chandising for several years. Edgar T. is a member
of the mercantile firm of White A- Lindsey;
Susan Alice died in 1865, at the age of five years;
and Mary Ann is tlie wife of Dr. J. A. Bund}', of
Iroquois, this county. The children were educa-
ted in tiie common schools and Onarga Seminar}',
and have all engaged in teaching.
Mr. Wiiite is a member of tlie Friends' Cliurch
and has lived an upright, consistent Christian life
wiiich has won him the confidence and good-will
(if all with whom he has been brouglit in contact.
He keeps well informed on all political affairs and
li.as been a standi Republican since the organiza-
tion of the party. He cast his first Presidential
vote in 1852 for tlie Wiiig candidate. He is a per-
sonal friend of Benjamin Harrison and his warm
admirer. The cause of temperance has ever
found in him a very warm adherent, and what-
ever is calculated to benefit or improve- the com-
nuinity has always received his earnest support.
Fur twenty-seven years he has resided in this
county and is one of its highly respected citizens.
His life has been a prosperous one and he is now
resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of liis for-
mer labor.
"if' EREMIAII R. IIAKMAN, one of the exten-
tensivc land-owners of Iroquois County,
and a re|)resentative citizen of Milford,
claims Missouri as the State of his nativity.
Tlie' place of his birth is in Randolph County, near
Moberly, and the date was April 13, 1851. He is a
son of Anthony and Theodosia (Carver) Harman,
who are mentioned elsewhere in this work in con-
nection with the sketch of Jacob Harman. In March,
1865, they removed with their family to Warren
Count}', Ind., and located upon the farm where they
still make their home.
Our subject was a lad of fourteen years when he
went with his parents to the lloosier State. He
began his education in Missouri and completed it
in the public schools of Indiana. His residence in
the latter State covered a period of nine years, at
the expiration of which time he came to Illinois.
This was in 1874. Locating in Stockland Town-
ship, Iroquois County, he settled on a farm of
about eight hundred acres of land on sections 7,
18 and 19, where he carried on general farming
and stock-raising on an extensive scale. He is an
enterprising man, whose life has been characterized
by tiii'ift and industry, and these elements of eiiar-
acter have been plainly manifest in his business
career. His land has been placed under a high
state of cultivation and the well-tilled fields yield
to him a golden tiibute. The improvements ujion
the place are such as are found on a model farm,
and in every appointment tlie place seems coin-
|)lete.
On the 3d of February, 1876, Mr. Harman led
to the marriage altar Miss Laura B., daughter of
James and Susan Schoonover, who reside near
Williamsport, Warren County, Ind., where the
marriage of the young couple was celebrated.
They have one son, an only child, William S., born
October 21, 1878. iSlrs, lUirniaii is the owner of a,
378
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
part of her father's homestead in Indiana, her
portion comprising two hundred acres of well-im
proved land.
In political sentiment, Mr. Harman is a stalwart
advocate of Republican principles and has held a
number of local 'oflicial positions. The cause of
education finds in him a warm friend, and while
serving for ten years as Director he did much for
the improvement of the schools of Stockland
Township. He and wife and son are all members
of the Christian Church, to the support of which
he contributes liberally. In the fall of 1887, he
removed to Milford, where he owns a beautiful
and commodious residence, tastefully furnished
with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of
life. Mr. and Mrs. Harman hold an enviable po-
sition in social circles and their friends and ac-
quaintances throughout the community are many,
while by all who know them they are warmly es-
teemed. Mr. Harman is a man of excellent busi-
ness ability, sagacious and far-sighted, and fair
and honest in all his dealings. His word is as
good as his bond, and he is classed among the best
citizens of his adopted county.
eHARLES E. WILCOX, a member of the
firm of Wilcox & Daze3', grain dealers of
Milford, was born in Lowell, Mass., on the
6th of September, 1851, and is a son of Edwin and
Maria A. (Tuthill) AVilcox. The father was born
in New Hampshire, and the mother in Westmin-
ster, Vt. They had but two children, the other
being Delyra, born March 17, 1840. In 1836, the
parents emigrated Westward, locating in Adrian,
Mich., but after two j'ears returned to the Bay
State on account of the mother's health. In 1851,
they removed to New York, settling at Nunda.
At the breaking out of the late war, the father
entered the ranks and served for three years as
Hospital Steward of the One Hundred and Fourth
New York Infantry.
The subject of this sketch acquired his primary
education in the district schools, and in 1870 en-
tered the Nunda Academy at Nunda, N. Y., from
which he was graduated in June, 1871, having
passed the State regent examination. He is the
second one and the only student of that school
who received a diploma on the first examination.
When his school life was ended, he entered a
grocery and queensware store in Nunda, and toy
five years was emploN'ed as salesman. He then de-
termined to try his fortune in the AVest, and in
1876 came to Chicago. He entered the emploj- of
Charles L. Arnold & Co., whjlesale provision mer-
chants, and remained with that firm most of the
time until his removal to Milford in 1884. On
his arrival here he bought out John Fairman,a
grain dealer, who had_ built an elevator east of the
depot, and as a member of the firm of Wilcox &
Wescott our subject embarked in business. He
has continued in the grain business ever since that
time, but a number of changes have occurred In
the firm name. In July, 1891, he sold a half in-
terest to C. M. and C. L. Dazey, and operations are
now carried on under the title of Wilcox & Dazey.
A marriage, performed in Nunda, N. Y., in 1878,
united the destinies of Mr. Wilson and Miss Carrie
S. Hunt, daughter of Thomas C. and Fannie Hunt,
who were natives of England and direct descen-
dants of Earl Talbott. Thej' have an only child, a
daughter, Frances Delyra, born January 9, 1890.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox have a large circle of friends
and acquaintances throughout thiscommunitj' and
their social standing is high. Our subject is a
member of Milford Lodge No. 168, A. F. & A.
M.; Watseka Chapter No. 114, R. A. M.; and Mt.
Olivet Conimandery No. 38, K. T., of Paxton.
Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and both
he and his wife are of the Bajitist faith. He is also
a member of Camp No. 296, S. of V.,and on the 3d
of June, 1892, was appointed Mustering OMicer for
Iroquois County. He is now serving his second
term as a member of the Village Board, and the
prompt and efficient manner in which he discharges
his duty wins him the commendation of all con-
cerned. AYhile living in Chicago he served as
Deputy United States Marshal, and Deputy As-
sessor under William B. H. Gray. He was also
an active member of the National Union League
of Illinois. He is a public-spirited and progress-
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
URBANA
I\ 1
â– c.^
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
381
ive citizen who has the best interests of the com-
nuinity at heart and is ever ready to lend a help-
ing hand for the advancement of those enterprises
tending to promote the general welfare.
To no other business as to that of grain de.aling
does :i town such .is Milford owe its success. Tiie
facilities of Wilcox <fe Daze}' are unexcelled. The
elevator bears evidence of careful planning, and
no expense has been spared to render the service
lirst-class in every respect. All machinerj' is run
by power and tlieir shipping and loading facilities
are faultless. The capacity of the elevator is sixty
thoiis.and liushels. The lirm enjoys an excellent
re|>ut!ilion. their name being synonj'mous with
capital, business ability and integrity. To them
belongs the credit of making this a leading center
and shipping point, they having the best facilities
and most convenient arrangements on this line of
the road.
Mr. Wilcox is a self-made man, whatever success
he has .achieved being due to his own efforts.
W ^ EN'KY E. STA^I, who owns and operates
l(jj) two hundred and eighty acres of land on
ilW^ section 4, Concord Township, and is also
(^) engaged in stock-raising, was born in Cen-
tre County, Pa., on the 22d of August, 1835, and
is a son of William and Lydia (Gentzel) Stam.
His father died in 1844, leaving a family of six
children, of whom our subject was the eldest, and
lie w.as then but nine years of age. Henry E.
never attended scliool after thirteen years of age,
for he had to aid in the support of the family.
After his father's death he went from home for
about two and a-half years, when, becoming large
enough to aid his mother, he returned and gave her
the benefit of his services until he had arrived at
years of maturity.
At the .age of twenty, Mv. Stam liegan learning
the trade of wagon-making, serving a two-year
apprenticeship, during which time he received his
board and *50. He followed that trade until 1867,
becoming an expert workman. As a companion
and lielpniate on life's journey he ciiose Miss ,Tu-
17
lia Ilarter, whom he married when twenty-one
years of age, their union being celebrated in 18.')6.
The lady was born in Center Count}', Pa., on the
5th of August, 18.35, and is a daughter of Andrew
and Catharine (Moyer) Ilarter, both of whom are
natives of Pennsylvania. Seven children have
been born of their union who are yet living, and
three died in infancy. John, the eldest, is married
and resides in Elsie, Neb., whei'e be has a farm of
one hundred and sixty acres; William, a resident
fanner of Beaver Township, is married and h.as two
children; Leah, of Chicago; Tirzah is the wife of
Arthur Hamlin, who lives in Chicago, and they
have one child; Henry II. is carrying on a restaur-
ant in the same city; Alpheus and Minnie are both
at home.
In 1862, i\Ir. Stam bade good-bye to the State of
his nativity and with his family removed West-
ward, locating in Greene County, Ind., where he
worked at his trade until 1867. He then came to
Illinois, locating in Will County, and began farm-
ing on rented land. At length he purch.ased
eighty acres at 120 per acre, and in the fall of
1874 sold that farm for $40 per acre The follow-
ing spring he came to this county and purchased
his i)resent home at $26 per acre. All the improve-
ments upon the place stand .as monuments to his
thrift and enterprise, and the well-tilled fields yield
to him a golden tribute in return for his care and
cultivation. In connection with general farming
he carries on stock-raising and his efforts have
been successful. He is a man of good business
ability, and by his industrj- and perseverance has
accjuired a handsome property which numbers him
among the substantial farmers of the community.
Mr. Stam resolved that his own children should
have better educational advantages than he re-
ceived, and all have attended the home schools,
while the two youngest have been students in
Donovan. In (jolitics he has neen a supporter of
the Democratic party on questions of National im-
portance since he cast his first Presidential vote
for James Buchanan in 185C. In local elections
he votes for the man whom he thinks is best qual-
ified for the position, regardless of party afliliations.
He has frequently served as a delegate to the
county conventions. While in AVill County he
382
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
served as Road Commissioner. For many years be
was School Director, and is now School Trustee.
Public-spirited and "progressive, he is a valued
citizen of the community, and well deserves rep-
resentation in the history of his adopted county.
\f| OHN F. GEDDES, who is engaged in gen-
eral farming aijd stock-raising on section
25, Ash Grove Township, owns and operates
four hundred and fifteen acres of valuable
land. Upon bis farm he has made his home since
1868, and iu tlie years which have since come and
gone he has transformed what was once a wild
prairie into rich and fertile fields. His land is now
nnder a high state of cultivation, and upon the
farm are excellent improvements, including a sub-
stantial residence and good barns and outbuildings.
It is complete in all its appointments, and the neat
and thrifty appearance of the place indicates the
enterprise and progressive spirit of the owner.'
Mr. Geddes was born in Virginia, June 27, 1835,
and during his childhood emigrated with his par-
ents to Ohio. His grandfather, John Geddes, was
a native of Scotland, and, emigrating to Amer-
ica, he settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, where
he spent the remainder of his life. He was a farmer
and weaver, and also operated a sawmill. His son
Joseph, the father of our subject, went to Tusca-
rawas County, Ohio, where he cleared a small farm,
and in 1845 removed to De Kalb County, Ind.,
there making liis home until his death in 1866.
He was a true pioneer farmer, and a highly re-
spected.citizen. He supported the Democratic party,
and lived a quiet, unassuming life. In the Buckeye
State lie married Catherine Moore, who died in
De Kalb County. Twelve children were bnrn unto
them, seven sons and five daughters. William, a
farmer of Ash Grove Township; Elizabetli, who
died at tlie age of eleven years; J. F., of this sketch ;
James M., who resides in Rossville, 111.; Mrs. Mary
Robinett, of Dc Kalb County; J. Robert, a farmer
of Ash Grove Township, whose sketch appears
elsewhere in this work; Mrs. Nancy Jane Clark, who
i.s living in De Kail) County; Ricliard D,, of Kan-
sas; David W., deceased, who made his home in La
Grange County, Ind.; Mrs. Lucinda Rosenbuiy,of
Ash Grove Township; .Joseph, a wealthy citizen of
Baker City, Ore.; and Mrs. Minerva Huss, of La
Grange County, Ind.
We now take up the personal history of J. F.
Geddes, who is well and favorably known in this
community. His early boyhood days were spent
on a new farm in Ohio, and he early learned to
follow the plow and harrow. His educational ad-
vantages were ver}' meagre. He first attended the
subscription schools, and for a short time went to
the district school. At the age of fifteen he left
home and worked by the month. On attaining his
majority, he began working for himself and did
various kinds of labor until twenty-five 3'ears of
age, when he embarked in farming. In the
year 1858 he went to Momence, III., where he
engaged in farming with his brother James for a
year. In the ye&v 1861 he started for Iroquois
County, where he intended renting a farm. He
had a team and 1100 in money, but paid $22 of this
for wagon and harness. During his journey the
roads were covered with water, and his team ran
off the grade. After three days he arrived at his
destination, and for five 3'ears operated a rented
farm, during which time he cleared about ill ,200.
Hy raising cattle on shares for Mr. "Sumby" Ven-
num, he got a start. In May, 1866, he went to
Kansas and took a claim, but as his family were all
ill he returned to Clay County, Mo., and then went
to Livingston County, Mo., where he raised a crop.
On selling in the fall, he returned to Illinois and
purchased eighty acres of prairie land and ten acres
of timber for $1,000. Since 1868 he has made his
home upon his present farm.
On the 14th of March, 1861, in Clay County, 111.,
Mr. Geddes was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary
Adkison, and unto them have been born five chil-
ren: George W., a teacher of Iroquois County, is
at home; Ervin, a farmer, who married Emma
Breeding, of Milford; AUie, at home; Joiiii, who
is engaged in teaching school; and J. Alvin com-
pletes the famil}'. The children have been provided
with good educational advantages, having attended
the public schools, Onarga Seminary and Valparaiso
Normal College. Mrs, Geddes was born in John-
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
son County, Ind., March 14, 1847, and when about
seven \-ears old came with her parents to Illinois.
Mr. Geddes was formerly a member of tlie Meth-
odi.st P^piscop.il Church, but is now a member of
the United Brethren Church, in which he serves as
Ciass-leader; his wife is also a member. He takes a
prominent part in church work, and does all he
can for its advancement. He cast his first Presiden-
tial vote for lUichaiian, then voted for Abraham
Lincoln, and since that time has generally sup-
ported tiic Uepublican party. Mr. Oeddes has
pas.sed through all the experiences and hardships of
pioneer life, sucli as going long distances to mar-
ket and mill. On one occasion, after hauling his
grain to the Central Railroad across the prairie, he
received only ?3 per load. He has witnessed ahnost
the entire growth and development of the county,
and has ever borne liis part in its advancement and
jjrogress.
LI IIOAGLAND is a practical and progress-
Eive farmer of Concord Townsliip, Iroquois
County, who owns and operates a good
farm of one hundred and ninety-five acres on
section 3.3. He has his land under a higli state of
cultivation, and the well-tilled fields 3'ield him a
golden tribute in return for the care and lalror
he bestows upon them. His home is 'a pleasant
and commodious residence, his barns and out-
l)uildings are models of convenience, the place is
well tilled, and the improvements upon it stand as
monuments to his enterprise. In connection with
general farming, he carries on stock-raising, and
makes a specialty of Poland-China hogs.
The owner of this fine farm is a native of Cosh-
octon County, Ohio. He was born November 8,
1837, and is the eldest of a family of ten chil-
dren. His parents, James and Ilannali (Fox)
Hoagland. are represented elsewhere in this work.
Eli was a lad of seven summers when, with his
parents, he came to Iroquois County in 1845.
His boyhood days were spent upon a farm in
Concord Township, and he was educated in the
CommoTi schools of the neighborhood. He made
his home with his father until his marriage, which
wa* celebrated on the 16th of January, 1862,
Miss Adela Man tor, of Concord Township, be-
coming his wife. .She was a native of Hamilton
Count3-, Ohio, and survived her marriage but
little more than a year. She died on the 1 9th
of Ma3% 1863, and her remains were interred in
the cemetery of Sheldon.
In the meantime, the Civil War was in progress,
and on the 11th of August, 1862, Mr. Hoagland
entered the service, bidding good-bve tohis youiio-
bride. He enlisted in Companj' E, Seventy-sixth
Illinois Infantry, under Col. A. W. Mack, and
.saw service in Kentucky, Tennessee and Missis-
sippi under Gen. Ilurlburt, but was in no bat-
tles, as their dutj- was in holding posts. On one
occasion they started for Vicksburg, but their sup-
plies were cut off and they had to return. Mr.
Hoagland was taken sick on the 16th of October
with the measles, and afterward had the jaundice
and rheumatism. He was confined in the hospi-
tal at Memphis, Tenn., until honorably discharged,
on the 2oth of March, 1863, on account of phys-
ical disability.
For a year after his return home, Mr. Hoagland
was unable to do any work, but as soon as his
health was suHiciently recovered he turned his
attention to farming, renting land of his father
for about four years. During this time he was
again married, his second union being with Miss
Helen M. Barnes, of Concord Township, the mar-
riage ceremony being performed on the 8th of
November, 1866. The lady was born in Roches-
ter, Fulton County, Ind., November 24, 1849, and
is a daughter of Elijah and Sarah (Burnett)
Barnes. Her parents died during her girlhood
and Mrs. Hoagland came to this county with an
uncle. She has three brothers yet living: Joel
M., who is married and resides in .Salt Lake Citj',
rtah, where he is engaged in business as a car-
penter and joiner; Willard F., a farmer, who is
married and resides in Sheldon Township, this
county; and William Foster, who is also married,
and is now engaged in agricultural pursuits in
Indian Territory.
Mrs. Iloagland's early girlliodd days were .ipent
in the State of her nativity until sixteen j^ears of
384
PORTRAIT A'SD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
age, and her education was acquired in the com-
mon schools of Indiana and Illinois. By the
union of our subject and his wife have been
born seven children, all sons, the four eldest of
whom were born in Bates County, Mo.: Ira, born
July 26. 1868; Edgar, September 1, 1870; Charles,
March 12, 1872; James Oscar, February 23, 1874;
Silas, born in Concord Township, November 30,
1876; Ernest and Earl, twins, born on the home
farm, April 10, 1883.
About a year after his second marriage, Mr.
rk>agland went to Bates County, Mo., where he
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land,
making it his home for eight years. During that
time he transformed it into a good farm. It was
in 1875 that he traded his Missouri farm for one
hundred and fiftj'-four acres of his present home,
and since that time he has been a prominent
farmer of Concord Township. His first vote was
cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and since that
time he has been a warm advocate of Republican
principles, although he has never been a politician
in the sense of office-seeking. Himself and wife
are faithful members of the United Brethren
Church, and he is a teacher in the Sundaj-
school. jMr. lloagland started out in life for him-
self Willi no capital, but he is an industrious and
enterprising man, who has steadily worked his wa}-
upward and is now ranked among the prosperous
agriculturists of the community. He is a promi-
nent citizen of the county where aln:ost his en-
tire life has been passed, and is a worthy repre-
sentative of one of its honored pioneer families.
If^-OBERT W. BANNER is a leading and pro-
[IWr^ gressive farmer residing on section 1 2, Bel-
lii V mont Township. Iroquois County. As he
has a wide acquaintance throughout the
community and is held in high regard, we feel as-
sured that this record of his life will prove of in-
terest to many of our readers. He was born in
Clay County, Ind., August 3, 1837, and is of Ger-
man descent. His paternal grandfather was a na-
tive of German3', but was reared as a farmer lad
near Dayton, Ohio.
The father of our subject, Tobias Dauner, was
born in the Buckeye State and, emigrating to
Clay County, Ind., was there married. The year
1851 witnessed his arrival in Illinois, whither he
journeyed by team. In Belmont Township he
purchased forty acres of land, and afterward
bought an additional forty-acre tract. The mo-
ther of our subject died in this county twenty-
three years ago. In 1869, the father removed to
Crescent, where he is now living with his third
wife. In politics, he was first a Democrat, after-
ward became a Republican, and is now a Prohibi-
tionist. Religiously, he is a member of the ISIeth-
odist Church.
Our subject is the eldest of a family of six chil-
dren, numliering three sons and three daughters.
John, the second son, is living in Iowa; Catherine
is now deceased; Samuel is a resident of Iroquois
County; Ella is the wife of Lewis Harwood, of
Crescent; and one child died in infancy.
Robert Danner, whose name heads this record,
spent the first fourteen years of his life in his na-
tive State, and then came with his parents to Illi-
nois. As soon as old enough to follow the plow,
he began work on the home farm, and in the win-
ter season he attended the common schools, where
he acquired his education. At the age of twenty-
two, he left the parental roof and started out in
life for himself and rented a farm, which he oper-
ated for six j'ears. He then bought land in Shel-
don Township, and for sixteen years he has re-
sided upon his present farm on section 12, Belmont
Township. He here owns eighty acres of rich
land, and the well-tilled fields indicate his thrift
and enterprise. He makes them yield as much as
most men would gain from twice that amount.
He has erected many good buildings upon the
place, including a neat residence, and the farm
seems complete in all its appointments.
In 1862, Mr. Danner led to the marriage altar
Miss Sarah A. Bailey, daughter of John L. Bailey,
whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.
They have no children of their own. John Ax-
tell has been an inmate of their home since four