ernment. While at that place, he became thor-
oughly conversant with the Chinese language.
Ere his return to San Francisco, Mr. Rougk went
to San Jose and entered the employ of Joseph Er-
uight & Son, as a builder of engines. Ten months
later, we find him in Los Angeles, where he was
sent to put in the electric-light pl.ant. Afterward
he returned to San Francisco and entered the



steamboat business, but this venture did not prove
a success by reason of strong competition, and Mr.
Kougk lost several thousand dollars. In company
with his brother, he next went to Mexico, riding
mules to that place, and thence to Ft. Worth, Tex.,
where he and bis brother separated and Hugo
made his way to Galveston, the same State. A few
months afterward, he arranged to meet his brother
in Chicago, where he expected to find employment.
On reaching that cit}', he had only twent^'-five
cents. His brother secured a position at once, but
it was three months before our subject was as for-
tunate. He then obtained work with the Knick-
erbocker Ice Company in setting up engines.

It was in 1887 that Mr. Rougk left Chicago
and came to Iroquois County, locating in Watseka,
where he went into the machine business. He
afterward sold out and engaged in the work of re-
pairing engines, etc., which he followed for a
few months, when he entered the employ of A. B.
Roiib iV Co., with whom he remained five years.
He then embarked in business for himself. His
capital was small and he had but few tools but his
business rapidly increased and in order to meet the
growing demand he constantly enlarged his facili-
ties and built a new shop. In 1891, he removed
his business to Sheldon, where he built a large
factory and filled it with the best machinery and
every facility for attending to the exteii>ivc trade
which is his.

In 1890, Mr. Rougk was joined in wedlock with
Miss Maggie Milhouser, and unto them has been
born a son, Charlie. Although they liave been
residents of this community- but a short time, they
are widelv and favorably known and .are held in
high regard b3' their many friends. Few if any
residents of Iroquois County have traveled more
extensively than our subject, who h.as been from
the Orient to the Occident and has visited many
points of note and interest. In his travels, he has
learned many tongues and can fluently speak the
German, English, Spanish and Chinese languages.
Mr. Rougk votes the Democratic ticket but

I takes no active part in political affairs, preferring
to devote his entire time and attention to his busi-
ness interests. He is recognized as one of the bus-

I iest men of the county. We have seen tliat in his



526



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.



life he has met with some reverses and obstacles,
but lias overcome these by perseverance and indus-
trj', and since eleven years of age has made his
own way in the world. Working his way steadily
upward, he has secured an excellent business and
his labors have brought to him a comfortable com-
petence. He is truly a self-made man and his ex-
ample in many respects is well worthy of emula-
tion.



ii-^-i^il^^^



H. CHAPMAN, who resides on section
33, Lovejoy Township, has for almost a
f^A^ quarter of a century made his home in
^^ ■ this county, and is recognized as a citi-
zen of sterling worth and strict integrity and one
of the leading agriculturists of the community. As
he is widely and favorabl}' known, we feel assured
that this record of his life will prove of interest
to many of our readers. A native of Connecti-
cut, he was born in New Haven County, March
25, 1836, and was the eighth in order of birth in a
family of fourteen children, numbering five sons
and nine daughters. The parents were Peter and
Eliza (Harding) Chapman. His father was also a
native of the Nutmeg State, born in New London
County, December 31, 1803. His education was
acquired in the common schools, and throughout i
the greater part of his life he followed agricul-
tural pursuits. For many years he supported the
Democratic party, but his last ballot was east for
Gen. U. S. Grant. AVith the Baptist Church he
held membership. His death occurred in Iroquois
June 7, 1880, at the age of seventy -seven years.
The mother of our subject was born in Linn,
Conn., October 4, 1805, and was called to her final
rest August 20, 1879.

D. H. Cliapman, tlie subject of this sketch, re-
mained in Connecticut until seventeen years of
age, and for a time earned his own livelihood by
working in a lock factory. He started out in life
empty-handed, with no capital save a pair of will-
ing hands and a determination to win success. He
is truly a self-made man, both financially and
from an educational point of view. Perseverance



and enterprise buo^'edliim up when discourage-
ment or difficulties threatened to engulf him. He
now occupies an enviable position among the sub-
stantial citizens of the community. Hoping to
be benefited by a removal to the West, he bade
good-bye to his old home in 1855 and emigrated
to Winnebago Countj^, HI. Here he began work
as a farm hand at 115 per month. Although his
wages were then low he kept steadily at his work,
was faithful to his duty, and fortune at length
crowned his efforts.

Mr. Chapman has been twice married. On De-
cember 4, 1863, he was joined in wedlock with
Miss Lucy S. White, and by their union were born
three children, two sons and a daughter: Frank
L., who was educated in the Paxton Collegiate
Institute and Greer College, of Hoopeston, is one
of the leading young men of the community';
Howard R., who still makes his home under the
parental roof, is now a student in Shurtleff Col-
lege, where he has pursued" his studies for four
years. He is taking a classical course, preparatory
to entering the work of the ministry. He expects
also to take a two-year theological course. He is an
intelligent young man, well fitted for the calling
he has chosen. Lena E., who has successfully en-
gaged in teaching in L-oquois and Vermilion
Counties, and was a student in the Paxton Col-
legiate Institute, is now the wife of E. S. Wake-
land, a resident farmer of Bolivar, Polk County,
Mo. In 1871, Mr. Chapman was called upon to
mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 7th of
Januaiy, and was laid to rest in the Hoopeston
cemetery. Slie was a member of the Baptist
Church, and an estimable lady who had many
warm friends throughout the community. On
May 5, 1875, Mr. Chapman was again married,
his second union being with Miss Jennie M. Pat-
terson, a native of Rockford, HI., born March 22,
1840, and a daughter of Alex and Helen (Gordon)
Patterson. Three children, two sons and a daugh-
ter, have been born unto them, but all are now
deceased. Mrs. Chapman spent her girlhood days
in Rockford, was educated in the common schools,
and became a teacher of recognized ability in
Winnebago County.

In 1870, Mr. Chapman came to Iroquois County,



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.



527



purchasing one liuudred and sixty acres of raw
land on section 83, Lovejoy Townsliip, and began
the development of a farm. Tiie county then was
not far advanced in the way of i)rogress, and he pur-
chased all of his supplies in Watscka. His lirst
liomc was a boardcd-up shant}', which still stands
upon his farm, although it has long since given
way to the present residence. Mr. Cliapman
can remember the days when wild game was plen-
tiful in this counly. He can also remember the
prairie tires, which caused much loss and were a
source of terror to the settlers. At the time he'
located here, Hoopeston, Wellington and C'issna
I'ark had not yet sprung into existence. In the
work of upbuilding and progress in the county he
has ever borne his part, faithfully performing his
duties of citizenship. lie now owns one of the
line farms of the communit}', well improved and
under a high state of cultivation, llis land was
l)urchased at $9 per acie, but is now worth many
times that amount. Over four miles of tiling
have been laid upon it, and other improvements
have been made until it is now a valualile and de-
sirable place.

Mr. Chapman cast his first Presidential vote for
the honored and lamented Lincoln, of whom he
was an ardent admirer. He continued to support
the Republican party for a number of years, but
now exercises his right of franchise in support of
the Prohibition party. The cause of temperance
finds in him a warm friend, and he does all in his
power to promote its growth. No man in this
communitj' has done more for the educational in-
terests than our subject, who for a long period
has been otlicially connected with the schools,
having served as Director for twenty-one years.
He believes that good schools make good citizens,
and that to secure the former competent teachers
should be hired. He lias in his possession the rec-
ord of the first school meeting held in his district.
This convened at his own residence, .June 5, 1871,
and seven legal voters were present. The follow-
ing Board of Directors were duly elected: D. H.
Chapman, Clerk; Cyrus Sellers, Sr., and Cyrus
Sellers, Jr, The schoolhouse was located on the
southwest corner of section 28. but afterward
changed to tlie northwest corner of section 33 on



Mr. Chapman's land, where it now stands. The
school was opened September 1, 1873, with an en-
rollment of six i)upils, and Miss MoUie Skidmore
was engaged as teacher at a salary of P2o per
month. There are now two schoolhouses in the
district, the government, however, being under
one Board of Directors. Tlie second was built
during the summer of 1877, and James Stephen-
son was employed as the first teacher, at a salary
of $50 per month. Certainly the community
owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. Chapman for his
untiring labors in behalf of education.

Our subject is also an ardent member of the
Baptist Church of Hoopeston, and has served as
one of its officers since its organization. His wife
is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Fiom
the beginning he has filled the position of Cliurch
Clerk, and has also been Trustee and Deacon. In
the work of the Sunday-school he takes a very act-
ive part, was its first Superintendent, in 1879,
and has served in that capacity for a number of
years. The school enrolls one hundred pupils,
and has an average attendance of between seventy-
five and eighty. Mr. Cha|)nian has lived an up-
right, honorable life well worthy of emulation, is
held in the highest confidence by all who kniiw
him, and well deserves representation in this vol-
ume.



^^ EORGE M. BIHELINK, one of the early set-
tlers of Iroquois County, who now carries on
general farming and stock-raising on sec-
tion 1 7, Artesia Township, was born in Wurtembcrg,
Germany, on the 11th of November, 1832, and is
one of a family of eight children, whose parents
were Thomas and Catherine Bireline. Three of the
children are still living,as follows: Louis, George
M. and Regina.

• The subject of this sketch acquired a good com-
mon education in his native land, where, in accord-
ance with tiie laws of the country, he attended
school until fourteen years of age. He then
learned the weaver's trade, which he followed cou.



528



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.



tinuously until his emigration to America. It was
in 185], when a yoimg man of nineteen years,
that Mr. Bireline bade adieu ko the scenes of his
boyiiood and took passage for America in a sailing-
vessel which, after a voyage of fort_v-nine days,
reached the harbor of New York. Our subject did
not tarr}^ long in the Eastern metropolis, but went
at once to Ohio, locating in Circleville. He se-
cured emplo3-mcnt in a woolen factory, and there
remained for about nine months, after which he
began working on a farm by the month. He was
thus employed in the Bucke3re State for six months,
when he left Ohio and removed to Warren Countj^
Ind., where two succeeding years of his life were
passed. He there engaged in farming and in car-
rying on a butcher's shop.

The year 1856 witnessed the arrival of Mr.
Bireline in Illinois. He pre-empted one hundred
and sixty acres of land on section 17, Artesia
Township, Iroquois County, and upon this farm
has since made his home, with the exception of
three years spent at West Lebanon, Ind. He broke
prairie during the summer and worked out bj- the
month during the winter season. His own land
he placed under a high state of cultivation, and
the once unbroken prairie soon yielded to him a
golden tribute in return for the care and cultiva-
tion he bestowed upon it. In 1872, Mr. Bire-
line removed to West Lebanon, Ind., where he
spent three j'ears, being engaged in business as a
partner in a flouring-mill for about ten months,
when the mill burned down. He then returned to
his farm, where he has since continued to re-
side. He now owns three hundred and twenty-
three acres of good land, which represents his own
hard labor. His fields are now well tilled, and he
raises a good grade of stock. The many improve-
ments upon the place and its neat appearance all
indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner.

April 27, 1863, Mr. Bireline was united in mar-
riage with Miss Louise Haruock. She was born in
Prussia, Germany, May 15, 1845, and, when twelve
3'ears old, came to this country with her parents, .J.
and Dorothy (Dryer) Harnock. Her father still lives
near Loda, but her mother died ^ears ago. B3' the
union of our subject and wife have born eight
children, three sons and five daughters, namely:



George F., Emma L., Carrie S., Ella D., Lula E.,
Frank L., Loretta J. and Adolph P. The famil3'
is widely and favorably known in thiscommunit3',
and its members rank high in tiie social circles in
which they move.

In politics, Mr. Bireline is a supporter of Re-
publican principles. For the long period of thir-
teen 3'ears he has held the office of School Director
and is the present incumbent. With the Method-
ist Church all the famil3- hold membership.
Public-spirited and progressive, he takes an active
interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the
communit3', and does all in his power for the up-
building of those enterprises calculated to prove
of public benefit.






LARENCE H. DAAVSON, a prominent mer-
chant of Milford, dealing in drugs, medi-
' cines, books, stationer3', wall paper, paints,
oils, etc., was born in Warren Count3-, Ind , on the
8th of June, 1861, and is the eldest of a family- of
five children. The parents, James E. and Mar3' J.
(Borders) Dawson, were both natives of Ohio.
They removed to Indiana, and after some years'
residence in Warren County, came to Iroquois
Count3', 111. Their two sons and three daughters
are Clarence H., Alva M., Nora B., Florence M. and
Cora E.

The subject of this sketch was a lad of nine
summers when his parents came to this State, and
since that time he has been a resident of Iroquois
County. His education was acquired in the public
schools. After attaining to years of maturity, he
was united in marriage with Miss Frances Wilson,
daughter of John B. and Eliza (Hickman) Wilson,
whose sketch is given on another page. Their
union was celebrated on the 14th of Februar3',
1883. In his political affiliations, Mr. Dawson is
a Republican, but has never been an office-seeker,
preferring to devote his time and attention to his
business and other interests, rather than to enter
the political arena. He holds membership with
Milford Lodge No. 168, A. F. it A. M.; Watseka
Chapter No. 1 14, R. A. M.; and Mt, Olivet Comman-



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.



529



dery No. 38, K. T., of Paxton. lie is Secretary of
the Milford Agricultural Society.

After a residence of some five years in Welling-
ton, 111., Mr. Dawson came to IMilford, and in
i\I:irch, 1881, embarked in his present line of busi-
ness. He carries a full stock of goods, and his
patronage has constantly increased. Those who
have known Mr. Dawson from boyhood, and have
witnessed the honorable upright life which he has
always led, hold him in high regard, and are num-
bered among his stanchest friends. He also ranks
high in business circles, and is classed among the
[trominent and progressive citizens of the cominu-
nily. lie is i)ublic-spirited and takes an active in-
terest in all that pertains to the welfare of the
town and count}', and is ever ready to aid in the
promotion of those enterprises calculated to prove
of public benefit.



^>^^-<m^



^F^EMMER EDEX, who owns and operates a
|ti^ farm on section 9, Dan forth Township,
cli \V was born in Hanover, Germany, .Septem-
ber 26, 1826. His parents were both
natives of the same country and bore the names of
.John and Emma (Andrews) Eden. The father
emigrated to the United States in 1876, and located
in Iroquois County, where lie lived until his death
in 1883,

Remmer Eden passed his early days in the Eather-
land and received good school advantages. He
came to the New World in 1852, when a young
man, sailing from Bremen and arriving in New
( )rleans after a long and tedious voyage. He ar-
rived at his destination May 22, 1852, and went
by waj' of the Mississippi River, first to St. Louis
then to Peru, Dixon and Fiee|)ort, 111. Tazewell
County was at that time almost a wilderness and
there he located and spent .two and a-half vears
working by the month on a farm. He afterward
rented a farm which he tilled for many 3'ears, suf-
fering the hardships and privations of pioneer life,
and in addition to these had much sickness in his
family.

In Tazewell County, Jlr, Eden was joined in



wedlock on March 1, 1856, with Geske Klatten-
burg, who was born in Hanover November 5, 18.31,
and is a daughter of John Klattenburg. To this
worthy couple have been born ten children, seven
of whom are still living:, John, a merchant in Dan-
forth; Emma, the wife of Herman Simons, a black-
smith of Danforth; Reiner, a clerk for his brother
John; Lena, wife of Herman Claymon, of Nebraska;
Oliver, a farmer of the same State; Herman, who
is at home, and Sena. They lost three chil-
dren: (ieorge, who died at the age of nineteen
j^ears; Henry, who died when about eleven years
of age, and one child who died in infancy.

Mr. Eden commenced life in Illinois a poor man,
and by careful industry, enterprise and good busi-
ness ability has achieved a competence. He owns
some of the finest farming land in the county and
in addition to his property here, owns a farm of
one hundred and sixty acres in Platte County, Neb.
He is also the owner of a vacant lot in the town of
Danforth. He is a supporter of the Democratic
party and principles. Mr. and Mrs. Eden are mem-
bers of the Lutheran Church and are much re-
spected and esteemed throughout this section.
For nearly a quarter of a centur}- our subject has
resided in this county, and by his raanl}' and hon-
orable course in life has won the confidence and
friendship of his neighbors and acquaintances.



/ i'^'J'S



FERDINAND SCHMID, who carries on gen-
')) oral farming on section 2, Doilglas Town-
ship, is one of the worthy citizens Germany
has given Iroquois Count}', and we take pleasure
in presenting to our readers this record of his life.
He was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, on the 29th of
November, 1850, and is one of three children whose
parents were Carl and Caroline (Rahn) Schmid.
His father was born in the same locality as our
subject, and there owned and opeiated a farm, be-
ing in comfortable circumstances. He was a well-
educated man and a prominent citizen. For
twenty years he was lionored with the oftice of
Town Mayor and was an Elder in the Lutheran



530



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.



Church. He died in 1881, at the age of fifty-eight
j'ears. His wife was born in Rossbach, and her
father was a minister of tlie Lutheran Church.
She died just four weeks after the death of lier
husband. JMina, their eldest daughter, is living
in Geriiiany; Bertha, twin sister of our subject, is
the wife of Henrich Zimmcr.

Our subject spent the first ten years of his life
in his native town and then went to Wiessen,
where he entered the High School. He graduated
just at the beginning of the Franco-Prussian War,
.•ind immediately afterward enlisted as a private,
but meritorious conduct won him promotion to the
rank of Lieutenant. The first battle in whicli he par-
ticipated was at Metz, on the 16th, 17th and 18th
of August, 1870. On the first of January, 1871,
he participated in the capture of Orleans, and
on the 11th of March took part in the battle
of Tours. Three months later he received liis dis-
charge.

In 1871, Mr. Schraid returned to his home and
the same year emigrated to America. He crossed
the briny deep from Hamburg to New York, and
went to live with a cousin. Dr. Weber, of New
York City. Later, he went to Michigan and for
three months engaged in clerking in Roger City,
after which we find him in Chicago. Subsequently
he removed to Oilman, and since tiiat time has
been a resident of Iroquois County. For two
j-ears he worked for David Risser as a farm hand.
He was afterward in the employ of Addison Harper
for two yeais, and later spent one j'ear with John
C. Holtzaner. He tiien returned to tlie employ of
Mr. Harper^ and on the 23d of February, 1879, wed-
ded his youngest daughter, Miss Mary C. Harper,
a native of this county. Her father died about
four years ago, but her mother is still living and
is one of the oldest settlers of the county. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Schmid liave been born two chil-
dren: Emorj', born March 21, 1881; and Almet
Lee, who was born June 26, 1890.

Mr. Sclimid has resided upon his present farm
since 1882. He owns one hundred acres of well-
tilled land and his farm is improved with good
buildings and all modern accessories. He cast his
first Presidential vote for Hayes and Wheeler, but
has since affiliated with the Democracy, lu relig-



ous belief he is a Lutheran. He takes an active inter-
est m all that pertains to the welfare of the com-
munity and the cause of education finds in liim a
stalwart friend. He is himself a highly educated
man. He is not only familiar with his native
tongue, but is a French, Latin and Greek scholar,
and since coming to this country has educated him-
self in the English language. He is a popular cit-
izen, and is held in high regard by all witli whom he
has come in ooutact, whether in business or social
circles.



^/OSEPH NELSON McNEIL. a self-made man,
who is now living a retired life in Thaw-
ville, has led a life well worthy of emula-
' tion, and his example may serve to encour-
age others who, like himself, have to depend only
on their own resources from early manhood. Mr.
McNeil was born in Highland County, Ohio, on
the 21st of April, 1830, and his parents, Joseph
and Susan (Morrow) McNeil, were also natives of
the Buckeye State. The parents are both now de-
ceased. The father was c.-xlled to his final rest in
1880, and the mother, who survived him about six
years, departed this life in 1886. Unto this worthy
couple were born eight children, of whom five are
3-et living: Sarah, William, Joseph N., Maiy and
Amanda. Nancj', Susan and Martha are deceased.
No event of special importance occurred during
the boyhood days of our suli^Jpt, which were
quietly passed under the parental roof. He was
reared to the occupation of farming, which he has
followed through his entire business life. May 29,
1851, he was married, iSIiss Lemira Rogers becom-
ing his wife. Her parents were William and Han-
nah Rogers, and she was a native of the Bucke3e
State. Eleven children have been born unto Mr.
and Mrs. McNeil, as follows: Susan M., the eldest,
is the wife of Albert Montague, a furniture deaher
of Kankakee, by whom she has four children liv-
ing, two sons and two daughters. William C. mar-
ried Miss Mabel Carter, by whom he has two chil-
dren, Allie and Ruth. He is a Methodist minister,
and is now in charge of a church in Peoria. Joseph,
who married Hattie Conuiff, by whom lie has one



LIBRARY

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

URBANA






John Shrum ,



PORTRAIT AOTD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.



533



son, Lloyd Chapin, is a horse-dealer of Roberts,
111.; John E. is the next younger; Sarah is the
wife of George Reynolds, a farmer residing near
Knoxville, Knox County, 111., and they have three
children: Clarence, Alice and Fay; Mary T. is
the wife of Sheridan Devore, a resident of Onarga.
Emma married James Walker, who is running a
hiitclier's shop and confectionerj- store in Thaw-
ville. They have four daughters: Lemira, Una,
Cieo and JIabel. Una Editli died in October, 1885;
Lee A. is married and is engaged in the grocer_v