sessor two terms and for eleven years dis-
charged the duties of School Director with credit
to himself and to the satisfaction of his constitu-
ents. He is a man of sterling worth and many
excellencies of character, and the success of his life
is well deserved.
'IL AHBKKT DUIS, a well-known and repro-
Ijl, sentative farmer residing on section 2, .Ash
lis^^ Grove Township, was born October 20,
(^; 1847, in Friesland, German}-, upon his fa-
ther's farm. He is a son of .lohn H. Duis. who
w:is born and reared in the same locality, and fol-
lowed agricultural pursuits. About 1830, he mar-
ried Catherine Kaiser, and in 18.54, with his wife
and six children, started for America, crossing the
Atlantic from Bremen to New Orleans in a sail-
ing-vessel, which, after a voyage of nine weeks,
dropped anchor in the harbor of the Crescent Cit}'.
He then went up the river to (^^uincy. 111., .and in
Adams County purchased forty acres of land, upon
which he made his home for fourteen years. The
succeeding five years of his life were spent in Liv-
ingston County, after which he came to Iroquois
Count}'. His death occurred a year later at his
home in Ash Grove Township, and his was the first
burial in the cemetery at Schwer. He was a sup-
porter of the Republican party, and was « member
of the Lutheran Church. His wife is still living,
and makes her home with our subject.
The children of the Duis family are Jeska, who
resides in Livingston County; Webki and Christina,
who died in Adams County; Harbert, of this sketch;
Carson, who is living in Nebraska; Johanna, who
makes her home in Ash Grove Township; .lurden,
a resident of Tyler County, Neb.; and Frank, who
completes the family.
The subject of this sketch was a lad of onlv
seven summers, when with his parents he came to
America. He was educated in the public schools
of Adams County, which he attended only through
the winter season, for in the summer montlis he was
forced to aid his father in the development of the
new farm. At the age of sixteen, he began to
earn his own livelihood, and has since been de-
pendent upon his own resources. At the age of
eighteen he was married, ^liss F^lska .lerreals becom-
ing his wife. Their union was celebrated January
10, 1865. The lady was born in F"riesland, and,
when a maiden of twelve yeai-s, came to America.
To Mr. and Mrs. Duis have been born nine chil-
dren: Johanna, born in Adams County, 111., is now
the wife of Henry Siems, of Ash Grove Township;
Fredka is the wife of Elbert Weichman; Catherine,
born in Livingston County, is the wife of August
Longled; John and Gretja are also natives of Liv-
ingston County; and Carson, Carl, Jurden and
Christina, who were all born in Iroquois County.
Mr. Duis' first purciiase of land consisted of an
eighty-.acre tract in Nebraska Township, Livingston
County, where he mads his home until 1875. He
676
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
then came to Iroquois County, and purchased two
hundred and forty acres of laud, an unimproved
tract of wild prairie, but liis care and labor have
transformed it into one of the finest farms of the
community. In connection with its cultivation,
lie also engages in stock-r.aising. His home is a
fine new residence, and is the abode of hospitality.
The many improvements upon the place stand as
monuments to his thrift and enterprise, and the
neat appearance indicates the supervision of a
careful manager. Mr. Duis and his familj- arc all
members of the Lutheran Church, and contribute
liberally to its support. His first Presidential vote
was cast for Gen. Grant in 1868, and he has since
been a stalwart Republican. He is often found in
the conventions of his party, and his opinions are
received with respect. He is held in high regard
throughout the community, and his worth and
ability entitle him to the warm esteem of his many
friends.
\ ^^HINEAS W. GRUBBS owns and ©iterates
Jl) two hundred and twenty-four acres of land
Y ill Onarga Township, within a mile of the
I \ farm on which he was reared. His hoiiie is
pleasautlj' situated about two and one-half miles
from Onarga, and thus all the advantages of the
village are easily attainable. lie has for many
years, in connection with general farming, exten-
sively carried on stock-raising. He feeds all of his
grain to his stock, and for some time he has raised,
bought and sold horses and cattle on an extensive
scale. This year he is handling horses and sheep.
He is a prominent business man, well known
throughout the county, and is an excellent judge
of stock of all kinds.
The life record of Mr. Grubbs is .as follows: He
was born in Eaton, Preble County, Ohio, March 7,
1853, and is a son of John and Lorinda (Jrubbs,
both of whom are natives of the Empire State.
Their family numbered five children: Keziah J.,
Phineas W., Leroy, Harvey and Melissa.
Our subject w-as only about four years old when
with his parents he came to this county, and upon
his father's farm near his present home he was
reared to manhood. He began his education in
the district schools of the communitj'. and after-
ward attended Grand Prairie Seminary. He con-
tinued to engage in farming with his father un-
til the 30th of September, 1875, when he was
joined in wedlock with Miss Anna Kinnison,
daughter of William and Elizabeth (Riner) Kinni-
son. Two daughters were born of their union, but
both are now deceased: Lora L., born July*10,
1876, died April 5, 1888; and Lizzie L., born on
the 1st of September, 1885, died March 11, 1888.
Mr. and Mrs. Grubbs began their domestic life upon
a farm, and he carried on .agricultural pursuits in
this county until 1881, when he removed to Kan-
sas and spent eight years in Burr Oak, Jewell
County, returning to this county in 1889. He has
witnessed much of the growth and development of
Iioquois County, for he is numbered among its
early settlers, more than a third of a century hav-
ing passed since he located here. His duties of
citizenship have ever been faithfully performed,
and he is a leading and influential farmer of the
community.
Sociall3-, Mr. Grubbs is connected with the Ma-
sonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythi.as society, and
the Modern Woodmen of America. He exercises his
right of franchise in support of the Republican
part}', and has held the office of Road Commis-
sioner, but has never sought or desired the honors
or emoluments of public office, preferring to de-
vote his entire time and attention to his business
interests, in which he has met with signal success.
"itlOHN SMITH, one of the extensive land-
owners of the county, who now resides in
Onarga Township, where he owns a beauti-
ful home adjoining the corporation limits
of the village, may truly be called a self-made man,
.and his example in many respects is well worthy
of emulation. His life record is as follows: A na-
tive of Indiana, he was born in Hendricks County,
on the 26th of December, 1830, and is a son of
Abel and Sarah (Bales) Smith, tlie father a native
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
677
(if South Carolina, and the niotlier of Kentuck}'.
In an ear!}' da y Abel Smith emigrated to Kcntiieky
and thence to Indiana, where he married Miss
Bales. He settled iu Hendricks County, where he
engaged in farming until 1849, when he removed
to Warren County, Iowa, becoming one of its early
settlers. He there devoted his time and attention
to agricultural pursuits for many years, and made
his home upon the farm until 1891, when he died
at the ripe age of eighty-five. His wife had passed
awa}- about twenty 3-ears previous. Of theii- nine
children, three sons and six daughters, eight are
still living: .John, James M., Elizabeth, Mary,
Susan, Louisa .Jane, Emeline and Amanda.
The boyhood days of .lohn Smith were spent
in the State of his nativity, where, on the 18th of
November, 1853, he chose as a companion and
helpmate on life's journey Miss Hannah Starry,
daughter of Nicholas and Margaret (Cashraan)
Starry, of Warren County, Ind. In the fall of
\8!')C>, they left the Hoosier State and removed to
Hamilton County, Iowa, where Mr. Smith pur-
chased four hundred acres of land and carried on
farming and stock-raising until 1865. That year
witnessed his arrival in Iroquois Connty. Accom-
panied b}' his family, he returned to this Stale and
located on a farm of one hundred and eighty-three
acres in Artesia Township. Subsequentl}', he pur-
chased two hundred and fortj' acres on section
2(), Onarga Township, which he still owns. He also
owns a farm of seven hundred acres on sections 31
and 32 of the same township, and a beautiful home
on section 19, adjacent to the village of Onarga.
In connection with farming, Mr. Smith has carried
on stock-raising quite extensively, making a spe-
cialt3' of the breeding of horses and cattle, and at
the present time he owns about sevent\ head of
horses, principally Percherons.
Unto IMr. and Mrs. Smith was born a family of
live children: Sarah Elizabeth, the eldest, became
the wife of Samuel A. Cannadyand died Apiil 15,
1877, leaving a daughter, Sadie, who is now living
with her grandparents. James married Jennie T.ay-
lor, who is now deceased; he lives in Warren
County, Ind. Oscar married Miss Belle Pitcher
and resides in Cl.ay Connty, Iowa, with liis three
ciiidren, Pearl, Halpli ;uid Mildred, ftlargaiet is the
wife of John Nichols and unto them has been born
a son, William. Finley is still at home. The Smith
family is one of prominence in the community' and
its members rank high in social circles.
Mr. Smith is a man of excellent business ability,
and his straightforward, upright dealings have
won him the confidence of all, while by persever-
ance, industry and good management he has se-
cured a handsome competency, working his way
upward to a position of wealth and afHuence. In
politics, he is a supporter of the Democracy.
OIIN T. FRAZEE, who carries on general
farming on section 18, Ridgeland Town-
ship, is a worthy representative of one of
the early families of the county, having for
more than a third of a century made his home
within its borders. He is a native of the Buckeye
State. Warren County was the place of his birth,
which occurred February 22, 1848. He is a son of
Turner and Martha (Meeker) Frazee, and is one of
a family of ten children, who are mentioned in the
sketch of Frederick S. Frazee, on another page of
this work.
In the usual manner of farmer lads, our subject
was reared to manhood, no event of special im-
portance occurring to vary the routine of farm life.
Until fourteen years of age, he attended the com-
mon schools, and acquired a good knowledge of
the rudimentary branches. He then started out in
life for himself to earn his own livelihood, work-
ing by the month as a farm hand. He received
the munificent sum of S^IO per month in compensa-
tion for his services. With the family he came to
Illinois in 1857, and continued to work at farm
labor until after the breaking out of the late war,
when, in September, 1861, he went to the front to
ai<l his country in her efforts to preserve the Union.
He enlisted for three years, joining Company C,
Fifty-seventh Illinois Regiment, and was mustered
into service at Chicago. The first battle of note
in which he participated was at Ft. Donelson. He
als(> took pnrt in the b.ittle of Shiluli, nhicii
678
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
proved his last, for he was there taken sick and
sent to the field liospital, where he remained for
about three months, ill with typhoid fever. Hav-
ing partially recovered, he was honorably dis-
charged Jul3' 26, 1862, on account of pliysical dis-
abilit}', and returned to his home.
In 1870, Mr. Frazee was united in marriage with
Miss Mary Nickerson, daughter of Oliver and
Eliza Ann Nickerson. Five children graced their
union, of whom four are yet living, as follows:
Jessie, Russell, and Edith and Effle, twins. Lewis,
the third in order of birth, died in infancj'.
For a year after his return from tiie war, Mr.
Frazee was unable to perform any labor. He then
worked a portion of the time until 1868, when he
secured employment as a farm hand, and worked
by the month in that capacity for two j'ears. In
1870, he purchased forty acres of land on section
18, Ridgeland Township, where he has since re-
sided. The boundaries of his farm however have
since been extended, and he now owns seventj^
acres of well-improved land, the rich and fertile
fields yielding him a good return for his care and
cultivation. He is recognized as one of the sub-
stantial farmers and stock-raisers of the commu-
nity, and the reputation is well deserved, for he is
industrious and energetic. In his political affilisi-
tions, Mr. F'razee is a Republican, and socially is
connected with W. A. Babcock Post No. 416, G.
A. R., of Onarga. He gives his support to all
worth}^ enterprises calculated to prove of public
benefit or promote the general welfare, and is held
in high esteem throughout the community where
he has so long made his home.
Wj;aLLIAM P. GILBERT, junior i^artner of
the firm of Palmer A Gilbert, publishers of
the Leade)' and Review of Onarga, is a wide-
awake and enterprising young man whom the
county may well be proud to number among its
native citizens. He was born in Ash Grove Town-
ship, on the 21st of November, 1869, and is the
only child of John S. and Hannah M. (Brock)
Gilbert. His father was a native of Indiana, but
his mother was born in Ash Grove Township, this
county.
The subject of this sketch acquired his education
in the common schools of Onarga and on the 11th
of August, 1885, he began learning the printer's
trade, working at the business in the Leader office,
where he rose from the position of apprentice to
foreman. The present partnership was formed in
F'ebruarj', 1892, Mr. Palmer having formerly been a
prominent Methodist minister. Together they
bought the Onarga Leader and the Central Illi-
nois Reinew, both published in Onarga, and con-
solidated the two papers under the name of the
Leade)' and Mevietv, which they at once enlarged
from an eight-column folio to a seven-column
quarto. It is a neat, newsj^ and influential paper
and is well supported by the people of Onarga and
vicinit}^ It deserves a liberal patronage, for
it supports all that lends to improve and upbuild
tlie community and advance its best interests.
Mr. Gilbert is a young man of good business
ability. His entire life has been passed in this
county, and his sterling worth has won for him
many friends.
l-^f^P=
|f/_^ UME L. SAMMONS, the managing editor
Ifjii of the Milford Lidependenl, and one of the
/^^^ leading young business men of the count}',
(l^ claims Indiana as the State of his nativity,
his birth having occurred in Morocco on the 2d of
April, 1871. His parents, Nicholas D. and Mar-
garet M. (Woolnough) Sammons, were both na-
tives of Ontario, Canada. -About 1860, they came
to the United States and located on a farm in New-
ton Count}^, Ind., where they resided for about
fifteen 3-ears, or untd 1875, when they became resi-
dents of Donovan, 111. Mr. Sammons there en-
gaged in general merchandising and m the drug
business until 1884. That year witnessed his ar-
rival in Milford, where he has since made his home.
Here he opened a restaurant, and rt this writing,
in 1892, he is engaged in the hotel business. He
is a genial and pleasant gentleman, very popular,
and is favorably known throughout the commu-
nity.
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
URBANA
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
681
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sanimons were born four
children. The eldest, James B., belonged to the
regular arm}', and was drowned in Puget Sound
in 1880, his canoe being capsized during a storm;
Emma Y. is now the wife of William Darroch, an
attorne3'-at-law of Kentland, Ind.; George M. is
the next younger; and Hume L. completes the
family.
The subject of this sketch acquired a good Eng-
lish education in the public sciiools of Milford,
and is a well-informed young man, who reads ex-
tensively, and is conversant with all the questions
and issues of the daj'. lie learned the printer's
trade in the office of the Milford Herald, serving a
regular apprenticeship, and in 1890 he accepted
the position of foreman of the Milford Indepen-
dent, of which he is now managing editor. This
paper is an independent Democratic journal, not
being governed by an^' rings or cliques. Its edi-
tor is a live, wide-awake young man, and he has
made the Independent a prosperous paper. Its sub-
scription list has been greatly increased, which
fact testifies to its high standard. It is owned by
the Times Printing and Publishing Company, of
AVatseka, 111.
Mr. Sammons is a member of the Modern Wood-
men of America. A young man just starting out
in life, he has already given evidence of many
l)romising traits of character, being entei prising,
public-spirited and progressire. He will no doubt
win prosperity, for he possesses good business abil-
ity. He is a popular young man, and in social
circles ranks high.
'^[OSEPH T. FRECHI:TTE, a merchant of
Martinton, was born in Canada, near St.
Johns, December 10, 1846. His father,
Alexis Frechette, was also a native of that
country. The Frechette family are of French de-
scent and were among the early pioneers of Canada.
The father grew to manhood at his birthplace,
and resided a number of years later in Troy and
Albany, N. Y. He returned to Canada, and there
married ()nezime Masse, of French parentage, l)ul
31
a native of Canada. After marriage, Mr. Fre-
chette settled on a farm in that country, and en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits for about ten years.
At the expiration of that time, he removed to Illi-
nois, settling in Kankakee Count}-. He there pur-
chased a farm, and engaged in cultivating it for a
number of years, or until the time of his death, which
occurred July 5, 1886. He was a man of good
business capacity, and at the time of his death had
a good farm and home, which still belong to
the heirs. He and his family were members of
the Catholic Church. Mrs. Frechette survives her
husband, and lesides with her daughter in Kanka-
kee.
Joseph T. Frechette is the eldest son and second
in order of birth of a family of eleven children, ten
of whom are now Hying. The eldest is Josephine,
wife of H. Lambert, of St. Mary's; our subject;
Damas A., who resides on and operates the home
farm; Ozilda, wife of Samuel Pilotte, a mechanic
of St. Mary's; Rosalie, who married E. Leriger,
who carries on the occupations of a farmer in
Manteno, Kankakee County; Matilda, wife of
Isaac Senesack, a farmer of Kankakee County;
Dosite E.,a merchant of Momence; Ephraim D., a
business man of Kankakee; Albina, residing with
her mother in Kankakee; and Charles H., who
holds a responsible position in Chicago.
The subject of this sketch came with his father
to Illinois in 1864. His early days were spent in
Canada, where he had good school advantages.
Until eighteen years of age much of his time was
passed upon a farm, and he was thus early inured
to the duties and labors of farm life. He resided
with his parents until his marriage in Kankakee
with Miss Zenaide Alexander, the ceremony being
performed February 8, 1869. For about two years
he was occupied in a ])laning-niill, and then, go-
ing to Papineau, he worked for some time for his
uncle in a lumber yard. He next went to St. Mary's,
where he started a lumber )-ard, and there he con-
tinued for two years. He then came to Martinton,
engaging in the same business. This he carried on
for about four years, and in 1877 left his business
connections here, and, purchasing a lot, built a
business house in [lartnership with his father, and
has carried on the business until the present day
682
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAl, RECORD.
Mr. Frechette has added to his building and also
to his stock, and has built up a large trade and a
fine business in general merchandise.
Mr. and Mrs. Frechette have ten children; the
eldest, Leontine, resides at home; Philip assists his
fatlier in the business; Hilaire, Rosanna, Matilda,
Florence, Arthur, Josephine, Angelina and Emma.
Four died in iufanc.y.
Mr. Frechette is interested in politics, being in-
dependent, casting his ballot for the man whom
he considers best fitted to fill the position. He
has held several local posts of trust anrt honor.
He is a member of the Order of Foresters, Kankakee
Lodge No. 56. Mr. Frechette and his family are
identified with the Catholic Church. For twenty-
eight years he has been a resident of Iroquois
County, and has done much for its upbuilding
and prosperity. He is widely known and much
respected as an honest and industrious citizen.
Mr. Frechette was chosen as executor of his
father's estate in the settling up of the entire
interests. This was faithfully performed without
the aid of an attorney, which speaks highly for the
executive ability of Mr. Frechette.
"if? OHN C. CULVER is one of the prominent
I merchants of Onarga. For many years he
I " â– â– '
,^^ , has dealt in groceries and is now engaged
'f^f, in business in that line on the corner of
First South and Chestnut Streets. A liberal pat-
ronage is his, he having built up an excellent
trade as the result of his fair dealing and courte-
ous treatment.
Mr. Culver is a native of the Empire State. He
was born in Cayuga County, December 10, 1819,
and is a son of Asa and Lydia (Conger) Culver,
both of whom were natives of New York. Their
family numbered four children: Andrew Jackson.
AVilliam Henry, John C. and one who died when
about three yeais old. When only four years old,
Jolin Culver was taken to the home of relatives
and when six years old his mother died. At the
age of twelve he left the State of New York with
Silas Conger and settled in Ohio, ten miles south
of Sandusky Cit3', on a farm in what was then
known as Huron County but is now a part of Erie
County. He there grew to manhood and after-
wards removed to Richland County, where he re-
mained until twenty-seven years of age.
On Christmas Day of 1849, Mr. Culver was
united in marriage with Miss Clarissa Shafer,
daughter of Charles Shafer, of Plymouth, Ohio.
Her death occurred in Onarga, 111., in 1860, and
on the 1st of January, 1861, Mr. Culver was
again married, his second union being with Miss
Harriet M. Messer, daughter of Matthew and Ruth
Messer. Four children graced this union, two
sons and two daughters, of whom three are yet
living: Clara Gertrude, born October 17, 1862;
Nettie, who was born July 18, 1864, died on the
12th of February, 1881, when about fifteen }-ears
of age; Warren M.,born September 26, 1866; and
Bertram W., born Januaiy 10, 1869.
In 1846, Mr. Culver removed to Michigan, where
he resided for a few years. He then became a res-
ident of Porter Count}', Ind., where the two suc-
ceeding years of his life were passed. The year
1851 witnessed his ariival in Iroquois Count}'. He
located on Spring Creek, in Onarga Township, and
aided in the construction of the Illinois Central
Railroad, and since that time his home has been in
the same township. In 1854 he removed to the
village of Onarga, and in partnership with Dr.
Uoyd engaged in the lumber business, which he
followed for a few years. He then embarked in
the fiour and feed business, after which he turned
his attention to the grocery business and has since
followed that line of trade. He carries a full and
complete stock of goods and from the beginning
success has attended his efforts in this direction.
He also carries on an undertaking establishment
and does embalming.
Socially, Mr. Culver is connected with the Ma-
sonic fraternity, belonging to Onarga Lodge No.
305, A. F. & A. M.; Kankakee Chapter No. 78, R.
A. M.; Ford Council No. 41, and Ivanhoe Com-
mandery No. 33, K. T., of Kankakee. He is Past
Master of Onarga Lodge. In politics he is a Demo-
crat, but has never been an active politician in the
sense of office-seeking. He is a man of good biisi-
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD.
683
iiess ability, sagacious and far-sigbted and lias won
jn'osperity b_v ills well-directed efforts. The county
numbers hiiu among its early settlers and he has
been especially prominent in tlie upbuilding and
development of Onarga, aiding in all interests
ca4culated to prove of public benefit. IMrs. Culver
is a Baptist in religious faith, but as there is no
church in Onarga of that sect she has united with
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
R. HENRY H. ALTER, Assistant Cashier
of the First National Bank of AVatseka,