land-owner and possessed several thousand acres.
He met death by accident, being drowned when
his son Moses, the father of our subject, was about
two 3'ears of age. The latter was born in Sulli-
van County, N. Y., May 8, 1785. Oliver Calkin
was a soldier and served throughout the Revo-
lutionar}' War, participating in the battle of Lack-
awaxen, on the Delaware River, where two of his
brothers-in-law were killed. Moses Calkin served
his country in the War of 1812. He was a man
of good education, and in his younger years fol-
lowed the profession of teaching. In the county
of his nativity he married Elizabeth Mitchell, who
was born and reared in Woodbuiy, Conn., and
was also a teacher in early life. Mr. Calkin suc-
ceeded to the old family homestead, and there
reared his family and spent the remainder of his
days, his death occurring on the old farm Febru-
ary 12, 1865. His wife passed away several ^years
previous, being called to her final rest April 20,
1846. Both parents were buried in the Presby-
terian Cemetery near the old home, where a mon-
ument has been erected to their memory. They
were both active members of the Presbyterian
Church and were liighly respected citizens.
Tlie subject of this sketch is the oldest of a
family of eight children, six of whom were teachers
in early life. The days of his boyhood and }-outli
were spent on his father's farm, where he re-
mained until after he had attained his majority.
The year 1836 witnessed his emigration to Illi-
nois. On the 11th of June he arrived in Chicago,
which was then a mere hamlet, and soon after-
ward located in Will County, settling on raw land
in Du Page Township, where he opened up a
I farm. There he engaged in agricultural pursuits
for twenty-nine long years, with the exception of
a short time spent in the Far West. Attracted bj'
the discovery of gold in California, he went to
the Pacific Slope in the hope of making his for-
tune. He left his wife and four children, includ-
ing Ruth, who was then a baby in the cradle, and
on the 20th of March, 1850, started for tlie Eldo-
rado of the West. He arrived in Hangtown, a
mining place, on the 26th of July following, after
a long, tedious and perilous journey, during which
starvation threatened. There was also much danger
of being scalped by the Indians. Mr. Calkin walked
at least six hundred miles of the way in order to
lighten the load, which his team often found dif-
ficult to haul. He engaged in mining for about
two j-ears, and was fairlj' successful.
During the last year of his stay in California,
Mr. Calkin was President of a large mining com-
pany at Rosa's Bar, on the Yuba River, where
there were about two thousand miners employed.
During that year $3,000,000 of gold dust was
taken from the mines. Mr. Calkins left Rosa's
Bar on the 26th of July, 1852, and about three
weeks afterward the cholera broke out among tlie
miners at that place. Making his waj^ to San
Francisco, he there took a steamer to Panama, and
rode twenty miles across the Isthmus by rail, walk-
ing the remainder of the distance. At that time
fifty mules were used in carrjing the gold dust of
the miners across the Isthmus, and fifty more to
carry the mail. At Aspinwall, Mr. Calkin boarded
a steamer bound for New York. The vessel stopped
732
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
at the island of Jamaica to take on coal and at
length dropped anchoi" in the harbor of New
York on the last day of August. Our subject ar-
rived home on the 27th of September, 1852, but
found that death had entered the household in his
absence and taken from It the fairest flower, his
daughter Julia.
After his return, Mr. Calkin turned his atten-
tion to farming, which he carried on in Will
County for some years longer, but in 1865 he came
to Iroquois County, purchasing the farm upon
which he has since resided. It is one of the oldest
farms of the county' — a valuable and well-improved
tract of land of two hundred acres. Many rods
of tiling have been placed upon it. The home is
a substantial and commodious residence, good
barns and outbuildings have been erected, a fine
orchard is numbered among the other extensive
improvements, and everything about the place
denotes thriffand prosperity.
On the 13th of May, 1838, in Cook County,
111., Mr. Calkin was joined in wedlock with Miss
Persis Fidelia Harris, a native of Massachusetts.
Her father, Shadrach Harris, was also a native of the
Bay State, and removed to New York when tlic
daughter was a child of four years. Unto our
subject and his wife have been born six children:
Mary is the wife of Robert C. Jarvis, a resident of
Texas: S. N., who for a number of years was a
prominent farmer of Iroquois County, is now
Superintendent of the Insane Asylum B'arm and
resides in Kankakee; Ruth is the wife of Sanford
Oldham, who is living in Blaine County, Neb.
Charles A. was married in Crescent City March
12, 1883, to Miss Jennie Stier, a native of Illinois.
Four children have been born unto them, a son
and three daughters. Charles A. has charge of
the home farm and the business connected with
it. He possesses excellent business ability, and the
neat appearance of the place indicates his careful
supervision. Mr. Jarvis, the son-in-law, and S.
N. Calkin were both boys in blue during the late
war. The family numbers twenty grandchildren
and four great-grandchildren.
In bis political atliliations, Mr. Calkin was for-
merly a Jackson-Democrat, and in 1860 he joined
the ranks of the Republican party, supporting
Lincoln. He was then identified with that party
for a number of years, but now affiliates with the
Prohibition party, being a warm advocate of the
cause of temperance and believing that that ques-
tion is of the most importance. His son, C. A.,
also votes the Prohibition ticket. Mr. Calkin was
elected and served for five years as Assessor of
his township, and also held other local offices.
Himself, wife and family are all active members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he
has held a number of offices, and in which his
younger son is now serving as an official.
Viewed from a financial standpoint, tiie life of
Mr. Calkin has been successful. Industry and
enterprise are numbered among his chief charac-
teristics, and, as they are necessary qualifications
to success, they have brought him a well-deserved
prosperity. Upright and honorable in his deal-
ings, he has gained the confidence and good-will
of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
His life has indeed been well and worthily spent,
and after years of faithful service and labor he
is now enjoj'ing a well-earned rest.
•r^
=^
TTO EMIL ROSENBERGER, one of the
self-made men and enterprising citizens of
_ Iroquois County, is now doing business as
a grain and coal dealer in Woodland, and also
carries on farming. He was born in Saxony, Ger-
many, on the 28tii of November, 1840, and is a
son of Frederick and Dorothy (Seel) Rosenberger.
His father was born in the same localit}' as our
subject, and was a tile and brick maker. In 1864,
he came with his family to America and located in
Blue Island, Cook County, 111., whence he after-
ward came to Iroquois County. After I'esiding
upon a farm for a time, he went to Old Middle-
port, where he built a brewery in 1866, operating
it for some time. With his wife, he afterward re-
turned to his native land, and his death occurred
in 1870. His wife, who was born in 1798, died
at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Both
were members of the Lutheran Church. They had
a family of five children: William, who crossed
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
733
the Atlantic in 1854, and now resides in this
count.v; August, who came to the United States
in 1856, and is now living retired in Papiueau;
Ouenther, who came to this country in 1858, is a
farmer in Papineau; INFrs. Emma Treischcl,of Jlar-
tinton, Iroquois County; and Otto Emil, who com-
pletes the family.
In accordance with the laws of his native land,
n. our subject attended school between the ages of
six and fourteen years, after which he learned the
butcher's trade, and at the age of twentj' went
into the armj' as a member of the Eighth Infantry
Regiment, serving on garrison duty for two years
in the city of Weimar. He then embarked in
business for himself. In 1864, he bade good-bye
to home and friends and sailed for the New
World, and since that time has been identified
with the history of this community. He spent
one j-ear in the grain business in Papineau and
one upon a farm. In 1877, he came to Wood-
land, where he has since made his home, and for
about fifteen years has engaged in the grain and
coal business. He is now in partnership with
Judge Williams, and the firm is now enjoying a
large and constantly increasing patronage. In
connection with this business, our subject also
owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, which
3'ields to him a good income.
In July, 1864, in Martinton Township, Mr.
Rosenberger married Miss Amanda Roth, a native
of Germany. She came to this country in the
same vessel in which her husband sailed. Unto
them iiave been born six children, four sons and
two daughters, as follows: Agnes, now the wife
of Frank Wilson, of Woodland; Hattie, George,
Otto, William and Emil. all of whom are still under
the parental roof. All were born and reared in
this county and have been educated in both Eng-
lish and German.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberger are members of
the German Lutheran Church, and in his social re-
lations he is a member of the Modern Woodmen
and the Odd Fellows' society, in which he now
holds the office of Secretary. His first Presiden-
tial vote was cast for Horace Greele^', and since
that time he has supported the Democratic party.
He has never sought office, but has served as School
Director and Collector. Mr. Rosenberger is a man
of good business ability, and by enterprise, energy
and good business management he has won suc-
cess and is numbered among the substantial busi-
ness men of the community. He is a public-spirited
and progressive citizen, and to him is due in a
large measure the erection of the fine Town Hall
in Woodland. It was a fortunate day for him
when he determined to seek a home in this coun-
try. He need never have occasion to regret car-
rying out that resolution, for he h.as here met
with |)rosperity and his efforts have been blessed.
ARON GARRISON. Among the leading
and well-known farmers of Prairie Green
Township should be mentioned the gentle-
man whose name heads this record. He
now resides on section 10. A native of the Em-
pire vState, he was born in Greene County, on the
13th of March, 1838, and is the fourth in order of
birth in a family of nine children, five sons and
four daughters, of whom eight are yet living. His
parents were George W. and Mary (Hallock) Gar-
rison. The father was born in New York, July 11,
1811, and is still living in the State of his nativity,
at the advanced age of four-score and one years.
He is a farmer by occupation, and has followed
that business throughout his entire life. In politi-
cal sentiment he was formerly an old-line Whig,
and took an active part in the campaign of "Tip-
pecanoe and T3ler, too." On the organization of
the Republican party he joined its ranks, and has
since been a stalwart advocate of its principles.
He was a warm admirer of v^brahara Lincoln. For
over a quarter of a century he has held the office
of Justice of the Peace, and has proved himself a
competent official and a valued citizen. His wife
was a native of the Ke^'stone .State. .She was born
in 1813, and died in October, 1853, when our sub-
ject was a lad of fifteen years. She was a devout
Christian, who had the love and respect of all who
knew her.
The members of the Garrison family are C'aro-
734
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
lina, wife of Demas Judd, a farmer residing iu
Minnesota; James, a liorticulturist residing near
Red Lands, Cal.; Aaron of thissketeli; Morgan, who
follows farming iu New York; Monroe, who is now
living a retired life in Watseka; Julia, wife of
Solomon Brown, who is engaged in qurrrying
stone in New York; Henr}-, a successful physician
and surgeon resides in New York Cit}'; and Het-
tie, wife of Angelo Cole, who is engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits in New York.
We now take up the personal history of Mr.
Garrison, whose boyhood days were quietly passed
in the State of his nativity. His early education,
acquired in the common schools, was supplemented
by stud3- in Roxbury Academy of Roxbury, N. Y.,
where he prepared himself for teaching. He after-
ward followed that profession for five years in
his native State, throughout the winter season.
As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey he
chose Miss Rosanna Kelly, daughter of Ezekiel C.
and Jane (Brown) Kcllj'. Their union was cele-
brated on the 18th of October, 1862, and unto
them were born five children, four sons and a
daughter, of whom three are j'el living. Herman,
the eldest, is a young man of superior ability.
He was a student in the Weslej'an L'niversity of
Bloomington, and after pursuing a classical course
in De Fauw University, of Greencastle, Ind., was
graduated from that institution in tjie Class of
'92. He has thus fitted himself for teaching,
which profession he has already followed success-
fully in this county: Elbert aids his father in the
labors of the farm; W. Lloyd is the youngest. The
two children now deceased are Bertha, who died
at the age of fourteen years; and Wilson, who
died at tlie age of six years. Mrs. Garrison 's girl-
hood days were passed in New York, her native
State, where she was born March 4, 184.3. She
was the only child of her parents that grew to
mature years. Her education was acquired in the
public schools, and she became a successful teaciier.
In 1880, Mr. Garrison purchased eighty acres of
partially improved land, which he now has under
a high state of cultivation. It is one of the best
developed farms in the community, and in all its
appointments .>eems complete. In 181)2, IVIr. Gar-
rison erected a large barn, 28 x 38 feet, with an L,
24 X 26 feet. His present home also has been
erected since he located on the farm. He is a care-
ful and methodical business man, whose enterprise
and industry have won for him a comfortable
competence.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Garrison was
formerly a Republican, but in 1884 he joined the
ranks of the Prohibition party, which he has since
supported. The cause of education finds in him a
warm friend, and for four years he has served as
School Treasurer, being the present incumbent.
He does all in his power for the upbuilding of
temperance principles, and his aid is never with-
held from any worthy- enterprise calculated to
prove of public benefit. Himself and wife are
faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and earnest workers in the Master's vine-
yard. He has served as Steward and Trustee of
his church, has been Superintendent of the Sunday
school for four 3-ears, and while in New York
served in the same capacity for about sis succes-
sive years. His life has been abusj- and useful one,
and he is recognized as a valued citizen of the
community, having the high respect of all with
whom business or social relations have brought
him in contact.
^ OIIN BODY, a prominent farmer residing
on section 19, Belmont Township, is one of
the extensive land-owners of the county.
He is .also one of its representative citizens,
and is widely and favorably known throughout
its borders. His life record is as follows: He was
born March 11, 1826, in Fountain County, Ind.,
and is a son of Isaac Body. His father was born
in Mifflin County, Pa., and was in the war roll for
the War of 1812. He wedded Miss Mary Movers,
who was born in the samecountj', and their union
was there celebrated. About 1820 the3' emigrated
to Indiana, and in the midst of the forest Mr.
Body hewed out a farm near Covington. In 1836
he came to Illinois in wagons drawn by oxen, and
after renting hand for a time, purch.ased a farm of
forty acres on section 19, Belmont Township. In-
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
735
dians were still in the neighborhood, all kinds of
wild game was plentiful, the land was in a primi-
tive condition, and the work of civilization and
progress seemed scarcely begun. He continued to
make his home in tiiis county until his death,
wliich occurred in Milford Township at the ad-
vanced age of ninety-five 3^ears. His wife passed
away previously, and both were buried in Body
Cemetery. They were among the honored pio-
neers of the county, and were highlj' respected
citizens.
In the Body family were nine children: Eliza-
beth, now deceased; Mrs. Susan Ross, who resides
in Milford; Catherine, wife of Judge S. AVilHams,
of Belmont; John, whose name heads this sketch;
George, who died in this county; Isaac, a resident
of AVhiteside County, who was killed in the Chats-
worth wreck; Mary Ann, wife of A. C. .Fohnson,
of AVoodland; Sarah, widow of Jediah Cobb, and
a resident of Belmont; and Louisa, wife of Isaac
Dixon, of Nebraska.
Our subject was a lad of ten years wlien with
his parents he came to this county. His educa-
tional advantages were limited, for the schools in
a pioneer settlement are generally very primitive.
School was held in a log cabin with slab seats, and
was conducted on the subscription plan, while the
teacher boarded around. His training at farm
work, however, was not meagre, for he early began
work in the fields, and was inured to the labors of
the farm. At the age of twenty-two, he began
life for himself bj- selling wheat at fifty cents per
bushel. He then entered fort}- acres of land at the
land office in Danville, for which he paid the Gov-
ernment price of $L25 per acre, and upon that
farm he has since made his home, although its
boundaries have been greatly enlarged. He now
owns seven hundred and eighty .icresof good land,
and the care and cultivation he bestows upon it
yield him a ready return in bounteous harvests.
Just before his removal to this farm, Mr. Body
w.as married, in September, 1848, in Old Middle-
port to Sarelda Phillips, a native of Ohio, who
with her parents came to Illinois. Unto them
have been born five children: Francis M., who
died at the age of twenty-three years; Isaac Leo-
nard and William II., both of whom are engaged
in farming in Crescent Township; Mary, deceased
wife of William Utter; and John, also an agricul-
turist of Crescent Township. All of the children
were born and reared on the homestead farm, and
were educated in the public schools. Frank also
attended school in Onarga and Ypsilanti and was
a successful teacher.
Mr. Body has been a supporter of the Demo-
cratic part}' since he attained his majority. His
residence in this county covers a period of fift}'-
six consecutive years, and few indeed are tliey who
have so long resided within its borders. He has
witnessed its entire growth and development, has
seen its wild lands transformed into beautiful
homes and farms, while towns and villages have
sprung up, and the work of progress has been car-
ried forward until hardly a landmark of pioneer
days yet remains. Mr. Bu6y h.as ever borne his
part in the upbuilding of the count}', and his name
'is inseparably connected with its history. He is
one of its prominent citizens, and well deserves
the high regard in which he is held.
m
"iflOHN WILLIAM ANDERSON, who is in-
terested in the Woodland Tile Works, was
born on the 9th of February, 1859, on a new
farm in Vermilion County, and is descended
from a family which was founded in this country
at an early day. His grandfatlier, William Ander-
son, removed from the North of Maryland to Ken-
tucky. He was one of the heroes of the Revolu-
tionary War. The father of our subject, J. C.
Anderson, was born in Kentucky in 1818, and at
the age of twelve years removed to AVarren County,
Ind., where he was reared to manliood amid the
wild scenes of frontier life. In Attica, that State,
he married Miss Charlotte Steele, a native of Ohio,
reared in Indiana. Mr. Anderson was a cabinet-
maker by trade, and followed that busine.ss in At-
tica. In 1854, he removed with his family to Nor-
folk, Vermilion County, III., where he engaged in
farming for ten years, and in 1864 came to Iro-
quois County. He settled in Belmont Township,
and purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty
736
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
acres, which he placed under a high state of cul-
tivation, making it his liome until 1874. The fol-
lowing 3'ear he came to Woodland. In company
with Judge S. Williams he laid out this village,
donating the land for that purpose, and secured a
side-track to tlie place. With its business indus-
tries he has since been prominently identified. In
1877, a saw and grist mill which he had built was
burned, and later he established a tile factory.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born the fol-
lowing cliildren: Milton S., born in Indiana in
1842, is a Methodist Episcopal minister who was
educated in Ouarga,and is now Presiding Elder in
Spokane Falls, Wash.; Laura, who graduated from
Onarga Seminary and successfully engaged in teach-
ing in the public schools of Watseka, died in 1873;
Albert R. and IraB. both engaged in farming near
Spokane Falls, AVash.; Mary C. is the wife of Jacob
Cobb, a resident of Lorain, Ohio, emploj^ed on the
railroad; Arthur isat homo; Orrin, his twin brother,
was killed in 1874; John William, whose name
heads this record, completes the family.
Our subject was only about five years old when
his parents came to this county. His early boyhood
days were spent upon the home farm, and at the
age of sixteen he can:ie to Woodland. He first
worked in a saw and grist mill, and is now interested
in the tile factory which was established in 1882 by
himself and father. They began operations on a
small scale, but have increased their facilities to
meet the growing demand, and now have a large
factory, the capacity of which is about two mill-
ion bricks and eight hundred thousand tiles an-
nually. They have a large trade, and well deserve
their liberal patronage. Mr. Anderson also owns
and operates six hundred acres of fine farming land
adjoining Woodland.
It was in 1883, in Woodland, tiiat Mr. Ander-
son led to the marriage altar Miss Mary Belle AYar-
ren, a native of this county, and a daughter of
William Warren, one of the early settlers. Four
children grace their union, three sons and a daugh-
ter: John W., Albert, Bessie and James.
The father of our subject was in early life an
Abolitionist. He was for some years identified
with the Whig party, and his first Presidential vote
was cast for William Henry Harrison. He is now a
stalwart Republican, and in this respect J. W. An-
derson has followed in his footsteps. lie has been
one of the prominent and influential workers of
the party, has served as delegate to the county
and senatorial conventions, and is a member of
the County Central Committee. He labors ear-
nestly to promote the growth and insure the success
of the part}'-, but has never been an ofl5ce-seeker.
Socially, he is connected with the Masonic fra-
ternit3- of Watseka. During his youth he received
no special educational advantages, but he possesses
an observing eye and retentive memory, and has
made himself a well-informed man. Keen and in-
telligent, he is a great reader, and in addition to
the study of general literature has for the past
two years been reading law and history. He is one
of the prominent citizens of the coramunit}', and
himself and father, who is now sevent^'-five j-ears
of age, are classed among the leading and progress-
ive business men.
'\f? ACOB YEAGLEY, a prosperous farmer, who
resides on section 11, Concord Township,
^^ is a native of the Keystone State. He was
^^^ born on the 29th of October, 1827, in Leb-
anon County, Pa., and is a son of George and
Elizabeth (Shram) Yeagley. His parents were
both natives of Pennsylvania and were of Penn-
sylvania-Dutch ancestry, but the origin of the fam-
ily is lost. The father of our subject was a weaver
by trade and owned a small piece of land. He
never left the State of his nativity. His death oc-
curred in 1872.
Our subject acquired his education in the sub-
scription schools, but his advantages were very
limited. He was the third in a family of seven
children and at an early age began to earn his
own liveliiiood. At the age of seventeen j'ears, he
commenced to serve an apprenticeship to his uncle,