him with ability, promptness and fidelity.
IjF^^ON. TIIOJIAS VKNXUM, a banker of the
|lj)\ firm of Donovan ik Vennum of Milford, is
i^V^ a jjioneer of Iroquois County of 183.^, now
(^y, residing in Watseka but doing business in
Milford. Mr. Vennum is a native of Pennsylvania.
He was born in Washington County on Christmas
Day of 1833, and is a son of Ciiristopher C. and
Kosanna (Paul) Vennum, whose sketch appears on
another page of this work. In the spring of 1835,
he came to Illinois with his parents, traveling by
boat down the Oliio and up the Wabash Rivers.
His father entered Government land on section 4
of what is now Milford Township, Iroquois County,
to which he added by subsequent purchase at pri-
vate sale, and had at his death some seven hundred
acres.
Our subject was a mere child when he came to
Milford and has no recollection of his home in
Pennsylvania or the journey to Illinois. As he
became old enough, he was employed on his father's
farm in the summer and attended school in the
winter time. When seventeen years of age, he re-
turned to Pennsylvania and for one year was a
student at Washington College in his native
county, after which he attended Asbury I'niver-
.sity, now DePauw University, of Greencastle, Ind.
Returning to Illinois, he resumed work on his fa-
ther's farm until 1856, when, at the age of twenty-
three, he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court and
ex-offlcio Recorder of Iroquois Count3'. He re-
moved to Middleport, then the county seat, and
entered upon the disciiarge of his duties. By his
fidelity and promptness, he made many friends and
was re-elected in 1860 and 1864, serving in all
twelve years in that office. Wlien the county seat
was changed in 1865 to Watseka, he changed his
place of residence to that city, which has since been
his home.
In 1868, on the completion of his third term as
Clerk of the Circuit Court and Recorder, Mr. "\'en-
num joined Messrs. John L. Donovan and George
A. Woodford in establishing the first bank in
Watseka, under the firm name of Donovan, Wood-
ford & Co. That connection continued until Oc-
tober, 1874, when Mr. Vennum went to Tennessee
and for sixteen months was engaged in managing
the raining and shipping of coal at Tracy Cit^^on
contract with the Tennessee Coal and Railway
Company. This business vvas rather experimental.
Not proving i)rofitablc, the contract was abandoned
and he returned to Watseka. In 1876, in company
with John L. Donovan, his former partner, he re-
sumed the banking business, opening the first liank
in Milford, wiiere they have continued in busi-
ness to the present time with marked success. Botii
have still maintained their residences in Watseka.
While a resident of Middleport, ]\Ir. A'ennum
was a member of the firm of II. A. Tillinghast &.
214
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Co., druggists. The business was subsequentl^y
transferred to AVatseka, and on Dr. Secrest becom-
ing a partner the firm name was changed to Se-
crest, Tillinghast & Co. Our subject continued the
silent partner for a number of years, when he with-
drew.
On the 8tli of April, 1862, Mr. Vennum was
married in Detroit, Mich., to Miss Lucia A. Tullar,
who was born in Brownsville, Lenawee County,
Mich. They have four children living, three sons
and a daughter: Ella Janet is now the wife of Otis
W. Johnson, son of Otis R. Johnson, the well-
known millionaire lumberman of Racine, Wis., and
is the business manager of the Fish Bros. & Co.
AVagon AVorks, of which he and his father are the
principal stockholders; Irving T. is employed with
his father in the bank at Milford; Fred D. is a
clerk in the First National Bank of Chicago; and
Thomas G.,the 3'oungest, is now taking a [irepara-
tory course in Racine College with the view of
entering Yale; Mabel, who was the eldest of the
family, died in infancy.
During his term of office as Clerk of the Circuit
Court, Mr. A''ennum studied law and in 1868 was
admitted to the Bar, but, becoming interested in
banking and other business, never actually engaged
in practice as a profession. On coming of age, he
joined the Republican party, of which he has since
been a consistent member. In the fall of 1870, he
was elected by that party a Representative to the
Illinois Legislature and served as a member of the
Twenty-seventh General Assembly in the sessions
of 1871-72. He was appointed on the Committees
on Finance, Congressional Appointment and Con-
tingent Expenses, and proved an efficient and
useful member. He was chosen Maj'or of AA'at-
seka, a position he filled to the satisfaction of his
fellow-citizens. Socially, he is a member of Iro-
quois Lodge No. 74, I. 0. O. F., and his wife is a
member of the Presb^'terian Church and the daugh-
ter of the Christian Church.
For fifty-seven j-ears, almost his entire lifetime,
Mr. Vennum has been a resident of Iroquois
County. His father and grandfather before him
were worthy pioneers of the same countj', and
their remains lie interred near the site of their
cabin home, which was erected when this region
was a wilderness. Mr. A^^ennum has lived to par-
ticipate in the upbuilding and improvement of
the county and to see it a well-settled, highly-im-
proved and prosperous section of the State. His
business and social relations with his fellow-citi-
zens have been extended and intimate; and as
county official. Legislator, merchant and banker
have ever been such as to command the highest
respect and confidence of all with whom he has
come in contact. Possessing superior business
ability, unquestioned integrit}', temperate and in-
dustrious habits, he has been eminently successful
in his business career. Broad in his views and
possessing a generous fund of general information
acquired by study and well-directed observation,
united with urbanity of manner and evident can-
dor, he is an agreeable and entertaining companion
and a true and trusty friend.
«^^>HOMAS S. IIARRA', an early settler of lUi-
f/('^^ nois, who makes his home in AVatseka,
^^^' claims Kentucky as the State of his na-
tivit}'. He was born in Christian County, on the
31st of August, 1823, and is a son of Samuel
Harry. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, no
event of special importance occurring during his
childhood. After he had attained to mature years,
he was married on the 2d of October, 1844, in
the county of his nativity, to Miss Irena J., daugh-
ter of Ralph Compton, and a native of Chris-
tian County, who was born December 11, 1823.
In 1847, they came to Illinois and settled in Mc-
Lean County, where Mr. Harry was engaged in
farming for a time. He afterward removed to
AVoodford County, and in the spring of 1865 be-
came a resident of Livingston County, locating on
a farm near Chatswortli. By his union with Miss
Compton eight children were born, six of whom
are yet living at this writing: I^liza A. became
the wife of M. B. Lewis and died in 1872; Mary
R. is the wife of AV. H. A'reeland and resides in
Morris, Iowa; Jesse T. wedded Miss Minnie Miller,
and makes his home in INIontana, near AA^Iate Sul-
phur Springs; Thomas Milton married Miss Flora
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
URBANA
d^
^.jJ'c^
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD.
217
Wright, and is living on a farm at Palisade, Ilit-di-
cock County, Neb.; Samuel R. wedded Miss
Laura T. Vail, of Chatsworlh, and is engaged in
the law and abstract business in Watseka, with iiis
brother, William H., who wedded Miss Marj' A.
Vail, and is the senior member of the firm of
Harry Brothers; Jasper C. married Miss Lillie
Bailey, of Fairbury, Livingston County, and re-
sides in Lexington, McLean County, III.; Irene, the
youngest, died at the age of two year.s.
Mr. Harr}' continued to carry on his farm,
which is a valuable one of one hundred and sixty
acres situated near Chatsworth, until the spring of
1883, when he leased it and removed to Watseka,
which has since been the home of himself and
wife. This worthy couple have been consistent
members of the Christian Church for many years
and are highly respected by all who know them.
Mr. Harry was a very enthusiastic Republican in
early life, and gave a patriotic support to the
war for the Union. He was also a great admirer
of Horace Greeley, and in 1872 joined the (ireeley
movement and has since voted with the Demo-
cratic partv. His life has been an active and use-
ful one and has been characterized by integrity
and those qualities that command respect and es-
teem from the most worthy people of the com-
munity where he has resided.
'—^>~^^ • ' is; ^i?<? SB • -^^T'^Sf— ^
LUFORD T. SCOTT, who for many years
followed farming, but is now living retired
in Milford, was born in Lawrence County,
Ohio, on the 7th of March, 1830. His par-
ents, Jehu and Martha (Templeton) Scott, were
l>oth natives of Virginia, and were reared to man-
hood and womanhood in the Old Dominion. By
their marriage were born ten children, seven sons
and three daughters, and of the family seven are
yet living: Perry, the eldest, married Rachel Ann
Morey, a daughter of Carpenter Morey, and resides
in Boone County, Iowa. They have a family of
eleven children. Elizabeth became the wife of
John Keena, of Lawrence County, Ohio, and died
in 1888, leaving three children. Margaret became
the wife (^ Cornelius Westfall Sights, a resident of
Lawrence County, Ohio, and her death occurred in
that county. Thomas married Miss Susan Ander-
son, and with their six children they make their
home in Davenport, Iowa. Matilda is the widow
of Andrew J. Phidsley, who was a prominent citi-
zen of Milford, where he died about seven years
ago, leaving tiiree children. William T. was
joined in wedlock with Miss Martha Kothgib,
daughter of George Rothgib, a native of Germany.
They reside on a farm five miles south of Milford
with their four children, two sons and two daugh-
ters. Bhiford T. is the next younger. David
married Miss Hanks, and both are now deceased.
Walter C. married Miss Frances Bumgardner, bv
whom he has six children, and resides near Smith-
land, in Shelby County, Ind. Theodore, the j-oung-
est of the family, married Jennie Hefner, by whom
he has two children, a son and daughter. They
are now living near Rossville, Vermilion County,
111.
Tiie subject of this sketch spent his early life in
the State of his nativity, and after attaining to
mature years was married, in December, 1854, the
lady of his choice being Miss Eliza Bartlett. One
child, a son, was born unto them, but died in in-
fancy. The mother was called to her final home in
January, 1856. Mr. Scott was again married, ou
the 2d of July, 1864, his second union being with
Miss Elizabeth Cosby, a daughter of George and
Mary E. (Stiles) Cosb3\ Four children were born
of this union, of whom three are yet living: Row-
ena, born January 17, 1865; Florence, born in
September, 1867; and Robert, born August 9,
1870. Otis, the third child, was born in October,
1868, and died on the 7th of March, 1882.
The year 1864 witnessed the arrival of IMr. Scott
in Iroquois County. It was in the montli of .luly,
that he and Daniel C. Anderson purchased a farm of
two hundred acres in Milford Township, but our
subject soon sold, and in 1869 bought one hundred
and twenty acres in Lovejoy Township, on which he
lived fifteen years. There his wife died July 10,
1880. On the expiration of that period he sold out
and purchased a farm of one hundred and seventy
acres two miles west, and one-half mile south, of
Milford. This was in 1884, and for seven years he
218
POUTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
made his liome thereon, successfully following agri-
cultural pursuits. In December, 1891, he look up
his residence in the village of Milford, where he is
now living a retired life, enjo3'ing a well-earned
rest and the fruits of his former labor. When a
young man, he worked long and earnestly', and
thereby acquired a comfortable competence, which
now supplies liim witli all the necessaries and many
of the luxuries of life. Socially, Mr. Scott is a
member of Milford Lodge No. 253, I. O. O. F.,
and politically, is a Democrat. He is highly re-
spected bj' all who know him, for during the thirty
years of his residence in Iroquois County his life
has erer been such as to win him universal confi-
dence.
(^^ ANFORD K. MARSTON, who is now living
^^^ a retired life, lias long been a leading and
|ll/\U| influential citizen of Onarga. He was born
the 24th of February, 1831, in Augusta,
Me. His grandfather, John Marston, was born in
Portland, Me., December 28, 1773, and married
Peace Fry, of Cumbeiland, Me. Ebenezer Marston,
father of our subject, was also born in tlie Pine
Tree State, and wedded Sarah Sanborn Rideout, also
a native of that State. The}' became the parents of
four sons: Chester Wood, Brackett Nelson, Sanford
K. and Ephraim. The death of the father occurred
in 1862. His widow long survived him and was
called to her final rest November 18, 1885.
Under the .parental roof, our subject spent the
days of his boyhood. A short time previous to his
twenty-first birthday, he married Miss Sarah Field,
a daughter of Benjamin and Harriet (Rideout)
Field, their union being celebrated on the 11th of
January, 1852. Four years later, in 1856, they
emigrated Westward to Illinois, Mr. Marston hop-
ing to benefit his financial condition thereby. The
following spring, his father came West and to-
gether they settled on a farm in what is now Ford
County, about six miles west of Onarga. They
owned and operated about a half-section of land for
seven years. Sanford also purchased forty acres of
land on which Onarga is now situated, and of this
he still owns one-half. He continued to engage in
agricultural pursuits until 1863, when he removed
to the village of Onarga and for a time engaged
in real-estate dealing. He then established a brick
yard and built a number of brick business houses
in this place. Later he sold out and began dealing
in lumber and agricultural implements as a partner
of William P. Pierson. After three years he bought
out Mr. Pierson 's interest and added anew depart-
ment, that of handling grain. He was thus em-
ployed until 1884, when he sold out, selling, the
south elevator to Benjamin H.Durham. He is now
living retired, enj03-ing a well-earned rest.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Marston have been born
three children: Benjamin, born August 21, 1854,
died at the age of twenty-one months; Mary Au-
gusta, born Jul}^ 8, 1855, is the wife of Robert F.
Cummings, of Clifton, and they became the parents
of six children, five living: Lenore; Marion Mars-
ton; Austin Benjamin, who died at the age of two
years; Florence, Irene and Marston. Harriet Field,
born April 16, 1858, is the wife of Milton Doolittle.
They reside in Atkinson, Neb., with their three
children: Mary Triphenia, Marston and Helen Au-
gusta.
When Mr. Marston located in Ford County he
was the prime mover in effecting the organization
of the township for school purposes, and his wife
taught the first school in Lyman Township in her
own house. Mr. Marston informed himself con-
cerning the school law, and his services proved of
much benefit to the communit\'. After the town-
ship was organized he was elected its first Treas-
urer and was also its first Supervisor. After re-
moving to Onarga, he was elected a member of the
first Board of Trustees of Grand Prairie Seminary,
and is the only one of the original eighteen who is
now holding the office.
Mr. Marston is now Secretary of the Illinois
Grain Merchants' Association, intended for the
protection of grain merchants against railroad and
other large corporations, unjust legislation, etc.
He was a member of the Good Templars' lodge
for a period of six years, and largely through his
instrumentality the saloons were driven from this
place. The initiatory step was taken by a number
of the most prominent ladies of Onarga, who pro-
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
219
ceeded with li.ilcliets and otlic>r small instruments
of warfare in a raid upon llie saloons. That was
thirty years ago. and since then no saloons have
tlourished in Onarga. Botli Mr. and Sirs. Marston
are faithful and consistent members of the Methodist
K|)iscopal Church, in which he holds the office of
Trustee. He was one of the original members of
tlie Republican party, but is now independent in
politics, placing America and her institutions be-
fore any party. He votes for the man whom he
thinks best qualified to fill the ofiice. He is a public-
si)irited and progressive citizen who takes a com-
mendable interest in everything pertaining to the
welfare of the community, and no man has done
more for Onarga and its upbuilding than Mr.
Marston. His life has been well and worthily spent
and his example is worthy of emulation in many
respects.
1^^ KELY HETFIELD, a prominent farmer
and stock-raiser of Watseka, was born in
Crawford County, 111., October 28, 1821,
the son of Adam 8. and Harriet
(Miller) Iletfield, both of whom were natives of
the Empire .State. The father of our subject was
a soldier in the War of 1812, and took part in the
battle of Lundy's Lane. He took a most active
part in all the campaigns of that war, being in
Ripley's command. After his discharge, in com-
l)any with John Bartlett, a comrade in the service,
he made a trip down the Mouongahela and Ohio
Rivers to Evansville, Ind., whence they went
to Ft. Harrison on the AVabash River, and from
there to Ft. Waj'ne, returning home from that
place. Pleased with what he had seen of the
West, he and his brother Aaron concluded to re-
move there and at first settled in Crawford County,
111. Tiie country was then veiy new and unoccu-
pied, there being about as many Indians as white
men in those parts. They made frequent trips
during the next few years to New Orleans, where
their market was. Adam Iletfield lived in Craw-
ford Count3' for nine 3^ears, enduring all the hard-
ships and privations of pioneer life. He next re-
beinc
moved to Fountain County, Ind., and resided there
during the remainder of his life, his death occur-
ring in 1839.
Our subject was the second child in a family of
five children, and received such educational ad-
vantages as were afforded by the common schools
of Fountain County. At that time, schools were far
apart and there was only a three-month term during
the year. He had to go a distance of from two to
four miles, riding when he went the latter dis-
tance back and forth each day during the time of his
school attendance. At the time of his father's
death, he was but seventeen years of age and he
succeeded to the management of tiie farm, taking
entire charge of the same until his mother's death,
in 1848. Two years later, he came to Iroquois
County, and in 1851 purchased a farm. Since
that time, his home has been in this county.
The same year, on the 11th of August, Mr.
Iletfield was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca
White, whose father, Amos White, was a native of
New Jersey and an earl}' settler of this county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hetfield have been born four chil-
dren; the eldest, Carrie, now Sirs. B. L. Euans,
resides at Colorado Springs, Colo., at which place
her husband is physician in chief at the branch
Keeley Institute. The other children are Ada,
Ilattie and Delia.
In his early manhood, Mr. Iletfield was politi-
cally a Whig, his first Presidential vote being cast
for Henry Clay. He continued in that party
until Douglas was nominated for President, and
since that time has been a supporter of the Demo-
cratic party. He is a public-spirited man, who
endeavors to promote, with all his power, the best
interests of the community in which he resides,
and is a zealous worker in all directions pertain-
ing to the advancement of its welfare. Recog-
nizing this, his fellow-townsmen elected him
Mayor of Watseka, which position he occupied for
two terms, discharging the duties of that office
most acceptably. He has been very successful in
busine.'-s and now owns over five hundred acres of
the finest farming lands in the county, besides
various other business interests. His residence is
one of the most comfortable and pleasant homes
in the town of Watseka, and its hospitality is ex-
220
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
teiKied to a wide circle of friends. Mr. Hetfleld
Ijas followed the occupation of farming and stock-
raising nearly all his life, and for years carried on
an extensive business in shipping cattle from
Texas to the northern markets.
I
^' OSEPH M. KEATII, who is engaged in gen-
eral farming on section a, Milford Town-
ship, was born on the 11th of INIay, 1858, in
\^|// Boone Count3', Ind., and is a son of Uriah
Y. and Nancy (Carrington) Kcath. His father
was a native of Kentucky, and in an early day
emigrated to Indiana, where he met and married
Miss Carrington, a native of that State. In 1860,
when our subject was only two years of age, they
came to Illinois and settled on a farm in Ash
Grove Township, Iroquois County, comprising
eighty acres, to the cultivation and improvement
of which Mr. Keath devoted his energies foi' a
period of fifteen years. He then removed to Bel-
mont Township, where he and his wife now reside.
He is a leading agriculturist of the community,
and both himself and wife arc highly respected
people.
Our subject is one of nine children, but of the
family Addison, Matilda, William and Nannie are
deceased. Those living are Joseph, Edward,
Aaron, Cornelius and Mary. Edward married
Virginia Bodej', daughter of Frank Bodey, of Bel-
mont Township; they have two little children, a
son and a daughter. The other children are still
at home.
The subject of this sketch has spent almost his
entire life in Iroquois County. Upon his father's
farm he was reared to manhood, and as soon as old
enougli to handle the plow, he began to aid in its
cultivation. During the winter months, when the
work upon the farm was over, he attended the
public schools, where he acquired a good English
education. Mr. Keath is a well-informed man,
having become conversant with all topics of gen-
eral interest by reading and observation.
A marriage ceremony performed on the 7th of
October, 1880, united the destinies of Joseph M.
Keath and Miss Jennie Smith. Their union has
been blessed with a famil}' of five children, four of
whom are yet living, namely: Mearle, born July
10, 1881; Ethel, December 4, 188.3; Homer, June
4, 1886; and Clarence, March 1.3, 1890. Earl,
born on the 15th of September, 1888, died in
infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Keatli began their domestic life
upon a rented farm in Milford Township, where
they resided for nine years, and then removed to
their present place of residence. Both are members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a thrifty
and successful agriculturist, and his industry per-
severance and good management have secured him
a good income. He is a Republican, but has
never taken a very prominent part in public affairs,
having lived a quiet, unassuming and honorable
life, which has won him universal regard. Those
who have known him from boyhood are among his
stanchest friends, a fact which indicates an honor-
able career.
'ji^:REDERlCK W. MEYER is one of the proin-
ll-i/sy i.nent and enterprising lousiness men of
^1\ Wood worth. He has for man}'^ years served
as its efficient and popular Postmaster, and is also
engaged in general merchandising. He established
business in this line about 1875. As his capital
consisted of only about 8425, he started with a
small stock, but as his trade has increased he has
constantly' enlarged his stock to meet the growing
demand, and now occupies a store 24x73 feet. It
is well supplied with everything in the line of
general merchandise and he is doing a good busi-
ness, having by his courteous treatment and fair
dealing built up an excellent trade. I lis annual
sales now amount to about $18,000.
Mr. Meyer was born in Ripley County, Ind.,
April 25, 1853, and is a son of John D. and Eliza-
beth (Huffmeyer) Meyer. His father was born
near Osnabruck, Germany, September 29, 1829,
and his mother was born in Minden, Germany.
At the age of nineteen, John Meyer emigrated to
America, locating first in Cincinnati, where he
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
221
learned the trade of a masoD, following that occu-
pation two years. He then removed to Mt. Pleas-
ant, Ohio, and subseiiiiently to Eatesville, Ind.,
wliere he engaged in farming. In 18.t7. he came
to Will County, III., where from the wild prairie