Bureau County Archives – Page 10 of 14

Biography of George W. Black of Walnut, Illinois

History of Bureau County, Illinois Title Page

George W. Black, Walnut, was born November 22, 1829, in Perry County, Ohio. He is the son of Samuel and Rebecca (Skiuner) Black. The father was born in Pennsylvania August 1, 1808. At an early day he removed to Ohio, and died in Sandusky County, Ohio, April 11, 1846. The mother was born in Perry County, Ohio, April 22, 1912. She now resides in Bureau County, Ill., wife of a Mr. Ferguson. George W. Black is the oldest child and only son of a family of nine. The daughters are Mary Black, who lives with her mother; Lucinda (deceased); Emeline, … Read more

Biography of W.D. Billhorn/Buehlhorn of Clarion, Illinois

W. D. Billhorn, Clarion, is a son of Sebastian and Elizabeth (Bauer) Billhorn, natives of Germany, where the family name was spelled Buehlhorn. The grandparents of our subject were Peter and Margaretha (Wagner) Buehlhorn, also natives of Germany. where the grandfather died February 13, 1849, aged 51 years. The grandmother died June 28, 1883, aged seventy-eight years. They were the parents of seven children: Sebastian, John, Mrs. Catharine Trockenbrod, deceased; Mrs. Sophia Shaller, Veit; Mrs. Margaret Wilder and Frederick Buehlhorn.

Biography of Philip H. Betz of Clarion, Illinois

Philip H. Betz, Clarion, was born in this county August 18, 1853. He is a son of Jacob Betz, who was born in 1813 in Germany. He came to New York in 1842. Two years afterward he came to Bureau County, where he bought a claim of Joseph Screach, in Clarion Township, where our subject now owns 390 acres. The grandfather of our subject was Adam Betz (see preceding sketch). The mother of our subject was Elizabeth (Fauble) Betz, who died in 1883. She was the mother of nine children, viz,: Jacob, George, Adam, Philip H., Mary, Sarah, Susan, Ruth … Read more

Biography of George M. Betz of Clarion, Illinois

George M. Betz, Clarion, was born November 4, 1845, in Clarion Township, south of Perkins Grove. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fauble) Betz (see preceding sketch). Mr. Betz was reared here and has been engaged in farming and stock raising, which latter he follows mainly. On his farm of 311 acres he raises shorthorn and Jersey cattle, Clydesdale horses (of which two are imported), Jersey Reds and Poland-China hogs, and also a drove of 300 head of pure bred “Cots wool” sheep, which are renowned for their wool as well as their mutton. Mr. Betz is a … Read more

Biography of G. C. Betz of Lamoille, Illinois

G. C. Betz, Lamoille, is a native of the Grand Duchy of Darmstadt, Germany, as were his parents, Adam and Elizabeth Betz. Adam Betz was a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte, the great emperor and conqueror, and with him participated in the world-famous battles of Austerlitz and Jena and a number of other engagements. He was a farmer and came to the United States in 1844. He died in Peru, Ill., in March 1864, aged 82 years. Our subject went to school in the old country and there learned the shoemaker trade.. He immigrated to the United States in 1840, and … Read more

Biography of Jacob Bernahard of DePue, Illinois

Jacob Bernahard, DePue, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, October 13, 1832. He is the son of Christian and Mary (Lied) Bernhard. The father’s occupation was that of a farmer. He died in 1842, but his widow lived till 1859. Our subject was educated in the schools of his native country, and in early life learned the trade of shoemaking. In 1853 he came to the United States, and for one year remained in New York City, working at shoemaking. He then went to Hudson City, N. Y., and there followed his trade for one year. In 1855 he came … Read more

Biography of John Berkstresser of Buda, Illinois

John Berkstresser, Buda, was born in Bedford County, Penn., January 1, 1818. He is the son of John and Barbara (Sheckler) Berkstresser, both natives of Pennsylvania but of German descent. Their ancestors had lived in the State for several generations, except the mother’s mother, who was born in Germany. They were the parents of seven sons and one daughter, all of whom yet survive, except the eldest son. Our subject was reared on a farm among the hills of Pennsylvania, with but very limited means for an education; but with a determination to succeed in life and to overcome all … Read more

Biography of Burghard Berge of Fairfield, Illinois

Burghard Berge, Fairfield, was born July 17, 1831, in Landerfeld, Cur Hessen, Germany. His parents were Paulus and Elizabeth (Herte) Berger. The father died in Germany, but the mother came to America in 1860, and died in Bureau County, Ill., March 28, 1878. She was the mother of five children: Carl, Burghard, Andrew, George, and Mrs. Elizabeth Sippel. Of the above, Burghard Berge came to America in August, 1857. He worked three and a half years by the month in Tazewell County, Ill., and then married and removed to Woodford County, where he farmed three and a half years. He … Read more

Biography of Alanson Benson of Arispe, Illinois

Alanson Benson, Arispe, who is one of Bureau County’s self-made and prosperous farmers, was born February 27, 1823, in Douglass, Mass. His father, Alanson Benson, Sr., was born in 1783 in Massachusetts. He came to this county in 1839, and settled on Section 21, in Arispe Township, and died here in 1857. His mother, Lucina (Lapham) Benson, was born April 25, 1792, in Burrilville, R. I. She died here in 1853. She was the mother of nine children, viz.: Mrs. Maria Blake, Rufus, Mrs. Sarah Sherman, Mrs. Henrietta Woodford, Alanson, Elias T., Mrs. Mary A. Culver, Mrs. Lucina Allen and … Read more

Biography of Timothy N. Bennett of Neponset, Illinois

Timothy N. Bennett, Neponset. The subject of the following biography was born March 24, 1854, in the state of Indiana. His father, Timothy Bennett, was born April 15, 1813, in Clinton Co., Ohio. He was a farmer by occupation and well known for his many good qualities of head and heart. He came to Neponset Township, Bureau Co., Ill., in 1856, and died here February 6, 1872. The grandfather of our subject, Timothy Bennett, Sr., was a native of Kentucky. The great-grandfather’s name was also Timothy Bennett. The mother of our subject, Elizabeth (Russell) Bennett, was born May 9, 1814, … Read more

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