Chicago

Frank and Anna Peterson

The Hall Family of Cherry Valley

Winnebago County /

Seth Everett Hall, born June 7, 1845, in Earlville, New York, married Jeanne C. Nead in 1866 and had one child, Jeannie Cornelia Hall, before Jeanne’s death in 1868. He married Fayette McNaire in 1876, having seven children. Seth and Fayette settled in Cherry Valley, Illinois, where Seth operated a nursery business and served as Mayor in 1900. The Hall family was active in local politics and community affairs, with significant contributions to Cherry Valley’s development. The family home at 518 West State Street became a local landmark. Seth Jr. continued the family legacy, marrying twice and having two children.

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Lee County Illinois

Biography of Peter Kreiter

Lee County, Tazewell County /

Peter Kreiter’s journey from the Rhine in Germany to becoming a prominent citizen and successful farmer in Amboy Township, Illinois, is a testament to the virtues of patience and perseverance. Born in 1824, he migrated to America in 1847, honing his skills as a machinist before settling in Lee County. While his professional focus remained on machinist work, his sons have taken up the mantle of farming on their 175-acre property, showcasing the Kreiter legacy of diligence and success. Married to Augusta Wenzel, the couple’s life together has been enriched by their eight children, with the family maintaining a significant presence in both the agricultural and milling industries of their community.

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Lee County Illinois

Biography of Jacob Aschenbrenner

Lee County, Cook County /

Jacob Aschenbrenner, an established coal dealer in Amboy, Illinois, originates from Hesse-Cassel, Germany, born in 1825. After serving in the German army and participating in the 1848 Revolution, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1855, eventually settling in Lee County. Jacob transitioned from farming to coal dealing, making significant contributions to his community, including serving as Alderman and on the Board of Education. Married twice, he has three children from his first marriage. A founding member of the local Lutheran Church, Jacob’s life story is marked by resilience, entrepreneurship, and public service, underscoring his importance in Amboy’s history.

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Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Cass County vol 2 toc

Biography of George W. Armstrong

Cass County, Mason County

The part of Cass County which is included in the district of Chandlerville, finds a worthy and capable agricultural representative in the person of George W. Armstrong. His career has been similar to that of many others, who have followed varied pursuits for a number of years, but at length have returned to farming, finding in the tilling of the soil their comfort, their success and their proper field of endeavor. Mr. Armstrong is a native son of Cass County, born October 11, 1869, on his father’s homestead in township 18, range 10, near Chandlerville, Cass County, Ill., a son

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Charles Devlin of Spring Valley, Illinois

Bureau County, Cook County, La Salle County

In 1850, Charles Devlin was born in St. Louis, Missouri. By age 4, his parents had moved with him to Peru, LaSalle County, Illinois. At age 19, Mr. Devlin worked as a bookkeeper and business manager in Peru for the Union Coal company. Charles Devlin was convinced that the time was right to open what he believed was a very valuable asset, coal mines. So, in 1884, Mr. Devlin helped in the opening of the first Spring Valley, Illinois coal mine. In 1885, he married Jennie Miller, daughter of a Spring Valley founder, Henry J. Miller. Their union brought forth

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History of Bureau County, Illinois Title Page

Biography of James R. Cottle of Princeton, Illinois

Bureau County, Cook County

James R. Cottle, Princeton, was born February 26, 1835, in Singapore, East India. His father, Richard Cottle, is a native of England, and yet resides in Bristol. In early life he was a carriage trimmer, but is now Government Inspector of the Great Western Railroad. James R. Cottle, Sr. the father of Richard Cottle, was a gentleman of leisure; he was formerly a Government Collector. The mother of our subject was Eliza (Betterridge) Cottle, a native of Thatchan, Berkshire, England. She died in Bristol. She was the mother of nine children, of whom six are now living, but none in

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Biography of E. B. Anthony of Indiantown, Illinois

Bureau County, Cook County

E. B. Anthony, Indiantown, was born August 9, 1841, in Providence, Bureau County, Ill. His father, Alfred Anthony, was born October 31, 1815, in Rhode Island. The great-grandfather of our subject, Isaac Anthony, Sr., was also a native of Rhode Island, where he died. His son, Isaac Anthony, Jr., was born and died there. The latter was a Captain in the war of 1812. He married Nancy Fish, who was the mother of nine children that reached maturity. Of these Alfred was the youngest. He came here with the Providence colony, and was married here to Mary A. Cushing, a

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Morgan County

Biographical Sketch of Albyn Lincoln Adams, M. D.

Cook County, Morgan County, Pike County

Adams, Albyn Lincoln, M.D., a very successful physician in Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois, was born at Pine Hill, Ontario, Canada, April 13, 1865, the son of James W. and Lee (Bowman) Adams, natives of Ohio. Mr. Adams received his early mental training in the public schools of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the Fostoria (Ohio) Academy, and afterward served an apprenticeship in the drug business in Grand Rapids and Hart, Mich. He then entered Bennett Medical College, Chicago, from which he was graduated, in 1886, with the degree of M.D. While in Chicago he became a registered pharmacist, and was engaged

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