History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 283
and capably performed the duties of tlie office, earning for him-
self a place in the ranks of the ablest and best lawyers of the city.
Since entering the office he has reorganized the city of Dixon to
conform to the commission form of government, drawing up all
ordinances for the same, the city finding it unnecessary to spend a
single cent for outside counsel. Moreover, along such remarkable
lines have the ordinances been formed that they have been
copied by other cities. Mr. Keller is an earnest and discriminating
student of the principles of law and his ability has brought
him to a foremost position among the leading representatives of
the Dixon bar.
In 1904 Mr. Keller was united in niariiage to Miss Mae Richardson,
of Lee Center, and they now have two children, Mildred
Amy and Mark C. Mr. Keller is a prominent member of the
Masonic lodge of Dixon, of which he is a past master. He has also
taken the degrees of the Royal Arch chapter and he belongs to the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Woodmen of the World
and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is still a young man,
earnest of purpose, thoughtful and determined, yet possessing the
affable, kindly nature and unfei.gned cordiality which win friends.
JOHN A. CHURCH.
John A. Church, a representative and successful agriculturist
of Amboy tov^nship, owns and opei'ates a farm of one hundred and-
nine acres on section 1.5. His birth occurred in Lee county on the
5th of September. 1865, his parents being John and Cyrene (Far-
well) Church. The father, a native of Oxford, New Yoi'k, came to
this county in 1838 and here spent the remainder of his life, pass-
ing away in August, 1890. The period of his residence in this
comity covered more than a half century and he was widely recog-
nized as one of its substantial farmers and esteemed citizens.
Both he and his wife were laid to rest in Prairie Repose eemeterv
of Ambov. the latter's demise having occurred in January,
1890.
John A. Church attended school in Amboy until fourteen years
of age and after putting aside his text-books assisted his father
in the operation of the home farm until the latter's death. At
that time he came into possession of the property, embracing one
hundred and nine acres of land on section 15, Amboy township.