Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Viner, Oliver S ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 25, 2006, 1:44 pm Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900 OLIVER S. VINER. Oliver S. Viner was of sterling English descent, the original home of the Viner family being at Bristol, Somersetshire, England. John Viner, the great- grandfather of our subject, was a native of that county and became a florist, carrying on business in the city of Bristol, where he resided for many years, his death occurring there between the ages of sixty and seventy years. He was a member of the Church of England and a man of much worth and ability. He married Miss Mary Wescot and they became the parents of the following children: Thomas, John, Elizabeth, William and Charles, all natives of Bristol. Charles Viner, the grandfather of our subject, was born May 6, 1797, in Bristol, obtained a common-school education, and when fifteen years of age enlisted in the British army, becoming a member of the Light Dragoons. But on account of his extreme youth his father objected to his entering the army and he accordingly returned home. In 1812, however, he re-enlisted in the regular British infantry and went with his regiment to Canada, landing at Quebec. The English forces were stationed at Prescot, Canada, and thence he came to America when sixteen years of age. One night, while he was serving as a corporal of the guard, he deserted with six of his comrades, comprising the entire watch. They stole a skiff by breaking the lock and all seven crossed the St. Lawrence river in the early morning. The St. Lawrence at that point is two and a half miles wide, but they rowed to the opposite bank and landed in the woods near Ogdensburg, on the American side. They lost their way in the forest, however, and traveled all day without reaching any habitation, when one of them, who had been a sailor, climbed a tall tree, from which vantage ground he could see the town of Ogdensburg about three miles away. They had traveled all day, yet were not far from the place where, they landed. They found protection among the farmers of that locality, and traded their red coats and muskets for citizens' clothes and hired out as farm hands. Mr. Viner continued to work in that region until he was twenty-two years of age, when he was married, in St. Lawrence county, New York, to Miss Sarah Banister, who was born in Rutland, Vermont, March 4, 1797, a daughter of Jason and Mary Banister. Her father belonged to one of the old colonial families of the Green Mountain state, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He had served this country in the war of the American Revolution, and afterward followed farming near the Green mountains in the state of his nativity. He lived to be over eighty years of age and died upon his farm, respected throughout the community where he was known. Of his children the names of only Oliver, Polly and Sarah are now remembered. Charles Viner and his wife purchased eighty acres of land in the woods near Parisville, St. Lawrence county, New York, and the husband cleared a portion of that property, but afterward sold it and removed to Madrid, New York, where he worked in a distillery for four years. He then purchased a farm in St. Lawrence county,—a tract of timberland which he improved and transformed into a valuable property. His children were all born in St. Lawrence county, and were as follows: William L., born February 20, 1820; Albert L., February 6, 1822; Varnum V., May 23, 1824; Roswell M., October 15, 1826; Mary E., December 21, 1828; John T., March 24, 1831; Martha M., July 20, 1833; Susan S., November 22, 1835; and Josephine P., born April 18, 1838. Charles Viner removed with his family to Illinois in 1844, making the journey with horses and wagon. He left his old home on the 10th of September and arrived in McHenry county on the 22d of October. The party consisted of Mr. Viner, his wife and all of their children with the exception of William and Albert. Their youngest child was not then six years of age. William had come to the west in 1842 and secured farm work near Galena, Illinois. He wrote home once, but was never heard from after that time. His father after arriving in the Prairie state made a journey to Galena to learn something of his whereabouts, but found no trace of him except that he learned that a man by the name of "Vining" was reported to have been murdered some years before. Albert, the other son, came to Illinois in 1843. On reaching this state Charles Viner purchased eighty acres of land in McHenry county, Illinois, that had been cleared, and with characteristic energy he began to improve the property, which he afterward sold to his son Varnum. He then came to Grundy county in the spring of 1850, making the journey by team. Here he purchased twenty acres of land of his son Albert, upon which tract the Mazon cemetery is now located. He and his family took up their abode in a log cabin which his sons, Albert and Varnum, had built, and later Mr. Viner purchased forty acres on a school section, which is now a part of the village of Mazon. There he spent his remaining days, being killed in a cyclone on the 18th of April, 1863. The frame house which he erected in the meantime was struck by the storm and moved from its foundations. He was caught by the house as it swung around and instantly killed while trying to reach his cellar. His wife escaped, as he had forced her to go to the cellar a few minutes previously. Mr. and Mrs. Viner were both consistent and respected members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he served as its class-leader for a number of years. He was also a well-known and able exhorter and served as a local preacher through a long period. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat, and held the office of road commissioner in McHenry county. He was a most highly respected citizen, an honored pioneer and over the record of his life there fell no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil. Roswell M. Viner, a son of Charles Viner and the father of our subject, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, October 15, 1826, and with his father's family came to McHenry county in 1844. He received the usual school privileges, was reared to farm work, and throughout his life carried on agricultural pursuits. He was married on the 23d of September, 1854, to Caroline Thayer, whose birth occurred in Chenango county, New York, January 24, 1839, a daughter of Oliver and Betsy (Williams) Thayer. Her father was born in Massachusetts, March 22, 1812, and was a descendant of an old colonial family of that state. His ancestors were Puritans who located in Massachusetts in 1636. Oliver Thayer was a farmer and mechanic, and for many years resided in Chenango county, New York, but in 1848 emigrated westward to DeKalb county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm upon which almost no improvements had been made. He afterward sold that property and purchased eighty acres of land in Pierce township. In 1867 he removed to Iowa, settling on one hundred and twenty-seven acres of land in Cedar township, Black Hawk county, but later he returned to Illinois, where he died at the age of eighty-six. In politics he was a Democrat. His children were Caroline; Oscar H.; Oliver W., who died at the age of twenty-four years; Martha M.; Lucretia B.; and Kneeland D., who died at the age of seventeen years. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Roswell Viner located on a farm which was very near the eastern corporate limits of Mazon. He was a successful and practical agriculturist, being very .industrious and displaying excellent powers of management. Although he was lame all his life, his sturdy industry and thrift and the assistance of his faithful and capable wife enabled him to overcome all obstacles in his path and steadily worked his way upward to affluence. He gradually added to his land until he owned two hundred and twenty acres under a high state of cultivation. He erected good and substantial buildings upon the place and had one of the best improved farms in Mazon township. He was a man of strong character and sterling worth, and enjoyed the confidence and good will of all who knew him. His political support upheld the men and measures of the Republican party. His children were William L. and Oliver S., who reached mature years; Betty S., who died at the age of nine years; and Fred P., who died at the age of twelve years. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Viner was married again. On the 20th of October, 1890, in Joliet, Illinois, she became the wife of Varnum V. Viner, a brother of her first husband, and in 1894 removed to the village of Mazon, where they now reside. William L. Viner, the elder surviving son of the family, was born in DeKalb county, Illinois, and was only a year old when taken by his parents to Mazon township. The common schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational privileges, and practical training at farm work fitted him for his business career. He has always carried on agricultural pursuits and now resides on the old Viner homestead. His land is under a high state of cultivation and yields a good return for the care and labor bestowed upon it. He was married in Mazon township, December 24, 1879, to Miss Luella Somers, who was born August 22, 1856, in Goodhue county, Minnesota, a daughter of George H. and Lucy (Lockhart) Somers. They now have two children,—Lucy May, born February 7, 1889, and George R., born in 1893. Oliver S. Viner, whose name introduces this record, is a son of Roswell and Caroline (Thayer) Viner, and was born September 9, 1858, in Mazon township, on the old Roswell Viner homestead. The days of his boyhood and youth were quietly passed. Through the summer months he worked in the field and meadow, and in the winter season he devoted his time to mastering the branches of English learning. He was married when about twenty-four years of age, the marriage being celebrated on the 11th of June, 1882, Miss Alta Amelia Fuller becoming his wife. She was born in old Mazon, November 1, 1863, a daughter of Owen H. and Weltha (Isham) Fuller. After their marriage this worthy couple took up their abode upon the old family homestead belonging to Mr. Viner's father, and there remained for nine years. On the expiration of that period they removed to the village of Mazon. There Oliver Viner engaged in the grain and lumber business in connection with Owen H. Fuller until 1893, when he took his family to the hot springs of South Dakota, hoping that the health of his wife and children would be thus benefited. They spent one year in that locality and received much benefit from the sojourn. They then returned to Mazon and Mr. Viner resumed his former business. He now enjoys a liberal patronage as a grain and lumber merchant, his trade steadily increasing. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Viner have been born the following children: Flossie A., born March 4, 1887; and Fred O., born January 21, 1890. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mrs. Viner is serving as its steward. She has filled this office at different times for several years, and has ever given her earnest support to the church, doing all in her power to promote its welfare and growth. In politics he is a Republican and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias at Mazon, in whose lodge he holds the office of exchequer. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of Mazon and for that organization is serving as banker. He is one of the most respected citizens of the village, a man of unblemished character, who in all life's relations has been found true and faithful to his duty. He is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family, and his own sterling qualities of character commend him to the confidence and regard of all who know him. Additional Comments: Source: Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p768-772 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/viner20gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 12.4 Kb