History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

74 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
from the management of the business and has since devoted his
attention to outside financial interests. Whatever he lias undertaken
throughout his entire career, he has carried forward to successful
completion, brooking no obstacles that could be overcome
by persistent, earnest and untiling effort. In 1902 he became associated
with others in the organization of the Union State Bank,
of which he was chosen president.
He still remains at the head of that institution, which has
become one of the strong financial concerns of this part of the
state. Mr. Countryman opened a subdivision of sixty acres, now a
part of the town of Oelwein, Iowa, and he has large holdings of
farm lands in Lee county, Illinois, and in southern Minnesota. His
investments have been most judiciously made and indicate his keen
insight and sagacity.
In 1898 Mr. Countryman was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth
Becker of Dixon, a native of Schoharie county. New York.
They are members of the Universalist church and Mr Countryman
belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the
Masonic fraternity, being now a Knight Templar Mason. All
through the years of his residence in Dixon his labors have been
of a character that contribute to general prosperity as well as to
individual success. Lie has never allowed personal interests or
ambition to dwarf his public spirit or activities. His is the record
of a strenuous life—the record of strong individuality, sure of
itself; stable in purpose, quick in perception; swift in decision,
energetic and persistent in action. His views have ever found
expression in prompt action rather than in theory and his life
work, therefore, has been fruitful of good results.
CLARENCE D. SANDERS.
Clarence D. Sanders, one of the most extensive landowners
and prosperous and progressive agriculturists of Lee comity, was
born in Bradford township, September 16, 18S3. He is a son of
J. F. and Martha (George) Sanders, natives of Lee county, where
the mother passed away in early life. The father afterward married
again and moved to Texas, where he purchased a farm, upon
which his death occurred a few months later. To his first union
were born three children : N. H., a farmer in Bradford township
Clarence D., of this review; and (rrace M., deceased.
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