach, viz: Anna J., wife of Dr. William Landreth.
Dr. Beach cast his first vote for Henry Clay, and is now identified with the Republican party. He is an active worker for the temperance cause. In 1880 in order to be relieved of some of his professional duties, Dr, Beach formed a partnership with his son-in-law, Dr. William M. Landreth, and they have practiced together since. Dr. Landreth is a native of Philadelphia, and is the son of one of the founders of the seed industry of Philadelphia, he being previous to death one of the members of the Landreth seed firm of that city. His widow is now a resident of Battle Creek, Mich., and one son, Albert Landreth, is a wholesale seed grocer, of Manitowoc, Wis. In early life Dr. Landreth received the appointment to West Point, but after a few months had to give up the on account of not being able to the training. For some time he was of Battle Creek, Mich., and came from there, and was here married Anna J. Beach. This union ______with the following named Alice and Beach. In politics Republican. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BELDON, Amasa E.
Amasa E. Belden, Berlin, was born in Wyoming County, N. Y., April 17, 1813. His early life was spent in farming in his native county. His father, Amasa Belden, was a native of Vermont, and was in the war of 1812: his wife, Amy Banister, was a native of Connecticut. They were the parents of ten children, three of whom are now living, viz: Amasa E., Timothy and Sylvester P.
Our subject came to Bureau County in 1845. He crossed the lakes to Chicago, and then came by team to this county, where he has since resided. He first bought the farm at Dover now owned by J. Hoyt, on which he built a house, hauling the lumber from Chicago, which he also made his grain market. He lived in Dover for eight years, and then bought his present farm in Section 28, which was then unimproved prairie.
Mr. Belden was married, in Wyoming County, N. Y., to Miss Mary Kellogg, a daughter of Deacon Daniel Kellogg. She was born in 1816, and died at the age of sixty years and two months. She was the mother of three sons and three daughters: Daniel K.; Harlan A.; Augustus H., who was in the army three years; Sarah, wife of W. B. Howe of Chicago; Amy, wife of Rev. James Hunter Clark, who is pastor of the Congregational Church at Millard Avenue Station, Chicago; Janie B., wife of W. H. Lewis, a farmer of Berlin Township. The sons are all dead, but all were married; one left a wife and four children, another a wife and two children.
In politics Mr. Belden is identified with the Republican party, and in earlier days was associated with Lovejoy, Bryant, and others in the Abolition movement of this county. He has been a member of the Congregational Church most of his life, and has been a deacon in the church at Malden since its organization. Mr. Belden has always believed in a strict observance of the law, of the Sabbath, and of morality, and his influence has not been unfelt.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BELKNAP, Eli B.
Eli B. Belknap, Berlin,
was born in Niagara County, N. Y., April 18, 1819. His parents, Elisha
and Lucy (Finch) Belknap were both natives of New York, and in 1830 moved
to Licking County, Ohio, where the father died in 1839, at
the age of fifty-two years. Eli B. Belknap spent his early life on the
farm in New York and Ohio, till 1839, when he came to Bureau County. In
1840 he brought his widowed mother here, where she died in 1845, at
the age of sixty-three years.
July 3, 1844, he was
married, in Licking County, Ohio, to Miss Mary Whitehead, who was
born in that county July 3, 1826. She is the daughter of E. F. and Margaret
(Doremus) Whitehead, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, removed to
New York when small, and after marriage to Ohio. He was born November 1796,
and died in Ohio at the age of seventy-one years. His wife was born July
31, 1799; died August 13, 1880.
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Belknap came to Bureau County, but after a residence here of two years, they returned to Ohio; remained there four years, and then again came to this county, settling in 1852 on their present farm of 160 acres, in Section 3, Berlin Township. They are the parents of six children living, viz.: Augustus H., born February 20,1848, married Lydia S. Palmer, and resides in Pocahontas County, Iowa; Edwin F., born April 26, 1850, married Esther Hall, and lives in Mitchell County, Kansas: Jerome B., born August 2, 1852, lives in Wright County, Iowa, married Flora L Taylor; Harry W., born June 15, 1855, resides on the old homestead, married Mary M. Cater; Mary L., born June 3, 1860, the wife of Edward H. Cater, of Pottawatomie County, Iowa; Emma S. born May 3, 1862, wife of Elias Bower, of Adair County, Iowa. The eldest child, Sarah, born September 9, 1845, died October 5, 1845.
Mr. Belknap and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Arlington. In politics, he has been a Republican since the party was organized, and previous to that was an abolitionist.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BENEDICT, Julius
Julius Benedict, Berlin, was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., August 6, 1826. His parents, L. Nathan and Clarissa (Thatcher) Benedict, were both natives of Vermont. At the age of sixteen years he left home and worked for three years in Rochester, N. Y., and in 1846 came to Lamoille, Ill., which he made his home for three years, though during that time he traveled south through Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas, engaging in whatever work presented itself. In 1849 he made the overland trip to California and engaged in mining for three years.
In 1852 he returned to this county and was married May 9, 1852, to Henrietta Cleveland, a native of Skaneateles, N. Y. After marriage they settled on Section 1, Berlin Township, and made that their home until January, 1884, when they broke up housekeeping and have since resided at different points.
Mr. Benedict has been very successful in his agricultural pursuits; his home farm contains 1,200 acres, and he also owns a ranch of 7,000 acres in Dawson County, Neb., which is stocked with cattle. His family consist of five sons, viz: Emerson, born September 1853, a farmer in this county, married to Ida Chamberlin, of Mason City, Ill.; Harry, a farmer in this county, is married to Belle Kyle, of Princeton; Lewis, is a commission merchant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Charles and Frank, in Dawson County, Neb.
Mr. Benedict is an Independent Republican in politics. He is a member of the Baptist Church of Lamoille.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BENNETT, Timothy N.
T. N. Bennett, Neponset. The subject of the following biography was born March 24, 1854, in the state of Indiana. His father, Timothy Bennett, was born April 15, 1813, in Clinton Co., Ohio. He was a farmer by occupation and well known for his many good qualities of head and heart. He came to Neponset Township, Bureau Co., Ill., in 1856, and died here February 6, 1872. The grandfather of our subject, Timothy Bennett, Sr., was a native of Kentucky. The great-grandfather's name was also Timothy Bennett. The mother of our subject, Elizabeth (Russell) Bennett, was born May 9, 1814, in Clinton County, Ohio; she is now residing with her son Timothy N. Bennett. She is the mother of seven children now living, viz: Mrs. Mary J. Williamson, George M., Mrs. Juretta Judkins, Samuel H., Mrs. Alice Gridley, Timothy N. and Mrs. Laura Gould.
Mr. Bennett was educated in the common schools of Bureau County, Ill., to which he came in the fall of 1856. Here he has resided ever since and is the owner of a fine farm of 200 acres. Here he was joined in marriage, August 8, 1879, to Miss Laura Addie Scott, a daughter of Robert Scott (see sketch). Mrs. Bennett is a native of Bureau County; was born March 14, 1861. She is the mother of the following children: Grace, born August 8, 1880, and Elsie, who was born September 12, 1882.
Mr. Bennett has been a township and school officer. Politically he is identified with he Republican party.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BENSON, Alanson
A. Benson, Arispe, who is one of Bureau County's self-made and prosperous farmers, was born February 27, 1823, in Douglass, Mass. His father, Alanson Benson, Sr., was born in 1783 in Massachusetts. He came to this county in 1839, and settled on Section 21, in Arispe Township, and died here in 1857. His mother, Lucina (Lapham) Benson, was born April 25, 1792, in Burrilville, R. I. She died here in 1853. She was the mother of nine children, viz.: Mrs. Maria Blake, Rufus, Mrs. Sarah Sherman, Mrs. Henrietta Woodford, Alanson, Elias T., Mrs. Mary A. Culver, Mrs. Lucina Allen and Darius Benson. The Benson family is of Scotch and English descent, and the grandparents of our subject were Aaron and Lydia (Bairbanks) Benson, natives of Massachusetts. The former was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his ancestors were among the pioneers of New England. Our subject was educated in his native State and this county. Here he commenced to farm with eighty acres, but at present owns 1, 500 acres of land in this county, also a farm of 400 acres of land in Iowa, and an interest in a cattle ranch in Montana. Mr. Benson was married here February 27, 1851, to Sarah Loop, who was born November 3, 1828, in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. Mrs. Benson is the mother of the following children: Alanson, who was born March 31, 1858; he died in his early manhood March 9, 1876; Clara P., wife of James M. Gardner; Lucina and Lora Benson. Financially, Mr. Benson's life has been a grand success. Religiously, he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Politically he is a Republican, and has been Supervisor for two years.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BERGE, Burghard
Burghard Berge, Fairfield, was born July 17, 1831, in Landerfeld, Cur Hessen, Germany. His parents were Paulus and Elizabeth (Herte) Berger. The father died in Germany, but the mother came to America in 1860, and died in Bureau County, Ill., March 28, 1878. She was the mother of five children: Carl, Burghard, Andrew, George, and Mrs. Elizabeth Sippel.
Of the above, Burghard Berge came to America in August, 1857. He worked three and a half years by the month in Tazewell County, Ill., and then married and removed to Woodford County, where he farmed three and a half years. He then removed to Henry County, where he farmed another year, after which, in March, 1866, he came to Bureau County, Ill. He bought eighty acres, which he sold, and bought 160 acres in Fairfield Township, where he resides.
He was married July 25, 1862, to Hattie E. Parks, who died in Henry County. He was married a second time January 9, 1866, to Martha E. Miller, born July 5, 1844, Vockerode, Cur Hessen, Germany, daughter of Johannes and Catharina E. (Grabe) Miller, who died in Germany. Mrs. Berge is the mother of seven children, viz.: Matilda, Johannah, Frederick William, J. Burghard, Carl William, Rosetta and Lydia E. Berge.
Mr. and Mrs. Berge are members of the German Evangelical Church. Politically he is a Republican.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BERGEN, James
Among the young agriculturists of Franklin county is James Bergen, a native of Illinois, who for a number of years has cultivated one hundred and twenty acres on section 10, Oakland township. By employing the most modern methods he has become one of the successful agriculturists of this section. He was born in Bureau county, Illinois, on July 16th, 1870, and is a son of John and Hannah (Shaw) Bergen, natives of Ireland. The parents came to American and made their home in New York city for four years, whence they removed to Massachusetts, where they spent one year. They then sought the middle west, where the father was employed in the pineries and engaged in lumbering for about two years in Michigan. They left that state for Illinois, where Mr. Bergen, Sr., turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and became a well-to-do farmer. He died on the 15th of February, 1913, and his wife still makes her home in Illinois. They were the parents of nine children: Mary J., who married Charles Sabin, of Bureau county, that state; Patrick H., also of Illinois; John and Nellie, twins, the former of Illinois and the latter deceased; James and Sarah, twins, the former our subject and the latter of Illinois; Thomas, who makes his home with James Bergen; George, of Illinois; and one, who died in infancy.
James Bergen was reared under the parental roof and had such school education as was afforded in the neighborhood where he was then residing. He left his home at the age of nineteen, coming to Franklin county with a neighbor, for whom he worked that year. Being careful of his earnings he was enabled in 1900 to buy eighty acres of land in Wright county, which he sold at the end of a year and then acquired title to the one hundred and twenty acres which he now owns on section 10, Oakland township. Mr. Bergen's property is well improved and in a good state of cultivation. He follows the latest methods of farming and has installed the most modern machinery. He also gives his attention largely to stock-raising.
On December 20, 1899, Mr. Bergen married Miss Caroline Johnson, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Martin and Annie Johnson. They have three children: Beulah Blanche, born December 2, 1900; Maynard James, born December 14, 1903; and Luella Belle, February 24, 1906.
Mr. Bergen gives his allegiance to the republican party and fraternally is a Modern Woodman of America. He is a member of the school board and has done valuable work in promoting the cause of education. Such success as has come to him is well merited as it has been built upon honesty, energy and industry. Mr. Bergen is popular in the neighborhood and has made many friends since locating in Franklin county.
Source: History of Franklin
County, Iowa, Stuart, I.L., Vol 2; S.J. Clarke Publishing Co, Chicago,
1914
BERKSTRESSER, John
John Berkstresser, Buda, was born in Bedford County, Penn., January 1, 1818. He is the son of John and Barbara (Sheckler) Berkstresser, both natives of Pennsylvania but of German descent. Their ancestors had lived in the State for several generations, except the mother's mother, who was born in Germany. They were the parents of seven sons and one daughter, all of whom yet survive, except the eldest son.
Our subject was reared on a farm among the hills of Pennsylvania, with but very limited means for an education; but with a determination to succeed in life and to overcome all obstacles, he entered life's contest fearlessly. His first work for himself was to clear land, and for his work have his first crop. So the first season he succeeded in clearing seven acres, on which he raised a good crop of wheat, but the price being low, the net profits were but about $75, He then purchased a saw-mill which was built for the purpose of sawing up the timber on a tract of land supposed to be owned by our subject's uncle, and each to have half of the timber, the one for furnishing the timber, the other for sawing. After Mr. Berkstresser had run the mill for one week, it was destroyed by fire; but nothing daunted, he again rebuilt the mill, but before it was completed the water of the stream was too low to run it, and so work was suspended for the season, and before the next season came, it was found that his uncle's title to the land was not good, and so the mill had to be stopped, and was worthless property, and except a debt of $300 hanging over him, and the time appointed for his marriage rapidly approaching.
Being a man always prompt to keep any engagement, he was married at the appointed time, but for the six succeeding years his struggles were such that a less determined and ambitious man would have failed. He rented land in Huntingdon County, Penn., and began working on it, and knew no rest day or night scarcely for six years, at the end of which time he had paid his way through, and in 1854 sold out what property he had accumulated and then found himself clear of debt and $700 ahead, with which he came to Bureau County, Ill., in 1854, and located in Section 16 in Macon Township. He remained on that farm till 1876, when he removed to his farm of 400 acres adjoining Buda, where he now resides, but still retains his farm adjoining town.
In March 1878, he bought one-half interest in the Buda Bank of Benedict & Son, and two years later bought the entire banking and clothing business, which had been carried on together. This was the first established bank in Buda. In 1882, at the earnest solicitation of citizens of Hennepin, Putnam Co., Ill., Mr. Berkstresser established a bank there, and leaves it in charge of the cashier, Mr. I. B. Lesh. Mr. Berkstresser has been very successful in business since coming to this county, but he was used the same energy and determination which carried him through his early years of struggle.
In 1844 he was married in Bedford County, Penn., to Miss Elizabeth Carper, who was born in Lebanon County, and is the daughter of Samuel and Christina Carper, both natives of Pennsylvania but of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Berkstresser have the following children; William Henry, who died at six years of age; Christina, now of Clay County, Neb. and wife of George Lee; Levi, who was in the bank of J. Berkstresser & Son, of Buda; Rev. William Irving Berkstresser, of Carroll County, Ill., who is a minister in the Church of God; Mary, who is also a minister, and has for three years had regular charges; Martha, of Clay County, Neb., wife of William Pitt; Lizzie, who died after reaching womanhood; Beckie, wife of S. L. Ewing, of this county. Mr. Berkstresser and family are members of the Church of God. During his entire life he had taken an active interest in political matters, first as a Whig and then as a Republican.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BERNAHARD, Jacob
Jacob Bernahard, De Pue, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, October 13, 1832. He is the son of Christian and Mary (Lied) Bernhard. The father's occupation was that of a farmer. He died in 1842, but his widow lived till 1859.
Our subject was educated in the schools of his native country, and in early life learned the trade of shoemaking. In 1853 he came to the United States, and for one year remained in New York City, working at shoemaking. He then went to Hudson City, N. Y., and there followed his trade for one year.
In 1855 he came to Bureau County, Ill., and began clerking in the store of Benjamin Newell at Trenton, now De Pue. He remained with Mr. Newell for three years, when he engaged in business in partnership with Moses Mercer and John W. York. After several changes in the firm Mr. Bernhard sold out his interest in 1864.
In December, 1864, enlisted in Company A, Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served till September, 1865, when they were discharged. He participated in the battle of Nashville, Tenn., being under Gen. Thomas at that time. He was also in the encounter with Bragg at Kinston, N.C.
In 1866 he engaged in the mercantile business again at De Pue, and has since continued here. He carries a general stock of goods valued at about $10,000. For a number of years he has also been in the grain business, buying and shipping by water. For some time the annual shipments of grain have averaged about 200,000 bushels. Besides his different business investments, Mr. Bernhard owns about 1,000 acres of Bureau County's valuable land. Such is the success attained by energy, industry and a close application to business. Mr. Bernhard came to this county without any capitol, but his business ability soon made him a successful merchant and business man.
He was married in this county in April, 1858, to Miss Rosina Frey, who is a native of Baden, Germany, but came to America the same year as her husband. Her parents, Bernhard and Elizabeth Frey, first settled in Philadelphia, but in 1856 came to this county and died here. To Mr. and Mrs. Bernhard eight children have been born, viz.: Lissetta, Charles, Emma, Mary, J. A., W. M., Albert and Franklin.
In politics Mr. Bernhard is Republican. He is a member of the De Pue Lodge, No. 669, I.O.O.F. He and wife are members of the Evangelical Church of Hollowayville, which church he helped build.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BETZ, G.C.
G. C. Betz, Lamoille, is a native of the Grand Duchy of Darmstadt, Germany, as were his parents, Adam and Elizabeth Betz. Adam Betz was a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte, the great emperor and conqueror, and with him participated in the world-famous battles of Austerlitz and Jena and a number of other engagements. He was a farmer and came to the United States in 1844. He died in Peru, Ill., in March 1864, aged 82 years.
Our subject went to school in the old country and there learned the shoemaker trade.. He immigrated to the United States in 1840, and followed his trade in Philadelphia till 1848, when he removed to Lamoille, Ill., where he worked at his trade till 1861, when he became a successful farmer. He yet owns a farm of ninety acres.
Politically Mr. Betz has
been a Republican and filled the office of Postmaster from 1858 to 1875;
the office of Commissioner for six years; and Justice of the Peace and
Police Magistrate almost from 1870 to the present time.
Religiously he is an
earnest member of the Congregational Church.
He was married November 23, 1843, in Philadelphia, to Fredericka Stelz, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. She died here February 3, 1876, aged fifty-five years. Her two children now living are Charles H., of York County, Neb. and Mrs. Lillie I. Morrison, also a resident of Nebraska. She is the mother of Mr. Betz's two grandchildren, George and Herman Morrison.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BETZ, George M.
George M. Betz, Clarion, was born November 4, 1845, in Clarion Township, south of Perkins Grove. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fauble) Betz (see preceding sketch).
Mr. Betz was reared here and has been engaged in farming and stock raising, which latter he follows mainly. On his farm of 311 acres he raises shorthorn and Jersey cattle, Clydesdale horses (of which two are imported), Jersey Reds and Poland-China hogs, and also a drove of 300 head of pure bred "Cots wool" sheep, which are renowned for their wool as well as their mutton. Mr. Betz is a firm believer that it pays to raise different kinds of stock on a farm, and his excellent success proves the soundness of his theory. He pays, however, the most attention to the raising of short-horns, having a heard of 100 head of thoroughbred cattle.
Mr. Betz was joined in matrimony July 13, 1871, in Mendota, Ill., to Ann M. Elby, who was born July 13, 1851, in Mendota Township, LaSalle Co., Ill., of which place her parents, Moses and Sarah (Haek) Eby, were pioneers. To Mr. and Mrs. Betz six children were born: Sarah I., Lizzie E., William A., George M., Eddie E., and an infant son. Mr. Betz is a firm supporter of the Republican party, and of every enterprise which will be a benefit to the community wherein he resides.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BETZ, Philip H.
Philip H. Betz, Clarion, was born in this county August 18, 1853. He is a son of Jacob Betz, who was born in 1813 in Germany. He came to New York in 1842. Two years afterward he came to Bureau County, where he bought a claim of Joseph Screach, in Clarion Township, where our subject now owns 390 acres. The grandfather of our subject was Adam Betz (see preceding sketch). The mother of our subject was Elizabeth (Fauble) Betz, who died in 1883. She was the mother of nine children, viz,: Jacob, George, Adam, Philip H., Mary, Sarah, Susan, Ruth and Lydia.
Philip H. Betz was married here to Emma Eby, a daughter of Moses and Sarah Eby, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Emma Betz was born August 26, 1854, in LaSalle County, Ill. She is the mother of Frankie A., who was born October 16, 1881, and Anna M., born April 26, 1883. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Betz are connected with the German Evangelical Church.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BILLHORN, (BUEHLHORN) W.D.
W. D. Billhorn, Clarion,
is a son of Sebastian and Elizabeth (Bauer) Billhorn, natives of Germany,
where the family name was spelled Buehlhorn. The grandparents of
our subject were Peter and Margaretha (Wagner) Buehlhorn, also natives
of Germany. where the grandfather died February 13, 1849, aged 51 years.
The grandmother died June 28, 1883,
aged seventy-eight years.
They were the parents of seven children: Sebastian, John, Mrs. Catharine
Trockenbrod, deceased; Mrs. Sophia Shaller, Veit; Mrs. Margaret Wilder
and Frederick Buehlhorn.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BISHOP, C.H.
C. H. Bishop, farmer, section 25, P. O. Hamburg; born
in Knox county, Ohio, October 12, 1839, where he resided until 1846. He
then moved with his father, who was a physician, to Marion county, Ohio,
and remained three years.
In 1851 he went to Bureau county, Illinois thence
to Stark county, same state, where his mother died, thence to Henry county
where he began life for himself. In 1856 he went to Missouri, but after
a year returned to Canton, Illinois.
In 1862, August 27, he enlisted in company G, 103d Illinois infantry. He was in the army three years and was often wounded. At the battle of Resaca he was twice struck, and in that at Kenesaw Mountain received three severe wounds. He was in one hundred and twelve skirmishes and twenty-four engagements. From the time of his muster out until coming to Fremont county in 1869, he was in various kinds of business and resided in various cities and states.
He was united in marriage December 23, 1877, to Miss Susan E., daughter of Asa and Elizabeth Mann. They have one child Vera Vern, born September 5, 1878. Mrs. Bishop is a member of the M. E. church and Mr. B. of the A.O.U.W.
Source: History of Fremont County Iowa published
1881 Iowa History Company, Des Moines, IA
BLACK, George W.
George W. Black, Walnut, was born November 22, 1829,
in Perry County, Ohio. He is the son of Samuel and Rebecca (Skiuner)
Black. The father was born in Pennsylvania August 1, 1808.
At an early day he removed to Ohio, and died in Sandusky County, Ohio,
April 11, 1846. The mother was born in Perry County, Ohio, April
22, 1912. She now resides in Bureau County, Ill., wife of a Mr. Ferguson.
George W. Black is the oldest child and only son of a family of nine.
The daughters are Mary Black, who lives with her mother; Lucinda (deceased);
Emeline, wife of William Ferguson of Walnut, Ill.; Elizabeth, wife of James
Brown, of Whiting, Kan.; Rhoda, wife of Alonzo Rider, of Adel, Iowa; Sophia,
wife of
William Cronkwright, of Adel, Iowa; Eliza J., wife
of George B. Jones, of Princeton; Rebecca, wife of William Catherman, of
Walnut Township.
April 18, 1850, Mr. Black was married to Mary C. Paden, who was born in Middletown, Md., December 31, 1829, and is the daughter of Alexander and Mary (Remsberg) Paden. The father was born June 8, 1806, in Funkstown, Washington Co., Md., and now resides in Bureau County, Ill. The mother was born August 10, 1810, in Middleton, Frederick Co., Md., and died in Bureau County, Ill., December 9, 1875, whither she had come with her husband in 1860. She was the mother of six daughters and five sons. Mr. and Mrs. Black are the parents of two sons, viz.: George F. and George W. Jr., George F. was born July 7, 1853, in Sandusky County, Ohio; October 12, 1875, was married to Laura F. Remsburg, of this country. They are the parents of four children, viz.: Harvey O., born October 16, 1876; Charles W., born February 13, 1878; Edward V., born September 7, 1879; Morris F., born October 25, 1881. George W. Black, Jr. was born in Cass County, Mich., August 30, 1856. December 23, 1877, was married to Miss Emma Wymer, of this county.
They are the parents of two children, viz.: Foster, born July 7, 1881; and Mabel C., born June 26, 1883. George W. Black was reared on a farm in Sandusky County, Ohio, but in 1853 removed to Cass County, Mich., where he remained till 1865, when he came to Bureau County, Ill. Mr. Black's farm in Walnut Township contains 320 acres and is under a good state of cultivation.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BLACK, Isaac C.
Isaac C. Black, Arlington, was born September 22, 1832,
in Plumstead Township, Bucks Co., Penn. He is a son of Isaac and
Cynthia (Carver) Black, who were natives of the same place and were the
parents of nine children, viz.: Sophia, William, Catharine, Anna, Levi,
Isaac C., Ezra, Abraham and Jesse Black. Of these Abraham was killed
in the battle of
the Wilderness. Only our subject and his brother
William Black, who is a farmer in Ohio Township, came to Bureau County.
Isaac C. Black was reared in his native county, where he worked at saw-milling and carpentering till August 3, 1854, when he came to West Grove, now Arlington, where he helped to build the first business place in the town. After following his trade several years he farmed about three years and then went into the grain business. In 1865 he commenced business in the elevator built by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. The next year he worked for S. C. Gray, in the new elevator and was there for fourteen years. In 1882, after working two years at his trade, he took an interest in the firm of J. H. Dole & Co., commission men, and now has charge of both elevators.
Mr. Black was married July 8, 1858, to Mariah H. Simpson,
a daughter of James and Lydia (Pickelheimer) Simpson. They were the
parents of eleven children, who are all living. Mrs. Black is the
mother of the following children;
Anna, deceased; Mrs. Ada D. Miller; Millie R.,
deceased, Louis L., deceased; Joseph R., and Bertha I., deceased.
The grandparents of Mrs. Black were Joshua and Sarah (Rose) Simpson.
Religiously Mrs. Black is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Black is an Ancient I. O. O. F., politically a Republican, and the eldest male resident in Arlington.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BLOOM, William H
William H. Bloom, Tiskilwa, was born October 10, 1833,
in Eaton, Green Co., Ohio. His father, Peter Bloom, a native of New
Jersey, was a farmer by occupation and settled on Section 12, near Tiskilwa,
where he died May 17, 1867. William Bloom, the grandfather of our
subject, came from Germany to America about the year 1800. He first
settled in New
Jersey, but removed to Ohio, where he died.
He reared a family of six boys and two girls, and was a farmer and weaver
by occupation. The mother of our subject, Jane Hankins, was born
at the Blue Ridge in Virginia. Her parents, Thomas and Anna Hankins,
were born in Virginia. The latter's mother was one of many children
captured in Ireland at an early day and sent to this country. Mrs.
Jane (Hankins) Bloom died here December 12, 1870. She was the mother
of the following children: Eliza A., Mary, Catharine, Elizabeth,
Sarah, William H., Martha J., James and Francis Bloom.
Mr. Bloom's early life was spent on the farm. He has been a grain and lumber merchant in Buda, Ill. After that he was a contractor on the Southwestern Railroad in Iowa one year. In 1855 he returned to Tiskilwa, where he merchandised one year and then farmed. At present he resides in Tiskilwa. He owns over 500 acres of land in this county. Mr. Bloom also owns a one-sixth interest in a large cattle ranch in Colorado and Nebraska. The company is know as the "Putnam Live Stock Company," and has the brightest prospect of success.
Mr. Bloom was married December 16, 1856, in Clinton County, Ohio, to Eliza M. Hester, born December 16, 1834. Her parents, David and Mary (Vandevort) Hester, were natives of Ohio, and of German descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Bloom the following children were born: Emery C., David H., William C., Jennie, Cora May and Ida Bloom.
Mr. and Mrs. Bloom are religiously connected with the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. Bloom is Independent.
In the stock business he is well posted and wide awake. He
is an A. F. & A. M. and is also
an I. O. O. F.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BLUST, G.F.
G. F. Blust, Princeton, was born in Freeport, Ill.,
February 24, 1857. He is the son of George and Mary (Heck)
Blust.
Mr. Blust was reared and educated in Freeport.
For seven years in early life he clerked for Best & Morgan, of Freeport,
and there laid the foundation for his future success as a business man.
In 1877, after having been absent from his
native city for some time, he returned, and in partnership
with Mr. R. Donaldson engaged in the dry goods and notion business.
In 1880 Mr. Blust located at Princeton, where he has since done a successful
business. He has increased his stock of goods year by year till he
now has a very complete stock of dry goods, millinery, fancy goods and
notions, most of which he purchases in the East for cash. When first
engaged in business in Princeton it was in partnership with Mr. W. G. Flindt.
They also had a branch store at Rockford, Ill. February 5, 1882, the firm
dissolved partnership, Mr. Flindt continuing at Rockford and Mr. Blust
at Princeton.
February 24, 1881, at Freeport, Mr. Blust was united in marriage to Miss Ida A. Wade, a daughter of John and Agnes (Moore) Wade. Mr. and Mrs. Blust have one child, viz.: May Josephine, born May 3, 1883.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BOAL, Dr. James F.
Dr. James F. Boal, Buda, was born in Union County,
Ohio, April 24, 1817. He is the son of James and Margaret (Mitchell) Boal.
The father was born in Pennsylvania, but in about the year 1800,
removed to Green County, Ohio, and after marriage to Union County, and
that State was his home till 1834, when he removed to Indiana. He
and wife both died
in Indiana, he in 1838, and she in 1839, His
wife was born in Kentucky, and was the daughter of Judge David Mitchell,
who removed from Pennsylvania to Kentucky in 1796, but two years later--in
1798---settled in Union County, Ohio, and became a large land owner.
One of his sons, Jesse Mitchell, was the first white child born in Union
County.
Dr. Boal's early life was spent in his native State, and in 1846 he began the practice of medicine, having attended lectures at Cleveland, Ohio, but in 1849 he graduated from the Sterling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio. He continued his practice in Franklin County, Ohio, till in the spring of 1857, when he removed to Knox County, Ill., where he remained about seven years, and then located in Tipton, Iowa, where he remained till July, 1866, and then came to Buda, Ill., and continued in the practice of his profession for some years. However, in the spring of 1867 he opened a stock of drugs in Buda, and has continued the business since, the firm now being J. F. Boal & Son. They carry a stock of goods valued at about $5,000.
In 1847 he was united in marriage in Columbus, Ohio, to Miss Lucinda Starr, by whom he has one son---Albert F.--- and one daughter---Ella. Mr. Boal is a member of the A. F. & A. M. of Buda, and also of the Congregational Church. In politics he is a stanch Republican. Albert F. Boal was born November 12, 1848, in Franklin County, Ohio. He was united in marriage November, 1871, to Miss Elizabeth Murphey, who died January, 1874, and left one son----Tracy E.---who was born October 10, 1872.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BOARDMAN, Robert
The subject of the following biography was born December 15, 1810, in Lancastershire, England. His parents, Robert and Ann (Radcliff) Boardman, were both natives of England, where their ancestor had resided for many generations.
Our subject immigrated to the United States, April 13, 1849. He worked nearly one year in New York City, and then went back to his native country, where his family resided, but returned to New York in 1851. The following year he sent for his family. While in New York he followed the occupation of an iron molder. In 1859 he removed to Bureau County, Ill., where he farmed seventeen years on Section 7, in Milo Township. In April, 1876, he came to Mineral, where he at present resides.
Mr. Boardman was married January 26, 1833, in England, to Jane Cahtterton, who is a native of England. She is the mother of ten children; of these four are now living, viz.: Joseph, Mrs. Mary A. Walker, Mrs. Jane Vantassell and Mrs. Amelia Conibear.
Mr. and Mrs. Boardman have been active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty-two years. The have celebrated their golden wedding, and their retrospective view of life is satisfactory. As a farmer Mr. Boardman has been fairly successful. He owns 160 acres in Shelby County, Iowa, besides property in this county. Politically he supports the Republican party.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BOCOCK, Hon. Cyrus
One can hardly mention a phase of development of Stark
county with which Hon. Cyrus Bocock of Bradford has not been prominently
connected, and he is well known outside the limits of the county, for he
served for two terms in the state legislature and was for eight years a
member of the board of equalization. Not only does he command the
respect of all with whom he is associated because of his marked ability,
but he also has the faculty of making and retaining
friends and is probably the most popular man in the
county.
A native of Ohio, he was born in Highland county on the 5th of October, 1832, of the marriage of Elijah and Barbara (McKinney) Bocock, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. They were married in Ohio on the 18th of July, 1822, and remained in the Buckeye state until 1832, when they removed westward to Fulton county, Illinois. There the father purchased timber land, which he cleared and placed under cultivation, devoting the remainder of his active life to agricultural pursuits. He reached an advanced age, dying in March, 1885, on his eighty-seventh birthday. He was a quiet and unassuming man but possessed genuine worth. His wife died in 1879 when eighty-one years old, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she was a devoted and active member. Mr. and Mrs. Bocock were the parents of seven children, all of whom are now deceased, save our subject.
Cyrus Bocock passed his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and received a good education for those days. He attended the public schools until about twenty years of age and he then became a student in a select school but was compelled to give up further study in less than a year on account of his health. Later he taught that school for six months and then, having received a teacher's license, went home and began teaching in the district schools. For fourteen years he followed that profession and also engaged in farming, as the school term lasted but six months during the winter. During this entire time he taught in three adjoining districts, one of which was his home district. This record indicates the excellence of his work and his popularity with his patrons.
In 1857 Mr. Bocock came to Stark county, Illinois,
and engaged in farming here for eighteen months, but as the crops were
a failure he returned home and again turned his attention to teaching.
In the spring of 1866 he became a resident of Camp Grove, Stark county,
and purchased a small country store at that place. At that time the
nearest railroad was thirteen miles away and the settlers did much of their
buying at small crossroads stores such as Mr. Bocock conducted for about
four years. In 1869 he sold out his business and when the railroad
was built through Castleton he was quick to recognize the value of that
town as a trade center and built the first store there. He engaged
in general merchandising at Castleton for fourteen years and also established
the post office there. On selling out his mercantile interests he
took
up his residence upon his farm of two hundred and
forty acres in Penn township, which he had bought in the meantime and which
he operated successfully for three years. He then removed to Bradford
and engaged in the loan and collection business, in which field he was
active fore many years. In the management of his affairs he displayed
unusual knowledge of local business conditions, a keen insight into human
nature and a soundness of judgment that enabled him to succeed where others
would have failed. He was also uncompromisingly honest in all of
his transactions and no one has ever charged him with sharp practice or
deception. For many years he was the only auctioneer in this locality
and cried the greater number of sales in his part of the county.
Since 1910 he has confined his attention chiefly to such business as comes
within the scope of a notary public, public administrator and conveyancer.
He has served as public administrator of Stark county for about thirty
years and has settled more estates than any other man within its borders.
He has also drawn up many wills, leases, mortgages and other legal papers
and is recognized as an expert in work of that character.
Mr. Bocock was one of the organizers and is still one
of the large stockholders of the local electric light plant and also of
the Empire Telephone Company, of which he is president
and which operates through Stark, Bureau and Henry counties.
In addition to his extensive interest in those concerns he owns eight hundred
acres of fine land in South Dakota and two hundred and forty acres in Penn
township, this county. His advice is often sought on business matters,
as his judgment is unusually reliable and as the greatest confidence is
felt in his integrity.
Cyrus Bocock |
Mrs. Cyrus Bocock |
Mr. Bocock was married on the 2nd of April, 1857, to Miss Eleanor M. Fouts, who was born in Fulton county, Illinois. She grew to womanhood there and acquired her education in the public schools, and for some time was one of Mr. Bocock's pupils. They have become the parents of seven children, as follows: Charles W., ex-treasurer of Stark county, is residing in Toulon and a sketch of him appears elsewhere in this work. Francis M., a retired farmer living in Wyoming, this county, married Miss Annie Mahler. Robert Leonard, who was formerly a traveling man but is now a merchant of Los Angeles, California, married Miss Ella Christie. Emma Luella is at home. Sarah Ada gave her hand in marriage to William Malone, a resident of this county. Cyrus Oscar passed away on the 12th of March, 1904. Clarence E. is now dean and professor of science at the Idaho Normal University at Albion, Idaho, and has been connected with that institution for eleven years.
Mr. Bocock is a stanch republican and has for years
been a leader in his party. He has served on the county and congressional
central committees and has at all times done all in his power to secure
the success of his party at the polls. He has held a number of offices,
both local and state, and in all of his official capacities has discharged
his duties with an eye single to the public welfare. While living
in Fulton county he was county supervisor for five years and held a similar
office in this county for many years. As before stated he has been
public administrator for about thirty years and for some time he has been
a member of the town board of Bradford. In 1872 he was elected to
the state legislature and served one regular term and one adjourned term.
In 1888 he was again chosen as a state official, being elected a member
of the board of equalization, and in 1892 he was reelected, service for
eight years in that capacity. For the last six years of that time
he was a member of the committee on corporations and among the powerful
companies with
which his committee was concerned was the Pullman
Company.
He is an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity,
being identified with Bradford Lodge, No. 595, A.F. & A.M., of
which he had served as secretary for twenty-one years, when he resigned
that office in 1914. He is also affiliated
with the Knights Templar commandery at Princeton, Illinois, and
the Eastern Star, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
in which lodge he has filled all of the chairs. His life has been
a long and honorable one filled with accomplishment along many lines of
endeavor and, although he has reached an age when most men are no longer
able to take a part in the world's work, he is still active in business
and is vigorous in both mind and body. He has
gained financial independence solely through his own
efforts, as he began his career without capital and without the aid of
influential friends, and has at all times depended entirely upon his own
resources. Although he values highly material prosperity, he has
never made the attainment of wealth his chief aim in life. On the
other hand he has at all times adhered to the highest standards of probity
and has given of his time, thought and means to the advancement of his
town and county and has been willing to aid those less fortunate than himself.
He is respected for his ability and loved for his generosity and kindness.
Source: Stark County, IL and its People: A record
of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, 1916, p. 51
BOGGS, Arthur C.
A. C. Boggs, Princeton, was born February 18, 1826, in Ohio County, W. Va. His father, William Boggs, was born in the same place, September 7, 1789, and died there, July 26, 1869. He followed farming as an occupation. His grandfather was Francis Boggs. The mother of our subject, LeeAnn Carter, was born 1801, in Ohio County, W. Va., where she died in 1841. She was a daughter of Arthur and Bethann (Beal) Carter, natives of Maryland and of German descent. Mrs. Leeann Boggs was the mother of eight children, viz.: Bethann, Francis (deceased), Arthur C., William J., Mary J., David B., Margary, and Sarah, who died while young.
Our subject, A. C. Boggs, went to school in West Virginia; there he also farmed till June 1867, when he came to Bureau County, Ill., and settled on the M. Triplett farm in Dover Township. After living nearly two years on that farm he sold it and bought the Henry Bacon farm in Princeton Township, where he lived till August, 1881, when he moved to town, where he now resides. While on the farm he dealt to a considerable extent in blooded stock. At present he is dealing in stock.
Mr. Boggs was married September 11, 1854, in the place of his nativity to Miss Mary Milligan, who was born December 18, 1827, in Ohio County, W. Va. Her parents were Hugh and Ruth (Brown) Milligan. They were natives of Virginia, near Harpers Ferry. Mrs. Mary Boggs is the mother of five children, viz.: Flora B., wife of J. W. Thompson, now a resident of Colorado, where he owns a sheep ranch; Willia A. is a merchant in Griswold, Cass Co., Iowa; Ida Lee, deceased; Mary E. and Sarah E.
Mr. and Mrs. Boggs are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a man interested in all public enterprise and ready to do his duty anywhere.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BOGGS, HON. L. B
HON. L. B. BOGGS. Prominent among those who have assisted in building up the town of Filley is the subject of this sketch, a man of wealth and influence, and one whose natural abilities have won for him a high place among the financiers and business men of this part of the county. His portrait may be seen on the opposite page. He traces his ancestry back to Ireland, where his paternal grandfather, Andrew Boggs, was born, in 1759. Upon immigrating to America he settled in Virginia, and spent the remainder of his life there.
James Boggs, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia, where he lived until a young man twenty years of age. Upon leaving home he migrated to the embryo town of Newcastle, Ind., where shortly afterward he was married to Miss Martha Stinson, who was born in East Tennessee, Oct. 26, 1806. Her father, John stinson, with his wife, was also a native of that State, and they spent their last years in Henry County, Ind.
The parents of our subject continued residents of Indiana, where the father carried on farming until his death occurred Nov. 7, 1842. The mother survived a period of ten years, and died at the old homestead, March 6, 1852. Their family included seven children, six sons and one daughter, of whom the following are living, namely: L. B., the subject of this sketch: Milton M., a physician of Lincoln, Ind.; Anthony, a farmer of Argus, Marshall Co., Ind.; Joel L., a merchant of Argus, Ind., and William J., who is farming in the vicinity of Saline, Kan.
Hon. L. B. Boggs was born Sept. 3, 1828, at Newcastle, Ind., and was but fourteen years of age at the time of his father's death. He was thus thrown upon his own resources, and for two years following worked for his board and clothes, and attended school three months in the winter. He was always recognized as a bright and ambitious lad, and determined to have an education. He followed farming in the manner already described until twenty years old, and was then so fortunate as to be able to enter Wabash Valley College, in his native State, where he took a full classical course, including three years of Latin, and one year of Greek, besides the common English branches, and natural science.
At the close of his college
course your Boggs was employed in an elevator one year in Michigan City,
and then took up the study of medicine, at Leesburg, Ind. Three years later
he entered upon the practice of his profession at North Manchester, where
he was located until the fall of 1858. He then changed the scene of his
labors to Neponset, Ill., where he operated until 1865. From there he removed
to Argus, Ind., where he followed his profession until 1870, and then on
account of failing health turned over his practice to his brother, and
for a year served as Deputy Marshal of the Third
District of Marshall
County. At the expiration of the year he resumed practice, and continued
in Indiana until September 1871, when he traced his steps to this county.
Dr. Boggs, soon after landing in Southern Nebraska, purchased 185 acres of land in what is now Filley Township, but what was then designated as "Mud Creek." For this he paid $4.50 per acre, intending to continue to commence stock-raising, but as soon as it became known that he was a physician he was induced to resume his profession. He, however, did not abandon his stock operations, in which he was ably assisted by his sons. His practice in a short time extended for twenty miles in different directions, his farm being his office and headquarters.
Dr. Boggs, in 1887, feeling
that he had done ample service in the professional field, and having educated
one of his sons to succeed him, retired from active practice, and is now
for the most part giving himself up to the enjoyment of the ample fortune
which he has secured by his energy and perseverance. He has given his children
a liberal education, and finds great pleasure in establishing them in business,
and watching their careers, which there is very reason to believe will
be but the reflex of his own. He has not been without his reverses, having
like his neighbors fought the
grasshopper scourge,
and upon the occasion of one of the severe storms frequently visiting this
region suffered the loss of a fine barn, which was struck by lightning
and burned.
Our subject has dealt
considerably in real estate, and besides giving a farm to each of his six
sons has 265 acres of good land in Filley Township. He usually keeps a
herd of fifty cattle and thirty head of horses and colts. In August 1884,
Dr. Boggs and a number of other gentlemen interested in the temperance
work organized a publishing company, of which the Doctor was made Vice
President, and began the publication of the New Republic, with which our
subject remained associated until 1887. He then retired from its management,
although not from any lack of interest in the work, which
he believes to be one
of the most important on the face of the Globe. He was born and reared
a Democrat, and continued one until after the election of Pierce. From
that time until the organization of the Republican party he was an Abolitionist
until this party had accomplished its object by the extinction of slavery.
In 1880 he identified himself with the Prohibition party, and in 1884 was
one of the presidential electors on the Prohibition ticket. In 1876 he
was elected by the people of Gage County as their Representative to the
Nebraska Legislature, and assisted in that most important
measure, the adoption
of the new constitution. In the House of Representatives he was the same
industrious and engergetic spirit that he has been always, and served on
the Judicial Committee, besides being called upon for aid in the settlement
of various vexed questions outside the province of this committee.
During the term of Dr. Boggs as a member of the House occurred the Senatorial contest, which resulted in the election finally of Alvin Saunders, and in which contest the Doctor bore no unimportant part. In his township and county there have always been offices at his command, but he has preferred the quiet of home surroundings, and to give his attention to his farm and his family.
Socially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He is a stockholder and one of the directors in the bank at Filley, and to various enterprises intended for the advancement of the people around him has ever lent cordial and generous support.
The marriage of L. B.
Boggs and Miss Virginia R. Fraser was celebrated at the home of the bride
in Indiana, Oct. 26, 1854. Mrs. Boggs is the daughter of James and Sarah
(Campbell) Fraser, who were natives of Washington, D. C., and are deceased.
Mr. Fraser was born in Alexandria, Va., July 3, 1798, and died July 4,
1884, in Indiana. His wife, Sarah, was born in Washington, D. C., in 1808.
They were married in Washington, and in the year 1834 emigrated to the
vicinity of the embryo town of LaPorte, Ind., where Mr. F. followed farming.
There the mother died in October 1866. They had a family of eight children,
of whom Mrs. B. was the third in order of birth. Six only of these children
are now living:
Catherine is the wife
of Thomas K. Armstrong, a farmer of Johnson, Mo.; Noval W. is superintendent
of the broom department of penitentiary at Lincoln, Neb.; Virginia R.,
Mrs. Boggs; Mary, Mrs. William Shumaker, is the wife of a well-to-do farmer
and merchant of Chilhowee, Mo.; Joseph R., of LaPorte, is engaged in merchandising,
and Cornelia, who lives there also, is unmarried.
Mrs. Virginia Boggs was born in LaPorte County, Ind., March 28, 1836, where she was reared and educated, and remained under the parental roof until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there have been born thirteen children, eleven of whom are now living, namely: James F., born Jan. 7, 1856, and now carrying on farming in Filly Township, this county; Charles S., born June 19, 1857, and practicing medicine in Filley; Eva L., born Nov. 19, 1858, and now the wife of P. E. Plumb, a telegraph operator of Drummed, Wis.; Mary Ellen, born Aug. 5, 1860, and the wife of William H. Andrew, a lumberman of Table Rock, this State; Luther H., born April 16, 1862, a liveryman of Filley; Thomas W., born March 8, 1864, and farming in Filley Township: Benjamin F., born March 16, 1866, and assisting on the home farm; Alice C., born March 4, 1868; Virginia Belle, Dec. 20, 1870; Lewis W., Nov. 4, 1875, and Midge, Feb. 11, 1881. The younger children are all at home with their parents. The fine family of children, the beautiful and comfortable home where plenty reigns, the standing of a capable and energetic man in his community, form a picture pleasing to contemplate, and suggest the true object of man's creation, namely, to glorify the Author of all good, and benefit the world around as opportunity occurs.
Source: Portrait and Biographical
Album, Otoe Co., Nebraska 1888
BOOTH, Alden
Alden Booth, Fairfield, was born September 24, 1811 in Tompkins County, N. Y. He is the son of William and Sally (Ashley) Booth, natives of Massachusetts, as was also Grandfather Joseph Booth, who died in Tompkins County, N. Y. William Booth was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a farmer and died in Cattaraugus County N. Y. His widow, a native of Salem, Mass., survived him and drew his war pension. She died in Whiteside County, Ill., aged ninety-two years. She was the mother of seven children, viz.: Ashley, now a resident of Whiteside County; Phebe, deceased; Allen, our subject; William, deceased; Daniel, who remained in New York State; Lyman, of Adair County, Iowa; and George W., of Blue Earth, Minn. All came West except Daniel.
Our subject was reared in New York State, where he was married to Eliza Whitmore, who died there. He was married in the same State a second time, December 1, 1836, to Mary A. Glazier, born July 21,1817, in Spencer, Worchester Co., Mass., daughter of Jonas and Sally (Goodnow) Glazier, natives of the same place. The former was a Baptist minister and the latter was a sister of Lyman Goodnow, the well known ex-Mayor of Boston. Mrs. Mary A. Booth is the mother of four children, viz.: Alden L., deceased, who was married to Emma A. Hogs; Mary E., deceased. former wife of Levi Hopkins, she was the mother of Millie A. and Mattie E, Hopkins; Flora, deceased, had been married to James Bunker; Horace, who was born May 19, 1845. The latter resides in Fairfield Township. He has been married three times. His first wife Sarah J. Hunter, deceased, was the mother of Minnie A. Booth; his second wife, Josephine Sheldon, deceased, was the mother of Grace D. Booth. His present wife is Lovina R. Bowdish.
Alden Booth came to Bureau County in 1855 and bought 120 acres of land. He at one time owned 640 acres. At present he has 266 acres. He has taken a deep interest in educational matters and been one of the standbys in Fairfield Township. Politically he has been identified with the Democrat party.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BORGER, Irwin
Hall Twp
The Borger family is of German descent, and for several generations lived in Pennsylvania. The great grandfather of our subject was captured by the Indians on the frontier in Corben County, Penn., while returning from his blacksmith shop. The Indians told him if he would go with them quietly they would keep him five years, and then he might go home. At the end of the five years he volunteered to stay another year, but finally returned to his family. His son, John Borger, had five children, of whom Theobald was our subject's father. He was a blacksmith, and lived in Pennsylvania, where he married Lydia Miller. Both are now dead. They had five children, viz.: Mrs. Mary A. McKee, of Selby Township; Ephraim, William, both of Pennsylvania; Mrs. Polly Wolle, deceased and Irwin.
Irwin Borger was born January 17, 1832, in Southampton County, Penn., where he was reared and educated. He was married February 2, 1857, to Emma Faust, who was born April 18, 1836, in the same county as her husband. Her parents, Paul and Emelie (Breinig) Faust were natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Borger is the mother of Mrs. Ida M. Combs, born March 22, 1860, widow of Oscar Combs. They had one child. Irwin W., born December 4, 1880.
Mr. Borger has been married
twice. His first wife, Sarah Bush, died in Pennsylvania. Mr.
and Mrs. Borger are members of the German Reformed Church. Politically
he is Independent, but was formerly a Democrat. He has held various
township offices---Commissioner,
Assessor and School Trustee, which office he holds at present. He
owns 175 acres of land, 120 of which was wild land, which he has improved.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BOWEN, Thomas
Thomas Bowen, Bureau, was born at Woodchurch, Kent Co., England, August 13, 1831. He came to America with his parents, Thomas and Phebe (Markwick) Bowen, in 1838. They settled in New York; first in Monroe County, and then in Orleans County, where our subject's father died in 1850. The mother is still living at an advanced age.
Our subject was the second in a family of ten children, six of whom are now living, five in New York. Mr. Bowen was reared in New York, and there learned his trade of blacksmith. In 1851 he came to Bureau County, and for five years worked at his trade in Princeton. In 1857 he quit blacksmithing, and came to his present farm, which was then unimproved, paying $6.25 per acre for the first eighty. He now owns 332 acres in Bureau Township, one quarter section of which he purchased of William Cullen Bryant. In politics Mr. Bowen is identified with the Democrat party, and has held most of the offices of the township.
He was married in Princeton, March 25, 1855, to Elvira Thomas. She was born near London February 21, 1829. He parents, William and Mary (Gibbon) Thomas, both died in the old country when she was a child. She was the youngest of ten children, and has four brothers and one sister now living in Wales. Mrs. Bowen landed in America July 4, 1848, and lived in Peoria County, Ill., till 1853, when she came to Princeton. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen have had four children, two of whom are living: William, born August 17, 1856, died April 12, 1858: Thomas, born April 12, 1858, and died October 17, 1876; Mary, born February 15, 1869, wife of William H. Johnson, of Princeton; Frank B., born November 1, 1863.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BOWEN, William
William Bowen (deceased). The following biography is devoted to a man who is well remembered by our older settlers, and who distinguished himself as a soldier in our late war, and what is more, as a useful citizen after the war, in all matters pertaining to the interest of the community. He was born October 19, 1836, in Scropton, Derbyshire, England. He was a son of George and Sarah (Moocroft) Bowen, who were natives of Sctopton, England, and the parents of six children, viz.: Hannah, William, John, Mary, George, and Sarah, who was born in Bureau County, Ill. The immigrated from England to the United States in 1846. It took them seven weeks and three days to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a sailing vessel. They landed at New Orleans, and the journey from there to Hennepin, Ill., was accomplished on a steamboat. They settled in Neponset Township, Bureau County, the same year, and here the parents died, George Bowen, Sr. December 15, 1879, and his wife June 27, 1881.
William Bowen farmed in early life, and when this country called for volunteers to protect the stars and stripes he enlisted August 5, 1861, in Company I of the Twenty-seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged September 20, 1864. He served with the rank of Sergeant, and participated in the battles of Belmont, where he was wounded in the arm, Stone River, Chickamanga, Union City, Island No.10, Farmington, seige of Corinth and Lavergue.
After the war he farmed till his demise which occurred November 13, 1880. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and made himself useful in many ways to the community wherein he resided. William Bowen was married October 5, 1864, to Miss Sarah J. Norton, who was born October 5, 1842, in Pickering, Canada. She survived her husband, and resides on the farm of 400 acres which he had accumulated by his industry. She is a daughter of Thomas and Frances (Walker) Norton, natives of England, who came here in 1854. He is yet living, but she died April 18, 1867. She was the mother of two children, viz.: Mrs. Mary A. Saddler and Mrs. Sarah J. Bowen, who is the mother of six children, viz.: George T., born July 18, 1865; Ada F., born July 18, 1867; Effie J., born January 11, 1869; Mary M., born September 6, 1871; Arthur J., born January 12, 1873, and Franklin, who was born January 9, 1875. Mrs. Bowen manages the large property left by her husband with ability. Religiously she is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BOYD, Nathaniel
Concord
Charles S. Boyd was a merchant tailor in New York City till 1920, when he closed out business and came to Illinois with hid former partner in the tailoring business, John Dixon. They came most of the distance to the State with ox teams, and when they landed in Springfield, Ill., Mr. Boyd erected the third cabin there. From 1820 till 1830 he resided at Springfield, and would work at his trade whenever he could during the summer, and would often get paid for his work in cattle, so during the fall he would drive the cattle to the lead mines around Galena, and sell them to the miners, and then stay and work at the mines during the winter, and would then again return to his home. However, in 1830, he came to Bureau County, Ill., and bought the claim of John Dixon at Boy's Grove, and remained there till 1840, when he removed to Princeton. (More of his early settlement will be found in the General History.) During the Black Hawk war he removed his wife and daughters to Ft. Clark, now Peoria, but he and two of his sons remained on the farm and made a crop of corn. Mr. Boyd was married in New York City to Eliza Dixon, a sister of John Dixon, and their three eldest sons were born before coming West, but their two daughters and youngest son were born in Springfield, Ill. The following are the names of the children: Charles, Alexander, Nathaniel, Elizabeth, John H. and Angelica. The residence of Charles is not known. Alexander, Nathaniel and Mrs. Angelica Paddock, widow of Dr. S. A. Paddock, reside in Bureau County. Elizabeth is the wife of Ebenezer Chamberlin, of Jameson, Davis Co., Mo. John H. Boyd went to California with the early gold hunters, then to Australia, but for many years has been on the Island of Tahiti, one of the Society Islands, as a trader with the natives. Both Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Boyd died in Princeton, Ill.
Nathaniel Boyd was born October 1, 1820, and with little exception has resided here since, and most of his life has been engaged in farming. He now owns in Concord Township a farm of 425 acres. He was married in this county March 12, 1845, to Mary A. Cummings, who was born February 20, 1827, and was the daughter of Thornton Cummings. (See sketch of William Cummings.) Mrs. Boyd died September 20, 1866. She was the mother of the following children; Frances, born January 13, 1847, wife of Charles Wetherell, of Bureau County; Roxanna, born September 2, 1848, wife of Harry Rawson, of Bayard, Iowa; John W. Boyd, born April 3, 1850, now of St. Louis, Mo.; Comma, born January 18, 1860, at home; Henry, born December 25, 1862, died June 13, 1882 and also three daughters, who died while small.
In political matters Mr. Boyd is identified with the Republican party.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BOYDEN, Albert W.
Albert W. Boyden, Sheffield, son of Dr. Wyatt and Elizabeth Woodbury Boyden, was born in Beverly, Mass., May 24, 1833. His father was a practicing physician of Beverly, and intended his son should be a farmer, consequently, when old enough, he was placed on a farm during the summer seasons, and was also employed in a band for some time, and there was taught lessons which have been valuable to him in his business career.
In September, 1853, Mr. Boyden came West. clerking a while in Chicago, and for the Stevens firm in Tiskilwa, and then settled on his farm north of Sheffield. Not being suited with farming, he removed to Sheffield in the fall of 1858, when for two years he was Deputy Sheriff of Bureau County under Sheriff David E. Norton. His name was then announced to the Bureau County Republican Convention as a candidate for the office of Sheriff, when, unfortunately he did not secure the nomination. After clerking three years for Scott and Boyden he bought the interest of Mr. Porter, and the firm was changed to Scott & Boyden. In 1870 Mr. Boyden sold to Scott & Co., and engaged in business with Mr. H. C. Porter, and banking was added to their mercantile business. Mr. Porter died in October, 1875, and January 1, 1876, the firm was changed to Boyden & Dewey. (See sketch of B. F. Dewey.) Since Mr. Porter's death Mr. Boyden had been Secretary and Treasurer of the Sheffield Mining Company. He is also engaged in mercantile, limber and grain business in Mineral (W.W. Dewey & Co.), and in mercantile business at Sioux Rapids, Iowa (F. D. White & Co.,), and is pre-eminently one of the successful business men of Bureau County.
In politics he is Republican, and an active member of the Congregational Church. In 1884 he was nominated by the Republican Convention of the Twenty-fifth District one of the candidates for Representitive to the State Legislature, and elected the November following.
Mr. Boyden married, April 2, 1856, Ellen R. Webb, (born in Skowbegan, Maine, April 18, 1837.) daughter of Joseph B. and Martha (Weston) Webb, who came to this country in 1851. They have the following children: George W. Boyden, born January 3, 1858, now a member of the firm of Boyden & Dewey, married in Rock Island, Ill., June 28, 1881, Ella Wiser, and they have Albert W. Boyden second; William C. Boyden, April 6, 1864, in Junior Class Harvard College; Mattie F. Boyden, July 21, 1866; Charles W. Boyden, July 31, 1872; Albert A. Boyden, April 10, 1875.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BOYDEN, Erastus P.
E. P. Boyden, Tiskilwa, who is the subject of the following biography, was born February 16, 1823, in Pelham, Hampshire Co., Mass. His father, Plyna Boyden, was born November 2, 1788, in South Walpole, Mass., near Boston. He was a shoe-maker and farmer by occupation, and died September 25, 1866, in Henry County, Ill. The Boyden family is of English descent and are classed among the pioneers of New England. The mother of our subject, Clarissa Fales, was born July 6, 1793. She died June 5, 1861. She was a daughter of Joseph Fales, and was the mother of six children, viz.: Mrs. Adeline Marsh, deceased; Mrs. Clarissa Knowlton, widow of Dr. Perry Knowlton; Sanford Boyden, a resident of Massachusetts.
Erastus P. Boyden, our subject was educated in Massachusetts, but he is principally self-educated, having gained his fund of general knowledge in contact with the world. In early life he taught school in his native State, after which he followed various occupations. Owing to his popularity and efficiency he was elected to many town offices, and at one time had the doubtful pleasure of filling nine distinct offices. During his last years in Massachusetts pursuits. In 1854 he removed to Tazewell County, Ill., where he resided five years and then removed to Geneseo, Ill. In 1860 he opened a general store in Atkinson, Ill. He also bought and sold grain, dealt in real estate, also engaged in farming and dealt extensively in broom corn.
During this time he was elected Supervisor of his township and filled that office with tact and ability. In 1876 Mr. Boyden removed to Tiskilwa, where he bought the "Tiskilwa House," and where he now , in that capacity of landlord, dispenses entertainment and comfort to his fellowmen.
Our subject has been married twice. His first wife, Mary R. Dunbar, was a native of Massachusetts. She died September 10, 1869. She was the mother of six children, viz.: John D., now a resident of Nebraska; Mrs. Clara E. Welsh, of Dakota, and Hattie M. Mr. Boyden was married a second time to Mrs. Marcia A. Penney (nee Valentine), a daughter of Edwin and Hannah (Delong) Valentine, natives of Warren County, Penn., the former deceased. Mrs. Marcia A. Borden has two children from a former marriage, viz.: Mrs. Ella P. Crossett and Norton T. Penney.
Mr. and Mrs. Boyden are members of the Congregational Church. He has ever been identified with the Republican party, is a friend of prohibition, has taken a deep interest in local affairs and has been President of the Board of Trustees.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BREED, Dr. Simon Peter
Dr. Simon Peter Breed, Wyanet. In the possession of William J. Breed, of Raynham, Mass., are records stating that A. D. 1100 a colony of Breeds emigrated from Germany to Sussex County, England, and there founded a town called Breed, which bears that name to the present day. From this colony of Breeds sprang Allyn Breed, of 1601, who came to America and settled in Lynn, Mass., in 1630, and became the sole progenitor of the Breed family in America. One of his great-grandsons, Ebenezer Breed, is noted for being the owner of Breed's Hill, where was fought the battle of Bunker Hill.
Dr. S. P. Breed, the subject of this sketch, was born in Manlius, Onondaga Co., N. Y., February 1, 1819, and is the son of the late James Breed. In his possession are records by which he can trace his lineage back through his grandfather, Gershom Breed, of 1755; Allen Beard, of 1714, who settled in Stonington, Conn., and therefore called the Stonington branch of the family; thence through, John Breed, of 1663, Allen Breed, of 1626, and Allyn Breed, of 1601, who settled in Lynn in 1630.
Simon Peter Breed was taken by his parents to Cicero, Onondaga County, in 1820, and there on the farm he was reared till he was seventeen years of age, except one year when the family had returned to Manlius. When seventeen he removed with his parents to Hannibal, Oswego County, and there four years more of his life were spent upon the farm, in a sawmill, at the carpenter's bench and in the school room. When nineteen years of age he began life's work for himself, having made an arrangement with his father for his time. In 1839 he went to Manlius, where he attended the old Manlius Academy for some time, and also taught three terms of school.
May 11, 1843, he started from Oswego, N. Y. for the West, and landed June 11, at his uncle's house near Vermont, Fulton Co., Ill., where his first business was teaching at $13 per month. He continued teaching for three terms, and in 1844 began the study of medicine in Vermont. In the winter of 1846-47 he attended his first course of lectures at St. Louis, Mo., in the Medical Department of the Missouri State University. In the spring of 1847 he began the practice of medicine in Schuyler County, Ill., and there continued for eighteen years. However, in the winter of 1856-57 he went to Philadelphia, and attended the Medical Department and graduated from the Pennsylvania University. He then continued in his practice in Schuyler County, where he was widely known and eminently successful.
In 1865 Dr. Breed removed
to Princeton, and in the fall of the same year took part in organizing
a district medical society, and was its first delegate to the State Medical
Society, and through a report read there was first introduced to the literary
medical world, and since that time has contributed many articles to medical
journals, full of interest and
value to the profession,
but of which our limited space will allow no further mention, only to say
that they were characterized by many of the leading physicians in this
and other States as able and exhaustive. In a centennial address
before the International medical Congress at Philadelphia, in 1876, H.
I. Bowditch, M. D., President, of the Massachusetts State Board of
Health, speaks of Dr. Breed as one of his valuable correspondents.
In the publish transactions of the nineteenth annual meeting of the Illinois
State Medical Society are given a number of pages taken from his report
on Practical Medicine.
Not only had Dr. Breed been an able contributor upon medicine, but his ready pen has not been slow to record his thoughts upon other topics, including those on temperance, a tour through Kansas in 1869, woman's crusade, etc., the mere mention of which will call them to the minds of many of the leading citizens of the county. In early life the Doctor was an abolitionist, and cast one of the two first votes in Vermont, Fulton County, for James G. Birney, the candidate of the Liberty party in 1844. He is now a stanch Republican, and in 1870 he wrote articles against many of the Republicans, who bolted the regular nominee for Congress, after submitting their claims at the primary election.
December 25, 1848, Dr. Breed was united in marriage to Miss Alzina S. Powers, of McDonough County, Ill. She was born in Essex, Vt., in 1827, but came to McDonough County in 1833. Her father, Isaac Powers, was a farmer; she was educated in the district schools and at the female seminary of Jacksonville, Ill. She is the mother of seven children, three of whom died before they were seven years of age. The living are: Lena May, a school teacher; Lizzie Rachel, wife of Charles E. Sisler, who resides near Lincoln, Neb.; Luella and Ralph at home. They were educated in the Princeton High School.
In later years Dr. Breed has lived in quiet retirement on Center Grove farm. This farm of 200 acres lies in Wyanet Township, and was settled in 1836 and when Dr. Breed purchased it in 1870 was very much run down, but he has added many valuable improvements to it, and has made it a model farm.
Although not a member of any church, order or fraternity, he is opposed to none provided they bear the test of being a benefit to mankind. He has always been a friend to the poor and especially during the war, he not only assisted the families of the soldiers by his services as a physician, but his purse was ever open to them, and many kindly words of sympathy did he write to those in the field.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BRENNEMAN. Martin
Martin Brenneman, Selby,
was born in Lancaster County, Penn., March 12, 1819. His parents,
Martin and Varunaca (Kendick) Brenneman, were both natives of Lancaster
County, Penn., but their ancestors came to America among the first German
immigrants to the New World, coming from Rhinelyarn over 200 years ago,
and of their descendants in the country the sixth generation is now living.
When our subject was about eleven years old he removed with his parents
to Wayne County, Ohio. His mother died in Stark County, Ohio.
She was the mother of ten children, four of whom are living, viz.: Anna,
widow of John L. Messenkop, of Galesburg, Ill.; Mary, widow of M. Kaufman,
of Rushville, Ill.; Martin, and Christian, a resident of Orrville, Wayne
Co., Ohio. Our subject's father died in this county, lacking but
a few days of being eight-five years of age. His occupation was always
that of farming, and he was considered one of the best in Lancaster County,
Penn., and also in Wayne County. At one time he was quite wealthy,
but lost his property,
through being security
and bondsman.
In 1853 our subject, who had heard of the land in Illinois, where there were no stumps or rocks, determined to see for himself, and finding it even better that he had hoped for, he returned home, and in 1854 removed to Bureau County, and settled on his present farm in Section 6, Selby Township, where he has since resided. He has always been a farmer, and as was said of his father, he has also been one of the best. Although he began with little, he has accumulated considerable property through his industry. His farm contained 640 acres, but as he believes in helping his children while he is still living, he divided with them, and now owns but 240 acres.
Mr. Brenneman was married,
in Stark County, Ohio, to Lydia Young; she died in Cuyahoga County, Ohio,
leaving two children, viz.: Mary A., born July 8, 1843, wife of James Lewis,
of Jackson County, Kan.; Henry, born November 3,
1844, drowned in the
Little Osage River, Bates County, Mo. Mr. Brenneman was married, in Cuyahoga
County, Ohio, February 8, 1847, to Mary Garman who was born December 25,
1822, in Franklin County, Penn. She is the mother of seven children,
viz.: John, born July 16, 1848, of Clay County, Neb.; George, born February
22, 1850, of Selby Township; Amanda, born August 17, 1853, wife of Levi
Shettle, of Clinton County, Iowa; Martin V., born April 27, 1855, of Clay
County, Neb.; Maggie, born October 6, 1857, wife of L. H. Kaufman, of Clay
County, Neb.; Hattie, born May 26, 1860, at home; Daniel, may 8, 1863,
at home.
In politics Mr. Brenneman is a life-long Democrat. He is a member of the English Lutheran Church.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BRIGHAM, Joseph H.
Dover Twp
The Brigham family came to this country at a very early date in the history of America, having formerly resided on a tract of land called Brigham lying between Scotland and England, and at that time belonging to neither country, but now owned by England. From this family are descended all the Brighams now in America. They are of remarkable longevity; on one tombstone in the old burying ground in New Hampshire is recorded the age of one hundred and three years. Another family of seven children lived till their average age was eighty years, and one member yet survives. Such being the physical nature of the family they were well adapted to a pioneer life in a new country.
Joseph Brigham was born
in Cheshire County, N. H., in 1774. He cleared a farm among the hills
and timber of his native State and resided there till 1832, when he sold
out and came to Illinois. He lived near Hennepin till the Indian
trouble was over, and then in the spring of 1834 came to Bureau County,
and settled on the farm now owned by James
Hensel, in Dover Township,
occupying a log-cabin built by his son Sylvester Brigham. The family
resided here until 1837, and then moved to the present farm of Joseph H.
Brigham, where Joseph Brigham died in 1846. He was married, in his
native county in New Hampshire, in 1802, to Polly Fullum, also a native
of Cheshire County. She died in 1861 at
the age of eighty-three
years. They were the parents of nine children; three died in youth.
The following reached maturity; Sylvester, Lucy (widow of David Chase,
of Dover), Polly (widow of Christopher Corss, who lives in Princeton),
Nancy (wife of Thomas Mercer, died in Oregon), Eliza (wife of James Porterfield,
died in Dover), Joseph H. (lives in Dover Township.)
Sylvester Brigham, when twenty-two years old, left his native State in company with Warren Shirley. They crossed the lakes, and then traveled through Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and into Iowa on foot. In 1829, while traveling through the country, he located his cabin in Dover Township, Bureau County, where James Hensel now lives. In the fall of the same year he returned to his native State, New Hampshire, traveling as before on foot. In 1830 he again came to Bureau County and settled, and remained here during the Black Hawk war, in which he was engaged. He resided in Bureau County until 1855, when he removed to Cordova, Ill., and from there to Wilson County, Kan., in 1870, where he died January, 1872, at the age of sixty-four years. He was twice married, first to Lucy Gunn in 1840, who died two years later. He was again married, in 1843, to Mary Bingham, in Fitzwilliam, N. H. She is still living, and is the mother of five sons and three daughters.
Joseph H. Brigham was born January 31, 1823, in Fitzwilliam, N. H. He was but a boy when he came to this county with his parents, and has resided here ever since. His education was chiefly obtained in the log schoolhouse. His occupation has always been that of farming; he now owns the old homestead where his father settled. His farm contains 360 acres. February 29, 1848, he was married to Jane Elizabeth Mercer. She was born January 22, 1830, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, a daughter of Aaron Mercer, who came to this county in 1834. Mrs. Brigham died June 22, 1871, leaving seven children, viz.: Harriet, Sylvester, Sarah, Mary, Joseph, Eliza, John. Mr. Brigham was married, January 1, 1873, to Carrie Dunbar, born April 21, 1841. She is the mother of two children--Curtis and Charles.
Mr. Brigham has always been a republican in politics. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church of Dover.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BRITTON, Mrs. Sarah
Mrs. Sarah Britton was born in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1853. She was a daughter of William and Philena Whipple, the father a native of Rhode Island and the mother a native of Indiana. This worthy couple, who settled in Illinois at a very early day, have long since passed away. To their union were born five children, three of whom are now living; John, who is in California; Hattie, the wife of B. Andrews, who is a resident of Missouri; and Mrs. Britton, the subject of this sketch.
Her educational advantages as a girl were limited, because it was not deemed necessary that the daughters have so extensive an education as the sons. She was early initiated into all of the hard work which women must do on the farm. Little did she think how appropriate this training would be for the misfortune that later overtook her.
In 1873 Sarah Whipple was married to Ira Britton and to their union were born eight children: Eunice P. is the wife of Chester Reed, of North Dakota, and has one daughter, Opal Irene, five years of age. Nellie M. is the wife of Frank Brown, also of North Dakota, and they have a son and daughter: Dallas Ward, two years of age; and Elva Darling, in her first year. William B., who makes his home in North Dakota, is married and has two children: Lela Violet, six years of age; and Lyle Bowen, not yet a year old. C. F., residing in North Dakota, is married and has a daughter, Norma Marie, in her first year. A. L., also of North Dakota, is married and has a son, Hiram, two years of age. Bessie M. is the wife of Frank Beaver of Minburn. Goldie E. is at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Britton came to Iowa in 1877 and bought a farm in Washington township. They worked diligently to bring this place to a state where it would yield the returns that would insure them a substantial living and had just reached the point where they felt they were beginning to attain their desire when Mr. Britton was drowned while out fishing with a party of friends in 1889. Mrs. Britton was thus left a widow with eight children but she was not one of the kind to sit down in idleness and grieve. She realized that she must rear and educate her family and in order to do this as she desired she must carry on the farm. By determined effort she succeeded and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 28 and 29, Washington township. While she has been through some trying experiences she has learned by each one and is now able to manage and attend to all of her financial affairs. She has been enabled to carry out the plans which she and her husband had taken so much pleasure in making.
She is an active member of the Christian church. The women of America are equal to almost anything and today are invading nearly every line of industry. The hard work of the farm has long been done quite as much by the wives of the land as by the husbands, but the woman who can manage and conduct the outdoor work of the farm is an exception, and Mrs. Britton has been able to attain this distinction
Source: Past and Present of Dallas County, Iowa,
S. J. Clarke Publishing Company Chicago, IL; 1907
BROOKS, E.H
Wyanet
The gentleman whose name heads this paragraph was born in Bucks County, Penn., February 29, 1824, and is the son of William and Mary (Worthington) Brooks, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born October 3, 1793, and died June 9, 1880. The mother died August 8, 1850, at the age of fifty-two years. They were the parents of fifteen children, all of whom yet survive.
Our subject remained in his native county till 1850, when he removed to Belmont County, Ohio, and the following year to Bureau County, Ill., where he has since resided. His occupation in early life was that of a farmer, and he continued farming near Princeton for two years after coming to Bureau County, but when the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad was completed to Princeton he began dealing in grain. He continued in the grain business at Princeton till 1860, when he came to Wyanet, where for twenty years he continued in the same business; however, in 1880, he sold out and retired from active life.
Politically he is identified with the principles of the Republican party, but not an active politician. Of the Brooks family one other member now resides in Bureau County, Mrs. Susan (Brooks) Trego. In the spring of 1865 she removed to Mercer County, Ill., where her husband, Cyrus Trego, died in December, 1866, and in 1867 Mrs. Trego came to Wyanet, and has since resided in this county. She is the mother of two children, viz.: Edwin A., now of Cass County, Iowa and Ella, wife of William A. Weaver, of Wyanet. The Trego family is one of the oldest families in Pennsylvania, as their ancestor, Peter Trego, came to America with the Penn colony.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BROWN, William
On the 2d of February, 1907, there occurred an event which was the occasion of deep sorrow in the village of Perry as well as the surrounding districts, for on that date William Brown, who had been an honored and respected citizen of the county for thirty-two years, departed this life. Mr. Brown had for many years been engaged in farming and gardening on a well improved tract of land adjoining the limits of Perry, having located thereon in 1875, and he was therefore widely and favorably known in this district. He was born near Morgantown, in Monongahela county, West Virginia, June 17, 1845, and was there reared and educated. After putting aside his text-books he engaged in teaching in his native county for a short time but the attractions of the new western country took him as a young man to Illinois, where he was engaged in teaching both in Putnam and Bureau counties.
It was in the former county
on the 6th of March, 1873, that Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Etta Stickel, who was born and reared in that county, where she was
also engaged in teaching for a time. A sketch of her father and her brother,
Addison Stickel, is also given in this volume.
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Following his marriage Mr. Brown engaged in farming in Putnam county for one year and also followed that pursuit in Bureau county for a similar period. In 1875 he removed to Dallas county, this state, having previously made a trip here and purchased a tract of land, situated in Dallas township, south of Dawson. Locating on this farm he there opened up and developed a good property and made his home there for several years. Eventually he traded that property for a farm near Perry. Removing to the place, he erected a good house and barn, set out an orchard and made many other improvements, thus making it a model property. He was there engaged in carrying on general agricultural pursuits and also did gardening, selling his products in the city markets.
Mr. Brown was also an honored veteran of the Civil war. He enlisted in 1864, when a young man of seventeen years, as a member of Company G, First Regiment of West Virginia Cavalry, with which he served until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge July 8, 1865. While at the front he displayed great bravery and returned home with a most honorable and creditable military record.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brown was blessed with eight children but one daughter, Cecil A., died in infancy. The surviving members of the family are: Jessie Mabel, the wife of Charles Bills, a resident farmer of Boone county, Iowa, her family numbering two sons, Harold and Loren Bills; Sina M., the wife of Thomas Morfoot, of Boone county, by whom she has a daughter, Rachel; Grace, the wife of William White, a merchant of Juniata, Nebraska, and the mother of two children, Phyllis, and Hiram White; Arthur C., a young man, who is carrying on the home farm; Orpha, who graduated from the Perry high school and is now engaged in teaching; Percy A., who was given liberal educational advantages and is now holding a business position in Perry; and Wilfredo, a young lady at home. Mrs. Brown and the daughters are members of the Christian church at Perry, while Mr. Brown was identified with the Methodist Episcopal church during his residence in his native state.
Politically Mr. Brown was a republican and although he kept well informed on the political questions and issues of the day he was never an office seeker. He was identified with Redfield post, G. A. R., at Perry. He was an active and industrious citizen, a man of good business ability, and commanded the confidence and esteem of all with whom he was associated. He loved his home and his family and his most pleasant hours were spent in their companionship and it is within the family circle that his loss is most deeply felt. The widow with her two sons and daughters still resides on the home farm and the family is highly respected in their home locality as well as in Perry
Source: Past and Present of Dallas County, Iowa,
S. J. Clarke Publishing Company Chicago, IL; 1907
BRUTON, Capt. Robert
Capt. Robert Bruton, Bureau, was born near Dublin, Ireland, April 26, 1838. He came to the United States with his parents when about ten years old, and resided in Bergen, N. Y. until 1857, when he came to Bureau County, Ill. He was reared on a farm and educated in the academy at Riga, Monroe County, N. Y.
July 24, 1861, he enlisted in the service of his country in Company I, Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Capt. F. B. Ferris. He passed through the successive ranks from private to Captain, and served in that capacity till his discharge at Louisville, Ky. July 10, 1865. At the battle of Shiloh he was with Capt. Ferris when he received his fatal shot. At the battle of Allatoona, Ga., Capt. Burton was shot through the shoulder, and was sent to Rome, Ga., but after thirty days received a furlough, and came home. As soon as he was able he joined his company in North Carolina, and was with them at the grand review at Washington, D.C.
Capt. Bruton is the son
of Michael Bruton, who had three sons and one daughter. All of the
sons entered the service as privates. Christopher C. enlisted in
the 100-day service in the Eighteenth New York Infantry, but was wounded
and discharged. He afterward raised a company at Rome, N. Y., and
later was commissioned Captain in the Twenty-second New York Cavalry.
While in command of a battalion he captured the headquarters of Gen. Early,
and had the honor
of receiving the sword
from him. He was afterward placed on Gen. Custer's staff, and at
the close of the war was on the staff of Gen. Sheridan. He died from
disease contracted on the Rio Grande River, Texas. Patrick Bruton,
another brother, was Sergeant in a New York Regiment; he now resides near
Grand Rapids, Mich.
After his return from the war, Capt. Bruton engaged in farming in this county for five years on a farm rented from J. V. Thompson. He purchased a farm near Atchison, Kan., but a year later traded it for his present farm of about 200 acres in Bureau Township.
He was married August 16, 1863, to Martha Matson, daughter of Peter Matson, deceased (see sketch of Enos M. Matson). Capt. and Mrs. Bruton have five children, viz.: Emma, born October 30, 1864; Maggie L., born October 24, 1869, died January 17, 1884; Joseph V., born December 4, 1876; Leslie V.,, born August 31, 1880; Vida C., born June 4, 1883.
In politics Capt. Bruton
is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Walnut
Lodge No. 722,
A. F. & A. M.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BRYANT, Arthur
Princeton.
Arthur Bryant (deceased) was born in Cummington, Mass., November 28, 1803. In 1830 he came to Jacksonville, Ill., but in the fall of 1831 he returned to his native State, where he was united in marriage, May 10, 1832, to Henrietta R. Plummer, who was born in Pittsfield, Mass., October 17, 1812.
After marriage Mr. Bryant returned to Morgan County, Ill., with his wife, and resided there until November 1833, when they removed to Bureau County, and settled on Section 29, two miles south of Princeton. Here Mr. Bryant resided until his death, February 5, 1883. His widow is still living. They were the parents of the following children; Arthur, born October 15, 1834; Julian E., born November 9, 1836; Ellen A., born June 18, 1839; Joseph P., born March 25, 1845; Lester R., born September 8, 1848; Henrietta R., August 15, 1851; Adaline R. September 4, 1855. Henrietta R. died October 10, 1852. Julian E. was drowned May 14, 1865, in the Brazos River, Texas.
At the time of his death he was Colonel of a colored regiment, though he enlisted from this county in Company E, Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was Lieutenant of the company.
Arthur Bryant, Jr. was born and educated in Bureau County. His early life was spent on his father's farm, and in assisting in his nursery. When he started in life for himself he chose the same occupation, in which he had spent most of his youth. For several years he was interested in the nursery on the old homestead two miles south of Princeton. In 1869 he began to break ground for his present place, and in 1870 began planting stock, and has extended the business till it reached its present immense proportions.
September 19, 1864, he was united in marriage to Lizzie Hughes, born February 18, 1842, in Steubenville, Ohio. Her father, George Hughes, was born in Ireland, March 10, 1809, and died October 6, 1880, in Washington, Ill. His wife, Cassandra Jones, was born in Virginia, December 6, 1819, and is now living in Washington, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant have eight children, viz.: Lucy H., born June 26, 1865; Harry G., born February 18, 1867; Buy A., born December 12, 1868; Henrietta, born May 5, 1871; Cassandra, born August 6, 1873; Lester P., born April 7, 1875; Ralph C., born January 22, 1877; Edith W., born December 1, 1878.
Mr. Bryant is a member of the State Horticultural Society, and in politics is identified with the Republican party.
Ellen A. Bryant, daughter
of Arthur Bryant (deceased), was married to Clement Freeman.
Lester R., son of Arthur
Bryant (deceased) was married March 7, 1877, to Jane L. Huntington.
They have three children, viz.: Hattie, Arthur, Frank.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BRYANT, Edward Raymond
Edward Raymond Bryant,
deceased, was born November 2, 1823, in the old family mansion in Cummington,
Mass.
He was son of Austin
Bryant, who was born in the same place as his son, April 16, 1793, and
died in Bureau County, February 1, 1866. Austin Bryant was married
November 18, 1819, to Adeline Plummer, a daughter of Edward Plummer, and
a native of Pittsfield, Mass. She was born May 24, 1801, and died
February 26, 1882. Her children were as follows: Mrs. Sarah L. Reeve,
wife of Tracey Reeve (see sketch); Edward R, deceased, William Austin,
deceased; Mrs. Frances A. Moseley, deceased; Charles H., deceased, and
Mrs. Mary Snell Smith.
Edward R. Bryant Came to Bureau County with his parents in 1835. He was married May 7, 1862, to Ellen fields McDuffie, a native of Cameron, Steuben Co., N. Y. Her father, Isaac McDuffie, is of Scotch extraction, and was born on the Hudson in Montgomery, N. Y. in 1804. He is a cousin of Gov. McDuffie, of South Carolina. Mrs. Bryant's mother, Cynthia (Baker) McDuffie, is of French and English extraction, and was born in Athens, Penn., in March, 1804. Her father Samuel Baker, was a soldier in the Revolution and in the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. McDuffie now reside in Concord Township, near Sheffield, Bureau County. They are the parents of the following children; Mrs. Ellen F. Bryant, Mrs. Valdea Van Patten, William H., of this county; Mrs. Anna Myers, of Dakota; John V., Probate Judge, of Haynesville, Ala.; James M., deceased, was a soldier in the late war, and died in camp, near St. Louis; and Samuel A. McDuffie. Edward R. Bryant died November 11, 1881, leaving five children, viz.: James M., born April 27, 1863; William A., born December 13, 1865; Edward A., born January 17, 1868; Frederick R., born August 13, 1870; Mary C., born November 27, 1874.
Mrs. Bryant and her children are members of the Episcopal Church.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BRYANT FAMILY
The progenitor of the Bryant family was Stephen Bryant, who immigrated from the west of England to America in 1643. He settled in Plymouth County, Mass., where his son, Stephen Bryant, Jr. was born February 2, 1657. The latter's son, Ichabod Bryant, was born July 5, 1699, in Plymouth. He was a farmer by occupation, and a man of great physical powers. He died of apoplexy, away from home, aged sixty years. His son, Philip Bryant, was born December, 1732, in Plymouth County, Mass. He was a physician, and died February 7, 1817, in North Bridgewater, Mass. He was married to Silence Howard, born 1738; she died June 1777. She was the mother of eight children, viz.: Oliver, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war; Ruth, Daniel, Bazaliel, Peter, Cyrus, Mrs. Anna Kingman, and Mrs. Silence Bryant and Charity Bryant. Her grandfather, Ephraim Howard, was born in 1666. He died August 11, 1750, in Bridgewater, Mass. Her father, Abiel Howard, M. D., died January 10, 1777, in Massachusetts, aged seventy-three years. Her mother, Silence (Washburn) Howard, was born 1713; she died August 17, 1775. Peter Bryant, son of Philip and Silence (Howard) Bryant, was born August 12, 1767, in North Bridgewater, now called Brockton, Mass. Early in life he became imbued with a desire to fit himself for the medical profession. He read medicine with his father, and also had a French surgeon named La Preliet as his preceptor for two years. For one year he was on board on one of Uncle Sam's me-of-war. After that he followed his profession in Cummingham, Mass., to which place he came in 1792, and where he died in 1820 of consumption. His professional career was one of activity and usefulness. He was the preceptor of forty pupils, and the author of many articles to medical journals. He was married to Sarah Snell, who was born December 4, 1768, at North Bridgewater, Mass. She died in Princeton, May 6, 1847. Her parents, Ebenezer and South (Packard) Snell, were also natives of North Bridgewater. The former was born October 1, 1738. He was a farmer by occupation, and removed to Cummington in 1774, where he died August 2, 1813. The latter was born September 30, 1737; she died March 8, 1813. She was the mother of five children, viz.: Abigail, Samuel, Sarah, Ebanezer, and Thomas, who was a doctor of divinity, and was a minister in North Brookfield, Mass., for nearly sixty years. Mrs. Sarah Bryant was the mother of seven children, viz.: Austin, William Cullen, Cyrus, Mrs. Sarah S. Shaw, Arthur, Mrs. Louisa C. Olds and John Howard Bryant. The boys were all farmers, except William Cullen. Of the above, John H. was married near Jacksonville, Ill., June 7, 1833, to Miss Harriet E. Wiswall, born September 14, 1808, in Norton, Bristol Co., Mass. She came to Illinois in the summer of 1820, accompanied by her parents, Elijah and Elizabeth (Verry) Wiswall, who were large farmers. Mrs. Harriet E. Bryant is yet living, and is the mother of two children, viz.: Henry W., born April 17, 1835, he died April 26, 1854, of typhoid fever; and Elijah W., born December 2, 1836. He is working the old homestead, and was married here June 6, 1865, to Laura Smith, born March 27, 1846, daughter of Sidney and Laura (Doolittle) Smith, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of Oneida County, N. Y. Mrs. Laura Bryant is the mother of the following children: Frances E., born May 17, 1866; Kate, born March 12,1869; John H., born November 19, 1870, he died March 1, 1872; William C., born November 8, 1871; Laura S., born March 18, 1875, and John Howard, Jr. born May 27, 1876. (See General History, where the life and public career of John H. Bryant are given in full.)
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BRYANT, Marcus
Marcus Bryant, deceased, Princeton, was born March 21, 1842, in Princeton, Ill. He was a son of Cyrus and Julia (Everett) Bryant. Cyrus Bryant was a brother of William Cullen Bryant, our American poet. The genealogy of the Bryant family appears in this work. Mrs. Julia (Everett) Bryant was a daughter of James and Phebe (Clark) Everett. Her brother, James S. Everett, is yet living in Princeton.
Marcus Bryant was educated in the town of his nativity. His early life was spent on his father's farm, and farming was his main occupation in life. As most of the Bryants, from whom he inherited many noble traits of head and heart, he loved the country and was therefore a farmer. While on the farm he was fond of the woods and loved to admire nature in its most beautiful temple. I after life he was engaged as a grain merchant. He was a man whose word was never doubted; his character was a shining light and his memory will be cherished by those who knew him. he died at his home in Princeton, February 27, 1867.
He was married December 19, 1868, in Dixon, Lee Co., Ill., to Miss Kezia McGinnis, who was born March 11, 1840, in New York City. She is a daughter of Stewart McGinnis, a native of Ireland, who was supposed to have died in New Orleans. He was a lumber merchant and architect by occupation. her mother was Mary (Law) McGinnis; she was also a native of Ireland and is yet living. She is a daughter of David and Kezia (Hillis) Law, both natives of Ireland. The former was a farmer, and died in Dixon, Lee Co., Ill, where the latter, who was born July 2, 1782, yet resides, aged over one hundred and one years. She is the mother of eight children. Mary (Law) McGinnis is the mother of four children, viz.: Margaret, James, William and Mrs. Kezia Bryant, the widow of the subject of this sketch. She is the mother of two children, viz.: Grace M., born November 4, 1869, and Alice M., born December 7, 1871.
Mrs. Bryant yet resides on the old homestead, which contains over 300 acres, pleasantly situated in the southern part of Princeton.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BUBACH, John G.
John G. Bubach, Princeton, was born in Harrisburg, Penn., April 15, 1818. He is the son of John G. and Elizabeth (Rickel) Bubach. The father died in Pennsylvania during our subject's childhood. The mother died in Bureau County, Ill. The Bubach family, which is of German descent, came to Lancaster City, Penn., in 1750.
While young, our subject removed to near Lancaster City, Penn., and lived there till the fall of 1839. During his youth he spent four years in an apprenticeship at the tailor's trade. In 1839 he came to Wayne county, Ohio, and worked at his trade in various places, till the spring of 1846, when he came to Princeton, Ill., with Mr. William Carse, and clerked for Carse a short time and then began in business for himself, in partnership with Justin S. Olds.
Later Mr. Bubach bought his partner's interest in the business, and continued alone till 1853, when he engaged in the nursery business, and has continued in the same since. In later years he has abandoned the heavy nursery stock, and has given his time and attention to the growing of small fruits for market, and plants and vines for sale. Strawberries, raspberries, Snyder and other varieties of blackberries, he makes a specialty. Mr. Bubach has over 500 varieties of seedling strawberries, which he has scientifically originated. These he tested from single plants in 1883, and found many excellent varieties.
He was united in marriage in Princeton, to Miss Lucinda W. Phelps, May 1, 1848. She was born January 26, 1830, in Northampton, Mass., and is the daughter of Ebenezer and Anna (Wright) Phelps, who came to Springfield, Ill., in 1831, and to Bureau County in 1838. Mr. and Mrs. Bubach have three daughters, viz.: Florence A., May V. and Alice, who is the wife of Douglas Judd, of Brooklyn, Iowa.
In politics Mr. Bubach is Republican, and is a strong temperance man.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BUEHLHORN, John
John Buehlhorn was born September 25, 1829. He came to New York September 1, 1853, and the next day was married to Barbara Ullman, born July 21, 1832, in Thonberg, Bavaria. She is the mother of ten children: Mrs. Katie Pohl, Mrs. Sophia Reck, Sebastian (deceased), Maggie, Henry, Thomas, Mrs. Louisa Ellenborne, Mary, Frederick and Lewis Buehlhorn.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BUEHLHORN, Sebastian
Sebastian Buehlhorn was born January 25, 1825, in Kueps, Ober Frankin, Bavaria, Germany. He came to this country June 17, 1850. He was in debt $1.50 when he arrived in Clarion Township, Bureau Co., Il., where he worked three years, then rented, and afterwards bought 103 acres. He has now 262 acres, and has been a successful farmer.
He was married here June 19, 1853, to Elizabeth Bauer, born January 1, 1829, in Baickheim, Germany. She is the mother of the following children: Mrs. Jane White, White D., whose name heads this biography, Mrs. Elizabeth Sark, John, Margaret and Henry Buehlhorn.
The Buehlhorn family are members of the Lutheran Church.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BUHLER, Matthew
M. Buhler, Lamoille, was born April 25, 1842, in Dornhan, Wurtemburg, Germany. His parents, Andrew and Mary (Smith) Buhler, died in Germany. They were the parents of the following children: George, Andrew and Christina, are deceased; Mrs. Mary Wossner and Mrs. Cordula Wossner, are residents of Germany; John Buhler, a resident of Iowa; Jacob Buhler, of Milwaukee, and Matthew Buhler, our subject.
He was educated in Germany, where he learned his trade, which he followed two years in Chicago. In the fall of 1860 he came to Lamoille, where he worked two years at his trade for Squire Betz, and then worked in Princeton till March, 1863, when he returned to Lamoille and engaged in business for himself, and has been a wide-awake business man ever since. Since 1877 he has been in the wind-mill and pump business, and is now sole manufacturer of the "Victor Windmills." He is also a member of the firm that is the patentee and manufacturer of the "Luptons Cultivator Knives."
Mr. Buhler was married here November 12, 1865, to Syrena G. Roth, who was born February 16, 1846, in Lamoille, where she died February 17, 1877. She was the daughter of David and Nancy D. (Phelps) Roth, natives of New York. Mrs. Syrena G. Buhler was the mother of four children; Ada M., George P., Frank M., and Clara B. Buhler.
Mr. Buhler is a member of the Lutheran Church. Politically he is a Republican. He was a soldier in the 100-day service, enlisting in company G, of the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He is an active member of the G. A. R. Post and of the A. F. & A. M. fraternity.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BUMPHREY, James P.
J. P. Bumphrey, Neponset, was born December 18, 1835, in Pottsville, Penn. His father, Stephen Bumphrey, was a native of Berkshire County, Mass. He was a farmer by occupation; he came to Pennsylvania in 1835; the next year he came to Putnam County, Ill., and in 1837 he removed to Centre Grove, in Bureau County. There he farmed till 1845, when he removed to LaSalle County, Ill., and from there to Cedar Falls, Iowa. He died in 1854, near Dubuque, Iowa, while on his was to Bureau County. His father was a native of France, and was a gallant soldier in the Revolutionary war. Julia Packingham, a native of Massachusetts, was the mother of our subject. She died in 1844, in Centre Grove. She was a daughter of James Packingham and is the mother of four children that are now living, viz.: Mrs. Elizabeth Osman, James P., our subject, C. Henry, of Henry County, Ill., and Albert, a resident of Kansas.
Our subject was educated in the common schools of Bureau County, where he farmed; He also farmed seven years in Henry County, Ill., and lived five years in Iowa, returning to Bureau County in 1857, and has been a resident here ever since. He was married September 21, 1862, in Kewanee, Ill., to Mrs. Elizabeth Moon (nee Elizabeth Studley), born March 7, 1937, in Scott County, Ill. She is a daughter of William Studley, the old pioneer of Neponset Township. She is the mother of eight children, viz.: William H. Moon and Louvina Moon, children by her first husband, George Moon; Alice J., Henry A., Frank P., James C., Luella and Grace. Mr. and Mrs. Bumphrey are active members of their Community, and of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Bumphrey is a Republican; he is a useful citizen and has filled town offices; at present he is President of the Board of Village Trustees.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BURDEN, Thomas
Thomas Burden, Fairfield, was born in Queens County, Ireland, in the year 1831. His parents, Thomas and Mary (White) Burden, were natives of the same place, where the father died. The mother immigrated to Oswego, N. Y., in 1847, and was accompanied by the following children: Richard, John, Thomas, Dennis, William and Mrs. Julia Henricken. The last-named also came to Fairfield Township, Bureau County, where she died. The mother died in Oswego, N. Y.
Our subject, Thomas Burden, worked one year in Oswego, and then came to Elgin, Ill., where he worked till about 1850, when he came to Bureau County and railroaded for nearly two years and then bought 160 acres in Fairfield Township, which he pre-emptied and improved. He started on a small scale in farming and stock-raising and bought more land from time to time till at present he has about 2,000 acres of land in Fairfield Township. He is one of the largest land owners not only in this township but in the county, which is saying a great deal when we remember that he came here a poor man. Stock-raising is his main occupation.
Mr. Burden was married in LaSalle, Ill., to Miss Eleanor Fitzgerald, daughter of Marten and Margaret (Cavanaugh) Fitzgerald, who came here in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Burden are members of the Catholic Church, and are the parents of eight children, viz.: George, John, Charles, William, Mary, Emma, Elizabeth and Nellie Burden.
In political matters Mr. Burden is identified with the Democrat party.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BURDICK, ALBERT
Albert Burdick is numbered among the enterprising and capable farmers of the Colville valley, who have come hither from the eastern states to make homes in this favored region. He resides about four miles northeast of Addy upon land which he secured through the homestead right; and in addition to raising the fruits of the field he handles considerable stock.
Albert Burdick was born on October 5, 1858, in Bureau county, Illinois, the son of R.C. and Lucy A. (Manrose) Burdick, natives of Ohio. They came to Illinois and then to Iowa where the father was drowned five years later. The mother then went to Missouri where she still lives. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living, as follows: Frank, Bradford, Judson, Nathan, Cassy Coy, S. Murohy, and Albert. At the early age of seventeen our subject had completed his training at the district school and assumed the responsibility of handling a farm. For five years he rented a farm in Illinois then transferred the basis of operation. After four years more he took a pre-emption in Nebraska and in 1888 he came to Deep Creek Falls, Washington, after which he soon removed to Stevens county and did contract work on the railroad. It was in 1889 that he located his present homestead where he at once removed his family.
For nine years after first coming here he operated a hay baler very successfully. Mr. Burdick has improved his farm in very nice shape, and in addition to doing farming he has about twenty head of cattle which he handles. On June 23, 1884, Mr. Burdick married Miss Isable, daughter of Henry and Malinda (Cochrin) Glasgo, natives of Illinois. On June 17, 1901, death stalked into the family of our subject and took thence the beloved mother and wife. Mr. Burdick and seven children were left then to mourn her sad departure. The children are Chauncy C., Sarah E., Archie, Mary A., Nellie, Eugene, and Bessie. Mr. Burdick has all his children with him on the farm and they are a happy family. Our subject is very liberal in political matters and reserves for his own decision untrammeled by the opinions of any party or people, the questions of the day. At the present time and for eleven years last passed he has given of his time to the school board and is greatly interested in educational matters.
Source "History of North Washington" 1904
Contributed by: Candy
Grubb
BURLING, Hon. Thomas R.
Hon. Thomas R. Burling is one of the leading citizens of Nebraska, of which he was an early pioneer, and with whose interests he has long been identified as an agriculturist, as a statesman, and as a merchant, and in all that relates to her commercial, social and political life, he is pre-eminent. He is now carrying on an extensive business in the town of Firth, as a dealer in dry-goods, hardware, clothing, boots, shoes, groceries, and other merchandise. He is a native of England, but coming to this country when a child, he has become thoroughly Americanized, reared, as he was, under our institutions and educated in our schools.
Our subject is a son of John and Mary (Harry) Burling, natives respectively of Cambridgeshire, England, and Wales. Mr. Burling was a farmer, and prior to coming to this country with his family he was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits about five miles south of Cambridge, in his native shire. The mother of our subject was a woman of superior refinement and education, and for twenty-one years taught a school in England. In 1854 Mr. and Mrs. Burling decided to leave the old home on English soil, and with the other members of their family, begin life anew in the United States of America, whither their two eldest children, Sarah and John, had preceded them. Our subject was then but eight years old, but he remembers well how they sang as they stepped on board the sailing-vessel "Emerald," bound for this country:
Good-by, church,
Good-by, steeple,
Good-by, Englishmen,
And all good Irish people.
Singing with a mingled feeling of mirth and sorrow, as they left their native isle forever, with all its tender and hallowed associations, to seek a new home among strangers in a far-away country. Mr. Burling and his family finally arrived safely in port at New York City, after a voyage of twenty-eight days, about the middle of December, 1854. They remained in that city about eighteen months, Mr. Burling readily finding employment in the building of the Singer Sewing Machine Company.
After that he removed with his wife and children to Bureau County, Ill., and took up his residence in Wyanet, where he remained for three years, engaging in various occupations. He then purchased a farm near Buda, Ill., and from its 160 acres derived a comfortable income. In 1862 his household was deeply bereft by the death of the noble woman who had so patiently aided and encouraged him in his work since the early days of their wedded life, and who had tenderly and wisely reared their children to become good and useful members of society.
Thomas R. Burling, of this sketch. was born March 15, 1846, in Cambridgeshire, England, and there spent the first eight years of his life, gaining in the school of which his mother was teacher his first knowledge of letters. He received his first instructions in America in the excellent public schools of New York City, where, by reason of his quickness and fine scholarship, he became the. banner scholar of his classes, as is proved by the records that he has preserved of his rank. When his parents removed to Illinois he attended the public, district and village schools very regularly for some years, and maintained the same high standing that had characterized his scholarship in the schools of New York. After he was fifteen years old his education was conducted more irregularly than before, as he was often kept at home to work on the farm, a common experience of farmers' lads.
About that time his brothers John and Peter enlisted to help fight the battles of their adopted country, becoming members of the 93d Illinois Infantry, and our subject, and a younger brother were detained at home to manage the farm, which they did very successfully, their father continuing to realize good profits therefrom. Our subject continued at home until he was twenty-one, and, as he was then no longer needed, he went to work on a farm until 1863; his mother having died the year previous to that time, his old home had lost all its charms for him. When he went forth into the world to work among strangers he was poorly and insufficiently clad and with a light purse, but he lacked not courage, manliness, nor the true spirit of independence, and was firm in his resolution to make the best of his situation and to make a success of life.
At the age of nineteen he met and became enamored with the grace and pleasing manners of Miss Mary A. Streetor, but on account of changes in his father's home, their marriage was postponed for three years, finally taking place Oct. 22, 1868, in Lincoln, Neb., their marriage, being among the first recorded in the State. Mrs. Burling was born near Galesburg, Ill., Jan. 21, 1851, being the senior in a family of three children born to A. J. and Deborah (Boom) Streetor. Her father was the nominee of the Union Labor party for the office of President of the United States. The most of her girlhood was passed at Galesburg, until the removal of her parents to Bureau County, Ill., where she met our subject. She afterward went to Lincoln, Neb., to live, and had been residing there about a year when she was married, Mr. Burling arriving here a week before that event to claim the hand of his promised bride.
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Burling pre-empted eighty acres of land in Buda Precinct, on section 24, and bravely and cheerfully faced the trials and privations of the pioneer life that lay before them, beginning their housekeeping in the most primitive manner in the little sod house, the characteristic habitation of the early settlers of this region. This was afterward replaced by a small log house, still standing on the old homestead. The years that followed were fraught with many hardships and discouragements, so great indeed, that many of the early settlers left Nebraska and returned to their old homes in the East, rather than run the risk of starvation under the regime of the grasshopper, and the drouths that prevailed for several seasons to an alarming extent. But the tide at last turned, and after experiencing many privations and severe hardships, their labors were rewarded, and they became possessed of an assured income and a fine large farm. Mr. Burling sold his homestead in 1877, but he still owns 600 acres of very valuable land, and his marked success has placed him among the moneyed men of Lancaster County.
In 1878 Mr. Burling was selected by his party to represent the people of this district in the State Legislature, he being regarded as a man of conspicuous ability, excellent business principles, and of undoubted integrity of character, and his brilliant record as a statesman amply justified his constituents in their choice of him. While faithful to the responsible trusts imposed upon him as a Legislator, he devoted his leisure time to the management of his large farming interests. During his term in the Legislature Mr. Burling was instrumental in bringing about some much needed legislation to protect the interests of the State and of the people. He was the author and introducer of a bill urging the right of a Sheriff to offer a man $50 for the capture and conviction of a horse thief. He also introduced a bill to exempt fruit and forest trees from taxation, and likewise a bill allowing any agricultural society to hold 160 acres of land as fair grounds, free from taxation. All these bills became laws and have proved very beneficial. Mr. Burling was very active in securing the necessary appropriations for the capitol building of Lincoln, which was passed upon by a bare majority after a long and severe debate. In all of his legislative career our subject was devoted to the interests of the people, and at the same time was true to the Republican party, of whose principles he is a stanch advocate.
After his retirement from public life, Mr. Burling resumed his agricultural pursuits with renewed energy, and made many valuable improvements upon his estate. It is amply supplied with buildings, among which may be mentioned a commodious frame dwelling, two stories in height; a barn for horses and cattle, 40x54 feet in dimensions, the largest in the township. A fine supply of water is secured by windmill pumps. Mr. Burling pays much attention to raising choice fruits, has strawberries in abundance, and also has a fine young orchard of about 200 trees, apple, cherry and plum.
In 1886, Mr. Burling desiring to secure the exceptionally fine school privileges of the town of Firth for his children, removed here, and in the month of December bought a half-interest in the old Champion stand, entering into partnership with Mr. Champion. The latter retained charge of the business until October, 1887, when our subject purchased the whole business and has since managed it alone. He carries the largest stock of any merchant in Firth, and is doing a fine business.
To Mr. and Mrs. Burling have been born seven children, namely: Harry H., Fanny E.. Frank A., Worthington (deceased), Perry R., Blanche A., Earl (deceased). Mr. Burling is regarded as a great addition to this community, as he is liberal and public-spirited, and greatly interested in advancing the educational interests of the town. He is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., at Firth, and has been through every chair. Mrs. Burling, who is a woman of fine character and perceptions, is a valued member of the Presbyterian Church, of Firth.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Lancaster
Co NE; Chapman Brothers, 1888
BURNETT, Jeremiah Y.
Lamoille
The subject of this biography is a native of Jefferson Schoharie Co., N. Y. His grandfather Joseph Burnett, was a native of New Jersey. He was a carpenter and jobber in New York City for many years and one of the pioneers of Schoharie County, N. Y., where he died. His son, Joseph Burnett, Jr. was born in New York City. He is the father of our subject, and came to Schoharie County when he was twelve years old. There he was a stage contractor by occupation till the railroad drove the stage further west. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and died in the above place about 1862. He was married to Jane Havens, a daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Young) Havens, who survived him and who died in 1878. She was the mother of the following children: Mrs. Mary A. Champlin, Mrs. Jane Brand, Joseph O. (deceased), David H., George H., Mrs. Huldah E. Bare and Jeremiah Y., our subject.
He was educated in his native State, where he also learned the carpenter and joiner's trade. In 1855 he removed to Mendota, Ill, where he lived three years and then came to Lamoille, where he followed his trade till 1872, when he opened a lumber yard, which proved a successful venture. He has also a branch yard in Van Orin and Ohio, besides carrying on a furniture and undertaker's store in Lamoille, where he also manufactures "Dean's Celebrated Corn Cutter," which is gaining in reputation and favor every day.
Mr. Burnett was married twice. His first wife, Olive Smith, died here, leaving two children, viz.: Mrs. Alice Murphy, and Hattie J. Burnett. He was married the second time to Mrs. Ellen Holbrook (nee Ellen Kane), a daughter of George and Mary (Brown) Kane. She is the mother of three children. viz.: Mamie Hollbrook, deceased, aged ten years, Lewis Holbrook, born March 1, 1867, and Ida Blanche Burnett, who was born August 10, 1880.
Mrs. Ellen Burnett was born September 7, 1844, in Michigan. She is a member of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Burnett is a member of the Congregational Church. Politically he is identified with the Republican party. He is a wide-awake business man and a self-made man in every respect.
Source: History of Bureau
County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885
BUSWELL, H.C.
Grinnell. Was born in Peoria, Illinois, on the 5th of April, 1836, and was there partly educated. In the fall of 1856 he went to Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois, remaining for one year when he commenced farming, and continued the same until 1860. Then became engaged in buying horses for the government, which business he followed until 1865, when he commenced dealing in stock. In 1867 he came to this county and resumed farming, and in the spring of 1876 came to Grinnell, owning a fine residence, and 10 acres of land in the city.
Mr. B was married in Bureau county, Illinois, October 3, 1867, to Miss Mary J. Pratt. The complement of their family circle are: Charles P. and James.
Source: History of Poweshiek County, Iowa, Des Moines:
Union Hist. Co., 1880 p 890, Grinnell Twp
BUSWELL, Nicholas C.
Col. N. C. Buswell, Neponset, the subject of the following biography, was born December 5, 1831, in Caledonia County, Vt. He is of Scotch descent, a son of James Buswell, a native of Caledonia County, Vt., where he was born in 1793; he died in 1875 six miles south of Neponset, in Stark County, Ill., to which he came in 1837. He came to Peoria County, Ill., in the fall of 1833, and the next year brought his family. He was a farmer by occupation, and dealt extensively in land while in the West.
The grandfather of our subject, N. C. Buswell, Sr. was a native of Salisbury, Mass.: he died in Caledonia County, Vt. He was also a farmer, and a soldier in one of the Indian wars. His mother was Elizabeth Colby, whose brother, Nicolas Colby, took an active part in the battle of Lake Champlain, and is honorably mention in the naval history. After him Col. Buswell was named.
The mother of our subject, Mrs. Chloe (Pratt) Buswell, was born in 1800, in Caledonia County, Vt. She is yet living in Neponset. She is the mother of ten children, viz.: Elizabeth, deceased, former wife of Judge A. Tyler (she left three children, viz.: William, Mary and Grace Tyler); William P.; Lucinda, wife of J. A. Gilfillan, Principal of a St. Louis school; James, deceased; Mrs. Mary C. Dunham, now a resident of Florida; Nicholas C., our subject; Charles P., of Osceola, Ill.; Henry C., of Grinwell, Iowa; Mrs. Ellen B. Scott, and Albert, the latter deceased.
Our subject, Col. Buswell, is principally self-educated. He was reared on a farm, but followed farming only in early life and then turned his attention to various occupations. He came to Neponset in 1857, and here kept a hotel and livery stable, but was connected with different enterprises, and at that time was one of the leading business men of the town.
In the summer of 1862 he was commissioned by Gov. Yates, of Illinois, to raise a company of soldiers for the late war, and was made Captain of Company H, of the Ninety-third Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In September, 1862, the Ninety-third Illinois Regiment was organized at Princeton, and of this N. C. Buswell was elected Lieutenant-Colonel. At the death of the commanding Colonel he was promoted, November 25, 1863, to the rank of Colonel, which he held till the close of war. He participated in the capture of Jackson, and the battle of Champion Hill, siege of Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, capture of Atlanta, Bentonville, and was also with Sherman in his famous march to the sea and across the Carolinas. He was with his regiment in the grand review at Washington, D. C., and was mustered out at Chicago, July 6, 1865. He was never wounded, although his horse was shot from under him at the battle of Champion Hill. Col. Buswell always had the esteem and good will of the men in his command, and his military career has been, to say the least, a brilliant one.
As an evidence of his ability as a military man he received in the summer of 1866 an appointment in the Regular Army as First Lieutenant, which position he did not accept, as he had just been elected Sheriff of Bureau County, serving one term.
After this he engaged in the livery business with B. F. Cox, of Princeton. In 1873 the organizations known as "Farmers' Clubs" chose Col. Buswell as agent to go to Europe to buy and import blooded draft horses for breeding purposes. He bought a number of animals in Normandy, France, and returned with them to Princeton. He was very successful, and in 1874 made another trip to Europe, which was equally successful. While in Europe he visited Scotland, England and France both times.
In 1879 he returned to Neponset, where he now resides and does a general collecting and pension business. He has been Village Attorney and Marshall, and holds the office of Notary Public. Politically he is independent. He is a member of G. A. R., W. S. Bryan Post, No. 284.
Col. Buswell was married February 13, 1852, to Miss Ellen Fowler, a native of Hillsdale, Vt., where she was born September 6, 1834. She is yet living, and is a daughter of Elias and Eliza (Elmore) Fowler.
Source: History of Bureau County Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Chicago World Publishing 1885