Biographies: G

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Weston Gales	Thomas Giles
Robert Garrison	Daniel Gorman
Frank German	James Gouran
Henry Gilbert	Joseph Graff
Jas. Gilbert	L. L. Guyer
Nathan Giles	more to come...

WESTON R. GALES. This gentleman has secured a satisfactory degree of worldly success by reason of his personal integrity and the exercise of unmistakable business ability. He possesses the well-bred manners so characteristic of those born in the Southern States, and having excellent conversational powers is able to present the subject which he desires to bring to one's notice with a degree of tact which makes his companionship agreeable and gives him a success not met with by all who are in the same line of business. He has been located in Peoria since 1887, and now has charge of the National Accident Association in the State, which gives him a wide field of labor.
     Mr. Gales is descended from the early settlers of North Carolina and is therefore of remote English ancestry. His parents were Seaton and Mary (Compton) Gales, both natives of the same State and the father was engaged in editorial work in Raleigh. That city was the birthplace of our subject, who, as he grew to manhood, attended private schools there, among them being the Male Academy. He left school when sixteen years old and embarked in business in New York City, finding employment with a noted firm of wholesale hardware dealers. He continued there until 1821, when he returned to his native State and was elected to a clerkship in the State Legislature.
     Mr. Gales retained that position until elected by the legislature to the office of Clerk of the Criminal Court of Wake County, the duties of which position he continued to discharge until by a change in the judicial system the court was abolished. Re-embarking in a business career, he was connected with the tobacco interests for some time, then engaged in the insurance work in Cincinnati, Ohio. From that city he removed to Peoria at the date before mentioned, to take charge of the Peoria District of the Prudential Insurance Company, with which he was engaged in Cincinnati. From that position he was finally called to take charge of the State work of the Association with which he is now laboring.
     In 1878, Mr. Gales and Miss Anna Cowan Strong were joined in holy wedlock. The bride is a native of the same city in which her husband opened his eyes to the light, is intelligent, accomplished and well-bred, capable of gracefully filling any position to which she might be called. Mr. and Mrs. Gales have one child—Anna Cowan, a bright miss now ten years old.
     Mr. Gales is an active member of the Reformed Episcopal Church and Superintendent of Bacon Mission, which was established about two years ago, having for its object to reach the unsaved that the ordinary means of Christian work are not adapted for. The life of the Mission and its success, is due to the Christian energy of those who are connected with the Bible Class of the church. Meetings are held bi-weekly, with a Sunday-school in connection therewith, and an industrial school in session except during the summer months. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Peoria, Illinois (1890), pages 365-367, submitted by Janine Crandell)

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ROBERT GARRISON. One of the largest landholders in all Peoria County is this gentleman, who has met with more success in the prosecution of his calling as farmer and stock man than usually fell to the lot of the pioneers of this section of the country. He is one of the wealthy and influential citizens of Millbrook Township, and has borne a prominent part in bringing it to its present condition as one of the finest agricultural regions in this part of the State. On the pages of this volume his portrait is presented, and the principal events of his life are recorded.
     Ohio is the native State of our subject, the place of his birth being in Clinton County, and the date thereof February 2, 1816. Lemuel and Mary Garrison, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Kentucky, were his parents. His paternal grandfather, Lemuel Garrison, was a Revolutionary soldier. The father of our subject was born in 1788, and emigrated to Ohio about 1807. That part of the country was then almost entirely in a wild condition, less than a quarter of a century having elapsed since it was opened to settlement; the Indians still had hunting grounds there, and pitched their wigwams along its streams in its primeval forests. Mr. Garrison was for a short time a resident of Warren County, and then became an early pioneer of Clinton County, where he lived for over half a century, and reared his family; he finally died in this county in February, 1872, at a ripe old age.
     Robert Garrison, of whom we write, grew up amid the pioneer surroundings of his early home, was reared to farming, and has all his life been engaged in agricultural pursuits. When he was but four years old he had the misfortune to lose his mother, and his boyhood and youth were passed with his brothers and sisters in his father's home. He assisted his father in clearing a farm, and has done much pioneer work both in Ohio and Illinois, he gleaned his education in the subscription schools of Ohio, and has extended it by reading good literature, so that he keeps well informed on topics of general interest.
     In the month of September, 1837, our subject was married to Rebecca Batson. She is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in July, 1816, to Nathaniel and Mary Batson, early settlers of Clinton County, Ohio. By their union have been born eleven children, five of whom survive, as follows: Jane, wife of James Shockley, of Stark County, Ill.; Maria, wife of W. L. Barnes, of Millbrook Township; Lucinda, wife of Tobias Moats, who lives near Grafton, Neb.; Thomas B., a resident of Peoria, is Deputy Sheriff in the Sheriff's office; Susan, wife of Milton Hart, of Millbrook Township.
     In the fall of 1852 Mr. Garrison made a new departure in life, and determined to do as his father had done, and seek a new location in a more recently settled part of the country, where land was cheap and the virgin soil yielded large harvests to those who persevered in their labors. After his arrival in this State he remained in Knox County until the following spring, when he came to this county, and for one year resided on a farm at French Grove, and finally in 1855 settled on the farm which he now owns on section 15, Millbrook Township. There were but few improvements made on the place either as to cultivation or in point of buildings. He toiled early and late to develop his land, and has met with remarkable success in his calling. He has a commodious residence on section 15, and is today one of the most extensive landowners in this part of the State. He and his children together own about two thousand seven hundred and fifty acres of land, the most of it in Illinois, though some of it is in Missouri and Nebraska. Mr. Garrison, personally, owns and operates one thousand and eighty acres of land, which is highly improved and under the best of cultivation.
     This county is greatly indebted for its wonderful growth and present high financial standing to the men of intelligence, far-reaching enterprise and action who came here in pioneer times, and have in various ways sought to push forward its interests. Robert Garrison is a fine representative of this class of men, is a time honored resident of this part of the State, and is widely known and revered. Many warm friends have been drawn to him by his honorable conduct in all the affairs of life, as well as by his frankness and genuine courtesy. He is strongly interested in politics, and actively uses his influence in favor of the Democratic party. His public spirit is an important factor in carrying out all schemes for the benefit of township or county, toward which he gives with a liberal hand. He and his venerable wife are now past the age of three-score years and ten, and are enjoying the fruits of their early labors in a home where comfort and hospitality abound. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Peoria, Illinois (1890), pages 631-632, submitted by Janine Crandell)

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Görmann / Germann, Franz / Frank Paul

Gender: M
Born: 02 April 1791 in Önsbach, Achern, Baden, Germany
Immigration: 1847 to New York
Died: 19 September 1858 in Princeville, IL
Buried: St. Mary Cemetery, Kickapoo, Illinois

Spouse: Seeger, Agnes
married: 13 October 1817 in Önsbach, Achern, Baden, Germany
Children:
Görmann, Helena - b. 17 August 1818
German, Basilius - b. 14 June 1826

In the Önsbach Familienbuch (Family Book - Catholic Records), his name is given as Franz Paul Görmann, with occupation listed as "Weber" - Weaver. Frank and his [living] children are all marked in the Önsbach Familienbuch as having come to America after the death of his wife, Agnes. (She passed away in 1844 at age 50 yrs). They are noted to have emmigrated in 1847. His gravestone in Kickapoo spells his last name as "Germann".

There are important events in the history of Germany during this time that would have influenced this family's emigration to America. Frank's eldest daughter Helena married Konrad Hofer, a member of the "Volksvereines Baden" - United People of Baden. This group staged a revolution in 1848/49 which failed, and Helena and Konrad came to America in 1848. A history of the German 1848 Revolution says the following:

"Beginning industrialization, combined with a rapid growth of population, led to the formation of an urbanized working class which mostly lived in utter poverty and misery. Even 15 hours of daily work (including the work of wife and children) usually failed to raise a family above the subsistence level. In an uprising in June 1844, weavers in Silesia demanded a raise of their "starvation wages." They were told "to eat grass," and the revolt was put down by the Prussian army. Events like these added a third dimension to the pre-March era, that of demands for relief of social problems which eventually grew into the socialist and communist movements. (5) In 1847, crop failures led to famines. Unemployment rose, and hunger riots by desperate workers demanding food were put down by the military."

Frank's occupation is listed as weaver. His family would no doubt have been one of those struggling in poverty during these years. They are noted to have left some time during the year 1847, the year of crop failure and food riots. There was a revolution that took place across Europe, most notably in France, but also in Germany in 1848/49. In Germany, the revolution was put down by the military and failed, causing many people in Germany to exit for America. Some accounts state that half of all residents in Baden were active in revolutionary activities. Helena and Konrad Hofer left for America in 1848.

From: German Family History, by Fr. Ambrose German (written early 1960's)
"Basilius German was born on June 14, 1826, in Baden, Germany, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Germann. He received his education in his native land, and learned the trade of cloth weaving. In 1847, he came to America to seek his future. The story goes that he was intending to marry in Germany, but that his girl friend and he got into an argument. For spite, she got on the next ship to America. He followed her on the next ship, and they met in the strange land where neither of them could speak English and neither had any friends. Overjoyed at seeing someone whom each knew, they made up and got married!

...(Notes from Chris: Basilius and Gertrude and their families are both found in Onsbach, Baden Catholic records, however, there is no record of their marriage. They are said to have emmigrated in 1847. We would assume from the above story that they did not all come on the same ship. I have not yet found the ship records to prove that, but I'm still looking under that assumption. For more thoughts on the political and economic pressures the family would have been under to leave Germany at this time, see the bio for Basilius's father Frank.)... (This information supplied by Chris German Marshall)

He was united in marriage to Gertrude Sager in Buffalo, NY, in 1847. She was also born in Baden, Germany, on March 17, 1828. She received her education in her native land, and came to America in 1847, arriving in Boston.

Mr. and Mrs. German at first lived in Buffalo, New York, where he conducted a six loom shop for weaving cloth. Later he purchased ten acres near Niagara Falls and farmed till 1952. At that time, he wanted to join the gold rush, but his wife refused. Some friends, Streitmatter by name, talked them into going to Princeville, Illinois. Here he gradually acquired 160 acres north of Princeville. The place is still known as the Old German Farm.

In those early days, there was no Catholic Church nearer than Kickapoo, and so Mr. German often would walk the 18 miles to mass. He would take with him a basket of eggs, either as a price for the night's lodging, or for the Church. Mrs. German was known as a kind and obliging lady, with a great heart and a cheerful word for everyone. Both had to work hard to carve out a home for themselves and their family. After many years on the farm, they retired to Princeville, where they celebrated their golden wedding on February 15, 1898.

Mr. German passed away on June 20, 1904, at the age of 78 years and 6 days. He was laid to rest in St. Mary Cemetery, Princeville.

Mrs. German lived on till July 9, 1910, having reached the age of 82 years and 3 months. Paralysis was the immediate cause of her death; her health had been good until a very short time before her death. Her funeral was one of the most largely attended funerals held in Princeville. She, too, was buried in St. Mary Cemetery, Princeville, Illinois." (Research of the German family submitted by Sandie Weber. If interested to know about the German family, please email her.)

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HENRY GILBERT was born in Charing Cross, London, England, January 27th, A. D. 1809. He received what we would call a good common school education, and afterwards became accomplished as an architect, and as a carpenter and joiner in his father's shops, who was also a hardware merchant. He emigrated to America about the year A. D. 1830, where he worked at his trade, in New York City, a year or more, and then changed to Philadelphia, in which city also labored at his trade about a year, and then returned to New York. He was here engaged to be married, but his intended died before the nuptial day, and becoming dishearted with New York, he, in company Edward Dawes and family (who were also from London) started for New Orleans, in 1833, making the voyage in ten days, an unusually short time in those days. Having had a severe spell of sickness during that fall and winter, he felt a strong inclination to see the new country toward the head of the Mississippi, and so again, in company with his friend Dawes, he embarked for St. Louis, and upon arriving there they at once concluded to continue their journey to Peoria, at which place they landed in the summer of 1834. His wealth at that time consisted of one ten dollars gold piece, a few silver coins, and two splendid chests of tools. Being young and genial, he made friends and these qualifications, with a thorough knowledge of his business, at once brought him the lion's share of the building operations of the town. His plans and specifications were in demand, and were adopted for the best buildings during the remainder of his life. He soon made the acquaintance of Miss Margaret Ann Fash, the daughter of a sea captain, who had lived in New York City until advancing age and a large family prompted him to "go west." Although Margaret was young, she had made excellent use of her advantages, and, at the time of their removal from New York, was a teacher in one of the schools of that city. This acquaintance ripened into an engagement in marriage between the Londoner and New Yorker, which fitly joined a pair together, as, while he was a money-making man, he loved to enjoy it, and lavishly supplied his wife with injunctions to spend it as she liked, which she obeyed by creating a sinking fund in a stocking-leg (between beds of course) which afterwards served happily on several occasions, though once was itself surprised by being found to consist largely of notes of the State Bank of Missouri, when the "blamed thing busted."

During the years 1840 and 1841, there being very little doing in the line of building, he visited St. Louis, and finding a promising opening in the building of St. Xavier's Chapel and the court house of that city, he removed his family there in 1842, where he remained prosperously until the year 1846, when the fact of his already having a home in Peoria, and the growing importance of the place, induced him to return, and he here continued prosperous in his business until Death called home, on the 4th day of July, 1849. Hilarity and the popping of celebrating artillery throughout the town, and sadness, the peacefulness, reigning within his home, while he was leaving his wife a widow and his five children fatherless, George, the eldest been at his twelfth year, and Carrie, the youngest, a baby only a few months old.

His life was one of sterling worth, ever ready to stand up for morality and reform. His death was that of a Christian. He died at the age of forty years. (Atlas Map of Peoria County, Illinois, 1873, page 89, submitted by Janine Crandell)

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GILBERT, JAS. A., farmer, Sec. 15, P. O. Brimfield. Was born in Orange county, Vt., on the 25th day of July, 1812. His parents removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, when he was seven years of age, where they soon afterwards died. Was bound out, and with his foster father came to Aurora, Ind.. and remained until he was fifteen; ran away and engaged as cabin boy on the river between Louisville and New Orleans, and remained for seven years with one captain, who promoted him to steward. Afterwards went to Lawrenceburg, Ind., where he learned the carpenter trade. On the second day of October, 1834, married Lucy Jaquith, who was born in Manchester, Ind., on the 17th day of May, 1818. In 1842 came to Peoria county, and two years later to the farm where he now resides. Owns 320 acres of land under good cultivation, valued at $100 per acre. January 12, 1858, his wife died, leaving ten children, six sons and four daughters. On the 15th day of March, 1859, married Miss Jane McCurdy, who was born in Brown county, Ill. She died, leaving two children, a son and daughter. On the 21st day of August, 1868, married Miss Julia Rogers, who was born in Boston, Mass., December 7, 1811. His first wife was a member of the M. E. Church. His second, and present, members of the Presbyterian. Democratic in politics. (The History of Peoria County, Illinois, 1880, page 718, submitted by Janine Crandell)

NATHAN GILES was born in the town of Utica, Oneida county, New York, November 15th 1827. His parents, Thomas and Ann Giles, were of English birth, and his father was in the British army, and at one time a guard over Napoleon Bonaparte at St. Helena. They emigrated to the United States in 1827, stopping first in Utica, New York, and afterwards, in 1831, removing to Richland, Oswego county, New York. They removed, in May, 1836, to Illinois, and settled near Peoria, leaving Nathan with his grand parents, Thomas and Sarah Giles, in New York. He staid with them till May, 1844, and then came out to Wisconsin, where he was engaged awhile in hauling lead from Mineral Point to Galena, His brothers, Thomas, Joseph, and William, were engaged in making brick at Peoria, and thither he came, on the 35th of March, 1845, and worked for them at twelve dollars per month. In 1848 he went into partnership with William R. Bush, in the manufacture of brick. In 1849 he started with his brothers William and Paul Rimes to cross the plains for California, with an ox team. They crossed the Missouri river at St. Joseph, entered the Rocky Mountains at the South Pass, going by the sulphur and soda springs and Bear river, thence to Fort Hall, on Snake river. They crossed the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the southern Oregon trail to Goose Lake, thence down the Sacramento river to Lawson's ranche, the whole journey occupying six months. They visited Redden's diggings, Sacramento, Rose's bar on the Yuba river, and Deer Creek, in succession, and, in the fall of 1851, went back to Redden's diggings, and there wintered. In the succeeding spring he went to Shasta Valley, and was among the very first that discovered gold there. Then he went over Rogue River Mountains to Klamath river, in Oregon, and mined on Althouse and Josephine creeks until ready to return home, visiting, in the mean time, Salem and Oregon city. In 1853 he took steamer at Crescent City, a place that on his first visit to the coast was a wilderness upon which (to all appearance) the eye of civilized man had never rested. He came home, by the Isthmus of Panama to New York, and landed in Peoria, December 23d, 1853. He again went into the manufacture of brick. He was married, December, 1856, to Miss Katharine Klasson, and retired from the brick business in the spring of 1867, onto a farm that he had purchased on part of section nine and section sixteen, in Richwoods township, where he now resides with all the comforts of life about him. (Atlas Map of Peoria County, Illinois, 1873, page 81, submitted by Janine Crandell)

NATHAN GILES is held in honor as a pioneer of Peoria County, who has taken an active part in its development, and has done good service in the past as a valuable public official. He is one of the old settlers of North Peoria, he having come to his present location on Knoxville Avenue, one and one half miles north of the court-house, in 1841.
     Thomas Giles, the father of our subject, was born in Wales, and early took up the life of a soldier, and when a young man was sent to St. Helena's Island by the British Government as one of Bonaparte's guards. He there married Miss Ann Pickin, and on that island three of their children were born. After coming to this country, Mr. Giles occupied himself as a stonemason in New York, and in 1836 emigrated from that State to this, and bought the property now owned by our subject. It comprised eighty acres of land, which he purchased of William Hale for about $8 or $10 an acre. He entered upon its improvement, but his useful career was cut short by his death in 1838. He was in every way worthy of respect, and, of the Baptist faith in religion, was prominent in the church. His wife survived him until 1855, when she too passed away. They had the following children — Thomas, Joseph, William, Alice (wife of James Peters), Nathan, George and Sarah. Sarah, who was the third child in order of birth, was killed by lightning in Utica, N. Y., in 1837.
     Our subject was born while his parents were living in Oneida County, N. Y., November 15, 1827, being the date of his birth. The family subsequently removed to Oswego County, N. Y., and remained there eight years, coming to this State in June, 1836. Nathan, however, remained at Richland, N. Y., until the spring of 1843, when he turned his face Westward, and coming to Wisconsin, was engaged in the lead mines near Galena for ten months. The following spring he crossed the State line and came to this county, where he rested from his wanderings until the spring of 1849. At that time the people hereabouts, as in all parts of the country, were much excited over the discovery of gold in California, and our subject, catching the fever, determined to join the many men who were crossing the plains and mountains in search of the precious metal, he and his brother William, and their friend, Paul Keim, joined a company, twelve or fourteen trains going out from Peoria with ox-teams. The first night out, they found shelter in a house, which was the last roof that covered their heads until they left the mines in 1853. The company went by the way of St. Joseph, covering the old route through Brownsville, Ft. Kearney, by the way of the North Platte, etc. They took a boat and rope with them, and ferried themselves across every stream except the Missouri River, finally selling their boat and rope at Green River, Utah, for $200. They passed Ft. Hall, and went by the northern trail from Mary's River, and reached the Sacramento River at Goose Lake, and then followed the stream down to Lawson's Ranche, going through the valley proper of the Sacramento. They first struck the mining regions at Readding's Springs, and after three months went to Sacramento City to stock up. They returned to the mines at Rose's Bar, on the north fork of the Yuba, and there spent the ensuing winter, finding a fair amount of gold. They next went to Deer Creek, and sis months later passed over the north fork of the Yuba, farther up the stream, and in the fall William Giles returned home, coming by the way of Mexico and New Orleans. Our subject leaving that part of the mines, went down into the valley with a view of entering the cattle business. Not satisfied with the prospects there, he soon returned to Readding's Springs, and in the following February accompanied a party, comprising Moses Y. Dusenberry, Milton Hasbrook (both known in Peoria), John Rodham, George Wells and Henry Bowman, to Shasta Valley, which was then perfectly unknown and had never been prospected by white men, they doing the first mining that was ever done on the Shasta River, which afterward proved to be a very rich mineral country. The following May Mr. Giles went down the Klamouth River, and crossing the divide to Clear Creek, discovered gold in the extreme northwestern part of California on that creek and its tributaries. They worked there until leaving for home, and during the time our subject visited Oregon three times, going to Portland and Oregon City. After leaving Clear Creek our subject and his friends went to Crescent City, Cal., and there took steamer for San Francisco, where they stopped twenty days. Mr. Giles then started for home via Panama and New York, arriving in Peoria December 22 or 23, 1853, after an absence of four and one-half years. He at once entered into business, opening a brickyard on the land he now occupies. He continued to manufacture brick for ten years, and then turned his attention to farming in Richwood Township, and was there actively engaged in tilling the farm and stock-raising for ten years. At the expiration of that time he traded for more of the original eighty with his brother, and now owns eighteen acres of it, having sold off the remainder at a good price. In 1885 he erected his present commodious and conveniently arranged residence, and here has one of the most cozy and comfortable homes, in which he lives retired from active life, simply attending to his few acres of land.
     December 18, 1856, our subject married Catherine Clausen, and in her has found all that a good wife should be. To them have come five children, all of whom were reared to maturity—Margaret Ann married Arthur Kerthley, of this city; Louise Anna C., who married Frank Corrington, is now deceased; Olive married J. E. Sherwood, of Beatrice, Neb.; Alice is at home; Andrew, in business in the city, makes his home with his parents.
     Mr. Giles is widely and favorably known in this county, whose interests he has been instrumental in advancing during his many years residence here, where he has won the friendship of many by his helpfulness, constant kindness and other personal qualities. He has mingled in the public life of the county, and in his capacity of Supervisor of Richwood Township, which position he held for eleven years, his wise counsels and zealous devotion to the interests of the public made him a valuable official. During his incumbency of that office the county court house was erected, and he was one of the building committee. He can say truthfully, that not another court-house can compare with it for beauty, utility and ventilation. He has also been Trustee of the village of North Peoria, but since then has refused the office. He has taken an active part in politics, was a Democrat until 1861, when he joined the Republican party, and has since then seen no reason for change in his political views. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Peoria, Illinois (1890), pages 355-356, submitted by Janine Crandell)

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NATHAN GILES. The life record of Nathan Giles covered eighty-one years. In the later period he lived retired but for many years he was numbered among the leading agriculturists of Peoria county and was one of the pioneer settlers, who contributed largely to the early progress and development of this section of the state, especially along agricultural lines. He was born in Oneida county, New York, November 15, 1827, a son of Thomas and Ann (Pickin) Giles, who were natives of Wales. The father was a soldier in the British army and was sent to the island of St. Helena to act as guard over Napoleon Bonaparte during the period of his banishment there. While engaged in that duty he was married on that island and three of his children were born there. At length he came to America with his family and took up the trade of a stone mason in the state of New York, but, thinking that the west held still better opportunities, he came to Peoria in 1836 and here purchased the land that is now owned by his descendants. This was a tract of eighty acres, which he bought from William Hale for eight dollars per acre. He died in 1838, two years after coming to Peoria, but his wife survived for many years, passing away in 1854. Their children were seven in number, Thomas, Joseph, William, Alice, Nathan, George and Sarah. The elder daughter became the wife of James Peters.
Nathan Giles was quite young when his parents removed from Oneida county to Oswego county, New York, where he pursued his education as a public-school student until after the removal of the family to the west in 1836, when he went to Richmond, New York. There he continued until 1843, when he proceeded to Wisconsin and for ten months worked in the lead mines of Galena. In 1844 he arrived in Peoria and took up his abode on Knoxville road, about a mile and a half from the city of Peoria, which at that time, however, contained a population of only a few hundred. With characteristic energy he began to develop and cultivate that land and was thus engaged until 1849, when, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he started for the Pacific coast, accompanied by his brother William. They joined a large party, making the trip overland with ox teams, traveling by way of St. Joseph, Brownsville, Fort Kearny, North Platte and thence to the Sacramento valley in California. Mr. Giles prospected all through that state, and also made several trips northward to Portland and to Oregon City. He intended to enter into the cattle business but did not regard the prospects as very favorable and in consequence returned to Illinois by way of the Panama route and New York, arriving at his home on the 22d of December, 1853, after an absence of four and a half years. He then entered industrial circles in connection with brick manufacture, in which business he continued for ten years. He next took up farming in Richwoods township and was thus engaged in tilling the soil for another decade. He then traded that property for more land and sold some of his real estate at a very gratifying figure. In 1885 he erected the present home in the city and retired from active life save for the supervision which he gave to his landed interests and investments. In his vocabulary there was no such word as fail. He was determined and energetic and careful management of his business affairs brought him to a creditable financial position, enabling him in his later years to put aside further business duties and enjoy the fruits of his former toil.
On the 18th of December, 1856, Mr. Giles was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Claussen, and unto them were born five children. Anna, the eldest, is the wife of Arthur Keithley, of Peoria, and they have four children, Giles E., Olive May, Amy and Lillie Lucille. Lucy became the wife of Frank Carrington but both are now deceased. They had three children: Annie I., the wife of J. G. Frye; Nathan; and Washington, who is deceased. Olive is the wife of Edwin Sherwood, of Peoria, and their children are: Mrs. Kate E. Morton, who has a daughter, Mildred, and lives in Boaz, Alabama; Ruth R., and Abijah M. Alice C. Giles is the fourth member of the family and Andrew N. has passed away.
Mr. Giles always took an active part in politics, giving loyal support to the democratic party until 1861, when the paramount questions and issues of the day brought about the critical situation of the country led him to espouse the cause of the republican party, of which he was ever afterward a stanch advocate. Several times his fellow townsmen called him to public office and for eleven years he served as supervisor of Richwoods township and was a member of the building committee at the time of the erection of the Peoria county courthouse. He was a prominent and well known pioneer, active in the movements for the county's welfare and development, and his labors were of a practical and resultant character. He reached a ripe and honorable old age, passing away November 23, 1908, soon after he had come to the eighty-first milestone upon life's journey. He deserved much credit for what he had accomplished, as he started out in life for himself at a very early age empty-handed. He knew what earnest, persistent toil meant and he ever recognized the fact that all worthy success is that which is honorably won. Industry and integrity, therefore, became the salient feature in his life and gained for him prosperity and an honored name. (Peoria, City and County, Illinois (1912) by James M. Rice, pages 698 & 701, submitted by Janine Crandell)

THOMAS GILES. Among the residents in Richwood Township, who have spent years in assisting in its development, have met with a deserved success in their efforts to accumulate a competence, and have retired from active labor, is Thomas Giles. He was but little past his majority when he came hither with his father, and from that time until he had passed his three-score years and ten, he was actively identified with the work of the township, farming being the business to which he chiefly devoted himself. He is the fortunate possessor of an estate of three hundred and thirty-three acres which has been thoroughly cultivated, marked with excellent improvements, and is in all respects a well-regulated estate.
     The parents of our subject were Thomas and Ann (Picken) Giles, natives of Gloucestershire and Huntingdonshire, England, respectively. They were married in the island of St. Helena, where they lived several years. Thence they went to Gloucestershire, from there to South Wales, finally emigrating to America during the year John Quincy Adams was President. They settled in Utica, N. Y., but after a time removed to Richland, Oswego County, remaining there until 1836, when they came to Peoria County, Ill. They settled on section 33, Richwood Township, where the husband died in 1838, the widow surviving several years. Mr. Giles was a stonemason by trade, and also preached, being of the Baptist faith. He and his good wife had a family of seven children, of whom our subject, is the eldest.
     The gentleman of whom we write, was born on the island of St. Helena, February 28, 1814, and accompanied his parents in their various removals during his youth, until they finally located in this county. He was first married to Margaret Poplett, a sister of Wylie Poplett, in whose sketch the history of her parents will be found. The marriage resulted in the birth of seven children—Nathan T., James, Joseph, William, Henry, George, and Mary H. The first two named are deceased, and Mary is the wife of George Yates. The devoted mother and faithful companion died in Richwood Township, which had been the scene of her marriage and wedded life.
     A second matrimonial alliance was contracted by Mr. Giles, in Peoria, October 11, 1877. His bride on this occasion was Mrs. Lucinda (Foster) Long, daughter of Samuel and Martha (Wheeler) Foster, and widow of John H. Long. She had one child by her first marriage, Martha A., who is the wife of Isaac Keller, of Richwood. Mrs. Lucinda Giles was born in Harrison County. Ohio, May 1, 1824, She is a woman of ripe intelligence, notable skil a housewife and noble Christian character, and as such possesses the esteem of a large circle of friends. She is a member of the Baptist Church.
     Mr. Giles was formerly a Democrat, but since the outbreak of the Civil War has acted with the Republican party. In March, 1888, he retired from active farm labor, feeling that his long efforts in tilling the soil entitled him to a rest, and the prosperity attending him gave freedom from anxiety regarding the future. He is identified with the Methodist Church, and endeavors to make his life correspond with his religious faith. It is needless to remark that he is held in high repute throughout the neighborhood. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Peoria, Illinois (1890), pages 955-956, submitted by Janine Crandell)

DANIEL J. GORMAN. Daniel J. Gorman who for nearly fourteen years has been in the service of the Peoria Railway Company on the city lines of Peoria, is prominently identified with the circles of federated labor, not only in the city but in the state and nation. He has been president of the Association of Street and Electric Railway Employes of America practically ever since its organization, and he is vice president of the Illinois State Federation of Labor. Mr. Gorman is a native of this state, his birth having occurred at Ottawa on the 15th of May, 1876, and a son of Thomas Gorman, a building mover.
     In the acquirement of his education Daniel J. Gorman attended the public schools until he was nine years of age, when he began earning his own living. He was first employed in a bottle factory of his native city, but at the expiration of a year withdrew from this position and went to work in a brickyard, being employed there and in various other minor capacities until 1891. In the latter year he went to Omaha, Nebraska, to work for the Murphy, Wasey Chair Manufacturing Company, continuing in their service for four years. Later he learned the painter's trade, which he followed in Omaha until 1898. In the latter year he returned to Illinois, settling in Peoria, and subsequently entered the service of the Peoria Railway Company as motorman on one of the city's lines. Later he was made barn foreman but subsequently again was put on one of the city runs.
     Ever since he was old enough to be capable of forming an independent opinion, Mr. Gorman has strongly championed the cause of amalgamated labor. He is a strong union man, believing that the highest interests of the individual laborer necessitate the organization and united efforts of the entire trade or craft toward the accomplishment of a definite end, while the rights of the working people at large are protected and advanced through the coalescence of all of the orders. He was one of the first members of the Association of Street and Electric Railway Employes of America and six months after its organization was made president of the order, and has ever since been the incumbent of that office. For the past two years he has been vice president of the Illinois State Federation of Labor, and was but recently reelected by acclamation to the same office. He is held in high regard in labor circles because of his loyalty and untiring efforts in promoting the interests of the working man.
     Omaha, Nebraska, was the scene of Mr. Gorman's marriage on the 12th of January, 1898, to Miss Maud Van Ness, a daughter of Ralph Van Ness, a landscape gardener of that city., and they have become the parents of the following children: Marie, who will soon be thirteen years of age; Irene, who is eleven; Ruth, who has celebrated the ninth anniversary of her birth; Daniel J., Jr., who is anticipating his eighth birthday; and Ethel, who has but recently passed the fourth anniversary of her birth.
     Mr. Gorman is a member of the Foresters, Moose and the Peoria Social Athletic Society, while his political indorsement is given to the democratic party. He is a public-spirited man and takes an active interest in all municipal affairs and has represented the interests of the first ward in the city council since 1910. Mr. Gorman has many friends in Peoria and a strong following, particularly among the laboring classes to whose interests he is ever loyal, always being prepared to champion their cause and protect their rights at the opportune time. He is a man of much inherent ability, modern in thought, humane in his instincts and sharing in truly advanced intelligent ideas. Having begun his independent career before his tenth year, his struggle with the world has developed an acute mentality and endowed him with the faculty of quickly and accurately coming to a definite estimate of his fellow beings. Practically self-educated, he is a man of independent thought and views, yet sufficiently broad to accept new theories and possesses enough strength of character to live up to his convictions. He applies himself energetically to anything he undertakes, discharging his duties with efficiency in whatever capacity he may be serving. His strong individuality, determination of purpose and power to direct and control others well qualifies him for leadership. Naturally a man endowed with such qualities must make a success of anything he undertakes. Mr. Gorman is yet a young man and his present achievements would be highly creditable to one who had started life under far more favorable circumstances. (Peoria, City and County, Illinois (1912) by James M. Rice, pages 359-360, submitted by Janine Crandell)

JAMES GOURAN is commercial agent for the Wabash Railroad, with offices in the Woolner building, and has long been identified with railway interests in this section. He comes of a family that for more than a half century has been represented in Peoria. His father was Thomas Gouran, who was born in the county of West Meath, Ireland, in 1805, and was a son of John and Rosie (Haley) Gouran, natives of West Meath and Kildare respectively. Thomas Gouran was reared on his father's farm and after starting out in life on his own account engaged in farming for himself. He was married in 1840 to Miss Margaret Gavigan, also a native of West Meath, and unto them were born seven children, John, James, Rosie, Jane, Mary, Bridget and Margaret. In the year 1858 the entire family came to the new world and cast in their lot with Peoria's citizens. The name has since been an honored one here because of the activity and the prominence of the different members of the household. For many years Thomas Gouran was active in railroad circles but at length sustained an injury and retired.
James Gouran spent his boyhood and youth largely in Peoria and at the outset of his business career became connected with railway interests. Industry, fidelity and ready adaptability have won him promotion, bringing him added responsibilities until he now occupies the important position of commercial agent for the Wabash Railroad Company, with offices in the Woolner building. In this connection he is widely known but not more so than through his activity in church and benevolent work. He contributes generously where aid is needed and has put forth earnest effort to alleviate the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate. (Peoria, City and County, Illinois (1912) by James M. Rice, page 313, submitted by Janine Crandell)

JOSEPH V. GRAFF. Joseph V. Graff, lawyer and lawmaker, in whose congressional record there is no esoteric phase and whose work has constituted a valuable contribution to various lines of progress, was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, July 1, 1854. He comes of German and Scotch-English ancestry. His paternal great-grandparents were natives of Germany and on coming to America settled at Brownsville, Pennsylvania. There the birth of Jacob K. Graff, the father of Joseph V. Graff, occurred. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary Jane Miller, was a native of Ohio and was of Scotch-English lineage. The family home was established in Terre Haute, Indiana, and at the usual age Joseph V. Graff entered the public schools, in which he passed through the consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school. His more advanced literary course was pursued in Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Indiana, but in 1873 he became a resident of Illinois, settling first at Delavan, where he became interested in merchandising in connection with his brother and brother-in-law. His desire, however, was to enter upon a professional career and he devoted his evenings and other leisure hours to the mastery of the principles of jurisprudence, his progress being such that in 1879 he was able to pass an examination that won him admission to the bar.
     Mr. Graff at once entered upon the active practice of law in Delavan, where he remained until 1883, when he removed to Nebraska. During that period he was for one year a partner of W. R. Curran. He remained in the west for two years and then returned to Illinois, opening an office at Pekin, Tazewell county, where he remained alone in practice until 1894. He then entered into practice with Judge George C. Rider and was thus engaged until his removal to Peoria in 1899. In this city he became a partner of Lyman J. Carlock, their relation, however, being terminated when Mr. Graff was instrumental in securing the appointment of his partner to the position of one of the United States judges in the Philippine Islands. Mr. Graff was then joined by C. V. Miles, under the firm style of Graff & Miles.
     Until 1891 Mr. Graff never had held public office but in that year was elected one of the inspectors of schools for the city of Pekin and was made president of the board of education. He continued in that position until his nomination for congress. His political record is characterized by a devotion to duty that none has questioned. He has ever placed patriotism before partisanship and the public welfare before personal aggrandizement, and his election was a tribute to his personal worth and the confidence reposed in him. During the period of democratic rule in the state legislature, under the administration of Governor Altgeld, the state was redistricted that the election of democratic candidates for congress might be more sure. The counties of Putnam, Marshall, Peoria, Fulton and Mason were placed in one district, which was supposed to have a democratic majority of at least twenty-two hundred. So confident were the democratic leaders of victory that one strong democratic county was given to another district to make it more sure. In 1894 was held the first nomination after the re-districting was done and Hon. George O. Barnes, of Lacon, was made the democratic standard bearer, while the republicans chose Joseph V. Graff as their candidate. The election that followed was a surprise to the democratic leaders throughout the state, for Mr. Graff won by a majority of thirty-three hundred. That his first term's service won the commendation and approval of the general public is indicated in the fact that for three successive terms he was renominated by acclamation and reelected by a decisive majority. He became an active working member of the house, connected with much constructive legislation. He never gave his support to any measure without carefully informing himself concerning its salient points and its possibilities for effectiveness. He was made chairman of the committee on claims, which has jurisdiction over every claim presented against the government, with the exception of war claims. He was made a member of the committee on agriculture. His most important work was six years' service on the committee on appropriations, where as a member of the sub-committee of five, he had to do with the fortification appropriations of the country, which amounted to from eight to fifteen million per year. Afterward he was added to the sub-committee having charge of all department employes of the government. He was the only member from this part of Illinois who ever served upon the appropriation committee of Congress, which has no rival in importance in that body.
     His work in behalf of the Civil war veterans won him the gratitude and thanks of all the "boys in blue." He interested himself in the river and harbor bills, which were before congress during the session of 1900-1 and led to an appropriation of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the survey of the Illinois and Desplaines rivers from the lower end of the Chicago drainage canal with the view of deepening the same and giving a deep waterway from the lakes to the gulf. The bill, however, was defeated. The republican convention for the new sixteenth congressional district met in Peoria, May 5, 1902, and by unanimous vote, Mr. Graft was tendered the reelection to congress, being thus nominated for the fourth consecutive term by acclamation—a record that is almost without parallel in the political history of the state. He served in congress from the fifty-fourth to the sixty-first general assemblies, his term expiring March 4, 1911. Over the record of his political activity there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He has been loyal to his principles and his promises, sans peur and sans reproche.
     Mr. Graff is a valued member of several fraternal organizations. He belongs to the Masonic Lodge, the Modern Woodmen Camp, the Union Veterans' Union and the Sons of Veterans Camp. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. It is well known that his cooperation can be counted upon wherever matters of public welfare are involved. Advancement and improvement constitute the keynote of his character and have been manifest in his professional career, in his political service and in his private life. Since his retirement from congress he has entered upon the general practice of law at Peoria and in addition is the vice president and a director of the First National Bank of East Peoria. His was an extended congressional service and the record of none has been more faultless in manner, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation. (Peoria, City and County, Illinois (1912) by James M. Rice, pages 11-13, submitted by Janine Crandell)

GUYER, L. L., residence Brimfield. Was born in Mifland county, Pa., on the 4th day July, 1817. At the age of seven his parents removed to Harrisburg, Pa., where he received his education. At the age of nineteen he emigrated to Charleston, now Brimfield, and engaged in the mercantile business. May 5, 1840, married Miss Elvira Wiley, sister of James M., Nelson and Hiram Wiley, they being among the first settlers of Jubilee township. Continued in business until 1851, when he turned his attention to farming, which he has since followed. The fruit of this marriage was five children, one son and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. G. and their daughters are members of the M. E. Church. Has held several local offices of trust, viz: Supervisor, justice of the peace, assessor and collector. Is Republican in politics. (The History of Peoria County, Illinois, 1880, page 718, submitted by Janine Crandell)