Somerset County NJ

Biography of Luther Cortelyou

Luther Cortelyou, born December 23, 1851, in New Jersey, became a notable grain merchant in Kansas and later president of the Farmers State Bank of Muscotah. Residing in Muscotah for almost thirty years, he was active in local governance, serving as mayor and on the school board. Educated at Rutgers, Cortelyou transitioned from farming to grain trading, contributing significantly to the industry. His family has deep roots in Atchison County, and he was married twice, fathering four children, with one continuing the family legacy in banking.

Biography of John V. Cortelyou

John V. Cortelyou, born on September 19, 1874, in New Jersey, became the German chair at Kansas State Agricultural College in 1904 after studying at Heidelberg University. He hailed from a distinguished lineage, tracing back to Jaques Cortelyou, a settler in New Amsterdam in 1652. Cortelyou’s academic journey included degrees from the University of Nebraska and a successful teaching stint in Nebraska. Married to Grace Rushton, they had four children. He is celebrated as a prominent scholar in his field.

Biographical Sketch of John McBride

John McBride, born on January 10, 1840, in Somerset County, New Jersey, moved to Illinois after marrying Annie P. Koymer on December 1, 1864. He began his life in North Okaw Township, Coles County, where he settled in 1867 before relocating to his current farm in 1874. A dedicated farmer, McBride has acquired eighty acres through hard work. His parents, Robert and Mary Whitehead McBride, hailed from New Jersey and England, respectively. Mary passed away during a visit to her son’s home.

Biography of James W. Eaton

James W. Eaton, born on August 22, 1817, in Somerville, New Jersey, significantly influenced Albany’s architecture, especially as the superintendent of the new state capitol from 1874 until its superintendency ended in 1883. Raised in a family of high moral standards, he learned masonry from his father and built a prosperous contracting business. A dedicated public servant and a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Eaton’s legacy includes over five hundred structures in Albany and a life devoted to community enhancement and family.