CAPTAIN SAMUEL BIVENS
Page 30

The people of Illinois have always taken a commendable pride in the achievements of their sons upon the battle-fields of the Union and they still delight to honor those who went with the Old Flag through the hardships and perils of war. But it is not only her own sons that Illinois rewards; she welcomes the brave and patriotic of any state who joined her in the common cause. And we find an instance of it in the subject of this sketch, whose military reputation was made in the service of a sister state. Samuel Bivens was born in Pike county, Ohio, in 1838. His family was from the state of New Jersey, and his father a farmer. He was educated at home in the solid and useful, rather than the theoretical branches of learning. When the 117th Ohio was raised, he enlisted, and remained in that regiment a year; then, receiving an order from Governor Tod, he proceeded to enlist men for a battery of artillery, and was made captain. This battery was assigned to duty in the 23d Army Corps. Under General Thomas, he was at the siege of Nashville, having been in all the general engagements from Chattanooga to Atlanta. On the 1st of August, 1865, he was mustered out of service at Camp Dennison, Ohio, and in October of the same year, came to Illinois and settled in Lincoln, Logan county. At this place he remained one year, and then removed to Mason City. Here he went into a general hardware business combined with the handling of agricultural implements. In June, 1873, he was nominated by the Republican party for County Treasurer, and was elected by 242 majority. He was the only Republican elected-that ticket being defeated by a majority of from five to nine hundred. Captain Bivens now spends his time, and may be considered as located at Havana, where he is a stockholder in the Illinois River Bridge Company, and engaged in other commercial interests, besides attending to his official duties. He is a man of commanding personal appearance and gentlemanly manners, which is perhaps one reason of his general popularity. These natural advantages however would be useless unless supported by a sound judgment and integrity of purpose. During his seven years in Mason City he made many friends among the business men of the place, and it is from them the facts are obtained which we narrate. He often visits the eastern part of the county and is always warmly received by the friends of his former days.

1874 Atlas Index

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