LaFayette Illinois

Biography of Albert Arthur Hurd

Albert Arthur Hurd was a distinguished corporation lawyer in Topeka, recognized for his remarkable contributions to the legal field, particularly as a railroad attorney for the Santa Fe Railway Company for over 40 years. Born in Illinois in 1849, he pursued law at Iowa State University, practicing in various Kansas cities before settling in Topeka. His keen managerial skills and dedication earned him the role of special counsel in 1905. A private yet respected figure, Hurd engaged in horticulture and was known for his charitable spirit. He passed away in 1915, leaving a lasting legacy in his community.

Biographical Sketch of J. M. Mock

J. M. Mock, born April 1, 1839, in Hocking County, Ohio, moved to Coles County, Illinois, at 15. He married Catharine J. Zimmerman in 1866, and they had six children. Mock enlisted in the 21st Illinois Infantry in 1861, rising from Corporal to Captain over four years of service, participating in significant battles like Stone River and Chickamauga, and was wounded at Franklin. He later settled on a 160-acre farm in Lafayette Township and passed away on September 21, 1873.

Biography of Joshua A. Downing

Joshua A. Downing, born in 1849 in Illinois, is recognized as a significant pioneer and builder in Wallowa County, Oregon. His family traveled west in 1862, settling first in Marion County. After marrying Katie Ashby in 1868 and raising two children, tragedy struck with her death in 1878. Downing moved to Wallowa County in 1887, developing a prosperous 590-acre farm while raising a large family with his second wife, Ellie A. Downing. A dedicated Republican and community leader, he is noted for his moral integrity and commitment to education and faith.