History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

890 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
He then rented the old home farm and after operating it for some
years inherited it. Tliis comprises one hundred and twenty acres
of excellent laud and upon it Mr. Killmer has made excellent improvements,
bringing the tields under a high state of cultivation
and erecting substantial barns and outbuildings. In addition to
this property he owns a livery barn and a modern dwelling in
Ashton and his wife has ninety-two acres of land in Ashton townshijD
and a residence property in Ashton. For nine years Mr.
Killmer was engaged in the livery business in Ashton and he built
a garage which he has since sold. His son Alfred conducts the
home farm, while another son, George, is conducting his mother's
place, and Mr. Killmer expects soon to engage in the automobile
and garage business in Ashton.
When he was twenty-tive years of age Mr. Killmer married
Miss Mary E. Ross, who was born in Lee county, Illinois, a daugh-
ter of William and Katherine E. (Aschenbrenner) Ross, natives of
Germany, l^oth of whom died in Lee county. Mr. and Mrs. Killmer
became the parents of four children: George M., who was
born February 9, 1885; Alfred W., born December 1, 1887; Mary
Elizabeth, born Jmie 2, 1890; and Anna W., whose birth occurred
May 2, 1892.
The i)arents and childien are members of the United Evangel-
ical church and Mr. Killmer gives his ]iolitical allegiance to the
republican party. He has served as school trustee and is progres-
sive and public-spirited in all matters of citizenship, cooperating
heartily in movements foi- the general good. A resident of liCe
county since his l)irth. he is well known throughout the community
and his enei'gy and enterprise have gained him the respect and
confidence of all who come in contact with him.
JAMES BUCKLEY.
James Buckley, a representative and esteemed citizen of Lee
countv, devotes his attention to general agricultui'al pursuits with
gratifying success and is the owner of an excellent farm of two
Innidred and forty acres on section 21, May township. His birth
occurred in Pliiladelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1854, his parents being
Micliael and Rosanna (McGreer) Buckley. Tn 1861 the family
came to Lee county, Hlinois, and here the parents spent their remaining
days. Michael Buckley passed away in 1878 and his wife,