The Past and Present of Woodford County Illinois (1878)

Jesse Dale came to Illinois at an early day. He first settled at Spring Bay about 1829, but a few years after came to this [Metamora] township. Little is remembered of him, further than that he served for a time as Treasurer or the county, and faithfully discharged the duty. It is related of him that he used to bury the funds of the County for safe keeping in the ground, and that upon one occasion he buried them so deep that he had a long and exciting search before he himself could find them.


(From another section in this book)

Jesse Dale, mentioned in other chapters of this work, seems to have been a kind of migratory character, who was not satisfied long in one place. We find him in the Spring Bay settlement among the first; a few years later in the settlement at Partridge Point, or Metamora, as it was afterward called, and in the Low Point Settlement with the very earliest. Some of the survivors of this settlement are of opinion that Dale built the first cabin in Cazenovia Township; but from other and more definite information, we are included to accredit the building of the first house to Hubbard, as already noted.

Early Settler Link

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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The Biographical Record of Livingston and Woodford Counties, Illinois (S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1900)
 

Mr. Damman

Woodford county has many enterprising and successful citizens who started out in life with naught but an abundance of determination and indefatigable industry, and a strong and healthy constitution, and have succeeded through their own diligence, energy and economy. To this class belongs the subject of this sketch, who owns and operated a fine farm of two hundred and fifty-two acres of land on sections 27 and 28, Greene township, his home being on the latter section.

Mr. Damman was born in Spenge, near Bielefeld, Westphalia, Germany, November 18, 1844, a son of Casper and Mary Damman, also natives of that country, where the father spent his entire life as a farmer, dying there at the age of forty-five years. The mother came to America and lived with our subject for some time. She died in Benton county, Iowa, at the age of sixty-nine years. In the family were eleven children, but only four are now living. Our subject has three sisters: Anna, wife of John Noellsch, a farmer of Holt county, Missouri; Lena, wife of Herman Stiegelmeyer, a farmer of Benton county, Iowa; and Clara, wife of U.S. Fry, a grain dealer of Van Horn, Iowa.

In 1853, at the age of nine years, Mr. Damman came to America with his mother, landing in New Orleans. From there they went to St Louis, Missouri, and then to Menard county, Illinois, locating near Petersburg. our subject began work by the month on farms in that neighborhood, and remained there until about twenty-three years of age, when he went to Iowa and purchased land on which he lived for eighteen months. Selling his property in that state, he returned to Illinois in 1869, and this time located in El Paso township, Woodford county, where he was engaged in farming on rented land for some time. He finally purchased a partially improved tract of eighty acres, and to its further development and cultivation devoted his attention until the spring of 1888, when he purchased his present fine farm in Greene township. Here he has erected a commodious and substantial residence as well as a large barn and other buildings, and has made many other improvements upon the place which make it one of the most desirable farms of its size in the township. Mr Damman also owns a farm of eighty acres on section 9, Greene township, which is operated by his son, John. He is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of short horn cattle, Poland China hogs and Norman horses.

On the 29th of December, 1869, at Peoria, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Damman and Miss Mary Stiegelmeyer, a daughter of Casper and Mary Stiegelmeyer, farming people of El Paso township, Woodford county. The father is now deceased, but the mother is still living and continues to reside on the home farm with her son, Henry. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Daman (sic), namely: Clara, born in El Paso township, December 8, 1870, married Henry Armstrong, a prominent farmer of Greene township, and died April 20, 1900, leaving one child, Ralph, then only two days old. She was buried at Secor. John, born April 17, 1872, married Ada B., daughter of Philip Evans, a farmer of Panola township, and is now engaged in farming on his father's place on section 9, Greene township. Anna, born in McLean county, December 10, 1873; William, born in El Paso township, Woodford county, October 30, 1875; and Henry A., born May 26, 1879, are all at home. Edwin F., born March 6, 1881, and Mary A., born February 16, 1883, are teaching district schools and reside at home. Frank, born July 21, 1887, is also at home. All have received good district school educations.

As a Republican Mr. Damman takes an active interest in local politics, and is now chairman of the township committee, but he has never sought nor desired public office, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. His wife and two daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Starting out in life for himself a poor boy, his success is due to his industry, perseverance and good management, and he justly deserves the prosperity that has come to him. He is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him.
 

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois (Pioneer Pub. Co., 1907)

John Daub is the owner of a beautiful and excellent farm which lies in a basin of bottom land surrounded on all sides by high bluffs. Its unique situation adds to its beauty and attractiveness and the land is rich and arable, producing good crops. It is situated on section 32, Richland township. The owner was born in New Orleans, March 24, 1850, and is of German lineage. His father, John Daub, was born in Bavaria, Germany, and after coming to America espoused the cause of his adopted country, enlisting for service in the Civil war. He gave up his life in defense of the Union, being killed in battle in 1865. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Castler, was twice married, her first husband being John Daub, and to them were born three children: John; Alec; and one who died in infancy. By her marriage to Hubert Adami she had four children: Hubert; Victor; August; and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Daub, whose name introduces this review, became a resident of Marshall county in 1856. He acquired his education partly in the schools of this county and also attended school to some extent in St Louis, Missouri. He was reared to farm life and remained at home until his marriage, after which he took up his abode upon a farm in Woodford county, Illinois, where he resided until the 13th of February, 1896. He started out in life with very little assistance and that he has always been busy and energetic and capably controlled his business assets is indicated by the fact that he is now owner of a valuable property of two hundred and sixty-eight acres of land on sections 29, 32, and 33, Richland township. The soil is very productive and in addition to raising the cereals best adapted to the climate he also raises good stock of all kinds, including some high bred Percheron horses.

As a companion and helpmate on life's journey Mr. Daub chose Miss Anna M. Sneider, who was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, March 16, 1856, and there remained until eight years of age, when she accompanied her parents, Lawrence and Catherine (Simon) Sneider, on their removal to Woodford county, Illinois, where her girlhood days were passed and her education was acquired. Her parents were born and reared in Bavaria, Germany, and were schoolmates during their youth. The mother was but seventeen years of age when she came to the United States with her parents and was married on landing in this country. Mr. Sneider was then about twenty-five years old. For about five years he made his home in Cincinnati, Ohio, and then removed to Tazewell county, Illinois, where he followed farming and gardening for twelve years. He next purchased a farm in Woodford county, this state, and to its cultivation and improvement he devoted his energies until called to his final rest. He was fairly successful in his business affairs and was a truly self-made man. After his death his wife operated the farm for about fifteen years, but now makes her home with her son Frank in Woodford county at the age of seventy-two years. In the family were eleven children, namely: John, a farmer of Woodford county; Anna M., wife of our subject; Catharine, wife of Alec Daub, a farmer of Fairfield, Iowa; Lena, wife of Hubert Adami, a farmer of Marshall county, Illinois; Adam C., a farmer of Woodford county; Joseph H., also a farmer of that county; Louisa, wife of John Grebner, of Woodford county; Frank and Peter, who are both engaged in agricultural pursuits in Woodford county; Angeline, the wife of Frank Grebner, a farmer of Woodford county; and one that died in infancy.

The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Daub was celebrated September 9, 1873, and unto them have been born ten children: John, born December 15, 1875, aids in the operation of the home farm. He has held a number of offices, has been town clerk and school director and is now filling the position of constable. Aloysius, born August 7, 1877, died in infancy. Joseph A., born July 12, 1878, died September 14, 1880. Seraphina Elizabeth, born September 9, 1880, is the wife of John A. Yunker, of Fargo, North Dakota. Catherine, born July 8, 1882, is living with her sister in North Dakota. Mary Rosa, born June 3, 1884, George Christopher, born July 24, 1886, Anna Angelina, born November 17, 1889, Isidor Francis, born September 18, 1892, and Lawrence Eugene, born July 28, 1896, are all at home.

The parents and children are communicants of the Catholic church, and Mr. Daub exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy, having adhered to the party since attaining his majority. In his life he has displayed many of the sterling characteristics of his German ancestry and his good qualities constitute the secret of the high regard in which he is uniformly held, while the reason for his success is found in his earnest, persistent labor.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden
 

Back to Index

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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The Biographical Record of Livingston and Woodford Counties, Illinois (1900)

Henry Dierking

No foreign element has become a more important part in our American citizenship than that furnished by Germany. The emigrants from that land have brought with them to the new world the stability, enterprise and perseverance characteristic of their people and have fused these qualities with the progressiveness and indomitable spirit of the west. Mr. Dierking, the well-known banker of Secor, is a worthy representative of this class.

He was born on the 12th of April, 1830, in the province of Hanover, Germany, of which his parents, Henry and Wilhelmina (Stunkel) Dierking, were also natives. In 1844 they brought their family to the United States and settled in Lafayette county, Missouri, where the father followed his chosen occupation, that of farming, for a number of years. There he was killed during the war of the Rebellion at the age of about sixty years. His wife survived him and after his death came to Woodford county, Illinois, to make her home with our subject in Secor, where she died at the age of eighty-one years. In their family were seven children, five sons and two daughters, of whom Henry is the oldest.

Our subject received his education in the common schools of his native land, and assisted his father in the labors of the farm. He was fourteen years of age when he accompanied the family on their removal to the United States, and at their home in Missouri they grew to manhood. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California, traveling on foot with a party, and reaching their destination after twenty weeks spent upon the road. Mr Dierking remained in that state two years, prospecting and mining, and then returned to his old home in La Fayette county, Missouri, where he purchased a farm, which he tilled until the civil war broke out. In 1861 he entered the service as cook for the home guards and remained with them several months, after which he resumed farming in La Fayette county. Leaving home in 1862, he spent a couple of years traveling over the country, and in 1865 located at Secor, Woodford county, Illinois, where he has since made his home. He was first engaged in general merchandising for a number of years and next embarked in the grain business, buying an elevator, which he operated until the fall of 1899, when he sold the business to Mr Felter and turned his attention to the banking business, becoming proprietor of what is known as the Secor Bank. He erected the brick building in which the bank is now located and is doing a successful general banking business.

On the 10th of December, 1852, in La Fayette county, Missouri, Mr Dierking was united in marriage with Miss Mary Wallner, a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 1852, per parents being dead. She died in Secor March 19, 1900, at the age of sixty-seven years and one month, and was laid to rest in the cemetery there. She was a faithful member of the German Lutheran church, a devoted mother and a loving wife and helpmeet, who took a special interest in the work of the church and endeared herself to all who knew her. Hers was a well-spent and useful life and she left behind many friends to mourn her loss. To Mr and Mrs Dierking were born nine children, three sons and six daughters, of whom Carl died at the age of six years, Martin at the age of five and one in infancy unnamed. Kathleen, born in Missouri, is the wife of Hiram Flessner, a real estate dealer of Peoria, Illinois, and they have three children, Emma, Edward and Lone. Edward, a merchant of Secor, married Mrs. Etta Smith, and they have five children, Clara, Carl, Sophia, Bertha and Lora. Mary is the wife of C. C. Herman, a prominent druggist of Secor, and they have two children, Irwin and Edna. Anna and Matilda are both at home and the latter assists as bookkeeper in the bank.

Mr Dierking has held the office of trustee of the village board for a number of years and has been president of the village two or three terms. He is a member of the German Lutheran church, which his family all attend, and is one of the most highly respected citizens of his adopted town. When he came to the county there were but few improved farms, and he has seen nearly all the wild land transformed into a highly cultivated district. He is one of the men who, by his industry and perseverance, has helped to make the county what it is today, and as a useful and prominent citizen he is well worthy of representation in this volume.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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