EARLY DAYS IN THE TOWN OF LYMAN
by Bela Foster
Continuing . . .
Thomas Huxtable who died in Gibson City, April 21st, was one of the early settlers in Lyman Township. He came here when a boy about ten years old. About fifty-nine year's ago his father was accidently killed while out hunting in the Arnold slough.
Fatal Accident Our Roberts correspondent writes us that on Saturday last, Mr. James Huxtable, a farmer and an old resident of Lyman, who resided about four miles north west of Roberts, was instantly killed. He and his son Samuel were out hunting ducks on what is known as the old slough in that township, and near the residence of Mr. H., in a boat, Mr. H. being seated in front of his son. While reaching for his gun and pulling it toward him by the muzzle, it was discharged, the ball passing through his body near the heart, causing instant death. This is another case of death by the careless handling of firearms. Mr. H. was a kind and obliging neighbor and a worthy citizen, and leaves a wife and six children to mourn his untimely and sudden death.
--Paxton Record. 4 May 1876.
The family consisted of two girls and four boys. There are only two now living, Richard Huxtable of Waukasha, Wisconsin and Arthur of Fort Dodge, Iowa.
It was about sixty years ago that I first saw John P. Smith. I do not know why I did not see him sooner unless it was because the Halings lived between his home and mine. I had often met his brothers David and James but do not remember ever having met John. I had never crossed the section west of us at that time. He went away to school soon after that. I first became acquainted with him when he worked with his father in the store where Anderson & Montelius carried on business. It seems to me that he like T. M. Hubble, banker for J. B. Meserve, had many whiskers.
John Smith gave men a great surprise one day when I hauled a load of oats to J. F. Smith & Son. The oats had to be scooped and he walked right out and did his part with the shovel. The next load he did the same. I had never before seen a merchant leave his counter to help a hauler unload grain. That was new to me but not to John P. Smith. We have had many dealings since that time.
Mr. Smith came to this township before I did and no doubt could do a much better job writing these notes of early history than I can do. He experienced much that I have only heard from others. Mr. Smith has been a successful business man and like his neighbor, Mr. Anderson, has helped many a man to make the ends meet in stressing times. He realized what it meant to be in need. We are glad to have him with us and hope that he may long remain with his advice and good works.
In 1873 the following officers were elected: Supervisor, O. D. Sackett; Town Clerk A. M. Haling, Assessor W. R. Newman, Collector Joseph Hurst, Commissioner of Highways Patrick Russell, School Trustee H. B. Ferguson, Justices of the Peace G. H. Thompson and Peter Gose, Constables Josiah Paddick and John Orr.
Josiah Paddick lived on the Lyman farm. He came from near Indianapolis in 1869. He lived here five or six years and then went back to his old home. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Lyman and son, Edward moved to Onarga in 1869. They lived there until 1875 when Mrs. Lyman died. Mr. Lyman then went to Paxton to live with his son, Burt who was sheriff. Samuel Lyman died in 1877.
Edward Lyman married a Miss Harding of Onarga. They lived for several years where Edward Kietzman now lives. They had one son who graduated from Roberts High School in 1893. In 1895 they moved to California. None of Samuel Lyman's family are living. G. P. Lyman was a worker in the M. E. Church while here. Edward and family and Mrs. Lyman's sister and mother were some of the best workers in the Congregational Church. Lemuel Harding, a brother of Mrs. Edw. Lyman, was a partner with W. C. Wright in the hardware and lumber business. Burt Lyman's first wife died in 1872. His second wife was a Miss Ramsey. I saw her about twenty years ago. She was with her sister, Mr. S. O. Roberts who lived at Gilk's grove, now the V. Carter place. They lived in Iowa at the time I saw her.
In 1874 election was held in the school house and the following officers were elected. Supervisor H. B. Furgerson, Town Clerk G. P. Lyman, Assessor J. L. Smith, Collector W. H. Thompson, Commissioner of Highways James Bond, School Trustee A. B. Graham, Overseers of Highways B. G. Hersperger, E. T. Havens, H. N. Hawk, John Miller, J. N. McNeil, A. T. Light, W. R. Kennedy, W. Wilson, J. B. Meserve, A. Shaffer, J. Landel. We notice ...a few new names here. B. G. Hersperger owned the August Zick place. He was a blacksmith. His shop was on the farm. He had a son and daughter. His son lives in California. His daughter at Opportunity, Washington. Mrs. Hersperger was a sister of John Davis who lived where John Woodward lives. Both families were a great help to the community and were missed when they moved away. Mr. Davis had two sons and two daughters who are living. Dr. Homer Davis of Genoa, Nebraska, Samuel of Mitchell, South Dakota, until recently of Idaho. Laura of California and Edith of Montana.
I used to hear form Mr. Davis and Mrs. Hersperger regularly until their death. I now keep in touch with the family through D. Davis and Mrs. Clara (Hersperger) Ashton. They were my school mates.
H. N. Hawk lived where L. Kietzman lives. He and his wife died in 1874. John Miller who lived on the Jones farm west of L. Kietzman's was elected overseer to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Hawk's death. He was the father of Albert Miller who died at Piper City a few years ago.
A. T. Light lived in northwest Lyman. His wife was a sister of John P. Smith. W. R. Kennedy was the father of Dr. Kennedy and the grand-father of Cecil w. Kennedy of Roberts. J. Landel lived where George Uebele lives. He was road commissioner in later years. He was accidentally shot July 4th, 1892.
--The Inter Ocean. Chicago, Illinois. 7 July 1893. Page 5.
He was a stock buyer and thresher for many years. He had one son and three daughters. The daughters and I attended the same school in 1887 and 1888.
--Roberts Herald. 15 May 1935. Bela Foster.
