Biography of John D. Seltzer

John D. Seltzer, now living retired at Villa Grove, spent many useful and productive years in Champaign County. These years dealt pleasantly with him and in response to his energy and good judgment rewarded him with one of the finest farms in Raymond Township, which he still owns, and he is able to look back upon his past years with a great deal of satisfaction, born of practical achievement and the performance of the many duties that are assumed by public spirited citizens like Mr. Seltzer. He is of old Pennsylvania stock and was born in Schuylkill County of that … Read more

Biography of George L. Beard

George L. Beard is an Arkansas City business man of thirty years’ standing, and owned and directs the largest exclusive athletic and sporting goods house in the State of Kansas. Mr. Beard first came out to Kansas in the early ’70s, and there is no one who knows the history and the people of Southern Kansas better than this veteran merchant. Mr. Beard is a native of Illinois, born at Naperville, about thirty miles from Chicago, on August 8, 1846. His father, Charles Beard, was one of the early pioneers in that section of Illinois. The Beard ancestry goes back … Read more

Laura Jane Todd Bailey of Naperville IL

BAILEY, Laura Jane Todd7, (Uel6, Oliver5, Abraham4, Jonah3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born March 9, 1809, died Jan. 31, 1887, married Feb. 15, 1826, Lyman Bailey, who was born April 29, 1803, died Jan. 2, 1882. He was a farmer and drover. They lived in Carmel, N. Y., thence they moved to Napierville, Ill. Children: I. Sarah Jane, b. Dec. 2, 1826, d. Jan. 23, 1850, m. April 29, 1846, Samuel B. Morse, who d. in 1885. Issue: (1) Anna, b. Aug. 7, 1849, d. Feb. 19, 1850. II. Gilbert Uel, b. March 15, 1828. III. Laura Mead, b. Nov. 23, 1829, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William E. Merner

Merner, William E.; wall paper business; born, Ontario, Can., April 29, 1865; son of Christian Merner, mother’s maiden name Young; educated, Canadian High School, Commercial course at The Northwestern College, Naperville, Ill.; married, June 18, 1902, Effie S. Pratt; issue, two daughters; director The Western Reserve Land Co.; owner The Economy Wall Paper Co.; Mason, Ellsworth Lodge, Hillman Chapter; member Chamber of Industry.