NOAH BIRD, Among the many pleasant and remunerative farms to be found in Trivoli Township, that of the gentleman above named should not be passed unnoted. It comprises one hundred and thirty-five and one-half acres on section 30, all tillable and pasture land, watered by Copperas Creek and divided into two parts by the road. The land is surrounded and divided into fields of convenient size by substantial fences, is furnished with a comfortable dwelling, barns and other outbuildings, a good orchard and an abundant supply of small fruits, and further beautified by groves of forest trees. The dwelling-is about five miles from Farmington, thus affording the inmates a convenient trading post.
Mr. Bird is of German descent in the paternal line, and his near ancestors have been natives of the Southern States. His grandfather died in Virginia and his father, Henry Bird, a native of West Virginia, operated a farm in the Old Dominion. While still single he removed to Hardin County, Ky., whore he married Mary Parker, a Virginia lady. He located on and cleared a farm, residing upon it until 1833, when he removed to Macoupin County, 111. There he lived two years upon rented land] then changed his habitation to Peoria County, and after renting land in Trivoli Township some years, purchased a quarter-section in Orion Township Fulton County. This was raw land which he placed under excellent improvement, adding to it until at the time of his death his estate amounted to two hundred and forty acres.
Mr. Bird belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, being an official member of the organization at Concord, whose edifice he helped to build and which he otherwise aided. He was an old-line Whig, and in later years a Democrat. He died in 1872, having passed his three-score years and ten. The mother of our subject having died, the father married a second wife.
The gentleman of whom we write was the first born of the seven children of his mother, his brothers and sisters being: David, who died in Fulton County; Richard, now living in Iowa; Mrs.Sarah A. Hollingsworth, of Sioux City, Iowa; Joel, whose home is in Northwestern Iowa; Jacob, who lives in Northern Nebraska, and Mrs. Nancy Escue whose home is in Kansas.
The natal day of our subject was January 13, 1826, and his birthplace Hardin County, Ky., near Elizabethtown. When seven years old he accompanied his parents north, the journey being performed with a four-horse team and wagon over mud and corduroy roads. He helped to drive the stock through, and after the family located did what he could on the farm in the intervals of attendance at the district school. In the spring of 1835 the family came to this county with the slime "prairie schooner," our subject driving cattle and sheep. Passing through Peoria, which was but a small village, the lad assisted his father on the Fulton County farm, ere long becoming a champion ox-driver, breaking prairie with from five to six yoke and a twenty-four-inch plow with a wooden mold-board.
Rattlesnakes were, quite numerous, while wild deer, wolves, and foxes abounded, making hunting- the prominent excitement and recreation.
When twenty years old young Bird rented a farm in Trivoli Township, receiving one-third of its produce for his labors thereon.
In 1848 lie bought eighty acres of raw land which forms a part of his present estate. It was partially covered with timber, necessitating grubbing as well as breaking, but by dint of perseverance it was ere long placed in good condition. A small frame house was built upon it and the owner turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, Peoria and Reed's Landing being his markets, and all grain and supplies being hauled to and fro in wagons. After a time he was enabled to buy an additional eighty acres which he also improved, the whole now making one of the fine farms of the township, and being worth a much larger sum than the $3.50 per acre which his first purchase cost him.
In the summer of 1865 Mr. Bird, with two brothers and a number of other men, started with ox-teams for Denver, Colo. Upon reaching Council Bluffs, Iowa, our subject thought it would be better to remain in that State and hire out at breaking land. His brothers being of a similar mind, they returned to Knox County, Iowa, and bought eight yoke of oxen and two large plows with which they labored in Iowa until July. They received $5 an acre, turned the sod on from five to six acres per day, and we're enabled to return to their homes with a nice purse which, Mr. Bird say's, was the easiest and quickest money he ever made, as he received "spot cash" for his labors.
Upon coming back to his home Mr. Bird again turned his attention to work upon his estate, devoting his energies principally to grain and stock. He has some graded Short-horn cattle, a good grade of hogs, but makes a specialty of horses, having inherited from his father a love of equines which amounts to a hobby. His herd of those animals is the largest in the county and made up of the finest animals, all being standard-bred. Among his herd is a Norman and English draft horse, "Prince," which now leads the van. He always keeps a stable horse which is certain to be of good blood.
The first marriage of Mr. Bird was celebrated in this township in 1845, his bride Miss Margaret A. Reed, a native of Hamilton County. His second marriage took place in Peoria, in 1856, to Miss Susan Ousley, a native of Cass County. This union resulted in the birth of one son, Alva, who is married, living in Fulton County and occupied in farming. The present Mrs. Bird was formerly known as Miss Abigail Matins. She was born in Hamilton County, and celebrated her nuptial rites in Knox County in 1868. She has borne her husband two children-Ora A. and Edgar M., both of whom are still at home.
Mr. Bird is now President of the School Board, and has been School Director about half of the time since he has lived here. He is a sturdy Democrat but interests himself in politics only to the extent of keeping himself well posted and depositing his vote on election day. He has served on both Petit and Grand Juries. The work in which he takes most interest is that of the church, in which he has for many years been prominent. His membership is in the Methodist Episcopal society at Concord, where he now holds the positions of Trustee and Steward, and is regarded as one of the chief supports. He assisted in building the first edifice in which this society worshipped, served as Trustee, and when it was rebuilt in 1884 was a member of the building committee. His son is now Class-Leader, has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school and has frequently attended Conference as a delegate, having united with the church when but a boy.
[Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois; Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1890, pg. 771 Transcribed by: Candi Horton 2007]
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JOSEPH BRADLEY, Supervisor of Chillicothe Township, and residing in the city of the same name, is a sturdy Englishman, on whom his fellow-men look with respect on account of .liis shrewdness and straightforward dealings with mankind. He was born in Groylesteen, Lancashire, England, April 27, 1828, and worked in a cotton factory until the age of fourteen years. He then began an apprenticeship at the trade of a wagon-maker, and after mastering his handicraft set up a home of his own, taking as his companion Miss Mary A. Story, who has shared in all his joys, sympathized in his disappointments and aided him, as none but a loving woman can, in every scene through which they have passed, receiving in return the deepest regard and kindest consideration.
In 1851 Mr. and Mrs. Bradley determined to emigrate to America, and having crossed the Atlantic, located in Wyoming County, N. Y. There Mr. Bradley carried on his trade two years, then changing his location to Chillicothe, IL., he, in the fall of 1853, established a business which he conducted until 1887. He had not been in this place long before he became known as an excellent workman and a man of honor in business relations, his trade increasing in proportion as his reputation became established. His fellow-citizens have called for his services in their behalf as Supervisor of Chillicothe Township, in which capacity he has served eight years, and as one of the Aldermen of the city, he having filled that position for nine years. He is a sound Democrat in his political views. To him and his wife one daughter has been born, that event having transpired in the Empire State. This daughter, Jennie, is the wife of Edgar Heath, a grocery dealer in Henry, this State. They have three children, named respectively, Pearl B., Joseph W. and Orris R.
The father of our subject was John Bradley, a native of Yorkshire and descendant of English ancestors. He married Miss Esther Hughes, who was born in Wales, of Welsh parents, but reared in Lancashire, England. In that shire Mr. and Mrs. John Bradley passed their wedded life, dying when past the age of seventy. The wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject was the second of three children born to his parents. His brother, Thomas, spent his entire life in his native land, leaving a widow and four children when called hence. He was a baker by trade. Ann, the youngest member of the parental family, became the wife of James Miller, and she also died in En£-land, leaving one child.
Mrs. Bradley, of this sketch, was born in Pockleting, Yorkshire, England, November 5, 1826, being the only daughter and the oldest child of David and Jane (Craig) Story, who were likewise natives of Yorkshire. She was well reared, remaining- with her parents until her marriage. Her parents came to America when she and her husband emigrated, and spent their last days with their daughter in Chillicothe. Mr. Story was nearly seventy-nine years old and his wife seventy-six when called hence. Mrs. Story was of the Presbyterian faith. The three brothers of Mrs. Bradley also came to America, and all are yet living.
[Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois; Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1890, pg. 789 Transcribed by: Candi Horton ©2007]
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CHARLES BALLANCE
The life of Colonel Charles BALLANCE is a record of energy and of perseverance under difficulties, crowned with ultimate and complete success. Through the long period of his life he retained his enterprise, his cheerfulness of disposition and, above all, his desire to know. The fact that a subject was new or obscure was sufficient to inspire in him a warm interest, and no amount of difficulty could daunt his industry. Although in common with most young men of the early days of the past century, he had little direct schooling, his love of
study led him in every direction till his knowledge became encyclopedic. Science and philosophy, theology and medicine, history and poetry all interested him, and so well could he converse on any one of them that, to the listener it seemed that the subject under discussion must be his chosen one. "Never waste a minute" was his favorite motto, and much of his reading was done in the odd moments when waiting for others.Mr. BALLANCE was descended from an old English family, a portion of which emigrated to Virginia more than two centuries ago. His grandfather, Charles BALLANCE, was killed during the War of the Revolution. His father, Willis BALLANCE, was married to Joyce GREEN, in Culpeper County, Virginia, in 1796, and soon
after removed to Madison County, Kentucky. Here their second son, Charles was born November 10, 1800.
His mother died soon after, and his father having married a second time, the boy seems to have grown toward manhood without much guidance or control outside of his own strong sense of right. One thing he was determined upon, and that was an education superior to what the country school afforded. Having but little
money he turned his attention to anything that offered a support, and finally obtained a place to study law with Judge Terry T. HAGGIN. of Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Entering upon the practice of law in Kentucky, Mr. BALLANCE continued there for a couple of years, and then coming to Illinois, opened an office in Peoria in
1831, where he continued in active professional work until a year or two before his death. Soon after coming
to Peoria he was appointed County Surveyor of Peoria County, in which capacity he served for some years.His legal ability was of a high order and, in all questions involving the rights of property holders, he had no superiors. It was in this line his reputation rests. Owing to the way in which Illinois became a part of the United States, there was much vexatious controversy over the "French Claims," some of which were just, but many spurious and absurd. By the purchase of a large tract of land in the southern part of Peoria (now BALLANCE'S Addition), on which some of these claims infringed, Mr. BALLANCE became almost immediately interested in the study of land titles. For a long series of years he fought these claims, sometimes with other attorneys to assist him, but more frequently single-handed, against some of the best lawyers in the West. Several of the
cases were carried to the Supreme Court of the United States, where they were argued by him in person. Sometimes successful and sometimes defeated, he persevered till he triumphed over all his opponents, and removed entirely and forever that incubus on the prosperity of the city (the "Peoria French Claims"), so that now no such claims exist.In politics Mr. BALLANCE was an old line Whig. When that party disbanded, his anti-slavery proclivities induced him to join the Republicans, with which party he acted till his death. In 1855, he was elected Mayor of the city, and discharged the duties of that responsible office to the general satisfaction of his constituents. Previous to this he had been Alderman for the First Ward, then embracing one-fourth part of the entire city. He was a man of public spirit and intensely devoted to the prosperity of Peoria. His individuality was strong,
and, although differing from some others in the advocacy of measures promotive of its interest, none could impeach his honesty of purpose or his desire to further its commercial prosperity. In 1870 he published a "History of Peoria" of standard authority and of great historical value, in which his views upon public measures affecting the city are somewhat fully set forth.During the Civil War Mr. BALLANCE was a stanch Union man, and, though more than sixty years of age, raised, largely at his own expense, the Seventy-seventh Regiment of Illinois Volunteers and was elected Colonel of the same. To his great grief, his age and the state of his health compelled him to resign the position before the regiment was ordered to the front. This regiment did good service during the war, and was in the disastrous Red River Expedition where Lieutenant Colonel Lysander R. WEBB, a son-in-law of Col. BALLANCE, was killed.
Col. BALLANCE was very happy in his domestic relations. In 1835 he was married to Miss Julia M. SCHNEBLY, daughter of Henry SCHNEBLY, who is well remembered by all the earlier citizens. To them ten children were born, all but one living to adult age. More than half of these have since passed to the great hereafter, but many grandchildren remain, happy and respected themselves, and proud of the virtues of their honored ancestor.
[Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Munsell Publishing Co., 1902, p. 444. Transcribed by Yvonne Takis]
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Harry C. BEEBE is the sole proprietor of the Beebe Mill Works, located at No. 1007 and 1009 South Adams street. Although he has been identified with the industrial interests of Peoria for only a brief period, Mr. BEEBE is well known in local business circles, as for eighteen years he was manager of the firm of Cartwright & Russell. He was born in Chillicothe, this county, on the 19th of May, 1861, and is a son of Reuben and Josephine BEEBE, well known pioneer settlers of that town. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, was actively engaged in contracting and building in Chillicothe for more than fifty years. He was a man of marked loyalty and patriotism and went to the front as a private in the Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war, being honorably discharged at the close of his period of enlistment. In matters of citizenship, he was enterprising and progressive and during a large portion of his life was actively identified with municipal affairs and on several occasions was called to fill the mayor's chair. He lived to attain a ripe old age, passing away in 1904, and is buried in the cemetery at Chillicothe. The mother is still living and continues to make her home in the latter place, where she is widely known and held in high regard, as was likewise the father.
The boyhood and youth of Harry C. BEEBE ere passed in his native town, in whose public schools he pursued his education until he had attained the age of sixteen years, terminating his student days before he had completed his high school course. After laying aside his text books, he worked for his father for four years and during that period thoroughly mastered the details of the carpenters' trade. He next entered the employ of the St. John Marsh Company as their traveling representative, and during the succeeding five years he went through the western states seeking locations and establishing lumbar yards for this firm. They discontinued business in 1886 and Mr. BEEBE went to Denver, Colorado, and engaged in contracting and building for six years. In 1892, he returned to Peoria and became manager for Cartwright & Russell, remaining in their service until 1909, when he resigned his position in order to establish the enterprise he is now conducting. This proved to be a very lucrative undertaking, and at the end of his first year Mr. BEEBE erected the fine brick factory building he is now occupying on South Adams street. It is sixty by one hundred and eighty feet, thoroughly modern in its construction and equipped with every appliance and machine essential to a plant of this kind. The growth of this activity has not been remarkable in any way, but its development has been characterized by the substantial and permanent progress that manifests stability. The receipts have shown a marked annual increase from year to year and employment is now given to eight skilled workmen.
Hudson, Kansas was the scene of Mr. BEEBE'S marriage on the 6th of April , 1886, to Miss Addie F. Cole, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John COLE, the father a highly respected agriculturist of Reno County, Kansas. One daughter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Beebe, Ruth, who is now at home with her parents. The family home is located at No. 502 Bigelow street, where they own a very pleasant and comfortable residence.
Fraternally Mr. Beebe is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is energetic in his methods and directs his efforts along well defined lines with the determination of purpose that invariably wins success, and in the organization and concentration of his forces in the development of his industry is manifesting the same powers that characterized him when working under the supervision and direction of others.[Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Munsell Publishing Co., 1902, p. 444. Candi Horton]
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George Clinton BESTOR was born in Washington, D. C., April 16, 1811. His parents, Harvey and Matilda (OWENS) BESTOR, both natives of Massachusetts, removed from that State and settled in Washington at an early day. His father was Assistant Postmaster-General under Hon. Francis GRANGER, and was highly respected for his talents and virtues. George inherited his father's traits of character, and gave early promise of the ability and integrity which marked his subsequent career. As a boy he manifested those noble and generous qualities which endeared him to so many friends, and that conscientiousness in the discharge of duties which inspired confidence in his honor and integrity. He was first employed as a page in the House of Representatives, and, at the age of sixteen, was appointed Assistant Document Clerk of the same upon the recommendation of many of the leading statesmen at that time in Washington, and held the position eight years, or until May, 1835, when he came to Illinois. Being a young man of energy and enterprise, in the twenty-fifth year of his age, he resolved to strike out into a new country, where a better field was opened for his ambition and his talents, to achieve for himself a successful career. Peoria was then one of the most promising points in the West. It had begun to grow in population, and the beauty and desirableness of the location were attracting emigration from all parts of the country. Here was a desirable and promising field for a young man of talents and enterprise, and here Mr. BESTOR came to make his future home, arriving in Peoria August 3, 1835.
After settling here, he was engaged for many years in the real-estate business, dealing in military lands, in which he accumulated a large property. From 1835 to 1840 a copartnership existed between him and Mark M. AIKEN, during which they made an abstract of the Edwardsville and Pike County records-a voluminous and carefully prepared work, showing the accuracy, system, and thoroughness of everything that passed under the hand of Mr. BESTOR. On February 18, 1837, he was elected one of the Trustees of the Town of Peoria, and re-elected on the 5th of November 1839. On April 4, 1842, he was appointed Postmaster of Peoria by President TYLER, and again, on March 27, 1861, was appointed Postmaster by President LINCOLN. He was elected Police Justice in 1843. He was three times elected Mayor of the City of Peoria, filling the seventh, ninth and tenth places in the list of Mayors with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents.
For several years Mr. BESTOR was Financial Agent, and afterwards President, of the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad Company (now the Peoria and Burlington branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad), and during the time he held that position, succeeded in extricating the company from its financial difficulties. He was also a Director of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad at the time of his death.
Before the organization of the Republican Party, Mr. BESTOR was an earnest and devoted Whig. He fought the opposition with zeal and energy, and, when defeated, was always ready to renew the contest. He was a personal friend of Henry CLAY, to whom he was ardently and strongly attached. In 1852 he was a delegate to the Whig National Convention that nominated General SCOTT. In 1858 he was elected to the State Senate by a majority which at that time, was entirely unexpected in a district so strongly Democratic.
That was the year of the Lincoln and Douglas joint campaign of Illinois for the United States Senatorship. Mr. BESTOR espoused the cause of Mr. LINCOLN and, while in the Senate, had the opportunity of voting for him in opposition to Judge DOUGLAS for United States Senator. In the campaign which followed in 1860, he did his share toward electing Mr. LINCOLN to the Presidency. During that four years in the Senate he was on the Committee on Canal and Canal Lands, Banks and Corporations, Penitentiary, Swamp Lands and Military, and was Chairman of the Committee on Internal Navigation.Almost everybody in Illinois knew Mr. BESTOR, and none knew him but to respect and love him. His name is identified with the early history of Peoria, and no man contributed more to its development. His genius and enterprise are stamped upon its growth. At the commencement of the late Civil War he was an ardent patriot, and his talents, his energies, and his means were devoted to the cause of the Union. He was widely known as an influential man in politics. He was a vigorous supporter of Governor YATES in all his measures for the
arming and equipping of the Illinois Volunteers, and was one of the first to advocate a large appropriation for that purpose by the General Assembly of which he was then a member. Mr. LINCOLN esteemed him highly, and Judge DOUGLAS, whom he opposed, said of him; "There is no man in Illinois I respect more; what he is, he is." He was zealous in the support of the principles of his party, a warm and ardent friend, and a courteous and manly opponent.For several years before his death, Mr. BESTOR had spent most of his time in Washington, prosecuting a claim before Congress, for $175,000, for gunboats which he had built for the Government during the war. The construction of these boats had reduced him almost to poverty, and it is thought that the trouble and anxiety growing out of this, and what he believed to be the unjust delay of his country in meeting his reasonable demands, added to his feeble state of health, hastened his death. Shortly after his death Congress appropriated $25,000 to his heirs in satisfaction of this claim.
He died at the National Hotel, in the city of Washington, on the 14th day of May, 1872. None of his family, except Mrs. BESTOR, were present at the time of his death.
Hon. George C. BESTOR was twice married-first, on the 20th of October, 1835, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Miss Mary Jane THOMAS, and, second, on the 13th of September, 1848, to Miss Sarah E. THOMAS, sister of his former wife. He left by his first marriage four children and the same number by his second marriage. Physically Mr. BESTOR was a man of perfect mould, and having from his youth been brought into personal relations with men of the highest culture, he had early learned and adopted the manners of a perfect gentleman, which he carried with him through life. He was courteous, gentle and genial in disposition, graceful in speech and manner, yet firm and determined in all his business relations. Generous almost to a fault, he dispensed charity, in all directions, which was manifested in an especial manner in his contributions in aid of the soldiers during the war.[Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Munsell Publishing Co., 1902, p. 444. Transcribed by Yvonne Takis]
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Peter Rutgers Kissam BROTHERSON was born in Charlton, Saratoga County, New York, July 14, 1811. He was the third of a family of five children of Philip BROTHERSON and Catharine (KISSAM) BROTHERSON. For the first sixteen years of his life he resided at home, then went to New York City where he spent three years as clerk in a mercantile house and acquired that knowledge of business affairs which fitted him for his future career. In 1830, he went into business in Elmira, in the State of New York, where three years later, he married Frances B. McREYNOLDS, Daughter of Matthew McREYNOLDS of that place. In 1836 he, with his father-in-law and his family, emigrated to Cadiz, Ohio, where he and Mr. McREYNOLDS spent fourteen years in merchandising. In the spring of 1850 they all came to Peoria, where they established the first exclusively wholesale grocery in the city, under the firm name of Brotherson & McReynolds. It was situated on the upper side of Liberty near Water Street. Six years later Mr. BROTHERSON severed his connection with that firm and entered into co-partnership with his son-in-law, Alexander G. TYNG, in the grain and pork business under the firm name of Tyng & Brotherson. This firm continued to do an extensive business for the period of twenty years. At the end of that time it met with heavy losses, in consequence of which Mr. BROTHERSON was forced to retire and to seek other employment, which he found in the Internal Revenue Department as Government Gauger of distilled spirits, a position he occupied for several years.
Mr. BROTHERSON had the good fortune to be the head of a family the most noted in the city for their faith manifested in good works. Mrs. Frances B. M. BROTHERSON was a woman of extraordinarily strong character. She was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church and one of the staunchest supporters of St. Paul's Parish until the time of the division, when, with her husband, she cast her lot with Christ (R. E.) Church. Besides her ordinary work in the church, her charities were wide-spread and munificent, so that to no one were the needy of the city more indebted than to her. She was also active in relief work during the war, being one of the organizers of the original Ladies' Aid Society. She was a woman of marked intelligence and, withal, a writer of ability both in prose and verse; her poems, which were numerous, having been collected and published in a handsome volume. She died December 27, 1870, much lamented by the entire community. The eldest daughter of this interesting couple, Lucie, became the wife of Alexander G. TYNG, and is a worthy successor of her mother. The second daughter, Martha, became the wife of William REYNOLDS. Of these two ladies, who survive their respective husbands, it would be superfluous to speak. Their names appear on almost every page which recounts the benevolent charitable and Christian work of the city. Mr. BROTHERSON had a son, Philip, who died at the age of twenty-three years.
Mr. BROTHERSON'S services to the city in a public capacity were very valuable. Besides representing his ward for several terms as Alderman, he was twice elected Mayor and served, first, from April 1, 1868, to November, 1869, while the water-works were being constructed, in which improvement his assistance was valuable; secondly, from November 1871, to November, 1873.
He laid out two additions to the city which bear his name, and one street was named after him. He was one of the most active men in carrying on the home sanitary work during the war, and was always found in the front rank of all public benefactions. He was at one time President of the Central City Street Railway Company, and continued to be one of its stockholders and directors for many years. He occupied a charming residence on the corner of Adams and Harrison Streets, where hospitality was dispensed with a generous hand so long as means would permit; and, when retrenchment became a necessity, it was acquiesced in with that dignified submission which stamped upon him the character of a true gentleman. Mr. BROTHERSON died July 6, 1891. His funeral took place from Christ Church, which was filled with sorrowing friends anxious to pay their last tribute of respect to departed worth. Bishop Cheney, of Chicago, a lifelong friend of the family, assisted the Rector in the services.
[Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Munsell Publishing Co., 1902, p. 444. Transcribed by Yvonne Takis]
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ALBERTUS Y. BARTHOLEMEW. Peoria County has but few more able, talented men of business connected with its immense farming and stock-growing interests, than this gentleman.
Elmwood Township, the scene of his agricultural enterprises and various pursuits has in him a valuable citizen whose liberal, progressive public spirit has placed him among the foremost in pushing forward every enterprise for its advancement, and no one has done more in placing it in the front rank of its "sister townships than he. He owns a large farm, which is considered one of the finest in this locality, but it does not suffice him for his extensive business, as M raiser of cattle, hogs, horses and mules, and lie leases five hundred acres besides.
Our subject is a fine representative of a native-born citizen of this county and township, February 26, 1838, being the date of his birth. He came of fine old New England parentage.
His father, Luzerne Bartholemew, was a native of Connecticut, and emigrated from there to Illinois in 1837, coming all the way in a covered wagon. He settled on a farm on section 6, building a log house to shelter his family. He bought three eighties, and later erected substantial buildings on his place, among them a comfortable residence, treadmill, windmill and woolen mill. He was a man of infinite resources and equally expert in various callings. Besides being a skillful farmer he was a fine machinist, a successful boot and shoe merchant, and also butchered cattle, shipping the prepared meat in barrels to New Orleans on flat boats. In 1848 he crossed the plains to California with a company of emigrants. He was made the Captain of this band, driven thither by the gold fever. While in California he captured a grizzly bear, weighing about two thousand pounds. After coming home he exhibited the bear throughout the United States, in East and Southern Canada, and in the fall of 1856 made a trip to Europe, exhibiting the bear in all the leading cities.
During all these travels our subject was his father's companion, being thus enabled to gain a fair knowledge of the world. Upon their return home they disposed of the bear in Brandon, Vt., for the sum of $10,000. Subsequently, while on a visit to Connecticut in 1866 the father died. He was twice married. His first wife was the mother of our subject, and, like his father, was a native of Connecticut. Her maiden name was Betsey Yale, and she was a descendant of the famous Yale family of that State. She was a highly educated woman, possessing great literary talent and writing both prose and poetry with facility. She had three children, of whom our subject is the only survivor. John B. was a soldier in the Eighth Missouri Infantry, and after a service of nearly three years bravely yielded up his life in the service of his country at the siege of Vicks-burg. Sarah Helen died at the age of eighteen years.
Our subject gained the preliminaries of his education in the district school, and subsequently pursued an excellent course of study in the Galesburg Academy, never attending school but six months after he was sixteen years old. He began life for himself by working for his uncle in a hardware store at $10 per month, his salary being raised to $50 per month in 1859. He subsequently clerked in a dry-goods store for Cone & Wilcox for one season. He then returned to his uncle and was engaged in putting up lighting rods, etc., for one season. After that he was variously employed in farming, shelling corn and threshing, and also in raising stock.
Mr. Bartholemew began his farming operations with an eighty-acre tract of half improved land, and has done so well in its cultivation that he has been enabled to buy more and now he has three hundred and sixty-eight acres of land under good tillage and highly improved in every respect, so that it is justly considered the most desirable stock in the township. As before mentioned he is largely engaged in raising stock and has acquired wealth in his dealings. At one time he sold six car loads of cattle which averaged over $80 per head.
By his marriage to Miss Mary Ennis, which was solemnized May 15, 1862, Mr. Bartholemew secured a wife who is devoted to his interests and has greatly aided him in the procurement of his property. She is a daughter of John and Sarah (Loomis) Ennis, natives respectively of New York and Connecticut.
Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew's congenial married life has been blest to them by the birth of six children: John B., a manufacturer, of Des Moines, Iowa, who married Louella Moore, of Oskaloosa, and they have two children; Orie Y., a graduate of Knox College, and poet of the class of 1888, now book-keeper for the Peoria Planter Works, making his home in Des Moines; Lura H., also a graduate of Knox College, and class historian, is now assistant Principal of the Elm wood High School; Charles A., a young business man of Elm wood, is a manufacturer of peanut and coffee roasters and also has a brass foundry; Carrie Maud and Bessie Alice.
Mr. Bartholemew is a noble-spirited, high-minded, generous-hearted man of exemplary habits whose course both in public and private life is be-yond reproach, and he and his wife and their family stand high in the social circles of the county, their hospitality, their kindness and cordiality rendering their charming home in the town of Elm-wood very attractive to all who enter within its gates. For the past four years our subject has represented Elmwood Township on the County Board of Supervisors, and has been otherwise connected with the local government as member of the City Council, and on the School Board and as Road Commissioner. As an incumbent of the important office of Supervisor, he has looked carefully after the interests of his township, and his rare capacity for business has been well illustrated by the masterly manner in which he conducted the case of the bondholders vs. the township, in the suit brought by the owners of the bonds issued by the township to build the Hannibal, Peoria & Dixon Railroad. The amount of money involved in the litigation was $170,000, and after a great deal of controversy in the courts our subject was instrumental in bringing the suit to a close by effecting a settlement of the claim for $115,000, and on the issue of new bonds he placed them on the market at a premium. Mr. Bartholemew is a strong Republican and takes a deep interest in politics. He and his wife and their three eldest children are among the prominent members of the Congregational Church, of which he is a Trustee, and Mrs. Bartholemew has been active in the Sunday school work as a teacher.
[Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois; Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1890, pg. 260 Transcribed by: Candi Horton 2007 ]Back to Peoria County, Illinois Genealogy Trails
From Peoria City and County, A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II by James M. Rice
(S. J. ClarkePublishing Co, 1912) Contributed by: Amy Robbins-Tjaden src#50
William E. Bruninga, who ranked with Peoria's most prominent and well known business men, occupying for many years the position of general
manager with the F. Meyer Furnace Company, was born March 29, 1871, in the city which was ever the scene of his labors. Here he lived until
death called him on the 3d of March, 1911, representing one of the old families of Peoria. His parents were John and Elizabeth Burninga,
natives of Germany, who settled in Peoria at an early period in the city's history. The son pursued his education in the public and high
schools and in a business college and when he started out in life for himself he obtained a position in a bank, in which he remained for
several years. He next became connected with the coal trade, being employed by a local coal company for several years, and in 1890 he
entered into active association with the F. Meyer Furnace Company, gradually working his way upward with that firm until his persistent
effort and ability brought him to the position of general manager, in which capacity he served for a number of years, thus occupying a
prominent place in the business circles of the city. He was thoroughly reliable as well as progressive, manifested good judgment in business
affairs and was devoted to the interests and welfare of the company which he represented.
On the 25th of June, 1894, Mr Bruninga was married to Miss Matilda Meyer, a daughter of Frank and Anna Mari (Janssen) Meyer. Her father
was a native of Norden, Germany, and with his parents came to America, landing at New Orleans, while on the 28th of May, 1858, he arrived in
Peoria. He was closely identified with the business development and progress of the city for a long period. He became the founder of the
F. Meyer Furnace Company which bears his name and as one of Peoria's pioneer business men, capable, resourceful and reliable, he occupied a
high position in public regard. He not only contributed materially to the business development of the city but also to its educational
progress, doing effective service in behalf of the public schools in four years' service on the school board. Unto Mr. and Mrs Bruninga
were born two children, William and Frank, who are yet attending school.
The father was a democrat in his political views and kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, although he was never
an aspirant for office. His religious faith was that of the German Lutheran church, to which he was ever most loyal. He was also a valued
member of the Creve Coeur Club and he possessed a genial nature that was manifest in the hospitality and cordiality which were marked
features of his home. He was a great reader, loved music and possessed no little ability in that direction himself. In fact, he found his
greatest pleasure n the enjoyment of those interests which are of an ennobling and uplifting character. He always chose the better part nor
was he ever content with the second best. He achieved success and it came to him as the reward of earnest effort. He felt life's sorrow's,
its shadows and its sunshine but in every relation he was found as a man among men and he leaves behind him the priceless heritage of an
untarnished name.Back to Peoria County, Illinois Genealogy Trails