Rebecca Hooker, of AVarren County, Ind. After
a short married life of two years she was called to
her final rest. In November, 1845, Mr. Jones was
again married, his second union being with Mrs.
Hannah Mercer, daughter of Jesse and Sarah Pugh,
of Warren Count)-, Ind. By her first marriage
she had one child, William Mercer. By the sec-
ond union have lieen liorn nine children, iuid with
one exception all are living: Stephen, born Au-
gust 26, 1846, married Martha Gray, daughter of
John and Rebecca Graj-, and by their union four
sons have been born, three of whom are yet living:
John, Edgar and Gu}'. Russell is now deceased
The}' reside about four and one-half miles from
Milford. Charles O., who was born April 9, 1848,
married Miss Katie Holmes, and with their four
children. Ruby, Homer, Earl and Charles AVatson,
they reside in Springfield, 111.; John Milton, born
May 25, 1850, died in February, I860; Sarah M.,
born July 26, 1852, is the wife of O. P. Harman,
of Milford, by whom she has one son, Leroy;
Lewis, who was born May 5, 1854, and resides on
the old homestead, married Miss Susan Wise, and
their famil}- numbers two children, Nellie and
Ray; Alba M. and Edgar A., twins, were born
May 23, 1856. The former was joined in wed-
lock with Miss Fannie Monette, daughter of John
Monette, of Milford. The latter, who is a resi-
dent of Milford, married Miss Maggie Collins, of
Shelby County, 111., and one son, Harry, graces
this union; Priscilla was born April 3, 1859; and
Luth(h-, who was born October 27, 1861, married
Miss .Jessie, daughter of Aaron Dazey, of Milford,
and owns and operates a farm four miles east of
that place. By his marriage he has two children,
Gracic and Leroy.
Mr. Jones dates his residence in Iroijuols County
206
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
from 1851. Removing from Indiana he located
on a farm five miles east of Milford, in Stoclvland
Tovvnstiip. lie there owned and operated fom'
hundred acres of land, and upon that farm, where
lie resided for twenty-nine years, he reared his
family. He then traded two hundred and forty
acres of that land to his son Lewis, and bought
for himself a tract of fifteen hundred acres one
mile nearer the village. Here he has resided for
twelve years. He devotes his attention princi-
pally to stock-raising. He keeps on hand an ex-
cellent grade of horses, cattle and hogs, and has
been very successful in his operations. By his
own efforts he has worked his way steadily up-
ward, and by his enterprise and good management
has each year added to his capital until he is now
one of the wealthy citizens of the county'.
In politics, Mr. Jones is a stalwart supporter of
Republican principles. For the long period of
twenty years he has served as School Treasurer,
for thirteen years has held the office of Supervisor,
and in 1883 he was a member of the House of
Representatives during the Thirty-third General
Assembly. His long-continued service is a high
testimonial of his ability as an officer and the
faithfulness with which he discharged his duties.
He is alike true to every public and private trust,
and by his upright life he has won universal con-
fidence. He is classed among the representative
and leading citizens of L-oquois County, where he
has made his home for forty -one years, and it is
with pleasure that we present to our readers the
life record of this honored pioneer.
|r^-^OBERT MELL, Notary Public and insur-
|[Wf ance agent, is one of the leading and rep-
^ * resentative citizens of Cissna Paik. He
claims Kentucky as the State of his nativ-
ity. Born in Campbell County on the 17th of
March, 1852, he is a son of John and Catherine
(Wycoff) Mell. His father was a native of Penn-
sj'lvania and was of German descent. He re-
moved to Ohio and afterward to Kentucky, and
in 1871 caine to Irotjuois County, 111,, locating on
a farm in Ash Grove Township. Throughout his
entire life he followed agricultural pursuits. His
death occurred in Pigeon Grove Township about
1886. hi politics, he was a svapporter of Demo-
cratic principles. His wife makes her home
with her son in Missouri. Of the family, William
is now deceased; Mrs. Louisa Parker and Mrs.
Alice Nelson both reside in Kentucky; Garrett
served in a Kentucky regiment during the war;
Rlioda died in childhood; John is living in Coles
County, 111.; Mrs. Margaret Spalding makes her
home in Kentucky; Mrs. Maiy Jane Higgius is
living in Missouri; Robert is the next younger;
Joseph is living in Union, Brown Countj', Minn.;
Mrs. Sidney Newlin resides in Cissna Park; Thomas
makes his home near Cissna Park; and La Fayette
is living in -Missouri. All but the eldest were
born and reared in Kentucky.
Mr. Mcll, whose name heads this record, spent
the days of his boyhood and 3'outh upon his fa-
ther's farm and was early inured to hard labor.
When a young man, he made a trip to Ohio, and
was there married on the 18th of September,
1871, to Miss Martha E. Anderson, who was born
and reared in the same locality as her husband.
She died in Iroquois County, September 18, 1877,
on the sixth anniversary of her wedding day,
leaving two children, Jessie B. and Lucy Hester.
On the 6th of February, 1879, Mr. Mell was again
married, his second union being with Miss Katie
Schultz, a lady of German descent, whose parents
now reside in Minnesota. Unto them have been
born live children: Georgia (deceased), Anna Belle,
Elsie, Myrtle (deceased), and Robert.
On his removal to this county, Mr. Mell em-
barked in farming in Ash Grove Township, and
later carried on farming in Pigeon Grove Town-
ship. To that business he devoted his energies
until December, 1891, when he left the farm and
came to Cissna Park, where he purchased a lot
and has erected a comfortable residence. He has
since been engaged in business as an insurance
and collection agent and as Notary Public. He
has also read law for the past two years and has
practiced to some extent. He does a good busi-
ness and is a well-to-do citizen.
Mr. Mell takes an actiye interest in political af-
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
207
fairs and is a stanch Democrat. His first Presi-
dential vote was cast for Gen. Hancock. He lias
served as Assessor for one term. Socially, he is a
member of the Knights of P3'tliias. He takes
an active interest in all that pertains to tlie wel-
fare of the communit}' and is ever found in the
front ranks in support of all cnterjirises calculated
to prove of public l)onefit.
^_^ ARTMAN SCHWARTZ, one of the early
lijl, settlers of this community, is numbered
'£)^ among the prominent and representative
(^y farmers of Prairie Green Township. He
resides on section 24, where he owns and operates
one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land.
This is one of the best-improved farms in the
township. In all its appointments it seems com-
plete, and its neat appearance indicates the enter-
prise and industrj' of the owner, which qualities
are known to be among his chief characteristics.
His home is a beautiful country residence, supple-
mented by good outbuildings, and these in turn
are surrounded by waving fields of grain.
The owner of this desirable farm is of Gerniau
birth. His ])arents were Thomas and Sehna
Schwartz, and they also were natives of Germany;
a sketch of them is found with that of Philip
Schwartz. Their family numbered five children,
of whom our subject was the fourth in order of
birth. He was born on the 30th of October, 1835,
in Baden, and the days of his boyhood and youth
were spent in his native land, whore he acquired a
good education in the common schools. It was at
tiie age of twent3^-three years that he bade adieu
to home and friends, and in 18,57 crossed the
broad Atlantic to America. The vessel in which
he sailed dropped anchor in the iiarbor of New
York, and he landed in that city with only %\
in his pocket, among a peojile whose language
was strange to him. He remained in New York
City for about a month, after which he came to
Illinois, where he was first employed as a farm
hand and served in tliat capacity for twelve years.
He then came to I'rairie Green Towiisliip, and with
the money he had acquired through his own hard
labors, purchased one hundred and sixty acres of
partially improved land, the same upon which ho
has since made his home.
August 22, 1861, Jlr. Schwartz was married, the
lady of his choice being Miss :Mary M. Cook, of
McLean County, 111. Their union has been blessed
with the following children, the eldest of whom,
John T.,w.as born June 15, 1863; Charles S., born
September 15, 1866; William A. died in infancy;
Edwin L., born February 21, 1870; Pha-be L.,
born November 11, 1873; one died unnamed and
Hulda A., who also died in infancy; Beuj.imin F.,
born January 13, 1878. The surviving children are
still under the parental roof. Tlieir parents have
provided them with good educational advantages,
thus fitting them for liie practical and responsible
duties of life.
In politics, Mr. Schwartz is a stalwart supporter
of Democratic principles, having been identified
with that party since he became an American citi-
zen. Himself and family, save one child, are all
members of the Christian Church, and they are
people of sterling wortli, who are widely and fav-
orably known throughout the community, and are
iield in high esteem by a large circle of friends
and aciiuaintances.
â– ^'OHN W. MEIER, one of the efficient County
Supervisors and well-to-do farmers of Ash
Grove Townsliip, residing on section 3, was
I born in AVill County, 111., June 22, 1849.
His father, J. O. Meier, was born in Hesse, Ger-
man}'. In the usual manner of farmer lads he was
reared to manhood, and in his youth also learned
the trade of a weaver. In 1844, he crossed the
Atlantic to America, locating in Chicago. Four
j'cars later he went to Will County, 111., and
bought forty act-es of land. Subsequently he made
additional purcliases until he became the owner of
a large and valuable farm, but is now living re-
tired in Crete. He has held a number of local
oflices, including Supervisor for some twenty years,
208
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Road Commissioner for about twelve years, and
Tax Collector, and is a prominent and honored
citizen of the coramunitj' where he makes his home.
In politics, lie is a Republican. He received a
good education in his native land and was a well-
informed man. ]\Ir. Meier married Sophia Rine,
and unto Ihem were born eleven children, five of
whom are yet living, namely: John ; Sophia, who
resides in Crete; William, who is living on the old
homestead; Mary, a resident of Will County;
and Louise, who resides with her father. The
mother of this family died in 1869, and Mr. Meier
afterward married Engel Scheiwe. Her death oc-
curred two years ago. By that union were born
two children, one of whom is yet living, Henry,
who is now employed in the County Clerk's office
in .Joliet.
The su))ject of this sketch was born and reared
on his father's farm and acquired a good education
in both the German and English language. He
remained at home until twenty-five years of age,
and then started out in life for himself. His
father had purchased three hundred and tvventy
acres of raw prairie land in Iroquois County, to
which .John W. removed in 1874 and began its
development. He now has one of the finest farms
of the county. Its many improvements and well-
tilled fields attest his thrift and enterprise, and the
neat appearance of the place indicates the super-
vision of a careful manager.
In 1874, Mr. Meier was married to Miss Sophia
Scheiwe, of Will Countj', and by that union were
born ten children, eight of whom are yet living,
namely: .John, AVilliam, Caroline, Herman, Mar-
tin, Henry, Emma and Otto. The two eldest chil-
dren died in infancj'. The mother was called to
her final rest in 1888. and Mr. Meier was again
married in 1890, his second union being with Miss
Frieda Daus, a native of Germany, who, when
three years of age, was brought by her parents to
America, the family locating in Whiting, near
Chicago.
Since casting his first Presidential vote for Gen.
Grant Mr. Meier has been a stalwart supporter of
the Republican party and a warm advocate of its
principles. He is now serving his seventh year in
.succession as a member of the CouDty Board, The
prompt and faithful manner in which he has dis-
charged his duties has led to his frequent re-elec-
tion and has won for him the high commendation
of all. Himself and wife are members of the
Lutheran Church. Mr. Meier has a wide acquaint-
ance throughout the county and is held in the
highest regard by his large circle of friends and
acquaintances. His life has been well and worth-
ily spent, and by his good management, persever-
ance and business ability, he has won a handsome
property, and now owns one of the finest farms in
the township.
-^
\|| AMES WARREN GREGORY, County Clerk
of Iroquois County and a leading resident
^s^ 1 of Walseka, is a native of Indiana. He
^^/l' was born in Warren County, October 5,
1854, and is a son of Alford and Lucy (Temple-
ton) Gregory. The parents were also natives of
Indiana. A sketch of their lives is given on
another page of this work.
In 1861, James W. Gregory accompanied his
l)arents to Illinois, the family settling in Middle-
port Township, near Watseka. On coming to Iro-
quois County, Mr. Gregoiy was a lad of only
seven years. He was reared to manhood on the
farm and attended the country schools, complet-
ing his education in the city schools of Watseka.
His occupation has been that of a farmer and
stock-raiser from early manhood, and for several
years he was also engaged in bu^'ing and selling
live-stock. He has bred and dealt principally in
Short-horn cattle and Norman horses, and is still
interested in that line with his brother, George F.
Together they own a well-improved farm of five
hundred and twenty acres, situated in Middleport
Township, in which our subject has a controlling
interest.
In politics. Ml'. Gregor}' is a Republican. He
has served six years as Road Commissioner in Mid-
dleport Township, and in the autumn of 1890 was
elected County Clerk of Iroquois County, enter-
ing upon the duties of the oflicp on the 1st of De-
ceinbci' following. He has proyed a very capable
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
URBANA
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
211
and poiiular comity officer, discharging his duties
with a promptness and fidelity that have won him
the commendation of all concerned. He has for
his Deputy the old and experienced ex-County
Clerk, H. A. Butzow.
Mr. Gregory' was rear^^d under the auspices of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his mo-
ther and himself are both members. He is a
member of the order of Modern Woodmen of
America, belonging to Watseka Camp No. 339.
He has long made his home in this county, in
fact, almost his entire life has here be.en passed, and
he lias a wide acquaintance througliout its borders.
)OBERT FINCH, Sii., resides on section 26,
Prairie Green Township. Almost half a
> \V century has passed away since this sterling
^^polil pioneer first came to Iroquois County.
He has a wide acquaintance and his sketch will
prove of interest to many of our readers who es-
teem him as a progressive and representative citi-
zen. A native of Dearborn County, Ind., he was
born September 25, 1819. His parents, Jnbal and
I'hilena (Earl) Finch, were parents of but two chil-
dren, and Edwin, the eldest son, is now deceased.
The father, a native of the Empire State, and a
successful physician and surgeon, died during the
infanc\' of our subject. The mother w.is also born
in New York State, and died at the age of forty-five.
The boyhood days of Robert Finch were spent in
Indiana. He remained in his native county until
twelve years of age and then removed to Foun-
tain County. After attending the common schools
he entered the Baptist Manual Labor Training
School, where he pursued his studies for nine
months. During that time he was classmate of
Congressman Ilolman, "the watch-dog of the
Treasury." This school was located in Franklin,
Ind. He afterward entered the college in Craw-
fordsville, Ind., and subsequently engaged in teach-
ing, which profession he followed successfully for
nine years through tlie fall and winter seasons,
while in the summer months he engaged in farm-
ing. He started out in life with no capital but a
young man's bright hope of the future and a de-
termination to succeed, and he has won success.
On the 3d of December, 1847, Mr. Finch mar-
ried Miss Sarah Ann Crawford, daughter of .John
and Elizabeth (Cline) Crawford. Her father \>as
a graduate of the Cincinnati Medical College, and
was a physician and surgeon of prominence. He
was a native of Ohio, but made his home near At-
tica, Ind., where he eujo3ed an extensive practice.
His wife was also born in the Buckeye State. In
their family were two sons and four daughters, all
j-et living, namely: Mrs. Finch, Ruth, Josephine,
Thomas, John and Elizabeth. The wife of our
subject was educated in the common schools and
is a kind and genial lady, who has proved a valu-
able helpmate to her Juisband. Eleven children
have been born unto them, eight sons and three
daughters, and the family circle j'ct remains un-
broken: Edwin, the eldest, married Miss Sarah
McDrew; John wedded Miss Delora Poiner; Cyrus
married Miss Josephine Astor; Robert is engaged
in farming; Theodore married Miss Loretta Handy ;
Fremont and Frederick are still at home; Leon
married Miss Ida Wall; Geuevra is the wife of
Crumb McDonald; P^lizabeth is the wife of John
Lyons; Leonora is the wife of John Hand^-. There
are also thirty-three grandchildren. The sous are
all farmers and the daughters have married agri-
culturists, and both sons and sons-in-law are sup-
porters of the Republican party. Edwin east his
first vote for Gen. Grant; John, for R. B. Hayes;
Fremont, for Garfield; and Frederick, for Har-
rison.
Mr. Finch, our subject, was, iu early life, a sup-
porter of the Whig party and took an active part
in the campaign of "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too,"
his first vote being cast for William Henry Harri-
son. For forty years he has been a reader of the
New York Tribune, which was formerly published
by Horace Greeley, and is a well-informed man,
who keeps posted on all the issues and current
events of the da^'. He has been honored with a
number of offices of trust, having served as Road
Commissioner some fifteen years, Collector about
ten years. Assessor two terms and School Treasurer
ten years. The cause of education finds in him a
warm friend, and he has done effective service for
212
POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the schools, while serving as Director for many
years.
In 1853, Mr. Finch came with his faniil3' to this
county and purchased nine hundred and sixty acres
in a body of Government laud at 11.25 per acre. lie
afterward became owner of thirteen hundred acres
and still retains possession of eight hundred and
sixty acres of valuable land. When he first came
to the county, deer, wolves and all kinds of wild
game were to be seen, and the work of civilization
and progress seemed scarcely begun. His first
home was a small cabin, 12x16 feet, with a floor so
insecurely laid that the rattlesnakes could crawl
through its cracks and crevices. He broke prairie
with five yoke of oxen, so tough was the sod.
There were no near markets or milling places. On
one occasion he met a stranger near Lebanon, Ind.,
who asked him how far he lived from Watseka.
" Twenty-flve miles," was the answer. " How far
from Loda?" " Twent3^-five miles." " From At-
tica?" " Twenty-five miles." The stranger, think-
ing this too much, said: " My friend, don't you
live about twenty-five miles from any place?" "I
guess so," was the repl}'.
Mr. and Mrs. Finch experienced all the hardships
and privations of pioneer life, but a handsome
property has rewarded their industrious and per-
severing efforts, and in their declining j'ears they
are now surrounded with all the comforts that
money can procure. Mr. Finch is a man of ster-
ling worth and integrity, whose word is as readily
accepted as his bond. Both he and his wife re-
ceive the high regard of all, and well deserve men-
tion among the honored pioneers and valued citi-
zens of the county.
(^ l^ILLIAM H. WP:AVER, the pioneer pho-
\/\//l tographer of Iroquois County, who erected
^^^ the first building for a photograph gallery
in the county and occupied it as such in April,
1863,' is a native of Pennsj-lvania. He was born
in New Berlin, Union County, on Christmas Daj'
of 1834. His parents, M. H. and Phoebe (Town-
send) Weaver, were both natives of the Keystone
State. His father was a prominent lawyer of New
Berlin, the county seat of Union County, and was
also editor of the Union Star, a leading journal of
that county. He was a prominent politician, and
for several 3'ears held the offices of Clerk of the
Circuit Court and Surveyor of that county. The
parents are now deceased.
Our subject was educated in the public schools
of his native town and when large enough to be
of use helped his father in surveying various parts
of Union County. Later, he served an apprentice-
ship to the blacksmith's trade in Union County,
Pa. In 1856, he came to La Fayette, Ind., and for
a time was in charge of the machine shops of the
Wabash Valley Railroad near that cit}-. In the
spring of 1858, he came to Illinois and began
learning portrait work at Prospect City (now Pax-
ton), the process then in use being principally am-
brotj'ping on glass. After spending a few months
in that place he returned to Indiana in the fall
and was employed in the same line of work until.
1861. He then returned to Illinois and settled in
Milford, Iroquois County. Opening a gallery-, he
conducted it until April, 1863, when he removed
to Watseka and opened the first gallery in this
place, erecting a building for the purjiose. Since
that time he has been in active business here.
In the fall of 1858, near La Fayette, Ind., Mr.
AVeaver was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary
Kerr, daughter of John Kerr, of Shawnee Prairie,
Ind., where the lady was born. They have had
three children, two of whom are \'et living: Clara
A., the eldest child, was the wife of Ross F. Bell,
and died at the age of twenty-seven years, leav-
ing one child, Roy AV.,now seven years old. Will-
iam Grant, who married Dina Tibbins, by whom
he has one child, Harry Don, a little lad of three
years, is Superintendent of a railroad in Silverton,
Colo. Adeline, the j'oungest, is at home.
In politics, Mr. Weaver is a Republican, and
while in Indiana was elected .lustice of the I'eace,
when twenty-three years of age. On coming to
Watseka, he was a candidate for Police Magistrate
at the first election held in that village, but was
on the weaker side and was not elected. In 1879,
he was elected Justice of the Peace in Watseka,
was re-elected in 1889, and is now serving in that
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
213
office. He has been City Treasurer two terms and
is the present City Clerk. He cast his first He-
publican vote in 1856 for Fremont and Dayton
and walked several miles to the polling precinct.
Himself and family are all members of the Meth-
odist Church, in which he has been au otticer since
1867. For several years he served as Class- leader,
was active in Suday -school work, and for some
time held the position of Superintendent. For
seventeen years he has been Treasurer of the
County Bible Society. He helped to organize the
Watseka Camp Meeting Association, of whicii
he has been Secretary from tlie beginning, some
eleven years since. The association's beautiful
grounds comprise sixteen .acres and lie adjacent to
AVatseka.
Mr. Weaver helped to organize the Watseka
Building and. Loan Association, of which he has
been a Director continuously since, while for sev-
eral }-ears he served as Vice-president. He is well
up with the times in his art and does the finest
of work in all branches of his business. Some years
ago, in order to improve his skill, he spent some
time in Chicago, taking lessons under the most
eminent artist of the country, Prof. Hessler.
During his whole life, Mr. Weaver has been an
active, busy and temperate man and is well pre-
served mentally and physically. Mr. Weaver
makes an efficient City Clerk and is very popu-
lar in everj- public position he holds, for the rea-
son that he discharges every duty devolving upon