Full text of "Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens"

'LI B RARY

OF THE

U N I VERSITY
Of ILLINOIS

977.367

totflrtcil Surrij

PAST AND PRESENT

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

V TOGETHER WITH

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MANY PROMINENT
AND INFLUENTIAL CITIZENS.

fCHARLESJMcINTOSH,

ASSOCIATE KDIXOR.

ILLUSTRATED.

'A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors, will never achieve anything
worthy to be remembered with pride by remote generations." MACAULAY.

CHICAGO:

THE S. ,T. CLARKK PUBLISHING Co.

19O3.

"Biography is the only true history." Emerson.

n ux4"O"'"u-<r- O-A -o_-v V-QAA
977. 367-. ' <*

MiSp

INTRODUCTORY.

greatest of English historians, MACAULAY, and one of the most brilliant

writers of the present century, has said : "The history of a country is best told
in a record of the lives of its people." In conformity with this idea, the BIOGRAPH-
ICAL RECORD has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and taking
therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated by .but few, our corps of
writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their enterprise
and industry, brought this county to a rank- second to none among those compris-
ing this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life strug-
gles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelligent
public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the
imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty,
by industry and economy, have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with lim-
ited advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women,
with an influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It
tells of men who have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen,
and whose names have become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life
who have striven to succeed, and records how that success has usually crowned
their efforts. It tells also of those, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have
pursued the "even tenor of their way," content to have it said of them, as Christ
said of the woman performing a deed of mercy "They have done what they
could." It tells how many in the pride and strength of young manhood left the
plow and the anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and
profession, and at their country's call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how
through their efforts the Union was restored and peace once more reigned in the
land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not be
lost upon those who follow after.

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred
treasure, from the fact that it contains so much that would never find its way into
public records, and which would otherwise be inaccessible. Great care has been
taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possible given to those
represented to insure correctness in what has been written ; and the publishers
flatter themselves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of conse-
quence. In addition to biographical sketches, portraits of a number of representa-
tive citizens are given.

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this
volume. For this the publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper concep-
tion of the work, some refused to give the information necessary to compile a
sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some member of the family
would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the
interested one would be withheld. In a few instances men never could be found,
though repeated calls were made at their residence or place of business.

September, 1903. THE S. J. Q.ARKE PUBLISHING Co.

INDRX.

HISTORICAL.

CHAPTER I EARLY HISTORY. 1820-1840 9

CHAPTER II 1840-1903 14

Township Organization 16

Civil War " 18

Jail 19

Poor Farm 19

Railroads 20

Dredge Ditch 21

Piatt Fair 22

County Papers 24

Improvements of County Buildings 25

Court House and Jail 25

County Officers 26

CHAPTER III SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY 27

School Directors' Association 29

Annual Institute 30

State Course of Study 3 l

Monticello Township 3 1

Bement township 32

Cerro Gordo Township 34

Milmine 34

La Place 34

Goose Creek Township 35

INDEX.

Sangamon Township 35

Willow Branch Township 35

Unity Township 36

Blue Ridge Township 37

CHAPTER IV MONTICELLO 37

Monticello Water Works 39

Town Hall 41

Farmers' Elevator 42

Banks 42

Harrington Brother^ 43

Elevators .- 44

Telephones 44

Hotels 44

Light Plant 44

Pepsin Syrup Company 45

H. D. Peters Company 45

MONTICELLO CHURCHES M. E. Church 45

Presbyterian 46

LODGES Masonic Order 47

I. O. O. F 48

K. of P 48

CHAPTER V EARLY SETTLEMENT BY TOWNSHIP 48

Bement 48

Unity 50

Cerro Gordo 51

La Place 51

Milmine 52

Willow Branch 52

Blue Ridge 52

Sangamon 53

INDEX.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

PAGE

Adkins, Charles 246

Allerton, Robert H 464

Allerton, Samuel W 148

Allman, Edward 472

Allman, James L 254

Andrews, Mrs. J. E 494

Armsworth, Samuel S 471

Arnold, Elder John 442

Ashmore, C. H 428

Baker, George W 419

Baker, T. G 122

Bales, Dr. F 291

Barker, Dr. B. L, 343

Barnhart, J. C 244

Bateman, J. 412

Bateman, Thomas, Jr 383

Bear. C. J 103

Beckenholdt, John 373

Bell, John D 450

Benard, Louis 233

Benson, Robert H 194

Blacker, John 493

Blagg, S. A 127

Bondurant, Thomas E 56

Booth, Dr. C. 242

Bosserman, Marion 345

Buckle. H. W 169

Bunyan, George W 137

Burgess, G. A 75

Burns, John H 203

Bushee, Jesse 512

Camp, J. M 170

Campbell. Elijah 500

Carter, Joseph P 298

Chenoweth, E. B 217

Chenoweth, Gideon 215

Churchill, John T 382

Clark, Anthony 401

Clark, William 386

Cline, J. H 331

Coffin, Dr. N. G 92

Coffin, William D 279

Coleman. Miss Lyda 511

Comerford, John E 167

Cope, C. C 433

Cope, L. J 432

PAGE

Croninger, E. L 505

Crook, Jesse J 453

Curry, M. 502

Cyphers, John W 448

Darst, J. N 322

Dauberman, C. M 256

Davidson, M. R 481

Dawson, D. H 486

DeGrofft, William M 346

DeLand, George 420

Deveny, T. F 507

Dewey, Charles S 357

Dighton, A. J 482

Dighton, William 145

Dilatush, W. H 84

Dillin, Hiram 304

Dresbach, Ephraim 285

Drum, Ell 204

Duncan Brothers.. 63

Edie, A. C 81

Edwards, J. C 380

Edwards, Wellington 380

Elliott, James W 449

Ellis, Dr. Joshua G 191

England, C. E 498

Etnoyer, John 302

Evans, James C 206

Fairbanks, W. D 272

Firke, W. H 333

Fisher, Jacob 355

Fisher, James 321

Fleck, W. A 105

Fosnaugh, E. L 390

Foulk, Samuel J 231

French, J. H 276

Frizzell. John 141

Fulk, J. G 234

Funk, S. M 166

Furnish, J. C 334

Gantz, Henry W 451

Gardiner, John 506

Garver, J. H 266

Gessford, Henry 347

PAGE

Gillespie, C. 385

Gillespie, Fred D 361

Gillespie, H. K 338

Gilmore, Henry H 422

Gordon, P. 1 394

Gross, Jacob 310

Gulliford, Walter 372

Hamman, Fred 516

Haneline, Nathan 307

Harris, H. P 243

Hawley, Rev. Ernest 155

Hetishee, Frank 205

Higgins, George 115

Higgins, William S 222

Hill, Joshua 64

Hilligoss, John W 85

Hiser, Albert 297

Hiser, Pope. 281

Hoffman, G. W 460

Howell, J. R 323

Hubbard, J. S 371

Hubbart, R. B 300

Huff, B. F 180

Homeau, Louis C. A 154

James, Alvah 402

James, E. P 439

Jamison, Col. W. H 227

Jones, Dr. B. B 96

Keel, Dr. Fred W 489

Kersten, Fred 431

Kilborn, Major L. S 496

Kile, Joseph G 434

Kingston, G. W 475

Kingston. J. W 474

Kirby, John...: 66

Kizer, T. J 490

Knight, E. G 461

Lamb, Thomas, Sr 179

Langley, A. J 82

Langley, J. C 55

Larson, John

Larson, Nels 510

Larson, N. B 271

Leach, William H 384

INDEX.

PAGE

Locher, J. C 133

Lodge, B. F 314

Lodge, William E 128

Lodge, William F 443

Lord, Dr. William L 236

Lowther, J. W 228

Lubbers, Otto 479

Lumsden, E. W 192

McClain, Dr. B. T : 144

McClure, Samuel 350

McGinnis, John F 499

Maier, John 189

Mansfield, Charles F 118

Mansfield, Gen. J. L 106

Marquiss, Seymour 218

Martin, O. M 476

Matson, Dr. W. F 395

Means, Rev. W. E 94

Merritt, Joseph W., Sr 113

Meyer, H. G 463

Miller, Martin E 292

Miner, Charles 515

Miner, Ira F 468

Miner, R. S 287

Mitchell, Emor H 125

Mitchell, Dr. T. J 238

Moery, John 200

Moody, R. B 417

Moore, Allen F 117

Moore, H. V 134

Morris, Thomas 259

Moyer, Edward 374

Nelson, Sylvanus 393

Noe, Dr. O. D 508

Noecker, Dr. William 164

Odernheimer, F. A 72

Ohler, August 504

Olson, James 484

Olson, John.
Orr, Baltis.

Peters, H. D

Piatt, W. H

Pierson, A. D

Pipher, Alonzo T

Pittman, George W...

Ponder, James

Ponder, John R

Predmore, Rev. Moses.
Prine, David H

Rankin, J. H

Ray, James P

Reed, S. R

Reeves, Dr. E. L

Reeves, John H

Rhoades, N. E

Richey, Andrew J...

Rinehart, C. T

Rodman, J. N

Rodman, Scamon C.

Root, Ezra S

Ross, A. R

Roth, Christian

Royse, Hiram. .......

Ryder, W. L

Schwartz, Haagan .
Scott, Matthew T . .

Shively, Isaac

Shiveiy, J. M

Shively, Stephen. . .
Shreve, John H. . . .

Sisson, W. J

Smith, John

Smith, J. C

Smith, James M...

Smith, William P. .

Smock, John H. . . .

Smock, Samuel .

PAGE PAGE.

Smothers, A. T 278

Staats, Mrs. P. E 492

Stanley, J. Frank 124

Stephenson, James 136

Stevenson, Evan 503

Stevenson, Hon. W. F 438

Stollard, Amos 269

Stout, Edward S 289

Sullivan, Florence 226

Swisher, Daniel P 396

Taylor, Charles 362

Teats, George W 360

Tippott, Mrs. Helen C 217

Tipped, J. C 143

Trenchard, G. R 138

Uhl, Lewis M 282

Van Gorder, James 349

Van Syckel, John V 404

Vent, James A 288

Wachs, Albert 337

Wachs, W. A 336

Wack, Casper 480

Warner, J. W 444

Warren, John H 326

Webster, Presley B 430

Weilepp, Charles F 477

Weilepp, Frank S 478

Wells, Henley C 95

Wheeler, H. W 157

White, Benjamin R 99

White, J. M 60

Wilhelmy, Dr. Sylvester 237

Wilson, Joseph 190

Wolfe, Eli F 80

Wood, Dr. J. H 325

Wyman, D. F 429

488
255

469
86
158
312
178
405
213
257
485

376

320
70
145
467
457
176
392
76
459
260
454
513
223
182

277
101
389
225
311
381
440
359
399
406
248
170

Yapp, C. W.

368

147Zook, N. W 201

PAST AND PRESENT

-or-

PI ATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

CHAPTER I.

EARLY HISTORY 1820-1840.

One of the richest agricultural districts
in the world is the small county of Piatt,
situated near the middle of the great state
of Illinois. It lies in the great prairie region
of the United States, and is a part of the
rich alluvial plain of the Mississippi valley,
which is noted all over the world for its
wonderful fertility. The soil is a rich warm
loam, particularly adapted to the raising of
corn, and large quantities of it are produced
each year. Oats is also a staple crop, and
wheat is raised successfully along the tim-
ber. Foctl for stock is produced in abun-
dance, and large number of cattle, horses,
hogs and sheep, are raised each year. The
county is distinctly an agricultural one, at
least ten thousand of its seventeen thousand
people living in the country. There are no
large cities, Monticello, the largest having a
population of some two thousand.

In pcint of size, Piatt county is a little
less than the average of the state.* Its area
is 440 square miles. Its greatest length is
thirty- four miles, and its greatest width fif-
teen miles.

The surface generally is level, sloping
slightly to the southwest. The' principal
river of the county is the Sangamon, which
crosses near the center of the county, flowing
in a southwesterly' direction. This river has
no very large branches, the principal ones
on the north being Madden's Run, Goose
Creek, Wild Cat Creek, and on the south
Camp Creek and Willow Branch. Some of
the land in the south part of the county
slopes southeast and drains into the Kaskas-

*Four other counties of the state have the same area as Piatt.
as follows: DeWitt. Grundy. Hamilton and Williamson.

of the Secretary of State. The population of Piatt county in
1900 was 17,706. At that time, twenty-eight counties of the state
had a less population, as follows: " Bond, Boone, Brown, Cal-
houn, Cass, Cumberland, Edwards, Gallatin, Hardin, Hender-
son, Jersey, Johnson, Kendall, I,awrence. Marshall, Mason.
Massac, Menard, Monroe, Moultrie, Pope, Pulaski, Putnam
Richland, Schuyler, Scott, Stark, Wabash.

PAST AND PRESENT

kia, a branch of the Mississippi through the
Lake Fork of the Okaw River. The
"divide" between the Sangamon and Kas-
kaskia basins is a ridge extending in a north-
easterly direction between Bement and Mon-
ticello.

Piatt County was not settled as early as
those in the southern part of the state. When
Illinois was admitted as a state in 1818, it
claimed a population of some 45,000 souls,
not one of which lived within the present
limits of our county.

The settlement of the southern part of
the state first came from two causes. In the
first place, the early settlers of Illinois, came
generally from the south, from Tennessee,
Kentucky, Virginia, etc., and would natur-
ally settle the southern part of the state first.
Then, too, the Indians in the northern part
of the state were very hostile to the English
settlers. They were in sympathy with the
French and cherished resentment towards all
the English for many years. The Ft. Dear-
born massacre in 1812 helped to delay the
settlement of the northern part of the state
for some time.

Up to 1822, what is now Piatt County
was uninhabited save by wanderng tribes of
the Kickapoo and Pottawatomie Indians, and
by the animals of the prairie and the forest.
Along the river and creeks was the timber,
and back from these waterways were the
prairies covered over in summer and fall
with the tall prairie grass waving backward
and forward in the breeze, making it look
at a distance much like a rolling sea. The
deer, the wolf, and the fox were very much
in evidence. During the rainy season much
of the land was under water, and the country
looked like one vast lake.

The same year in which Edward Cole
was elected second governor of the state and

the same year that witnessed the first great
contest in our state over slavery, came
George Hayworth into our county from
Tennessee and built the first cabin ever erect-
ed within the limits of what is now Piatt
county. The cabin was built in Monticello
on the Lodge place. . Soon after this he built
another cabin, having some friendly Indians
to help him. He lived in the county three
years and then moved to Danville. In the
fall of the same year, James Martin came to
the county from Ohio. He built a cabin
north of Monticello on what is now the
Rhoades place. Mr. Martin's wife died
within the first year, so he sold out his place
to Mr. Daggott and went back to Indiana.
The next spring he persuaded his nephew,
John Martin and his niece, Mrs. Furnace, to
accompany him back to Illinois and he re-
turned and built a cabin near White Heath.
Mr. Daggott lived on the place he purchased
from Mr. Martin for about two years and
then moved into Champaign county.

About 1824, Mr. Holliday came to the
county and built a cabin near Mr. Hay-
worth's on what is now a part of Monticello.
He sold his cabin to Mr.- Solomon Carver,
who sold it to Mr. Cordell. In 1829 Mr. Cor-
dell moved into the cabin.

In April, 1824, Mr. Abraham Hanline
and his four sons, (Abraham, Jacob, James
and Nathan), his wife having just died,
took a claim of one hundred and sixty acres
near the Coon Spring north of Monticello
and commenced at once the task of clearing
the ground and building the cabin. The
same year Mr. York built a cabin where Mr.
Geo. Varner now lives which was the first
house ever built within the limits of what is
now Goose Creek township. In 1830 Mr.
Cordell built a cabin on the Woolington place
north of Monticello. In 1830 the York and

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Cordell claims were the only ones on the
north side of the Sangamon river between
Friend's Creek and Cheney's Grove.

In the spring of 1829, Mr. James A.
Piatt. from whom the county is named,
bought the Hay worth claim paying $150 for
it, and giving all but $18 of it in tinware.
He moved to the county that spring from
Indiana, and bought in all 600 acres of land,
on part of which the city of Monticello is
now located.

In 1830 Mr. Frye put a cabin at the
mouth of Goose Creek. The same year. Mr.
Terry came to the county and built two
cabins, one for himself, and the other for his
mother-in-law, Mrs. Randolph. In 1831 Mr.
Olney, a captain in the Revolutionary war,
built a cabin on what is now the Mr. Ezra
Marquiss place. His son-in-law, Mr. Law-
rence, built a cabin near him. One of his
sons took possession of the Frye cabin, and
the other built a cabin where Mr. William
Piatt now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence
both died here. Their sons became dissatis-
fied with the place and moved away. In
1833, Mr. Abraham Marquiss came to the
county and took possession of the cabin
where Wm. Piatt's residence now is. In
1832, Peter and Mary Souders settled in
what is known aS the Argo settlement in the
northeastern part of what is now Sangamon
township.

Between 1830 and 1840 the settlers came
into Piatt county rapidly. Among those
who came about this time may be mentioned
the following : Abraham Marquiss, Ezra
Marquiss, William Barnes, John and Rich-
ard Madden, Samuel Oulrey, Joseph Mai-
lory, Isaac Williams, Samuel Sever, Cyrus
Widick, Michael Billow, Mr. Ater, Mr.
Bailey, James Hart, Jesse, Richard and Wil-
liam Monroe, James L T tterback. Joseph and

Luther Moore, Ezra Fay, Daniel and Samuel
Harshbarger, Simon and Nathaniel Harsh-
barger, Samuel Havely, Abraham Collins,
John Tenbrook, Samuel West, A. J. Wiley,
A. Rizeor, John Argo, John Welch, William
Smock, Peter Adams, George and Silas
Evans, the Armsworths and the Coons.

Such in brief is the history of the county
up to 1840. We who live in Piatt county at
the present time and enjoy all the comforts
of civilized life can have no adequate con-
ception of the privations of the early settlers,

The first settlements were always made
in or near the timber because their houses
were made of logs and they would build the
house were the logs were. Then, too, they
must have fuel for the winter, and if they
lived in the timber, it did not have to be
hauled very far.

When they first came, they must bring
with them enough bread and similar provi-
sions to last until a crop could be raised.
Corn furnished a large part of the diet.
Johnny-cake for breakfast and dinner, and
mush and milk for supper were things nearly
always on the "bill of fare." There was a
great deal of wild fruit, plenty of wild game,
including turkeys and deer, and an abun-
dance of fish in the rivers. They would find
a "bee tree" occasionally and rob the faith-
ful workers of their sweets. Afterwards the
"truck patch" furnished an abundance of
garden vegetables for the tables. In some
.places they made a great deal of maple sugar.

The first task of the settler was the erec-
tion of his cabin. These were usually sixteen
feet square. They would get large logs for
sills and on these lay the "sleepers" for the
puncheon boards which constituted the floor
of the cabin. The house was then built up
with logs until about seven and a half feet
high, then the "butting pole sleepers" were

PAST AND PRESENT

laid on the ends. These were logs that pro-
jected about 1 8 inches over the others, on the
projecting ends of which were placed the
"butting poles" which gave line for the first
row of clapboards, which formed the roof
of the cabin. These clapboards were made
to lap about a third of the way, and were
sometimes kept in place by heavy poles
laid along the roof. The cracks were then
daubed with mud, the door made of rough
boards with large wooden hinges and a
wooden latch, the string of which always
hung out as a sign of welcome, put in place.
One or more small windows containing a
few pains of glass, the fireplace occupying
nearly one whole end of the room, large
enough to contain a back log heavy as any
man would care to carry, and the cabin was
ready for occupancy. The furniture was of
the most primitive kind. In one corner the
bed or beds, sometimes made by driving
sticks in the wall and supporting the other
end from the floor and covering the slats
with straw ticks ; the table a puncheon slab
supported by four legs made by boring large
auger holes in the lower part of the slab and
inserting the sticks used for legs. The
chairs were made much like the tables only
they had but three legs. Occasionally, split
bottomed chairs would be found. The old
fashioned spinning wheel stood in a corner,
perhaps in another the cumbersome loom,
while over the door hung the rifle and pow-
der horn always ready for instant use. A
rude cupboard to hold the dishes was all
else needed. But few "store goods" were
used. The settlers were so far from market,
and the cost of transportation was so great
that they could buy but few articles for
every day use.

When the cabin was finished and oc-
cupied, they commenced to clear the ground

for the crop. They had not yet learned that
the prairie soil could be cultivated. The
prairies were covered over with luxuriant
crops of prairie grass, which, on the low
places, grew from six to eight feet in
height. The roots were very tough and
fibrous, and it was very hard to plow with
the implements they then had. The early
settlers thought it never would be settled.

In the meantime, the women of the
household were not idle. Nearly every far-
mer kept a few sheep. From these, enough
wool was secured for home use. The "lin-
sey-woolsey" made of equal parts of cotton
and wool was a very important article for the
clothing of the early settlers. The spin-
ning wheel was found in nearly every home,
and frequently the loom, and the women
made all the clothes for the entire family.
The children were given some work to do
as soon as they were old enough and they
were early inured to labor.

In early times the nearest mills were on
the Sangamon and Wabash Rivers, and the
people would go to Danville for their "store
goods" and for their flour.

Some of the early settlers had a home-
made arrangement, for mashing the corn,
called a "hominy-block." This was made
by making a hole about a foot and a half
deep in a block of wood. Corn was placed
in the hole and pounded with another block
sometimes supported on a sweep fastened to
the side of the house. The finer part of the
corn was made into bread and the coarse
part was used for hominy. The first large
mill in the county was made in 1838, and was
on the Sangamon River about two miles
north of Monticello.

During this time, the mails were carried
on horseback in saddle bags. Most of the
mail was letters, postage ranging from ten

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

to twenty-five cents, and could be paid at
either end of line, but was usually paid by the
receiver. When the stage routes were estab-
lished through the country in 1839, the mail
was carried by stage.

The ague season commenced usually in
August and lasted several months. Some-
times whole families would be "shaking" at
once. Typhoid fever was very common.

One of the greatest difficulties was the
prairie fire. In the fall the people would pro-
tect their farms by ploughing furrows
around them, and sometimes by ploughing
furrows wide apart and burning the grass
between them. Fires sometimes came, burn-
ed the stacks of hay and wheat and some-
times fields of corn. Fires moved very rap-
idly. Prairie fires prevented growth of
timber, except on highlands or in broken
country near streams.

Green head flies were very bad.' For
about six weeks in late summer, travelers
had to go at night. These flies sometimes
killed horses, goading them to death with
pain, loss of blood and incessant kicking to
become rid of them.

This part of the history would not be
complete without a brief account of the "deep
snow," and "sudden freeze." The "deep
snow" came in the winter of 1830 and 1831.
The snow commenced to fall on the 2Qth of
December and continued falling for three
days and nights. The snow was about four
feet deep on a level, and in some places was
drifted 18 and 20 feet deep. The snow lasted
the rest of the winter, not all melting off un-
til alxwt the first of April. It was a winter of
great hardships for the settlers. They de-
pended a great deal on the wild game for
their winter meat, and upon the corn for
the other diet. When the snow fell but little
of the corn was gathered and game could not

be had. It literally starved to death. Before
snow fell, deer were fat as could be, but be-
fore the snow passed away they were so poor
they were not fit to eat. It was almost im-
possible to travel. In the spring the snow
melted, the ground was flooded and it was
almost as difficult to get around as it had
been in the winter.

The "sudden freeze" occurred in January
1836. It had been raining in the morning
and was not very cold. The storm came
from the northwest, and reached our county
a little afternoon, perhaps two o'clock. The
temperature fell suddenly from about 40 de-
grees above zero to twenty below and much
suffering followed. The face of the coun-
try was changed almost instantly from water
to ice. The roads were left sharp and it was
sometime before horses could be taken
from barns. Jacob and Samuel Deeds were
frozen to death while on their way to West
Okaw. Such are some of the privations
. of the early settlers, yet we must not think
that their life was altogether a bitter one.
They had their "bright spots," just as we
do now. Human nature is pretty much the
same now, as it always has been, and it de-
mands a period of relaxation occasionally.
These were obtained at the "quilting bee,"
the "corn shucking," and the "apple bee."
At the "quilting bee," ladies for miles around
would assemble some afternoon. Busy
hands then worked hard and fast for the
work must be gotten out of the way for the
fun in the evening. In the evening the gen-
tlemen came, and the time was spent in some
boisterous games or in a dance.

The corn husking usually took place in
large barns, and both the men and women
participated. One of the features of the
evening was to find the red ears of corn.
When a ladv found one, she was entitled to a

PAST AND PRESENT

kiss from every gentleman present; and
when a gentleman found one he was allowed
to kiss every lady present. This feature
was always a source of unlimited fun and
frolic. When the husking was done the
the old violin was brought out and the merry
dance began, which lasted until day light.

In those days the people were noted for
their hospitality, and their interest, the one in
the other. They would go miles to help at
a "raising" or to nurse a sick neighbor. The
following incident illustrates the spirit of the
times. A new settler borrowed a plough of
an old settler and when he returned it he
thanked him, and asked him how much he
should pay him for the use of it. "Pay," he
said, "look here, my friend, you don't know
me do you ? Now sir, I want you to under-
stand that whenever I have anything you
wish, all you have to do is to come after it;
and when through with it, if it suits your
convenience, to return it, do so ; if not, I will
come after it when I need it. I want you to
understand farther sir, that whenever you
have anything I want, I shall come and get
it, and if it suits my convenience to return
it, I shall do so ; if not you can come and get
it."

CHAPTER II.

1840-1903.

When Macon county was organized in
1829, it included what is now Piatt county.
Along about 1837 or 1838 some of the set-
tlers commenced to think that it was too far
to go to Decatur for the legal county business

and they commenced to agitate the matter of
forming a new county. A meeting of those
interested was called, and committees ap-
pointed to draw up and circulate petitions to
the legislature asking that a new county be
organized. The petition was prepared by
George A. Paterson, a schoolteacher of the
county. It was proposed to form a county
out of parts of Macon, DeWitt and Cham-
paign counties. Isaac Demorest and William
Wright circulated the petition on the west
side of Champaign county. They received
very little encouragement, and the idea of
having any part of Champaign county in
the new county was abandoned. Abraham
and Ezra Marquiss, and William Barnes
circulated the petition in DeWitt county and
were successful in getting a good many to
sign it. George A. Paterson, James and
John Piatt took the petition into Macon
county and obtained many signatures. Aft-
er the petition had been signed by a large
number, it was decided to appoint Mr. Pat-
erson to present the petition to the legis-
lature. It was presented on New Year's
day, 1841. An effort was made to have the
new county called Grundy, but it was not
successful and on the 27th of January the
bill passed the legislature, and Piatt county
was ushered into being. The act creating it
defined its boundaries as follows : Begin-
ning where the north line of town fifteen
north intersects the middle of range four
east and running thence north through the
middle of range four to the middle of town
nineteen, thence east to the west line of range
five, thence north to the northwest corner of
town nineteen north, range five east, thence
by a direct line to the southwest corner of
section seven, town twenty-one north range
six; thence east to the east line of range
six ; thence south along the east line of range

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

six to the north line of town fifteen north;
thence west along the north line of town fif-
teen to the place of beginning.

The entire population of the county at
that time was perhaps 600 or 700.

Monticello was chosen as the county seat
and the first county election was held that
April, 1841. It was not under township
organization at first, and John Hughes, W.
Bailey and E. Peck were the first county
commissioners. Joseph King was elected
circuit clerk, James Reber, judge; and John
Piatt, sheriff.

The first term of court was held in the
Devore Hotel, known in those days as the
"Old Fort" which stood where the Ay-re
meat market now stands. This court con-
vened May 14, 1841. Hon. Samuel H.
Treat presided as judge.

The first grand jury of Piatt county
was impaneled at the October term, which
convened October 15, 1841, and was com-
posed of the following persons : George A.
Patterson, foreman; William LeForgee,
Samuel Harshbarger, William Piatt, Jesse
Moore, John Fisher, J. S. Madden, Peter
Croninger, John Welch, Samuel Suver,
Thomas Ater, William A. Patterson, War-
ner Kelms, Henry Adams, James Morain,
George Argo, Thomas Anderson, and Jona-
than Scott. The grand jury returned no in-
dictments which testifies to the good charac-
ter of the early settlers.

But little law business was done in those
early times, and it is said that the first four
terms of court did not occupy one-half a day.

For the purpose of holding elections, the
county was divided into three precincts
Monticello, Sangamon and Okaw. George
Boyer was appointed overseer of the poor for
Sangamon precinct, James McReynolds for
Monticello precinct, and Samuel Harshbarg-

er for Okaw precinct. In 1843 Geo. Patter-
son was appointed county assessor and Edw.
Ater, county collector. About this time the
court house was built. It was a one-story
fr^me building located on the present court
house site, and was built by Judge Ricket.
This did service for several years but was
afterwards moved to the west side of the
square, and eventually burned down.

A jail was not built for several years,
what prisoners the county had being con-
fined in the jail at Champaign. The first
jail was built where the Monticello cala-
boose now stands, two blocks east and one
north of the square. It was sixteen feet
square and was built of hewn logs 12 inches
square. It had a log floor and a log ceiling.
This did service until the new jail was
erected.

The population was increasing, being
1606 in 1850.

In December, 1851, H. C. Johns, Enoch
Peck and William Madden were appointed
commissioners to divide Monticello precinct
and to make another precinct and report at
the next term of the county court. In ,
March, 1852, H. C. Johns and Enoch Peck
made their report laying out a new precinct
comrhencing at the northeast corner of sec-
tion four, T. 18 N. R., 5 E., running west
with the township line to the county, thence
south with said county line to the southwest
corner of the county, thence east with the
south line of the county 'to the southwest
corner of Okaw precinct, thence north to
place of beginning, making a territory six
miles wide by eighteen miles long. Liberty
was recommended as name of precinct and
the residence of Scott Armsworth was rec-
ommended as a central place for holding
elections. Scott Armsworth, Enoch Peck
and Peter Adams were the judges of the first

PAST AND PRESENT

election held in Liberty precinct. They re-
ceived a dollar each for their services at this
election. In Sqjtember, 1852, a strip of ter-
ritory one and one-half miles wide and six
miles long was taken from Sangamon pre-
cinct and added to Monti cello. The total
vote polled that fall was 334.

The court house that has done service
to the present time was built in 1856 and
1857. The contract was awarded to George
Dempsey and John Lowry, March 7, 1856;
the contract price being $10,936, to be paid
in four equal installments, one-fourth when
foundation was completed, one-fourth when
enclosed, one-fourth when finished, and one-
fourth a year after completion.

The building was completed the next
spring, and formally accepted by the board
June 15, 1857. In addition the contractors
were allowed $22 for painting, $23.50 for
lighting, $10.50 for prisoners' boxes and
$240 for window blinds.

The building has been a good one, and in
all these years has had but few repairs. The
court house originally had a cupola, but it
was demolished by a storm in July, 1871,
and was never replaced. The building was a
two-story brick one, 50x65 feet.

On the lower floor were the vaults and
offices of the county and circuit clerks, and
the offices of the county judge and treasurer.

Gn the upper floor were the offices of the
state's attorney, and sheriff, and the court
room.

The coroner, surveyor and county su-
perintendent have not had offices in the court
house for several years. The coroner and
surveyor have no public office. That of the
county superintendent was in the Smith
building, then in the Tatman building over
the post-office, then in the Bender building,
and then in the Dighton Block, where it is
now located.

The same year the court house was begun
the first newspaper ever published in Piatt
county, was started. It was called, the Mon-
ticello Times, and was edited by Mr. James
D. Moody. The first issue appeared in
November, 1856. The Piatt County Agri-
cultural Society was organized the same
year.

At about this time, the first railroad was
completed through the county. The first rail-
road through the county was the main line of
the Wabash through Cerro Gordo and Ben-
nett townships, which was put through in
1856.

This helped to bring settlers into our
county quite rapidly, and the decade from
1850 to 1860 witnessed the county's most
rapid growth, the population in 1860 being
nearly four times as great as in 1850.

In June, 1858, the Bement precinct was
laid out with following boundaries, com-
mencing at the northeast corner of Section
i. Township 18, Range 6, thence west to the
northwest corner of Section 3, Township 17,
Range 5 east, thence south along the section
lines to the southwest corner of Section 3,
Township 16, Range .5 east, thence east along
the section line to the southeast corner of
Section i. Township 16, Range 5 east,
thence north along said section line to the
southwest corner of Section 31, Township
1 8, Range 6, thence east along the township
line to the southeast corner of Section 36,
Township 18, Range 6, thence north along
the line of said township to the place of be-
ginning.

TOW X SHIP ORG A N 17. ATIO N .

On November 18, 1859, the question of
adopting township organization was sub-
mitted to the voters of the county, and the
result of the election was 420 votes for

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

township organization and 194 votes against
adopting it. On the second day of January
the County Court, consisting of A. G. Boy-
er, count}- judge, John Mosgrove, associate,
and Reuben Bowman, coroner, ordered that
James Bryden. of Monticello, C. D. Moore,
of Bement. and Ezra Marquiss^, of Goose
Creek, be appointed commissioners to divide
the county into townships preparatory to
township organization. On February 25,
1860. William F. Foster was appointed one
of the commissioners to divide the county
into townships, to fill vacancy caused by
the death of James Bryden. The commis-
sioners made the following report at the
March term of the County Court, 1860 :

Report to the Honorable County Court,
Piatt County, State of Illinois :

We, the undersigned commissioners ap-
pointed by the court aforesaid at its last term
to divide the County of Piatt into townships
under the late law, beg leave to submit the
following report : After a careful examina-
tion of the county and a consideration of the
relative positions of the several settlements
of the same, we proceed to divide it into
eight townships which are named and are as
follows, to-wit :

BLUE RIDGE TOWNSHIP.

Bounded as follows: Beginning at the
N. W. corner of Sec. 18, T. 21 N.. R. 6 E.,
thence east on county lipe to the X. E. corner
of the county, thence south on the county line
to the S. E. corner of Sec. 24, T. 20. R. 6 E.,
thence west to the county line, thence in a
northeasterly course along the county line
to the place of beginning.

GOOSE CREEK TOWNSHIP.

Bounded as follows: Beginning at the

X. E. corner of Sec. 25, T. 20 N., R. 5 E.,
thence west to the county line, thence S. W.
along county line to the N. W. corner of Sec.
6. T. 19 N., R. 5 E., thence S. on the coun-
ty line to the N. E. corner Sec. 24, T. 19 N.
R. 4 E., thence W. on county line to the N.
W. corner Sec. 22, T. 19 N., R. 4 E.,
thence south on county line to the S. W. cor-
ner of Sec. 34, T. 19 X., R. 4 E., thence
east to the S. E. corner Sec. 36, T. 19 N., R.
5 E., thence north to the place of beginning.

SANGAMON TOWNSHIP.

Bounded as follows : Beginning at the
N. W. corner of Sec. 30, T. 20 N., R. 6 E.,
thence east to county line, thence south on
county line to the S. E. corner of Sec. 36, T.
19 N., R. 6 E., thence west to S. W. corner
of Sec. 31, T. 19 N., R. 6 E., thence N. to
place of beginning.

MONTICELLO TOWNSHIP.

Bounded as follows : Beginning at N.
W. corner of Sec. 2, T. 18, R. 5, thence east
to county line, thence S. on county line to
the S. E. corner of Sec. 36, T. 18, R. 6 E..
thence W. to S. W. corner of Sec. 35, T. 18
N., R. 5 E.. thence north to place of be-
ginning.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

Bounded as follows : Beginning at N.
W. cor. of Sec. 3, T. 18 N., R. 4 E., thence
east to the N. E. corner of Sec. 3, T. 18 N.
R. 5 E., thence S. to S. E. corner of N. E.
quarter Sec. 22, T. 17 X., R. 5 E., thence
W. to county line, thence N. on county line to
place of beginning.

PAST AND PRESENT

BEMENT TOWNSHIP.

Bounded as follows : Beginning at N.
\Y. corner of Sec. 2, T. 17, R. 5 E., thence
east to county line, thence south on county
line to the S. E. corner of Sec. 36, T. i/.N.,
R. 6 E., thence west to the S. W. corner
Sec. 35, T. 17 N., R. 5 E., thence N. to
place of beginning.

CERRO GORDO TOWNSHIP.

Bounded as follows : Beginning at the
X. \Y. corner of S. W. quarter Sec. 22, T.
17 N., R. 4 E., thence east to the N. E. cor-
ner of S. E. quarter Sec. 22, T. 17 N., R.
5 E., thence S. to county line, thence W. on
county line to the S. W. corner of county
thence north on county line to place of be-
ginning.

DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP.

Bounded as follows : Beginning at the
N. W. corner of Sec. 2, T. 16, R. 5 E.,
thence east to county line, thence S. on coun-
ty line to the S. E. corner of the county,
thence W. on county line to the S. W. cor-
ner Sec. 35, T. 16 N., R. 5 E., thence N. to
place of beginning.

The above we conceive to be the best di-
vision it can be to secure the fulfillment of
the requirements of the law and at the same
time meet the wants of the inhabitants.
Respectfully submitted.
C. D. MOORE,
WILLIAM T. FOSTER,
EZRA MARQUISS.

Dated at Monticello, Piatt County, Illi-
nois, this 27th day of February, A. D., 1860.

The report of the committee was ap-

proved and the last session of the county
court under the old system of county govern-
ment was the March term of 1860, ending
April 2. The first session of the board of
supervisors was held May 28, 1860, and the
following members constituted the first
board : Blue Ridge, John Meliza ; Goose
Creek, Seth C. Langlon; Willow Branch,
Elias Hall ; Cerro Gordo, William Cole ;
Unity, Royal Mitchell; Bement, Caleb D.
Moore; Monticello, William Motherspaw;
Sangamon, Ananias B. Knott.

At this meeting the name of Liberty
township was changed to Willow Branch.

On motion of C. D. Moore, the compen-
sation of the supervisors was fixed at two
dollars per day for attending the meetings
of the board. The next few years were very
busy ones for this board. The families of
the soldiers in the war had to be cared for,
a jail was built, and a poor farm started.

PIATT COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR.

No state in the union was more loyal to
the Federal Government in the dark days of
the Civil war than was Illinois. It was Illi-
nois that furnished the chief executive of
the nation for this trying time, and nobly
did she stand by him. When Lincoln issued,
his first call for troops in 1861, the authori-
ties informed Governor Yates that the quota
of Illinois was six regiments. Governor
Yates issued his proclamation April 15, 1861,
and in ten days 10,000 volunteers had offered
their services. They could not all be accept-
ed, and it is said that some of them wept
when refused admission. In 1862, and again
in 1864. when calls for troops were made,
Illinois responded cheerfully. In this, Piatt
county did her full share and more. Out
of a population of 6,124, sne sent out I > O 55

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

soldiers, almost one-sixth of her population.
The average of the state was 100 soldiers for
every 742 inhabitants, while Piatt count sent
100 men for 580 inhabitants. Nor were
those who for various reasons did not go to
the front lacking in patriotic spirit. Early
in the war, we find the county issuing bonds,
and borrowing money to care for the fami-
lies of the volunteers in the front. One per-
son was appointed in each township (usual-
ly the supervisor) to look after the widows
and families of the soldiers, and to see that
they were provided with the necessaries of
life. When the war closed and the soldiers
returned the county gave them a big dinner.
This was held on the i6th of August, 1865.
A committee from the Board of Supervisors
had charge of the dinner. Two beeves were
killed, and other victuals in proportion. The
county appropriated for the dinner $184.94.

JAIL.

At the meeting of the Board of Super-
visors in December, 1866, a resolution was
passed, making an appropriation of twelve
thousand dollars to build a county jail, and
authorizing the issuing of bonds for twelve
thousand dollars, drawing interest at ten
per cent. A committee of three persons
Hiram Jackson, H. C. McComas and John
W. White was appointed to fix upon a lo-
cation for the jail. Lewis Bond was appoint-
ed to make the plan for the county jail and
to procure specifications for it. These were
prepared by Dennis and Sutton, of Spring-
field, and the contract for building it was let
to them in March for $8,800. In March,
1867, H. G. McComas, J. M. White and Ez-
ra Marquiss were appointed a committee to
purchase a site for the location of the jail.
They selected and purchased the last half of

outlot No. 4 in original town of Monticello
for the sum of $1,000. Work was at once
commenced, and the building completed in
the fall of '67. At its meeting in November
the board refused to receive the jail, but some
concessions were made, and the jail was re-
ceived by the board in February, 1868, and
the final payment on it made. The first
sheriff to occupy it was George F. Miller.

The old jail and lot were then sold to
the president and trustees of the town of
Monticello, in April, 1868, for $350.

The jail has been repaired from time to
time and has been condemned repeatedly by
grand juries that have examined it.

POOR FARM.

In August, 1862, Piatt county acquired
a half-interest in a farm of 293 acres for
$2,948.52, southwest of Monticello, the oth-
er half being owned by James Miner. On
July 23, 1863, the following resolution, in-
troduced by H. S. Coonrod, was adopted :

Resolved, by the Board of Supervisors of
Piatt county, that immediate steps be taken
to procure the title of James Miner to the
undivided half of the farm now owned by
him in joint tenancy with the county, for the
purpose of making a poor farm out of the
same. The committee consisted of H. S.
Coonrod, D. Stickle and J. C. Heath.

The attempt to buy the interest of James
Miner was not successful, and in September,
1863, it is ordered that H. S. Coonrod be
empowered to make contract with James
Miner for providing for the poor of Piatt
county. James Miner was to be paid $2.50
per week for keeping each pauper, and to
pay $200 a year for the county's one-half of
the farm. Coonrod is to maintain supervis-
ion of said paupers, and the said paupers shall

PAST AND PRESENT

be received by the said James Miner as a
onmty charge only on the order of the over-
seer of the poor of one of the townships, or
of the said Coonrod.

In September, 1865, a resolution was
adopted appointing McComas, Marquiss and
Chambers a committee to sell the county
portion of the poor farm, and to purchase
not less than 200 acres of land suitably sit-
uated for a poor farm, provided that if they
can sell the whole farm to a better advantage
by buying Miner's half, then they can do so.
James Miner appears before the county board
in December, 1865, and offers to sell his in-
terest in the county farm at $28 (twenty-
eight dollars) per acre. The offer accepted
and on June 6, 1866, James G. Miner trans-
fers to the Board of Supervisors of Piatt
county for the use of the inhabitants of said
county his interest in the undivided half of
the county farm for $4,116. Miner was to
run the affairs until the first day of October
next, and to pay one-third of the corn in the
shock and one-third of the small grain in
the half-bushel, and to keep the paupers un-
til expiration of his lease from first of March
next at three dollars and fifty cents per week.
Just before this he had been receiving four
dollars a week for adults and three dollars
and fifty cents per week for children.

From October, 1866, to October, 1867.
he runs the farm without rent, keeps the
paupers and receives one thousand dollars for
his services.

In December. 1870. the committee on
poor farm report that "the erection of a good,
substantial brick building is absolutely neces-
sary," and they are authorized by the board
to proceed with the erection of a building,
to adopt the plans and specifications they
think best, the building to cost not to exceed
five thousand dollars. The committee, con-

sisting of Hiram Jackson and John R.
Klapp made a contract with John C. Lowry,
William Beatie. Sr., James Brown, John
Merryman and Charles Stough for the erec-
tion of the building, which was approved by
the board. The building was completed the
following summer and accepted by the board
in September, 1871. It was a brick build-
ing, two stories and basement, containing
eighteen rooms, six on each floor.

RAILROADS.

The main line of the Wabash running
east and west through Bement and Cerro
Gordo townships in Piatt county was con-
structed in 1855 and 1856. The construct-
ing gang worked from both ends of the line
and came together near what is now Cerro
Gordo. The Chicago division of the Wabash
was completed and put in operation through
the county in 1873. This road was former-
ly called the Chicago & Paducah, and was
laid by the Bloomington & Ohio River Rail-
road Company, which was chartered in 1867.

What is now a branch of the Illinois
Central, between Champaign and Decatur.
through Sangamon, Monticello and Willow
Branch townships of our county, was put in
operation between Champaign and Monti-
cello in Deceml)er. 1870. and was finished
through to Decatur two years later. This
road was chartered as far back as 1861, as
the Monticello Railroad, but nothing was
done toward building any road until after the
war. The charter was changed and the com-
pany fully organized in 1865. and active
work of constructing commenced in 1867.
The road was afterwards bought by the In-
diana, Blcomington i Western, was sold and
reorganized as the Champaign, Havana i
Western. It was bought by the Wabash

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

and finally bought by the Illinois Central,
which still owns it. The road from Cham-
paign to Clinton through Sangamon and
Goose Creek townships of our county is now
owned by the Illinois Central. It was char-
tered in 1867 as the Havana, Mason City,
Lincoln and Eastern Railroad, and was
built through the county in 1872. That
same year it was consolidated with the Mon-
ticello road just given, and its history from
that time on was identical with the road be-
tween Champaign and Decatur.

The Big Four Railroad through Blue
Ridge township was put through the- county
in 1867. It was chartered as the Danville,
Urbana, Bloomington & Pekin Railroad, aft-
erwards consolidated with the Indianapolis,
and Danville, and then became known as the
Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western, and
later as the Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati
& St. Louis.

The Indiana, Decatur & Western Rail-
road was built through our county in 1873.
The road was projected as far back as 1847,
and the company was originally called the
Indiana & Illinois Central road.

DREDGE DITCH.

Special Drainage District of the Counties of
Piatt, Champaign and Douglas.

One of the streams in the southern part
of the county is called the Lake Fork branch
of the Okaw river, usually called Lake Fork
for short. The name is very suggestive.
The river has but very little fall and is a
very sluggish stream. In the rainy season
it would overflow its banks and the whole
country round about would resemble a great
lake.hence the name. The land was the rich
black loam, but was not very valuable, be-

cause it would overflow, and a crop was by
no means sure.

A plan was set on foot to dredge the
Lake Fork in the southeast part of the coun-
ty. The question of forming a drainage dis-
trict under the state law was submitted to a
vote of the people and the question carried.
On the seventh of October, 1882, an election
was held in the Concern schoolhouse for the
purpose of electing the drainage commission-
ers. The election resulted in the election
of Alfred Jay, Samuel L. Busich and An-
thony Clark. These were the first drainage
commissioners. Before work on the ditch
could be commenced, the land had to be
viewed, and the amount of the benefits to the
various landowners determined, and the as-
sessments made. There were a great many
objections to the decision of the commission-
ers with regard to the assessment, and they
were restrained by the court for awhile and
were delayed in various ways, so that three
years elapsed before active work was com-
menced.

On September 21, 1883, C. D. Moore,
county surveyor, was employed to survey
the ditch and prepare a plat and profile. The
original ditch extended from the north line
of Sec. 36, T. 1 8, R. 6, to the Grain bridge,
a distance of about eleven miles.

This was done that fall and submitted to
the commissioners at the meeting held March
i, 1884. The plat was approved, and it was
decided to advertise for bids to be opened
March 31, 1884. When the commissioners
met, March 31, no bids were submitted.
Nothing more was done until September 20,
1884, when the following motion was
adopted :

Resolved, That the width and depth of
the ditch to be dug be as follows: The
width from Grain's bridge to the south line

PAST AND PRESENT

of Sec. i, Township 17, R. 6, be thirty feet
at the top, twenty-five feet from thence to
south line of Sec. 36, T. 18, R. 6, and twenty
feet from thence to the north line of said sec-
tion 36. The bottom of said ditch to be
one-fourth as wide as the top, and the
depth one foot more, at all points than the
depth as fixed by C. D. Moore in the profile
approved March i, 1884.

The commissioners advertised for bids
which were to be received and contract let
October 16, 1884. The board, however, ad-
journed from time to time, and the contract
was not let until the following spring. The
contract was awarded to McGillis & Co., at
eleven and nine-tenths cents per cubic yard,
with the condition that if the ditch was com-
pleted by April i, 1886, they were to be al-
lowed an additional one and six-tenths cents
per cubic yard.

A short time after the contract was let
the firm of McGillis &.Co. assigned the con-
tract to Pollard, Goff & Co., and at a meeting
of the commissioners held July 22, 1885, it
was decided that with the consent of Pol-
lard, Goff & Co., they would make the ditch
six feet wide on the bottom from one end to
the other, and two feet deeper than the bot-
tom of the ditch as shown by C. D. Moore's
profile from the north end to within one mile
of the south end, and from that point the
depth to increase gradually until it is three
feet deeper than the bottom of the ditch as
shown by the plans and specifications. The
width of top of ditch to remain as original
contract. The time for the completion of the
ditch was extended to June i, 1886.

These changes were accepted by Pollard,
Goff & Co. and active work was commenced
in the summer of 1885, at the north line of
Sec. 36, T. 18, R. 6, in Monticello township.

The work continued all summer and fall
and all the next year until in November,

1886, they reached the Moore graveyard in
Unity township. On the second of February,

1887, the boat was burned. The ditch, how-
ever, had been completed as far as the origin-
al ditch extended, in all over two hundred
thousand cubic yards of dirt had been re-
moved. As the ditch had been completed
within the time, the price paid for the work
was thirteen and one-half cents per cubic
yard, and the ditch had cost in the neighbor-
hood of thirty thousand dollars.

The farmers near Mackville formed a
special mutual drainage district (called Dis-
trict No. 7), and cleaned out the ditch above
and below Mackville with teams and scrapers.
The ditch was afterwards extended about
three miles. Some claim now that the outlet
is not large enough, and they are contem-
plating the extension of the work at least as
far as the county line on the south, and pos-
sibly into Moultrie county. A number of
laterals have been put in, and that part of
the county is getting to be well drained, so
that now there is not a better farming re-
gion anywhere. It has added greatly to the
value of the land, also. To illustrate, in 1882,
the year the ditch was commenced, the Dr.
Clapp farm of four hundred acres, sold for
$10,000 $25 per acre. Perhaps $35 would
have been an average price for land in that
vicinity. Now it could hardly be bought for
four or five times that amount. At first,
though, the taxes were very high, and it was
a great hardship to many of the farmers to
pay. The present commissioners are Ed.
Moyer, M. F. Walsh and Michael Morris.

PIATT FAIR.

(Note. I am indebted to Judge M. R.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Davidson for the information about the
earlier fairs.)

The Piatt County Agricultural Society
was organized in 1856. No record of the
early proceedings of the society can be found.
In 1 86 1 an election of officers of the society
was held in the court-house, at which time
the following officers were chosen : Presi-
dent, Jacob Smith; V ice-Presidents, J. C.
Johnson, H. S. Coonrod, Ezra Marquiss,
Secretary, A. T. Pipher; Treasurer, Elias
Hall and directors. John M. Barnes and Dr.
Kelly.

The first fairs were held on the grounds
east of Mr. Bear's residence in Monticello.
In 1861 the society bought fifteen acres
north of town, where the present fair
grounds are located. The only fence around
the grounds was a rail one, and there were
no buildings. Jesse Warner, C. P. Davis,
and Dr. Farra were appointed a committee
to see what could be done. It was decided
to mortgage the ground to get money to im-
prove with. J. C. Johnson furnished the
money, and the ground was fenced, and two
cheap buildings erected. The grounds were
put in shape by persons who donated their
labors. There is very little resemblance be-
tween the early fairs and the modern ones.
The early fair was a gathering in the inter-
est of the farmer; it was an annual county
picnic, and an annual occasion for meeting
old friends. No races were held. It was
morally clean and a distinct success socially,
but a failure financially. As Capt. C. P. Da-
vis expressed it, "We knew the debit and
credit side of our ledger, and the debit side
was always in excess." At times the people
were solicited for private contributions to
keep up the honor of the society for it has
always made it a point to 'keep all obligations
in good faith.

All attempts to introduce races met with
violent opposition inside the association until
1876, when there was a change in the offi-
cials of the fair, and consequently a change
in its management. A race course one-third
of a mile long was constructed, which was
surveyed by the surveyor of the Monticello
railroad free of charge. J. W. Warren and
C. P. Davis carried the chain without pay.
That year the fair was a financial success.
Every one wanted to see the new grounds,
and to see what the new management would
do. Capt. C. P. Davis was secretary, and
J. W. Warren, treasure! 1 , arid they acted as a
committee on privileges.

It was not an easy matter to make the
fair a financial success, and some new device
had to be resorted to each year to draw the
people. One year the principal attraction
was to be a grand balloon ascension, and it
was advertised all over the county to take
place on a certain day. When the people
came to the fair, they found that they were
required to procure a balloon ticket in addi-
tion to the regular admittance ticket before
they could be admitted to the grounds.
Some of the people demurred. They didn't
want a balloon ticket; they came to see the
fair and when the balloon went up, it would
be an easy matter for them just to turn their
backs. But such an excuse would not go,
and the visitor must get the balloon ticket
before he could be admitted to the grounds.
When the time came, it was too windy for
the balloon to go up, and a veritable howl
balloon tickets, and the management saved
themselves from bodily harm, only by prom-
ising faithfully that it should go up the next
day. They fulfilled their promise, for the next
day the old balloon went up about fifty feet,
and the people were satisfied.

Another scheme to get a large attend-

PAST AND PRESENT

ance was to have some eminent man speak
on some current topic of general interest.
Schuyler Col fax was the orator at one fair,
Ex-Governor Oglesby at another. Latei
they had chariot races, a "guideless wonder,"
bicycle races, high diver, jubilee singers, cap-
tive balloon, etc.

In this time, the fair was put on a firmer
financial basis, twenty-eight more acres were
bought, a new amphtheatre was built, several
buildings and many new stalls added, and
a good supply of water for the fair furn-
ished. In 1891 steam power was provided
for the machinery on exhibition.

The receipts for some of the years are as
follows: 1877, $1825; 1886, $5225; 1891,
$6892 ; 1897, $6272.

In 1901, the week of the fair was very
rainy, and the attendance was not large. In
1902 the society cleared about a thousand
dollars. In 1903, C. A. Tatman, who had
been secretary of the fair for over twenty
years, resigned, and a new organization was
effected. The name of the society was
changed to the Piatt County Board of Agri-
culture, and the officers elected are as fol-
lows: President, C. E. Moffitt; Secretary,
C. H. Ridgely; Vice-President, J. D. lack-
ey; Treasurer, O. W. Moore; Directors, W.
W. Royer, J. A. Mathews, M. F. McMillen,
J. L. Bodman, R. M. Dobson, F. Bales, John
Phalen, B. R. White and Samuel Howe. The
first fair under the new management will be
held August 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28, 1903. It
will be the fortieth annual fair.

COUNTY PAPERS.

The Piatt County Herald was started in
April, 1874, by H. D. Peters. Mr. Peters
was an able editor and managed the paper

successfully for eighteen years.

The Piatt Independent was started by
G. A. Burgess in December, 1887. In 1892
Mr. Burgess bought the Herald of Mr. Pe-
ters, and the Herald and Independent were
consolidated under the name of The Piatt
County Republican, and it has been run un-
der that name to the present time. G. A.
Burgess is editor and manager.

The Piatt County Pilot was started in
April, 1896, by L. S. Kilborn and Son. It
was run by them as an independent concern
until the following November, when it was
purchased by a stock company incorporated
under the name "Piatt County Pilot." C.
H. Kilborn was chosen editor and manager.
In May, 1900, it was purchased by L. S.
Kilborn and Son, the present owners.

The Monticello Bulletin is the oldest
paper in the county. The name has . been
changed a number of times, but the Bulletin
can justly be claimed to be the successor, sev-
eral gnerations removed of the Monticello-
Times, whose first issue was printed in No-
vember, 1856. Mr. James D. Moody pub- ;
lished the paper for a short time, and then
sold out to J. C. Johnson. Mr. Johnson sold,
out to James Outten. After a time Mr. Out-
ten sold an interest in the paper to Mr. Has-
sett, and the name of the paper was changed
to the Sucker State, The paper was next
edited by Messrs. Gillilancl and Tritt.
Thomas Milligan succeeded them, and the
name of the paper was changed to the Con-
servative. W. E. Lodge edited the paper
from 1862 to 1864, at which time he sold
out to N. E. Rhoades, and the paper was
conducted under the auspices of the Union
League. In the political campaign of 1864
the paper was called The Piatt County Union
and was edited by M. A. Bates. In 1865 the
paper was sold to Jas. M. Holmes, and the
name was changed to the Piatt Independent.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

It was published under this name for about
seven years, and then the name was changed
to the Piatt Republican. In 1876 the paper
was sold to H. B. Funk, and became as the
Monticello Bulletin, and has since been run
under that name. Mr. Funk edited the paper ,
for several years. W. E. Krebs is remem-
bered by our citizens as the witty editor of
the Bulletin. Mr. Krebs sold out to Mr.
Evan Stevenson, who edited the paper very
ably for about a year. C. E. Gaumer was the
next editor, who sold out to H. W. Buckle,
the present editor and manager.

IMPROVEMENTS OF COUNTY BUILDINGS.

In June; 1901, the Board of Supervisors
visited the county farm to see what was
needed there. It was found that the buildings
were inadequate, and at the request of the
committee on public buildings and grounds,
Mr. C. S. Bainum, a professional architect,
prepared plans and designs for buildings
needed to cost about twelve thousand dollars.
The buildings were to be of brick, two stories
and a basement, with slate roof, and to be
provided with convenient and modern equip-
ment. The plans were presented to the
Board of Supervisors, and with some modi-
fications, were accepted, and Mr. Bainum
was directed to prepare complete plans and
specifications. The lx>ard advertised for
bids, and on the 26th of August, the con-
tract was let to George Lux for $11,750.

The buildings were completed the next
year, and formally accepted by the Board of
Supervisors. The buildings are all of brick,
heated by steam, and are very comfortable
and convenient. They are three stories high
the sleeping rooms on the lower floor being
provided with iron grated doors, so that the
occupant can be locked in the rooms if neces-

sary. One part of the building is set apart
for the men, another for the women.

Following is a complete list of the poor
farm Stewarts : James G. Miner, E. Carver,
G. Turk, Solomon Leitz, W. R. Hyde, John
Lohr, W. R. Hyde, D. R. Kemper, George
A. Lindsley, Ben Cole.

COURT HOUSE AND JAIL.

At the meeting of the Board of Super-
visors held September 10, 1902, on motion of
William L. Plunt, of Sangamon township,
it was decided to submit to the voters at the
next general election, a proposition to issue
the bonds of the county to the amount of
one hundred thousand dollars, to erect a
court house to cost not more than seventy-
five thousand dollars, and to repair the jail at
a cost not to exceed twenty-five thousand dol-
lars.

A great deal of interest was taken in the
matter, and the proposition was vigorously
discussed by our newspapers and citizens,
which discussion continued up to the election
which was held November 4, 1902.

The result of the election was a majority
of 167 votes in favor of the proposition to
issue the bonds of the county for the purpose
of building new court house, and repairing
jail.

Steps were at once taken to get suitable
plans for the new building. A committee
from the Board of Supervisors was appoint-
ed to visit a number of county seats and in-
spect the court houses.

January 20, 1903, the bonds were sold to
the First National Bank of Monticello at a
premium of $1050, and accrued interest.

In March, 1903, it was decided to accept
the plans prepared by Architect Joseph W.
Rover, of Urbana, and he was instructed to

PAST AND PRESENT

prepare suitable plans and specifications.
The contract was let July 8, 1903, to H. B.
Walters, of Danville, for seventy-five thous-
and dollars, building to be completed by July
15, 1904. It is to be a three story brick
building, with modern conveniences.

On the lower floor on the east side will
be the office and vault of the county treasurer,
and in the south east corner the Board of
Suprvisors' room.

In the northwest corner will be the rooms
of the county school superintendent. South
of these will be the vault of the county clerk,
and in the southwest corner will be a public
waiting room.

On the second floor above the rooms of
the county superintendent will be the office
of the sheriff. South of this will be the
rooms of the county clerk.

The county court room extends across
the south end of this floor. In the southeast
corner is the office of the county judge. Just
north of him is the state's attorney's office,
and north of that the office and vault of the
circuit clerk.

On the third floor is the circuit court
room. In addition to this, there is a room
for the law library, the circuit judges' private
room, the attorney's consultation room, the
petit jury room, the grand jury room, ladies'
waiting room, and gentlemen's waiting room

The heating plant for the building is at
the jail. The old court house was sold at
public auction on May 26th, and bought by
Lodge Bros., for $138.01, which included
the heating plant and the plumbing. By .the
first of August the entire building was torn
down, and the work of getting the ground
in shape for the new building commenced.

The work on the jail was also begun.
The contract for the repair of the jail was
let to V. Jobst and Son, of Peoria, for

twelve thousand, four hundred and eighty-
eight dollars, work to be completed in four
months. The contract for the cell work was
let to Van Dorn Iron Works Co., of Cleve-
land, Ohio, for eight thousand, six hundred
dollars.

The contract for the heating plants for
court house and jail, and for laying of mains
was awarded to Field, Shorb & Co., of Deca-
tur, for fifteen hundred dollars, and four
dollars per lineal foot for laying the mains.

The work of breaking the ground for the
new court house commenced August 10, and
the work is being pushed rapidly forward.

Following is a list of the county officers
since the organization of the county :

STATES' ATTORNEY.

James McDougal, David Campbell, M.
R. Rust, John R. Eden, J. P. Boyd, D. L.
Bunn, M. V. Thompson, Samuel R. Reed,
Peter A. Hamilton, Albert Emerson, Charles
Hughes, James Hicks, H. H. Crea and
Charles F. Mansfield, the present states' at-
torney.

COUNTY JUDGES.

James Reber, John Hughes, James Ater,
A. G. Boyer, H. C. McComas, G. L. Spear,
Hiram Jackson, William McReynolds, W.
G. Cloyd, H. E. Huston, M. R. Davidson,
and F. M. Shonkiveler. the present official.

COUNTY CLERKS.

Joseph King, J. D. Hillis, James F. Out-
ten, J. L. Miller, W. F. Cox, J. A. Helman,
W. L. Ryder, John Porter, A. L. Rodgers
and B. F. Kagey, the present county clerk.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

CIRCUIT CLERKS.

James S. Reber, J. C. Johnson, A. G.
Boyer, L. J. Bond, W. T. Foster, W. H.
Plunk, G. A. Stadler, Robert Hudgen and
J. C. Tippett.

COUNTY TREASURERS.

(While the county was not under town-
ship organizaion the sheriff acted as county
treasurer.)

N. E. Rhoades, Charles Watts, S. E.
Langdon, J. T. VanGundy, Nelson Reid,
Theodore Gross, E. W. Walker, Dan Hall,

E. W. Walker, S. M. Funk and Isaac N.
Biebinger.

SHERIFFS.

John Piatt, Edward Ater, Charles Har-
ris, George Heath, Samuel Morain, G. M.
Bruffett, Peter K. Hull, Renben Bowman,

F. H. Lowry, E. P. Fisher, W. B. List,
George F. Miller, John Kirby, W. H. Plunk,
E. P. Fisher, W. M. Holmes, J. E. Andrew,
George F. Miller, J. M. Woolington, C. A.
Shiveley, J. M. Woolington and Freeman
Clow.

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.

At first this officer was called school com-
missioner. The school commissioners were
as follows : Joseph King, W. H. Piatt,
George A. Patterson, Joseph Kee, Thomas
Milligan, John Huston, The first county
superintendent was J. W. Coleman. The oth-
er county superintendents are as follows : C.
A. Tatman, C. J. Pitkin, Mary I. Reed, G.
A. Burgess, George N. Snapp, Allen B. Mar-
tin, James H. Martin and Charles 'Mclntosh.

SURVEYORS.

James Reber, George Heath, James Bry-
clen, C. D. Moore, Wm. McReynolds, C. D.
Moore, Henry Eatherton and W. J. Day.

CORONERS.

Reuben Bowman, W. M. Barnes, M. N.
Secrist.

MASTER IN CHANCERY.

A. G. Bowyer, A. T. Pipher, S. R.
Reed, E. A. Barrington, Albert Emerson.
Frank Pittman, H. H. Crea and R. I. Tat-
man.

GROWTH IN POPULATION.

The following table will show the coun-
ty's growth in population :

In 1850, 1606; in 1860, 6127; in 1870,
10,953; m 1880, 15,583; in 1890, 17,062;
and in 1900, 17,706.

CHAPTER III.

SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY.

The pride of Piatt county is in her
schools. The school work has been organ-
ized and systematized to an extent much
greater than in many counties of the state.
The first schools were very crude ones.
They were subscription schools, and the
main object was to make the children able
to write a little, to read some and to "cipher."

PAST AND PRESENT

The first school houses were like the first
dwellings, of logs. There were no desks, the
pupils sitting on benches made by putting
some legs in a puncheon log. A board along
the side of the room held up by sticks driven
into the sides of the school house, were the
writing desks. The teachers would come
around occasionally to set the "copy." In
the earliest houses the light came through
paper greased with " coon grease,'' the only
windows that the houses afforded. Since
that time the schools have made rapid pro-
gress, and we have a system of schools of
which the people are justly proud.

At first but few districts were organized
and these extended over a great deal of ter-
ritory. As the country developed, new dis-
tricts were formed bringing the schools
, nearer to the people. At the present time
there are 101 school districts in the county,
most of which contain four sections or a lit-
tle more. The largest school district in the
county is the Bement district, which has ten
and one-fourth sections. A few districts
have five and six sections. Watson numbers
50 and Elwood number 53, contain eight
sections. A few contain less than four sec-
tions. The smallest districts in the county
are Hammond, district 84, which contains
two sections and 200 acres, and Love, num-
ber 85, the smallest in the county, which con-
tains but two and one-fourth sections. In
all these are 90 rural schools in the county,
and 1 3 graded schools as follows : Atwood
employs six teachers ; Bement, eleven ; Cerro
Gordo, six; Cisco, three; DeLand, four;
Hammond, four; LaPlace, three; Mansfield,
six; Milmine, two; Monticello, thirteen, 10
in one school and three in the other ; Pierson,
two and White Heath, two. The Bement,
Cerro Gordo, Mansfield and Monticello
schools are on the accredited list of the state
University.

The funds to support the schools are de-
rived from four different sources, the state,
county, township and district. The state
appropriates a million dollars annually for
the support of the schools. The proceeds
of the sale of public lands is loaned to the
state, and the interest on this (one sixth part
excepted which goes to the State University)
is distributed to the schools of the state. The
interest on the surplus revenue which was
loaned to the state by the federal government
during Jackson's administration (Illinois
gets $477,919.24), is distributed to the coun-
ties by the state auditor in proportion to the
number of children under twenty-one years
of age, as determined by the last state or fed-
eral census. The amount due each county
is sent to the county -superintendent as a
warrant on the state treasurer. This war-
rant is cashed by the county treasurer who
turns it in when making settlement with
the state treasurer in lieu of so much taxes.

The county fund is the proceeds of the
sale of the swamp lands of the county. The
amount in our county at this time is $7,565.
This amount is loaned by the county superin-
tendent and the interest is distributed to the
schools in the same way that the state funds
are distributed. Fines and forfeitures im-
posed by justices of the peace and police
magistrates for misdemeanors are distrib-
uted in the same way.

The township fund is the proceeds of the
sale of the sixteenth section in each township.
The amount of this fund varies from $500
to $13,660, according to the location of the
sixteenth section, and when the land was
sold. Every township in our county has
sold its section, and has the money loaned
out on interest. The interest on this fund
is distributed by the trustees to the different
schools of the townships, in proportion to
the number of children under twenty-one

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

years of age, at the meetings held in April
and October.

The principal of the township funds is
as follows :

16 6 $ 1,563 oo

176 5.9 l6 28

18 6 500 oo

19 6 1,175 oo

20 6 1,400 oo

21 6 5,000 oo

1 6 5 13,66000

175 2,965 56

18 5 1,072 76

195 2,145 o

20 5 4,000 oo

The district fund is the annual tax levied
by the board of school directors.

Every since 1878, Piatt county teachers
have had an organization called the Piatt
County Teachers' Association, alternating
between Bement and Monticello. The mem-
bership for the last few years has included
nearly every teacher in the county. Mem-
bership is obtained by the payment of an an-
nual fee of twenty-five cents, which is used
in defraying the expenses of the association.
In all sixty-five regular meetings have been
held. The meetings are held the latter part
of September. October, November, January,
February and March. For the last two
years the association has been divided into
sections for the morning work, as follows :
high school section ; country school section,
grade section and primary section. In the
afternoon the teachers meet in general ses-
sion and usually have a teacher from neigh-
boring city school, normal school or univer-
sity to address them. Resident teachers of
the county furnish the rest of the program,
which consists of a discussion of the books
in the course for the year in the Illinois
Teachers' Reading Circle, and a discussion

of matters of interest to teachers. About
eighty-five percent of our teachers are regu-
lar attendants at teachers' meetings. The
officers of the association for next year are
as follows : President, Supt. J. T. Gale, of
the Monticello schools ; Vice-President, Prin.
H. H. Kirkpatrick, of the DeLand school;
Secretary, Kathryne Heath, of Monticello;
Treasurer, Charles Mclntosh, county super-
intendent. The executive committee is made
up of these persons, and three other elected
members as follows : Winifred Hammond,
Gertrude Dockum and Lilly Lanier. The
executive committee arranges the course of
study for the year, and the different pro-
grams.

SCHOOL DIRECTORS' ASSOCIATION.

Two years ago the Piatt County School
Directors' Association was formed for the
improvement of the schools of the county.
The first meeting was held in the Monticello
high school building. About seventy-five
were present, and a very interesting pro-
gram was carried out. A constitution was
adopted and a permanent organization ef-
fected. The object of the association was to
bring the directors in close touch with the
schools and with each other so that the effi-
ciency of our schools might be increased. L.
H. Alvord was elected president; Mrs. Maye
Duncan, secretary, and P. B. Maxhimer, L.
A. Melvin and G. A. Lindsley and Charles
Mclntosh program committee.

The second meeting was held in the high
school building at Monticello, September,
1902. At this time the following officers
were elected : President, P. B. Maxhimer ;
Secretary, W. \V. Lefever. An important
action taken at this meeting was the adoption
of the following resolution :

PAST AND PRESENT

Resolved, That this association recom-
mend that all school boards in the county
appropriate a suitable amount each year (at
least fifteen dollars) to be spent under their
direction for books for the library, for pic-
tures for the school, or other similar pur-
poses.

The next meeting will be held in Monti-
cello in October.

At the meeting of the Piatt County
School Directors' Association held last Sep-
tember, the subject of school text books was
discussed, and it seemed to be the unanimous
feeling of the directors present that there
should be a uniformity in the adopted text
books of the county. A resolution was
adopted providing for a committee of fifteen
persons, ten to be chosen by the Piatt County
School Directors' Association, five by the
Piatt County Teachers' Association, with the
county superintendent as chairman of the
committee. The directors' association chose
the following persons : Charles Aclkins,
Charles Burns, A. T. Smothers, A. A. Har-
lan, H. C. Marquiss, J. H. Coon, W. F.
Stevenson, O. W. Moore, J. H. Easton and
P. B. Maxhimer.

The teachers' association chose J. G.
Gale, J. E. Underwood, Clark Blacker, Len-
nia Hart and Winifred Hammond.

A preliminary meeting of the committee
was held in the county superintendent's of-
fice Saturday, April 25, at which the follow-
ing members were present : Charles Ad-
kins, A. T. Smothers, A. A. Harlan, H. C.
Marquiss, O. W. Moore, J. H. Easton, J. T.
Gale, J. E. Underwood, Clark Blacker. Win-
ifred Hammond and Charles Mclntosh.

The subject of county uniformity of text
books was discussed, and the members pres-
ent were unanimously in favor of county uni-
formity. A motion was carried that the

committee recommend the adoption of books
in three subjects. It was decided to concur
in the action taken by the teachers' associa-
tion in recommending the adoption of Mont-
gomery's primary history for sixth grade,
McMaster's school history for the seventh
and eighth grades, Rational grammar for
the seventh and eighth grades.

It was also decided to make a thorough
examination of the different readers on the
market, and to recommend a series for adop-
tion in the county. The committee then ad-
journed to meet again May 29.

Notices were at once sent to all the book
companies that publish readers and they are
invited to submit samples. The committee
met again May 29. The following mem-
bers were present : Charles Burns, A. T.
Smothers, W. F. Stevenson, O: W. Moore,
A. A. Harlan, H. C. Marquiss, J. H. Easton,
J. T. Gale, J. E. Underwood, Winifred Ham-
mond and Charles Mclntosh. Charles Ad-
kins was not present, but he sent his written
opinion, and vote on readers. Representa-
tives of the different book companies were
given an oppportunity to present the merits
of their respective books. After discussion,
the committee decided to recommend the
adoption of the Cyr's readers for the regular
or basal text in the county, and the progress-
ive readers and stepping stones to literature
for supplementary use. It was also decided
to send a circular letter to every school di-
rector in the county giving the recommenda-
tions of the committee.

ANNUAL INSTITUTE.

An annual institute is held each year.
This year the institute was held June 1-5,
with the following instructors : Miss -Edna
Keith, of the Western Illinois Normal

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

school, who had charge of the primary work ;
Prof. Henry Johnson, of the Eastern Illinois
State Normal, who had the work in history,
and Prof. F. G. Blair, who had the work in
reading and literature. The work in coun-
try school management was conducted by
County Superintendent Charles Mclntosh,
for the beginning teachers.

STATE COURSE OF STUDY.

The State course of study is now being
used in every school in the county. It is a
course prepared under the direction of the
State Teachers' Association and is in gen-
eral use all over the State. The advantages
which it has over the old text book method is
that instruction will be much broader, so
that they get not just simply the views of one
man. but they study the subjects.

In enforcing the use of this course of
study the county superintendent sends out
each month to all the teachers questions on
the month's work just studied. On a speci-
fied Friday the sealed questions are given to
the pupils. In the spring the county superin-
tendent, in person, conducts an examination
of the advanced pupils. Central examina-
tions, as they are called, are held- in twelve
f.-r fourteen different places in the county.
The questions are made out by the county
superintendent and the papers are graded by
him. From three to ten or twelve different
schoo's are at these examinations, so that
'here i? given an opportunity to compare the
work done in the different schools. Those
who make an average of 75 per cent, in the
cental are eligible to the final, which is held
the latter part of March or the first of
April. Those who make an average of 75
per cent, in the final are considered as hav-
iug satisfactorily completed the year's work.
When a pupil has completed both the sev-

enth and eighth year's work he is entitiled
to a common school diploma, and when he
has completed both the ninth and tenth
years' work he is entitled to a diploma in
the higher course. Within the last five years
a great deal of interest has been taken in the
higher work in our country schools and the
interest in it has grown. The fourth annual
county commencement exercises were held
this year at Monticello Wednesday after-
noon, June 17, and at Cerro Gordo Thursday
evening, June 18, 1903. Sixteen diplomas
were given to the graduates of the higher
course and thirty to the graduates of our
common school course. A common school
diploma will admit the holder to any high
school in the county without further exam-
ination, and the higher course diploma will
give the holder certain credits in the high
school, so that the high school course can
be completed in about two years.

The following statistics with regard to
the schools may be of interest : Number of
children in county under 21, 6,952; number
children in school, 4,313; number rooms
used in graded schools, 58 ; number of vol- '
times in libraries, 11,450; amount of bonded
school debt, $42,645 : amount of money
raised by special tax last year, $81,975.67;
amount paid teachers, $57,037.65 ; paid for
new school houses. $3,087.54; total expend-
itures for school purposes, $82,428.87 ; num-
l>er of public high schools, 5 ; number of
schools that enrolled fewer than five pupils,
i; fewer than 10, 2; fewer than 15, 14;
amount received from State Auditor last
year, $2.620.58; interest on county fund,
$456.65 ; received from fines and forfeit-
ures, $30.

MONTICELLO TOWNSHIP.

The first school taught in Monticello
township was by James Outen. The school

PAST AND PRESENT

house stood west of Monticello, near the
river. The first school in the town of Monti-
cello was held in the first court house, and
was taught by George A. Patterson.

The first school house built in the city
was a block south of the square next to the
Presbyterian church lot. Esquire A. J.
Wiley donated the ground and helped build
the house.

The old brick school house in the south
part of town was built in 1857-8. Isaiah
Stickle was the first teacher in the new house.
At first only three rooms were completed,
two below and one upstairs. In 1869 or 1870
the upper room was divided. This was used
for school purposes until the present new
brick building was erected. In 1903 the old
house was sold and torn down.

In 1894 a new, large, ten-room house
was erected. It is one of the most substan-
tial buildings in the county, erected at a cost
of $22.000. It is heated by steam, has a
splendid system of ventilation and is pro-
vided with water.

A four-room frame building in the north
part of town was erected in 1877. Three
rooms of this are now used.

In all, Monticello employs thirteen teach-
ers. There are three teachers in the high
school and one of the teachers gives half her
time to teaching music in the grades.

The Ikt of principals of the schools are
as follows : Isaiah Stickle, Mr. Babcock,
Mr. Scovell, W. F. Gilmore, A. T. Pipher,
J. A. McComas, Mr. Porter, John P. Mcln-
tosh, Arthur Edwards, P. T. Nichols, Jesse
Hubbard, Gilbert A. Burgess, Amelia E.
Sanford, H. F. Baker, W. H. Skinner, F.
V. Dilatush, W. R. Humphrey, James H.
Martin, F. E. Auten, P. T. Nichols, J. H.
Martin, E. A. Fritter, J. H. Meneely, W. C.

Hobson, J. E. Webb and J. T. Gale, the pres-
ent principal ( 1903).

There is a good high school course and
its graduates are admitted to the State Uni-
versity without examination. This year's
graduating class numbered nineteen, the
largest in the history of the school.

Margaret Davison. of last year's class,
wen the scholarship at the competitive exam-
ination last summer. J. T. Gale was the
superintendent. The enrollment of the
school is about 500. There is a library of
200 volumes, and the apparatus and library
used for the high school is estimated at $550.
They have one of the finest school grounds
in the county.

Besides the schools in town there are the
following country schools in the township :
Stringtown, Dighton, Prairie Chapel, Ridge.
Haneline, Independent, New York, Casner,
Anderson and Dublin. Each of these schools
has a good library, and most of them nice
pictures. The Dublin school has nicely
framed pictures of Lincoln, Columbus,
Longfellow and Washington, a colored Ital-
ian copy of the Dance of the Muses and an
Italian copy of Sistine Madonna. Prairie
Chapel has a fine grove in the school yard.
The school house at Haneline is brick. The
Casner school is a small one, having but four
pupils last year.

BEMENT TOWNSHIP.

' The first school in Bement township was
taught in the village of Bement by Henry C.
Booth in 1856. The length of the school
was but three months and the salary was $40
per month.

A two-room building was erected in
1859. F. E. Bryant was the contractor and
J. M. Camp was the builder. Previous to

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

this time they had used rented buildings.
The school grounds, which are used even to
the present time, and make a fine campus,
were donated by L. B. Wing and William
Rea. In 1866 four additional rooms were
added, although they were not all used for
some time. Two more rooms were built on
in 1886 and four more in 1892, making in
all twelve school rooms. A steam heating
plant was put in in 1884.

On September 4, 1898, the building was
struck by lightning during a storm and was
damaged to the amount of $1,350, which was
paid by the insurance companies.

In April, 1899, the entire frame building
was destroyed by fire. The fire originated
in the night from some unknown cause, and
before it . was discovered the building was
past saving".

Arrangements were at once made for a
new building, and in the fall of 1899 and
1900 a magnificent new building was
erected, which is one of the handsomest of
any of the smaller towns in the State. Cost,
$27,000.

It contains eleven school rooms, besides
offices, recitation rooms, etc. It is heated by
steam, has drinking water on each floor and
has a very efficient system of ventilation.

N. G. Hinkle, now in Champaign, was a
director of this school for twenty-one years
and was a very interested and capable
"director.

The following is a list of the school
principals : H. C. Booth, S. K. Bodman, J.
W. Richards, C. D. Moore, J. B. Lovell, A.
S. Norris. J. A. Helman, J. R. Johnson, J.
N. Patrick, E. M. Cheney, Mrs. Shirk, F.
M. Fowler, Asa W. Mason, H. A. Coffeen,
W. J. Cousins, J. H. McComas, G. C.
Gantz, A. C. Butler, Thomas Sterling, Miss
Bell Sterling, R. O. Hickman, T. C. Clen-

denen, I. N. Wade, W. E. Mann, P. K.
McMinn, William Condericker, Charles \V.
Groves, A. B. Martin, J. M. Martin, Charles
Mclntosh, E. L. McDuffee, C. H. Andrews
and Arthur Verner.

The school was placed on the accredited
list of the State University in 1881, under
Mr. Clendenen, but was afterwards dropped.
L T nder the superintendency of J. M. Martin
it was again placed on the accredited list, and
has been on the list continuously ever since.

Many of its graduates have entered the
State University and have made very cred-
itable showings. At least five of its grad-
uates have won scholarships given by the
State.

In 1896 Anna Mitchell won the scholar-
ship, the schools under the supervision of
Charles Mclntosh.

In 1897 Ida M. Hinkle, schools under
supervision of Charles Mclntosh.

In 1898 Charles Dawson, schools under
supervision of Charles Mclntosh.

In 1900 Clarence Holcomb, schools un-
der supervision of C. H. Andrews.

At this same time S. R. Noe was award-
ed a scholarship and credited to DeWitt
county. He graduated under E. L. McDuf-
fee.

In 1878 a frame school house was built
in the southern part of the district to accom-
modate those living at a distance from
Bement. Joanna Fleming was the first
teacher in the school. This house has been
repaired and remodeled from time to time
and is now in very good condition. The
"Bement Rural," as it is called, has a library
of over 200 volumes.

There are nine rural schools in the town-
ship, as follows : Ray, Moma, Davies,
Fisher, Concern, Mitchell, Bement Rural,
Coffin, Moore. Davies has a cupola and a

PAST AND PRESENT

bell, and a flower garden. It has also one
of the best rural school libraries in the
county.

CERRO GORDO TOWNSHIP

At first the scholars from Cerro Gordo
attended a school situated over in Macon
county. The first school house in the town-
ship was built in Cerro Gordo on the site of
the present school building about 1857.
Andrew McKinney was the first teacher in
the house, and taught the school for three
years.

In 1867 a two-room brick building was
erected at a cost of $6,000. In 1873 a two-
room wing of the same size and material
was added. In 1881 a one-room frame addi-
tion was added. The rooms were heated by
stoves, some of which had two, one in either
end. This house did service until 1900,
when it was replaced by a handsome six-
room modern building, heated by a furnace,
and modern in every respect. In 1900 the
high school course was revised and enlarged
and made four years instead of three. Its
work was also accredited at the State Uni-
versity. The following is a list of its prin-
cipals: Andrew McKinney, Mr. Green,
John Carver, Mr. Welch, P. H. Harris, .
Duncan, A. D. Beckhart, T. C. Fuller, Miss
Olive E. Coffeen, Joshua Thorpe, A. R.
Jolly, B. F. Stocks, W. S. Hall, George N.
Snapp, W. H. Givler, J. E. Wooters, I. C.
Baker, John Loeffler, C. O. DuBois, A. L.
Starr, George S. Morris, S. Cass and Earl
O. Snider.

MILMINE.

The present two-story brick school house
at Milmine was erected in 1871 and
cost $4,500. Jasper N. Wilkinson was its

first principal and was followed by A. D.
Beckhart. W. H. Chamberlain, Allen S.
Stults, John A. Smith, Frank East, Mr.
McKinney, Charles Hughes, M. M. Morris,
Joel Dunn, George E. Stuart, John J. Wil-
kinson, A. C. Duncan, C. C. Walsh, Thomas
Gilvere, Charles Mclntosh, J. P. Rose, I. N.
Biebinger, Warren Sanders, George F.
Arps, F. S. Betz and Mattie G. Johnson, the
present principal. Milmine is a two-room
school, and its pupils have been making very
creditable showings in central and final ex-
aminations recently.

LA PLACE.

The LaPlace school building was erected
in 1884. It was a two-room building,
erected by Josiah Gunkle, the contract price
being $1,999.40. The school board at that
time consisted of A. S. Hawthorne, presi-
dent; James A. Fleck, clerk, and S. S. Mil-
ler. In 1903 they built a two-room addition
to the house, the contractor being Frank
Michael. The cost of the new building and
the repairs on the old was $2,250. The list
of teachers is as follows: 1884, George S.
Morris and Alta Dawson ; 1885, George S.
Morris and Naomi Smith; 1886, J. A. Har-
denbrook and Naomi Smith; 1887, E. O.
Humphrey and Nellie Espy; 1888, E. O.
Humphrey and Maye Gannon; 1889-1897,
A. C. Duncan and Maye Gannon; 1897 and
1898, Arthur Verner and Nellie Hoyt; 1899,
J. E. Underwood and Mary Mohler; 1900,
J. E. Underwood and Mary Mohler; 1901,
J. E. Underwood and Alice Dillow; 1902,
J. E. Underwood and Minerva Goodrich ;
1903, J. E. Underwood, Grace Hobson and
Minerva Goodrich.

The first graduating exercises were held
in 1902, with four graduates.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

The high school course was revised in
1903 and now consists- of three years work.
The enrollment in the school is 110. The
school sentiment in the district is good.

Beside these three graded schools there
are the following schools in Cerro Gordo
township :

Gulliford, Pemble, East Union, Star,
Pleasant View, Voorhies, Center 16-5, Cen-
tennial, Prairie Dell, Center, Center 16-4,
Clark and Lintner.

Pleasant View and Centennial have fine
groves in the school yard and the properties
HI each of the above districts is well kept up.
Lintner district is contemplating the 'erec-
tion of a new school house.

GOOSE CREEK TOWNSHIP.

The first school house erected in Goose
Creek township was a log house near where
the Piatt school house now stands. George
A. Patterson was the first teacher. The
next school established in the township was
the Morain school. These were both large
schools, the average attendance being from
sixty to eighty pupils.

DeLand is the only village school in the
township. It now has a four-room house,
heated by steam, built in 1887.

The principals at DeLand are as fol-
lows : B. F. Stultz, E. E. Carrier, C. D.
Thomas, C. H. Wells, Thomas Gilvere, A.
C. Staley, Edward C. Graybill, H. S. Davis,
Arthur Verner, Noah A. Young and H. H.
Kirkpatrick, the present principal. The rural
schools in the township are as follows :

Mount Vernon, Wisegarver, Western,
Fairview. Pleasant Falls, Harmony, Piatt
Morain, Ashland, Prospect, Enterprise, Ken-
tucky. The Kentucky school house was
built in 1902.

SANGAMON TOWNSHIP.

George A. Patterson taught the first
school in Sangamon township. The house
was a log school house and stood north of
White Heath near the site of the old White
school house. James Outen, S. K. Bodman,
W. H. Reese, H. Timmons, Charles Hughes,
Pamelia (Combes) Hughes, Sadie Reed and
others are among the early teachers in this
township.

White Heath has a two-room frame
house, built in 1893. The principals of the
school are as follows : J. T. Gale, Florence
(Tippett) Duvall, D. W. Carper, Alfred
Ewington, C. M. Morris, Lennia Hart, Clark
Blackner. The country schools in the
township are as follows : Galeville, Sunny
Mound, Argo, Madden, Centerville, White,
Lodge, Union, Camp Creek and Prairie Dell.
The White district has recently completed a
modern, one-room building, one of the best
arranged in the county. The windows are
all on the north side. The Argo district let
the contract recently for a similar building,
to be completed this fall.

WILLOW BRANCH TOWNSHIP.

Judge Edward Ater taught the first
school in Willow Branch township about
1840 in a log school house on Willow
Branch. Among the early teachers of the
township may be mentioned the following:
Robert L. Barton, J. Hull Brown, Caleb and
Riley Tatman, the Suver sisters and Thomas
Lamb, Jr.

Cisco has the only village school in the
township. At first this district was very
small, but it has been gradually reaching out
until it has nearly four sections and main-
tains three rooms.

PAST AND PRESENT

In 1900 they built a modern, four- room
brick house, well lighted, heated and venti-
lated. It is heated by a furnace. The cost
of the building complete was about $6,000.

The principals of these schools have been
as follows: C. C. Walsh, J. E. Nichols,
George N. Dunham, D. C. Shaff, Chester
M. Echols, John C. Hall, D. C. Shaff, T. H.
Pease, E. S. Jones, J. R. Simer and Henry
C. Gross, the present principal.

The other schools in the township are as
follows : New Union, Excelsior, Wild Cat,
Shady Nook, East Cisco, West Cisco, Oak
Grove, Willow Branch, Havely, Riverside.
Dillow, Hanover, Baker, Grove.

The Riverside school house was built in
1900 and the East Cisco in 1901. The Wil-
low Branch school has always been a large
one. Recently the house has been extensively
repaired, new seats put in and a well sunk.

UNITY TOWNSHIP.

The first school house in Unity township
was a very primitive one, even having the
paper windows. It was taught by John Col-
lins about 1842. The first school house in
Mackville was built in 1858 and was taught
by James Lewis. Among the early teachers
in the township may be mentioned the fol-
lowing: Peter A. Hamilton, Gilbert A. Bur-
gess, George W. Poole, J. A. Hawks, J. H.
Easton, Mrs. J. A. Hawks, Joseph Trench-
ard. John A. Hardenbrook and wife, C. H.
Righter and Miss Anna Davis.

The first school houses were Shonkwiler,
Harshbarger, Mackville and Tryon. Pier-
son first belonged to the Tryon district and
was a part of that district until 1882. The
last school in the old Tryon school house was
taught by William Wilson in 1882-3. Tnc
house stood just south of A. B. Chambers

and a mile and a half south of the Easton
school house. In the spring of 1883 the
Pierson district was formed. George F.
Righter taught the first school here in the
school year of 1883-4. He was followed by
Belle Barnes, William Loveless, Emily God-
win, John H. Easton, Anna Davies, Bell
(Righter) Snider. Alberta Easton, B. M.
Godwin, Rhoda Lowe, Otto C. Adams and
Edward Erhardt.

In the meantime the village of Pierson
had been growing and they had to have a
larger school house, so in the fall of 1892
the present two-room building was com-
pleted. Miss Mollie Birks was the first prin-
cipal . teaching there the school year of
1892-3. The other principals at Pierson in
order are as follows : Holton Hall, John P.
Rose, F. S. Betz, Alice Withers and Henry
C. Gross.

Up to 1876 the pupils from Hammond
attended the Love school, which was sit-
situated northwest of Hammond, near where
the present Hammond cemetery is. In 1876
the school house was moved into Hammond.
John Hughes taught the first school in the
new location. Among the other teachers in
the one-room school house at Hammond may
be mentioned : Laura Hines, Levi Harber,
Mr. Humphrey and Amos M. Sharp.

In 1882 a new two-room house was built
and George S. Morris was the first principal.
In the summer of 1896 two additional rooms
were added. The building is now a four-
room frame house, heated by a furnace. The
rooms are nicely decorated and some good
work is being done there. Four teachers are
employed. The list of principals is as fol-
lows : George S. Morris, Frank Godwin.
W. W. Larrahee. D. L. Baker, John LoefHer,
William Theobald, L. C. Foster, Warren
Sanders, Jennie B. Burks. J. T. Gale, S. S.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Mountz and X. B. Bonham, the present
principal.

The At\voocl district \vas organized as
a union district in the spring of 1884. The
town of At\vc;od is built right along the
count}- line, between Piatt and Douglas, the
county line being the main street of the vil-
lage. Previous to 1884 the Atwood children
on the Douglas side went to the Otter school
and those in Piatt county went to the Mack-
ville school. Either school was about a mile
and a half from town. A four-room house
was erected in 1884. Three rooms were used
the first year and James Hicks was the first
principal. In 1886 four rooms were used.
Afterwards a two-room addition was built
and the house now contains six rooms. In
1901 a steam heating plant was installed.
For some time there was considerable oppo-
sition to the district from the Douglas side.
The Atwood district maintained school in
the old Otter house until 1894, when two
sections in Douglas county were taken from
the Atwood district and those who objected
to the management of affairs at Atwood
were placed in the Garret district.

Following is the complete list of the At-
wood principals in order : James Hicks,
John Smith, George S. Morris, T. J. Haney,
Charles Gott, W. E. Knott, C. H. Bonnell,
M. A. Hester and M. A. Thrasher, the pres-
ent principal.

There are ten rural schools in the town-
ship, as follows : Baird, McCabe, Shonk-
wiler. Baker, Morgan, Leavitt, Easton,
Harshbarger, Love and Maple Grove.

BLUE RIDGE TOWNSHIP.

The first school house was built about
1854.

The Mansfield school is the only graded

school in the township. The first house in
Mansfield was a frame one, which jStood in
the east part of town.

The brick house was built in; 1893 at a
cost of about $12,000. It is a modern brick
building of six rooms, heated by steam. A
four years' high school course was adopted
in 1902, and its work has been accredited by
the State University. The principals are as
follows :

G. N. Snapp (2), 1890-91; L. D.
Stearns (4), L. B. White, C. C. Faust, J. M.
Markel and T. L. Cook.

The rural schools in Blue Ridge town-
ship are as follows :

Blue Ridge, Langley, Van Meter, West
Point, Gillespie, McGath, Watson, South
Prairie, Klinger, Victory, Pleasant Grove,
Number Six, Elwood.

The Gillespie is a modern one-room
house, built in 1901. The McGath house was
extensively repaired in 1902 and practically
made into a new house, and the West Point
school house was repaired and worked. over
in 1903, and the Langley school in 1900.
The Blue Ridge school house is brick, all the
others are frame.

CHAPTER IV.

MONTICELLO.

The location of Monticello is almost an
ideal place for a town. The country is roll-
ing and affords excellent drainage; it is near
the river and is in the center of a very fine
farming and stock country. It is the oldest
town in the county, having been laid out in

PAST AND PRESENT

1837, four years before the county was or-
ganized. Just before this the nearest town
at which they could trade was Decatur,
about twenty-five miles away by road. The
people around here thought that that was too
far to go to do their trading and concluded
to start a town. A committee consisting of
Abraham Marquiss, William Barns, Major
McReynolds and J. A. Piatt was appointed
to select a location for a town. They
searched up and down both sides of the San-
gamon and finally decided on the present
location. It was indeed a good selection, and
they would have had to search long and care-
fully to find a better one.

It is in the midst of a fine country and is
just rolling enough to make a good location.
The principal streets of the city are sloping
and will almost drain and clean themselves.

The land was once owned by James A.
Piatt, who sold part of it. The four men
mentioned above formed a stock company
and laid out the town. It was platted by
James A. Piatt, surveyed by Mr. McClel-
land and named by Major McReynolds after
the home of President Jefferson. The plat
was recorded July i, 1837.

On July 4th a grand barbecue was held.
This was done to attract people to the new
town and to sell the lots. The barbecue was
very successful from both points of view. A
large crowd attended the barbecue. Beeves,
hogs and sheep were roasted and a general
good time was had. A number of lots were
sold, the price obtained being in the neigh-
borhood of $2,700.

The original plat of Monticello did not
include the Heyworth house, erected on what
is now the Lodge place. The first house in
the limits of the city was a small store house
which stood on the northwest corner of the
square, where the First National Bank is

now located. It was built in 1837 by Mr.
Cass, the first merchant in the town. The
first dwelling house was built in 1839 by Mr.
Nicholas Devore. The house was several

years in building and went by the name of
"Old Fort" for a number of years. The sec-
ond dwelling house in the town was built by
John Tenbrooke. It was a log house and
served for a hotel. The third house was
erected by James Outten just opposite the
jail. The fourth house was a little black-
smith shop near the Honselman House, one
block south of the square. In 1839 this was
the extent of Monticello.

In 1841 Daniel Stickel opened the first
regular store in the town on the south side
of the present square. J. C. Johnson opened
the first drug store and was the first regular
postmaster. The first physician who settled
in Monticello was Dr. King. The first
preaching in the town was at the home of
Mr. Outten, where a circuit rider of the M.
E. church stopped once a month. In 1843
and 1844 Rev. Peter Cartwright held meet-
ings in the old court house. He was quite a
noted character in his day.

The first church in the town was built in
1848, two blocks south and one west of the
square. It was a Methodist church.

Monticello was made a city in 1872. The
first election under the new system of gov-
ernment was held December 17, 1872, and
Daniel Stickel was elected first mayor and
William T. Foster, B. B. Jones, E. G.
Knight, J. A. Hill, John Keenan and James
M. Holmes aldermen. William D. Shultz
was elected clerk ; A. T. Pipher attorney ; J.
T. YanGundy treasurer.

In 1893 (December 5) the city was laid
off into three wards for the administration of
municipal affairs.

The electric light plant was put in in

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

1891, the city water works system installed
in 1892, the town hall was built in 1896 and
the Allerton library was founded in 1897.

The system of wards was abolished in
1902.

Following is a list of the mayors :

1872-1876 Daniel Stickle.

1876-1878 C. P. Davis and S. H. Hub-
bell.

1878-1880 Samuel Reed.

1880-1882 W. H. Plunk.

1882-1884 Bert Emerson.

1884-1885 Julius A. Brown.

1885-1887 W. H. Plunk.

1887-1891 A. L. Rodgers.

1891-1893 John E. Andrew.

1893-1895 R. T. Ayre.

1895-1897 John E. Andrew elected.
Served a short time and resigned. Reber
Huston was appointed by City Council to fill
vacancy until election could be held. Elec-
tion held June 25, 1895, and W. J. Britton
lected, who filled out unexpired term.

1897-1899 John A. Bender.

1899-1901 John E. Andrew.

1901-1903 Allen F. Moore..

1903 Wilbur F. Stevenson.

MONTICELLO WATER WORKS.

The first definite action looking towards
city water works was taken in 1889. At the
meeting of the City Council held September
3. 1889, a petition signed by forty-four citi-
zens was read, asking the council to take
action to establish a system of water works.
On motion of Alderman C. N. Rhoades the
mayor was instructed. to appoint a commit-
tee of seven to investigate the matter and re-
port conclusions three of the committee to
be memliers of the council and four of them
citizens. Mayor A. L. Rodgers appointed

the following persons on the committee : J.
A. Bender, W. R. Yazle, R. R. Meredith, J.
A. Brown, W. H. Plunk, G. A. Stadler and
F.'V. Dilatush. The committee made a very
careful investigation of the matter and made
a report to the council November 5, 1889 as
follows :

A supply of water can be obtained any-
where in the northern portion of the city in
three different ways by using the well pur-
chased of the coal company, by sinking a
large surface well fifty or seventy feet deep,
or by putting down two or three tubular
wells about three hundred feet deep. Any
of these methods will furnish water in
abundance ; but for the best and purest water
we recommend the deep tubular wells, as
that which will give the most satisfactory
results for the least money. Of the various
systems of water works in use the "combined
system" of direct pressure from the pump,
together with an elevated tank, would be the
most durable and economical for our city.
This system would be the most effective in
use, least expensive to operate, and the first
cost to protect a width of six blocks from
north to south through the business portion
of the city would not exceed $15,000. Tais
includes sinking the wells, pump, tank, power
house, etc., in fact, the system completed,
tested and ready to be received by the city.
Under the present law owing to the low val-
uation of the city's taxable property but
$13,500 could be raised by bonds, 5 per cent,
of the valuation being the limit for which a
city can bond itself for water works. By
raising $1,500 additional by a special tax
our city can be as effectually protected as any-
city can be, and in view of the helpless con-
dition in case of fire at present, we believe
our city cannot afford to be longer without
this aid.

PAST AND PRESENT

We therefore recommend that you sub-
mit the question to a vote of the people, plac-
ing- the cost at a maximum of $15.000, all of
which is unanimously concurred in by your
committee. Signed by all members of com-
mittee.

The council postponed action on the re-
port of the committee and nothing more was
done with the matter for nearly a year. On
September 2, 1890, the council decided "to
proceed to buy location for water works for
city" and the clerk was directed to advertise
for bids for sinking a six-inch well. It was
decided to buy from H. E. Huston the east
half of lots 5 and 6 and all of lot 7, block 10,
in Rawlins' addition to Monticello, for
$330, as a location for well and plant.

October 15, 1890, the contract for sink-
ing the well was let to the J. W. Mohler
Company at the following price: First 100
feet, $2.25 per foot; next 50 feet, $2.75 per
foot, and from 150 to 500 feet, $3.00 per
foot. The well was finished the following
spring and was put down 311 feet.

On October 13, 1891, an ordinance was
passed providing for bonding the city for
$9,000 for the purpose of instituting a
waier-works plant. The bonds were sold to
Parson, Leach & Co.

The contract for the construction of the
water works plant complete with the excep-
tion of the pipe lines was awarded to George
Cadogan Morgan for $10,450. The contract
for water mains laid complete with all con-
nections was awarded to Mueller Plumbing
and Heating Company for $12,890. The
work was completed and the plant installed
in 1892.

Later an eight-inch well 209 feet deep
was sunk. The water in each well stands
within twenty feet of the top and is un-
usually clear and pure. The working valves
of the pump are 100 feet down. The water

tower is seventy feet high and forty-one feet

in circumference at the base. On top of this
is the stand-pipe, fifty feet high, twelve feet
in diameter at base and ten feet at top. The
tank holds about 36,000 gallons.

The water is first pumped into a reser-
voir, which holds 56,000 gallons, and is forty
feet in diameter. On the eight-inch well is
an Aurora pump and on the six-inch well a
Cook pump. The water is forced from the
reservoir by a Dean pressure pump. The
stroke of this pump is fourteen inches, the
plunger is eight and one-half inches in diam-
eter, and the steam cylinder ten inches in
diameter. The pump will throw 600 gallons
per minute. In case of fire the water is
pumped directly into the main, and some idea
of the force with which it is sent may be ob-
tained when you are told that they have sent
water over a three-story elevator (Peck's) at
least 100 feet away.

There are two seventy-five horse-power
boilers, put in new in 1899. J. J. Bell is the
city engineer and has been for. the past two
years. William Hodson is night man.

The fire company was organized in 1893.
It is a very efficient organization and has
done excellent work for the city. Perhaps
the worst fire it has ever had to fight was the
Peck elevator fire. The fire originated in the
upper story and before the fire company
arrived it had spread over nearly the whole
roof, and it seemed impossible to save the
building. The boys went to work with a
will and in a short time had the fire under
control. The roof had to be replaced, and
quite a good deal of repairs made on the
upper story, but aside from this, the dam-
ages to the building by fire were not very
great. The company responds readily to all
calls for help in case of fire and is worthy of
commendation.

The following persons compose the team

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

at present: John Miller, chief; T. A. Tull,
secretary ; Scott Tinsman, Thomas Widder-
heim. \\'ill Fisher. Will Skelton, Ben Facius,
Robert Huhbard, George Peck, Wade Mitch-
ell, Claude Weaver, R. M. Zybell and Sam-
uel Cooper.

TOWN HALL.

At the town meeting held at the Baptist
church on April 2, 1895. Daniel Hall made
the following motion, which was adopted :

Resolved, That the sum of $15,000 be
raised by taxation in the township of Monti-
cello, Piatt county, Illinois, in the year 1894,
for the purpose of buying site and erecting
thereon a town hall and a room for a public
library for the use of the inhabitants of said
township.

On motion of J. E. Evans the moderator
was authorized to appoint a committee of
five to procure a site. and to proceed to erect
thereon a town hall and a room for a library.
The moderator, Wm. H. Kratz, appointed
Caleb A. Tatman, Frank V. Dilatush,
George F. Rhoades. James L. Allman, Her-
bert D. Peters.

The committee purchased the west half
of cutlot 2. original town of Monticello, as a
site for said building at $1,500. H. D.
Peters resigned and J. W. Coleman was
chosen in his place.

The (.riginal plans for the building were
drawn by Seely Brown, which were ac-
cepted and paid for by the committee, who
advertised for bids for the erection of the
house according to the plans and specifica-
tions. The committee considered all the bids
too high and all were rejected. The con-
tract for the building was let July 13, 1896,
to Mr. Gill, who drew a plan similar to the
original one made by Mr.- Brown. The con-
tract price was $13,000, which included

everything complete, except heating, seating
and stage fixtures. The building was com-
pleted and accepted the following spring,
at the town meeting held April 6. 1897, the
committee appointed to have charge of the
erection of the building was dicharged and
the building was turned over to the town
board. At this same meeting, on motion of
C. A. Tatman, the chair appointed a com-
mittee of six to act as a library committee in
all matters pertaining to the Allerton library.
The chairman (W. E. Krebs) appointed C.
A. Tatman, J. W. Coleman, F. V. Dilatush.
A. C. Thompson, (i. F. Rhoades and James
L. Allman. The work of this committee is
done by the town board, which at the present
time consists of the following persons : H.
P. Harris, supervisor ; Albert Hirt, town
clerk ; M. N. Secrist and W. J. Porter, jus-
tices of the peace.

The Monticello Cemetery Association
was organized May 2, 1873. The following
were its first officers : President, J. W.
Coleman; secretary and treasurer, H. E.
Huston ; directors : W. E. Lodge, Charles
Watts, George F. Miller.

Twenty acres of ground were purchased
about a mile north of town and laid out on
modern landscape plans. This work was in
charge of Dr. J. W. Coleman, who has been
president and superintendent since its or-
ganization. The ground was well chosen,
being broken, thus permitting of ornamenta-
tion. Excellent taste has l>een displayed in
laying off the grounds. The driveways and
walks are kept in excellent condition, and
the cemetery is one of the most beautiful in
the State.

On the highest rise a large block has
been reserved for the soldiers. In the center
of this is a tall pole, from which "Old
Glory" floats on Memorial Day.

PAST AND PRESENT

The financial affairs have been well man-
aged. Besides the original twenty acres one
tract of seven acres and another of eight
acres have been added, so that the ground
now extends to the Camp Creek road, and in
all are thirty-five acres all paid for.

There are something over one thousand
graves in the cemetery.

William Milligan has had the care of the
grounds for over four years and takes great
pride in keeping them in order.

The present officers of the association are
as follows : President, Dr. J. W. Coleman ;
secretary and treasurer, A. L. Rodgers; di-
rectors : S. R. Reed, M. Hazzard and W. F.
Lodge.

FARMERS' ELEVATOR.

Steps are being taken to form a Farmers'
Grain Company for the purpose of getting
an elevator and shipping their own grain. A
meeting of the farmers was held in the Tow'n
Hall July 6, 1903. S. H. Minear acted as
chairman of the meeting. The matter was
discussed and W. W. Royer, James L. All-
man, John Salyers, N. P. Kelley and J. M.
Smith were chosen as commissioners to ap-
ply for a license to form a grain company.
It was voted to have the capital stock of the
company $10,000, shares $50 each and limit
ownerships to four shares.

Already similar companies have been
formed at Bement, Galesville, Atwood,
Lodge, Voorhies.

The Allerton library was founded in
1897 by Agnes C. Allerton.

Mrs. Allerton furnished the books, furni-
ture and pictures. At first there were 2,500
volumes. Since then 1,700 volumes have
been added and the total number now is
4.200.

Monticello township furnishes the light,
heat and salary of librarian.

The books have been very carefully se-
lected, the reference library being unusually
good. There are over 500 volumes of bound
periodicals and the following magazines are
complete : New England, Century and Har-
per. All who live in the township are en-
titled to the privilege of the library. Those
outside may have the privilege of the library
by paying $2.50 per year.

BANKS.

The first bank in Monticello was started
November i, 1870, under the firm name of
Robert Huston & Co., H. V. Moore being
one of the firm. In 1872 A. J. Dighton was
taken in as a partner and the business was
done under the firm name of Huston,
Moore & Dighton. In 1878 A. J. Dighton
died and the business was conducted under
the firm name of Houston & Moore. In 1880
Mr. Moore bought out Mr. Huston and the
bank was run by H. V. Moore. In 1883 W.
H. Plunk became interested in the bank and
ever since it has been conducted under the
firm name of H. V. Moore & Co. It does
a large general banking business, and on ac-
count of its wise and conservative manage-
ment and the financial standing of its owners
it is considered one of the safest banking in-
stitutions in the State.

In November, 1883, Dr. William Noeck-
er started a private bank in the room now oc-
cupied by the First' National Bank. About
six years later George A. Stadler was taken
in as a partner and the business was con-
ducted under the firm name of William
Noecker & Co. Later John N. Dighton came
in as a partner.

On December 15, 1892, the bank became
the First National Bank of Monticello, with
a capital stock of $100,000.

The following were the officers: Wil-

PIATT COUNTY, . ILLINOIS.

liam Noecker, president; John N. Dighton,
vice-president; O. W. Moore, cashier; Wil-
liam Dighton, assistant cashier. ; Directors :
William Noecker, J. L. Allman, F. V. Dila-
tush, C. A. Tatman, A. C. Thompson, John
Kirby, J. N. Dighton, W. F. Stevenson, R.
T. Ayre.

These officers were continued until the
death of William Noecker in 1897, when the
following officers were elected and are the
officers of the institution at this time :

President, John N. Dighton; vice-presi-
dent, William Dighton.; cashier, O. W.
Moore; assistant cashier, George B. Noecker.
Directors : J. L. Allman, F. V. Dilatush,
William Dighton, C. A. Tatman, A. C.
Thompson, John Kirby, J. N. Dighton, W.
F. Stevenson, R. T. Ayre.

The bank was remodeled in 1899 and a
burglar-proof steel-lined vault put in. It is
fitted with safety deposit boxes and other
modern steel furniture.

The deposits June 9, 1903, were $377,-
474.06.

The Dighton-Dilatush Loan Company
was organized October 31, 1900, for the
purpose of making real estate loans. The
capital stock of the company is $30,000.

The following are the present officers:
President, John N. Dighton; vice-president,
William Dighton; cashier, F. V. Dilatush;
assistant cashier, Frank Hetishee.

Directors: John N. Dighton, Willfam
Dighton, Frank V. Dilatush, C. J. Bear, H.
L. Timmons, J. M. Bender, W. H. Firke,
E. L. Croninger and J. S. Ater.

HARRINGTON BROTHERS.

For about twenty years Harrington
Brothers have been manufacturing buggies.
They have always been striving to make the

most substantial and attractive buggy for
the least money. The factory was erected
in 1900 and consists of a two-story brick,
40x56, and a three-story frame building,
35x70. All together the factory contains
13,630 feet of floor space. There is a well
lighted show window. The factory employs
fifteen hands.

The firm makes a specialty of mail
wagons for rural routes. The body of the
wagon is 31x56, covered with heavy sail
duck and well painted. The interior is fitted
with suitable desk, with six letter-boxes and
six paper boxes with lock and stamp drawer.

The Piatt County Loan Association was
incorporated March 26, 1886, and com-
menced business April 10, 1886. Its busi-
ness has been managed conservatively and it
is one of the best institutions of its kind in
the State. It never loans more than 60 per
cent, of its appraised value on a new build-
ing or 50 per cent, on an old one. -As a
result of its conservative management it has
never had a foreclosure in its seventeen
years of business. The following are its
officers :

President, H. D. Peters; vice-president,
W. C. Handlin; treasurer, O. W. Moore;
secretary, A. L. Rodgers. Directors : H. D.
Peters, Willliam P. Smith, J. A. Bender, C.

A. Tatman, W. C. Handlin, C. S. Coe, A.

B. Tinder, Willliam E. Rodgers, H. N.
Knight.

The total assets for the year 1902 were
$98,994.02.

This association has done a great deal
of good for Monticello by making it possible
for some of the best business buildings in
the town to be erected

It has not only helped in the erection of
a number of business buildings for the better
accommodation of the citizens of the town,

PAST AND PRESENT

but it has enabled a number of citizens of
limited means to o\vn their own homes and
has thus helped to improve and beautify the
city.

ELEVATORS.

The first grain elevator in Monticello
was erected in 1872 by Piatt, Hubtell & Co.
In 1878 a gristmill was connected with the
elevator. Later it was made into a corn mill
and was fitted with machinery to make meal,
grits, hominy and corn flour. It makes a
splendid grade of meal and grinds a great
deal in fall and winter and supplies the local
trade and ships a great deal to neighboring
towns.

In 1893 the elevator caught on fire. The
fire originated in the third story, and when
discovered the fire had broken through the
roof. The fire was at least fifty feet from
the ground, and it was only by the heroic
efforts of the fire company that the elevator
was saved. A great deal of grain is shipped
from this elevator every year.

In 1876, Knight & Tinder erected an ele-
vator on the then Chicago & Pacific Rail-
road. This elevator was destroyed by fire
on January 6, 1884. A new one was
built that summer, and has been in use
to the present time, now being owned
and operated by E. G. Knight & Son.
The building is to be rebunilt this fall, and
a modern grain elevator put up. In 1900
the firm put up a modern elevator near
the Illinois Central railroad track. It
is conveniently arranged for handling grain,
and up-to-date in every respect. E. G.
Knight has been in the grain business for
thirty-four years, commencing to buy grain
in Monticello in 1869.

TELEPHONES.

The first telephones in Monticello were

put in in 1895 by the Monticello Mutual Tel-
ephone Company. There were forty share-
holders in the company, each taking a phone,
and there was no provision made for renting
the phones to outside parties. In 1897 this
company became merged into the Piatt Coun-
ty Telephone Company, an organized stock
company, of which W. F. Lodge has the con-
trolling interest, and is the president and
general manager. The owners of shares in
the Mutual Telephone Company surrendered
them for so much telephone service rendered
by the new company.

The company now has exchanges in
Monticello, Bement and DeLand, and has a
number of farmers' lines connecting with
these exchanges.

HOTELS.

The Monticello hotel building is a three-
story brick building near the square, erected
by J. C. Johnson. It was remodeled and
greatly improved in 1897, and furnished with
modern conveniences. Until recently it has
been conducted by David Deter and son.

The Sackriter hotel was erected in 1892.
It is a three-story brick near the square. It
is provided with modern hotel equipment.
The proprietor, Henry Sackriter, has been
in the hotel business since 1890.

LIGHT PLANT.

The Monticello Light and Power Com-
pany was organized in 1891. They secured
a fifty-year franchise from the city and
erected a brick power house west of the Illi-
nois Central depot, and the plant was started
in 1892. They have the contract from the
city for lighting the streets. They have a
forty light arc machine, each light being 2000
candle power.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

For residence lighting they have an 800
light alternating incandescent machine.
There are two 60 H. P. boilers and a 120
H. P. engine.

It is a stock company with the follow-
ing officers : President. C. A. Tatman ; Sec-
retary, J. P. Lodge; Treasurer, J. N. Digh-
ton ; General Manager, W. F. Lodge.

DIRECTORS.

C. A. Tatman. C. J. Bear, W. F. Steven-
son, \V. F. Lodge, J. P. Lodge.

PEPSIN SYRUP COMPANY.

Pepsin Syrup Company was organized
in 1893 by C. H. Ridgely, Dr. W. B. Cald-
well, Harry H. Crea and others, the object
being the manufacture and sale of Dr. Cald-
well's Syrup Pepsin.

This remedy soon became popular in cen-
tral Illinois, and the field of operations was
gradually enlarged. Mr. Crea finally se-
cured a controlling interest which he held un-
til June, 1899, when he disposed of his stock
to Allen F. Moore and A. C. Thompson.
Mr. Moore is president and manager of the
company and Mr. Thompson is vice-presi-
dent.

The medicine has won its way by reason
of its merit, and the field has been extended
by judicious advertising until it is now sold
in nearly every state and territory in the
Union, in Mexico and Canada. The business
has shown an increase every year since the
present management secured control, and the
future prospects of the company are very
gratifying. A. large force is employed in the
laboratory, in the offices and on the road.
The company now imports direct several of
the ingredients of the medicine, Egypt and

China furnishing two of the articles used in
its manufacture.

H. D. PETERS COMPANY.

The business of H. D. Peters Company,
manufacturers of writing tablets and cigars,
is an off-shoot of the printing business of H.
D. Peters, who, for eighteen years, was pro-
prietor and editor of the Piatt County Herald
former business merging into, and finally su-
perceding the latter. This firm does busi-
ness over the larger part of Illinois, and
some in Indiana, keeping constantly em-
ployed a corps of traveling men, selling their
own products. From a sale of a few hun-
dred dollars of tablets a year, their sales now
reach three to four carloads, nearly all their
own product. The business in the cigar line
has also increased in like proportion. This
firm still conducts a printing business, having
for thirty years l>een thus continuously en-
gaged, making it the oldest printing firm do-
ing business in the county, and one of the
oldest in the state.

From a room 18x30 feet in the second
story of the Opera building, they have ex-
panded to a building of three rooms 29x90,
with a warehouse 20x80, with urgent
need of increased room. The business of the
firm has shown a steady growth from its in-
ception, and employing constantly from
twenty-five to thirty people, has become one
of the leading enterprises of the city.

MONTICELLO CHURCHES

THE M. E. CHURCH.

The records of the Methodist Episcopal
church at Monticello go back to 1843, just

4 6

PAST AND PRESENT

two years after the county was created. At
that time, it was one of the churches on the
Monticello circuit. The records state that
the First Quarterly Conference was held No-
vember 23, 1843, w i tn W. B. Trotter, pre-
siding elder, and Addison Gadsid pastor in
charge. In 1844 Rev. Peter Cartwright be-
came presiding elder. He was a noted char-
acter in his time, and a man of great personal
influence. The first church building was
erected in 1871, while James C. Buckner was
pastor. It was a frame building, and stood
where Mr. E. W. Lumsden is now living.
Later they built a parsonage just north of
the church. In 1857 a great revival was held
and four hundred came into the church on
probation. The same year the parsonage
grounds were enlarged and fenced. In 1859
the Camp Creek church, then on this circuit,
was built, and was dedicated by Granville
Moody, of Ohio.

In 1861 a bell was bought by the Mite
Society, and was put on 'a foundation be-
tween the church and parsonage. In the next
few years it seems that the church became
badly disorganized. Many of the men on the
circuit went to the war. In 1865 a big re-
vival was held and there were 127 accessions
to the church. That same year the church
was placed in the Champaign district.

In 1868 the Monticello church was con-
stituted a station with Ira Emerson as pastor.
The membership was 138, with four local
preachers, and one exhorter.

In 1869 the present church building was
commenced. It was dedicated December 17,
1870, by Rev. Hiram Buck. It is a large,
comfortable brick building just one block
from the square. The building was over-
hauled this spring, papered and painted, and
is now in good condition.

The parsonage was built in 1890. It is

a two-story frame building, two blocks east
of the church. The present church member-
ship is 230. Following is a list of the pas-
tors:

1843, Addison Gadsid ; 1844, John A.
Brittenham; 1846, L. C. Pitner; 1847, James
C. Buckner; 1848, I. L. Green; 1849, W. J.
Newman and Joseph Lane; 1850, A. Don-
carloss; 1852, William C. Blundell; 1854,
Christian Arnold; 1856, Miles A. Wright;
1857, Edward Rutledge;i859, A. B. Garner;
1861, Isaac Grove; 1863, D. P. Lyon; 1865,
James B. Hoots; 1867, James T. Orr; 1868,
Ira Emerson; 1870, W. H. H. Adams; 1872,
P. C. Carroll; 1873, George M. Fortune;
1874, I. Villars; 1875, Mr. Everhart; 1876,
J. Montgomery; 1877, J. A. Muse; 1878,
David Gay; 1879, G. S. Alexander; 1882,
E. A. Hamilton; 1885, P. N. Minear; 1887,
G. D. Dubois; 1889, J. D. Frye; 1890, M. S.
McCoy; 1892, J. S. Wolforth; 1894, James
Foxworthy; 1897, W. S. .Calhoun; 1900, J.
H. Waterbury ; 1902, J. S. Dancey, present
pastor.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The Presbyterian church at Monticello
was organized in 1842 by Rev. Joseph Ad-
ams with ten members, as follows : James
Huston, Sarah Huston, Mary Neyhart,
Archibald Moffitt, Samuel Moffitt, James J.
Patterson, Anna Patterson, Elizabeth Young
Hugh O'Neal and Mary O'Neal. .'.'.
by letter from some other church. The early
years of the church seem to have been very
discouraging ones. For several years it was
without a pastor, both its elders died, and
the membership was reduced by deaths and
removals. To Rev. John Huston belongs
the honor of being the real founder of the
church. He labored faithfully for the-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

church, enduring hardships and making sac-
rifices, such as few men would make. He
preached here for about six years, spending
part of his time in the country churches near
Monticello. Under his leadership the church
membership was increased, and the church
put on a better basis.

In 1871 the present church building was
erected. It is a frame house 35 by 60 feet,
with brick foundation. It was built under
the supervision of Architect J. M. Combs,
and cost about four thousand dollars.

In 1866 the church built a two story
frame parsonage just south of the church at
a cost of $1150. In August, 1900, the
church bought lots in the block south of the
square for $2,050 from Mr. and Mrs. George
Lewis and W. E. Lodge. They expect to
erect a church building on these lots in the
near future.

Following is a list of pastors : Joseph
Adams; R. H. Lilly; 1858-1864, John Hus-
ton: 1865-1867, T. P. Emerson; 1867-1869,
J. H. Densmore; 1869-1872, S. A. Hummer;
1874-1876, W. R. Glen; 1876-1880, A. F.
Ashley; 1881-1884, M. P. Ormsby; 1884,
Rev. Coyle; 1885-1887, Fred L. Forbes;
1887-1889. Maurice Waller; 1890-1893,
Daniel E. Long; 1894-1898, M. E. Todd;
1898, H. G. Gleiser.

LODGES.

MASONIC ORDER.

Fraternal Lodge No. 58, A. F. and A. M.
was organized in 1848, with the following
charter members: Peter K. Hall, Master;

William Laforge, S. W. ; R. Carlyle, J. W. ;
J. J. Patterson, William Marquiss, John P.
Tenbrook and J. C. Johnson. The lodge owns
the hall over the First National Bank, and
has very pleasant rooms. The regular com-
munications of the lodge are held the Satur-
day of each month, on or before the full
moon. The present officers are as follows : W.
M., J. E. Evans; S. W., J. T. Vent; J. W.,
Carl S. Reed; Treasurer, H. Sackriter; Sec-
retary, R. I. Tatman; S. D., A. H. Wild-
man; J. D., B. F. Craig; S. S., W. J. Brit-
ton; J. S., G. R. Dawson; Chap., A. T. Pi-
pher; Marshall, L. B. Tinder; Tyler, John
Lohr.

Maxwell Chapter No. 48, R. A. M. was
organized January 25, 1859, with the follow-
ing members : Peter K. Hall, H. P. ; James
J. Patterson, King; A. G. Boyer, Scribe;
Wm. Noecker, C. H. ; B. Cassell, P. S. ;
James A. Hill, R. A. C. ; Charles Watts, G.
M. 3d V. ; Wm. T Foster, G. M. 2nd V. ;
L. J. Bond, G. M. ist V.; Charles Watts,
Secretary ; John Mosgrove, Treasurer . M.
M. Harshbarger, Sent. ; Members, J. O.
Sparks, F. E. Bryant, T. T. Pettit, Charles
Marquiss, and S. H. Bender. The stated
convocations are held Thursday, on or before
the full moon each month. The officers are
as follows: H. P., A. T. Pipher; R. A. C,
J. M. Woolington; King, R. T. Ayre; M.
of 3d V., John V. Ayre; Scribe, Henry Mar-
tin ; M. of 2nd V., A. H. Wildman ; C. of H.,
J. E. Evans, (deceased); M. of ist V., C.
A. Tatman; P. S., F: A. Odernheimer;
Treasurer, H. Sackriter; Secretary, G. A.
Burgess; Sentinel, William Worsley.

Monticello Council No. 27, R. and S. M.
was organized August 31, 1866, with the
following charter members : A. T. Pipher,
T. I. G. M. ; Charles Watts, D. G. G. M. ; J.
C. Johnson, P. C. W. ; E. P. Fisher, M. of

4 8

PAST AND -PRESENT.

E. ; L. J. Bond, Recorder; Wm. Noecker, C.
of G. ; X. Haneline, C. of C. ; J. A. Piatt, Sen
tinel. The stated assembly is held on Thurs-
day after the full moon of each month. The
present members are as follows : T. I. M.,
A. T. Pipher: I. D. M., G. F. Miller; P. C.
W.. \Y. J. Britton; Treasurer, H. Sackriter;
Recorder, G. A. Burgess; C. of G.. R. T.
Ayre: C. of C., J. E. Evans : Steward, Henry
Martin : Sentinel, William Worsley.

I. O. O. F.

Selah Lodge, No. 403, I. O. O. F., was
instituted August 26, 1869, with the follow-
ing charter members : A. T. Pipher, James
C. Harrington, \V. D. Shultz, Michael Haz-
zard. Jacob McClain, Pierre Hahn. The first
officers of the lodge were as follows: A. T.
Pipher, N. G. ; James C. Harrington, V. G. ;
W. D. Shultz, Recording Secretary; Michael
Hazzard. Treasurer.

The lodge owns lots and a store building
on the southwest corner of the square which
were purchased of H. E. Huston for $1,500.

The present officers of the lodge are as
follows: N. G., George A. Lindsley ; V. G.,
John Fitzwater ; Recording Secretary, Hor-
ace Meacham ; Financial Secretary, D. X.
Kemper; Treasurer, C. Wengenwroth.

The encampment branch of the order was
organized July 9, 1873, with the following
charter members : Joseph T. Van Gundy,
Wm. E. Smith. James Houselman, Louis
Katz, John Kousho, Henry Sackriter and
James C. Harrington. The first officers were
as follows : Joseph T. Van Gundy, C. P. ;
Louis Katz, H. P. ; James C. Harrington, S.
W. ; James Houselman, J. W. ; W. E. Smith.
Scribe ; John Kousho. Treasurer. The lodge
is known as Fraternal Encampment No. 145,
and meets in the Odd Fellows' Hall the first

and third Mondays of each month. John
Fitzwater is C. 1': J. M. Woolington, Scribe
and H. C. Harrington, Treasurer.

K. OF P.

The K. of P. lodge in Monticello was in-
stituted October 17, 1889, with the follow-
ing charter members: A. J. Woolingtoii,
George A. Stoddler, F. L. Farra, G. T.
Priestly, E. W. Walker. W. A. Miller. W. A.
Smock. A. M. Thorp, (deceased). W. I. \ v i-
koff, W. S. Miller, J. D. Knott. ll S. Hill,
(deceased), G. ,N. Snapp, M. M. Holmes, C.
G. Schofield, A. V. Washington. S. B. E\v-
ing, C. Hughes, H. Lure, J. E. Marquiss,
J. A. Bender, A. Fithian, H. H. Crea and
C. E. Rhoades. The lodge, is now in a flour-
ishing condition. The present officers are as
follows: C. C., A. C. Edie: V. C.. D. C.
Kelly; K. R. and S., O. L. Markel ; M. of
E., George Fisher; M. of F., S. J. Minear.

CHAPTER V.

EARLY SETTLEMENT BY TOWNSHIP
BEMENT.

The first settlement in Bement township
was made about 1854 by Wm. Bailey. In
the summer of the same year, Bement was
surveyed, the land at that time belonging to
Mr. Joseph Bodman. The first settlers in
the town were Joseph Bodman, J. H. Camp.
J. M. Cam]). William Ellise, T. T. Pettit
and Marion Pettit. The lumber for the first
house was hauled from Champaign. It was
erected in 1855 ' >v T. T. Pettit and J. M.
Camp, and was owned by Joseph Bodman.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

The house stood just west of the present
brick hotel building. The second house was
built west of the first one. Mr. Force and
wife came to Bement in 1855. For awhile
they boarded in Monticello. In the spring
of 1856, they moved into the third house
ever built in "Dement. Mr. and Mrs. Aaron
Yost cfime to Bement in 1856, built a house,
but soon moved on a farm north of town.
Mr. I!. (1. Hopkins moved on a farm west of
Bement. since known as the Elihu Fisher
farm. F. E. Bryant moved to Bement in
i8=;6, and run the first store. He erected the
first brick building in the town. The first,
hotel' was built in 1857, called the Sherman
house. It stood on the main street of the
the town, but on the erection of the Masonic
building, it was moved back on the corner
where the Christian church now stands, and
remained there until moved away to give
room for the handsome church building. The
Pennsylvania hotel, afterwards known as the
Thomas House, and kept for a number of
years by Royal Thomas, was built in 1888.
and is still standing. At that time there were
no sidewalks in the town, and no trees, thus
presenting a very marked contrast to the
beautiful shaded streets and substantial side-
walks of the present time.

The first bank in the town was owned
by Milmine and Boclman.

The M. E. church was organized in 1858
under the pastorate of Rev. Edward Rut-
ledge, a minister on the Monticello circuit.
The meetings were first held in the school-
house, and afterward in Bryant's Hall. The
first church was erected in 1864, and was
dedicated in October, by Rev. Hiram Buck.
In 1865. Bement was detached from the
Monticello circuit, and with Milmine and
Cerro Gordo formed a new circuit. In 1867
Bement was constituted a circuit and Rev.

H. S. Tryon was the first pastor. The par-
sonage was erected in 1876, at a cost of
$l,6OG.

The Christian church was organized in
1862. The first church building was erected
in 1 867, and cost about $800. T>he building
stood where the present brick hotel now
stands. This lot was afterward sold and a
handscme modern building erected.

The Presbyterian church was organized
in 1868. with eight members. The church
was built in the early /o's. In 1880 a storm
blew down the church steeple and belfry, and
by noon the next day $200 was subscribed
for its repair. The church owns a handsome
parsonage, costing about $1,700.

The Catholic church was built in 1866,
at a cost of $2,100. This was connected with
the church at Ivesdale for a time. A hand-
some residence for the priest has been erected
just north of the church.

The Bement Lodge, No. 365 A. F. and
A. M. was chartered October i, 1861 ; Be-
ment Chapter. No. 65, Royal Arch Masons
October 7, 1864. The Masonic building was
erected in 1876. The Irwin Lodge, No. 344,
I. O. O. F. was chartered October, 1867.

There is also a K. of P. lodge organized
recently that is now in a very prosperous
condition.

The Haldeman mill was erected in 1868
by Horace and William Haldeman. and G.
C. Nichols, and did a flourishing business for
many years. A few years ago the building
was sold to the Farmers' Elevator Co.. and
the machinery shipped away.

In 1890 a stock company put in a three
hundred electric light plant. \Y. J. Day has
been manager and superintendent of the
plant since it was started. At first the Halde-
man mills furnished the motive power for the
plant, but in 180,6 they erected a power house

PAST AND PRESENT

of their own just north of the brick hotel.
They now have about 800 lights.

A system of city water-works was put
in about 1893. In 1900 a handsome new
brick, school building' was erected at a cost
of $27,000.

Population in 1890, 1,129; m 1900,
1,484.

Bement has a very creditable newspaper,
the Bement Register, publishd by M. O.
Curry.

Bement is an important railroad center,
being a division point of the Wabash. The
Wabash have recently put down a big well,
and most of their engines on these runs take
water and coal here.

UNITY TOWNSHIP.

The first settlers in Unity township were
the Monroes, Shonkwilers, Harshbargers
and Moores who settled on Lake Fork about
1836 or 1837. The first village in the town-
ship was a little settlement started by Mr.
McNutt, and hence called Mackville, Here
Mr. McNutt kept a small store, and supplied
the early settlers with the few "store goods"
which they used. The first church in the
township was erected in 1858, and the first
school was taught the same year. Dr.
Mitchell was the first regular physician of
the place. Mackville, at one time, was a fair
sized town, but when the railroad was put
through, the town of Atwood was started,
and Mackville commenced to go down.

Atwood was laid out in 1873 on ' an d
owned by Mr. Levi Budd. The first house
in the place was a store building erected in
1873 by Richard Hetton and David Barrett.
They each moved a dwelling house over from
Mackville, and these became the first resi-
dences of the town. L. C. Taylor was the

first postmaster at Atwood, Dr. Bennerfield
the first physician, and Joseph Moore kept
the first hotel.

The Christian church of Atwood was
dedicated August 15, 1880, by Rev. John T.
Phillips. The M. E. church was built at
Mackville, and dedicated in 1872, but moved
to Atwood in 1882. The Baptist church was
dedicated March 18, 1893.

Atwood has strong Masonic and Odd
Fellow lodges. The town of Atwood is
partly in Piatt county and partly in Douglas,
the main street of the town being the county
line road between the two counties. The
population of the town on the Piatt side was
320 in 1890, and 403 in 1800. The popula-
tion of the entire town was 530 in 1890 and
698 in 1900.

Hammond- was laid out in 1873. The
first house in the town was a grain-office
built near where Evans and Bunyans' lum-
ber yard is now located. Alonzo Newton
put up and kept the first store in the town,
and also erected the first residence. Mr. J.
M. Wortham opened a store in 1873, and is
still in business in the place, occupying a
handsome corner brick store built recently.
M. D. Cook was the first postmaster and
kept the first drug store. W. R. Evans had
the first hardware store, George Ragland
was the first blacksmith and Dr. Abrams was
the first physician of the place.

The M. E. church was organized in 1876
and dedicated the first church in the town in
1882. The Christian church was organized
in 1877 and dedicated their building in 1883.
The Baptists have recently dedicated a hand-
some new church. The hotel was built by
W. H. Lewis, of Lovington, in 1874. The
first bank in Hammond was conducted by S.
F. Musson in 1895. In 1899 a modern brick
bank building was erected, now owned by

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

the State Bank of Hammond. T. J. Kizer
is president, O. D. Noe, vice president and
J. A. Vent, cashier. The depots were built
in 1895. T. J. Kizer's large grain elevator
was built in 1881. The population of the
village in 1900 was 481.

The town of Pierson was laid out in
1 88 1. The postoffice was started in 1877,
and Francis F. Flack was the first postmast-
er. The postoffice was called Dry Ridge at
first, and changed to present name later. The
Baptist church was dedicated in 1881. The
Christian church was dedicated in 1903.

The churches in the country are as fol-
lows : The Harshbarger church, about four
miles north of Atwood, the oldest church in
the county ; the Antioch church, built in
1864; a Christian church about six miles
northwest of Atwood and the Prairie Chapel
church, a Christian church built in 1891,
about a mile east of Voorhies.

CERRO GORDO TOWNSHIP.

The first settlers in Cerro Gordo town-
ship were the Cunninghams, who settled
north of La Place. The first who settled in
the neighborhood of Cerro Gordo were the
Howells, who came in before the railroad
was built. After the railroad was completed
the settlers came in rapidly. The first town
called Griswold, but when the postoffice was
moved from north of town on what was
known as the "Gordy Beck" place (on the
stage line between Monticello and Decatur),
the name of the postoffice came with it, and
the place was called Cerro Gordo instead of
Griswold. The first house in the town was
the section house for the railroad hands.
Andrew McKinney put up the first dwelling.
and he and A. L. Rodgers conducted the
first general merchandise store in the town.

John Prosser was the first physician and
John Fields was the first blacksmith in the
town. The first school building was erected
in 1866, and the first church in 1857.

The Presbyterian church of this place
was organized in Willow Branch township,
but most of its members moved into Cerro
Gordo. The church building was erected
about 1860. Originally, the congregation
\vas large, but the membership is small at
present.

The M. E. church building was erected
about 1866 by Mr. John Smith, and dedi-
cated by Rev. Hiram Buck. In recent years
a handsome modern church building has been
erected, and the church is in good condition.

The German Baptist church was built in
1878, at a cost of about $2,000, and was do-
nated together with the ground on which
it stands, by Mr. Metzger.

An electric light plant was installed in
the place in 1903.

Cerro Gordo has never had a saloon, and
the moral sentiment of the town is high. It
is an almost ideal residence town.

It is in the center of a very rich farming
and stock country, and a great deal of grain
and stock is shipped from here.

Population in 1890, 939; in 1900, 1,008.

LAPLACE.

LaPlace was laid off in 1873, and was
named by G. W. Stoner. The first house
built in the town was the hotel erected in
1874. Jacob Reedy was the first postmaster
of the town, Dr. Pierson the first physician.
The M. E. church was organized in the fall
of 1874. The church building was erected
in 1877. The two-room school building was
erected in 1884, and a two-room addition to
this in 1903. The John S. Ater Bank was-

PAST AND PRESENT

started there several years ago. The country
around LaPlace is very fine farming coun-
try and a great deal of grain is marketed
each year. There is a strong lodge of Odd
Fellows who own a two-story brick building
with lodge room above.

MILMINE.

Milmine was originally called Farns-
worth. and was laid out by Enos Farns-
wcrth, who put up the first residence in the
town. Mr. Farnsworth sold the plat to Mil-
mine and Kerns. Milmine and Boclman
opened the first store, which was run by E.
B. Sprague. The first postoffice was kept by
Hiram Barber, and was called Milmine. a
name now given to the town.

The school building was erected in 1872.
It is a two-story brick building.

The Christian church was organized in
1879. They have a very nice comfortable
church. The Church of God also has an
organization, and a good building.

A bank was started in Milmine in 1903.

There are two large elevators and a great
deal of grain is shipped from this place.

Lintner is a small station in this town-
ship on the I. D. & W. railroad. It was
named, from William Lintner, of Decatur.
who formerly owned a great deal of land in
that vicinity. It has a general store, a grain
elevator, a blacksmith shop and several
dwellings. It is a good grain market.

Burrowsville is a postoffice two miles
east of Lintner. It has a grain elevator and
a store.

WILLOW BRANCH.

Willow Branch township claims the dis-
tinction of having the first brick house ever
built in the county. As early as 1842. Mr.
( 'icorge \Yidich made brick near Monticello.

Some of the- first settlers in the township
were the Aters, Pecks, Armsworths, YYm.
Madden. John West. S. D. Havely, Michael
Dillow, George Widick. Peter Croninger
and Henry Adams.

Cisco is the only village in the township

E. F. Dallas was the first grain merchant in
the town. Dr. Caldwell now of Monticello.
practiced medicine here for several years.
Washington Xebaker kept the first dry
goods store: Walker and Carter, the first
hardware store. James Click was the first
blacksmith and J. B. Hamilton was the first
druggist. The village of Cisco was platted
April 24, 1874, by Hiram Dodge, Erastus

F. Dallas, Abraham Runkle and Thomas
Watson.

A modern M. E. church building was
erected there recently. Cisco has a bank, two
large grain elevators and a number of busi-
ness houses. It has grown quite rapidly in
last two or .three years. The town has one
paper, the Cisco Press.

The first cabin on Goose Creek was built
where George Varner now lives. The early
settlers were the Olneys. Abraham Marquiss,
Ezra Marquiss, Sr.. Wm. Piatt and wife,
Mr. Welch and Mr. Hubbart.

The only village in the township is De-
Land, where a great deal of business is done.
The village was laid out by Thomas Bondur-
ant in 1873. S. C. Langdon owned the first
dwelling house in DeLancl. R. B. Moody
and John Vail built a store in 1873. Dr. J.
A. Davis was the first physician.

DeLand has two banks, two grain ele-
vators, and some good substantial business
houses. The population of the village in
1900 was 411.

BLUE RIDGE.

Among the early settlers in Blue Ridge

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

township are the following : William Pierce,
Richard Webb, Jacob Denning, Joseph Aik-
ens, Xoah Coffman, Mr. Gillespie, Lafayette
Cox, James Watson, Mr. Keenan, Thomas
Brothers.

The town of Mansfield was laid out in
1870 by Gen. J. L. Mansfield, and named
in his honor. The first church building was
an Episcopal church erected in 1873. The
Wabash and Big Four Railroads cross at
this place. It is a good grain market and
thousands of bushels of grain are marketed
here each year. It has two banks. The bus-
iness part of the town is well improved,
there being some modern brick store build-
ings. The Odd Fellows own a very nice
building here. The population in 1890 was
533 : in 1900, 708.

SANGAMON.

Sangamon township was one of the early
ones settled. Among the early settlers may

be mentioned the following : Mrs. Nancy
Ingram, Mr. and Mrs. Hanline, Mr. Wright,
Mr. and Mrs. Souders, Oulreys, Maddens,
Mackeys, Coons and Argos.

Centerville is the oldest town in the
township, and was started by Mr. Archibald
Moffett. who built the first house. The town
was laid out and named about 1850.

White Heath was laid out in 1872. The
land was owned by Mr. Frank White and
was bought by Mr. Heath, hence the name.
James Webster erectetd the first dwelling.
Miss Frank and Mr. Vin Williams put up
the first hotel and opened the first store in
the place. Dr. Unangst was the first physi-
cian.

The town of Galetville was first called
Calef's Station and was changed to the pres-
ent one in honor of Mr. Calef's wife, whose
maiden name was Gale. The first store
building was erectetd in 1876 by Mr. Calef,
and the first residence was built and occupied
by John Donlan.

BIOGRAPHICAL

J. C. LANGLEY.

J. C. Langley is the cashier of the First
National Bank of Mansfield. Although yet
a young man he occupies a prominent and
influential position in business circles, and
one may safely predict for him a successful
future because he possesses laudable ambi-
tion and enterprise which are indispensable
elements of business advancement. Mr.
Langley was born in Mansfield on the 26th
of September, 1873, and is a son of Andrew
J. and Celia A. (Curtis) Langley, who are
residents of Blue Ridge township, Piatt
county. Both the father and mother are na-
tives of Pennsylvania, and after their mar-
riage they came to Piatt county in 1865, be-
coming pioneer settlers of this section of the
state. The subject of this review is the
third in a family of four living sons.

Reared upon the home farm in Blue
Ridge township, James. C. Langley attended
the public schools and afterward entered the
University of Indiana, where he pursued a
literary and also a business course, being
graduated in that institution with the- class
of 1890. In the same year after his comple-
tion of his collegiate course, Mr. Langley en-
tered the Mansfield Bank, and later became
cashier of the Commercial Bank of Mans-
field. Throughout his business career he
has been identified with financial interests
and thoroughly understands the banking
business in every department. On leaving
the Commercial Bank he became cashier and
afterward second vice president of the State

Bank of Mansfield, and in 1902 he resigned
his position there and opened the First Na-
tional Bank of this city, which is capitalized
for twenty-five thousand dollars. Its offi-
cers are William D. Fairbanks, president;
Andrew J. Langley, vice president; J. C.
Langley, cashier; and H. P. Gladden, teller.
The directors of the bank are John N.
Darst, John Gardiner, William DeGrofft,
James Caldwell, Joseph Seitner, in addition
to the three officers mentioned. Although
the existence of the bank covers a compara-
tively brief period it has already won favor
with the public because of the excellent busi-
ness methods which have been instituted
there, and not a little of the success of the
bank may be attributed to the enterprise,
close application and broad knowledge of
banking methods possessed by J. C. Lang-
ley. It was on the gth of January, 1902,
that the bank was founded and subsequently
the First National Bank building was erect-
ed and splendidly equipped for carrying on
the business. It has the triple time Hall
safe and Hall vault, and every precaution is
taken to insure safety for depositors. Mr.
Langley has also engaged in the insurance
business as a member of the firm of Clem-
ans & Langley, and in this enterprise has a
good clientage.

On the 27th of October, 1897, occurred
the marriage of James C. Langley and Miss
Elena Ryerson, a native of Gibson City,
Ford county, Illinois, 'and a daughter of C.
G. Ryerson, who was one of the early set-
tlers of that county. In addition to his

PAST AND PRESENT

splendid home in Mansfield, Mr. Langley
also owns land in Stevens county, Minneso-
ta, which he rents. He is a member of the
Presbyterian church and fraternally is con-
nected with Mansfield Lodge, No. 773, F.
& A. M., of which he is treasurer. He also
belongs to Celestial Lodge, Knights of Py-
thias, of which he is past chancellor and was
made a delegate to the grand lodge of the
Knights of Pythias fraternity at Rockford,
Illinois, in the fall of 1903. In politics he
is a Republican and that he has the regard
and confidence of his fellow citizens is indi-
cated by the fact that he is now acceptably
serving as mayor. Whatever tends to prove
of public benefit and to advance local prog-
ress and improvement receives his attention,
endorsement and co-operation, and his ef-
forts along many lines have proven of ma-
terial benefit to the city of his birth.

THOMAS E. BONDURANT.

From a humble financial position Thomas
E. Bondurant has steadily and persist-
ently worked his way upward until he
is to-day -accounted one of the most exten-
sive landowners of Illinois. There is in his
life history much that is worthy of emula-
tion, his record being such as any man might
be proud to possess. He has worked dili-
gently and perseveringly, guiding his efforts
by sound judgment, and the reward of hon-
est toil is to-day his. He has never incurred
an obligation that he has not fulfilled, nor
taken advantage of the necessities of his fel-
low men in a business transaction, but has
placed his dependence upon energy and un-
remitting industry. Thus it is that Thomas
E. Bondurant stands to-day among the
wealthy and honored residents of Piatt coun-
ty, his home being in DeLand.

He is one of Illinois' native sons, his
birth cccurring in Sangamon county, on the
291)1 of December. 1831. The Bondurant
family is of Huguenot extraction, and was
founded in America by representatives of
that sect, who fled to the New World to es-
cape religious persecution. Joseph and Mar-
tha Bondurant, the parents of our subject.
were both southern people, the former a na-
tive of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky.
In the year 1825 the father removed to San-
gamon county, Illinois, accompanied by his
wife and three children. Establishing his
home there, he continued to carry on farm-
ing and stock-raising until his death. He
was one of the honored pioneer settlers of
the locality and aided in the early develop-
ment and improvement of the county, while
at the same time he carried on his farm work
in its various departments and thus .gained
a comfortable living for his family. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Bondurant were born eleven
.children, of whom our subject was the fifth
in order of birth. Four of the number are
yet living, and a sister, Mary E., now acts
as housekeeper for her brother Thomas.

On the old family homestead amid the
wild scenes of pioneer life Thomas E. Bon-
durant was reared. He can remember cen-
tral Illinois when the homes were widely
scattered and when the prairies were largely
covered with the native grasses, the land
having never been placed under the plow. He
pursued his early education in an old log"
building, wherein school was conducted on
the subscription plan, and yet to-day Illinois
has a school system unsurpassed in the
L T nion. His educational advantages in his
yruth were quite limited, but later he at-
tended the Walnut Grove Academy, at Eu-
reka. Illinois, spending three months there
after he had attained his majority. In his
vouth he became familiar with all the ex-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

periences of pioneer life, and the hardships
incident to the arduous task of developing a
new farm. He broke prairie with an ox-
team, thus preparing hundreds of acres for
cultivation. His father having the contract
to put in ties on the Wabash Railroad,
Thomas E. Bonduraiit began working for
him for two dollars per day and board, act-
ing as foreman. This was in 1855. After
the contract had been executed Mr. Bondu-
rant continued to break prairie through the
summer months, turning the first furrows on
many tracts which are now fertile fields. In
the meantime he had entered from the gov-
ernment two hundred and ninety-three acres
of land in Piatt county, at fifty cents per
acre, this being the nucleus of his present ex-
tensive landed possessions. In the winter
of 1858 he took a contract at Sangamon
Station, east of Decatur, Illinois, to supply
cord wood to the Wabash Railroad, and this
work occupied his time and attention for a
few months, after which he returned to his
farm in Goose Creek township, Piatt coun-
ty. As he has found opportunity he has
added to his original landed interests until
he is now the owner of fourteen hundred
acres in Piatt county, twenty-six hundred
and eighty-two acres in Kankakee county
and eight hundred acres in Kansas. He
is a man of keen business discern-
ment, and his sound judgment has never
been at fault in making investments. He
has placed his money in 'the safest of all in-
vestments real estate and to-day his
holdings make him one of the wealthy
men of central Illinois. He well mer-
its this success, for it has come entirely
through his own efforts and his business
methods have ever been such as will bear
the closest investigation and scrutiny. All
the institution during the earlier period of

through the years Mr. Bondurant carried on
general farming, annually harvesting large
crops, and he has also made a specialty of
raising and handling beef cattle, horses and
hogs. He has always given his personal su-
pervision to the operation of his various
properties, keeping thoroughly in touch with
the work done on each, and the condition of
the farm and has a wonderful capacity for
business, regarding no detail to unimportant
to claim his attention if it has bearing upon
the work and its ultimate outcome. In 1900
the First National Bank of DeLand was es-
tablished with a capital stock of twenty-five
thousand -dollars, and Mr. Bondurant be-
came its first president. The success of
its existence was largely attributable to his
efforts and his sound judgment, and he re-
mained as president until 1902, when he re-
signed on account of failing health.

Mr. Bondurant is a member of the
Christian church of DeLand and since its
organization he has served as one of its eld-
ers. In the work of the church he has al-
ways taken an active and helpful interest,
and has contributed generously to its sup-
port. For the past eight years Mr. Bondu-
rant has been a member of the board of
trustees of Eureka College, of Eureka, Illi-
nois. At the time of the formation of the
Republican party he became one of its sup-
porters and has since followed its banner,
and during the Civil war he was a stanch
Union man. For seven years he has served
as county supervisor, but has felt that his
business makes too great demands upon his
time and attention to allow him to seek pub-
lic office. In 1882 he built his present home,
which is one of the finest in Piatt county.
He has his own sewerage system and elec-
tric light plant, a hot water system of heat-
ing, and hot and cold water throughout his

PAST AND PRESENT

house. The residence is also tastefully, com-
fortably and richly furnished, and the in-
terior decorations are in keeping with the
exterior adornments, for the house is sur-
rounded by a beautiful lawn, always kept in
the finest condition, and the home of Mr.
Bondurant is a credit to the county. He
has seen many changes in this portion of
the state, advancement and progress being
manifest in all lines of life, and he has kept
pace with the universal improvement. A
self-made man, without any extraordinary
family or pecuniary advantages at the out-
set of his career, he has battled earnestly
and energetically, and by indomitable cour-
age and integrity has achieved both charac-
ter and fortune. By sheer force of will and
untiring effort he has worked his way up-
ward and is to-day numbered among the
leading business men of Piatt county.

JOHN M. WHITE.

When after years of long and earnest la-
bor in some honorable field of business, a
man puts aside all cares to spend his re-
maining days in the quiet enjoyment of the
fruits of his former toil, it is certainly a well
deserved reward of industry.

"How blest is he, who crowns in shades like

these,
A youth of labor with an age of ease,"

wrote the poet, and the world everywhere
recognizes the justice of a season of rest
following the active period of business life.
Mr. White is now living retired at his pleas-
ant home in Monticello, and his history
shows the accomplishment of well directed

labor. His residence in Piatt county covers
a period of almost forty years, during
which he was long connected with agricul-
tural interests, but while promoting his indi-
vidual success he has also labored for the
general welfare and has advocated many
measures which have led to the substan-
tial improvement and material upbuilding
of this section of the state.

A native of Ohio, John M. White was
born in Franklin county, on the 27th of Jan-
uary, 1817, and comes of English ancestry,
being a direct descendant of the house of Tu-
dor, long the reigning house of England. In
the paternal line he is probably of Irish lin-
eage, as it is thought that his grandfather,
Samuel S. White, was born on the Emerald
Isle. For many years, however, he resided in
Virginia, where he engaged in teaching
school, but early in the Eighth century he re-
moved to Ohio, establishing his home near
the Scioto Big Run, four miles southwest
of the present city of Columbus. Again he
resumed his educational work, becoming one
of the first instructors in the schools of
Franklin county, Ohio. He was also inter-
ested in agricultural pursuits, and securing a
large tract of wild land he transformed it
into a fine farm on which he made his home
until his death, which was the result of an ac-
cident caused by a runaway horse. He was
then ninety-six years of age. He had served
as justice of the peace in the county and was
a man of considerable prominence, leaving
the impress of his individuality upon the
early development and permanent improve-
ment of that part of the state. His wife
bore the maiden name of Jane Stuart, and
was of Scotch lineage. She died at the home
of Mrs. John M. White, Sr., about 1836.
His father was an own ' cousin of Mary,
Queen of Scots, and thus comes our subject's

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

connection with the house of Tudor. One
branch of the Stuart family was established
in Virginia, where they conducted hotels,
and when the Revolutionary war broke out
the great-grandfather, who would not take
up arms against the mother country, re-
turned to England, there enlisted in the
British service and fought against the
United States. His property in Virginia
was confiscated, and when the war ended he
was given a tract of land in Halifax to re-
compense him for what he had lost in the
United States. He wrote of this to his family,
who were prepared to join him in Nova Sco-
tia, but no news was ever received from
him afterward, and it is supposed that he
was lost on the water. Years afterward one
of his granddaughters met a lawyer from
Halifax, who told her that the property in-
cluded in the grant to her grandfather had
become very valuable and was held in the
name of the Stuart heirs, whom it was
thought would some day come and claim
possession.

John M. White, Sr., the father of our
subject, was' a native of Hardy county, West.
Virginia, and when a young man accom-
panied his parents on their removal to Ohio.
When the war of 1812 was in progress he
drove a six horse team to Fort Franklin, a
military post now included within the city
of Columbus, and there his horses were
pressed into service and he decided to
go with them, thus serving in the war of
1812. He married Mrs. Rachel Moorehead,
nee McDowell, and settled on the Moorehead
farm, on the Scioto river, two miles from
Columbus, where he spent his remaining
days. He did not live to an advanced age,
however, but passed away November 17,
1833. By her first marriage his wife had
three children : Sarah, Jane and Lincoln, all

deceased. Unto her marriage to Mr. White,
there were also three children born : Samuel
S., deceased; John M., of this review; and
Marilla, who became the wife of John N.
Cherry and died in Franklin county, Ohio..
Amid the wild scenes of pioneer life in
Ohio John M. White, of this sketch, was
reared. All around lay the uncultivated land,
and the forests stood in their primeval
strength. Frontier conditions existed and
the family had to endure many hardships
and trials incident to pioneer life. Mr.
White was educated after the primitive
manner of the times in a log schoolhouse,
conning his lessons while sitting on a slab
bench. Light was admitted into the room
through greased paper, covering an aperture
made by removing a log, and the building
was heated by a fire-place, capable of con-
taining an immense back log. The methods
of instructions were almost as primitive as
the little "temple of learning," and thus Mr.
White had to depend upon reading, experi-
ence and observation in later life to broad-
en his knowledge and supplement the in-
struction which he gained, in the school
room. The Wyandotte Indians were fre-
quent visitors at the White home, and deer
and other wild game abounded in the forests
and Mr. White has more than once brought
home venison and other wild meat for the
family larder. When his father died he
continued to operate the home farm for his
mother, and after her death the property
was divided, he receiving one hundred and
fourteen acres of the land, on which tract
stood the home buildings. To the work of
farming and stock-dealing. Mr. White de-
voted his energies with success, becoming
the owner of a valuable property. He con-
tinued his residence in Ohio until 1864,
when he came to Illinois, and in the fall of

PAST AND PRESENT

that year settled in Piatt county. Here he
purchased two hundred and eighty acres in
Sangamon township, and subsequently add-
ed to this tract until he had five hundred and
eighty-four acres of valuable land, including
the Major Bowman farm of two hundred
and forty acres, which he continued to cul-
tivate until 1886. In the intervening years
his carefully conducted business affairs had
brought to him a handsome competence, and
with this he retired to private life, establish-
ing his home in Monticello, where he has
since lived in the enjoyment of the fruits of
his former toil.

In 1843 was performed the wedding cer-
emony which united the destinies of Mr.
White and Miss Jane Huffman, who was
born near Columbus, Ohio, a daughter of
Jacob and Rebecca Huffman, but she passed
away in 1845, leaving two children : Ophe-
lia J., now the wife of Thomas Mof-
fitt ; and Frank, a well-known business man
of this county. For his second wife Mr.
White chose Rebecca H. Williams, their
marriage taking place January 25, 1849.
She was a great-granddaughter of Vincent
Isaac Williams, who lived near what is now
Williamsport, West Virginia. He met a
very tragic death. On one occasion while
his family were in the fort at Moorefield,
West Virginia, he and a colored man went
over to his farm to look after his stock. The
Indians were then on the warpath and seven
of them attacked Mr. Williams, who rushed
to his log cabin and succeeded in killing five
of the savages. This so enraged the re-
maining two that they picked out the mor-
tar from the rear of the cabin and while Mr.
Williams' attention was directed in front,
one of them shot and killed him.

The parents of Mrs. White were Isaac
V. and Mary D. (Hendricks) Williams,

both of whom were natives of Virginia, and
the latter was reared to the age of fourteen
years at Harper's Ferry. She was a niece of
General Darke, in whose honor Darke coun-
ty, Ohio, was named. At an early day her
parents removed to Ohio and located on the
Scioto river, fifteen miles south of Colum-
bus and four miles south of Chillicothe. The
lives of the early settlers were constantly
menaced by the treachery of the red men and
Mrs. Williams, afraid to leave her baby in
the cabin, would carry it to the spring when
she went for a pail of water. Hardships
and difficulties of all kinds incident to pio-
neer life were experienced by the family,
and while the men of the household worked
in the fields the wife and mother spun and
wove the material which was used in fash-
ioning the garments of the early settlers.
The nearest market town was Chillicothe,
thirty-five miles distant, and the way led
through the forests, there being no road
save the old Indian trail. At his death the
father left an estate of eleven hundred
acres, of which his widow took charge and
settled. In the family were ni'ne children :
Joseph, who married a lady of New York
city; Isaac, who married and removed to
Illinois in 1883; John and Eliza, who are
now deceased ; James, who died in Indiana ;
Vincent, who cared for his mother until
her death at the age of seventy-seven years ;
Sarah, who married Benjamin Rennock, but
is now deceased; Edwin, who died in child-
hood ; and Rebecca H., wife of our subject,
and the only one now living.

The last named was the youngest mem-
ber of the household. She was born in
Pickaway county, Ohio, about four miles
from Bloomfield, and by her marriage she
has become the mother of five children : Ben-
jamin R. ; Vincent I. ; Sarah W., the wife of

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Horace Caleff; John M., and Mary Darke,
the wife of E. 1. Williams, living in Lafay-
ette. Mrs. White is a valued and exemplary
member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and to her family has ever been a devoted
wife and mother. Like her husband, she is
a representative of old and distinguished
pioneer families, and her ancestral history
is one of close and honorable connection
with the development of Virginia. as well as
Ohio.

For almost forty years Mr. White has
been a resident of Piatt county, and has
therefore witnessed much of its develop-
ment. Much of the land was wild and unim-
proved when he came to this section of the
state, and he has borne his full share in the
work of transforming it into what it is to-
day one of the rich agricultural districts
of this great state, whose fine farms are un-
surpassed throughout the length and breadth
of this fair land. Throughout his entire ca-
reer his life has been honorable and upright,
characterized by fidelity to duty in all rela-
tions and manifesting energy and enterprise
in his business career. His worth is widely
acknowledged, and he has the confidence
and good will of young and old, rich and
poor. He justly deserves the rest which he
is now enjoying, and no history of Piatt
county would be complete without mention
of John M. White.

DUNCAN BROTHERS.

This well known firm of Lintner is com-
posed of S. H., J. M. and A. C. Duncan,
dealers in grain, general merchandise and
farm implements of all kinds. They are the
sons of Israel and Susanna (Henry) Dun-

can, both natives of Pennsylvania, and now
deceased, the mother having died in 1890
and the father in 1900. They were mem-
bers of the Evangelical Lutheran church,
and died in that faith, honored and respect-
ed by all who knew them.

In the family of this worthy couple were
nine children, who in order of birth were as
follows : Warren H., the eldest, died at the
age of thirty years. During the Civil war
he enlisted in the Pennsylvania Heavy Ar-
tillery and was later with the Second Pro-
visional Heavy Artillery. Being wounded
in the battle of the Wilderness in 1864, he
was sent to the Haddington hospital in
Philadelphia, and was subsequently appoint-
ed ward master. S. H. was born in York
county, Pennsylvania, December 2, 1844,
and was reared and educated there. He,
too, entered the service of his country dur-
ing the dark days of the Rebellion and held
the position of wagon master in the quarter-
master's department though he dressed in ci-
vilian's clothes. He :s now a member of the
firm of Duncan Brothers of Lintner, Illinois,
and has charge of the implement business.
He married Mrs. Kate Gates, and has three
sons : Wellington G., B. G. and P. G. Henry,
the next of the family, was also a teamster
in the Civil war and now resides one mile
east of Lintner on his farm. He married
Mattie Connister and has six children.
J. M. was born on the 2Oth of Au-
gust, 1850, in York county, Pennsylvania,
and there spent his boyhood and youth, his
education being received in the local schools.
He owns and operates a farm a mile and a
quarter north of Lintner and also four hun-
dred acres east of Lintner, making five hun-
dred and seventy acres in all. For four years
he served as postmaster of Lintner under
General Harrison. He married Florence

PAST AND PRESENT

Green, 'and has two daughters, Effie and
Dora. Emma is the wife of John Miller, a
resident of Oklahoma. Katherine is the
wife of Andrew Spunseller, of Pennsylva-
nia, and has six children. A. C, the young-
est member of the firm, was born in York
county, Pennsylvania, August 31, 1856, and
after acquiring a good education in the
schools of that state, he commenced teach-
ing at the age of eighteen years and success-
fully followed that profession for twenty-
one years, being principal of the schools at
Milmine, Illinois, for four years and of La
Place for eight years. He now has charge
of the store. His wife, who bore the maiden
name of May Gannon and was graduated at
the Decatur high school, taught in the pri-
mary department at La Place. They have
two children, Kenneth and Cedric. A.
C. Duncan came to Piatt county in 1882 and
since 1897 has served as postmaster of Lint-
ner, being appointed to that position under
President McKinley. Elizabeth is the wife
of Henry Hoffiens, of Abbotstown, Penn-
sylvania. Charles H., the youngest of the
Duncan family, was killed by lightning in
this county, half a mile south of Lintner, at
the age of thirty-seven years. He married
Etta Wilson, and had two children. They
now make their home with her father in
Moultrie county, Illinois.

The business now carried on by Duncan
Brothers was formerly owned by Wilson &
Stone. The latter sold his interest to Mr.
Glazbrook and J. M. Duncan afterward
bought out Mr. Wilson. Later A. C. Duncan
bought out Mr. Glazbrook, and in 1895 the
firm name was changed to Duncan Brothers,
though S. H. did not become connected with
the enterprise until 1901, when he took
charge of the implement department. In
1898 they erected their elevator at Lintner,

which has 'a capacity of twenty thousand
bushels, and they have made this place a
good grain market as they ship a large
amount of grain annually. In the line of gen-
eral merchandise they carry a fine stock and
have built up an excellent trade by fair and
honorable dealing. J. M. Duncan handles
considerable stock, making a speciality of
horses, and is a very successful farmer. All
of the brothers are stanch supporters of the
Republican party and Lutherans in religious
belief. They are wide-awake, energetic busi-
ness men, of known reliability and their suc-
cess is but the logical result of careful and
correct business methods which they have
always followed.

JOSHUA HILL.

Joshua Hill, one of the early settlers and
highly respected citizens of Piatt county,
Illinois, now leading a retired life in the vil-
lage, of Bement, was born in Franklin coun-
ty, Ohio, December 16, 1826, and during
his early boyhood was taken to Piqua coun-
ty, that state, by his parents, Joshua and
Hannah (Cramer) Hill. The father was a
native of Delaware and when a young man
removed to Ohio, where he engaged in farm-
ing. He was by trade, however, a shoemaker,
and for a few years he followed that pur-
suit. In his farming operations he pros-
pered, and at the time of his death he was
the owner of two hundred and forty acres of
valuable land in Piqua county, Ohio, consti-
tuting one of the finest farms of the locality.
Fraternally he was a Mason, and for many
years he was a worthy exemplar of the
craft, but he belonged to no order. Politi-
cally he was a Whig in early life, but he at-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

tended the first Republican convention of
Ohio, held in Columbus, and afterward gave
his support to the principles of the new par-
ty. He died at the age of seventy-eight
years and was survived for about two years
by his wife. She was born in New Jersey
near the town of Hope, and she also passed
also passed away at the age of seventy-eight
years. A member of the Methodist church,
she was an earnest church worker, a devout
Christian woman and a devoted wife and
kind, loving mother. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Hill were born ten children, of whom six
reached years of maturity, while the others
died in infancy. At this time Joshua Hill
has two sisters and one brother living.

The "temple of learning" in which
Joshua Hill obtained his education was built
of logs, after the primitive manner of N the
times. He worked upon the home farm in
his youth, and afterward spent some time
as a clerk in different stores. About the year
1850 he came to Illinois, locating in Piatt
county, and for four years he carried on
farming here in the summer and taught
schools for three terms in the winter. On
the expiration of that period he returned to
Ohio, and when he again came to Piatt
county he established his home near Lodge
station, where he has resided since 1861,
covering a period of forty-tw r o consecutive
years. He removed to Bement on 27th of
December, 1862, and established the first
regular dray line and conducted the business
during his active life, and it is still carried
on by his sons. About 1893 he retired from
further business cares and is now enjoying
the fruits of his former toil.

On the 2d of September, 1857, Mr. Hill
was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Peo-
ples, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of
Alexander and Rachel (McClish) Peoples.

Mr. and Mrs. Hill have become the parents
of eight children: William H., a resident of
Decatur, Illinois, married Etta Curfman,
and they have two children. Sarah E. is the
wife of John W. Powell, of Piqua county,
Ohio, a conductor with headquarters in Co-
lumbus, and they have four living children.
Charles, who is engaged in the dray business
in Bement, married Jennie Fisher and has
four children. Edward, in Newcastle, Indi-
ana, wedded Saddie Swigart. Lewis is en-
gaged in the dray business in Bement.
Franklin, who resides on the property ad-
joining his father's home, and is working
for the Wabash Railroad Company, married
Willie Dawson, and they have six children.
The other two children of the family died
in infancy.

To the great political questions which
divide the country into parties Mr. Hill has
given considerable thought, and his views
on these have occasioned him to ally his
force with the Republican party. He was
assessor of his township for fourteen years,
out otherwise he has never been an office-
seeker, preferring to give his time and atten-
tion to his business affairs, rather than to
political cares. For at least half a century
he has been identified with the Masonic fra-
ternity, and he has long been a faithful mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, in
which he served for a number of years as a
trustee. His life interest has centered along
those lines through which flow the greatest
good to the greatest number, and he has ev-
er favored reform, progress and improve-
ment. \Vhen he came to this county, nearly
all the land was wild prairie, and he has been
a witness of nearly all the changes made as
the county has emerged from pioneer condi-
tions to take its place with the leading coun-
ties of the commonwealth. During his early

PAST AND PRESENT

residence here he taught for a number of
years in the district school and was a very
successful educator. He and his wife now
have a pleasant home in the village of Be-
ment, where they are spending their days in
the midst of children, grandchildren and
friends, who entertain for them the warmest
regard.

JOHN KIRBY.

To say of him whose name heads this
sketch that he has risen unaided from com-
parative obscurity to rank among the most
successful business men of central Illinois
is a statement that seems trite to those fa-
miliar with his life, yet it is but just to say
in a history that will descend to future gen-
erations that his business record has been one
that any man would be proud to possess.
Beginning at the very bottom round of the
ladder he has advanced steadily step by step
until he is now occupying a position of prom-
inence and trust reached by very few men.
Through his entire business career he has
been looked upon as a model of integrity and
honor, never making an engagement that
he has not fufilled, and standing to-day an
example of what determination and force,
combined with the highest degree of business
integrity can accomplish for a man of nat-
ural ability and strength of character. He is
respected by the community at large and
honored by his business associates. Through
many years Mr. Kirby was actively and ex-
tensively identified with agricultural and
stock-raising interests, and is now making
his home in the city of Monticello, where he
is engaged in the abstract business as the
senior member of the firm of John Kirby &
Company.

Mr. Kirby is among the sons of the Em-
erald Isle who have come to the New World
to enjoy its broader business opportunities
and greater advantages. He was torn in
County Limerick, Ireland, on the 8th of
December, 1842. His father, Morris Kirby,
whose birth occurred in the same locality
and who spent his entire life there, followed
the occupation of farming. In 1850, how-
ever, he resolved to seek a home and fortune
in America and crossed the Atlantic, taking
up his abode amid the green woods near Ur-
bana, Ohio. At a later date he removed
to Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, and his
remaining days were passed in the Buckeye
state, his death occurring in 1878. In early
manhood he wedded Elizabeth Tuley, who
died in Ireland. Both were consistent and
faithful members of the Catholic church.

John Kirby, whose name initiates this
review, is the eldest of the four children
who were born unto his parents and was
but eight years of age when he came with
liis father to the United States. His educa-
tional privileges were those of .the public
schools of Ohio, where he remained as a
student until thirteen years of age, when
he came to Illinois. Mr. Kirby has since
been dependent entirely upon his own re-
sources, and the splendid success he has
achieved is the direct reward of his own la-
bors. He first located in Decatur. Macon
county, and as it was necessary for him to
seek immediate employment he began work
as a farm hand, being employed in that
way until after the inauguration of the Civil
war, receiving ten dollars per month in com-
pensation for his services.

Although torn across the waters, his
love for the stars and stripes was deep and
sincere, and in the early part of the long
struggle for the preservation of the Union

JOHN KIRBY

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

lie offered his services in its defense, a>-
though but a youth of seventeen years. It
was in July, 1861, that he donned the blue
uniform and became a member of the Sec-
mid Illinois Cavalry. He was appointed
one of the carriers on the Mississippi river
between Cairo and Belmont, where a battle
was fought. He was next dispatched to
Bolivar, Tenn., and participated in the
engagement at that place, where he had a
horse killed and where the colonel of the
regirrient and six members of his company
were killed. Later Mr. Kirby was under
fire at the battle of Columbus, Kentucky,
and he was also in many skirmishes with
the rebels, while guarding supplies at Holly
Springs, Mississippi, the most severe en-
gagement in which he participated occurred
at that place, the loss of life being very
heavy. His regiment led the advance
from Milliken's Bend which terminated
in the surrender of Yicksburg and also
followed Johnston to Jackson. Missis-
sippi. A duty which then devolved upon
the Second Illinois Cavalry was the
destruction of a railroad as far as
Brook Haven, and later the regiment was
sent to west Louisiana. In the month of
February, 1864, the regiment veteranized,
and with others of the command Mr. Kirby
was granted a thirty days' furlough, which
he spent in the north. When the regiment
again returned for duty the soldiers were
sent to Florida, Alabama and Georgia, suc-
cessively, thence returning to Vicksburg.
They afterward went on the Red River expe-
dition and marched from Shreveport to the
Rio Grande in Texas. Thus almost from the
time of the beginning of hostilities until
after the cessation of all actual warfare, Mr.
Kirby was with the army, being mustered
out in December, 1865, and honorably dis-

charged at Camp Butler, on the 3d of Jan-
uary, 1866. He had command of his com-
pany as second lieutenant for the last year
of his service. His service covered four
and a half long years, during which time
he experienced all the hardships and rigors
of war. Although but a boy when he en-
tered the army, he was as true and loyal to
the government as many a veteran of twice
his years, and his meritorious conduct on
the field of battle won him promotion to the
rank of second lieutenant.

His military service ended, Mr. Kirby
then returned to Illinois, and for many years
was engaged in farming and stock-raising.
In 1869 he made purchase of a tract of land
and also invested in some young stock. His
success in these enterprises was rapid and
consecutive, and as his financial resources
increased he extended the boundaries of his
farm by additional purchases, and also
bought stock until he became one of the most
extensive stock-dealers and landowners in
this portion of the state. He now operates
two thousand acres of valuable farming
land. He studies closely the best methods
of producing crops and keeps fully abreast
with the times in all improvements connect-
ed with agricultural work. Upon his place
he also made many improvements, including
the erection of a beautiful home in 1875.
In 1870 he entered into partnership rela-
tions with Abraham Piatt for the shipment
of cattle and the handling of stock which
they purchased over a large section of the
country and sent to the Chicago and eastern
markets. Each month many carloads of cat-
tle were sent by them to New York city.'
They sold dressed hogs in the board of
trade and made large sums of money by the
operation. The partnership with Mr. Piatt
continued until 18.75, after which Mr. Kir-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

by engaged alone in stock business with
splendid success. In 1897, however, he put
aside agricultural and kindred industries and
removed to Monticello, where he is now
making his .home, and where he is engaged
in the abstract business as the member of
the firm of John Kirby & Company. Their
office contains all of the abstract books ever
compiled of Piatt county lands, beginning
more than forty years ago.

On the 2 ist of January, 1873, was cele-
brated the marriage of John Kirby and Miss
Mary E. Marquiss, a representative of one
of the old pioneer families of the county, her
father being Ezra Marquiss, who settled
here in 1833. Mrs. Kirby was born in this
county, and by her marriage became the
mother of two children, but one died in in-
fancy, the surviving child being Nellie May.
Few residents of Piatt county are more
widely known than Mr. and Mrs. Kirby, and
none are held in higher regard. Their
home is celebrated for its gracious hospital-
ity and its good cheer is enjoyed by their
many friends.

Mr. Kirby votes with the Republican
party, having long been one of its stalwart
and active supporters in central Illinois. He
has served as a delegate to its county, dis-
trict, state and national conventions, and
his opinions have carried weight with those
who have been called upon to decide ques-
tions relating to political work and to the
progress of the party. In 1868 Mr. Kirby
was elected to the office of sheriff and was
most prompt and faithful in the discharge
of his duties. For seven terms he repre-
sented Goose Creek township on the board
of county supervisors, and in that capacity
did everything in his power to promote the
improvement of this section of the country.
His social relations connect him with the

Grand Army of the Republic and with the
Masonic fraternity, his identification with
the latter dating from 1867. That Mr. Kir-
by possesses excellent business ability and
executive force- is indicated by the marked
success which has crowned his efforts. In
an analyzation of his character we find many
elements worthy of commendation. He has
always been energetic in business, enterpris-
ing in his work and above all honorable and
straightforward in his dealings, never tak-
ing advantage of the necessities of his fel-
low men in any business transaction. His
success has been marked and should serve
as a source of inspiration and encourage-
ment to others, for Mr. Kirby had to begin
life empty-handed. He is to-day one of the
honored and respected residents of Piatt
county, and the most envious cannot grudge
him his success so worthily has it been won
and so honorably used.

SAMUEL R. REED.

The profession of the law when clothed
with its true dignity, purity and strength,
must rank first among the callings of man,
for law rules the universe. The work of
the legal profession is to formulate, to har-
monize, to regulate, to adjust, to adminis-
ter those rules and principles that underlie
and permeate all government and society
and control the varied relations of men. As
thus viewed there is attached to the legal
profession nobleness that cannot but be re-
flected in the life of the true lawyer, who,
rising to the responsibilities of the profes-
sion, and honest in the pursuit of his pur-
pose, embraces the richness of learning, the
firmness of integrity and the purity of mor-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

a!s, together with the graces and modesty
and the general amenities of life. Of such a
type is Samuel R. Reed a representative and
by many he is accorded the leading place
at the bar of Piatt county. He is the sen-
ior member of the law firm of Reed, Edie &
Reed, of Monticello, where for more than
thirty-six years he has practiced. Mr. Reed
is a native of Ohio, his birth having oc-
curred in Beallsville, Monroe county, on the
i6th of June, 1842. His paternal grandfa-
ther was William Reed, who was of Scotch-
Irish descent. Our subject's father, the Rev.
Samuel Reed, was born at Chambersburg,
Pennsylvania, in 1795, and became a preach-
er cf the Presbyterian church, devoting the
best years of his life to the ministry. A
man of scholarly attainments and broad
learning, fluent in speech and logical in ar-
gument, his power in the pulpit was largely
felt and his influence for good is yet mani-
fest in the lives of those who knew him.
lie wedded Miss Margaret R. Thompson, a
native of Washington county, Pennsylvania,
and a daughter of William Thompson. The
father of our subject died in Monroe coun-
ty, Ohio, in 1872, and his wife passed away,
in 1878.

Samuel R. Reed spent his early boyhood
days in the county of his nativity and there
began his education as a student in the dis-
trict school near his home. Later he at-
tended a select school in which he prepared
for teaching. The year 1860 witnessed his
arrival in Piatt county, Illinois, and for sev-
eral years he was connected with the intel-
lectual interests of this locality as a success-
ful teacher. He regarded this, however,
merely as a preparation for other profession-
al labor and began reading law under the
direction of the firm of Coler & Smith, of
Champaign, Illinois. In April, 1866, he was

admitted to the bar before the supreme
court, which at that time met at Ottawa, Il-
linois. Well equipped for his chosen profes-
sion by broad and comprehensive reading,
Mr. Reed then opened a law office in Pax-
ton, Illinois, where he practiced for a short
time, but soon afterward he came to Monti-
cello, where he has since resided. Here he
entered into partnership with Judge Mc-
Comas, and later entered into partnership
with George Clouser, with whom he was as-
sociated for twelve months. His next part-
ner was E. A. Baringer, now of New Or-
leans, and when that partnership was dis-
solved by mutual consent, Mr. Reed entered
into business relations with Judge M. R.
Davidson. In 1895 he became associated in
business with A. C. Edie, under the firm
style of Reed & Edie, and later the firm
name was changed, its present form being
adopted at the admission of his son, Carl S.,
to an interest in the business.

Samuel R. Reed is recognized as a lead-
ing member of the Piatt county bar, and
has been connected with much important
litigation, being retained as counsel or
defendant in almost every case of import-
ance that has been tried in the courts of Pi-
att county through a third of a century. He
is very thorough and careful in the prepara-
tion of his cases, and martials his evidence
with military precision. He is logical in his
arguments, forceful in the presentation of
a cause, and never fails to make a strong im-
pression upon court and jury, and has been
fairly successful in gaining the verdict de-
sired.

In 1862 Mr. Reed was united in mar-
riage to Miss Jennie Clouser, a native of
Fayette county, Ohio, and a daughter of
George and Hannah (Coyner) Clouser. This
marriage has been blessed with five children :

PAST AND PRESENT

George M., who is now living in Grange-
ville, Idaho; Erasmus E., of Omaha, NY-
braska; Maggie L., who is the wife of R. C.
Peters,, of Omaha; Carl S., who is associat-
ed with his father in the practice of law in
Monticello; and Agnes B., the wife of R. D.
Winship, of Chicago.

Mr. Reed has made judicious invest-
ments in farming land, having lands in Iowa
and Nebraska, which he rents. Socially he
is connected with Fraternal Lodge, No. 58,
F. & A. M., with Markwell Chapter, No. 48,
R. A. M. He is a worthy exemplar of the
Masonic fraternity, taking a deep an active
interest in its growth and the extention of
its influence. In politics he is a pronounced
Democrat, and for three years he was states
attorney, while for four years he was mas-
ter in chancery. He has, however, devoted
his attention chiefly to his chosen profes-
sion. His nature is kindly, his temperament
jovial and genial, and his manner courteous.
He is a most companionable gentleman.

FREDERICK ADOLPH ODERN-
HEIMER.

The German element in our American
citizenship has been of the utmost import-
ance. The sons of the fatherland have come
to the new world, bringing with them the
knowledge of business methods in the old
country. They have readily adapted them-
selves to the conditions found in America,
and improving opportunities have worked
their \vay upward to positions of prominence
here, but not only have they attained indi-
vidual success, but have also labored for the
welfare of the various communities in which
thev have made their home. Frederick A.

Odernheimer is a worthy representative of
the fatherland, and has become a leading
farmer of Piatt count}', his home being
on section 12, Monticello township. He
was born in Wiesbaden. Germany, on the
3 ist of March, 1857, a son of Frederick and
Marian (Rudder) Odernheimer. 'Far back
can the ancestry of the family be traced.
There is an account of the lineage on the
paternal side back to 1200, while on the ma-
ternal line the subject of this review is de-
scended from Sir Miles Patrick, who flour-
ished in 1099. The father of our subject
was born at Wiesbaden in 1808, and spent
his entire life in that place, his death occurr-
ing on the 1 2th of December, 1885, when he
was seventy-eight years of age. His wife,
who was bora at Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia, passed away in 1863.

Mr. Odernheimer, whose name intro-
duces this review, obtained his early educa-
tion in the common schools of his native
place, where he pursued his studies until
nine years of age. He then entered what is
known as a gymnasium, where he pursued
a course equivalent to -a high school course
in America. At the age of sixteen years he
put aside his text-books and entered the na-
w as a cadet, being thus engaged with the
military service of the country for five years.
Successfully passing an examination which
made him a lieutenant, he served in that ca-
pacity for a short time or until he was
obliged to leave the navy on account of fail-
ing eyesight. . He then determined to try his
fortune in the new world, and in February,
1881, he sailed for the United States, locat-
ing first near Austin, Texas, where he acted
as deputy sheriff of the county and also as
deputy United States marshal for five years.
In 1886 he arrived in Illinois, going first to
Mansfield, ^ind in that locality he purchased

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

a farm which he continued to operate until
1890. On selling his property he purchased
eighty acres of land five miles east of Mon-
ticello, to which he removed. He has since
made excellent improvements upon the
property, placing three hundred rods of til-
ing upon the land, building new fences, a
commodious and substantial barn and other
outbuildings. He has also planted an orch-
ard which is now returning a good yield. He
feeds annually quite a number of hogs for
the market, and he also keeps on hand a
number of milch cows. He makes a speciaity
of the production of corn, oats and clover
and he also has rich pasture lands. This
farm was purchased in 1890 for forty-sev-
en dollars, but because of the many improve-
ments he has placed upon it and because of
the rise in land values it is to-day worth at
a low figure one hundred and twenty-five
dollars per acre. Mr. Odernheimer is a
progressive agriculturist and the methods
which he follows in carrying on his work
have brought to him excellent success in his
undertakings.

In Austin, Texas, in 1884, Mr. Odern-
heimer was united in marriage to Miss
Sarah Buchanan, of Mansfield, Illinois, who
died at Champaign, this state, in the year
1886, leaving a daughter, Virginia Frances,
who is now at home. She has completed the
common-school course and expects in the
year 1903 to become a student in the Illinois
University. On the loth of August, 1887,
in Monticello, Illinois, Mr. Odernheimer
was again married, his second union being
with Charlotte Jane Baird, a daughter of
William and Marie Baird, of Circleville,
Ohio. Three children were born of this
union, but all died in infancy.

In his political views Mr. Odernheimer
is a stalwart Republican, and takes a very

active and influential part in the work of the
party. He has served as a committeeman
of Monticello township for six years, being
chairman for three years, and for three
years he has also been a member of the
county central committee, acting as its chair-
man for two years. He is likewise a mem-
ber of the executive committee of the Illinois
Republican State League Club, and is chair-
man of the Monticello League Club. He
keeps well informed on the questions and
issues of the day, thus being able to give an-
intelligent support to the party and his la-
bors in its behalf have been effective and far-
reaching. He is now acting as government
crop reporter for Monticello township and
is secretary for the Piatt County Farmers'
Institute. Fraternally, Mr. Odernheimer is
connected with the Modern Woodmen of
America and is now venerable consul of
Monticello Camp, No. 346. He also belongs
to Fraternity Lodge, No. 58, F. & A. M.,
of Monticello and Markwell Chapter, No.
48, R. A. M., while his wife is connected
with the Order of the Eastern Star. He and
his wife and his daughter are all members
of the First Methodist Episcopal church and
are people of the highest respectability, hav-
ing the warm regard of many friends. The
hope that led Mr. Odernheimer to seek a
home in America has been more than real-
zed, for here he has gained an excellent
competence and has won the friendship and
regard of a large majority of those with
whom he has been brought in contact. His
business affairs have been so capably man-
aged that they have returned to him a splen-
did income, and his methods have ever been
above question. Keen and clear-headed, al-
ways' busy; always careful and conservative
in financial matters, moving slowly and
surely in every transaction, he has kept in

PAST AND PRESENT

the steady progress which invariably reaches
an objective point. The story of his
advancement should inspire all young men
who read the history of his life with a truer
esteem of the value and sure rewards of
character.

JOHN LARSON.

No foreign element has become a more
important part of our American citizenship
than that furnished by Sweden. The emi-
grants from that land have brought with
them to the new world the stability, enter-
prise and perseverance characteristic of their
people and have fused these qualities with
the progressiveness and indomitable spirit
of the west. Mr. Larson is a worthy repre-
sentative of this class. He came to Ameri-
ca a poor boy, hoping to benefit his financial
condition, and his dreams of the future have
been more than realized, for he is to-day one
of the prosperous farmers of Piatt county.

Mr. Larson was born in Sweden on the
26th of February, 1868, a son of Bonde and
Bessie Larson, who are still living in that
country, where the father is engaged in
farming. He visited his sons in America
during the summer of 1902. In the family
are nine children, four sons and five daugh-
ters, six of whom are now living in this
country, namely : N. B. Larson, who lives
on the Thompson farm in Unity township,
Piatt county ; S. B. Larson, who lives on his
uncle Nels Larson's place on section 7,
Unity township, just .one mile east of our
subject : John Larson, of this review ; Han-
nah Hanson, a resident of Macon cdunty,
Illinois ; Segrie Pierson, who makes her
home in the same county ; and Emma Pier-

son, of Argenta, Macon county. Those liv-
ing in Sweden are Annie, Larson and
Sophie.

John Larson was reared and educated in
his native land and there learned the trade of
carriage making, but has never followed
that occupation since coming to America. It
was in April, 1886, that he sailed for the
new world and landed in Boston, Massachu-
setts, whence he made his way westward to
Bement, Illinois. On his arrival here he
was unable to speak a word of English, but
mastered the language in one summer. He
commenced work in tiling, which he fol-
lowed for one year, and the next year con-
tinued to engage in the same occupation in
connection -with farm work. Having saved
enough money to purchase a team in 1887,
he rented a farm in Unity township in con-
nection with his brothers. N. B. and S. B.
Larson, and the following year took entire
charge of a tract of one hundred and sixty
acres, which he operated successfully for
four years. A part of the time he also had
charge of his brother's farm of two hundred
and forty acres. At present he rents a half-
section of land in Moultrie county, which
he operates together with his own farm of
one hundred and sixty acres on section 7.
Unity township, Piatt county, which was
part of the McCabe estate. He paid twenty
thousand three hundred and ninety dollars for
this place, and has erected thereon a substan-
tial residence and made other improvements
to the amount of three thousand dollars. He
has tenants upon his land, but gives his per-
sonal supervision to the work, which is car-
ried on in the most systematic and practical
manner. Mr. Larson is also interested in
stock-raising, making a specialty of short-
horn cattle and thoroughbred Norman
horses, and he owns two registered mares

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

sired by Dewey and an interest in some fine
stallions in this county.

In Moultrie county, Illinois, October 3,
1894, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to
Miss Selma Nelson, also a native of Sweden
and a daughter of Nels and Bessie Nelson.
She came to the United States in 1889, and
by her marriage has become the mother of
two children: Luella, born June 8, 1896, and
Elmer, born April i, 1899. Mr. and Mrs.
Larson are members of the Swedish Luth-
eran church, and he is a Republican in poli-
tics. He has become thoroughly identified
with the interests of his adopted country,
and is well known as an enterprising and re-
liable business man, one who keeps abreast
with the times. All who know him hold him
in high esteem.

GILBERT A. BURGESS.

The name of Gilbert A. Burgess is close-
ly associated with educational interests of
tion has been carried on in this connec-
tiontion has been carried on in the school-
room and through the press. He is now the
editor of the Piatt County Republican, pub-
lished in Monticello.

Mr. Burgess was born in Sigourney, Ke-
okuk county, Iowa, February 12, 1848, and
is a son of D. G. Burgess, whose birth oc-
curred in New York. When quite young the
father accompanied his parents on their re-
moval from the Empire state to Illinois, the
family home being established near Ellisville,
Fulton county. The grandfather was one
of the pioneer settlers of the community,
coming to Illinois when much of the state
was still unsettled and unimproved. It was
amid the wild scenes of frontier life in Ful-

ton county that D. G. Burgess was reared
and with the family he shared in the hard-
ships and trials that fall to the lot of pio-
neers. In 1844 he became a resident of
Iowa, which was still under territorial gov-
ernment. He learned the carpenter's trade
in Iowa City, where he spent two years, and
in 1846 he went to Sigourney, Iowa, being
connected with the building interests at that
place until his death, which occurred in
1855, at the age of thirty-three years. He
had married Louisa Smith, who was born
in Fulton county, Illinois, and she, too, died
at a comparatively early age, passing away
when her son Gilbert was only two years
old. She was a daughter of Hezekiah and
Lydia Smith, who were born in Indiana and
became early settlers of Fulton county,
whence they removed to Keokuk county,
Iowa, in 1843. Mr.Smith was a millwright,
carpenter and builder and these pursuits oc-
cupied his time and energies until his death.
At the early age of seven years Gilbert
Burgess was left an orphan, and in the
spring of 1856 went to live with his pater-
nal grandmother in Henry, Marshall county,
Illinois. He resided with her until 1861,
when he removed to Warren county, Illi-
nois, there making his home with his uncle,
Henry B. Burgess, through the succeeding
years, coming with him in the year 1866 to
Piatt county. His early education was ob-
tained in the public schools and two years
in Lombard University at Galesburg, while
in Eastman's Business College of Chicago he
had mastered the branches of a commercial
course in the winter of 1865-6. In the fall
of 1866 he began teaching in Kankakee coun-
ty, Illinois, and the following summer he
spent in Iowa, but inthe fall of 1867 he re-
turned to Illinois and taught at Mackville.
For ten years he followed his chosen profes-

7 6

PAST AND PRESENT

sion during the winter seasons and in the
summer months engaged in farming. He
entered the state normal school at Normal,
in the spring of 1876, therein pursuing a
course of advanced study until 1878, when
he graduated. For one year, 1878-9, he was
assistant in the high schools of Monticello
and then hecame superintendent of the
schools of this city, serving in that capacity
for two years. When a vacancy occurred
in the position of county superintendent of
schools in July, 1881, he was chosen to fill
out the unexpired term and subsequently re-
appointed to the same office for a year. At
the regular election, 1882, he was chosen for
a term of four years, and thus served as
county superintendent for more than five
years altogether, during which time the
schools made rapid advance.

Since leaving the position of county su-
perintendent of schools in Piatt county Mr.
Burgess has been connected with journalis-
tic work. Removing to Decatur in the spring
of 1887 he engaged in the publication of a
school journal in which he owned an inter-
est. He then purchased the entire interest
in the business, and returning to Monticello,
issued the first edition of the Piatt Independ-
ent in December, 1887. In 1.889 ne erected
the substantial building in which he is now
located, and in 1892 bought the Piatt Coun-
ty Herald. Since then the union of the two
papers has been known as the Piatt County
Republican. This was sold to a joint stock
company in 1896, and Mr. Burgess has
since been its editor and manager.

On the i8th of June, 1874, he was joined
in wedlock to Miss Jane Conaway, a native
of McLean county, Illinois, and a daughter
of James and Melissa Cayton Conaway.
Three sons have been born unto Mr. and
Mrs. Burgess : Lou. Fred and Ralph, all of

whom are of age. Mr. Burgess is a mem-
ber 'of Fraternal Lodge, No. 58, A. F. & A.
M. ; Markwell Chapter, No. 48, R. A. M.,
Monticello Counsel, No. 27, R. & S. M.,
and Monticello Chapter No. 159, and in
these various departments of Masonry he
has held office. He is also a member of Ur-
bana Commandery No. 16, Knights Tem-
plar.

HON. J. N. RODMAN.

An enumeration of the prominent and
honored men of Piatt county would be in-
complete without mention of Hon. J. N.
Rodman, who at the time of this writing, in
1903, is serving as representative to the gen-
eral assembly of Illinois from the twenty-
fourth district, comprising Champaign,
Moultrie and Piatt counties. He now resides
in DeLand, but for many years has been ac-

J J

lively associated with farming interests
within the county. His activities have
touched along other lines of business, and
his keen discrimination, wise counsel and
unfaltering diligence have been important
factors in the successful control of many
public and private concerns.

Mr. Rodman is a native of Ohio, his
birth having occurred in Muskingum coun-
ty in 1848. In his childhood days he was
brought to Illinois by his parents, Scammon
and Eliza (Woolf) Rodman, who located in
McLean county. The father was a native of
Pennsylvania and the mother of Virginia.
On emigrating westward they took up their
abode upon a farm in Oldtown township,
McLean county, where they spent their re-
maining days, the father devoting his ener-
gies untiringly to agricultural interests. He
died at the age of eighty-six years, while his

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

wife passed away at the age of sixty-four
years. In their family were ten children, of
whom the suhject of this review was the
eighth. He has one brother who resides in
DeLand.

J. N. Rodman was reared in McLean
county, Illinois, and began his education in
one of the old-time log schoolhouses, which
were common throughout this state in pio-
neer days. Later he spent two years as a
student in the Wesleyan University, pursu-
ing a general course and through the years
of an active manhood his knowledge has
been constantly broadened by reading, expe-
rience and observation. He first worked up-
on the old home place known as the Cusey
farm. He continued to assist his father in
the operation of his land until the time of
his marriage, which occurred on the I3th of
October, 1878, the lady of his choice being
Miss Clara E. Colvin, of Zanesville, Ohio, a
daughter of James Colvin who always made
his home in the Buckeye state, and who
was a prominent and influential citizen, there
serving for years as county commissioner.
He had a family of six children, including
Mrs. Rodman.

Prior to his marriage Mr. Rodman pur-
chased and shipped stock, making his head-
quarters at Holder, Illinois, for several
years. After his marriage he began farm-
ing in 1879, settling in Goose Creek town-
ship, Piatt county, since which time he has
been identified with its agricultural interests.
In 1 88 1 he removed to the I. W. Scott place
of five hundred acres, and this he has con-
tinued to operate and improve. He has
been buying and selling land throughout the
years of his residence in McLean and Piatt
counties, and in addition to his property in
Illinois, he also owns land in the cotton belt
of Mississippi. A man of marked business

ability he is quick to note opportunity and
to utilize it. He was one of the founders of
the State Bank of DeLand, of which he is
now the vice president, and his enterprise
arid counsel have been valued factors in the
successful control of this institution. For
some time Mr. Rodman was also proprietor
of a grain elevator in DeLand, but has now
disposed of the property. While still on the
farm he engaged in the raising of cattle,
hogs and horses, and he brought up Lady
Rodman, training her to a record of 2 :i5/4-
When Mr. and Mrs. Rodman were liv-
ing upon the home farm their place was not-
ed for its open-handed hospitality, and their
door was never closed to their many friends
and they now occupy a very attractive and
beautiful residence in DeLand, fitted up with
every modern convenience, including both
hot and cold water, bath rooms, a hot air
ph.nt for heating and a lighting plant. This
home is the center of a cultured society circle
and its good cheer is greatly enjoyed by
those who visit them. Mrs. Rodman is a
valued member of the Methodist Episcopal
church and is a most estimable lady. In
his social relations Mr. Rodman is a Mason,
belonging to DeLand Lodge, No. 812, F. &
A. M. He also belongs to the Twentieth Cen-
tury Lodge, No. 603, K. P., and has twice
been its representative to the grand lodge,
and was its first chancellor commander. In
politics he has always been a stalwart Repub-
lican and has kept well informed on the is-
sues and questions of the day, but steadily
refused to accept office until 1902, when he
was prevailed upon to become a candidate
for the general assembly. He made a suc-
cessful race and was elected, so that he is
now a member of the house of representa-
tives. He served as chairman of the commit-
tee on roads and bridges, and has been a

PAST AND PRESENT

member of the committees on agriculture,
appraising, farm drainage, federal buildings,
live stock and dairying and warehouses. He
was likewise made a member of the commit-
tee whose purpose it was to visit, inspect and
report upon penal and reformatory institu-
tions. A man of keen perception and un-
bounded enterprise, his success in life is due
entirely to his own well directed efforts, and
he deserves prominent mention among the
leading and representative business men of
his town and county. Over his life record
there falls no shadow of 'wrong ; his public
service has been most exemplary, and his
private life has been marked by fidelity to
duty.

ELI F. WOLFE.

Eli F. Wolfe, deceased, who for many
years was one of the most honored and high-
ly esteemed citizens of Cerro Gordo town-
ship, was born on the 8th of January, 1849,
in Clinton county, Indiana, his parents be-
ing Eli and Barbara (Mussellman) Wolfe,
both natives of Ohio. He was one of a
family of seven children, two of his broth-
ers being now residents of Kansas, while one
sister lives in California and another makes
her home in Dakota.

About 1865 Mr. Wolfe came to Piatt
county, Illinois, and took up farming, which
he followed successfully until failing health
caused his retirement. For about a year
prior to his death he was confined to his
bed most of the time, and he passed away
on the nth of March, 1902, at the age of
fifty-three years, one month and twenty-
four days. Four of his children had previ-
ously died.

Mr. Wolfe was married March 7, 1869,

to Miss Catharine Wolfe, who was born
near Lafayette, Indiana, in 1849, and in
1861 came to Piatt county, Illinois, with
her parents, Jacob and Hannah (Shively)
Wolfe. They were natives of Ohio, born
near Dayton. Her father purchased a half
section of wild land one mile east of La
Place, but did not live long to enjoy his
new home, departing this life in January,
1870. His wife survived him some years
and died in 1887. Their children were:
Solomon, deceased; Catharine, widow of
our subject; Lizzie, who died in infancy;
Eli, who first married Fanny Friesner and
second Mary Metzger, and is the owner of
a farm of two hundred and forty acres on
section 34, Cerro Gordo township, which
came to him by inheritance ; David, who died
with consumption when about twenty-five
years of age; John, who died at the age of
eighteen years; George, who married Ella
Friesner and lives south of Mrs. 'Catharine
Wolfe.

Unto our subject and his wife were born
seven children, but only three are now liv-
ing, namely : Hannah is the wife of Cyrus
Metzger, a resident of Cerro Gordo town-
ship, and has two children, Clarence and
Goldie. Frank married Dolly Baney, of
Cerro Gordo township and lives on the
home farm, one mile east of La Place.
Laura is with her mother.

Since her husband's death Mrs. Wolfe
has made her home in LaPlace, where she
has erected a very comfortable residence,
surrounded by beautiful shade trees. She
still owns the fine farm of one hundred and
sixty acres willed her by her husband and
now rented to her son Frank. The place is
improved with good and substantial build-
ings, and the land is well tilled and under a
high state of cultivation. Mrs. Wolfe has

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

witnessed the greater part of the growth
and development of this section of the state.
When the family settled in Cerro Gordo
township much of the land was covered with
sloughs and ponds and was thought unfit
for cultivation, but it has since been tiled
and drained and converted into the best
farming property of the state.

Mr. Wolfe led a very quiet, peaceful and
industrious life and was a model husband
and loving father. He was an active and
prominent member of the German Baptist
or Brethren church, to which his wife and
children also belong, and was a trustee of
the same. His funeral was conducted by
Elder M. J. McClure, of that church, and
his death was widely and deeply mourned,
for he had many friends among all classes
of people who appreciated his sterling worth
and many excellencies of character. For
many years he held the office of school di-
rector and never withheld his support from
any object which he believed would advance
the interests of his fellow men or promote
'the general welfare.

ALBERT C. EDIE.

Endowed by nature with strong mental-
ity and a keen, logical power of resolving
intricate problems into their component
parts and thus gaining knowledge of the
points at law which bear upon them, Albert
C. Edie Iras won success and prominence at
the bar of Piatt county, where he has prac-
ticed for almost eight years as a member of
the firm of Reed & Edie. At the present
time the firm style is Reed, Edie & Reed, the
son of the senior member having recently
been admitted.

Mr. Edie is one of Piatt county's native
sons; his birth having occurred upon the
home farm in Cerro Gordo township, on the
28th of August, 1868, his parents being Wil-
liam H. and Amelia J. (Funk) Edie. The
father was born in Hancock county, Ohio,
in 1844, and the mother's birth occurred in
Washington county, Indiana, in 1843, her
father being Abraham Funk, one of the pio-
neer settlers of that locality. William H.
Edie served his country as a Union soldier
in the Civil war, rendering valiant service
on the battlefields of the south, and after
receiving an honorable discharge he re-
turned to his old home in Ohio. Later he
came to Piatt county, Illinois, and located
on a farm in Cerro Gordo township, where
he resided for a number of years, devoting
his time and attention to the development
and further improvement of his farm. Aft-
er some years had passed, during which time
he acquired a comfortable competence, he
came to Monticello, where both he and his
wife are now living. He has retired from
business cares, and both Mr. and Mrs. Edie
are numbered among the highly respected
citizens of the community.

In the usual manner of farmer lads, Al-
bert C. Edie was reared and in Cerro Gordo
township he began his education, attending
the district schools, while later he entered the
Cerro Gordo school, in which he was grad-
uated with the class of 1887. Desirous to
make the practice of law his life work, he
then began preparing for the bar in the of-
fice and under the direction of W. G. Cloyd,
of Bement, who was his preceptor for a
year. He then went to Decatur and spent
one year in the office of Judge W. C. Johns,
and in 1892 he was admitted to the
bar before the supreme court at Springfield.
After his admission he took charge of the

PAST AND PRESENT

Building and Loan Association, at Cerro
Gordo, remaining there for two years, and
on the expiration of that period he came to
Monticello, where he has since made his
home. In 1894 he entered into partnership
with S. R. Reed, a distinguished member of
the Piatt county bar, with whom he has since
been associated in practice, and the law firm
ranks first among the lawyers of the coun-
ty. Their clientage is extensive, embracing
connection with the most important litiga-
tion which comes before the courts of the
district. As a lawyer, Mr. Edie has the suc-
cess which might naturally be looked for
where close application and immense power
for work are united to mental strength and
quickness, an excellent memory and a large
appetite for the activities of the profession.

In .1894 Mr. Edie was united in mar-
riage to Miss Gallic M. Fisher, of Monticel-
lo, a daughter of E. P. and Ellen M. (Ward)
Fisher. Mrs. Edie is a lady of culture and
innate refinement and was educated in the
schools of Monticello. By her marriage
she has become the mother of two sons. Burl
A. and Willis R. The family have a good
home in Monticello and both Mr. and Mrs.
Edie have the warm regard of many friends
here.

In his political views Mr. Edie is a stal-
wart Republican, and for six years he served
as city attorney of Monticello, his term of
office expiring in May, 1903. While the
incumbent he was a most loyal official, giv-
ing most careful attention to the legal inter-
ests of the city. Socially he is connected
with Phoenix Lodge, No. 204, K. P., and
he is the secretary of the Monticello Busi-
ness Men's Association, and president of the
hoard of education. Everything pertaining
to the social, intellectual, political and moral
progress of his community receive his in-

dorsement, nor has his co-operation been
found lacking along lines for the general
good.

ANDREW J. LANGLEY.

The subject of this sketch finds an ap-
propriate place in the history of men of busi-
ness and enterprise in the state of Illinois,
whose force of character, whose sterling in-
tegrity, whose fortitude amid discourage-
ments, whose good sense in the management
of complicated affairs and of marked success
in establishing and bringing to completion
important business interests, have contrib-
uted in an eminent degree to the develop-
ment of the best resources of this common-
wealth. His career has not been helped by
accident or luck, wealth, family or powerful
friends, but he is in the broadest sense a self-
made man, being both the architect and
builder of his fortunes, but not only has he
won proninence in business life, but has al-
so gained high regard .by his genuine
worth. He is now the vice president of the
First National Bank of Mansfield and was
long associated with agricultural interests,
his home at the present time being on his
farm on section 17, Blue Ridge township.

Mr. Langley is a native of Pennsylvania,
his birth having occurred in Erie county
about four miles from the city of Erie on
the ist of October, 1837. He is a son of
James and Jane (Weston) Langley, who
were likewise natives of the Keystone state.
The Langley family is of Scotch extraction
and when sixteen years of age the grand-
father of our subject came from the land of
the heather to the new world, locating in
Erie county. There he afterward followed
farming until called to the home beyond.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

It was in Erie county that he was married
and reared his family. James Langley also
became an agriculturist, and with his fam-
ily he removed to the west in 1853, estab-
lishing his home in Macoupin county, Illi-
nois. The subject of this review was then
a youth of sixteen years. The journey was
made overland and nineteen and a half days
had passed ere they reached their destina-
tion. They did not, however, travel on Sun-
days. After arriving in Macoupin county
the father purchased land and continued to
engage in farming there until his demise.
He and his wife were the parents of eleven
children, of whom four are yet living, but
Andrew J. Langley is the only one now re-
siding in Piatt county. One of the family
is living in Seattle, Washington, another
in Mississippi, and the sister is a resident of
Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

In the schools of Erie county, Pennsyl-
vania, Andrew J. Langley began his educa-
tion which he afterward continued in the
public schools of Macoupin county, Illinois.
He also spent one term in a commercial
school of Gerard, Pennsylvania. Under the
parental roof he remained until twenty-one
years of age, when he began business as a
farmer and nurseryman in Macoupin county.
As a companion and helpmate for the jour-
-ney of life he chose Miss Celia A. Curtis and
the wedding was celebrated on the nth of
March, 1859. The lady is also a native of
Erie county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter
of John and Hulda Curtis, natives of
Xew York, whence they removed to the
Keystone state, where the father followed
farming. The Curtis family is probably of
English lineage and Mrs. Langley is one of
a family of eight children, five of whom are
yet living. Unto our subject and his wife
were born six children, but a son and daugh-

ter died in infancy. Elmer E., the eldest, is
now living in Morris, Stevens county, Min-
nesota. He married Emma Smith, who died
leaving two children : Elbert E., who makes
his home in Minnesota with his father; and
Emery F., who is residing with his grand-
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Langley. Frederick
Lincoln, the second son of the family, re-
sides at Bingham Lake, Minnesota. He
wedded Mattie Holman and they have three
children, Max, Wilbur and Celia. James C.
Langley is the cashier of the First National
Bank of Mansfield. Roy A. is engaged in
farming in Morris, Minnesota.

Mr. Langley returned to the east for his
wife and then brought his bride to Macoupin
county, Illinois, where he carried on farming
until 1865, and likewise devoted some atten-
tion to the nursery business. That year he
came to Piatt county and purchased four
hundred acres of land, which was then par-
tially improved, having upon it a little house
of two rooms. He erected a new residence,
also built outbuildings and has improved the
place in many ways. It was almost destitute
of trees when he took up his abode there,
but the place is now surrounded by many
beautiful trees. Mr. Langley was planting
a grove of five acres of walnut trees when
a messenger riding across the country from
Champaign county called to him the news
that President Lincoln had been assassinated.
Mr. Langley then gave to the place the name
of Lincoln Grove. For a numberof years he
successfully carried on agricultural pursuits,
but not caring to be burdened with the su-
pervision of an extensive farm here, he has
since sold all of the home place with the ex-
ception of eighty acres. However, he has
landed possessions in South Dakota, in
Minnesota and Nebraska, having wisely in-
vested his money in real estate.

PAST AND PRESENT

In 1893 in company with his son J. C.,
and William Firke, Mr. Langley founded
what became known as the Langley, Firke
& Langley private bank. This was afterward
sold to John M. Dighton & Company of
Monticello, and they reorganized the State
Bank of Mansfield, with which Mr. Langley
was identified until 1902. In that year in
connection with W. D. Fairbanks and his
son, J. C. Langley, he founded the First Na-
tional Bank of Mansfield, its present officers
being W. D. Fairbanks, president; A. J.
Langley, vice president, and J. C.. Langley,
cashier. Mr. Langley has always given his
political support to the Republican party
since casting his first presidential ballot, and
he was a warm admirer as well as a personal
friend of Abraham Lincoln. For about
fourteen years he served as supervisor of
Blue Ridge township, holding the office for
twelve consecutive years and for one term
he was chairman of the board. He has been
chairman of nearly all of the committees of
the board and has done effective and helpful
service in behalf of the county through the
exercise of his official prerogatives. Fra-
ternally he is connected with Mansfield
Lodge, No. 773, F. & A. M.

He and his wife are now the only peo-
ple living on the "ridge," who were here
when Mr. and Mrs. Langley arrived and
their own home place has never been out of
their possession and the property is a monu-
ment to the enterprise and efforts of the
subject of this review. While always active
in matters of citizenship for the general
good Mr. Langley has never taken an active '
part in political work in the hope of gaining
office, having always preferred to give his
attention to the superintendence of his pri-
vate business affairs and extensive invest-
ments. A man of unswerving integrity and

honor, one who has a perfect appreciation of
the higher ethics of life, he has gained and
retained the confidence and respect of his
fellow men and is distinctively one of the
leading citizens of Piatt county, with whose
interests he has been identified for more than
a third of a century.

WILLIAM H. DILATUSH.

Among the enterprising and energetic
young business men of Piatt county is
numbered William H. Dilatush, the popular
cashier of the State Bank of DeLand. He
was born in this county, July 5, 1871, and
is a son of George D. Dilatush, a resident of
Decatur. The father in early manhood
wedded Cynthia Jeffries, a native of Ohio.
He was a native of New Jersey, but in his
boyhood days emigrated westward with his
parents to the Buckeye state and located in
Warren county. They were married in Ohio
and in 1868 they removed westward to Illi-
nois, settling in Lincoln, Logan county.
There they lived until 1870, when they took
up their abode in Cerro Gordo township,
Piatt county, where Mr. Dilatush purchased
land and engaged in farming. He followed
that pursuit until 1890, when, having ac-
quired a handsome competence sufficient to
enable him to put aside business cares and
rest in the enjoyment of the fruits of his
former toil, he removed to Decatur, where
he has since lived retired. Mr. and Mrs.
Dilatush were the parents of five children :
Frank V., a resident of Monticello; Jarvis
J.. who is living in Utah; Elmer E., who
makes his home in Decatur; Lida E., who is
with her parents ; and William H., of this,
review.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

In the district schools William H. Dila-
tush began his education which was con-
tinued in Monticello high school, of which
he is a graduate. On putting aside his text-
books he entered upon his business career in
the capacity of a clerk in a grocery store of
Race, Handlin & Company, with whom he
continued for four years. He then went in-
to the postoffice book 'store, where he re-
mained for two years, and in 1898 he came
to DeLand, accepting the position as cashier
in the John Kirby & Company Bank. This
institution was reorganized in 1899 as the
State Bank of DeLand, with John Kirby as
president and W. H. Dilatush as cashier.
The bank was capitalized for twenty-five
. thousand dollars and is a most reliable finan-
cial institution. The bank building is
splendidly equipped, being fitted up with a
Mosler safe manufactured at Hamilton,
Ohio. There is also a safety deposit vault
with sixty boxes. The building was erected
in 1902 at a cost of eleven thousand five
hundred dollars, and is one of the most com-
plete bank buildings in this part of the state.
A general banking business is carried on
along progressive lines and yet the policy
of the firm is conservative enough to insure
perfect safety to depositors.

In October, 1898, Mr. Dilatush was unit-
ed in marriage to Miss Ida Stevenson, a
daughter of Wilbur Stevenson, of Monticello,
The young couple have many warm friends
in DeLand and Piatt county, and their own
home is celebrated for its gracious hospitali-
ty. Mr. Dilatush is a member of DeLand
Lodge, No. 812, F. & A. M., also of Twen-
tieth Century Lodge, No. 603, K. P., and in
politics he is a stalwart Democrat.' He has
served as supervisor of Goose Creek town-
ship, filling the office from 1899 until 1901.
He is a typical American citizen, wide-awake

and enterprising, quick to notice business
opportunities and to utilize them for the ad-
vancement of his individual success. At
the same time he is ever in touch with public
progress and improvement and co-operates
in many measures for the general good.

JOHN W. HILLIGOSS.

In public affairs in Mansfield John W.
Hilligoss has been prominent and his efforts
in behalf of the general progress have been
far-reaching and effective. He was born in
Fleming county, Kentucky, on the ist of
October, 1841, a son of Thomas and Mary
(Darnall) Hilligoss, who were also natives
of the Bluegrass state. The former was a
farmer, and in following that pursuit pro-
vided a comfortable living for his family.
Both he and his wife died when about sixty-
eight years of age, and they were laid to
rest in the cemetery at Elizaville, Fleming
county. In their family were the following
children : John W. ; James T., who is de-
ceased ; Jeanette. a resident of Fleming
county, Kentucky; Mary, who is a widow
and lives in Fleming county; Maggie, who
makes her home in Lexington, Kentucky;
Cynthia, who is also living in Fleming coun-
ty ; Clyde, who has passed away ; and Robert
E. Lee, who resides in LaSalle county, Il-
linois.

Under the parental roof John W. Hilli-
goss spent his boyhood days, and in the pub-
lic schools he acquired his education, contin-
uing his studies there until about eighteen
years of age. He was a student through
the winter months, and during the summer
seasons he engaged in farming, assisting in
the operations of the old home place. At

PAST AND PRESENT

the age of nineteen he began teaching in his
home locality, and he there continued to re-
side until his removal to Illinois. In Septem-
ber, 1862, true to his loved southland, he
responded to the call of the Confederates
for troops and enlisted as a member of the
command of Colonel Thomas Johnson, join-
ing the army at Mount Sterling, Kentucky.
He was in the service for two years, and on
the gth of July, 1864, at Mount Sterling,
he was wounded in the right leg. which was
amputated just above the knee on the I2th
of the same month. This, of course, inca-
pacitated him for further service and he re-
turned to his home.

He continued to reside in Fleming coun-
ty, Kentucky, until 1868, when he decided to
establish his home in Illinois, and took up
his abode near Mattoon,-this state. There
he engaged in teaching school successfully
until 1873, when he came to Mansfield,
and. for thirty years he has been a resident
of this place. The favorable opinion passed
upon him at the outset of his career here
has never been set aside, or in any degree
modified, for he has always lived so as to
command the respect and good will of his
fellow men. For two years he was en-
gaged in teaching school here, and in 1881
he established the Mansfield Express which
had its origin in Mahomet in 1878. He has
since published the paper which is independ-
ent in politics, and which has a good circu-
lation and a constantly growing patronage.
It is devoted to the advancement of the lo-
cal and general news and to the furtherance
of the best interests of this locality, and is
a leading journal of Piatt county.

On the gth of July, 1872, Mr. Hilligoss
was united in marriage to Miss Hester
House, of Champaign county, and they
now have a daughter, Clyde, who is the wife

of John R. \Yatkins, who is conducting a
job printing business in Urbana, Illinois.
Socially Mr. Hilligoss is connected with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belong-
ing to Brothers Lodge, No. 589, in Mans-
field. He has filled all of its offices and has
twice represented the local lodge in the
grand lodge; is thoroughly informed con-
cerning the tenets and teachings of the or-
der, and his life has been guided by its be-
neficent principles. In public affairs he has
been prominent and has served as village
clerk, and also as township clerk. During
his long residence in this county he has be-
come very widely known, and Mansfield
numbers him among its respected and hon-
ored citizens.

WILLIAM H. PIATT.

It is most fitting that there be accorded
due mention in this biographical history of
this prominent representative of a family
whose name is borne by the county and
whose members have been so prominent in
promoting the various interests which have
contributed to the country's welfare and
progress along all lines of substantial im-
provement. Since the time that the first
members of the Piatt family located in this
section of the state the name has figured con-
spicuously in connection with its material,
social, intellectual and moral development.
Fortunate is the man who has back of him
an ancestry honorable and distinguished, and
happy is he if his lines of life are cast in har-
money therewith. In appearance and in tal-
ents Mr. 1'iatt is a worthy scion of his race,
and after more than fifty years of honorable
and active connection with the agricultural

W. H. PIATT

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

interests he is now living a retired life, hav-
ing long since passed the Psalmist's span of
three score years and ten. Indeed, he has
now reached the age of eighty-seven years
a venerable man whose upright life should
serve as a source of inspiration and as an
example for emulation.

The Piatt family is of French lineage and
was established in America by John Piatt,
the great-grandfather of our subject, who
was a Huguenot in religious faith. He left
his native country of France and crossed the
Atlantic to America, establishing his home
during colonial days in New Jersey, where
he died in 1760. Abraham Piatt, his son
and the grandfather of our subject, was born
in New Jersey in 1741 and became a sur-
veyor. He emigrated to Center county,
Pennsylvania, casting in his lot with its pio-
neer settlers and taking an important part in
the work of development and improvement
there. When the colonists attempted to
throw off the yoke of British oppression he
joined the American army and fought for
the independence of the nation. He held the
rank of colonel and rendered valiant and ef-
fective service to the cause of liberty. He
did not live very long, however, to enjoy the
fruits of this long struggle, for when fifty
years of age he passed away, dying on the
1 3th of November, 1791, from the effects of
of a cold which he contracted while engaged
in surveying a large tract which was given to
him for his services in the Revolutionary
war. Jacob Piatt, a brother, was also an
officer under Washington and was also
granted land.

Among the children of Abraham Piatt
was James A. Piatt. in whose honor this
county was named. His birthplace was
Center county, Pennsylvania, and the year of
his birth 1/89. He was for many years iden-

tified with pioneer life not . only in Illinois,
but also in Indiana. In 1815 he left Penn-
sylvania and removed to Brookville, Frank-
lin county, Indiana, at which time that state
was still under territorial rule. The place of
his destination was a small village and was
situated upon what was then the very west-
ern frontier. There Mr. Piatt engaged first
in merchandising, but frequently he fol-
lowed freight-boating on the Mississippi
river, taking many cargoes to New Orleans,
which has then the market for all that sec-
tion of the country, for the era of railroads
had not dawned upon the nation and ship-
ments were made by water. Mr. Piatt also
made several trips to Cuba with live stock.
Fn 1828 he established the first tin shop in
Indianapolis, and through two years was en-
gaged in business there as a hardware and
tin merchant. There was something in his
nature that was in accord with pioneer con-
dition, and in 1829 he again resumed his
westward journey. He came to what is now
Piatt county, Illinois, reaching the present
site of Afonticello on the 7th of April, after
a journey made with ox teams. All was
wild and unimproved. The prairies were
still as they came from the hand of nature,
not a furrow having been turned or an im-
provement made. At that time there existed
a preemption law whereby settlers were en-
abled to hold land for five years before enter-
ing it. Mr. Piatt made wise choice of his se-
lection of land, although many at that time
would have wondered at his choice, for his
nearest neighbor, with one exception, was
fifteen miles distant. As years passed, how-
ever, this land greatly increased in value, and
he carried on the work of farming, his labors
being attended with very creditable and grat-
ifying success. The first family home was
a pioneer cabin built of logs, and for many

PAST AND PRESENT

years it has stood on the Monticello fair
grounds, one of the old landmarks of pioneer
days, and an interesting relic of the early
times when such homes sheltered all the
early settlers. Another indication of the wild-
ness of the district was the large number of
Indians who still lived in this part of the
state, and Mr. Piatt became agent for a con-
tractor who supplied the red men with ra-
tions at the close of the war of 1812. He
found favor with the Indians who regarded
Mr. Piatt as the donor of the supplies, and
always held him in grateful remembrance,
frequently giving expiration of their appre-
ciation of his bounty by bestowing upon him
venison and other wild game. No history
of central Illinois would be complete with-
out mention of this gentleman, so promi-
nently was he associated with the early de-
velopment of the locality. He aided in laying
broad and deep the foundation for the pres-
ent progress and prosperity of the county and
his death, which occurred in 1838, caused
an irreparable loss to central Illinois. His
work in connection with the capture of horse
thieves in an early day was likewise notable.
At that time such law breakers infested the
country, for owing to its unsettled condition,
they had good opportunity to get away.
However, Mr. Piatt was relentless in his
search for such thieves, and more than one
instance is related of his skill in capturing
those who had stolen horses. In the spring
of 1832 two of his best horses were stolen,
and, accompanied by a neighbor, he traced
the thieves, capturing them in Indiana near
the Ohio line. He then returned with them
to Decatur, where they were tried, con-
victed and sentenced to be whipped by the
sheriff, one thief to receive thirty-nine
lashes and the other forty-nine. The follow-
ing year Mr. Piatt, accompanied by his son,

William H., of this review, went to Ohio
county, Kentucky, in search of a horse thief,
whom they arrested and took to Ottawa, Il-
linois, for trial. During the Black Hawk war
James A. Piatt served as a ranger in Illinois
under the command of Major Warnick, who
had been an officer under General Jackson in
the war of 1812. In civil life Mr. Piatt was
also prominent. In the early days he served
as one of the county commissioners of Macon
county for seven years before the division of
the district into Macon and Piatt counties.
His influence was ever given on the side of
progress and improvement, and he well de-
served the honor of having the new county
called by his name.

In the early schools of Indianapolis and
of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, William H. Piatt
pursued his studies, although his educational
privileges were extremely limited. He left
school when only eleven years of age, and
although he has become a broad-minded man
and one of good general information, this is
due to his experience and observation. He
has possessed an observing eye and retentive
memory, and these qualifications, added to
keen discernment, have gained for him prac-
tical experience of much value in the busi-
ness world. His surroundings and environ-
ments in boyhood were those of the frontier,
and he assisted in the arduous task of devel-
oping new land and of reclaiming the region
for the purpose of civilization. After arriv-
ing at years of maturity he chose a com-
panion and helpmate for life's journey, being
united in marriage on the loth of April, 1838,
to Miss Clarinda Marquiss, who was born
in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1819, and is a
daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Barnes.)
Marquiss, who were natives of Pennsylvania,
but became pioneers of Piatt county. As
the years passed the home of Mr. and Mrs.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Piatt was blessed with seven children:
James A., who is now deceased; Abraham,
deceased ; Charles, who is extensively en-
gaged in farming and stock-raising; Frances,
the wife of W. E. Lodge, of Monticello; Je-
mima, the wife of W. E. Smith, a merchant
of Monticello; and Emma L., the wife of
Joseph Llewellyn, of Chicago. She is a
graduate of the Illinois University and is
the author of the Piatt county history.

Mr. and Mrs. Piatt began their domestic
life upon a farm, and throughout his business
career he carried on agricultural pursuits.
His first home was the site of the present fair
grounds near Monticello,. where he lived for
a short time. In the fall of 1839 he built a
cabin on the banks of Goose Creek in the
township of that name, and while his wife
cared for the little home he engaged in the
labors of the fields. In his farm work he
prospered. The land was rich and proved
very productive, returning excellent crops in
reward for the labors bestowed upon the
fields. As his financial resources increased
Mr. Piatt ma<le judicial investments in real
estate, and from time to time has made pur-
chases and sales that have proven of profit
and added largely to his income. He en-
tered land in various parts of the country,
much, of which he improved and sold to his
children. He has fenced and broken over
two thousand acres and he now has in his
possession about one hundred and seventy
acres of this land, upon which he has made
many fine improvements. In the years 1864
and 1865 he erected a large brick house
upon a beautiful site in the midst of a fine
grove of walnut trees that have stood for
ages upon the place.

Mr. Piatt has not confined his attention
solely to the cultivation of his fields and to
the purchase and sale of property, but has

also engaged in large measure in cattle deal-
ing. He.began this business in 1841 and for
some time was associated with his brothers
in the enterprise. In 1851 he drove his first
herd of cattle to Philadelphia and thence to
the New York city market, making the
journey on horseback. Later he made va-
rious other trips to the east with stock at
a time when there were no railroads and
when it required about one hundred and
twenty days to make the trip. For several
years he dealt very extensively in stock
which he purchased in various states and
drove to the eastern market. Thus he add-
ed annually to his income and to-day Mr. ,
Piatt is one of the wealthy men of the
county.

While extensive business interests have
claimed his attention he has ever found time
and opportunity to assist in many measures
of progress and improvement and to co-op-
erate actively along lines leading to the per-
manent development of central Illinois. In
measures for the public good his assistance
is not sought in vain and while he has given
generously of his means, his wise counsel
and practical judgment have also been valued
factors in the control of affairs of public mo-
ment. He has never sought or desired office,
in fact, the demands of his business have
been too great to allow him to take an ac-
tive part in political work even had he de-
sired to do so. Hjs fellow townsmen have
frequently solicited him to become a candi-
date and at one time he served as commis-
sioner of Piatt county. With this exception
he has always refused to serve in political
offices. His support, however, is given to
the Democracy and although now well ad-
vanced in years, he still keeps in touch with
the political questions of the day, being deep-
lv interested in the welfare of his nation.

9 2

PAST AND PRESENT

The life history of Mr. Piatt, if written
in detail, would give a comprehensive and
accurate picture of pioneer conditions and ex-
perience in the county which bears his
name. From early manhood days he has
seen the development of this section of the
state and has witnessed its wonderful trans-
formation. When he came here with his
parents he found the broad prairies unculti-
vated and covered with the native grasses.
There was in the vicinity no city or town
of any importance and the work of progress
largely lay in the future. The district was
cut off from the comforts and conveniences
of the older east by long stretches of prairie
and by forests, and the rivers were un-
bridged and the roads were oftentimes al-
most impassable, especially during the sea-
son of the spring rains. A mighty work lay
before the pioneer in his efforts to make this
section of the country inhabitable and' to
cause it to be productive enough to yield
a good living to its settlers, but the frontiers-
men were people of courageous spirit,
strong purpose and firm determination and
in the course of years have accomplished a
work for which present and future genera-
tions shall owe them a debt of gratitude that
can never be repaid. However, we can
cherish in our hearts their memory and re-
ccunt their deeds to representatives of the
younger generations, always honoring their
name and giving them credit for the splen-
did task they accomplished. The life record
of Mr. Piatt is one deserving of the highest
commendation. -In his early youth he had
very limited opportunities and he had no
capital to assist him as he started out upon
his business career, but he was energetic,
self-reliant and honorable, and these qualities
stood him instead of fortune. He worked
ep.rnestlv vear after vear and in due course

of time his labors were rewarded. To-day
he is one of the wealthy men of Piatt coun-
ty, but he has never allowed the accumu-
lation of wealth to in any way effect his
feelings or actions toward those less fortu-
nate.

NELSON G. COFFIN, M. D.

Few men are more prominent or more
widely known in the enterprising city of
Monticello than Dr. Nelson G. Coffin, who
has been the leading representative of the
medical fraternity here for many years.
Now, having reached the eighty-second year
of his age, he is living retired from further
professional labors, but 'still gives his per-
sonal supervision to the management of his
farm. Through many years, however, he
was the loved family physician in numer-
ous households in the city and county, car-
rying with him hope and comfort by his
cheery presence, and at the same time ren-
dering effective aid in the elimination of dis-
ease and the restoration of strength and
health.

The Doctor is of English lineage and rep-
resents an old southern family that was
founded in America in colonial days. His
grandfather was Samuel Coffin, who
in his earlier years resided in North Caro-
lina, whence he removed to Indiana at
a very early period in the development of
the latter state. Our subject's father. Dr.
William Coffin, was born in North Carolina
in 1704, and was a graduate of the
Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati. He
afterward located in Newport, Indiana,
where he engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession for a number of years. Late in
life he removed to California, where he

PI ATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

spent his last days, dying in January,
1850. His wife, who bore the maiden
name Eunice Worth, was born in North
Carolina and died in Indiana in 1869. She
was a daughter of 'William and Abigail
(Gardner) Worth. Of the children born
unto Dr. William Coffin and his wife two
sons and two daughters are yet living.

Dr. Nelson G. Coffin, whose name in-
troduces this record, was born in North Car-
olina on the 3d of October, 1820. When he
was only two years eld his parents removed
to Vermilion county, Indiana, there residing
until 1848. when they came to Piatt coun-
ty, Illinois, so that the subject of this review
is one of the earliest settlers of the county
in which he yet makes his home. In the
spring of the same year he was united in
marriage to Miss Phoebe D. Johnson, of
Monticello, who was born in Rhode Island
and came to Piatt county about the year
1847. After their marriage they took up
their abode in Monticello, where the Doctor
has since resided. In 1857, however, he was
called upon to mourn the loss of his wife,
and of the three children born of this union
only one is now living, Eugene, who is a
physician in .Monticello. He was graduated
in Dunham Homeopathic Medical College of
Chicago, after obtaining his literary educa-
tion in Jacksonville College at Jacksonville,
Illinois, and now he is successfully practic-
ing in Monticello.

Dr. Nelson G. Coffin prepared for his
profession' as a student in the Medical Col-
lege of Ohio at Cincinnati, and entered up-
on the practice of his profession in Vermil-
ion county. Indiana, in 1843. For five years
he continued his work there and then came
to Piatt county at the time of his parents'
removal here. His early practice extended
throughout the county, and oftentimes be-

yond its borders. He is familiar with all
the experiences which come to the early
physician who located upon the frontier.
Calls came to him from long distances and
he found it necessary to travel over almost
impassable roads, while oftentimes he had
to cross swollen streams and face dangers
in so doing. The weather was never so in-
clement, however, or the hardships so great
that Dr. Coffin would not respond to the
call of the sick and suffering. As the years
passed he kept in touch with the progress
that has ever characterized the profession
and by continual reading and observation
added to his knowledge, and thus rendered
his labors more effective in coping with dis-
ease.

For many years the Doctor continued in
active and successful practice. He left his
home in Monticello, however, in August,
1862, feeling that his duty was to his coun-
try, and that he should render whatever aid
he could to the sick and wounded soldiers
in the south. He became assistant surgeon
of the One Hundred and Seventh Illinois
Regiment, and spent most of his time in the
hospitals, rendering aid to the wounded and
alleviating all who need professional skill.
He was at the battle of Franklin, Tennessee,
and at Nashville, and he knows all of the
horrors of war that are the lot of the soldier
who faces danger and death in defense of
country and principles. He continued at his
post of duty until July, 1865, when the war
having ended, he was honorably discharged
and returned to his home.

Again coming to Monticello, Dr. Coffin
resumed the practice of his profession, and
in 1881 found it necessary and expedient to
remove from his first location to a more
commodious brick office which was pleas-
antly located within a half of a block from

PAST AND PRESENT

the public square of Monticello. He con-
tinued in the active practice of his profession
until 1874, when he retired and since that
time has been devoting his time and energies
to his farming interests. He is the owner of
a valuable tract of land of two hundred and
forty acres, which is highly cultivated and
improved with good buildings.

Man's worth in the world is determined
by his usefulness by what he has accom-
plished for his fellow men and he is cer-
tainly deserving of the greatest honor and re-
gard whose efforts have been of the greatest
benefit to his fellow men. Judged by this
standard, Dr. Nelson G. Coffin may well be
accounted one of the distinguished citizens
of Monticello, for almost throughout his
professional career, covering many decades,
his labors have been of a most helpful na-
ture. His deep research and investigation
have rendered his work effective and cer-
tainly his labors have been of the greatest
practical benefit, and the world is better for
his having lived. Although he is now in
his eighty-third year, he yet takes a deep in-
terest in the affairs of moment to the city of
Monticello, and no man in Piatt county is
held if higher regard or deeper respect.

REV. WILLIAM E. MEANS

Rev. William E. Means, the well known
editor and proprietor of the Atwood Herald,
and a prominent citizen of Atwood, is a na-
tive of Illinois, born in Paris, Edgar county,
June 28, 1850. and is a son of Thomas N.
and Jane (Quiett) Means, natives of Ohio
and Tennessee, respectively. His paternal
grandfather, William Means, was of Scotch-
Irish descent.

Our subject passed his boyhood and
youth upon a farm and pursued his studies in
the district schools of the neighborhood dur-
ing the winter months until he entered the
high school of Paris. In 1874 he became
a student at the Northwestern 1 University
of Evanston, and was graduated from the
theological department of that well known
institution in the class of '1879.

After his graduation Mr. Means joined
the Minnesota Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal church and was appointed pastor
of the Rushmore charge, where he was in-
strumental in erecting .a handsome four
thousand dollar church, all paid for. In the
middle of the second year he was transferred
to Luverne, where the church was greatly
strengthened by a very successful revival,
the house of worship completed and the way
prepared for paying off a crushing debt
Finding the Minnesota winters colder than
he liked, Mr. Means availed himself of an op-
portunity to be transferred to the South
Kansas Conference in the spring of 1884,
and was there instrumental in building two
churches, one a temporary building at Fort
Scott, which has since become Grace church,
and the other a beautiful village church at
Hiattville, Kansas, both erected in 1884.
The two following years were spent in Mo-
ran, Kansas, and were very fruitful, more
than a hundred being gathered into the
church and the church thoroughly organized.
A pastorate of three and a half years on the
Caney charge was likewise fruitful in revi-
vals, and in the paying of a crushing debt
on the church building.

In October, 1891, Mr. Means accepted
the pastorate of the Methodist Episcopal
church at Sidney, Illinois, and the follow-
ing year was in charge of the Atwood
church. Failing health compelled him to

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

retire from the pastorate in the fall of 1893,
and he has since held a supernumerary rela-
tion to the Illinois conference, often render-
ing efficient service, without assuming- the
responsibilities of a pastoral charge. In
1895 Mr. Means leased the Atwood Herald
and purchased it the following year. This
paper was established in 1888, is independ-
ent in politics, is an excellent advertising me-
dium and has a large circulation.

In 1884 Mr. Means was united in mar-
riage to Miss Ella M. Chesnut, of Delavan,
Minnesota, and to them has been born one
child, a son, Cyril, now eighteen years of
age. Mr. Means exerts a healthful influ-
ence in the community, both personally and
through the columns of his paper, and is a
man whose upright character wins him the
respect and confidence of all with whom he
is brought in contact.

HENLEY C. WELLS.

Upon a farm on section 13, Blue Ridge
township, resides Henley C. Wells, who is
one of the progressive agriculturists of the
community. He was born August 16, 1857,
in Knoxville, Tennessee, a son of John B.
and Mary Elizabeth Wells. The father was
born in the year 1837 in Knox county, Ten-
nessee, and became a farmer by occupation,
owning about one hundred and fifty acres of
land in his native state. At the time of the
Civil war he became a member of the Ninth
Tennessee Cavalry. Being taken ill with
typhoid fever, as soon as he was able to be
moved he was sent to his home. Our sub-
ject, who was then but a boy, got a horse
and together the father and son rode the
horses to a nearby camp of soldiers. When

the soldiers saw the boy they caught him
in their arms and passed him from one to
the other, so glad were they again to see
a boy, having long been separated from
their own homes and family ties by the war.
The country had been devastated by the rav-
ages of war and John B. Wells, who was in
very comfortable circumstances prior to the
outbreak of hostilities, was left almost pen-
niless at the close of the long conflict. His
wife had received thirty thousand dollars in
Confederate money from General Lee for
damage done their property by the South-
ern army, but the father was only able to
realize about twenty-five dollars on the en-
tire amount.

Henley C. Wells started out for himself
at the age of twenty years by working at the
carpenter's trade. For this he received eight
dollars per month. Later he was paid a
salary of twenty-five dollars per month for
working a part of the time in a store and a
part of the time on a farm. He resolved to
seek his fortune north of the Ohio river in
1880, and removed to Greencastle, Indiana,
whence he afterward went to Mahom-
et, Champaign county, where he worked
for two years for a man by the name of
Smith.

In the year 1883 Mr. Wells was united
in marriage to Miss Lida Pittman, and their
marriage was blessed with four children :
Lillie May, who died at the age of four
years ; Nora Etta, who is the wife of R. A.
Robinson, a resident of Mansfield ; Ethel
Marie, who is at home; Harrison, who is at
home and is assisting in the operation of the
farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Wells now own one hun-
dred acres of land on section 13, Blue Ridge
township, constituting one of the valuable
farms of the community. He improved the

PAST AND PRESENT

house and barn in the spring of 1903, and
has planted an orchard of eighty trees, in
fact, he has added all modern equipments
and accessories to his place, which is now
a desirable property and one on which he is
realizing a good return from his invest-
ments. He gives the greater part of his
attention to the raising of grain, but to some
extent also raises cattle and hogs.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Wells is a
Mason, holding membership with the lodge
in Mansfield, and in politics he is a Re-
publican, giving an earnest support to the
principles of the party. His wife belongs to
the Methodist church, and both are well-
known and highly respected people of this
community, enjoying the warm regard of
many friends. The}' have lived here for
twenty years, and throughout this period the
circle of their friends has steadily increased
as the circle of their acquaintance has
widened.

BYRON B. JONES, M. D.

In the death of Dr. Byron B. Jones, on
the 2Oth of December, 1896, Monticello and
Piatt county lost one; of their most promi-
nent and highly respected citizens. As the
day with its morning of hope and promise,
its noontide of activity, its evening of com-
pleted and successful effort, ending in the
grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was
the life of this honored man. His ca-
reer was a long, busy and useful one, of
great benefit to his fellow men, and he leaves
behind him a memory which is enshrined in
many hearts. He was ever a considerate and
genial friend, and one whom it was a pleas-
ure to know and meet under any circum-
stances.

Doctor Jones was born in Pickaway coun-
ty, Ohio, on the 26th of November, 1828, and
was a son of Dr. George G. Jones, a native
of Ross county, Ohio, born on the 26th of
March, 1796. The father was a prominent
figure in central Ohio, and for many years
enjoyed a wide practice. He married Miss
Ann Hanley, whose birth occurred in Phila-
delphia, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of August,
1810, and on the loth of June, 1832, he
passed away. His wife, long surviving him,
died in 1863.

Dr. Byron B. Jones was reared and edu-
cated in Bloomfield, Pickaway county, Ohio,
and after acquiring his literary education
he resolved to make the practice of medi-
cine his life work and began studying with
that end in view. He was a graduate of
the Starling Medical College, of Columbus,
Ohio, although his studies were not prose-
cuted continuously. Coming to Piatt coun-
ty, Illinois, he was for a time a student in
the office of Dr. P. K. Hull, one of the early
physicians of Circleville, Ohio, who acted
as his preceptor. He was graduated in
1853, and in 1856 he came to Monticello and
entered into partnership with Doctor Hull,
his former preceptor, who came the
year before, this relationship being con-
tinued until Doctor Hull's death, about
1859. Later Doctor Jones was asso-
ciated with Doctor Noecker for two
years. He continued in the active practice
of his profession here up to the time of his
death, covering a period of forty years, and
not to know Doctor Jones was to argue one-
self unknown in Piatt county. His patron-
age was large and of an important charac-
ter. In the early days he underwent the
usual experience of the physician in a fron-
tier district, took long drives across the coun-
trv, in all kinds of weather, and often over

DR. B. B. JONES

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

almost impassable roads, but he was always
prompt in responding to the call of the sick
and suffering, and his broad sympathy arid
charitable spirit led him to give his services
often when he knew there was little hope of
financial remuneration. In later years his
practice was confined more closely to the
city, and his professional services were so
effective in checking disease that his work
made constant and heavy demands upon his
time and attention. In April, 1862, during
the Civil war, the Doctor entered the volun-
teer service as assistant surgeon, being com-
missioned by Governor Yates and assigned
to the Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry, which was made up of Piatt and
DeWitt county men. He was present at
the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and for
seven months aided in caring for the sick
and wounded.

On the 28th of April, 1857, Dr. Jones
was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E.
Short, of Mechanicsburg. Illinois, a daugh-
ter of Rezin and Mary (Rawlins) Short.
The father was a native of Virginia, and
after some years' residence in Ohio, he re-
moved from Washington Court House, that
state, to Sangamon county, Illinois. His
wife was a native of Bloomingburg, Fayette
county, Ohio, and a daughter of Judge Sam-
uel Rawlins, of that county, who was born
near Lexington, Kentucky, July 25, i8it,
and became a distinguished citizen of Ohio.
Unto the Doctor and Mrs. Jones were born
two children who are yet living: Martha A.
and Byron P., at home.

Mrs. Jones was educated at Washing-
ton Court House, Ohio, and in the Cooper
Seminary, of Dayton, Ohio, and is a most
estimable and cultured lady. She now owns
a valuable farm of one hundred and twenty

acres, besides her home in Monticello, and
a

a farm of eighty acres near Taylorville, Il-
linois. This property was left to her by her
husband, who passed away in 1896. He
was for many years a prominent and hon-
ored citizen of Piatt county, a successful
physician and a gentleman of kindly spirit.
He attained success in his profession by
close application, ready adaptability and
broad reading, and he was an ideal follower
of his calling, having the highest regard for
the ethics of the medical fraternity. The
Doctor was a writer of ability, especially
poetry, and was a man of rare talent in that
direction. He was very fond of children
and they loved him dearly.

BENJAMIN R. WHITE.

A detailed account of the life work and
environments of Benjamin R. White would
present a true and clear picture of pioneer
life in Piatt county and of the development
of this section of the state. He has for
many years been classed with the leading
and substantial agriculturists of the com-
munity, and his home is now on section 24,
Sangamon township. He was born in Co-
lumbus, Franklin county, Ohio, June 21,
1851, and is the son of John M. and Rebecca
(Williams) White, of Monticello.

Having spent the first thirteen years of
his life in the county of his nativity, he
then accompanied his parents on their re-
moval to Piatt county, Illinois. He ha.d be-
gun his education in Ohio, pursuing his stud-
ies in a log schoolhouse, such as was common
at an early day, and after his arrival in the
west he further pursued his educational
training in order that he might be fitted for
the transaction of business in later life.
Through his youth he remained upon what

100

PAST AND PRESENT

was known as the White homestead, con-
tinuing with his father until twenty-three
years of age, when he started out in life on
his own account, renting a tract of land up-
on which he now resides, and which he has
owned for many years. Shortly after be-
ginning his farm work he sought a compan-
ion and helpmate for life's journey and was
joined in wedlock to Sarah J. Seymour, a
daughter of F. G. and Catherine (Parker)
Seymour.

In 1880 he purchased eighty acres of his
farm of Caleb Tatman, and as the years
have passed he has from time to time added
to his possessions, having, in 1890, pur-
chased one hundred and twenty acres of his
father's farm which adjoined the Tatman
property, while in 1901 he bought one hun-
dred and fifty acres of Patrick Mullen.
These three tracts of land join and our sub-
ject now has more than three hundred and
fifty acres, all in one body, constituting one
of the finest farms of Piatt county. When
he began farming here most of the land was
raw prairie, and he tilled the soil with the old
style plow, driving oxen as he turned the
furrows. He experienced with the family
all of the inconveniences of pioneer life.
There are many hardships to be encountered,
many difficulties to be met, but by persist-
ency of purpose and adaptation of the means
at hand he has mastered every obstacle in
his path, and has steadily advanced toward
prosperity. Upon his farm he has erected
a residence which is a matter of pride to the
entire community, and is built in a modern
style of architecture, is commodious and at-
tractive and is supplied with all modern con-
veniences. Throughout this broad land
there are no finer farms to be found any-
where than are seen in Illinois, and Mr.
White is the owner of one of the best coun-

try homes of Piatt county. He has three
windmills of improved workmanship upon
his place and four self-opening farm gates.
There is a splendid orchard which yields
its fruits in season and furnishes a large
supply for the winter consumption. Around
the home extends a well kept lawn adorned
with beautiful shade trees and the fields are
now under a very high state of cultivation.
Mr. White has built every fence, planted
every tree and shrub, made every improve-
ment and brought his farm up to the high
state of cultivation in which it is found to-
day. He raises corn, oats and other grain
and feeds cattle for the market. He has
been exceptionally successful in raising hogs
and his sales annually reach a large figure,
He has also engaged in breeding full blooded
horses, and in 1889 he went to Ohio, where
he purchased what is considered the best lot
of road horses ever brought into Illinois.
He also became the owner of a high bred
stallion, a sire of the brother of the noted
race horse, J. I. C., which is known as Dic-
tator. Mr. White certainly deserves great
credit for what he has done in the county in
this respect, for by introducing the fine
grades of horses he has been instrumental
in improving the horsed raised here, and
thus in advancing market prices. Mr.
White holds many ribbons won at the coun-
ty fairs of the Piatt County Agricultural
Society. At the fair held between the ijth
and 2ist of August, 1891, he won three first
premiums and the sweep stakes ribbon, the
first on the stallion Dictator and three colts ;
also a premium on the mare Rone Bell and
her colt Maymorning: a next on the suck-
ing colt Maymorning; and the last the
sweep stakes prize on Rone Bell. At the
fair held from the 2ist to the 25th of Au-
gust, 1893, he took the first prize on a suck-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

101

ing colt, also the first prize on a horse and
three colts, a first prize on a roadster horse
colt, and the second prize on the same in the
same ring.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. White were born
six children : Edwin, who is at home with
his father; Benjamin R., who died May 25,
1900, in his twenty-second year; Bessie,
Seymour J., Richard P. and Maggie, who
are at home. The mother of these children
passed away April 9, 1889, and on the 6th
of November. 1895, Mr. White was married
to Lola M. DeLand, a daughter of George
and Ellen (Converse) DeLand, who are
now residents of White Heath. Mr. White's
children have fifty-eight acres of land on
section 36, Sangamon township ; twenty acres
on section I, Sangamon township; and one
hundred and twenty acres in Scott township,
Champaign county, which came to them from
their grandfather, F. G. Seymour's estate,
and the tract is now under the supervision of
the subject of this review.

Mr. White has long lived in Piatt coun-
ty and has witnessed many changes here.
He says that at one time he drove to Mon-
ticello to get his mail before the village of
White Heath was known. At the postoffice
there he was asked to take on some mail for
the town of Lickskillet, now known as Cen-
terville, Illinois. He consented and the
postmaster threw several grain sacks full
of mail into the back end of the sleigh. He
drove home, let the mail stand in the sleigh
over night and the next morning took it to
Lickskillet, where it was thrown on the
platform in front of William Smith's store,
and the people then came and took the mail
that belonged to them. This seems very odd
when we think of the perfectly organized
mail system of the country at the present
time. The first year after Mr. White pur-

chased his property he made enough off of
his wheat to pay for his land at the rate of
twenty dollars per acre, and have seven and
a half dollars yet remaining to each acre.
His substantially developed farm is an indi-
cation of his life of industry and thrift. He
has worked earnestly and persistently in' or-
der to gain a competence for himself and
family, and to-day he is classed among the
substantial agriculturists and stockdealers of
this portion of the state. His worth as a
man and citizen as well as a farmer is widely
acknowledged, and all who know Mr. White
entertain for him high regard.

MATTHEW T. SCOTT.

Matthew T. Scott, who is now living a
retired life and resides upon his farm ad-
joining the village of Bement on the north-
east, is a native of the state of Kentucky,
his birth having occurred in Lexington, on
the 2Oth of January, 1840. The Scott fam-
ily is of Scotch-Irish descent and was es-
tablished in Pennsylvania at an early epoch
in the history of America. Matthew Thomp-
son Scott, the grandfather of our subject,
was a native of Pennsylvania, whence he re-
moved to Kentucky, locating in Lexington,
where he became a prominent and influential
citizen. He was one of. the best known of
the prominent bankers of the south, and it
was largely due to his advice and influence
that the Kentucky banks did not suspend
payment during the great financial panic of

1837-

Isaac W. Scott, the father of Matthew
T. Scott, of Bement, was born near the city
of Lexington, Kentucky, and after arriving
at years of maturity he was engaged in gen-

IO2

PAST AND PRESENT

eral merchandising, and also in the manu-
facture of woolen goods for the southern
trade, yarn being the principal commodity
which he made. He was one of the leading
citizens of Lexington and was held in the
highest regard by his fellow men. His la-
bors were of marked benefit in prompting
the general prosperity, because of the extent
and importance of his commercial and in-
dustrial enterprise. In connection with his
manufacturing and mercantile interests he
he was for many years the president of the
Red River Iron Works Company. In
1833, when a young man, he journeyed
through Piatt county, investing in lands for
his father. From Sadorus Grove he made
a trip of fifty miles and the only house
which he passed in that distance was the
Piatt house at Monticello, where he passed
the night. He and his brothers were the
first to introduce the system of tiling in this
part of the country, and a great amount of
wet land was reclaimed by them through
this method. When they first began their
tiling operations they were laughed at, and
it was predicted by nearly all that their ef-
forts would prove a failure, but soon the
beneficial effects of tiling were observed by
their neighbors and others followed their
example. Isaac W. Scott continued to make
his home in his native state, however, until
the spring of 1874, when he came to Illinois
and located in the village of Bement, there
residing for a number of years. After some
years spent in Illinois he returned to his old
home in Lexington, Kentucky, where he is
now living at the advanced age of eighty-
nine years. He has always been a progress-
ive and enterprising man and has accumu-
lated a large landed estate. His wife died
in the city of Lexington, in 1853, in the
faith of the Presbyterian church, of which
she was a faithful member. Mr. Scott has

for long years been a devoted member of
the same church, and in his political views
he was a Whig until the organization of
the Republican party, of which he is still
an ardent supporter." This worthy couple
were the parents of seven children, but only
three are now living.

In Lexington, Kentucky, Matthew T.
Scott spent the days of his boyhood and
youth, and in its schools acquired his edu-
cation. Soon after putting aside his text-
books he engaged in the ice business in Lex-
ington, which he followed for a number of
years. In 1876 he removed to Piatt county,
Illinois, settling upon the farm adjoining
Bement, which is still his home. Here he
has resided continuously for more than a
quarter of a century, and for twenty years
he was engaged in general farming, but now
lie is living a retired life, having leased the
farm to a tenant. He still occupies the resi-
dence that stands upon his land, while enjoy-
ing a rest which he has truly earned and
richly deserves.

In 1 86 1 Mr. Scott was united in mar-
riage to Miss Kate W. Williams, a native
of Georgia, whence in an early day she re-
moved to Pennsylvania and then Kentucky,
being a resident of Lexington at the time of
her marriage. She is a daughter of Pro-
fessor S. R. and Mary L. (Chappelle) Wil-
liams. Her father was principal of the
Sayre Seminary for young ladies, at Lex-
ington quite a noted educational institu-
tion of that day and he had formerly been
a professor in one of the colleges of Penn-
sylvania. He became well known through-
out the south as an able instructor and left
the impress of his individuality and labors
upon the educational development of that
section of the country. Both he and his wife
are now deceased.

Eleven children have been born unto Mr.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

103

and Mrs. Scott, six of whom are now living:
Isaac \Y., who resides on the home place
with his parents, was born in Lexington,
Kentucky, November 22, 1862, and obtained
his education there and in the high school
of Bement. He is a farmer by occupation
and assisted in the cultivation of the old
homestead until a few years ago. He has
taken a very prominent part as a political
worker in the ranks of the Republican party,
but has never sought or desired political pre-
ferment. Socially he is connected with the
Knights of Pythias fraternity, in which he
has passed through all the chairs, and he is
now the oldest representative of the order
in Piatt county. Those of the family now
deceased are Joseph,, Louise Chappelle, Sam-
uel W., Mary M., Matthew T., Margaret
S., John W., and Henry S. Ethelbert Dud-
ley and Lucian W. are still under the parent-
al roof.

Mr. Scott holds membership with the
Presbyterian church and with the Masonic
fraternity, and in his political views he is
a Prohibitionist, which indicates his views
on the temperance question. He believes
that intemperance is one of the greatest evils
which to-day threaten the American peo-
ple, and he has labored by precept and ex-
ample to promote the cause of its suppres-
sion. All matters pertaining to the welfare
of his fellow men. all that tends to amelior-
ate the burdens of the poor, all that tends
to promote the progress and improvement of
the race, receives his earnest endorsement.

CARLTON J. BEAR.

One of the most extensive landowners and
successful representatives of the agricultural
interests of Piatt county is Carlton J. Bear, of

Monticello. He is recognized as a man of
exceptional business ability, executive force
and keen discernment, who forms his plans
readily and brooks no obstacles to their suc-
cessful completion that can be overcome by
persistent and honorable effort. He is very
widely known as one of the most prominent
farmers and stock-breeders of Piatt county
and as a leading citizen of central Illinois he
is well entitled to mention in the history of
his adopted county.

Mr. Bear is a native son of Illinois, his
birth having occurred in Mercer county, on
the ist of October, 1856. His father, Jacob
Bear, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio,
November 29, 1816, and the grandfather,
Peter Bear, was a native of Pennsylvania.
After arriving at years of maturity the last
named was united in marriage to Miss Cath-
erine Casner, and they became the parents of
several children, among whom was Jacob
Bear, the father of our subject. He wedded
Miss Jemima Casner, whose birth occurred
October 15, 1828, in Pickaway county, Ohio,
both being representatives of early pioneer
families of that county. In 1834 Jacob Bear
cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of
Mercer county, Illinois, removing to this
state in company with Martin Bear, his
brother. He was then a young man of eigh-
teen years, possessed of energy and indus-
try and desirous of gaining a good home
and competence in the west. Ten years later,
in 1844. he was united in marriage to Miss
Casner and took up his abode upon a farm
in Mercer county, where he continued to
engage in agricultural pursuits for . forty
years. He prospered in his undertaking,
winning success through careful mnnage-
ment and unremitting diligence. In 1884.
however, he put aside the cares and respon-
sibilities of business life and removed to New
Boston. Illinois, where he lived retired un-

104

PAST AND PRESENT

til his death, which occurred March 19,
1893. His widow then came to Monticello
to make her home with her son, Carlton J.
Bear, and here died October 12, 1895. In
the family were three children : Roland,
who died January 14, 1871; C. J., of this
review: and Clinton, who was born in Mer-
cer county, Illinois, July 4, 1859.

On the home farm in his native county
Carlton J. Bear was reared and in his youth
attended the district school near his home.
He also spent a short time in a select school
and then returned to the farm, where he con-
tinued until his twenty-sixth year, giving
his father the benefit of his services. He
became familiar with farm work in its vari-
ous departments and his broad experience
proved of much value to him when he start-
ed out upon an independent career.

In 1882 Mr. Bear was united in mar-
riage to Miss Bertha 'R. Mannon, who was
born in Mercer county, Illinois, on the i8th
of March, 1860, the only daughter of James
M. and Sarah J. (Moore) Mannon. Her
father was a prominent and influential citi-
zen of Mercer county, where in 1856 he was
elected county sheriff. He served most ac-
ceptably in that office and later was elected
and served as circuit clerk. At the time of
the Civil war he manifested his loyalty to
the Union cause by enlisting in its defense,
becoming a member of Company K, One
Hundred and Second Illinois Infantry. On
the organization of the company he was
elected its captain, and his meritorious con-
duct on the field of battle won him various
.promotions. In 1862 he was commissioned
major of his regiment, and in October of
the same year was promoted and commis-
sioned lieutenant colonel, thus serving until
the close of the war, after which he returned
to his home in New Boston, where he died
on the 24th of May, 1901.

Mrs. Bear was reared and educated in
New Boston, and at the time of her mar-
riage went with her husband to a farm in
Mercer county, adjoining the old Bear home-
stead. There Mr. Bear engaged in general
farming and stock-raising, and upon indus-
try and enterprise he placed his dependence,
using these as the foundation tlpon which
to rear the superstructure of success. He
made a specialty of the raising of hogs and
cattle, and from his sales realized good
profit. As his financial resources increased
he added to his landed possessions from
time to time until he had between seven and
eight hundred acres, constituting a very val-
uable property. In 1888, however, he dis-
posed of his landed interests in Mercer coun-
ty and came to Piatt county, where he pur-
chased two or three fine farms. He has
since placed his capital in the safest of all
investments real estate until he to-day
owns over one thousand acres of Piatt coun-
ty land, and no richer land can be found
throughout the entire country than is to be
seen in central Illinois. He rents a part of
his land and the remainder is devoted to
the breeding and raising of fine stock. He
makes a specialty of high grade Aberdeen-
Angus cattle, breeding from thoroughbred
bulls, and he has some of the finest specimens
of that stock that can be found in the state.
He also is engaged in the breeding of Berk-
shire hogs. His bull at the head of his herd
is Vice Consul. His farm is splendidly
adapted to the purpose for which it is used ;
there are commodious barns, outbuildings,
and feed yards ; and, in fact, the farm is ex-
cellently well equipped for stock-raising. In
all of his agricultural and kindred interests
Mr. Bear has followed progressive methods
and his efforts have been followed by most
creditable and gratifying success.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bear have been born

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

105

six children : Paul C, who is a graduate of
the Monticello high school ; Lee M., who is
yet in school; Grace M., Ralph W. and
Lloyd, at home; and one that died in infan-
cy. In 1893 Mr. Bea^r built a residence in
the eastern part of Monticello, constructed
in attractive style of architecture and mod-
ern throughout, with all up-to-date equip-
ments, and in its furnishings and interior
decorations it indicates comfort, wealth and
cultured taste.

In his political views Mr. Bear is a Dem-
ocrat and served for one term as supervisor
of Monticello township. He takes an ac-
tive interest in the growth and success of
his party, although he has never been a poli-
tician in the sense of office-seeking. He and
his family are members of the First Presby-
terian church, of which he is a trustee and
elder. An intelligent and affable gentleman,
he is a public-spirited citizen who takes a
deep and helpful interest in everything per-
taining to the welfare of the community
along intellectual, social, material and moral
lines, and he has gained many friends
through his sterling worth of character.

W. A. FLECK.

\Y. A. Fleck is now serving as postmas-
ter of LaPlace and is also dealing in general
merchandising here. He is a young man,
and the success which he has achieved is
creditable and argues well for a prosperous
future. He was born in the village which
is still his home, his natal day being August
5, 1875. His parents are James A. and Cath-
erine (Horner) Fleck, the former a native
of Ohio and the latter of Crawford county,
Illinois. The father came to Piatt county in

1870, settling in the village of LaPlace,
where he engaged in teaching school for
several years. He also filled the office of jus-
tice of the peace and was engaged in the in-
surance business for some time. He then
embarked in general merchandising here,
and successfully conducted his store until
1902, when he sold his interest to his son,
W. A. Fleck, of this review. He then re-
moved with his wife to Decatur, and they
are now living at No. 328 East Bradford
street in that city. The father is there en-
gaged in the grocery business in connection
with another son, under the firm name of
B. E. Fleck & Company, the store being lo-
cated at the corner of Morgan and Marietta
streets. Mr. Fleck is a typical business man
of the west, always alert and energetic, and
has attained creditable prosperity in the con-
duct of his business affairs. In matters of
citizenship he is loyal and progressive, and
at the time of the Civil war he served as a
soldier in defense of the Union. Unto him
and his wife have been born three children :
Benjamin E., who resides in Decatur and is
engaged in the grocery business with his
father; W. A., of this" review; and Estella
B., who is at home.

In the common schools of his native
town W. A. Fleck obtained his education
and afterward began teaching in Cerro Gor-
do township, following that profession for
three years with creditable success. In 1895
he became a representative of mercantile in-
terests of LaPlace, by becoming a partner of
his father in the store which was conducted
here under the firm style of Fleck & Son
until October, 1902, when our subject pur-
chased his father's interest, since which time
he has been alone in business. He carries
a large and carefully selected stock of gen-
eral merchandise and the business methods

ic6

PAST AND PRESENT

which lie has there followed have commend-
ed him to the confidence and patronage of
the public. In October, 1902, he was made
postmaster of LaPlace, and is now occupy-
ing that position. He likewise has other
business duties, being agent for the Hart-
ford & German Insurance Company. His is
the leading stare in the village, and Mr.
Fleck is an enterprising young merchant, his
life being typical of the progressive spirit of
the times.

Mr. Fleck was united in marriage, De-
cember' 7. 1898. to Miss Minnie Carver,
also a native of Cerro Gordo township and
a daughter of Samuel Carver, who is one of
the pioneer settlers of Piatt county and
now resides in the village of Cerro Gor-
do. Mr. and Mrs. Fleck have two in-
teresting children : Ethel and Bernice.
They hold membership in the Christian
church and are people of sterling worth, held
in the highest esteem because of their many
excellent traits of heart and mind. Mr.
Fleck gives his political support to the Re-
publican party, having endorsed its princi-
ples since he attained his majority. He is
now serving as treasurer of Cerro Gordo
township.

Socially, he is connected with the Wood-
men Camp at LaPlace. A young man, he
has already attained an enviable position in
public regard and in business circles, and he
is held in the highest esteem in the com-
munity in which his entire life has been
passed.

GENERAL JOHN L. MANSFIELD.

General John Lutz Mansfield spent the
closing years of his life in the Illinois town
which bears his name and of which he was

the founder. His nature was too broad to
bear the impress of the prejudices or peculi-
arities of any one locality. He was one of
those great characters that seem to compre-
hend world-wide conditions, to recognize the
trend of events which make history, and to
understand the needs of humanity and our
possibilities for development. He labored
long and earnestly for the improvement of
the race along those lines which prove of per-
manent good. He was a man of scholarly
attainments, a lover of liberty in its broadest
and best sense, an educator who regarded
his mission to be one preparing the youth to
meet life's duties, and a statesman who
looked beyond the exigencies of the moment
to the possibilities of the future and labored
for the good of coming generations as well
as for those of the present age. Piatt coun-
ty, during the years of his residence here,
held him in the highest honor, and the town
of Mansfield stands as a lasting monument to
his memory.

General Mansfield was born in Bruns-
wick, Hanover, Germany, on the 6th of June,
1803, and was descended from ancestry hon-
orable and distinguished. His father, Ferdi-
nand Lutz, was at one time minister of
finance in Germany, and a man prominent
in the affairs of the government, wielding a
wide influence, but his brilliant career was
terminated by death on the fiftieth year of his
age. He was a man of broad education and
desired that his son, John, should receive ex-
cellent advantages in that direction, so that
capable private tutors were employed, who
instructed him in various languages as well
as in rudimentary and more advanced
branches of learning. Later he attended some
of the most advanced excellent educational
institutions of Germany, being a student in
the University of Leipsic and the University

GEN. JOHN L. MANSFIELD

MRS. JOHN L.MANSFIELD

I MATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

of Gottingen. He was, however, instructed
at home until twelve years of age. He then
entered a school, where he showed marked
aptitude in algebra and other branches of
mathematics, and later he was recognized as
having few superiors in mathematics and as-
tronomy in Germany. He was a favorite pu-
pil of the great mathematician Gaus, and
when eighteen years of age Mr. Mansfield
was offered the observatory at-Gena, but de-
clined the honor in order to further continue
his private studies. General Mansfield's
physical training was not neglected in the
midst of his arduous mental discipline, and
lie developed a physique and vigor which
made possible the great performance of work
which he did in later years. In youth he was
very delicate and many believed that he
would never attain his majority, but he
sought out physical training which would de-
velop bone and sinew, taking as his pattern
his elder brother, who was a general under
Napoleon, and was regarded as one of the
most powerful men in the service of the Cor-
sican. The result of his careful and syste-
matic physical training was that he became
an expert athlete, and was a leader among his
fellow students physically as well as mentally,
having frequent contests of strength, and
with the sword.

While thus developing physically and
mastering the principles of different sciences
and gaining familiarity with various lan-
guages, Mr. Mansfield was also formulating
. his character and giving shape to his own
destiny. During these years of his student
life he was giving much thought to the study
of government, its purposes, its uses and
abuses. He became a champion of free gov-
ernment and his argument and efforts in his
favor largely molded the opinions of those
with whom he came in contact. He became

a leader in a free government movement
among his fellow students, who demanded
the recognition of the principles for which
they stood. One night General Mansfield
spent the night with some fellow students in a
hotel. He was sought out by the government
authorities, who desired his arrest because of
his activity in the rebellion, and the next
morning he was captured in the hotel, which
was filled with soldiers, but their vigilance be-
ing relaxed for a brief period, he managed to
escape by jumping from a second-story win-
dow. He lay in hiding all day and then fled
to England.

Although General Mansfield could con-
verse fluently in the French, Spanish, Italian
and German languages and was very profi-
cient in Latin, he coud not speak the English
language, but after spending six weeks in
England, he had largely mastered that
tongue. Desiring rather a residence in "the
land of the free" than on the "merrie isle,"
General Mansfield sailed for the United
States in 1824, the vessel in which he took
passage dropping anchor in the harbor of
New York. From that time forward, in dif-
ferent parts of the country, he exerted strong
influence over public thought and action,
viewing life from a humanitarian standpoint,
at the same time studying political, social and
economic questions with a student's and
statesman's grasp of affairs. In 1831 he be-
came professor of mathematics in the Tran-
sylvania University, at Lexington, Kentucky,
occupying that position for twelve years,
during which time some of the most distin-
guished men of the country were among his
students. Promotion came to him in the in-
stitution until he was made its president, and
under his administration the university
gained in reputation and in the extent of its
patronage.

[ IJ

PAST AND PRESENT

On severing his connection with Tran-
sylvania, General Mansfield devoted himself
to civil engineering and surveyed and con-
structed the first turnpike through Kentucky.
It was while he was living in that state that
he changed his name, through an act of the
legislature to John Lutz Mansfield. The influ-
ences of slavery caused him to remove north
of the Ohio river, so that his children might
be separated from the institution. A lover
of liberty and of equal right, he became bit-
terly opposed to the system of human bond-
age then existing in the south, and in 1853
he took his family to Madison, Indiana,
where he retired from active business life. A
man of such breadth of thought, strong prin-
ciple and firm convictions, however, could
not but leave his impress upon the public
mind, and the deep interests which he took
in political questions and his marked patriot-
ism led to his selection for political honors.
Chosen to represent his district in the state
legislature, he was a member of the Indiana
senate for a number of years, filling a position
in the upper house at the time of the inaugu-
ration of the Civil war. He labored earn-
estly for the adoption of the war measures
which found their way to the statute books of
Indiana, and he was a close personal friend
and adviser of Governor Morton, the chief
executive of the state during the period of
the war. In 1860 he was made one of the
electorsrat-large in Indiana on the Republican
ticket, and he took an active part in cam-
paign work, delivering many addresses, not-
ably the one on the merits of the Dred Scott
Decision, which greatly aroused patriotism
throughout the state. When the war came on
he did everything in his power toward de-
vising means necessary to the prosecution of
-the war, and he was also largely instrumen-
tal in raising troops for the front.

When the war was over and the preser-
vation of the Union an assured fact, Gen-
eral Mansfield removed with his family to In-
dianapolis, where he . remained for several
years, coming thence to Piatt county in 1870.
He took up his abode in Blue Ridge town-
ship, where he had previously entered an ex-
tensive tract of land, and here he founded the
town which bears his name.

In 1841 General Mansfield had been
united in marriage to Miss Josephine A. Tur-
ner, who was born in New Orleans in 1821.
They became the parents of nine children,
one of whom, Colonel Fielding Mansfield,
was the youngest colonel, with one exception,
in the Union Army in the Civil war, and was
for some years a manufacturer of St. Louis.
Oscar is a prominent stockman and resides
in Mansfield. Margaret became the wife of
~M. C. Straight and lives in Champaign. Ma-
ria, who has given much attention to musical
and literary pursuits, is now living in Califor-
nia. The others have passed away. Gen-
eral Mansfield spent the last years of his life
in the beautiful home which he established in
Piatt county, and died September 20, 1876,
at the age of seventy-four years. His widow,
who was a most beautiful Christian charac-
ter, and whose life was filled with kind deeds
and gracious thought, has also passed away.

It would be difficult to analyze the life
record of General Mansfield and so determine
what was his greatest work. Viewed from
many standpoints his career could be said to
be a successful one. In the acquirement of
a fortune he showed marked business and
executive ability, and at his death he left to
his widow an estate of over twelve hundred
acres, most of which was improved, and
therefore of great value. If his ambition was
in the line of scholarship he certainly had rea-
son to feel satisfied with the recognition

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

which came to his broad learning. If he de-
sired more than all else to influence his fel-
low men for the betterment of the race again
he may be said to have gained that which he
sought. Along all those lines he won dis-
tinction. His friends entertained for him the
highest personal regard as well as admira-
tion, and many in thought at least have
breathed the spirit of the words :

He was a man, take him for all in all
I shall not look upon his like again.

JOSEPH W. MERRITT, SR.

Joseph \V. Merritt, who is now serving
as police magistrate of Atwood, has filled
the position of justice of the peace for al-
most a third of a century with credit to
himself and satisfaction to his constituents.
He is thoroughly impartial in meting out
justice, his opinions being unbiased by
either fear or favor, and his fidelity to the
trust reposed in him is above question. He
is regarded as one of the leading and most
highly respected citizens of his community,
and it is, therefore, consistent that he be
represented in a work whose province is the
portrayal of the lives of the prominent men
of this section of the state.

Mr. Merritt was born in Augusta coun-
ty, Virginia, October 28, 1838, and is a son
of \Yilliam and Rachel 'A. (Fitzpatrick)
Merritt, who were also born in the Old Do-
minion, of American parentage, and came
to Illinois in 1854. The family located in
Coles countv, this state, where the father,
who was a mechanic, followed the black-
smith's trade for some years, but later en-
gaged in farming. He died in Coles county

in 1895, and his wife about twenty years
previously. This worthy co.uple were the
parents of nine children, five of whom, two
sons and three daughters, are still living,
but our subject is the only one of the num-
ber residing in Piatt county. The others are
all married and still make their home in
Coles county.

Joseph W. Merritt began his education
in the state of his nativity, and after com-
ing to Illinois attended school in Coles coun-
ty for a time. Under the guidance of his fa-
ther he learned the blacksmith's trade in early
life, and continued to follow that pursuit un-
til after his marriage. On the i6th of Jan-
uary, 1857, he wedded Miss Irene Conly,
a daughter of John and Jane Conly, who
were natives of Indiana. Eight children
blessed this union, namely : Joseph W., Jr.,
a resident of Atwood, who married Lula
Samson; Anna, wife of Robert C. Sipe, a
member of the firm of Sipe & Sipe, manu-
facturers of tile at Atwood ; Dazella, wife
of Vinton Garrett, of Atwood; Elmer O.,
who married Alice McDonald and also lives
in Atwood; May, wife of David Mumper,
of Ouincy, Illinois ; Bert, who married Retta
Gosnald and makes his home in Decatur ;
Claud, at home with his father; and Zeph,
who married Bertha Marshall and is a mail-
carrier in the rural free delivery service, re-
siding in Atwood. The mother of these
children died on the ist of April, 1901, and
Mr. Merritt was again married October 6,
1902, his second union being with Mrs. S.
A. Mo'nden, of Decatur, whose first husband
was also a soldier of the Civil war.

When the south made the attempt to
secede Mr. Merritt resolved to strike a blow
for the Union cause, and at Charleston,
Coles county, he enlisted June 4, 1861, in
Company E, Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer

I 'AST AND PRESENT.

Infantry, under Captain West ford Taggart.
He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge,
Stone River, Chickamauga, Perryville and
Corinth, and in the battle of Chickamauga
was taken prisoner. September 20. 1863.
He was incarcerated in four different pris-
ons Libby, Danville (Virginia), Anderson-
ville and Florence, and from the last named
he finally made his escape, as the stockade
was uncompleted at the time. While in hid-
ing he was joined by a comrade, William
Dozier, of the Second Ohio Cavalry, who
made his escape shortly afterward and they
traveled northward together, being seventeen
days and nights upon the trip from Florence
to Newbern. They were compelled to swim
the streams, including the Pedee river in
North Carolina, and had to travel mainly
at night to avoid capture. They encountered
many hardships, and it would have been im-
possible for them to proceed had it not been
for the friendly negroes who gave them as-
sistance. Finding the yellow fever raging
at Newbern and that they would not be al-
lowed to remain there, they boarded a ship
that was sailing and went to New York
city, where Mr. Merritt was in the Soldiers'
Home for a time. General John M. Dix
then gave him transportation to St. Louis,
whence he proceeded to Springfield, Illinois.
where he was honorably discharged from
the service on the 2(\ of November. 1864.
In the meantlime his family had given him
up for dead, having heard nothing from him
while in the southern prisons.

On the 3d of September, i86S. Mr. Mer-
ritt came to Piatt county and settled m
Mackville with his wife and three children.
the other children being born here. Pur-
chasing a blacksmith shop, he continued to
work at his trade until 1890. and later en-
gaged in the agricultural implement business

at At wood, until the tall of 1902. Since
1894 he has also been engaged in the manu-
facture of tile and brick, having purchased a
tile factory at that time, and in connection
with these varied business interests he has
carried on farming to some extent. He
bought seventy acres of timber land, which
he has cleared, tiled and placed under culti-
vation, and built thereon three houses. He
also owns about thirty-three town lots, and
has aided materially in the upbuilding and
development of Atwood.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Merritt are members
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he
is prominently identified with a number of
civic societies, including the Grand Army of
the Republic, the Masonic fraternity, the
Modern Woodmen of America and the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, being the
present treasurer of the Odd Fellows' lodge
at Atwood. Since casting his first presiden-
tial vote for Abraham Lincoln, he has never
wavered in his allegiance to the Republican
party and has taken an active part in political
affairs, serving as a delegate to numerous
county conventions; to the state convention
when Governor Yates was nominated and
to the national convention at St. Louis when
President McKinley was made the candidate
of his party for chief executive of the nation.
Since 1871 Mr. Merritt has served as justice
of the peace and was elected police magis-
trate <m the incorporation of Atwood. He
is also serving as notary public and for man}'
years filled the office of trustee of Unity
township. He has always been identified
with the best interests of his town and town-
ship, and is regarded as one of the most
public-spirited and useful citizens of his com-
munity. Mr. Merritt is a well-read man.
nlways keeping abreast with the times, and
over his life record there falls no shadow

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

of wrong. His public service has been most
exemplar} and his private life has been
marked by the utmost fidelity to duty.

GEORGE O. HIGGINS.

One of the best improved farms in Piatt
county -is the property of George O. Hig-
gins. It is situated on section 12, Monti-
cello township, and is supplied with all mod-
ern equipments and accessories found upon
a model farm of the twentieth century. In
his business affairs he is careful and con-
servative and he has placed his money in the
safest of all investments real estate. His
life history proves conclusively that success
is not a matter of genius, but is the outcome
of clear judgment, experience and indefa-
tigable industry.

Mr. Higgins was born on the 8th of
September, 1846, on a farm near South
Bloomfield. in Pickaway county, Ohio, his
parents being John L. and Mary (Dean)
Higgins. His father was born on a farm
near Lexington, Kentucky, December n,
1817, and died December 27, 1885. He be-
gan his education in the common schools of
Newport, Kentucky, after which he continued
his studies in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he
was graduated, his father, John Higgins, Sr.,
having in the meantime removed to that
city and established the third hotel there.
When he was sixteen he and his parents went
to Lawrence county, Illinois, where they
spent one year. During that time he rode to
mill on an ox and that animal was then used
in grinding the grist. Mr. Higgins after-
ward returned to Ohio and at the age of
seventeen years took a -drove of one hundred
and five cattle over the mountains to New

York city, l.eing in the employ of Vin and
Ned Williams, who in later years were well
known throughout Piatt county as stock-
buyers. Mr. Higgins continued in that line
of business for many years, following it at
a time when the nearest railroad point to his
home was at Springfield, Ohio. In 1850,
however, he discontinued his work as a
drover and began farming in Pickaway
county, Ohio, where he carried on agricul-
tural pursuits until 1869. Attracted by the
opportunities of the growing west and the
rich land, he came to Piatt county in that
year, locating on a farm six miles from
Alonticello, on the Sangamon river. This
farm is situated on section 22, Alonticello
township, and to its development and im-
provement John Higgins devoted his ener-
gies until his death. When he came to this
part of the country wolves howled around
his cabin door. All was wild and unim-
proved and the work of progress seemed
scarcely begun, but during the years of his
residence here civilization has wrought many
great changes in Piatt county, and Mr. Hig-
gins bore an active and helpful part in its
work. He was a prominent and influential
citizen, one who enjoyed the high regard
of his fellow men because his life was up-
right and honorable.

He was married on the 3d of August,
1838, to Miss Mary Dean, who was born in
Wheeling, West Virginia, February 7, 1822.
They became the parents of ten children,
namely : Nancy Jane and Sarah Ann. who
are now deceased ; George O. ; Harriet, who
died when two weeks old ; Hannah, who is
now the wife of Thomas Bendon, of Monti-
cello, Illinois ; Katie, the wife of Joseph Lu-
cas, who is living on a farm southwest of
Cisco, in Macon county; Lucy A., the wife
of John Duvall, a farmer residing near

PAST AND PRESENT.

Rochester, Indiana; William S., who died
at the age of three years; Addie, who died
when five years of age; and Joseph Dean,
who married Sarah Coon and makes his
home upon a farm west of Argenta, Macon
county. All of the children were born in
Pickaway county. Ohio. Mrs. Higgins, Sr.,
died February 20, 1880.

George O. Higgins pursued his early
education in the Oak Grove school of Picka-
way county, attending during the winter
months, while in the summer seasons he as-
sisted his father in the work on the home
farm. He remained under the parental roof
until the time of his marriage, when he came
to Piatt county, Illinois. On the 7th of No-
vember, 1869, in Hocking county, Ohio, he
wedded Miss Henrietta Brown, and with his
bride he removed westward, settling on a
farm in Springtown Lane where he rented
a tract of land. There he lived for two
years, at which time he removed to the Mc-
Comas farm, south of the river, and for two
years he rented and operated that property.
He next lived on what was known as the
Jerry Baker farm for three \ ears, and subse-
quently rented the John Kirby farm in
Goose Creek township for two years. On
the expiration of that period Mr. Higgins
took up his abode in Effingham county, Il-
linois, purchasing a farm of one hundred
acres on which he lived for three years. He
afterward returned to his father's farm in
Piatt county, and continued its cultivation
for six years, during which time he rented
his own land in Effingham county. On leav-
ing his father's farm he removed to-the Hen-
ry Coonse farm, which he rented for two
years. He next lived upon the Shep-
hard farm, near Milmine, renting that prop-
erty for two years, and on the nth of May,
i88g, he purchased the north half of sec-

tion 12, Monticello township, and is to-day
the owner of this tract of three hundred and
twenty acres of rich and arable land. He
purchased the place of Preston Houston for
forty-five dollars per acre and he traded his
Effingham county property for a nice home
in the city of Monticello. About three years
ago he purchased one hundred and twenty
acres of land in Macon county, Illinois. This
is a splendidly improved property on which
he pays an insurance of thirty-five hundred
dollars on the buildings for three years. His
home farm in Piatt county is a monument
to his enterprise and labor. Since the place
came into his possession he has erected all
of the buildings which now adorn it, and
there is no better improved property in all
Piatt county. He paid for the tract
ninety-five dollars per acre, and it is to-day
worth one hundred and fifty dollars per acre.
When it came into his possession it was in
poor condition, having been rented for a
number of years to tenants, who did not take
good care of the property, but since coming
under the management of Mr. Higgins it has
been transformed by the erection of good
buildings and by the care and labor bestowed
upon the place, until now it is one of the
best farm properties in all Piatt county. In
1892 Mr. Higgins erected a residence which
was destroyed by fire two years later, the
conflagration occurring on the last day of
August, 1894. In 1896 he erected a nice
house of eight rooms, supplied with all mod-
ern conveniences, and this home he now oc-
cupies. It is tastefully furnished and stands
in the midst of a well-kept lawn. Mr. Hig-
gins has also built two new barns and has
put up two windmills attached to tanks, and
the water is piped into the barns. There are
two elevated driveway corn-cribs, and, in
fact, no equipment of a model farm of the

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

117

twentieth century is here lacking. He has
fenced nearly the entire place with wire
fencing, which divides the farm into fields of
eighty 'acres. Altogether he has put up
more than seven miles of wire fencing in the
last two years, and he has laid over seventeen
miles of tiling. He has planted several new
orchards at a cost of two hundred and thirty-
eight dollars, securing the stock from the
Troy nursery. Great changes have been
wrought in methods of farming since he first
came to Piatt county, and with the progress
made along agricultural lines Mr. Higgins
has kept fully abreast. He feeds large quan-
tities of all kinds of stock for the market,
making a specialty of hogs, and he keeps
fourteen head of horses and several mules for
vise upon his farm. He raises annually from
eleven to twelve thousand bushels of corn
and oats', and his farm products find a ready
sale upon the market because of their excel-
lence.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Higgins has
been blessed with two children : Mary Etta,
who is the wife of Charles Parks, who re-
sides upon a farm in Piatt county; William
S., who is married and lives upon a farm in
Monticello township ; Catherine, who is the
wife of a Mr. White and resides upon her
father's farm in Macon county ; Atchafalaya,
who died when three years of age; Cora,
is the wife of Marshall Crites, and they
make their home upon her father's farm
north of Monticello; Isaac, who married Jane
McKi'nzie and lives upon his father's farm ;
Lila May, the wife of Charles Tabor, whose
home is upon a farm south of Milmine ; Sa-
clie, who is attending school; Lewis, who
died in infancy ; and Annie, who is also in
school.

Mr. Higgins gives his political support
to the Democracy and has firm faith in its

principles. He has held the office of ditch
commissioner for three terms, covering nine
years, and is still the incumbent in that po-
sition. He has been school commissioner
for nine terms, or for twenty-seven years.
He and his wife are regular attendants at
church services, although they do not be-
long to any religious denomination, and. they
contribute liberally to the support of church
work. Mr. Higgins is a genial, courteous
gentleman, a pleasant, entertaining compan-
ion arcl has many stanch and admiring
friends among all classes of men. His busi-
ness career is notable on account of the splen-
did success he has achieved and because of
the honorable, straightforward methods he
has ever followed. His sagacity and fore-
sight have enabled him to make judicious in-
vestments, while his diligence, indomitable
energy and undaunted perseverance have
won him a prosperity that numbers him
among Piatt county's most substantial citi-
zens, yet he has not only advanced his in-
dividual interest, but has done much toward
promoting the general welfare and the coun-
ty numbers him among its most valued rep-
resentatives.

ALLEN F. MOORE.

Although Allen F. Moore is not a na-
tive son of Monticello, he has spent almost
his entire life here, having been less than
two years old at the time of his parents' re-
moval to this city. As taken in contradis-
tinction to the old adage, that a prophet is
never without honor save in his own country,
there is particular interest attached to the
subject of this review, since in this place he
has passed his active life and so directed his

PAST AND PRESENT

ability and efforts as to gain recognition as
one of the representative citizens of Piatt
county. He is well known, enterprising and
successful in business circles, and has been
honored with the office of mayor of Monti-
cello, filling the position with credit, his ad-
ministration being progressive, practical and
beneficial. Many lines of advancement and
improvement have profited by his co-oper-
ation.

Allen F. Moore is the eldest son of Hen-
ry V. and Alzina W. (Freeman) Moore, the
former a capitalist of Monticello, who is
engaged in the banking business and also
has extensive realty holdings in Piatt coun-
ty, where he has made his home for a third
of a century. On another page of this vol-
ume extended mention is made of him. Al-
len F. Moore was born in St. Charles, Kane
county, Illinois. September 30, 1869, en-
tered the public schools of Monticello at the
usual age. and was graduated in the high
school with the class of 1886. He then fur-
ther continued his studies by matriculating
in Lombard University, at Galesburg, Illi-
nois, where he was graduated on the comple-
tion of a three-years' course, in 1889. Going
then to Chicago, he secured a position as a
bookkeeper in a wholesale dry-goods store,
where he remained for three years. On the
expiration of that period he became confiden-
tial secretary to W. D. Hitchcock, a dealer
in lumber, for whom he acted as bookkeeper,
also having charge of the office. He occu-
pied that position for two years, and then
returned to Monticello in 1894. Joining
the ranks of business men in this city, he
took charge of a harness store in which his
father was interested, conducting the busi-
ness for four and a half years, when he
closed it out. Soon afterward he purchased
a controlling interest in the Pepsin Syrup

Company. He has since developed an excel-
lent business, having a well-equipped plant,
from which is sent out a large product to
meet the growing demands of the trade.

On the 2Oth of March, 1893, Mr. Moore
was united in marriage to Miss Madora
Bradford, of Ouincy, Illinois, a daughter of
E. F. and Emily (Prince) Bradford, of
Quincy, the former being general agent for
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.
Mrs. Moore was educated in Lombard Col-
lege, and it was while students in that insti-
tution that she and her husband met. Unto
them have been born a son and daughter,
Bradford V. and Mary H., but the latter
died in 1899.

Politically Mr. Moore is an ardent Re-
publican, unfaltering in his advocacy of the
principles of the party, and for two years
he served as alderman of Monticello. In
1901 he was elected mayor of the city. Dur-
ing his administration he instituted many
needed reforms and improvements, and
though he at first met opposition to his pro-
gressive measures, the people of the city now
point with pride to many of the improve-
ments he instituted. He is extremely pub-
lic-spirited and anything pertaining to the
welfare of the city is sure to elicit his at-
tention and to find in him a co-operant fac-
tor.

CHARLES F. MANSFIELD.

The family name of our subject is one of
close and honorable connection with the his-
tory of Piatt county, and the subject of this
review is now prominent in the affairs of the
county, being one of its distinguished law-
yers, who at the present time is serving as
state's attorney, making his home in Monti-

C. F. MANSFIELD

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

121

cello. He is a native, however, of Jefferson
county, Indiana, his birth having occurred
in the city of Madison on the 7th of January,
1863. He is a son of General John L.
Mansfield, one of the most distinguished and
prominent residents of Piatt county for
a number of years and the founder of the
town of Mansfield. Reared in the home of
culture and refinement its atmosphere left its
impress upon his character. Charles F.
Mansfield was also given good educational
privileges. During his early youth he at-
tended a German-English school in Indian-
apolis, Indiana, and after accompanying his
parents on their removal to Illinois he con-
tinued his studies in the public schools and
under the direction and preceptorage of his
father.

In the fall of 1878 he matriculated in
Racine College, at Racine, Wisconsin, but
not being pleased with that institution he
spent only one year there. In 1880 he en-
tered the University of the South at Se-
wanee, Tennessee, where he continued his
studies for about three years, when he was
obliged to leave college on account of ill
health. His close application to his books
had undermined his strength, and he sought
rest and recuperation in healthful out-of-
doors exercise. Turning his attention to
farming he found it the tonic he needed and
was soon restored to his accustomed vigor.
Not wishing, however, to devote his entire
life to agricultural pursuits, he resolved to
become a member of the bar, and took up the
study of law in the winter of 1884-5. I"
September of the latter year he entered the
Bloomington law school, and on the comple-
tion of the course was graduated in 1887.
In September of the latter year he entered
the Bloomington law 'school, and on the
completion of the course was graduated in

1887. In June, however, before the close of
his college term, he was admitted to practice,
having successfully passed the examination
before the appellate court. At Springfield,
where he acquitted himself with high honor,
while attending law school he had the ad-
vantage of reading in the office of the firm of
Fifer & Phillips, the senior partner being
later governor of Illinois.

Admitted to the bar Mr. Mansfield
opened an office and entered upon practice in
the town of Mansfield, in July, 1887. In no
calling to which man gives his attention does
success depend more largely upon individual
effort than the law, and that Mr. Mansfield
has achieved distinction in the fields of juris-
prudence at once attests his superior ability
and close application. He has been retained
as counsel in many important cases tried in
the courts of Piatt and adjoining counties.
A man of sound judgment, he manages his
cases with masterly skill and also is a logical
reasoner and has a ready command of Eng-
lish. His powers as an advocate have been
demonstrated by his success on many occa-
sions, and he is now an able lawyer of large
and varied experience in all the courts.
Thoroughness characterizes all his efforts,
and he conducts all his business with a strict
regard to a high standard of professional
ethics.

On the 1 3th of April, 1839, Mr. Mans-
field was united in marriage to Miss Minnie
B. Van Meter, and they took up their abode
with his mother at the old family homestead
in the town of Mansfield, where our subject
lived for thirty-two, years. Their union was
blessed with the presence of a daughter,
Minnie T. Mrs. Mansfield comes of a dis-
tinguished. Virginia family and was born
in the south, while her parents, Joseph and
Teresa (Hugh) Van Meter, were also na-

122

PAST AND PRESENT

tives of Hardy county, Virginia. In 1888
they removed to Salt Lake City, where they
have since resided. Mr. Mansfield, his wife
and daughter are members of the Episcopal
church.

Fraternally, Mr. Mansfield is connected
with the Masonic order, is also an Odd Fel-
low and holds membership relations with the
Knights of Pythias and the Sons of Veter-
ans. In the latter order he was elected major
of the state division, and is prominent in its
circles. He is also a distinguished Odd Fel-
low, has served as a member of the judiciary
committee of the grand lodge of Illinois for
three years, and during part of that time was
its chairman. In 1896 he was elected grand
master of the grand lodge of Illinois, and
there is no representative of the order more
widely and favorably known in the state than
Charles F. Mansfield. He was active in es-
tablishing the Odd Fellows' home for old
people at Mattoon, Illinois, and for several
years he was editor and proprietor of the
Odd Fellows' Herald, published at Mans-
field, succeeding in this position Owen Scott,
a former member of congress.

Mr. Mansfield is equally well known in
political circles, having been an active work-
er in the ranks of the party for the benefit of
local, state and national successes. In 1896
he was nominated on the Republican ticket
for the office of state's attorney of Piatt
county for a term of four years, and filled the
position so capably that in 1900 he was re-
elected for a second term, which will expire
in December, 1904. In January, 1903, in
order to better discharge the duties of his
position he removed from the old home at
Mansfield, which he had occupied for nearly
a third of a century, to Monticello, where he
is now living. He has presented some of
the most important criminal cases in this

part of the state, acting as prosecutor in the
Hickman murder case the people versus
Fred Fales, Otis Woolington, Lloyd Kincaid
and Charles Beckhart. This case was tried
in the circuit court in Monticello in Septem-
ber, 1897, eleven days being consumed in
the hearing. This resulted in the conviction
of three of the parties, the fourth, Charles
Beckhart, succeeding in making his escape,
since which time he has never been found.
He is quick to master all the intricacies in a
case and grasp all details, at the same time
losing sight of none of the essential points
upon which the decision of every case finally
turns. He has a ready flow of language, and
as a speaker is fluent, forcible, earnest, log-
ical and convincing. His knowledge of the
law, it must be conceded, is hardly second to
that of any member of the bar in Piatt
county.

T. G. BAKER.

In America where all are equal before
the law and where success is the logical re-
ward of earnest, persistent effort, there are
many men who achieve prosperity. Mr.
Baker is among the number who owes his
financial advancement to his own labors.
For many years he was actively connected
with agricultural interests in Piatt county,
and now he is living a retired life in Monti-
cello, enjoying a well-earned rest.

He was born in Ross county, Ohio, on
the nth of August, 1854, and is a son of
William and Jane (Grove) Baker, both of
whom were natives of Pickaway county,
Ohio. The Bakers, however, were Massa-
chusetts people, and the Groves were from
Pennsylvania. William Baker, the father
of our subject, followed farming in Picka-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

123

way county, Ohio, for some years, and in
1858 came to Piatt county, settling in Wil-
low Branch township, where he purchased a
tract of land, devoting his attention there
to agricultural pursuits. He is now living
a retired life in Beinent, Illinois, at the age
of seventy-three years, and his wife has
reached the age of sixty-nine years. They
were the parents of four children : T. G.,
whose name introduces this record; F. M.,
a resident of Jefferson county, Illinois, where
he follows farming; Mary, the wife of
Thomas Lamb, Jr., who is engaged in farm-
ing, his home being in Bement township,
Piatt county; Florence, the wife of Ed-
ward Hoover, who is engaged in the grocery
business in St. Paul, Nebraska. The father
prospered in his undertakings and now owns
three hundred and sixty acres of valuable
land.

T. G. Baker of this review was only
about four years of age when brought by
his parents to Piatt county. He acquired his
early education in Willow Branch township,
and later pursued a course' of study at Nor-
mal. Illinois. He began teaching at the age
of nineteen years, having charge of what is
known as Wild Cat school in Willow Branch
township. He devoted five years to educa-
tional work, spending the entire time in
Piatt county and during the summer months
he assisted in the operation of the home
farm. In early life he became connected
with agricultural pursuits, and when twenty-
four years of age he began farming on his
own account. That year he was married,
the wedding being celebrated on the 24th of
April, 1878. The lady of his choice was
Miss Emma Tallman, of Willow Branch
township, a daughter of Douglas and Susan
Tallman. Her father died when Mrs. Baker
was three vears old, and Mrs. Tallman aft-

erward became the wife of R. H. Farra.
She is now living in Monticello, and is the
second time a widow. The home of Mr. and
Mrs. Baker has been blessed with two chil-
dren : Susan and George, both of whom
are attending school.

At the time of his marriage Mr. Baker
began farming upon one hundred acres of
land which he had purchased in partnership
with his father. He continued to cultivate
and improve that place for two years, and
then sold his interest on the farm and
bought seventy acres in Willow Branch
township. Removing to his new farm he
began its further development and with
characteristic energy has since carried on
the work. He added to the property all mod-
ern equipments, facilitating the labors of the
family by use of the latest improved machin-
ery. Annually he harvests good crops and
thus receives for his labor a substantial
financial return. He has invested in other
land and now is the owner of three hundred
and fifty acres in Willow Branch township,
and he has a tract of eighty acres, adjoining
the corporation limits of Monticello. He
continued to farm on his original homestead
until 1890, when he removed to the county
seat, where he has since lived. He yet gives
his supervision, however, to two hundredand
twenty-five acres, and his other farm of two
hundred and five acres is now rented. While
carrying on general agricultural pursuits,
Mr. Baker has also given considerable at-
tention to the raising of stock, making a spe-
cialty of beef cattle, and his sales have add-
ed materially to his income.

In his political allegiance Mr. Baker is
a Democrat, and for one term served as town
clerk. He has also been assessor and school
director and has taken a very active interest
in school work and in maintaining a high

124

PAST AND PRESENT

standard of education here. He has like-
wise been a delegate to various conventions
of his party and he is a valued and exem-
plary member of Fraternal Lodge, No. 58,
F. & A. M.. in which he has served as sec-
retary. His wife, a most estimable lady,
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church
of Monticello. Mr. Baker is a broad-mind-
ed and intelligent man, and through reading
has kept in touch with current events and
the progress of the world. His business ca-
reer is honorable and through keen discrim-
ination and unremitting diligence he has
gained a place among the prominent and
prosperous landowners of Piatt county.

J. FRANK STANLEY.

J. Frank Stanley, the editor and pro-
prietor of the Hammond Courier, has re-
sided in Hammond since March, 1902, and
is now thoroughly in touch with its interests,
laboring effectively and earnestly for its wel-
fare. He was born in Clay county, Illinois,
on the 22d of December, 1876, and is a son
of Stephen and Sarah E. (Brackett) Stan-
ley, both of whom were natives of Kentucky,
whence they came to Illinois at an early day,
settling first in Christian county, where the
father was engaged in general merchandis-
ing for several years. He afterward turned
his attention to farming there, which he fol-
lowed for a few years, and later he removed
to Ingraham, Clay county, where he resumed
commercial pursuits, establishing a general
store, which he carried on for some time.
He then sold out and is now conducting a
restaurant in Newton, having a good patron-
age. In the family are three editors : Int,
who is editor of the Lovington Reporter,

published at Lovington, Illinois ; Otis, who
is editor of the Sainte Marie Tribune, of
Sainte Marie, Illinois ; and J. Frank, of this
review. The other members of the family
are still at home with their parents in New-
ton, Illinois.

In the public schools of that place J.
Frank Stanley acquired his education. At
the age of sixteen he started upon his busi-
ness career, going to Lovington, Moultrie
county, where he learned the printer's trade in
his brother's office, where he worked for six
years. He mastered the business in every
department, becoming familiar with every
principle in detail, and was thus well-
equipped when he decided to engage in busi-
ness on his own account. Returning to
Newton he there established a paper called
the Newton Star, and also published the first
daily paper ever issued in Newton. He con-
tinued his journalistic interests in that place
until March, 1902, when he came to Ham-
mond and established the Hammond Cour-
ier, which he has since conducted. He is
the editor as well as the proprietor, and each
week issues a journal that is a credit to the
locality. The paper is published every
Thursday and has a large circulation. Mr.
Stanley has a well-equipped office and in ad-
dition to his large printing press he has a
nice job press and does all of the job print-
ing for Hammond and other villages nearby.
He keeps well in touch with the progress
made in the ''art preservative of arts" and
in his business career, his thorough under-
standing of printing and his executive abil-
il y and capable management have brought to
him a comfortable competence.

In 1898 Mr. Stanley was united in mar-
riage to Miss Josephine Myers, a native of
Indiana. They are well known in Ham-
mond, where they have gained many friends

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

during the period of their residence here.
Mr. Stanley is independent in his political
affiliations, advocating the men and meas-
ures that he thinks will promote the best in-
terests of the county, state and nation. So-
cially he is connected with the Court of
Honor and the Tribe of Ben Hur in Ham-
mond.

EMOR H. MITCHELL.

There is no more highly respected citi-
zen in Piatt county than Emor H. Mitch-
ell, .one of its early settlers. He makes his
home in Bement after many years' connec-
tion with agricultural interests. He has
watched the greater part of the progress and
improvement which -have transformed Piatt
county from a wild prairie district into one
of the leading counties of this great com-
monwealth with its rich agricultural inter-
ests and its thriving towns, enterprising busi-
ness affairs and educational, social and mor-
al advantages.

Mr. Mitchell is a native of Ohio, his
birth having occurred in Knox county, on
the 5th of December, 1839. His paternal
grandfather, Sylvanus Mitchell, removed
from his native state of Massachusetts to
Ohio in the year 1805, settling in Granville
township, Licking county, where he engaged
in general farming until 1823. At that date
he took tip his abode in Knox county, where
his remaining days were passed and where
he died at an advanced age. He was of Eng-
lish lineage.

Almond Mitchell, the father of our sub-
ject, was born in Licking county. Ohio, on
the 3Oth of March, 1816, and was a lad of
Lut seven years when he accompanied his
parents to Knox county in 1823. He was

reared on the home farm in Milford town-
ship, where he remained until he had at-
tained his majority, after which he pur-
chased a farm in the same township, con-
tinuing to engage in general agricultural
pursuits and stock-raising there until his
death. He was a diligent, industrious man,
progressive in his business methods and in
his undertakings he prospered, becoming the
owner of between five and six hundred acres
of rich farm land. He was also prominent
in public affairs and was well-fitted for lead-
ership, because of his keen insight into pub-
lic matters, his devotion to the general good
and his marked capability. He held a num-
ber of township offices and he cast his first
presidential vote for Andrew Jackson, but
after the inauguration of the Republican par-
ty he became one of its followers. He was
also a supporter of the Methodist church,
and everything pertaining to the general
good received his endorsement, and many
times his active co-operation. In early man-
hood he wedded Miss Margaret Hawkins,
who was born in Knox county, Ohio, on the
2d of May, 1818. She was a member of the
Disciple church and was a devoted and lov-
ing wife and mother and a faithful friend.
Mr. Mitchell died April 6, 1896, and his
wife passed away in 1901. Unto this worthy
couple were born fifteen children, of whom
three died in infancy, while the others
reached years of maturity,. Eight of the
family are now living, two sisters and five
brothers of our subject. One brother- re-
sides in Chicago, another in Texas, and, with
the exception of our subject, the others are
living in Ohio. Harris, the eldest of the
family born in Ohio. in 1838, died in in-
fancy. Emor H. is the second. Lewis is a
farmer of Morrow county, Ohio, and was a
soldier of the Civil war. Alice is the de-

126

PAST AND PRESENT.

ceased wife of Monroe Crego, who is a
farmer of Galena, Ohio. Elizabeth is the
deceased wife of Dempsy Conway, of De-
catur, Illinois. Albert is a resident farm-
er of Knox county, Ohio. Wealthy is
the deceased wife of Thomas Wade, of Knox
county. Torrence is an agriculturist of the
same county. Maria is the wife of Abram
Jackson, of Wichita Falls, Texas. William
is a merchant of Knox county, Ohio. Laura
is the deceased wife of Emer Harris, a farm-
er of Red Oak, Iowa. Dana is engaged in
the practice of law in Chicago. Mary is
the wife of Judson Poland, an agriculturist
of Knox county, Ohio. The other two died
in infancy unnamed.

In taking up the personal history of
Emor H. Mitchell we present to our readers
the life record of one who is widely and
favorably known in Piatt county. He ob-
tained his education in the common schools
of Knox county, Ohio, and in his youth was
trained to habits of industry, economy and
honesty, which have been important factors
in shaping his career in later life. He gained
practical knowledge of farming upon the
old homestead and he remained in Ohio un-
til 1864. when he came to Illinois, establish-
ing his home three and a half miles east of
Bement in Piatt county. Purchasing a farm
of one hundred and sixty acres which was
then but a tract of wild prairie, he began its
development with characteristic energy,
placed all of the improvements upon the
land and made a good home for himself and
familv. There he lived until 1889, when he
removed to the village of Bement, leaving
his farm. For many years he had carried
on general farming and stock-raising and in
the careful control of his business he won
capital sufficient to enable him at the pres-
ent time to live retired.

On the 1 3th of December, 1860, Mr.
Mitchell was united in marriage to Miss
Emily S. Reynolds, who was born in Knox
county. Ohio, a daughter of Amos and So-
phia (Houch) Reynolds. Her paternal
grandfather was William Reynolds, a na-
tive of England, and his wife was born in
Scotland. In the year 1793 he crossed the
Atlantic to the United States, then in the
early years of its republic existence, and lo-
cated in Knox county, Ohio, purchasing a
large tract of land at twelve and a half cents
per acre. This property is still owned by his
descendants. He planted an orchard with
apple seeds brought from England, and
many of the old trees are still standing up-
on this land. Amos Reynolds, the father of
Mrs. Mitchell, was born in Knox county,
Ohio, on the old family homestead, and in
the place of his nativity he spent his entire
life, living upon the farm which is still in
possession of the family. It is situated at
Richhill. and he owned one hundred and
thirty-seven acres as a nucleus to his estate
which grew as the years advanced until it
became a valuable and extensive property.
Throughout his business' career he carried
on general farming and stock-raising, and his
justice and honor in all business transactions
won him the unqualified regard of his fellow
men. He died March 26, 1850, at the age
of forty-nine years, his birth having oc-
curred on the 1 6th of January, 1801. He
was a devoted member of the Methodist
church and to his family he left an untar-
nished name. His wife, who was born April
25, 1808, in Knox county, Ohio, was a con-
stant Christian woman, holding membership
in the Methodist church, and her death oc-
curred in her native county. January 8,
1849. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds were
.born ten children, and the familv record is.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

127

as follows : James, the eldest, born in Knox
county, died at the age of nineteen years.
Sylvester is one of the oldest and most suc-
cessful practicing physicians of Knox coun-
ty. Burr, who went to California in 1849,
and there remained for eight years, after-
ward resided in Huntington, Indiana, where
his death occurred. Daniel was an adjutant-
general in the southern Confederacy and
lost one of his lower limbs while serving his
country. Prior to the Civil war he engaged
in the practice of law in Memphis, Tennes-
see, and subsequently he became a well-
known lawyer of Lake Village, Arkansas.
He was fitted for his profession by gradua-
tion in the Wesleyan College of Delaware,
Ohio. William, born in Knox county,
Ohio, was a resident of Iowa for a number
of years, and. is now an extensive farmer and
stock-raiser of South Dakota. Sarah is the
deceased wife of Lucius Webster, of Knox
county, Ohio. Barbara died at the age of
seven years. Mrs. Michell is the next of the
family. Caroline is the wife of Nelson
Jones, of Foosland, Illinois. Mary died in
infancy. All of the members of the family
were born in Knox county, Ohi.o.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell
has been blessed with six children. Walter
R., the eldest, born in Knox county, Ohio,
is a graduate of the Illinois State University
of the class of 1887, and now resides, in
Chicago, where he is professor of biology
in the Hyde Park high school. He also won
a degree from the Chicago University. He
married Miss Florence Stuart, of Cham-
paign, Illinois, and they have two children,
Beulah and Maurice. Olive, the second
member of the Mitchell family, was born in
Bement, was educated in the common
schools, in the State University and in the
Art Institute of Chicago, doing excellent

work as a water-color artist. Pauline, who
resides in St. Louis, and was educated in the
Normal School of Chicago, is now the wife
of James Grant Abbott, who is a graduate
of the Wesleyan University of Bloomington,
Illinois, and is now a contractor and car-
penter of St. Louis Worlds' Fair. Annie,
who resides at home, is a teacher and as-
sistant principal in the high school of Green-
field, Illinois, her specialty being languages.
Elizabeth died at the age of seventeen years
and Charles died at the age of eight months.
Mr. Mitchell has served in a number of
township offices, and in all the public posi-
tions he has filled has been found true and
faithful to the trusts reposed in him. While
acting as school director for a number of
years he was instrumental in securing the
erection of three new school buildings. In
politics he has always been a stalwart Re-
publican, and has ever kept well informed
on the great national questions which have
divided political opinions into two parties.
His religious faith is that of the Presbyter-
ian church, and his life has ever been guided
by high moral principles and characterized
by sterling integrity and fidelity to duty.
He has seen nearly all the improvements
made' in this part of the county, and has
done his full share in the work of public
progress and advancement.

S. A. BLAGG.

S. A. Blagg, who is now residing in
Mansfield, belongs to that class of represent-
ative American citizens who are known as
self-made, because their possessions have
been acquired entirely through their own ef-
forts unassisted by inheritance, or by influ-

128

PAST AXD PRESKXT

ential friends. Mr. Blagg was born in West
Virginia, November 29, 1844, his parents
being James and Elizabeth (Armstrong)
Blagg. The father was a farmer by occupa-
tion and died when the subject of this re-
view was only five years of age.

In Lewis county. West Virginia, Mr.
Blagg, of this review, obtained his early ed-
ucation. His school privileges, however, were
somewhat meager, and it has been in the
school of experience that he has learned the
valuable lessons fitting him for a practical
and successful business man. At the time
of the Civil war, although but a young boy,
he joined the Confederate army. He went
to face the enemy at Laurel Hill and could
not get away, so enlisted with the Confeder-
ate troops just after the battle of Philippi.
He then served for fopr years, becoming a
member of Company I, Thirty-first Regi-
ment of Virginia Volunteers under the com-
mand of Captain A. H. Jackson and Colonel
W. L. Jackson. He was a brave and loyal
soldier and continued with his regiment un-
til the cessation of hostilities. He was, how-
ever, only twenty-one years of age at the
time of the close of the war.

Almost immediately afterward he came
to Illinois, settling first in Moultrie county
near the Piatt county line. He found this
section of the country in a wild state, the
land was raw and unimproved, and it was
possible to travel in almost any direction
without coming to a fence to impede his
progress. There were no roads and the
work of improvement and development
seemed scarcely begun. Mr. Blagg was in
very limited financial circumstances at the
time of his arrival, and in order to gain a liv-
ing he worked by the day as a farm hand.
Later he rented a tract of land and thus be-
gan life on his own account. As he pros-

pered in his undertakings and was enabled
to save something from his earnings he care-
fully hoarded the money thus won until he
was able to purchase a tract of land. He
now owns two lots in the home which he oc-
cupies in Mansfield. He has been a resident
of Piatt county since 1892, and for a num-
ber of years carried on agricultural pursuits
here.

Mr. Blagg was united in marriage in
Moultrie county, Illinois, to Miss Martha
Hardin, and their union has been blessed
with nine children, eight of whom are now
living: Ida. who was born June 3, 1869;
James, born April 6, 1871 ; Jesse, born Oc-
tober 20, 1873; Benjamin, April 13, 1875;
August, on the 24th of August, 1878;
Marie, May 8, 1880; Charlie, February 21,
1882; Grace, February 6, 1885; and Maude.
April 7, 1892. The oldest daughter, Ida. is
now the wife of Wesley Williams and has
five children.

In his political views Mr. Blagg is a
Democrat, but has never sought or desired
office, preferring to give his time and ener-
gies to his business affairs, whereby he has
attained the success that he now enjoys.
During his long residence in the county he
has become widely and favorably known,
and it is with pleasure that we present his
history to our readers.

WILLIAM E. LODGE.

There are few men whose lives are
crowned with the honor and respect which
was so universally accorded to William E.
Lodge, but through more than forty years
connection with the history of Piatt county
his was an unblemished character. With

WILLIAM E. LODGE

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

him success in life was reached by ster-
ling qualities of mind and a heart true to ev-
en' manly principle. He never deviated
from what his judgment would indicate to
be right between himself and his fellow men,
and he never swerved from the path of duty.
He gained distinction at the bar, where he
practiced for four decades, and he also won
marked financial success in the control of ag-
ricultural interests. Into whatever channel
he directed his energies he so guided his la-
bors that he was always true to his duties to
his fellow men, and secured his own ad-
vancement upon a high mental and moral
plane.

Mr. Lodge was a native of Ohio, his
birth having occurred in the town of Mount
Hope, which is now included within the city
of Cincinnati, in December, 1834. Back to
Kngland can the ancestry of the family be
traced, and representatives of the name es-
tablished homes in America prior to the Rev-
olutionary war. The old family homestead
which came into possession of the emigrants
in 1750 is still owned by descendants of those
who were the first occupants. This property
is situated in Gloucester county. New Jersey,
and it was there that Samuel Lodge, the
grandfather of our subject, carried on farm-
ing throughout his entire business career.
He wedded Miss Abigail Homer, who was of
German lineage, and like her husband was a
native of Gloucester county, New Jersey. It
was their son. Benjamin F. Lodge, who be-
came the father of our subject, and who
after arriving at years of maturity, removed
from New Jersey to Brooklyn, New York,
maintaining his residence in that place while
he conducted his business operations in New
York city for some years. He was engaged
in merchandising there when attracted by
the opportunities of the growing west, and

went to Hamilton county, Ohio. In that sec-
tion of the country he became well known as
a builder of turnpikes, and he took contracts
for similar work in Kentucky, carrying on
the business with success until 1836. In
that year he took passage on a steamer which
eventually landed him at Clinton, Indiana,
but that was not his destination and he con-
tinued his westward journey by team until
he arrived in Paris, Edgar county, Illinois.
All around him stretched the wild prairie,
the work of improvement and development
being scarcely begun, and Mr. Lodge under-
took the mammoth task of improving and op-
erating eleven hundred acres of prairie land
for William Neff, of Cincinnati. He used
forty yoke of oxen in breaking the prairie.
The farm work at that day was very ardu-
ous, because of the primitive condition of the
farm machinery and agricultural implements.
Grain was cut with a sickle and cradle and a
scythe was used in mowing the meadow.
Prices, too, were very low, corn at one time
bringing six and a quarter cents per bushel,
while other cereals were proportionately
cheap. However, Mr. Lodge, with deter-
mined purpose and marked business capabil-
ity, continued the work which he undertook
and central Illinois owes much to him for its
advancement of agricultural interests here.
He planted the first osage orange hedge ever
seen in Illinois, and in his farming he always
kept abreast with the progress and improve-
ment of the times. His first home was about
three and a half miles north of Paris, but lat-
er he removed four miles west of the town,
where he resided until 1857. In that year
he took up his abode in Paris and was identi-
fied with its commercial pursuits as a mer-
chant until his life's labors were ended in
death in the year 1863.

The mother of our subject bore the maid-

132

PAST AND PRESENT

en name of Julia A. Brooks, and was born in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In her early
womanhood she gave her hand in marriage
to Benjamin F. Lodge, and by this union she
became the mother of eight children : Alex-
ander A. ; Samuel A. ; George R. ; Julia, who
became the wife of W. H. Rudy; Benjamin
F. ; William E. ; Charles V. and a daughter
who died in infancy. Mrs. Lodge survived
her husband for a number of years and
. passed away at the home of her daughter in
Edgar county, Illinois, in 1881.

William E. Lodge was a little lad of only
two summers when his parents left Ohio and
came to Illinois. He was reared in Edgar
county amid the wild scenes of frontier life,
and as there were no schools yet established
in that locality his early education was ac-
quired under the direction of his father, who
was a man of broad learning. His training
at farm labor, however, was not meager and
almost as soon as old enough to reach the
plow handles he began work in the fields, as-
sisting from that time on in the task of plant-
ing, plowing and harvesting throughout the
summer and fall months. Every leisure
moment which he had was devoted to study.
While hauling rails he mastered grammar,
and while herding cattle he also learned
arithmetic. It was in such disadvantages
that he pursued his education, but he was
ambitious to advance in that direction, and
throughout his entire life he continually .
added to the rich treasures which were in
the storehouse of his mind. He read broadly,
thought deeply and had the power to assim-
ilate and utilize what he learned. His youth,
however, was largely devoted to farm labor,
and he remained with his parents until he
was -twenty-two years of age.

Nature, however, evidently designed Mr.
Lodge for the practice of law as he seemed

to have a natural predilection in that direc-
tion, and won marked success in the calling.
He began his preparation for the bar as a
law student in the office and under the direc-
tion of Green & Fades, of Paris, and when
he felt that his knowledge justified his ad-
mission to the bar he came to- Monticello,
Piatt county, where a few days later he re-
ceived his license to practice, having suc-
cessfully passed an examination in Paris.

Mr. Lodge at once opened his office and
gradually advanced as he demonstrated his
power to successfully cope with the intricate
problems of jurisprudence. He was re-
markable among lawyers for the wide re-
search and provident care with which he pre-
pared his cases. His logical grasp of facts
and principles and of the law applicable to
them was another element in his success and
a remarkable clearness of expression and ad-
equate language which enabled him to make
others understand not only the salient points
of his arguments, but his every fine grada-
tion of meaning, were account among his
conspicuous gifts and accomplishments.

Mr. Lodge, however, did not confine his
attention solely to his professional duties for
he became extensively connected with farm-
ing. He always maintained a deep interest
in the occupation to which he had been reared
and regarded it as the basis of all national
prosperity. From time to time he made judi-
cious investments in real estate, and ulti-
mately became the owner of six hundred
acres of land in Monticello and Sangamon
townships of Piatt county. Upon his land he
made many improvements, developing farms
modern in all their equipments and supplied
with all accessories necessary to carry on ag-
ricultural work. He was the first in the
county to use tile in draining his land, and
was the first to advocate surface cultivation.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

133

He was deeply interested in the Piatt County
Agricultural Society, and in the accomplish-
ment of the object for which it was estab-
lished. He acted as its attorney and he did
everything in his power to promote its
growth and usefulness. He was a member
of the board of directors of the Chicago &
Paducah Railroad, now a part of the Wabash
system, and was its solicitor at the time of
his death. He was also one of the promo-
ters of the Monticello & Decatur Railroad,
now a part of the Illinois Central and was its
solicitor.

On the 3Oth of January, 1868, was cele-
brated the marriage of Mr. Lodge and Miss
Francis A. Piatt, a daughter of William and
Ciarinda (Marquiss) Piatt. Mrs. Lodge
was born in Goose Creek township, this
county, and was a most estimable lady
of broad culture and innate refinement, and
shared with her husband in the high regard
and friendship in which he was uniformly
held. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lodge was
blessed with five sons : William F., who is
now a practitioner at the bar of Monticello ;
James P. and Charles V., twins, the former
of whom is practicing law and looking after
farming interests of the family, and the lat-
ter also has charge of farming interests in
Kansas and is engaged in the raising of
thoroughbred Holstein cattle and draft
horses ; Paul E. and Fred S. Realizing the
value of education the parents gave their
children excellent opportunities in that di-
rection, at the same time rearing them amid
the influence of a refined and cultured home,
and instilling into their minds lessons tend-
ing toward moral as well as mental develop-
ment. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lodge held mem-
bership in the Methodist church, of which
they were most consistent representatives,
and to the support of the organization they
contributed liberally.

In his early manhood Mr. Lodge gave
his political support to the Whig party and
after the war became a Democrat. The
honors and emolument of office, however,
had no attraction for him as he preferred to
devote his time and energies to his profes-
sional duties and the supervision of his in-
vested interests. In 1864 he established his
home in Monticello upon a beautiful tract
of land of thirty-five acres all within the cor-
porate limits of the city. He passed away
September 24, 1901, and his wife died on
the i6th of September, 1895. Nature be-
stowed upon him many of her rarest gifts.
He possessed a mind of extraordinary com-
pass and an industry that brought forth
every spark of talent with which nature had
blessed him. He was in every way a most
superior man. Faultless in honor, fearless in
conduct, stainless in reputation such was
his life record. His scholarly attainments,
his statesmanship, his reliable judgment and
his charming powers of conversation would
have enabled him to ably fill and grace any
position, however exalted, and he was no
less honored in public than loved in private
life.

JAMES C. LOCHER.

James C. Locher, who is the editor of
the New Era, published at Cerro Gordo, and
is also a dealer in stationery there, was born
in Oroville, Butte county, California, .on the
1 3th of March, 1860, his parents being
James and Mary A. Locher. The father is
a mechanical engineer and in 1873 he left
California with his family, locating in De-
catur, Illinois. Both he and his wife are
still living.

At the usual age James C. Locher began
his education and attended the schools of

134

PAST AND PRESENT

California and Illinois, putting aside his text
books at the age of sixteen years in order to
enter upon his business career. He worked
in his father's sawmill and at other labor in
connection with the operation of the mill,
such as cutting and hauling logs, hauling
lumber and chopping. He remained with
his father until twenty-one years of age, at
which time he left home to seek employment
as a farm hand, devoting the evening hours
to further study of the branches of learning,
which he began in the schoolroom. He
was variously employed until able to pass
an examination, whereby he obtained a
teacher's certificate in Macon county, Illi-
nois, in 1885. He afterward engaged in
teaching for one year in Macon county, and
for six years in Piatt county, being a suc-
cessful educator. He then accepted a posi-
tion in the drug store, where he was em-
ployed for several years, during which time
he mastered the business, learning the use of
the various drugs and remedial agencies
which are found in such establishments. He
then established a drug store of his own in
Cerro Gordo in 1899. continuing its conduct
until 1901. when he disposed of his store and
purchased the New Era. since which time
he has conducted the paper in a manner
creditable to the town, and with financial re-
sults satisfactory to himself. In 1902 he
purchased the drug store in which he was
first employed in Cerro Gordo, and is still
carrying on this business, and also deals in
stationery, carrying a large and well selected
line in both departments. It was in the
year 1883 that Mr. Locher removed from
Decatur to Cerro Gordo, and here he has
continuously made his home for twenty
years.

On the 1 5th of November, 1885, in
Cerro Gordo, Mr. Locher was united in mar-

riage to Miss Capitola Hyett, and unto them
have been born four children : Fred, Mabel
Florence and Ralph. Mr. Locher has held
no official offices save those of village trus-
tee, village treasurer and a member of the
school board, but has ever been deeply inter-
ested in the welfare and progress of his com-
munity, and has given generous and hearty
aid to many movements for the general
good. For two years he was secretary of
the Cerro Gordo Building and Loan Asso-
ciation. His political support is given to
the Republican party, and he is quite prom-
inent in the Masonic fraternity, having been
a member of Cerro Gordo Lodge, No. '600,
F. & A. M. since 1882. He has held all of
the offices in the lodge save that of secretary
and treasurer, and is the present senior dea-
con. In 1902 he became a member of Be-
ment Chapter, No. 65, R. A.. M., and the
following year joined Beaumanior Com-
mandery. K. T., while in 1901 he became a
member of the Independant Order of Odd
Fellows and since. 1884 he has been a mem-
ber of the Christian church, and thus his in-
terests are of a varied nature, which show
him to be a broad-minded man, having due
regard for the material, intellectual, social
and moral development of his community.

HENRY V. MOORE.

Henry V. Moore is one of the oldest rep-
resentatives of the banking business in Mon-
ticello. having thus been connected with its
financial interests since 1870. His success
in all his undertakings has been so marked
that his methods are of interest to the com-
mercial world. He has based his business
principles and actions upon strict adherence

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

to the rules which govern industry,, economy
and strict, unswerving integrity, and what
he is to-day he has made himself, for he start-
ed out upon his business career with nothing
but his energy and willing hands to aid
him. By constant exertion, associated with
good judgment, he has raised himself to the
prominent position he now holds, having
the friendship of many and the respect of
all who know him.

t .\ native of Illinois, Henry V. Moore
was born in Farmington, Fulton county, on
the ist of December, 1837. His father was
Dr. Henry Moore, who devoted his life to
the practice of medicine and died in 1849.
For some time he was a resident of New
York, living upon a farm near Auburn. The
year of his birth was 1809. Removing to
the west he engaged in farming near Ellis-
ville, Fulton county, Illinois, ami was one
of the pioneer settlers of that locality. He
aided in its early development and improve-
ment, and he carried on agricultural pursuits
for many years, meeting with prosperity in
his undertakings. He wedded Miss Mary
Hand, a native of New Jersey, who, in her
girlhood days, was taken by her parents to
Ohio, the family home being there estab-
lished amid pioneer surroundings and en-
vironments. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moore
were born six children, four of whom
reached adult age. The father passed away
in Fulton county, Illinois, at the age of forty
years, and the mother reached the advanced
age of eighty-one years.

Henry V. Moore was reared as a farm
boy and was sent to the district school in
his early youth, thus acquiring his prelim-
inary education, which was supplemented
by a course in Lombard University, of
Galesburg, Illinois, where he pursued his
studies for three vears. Thus he was well

prepared by liberal educational privileges
for the practical and responsible duties of a
business career. Upon the completion of his
collegiate course he accepted a clerkship in a
grocery store in Champaign, Illinois, and in
1864 he purchased the store and stock of
his employer, continuing in the business on
his own account for six years or until 1870,
when he sold out. He had met with very
gratifying success in that enterprise and his
capable management, reasonable prices and
fair dealing had secured to him a liberal pa-
tronage whereby he annually obtained a
good income on his investment. It was in
1870 that Mr. Moore came to Monticello,
where he has since made his home. Here
he formed a parnership with A. J. Dighton
in a private banking business and the rela-
tionship was continued until the death of Mr.
Dighton, on the 25th of December, 1878.
Mr. Moore then admitted William H. Plunk
to an interest in the business under the firm
style of H. V. Moore & Company, private
bankers, and this name has since been re-
tained. The institution is one of the
strong financial enterprises of the county,
and receives a liberal patronage from the
best people of this locality. A general lnk-
ing business is carried on and the extensive
reality holdings of Mr. Moore are a safe
guarantee to the depositors. As his finan-
cial resources have increased he has, from
time to time invested in property, and he
is now the owner of sixteen hundred acres
of choice land in Piatt county, which can
command the highest market price, and no
district of this great country has more val-
uable or productive land than is to be found
in this county.

In 1866 was celebrated the marriage of
Mr. Moore and Miss Alzina W. Freeman, a
native of Ohio. Five children have been

i 3 6

PAST AND PRESENT

born unto them : Mary H., who died in
1889; Allen F. ; Arthur L., who is living
in Chicago; and Dwight L. and George M.,
who are yet under the parental roof.

For thirty-three years Henry V. Moore
has been a resident of Monticello and his
business record throughont this period has
been such as any man might be proud to
possess. He is energetic, prompt and nota-
bly reliable, and while he has gained wealth,
this has not been alone the goal for which
he has striven, for he belongs to that class
of representative American citizens who pro-
mote the general prosperity while advancing
individual interests.

JAMES STEPHENSON.

James Stephenson, who is now practi-
cally living a retired life in the village of De-
Land, was born in the neighboring state
of Indiana, his birth having occurred at
Boonville, Warrick county, on the i8th of
January, 1826. His father, Thomas Steph-
enson, was a native of Logan county, Ken-
tucky, in which state he passed his boyhood
and youth, much of his time being devoted
to farm work, and when a young man he
went to Indiana, becoming one of the early
settlers of Warrick county. It was. there that
he met and married Miss Sarah Phillips, who
was born in South Carolina in 1801, and
was a daughter of John and Agnes Phillips,
who were of English descent and residents
of Boonville, Indiana. Throughout life
Thomas Stephenson continued to engage in
farming. He died in 1859. and his wife
passed away in 1872. They were the par-
ents of nine children, four of whom are
still living, namely: Mary, wife of George

P. Hull, a retired citizen of Washington;
Nancy, wife of Elias Crumb, a farmer of
Marion county, Illinois ; James, of this re-
view ; and Maria, widow of William Lang-
ford and a farmer of Warrick county, Indi-
ana.

To the common schools of his native
county James Stephenson is indebted for
his early educational privileges, though he
was only able to attend school for about
three months during the winter season, and
his lessons were conned in a log schoolhouse
with puncheon floor and slab benches. Dur-
ing the summer months he worked on the
home farm, remaining, with his father until
his marriage until 1844, when he led to the
altar Miss Martha J. Meeks, a daughter of
Benjamin and Jennie (Young) Meeks.
Eight children blessed this union, namely :
Paulina Jane, widow of Samuel Howell and
a resident of AJissouri ; Sarah, deceased ;
Thomas, a farmer of Iowa ; Linzy, a resident
of South Dakota ; Ida, wife of William Mill-
er; James T., a resident of Jackson, Minne-
sota; Minnie, wife of E. O. Delivou, a
blacksmith of DeLand; and William T., a
farmer of Minnesota.

After his marriage Mr. Stephenson pur-
chased a forty-acre farm, which he operated
for one year, and on selling that place he re-
moved to French Island, Indiana, where he
spent three years. His next removal made
him a resident of Macon county, Illinois,
where he purchased a farm of forty acres
and resided there for ten years. He then
sold out and came to Piatt county, locating
near Bement. where he bought one hundred
and sixty acres and farmed there for nine
years. He next rented the Scott farm in
Goose Creek township, and while residing
there he purchased two hundred and forty
acres in the same locality, settling on his

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

137

new place in 1872, and residing there until
his removal to DeLand in January, 1903.
Here he bought two lots and built a nice sev-
en-room residence, also a barn and other
buildings, making it a very neat and attract-
ive place. Here he is practically living a re-
tired life, though he still superintends his
farm work, which is done by hired help, and
he feeds a large amount of stock, making a
specialty of shorthorn cattle. He has been
quite an extensive stock-raiser, and has found
this business a profitable source of income.
Mr. Stephenson's first wife died June
1 8, 1-882, and on the 26th of December,
1883, he was again married, his second
union being with Miss Sarah Wilkinson, a
daughter of William F. and Jane Wilkin-
son. She is a member of the Christian
church and a most estimable lady. In his
political views Mr. Stephenson is a Demo-
crat, and he held the office of justice of the
peace in Goose Creek township for four
years, but has never cared for political pre-
ferment, his time and attention being
wholly occupied by his business affairs. Af-
ter a useful and honorable career he can well
afford to lay aside all business cares and
live in ease and retirement, enjoying the
fruits of former toil. He always made the
most of his opportunities and he has the re-
spect and confidence of all who know him.

GEORGE W. BUNYAN.

George W. Bunyan is widely and favor-
ably known in Piatt county after long con-
nection with its agricultural interests and
is now living a retired life in the village of
Hammond. He established his home in this
county in 1867 when deer still roamed over

the prairie, and prairie wolves were seen
in quite large numbers. He is a native of
Herefordshire, England, his birth having
there occurred on the I5th of April, 1831.
His parents were Elijah and Sarah
(Swaby) Bunyan, both of whom were na-
tives of England, and in the year 1833 they
came to America, landing in New York in
the month of February. They then made
their way to Pennsylvania, settling near the
Delaware river, where Mrs. Bunyan was
taken ill and died only three weeks after
landing in this country. Because of the
great amount of sickness in that locality the
husband and father determined to seek a
home further west, and made his way to
Ohio. He was a miller by trade and fol-
lowed that pursuit for a number of years.
He afterward removed to Allen county. In-
diana, where he became connected with agri-
cultural interests, following farming until
his death, which occurred in 1837.

In 1866 a brother of our subject came
to the west, settling on section 32, Bement
township, Piatt county, and it was because
of this that George W. Bunyan came to Pi-
att county in 1867. He was less than
two years of age when brought to
America by his parents, and was reared in
Ohio and Indiana. On coming to Illinois
he purchased a tract of land in Bement
township, and with characteristic energy be-
gan its development and improvement. As
the years passed this became a very valuable
property, constituting one of the best- farms
in this locality. Mr. Bunyan was very pro-
gressive in his farming methods and was
quick to adopt improvements that would fa-
cilitate his work and render his labors more
valuable in the acquirement of a handsome
competence.

In Richland countv. Ohio, was cele-

'38

PAST AXD PRESENT

brated the marriage of George W. Bunyan
and Miss Eleanor Dratt, a lady of French
descent, who was born in Wayne county,
Ohio, on the loth of July, 1829, and is a
daughter of Andrew and Eleanor (VanPelt)
Dratt. Her father was a cooper and fol-
lowed his trade in Ohio during the greater
part of his life. Both he and his wife died
in Ashland county, that state. Mr. and Mrs.
Bunyan became the parents of five children :
Sarah J., who is now the wife of John Mc-
Cabe and resides upon a farm near Bement ;
John W., who first married Janette Wal-
lace, who died in 1885, after which he
wedded Jane Dobson, with whom he is now
living on the old Bunyan homestead in
Unity township, Piatt county; Charles An-
drew, who married Lilly Bernard and re-
sides in Hammond, where he is engaged in
the lumber business ; Wilbert Willis, who
married Ruth Shaw and resides upon the
home farm in Unity township; and Marga-
ret Elverta, the wife of Dayton M. Lincoln.
They reside with Mr. and Mrs. Bunyan and
have two children, George M. and Chester A.
Mr. Bunyan continued to engage in
farming upon the old homestead in Unity
township until the 2ist of February, 1895,
when he removed to the village of Ham-
mond, where he has since lived retired. He
is now enjoying a rest which he has truly
earned, for through many years he was an
active factor in agricultural circles in Piatt
county. He now owns eighty acres of land
in one farm and another tract of one hun-
dred and sixty acres, both being in Unity
township. In addition to this he has a com-
fortable home property in Hammond. His
political support is given to the Republican
party and he is entitled to membership in
the Grand Army of the Republic, for while
living in Ohio he enlisted in May, 1864,- in

tlie National Guard of that state, becoming
a member of Company D, One Hundred and
Sixty-third Regiment under Colonel Hiram
Miller. This regiment was called to active
service, but Mr. Bunyan remained with the
army for only a few months for he became
ill and was sent to the hospital at Fort Po-
cahontas, Virginia. Later he was trans-
ferred to the hospital at Fortress Monroe,
Virginia, where he received an honor-
able discharge in September, 1864. His
name has always been an honored one in
business circles and a synonym for integrity
and straightforward dealing. In matters of
citizenship he has ever been loyal, and has
withheld his co-operation from no move-
ment calculated to benefit the community.
He has witnessed many changes during his
residence in the county for he has seen pio-
neer conditions give way before advancing
civilization and Piatt county has kept abreast
with the general improvement along all
lines which have advanced material, social,
intellectual and moral interests.

GEORGE R. TRENCHARD.

Success is determined by one's ability to
recognize opportunity and to pursue this
with a resolute and unflagging energy. It
results from continued effort, and the man
who thus accomplishes his purpose usually
becomes an important factor in business cir-
cles of the community with which he is con-
nected. Although comparatively a young
man. Mr. Trenchard has already attained a
leading place among the representative busi-
ness men of his section of the county, be-
ing the well-known and popular cashier of
the First National Bank of DeLand.

G. R. TRENCHARD

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

141

He was born on a farm just outside the
corporation limits, February 14, 1867, and
is a son of William O. and Nancy (Lyons)
Trenchard. His father is a native of Eng-
land, born in New Devonshire, on the 8th
of August, 1828, and is a son of Joseph and
Edna (Upjohn) Trenchard. The latter died
in March, 1881. The father of our subject
removed to Morgan county, this state, and
for about thirteen years was engaged in ag-
ricultural pursuits near Jacksonville. At the
end of that period he came to Piatt county
and purchased one hundred and seventy acres
of land in Goose Creek township south of De
Land, where he followed farming for over
thirty years. Since then he has made his
home in Champaign, Illinois.

While living in Morgan county, Wil-
liam O. Trenchard was married July 25,
1852, to Miss Nancy Lyons, who was born
in County Clare, Ireland, August 25, 1830.
Her parents spent their entire lives in that
country. Her father was a full-fledged
Irishman, but her mother was of Scotch-
Irish descent. Unto Mr, and Mrs. Trench-
ard were born seven children, as follows :
Mary, wife of John Tatman, a farmer of
Iowa ; Ellen, wife of Robert Bragg, who
follows farming near DeLand; Joseph, a
physician of Chicago, who married Emma
Marquiss, but she died in January, 1892 ;
William H., a farmer and stock- raiser living
near Carlton, Missouri ; Frances, wife of
William Sullivan, a real estate dealer of
Champaign; Sadie Edna, wife of G. M. Mor-
ton, a grocer of Champaign; and George R.,
of this review.

The subject of this sketch, who is the
youngest of the family, was educated in
the common schools near DeLand, and re-
mained with his father, assisting in the op-
eration of the home farm until his marriage,

which was celebrated December 28, 1898, at
the home of Thomas Bondurant in DeLand,
where his wife had resided for several
years. In her maidenhood she was Miss
Lucy Thornton, a daughter of William and
Fanny (Bondurant) Thorton, of Des
Moines, Iowa. She has become the mother
of one child, Wendell Bondurant Trenchard,
who was born on the 3d of April, 1900.

After his marriage Mr. Trenchard com-
menced farming on a tract of one hundred
and sixty acres south of DeLand, but after
residing there for a year he sold that place
and bought a farm of three hundred and
twenty acres just north and adjoining the
corporation limits of DeLand. After oper-
ating that place for three years he was ap-
pointed cashier of the First National Bank
of DeLand and has since given his atten-
tion principally to the discharge of the du-
ties of that position.

Mr. Trenchard has taken the first degree
in the Masonic Lodge there and is also a
member of DeLand Lodge, No. 603, K. P.,
and DeLand Camp, No. 2178, M. W. A.
Both he and his wife hold membership in
the Christian church. In all of his under-
takings he has prospered thus far, his excel-
lent success being but the logical result of
his careful and correct business methods.

JOHN FRIZZELL.

* >

This well-known and highly esteemed
citizen of DeLand, was born in Fairfield
county, Ohio, April 25, 1841, a son of
Jason and Rebecca (Turner) Frizzell, both
representatives of old Virginia families. The
father was born in Ohio in 1808, and was
educated in the common schools of that

PAST AND PRESENT

state. In early life he followed farming in
Fairfield county, and for the long period of
forty-five years most acceptably served as
justice of the peace. At one time he was
also the Democratic candidate for sheriff,
but was defeated. He was a stanch support-
er of that party and' took a very active and
prominent part in local politics. In 1830 he
married Rebecca Turner, who died when our
subject was a year old, and he was again
married in 1851, his second union being
with Jane Jones, of Pennsylvania, by whom
he had three children : Jason, who served in
the Civil war as a member of the Seven-
teenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and is now
a railroad man living in Ohio; William; and
Barbara, wife of Dudley Layman. The chil-
dren of the first marriage were Joel, a resi-
dent of Ohio ; Frederick, who died in the
army ; Jackson, also deceased ; John, of this
review ; Emily and Rebecca, both deceased.
The father died in Ohio, February c, 1862.

J *J'

John Frizzell is indebted to the public
schools of Ohio for the educational privi-
leges he enjoyed during his boyhood, but he
was able to attend school but little as he be-
gan work as soon as old enough. At the
age of fifteen years he commenced learning
the tanner's trade, which he followed con-
tinuously until the Civil war broke out,
when prompted by a spirit of patriot-
ism he offered his services to the govern-
ment. At Columbus, Ohio, in 1863, he en-
listed in the Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, with which he served until hostili-
ties ceased. He was in a number of engage-
ments, including the battle of Guntown,
where he was taken prisoner June 10, 1864.
For about seven months he was incarcerated
in Andersonville prison, was in Millen pris-
on six or seven weeks, and was also confined
in the jail at Columbus, Georgia, for a few

days, but was finally paroled and sent home,
receiving an honorable discharge at Colum-
bus, Ohio, in 1865.

After resting for a time Mr. Frizzell be-
gan work as a farm hand and also did odd
jobs. In 1866 he left his native state and re-
moved to Charleston, Illinois, where he was
married on the jth of June, that year, to
Miss Mary L. Frizzell, a daughter of David
B. and Harriet (Smith) Frizzell, who were
from Ohio. Her mother is still living in
Cumberland county, Illinois, at the age of
eighty-five years, but her father died in
1868 at the age of fifty-four. He had two
brothers : Lloyd drove an ox team across
the plains to California in 1849 and died in
San Francisco of heart failure. He was
county treasurer for one or two terms. John,
a physician, served for three years as a sur-
geon in the Civil war and died in Butler,
Bates county, Missouri, six years ago. The
wife of our subject is one of a family of
seven children, the others being Sarah, de-
ceased ; John, who died in the army ; Craw-
ford, a resident of Terre Haute, Indiana;
Rebecca, wife of John Jenuine; Alice, wife
of George Stults, a farmer ; and Lloyd, who
is operating the old home farm. Unto our
subject and his wife were born two children,
namely : Florence, deceased ; and Gertrude,
wife of O'Neal Barnes, who is engaged in
farming on our subject's place near DeLand.

In 1879 Mr. Frizzell came to Piatt coun-
ty and began farming near the present site
of DeLand, which was then a cornfield. He
bought a forty-acre farm in 1882, but sold
the same later and purchased sixty acres, on
which he made his home for fourteen years.
On disposing of that farm he bought an-
other of one hundred acres, which he oper-
ated quite successfully until 1902. when he
removed to DeLand and purchased town

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

property, though he still owns his farm near
the village. His home in DeLand is a valu-
able property, consisting of a fine house,
good barn and other outbuildings situated
on four lots. He has a large amount of
fruit upon his place, including cherries and
berries of all kinds, and everything is in
first-class condition. Here, surrounded by
all the comforts which go to make life worth
the living, Mr. and Mrs. Frizzell expect to
spend their remaining days. They are prom-
inent members of the Methodist Episcopal
church, taking an active part in its work, and
they enjoy the esteem and friendship of all
who know them. Mr. Frizzell is a member
of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is
a strong Republican in politics. His life
has been one of industry and usefulness and
he merits the success that has come to him
as well as the confidence that is so freely ac-
corded him.

JAMES CLIFTON TIPPETT.

Piatt county figures as one of the most
attractive, progressive and prosperous di-
visions of the state of Illinois, justly claim-
ing a high order of citizenship and a spirit
of enterprise which is certain to conserve
consecutive development and marked ad-
vancement in the material upbuilding of men
who have controlled its affairs in official ca-
pacity, and in this connection the subject of
this review demands representation as one
who has served the county faithfully and
well in positions of distinctive trust and re-
sponsibility. He is now acting as circuit
clerk and recorder of Piatt county and
makes his home in Monticello.

Mr. Tippett was born at White Heath,

Piatt county, on the 3d of July, 1873, and is
a son of Cumberland Tippett, whose birth
occurred in Licking county, Ohio, about the
year 1834. The father was a merchant and
also devoted some time to farming and to
preaching the gospel as a local minister. He
Became an early settler of White Heath and
his influence for good was widely felt. In
his ministerial capacity he was called upon
to perform the marriage ceremony for many
couples in Piatt and adjoining counties. He
was ever the friend of progress, reform and
improvement, and his influence was ever
given on the side of right and justice. His
death was occasioned by accident on the 2d
of October, 1875, at which time he fell from
an apple tree. His wife survived him and is
still living at White Heath. She was born
in Ohio in 1848. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tip-
pett were born two children : Florence
M. is the wife of Dr. B. E. Duvall, a resi-
dent of Atlanta, Georgia. She is also a
physician, having pursued a course in the
Southern Eclectic Medical College at At-
lanta, Georgia, in which institution her hus-
band pursued his medical course. Both are
now actively engaged in practice and each
are in the enjoyment of a lucrative business.
In connection with their work in this direc-
tion they are editing the Southern Eclectic
Medical Journal of Atlanta, Georgia, which
is recognized as authority on many subjects
of which it treats.

James C. Tippett, whose name intro-
duces this record, was reared and educated
at White Heath. On leaving the public
schools he entered the State University at
Champaign, where he pursued his studies
for several terms, and then returning to his
home he engaged in farming and stock-rais-
ing, making a specialty of feeding hogs and
cattle. His father was the owner of a small

144

FAST AND PRESENT

tract <?f land and it was upon this that Mr.
Tipptftt carried on his agricultural pursuits.
He continued farming until May 1900,
wlien he was nominated on the Republican
ticket to the office of circuit clerk, and was
elected the following fall, assuming the du-
ties of his office in December of the same
year, his term to extend four years. He is
now the incumbent in the office and is dis-
charging its duties with marked promptness
and fidelity. By virtue of his position as
circuit clerk he is also recorder of the county
and his administration of the affairs of the
office is most commendable.

On the 5th of October, 1898, occurred
the marriage of Mr. Tippett and Miss Mat-
tie Jamison, a native of Illinois and a daugh-
ter of Mrs. Inez Bender, of Decatur, Illinois.
Socially, Mr. Tippett is connected with the
Knights of Pythias fraternity, with Selah
Lodge, No. 243, I. O. O. F., and with the
Modern Woodmen of America. He is a
most genial and affable gentleman and is
well known in his native county, where he
has spent his entire life. His interests are
thoroughly identified with those of Piatt
county, and at all times he is ready to lend
his aid and co-operation to any movement
calculated to benefit this section of the coun-
try or advance its wonderful development.

B. T. McCLAIN, M. D.

Dr. B. T. McClain, of Atwood, Illinois,
was born on the 28th of September, 1854,
in Harrison county, Kentucky, of which his
parents, George and Sarah McClain, were
also natives. Throughout life the father
followed farming and made his home in
either Harrison, Scott or Grant counties,

Kentucky. Both he and his wife died in
that state. Our subject and his brother \Yil-
liam, were the only ones of the family to
come to Illinois, and the latter is now an ex-
tensive farmer of Sangamon count}-.

The preliminary education of our sub-
ject was obtained in the common schools of
Grant county, Kentucky, and he also at-
tended high school there. Later he went to
Cincinnati, Ohio, and began the study of
medicine, pursuing a two-years' course in
the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Sur-
gery, from which he was graduated
in the class of 1886. He was grant-
ed the degree of M. D. and licensed to
practice. Opening an office in Scott county,
Kentucky, he was engaged in practice there
for four years, and at the end of that time
removed to Franklin, Morgan county, Illi-
nois, where the following seven years were
passed. In 1897 ne cam e to Atwood, and
here he has built up a large practice which
is constantly increasing. As the village is
in the southeast corner of the county he re-
ceives many calls from Douglas and Moul-
trie as well as Piatt county for his country
practice is very extensive.

Dr. McClain married Miss Sarah
Hughes, of Owen county, Kentucky, and to
them have been born two children : Myrtle
and Nellie. Mrs. McClain is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church of Atwood,
while the Doctor is a Baptist in religious be-
lief. They have a nice home in the south
part of town, where his office is also located,
and in the latter he keeps a stock of medi-
cines. He is a member of the Esculapian So-
ciety of the Wabash Valley, the Douglas
County Medical Society and the Illinois
State Medical Society, and by the inter-
change of thought which forms a feature of
those organizations he keeps in touch with

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

145

the progress which is continually carrying
the science of medicine toward perfection.
His life is a busy one, so numerous are the
demands made upon his professional skill,
and it is therefore well that he takes a deep
and abiding interest in his work, in which he
has attained a high degree of proficiency.
Socially, he is a member of Atwood Lodge,
No. 761, I. O. O. F., and the encampment of
the same order at Atwood; Atwood Lodge,
No. 651, F. & A. M., of Atwood; the chap-
ter and commandery of Masonry at Tuscola,
Illinois ; and the Knights of Pythias Lodge
at Tuscola. In politics he is a Republican.

E. L. REEVES, M. D.

Among those who devote their time and
energies to the practice of medicine and
surgery and are meeting with success in their
chosen profession is Dr. E. L. Reeves,
who had built up a good practice in and
around Milmine, although he has made his
' home here only a short time. A native of
Illinois, he was born near Carlisle in Clin-
ton county, November 17, 1865," and is a son
of J. M. and Rachel (Jones) Reeves, who
are now living near Vandalia, Fayette coun-
ty, this state, both having passed the Psalm-
ist's allotted span of life three score years
and ten. The father has made farming his
life occupation. In the family were three
children : J. T., a physician of Pittsburg,
Illinois; H. C., a farmer of Fayette county;
and E. L., of this review.

During his boyhood Dr. E. L. Reeves at-
tended the public schools and was graduated
at the Vandalia high school in the class of
1884. He then engaged in teaching for a
time, and having determined to enter the

medical profession he matriculated at the Ec-
lectic Institute in Cincinnati, where he gradu-
ated in 1890, with the degree of M. D. He
opened an office in Lake City, Illinois, where
he remained until 1892, and was then a
practitioner of St. Elmo until the fall of
1902, which witnessed his removal to the
village of Milmine, where he has already
secured a good patronage, his skill and abil-
ity being soon recognized.

On the I2th of July, 1893, near Van-
dalia, Illinois, was celebrated the marriage
of Dr. Reeves and Miss Ella J. Godsey, who
was born near that city, March 30, 1869.
The Doctor is a Republican in politics, and
is a prominent member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is serv-
ing as official instructor. He also belongs
to the Rebekah Lodge and to the Modern
Woodmen of America, being medical exam-
iner for the camp at Milmine. Occasionally
he contributes articles of worth to the Ec-
lectic Journal and has gained recognition as
one of the able and successful physicians of
his part of the county, as well as one of its
best citizens.

WILLIAM DIGHTON.

Controlling important financial and
agricultural interests, William Dighton
occupies a prominent position in business
circles of Piatt county, where his efforts
have been so discerningly directed along
well defined lines of labor that he seems
to have 'realized at any one point of his ca-
reer the full measure of possibility at that
point. He is yet a young man, but he
possesses the energy and enterprise so
characteristic of this section of the coun-

r 4 6

PAST AND PRESENT

try and in the management of his busi-
ness affairs displays marked capability.
While winning success he has also gained
the confidence and good will of his fellow
men and William Dighton is to-day num-
bered among the popular, prominent and
representative citizens of Piatt county.

Mr. Dighton has spent his entire life
here, with the exception of a brief period
passed in college. He was born upon the
home farm in Piatt county, June 4, 1873,
and is the fourth son of Andrew J. and
Sarah C. (Netherton) Dighton. His boy-
hood days were passed in the usual man-
ner of farmer lads of the period and the
work of field and meadow became familiar
to him in his youth. He was provided
with good educational privileges, for after
attending the grammar and high schools
of Monticello, he entered the State Uni-
versity, at Champaign, Illinois, where he
spent two years as a student. On leaving
college he again took up his abode upon
the home farm but soon afterward became
connected with the active management of
the First National Bank in Monticello, in
which he accepted the position of assistant
cashier. The successful conduct of the in-
stitution since that time has been largely
due to his efforts. He has made a close
and thorough study of the banking busi-
ness and his obliging manner, unfailing
courtesy to the patrons, his keen fore-
sight and energy have been salient feat-
ures in the prosperity of the bank. He
acted as assistant cashier until 1897, when
he w r as elected vice president and now
holds that connection with the bank.

Mr. Dighton has not confined his at-
tention, however, to one line for he is
a man of much natural business ability,
resourceful and alert, and in agricultural

interests he is especially prominent. His
real estate possessions are extensive,
amounting to about fifteen hundred acres
of choice land, and there is no finer land
in all America than is contained in the
farms of Piatt county. His property is
divided into a number of farms, some of
which are situated in Champaign county
and all are under a high state of cultiva-
tion. Mr. Dighton is also extensively in-
terested in live stock. He buys, feeds,
raises and ships both hogs and cattle, and
annually sends several carloads to the city
markets. Besides those he raises himself
or buys in this locality he has also dealt
in western cattle, and being an excellent
judge of stock, he makes judicious purchases
and profitable sales.

In 1888 occurred the marriage of Wil-
liam Dighton and Miss Jessie L. Thomp-
son, a daughter of Mrs. C. N. Thompson,
of a prominent old family of Monticello.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Dighton hold mem-
bership in the First Presbyterian church,
of which he is a trustee. They contribute
liberally to the support of the church and
take an active part in its work, and Mr.
Dighton is also a prominent Mason, be-
longing to Fraternal Lodge, F. & A. M. ;
Markwell Chapter, R. A. M. ; and Cham-
paign Commandery, K. T. Having al-
ways made his home in Piatt county he
is widely known in this part of the state.
He is also' widely recognized as one of the
most prominent, alert and enterprising
business men of the county. Intricate
business situations he readily masters
and shapes conditions to the further-
ance of his own ends and yet in his busi-
ness life he has never been known to
take advantage of the necessities of his
fellow men or to swerve in the least from

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

the strictest commercial ethics. His gen-
ial nature renders him popular, and as a
citizen he belongs to that class of public-
spirited men who are found as supporters
of all that contributes to the material,
social, intellectual and moral development
of the communities with which they are
connected.

SAMUEL SMOCK.

A representative of the agricultural inter-
ests of Piatt count}-, Samuel Smock, who
iv?ides on section 16, Monticello township,
well deserves mention in this volume. He
i? to-day the possessor of a fine property
which stands as a monument to his enter-
prise and unfaltering perseverance through-
out the years of his business career. He
\vas born in Ohio near the dividing line be-
tween Pickaway and Ross counties, his natal
day being the I4th of November, 1834. His
father, William Smock, was a native of Vir-
ginia and in early childhood removed to
Ohio where he was educated in the common
schools. He was reared upon a farm, early
assisting in the labors of field and meadow
and in the Buckeye state he remained until
1839. when he sought a home in Illinois,
coming to Piatt county. He cast in his lot
with the early settlers and /lived amid the
wild scenes of frontier life. He purchased
his farm from the government, becoming
the owner of a tract of land in Monticello
township, for which he paid one dollar and
twenty-five cents per acre. Not a furrow
had beeti turned nor an improvement made
upon the place, but with characteristic en-
ergy he began its development. Subse-
quently he sold it and purchased another

farm of eighty acres on which he made his
home until his death which occurred about
1878. His wife bore the maiden name of
Jane Heath and she, too, was born in Ohio.
They became the parents of three children :
Samuel ; Rufus, who died about fifteen years
ago; and Hiram, who died about twelve
years ago.

Samuel Smock obtained his education
in one of the old-time log schools with a
puncheon floor, slab benches and other prim-
itive furnishings. This school was located
where the fairgrounds are now seen. At an
early day, however, he left school, for his
services were needed upon the home farm
and he continued to assist his father until
1861, when he began farming on his own
account. This occupation he has made his
life work and his labors have been crowned
with a fair degree of prosperity. At the
time of his marriage he took up. his abode
upon the farm which has now been his home
for forty-two years. Many great changes
have occurred during this period, many rods
of tiling have been laid, an orchard has been
planted and two houses have been erected by
Mr. Smock, the second one being his present
residence, which is very attractive and com-
modious, containing ten rooms. It stands
in the midst of a fine lawn in which are a
large number of shade trees that have been
planted by Mr. Smock. He has also erected
a new barn and other buildings and has
generally improved the place until it is one
of the best improved in this section of the
county. In connection with general farm-
ing he feeds a large number of hogs for the
market, all mostly Poland China and Red
Rock stock.

On the yth of March, 1861, Mr. Smock
was united in marriage to Miss Marietta
Hart and unto them have been born four

148

PAST AND PRESENT

children : John H., who is engaged in farm-
ing; Charles A., who is with his father on
the homestead; Ada A., who is also under
the parental roof; and Edwin O., who died
in 1894. Mrs. Smock and her daughter are
faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Mr. Smock has held the office of
school director for twenty-seven years. In
politics he is a Democrat, but the honors
and emoluments of office have had no at-
traction for him. He has concentrated his
energies along one line and his undivided at-
tention combined with capable management
and energy have resulted in bringing to him
a creditable success.

SAMUEL WATERS ALLERTON.

One of the largest land owners in Piatt
county, but who makes his home in Chicago,
is Samuel W. Allerton, who traces his an-
cestry to Isaac Allerton, who came over in
the Mayflower in 1620. Isaac Allerton was
a native of England and was torn between
the years 1583 and 1585, the exact date be-
ing unknown. He resided in London for
some time prior to his removal to Holland
in 1609. It is generally admitted that he
was the wealthiest of all the Pilgrims and
was one of the few among them to whose
names Bradford and other contemporaneous
writers always gave the prefix "Mr." which
in those days was used as an index of supe-
rior family or respectability. He was also
one of the three upon whom the privilege
of citizenship was conferred by the city of
Leyden, his associates in this honor being
William Bradford, afterward governor of
the Plymouth colony, and Degory Priest,
his brother-in-law. He was first married in

the city of Leyden, November 4, 1611, to
Mary Norris, of Newbury, England, and at
the time of the sailing of the Mayflower
he had four children. His wife died Feb-
ruary 25, 1621. In 1626 he married Fear
Brewster, daughter of Elder William Brew-
ster. She was a woman of pleasing appear-
ance and of a pious disposition and was the
mother of Isaac Allerton, the second of that
name, from whom the Allerton family is de-
scended. She died in 1634, while his death
occurred in 1659.

Samuel W. Allerton is of the ninth gen-
eration from Isaac Allerton, of whom men-
tion has just been made. He was born
at Amenia, Dutchess county, New York,
and is a son of Samuel W. and Hannah
(Hurd) Allerton, the former also being a
native of Amenia, born December 5, 1785.
He was united in marriage to Hannah Hurd
on March 26, 1808. She was born in South
Dover, Dutchess county, New York, and
was the eldest daughter of Ebenezer and
Rebecca (Phillips) Hurd, her father being
an extensive farmer and stock-dealer in
Amenia. By this union there were nine
children, eight of whom were living in Jan-
uary, 1899, at a combined age of over six
hundred and thirty years. In his early life
the father of our subject studied for the
medical profession, but changing his mind
he learned the tailor's trade and became a
merchant tailor, while at the same time he
carried on a country store. In 1828 he was
one of the promoters in building a woolen
mill and establishing a factory. In conse-
quence of the reduction of the tariff in 1833
nearly all the manufactories in New Eng-
land were ruined, and Mr. Allerton lost
nearly all his fortune. In 1837 he went
west to Iowa with the hope of building up
;i.'= fortune but was taken sick and returned

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

to his eastern home. In 1842 he removed
to Yates county, New York, where he rent-
ed a farm, and in 1848 he bought a farm
in Wayne county, in the same state, where
he lived the remainder of his life. He was
a man of sterling integrity, was a Universal-
ist in religious belief, and lived to the ripe
old age of ninety-nine years and eight
months.

Samuel Waters, Allerton, our subject,
was but seven years of age when his father
failed in business, at which time he received
an impression which has influenced his no-
ble life. While the sheriff was selling his
father's property, his mother shed tears
when two horses which had been highly
prized were sold. Putting his arms around
his mother's neck he told her that he would
be a man and provide for her. In after life
he kept his promise. He was the youngest
of the nine children and lived in Amenia un-
til he was fourteen years of age, but com-
menced to work for himself when he was
twelve years old. In 1842 he went to Yates
county with his parents and remained with
them until they had saved enough money to
buy a farm in Wayne county. With his
brother Henry, he then rented a farm and
made fifteen hundred dollars, which they
invested in a farm in Wayne county, leav-
ing still three thousand dollars unpaid.

Renting another farm Mr. Allerton be-
gan its cultivation and at the end of three
years had saved thirty-two hundred dollars.
He then went to Newark where he worked
with his brothers on their farm and traded
in a small way in livestock in Wayne coun-
ty. On his return from Albany and New
York, where he had gone with some stock,
he said to his brother Henry: "I. believe I
know as much as the dealers I met, and as
we now have the farm paid for and three

thousand dollars in money, I will settle with
you, you taking the farm and I taking the
money." His brother replied : "If you con-
tinue as you are in a few years you will own
the best farm in the country, but if you wish
to try the livestock business, all right, we
will settle on this basis. This is all the
advice I have to give you. You will run
across smart and tricky men, but they al-
ways die poor. Make a name and character
for yourself and you are sure to win."

The first hundred cattle Samuel bought
after dissolving partnership with his broth-
er, he sold in New York at a loss of seven
hundred dollars. This made him sick, but
calling on an elderly uncle who had made
a success in life, he was told by his uncle,
"My boy, you are pretty sick, but don't lose
your courage. I never found but one dead
sure thing, and that was hoeing corn at fifty
cents per day. If you make money you must
sometimes lose it. Try it over."

About this time women had burned a
number of bridges on the Erie Railroad be-
cause the trains would not stop for dinner.
Going to Erie, Mr. Allerton purchased one
hundred head of cattle, which he shipped
to New York over the Erie Railroad, and
which on account of the burned bridges had
to be unloaded and driven to Dunkirk,
where they were reshipped. On his arrival
he found the market short on cattle, and
his venture netted him three thousand dol-
lars, which gave him new courage. He then
drifted west and for one year fed and raised
cattle in Fulton county, Illinois. The finan-
cial panic which swept over the country at
that time wiped out all the capital he had,
and becoming ill he concluded that he could
not stand the western climate. Returning
east, he bought an interest in a store with his
brother in Newark, New York, and for a

PAST AND PRESHXT

short time engaged in mercantile business.
Selling goods', however, was not agreeable
to him, as he desired to deal on a larger
scale.

While residing in Illinois he had met a
daughter of Astor C. Thompson, of Fulton
county, that state. Having regained his
health he sold his interest in the store and,
gathering his money he had left and bor-
rowing five thousand dollars, he came west,
the young lady in Fulton county being the
principal attraction. On his arrival there
he traded a little, but in March, 1860, he
returned to Chicago, which has since con-
tinued to be his home. On the ist of July,
1860, he was united in marriage to Miss
Pamilla Thompson, at Peoria, Illinois,
and with his young bride returned to Chi-
cago, "where the world turned around ev-
ery twenty-four hours," and which was the
proper place in which to trade.

On going to Chicago, MT. Allerton com-
menced to buy and sell livestock in a small
way, there being then no general market in
the city except for a short time during the
winter. Shippers generally took their live-
stock to the eastern markets. About this
time there was a decided break in the Chi-
cago market, and Mr. Allerton desired to
buy, but having formed no connection with
any bank there, the question was how to
get money. Among his few acquaintances
in Chicago was a man by the name of To-
bey, whom he asked to take him to a bank
and identify him. Mr. Tobey was willing
to do this but he said that he could not guar-
antee anything. He was assured by Mr.
Allerton that he only wished to be identi-
fied and that he would arrange the balance.
He was taken to the bank of George Smith
and, on being introduced, said to Mr. Wil-
lard, "If I pay for three telegrams, one to

Halstead, Chamberlain & Company, asking
if they will pay my draft; one to your own
correspondent, to ascertain if Halstead,
Chamberlain & Company are all right ; and
one to my own bank to assure you that I
am all right, can I come down to-morrow
and sell you a sight draft?" He replied
"Yes." Mr. Allerton went back to the
stockyards and bought all the hogs in the
market and went down with a draft for
eighty thousand dollars, asking Mr. Willard
if he had received replies to his telegrams.
His answer was that- he had and that the
replies were favorable. Mr. Allerton hand-
ed him the draft and was told that he could
not discount so large a draft on telegrams
and that he had supposed that he would not
want more than five thousand dollars. Mr.
Allerton said, "You know Mr. Tobey, and
you certainly do not think that he would in-
troduce a thief to you."

Mr. Willard, however, would not dis-
count the draft and Mr. Allerton found him-
self in a position where he must have money,
but what to do he did not know. Leaving
the bank, he accidentally met a man from
Syracuse, New York, and asked him if he
was acquainted with any banks in Chicago,
and was told that he knew Aikens & Norton.
He was taken to them and introduced. Mr.
Aikens looked over the telegrams and signi-
fied his willingness to comply with Mr. Al-
lerton's request, but that he would have to
charge one per cent, for the use of the money.
In this way Mr. Allerton became a customer
of Aikens & Norton. The Civil war broke
out and the nation needed money. Congress
passed the national bank act, issuing bonds
to secure the circulation. This was regard-
ed by Mr. Allerton as a step in the right di-
rection toward a national currency, as the
nation had never had anything but "red

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

153

dog" and "bob-tailed" currency. To start
a national bank would aid the government
and give the people unifrom currency, but
for some reason the people seemed slow to
start national banks. Mr. Allerton asked
Mr. Aikens why he did not start one and
was answered "because he feared he could
not get the stock taken." Mr. Allerton said
that he, with five other men, would take ten
thousand dollars each. In this way the First
National Bank of Chicago, one of the
strongest financial, institutions in the coun-
try, was started.

By his union with Pamilla Thomp-
son two children were born. Kate Bennett,
born June 10, 1863, married Dr. Francis
Sydney Papin, October 14, 1885, and after
his death married Hugo R. Johnson. Rob-
ert Henry, born March 20, 1873, is repre-
sented elsewhere in this volume. The moth-
er of these children died and Mr. Allerton
later married her sister, Agnes C. Thomp-
son, the marriage ceremony being solem-
nized March 15, 1882. They are now re-
siding in a beautiful home on Prairie avenue,
Chicago.

Mr. Allerton has been a very successful
business man and is well known througout
the state and nation. He wrote the first let-
ter published in the Chicago Tribune in fa-
vor of organizing the Union Stockyards, so
as to bring all buyers and sellers together,
which has made it the greatest livestock
market in the world and also made Chicago
a money center. He always had the desire to
own a farm when he succeeded in accumu-
lating enough money. His desire has cer-
tainly been gratified, and he is to-day one
of the largest farmers in the country who
cultivates his own land, cultivating about
forty thousand acres in the very best man-
ner. He is said to have a hobby for pur-

chasing poorly productive lands and by cul-
vation "makes them blossom as a rose." He
has large interests in ranches and gold mines
and has lands in Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa,
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and
New York, and has always been interested
in the livestock trade and continues to ship
livestock to New York and England.

Mr. Allerton received his early political
education from Henry Clay and Horace
Greeley, and has always been a strong be-
liever in a protective tariff and free schools.
He remembers that in the campaign of
1844, when Henry Clay was a candidate for
the presidency, the issue was "Shall we put
a tariff on iron and inaugurate free
schools ?" The Democrats said that "a tar-
iff would build up home monopolies and free
schools would te a burden and a tax on the
people." Clay replied, "Give the people free
schools so as to increase their intelligence,
their energy and industry, and home com-
petition would reduce the price of iron."
It was then one hundred dollars a ton. Re-
membering the words of Henry Clay and
believing the free school system has made
this great nation, Mr. Allerton, by giving
the land, has had schoolhouses built on
each of his farms. Since the organization
of the party he has been a stalwart Republi-
can and has been mentioned and his election
advocated by some of the best newspapers
and best citizens of the state for the high
office of United States senator. That he
would honor the office and people of- the
state goes without question. He once ran
for mayor of Chicago in the interest of civil
service with no pledges to any one. His de-
sire was to give the city an honest, clean ad-
ministration. The office would have been
no honor to him but he would have honored
the office. It was his intention to employ the

'54

PAST AND PRESENT

best engineers in the country to settle the
vexed question of engineering and in all de-
partments o.f the city government to put the
right man in the right place, irrespective
of politics. He carried the north division
of the city and the other intelligent wards,
but was beaten by a sharp political trick of
his opponent.

Mr. Allerton believes that all men should
try to lead a successful life; this he owes to
himself, his friends and his people. He be-
lieves that young men to-day have better op-
portunities for advancement than when he
was a boy, and that they have better teach-
ers and better schools. Labor is higher and
the necessities of life are cheaper, and there-
fore the opportunities are much greater for
success. His life is certainly an object les-
son for the young men of to-day, and he
certainly deserves all the honor which he re-
ceives.

LOUIS C. A. HUMEAU.

Coming to this country from a foreign
land Louis C. A. Humeau has improved
the opportunities which America offers to
her adopted sons and is to-day one of the
substantial citizens of Piatt county, Illi-
nois, making his home in Mansfield. He
was born in Angers, France, on the 25th
of July, 1 86 1, and is the youngest in a
family of five children, whose parents
were Francis and Mary Homeau. He is
also the only surviving member of the
family. The father owned and conducted
a wocdyard in France and during the
winter months when his business greatly
increased he employed about five men.
The mother died when her son Louis was
Taut four years of age and the father

passed away when he was eighteen years
of age. The oldest sister of the family
died in France when about eighteen years
old.

Louis C. A. Humeau obtained his
early education in France and was pro-
vided with good privileges, there being
graduated in the agricultural school of
his native country when about eighteen
years of age. On attaining his majority
he determined to establish his home in
America and attest the truth of the favor-
able reports which he had heard concern-
ing the United States and its business
possibilities. He landed at New York on
the 24th of September, 1882, after a voy-
age of eleven days on the steamer Circas-
sian, and thence made his way to Mont-
real, Canada, where he remained for
about eighteen months. On the expira-
tion of that period he removed to Illinois
and spent about a year at St. Ann. On
the expiration of that period he located
in Farmer. City, DeWitt county, Illinois,
and afterward came to Mansfield, Piatt
county, where he arrived in the spring of
1885. Here he has resided continuously
since and until 1897 was in the employ of
Root Brothers, as one of their most
trusted representatives. In that year he
began working for the D. F. Wyman Com-
pany in the lumber business and is still
with Mr. Wyman.

On the 25th of September, 1888, Mr.
Humeau was united in marriage to Miss
Olive S. Clouser and unto them have been
born five children, all of whom are yet
living and the three eldest are now stu-
dents in the Mansfield schools. These
are George H., who was born April 23,
1891; Adele M., born June 26. 1893;
Florence L.. born February 27, 1898;

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

155

Francis, born on the 24th of May, 1901,
and an infant daughter born July I, 1903.

In 1889 Mr. Humeau purchased a lot
in Mansfield and erected the house which
he and his family now occupy, it being a
pleasant home and the abode of cheerful
hospitality which is much enjoyed by their
many friends. Politically Mr. Humeau is
a stanch Republican and served as village
clerk for one term, while for four terms
he has been village treasurer. In his re-
ligious faith he is a Methodist.

REV. ERNEST HAWLEY.

There is no position held by man more
important than pastor of a church, nor is
there a position that has attached to it
greater importance or responsibility when
properly conceived and conscientiously
discharged. This is more essentially the
case with the clergymen of the Catholic
faith, for he is held more as an instructor
and guide, not only in religious matters,
but in moral and social conduct by his con-
gregation. There are few men by character
and education better fitted to preside over a
people in all these relations than the rev-
erend gentleman whose name introduces
this sketch.

Father Hawley is a native of Leices-
tershire, England, born February 26,
1866, at Melton Mowbray, a place noted
for fox hunters. His parents were
Thomas and Mary (Hall) Hawley. The
father is now deceased but the mother is
still living and continues to reside in Eng-
land. Our subject acquired his early edu-
cation in Radcliffe College, Leicester,
England, and remained in that countrv

until his eighteenth year, when he com-
menced his ecclesiastical studies in north-
ern It^ly, at Domo D'Ossola, near Turin.
He spent nine years in the Alps and
spoke nothing else but Italian during that
time, being well educated in that lan-
guage. He was ordained a priest by
Bishop Ricardi, of Novara, Italy, on the
roth of July, 1892. Two years were
passed in France, and in 1893 he was sent
to this country directly from Italy to be-
come a teacher at Galesburg, Illinois,
where he spent five years. He also did
some missionary and parish work while at
that place, and was then sent to Kewanee,
this state, for six months as assistant pas-
tor to Rev. F. C. Duffy, now rector of
St. Patrick's Catholic church at Danville.
On the 29th of June, 1901, Father Hawley
was appointed by Bishop J. L. Spalding as
vice rector under Rev. F. G. Lentz at Be-
ment with out-mission at Monticello. He is
still located here and has done effective
work of the parish. He is a man of
scholarly attainments and has a splendid
library, of which he makes excellent use.
At the present time he is engaged in the
translation of a historical work from the
French, entitled the Sources of Modern
Civilization, written from the Christian
standpoint by Godefroid Kurth. He is
very earnest and conscientious in all that
he does and he labors untiringly for the
interests of the church. It will be inter-
esting in this connection to note something
of the history of St. Michael's church of
Bement, of which Father Hawley is the
pastor. Its record is as follows.

The Catholic church in Piatt county
gained its first stronghold in the early
'6os. Previous to this time Catholicism
had made its way into this section of the

i $6

PAST AND PRESENT

state for Catholic families had located
within the borders of the county and con-
tinued their belief in the doctrines of the
great organization which has its center
in Rome. However, there was no perma-
nent church formation and the people
only had religious ministrations as priests
came from Danville or Decatur. The
Catholic families were scattered in the
southern part of Piatt county, but it was
only at rare intervals that the priests of
the church came to this locality and no
record was kept of their visits or of the
work done among the followers of Cath-
olicism. At times of baptisms or deaths
the people usually visited Decatur, but in
the early '6os the work was firmly in-
stituted here by the Rev. A. Vogt of
Decatur, who held regular services and
continued his work among his Catholic
followers in Piatt county until 1865. At
that time Rev. P. Toner, pastor of the
church in Champaign, was assigned to the
mission work of Champaign and Piatt
counties. The growth of the Catholic
population and their deep interest in the
work then led to the formation of a con-
gregation and the erection of a house of
worship which was built in Bement in
1867 at a cost of twenty-one hundred dol-
lars. The following year the Rev. P. Ber-
mingham was stationed as pastor of tho
Catholic church at Ivesdale and Bement
was made one of the out-missions of that
place, so continuing until June, 1871. At
that time, on account of ill health, Father
Bermingham took a trip to Europe and
upon his return he passed away in Cleve-
land, Ohio. He was succeeded by the
Rev. Thomas Shanley, who was a man of
marked executive ability and energy as
well as of deep Christian purpose and

strong character. He soon brought about
many new reforms that proved of marked
benefit to Catholicism and led to the growth
of the church. He had labored, however, for
only a few years when death claimed him
and he passed to his reward on the 2d of Sep-
tember, 1874. This worthy Christian priest
was then succeeded by the Rev. M. J. Byrne,
who very successully carried on his good
work not only instructing his people in the
teachings of the church, but also having
marked influence in behalf of the cause
of temperance. He taught the wrong-
fulness of the vice of drink and
largely eliminated the use of intoxicants
among the Catholics in this community.
Throughout the years the congregation
grew in numbers and force and in Chris-
tian spirit, and in 1889 the increase in the
congregation demanded larger accommo-
dations so that a new church was erected
at a cost of forty-five hundred dollars and
this was dedicated on its completion Sep-
tember 5, 1889. The work of the church
has also been promoted in Bement by
Revs. Labrie, O'Dwyer, Devany, Dono-
van and Barry. They continued their la-
bors effectively in the mission until the ist
of June, 1891, when Bement was cut off
from Ivesdale and placed under the charge
of a missionary rector, the Rev. F. G.
Lentz, who did much to further the cause
among the members of the parish. A par-
sonage was built by this congregation dur-
ing his administration, containing all mod-
ern improvements. It is a credit to the
town and county and indicates the devo-
tion of the , Catholics of this locality to
their church and its best interests. The
present pastor is the Rev. Ernest Haw-
ley, who took charge in 1900. He is a man
of scholarly attainments, of broad general

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

157

learning and a comprehensive understand-
ing of Catholicism and its teachings. His
devotion to his parishioners and their best
interests is most marked, and under his
supervision the church is making, rapid
and satisfactory progress, the different
branches .of work being now in a thriv-
ing condition.

H. W. WHEELER.

H. W. Wheeler, who is successfully en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits 'on section 36,
'Cerro Gordo township, is a native of Illi-
nois, his birth having occurred in Macon
county, April 15, 1855. His father, Charles
Wheeler, was born in Kentucky and in early
manhood married Mary Wheeler, a native of
Tennessee. Though bearing the same name
they were not related prior to their marriage.
They were among the pioneers of Macon
county, Illinois, their home being on a farm
near Spangler Mills, where in the midst of
the forest the father cleared a tract of land
and placed it under cultivation. Through-
out life he followed the occupation of farm-
ing. In his family were fifteen children,
seven of whom are now living, namely : Mrs.
Hathaway and Alfred, both residents of Ne-
braska; John, a resident of Long Creek, Ma-
con county, Illinois ; Mrs. Belle Schroll, who
lives on a farm near Independence, Iowa ;
H. W., of this review; Leander, a resident
of Macon county ; and James, of Nebraska.

Reared upon the home farm, H. W.
Wheeler obtained his education in the dis-
trict schools of that locality and gave his
father the benefit of his labor in the cultiva-
tion of the fields until. eighteen years of age.
He has made farming his life work, and

in following that occupation has met with
good success. The first piece of property
he acquired was a tract of thirty acres on
section 36, Cerro Gordo township, Piatt
county, and he has since added to the place
until he now has one hundred and twenty
acres under a high state of cultivation and
well improved with good and substantial
buildings.

Mr. Wheeler was married on the I2th
of March, 1883, to Miss Isabella Dobson,
a native of Scott county, Illinois, and- a
daughter of Philip and Isabella (Morley)
Dobson, the former of whom was born in
Scarborough, England, and the latter in
Whitby, England. In 1850 they emi-
grated to America and settled near Jack-
sonville in Morgan county, Illinois, but
shortly afterward removed to Lynnville,
the same county, and in 1866 came to Pi-
att county, locating in Cerro Gordo town-
ship. Mr. Dobson has been called upon
to mourn the loss of his wife, who died
March 13, 1893, and he now makes his
home in Richmond, Virginia. Of their
eight children seven are yet living : Mrs.
Mary Balch, of Cerro Gordo ; Mrs. Sarah
Ankrom, of Douglas county, Illinois; Isa-
bella, wife of our subject; Robinson, a res-
ident of Cerro Gordo township, this 'coun-
ty; Rachel, wife of Arthur B. Lamb, of
Bement township ; Anna, wife of William
Brandenburg, of Cerro Gordo; and John,
of Cerro Gordo township. Mrs. Wheeler
was educated in the public schools of Cer-
ro Gordo and the Normal College at Val-
paraiso, Indiana, and for a number of years
successfully engaged in teaching in Cerro
Gordo township. Our subject and his
wife have three children : Philip, Mary
and Martha, and the family is one of prom-
inence in the community where they re-

158

PAST AND PRESENT

side. In his political views Mr. Wheeler
is a Democrat, and he gives an earnest
support to all measures which he believes
will prove of public benefit.

A. D. PIERSON.

A. D. Pierson, whose home is on section
33, Unity township, is one of the most pro-
gressive and enterprising farmers of that
locality and a worthy representative of one
of the most prominent and influential fami-
lies of that section of. the country. He was
born on the 2d of July, 1857, in Vigo coun-
ty, Indiana, and is a son of Willis C. Pier-
son, who was a native of Kentucky and
from that state removed with his mother to
Vigo county, Indiana, when only four years
old, his father, Elijah Pierson having died in
Kentucky. Prior to that time only three
settlements had been made in the county,
these being known as the Reed. Drake and
Langtry colonies. Indians were then far
more numerous than the white men and
Vigo county had but just entered upon its
era of development. Willis C. Pierson aid-
ed in clearing and breaking many an acre of
land in that state and bore an active part in
its early improvement. In early manhood
he married Miss Eveline Reed, a distant rel-
ative of S. R. Reed, of Monticello, Illinois,
and a daughter of William Reed, whose
family was also from Kentucky. By this
union thirteen children were born, seven of
whom are still living, the birth of six of
these occurring in Vigo county, Indiana,
and the others in Piatt county, Illinois.

In March, 1865, Mr. Pierson and his
family started for Illinois in an old covered
wagon. It proved a tedious journey as it

took them about fourteen days to make the
trip, at times being able to travel only four
miles per day. In 1868 the father located
permanently in Piatt county, where he found
the prairies covered with ponds and sloughs
and most oj: the land wild and unbroken.
He purchased an eighty acre tract from the
Indiana, Decatur & Western Railroad, now
the Champaign, Havana & Western road, for
which he paid eighteen dollars per acre. It
was all wild and only about thirty acres were
then fit for cultivation, the remainder being
under water. The village of Pierson has
be>en laid out upon this place, which now be-
longs to our subject, and was named in his
honor. The father tiled this land and made
many improvements thereon. For many
years he successfully engaged in general
farming and stock-raising and was also in-
terested in the grain and mercantile business
at Pierson for eight years as a member of
the firm of Pierson & Son, our subject being
the junior partner. His fellow citizens rec-
ognizing his worth and ability called upon
him to serve as commissioner of Unity town-
ship for the long period of nineteen years,
and for two years he filled the office of jus-
tice of the peace and as tax assessor one
year. His friends and neighbors often sought
his counsel and he was a man of marked in-
fluence in the community where he resided.
He was practically the founder of the Mis-
sionary Baptist church here and gave the
land on which it and the parsonage stood to-
be the property of the church as long as it
stood there, but the buildings have since been
removed. For over forty years Mr. Pierson
was a member of the Masonic lodge at At-
wood and was also a prominent member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for
many years, holding the office of treasurer
in both organizations for some time. After

WILLIS C. PIERSON

MRS. WILLIS C. PIERSON

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

163

his retirement from active business, he de-
voted considerable attention to his apiary,
having forty stands, and he found great
pleasure in working among his bees. In his
political views he was a Democrat and as
every true American citizen should do he
took an active interest in public affairs. Aft-
er a useful and well-spent life he passed
away July 6, 1898, honored and respected
by all who knew him, and his wife departed
this life February 8, 1896.

The children of the family still living
are : Mary J., wife of A. Beedle and a
resident of Garrett, Douglas county, Illinois ;
Catherine, wife of H. J. Rigney, the oldest
merchant of Pierson ; Candacy, wife of Mel-
born Bell, who has a fruit farm near Red-
lands, California; A. D., who is fourth in
order of birth; J. G., a member of the firm
of Pierson & Fisher, hardware merchants of
Pierson ; Emma, wife of James White, of
Moultrie county, Illinois ; and Mame, wife
of Richard Willis, a fruit farmer of Red-
lands, California.

A. D. Pierson attended the public schools
of Piatt county and gained a good practical
business education as his father's assistant.
For a time he conducted a hotel and livery
stable in Buffalo, Illinois, and since then has
made his home uninterruptedly in Piatt
county. He had a splendid farm of one hun-
dred and sixty acres on section 21, Unity
township, north of Pierson, and on selling
that place he purchased the old homestead
where he now resides. This farm consists
of one hundred and eighty-four acres on sec-
tion 33, Unity township, just south of Pier-
son, and is a well-improved and valuable
tract. Mr. Pierson is engaged principally
in raising broom-corn and is regarded as one
of the most progressive and practical farmers
of Piatt county.

In September, 1880, was celebrated the

marriage of Mr. Pierson and Miss Susan J.
Hook, a daughter of John and Catherine
(Montgomery) Hook. Her father was
born in Ross county, Ohio, and was but
twelve years of age on his removal to Moul-
trie county, Illinois, with his parents, Jacob
and Susan (Frederick) Hook, the family
locating there in 1847. The unbroken
prairies abounded in wild game and the
Hook family experienced many of the
hardships and trials of pioneer life in their
new home. Mrs. Pierson is the oldest in
a family of ten children, all of whom reached
man and womanhood, and six of the number
are still living, the others being Mrs. Sarah
Shultz; Amanda, who married Hiram
Meece, of Moultrie county; James, who
married Maggie Dick ; P. C, who married
Alice Chase; and Harvey. The mother of
these children died and the father subse-
quently married Mrs. Susan Davis, and
since August, 1902, has lived a retired life
in Pierson. He is one of a family of six
children and the living are all residents of
Moultrie county with exception of Mrs.
Pierson's father.

Our subject and his wife have six chil-
dren : Willis C., Elmer Elsworth, Charley
C., Pearl, Grover G. and Samuel D. Willis
C., named for his grandfather, was married
in May, 1903, to Miss Blanche Benner and
lives on the home farm. Mr. Pierson is a
member of the Missionary Baptist church
and a stanch supporter of the Democratic
party. For five years he efficiently served
as ditch commissioner and has been a val-
uable member of the school board for fif-
teen years, taking an active interest in edu-
cational affairs and in the material upbuild-
ing and prosperity of his township and coun-
ty. He is a man of progressive ideas and
sound judgment which renders him an im-
portant factor in public affairs.

164

PAST AND PRESENT

WILLIAM NOECKER, M. D.

Fifty years have been added to the
cycle of the centuries since Dr. William
Noecker came to Monticello. He had just
graduated from the Starling Medical Col-
lege, and here he entered upon his profes-
sional career, in which he was destined to
gain honor and distinction. For thirty
years he devoted his energies to the alle-
viation of human suffering and then he put
aside professional cares to engage in the
banking business in which he continued for
about twenty years, being the "president,
as well as the founder of the First Nation-
al Bank of Monticello. Among the ear-
nest men whose depth of character and
strict adherence to principles excite the
admiration of contemporaries, Dr. Noeck-
er was prominent and he was as influential
in financial circles as he was active in the
practice of medicine. Banking institutions
are the heart of the commercial body, indi-
cating the healthfulness of trade, and the
bank that follows a safe, conservative busi-
ness policy does more to establish confi-
dence in times of widespread financial de-
pression than anything else. Such a
course did the First National Bank of
Monticello follow under the able manage-
ment of its president, the subject of this re-
view. .For a half century he was one of the
active business men of Piatt county, and
probably no single individual was more
widely or favorably known within its bor-
ders.

The Doctor was a native of Northum-
berland county, Pennsylvania, born in
April, 1823, and represented an old family
of Berks county, that state. It was in the
latter county that his paternal grandfather
spent his entire life, and there it was that

John Noecker, the father of the Doctor, was
born. After arriving at years of maturity,
however, he married and removed to
Northumberland county, where he en-
gaged in farming. His wife bore the maid-
en name of Maria Stump, and was also a
native of Berks county, but both spent
their last days in Northumberland coun-
ty, where they had long resided and where
they reared their family of twelve children,
all of whom reached adult age, the young-
est to pass away being forty years of age
at the time of death.

Dr. Noecker spent the first fifteen
years of his life under the parental roof
and then accompanied an elder brother
to Pickaway county, Ohio. As there were
no railroads then they traveled in a spring
wagon drawn by a team of horses, and for
some years thereafter the Doctor was
connected with farm work. 'He also em-
braced every opportunity possible for se-
curing an education, and 'in 1849 he be-
gan teaching, which profession he fol-
lowed for two years. At the end of that
time he resolved to give his attention to
other professional labor and took up the
study of medicine, Dr. Peter K. Hull, of
Circleville, Ohio, directing his reading. In
the winter of 1851 he became a student in
the Starling Medical College, of Colum-
bus, Ohio, where he continued to attend
lectures until February, 1853, when he
was graduated and received his degree. In
March he started for Monticello with the
intention of establishing an office and en-
gaging in practice here.

Westward of Ohio lay a section of the
country as yet largely unimproved and in
many sections the work of cultivation and
development had scarcely been begun.
Methods of travel were then very primitive

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

165

as compared to the parlor coaches on the
railroads of to-day, and the young physi-
cian traveled by stage from Columbus to
Cincinnati, where he took passage on an
Ohio river boat. On reaching the Missis-
sippi he proceeded up that stream to Al-
ton and on by rail to Springfield, which
was the nearest railroad station to Monti-
cello. He learned that at eight o'clock
the next morning the stage would start
for Piatt county. He made preparations
to continue his journey at that time and
when the hour arrived he saw a team
drive to the hotel, to which was attached
a two-wheeled cart, and on the axle was
a dry-goods box. The Doctor engaged pas-
sage in this primitive vehicle but the driver
refused to take both his trunks and he
was obliged to leave one behind. Three
times the driver stopped to change horses
and yet it was three o'clock on the follow-
ing morning before they arrived at their
destination. In such a manner did Dr.
Noecker arrive in Monticello, which was
then a mere village in the midst of a
sparsely settled region. At that time the
merchants largely bought their goods in
Springfield and brought them by team
to Monticello and Dr. Noecker soon made
arrangements with the teamster to bring his
trunk.

Then began his professional labor here.
He formed a partnership with Dr. C. R.
Ward, but the connection continued for
only a few months, after which Dr. Noeck-
er practiced alone. His was the usual ex-
perience of the physician who settles upon
the frontier in a thinly populated district.
Calls came to him from long distances,
and necessitated hard rides at all hours
and through all kinds of weather. Most
of the settlers lived in the timber regions

bordering the Sangamon river and Goose
and Camp creeks. There was little money
in circulation and thus collections were
very difficult, but as the years advanced
and the people prospered Dr. Noecker re-
ceived a profitable and extensive patron-
age. For thirty years he continued in
practice here and into many a household
carried comfort and cheer. His profes-
sional skill was continually augmented by
his reading and research and viewed from
both a professional and financial stand-
point his labors were crowned with suc-
cess. Great had been the changes which
had occurred during that time, the coun-
try having become thickly populated,
while science, too, had made marked ad-
vance, rendering the labors of the progres-
sive physician much more beneficial. With
a nature that could never content itself
with mediocrity, Dr. Noecker had contin-
ually kept abreast of the times, and many
of his patrons felt loath to part with his
professional services when he determined
to retire from the practice of his profes-
sion. He then turned his attention to the
banking business and established the Bank
of Monticello, now the First National Bank,
which has become one of the safe and re-
liable moneyed institutions of this part of
the state.

In 1861 was celebrated the marriage of
Dr. Noecker and Miss Ella Britton, a na-
tive of Ross county, Ohio, and a daughter
of John and Jane Britton. They had but
one child, who died at the age of four
years. Mrs. Noecker is a most estimable
lady, cultured and of innate refinement,
and over her pleasant home she presides
with gracious and charming hospitality.

The Doctor's political support was ever
given to the Democracy, and he served

1 66

PAST AND PRESENT

as a member of the school board and as
city treasurer. There were many elements
in his life history worthy of emulation.
The secret of his success was undoubtedly
that he had a talent for hard work and
close application, combined with a mind
which delighted in investigation. Realiz-
ing that "there is no excellence without la-
bor" he attended closely to the details of
his profession and of his banking business,
carefully superintending each department.
Such methods cannot fail to win success,
but it is not the acquirement of success
which is so deserving of commendation,
but the use of it in ways that benefit man-
kind, and in this regard Monticello's citi-
zens speak of Dr. Noecker in terms of
highest praise. He died very suddenly of
throat trouble, May 4, 1897,- at Columbus,
Indiana.

S. M. FUNK.

S. M. Funk, ex-county treasurer and
dealer in hardware, cutlery, buggies and har-
ness at Cerro Gordo, has resided in Piatt
county since the year 1853. He is a native
of Indiana and a son of Abraham and Eliza
J. (McKinney) Funk, the former a native
of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Indiana.
The father lived in his native state until
1836, when he removed to Bloomington, Il-
linois, where he was married, and there made
his home until 1853. In that year he ar-
rived in Piatt county, taking up his abode in
Willow Branch township, where for several
years he was engaged in farming. He then
removed to Macon county, Illinois, where he
lived for a short time, but soon returned to
Piatt county, and at this time settled in the
village of Cerro Gordo, where he lived a re-

tired life until called to his final rest in the
year 1890. His widow still survives him
and is widely known as Grandma Funk in
Monticello, where she makes her home.
There were five children born unto this
worthy couple, four of whom are now liv-
ing, as follows : Emma, the widow of San-
ford Tracy, who resides in Cerro Gordo ;
Samuel M., whose name introduces this rec-
ord ; Amelia, the wife of William Edie, of
Monticello; and Theodore, who married Al-
ice Good and now resides in Decatur, Illi-
nois. For several years he was a successful
teacher of Piatt county.

Like the other members of the family
Samuel M. Funk pursued his education in
the common schools and had no advantages
beyond that. After putting aside his text-
books he turned his attention to agricultural
pursuits in Cerro Gordo township and was
engaged in farming until after the inaugu-
ration of the Civil war, when in response to
his country's need he offered his services.
It was in August, 1862, that he joined Com-
pany K, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois
Infantry under Colonel Thomas Snell of
Clinton, and at a later date Colonel Lowry
of Monticello commanded the regiment.
Captain U. M. Lawrence was in command
of the company which took part in a num-
ber of important engagements, including
the battle of Knoxville, the Atlanta cam-
paign and the capture of Wilmington and
Raleigh. Mr. Funk was never injured in
any way and at Salisbury, North Carolina,
on the loth of July, 1865, he received an
honorable discharge after three years of
faithful and valorous service.

Mr. Funk returned to Cerro Gordo
township, where he resumed his agricultural
pursuits. He was married to Miss Sarah
A. Chilson. a native of Ohio and a daughter

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

167

of William A. Chilson, who was one of the
early settlers of Piatt county, where he ar-
rived in 1857. Here he followed farming,
which he carried on continuously until his
death. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Funk have been
born eight children, of whom four are now
living, namely : John E., who is a partner
in his father's store; Samuel E., who is now
farming in Cerro Gordo township and who
served as county deputy treasurer of Piatt
county for four years; Cora A., at home;
Aaron L., who is assisting his father in
the store and who through several years was
a capable teacher of the county. The chil-
dren of the family who have passed away
are Eugene M., who died in November,
1902; Elvaretta, William A. and Charles
W.

Mr. Funk engaged in farming in Cerro
Gordo township until 1883, when he re-
moved to the village of that name and en-
tered upon his present business. He yet
owns a fine farm of 240 acres in Cerro Gor-
do township, which is operated by his chil-
dren. He now has two large stores, in one
of which he carries a full line of general
hardware, stoves, etc. To the conduct of
this business he gives his personal attention.
The other store is stocked with a good large
supply of buggies and harness. Mr. Funk
has secured a good patronage and now has
a profitable trade. He has also been quite
active and well known in public affairs. For
several years he served as collector of Cerro
Gordo township and in 1898 he was elected
county treasurer of Piatt county in which
capacity he ably served for four years or
until December, 1902, when he retired from
office as he had entered it with the confi- '
dence and good will of all. In politics he has
always been a Republican, taking an active
interest in the growth and success of the

party and is recognized as one of its lead-
er in this part of the county. Socially, he
is a member of the Grand Army Post, No.
210 of Cerro Gordo and both he and his wife
hold membership relations with the Metho-
dist Episcopal church in the town. He has
been one of its members for more than for-
ty years and takes much interest in church
work. Mr. Funk has been a very successful
business man and no man is better known
in this part of the county.

JOHN E. COMERFORD.

John E. Comerford is one of the
younger and prominent business men of
the village of Bement, actively associated
with its industrial interests, and he pos-
sesses the qualities industry, enterprise and
laudable ambition which will bring him
future success. He is one of Piatt coun-
ty's native sons, his birth having occurred
in Cerro Gordo township, near Milmine,
on the 26th of April, 1877. He is a son
of Robert and Mary (Seitz) Comerford,
His father was a native of Ireland, who
when but sixteen years of age left the Em-
erald Isle for the new world, taking up
his abode in Piatt county, Illinois. In 1846
he first purchased a farm in Cerro Gordo.
township of eighty acres of prairie land,
and at once began its development, mak-
ing excellent improvements upon it and
transforming it until it was a rich and pro-
ductive farm. From time to time he added
to the original purchase until he was the
owner of four hundred and eighty acres of
valuable and improved land. -He carried
on his work with marked enterprise and in-
dustry and by his careful management

i68

PAST AND PRESENT

and diligence he accumulated a handsome
competence. His death occurred upon the
old homestead in January, 1895, at the ad-
vanced age of sixty-five years. He be-
longed to the Catholic church and was a
Democrat in his political views, but he
never sought or desired political prefer-
ment. His life record furnishes to his
children an example that is indeed worthy
of emulation, for he so lived as to merit
the regard of all with whom he came in
contact. His wife survived him and now
resides in Bement, where she has pur-
chased a pleasant home, being there sur-
rounded by the comforts of life. By her
marriage she became the mother of six
children, five of whom are still living. Bar-
ney, who resides near Milmine, occupies a
part of the old home farm in Cerro Gordo
township, and devotes his attention to its
cultivation. He married Bridget Tynan
and they have three children : Lona, Mary
and Daniel. Anna is the wife of John Uhl,
of Pana, Illinois, who is a traveling sales-
man for a hide and leather house of Cin-
cinnati. They have four children : Mary,
Thomas, Victor and Augusta. Michael,
who resides upon a part of the old home
farm, wedded Alice Gulliford, a native of
this county, and they had one child that
died in infancy. Robert has recently re-
moved from Bement to Monticello, where
he is now living. Joseph died in infancy.
The youngest member of the family is
John E.

Mr. Comerford of this review entered
the public schools at the usual age and con-
tinued his studies in Bement until after he
had completed the high school course.
Subsequently he entered St. Bede College,
in LaSalle, Illinois, and was graduated in
that institution when eighteen years of

age. Returning to his home in Piatt coun-
ty he accepted a clerkship in a cloth-
ing store in Cerro Gordo, and was also
employed as a clerk in Bement after the
removal of the family to this place about
eight years ago. He continued in the
clothing business for about four years in
Bement, and then followed the undertak-
ing business as a member of the firm of
Evans & Comerford, his connection there-
with covering two years. On the expira-
tion of that" period he sold his interest to
A. Swinson, who still conducts the busi-
ness. Mr. Comerford then engaged in
the manufacture of brooms at his present
location, and from the beginning his busi-
ness has. steadily and constantly increased
so that he now employs a large force of
expert broommakers. They also manu-
facture all kinds of brushes that are made
from broomcorn. In the control of this
enterprise Mr. Comerford has displayed
marked business ability, executive force
and keen discrimination. He forms his
plans readily and is determined in their
execution and " along legitimate business
lines he is winning very creditable success.
On the 29th of April, 1903, in Ivesdale,
Champaign county, Illinois 1 , was celebrat-
ed a pretty wedding ceremony which unit-
ed the destinies of John E. Comerford and
Miss Josephine Foohy, a native of Ives-
dale. The wedding was solemnized in St.
Joseph's church by its pastor, Rev. Charles
C. O'Brien, who, assisted by Rev. Haw-
ley, of Bement, and Rev. Berry, of Philo,
performed the ceremony in connection with
solemn mass. The bride is a daughter
of John Foohy, who is now living a re-
tired life in Ivesdale. where he was for-
merly engaged in the grain business. He
has always been a prosperous and pro-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

169

gressive man and has accumulated consid-
erable property. He is a communicant of
the Catholic church there and a well-
known and influential citizen. Mrs. Com-
erford was educated in Ivesdale and in St.
Mary's Academy, near Terre Haute, In-
diana.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Comerford are
communicants of the Roman Catholic
church, and fraternally he is connected
with the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 199,
of Bement, in which he has passed all of
the chairs. He votes with the Democracy,
but has never sought or desired public of-
fice. A young man of genial disposition
and kindly manner, he is popular with a
large circle of friends, and in Bement
is widely and favorably krown. Already
he has established for himself a position in
the business world and those who know
him have no hesitancy in predicting for
him a successful future.

H. W. BUCKLE.

The press has not only recorded the his-
tory of advancement, but has also ever been
the leader in the work of progress and im-
provement the vanguard of civilization.
The philosopher of some centuries ago pro-
claimed the truth that "the pen is mightier
than the sword," and the statement is contin-
ually being verified in the affairs of life. In
molding public opinion the power of the
newspaper cannot be over estimated, but at
all events its influence is greater than that
of any other single agency. Mr. Buckle is
connected with the journalistic interests of
Monticello as the manager of the Monticello
Bulletin Company, and through much of his

life has devoted his energies to this line of
work.

A native of Ohio, Mr. Buckle was born
on the banks of the Ohio river, in Gallia
county, and began his education in private
schools, while later he continued his studies
in the National Normal University, at Leb-
anon, where he was graduated with the class
of 1892. He next matriculated in Rio
Grande College, at Rio Grande, Ohio, com-
pleting his work there by graduation in
1895. Turning his attention to journalistic
work he was for some time employed on
leading newspapers in Wisconsin, and later
he began teaching, which profession he fol-
lowed for thirteen years, four of which were
spent in Kansas, two in Ohio, four in Illi-
nois and the remainder of the time being
spent in village schools and in graded schools
at Mound City and Milan, Illinois. At Gen-
eseo, Illinois, he published a daily and weekly
paper, and from the latter place he went to
Freeport, Illinois, where for a year he was in-
terested in the Freeport Daily Democrat. In
May, 1901, he bought an interest in the
Monticello Bulletin. This paper was es-
tablished in 1858 and is the oldest paper in
the county, having been published by a suc-
cession of proprietors. The paper is now
owned by a stock company. In January,
1903, it was incorporated and has one hun-
dred stockholders with a paid up capital
of five thousand dollars. Its officers are as
follows : James Hicks, president ; H. W.
Buckle, secretary ; T. J. Ater, treasurer ; and
William C. Handlin, vice president, and the
board of directors numbers nine members.

Mr. Buckle is now the manager of the
paper, which has a large circulation in Mon-
ticello and Piatt county, and this consti-
tutes the journal an excellent advertising
medium. The offices are equipped with a

1 7 o

PAST AND PRESENT

large two revolution cylinder press, a new
modern gasoline engine, a folder, a perfora-
tor, job press, paper cutter, type, etc., in fact,
it is the best equipped newspaper and job
plant in Piatt county. Mr. Buckle is thor-
oughly familiar with newspaper work in all
its various departments and as manager of
the Monticello Bulletin he has developed a
paper which is a credit to the city.

JOHN H. SMOCK.

John H. Smock, who is a son of Samuel
Smock, follows farming on section 3, Monti-
cello township. He was born on the old
home farm in Piatt county, November 15,
1861, and was educated in the common
schools. He can remember that in his early
life there were many log houses in the dis-
trict and the school was one of the primitive
constructions supplied with slab benches,
while planks hinged into the wall served as
desks, but long since such buildings have
given place to buildings of modern construc-
tion. Farm work claimed his attention
during the summer months, while the du-
ties of the schoolroom occupied his time
through the winter seasons. He put aside
his text-books about 1881 and continued up-
on the home place until he had attained his
majority, when he began farming in partner-
ship with his father. They made a specialty
of the raising of thoroughbred hogs, which
they carried on extensively until cholera oc-
casioned the loss of many of these animals.
They had mostly hogs of the Poland China
breed. Mr. Smock continued to carry on
farming in connection with his father until
1893, when he was married.

The ladv who now bears the name of

Mrs. John H. Smock was in her maiden-
hood Miss Emma Frances Hubbart, a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hubbart, of Ne-
osho county, Missouri, but who were early
settlers of Piatt county, removing from here
to Missouri about thirty years ago. At the
time of his marriage Mr. Smock began by
renting the farm upon which he resides,
then known as the old Hast farm. This he
has continued to operate for ten years. The
entire place shows general improvement and
the farm indicates the careful supervision of
the owner who is a progressive and practical
agriculturist. He has planted a good or-
chard, has built a new residence and out-
buildings and has continued the work of
improvement until to-day the farm is valu-
able and most attractive. For three years
Mr. Smock has served as school director and
he gives his political support to the Democ-
racy. He belongs to White Heath Camp,
No. 2219, Modern Woodmen of America,
and his wife is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church.

JOHN M. CAMP.

John M. Camp, one of the early settlers
of Piatt county now residing in the village
of Bement, was born at Mount Morris, New
York, on the 3d of January, 1832. The Camp
family is of English lineage and the paternal
grandfather of our subject was Abram
Camp, who was a physician and spent the
greater part of his life in the Empire state.
He never came to the west except to visit
his children and he died in New York at an
advanced age. Eldad Cicero Camp, the fa-
ther of our subject, was born in Connecticut
in 1804, and in early life became a resident

ELDAD CAMP

J. M. CAMP

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

of New York, where for many years he
followed- farming. Upon his removal to
Ohio, he purchased land in Knox county
and continued its cultivation until 1865,
when he continued on his westward way,
this time locating in Piatt county, Illinois.
For more than thirty years he remained a
resident of this county, dying in the village
of Bement in 1896. Throughout his business
career he carried on general farming and
stock-raising. At the time of his arrival
here he purchased a tract of raw prairie land
which he cultivated and improved, develop-
ing it into a good home for himself and
family. He wedded Miss Minerva M. Hin-
man, who was born in Bradford county,
Pennsylvania, their marriage being celebrat-
ed in Mount Morris, New York. She died
in Ohio in 1863 when about fifty-nine years
of age. Both were members of the Presby-
terian church, living lives in consistent har-
mony with its teachings, and for many years
he was an elder in the church, his labors in
its behalf being far-reaching and beneficial.
His political support in early life was given
to the Whig party and upon its 1 dissolution
he joined the ranks of the new Republican
party, with which he continued to affiliate
until his demise. Unto him and his wife
were lx>rn thirteen children, six of whom
are yet living, the eldest of the survivors be-
ing John M. Camp. The others are James
H., who resides in Tolono, Champaign
county, Illinois; William M., who is presi-
dent of the First National Bank of Bement;
Eldad C.. a resident of Knoxville, Tennes-
see; Curtis, who is engaged in the grain
business in Bement; and Henry N., who is
also living in Knoxville, Tennessee. Two of
the sisters died in early life, but the other
reached years of maturity. Those who
passed aw r ay in early childhood were both

named Harriet and the elder died at the
age of five years and the younger at the
age of two years. Emily F. became the wife
of Dr. Edward Swaney and both are now
deceased. She resided in Bement and died
at the age of fifty-eight years. Stanley de-
parted this life at the age of twenty-five
years. Edgar, who responded to his coun-
try's call for aid and became a captain of the
One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Infantry,
was killed in the Civil war. Hanson, who
was a boot and shoe merchant of Bement,
died in this place about two years ago, leav-
ing a widow, but no children. Frederick de-
parted this life about 1865.

John M. Camp was only four years of
age when his parents removed from New
York to Knox county, Ohio, and in the latter
place he was reared to manhood and obtained
his education in the common schools. When
not engaged with the duties of the school-
room he assisted his father in the work of
the home farm. In his youth he also
learned the carpenter's trade which he fol-
lowed for a number of years in Ohio and
which he continued to make his life work
after his removal to Illinois. Settling in Be-
ment he did the carpenter work and was
the contractor for the first house erected in
this village. It was built in 1855 and was
the property of Joseph Rodman. Mr.
Camp also built the first schoolhouse that
was erected here and took and executed the
contracts for the erection of the Christian
and Presbyterian churches in this place.
Monuments to his enterprise are still seen
in a number of substantial buildings in Be-
ment, but in 1872 he discontinued his con-
nection with industrial life and turned his
attention to commercial pursuits, becoming
a grain merchant here. He has since fol-
lowed the business and to-dav he owns an

1 7 6

PAST AND PRESENT

elevator having a capacity of thirty thou-
sand bushels. He is also largely interested
in the grain trade at Ivesdale and at Vor-
hies, Illinois, owning the elevators at dif-
ferent places having greater capacity than
the one at Bement. His operations in grain
are now extensive and profitable, his business
returning to him an excellent financial in-
come.

In ;86o was celebrated the marriage of
Mr. Camp and Miss Margaret Holm, a na-
tive of Ohio. The wedding took place in
Marion county, Ohio, and with her husband
Mrs. Camp came to Illinois, her death oc-
curring in Bement in 1870.

For his second wife Mr. Camp chose
Frances A. Kimber, a native of England
who came to the United States to live with
her sister, but her parents spent their entire
lives in England. Three children have been
born of the second marriage, of whom two
are living: Mallary C., the eldest, was born
in Bement, November 15, 1876, was edu-
cated in the common schools and is now
engaged in the grain trade with his father.
He married Lulu B. Bennett, a native of
Ohio. He is a popular representative of the
Masonic fraternity and he also belongs to
the Presbyterian church. William R., the
second of the family, died when about three
years old. Lena Z., also born in Bement,
resides at home.

Mr. Camp gives his political support to
the Republican party and has served as the
supervisor of the county, as a member of
the town board and in other offices, yet has
never been a politician in the .sense of office-
seeking, preferring to devote his energies to
his business affairs. Both he and his wife
hold membership in the Presbyterian church
and for some years he has been a member of
the board of finance. He also belongs to the

Masonic fraternity and is true to its teach-
ings and its tenets. For almost a half cen-
tury Mr. Camp has made his home in Piatt
county and his mind bears the impress of its
early annals as well as of the later events
which have shaped its history. He has been
particularly active in business and public
life in this section of the county and has co-
operated along many lines for public im-
provement and progress. In his business
dealings he has always been found reliable
and energetic, and what he has accomplished
has been won through his own well directed
efforts. By those who know him his worth
is widely acknowledged and his name is in-
scribed high on the roll of honored pioneers
of Piatt county.

ANDREW J. RICKEY.

After years of honest toil, mostly de-
voted to agricultural pursuits, Andrew J.
Richey is now living a retired life in the
village of Atwood, enjoying a well-earned
rest. He was born in Shelby county, Ken-
tucky, on the 2d of October, 1827, his par-
ents being Robert and Elizabeth (Biggs)
Richey, who were also natives of the Blue
Grass state and were married in Shelby
county in 1826. When our subject was
about five years of age the family removed
to Montgomery county, Indiana, being
among the early settlers of that locality, and
later they lived for some time in Vigo and
Sullivan counties, that state, where the father
was engaged in general farming. He died
in Vigo county in 1861, and his wife, who
long survived him, passed away in the same
county in 1901, at the extreme old age of
ninetv-four years. Unto them were born

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

177

nine children, of whom one died young but
the others reached man and womanhood and
five of the number are still living.

Andrew J. Richey spent his boyhood and
youth upon a farm, and was educated in the
old-time subscription schools so common
in that day in Indiana, the temple of learning
being a primitive log structure with its rude
furnishings. As soon as old enough to be
of any assistance he began to aid in the work
of the farm and throughout his active busi-
ness life continued to engage in agricultural
pursuits. He remained with his father un-
til he attained his majority.

On the gth of November. 1848, Mr.
Richey was united in marriage to Miss Bar-
bara Dcty, a native of Indiana, who died in
1867, leaving five children, as follows: The-
odore, now a resident of Clay county, Indi-
ana, married Martha Wilson and has five
children. Emery married Belle Nolan and
died, leaving six children, who, with their
mother, reside in Arkansas. James wedded
Eva Lumly and with his wife and five chil-
dren makes his home in Atwood. Illinois.
Mary is the wife of James Griffin, a farmer
of Unity township, this county, and has
eight children. Eli. a resident of Moultrie
county, Illinois, married Sarah Wagner and
has seven children. Mr. Richey was again
married December 12, 1867, his second un-
ion being with Mrs. Elizabeth Williams,
widow of Cornelius Williams and daughter
of John and Catharine (Terry) Moon, who
were pioneers of Piatt county and .ire now
deceased. This Mrs. Richey was born in
Monongahela, Pennsylvania, December 12,
1830, and died in 1901. For his third wife
our subject married Elizabeth Doty, a native
of Indiana, their wedding being celebrated
May 21, 1902.

Mr. Richev continued his residence in

Indiana until 1862, when he removed to
Moultrie county. Illinois, where three years
later he bought a farm of two hundred
acres in Lowe township, and he also pur-
chased a tract of eighty acres in Unity town-
ship, Piatt county, but made his home on
the former place, his time and attention being
devoted to general farming until his removal
to Atwood in 1891. when he retired from
business life. On coming to Illinois he
found much of this section of the state still
wild and unimproved and as the land in
many places was low and under water ague
was prevalent. Most of his own farm,
however, was higher land and he drained
the remainder, using a dredging boat. He
fenced his property, erected good and sub-
stantial buildings and planted the seed from
which to-day have grown the large and beau-
tiful trees which now adorn the place. Mr.
Richey has been prominently identified with
the upbuilding of Atwood and laid out fif-
teen acres into town lots. Land which he
purchased at nine dollars per acre in 1864
is to-day valued at one hundred and twen-
ty-five dollars, while the eighty-acrte tract
in Piatt county for which he paid forty-five
dollars per acre is now worth one hundred
and twenty-five dollars, owing to the rise in
value and the many improvements he has
placed thereon.

Mr. and Mrs. Richey hold membership
in the Methodist Episcopal church of At-
wood and have the respect and confidence
of all who know them. He cast his first pres-
idential vote for Zachary Taylor and is now
a stalwart supporter of the Republican party
and its principles. He has efficiently filled
the offices of township trustee and school di-
rector, assisted in organizing his district and
was prominently identified with the upbuild-
ing of Lowe township morally, socially and

PAST AND PRESENT

materially. Mr. Richey has ever been re-
garded as one of the representative men of
his community and a leader in public affairs.

GEORGE W. PITTMAN.

Although born in Ohio George W.
Pittman has spent the greater part of his
life in Piatt county, Illinois, and is here
widely and favorably known. His birth oc-
curred on the 24th of February, 1837, in
Butler county, Ohio, his parents being
Aaron Ford and Katherine Bake Pittman.
The father was born in New York and the
mother in the Buckeye state. He devoted
his energies to agricultural pursuits, which
he carried on in Ohio for a number of
years. In 1854, however, he brought his
family to Piatt county, Illinois, and here
purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres, for which he paid eleven dollars per
acre. Establishing his home thereon,
both he and his wife lived there until called
to their final rest, and they were widely
known as prominent farming people of the
community, enjoying the warm friendship
of many with whom they came in contact.
Mr. Pittman, who, was born August 14,
1811, died April 19, 1900, and his wife,
whose birth occurred on the I7th of Feb-
ruary, 1815, passed away on the i3th of
August, 1875. In their family were nine
children, of whom the subject of this re-
view was the fourth in order of birth : J.
V.. who was born March n, 1832, and died
July 7, 1893; Jacob Bake, who was born
November 17, 1833, an d died August u,
1834; George W., born February 24.
1837; Johnson C., who was born April 14,
1841, and died August 22. 1870; William

A., born November n, 1843; Leonard,
born August 2, 1845; Sylvester, who was
born May 21, 1847, an d died September
29, 1865; Franklin, born June 6, 1850;
and Lida A., born September 14, 1855.

George W. Pittman acquired his early
education in the district schools of Piatt
county. He began working by the month
when a young man, being employed by
George Hayde for sixteen dollars per
month. Later he rented his father's farm
and thus began agricultural pursuits on
his own account. When his labors had
brought to him sufficient capital, he made
purchase of a tract of land of eighty acres
in Blue Ridge township, becoming owner
of this property in 1875. About a quarter
of a century later he made another pur-
chase, comprising sixty acres, and thus his
farm constitutes in all one hundred and
forty-one acres. A farm in Piatt county
is a synonym for fertile soil and productive
fields, if even moderate care is bestowed
upon it, so rich is the land. Mr. Pittman
raises stock and grain and is very success-
ful in his work.

On the 22d of February, 1893, Mr.
Pittman was united in marriage to Miss
Jennie Duckwall, who was the third in a
family of nine children. Her father, Wil-
liam Duckwall, was born August 15, 1808,
and is now living near Dayton, Ohio. Her
mother, who bore the maiden name of Car-
oline Bruner, was born January 27, 1820,
and died September 15, 1890. Their chil-
dren were Sarah Ann, who was born Jan-
uary 21, 1828, and died when but six
months old ; John William, born Septem-
ber 27, 1840; Mary Jane, born March 17,
1843, ar| d now the wife of our subject;
Laura, born November 17. 1845; Charles,
born September 13, 1849; Francis Ash-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

179

bury, born February 19. ^852; Clayton,
born February 9, 1855; Clara Ellen, born
April. 2, 1858; and Elmer Ellsworth, born
June 3, 1861.

Mr. Pittman is well known in Piatt
county, having here resided for almost half
a century. He has witnessed, therefore,
almost the entire growth and development
of this portion of the state. He has seen
Piatt county when it was largely an un-
improved district, when its lands were wild
and when the work of cultivation had
scarcely been begun. He has borne his
full share in the task of improvement here
and in all measures for the general good
he has taken a deep interest, co-operating
in many movements that have resulted for
the benefit of the communitv.

THOMAS LAMB, SR.

Thomas Lamb, Sr., a retired agricultur-
ist of Bement, now in his ninetieth year,
is a true type of the energetic, hardy men
who have actively assisted in the develop-
ment and improvements of this beautiful and
fertile agricultural country. His career
has been such as to command the respect
and confidence of men, and by honest toil
and industry he has secured a competence
which now enables him to spend the sunset
of life in quiet and retirement.

A 'native of Yorkshire, England, Mr.
Lamb was born at Kirklavington, April I,
1814, and is a son of Robert and Hannah
Lamb, who spent their entire lives in that
country. Before coming to America he
lived for a time near Middlesex, and in
1854 came to the United States, first lo-
cated in Woodford county, Kentucky,
where he was employed as herdsman for

a Mr. Alexander, a large property owner
and cattle-raiser. After spending five years
in that locality he came to Piatt county,
Illinois, and was engaged in farming for
Mr. Scott about five years. At the end of
that time he purchased one hundred and
sixty cares of land about one mile west of
Bement, and in his farming operations here
he met with remarkable success, becoming
the owner of a large amount of land, but
he has recently presented each of his sons
with one hundred and sixty acres of im-
proved land, though he still retains six
hundred acres in this county. The sons
have other property besides the quarter-
sections given them by their father.

Before leaving England Mr. Lamb was
married in that country to Miss Elizabeth
Lee, whose parents, John and Ann Lee,
died since our subject and his wife came
to the United States. Mr. Lee was a weav-
er by trade, and both he and his wife were
lifelong residents of England, where their
daughter was also born and reared. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Lamb were born eleven chil-
dren, as follows: John, who died in Be-
ment at the age of' nineteen years ; Robert,
who married a Miss Fisher and is engaged
in farming in Unity township ; Thomas,
who married Miss Baker and lives in Be-
ment township; Elizabeth, at home; Wil-
liam, who married a Miss Hall and follows
farming in Bement township ; Hannah, de-
ceased ; Charles, who wedded a Miss Dun-
can and resides in Bement township;
Arthur B., who married a Miss Dobson, a
daughter of Philip Dobson, of Cerro
Gordo township and lives in Bement town-
ship: Albert J., who married a Miss
Kelly and resides in Bement township;
Edward, who is married and makes his
home in Unity township ; and Mary J.,

i8o

PAST AND PRESENT

wife of J. P. Rose, of Bement. The last
four were born in this country, the others
in England, and the birth of Arthur and
Albert occurred in Kentucky.

Throughout his active business life Mr.
Lamb continued to engage in agricultural
pursuits, but about six years ago he re-
tired and has since made his home in the
village of Bement. where he is enjoying a
well-earned rest in the midst of all that goes
to make life worth the living. He came
to this country in limited circumstances,
but being industrious, enterprising and
honorable in all his dealings he prospered
in his undertakings and succeeded in ac-
cumulating a handsome competence. He
is now a supporter of the Methodist
church, but he formerly belonged to the
Episcopal church, and his life has been
an upright and honorable one.

B. F. HUFF.

For about twenty years Cerro Gordo
has numbered B. F. Huff among its most
prominent and progressive citizens. He
may well be termed one of the founders of
the town, for he has been the promoter of
many of its leading business enterprises, and
the growth and development of the city
depends upon its commercial and indus-
trial activity. His connection with any un-
dertaking insures a prosperous outcome
of the same, for it is his nature to carry
forward to successful completion whatever
he is associated with. He has won for
himself an enviable reputation as a care-
ful man of business, and in his dealings is
known for his prompt and honorable meth-
ods, which have won him the deserved and

unbounded confidence of his fellow men.
He is now connected with various enter-
prises of Cerro Gordo, but gives his atten-
tion chiefly to the control of the lumber
and coal business.

The first representative of the Huff
family to settle in Piatt county was Charles
Huff, an uncle of our subject, who located
here in 1863. B. F. Huff is a native of
Coshocton county, Ohio, where his birth
occurred in 1853. His parents were Aquil-
la and Elizabeth (McMorris) Huff, the for-
mer a native of Virginia and the latter of
Ohio. On account of the institution of
slavery Aquilla Huff left the Old Dominion
in 1832, and removed to Coshocton coun-
ty, Ohio, in order to be away from the per-
nicious influence of the institution which
at that time was dominant in the south.
In the Buckeye state he turned his atten-
tion to agricultural pursuits, which he fol-
lowed there until 1865, in which year he
came to Illinois, settling first in Douglas
cdunty. There he successfully engaged in
farming until 1881, when he came to the
village of Cerro Gordo and here lived a
retired life until called to his final rest in
March, 1887. At the time of the Civil war
he espoused the cause of the Union and
held a captain's commission. He was ad-
jutant in his regiment of the Ohio National
Guards, and was very loyal to the nation's
cause. In both Ohio and Illinois he was
regarded as a prominent citizen of his com-
munity. His worth was widely acknowl-
edged by a large circle of friends. His wife
survived him for a short period, passing
away in Ohio while visiting a son, in Oc-
tober, 1888. ' In their family were several
children, but these are now living in vari-
ous sections of the United States.

B. F. Huff is the only representative of

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

181

this branch of the family residing in Piatt
county.- After mastering his preliminary
studies in the common schools he entered
the University of Illinois in 1874, and aft-
erward became a student in the Wesleyan
University at Bloomington, this state. In
1881 Mr. Huff and his brothers, W. J.
and S. E., established a lumberyard on
the site he now occupies, under the firm
name of Huff Brothers. Having other
business connections in Moultrie and Ed-
gar counties he did not make his home
permanently until 1886, when having sev-
ered his connection with the lumber busi-
ness he bought a half interest in a hard-
ware store, with which he was identified
until 1891. In that year he sold out and
again entered the lumber business. In
1892 he entered the corporation of Huff
Brothers Lumber and Planing Mill Com-
pany, of Decatur, Moweaqua, Moroa and
Cerro Gordo, as its treasurer, and shortly
afterward purchased the yard where he
still carries on business. He disposed of
his interest in the company in 1898, and
has since been alone in business at Cerro
Gordo. He deals in building materials and
coal, with office near the depot, and enjoys
n large trade.

Mr. Huff is a man of resourceful busi-
ness ability, of keen foresight and discrim-
ination; and his wise counsel and untiring
activity have been important factors in the
successful control of many business inter-
ests in Cerro Gordo. For twelve years he
has been president of the Building and
Loan Association of that place, with which
he has been connected since its organiza-
tion in 1886, and for two years was its sec-
retary. He is now treasurer and a direc-
tor of the telephone company of Cerro
Gordo, and is one of the directors of the

State Bank of Cerro Gordo. In addition
to these investments Mr. Huff also owns
a small farm situated three miles west of
Cerro Gordo, in Macon county.

In 1885 he was married at Moravia,
Iowa, to Miss Annie Homer, a native of
Streator, Illinois, and a daughter of Sam-
uel and Elizabeth (Brandon) Hprner. Her
father was a farmer and a coal miner, and
at one time owned the land upon which
the city of Streator has been built. There
is still a mine near that place known as the
Horner coal bank. Both Mr. and Mrs. Huff
hold membership in the Methodist Epis-
copal church, take an active interest in its
work, donate liberally to its support and
do everything in their power for the ex-
tension of its influence. Mr. Huff is now-
serving as one of the stewards in the church
and is also an active worker in the Sun-
day-school.

His political support is given to the Re-
publican party, and his opinions carry
weight in its councils. In 1901 he wis
elected supervisor of Cerro Gordo town-
ship, and is now the incumbent in that of-
fice for the second term. He is chairman
of the committee on county claims and
records and a member of the special build-
ing committee of the county buildings.
For six years he was a member of the
school board, and during that time acted
as its secretary, and the cause of education
received from him valuable assistance in
a practical nature. He is now the. presi-
dent of the township school trustees of
Cerro Gordo township. He has held a
number of other offices in the township
and county, and in all he has been found
loyal to the trust reposed in him and ca-
pable in the performance of his duties.
Socially he is a member of the Piatt Camp,

182

PAST AND PRESENT

No. 323, M. W. A., of Cerro Gordo, which
is one of the oldest camps in the county.
He also belongs to Eclipse Lodge,
Knights of Pythias. To him there has
come the attainment of a distinguished po-
sition in connection with the business in-
terests of Piatt county, and his efforts have
been so discerningly directed along well-
defined lines of labor that he seems to have
realized at any one point of progress the full
measure of his possibilities for accomplish-
ment at that point. A man of distinct and
forceful individuality, of broad mentality and
most mature judgment, he has left and is
. leaving his impress upon the business
world and his efforts have not only ad-
vanced individual prosperity, but have con-
served the general welfare of the city and
locality in which he makes his home.

WATKINS L. RYDER.

Honored and respected by all there is
no man in Monticello who occupies a more
enviable position than Watkins L. Ryder in
business and financial circles, not alone on
account of the brilliant success he has
achieved, but also on account of the honor-
able, straightforward business policy he has
ever followed. He possesses untiring ener-
gy, is quick of perception, forms his plans
readily and is determined in their execution,
and his close application to business and his
excellent management have brought to him
a high degree of prosperity which is to-day
his. He stands as one of the foremost repre-
sentatives of the real estate and insurance
interests of Piatt county, his business having
assumed large proportions. He is also prom-
inent in public affairs, being a cooperant fac-

tor in many measures for the general good,
and his citizenship is characterized by pro-
gression and loyalty.

Mr. Ryder was born in Chaumont, Jef-
ferson county, New York, on the 6th of
March, 1834, and comes of English ances-
try, the family having been established in
this country at an early period in the colonial
development of America. The Ryders are
of English lineage and the first representa-
tive of the name lived in Rhode Island,
whence others went to Vermont. It was
in the Green Mountain state that Joseph Ry-
der, the grandfather of our subject, was
born in December, 1780. Arriving at years
of maturity he wedded Mary Hill, and later
removed to Jefferson county, New York,
which was then a frontier region, the family
being surrounded by pioneer environments.
The grandfather purchased a tract of land
from a Frenchman named De LaRay, whose
realty holdings were very extensive and who
sold his land cheap to actual settlers. Clear-
ing a small portion of his home farm Mr.
Ryder built thereon a two-story stone house
and after comfortably establishing his fam-
ily in their new home he continued to work
in the fields, developing and cultivating his
land, making his home upon the old farm-
stead there until his demise.

It was on the 2ist of December, 1806,
in Vermont, that Benjamin Ryder, the fa-
ther of our subject, was born and during
his early boyhood he accompanied his par-
ents to New York, where he was reared
on the home farm, assisting in its cultivation
until he had attained the age of eighteen
years. He then left the parental roof and be-
gan work as a raftsman on the St. Lawrence
river, transporting lumber. After his mar-
riage he purchased fifty acres of land from
Mr. De LaRay and built a log house which

W. L. RYDER

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

187

later he replaced by a frame dwelling. With
characteristic energy he began clearing the
property, transforming the wild tract into
richly cultivated fields. He afterward ex-
tended the boundaries of his farm by the
purchase of an additional tract of forty acres
adjoining his first property and upon the
old homestead he continued to live until his
death. He had wedded Ann Caroline Hor-
ton, a native of Chaumont, New York, born
on the I3th of June, 1806. Her parents
were James and Martha (White) Horton,
and she was a descendant in the eighth gen-
eration of Barabas Horton, who was the
first of the name known in America. His-
tory gives it that this gentleman was born
in the hamlet of Mously in Leicestershire,
England, and that he came to the new world
as a passenger on the American ship Swal-
low in 1633 or 1638. After a long voyage
he arrived safely at Hampton, Massachu-
setts. In 1664 he was a resident of New
Haven, Connecticut, and assisted in the or-
ganization of the Congregational church
there. On the 2ist of October, 1670, he
sailed for Southhold, Long Island, where
he built the first frame house ever erected
on the island. It stood for more than two
centuries, one of the landmarks of that sec-
tion of the country. Barabas Horton took
a very prominent part in public affairs and
served for many years as a magistrate and
was a number of times a member of the
general assembly in Hartford and New Ha-
ven. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Ryder
were born eight children : Watkins L., Cor-
nelia, Wallace, Walter, Vanrantz, Mary,
Gaylord and Bruce. The father died on the
3 ist of December, 1866, and his wife long
surviving him, passed away at the age of
ninety-three years.

The boyhood days of our subject were

quietly passed on the old family homestead
in the county of his nativity. He is indebt-
ed to the public school system for the edu-
cational privileges he enjoyed in his youth
and when eighteen years of age he began
earning his own livelihood as a teacher, fol-
lowing that profession for three winter terms
in the Empire state. When twenty-one
years of age Mr. Ryder left New York for
Ohio, establishing his home in Oberlin,
where he further continued his own mental
discipline by becoming a student in the uni-
versity at that place. His residence in Ober-
lin covered three years during which period
he attended college, taught school and also
studied law.

The spring of 1858 witnessed his arriv-
al in Monticello, Illinois, and he became a
law student in the office of Milligan & Mc-
Comas. In the following year he was ad-
mitted to the bar and entered upon his pro-
fessional duties at Bement, where he prac-
ticed until 1861. During this time he was
captain of the Wide-Awake Company, of
which he continued at the head until his en-
listment in 1861. The war was then inau-
gurated and feeling that his first duty was
to his country he offered his services to the
government in the month of June of that
year. He was assigned to duty with Com-
pany F, Second Illinois Cavalry and like the
others of the command he furnished his own
horse and accoutrements. In August of the
same year he was mustered into the United
States volunteer service and at that time
went south, where soon afterward he was
detailed to act as sergeant of orderlies to
General McPherson. For one year he filled
that position and rejoined his regiment, with
which he continued in active service until the
expiration of his term of enlistment. He
was in a number of important engagements

i88

PAST AND PRESENT

which led to the final victory that eventually
crowned the Union arms and when three
years had been spent in the service he re-
ceived an honorable discharge at Baton
Rouge. Mr. Ryder was always found at
his post of duty, faithfully defending the
old flag and the cause it represented and
he has every reason to be. proud of his mili-
tary service.

Once more establishing his home in Be-
ment, Mr. Ryder became principal of the
schools at that place, continuing his active
identification with educational interests un-
til the fall of 1865. He was then called to
official service and for eight years acted as
county clerk. At the time of his election
in 1865 he removed to Monticello, where
he has since resided. He retired from office
as he had entered it with the confidence and
good will of all concerned. He then turned
his attention to real estate and land opera-
tions. That business has since claimed his
time and energies and has been so capably
conducted that his labors have brought to
him a handsome financial return. Through
all the years Mr. Ryder has had a most com-
prehensive and accurate knowledge of the
value of realty and has thus been able to
make judicious investments and profitable
sales. He has also teen instrumental in
securing good investments for others and in
the line of his business has ever enjoyed a
large clientage.

On the 3 ist of August, 1864, Mr. Ryder
was united in marriage to Miss Mary E.
Spatilding, with whom he has since traveled
life's journey. The lady was born in Lake
county, Illinois, and is a daughter of Allen
and Hannah Spatilding. Her educational
advantages and her innate refinement and
her many excellent traits of womanhood
have won her the love and friendship of all

with whom she has come in contact. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Ryder were born four chil-
dren, of whom Gale died in infancy, while
the others are Edith, Clyde H. and Gaylord
C. Edith is the wife of Frank W. Caldwell
and they reside in Decatur, where Gaylord C.
is also living, being engaged in the real es-
tate and loan business. He married Nellie
Norton. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell have two
children, Kenneth and Robert. To their
children Mr. and Mrs. Ryder gave excellent
educational privileges, thus preparing them
for life's practical and responsible duties and
the members of the family occupy a very
prominent position in social circles.

Mr. Ryder exercises his right of fran-
chise in support of the men and measures
of the Republican party and, keeping well
informed on the questions and issues of the
day, has ever been able to support his posi-
tion by intelligent argument. He. has, how-
ever, sought neither the honors nor emolu-
ments of public office, his best service being
done as a private citizen. In matters per-
taining to the public welfare he is enterpris-
ing, alert and active, and his co-operation has
teen of value in promoting many interests
which have contributed to the general good.
Mr. Ryder finds one of his chief sources of
pleasure and recreation in travel and has
visited many points of interest in this coun-
try and also abroad. He has thus gained
the knowledge and culture which only travel
can bring, and he has stored his mind with
many interesting incidents concerning the
peoples and places he has visited. His in-
terest in his fellow men is deep and sincere
and arises from a humanitarian spirit which
has prompted his support and co-operation
of many measures and enterprises for the
general welfare. His career has ever been
such as to warrant the trust and confidence

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

189

of the business world and his activity in busi-
ness circles forms an important chapter in
the history of Piatt county.

JOHN MAIER.

For more than thirty years John Maier
has been a prominent representative of
the business interests of Monticello, for
throughout this period he has been con-
nected with the lumber trade and to-day
is extensively engaged in dealing in lumber,
shingles and all kinds of building materials.
He is a son of the fatherland a country
which through many centuries has been a po-
tent factor in the civilization of the world,
sending its representatives into all countries
to carry with them the learning, the culture
and the artisanship of their own country.
The German-American element in our
own citizenship is very important, and
Monticello is the home of at least one from
the fatherland who is loyal to her inter-
ests and active in advancing her business
affairs.

A native of Wittenberg, Germany, he
was born on the 7th of January, 1832, and
is a son of Patrick and Catherine (Straub)
Maier. The father had charge of timber
interests there, and both he and his wife
died in Germany. At the usual age of six
years John Maier began his education
and in accordance with the laws of his na-
tive land he there pursued his studies until
fourteen years of age. He then began
working upon a farm and was employed in
that manner until eighteen years of age.
At the age of twenty he went into the
army, serving for eight years. In 1860
Mr. Maier resolved to try his fortune in

America, for he had heard very favorable
reports of the opportunities afforded in this
country and thought to better his financial
condition on this side of the Atlantic. He
therefore bade adieu to home and friends and
took passage for the new world, crossing
the Atlantic upon a sailing vessel, which was
twenty-eight days in reaching the harbor
of New York. He made his way to Lo-
gansport, Indiana, and as he had no cap-
ital it was necessary that he secure imme-
diate employment. This he did, working
at chopping wood. After about eighteen
days he went to Champaign, Illinois,
and became connected with the lum-
ber business, being for eleven years in the
lumber yard of W. H. Kratz & Company,
at that place.

In April, 1872, Mr. Maier arrived in
Monticello, where he has since made his
home, and here he remained in the employ
of W. H. Kratz until 1883, when he bought
out his employer and became proprietor
of the lumber yard, which he has since
conducted.

During his residence here Mr. Maier
has become very widely and favorably
known in business circles, and throughout
his long connection with commercial pur-
suits in Monticello he has always sustained
an unassailable reputation, his business
methods being such as neither seek nor
require disguise.

In 1860 Mr. Maier was united in mar-
riage to Miss Catherine Yoerg, a native
of Germany and a daughter of Michael
and Mary (Vogel) Yoerg, also born in the
same country. Mr. and Mrs. Maier have
become the parents of fifteen children, of
whom fourteen are yet living: Fred;
Charles ; William ; John ; Otto ; Lena, the
wife of Dr. Graves; Albert; Kate, de-

igo

PAST AND PRESENT

ceased; Anna, the wife of Walter Crisap;
Emma; Harry; Martha; Thomas; and
Mary.

Mr. Maier owns forty acres of land in
his homestead place, which is well im-
proved, and he also has another tract of
one hundred and sixty acres in Monticello
township which he rents. His property is
the visible evidence of his life of industry
and enterprise, his earnest labor and his
straightforward methods, and now he is
in possession of a comfortable competence
for the evening of life. The hope that led
him to seek a home in America has been
more than realized, and he is to-day one
of the prosperous merchants of Piatt coun-
ty. In his political views Mr. Maier is a
Republican, but has never been an office-
seeker, preferring to give his undivided at-
tention to his business and the pleasure of
the home circle. His force of character is
indicated by the fact that after coming to
America, while working in the daytime,
he attended night schools in order to gain
a good knowledge of the English lan-
guage. The same determination has al-
ways characterized him, and has made him
a prosperous business man and valued cit-
izen.

JOSEPH WILSON.

For many years Mr. Wilson was one
of the active and progressive farmers of
Piatt county, as well as one of its most re-
liable and honored citizens, and now in his
declining years he is enjoying a well-
earned rest, free from the cares and re-
sponsibilities of business life. He makes
his home in DeLand and is widely and
favorably known throughout the county

where he has resided for over a quarter of
a century.

Mr. Wilson was born in Maryland, July
1 6, 1833, a son of John and Sarah (Hunt)
Wilson, who were also natives of that
state, where the father spent his entire life,
his occupation being that of farming. He
died in 1834, and his wife, who was born
in 1802, departed this life in Ohio in 1874.
To them were born two children : Joseph,
of this review, and his sister, Sophia.

When four years old Joseph Wilson
went to Ohio with his mother, his father .
having died during his infancy, and at the
age of seven he commenced earning his
own livelihood. For about two or three
months during the winter he was allowed
to attend school, conducted in an old log
building, but his educational privileges
were meager, the remainder of his time be-
ing devoted to farm work. At the age of
sixteen he hired out to work by the month
at eight dollars per month, and was em-
ployed in that way until coming to Illinois
in 1853. Settling in Tazewell county, he
continued in the employ of others until
his marriage, and then rented a farm in
that county. He afterward operated his
father-in-law's place for eight years, and
then purchased one hundred and nine acres
in the same county, moving his home
thereon for three years. On selling his
farm he removed to Normal, Illinois,
where he spent two years, and the follow-
ing five years were passed at Atlanta, Lo-
gan county, this state, where he purchased
a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. In
1876 he came to Piatt county and bought
three hundred acres near DeLand, which
he operated until January 20, 1901, when
he retired from active business and re-
moved to DeLand, renting his farm. With

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

191

the hope of benefiting his health, which
was much impaired, he recently spent four
months at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and
on his return purchased the Dresbach
property, which he expects soon to occu-
py. He bought a house and lot here in
1898 and another in 1902, both of which
he now rents.

On the 1 6th of October, 1856, Mr. Wil-
son was united in marriage to Miss Lu-
cinda Judy, a daughter of Jacob and Mary
Ann (Musick) Judy. Her mother was
born on November 20, 1812, and died
in 1884, but her father, who was born
in Greene county, Ohio, January 9, 1804,
is still living, and, although ninety-
nine years of age, still enjoys good health,
though his eyesight has failed him. In
early life he engaged in farming in his na-
tive state, but as early as 1823 he came to
Illinois and settled in Tazewell county,
where he followed the same pursuit. He
is now a resident of Logan county, this
state. In 1886 he was again married, his
second union being with Mary Ann
Hawes. The children by his first marriage
were Nancy Jane, the widow of Ellis Rob-
erts, of Champaign county, Illinois ; Rob-
ert, who died on March 27, 1902; Eliza, the
widow of Nimrod Brighton, of Hopedale,
Tazewell county, who died at Eureka
Springs, Arkansas, about eight years ago;
Annie, wife of Allen Haneline, of Arming-
ton, Illinois; Mattie M., wife of John
Montjoy, of Armington; H. C., a resident
of Hopedale, Illinois ; Mary Belle, who died
April 28, 1897; Lucinda, wife of our sub-
ject ; and Sarah, Hattie and John, who all
three died in infancy.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wil-
son were as follows :. Rose Ellen, now the
wife of William Gelsthorpe, a farmer of

Logan county, Illinois; Sarah Ann, wife
of D. P. Swisher, a farmer of Piatt coun-
ty; Amanda, who died February 29, 1888;
May Bell, wife of J. L. Borton, who is en-
gaged in farming near DeLand; Jacob G.,
a farmer of this county; and Mattie May,
who died October 9, 1887. The parents
are both earnest and consistent- members
of the Christian church, and are held in
the highest respect by all who know them.
Politically, Mr. Wilson is identified with the
Republican party, but he has never cared
for the honors or emoluments of public of-
fice, preferring to devote his entire time
and attention to his business interests. 'He
deserves great credit for what he has
achieved in life, as he began making his
own way in the world at the age of seven
years and has since been dependent upon
his own rsources. He is a man of good
business ability, sound judgment and strict
integrity, and to these characteristics is
due his success.

JOSHUA G. ELLIS, M. D.

A native of Illinois, Dr. Joshua G. El-
lis was born in Pope county on the 26th of
November, 1858, and is a son of James M.
and Kizziah Ann (Clay) Ellis, both of
whom were natives of this state. The fam-
ily comes from the same ancestry to which
Henry Clay, a noted American statesman,
traced his lineage. James McKee Ellis
was born and reared in southern Illinois,
his abode being in Pope county, where he
engaged in farming until his death, which
occurred in January, 1862. His wife, sur-
viving him for a number of years, passed
away in 1878.

192

PAST AND PRESENT

The Doctor is the only one of this fam-
ily now living. During his boyhood days
he worked upon the home farm and at-
tended the common schools of Pope coun-
ty, his time being largely passed in this
way until he attained his majority. Not de-
siring, however, to follow the plow as a
life work, he turned his attention to pro-
fessional labors, and entered upon the
stud}' of medicine. He matriculated in the
American Eclectic Medical College of St.
Louis, and was graduated in that institu-
tion in June, 1880, at which time he re-
ceived his certificate to practice. He then
opened an office and established his home
in Dudenville, Missouri, and in due course of
time received a good patronage, demon-
strating his" ability to successfully cope with
the intricate problems which continually
confront the physician in his efforts to re-
store health and prolong life. He contin-
ued to practice in Dudenville for about
six years, and in October, 1885, he re-
turned to Illinois, settling in Oakley, Ma-
con county, where he practiced until 1888.
That year witnessed his arrival in Cerro
Gordo, where he has since remained, and
he is now the oldest physician in years of
continuous practice in this place. For sev-
eral years he has been a member of the
State Medical Society, and through the in-
terchange of thought and experiences there
he adds greatly to his knowledge, while
reading and investigation are also contin-
ually broadening his mental ken and his
comprehension of the powers of the physi-
cian in the administration of remedial
agencies.

While residing in Dudenville, Missouri,
the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss
Rose Brown, a daughter of the Rev. Sam-
ual Brown, who was a minister of the

United Brethren church, but is now re-
tired, making his home in Cerro Gordo.
The Doctor and his wife are parents of
two children: Homer, born in 1886; and
Mervyl, born in 1889. The Doctor and
his wife have a pleasant home in Cerro
Gordo, and its good cheer is greatly en-
joyed by their many friends. Both hold
membership in the Methodist Episcopal
church and shape their lives in conformity
to its teachings. The Doctor is a Dem-
ocrat in his political views, and while he
has never been an aspirant for office, he
has kept well-informed on the questions
and issues of the day. Fraternally, he is
connected with the Masonic order, belong-
ing to Lodge No. 600, in Cerro Gordo,
and he also has membership relations with
the Woodmen Camp of this place. Social-
ly and professionally the Doctor is popu-
lar and well-liked. He has a large prac-
tice, both in the village and the surround-
ing country, and while his ability in his
profession ranks him among its leading
representatives, his many excellent person-
al traits of character have gained him the
high regard and warm friendship of those
with whom he has been associated.

EDMOND W. LUMSDEN.

Edmond W. Lumsden, who for a num-
ber of years was actively connected with
mercantile interests in Monticello, but has
now retired from commercial pursuits, is
a representative of the class of citizens in
America known as self-made men, and in
early manhood he entered upon a business
career which has been creditable and suc-
cessful alike. His interests have been con-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

193

ducted with the strictest regard to com-
mercial ethics, and his course has ever
been one which would bear close investi-
gation and scrutiny. Thus he has won an
honored name as well as prosperity, and in
Piatt county he is widely and favorably
known.

Mr. Lumsden has spent his entire life
in Illinois and doubtless early became im-
bued with the spirit of enterprise and ad-
vancement which have been so potent in
the wonderful development of this section
of the country. He was born in Morgan
county, Illinois, near Jacksonville, on the
I4th of June, 1842, and on the paternal
side comes of Scotch ancestry, while in
the maternal line he is of German and
Irish extraction. His father, William G.
Lumsden, was a native of Virginia, born
in 1807, and in Kentucky he was united
in marriage with Miss Lucy Keeling, a
native of Virginia, who was born in 1804.
Her girlhood days, however, were largely
passed in Todd county, Kentucky, and
there she gave her hand in marriage to
William G. Lumsden. In 1828 they re-
moved to Morgan county, Illinois, set-
tling near Jacksonville in pioneer times
only ten years after the admission of the
state into the Union. Mr. Lumsden be-
came the owner of a wild tract of land,
upon which not a furrow had been turned
or an improvement made, and with char-
acteristic energy he began the develop-
ment of a farm. He broke and improved
his land and added to the property until
he has two hundred and twenty acres,
highly improved and constituting one of
the fine farms of the locality. When he
came to Illinois he brought with him one
child, born in Kentucky, Susie E., who is
now living in Iowa. Later other children

were added to the family, as follows : James
\\'., who makes his home in Macoupin coun-
ty, Illinois; Martha N., a resident of Can-
ada; Francis M., who lives in Morgan coun-
ty, Illinois; John T., a resident of Cham-
paign, Illinois; Mary J., of Jacksonville; Ed-
mond W. ; Nancy F., who resides in Blake-
poole, England ; and Annie, who is living in
Morgan county, Illinois. The father of these
children died in 1892, and the mother passed
away in 1894.

Edmond W. Lumsden was reared in
the usual manner of farmer boys, having,
perhaps, more privileges than some, and less
than others. He received ample training at
farm labor, and in the district schools near
his home he acquired his education, leaving
school when in his fifteenth year. He then
continued to work upon the home farm, and
when in his twenty-second year he was united
in jnarriage to Miss Parthenia Ayer, who
was born in England, a daughter of Jonas
and Annie (Towers) Ayer. Mr. Lumsden
took his bride to the old homestead farm,
and for five years was engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits there. On the expiration of
that period he left his native county and
removed to Champaign county, Illinois,
where he was engaged in general farm-
ing for four years.

In August, 1873, Mr. Lumsden arrived
in Monticello, where he has since made his
home, and for a number of years was ac-
tively connected with business interests
here. He first formed a partnership. with
R. T. Ayer, under the firm name of Ayer
& Lumsden, and for five years they con-
ducted a meat market, meeting with a
high degree of success, for they secured
a large patronage. Selling out this busi-
ness Mr. Lumsden then purchased the
hardware stock of Dr. Ward, and succeed-

i 9 4

PAST AND PRESENT

ed to the business, which he operated suc-
cessfully for some time. He had a well-
appointed store, carrying a large and se-
lected stock of general merchandise, and
for eleven years he did a profitable busi-
ness, which brought to him the compe-
tence which now enables him to live re-
tired. He then sold out to McMillen &
Company, and since that time has engaged
in no active business save the supervision
of his farming interests. He is the owner
of two farms, both being choice land. One
comprises two hundred and forty acres and
the other is three hundred and twenty
acres in extent, and is situated in Moultrie
county. The rental from these properties
brings to him a very desirable income, and
his landed interests show that his money
has been carefully invested.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lumsden
was blessed with seven children : Walter
K., who is living in Monticello; Jonas A.,
a resident of Moultrie county; James R.,
who follows farming in this county; An-
nie E., a student in the Woman's College,
of Jacksonville, Illinois; Olive E., graduate
of the Monticello high school; Ethel May,
who is a student in the high school; and
Albert, who completes the family.

Mr. Lumsden votes with the Republi-
can party, believes firmly in its principles,
and is often found in its councils. He was
for three years one of the aldermen of
the city, and for a similar period was a
member of the school board. An intelli-
gent and public-spirited citizen, he gives
an active and earnest support to many
progressive measures, and since coming to
Monticello he has been numbered among
her representative men. His has been a
busy and useful life, largely devoted to
business interests, and through the exer-

cise of diligence and unabating energy he
has won a creditable position among the
substantial citizens of his adopted county.

ROBERT H. BENSON.

No history of Piatt county would be
complete without extensive mention of Rob-
ert Harvey Benson. There is no man in
this section of the state who has done more
for agricultural interests. For many years
he was one of the most extensive farmers
and stock-raisers of this portion of Illinois
and by improving the grade of stock and
thereby advancing prices he did much for his
fellow men who were connected with the
same line of activity. Having now reached
the advanced age of eighty-two years, he is
practically living retired, an honored and re-
spected citizen and venerable gentleman
who is revered as one of the patriarchs of
the community and as one whose mind bears
the impress of the early historic annals of
Piatt county. He located here in pioneer
times and down to the present he has taken
a deep and helpful interest in matters per-
taining to public progress.

Mr. Benson, who now lives on section
25, Sangamon township, was born on a farm
near Springfield, Ohio, April 3, 1821, his
parents being Andrew and Sarah (Renick)
Benson. His paternal grandfather, William
Benson, was born in Virginia and there
spent his entire life. Andrew Benson was
born on the south bank of the Potomac riv-
er in Virginia, in 1781, and obtained his ed-
ucation in the public schools of his native
state. In 1808 he left the Old Dominion for
Clark county, Ohio, where he took up his
abode and there in 1812 he was united in

R. H. BENSON

MRS. R. H. BENSON

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

199

marriage to Miss Sarah Renick, whose birth
occurred in Greenbrier county, Virginia,
December 20, 1795. Andrew Benson en-
tered a large tract of land from the govern-
ment, cleared 'and broke it and successfully
carried on farming up to the time of his
death, which occurred very suddenly in 1826.
Returning to his home, he lay down on the
lounge and went to sleep. . At nine o'clock
his wife requested their son, Robert, to
awaken Mr. Benson, which he attempted to
do. Failing in this he called his mother
and they found that the husband and father
had passed away, dying of heart failure.
He had never been ill a day in his life nor
had he complained of illness on the day of
his death.

Mr. Benson of this review resided in one
of the pioneer log cabins of Ohio during his
youth and attended school for about three
months in the winter. The little "temple
of learning" was a log structure on one side
of which there was a log removed and the
aperture covered with greased paper
through which the light was admitted to the
room. In one end of the room was an old-
fashioned fireplace eight by ten feet capable
of accommodating an immense back log.
This school was situated about four and a
half miles from Springfield and its methods
of instruction were also somewhat primi-
tive in keeping with the crude furnishings.
Later Mr. Benson attended a select school
for a time'. Through broad experience, ob-
servation and reading, however, he added
largely to his knowledge as the years passed
and gained an excellent practical education.

When twelve years of age he began
working in a brickyard for four dollars per
month, but in this way he injured his back,
the work being too heavy for him and he
has never fully recovered. During the win-

ter of 1833-34 he engaged in sawing wood
for twenty-five cents per cord, and when fif-
teen years of age he began farming on a
tract of land of one hundred acres left by
his father. He supported his mother, being
the eldest of her children. His life through
many years was one of earnest toil. In 1841
he started for Missouri on horseback, but
the horse died on the road and he was
obliged to go to work in ordei; to make the
money with which to pay for the animal
which he had borrowed for the purpose of
making the trip. Mr. Benson remained in
.Missouri until 1844 and while he was in
the west his mother died. Returning to
Ohio he there hired out to drive cattle for
four dollars per month. That fall he bor-
Towed one hundred dollars and purchased
twenty-five head of cattle. This was the be-
ginning of his stock dealing which in years
grew to be most extensive and important.
A year later he borrowed four hundred dol-
lars, which he also invested in cattle in In-
diana, forming a partnership with another
man in this enterprise. Nearly every deal
of this character which he made proved
profitable and thus he added continually to
his income. Wisely he invested his money
in real estate and in 1862 he became the
owner of six hundred acres of land in Piatt
county, Illinois. He continued to reside on
the old homestead in Clark county, Ohio,
however, until the fall of 1864, when he
came to the west.

Piatt county was then largely an unim-
proved region, being a tract of wild prairie
land, much of which still belonged to the
government. Mr. Benson took a very ini--
portant part in reclaiming this district for
purposes of civilization. He assisted in
breaking the prairie, in building roads and
in laying the foundation for the present

2 CO

PAST AND PRESENT

prosperity of this section of the state. He
endured all of the hardships and trials inci-
dent to frontier life, but his energy and de-
termination enabled him to overcome all of
the obstacles and difficulties that barred his
advance toward the goal of success. He
worked almost night and day in these early
years in an attempt to gain a good start in
business and his unremitting diligence was
at length rewarded. For many years he
was one of the most extensive, successful
and prominent stock-dealers and breeders of
this section of Illinois. In 1876 he pur-
chased several imported Norman horses and
began breeding, his efforts resulting largely
in the improvement of the grade of horses
raised in Piatt county. In 1882 he went to
France, where he purchased nine head of
Norman horses which he brought to Ameri-
ca. In 1883 he again crossed the Atlantic
and returned with twelve head of horses,
paying as high prices for some of them as
was ever given by an American for French
horses. He has also been an extensive deal-
er in cattle and hogs, which he has raised
upon his own farm, having large pastures in
which his stock has grazed in the summer
months, while during the winter seasons it
has been sheltered in his extensive barns.
From time to time Mr. Benson added to his
landed possessions until he had at one time
over two thousand acres in Piatt county,
but he has in recent years disposed of much
of this, not caring to be burdened by its su-
pervision. To-day he retains only one hun-
dred and sixty acres of his farm and he has
also put aside business cares in other direc-
tions. In the last year he sold but two car
loads of stock. His rest is well merited for
his life has been one of untiring industry
and should be crowned with a period in
which to enjoy the fruits of his former toil.

On the 1 7th of December, 1877, Mr.
Benson was united in marriage to Mrs.
Mary A. Piatt, who was born in Cincinnati,
Ohio, and died May 9, 1880. She was a
lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal
church and by her first marriage to Jacob
Piatt she became the mother of six children,
three of whom are still living.

There are few, if any, residents more,
widely known in Piatt county than Robert
Harvey Benson. His extensive and valu-
able farming and stock-dealing interests
made him a leading and representative agri-
culturist of this section of Illinois. In all
his business dealings he was honorable and
straightforward and his word is as good as
any bond. He certainly has just reason to
feel proud of the success he has achieved
and he well deserves the proud American
title of a self-made man. His youth spent
upon a farm in Ohio, living in a log cabin,
he is to-day one of the most prosperous cit-
izens of Piatt county, Illinois, and at one
time was one of the largest landowners here.
His capital is now invested, however, in
other ways, releasing him from much of the
care incident to the control of extensive
property interests. Widely known and
honored, it is with pleasure that we present
this record of his life to our readers.

JOHN MOERY.

This well known and successful farmer
living on section 24, Bement township, was
born on the 4th of November, 1853, in the
Canton of Berne. Switzerland, and was but
six years of age when he came to the United
States in company with his parents, Rudolph
and Mary (Goodman) Moery, who were

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

20 r

also natives of that country. By occupation
the father was a farmer and also a school
teacher, following both pursuits inSwitzer-
land. On his arrival in America, he located
near New Philadelphia, Ohio, where he was
engaged in farming for about three years,
and then removed to Crawford county, In-
diana, where he was similarly employed for
seme years. In connection with general
farming he also engaged in .stock-raising to
some extent. Politically, he was identified
with the Democratic party, and religiously
was a member of the German Reform
church. He died in Crawford county, Indi-
ana, at the age of seventy-one ye&rs, honored
and respected by all who knew him, and his
wife passed away about sixteen years pre-
viously. They were the parents of seven
children, but one died in infancy, and God-
fred. Mary and Alice are also now de-
ceased. Those living are Lina, wife of Fred
Feller, a resident of Missouri ; Ernest, a
farmer of Oklahoma; and John, of this re-
view.

The early education John Moery acquired
was largely obtained from his father, and
during his younger years he assisted in the
operation of the home farm. He remained
in Indiana until twenty-six years of age,
whence he removed to Sangamon county,
Illinois, and two years later came to Piatt
county, where he worked in different town-
ships. The first land owned by him was
in Moultrie county, where he purchased one
hundred and seventy-five acres, to the cul-
tivation and improvement of which he de-
voted his time and energies for four year?.
At the end of that time he bought eighty
acres near his present home in Bement town-
ship, Piatt county, and subsequently traded
his Moultrie county property for his home
place of three hundred and twenty acres.

Here he has erected a large and substantial
dwelling and other buildings and has made
many other improvements which stand as.
monuments to his thrift and industry. In
the spring of 1902 he bought another eighty-
acre tract, and to-day has one of the best
and most desirable farms of its size in the
county. He follows general farming and
stock-raising with marked success and to-
day is numbered among the prosperous citi-
zens of the community in which he lives.

In 1879 Mr. Moery married Miss Ellen
Loveless, a native of Macoupin county, Illi-
nois,- where her father, Thomas Loveless,
still resides, his occupation being that of
farming. Six children were born to our
subject and his wife, namely : Lina, who is
a graduate of the Bement high school and
is at home with her parents ; John, who as-
sists his father in the operation of the home
farm ; Ralph, also at home ; Ernest and Wil-
liam, who both died in infancy ; and Hel-
venia, who died in childhood. All of the
children were born in Bement township.

Mr. Moery is a member of the Court of
Honor and attends and supports the Metho-
dist church. He votes with the Republican
party, but has never cared for office, pre-
ferring to give his undivided attention to
his business interests. He is widely and fa-
vorably known throughout the county of his
adoption, and is held in high regard by all
with whom he comes in contact either in
business or social life.

- NELSON W. ZOOK.

Nelson W. Zook, who is one of the
most enterprising and energetic farmers
(if Monticello township, his home being on

202

PAST AND PRESENT

section i, was born at Bethany, Illinois,
October 14, 1872, and is a son of William
and Mary (Kutch) Zook. His paternal
grandmother is still living at the extreme
old age of ninety-six years, and is now a
resident of Kansas. His father was born
in Indiana, on the 3d of October, 1845,
and was a lad of ten years when he accom-
panied his parents on their removal to Illi--
nois, his education being acquired in the
schools of Fayette county, this state. Dur-
ing his boyhood and youth he assisted his
father in the operation of the home farm,
remaining under the parental roof until
eighteen years of age, when he entered
the Union army, enlisting in 1863 m tne
One Hundred and Forty-third Illinois Vol-
unteer Infantry. After serving one year
he was honorably discharged on account
of blood-poisoning caused by vaccination.
He then returned to Moultrie county, Illi-
nois, and rented a farm near Bethany, con-
sisting of one hundred and sixty acres,
which he subsequently purchased, and
which he still continues to operate. He is
a man of influence in his community and
is now serving as justice of the peace in
Bethany. In early life he wedded Miss
Mary Kutch, who was born January 26,
1845, in Moultrie county, where her par-
ents had located in 1830, being pioneers in
that portion of the state. They were of
German and Irish descent. Nelson W.
Zook is the oldest in a family of three chil-
dren, the others being Thomas M., a resi-
dent of Bethany ; and Margaretta, who is
at home with her parents.

The subject of this biography was edu-
cated in the common schools of Bethany,
and at the age of eighteen years started
out in life for himself by working at the
carpenter's trade, but he has mainly en-

gaged in agricultural pursuits, and since
1900 has operated the Dighton farm on
section i, Monticello township, Piatt coun-
ty. He owns all of the machinery used in
the cultivaton of the land, and also the
stock upon the place, being quite exten-
sively engaged in the fattening of stock
for market.

On the nth of September, 1891, Mr.
Zook was united in marriage to Miss Nan-
nie Duke, a' resident of Bloomfiekl, In-
diana, and a daughter of Richard and Han-
nah (McDonald) Duke. On the maternal
side her ancestors were related to Daniel
Boone. Her father served for four years
in the Union army during the Civil war, and
died in 1898 of heart trouble at his home
in Bldomfield, Indiana. He was largely in-
terested in the raising of pure blooded
Percheron horses and Hereford cattle, and
was an extensive and prosperous farmer,
owning and operating six hundred acres
of land which was supplied with the latest
and best facilities for doing his work. He
also operated coal mines on his own land,
and in all his undertakings met with excel-
lent success, so that he was able to leave
his family in most comfortable circum-
stances. His widow and four children now
derive a good income from the proceeds of
the farm and mine, the estate being still
undivided. Mr. Duke was widely and fa-
vorably known and was a man of promi-
nence in the locality where he resided.

Mr. and Mrs. Zook have one child,
Harold, now nineteen months old. They
are prominent members of the Methodist
Episcopal church, to which our subject's
parents also belong, and have a large cir-
cle -of friends and acquaintances in their
adopted county. Fraternally, Mr. Zook is
connected with Todds Point Camp. No.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

203

550, M. W. A., of Todds Point, and
The, mas Strayhorn Camp, No. 227, Sons of
Veterans at Bethany, Illinois. In politics
he is a stanch Republican, but he does not
care for official honors, preferring to de-
vote his entire time and attention to his
business interests.

JOHN H. BURNS.

John H. Burns, deceased, was a lead-
ing farmer and respected citizen of Piatt
county, and when he passed away he left
many friends who will be glad to see this
mention of his life work in our history.
His birth occurred in Carroll county,
Maryland, on the igth of January, 1848,
his parents being Danie! and Mary (Knip-
ple) Burns, who were residents of Mary-
land at the time of his birth, but had for-
merly made their home in Pennsylvania.
John H. Burns was one of a family of five
children, being the third in order of birth.
His father was a saddler by trade, follow-
ing that pursuit in the years of his early
manhood, while later he engaged in farm-
ing.

The son received his education in the
common schools of Maryland and became
a well-informed man. In 1873 he removed
to the west, locating first in Tazewell coun-
ty, Illinois, where he remained for eight
months. He then removed to McLean
county, where he rented lard for six years,
and on the expiration of that period he
took up his abode in Blue Ridge township,
Piatt county, where he purchased two
hundred and twelve and a half acres of land
that is still in possession of his family. Aft-
erward he added to his farm, extending

its boundaries until it comprised two hun-
dred and thirty-eight acres, lying within
a mile and a half of Mansfield. There Mr.
Burns carried on agricultural pursuits up
to the time of his death. He thoroughly
understood farm work in all of its depart-
ments, was progressive in his labors and
his place, always neat and thrifty in ap-
pearance, indicated his careful supervision.

On the 2 ist of December, 1870, Mr.
Burns was united in marriage to Miss Re-
becca. A. Petry, of Carroll county, Mary-
land, a daughter of Jacob and Ann Re-
becca (Roop) Petry. The father was born
in Pennsylvania and the mother in Mary-
land and both came of Pennsylvania
Dutch ancestry. Mrs. Burns was one of
a family of eight children and was the
third in order of birth. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Burns were born seven children :
Anna May, now the wife of David P.
Smith, a resident of Manson, Calhoun
county, Iowa, by whom she has two chil-
dren, Harold Burns and Everett ; William,
who is now the efficient and popular cash-
ier of the State Bank of Mansfield and
who married Miss Allie Speer, by whom
he has one child, Wayne Emerson; Corda
Irene, Amy R., Ida Blanche, Catherine
R. and Charles L., all of whom are still
at home.

In his political views Mr. Burns was a
stalwart Republican and while living in
McLean county he served as county com-
missioner. He also held many other of-
fices of trust and responsibility and Was al-
ways loyal in these, progress and fidelity
characterizing his entire .official service.
He belonged to the German Baptist
church in Blue Ridge township and died
in that faith April 25, 1887, his remains be-
ing then interred in the cemetery adjoining

2O4

PAST AND PRESENT

the Brethren church. The strong char-
acteristics of Mr. Burns were such as com-
mended him to the confidence and regard
of his fellow men and many delighted in
his friendship and in his companionship.

After her husband's death Mrs. Burns
left with a large family commenced to
carry on the home farm. There was
quite a large sum owing upon it at that
time, which she has succeeded by her
capable business management and execu-
tive force to discharge and is now renting
the place, having removed to Mansfield
in 1892. She has since made her home in
the city and is a well-known and most
highly esteemed lady there. She belongs
to the German Baptist church and takes
an active and helpful interest in its work.

ELI DRUM.

The value of the local newspapers in the
upbuilding of the best interests of any com-
munity is universally conceded. The rule is
that good papers are found in good towns,
inferior journals in towns of stunted growth
and uncertain future. It is not so much a
matter of size as of excellence and of adapt-
ability to the needs of its locality. These
conditions given, in an appreciative and pro-
gressive community, the size of the paper
will take care of itself in a way mutually sat-
isfactory to publishers and patrons. Mr.
Drum as editor and proprietor of the Star
of Cerro Gordo, is a worthy representative
of the journalistic interests of Piatt county.

A native of Ohio, he was born in Picka-
way county on the 2ist of April, 1843, his
parents being Benjamin and Lydia Drum.
The father was a farmer by occupation and

died about 1848, while his wife passed
away in 1893, having long survived her hus-
band. In the country schools of Ohio and
of Illinois the subject of this review pur-
sued his education. It was in October, 1856,
that he removed from the place of his birth
to Piatt county, Illinois, where he has since
lived. He remained upon the home farm
until nineteen years of age, when he enlisted
in the Union army in response to the need
for soldiers to aid in the preservation of the
Union. On the nth of August, 1862, he
becarfie a private of Company K, One Hun-
dred and Seventh Illinois Infantry and was
discharged in July, 1865, after^ about three
years of faithful and valorous service. He
served in eastern Tennessee, took part in
the Atlanta campaign and then returned to
Nashville, where he aided in the movements
which resulted in the victories for General
Thomas and his army.

After the close of the war Mr. Drum re-
turned to the north and was engaged in the
drug business for twelve years, being a well
known merchant of Cerro Gordo. In 1881
he began his present work, and three years
ago started the Cerro Gordo Star, and has
made of this paper an interesting journal
which has a large and growing patronage
and which has returned to the proprietor
a good income. He has made it an excel-
lent advertising medium and at the same
time it treats in a fair and interesting man-
ner of the leading questions and issues of
the day and disseminates local news.

On the 3d of February, 1868, at Cerro
Gordo, Mr. Drum was united in marriage
to Miss May E. Stuart. Their children are
S. M., who married Adeline Van Ordstrand ;
Flora Lillian, who was the wife of H. L.
Lesley and died sixteen months after her
marriage; Arthur J., who wedded Miss Er-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

205

ma Ater; Benjamin E. ; W. Webb; Harry;
and Mary. Mr. Drum is a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic and of
the Presbyterian church and gives his
political support to the Republican party,
furthering its interests through the columns
of his paper and also in the same channel
advancing the welfare and improvement of
the community along many lines.

FRANK HETISHEE.

Frank Hetishee is assistant cashier of
the Dighton-Dilatush Loan Company of
Monticello and is thus actively connected
with financial interests. The business
with which he is so closely associated has
become one of importance in Piatt county,
and like the other members of the com-
pany Mr. Hetishee is recognized as a
man of reliability, of enterprise and of
honor. He is a son of John and' Elizabeth
(Ruff) Hetishee. His father was born in
Berne, Switzerland, on the i6th of March,
1826, acquired his education in the schools
of his native country and afterward
learned the tailor's trade there. In 1848,
when twenty-two years of age, he boarded
a sailing vessel bound for the port of New
York for he had heard much of the priv-
ileges and opportunities offered in a busi-
ness way in the new 'world and had re-
solved to try his fortune in America.
Therefore, he came to the new world, ar-
riving after fifty-one days spent upon the
bosom of the broad Atlantic, the vessel
dropping anchor in the harbor of Amer-
ica's metropolis. Mr. Hetishee did not
remain in New York, however, but pro-
ceeded at once to' Ohio, stopping first at

Dayton. In 1851 he began farming near
that city and there carried on agricultural
pursuits for two years. At the" end of that
time in 1853 he came to Monticello and
soon afterward made choice of a location
in Sangamon township, Piatt county,
where he devoted his energies to general
farming and stock-raising. For a number
of years he was an active representative
of that line of business and in 1870 he re-
moved to Ivesdale, Piatt county, where
he purchased a farm, continuing its
further development and cultivation until
1891, when he took up his abode in the
capital city. While upon the farm he
prospered in his undertakings, becoming
the owner of five hundred and fifty acres
of valuable land, which he placed under
a high state of cultivation. The im-
provements which he made and the rise in
land values, owing to the increase in pop-
ulation in this section of the state, made
his property a very desirable one and at
the time of his death he was considered
one of the wealthy men of his adopted
county. Upon his farm he erected sub-
stantial buildings and also placed modern
equipments which would facilitate agri-
cultural work and he was likewise suc-
cessful in the raising of hogs and cattle
and to this branch of his business in large
measure can be attributed his prosperity.
His business affairs were always con-
ducted with energy, diligence and strong
purpose and at the same time his methods
were honorable and would bear the
closest investigation. Both he and his
wife held membership in the Lutheran
church and lived lives in consistent har-
mony with their religious faith and pro-
fessions. Mr. Hetishee passed away in
1898 and his wife, surviving him for a

206

PAST AND PRESENT

few years, died in 1902. They were the
parents of the following named : William,
who is a fafmer in Piatt county; Henry,
who also carries an agricultural pursuits
here; Carrie, the wife of Jacob Geoggle,
who resides upon a farm in this county;
and Frank, of this review.

It is a noticeable fact that the great per-
centage of men who are successful and prom-
inent in commercial, industrial and profes-
sional circles are they who have spent their
youth upon farms. Of this class Frank Het-
ishee is a representative, his boyhood days
being passed under the parental roof at the
old family homestead, where in his early
youth he was a student in the district
schools. He showed mucji aptitude at his
lessons, mastering the various branches
of learning taught in the public schools
and largely supplementing his knowledge
by reading, experience and observation.
On leaving the farm he accepted the posi-
tion of assistant bookkeeper in the Na-
tional Bank of Monticello, acting in that
capacity for three years, after which he
become connected with the Dighton-Dila-
tush Loan Company of this city. He was
one of its organizers, the company being
formed in October, 1900, with a capital
stock of thirty thousand dollars, all paid
up. In the organization of the company
Mr. Hetishee was made assistant cashier
which position he still holds and in large
measure to his efforts may the success of the
institution be attributable.

On the I2th of June, 1902, Mr.
Hetishee was united in marriage to Miss
Elsie B. Gleiser, of Monticello, Illinois, a
daughter of the Rev. Henry G. Gleiser,
who is pastor of the First Presbyterian
church. Her mother bore the maiden
name of Elsie F. Kratzer. Both Mr. and

Mrs. Hetishee hold membership in the
First Presbyterian church of Monticello
and are interested in its work and to its
support contribute generously. Their
pleasant home was erected in 1902 and is
the center of a cultured society circle. It
is modern in all of its improvements and
equipments and is tastefully furnished. It
is also the abode of hospitality and is a
fav6rite resort with the many friends of
Mr. and Mrs. Hetishee. In business af-
fairs our subject stands prominent, pos-
sessing excellent qualifications, strong de-
termination and laudable ambition. He
is a genial and affable gentleman and
thereby wins the good will and friendship
as well as the respect and confidence of
those with whom he is brought in contact.

JAMES C. EVANS.

In the death of James C. Evans on the
5th of March, 1903, Bement and Piatt coun-
ty lost one of their most prominent and
highly esteemed citizens. His career was a
long, busy and useful one, and although he
was earnest and active in business, he never
allowed the pursuit of wealth to warp his
kindly nature, being to the end of his life a
kindly, genial friend, one whom it was a
pleasure to know and meet under any cir-
cumstances. He attained the advanced age
of seventy-eight years, retaining to the last
those qualities of the mind and heart whicii
had endeared him to every one throughout
his life.

No history of Piatt county would be
complete without mention of James C. Ev-
ans and it is a pleasure to the historian to
present his life record to our readers. His-

JAMES C. EVANS

MRS. MARY E. EVANS

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

211

life span covered almost four score years
and lijs career was so honorable that he won
the highest regard of all with whom he was
associated. A native of Clark county, Ken-
tucky, he was born in the year 1825, and
on both the paternal and maternal sides
was a member of early Kentucky families.
His father was a second cousin of Danfel
Boone, the noted pioneer explorer and hunt-
er who led the way into the wilds of the Blue
Grass state. Mr. Evans was one of a fam-
ily of five sons and one daughter, all now
deceased.

When about ten years of age our sub-
ject accompanied his parents on their re-
moval to Illinois, the family home being es-
tablished in Scott county. There he resided
until 1846, at which time his father entered
the Mexican war as a lieutenant under
Colonel John J. Hardin. Filled with the
spirit of patriotism James C. Evans, who
about that time attained his majority, also
offered his services to the government and
became a private in his father's company.
(He went to the south where he valiantly
aided in the protection of his country's
rights and after the cessation of hostilities
he returned to Scott county, where he
.worked at the cooper's trade, which he had^
learned previous to his enlistment. To this
industry he gave his attention until after the
discovery of gold in California. Men from
all sections of the country flocked to the Pa-
cific coast in the hope of rapidly acquiring
a fortune and Mr. Evans was among the
number who made the long overland trip
across the hot stretches of sand and through
the mountain passes to the Golden state. In
the trip he accompanied his father and broth-
er and they spent two years at Hangtown
Gulch, which was one of the early mining
settlements of California and is now the city

of Placerville. Although he did not acquire
a fortune as he hoped, he yet found some gold
and brought back with him the precious met-
al which was made into the wedding ring
that signified through more than half a cen-
tury his union with Miss Mary Elizabeth
Hopkins. Upon his return to Scott county
he embarked in merchandising with B. G.
Hopkins in the town of Winchester and a
year later he was united in marriage to his
partner's daughter.

Mr. Evans' connection with mercantile
interests in Scott county continued until
1856, when he removed to Piatt county and
located on a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres in Willow Branch township. This
property continued in his possession up to
the time of his death, although after a few
years he left its cultivation to others, while
he turned his attention to commercial pur-
suits. About 1863 ne entered into partner-
ship with D. Vaughan in the lumber busi-
ness, but continued to reside upon his farm
until 1870, when he took up his abode in the
town. Through long years the partnership
with Mr. Vaughan continued with mutual
pleasure and profit, the firm enjoying a large
and continually increasing patronage. A
few years prior to his death, however, Mr.
Evans purchased Mr. Vaughan's interest
and the firm of Evans & Son was then
formed and continued up to the time of the
father's death.

The home life of Mr. Evans was ideal.
They traveled life's journey together for
more than fifty years, sharing with each oth-
er in all the joys and sorrows, the adversities
and prosperity which came to them, their
mutual love and confidence increasing as
the years went by. Mrs. Evans came of early
New England ancestry of English lineage,
the line being traced back to the early set-

212

PAST AND PRESENT

tiers of Connecticut, who located there in
1642. She is of the fifth generation in di-
rect descent from General John Sedgwick,
of Cornwall, Connecticut, and of the fourth
from Benjamin Hopkins and Stephen Gold
of her father's ancestors and of the fourth
generations from Elijah Stanton and Joseph
Hollister, who came to America in 1642, all
of the above men being prominent in the
country's early history. She is also of the
eighth generation from Captain John Stan-
ton, who came to America in 1646 as co-
lonial interpreter for the six nations of Pe-
quod Indians.

By the marriage of James C. and Mary
Elizabeth (Hopkins) Evans thirteen child-
ren were born, of whom eight are still liv-
ing. William G., who resides in the village
of Bement, married Miss Viola Workman,
and they have two children, Harold and Clar-
ence. Charles E., who is a minister of the
Christian church and resides at Weiser, Ida-
ho, wedded Miss Jennie Miller, of Ohio.-
They had four children : Lester, who died
when about nineteen years of age; Mayo, a
musician, residing in Oregon; Miller and
Oliver S. Dora, the third member of the
Evans family, is the wife of S. S. Jones, a
minister of the Christian church, now lo-
cated in Danville, Illinois. Ellen G. is the
wife of George D. McKay, of St. Joseph,
Missouri, and they have two children. James
O., who resides in Bement, Illinois, was born
two miles west of the village on the home
farm, April 23, 1870, and after pursuing
the high school course in Bement continued
his studies in Eureka College at Eurekn,
Woodford county, Illinois. He was gradu-
ated on the completion of the business course
and then returned to Bement, where he
joined his father in the lumber business, the
partnership continuing until the latter's

death, since which time the son has been
alone in the conduct of this enterprise. He
is well known in the commercial circles of
the city, and is a leading and representative
business man of this place. For three years
he has been one of the trustees of the village
and is now a stalwart Republican in his po-
litical views. His religious faith is indicated
by his membership in the Christian church,
and he is a member of the Masonic and
Knight of Pythias fraternities at Bement,
and has passed all of the chairs in the latter
organization. Albert A., born 'December
18, 1872, the sixth member of the father's
family, is likewise a resident of Bement. He
married Miss Grace L. Landis, a native of
Owen county. Indiana, and they have one
son, Albert Canada. Albert A. Evans is
now associated with his brother, James, in
the lumber business. Darley, born Septem-
ber 15, 1875, in Bement, is a clerk in the vil-
lage of Mansfield, Piatt county. He married
Miss Carrie Burns, a daughter of John
Burns, of Bement, and they have one son,
Eugene. Grace G. is the wife of H. A. De
Vaux, of Mankato, Minnesota, where he is
manager of the World's Stock Food Com-
pany. The other children of the father's
family died in infancy with the exception of
Dollie. who died in Bement, when twenty-
one years of age. Mr. Evans was most devot-
ed to his family and considered no personal
sacrifice on his part too great if it would en-
hance the welfare and promote the happi-
ness of his wife and children. On Sunday,
the 23d of March, 1902, Mr. and Mrs. Ev-
ans celebrated their fiftieth wedding anni-
versary, holding an "open house" reception
between the hours of two and five in the af-
ternoon. This worthy couple had traveled
life's journey together for a half century
and more than one hundred guests called to

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

213

express their pleasure over this fact and
wish for them happy returns of the day, but
ere a year had passed Mr. Evans was called
from this life. There was nothing, however,
to indicate that his life's journey was so rap-
idly nearing its close, and the occasion of
the golden wedding anniversary was a most
happy one. The guests were received in the
parlor and later passed through the sitting
room into the dining room, which was hand-
somely decorated with cut flowers and yel-
low ribbon, its beautiful golden tint being
in harmony with the occasion. Refresh-
ments were served and each guest was given
a favor heart-shaped cards tied with yel-
low ribbon and bearing a design in gold
with the number "50" in white in the center.
Mr. and Mrs. Evans were long faithful
and devoted members of the Christian
church, with which the lady is still identified.
He united with the church of this denomina-
tion at Winchester, Illinois, about 1845, un-
der the preaching of Alexander Campbell,

and he connected himself with the church

in Betnent during the meeting held by Rev.
A. B. Rice, who obeyed the gospel at the
same time that Mr. Evans became one of the
followers of that church. For long years
Mr. Evans was very active in church work,
and even in advanced years his interest there-
in never abated in the slightest degree. He
always contributed liberally of his means to
its support, and his time and energies were
freely given for its welfare and progress.
Frequently he would perform the baptismal
ceremony for the pastor in charge and his
character was manifest in his daily life. He
lived peaceably with all men, possessed a
kindly, charitable spirit and was anxious for
the moral welfare of the community. He
was also very benevolent, and the poor and
needy found in him a friend. During all

the long years in which he was able to per-
sonally superintend his business it is safe to
say that he never left his office on Saturday
evening without having given at least five
dollars in charity during the week. He
passed away March 5, 1903, and thus closed
a most honorable and useful career. The
county lost one of its pioneers, the communi-
ty a valued citizen and those with whom he
was associated a faithful friend, while his
wife and children mourned the loss of a de-
voted, loving and tender husband and fath-
er. His memory, however, is still enshrined
in the hearts of all who knew him, and re-
mains as a blessed benediction to those with
whom he was associated in the daily walks
of life.

JOHN R. PONDER.

The history of such a man as John R.
Ponder is always of interest to the public,
especially when it comes as a direct result
of meritorious effect. Mr. Ponder has just-
ly earned the title of a self-made man and
his life history stands as an exemplifica-
tion of what can be accomplished when one
has the will to dare and to do. He has con-
trolled extensive farming interests in Piatt
count}' and is now a director of the Bank of
Hammond, and also the president of the
village board. He likewise represents one of
the pioneer families of Piatt county, having
lived here since 1864.

Mr. Ponder was born in Washington
county, Tennessee, on the i8th of December,
1855, and is a son of Joseph and Matilda
(Radford) Ponder, both of whom are na-
tives of Buncom county, North Carolina,
the former born on the 23d of May, 1816,
and the latter on the 8th of March, 1820.

214

PAST AND PRESENT

Joseph Ponder made his home in North Car-
olina until after his marriage and then re-
moved with his wife to Washington coun-
ty, Tennessee, where he was engaged in
farming for several years. He afterward
took up his abode in Clay county, Kentucky,
where he followed the same pursuit until the
I /th of March, 1864, when he bade v adieu
to home and friends in that locality and
came to Illinois. He had a cousin living
in Piatt county, and thereby was induced to
settle in this section of the state, establishing
his home in Unity township northeast of
the village of Pierson. Resuming agricul-
tural pursuits, he carried On farming for
two years, and then went to Douglas coun-
ty, Illinois, where he engaged in the tilling
of the soil for a year. At the end of that
time, however, he returned to Unity town-
ship and purchased a farm here, devoting
his energies to its further development and
improvement until 1880. He then went to
the home of his son, John R., where he lived
for two years, and on the ist of March,
1882. he removed to the village of Ham-
mond, where he lived retired until his death,
which occurred on the 8th of December,
1892. His widow survived him for about
ten years and passed away on the 27th of
January, 1902. Both were respected and
honored people, and they reared ' a family
of six children who are now living and are
residents of Piatt county.

Like the other members of the family
John R. Ponder obtained his education in
the common schools and through his youth
he spent the summer months in working in
the fields on the home farm. He continued
to assist his father until the time of his mar-
riage, which was celebrated in 1883, Miss
Elizabeth E. BoLin becoming his wife. She
is a native of Moultrie county, Illinois, and

a daughter of J. R. Bolin, who is now a re-
tired farmer, making his home in Ham-
mond. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ponder have
been born three children : Ray B. ; Wilbur
H. and Wilma E., twins.

Mr. and Mrs. Ponder began their do-
mestic life upon a farm in Unity township,
where he carried on general agricultural
pursuits until 1890. He then removed to
the village of Hammond, where he built his
fine residence. It is situated in the south-
eastern part of the town and is a most at-
tractive and commodious home, celebrated
for its gracious hospitality. The house
stands in the midst of beautiful grounds
and everything about the place indicates the
cultured taste of the owner. In addition to
this property Mr. Ponder owns seven hun-
dred and forty acres of fine farming land,
all under a high state of cultivation, and
therefore returning to him a good tribute
for the labor bestowed upon it. Of this
twenty acres is located in Lovington town-
ship, Moultrie county, but the remainder is
situated in Unity township, Piatt county.
Mr. Ponder gives his personal supervision
to the operation of five hundred and sixty
acres of the land, while the remainder he
rents, and annually golden harvests are
gathered in return for the labors bestowed
upon the fields. He is also a stockholder and
director in the State Bank of Hammond,
and thus his activity has touched upon many
lines, whereby he has won prosperity.

In matters pertaining to the general good
Mr. Ponder is ever progressive and pub-
lic spirited, and has given his co-operation
to many measures for the welfare of town
and county. In politics he is a Democrat,
and in 1901 was elected mayor of Ham-
mond, in which capacity he is still serving,
having been re-elected for a second term.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

21-

For eleven years he has heen a member of
the village board and since 1901 has been
its president. He also served on the school
board for several years and for one year was
tax collector of Unity township. He belongs
to the Baptist church, and his wife to the
Church of Christ, and he is one of the most
prominent, influential and prosperous resi-
dents of this part of Piatt county. Over the
record of his public career and private life
there falls no shadow of wrong or suspi-
cion of evil, for his wealth has been obtained
through honorable methods and he has ever
been found faithful in friendship and in cit-
izenship. Hammond owes much to his active
efforts in her behalf, and no history of this
part of Piatt county would be complete with-
out mention of John R. Ponder.

GIDEON CHENOWETH.

Among the honored veterans of the
Civil war now living retired in De Land
is numbered Gideon Chenoweth, who was
born in Darke county, Ohio, March 16,
1840, his parents being Jacob and Sarah
(Foster) Chenoweth, natives of Virginia
and Ohio, respectively. On the paternal
side he is of Welsh descent, while his ma-
ternal ancestors came originally from
Scotland. His father was horn in the Old
Dominion in 1798 and was educated in the
subscription schools of that state, the tem-
ple of learning being a rude log structure
with greased paper windows, puncheon
floor and huge fire-place. He was mar-
ried in 1818 and settled in Darke county,
Ohio, where he entered three hundred
and twenty acres of timber land, which he
developed into a fine farm. He gave con-

siderable attention to the raising of cattle,
sheep and hogs and was considered one of
the best and most successful farmers and
stock-raisers of his locality. After his
death, which occurred in 1853, the family
remained upon the farm but a year, when
the widowed mother sold the place and
with her children removed to De Witt
county, Illinois, where she made her home
throughout the remainder of her life. She
died very suddenly in 1867 while visiting
friends and relatives in Iowa and was'
buried in the town of Bedford, that state.
Her early life was passed amid primitive
surroundings and our subject well remem-
bers hearing her relate of turning the
grindstone for Indians while they shar-
pened their scalping knives.

Gideon Chenoweth is one of a family
of twelve children, the others being Abra-
ham, who died in Kansas in 1891 ; Rebecca,
who died in Clinton, Illinois, in 1899; Joseph,
who died in Versailles, Illinois, in 1877;
John, who died in Nebraska in 1890;
Thomas, who died in 1856 or 1857; Mary
Ann, who married Jacob Rarrick and is
now living in Portland, Oregon, at the
age of seventy-five years ; William, de-
ceased ; Martha, who is the wife of Jacob
Harless and is living in Weldon, Iowa, at
the age of seventy-one; Noah, who is living
in Kansas, at the age of sixty-nine; Eliza,
who died in 1874; and Cassandra, who died
in infancy.

During his boyhood Gideon Cheno-
weth attended school in Ohio for about
three months during the winter season,
the remainder of the time being devoted
to the work of the home farm. In 1854
he accompanied his widowed mother on
her removal to Clinton, De Witt county,
where he continued his education until six-

2l6

PAST AND PRESENT

teen years of age. In 1857 he led to the mar-
riage altar Miss Mary A. Bryant, a daughter
of Cornelius and Agnes ( Sims) Bryant, who
were of Irish descent. By this union were
born five children, as follows : George H.,
the eldest, died at Argenta, Illinois, Novem-
ber 5, 1892. Francis H., the next of the fam-
ily, was born in Clinton, Illinois, June 22,
1866, and is a druggist of Charleston, this
state. Edward B., born January 4, 1869,
is mentioned more fully below. Eliza A.,
born August 22, 1872, died May 4, 1874.
William C, born June 28, 1878, is a drug-
gist of Charleston, Illinois.

After his marriage Mr. Chenoweth en-
gaged in operating a rented farm until
he entered the army during the Rebellion.
In 1861 he joined the boys in blue of Com-
pany E, Twentieth Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry and remained at the front until
honorably .discharged at Jefferson Bar-
racks, Missouri, April 16, 1863. He par-
ticipated in the battles of Frederickstown,
Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and
Corinth, and was accidently wounded at
Jackson, Tennessee, being confined in the
hospital from the i6th of September
1862, until he left the service.

On his return home Mr. Chenoweth
accepted a clerkship in a general store in
Clinton, Illinois, where he was employed
until 1867, when he came to Piatt county
and for four years rented and operated the
farm belonging to his sister, Mrs. Eliza
Lowery.* At the end of that time he re-
moved to Monticello, where he con-
ducted a meat market for two years, and
then assisted in building a branch of the
Illinois Central Railroad from White
Heath to Clinton, this state. In 1876 he
became connected with the firm of Piatt.
Hubbell & Company, who were in the

elevator business at Monticello, acting as
their buyer at Cisco, Illinois, and when
the business was sold to E. A. Townley,
he remained with that gentleman in the
same capacity until 1883. During the fol-
lowing two years he was with W. H. Tel-
ford, who was in the same line of business,
and on the expiration of that time he
went to Ness county, Kansas, where he
pre-empted three claims, both homestead
and timber claims. He had nothing on
his removal to that state but on his re-
turn to Illinois after five years he was the
owner of four hundred and eighty acres
of fine farming land in Kansas and one
hundred head of cattle besides other per-
sonal property, so successful had he been.
After his return to Monticello he was in
the employ of E. C. Knight in the grain
business until November, 1900, when he
accepted a position as carrier in the rural
mail service and faithfully served as such
for two years and two months, during
which time he lost but seven days. He
made a trip of twenty-seven miles and a
half each day and therefore traveled
nearly nineteen thousand miles during the
twenty-six months' time.

Mr. Chenoweth has been called upon
to mourn the loss of his estimable wife,
who died in Monticello of heart failure on
her way home from church December 3,
1899, when sixty years of age. She was
a lifelong member of the Methodist
Episcopal church and was an active and
faithful worker in the' same. On the 7th
of January, 1903, Mr. Chenoweth re-
moved to De Land, where he is now living
a retired life, honored and respected by
all who know him. He is still a member
of the Grand Army Post at Monticello
and enjoys meeting with the gray-haired

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

217

veterans who as young men fought with
him on the bloody battle-fields of the
south.

EDWARD B. CHENOWETH.

Edward B. Chenoweth, a son of Gid-
eon Chenoweth, was born in Piatt county,
January 4, 1869, and has here spent al-
most his entire life. Since attaining man's
estate his attention has mainly been de-
voted to mercantile interests. For two
years he engaged in clerking in a store
in Argenta and for about eight years was
similarly employed in De Land, although
during six months of that time he served
as assistant cashier in a bank at this place.
In November, 1902, he embarked in
business on his own account, opening a
new store in De Land with a well selected
stock of general merchandise. He car-
ries an excellent grade of goods and
spares no pains to please his customers.

In_ 1891 was celebrated the marriage
of Edward B. Chenoweth and Olive S.
Mitchell, of Weldon, Iowa, a daughter of
Rev. George E. and Rosetta (Westfall)
Mitchell, and three children bless this
union: Lela, now eleven years of age;
Lola, nine years ; and Beulah, a year and
six months. Socially Mr. Chenoweth is
a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No.
740, of De Land, of which he is treasurer ;
Twentieth Century Lodge, No. 603,
K. P. ; and the Modern Woodmen Camp,
No. 2178, of which he is clerk. He was
also a delegate to the head camp of Mod-
ern Woodmen in 1903. Politically he is
identified with the Republican party and
has held the office of township clerk two
years and village clerk the same length of

time. He is regarded as one of the lead-
ing young men of the town, active, enter-
prising and progressive, and although he
has been in business for himself only a
short time he has already built up a good
trade and his patronage is steadily in-
creasing.

MRS. HELEN C. TIPPETT.

Mrs. Helen C. Tippett, a well-known
resident of White Heath and a worthy rep-
resentative of an honored pioneer family of
this county, was born on the nth of Janu-
ary, 1842, in Ross county, Ohio, and is a
daughter of David and Anna (Porter)
Heath. Her father was a native of New
Jersey, and when a young man removed to
Ohio, where he married Miss Porter, who
was born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
February 27, 1799, and was a daughter of
William and Elizabeth (Clinton) Porter.
On the maternal side she was of Scotch-
Irish descent. Mrs. Tippett's paternal
grandmother bore the maiden name of
Wood and was of English descent. After
farming in Ohio for about eighteen years,
David Heath came to Piatt county, Illi-
nois, and purchased eighty acres of land
near White Heath. He then returned to
Ohio to settle up some business, making the
journey on horseback, as there were no rail-
roads at that time, and while there caught
a severe cold which developed into pneu-
monia, from which he died within a year
from the time he come to Piatt county, and
it was two weeks before his relatives in this
county learned of his death. His widow
then took charge of affairs, and with the as-
sistance of her two sons, Jarnes and Noble,

218

PAST AND PRESENT

she transformed the wild tract into a good
farm. She was one of the bravest and best
of women, bearing uncomplainingly the
hardships and trials of frontier life. Many
times she was left alone for two or three
days while her sons went to the city for sup-
plies. Their home was at the edge of the
timber and the nearest neighbor was at least
one mile away. Wolves and rattlesnakes
were numerous and many dangers and diffi-
culties were encountered by those early set-
tlers.

In the Heath family were six children,
namely : Mary J., born January 3, 1825,
became the wife of B. F. Harris, a banker
of Champaign, Illinois, and died March 23,
1883 ; James Clinton, born August 20, 1828,
died December 22, 1872 ; Noble Porter, born
February 8, 1833, .died June 8, 1893 ; Anna
E., born June 6, 1838, died in 1851; one
died in infancy; and Mrs. Tippett is now
the only survivor. The mother passed
away June 10, 1877, loved and respected
by all who knew her.

Mrs. Tippett was only three years old
when she accompanied her parents on their
removal to this state and amid pioneer
scenes she grew to womanhood. She was
educated in an old log school house, known
as the Hughes school, and after her gradu-
ation commenced teaching at the age of
eighteen years, following that profession
from 1860 to 1870. On the gth of March,
1871, she gave her hand in marriage to
Cumberland Tippett. who then took charge
of the old Heath homestead and operated
the farm until his death, which occurred
October 2, 1875. He was a member of
Monticello Lodge, F. & A. M., and was a
local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal
church, of which he was a lifelong meml^er,
always taking an active part in church work

and doing all in his power for the uplifting
of his fellow men. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tip-
pett were born two children: Florence B.,
born December 18, 1871, is now the wife of
Dr. B. E. Duvall. of Atlanta, Georgia. She
is also a physician, l)eing a graduate of the
Eclectic Medical College of Atlanta, and
having also taken a post-graduate course at
the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College.
James Clinton, born January 3, 1873. was
married October 4, 1896, to Mattie I. Jami-
son, and is now circuit clerk and county
auditor, living in Monticello, Illinois. His
sketch appears on another page of this vol-
ume.

After the death of her husband Mrs.
Tippett and her mother took charge of the
farm, hiring a man to run it, and when her
mnther died she went to Champaign, where
she lived for four years, her brother having
charge of the place during that time. The
following eighteen years were spent upon
the farm with her children, her brother still
continuing to conduct the property. In
1901 Mrs. Tippett purchased her present
comfortable residence in White Heath,
where she has since resided. Her brother
continued to manage the farm until 1894,
when her son, J. C, was old enough to take
charge of the same. He lived there until he
was elected circuit clerk and still rents the
place. Mrs. Tippett is a woman of many ex-
cellent traits of character, who is highly
respected and esteemed by all who know
her.

HON. SEYMOUR MARQUISS.

Among the citizens of Piatt county on
whom has been conferred public honor and
whose careers have reflected credit upon

SEYMOUR MARQUISS

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

221

those who have reposed in them public trust
is numbered Seymour Marquiss. He has
represented his district in the legislature
and has been active and influential in busi-
ness circles, where his course has ever been
such as to commend him to the confidence
and good will of those with whom he has
come in contact. He is now living a re-
tired life in Monticello, having acquired a
competence which has enabled him to put
aside business cares and enjoy the fruits of
former toil.

Mr. Marquiss is one of Piatt county's
native sons, his birth having occurred in
Goose Creek township on the 7th of June,
1837. He is a son of Ezra and Ann Maria
(Norris) Marquiss, the former a native of
Ohio and the latter of Maryland. Their
marriage was celebrated in Illinois, the fa-
ther having come to this state in 1833 with
the paternal grandfather of our subject,
Abraham Marquiss, who was a native of Vir-
ginia. He settled in Piatt county in 1833
at a very early period in the development of
this portion of the state, and there he took
up government land. He made the jour-
ney from Ohio by wagon and cast in his
lot with the early settlers who lived amid
frontier environments. Not a furrow had
been turned or an improvement made upon
his place, but he at once began the develop-
ment of a farm and soon rich fields returned
to him good harvests. Ezra Marquiss was
one of a family of seven children and his
education was obtained during his residence
in Ohio. After coming with his father to Il-
linois he began farming in Goose Creek
township, Piatt county, near the old Abra-
ham Marquiss homestead, entering forty
acres of land from the government. As the
years passed he prospered and his business
methods were such as to win for him puViiic

confidence as well as to gain for him gratify-
ing success. As his financial resources in-
creased he made judicious investments in
real estate until he became the owner of
two thousand acres of land. His death oc-
curred on the 3d of January, 1898, when
he had reached the advanced age of eighty-
four years, and his wife passed away on the
icth of August, 1881. This worthy couple
were the parents of eight children, of whom
four are yet living-, namely: Seymour; Pau-
lina, the wife of Frank McMillan, of Mon-
ticello; Ezra, who is a resident of Monti-
cello; and Mary E., the wife of John Kirby,
who is also living in the county seat.

Under the parental roof Seymour Mar-
quiss was reared and attended the old Piatt
school in Goose Creek township. He spent
his winter months in mastering the studies
therein taught, and during the summer sea-
sons he worked upon the home farm, early
becoming familiar with the labors that fall
to the lot of the agriculturist. The sun
shone down on many a field which he plowed
and planted in his youth, and when autumn
came he assisted in harvesting the crops.
He remained at home until twenty-four
years of age and then made preparations
for having a home of his own by his mar-
riage to Miss Caroline McMillen, the wed-
ding taking place on the igth of December,
1 86 1. The lady is a daughter of Thomas
McMillen, who came to Illinois in 1856 and
located in Goose Creek township, Piatt coun-
ty. He was born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in 1806, and in 1812 was
taken by his parents to Highland county,
Ohio, where he lived until 1828. He then
went to Indiana, where he was married to
Miss Mary Hathaway, who was born in
Fort Harrison during the war of 1812. In
1856 he again became a pioneer settler. He

222

PAST AND PRESENT

had previously lived amid frontier surround-
ings in Ohio and in Indiana, and now he
cast in his lot with the early settlers of Piatt
county, Illinois. Later he removed to
Champaign county, where he died in 1869,
when sixty-three years of age. Mrs. Mar-
quiss was one of a family of ten children,
being the third in order of birth.

At the time of his marriage Seymour
Marquiss began farming and buying stock.
He took up his abode in Goose Creek town-
ship near DeLand, and for many years was
a most prominent representative of agricul-
tural interests. He continued to reside
upon his farm until 1887, when he estab-
lished his home in the village of DeLand,
but is now living retired in Monticello, al-
though he has given his personal supervis-
ion to the management of his farming inter-
ests. While living on the farm he was very
extensively engaged in feeding stock, using
in this way all of the grain which he raised
and also purchasing large amounts of feed
for his cattle. He owns two hundred and for-
ty-eight acres of rich and arable land lying
in sections 8, 9, 16 and 17, Goose Creek
township, eight acres of which is in the vil-
lage of DeLand.

Mr. and Mrs. Marquiss have never had
any children of their own, but the kindness
of their hearts has prompted them to give
homes to six different children, namely : So-
phia Norris, who is now the wife of R. M.
Cathcart and resides upon Mr. Marquiss'
farm; Lillie Ives, the wife of Don P.
Chandler, a resident of Nebraska; Minnie
Hubbard, who died in San Diego, Califor-
nia; Delta M. Parsons, now the wife of Doc-
tor Keel, of Monticello: Jessie Parsons, who
is teaching school southeast of White Heath,
and Florence Tripp, who is nine years of age,
and is yet with Mr. and Mrs. Marquiss.

Mr. Marquiss exercises his right of fran-
chise in support of the men and measures of
the Republican party. He served as asses-
sor in his township, was also township clerk,
highway commissioner and school director.
He was found so loyal and faithful in all
of his local offices that his fellow townsmen
conferred upon him higher political honors,
electing him to the fortieth general assem-
bly as the representative of what was then
the Thirtieth senatorial district. There he
served on several committees, including those
on license, agriculture, roads and bridges,
public buildings, public grounds and state
institutions. He was an active working
member of the house and did everything in
his power to promote what he believed would
prove the best interests of the state. He has
been president of the DeLand village board
for three terms and has taken an active part
in the growth and development of this place.
Prompt and faithful in the discharge of his
duties his official service is a criterion of his
entire career, for in all life's relations the
qualities of an honorable and upright man-
hood have been manifested. He enjoys the
confidence and respect of young and old,
rich and poor, and well deserves representa-
tion in the history of his native county.

WILLIAM S. HIGGINS.

William S. Higgins is one of the native
sons of Piatt county and, although a young
man, is classed among the representative
farmers successfully conducting agricultural
pursuits upon his home place on section 10,
Monticello township. - He was born on the
2d of December, 1872, in Milmine, a son
of George and Henrietta Higgins. He be-

FIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

223

gun his education in the Shadynook school
and later successfully attended the Howell
and Baker schools, continuing his studies
until fifteen years of age, after which he
devoted his entire time to assisting his fath-
er in the work of the home farm. He never
worked for any one save his father until he
began farming on his own account. This
occurred in the year 1895.

On the i8th of March, of that year, Wil-
liam S. Higgins was united in marriage to
Miss Josephine Lewis, a daughter of Steph-
en and Omilia (Oliver) Lewis, of In-
diana. The young couple began their domes-
. tic life upon the Hale farm, which Mr. Hig-
gins rented for five years. He then re-
moved to the C. E. Pierson farm which he
rented for three years, and at the end of
that time he took up his abode upon a farm
which is now his home. He cultivates one
hundred and sixty acres of land and he is
making a specialty of the production of
corn and oats. He also feeds a large number
of hogs annually for the market, and he has
eighteen head of cattle, principally of the
Galloway and shorthorn breeds. He also
has eight head of horses and several mules
which he utilizes in the cultivation of his
farm. He now owns a Galloway bull, for
which he has refused sixty dollars, and he
has a shorthorn cow called Roney for which
he has refused one hundred dollars. Mr.
Higgins keeps good stock and manifests
practical judgment in their care. He also
has a nice orchard upon his place and every-
thing about his farm is in various ways
showing him to be a wide-awake, loyal and
enterprising owner.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Higgins has
been blessed with four children, but only
one is now living George D., who was the
second in order of birth, and is now a lad

of five years. Emmet, the eldest, died at
the age of one year and twelve days. The
other children, Iva and Ora, were twins and
died in infancy. In his political views Mr.
Higgins is a Democrat, but, though re-
quested many times to accept public office,
he has always refused, preferring to devote
his time and energies to his business affairs,
in which he is meeting with creditable and
well-merited success.

HIRAM ROYSE.

When Hiram Royse was called to the
home beyond one more name was added to
the list of honored dead, whose earthly rec-
ords closed with the words "Well done,
thou good and faithful servant," but as
long as memory remains to those who knew
him the influence of his upright life will
remain as a source of encouragement-and in-
spiration. "Our echoes roll from soul to
soul," and the good we do lives after us
through all ages, handed down from gener-
ation to generation. Mr. Royse was a man
well known in Piatt county, where, for
many years, he was identified with agricul-
tural pursuits.

He was born in Bartholomew county,
Indiana, upon his father's farm, October
23. 1840. His parents were Aaron and
Elizabeth (McGuyre) Royse. The father
was born in Clark county, Indiana, and the
mother's birth also occurred in that state.
They remained residents of Indiana through-
out their entire lives, and during the greater
part of the time Aaron Royse was connected
with agricultural interests. Thus it was
that Hiram Royse was reared upon a farm r
and like most farmer boys of the period he

224

PAST AND PRESENT

attended the district schools through the
winter months, while in the summer seasons
he worked upon the home farm, thus contin-
uing to assist his father until he reached his
twenty-second year.

At that time Hiram Royse was married,
the lady of his choice being Miss Helen
Long, who was born in Tuscarawas county,
Ohio, in August. 1844, being the fifth in
order of birth in a family of ten children,
whose parents were Young B. and Cather-
ine (Weaver) Long. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Long were natives of Pennsylvania, but
soon after their marriage they removed to
Tuscarawas county. Ohio, and when Mrs.
Royse was a little maiden of six summers
they went to Bartholomew county. Indiana,
where she was reared, educated and mar-
ried. It was on the 23d of October, 1861,
that she gave her hand in marriage to Hi-
ram Royse.

The young couple began their domestic
life in Indiana, where they lived for about
seven years. They also spent two years in
Macon county, Illinois, but not being
pleased with that locality, they removed to
DeWitt county, Illinois, where they spent
one year. On the. expiration of that period
they came to Piatt county, settling in
Goose Creek township in 1871. Mr. Royse
purchased eighty acres of new land upon
which not a furrow had been turned or an
improvement made, but he at once l>egan to
break the prairie and to carry on the work
of cultivation. Therefore, it was not long
before a marked change was wrought in the
appearance of the place, and instead of the
wild prairie grasses were seen rich fields of
grain, giving promise of abundant harvests.
From time to time Mr. Royse added to his
property as his financial resources increased
until within the boundaries of his farm

was comprised a valuable tract of three hun-
dred and sixty acres. On this place he car-
ried on general agricultural pursuits and
stock-raising, meeting with excellent success
in his undertakings. He erected a good res-
idence, built substantial barns and other
outbuildings and added other improvements
as they were needed. His farm became a
valuable one, attractive in appearance and
was the visible evidence of the life of indus-
try and enterprise led by Mr. Royse. For
many years he carried on agricultural pur-
suits with success, annually adding to his
income until he had obtained a very desira-
ble competence. He then removed from his
farm to Monticello in 1895 an d continued
to make his home in the capital city until
his death, which occurred Ma}' 14, 1900.
The last five years of his life were spent in
honorable retirement from business cares.
He well merited the rest which came to him
for all that he possessed had been acquired
through his own honest efforts.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Royse were born
nine children : Emily, who is now the wife
of A. M. Doss, a resident farmer of Wil-
low Branch township; Amanda E., the wife
of Fred Swam, also a farmer; Albert E.,
who resides in Johnson county, Indiana ;
Mary A., the wife of John Stilabower, oi
Piatt county : Ella O.,who died in her
eighth year; Clara E., the deceased wife of
William O. Daffer; Josie, at home; John A.,
who resides on the old homestead farm in
Goose Creek township; and Harvey E., who
is a student in school.

The home farm of three hundred and
sixty acres is still in possession of the fam-
ily, and of this Mrs. Royse owns one hun-
dred and sixty acres in her own right. She
has performed her part of wife and mother
in the home, and is a most estimable ladv

I MATT COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

who shares in the high regard of all with
\\hnni she comes in contact. She has a
comfortable residence in Monticello, where
she is now living, and she has seventeen
grandchildren, who take great delight in
visiting their grandmother. Of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church she is an acceptable
member and her life has ever been in con-
sistent harmony with its teachings and
faith. To this church Mr. Royse belonged
and was one of its liberal contributors, took
an active interest in its work and thus did
what he could to advance its growth and
welfare. He died in its faith in 1900, and,
passing away, he left to his family not only
a handsome competence, but also an untarn-
ished record, for his life was ever honorable
and those who knew him entertained for
him the highest confidence.

J. M. SHIVELY.

The world instinctively pays deference
to the man whose success has been wor-
thily achieved, who has overcome the ob-
stacles in his path and has reached a
creditable position in the business world.
This is a progressive age and he who does
not continually advance is soon left be-
hind. By the improvement of opportun-
ities by which all are surrounded, J.
M. Shively has steadily and honorably
worked his way upward and is to-day one
of the prosperous business men of Cerro
Gordo, where he is connected with the
grain trade as a member of the firm of
J. M. Shively & Company. He repre-
sents an old and prominent family of the
county. He was born in Indiana in 1860,
a son of Andrew and Barbara (Metzger)

Shively, the former of Montgomery
county, Ohio, and the latter of Clinton
county, Indiana. Andrew Shively went
to Indiana in his youth, locating first in
Clinton county, where he carried on agri-
cultural pursuits until 1872. He then
came to Piatt county and purchased a
tract of land in Cerro Gordo township,
where he carried on general farming with
success until 1887. His well directed ef-
forts, his sound business judgement and
his indefatigable industry brought to him
capital sufficient to enable him to put
aside business cares and after removing to
Cerro Gordo he lived retired here for a
few years. Wishing, however, to enjoy
the balmy climate of California, he re-
moved to Lordsburg, that state, where
he is still living, resting in the enjoyment
of the fruits of his former toil. His wife
passed away in Cerro Gordo in 1895.
They were the parents of three children :
Susan, who is now the wife of Isaac Metz-
ger, a resident of Cerro Gordo; John M.,
our subject ; and Joseph, who resides upon
a farm in Cerro Gordo township.

To the public school system of this
county J. M. Shively is indebted for the
educational privileges he enjoyed. After
putting aside his text books he began
farming in Cerro Gordo township and
was thus employed until 1887, when he
took up his abode in the town and turned
his attention to the grain business. The
grain elevator which he owns is the
largest here. It was built in 1886 by Mr.
Shellabaer, who operated it until May,
1889, and then sold to E. R. Ulrich & Son
and this firm continued to conduct the
business until the spring of 1902, when
they sold it to Mr. Shively and on the ist
of November, 1902, our subject admitted

226

PAST AND PRESENT

H. Phillips to a partnership and the enter-
prise has since been carried on under the
firm style of J. M. Shively & Company.
They are engaged in buying and shipping
grain, for which they pay the highest
market price and their business has al-
ready assumed extensive and profitable
proportions.

Mr. Shively was happily married to
Miss Katie Wagoner, of Oakley, Macon
county, Illinois, and both he and his wife
are members of the Brethren church of
Cerro Gordo. In politics he is indepen-
dent, supporting the men whom he thinks
best qualified for office. He has never
held nor desired office for himself, pre-
ferring to devote his time and attention
to his business affairs, in which he is
meeting with creditable success. His life
has been quietly passed and yet there are
in his history lessons worthy of considera-
tion and emulation, for he has always" been
loyal to the ties of home, of friendship
and of citizenship and such a man well
merits the esteem of those with whom he
comes in contact.

FLORENCE SULLIVAN.

Among the worthy sons of the Emer-
ald Isle who have become residents of
Illinois is numbered Florence Sullivan and
there is in his life record much that is
worthy of commendation and emulation.
He has engaged in the harness business
in Mansfield since 1870 and under circum-
stances that would have utterly discour-
aged many a man of less resolute spirit he
has worked his way stead'ly upward, ac-
quiring a comfortable competence and

gaining the respect and good will of all
with whom he has been associated.

Mr. Sullivan is a native of, County
Cork, Ireland, born on the 4th of May,
1836. His parents were Florence and
Ellen (Rouan) Sullivan, in whose family
were nine children, the subject of this re-
view being the sixth in order of birth. The
children were named as follows: Corne-
lius, Mary, Julia, James, Daniel, Florence,
Johanna, Patrick and John, but Mr. Sulli-
van of this review is the only one now liv-
ing. In the schools of his native country
he began his education and was there
reared to manhood. He perhaps had more
advantages than some boys and less than
others. His youth, however, was largely
a period of toil. He was thirteen years of
age when he crossed the Atlantic to
America in company with some of his rel-
atives, the family embarking on the sail-
ing vessel Bridalbin, which was five weeks
and three days in completing the voyage.
At length, however, anchor was dropped
in the harbor of Boston, Massachusetts,
in the year 1849 and the family went from
that city to Rutland, Vermont.

In 1851 Mr. Sullivan had both of his
legs taken off by the cars. He afterward
learned the harness maker's trade and em-
barked in business on his own account in
the spring of 1854. opening a shop in
Aurora, New York. During the Civil war
he was employed in making harness for
the army and earned good wages at that
time. He has ever been a man of un-
faltering industry and certainly deserves
great credit for what he has accomplished
m life. He continued to reside in the east
until 1870, when he removed to Illinois,
establishing his home in Mansfield, Piatt
county, on the 3d of November. Here he

PIATT COUNTY> ILLINOIS.

227

opened a harness shop which he has since
conducted. He is an excellent workman
in this line and the business which he has
carried on has brought to him a good
financial return because of the splendid
quality of harness which he manufactures.
These find a ready sale upon the market
and he now enjoys a good trade.

On the 2d of January, 1870, Mr. Sulli-
van was united in marriage to Miss Mar-
garet McCarty and unto them were born
four children, but the mother and children
have all passed away. In his political
views Mr. Sullivan is independent, voting
for the men rather than the party. He has
served as a member of the village board
for two years and is deeply interested in
everything pertaining to the progress and
welfare of his community. He holds mem-
bership in the Roman Catholic church
and is a wide-awake, energetic American
citizen imbued with the progressive spirit
of the times and keeping in touch with
the world's advancement.

COLONEL W. H. JAMISON. -

Deeds of valor have been the theme of
song and story throughout all the ages, nor
can such tales be told too often. When this
country became involved in civil war over
the attempt of the south to destroy the
Union, patriotic men from all walks of life
flocked to the standard of their country.
They came from the shops, the fields, the
counting room, the offices and even from the
pulpits, all anxious to aid in the preserva-
tion of the nation. Among the brave sons
of Illinois was Colonel William H. Jamison.
Although several years passed after the close

of the war before he was called to his final
rest, he practically laid down his life upon
the altar of his country for his long and ar-
duous service in its defense, undermined
his health that he was never again able to
take his place among the active business
men. All honor is due him and his -name
should be enrolled high among the brave
sons of Illinois who bore such a glorious
part in the struggle for the Union.

Colonel Jamison was a native of New
York, born in the Empire state, on the 6th
of October, 1831. His parents were Wil-
liam and Ann Jamison, the former of
Scotch and Irish extraction, while the latter
was horn in England. In her early girlhood,
however, she was brought to America, be-
coming a resident of New York. During
the early boyhood of the Colonel his parents
removed from New York to Ohio, settling
in Franklin county, about ten miles east of
Columbus, where he grew to manhood, ac-
quiring his education in the public schools,
and in a select school of London, Ohio. In
1855 he started westward and came as far
as Monticello, Illinois. He had learned
the blacksmith's trade in London, Ohio, and
on arriving in this city he opened a shop,
which he continued to conduct until after
the outbreak of the Civil war, when in re-
sponse to his country's call for troops he en-
listed, becoming a member of the Twenty-
first Illinois Volunteer Infantry under com-
mand of Colonel U. S. Grant. He was mus-
tered in at Mattoon, Illinois, and on the or-
ganization of the company he was com-
missioned first lieutenant. He participated in
a number of important battles which bore
a part in shaping the final victory of the
Union army. He took part in the engage-
ment at Lookout Mountain and in the battle
of Franklin, Tennessee, and at that place he

228

PAST AND PRESENT

barely escaped with his life, a ball passing
through his chin whiskers. He was always a
loyal and valorous soldier, and his bravery
and meritorious conduct on the field of battle
several times won him promotion. He was
first made captain of his company, then pro-
moted to the rank of major, and finally be-
came lieutenant colonel of his regiment, with
which rank he served until after the close
of the war, receiving an honorable discharge
in December, 1865, having been with the
army over four years. His military service
was certainly most creditable. He was a
faithful officer, and while he never need-
lessly exposed his men to danger, he often
led them into the thickest of the fight and
by his own courage inspired them to deeds
of valor.

Colonel Jamison, however, made a great
sacrifice for his country. He returned to his
home in Monticello much broken in health,
and was thereafter unable to attend to busi-
ness. He continued to suffer from the trou-
bles brought about by the exposures and
hardships of army life -until thirteen years
had passed and he was then called to his
final rest in 1878.

Before going to the war Colonel Jami-
son had married Miss Martha J. Tinder,
who was born in Rockingham county, Vir-
ginia, on the igth of March, 1833, the sec-
ond daughter of Asher W. and Delila C.
(Lewis) Tinder. In 1853 ner parents re-
moved to Piatt county. She was at that
time a young lady of about twenty years,
and on the loth of February. 1856, she gave
her hand in marriage to Mr. Jamison. They
became the parents of two daughters : Inez
and Flo A., the wife of Scott Miller, a res-
ident of Wilmington, Illinois. He is the su-
perintendent of the Widows' Home and was
instrumental in its establishment. Mrs.

Jamison has two granddaughters : Zola
L'rda, who is an artist; and Mattie, who is
now the wife of J. C. Tippett, circuit court
clerk and recorder of Piatt county.

Colonel Jamison was a most active and
earnest Republican, joining the party on its
organization. It become the defender of the
Union in the dark days of the country's
peril, and he never wavered in his allegiance
thereto, giving to it his stalwart support up
to the time of his demise. He did every-
thing he could for its success, and he was
always deeply interested in the welfare of
the city and the promotion of its best inter-
ests. At his death many friends mourned
his loss for his many excellent traits of char-
acter had endeared him to those with whom
he was associated. His widow is a member
of the Woman's Relief Corps of Monticello,
and also of the Chapter of the Eastern Star,
the auxiliary of the Masonic fraternity. She
is a lady of culture, having graduated in the
high school of London, Ohio, and she has a
good home in Monticello and is granted a
pension by the government.

JAMES W. LOWTHER.

Prominent among the citizens of Piatt
county who have witnessed the marvelous
development of this section of the state in
the past thirty-five years, and who have, by
honest toil and industry, succeeded in ac-
quiring a competence and are now able to
spend the evening of life in quiet and retire-
ment, is the gentleman whose name intro-
duces this sketch. His home is on section 7,
Unity township.

Being left an orphan at a very early age,
Mr. Lowthers knows nothing of his par-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

231

ents, and he was reared by John Daw-son, of
Ohio. His boyhood and youth were passed
upon the farm, where he early became famil-
iar with hard work and thoroughly mastered
agricultural pursuits, but his literary educa-
tion was limited. He was reared amid pio-
neer conditions in Scioto county, Ohio, and
when a boy often used a single shovel
plow drawn by one horse. Many a day he
has dropped corn by hand and cut grain with
a scythe and cradle. The hum of the spin-
ning wheel was heard throughout the day
in the home of his foster parents, and the
clothes of the girls were made from lin-
sey-woolsey, while the boys wore jeans.
Kerosene lamps had not come into use,- and
tallow candles furnished the light in the lit-
tle pioneer homes.

Coming west in 1868, Mr. Lowther set-
tled in Piatt county, Illinois, and has since
watehecl with interest the growth and de-
velopment of this portion of the country.
The wild prairies stretched for miles
around and were covered with ponds and
sloughs, and small game was plentiful. The
railroad had not then been built through
Voorhies and he has seen the upbuilding
of that and other villages in this county.

For one year after his arrival Mr. Low-
thers worked by the month as a farm hand
and then rented land until 1875.' In the
meantime he saved money to buy a home
and invested in one hundred and twenty
acres of raw prairie on section 7, Unity
township, for which he paid twenty-five dol-
lars and a half per acre, but it is now worth
one hundred and twenty-five dollars pet-
acre. After tiling and draining his land he
placed it under cultivation and successfully
engaged in general farming for several years.
He planted every tree now found upon the
place, built fences, set out an orchard and

made many other improvements, so that he
now has a very desirable place. For the
past nine years he has practically lived, re-
tired from active labor, leaving the land to
be operated by a tenant, and Mr. Hubbell
has been in charge for three years. Mr.
Lowther votes the Republican ticket and
takes a commendable interest in public af-
fairs. He is one of the old and honored
residents of his section of the county and
deserves representation in the Past and Pres-
ent of Piatt county.

SAMUEL J. FOULK.

Samuel J. Foulk, who is connected with
agricultural pursuits in Bement township,
where he owns and operates two hundred
acres of land on section 21, is a native of
Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in
Somerset county, on .the 3ist of January,
1843. The family is of German descent
and was founded in America by the great-
grandfather of our subject who came from
that country and located in the Keystone
state. George Foulk, the grandfather of
our subject, died in Pennsylvania when a
comparatively young man. Jacob Foulk,
the father of our subject, was born in Som-
erset county, Pennsylvania, in 1817, and
throughout his entire life he followed the
occupation of farming in the state of his na-
tivity. He was a prosperous and progress-
ive man, his business being capably con-
ducted along the lines which brought to him
a good financial return. His political sup-
port was given to the Whig party until its
dissolution when he joined the ranks of the
new Republican party, but while he kept
well informed on the questions and issues

232

PAST AND PRESENT

of the day, he never sought or desired public
office, content to do his duty as a private
citizen. He was a member of the Mennonite
church, to which his wife also belonged. In
her maidenhood Mrs. Foulk bore the name
of Barbara Gincrick. She was born in
1816 in Germany, and when seventeen years
of age came to the United States with her
brother, her parents having died in the fath-
erland. Her death occurred when she was
seventy-three years of age. To her family
she was a devoted wife and loving mother,
and by her marriage she had seven children,
of whom three are living, the subject of this
review being the third in order of birth.
His brothers are Jeremiah, who is a retired
farmer residing in Pennsylvania; and Ana-
nias, who carries on agricultural pursuits in
Pennsylvania.

Samuel J. Foulk remained in the Key-
stone state until after he had attained his
majority, and in 1865, when twenty-two
years of age he came -to the west, believing
that he might have better opportunities in
this growing section of the country. He
located in McLean county, Illinois, near
Hayworth, where he lived for one year, de-
voting his energies to general agricultural
pursuits. He then removed to the vicinity
of Bloomington, where he resided for five
years. On the expiration of that period he
came to Piatt county and purchased eighty
acres of land in Bement township. This
was situated on section 21 and was only par-
cially improved, but with characteristic en-
ergy he began its further cultivation and
development, and as the years have passed
he has also extended the boundaries of his
farm until it now comprises two hundred
acres, a part of which he rents to a tenant,
but the remainder of the land he cultivates
and it has been his home since his arrival

in Piatt county in the early seventies. He
carries on general farming and stock-raising
and in his business career he has met with
prosperity, owing to the excellent farming
methods which he follows and his progress-
ive labors, placing him in the front ranks
of the leading agriculturists of the com-
munity.

In 1863 Mr. Foulk was united in mar-
riage to Miss Lizzie Welfly, who was born
in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and came
to Illinois after her marriage. She is a
daughter of Israel and Susannah Welfly,
who were likewise natives of the Keystone
state. The father is still living at the age
of ninety-three years, but the mother passed
away many years ago, dying at the early
age of twenty-eight years. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Foulk have been born five children, but
only one is now living. The eldest, Emma,
died at the age of six months; the second
died in infancy ; Alsinus died at the age of
four years ; and Orville died at the age of
seventeen years. The three eldest were born
in McLean county and the others in Be-
ment township. The living son is Earl E.,
who was the fifth member of the family and
is now twenty-three years of age. He was
educated in Bement township and assists his
father in the operation of the home farm.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Foulk are members of
the Methodist church, taking an active and
helpful part in its work, and he is serving as
steward, and is one of the church trustees.
In politics he is a stalwart Republican and
held the office of school director, while at
the present time he is school trustee. The
cause of education finds in him a warm
friend who has done much to promote the
interests of the schools and advance their
permanent improvement. Coming to the
west in earlv manhood, Mr. Foulk here

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

233

found the business opportunities he sought
for throughout the length and breadth of the
land there is no better agricultural district
than is afforded in Piatt county. Working
earnestly and systematically he has year by
year added to his possessions until he is now
accounted one of the substantial farmers of
this community.

LOUIS BENARD.

Louis Benard is a retired farmer and
extensive landowner now residing in the
village of Hammond, where he occupies
a beautiful residence. He is well known
throughout Piatt county and is numbered
among its pioneer settlers for he located
in Bement in 1864 and has since resided
in this portion of the state. Great changes
have occurred since that time and the
transformation wrought in Piatt has kept
this county abreast with the universal im-
provement, making it one of the leading
agricultural counties of this great state.
For a number of years Mr. Benard was
actively associated with farming interests
and as the years passed he made judicious
investments in real estate until he is now
one of the extensive landowners.

A native of Canada, Louis Benard was
born in Montreal in 1837, and is a son of
Louis and Ovede (LaCrosse) Benard, who
were also natives of Canada, in which
country they spent their entire lives, the
father devoting his energies to agricul-
tural pursuits there. Unto him and his
wife were born ten children, among whom
were three son.s who served in the Union
army and are now residents of Albany,
New York. The other members of the

family, with the exception of our subject,
are residents of Montreal.

Mr. Benard of this review obtained his
education in the country schools of Can-
ada and at the age, of seventeen years he
left home, going to Upper Canada and
afterward to Ogdensburg, New York.
Starting out in life with but limited means,
he soon realized that there is no royal
road to wealth and also recognized the
fact that persistency of purpose and
strong determination are forceful ele-
ments in obtaining success. Therefore he
labored energetically at whatever claimed
his attention. While living in Ogdens-
burg, New York, he was united in mar-
riage to Miss Mary Smithers, a native of
St. Lawrence county, that state, born on
the Qth of Ocober, 1837, and a daughter
of Thomas and Marie (Stephens) Smith-
ers. who were natives of England and
came to the United States in 1836, settling
in St. Lawrence county, New. York, where
both the father and mother passed away.
Throughout the years of his active busi-
ness career Mr. Smithers engaged in
farming.

After his marriage Mr. Benard re-
sided for five months in New -Hampshire
and during that time learned and followed
the shoemaker's trade. He afterward re-
moved to Vermont, living successively in
Northfield, Montpelier and other places,
where he followed shoemaking for six
years or until August, 1864, when he
came to the west and has since made his
home in the Mississippi valley. He set-
tled in the village of Bement, Piatt coun-
ty, Illinois, where he worked at the shoe-
makers' trade for four years. He then
traded his shoe shop for a team of horses
and removed to Moultrie county, Illinois,

234

PAST AND PRESENT

having but three dollars and fifty cents
in his pocket at that time. There he en-
gaged in farming for four years and in
1872 he returned to Piatt county, settling
on a farm in Unity township, where he
engaged in tilling of the soil for more than
twenty years. In 1895 he removed to the
village of Hammond and built his present
residence, since which time he has lived
retired. Those who know aught of his
history recognize that he has been a man
of marked industry who has carried on his
work so steadily and energetically that he
has gained a comfortable competence.
He is still the owner of one hundred and
eighty acres of land in Unity township
near Hammond, this constituting a well
improved property. In addition to this
he has six hundred and forty acres of pro-
ductive land in central Minnesota and three
hundred and twenty acres of land in the Ya-
zoo valley in Mississippi. He has placed his
capital in the safest of all investments,
real estate, and is to-day the owner of val-
uable property which returns to him a splen-
did income, enabling him to live retired from
further business cares, save the supervision
of his property.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Benard
was blessed with four children : Louis,
who is with his parents; Lilly, the wife of
Charles Bunyan, who is engaged in the
lumber business in Hammond ; Marie, the
wife of John Dick, a farmer residing in
Moultrie county, Illinois ; and Fred E.,
who married Ethel Kizer, by whom he
has one child and who is now engaged in
general merchandising in Hammond.

Mr. Benard gives his political support
to the Democracy, having always voted
that ticket, but he has never been an of-
fice seeker nor has he desired political

preferment. Socially he is a member of
the Masonic order, belonging to Bement
Lodge, F. & A. M. He always spends his
summer months on his land in Minnesota,
while the winter season is passed in his
pleasant home in Hammond. He is a man
of sterling purpose, of strong force of
character and of upright life and his suc-
cessful career excites- the admiration and
commands the respect of those who are
at all familiar with his history. He
started out upon his business career
empty handed and to no fortunate com-
bination of circumstances does he owe his
success. Such a history should serve as
a source of encouragemnt to others, show-
ing that prosperity may be won through
perseverance and diligence.

JOHN G. FULK.

The subject of this sketch in one of
the leading and representative citizens of
Cerro Gordo township, where after years
of active labor mainly devoted to agri-
cultural pursuits he is now living retired
at his pleasant home on section 35. He
was born in Rockingham, Virginia, No-
vember 9, 1849, an< i is a son f John and
Martha (Roadcap) Fulk, who spent their
entire lives in that state. In their family
were ten children, all of whom reached
man and womanhood. Two of the sons
were killed during the Civil war, one while
serving in the Southern army, and the
other while fighting with the Union forces
in North Carolina. The father's sym-
pathies were with the north during those
trying days. One son and five of the
daughters are still living in Virginia and

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

2 35

all are married and have families. One
daughter is deceased.

John G. Fulk passed his boyhood and
youth in his native state and was given
good educational advantages. On reach-
ing manhood he was married December
19, 1875, to Miss Sarah Wine, a daughter
of Michael S. and Elizabeth (Fry) Wine,
also natives of the Old Dominion, where
her father still resides, her mother being
now deceased. They had five children,
two sons and three daughters, four of
whom are now living, two of the number
making their home in Virginia. One son,
J. C. Wine, is a resident of Cerro Gordo
township, this county.

Three children have been born to Mr.
and Mrs. Fulk. Rilla, the eldest, is now
the wife of O. R. Turney, of Pocahontas
county, Iowa, and has two children, Fern
and Elma J. George L. is a graduate of
De Pauw University at Greencastle, Indiana,
and is now studying law in Chicago, at the
same time being in the employ of Bald-
win Brothers, prominent attorneys of that
city. He is thus making his way through
school though he saved part of the money
to meet his expenses while teaching in
Kentucky for one year. He is also serv-
ing as notary public in Chicago. William,
the youngest of the family, is a graduate
of the Cerro Gordo schools.

It was on the 28th of February, 1885,
that Mr. Fulk arrived in Piatt county and
for nine years he rented the John S. Kuns
farm. He had brought with him nine hun-
dred dollars, but this was spent in stocking
the farm and he would have found it diffi-
cult to niake a start here if it had not been for
the kindly assistance of Mr. Kuns, who is
to-day an extensive fruit farmer of Cali-
fornia. In 1894 he removed to his present

farm on section 35, Cerro Gordo town-
ship, which at that time was only partially
improved. The place consisted of two
hundred and forty acres, to which he sub-
sequently added forty acres, but he later
, sold eighty acres, so that he to-day has
two hundred acres of as fine farming land
as is to be found in the state. He has
erected thereon a large and substantial
barn, sixty by ninety feet with a brick
floor, and capable of accommodating
twenty horses, and has also built two cat-
tle stables which will shelter thirty head.
He has a corn-crib which holds about
twenty-five hundred bushels and also has
storag-e room for twenty-eight -hundred
bushels of small grain besides seven hun-
dred bushels of oats in thp. feed bin. He
has a good system of private water works
upon his farm, and has spent between five
and six thousand dollars on improvements
since locating here, making his place one
of the most desirable .farms of its size in
this section of the state.

To his industry, enterprise and good
management Mr. Fulk ow>s much of his
success in life, but he also gives his wife
credit for her share in the same as she has
proved to him a faithful companion and
helpmate on life's journey, aiding him in
every possible way by her encouragement
and cheerfulness as well as by her labor.
They are active members of the German
Baptist church of Cerro Gordo, in .which
he is serving as deacon, and they have the
respect and confidence of all who know
them. Mr. Fulk is now practically living
retired while two hired men operate his
farm, although he still gives his personal
supervision to the work. During eight of
the nine years while living on the Kuns
farm he served as school director and has

236

PAST AND PRESENT

ever given an earnest support to those
measures calculated to advance the edu-
cational, moral and material welfare of the
community in which he resides. He is
therefore justly entitled to prominent
mention in the history of his adopted
county.

WILLIAM L. LORD, D. D. S.

Although one of the more recent addi-
tions to the professional circles of Piatt
county, during the five years of his residence
in Monticello, Dr. Lord has gained a prom-
inent position as one of the leading dentists
here, having a large and growing practice.
Dentistry is unique among the professions,
in that it demands three elements for suc-
cess marked technical knowledge, mechan-
ical skill and the ability to handle the finan-
cial interests of the work. He must not only
be well equipped in the knowledge which
can be gained from text books, but he must
also have the power to handle, with mechan-
ical precision, the varied and delicate little
instruments with which work upon the
teeth is executed. In all these lines Dr.
Lord is well equipped for his professional
work, and has attained a high degree of suc-
cess in the prosecution of his chosen calling.

A native of Iowa, Dr. Lord was torn in
the city of DesMoines, on the 8th of June,
1857. His father, P. A. Lord, is a native of
Ohio, but removed to Iowa in 1856, and
there engaged in merchandising. Later he
made his way to the Pacific coast, where he
spent six years, and on the expiration of
that period he returned to the east, taking up
his abode in Monticello, Illinois, where he
carried on merchandising for a number of
years. He was one of the leading represent-

atives of business interests here, and his ef-
forts added greatly to the commercial activ-
ity of the citv. He married Miss Margaret

J * o

Oliver, of Mechanicsburg, Illinois, in which
place she was born, reared and married.
Her death occurred in Monticello, in April,
1899, and was deeply lamented by many
friends, who had learned to prize highly her
sterling worth and her faithful friend-
ship. After the death of his wife P. A.
Lord, having disposed of all his property in
Monticello, removed to Springfield. Illinois,
where he is now living, in the seventy-fourth
year of his age, his birth having occurred in
October, 1829.

Dr. William L. Lord spent his boyhood
days in Logan county, Illinois, and attended
the public schools of Mount Pulaski, acquir-
ing a good English education. Determining
to make the practice of dentistry his life
work he then entered upon preparation for
that calling as a student in the office of Dr.
D. M. Doty, of Mount Pulaski. He com-
pleted his studies by attending for one term
the dental school in Washington Territory,
and then successfully passing an examina-
tion before the state board, he received a cer-
tificate to practice and located in Mount Pu-
laski.

In 1884 Dr. Lord located in Dayton, the
county seat of Columbia county. Washing-
ton, where he engaged in practice for four
years, or until 1888. He then returned to
Mount Pulaski, Illinois, but after a short
time removed -to Homer, Illinois, where he
practiced successfully for nine years. He
then came -to Monticello, arriving on the
26th of January, 1898. Here he has since
built up a good practice, having a well ap-
pointed office supplied with everything nec-
essary for the successful prosecution of his
work in accordance with modern improved

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

237

methods. He has always kept abreast with
the progress of the times in the science of
dentistry, and in no profession has there been
made more marked advance than in the one
to which Dr. Lord devoted his energies.

On Christmas day of 1879 Dr. Lord
was happily married to Miss Mary Eve
Mathews, who was torn in Mount Pulaski,
Illinois, December n, 1858. They became
the parents of seven children, four still liv-
ing, namely : Ralph O., who is assistant gen-
eral agent of the Cincinnati, Hamilton &
Dayton Railroad at Sprinfield, Illinois ; Ada.
L., the wife of Carl Motherspaw, of Peoria,
Illinois; Hilma and Eldon H., who are at
home. On the I3th of January, 1900, Mrs.
Lord was called to her final rest. She had
made many friends during her brief resi-
dence in Monticello and here, as in other
places where she had lived, her death was
deeply mourned by those who knew her.
Perhaps no better estimate of her character
and life can be given than was presented in
the obituary notice published in one of the
Monticello papers, which said : "Mrs. Lord
was a devoted, faithful wife, a tender and
indulgent mother and a kind and thoughtful
neighbor. In times of sickness and distress
she was ever ready to offer her assistance
in any capacity it might be needed. Her na-
ture was broad and generous, and no needy
one ever appealed to her for aid in vain.
She was an accomplished artist, who de-
lighted in the beautiful and her home was
adorned with many specimens of her talent
and skill. Mrs. Lord was a member of the
Christian church, was of a deeply religious
nature, but was quiet and unostentatious in
her belief. She believed in deeds, not words,
as an expression of her faith, and in her life
she certainly exemplified the true spirit of
Christianitv. She was a member of the

Royal Neighbors of America and other fra-
ternal organizations, and in their beneficent
work took an active part. The funeral serv-
ices were in charge of the Monticello Royal
Neighbor Camp, and the funeral sermon
was pronounced by the Rev. W. S. Calhoun.
then amid the flowers which she loved so
well a very profusion of beautiful floral
offerings she was laid to rest."

Dr. Lord, in the line of his profession,
holds membership with the Washington
State Dental Society, and Eastern Illinois
society. He is a gentleman of many excel-
lent traits of character, not the least of
which is his public-spirited citizenship and
his deep and helpful interest in everything
pertaining to the general welfare. In man-
ner he is cordial and genial, and his unfail-
ing courtesy has rendered him popular with
those whom he has met and his acquaint-
ance is a wide one. His attention, like that
of the enterprising business man, is chiefly
given to his profession, and by his skill and
ability he has won the liberal patronage
which is to-dav accorded him.

SYLVESTER WILHELMY, M. D.

Sylvester Wilhelmy is a young man
of strong nature and marked force of
character who could never content him-
self with mediocrity. He has engaged in
practice in the village of La Place only since
the 29th of October, 1902, but has already
won public recognition of his skill. Dr.
Wilhelmy is a native of Decatur, Illinois,
and was born on the 27th of September,
ber, 1875. His parents, Jacob and Mary
Wilhelmy are residents of Decatur and the
father is there engaged in teaching music.

PAST AND PRESENT

This worthy couple are the parents of six
children, of whom Dr. Sylvester Wilhelmy
is the second son. The eldest is Dr. A. F.
Wilhelmy, a medical practitioner in Deca-
tur. The daughter Mrs. E. E. Edwards
resides in the village of Cerro Gordo.
Mrs. Charles Edie and Mrs. Charles Pease
are residents of Decatur.

In the public schools of his native city
Dr. Wilhelmy of this review acquired his
early education and in Decatur continued
his studies until he had completed the
high school course by graduation with
the class of 1897. Desiring to enter upon
professional life and making choice of the
practice of medicine as his preferred oc-
cupation, he then went to Cincinnati,
where he entered upon preparation for his
chosen calling as a student, in the Cincin-
nati Medical College, in which he re-
mained for four years. He was also an at-
tendant in the hospital of the same college
and thus gained broad, practical exper-
ience as well as theoretical knowledge.
He was graduated from the institution
with the class of 1901, receiving his
diploma of practice in May of the same
year. He was class orator the same year,
which is the highest honor of the class.
He then returned to Macon county and,
locating west of Decatur, entered upon
his professional career there. After about
a year and a half he came to La Place and
purchased the practice of Dr. Davidson,
since which time he has been located here,
steadily . gaining favor with the public as
his capability is evidenced.

Dr. Wilhelmy was married in Cincin-
nati to Miss Ida Sanker, a native of Cin-
cinnati and they have a nice residence in
La Place where gracious hospitality is
dispensed. The Doctor is connected with

the Woodmen of America, belonging to
the camp in La Place and is a Republican
in politics, while his religious faith is in-
dicated by his membership in the Episco-
pal church in Decatur. As there- is no
drug store in La Place he carries quite a
large stock of drugs in his office and he
has built up quite an extensive practice,
especially through the country.

THOMAS J. MITCHELL, M. D.

Dr. Thomas J. Mitchell has reached the
eightieth milestone on life's journey and
after many years of active and honorable
connection with the medical fraternity he is
now living a retired life. He was born in
Chautauqua county. New York, June 18,
1823. a son of Christopher and Mary A.
(Lillibridge) Mitchell. His paternal grand-
father was one of the heroes of the Revolu-
tionary war and his father loyally served
the country in the war of 1812. His birth
occurred in Herkimer county, New York,
and in early manhood he removed to Chau-
tauqua county of the same state. ' As a com-
panion and helpmate for life's journey he
married Mary Lillibridge, who was born in
Rhode Island and was left an orphan at the
age of ten years. About that time she went
to New York and it was in that state that
she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Mitch-
ell, to whom she afterward gave her hand
in marriage. A farmer by occupation, he
devoted his energies to that pursuit through-
out his entire business career and he died
in the Empire state at the advanced age of
eighty-three years. His wife also reached
a ripe old age, passing away in her eighti-
eth vear. She was the mother of twelve

DR T. J. MITCHELL

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

241

children, of whom but three are now living,
the Doctor and one brother and a sister.
Both of the parents were laid to rest on the
old home farm in New York, where Dcctor
.Mitchell's birth occurred.

In the place of his nativity the Doctor
remained until the time when he had at-
tained his majority and he acquired his early
education in the common schools of the
locality. He. afterward became a student in
the Academy at Fredonia, Chautauqua
county, and when he had completed his
academic course he began the study of medi-
cine and was graduated from the Louisville
Medical College of Louisville, Kentucky.
On the completion of that course he re-
turned to New York, where he resided for
a short time, but, thinking that a more west-
ern district would prove a better location,
he started for Ohio and on the ist of Jan-
uary, 1850, he opened an office in Ironton,
Ohio, on the Ohio river. There he contin-
ued for about two years, removing thence
to Lucasville, Ohio, where he continued in
the practice of his chosen profession until
the fall of 1853. That year witnessed his
arrival in Piatt county, Illinois. He made
the journey westward by wagon, after the
primitive manner of the times and located
in Mackville, where he practiced for about
eighteen years, his professional skill and
ability gaining for him a large patronage.
He then removed to Milmine, where he re-
sided for five years and on the expiration
of that period he came to the village of Be-
ment, where he has since made his home,
continuing in active practice until about
1895, since which time he has lived retired.
He was a member of the Piatt County Med-
ical Society and a physician of broad learn-
ing and wide experience. He continually
added to his knowledge through reading

;md research and his practice embraced al-
most every department of the medical sci-
ence. He became the loved family physi-
cian in many a household. There is no man
in business life who holds a more confiden-
tial relation to his patrons than does the
physician and there is no represesentative
of the profession who has had stricter re-
gard for the ethics of the fraternity than has
Dcctor Mitchell. Of a hopeful nature, he
carried cheer and. sunshine into miny a
hcme and his appearance was an effective
supplement to the medicines he administered.
In Lucasville, Ohio, in 1851. Doctor
Mitchell was united in marriage to Mrs. Nan-
cy A. Tabor, the widow of Edwin A. Talx>r.
They became the parents of a daughter,
Mary A., who is now the wife of James A.
Hawks, of Atwood, Illinois. Mr. Hawks is
a native of New York and came to the west
in 1869. He engaged in teaching school
at Mackville, Illinois, for four terms after
arriving in Piatt county and then became en-
gaged in general merchandising. After a
time, however, he turned his attention to the
milling business and is a prominent and in-
fluential representative of business inter-
ests in Atwood. At the time of the Civil
war he responded to his country's call for
aid, enlisting from New York in Battery
G, Third New York Light Artillery. He
participated in the battles of Roanoke Is-
land. Plymouth and Kingston and was
never wounded, but was captured and for
one month was incarcerated in Libby Pris-
on. At the close of the war he returned
to his home and he soon afterward cast in
his lot with the residents of Piatt county,
Illinois, where in 1877 he married Miss
Mary Mitchell. At one time he served as
township treasurer and supervisor, and in
matters pertaining to the general good he

-4 2

PAST AND PRESENT

has always 1>een public-spirited and progres-
sive. He is now successfully engaged in
business in Atwood as a grain merchant,
lumber dealer and banker, and bis efforts
have been effective in promoting commercial
activity and prosperity of the town, where
he resides. Unto him and his wife has been
born a daughter, Mildred C, who is now
seventeen years of age. By her first mar-
riage Mrs. Mitchell had a daughter, Susan
L., who is now the wife of C. H. McCoy,
of North Yakima. Washington.

In 1900 the Doctor was called upon to
mourn the loss of his wife, who died on
the 7th of March of that year in Bement,
where her remains were interred. She was
a daughter of Thomas Boyle, of Louisville,
Kentucky, who was a large mill owner,
owning and operating an extensive gristmill
at the time of his demise. The Doctor aft-
erward married Mrs. Susan C. Sampson,
who was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and
is a sister of his first wife.

Doctor Mitchell has ever been deeply
interested in the welfare and advance-
ment of his country and when the
stability of the Union was threatened
by the secession movement in the south
he offered his services to the govern-
ment and valiantly aided in its defense.
For fifteen months prior to his own enlist-
ment he was engaged in recruiting and
helped to raise nine companies, but for such
service he received no remuneration. It was
on the I3th of August, 1862, that he enlist-
ed, being assigned to duty in Company H.
One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volun-
teer Infantry. With that command he
served until the close of the war and was
honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennes-
see, in May, 1865. He participated in the
battles of Resaca and Rocky Face Creek in

Tennessee, and on the I2th of May, 1865,
he was commissioned surgeon of the Eighth
Tennessee Mounted Infantry at Nashville.
He is now a member of the Grand Army
Post at Bement, and thus maintains pleas-
ant relations with his old army comrades.
At the close of the war he returned to Piatt
county, where he has continuously made his
home, and no resident of this section of the
state is more highly or justly honored. His
life work has been of value to the people
among whom he has lived. His fidelity to
honorable principles has been above question '
and his life record should serve as an ex-
ample to the young and an inspiration to
the aged.

CARLETON ORR BOOTH, M. D.

Dr. Carleton O. Booth, who is suc-
cessfully engaged in the practice of medi-
cine and surgery at De Land, Illinois, was
born in McDonotigh county, this state, on
the Qth of July, 1871, and is a son of
Robert and Dora (Jennings) Booth. The
father, who is of Irish descent, was born
in Youngstown, Ohio, June 20, 1833, an d
in early life came to Illinois, settling on his
grandfather's farm of one hundred and
sixty acres near Macomb, McDonough
county. Later he purchased the prop-
erty and continues to make his home
thereon, his entire life having been de-
voted to agricultural pursuits. In Octo-
ber. 1869, he married Miss Dora Jen-
nings, a daughter of Harvey and Cornelia
Jennings, who also lived on a farm near
Macomb. She was born November 24,
1851, at Quincy, Illinois, and is descended
from an old Connecticut family. The Doc-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

243

tor is the oldest in a family of three chil-
dren, one of whom died in infancy. His
sister, Alta Belle, was born August 29,
j 877, and is now the wife of Fred D. Rex-
roat, a farmer of McDonough county. An
uncle. James O. Booth, is a well-known
farmer of Blue Ridge township, Piatt
county.

Dr. Booth began his education in the
common schools of McDonough county
and afterward attended the Western Il-
linois Normal College at Macomb, gradu-
ating in the literary and commercial de-
partments in 1893. For nine years he suc-
cessfully engaged in teaching school and
now holds a teacher's lif<; certificate in
both -Illinois and Missouri. On abandon-
ing the teacher's profession, he entered
Barnes Medical College at St. Louis,
Missouri, and was graduated at that in-
stitution in 1901, with the degree of M. D.
Prior to this time he was graduated at the
College of Electro Therapeutics of Lima.
Ohio, October 5, 1899, and was gradu-
ated with the degree of M. E. On the 7th
of September, 1901, Dr. Booth located in
DeLand and purchased the office building
he has since occupied. 'He was not long
in building up a good practice, meeting
with success from the start, and being a
young man of pleasing social qualities he
stands high in both social and profession-
al circles.

On the 1 5th of October, 1902, Dr.
Booth was united in marriage to Miss
Jeanette Houk, a daughter of William and
Rebecca Houk. Her father died several
years ago and her mother was subsequent-
ly married to Mr. Fry, of Paris, Illinois,
where they are now living. The Doctor
is a member of DeLand Lodge, No. 812.
A. F. & A. M., of DeLand; Twentieth

Century Lodge, No. 603, K. P., of De-
Land; DeLand Post, No. 131, F. A. of A.;
and Rosel Hadd Temple, No. 72, D. O.
K. K., at Macomb. His excellent knowl-
edge of the profession which he has chos-
en as a life work has gained for him the
public confidence and a liberal patronage,
and his pleasant, genial manner has won
the friendship of those with whom he has
been brought in contact in any relation
of life.

HENRY P. HARRIS.

For fourteen years Henry P. Harris has
been connected with mercantile interests in
Monticello as a hardware merchant and pre-
vious to that time he was a representative
of agricultural life in Piatt county. He
has won for himself an enviable reputation
as a careful man of business and one whose
success is well deserved, as in him are em-
braced the qualities of unabating energy, un-
faltering honesty and industry that never
flags. He is now dealing in hardware,
stoves and tinware, and also does a business
as a dealer in plumbing and heating appa-
ratus.

Mr. Harris is numbered among Piatt
county's native sons, his birth having oc-
curred upon a farm here. His parents were
William -H. and Ann Eliza (Hart) Harris,
the latter a daughter of James Hart, a native
of Kentucky, who settled in Piatt county
in 1836. among its pioneer settlers, the work
<if improvement and development having
scarcely been begun in this section of the
state at that time. After his marriage Mr.
Harris took up his abode in Monticello town-
ship and- became one of the prosperous farm-
ers of Piatt countv. His investments were

244

PAST AND PRESENT

carefully made, his business conducted along
practical and progressive lines, and thus he
won prosperity in his undertakings. His
first wife died leaving four children : Henry
Payne, Rebecca J., Sally A. and James Wil-
liam. Mr. Harris afterward married again
and by that union there was one son. The
father of our subject passed away in 1869
and his widow later became the wife of Wil-
liam Branch.

In taking up the personal history of
Henry Payne Harris we present to out-
readers the life record of one who is widely
and favorably known in his native county
and central Illinois. He was reared in the
usual manner of farmer lads who spend their
youth in mastering the branches of learning
taught in the district schools and in learning
the methods of farm work in the fields and
meadows. After leaving the common
schools he resumed his farm work in Monti-
cello township, and there engaged in gen-
eral farming and stock-raising, following
these pursuits until 1889, when, deciding
that he wished to engage in mercantile pur-
suits, he came to Monticello and purchased
an interest in a hardware store, formerly
owned by Mr. Ferra. In this enterprise Mr.
Harris became a partner of W. S. Ridgely
under the firm style of Harris & Ridgely,
and this connection was continued until
1897, when Mr. Harris purchased his part-
ner's interest and has since been sole pro-
prietor. He carries a large and carefully se-
lected stock of goods fitted to meet the re-
quirements of a varied trade, and he now
has a large patronage, his business having
assumed profitable proportions.

Mr. Harris has been honored with pub-
lic office and served for two years as a mem-
ber of the city council, during which time
the Monticello water works were established

and the electric light plant was also built.
In the spring of 1903 he was elected super-
visor of Monticello township, for a term of
two years, and is now filling that position.
He is a member of the Knights of Pythias
fraternity and is a genial gentleman who
has a wide acquaintance and many friends.
During fourteen years he has been account-
ed one of the leading business men of Mon-
ticello, his efforts promoting its commercial
activity and consequent prosperity while at
the same time they have advanced his in-
dividual success.

JOHN C. BARNHART.

John C. Barnhart is numbered among
the honored veterans of the Civil war. It is
usually found that the soldier, all else being
equal, makes a citizen of rare value. His
army experience teaches him precision, to-
gether with rapidity and exactness of move-
ment, his duty to his country is paramount,
and these characteristics developed amid
the scenes of battle or upon the tented field,
are apt to remain with him throughout the
years of an active manhood. John C. Barn-
hart won distinction in the Civil war as a
most patriotic defender of the stars and
stripes. He stands to-day as one of the
distinguished citizens of Cerro Gordo, a
man who in all life's relations is true to
duty and principle.

Mr. Barnhart was born in Fairfield
county, Ohio, December 27, 1836, and has
been a resident of Piatt county since 1864,
his home being in the village of Cerro Gor-
do. He is a son of Daniel and Mary Ann
(Whitehurst) Barnhart. both of whom are
natives of Ohio. The father was twice ma:--

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

245

ried.his last union being with a Mrs. Russell,
whose maiden name was Andrews. She was
a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio. There
are five living children by their marriage:
Joshua,. Sibey, Elizabeth, Ann and Maggie,
all of whom are residing in z\dams county,
Indiana. Unto the parents of our subject
were born five children, of whom three are
now living, while two are deceased, namely :
John C. ; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Isaac
Leslie, a farmer residing in Carlisle, Arkan-
sas ; Comfort Ann, the wife of William
Nicholson, a resident farmer living in Co-
lumbus, Ohio; and Hannah and Peter, who
have passed away. Hannah was the wife of
William Johnson, who for thirty years was
an extensive farmer of Piatt county. They
removed to Columbus and subsequently to
Colorado, where both died. Peter died in
Fairfiekl county, Ohio, in February, 1866.
at the age of twenty-one years. The father
of our subject was a carpenter and mill-
wright by trade and followed these pursuits
through his entire business career. He died
in Adams county, Indiana, and his wife
passed away in 1841.

John C. Barnhart was a little lad when
his parents left the Buckeye state and took
up their abode in Adams county, Indiana,
where he was reared and acquired a common
school education. He remained under the
parental roof until after the outbreak of the
Civil war. when on the i6th of December,
1 86 1, a few days before he was twenty-five
years of age, he enlisted at Buck Creek, In-
diana, as a member of Company H, Fortieth
Indiana Infantry. He was first under com-
mand of Colonel Wilson and later Colonel
J. W. Blake. His first captain was William
H. Bryan, who was succeeded by Captain
Alfred Cole. With his company Mr. Barn-
hart participated in the battles of Shiloh,
Perrvville, Corinth, Murfreesboro and Chat-

tanooga. At the last named place Mr. Barn-
hart was the first commissioned officer that
crossed the Tennessee river and took charge
of the men. He was also in the battle of
Mission Ridge and in all of the engagements
of the Atlanta campaign. On account of
ill health he returned from Atlanta to Look-
out Mountain, where he lay in the hospital
for two months and then because of his
continued illness he resigned and returned
to his home.

Mr. Barnhart had friends residing in
Cerro Gordo and it was this that led him to
come to Piatt county. He was married on
the I ith of February, 1866, to Miss Susan
Drum, a native of Pickaway county, Ohio,
and a daughter of Benjamin and Lydia
Drum. Her father was a farmer, who died
in the Buckeye state in 1848, but the mother
long survived him and passed away in 1893.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Barnhart has
been blessed with six children, but the eldest,
Charles, died in infancy and Lydia, the fifth
child, died at the age of two years. The
others are Lura, at home; Estella, who is a
teacher in the public schools of Cerro Gordo ;
Arthur, who married Cora Houston and is
a barber of Gibson city, Illinois ; and Reed,
who is employed as a clerk in a shoe store
in Cerro Gordo and makes his home with his
parents.

After coming to Cerro Gordo Mr. Barn-
hart built the Clifton House, which is
the only hotel in this place. He was engaged
in the hotel business for six months- and aft-
erward worked at the carpenter's trade for
three years. He then began wagonmaking,
carriage building and woodworking. He re-
tired from business for two years, but his
friend, E. O. Troxel, induced him to take
charge of his (Troxel's) shop, and he has
had charge of it for twelve years.

Mr. Barnhart voted with the Republican

246

PAST AND PRESENT

party in early days, but is now a stanch Dem-
ocrat. He has- never been an aspirant for
public office nor has he held such positions.
His wife is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church and both are highly es-
teemed people, having many warm friends
in the village and throughout this portion
of Piatt county. In matters of citizenship
Mr. Barnhart is as true and loyal to his coun-
try as he was when he wore the blue uni-
form of the nation and followed the starry
banner upon southern battlefields.

CHARLES ADKINS.

There has been no greater advancement
made along any line of business than in
agriculture, and in this regard America has
gained the leadership of the world. No
other country has so greatly improved farm
implements or given to civilization as many
useful inventions along this line as has the
United States. Keeping in touch with the
universal progress Charles Adkins of Be-
ment township, has become one of the most-
progressive farmers of Piatt county and the
excellent methods which he has followed
have been of value to the community, giving
to his fellow citizens an example well worthy
of emulation.

Mr. Adkins was born in Pickaway coun-
ty, Ohio, on the Jth of February, 1863, and
comes of a family of English lineage. His
paternal grandfather was Reuben Adkins,
whose early life was spent at Snowhill.
Maryland., whence he removed to Ross coun-
ty, Ohio, in 1802. After a short time, how-
ever, he established his home in Pickaway
county, Ohio, where he lived until his death,
which occurred when he was seventy-two

years of age. Sampson Adkins, the father
of our subject, was born in Pickaway coun-
ty. Ohio, in 1839 and spent his entire life
there, devoting his energies throughout the
period of his manhood to agricultural pur-
suits. At the time of the Civil war, how-
ever, he put aside all business and personal
considerations, offering his services to the
government as a member of Company A,
Ninetieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He
then went to the front, but after ten months'
service was honorably discharged on account
of disability. In his business affairs he was
energetic, wide-awake and prosperous and
gained for his family a comfortable compe-
tence. He married Miss Eliza A. Mintun,
who was born in Ohio and is a daughter of
William and Phoebe Mintun. Her father was
one of the early settlers of the Buckeye state,
removing there from Hardy county, Vir-
ginia. He, too, was an agriculturist. In
his political views Sampson Adkins was a
stalwart Republican and in matters of citi-
zenship he was public spirited, giving a
helpful interest to all measures which he
believed would prove of general benefit. He
died in 1882 and is still survived by his wife
who is now living in Monticello, where she
has made her home for about a year.

In the family of this worthy couple were
thirteen children, twelve of whom are still
living and all now reside in Piatt county
with the exception of two. The members of
the family are as follows : Charles, who is
the eldest; Mary E., -who is the wife of
Thomas Mintun, of Willow Branch town-
ship; Benjamin F., who follows farming in
Willow Branch township; Elizabeth, wife
of Charles Reeves, of Boone, Iowa; Reuben
of Willow Branch township; Ida. the de-
ceased wife of Ellsworth Anderson, of Mon-
ticello; Harry H.. who is a bookkeeper for

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

247

the Chicago Woodenware Company, of Chi-
cago; Amanda, the wife of Charles Jones, a
farmer of Monticello township; Nancy A.,
the wife of Ellsworth Anderson; William
X., who is living in Monticello township;
Clara A., who resides with her mother ; Joice,
who is a school teacher and resides in Monti-
cello; and Sampson, who also follows school
teaching and is living in Monticello. All
of these children were born in Ohio.

Charles Adkins spent the first twenty-
two years of his life in the county of his
nativity and pursued his education in its
public schools. He afterward engaged in
teaching for one term in Pickaway county
and then assisted in the operation of the
home farm. In December, 1885, he left
Ohio and with his mother and the other
members of the family came to Piatt county,
locating in Monticello township on what
was then known as the E. B. Hale property.
There he engaged in farming for three years
and on the expiration of that period he re-
moved to the W. F. Stevenson farm in Wil-
low Branch township, where he also lived for
three years. He next settled upon his pres-
ent farm, where he has charge of five hun-
dred and sixty acres of valuable land, be-
longing to W. F. Stevenson. This he has
managed continuously since, having entire
supervision of the property, on which there
are about eight men employed. All of this
extensive farm is under cultivation, and his
time is given in an undivided manner to
the oversight of the property. He has upon
the place a herd of shorthorn cattle, and
raises high grade hogs. He feeds cattle for
the market, and in his stock-dealing, as well
as in other lines of business, he is most pro-
gressive and prosperous. He has made
many improvements upon the farm, which
is considered one of the finest in this part
of the state. Mr. Adkins is continually seek-

ing new, improved and practical methods of
agriculture, and he has put into use the sys-
tem of rotation of crops, which has proven
very successful.

In January, 1888, Mr. Adkins was unit-
ed in marriage to Miss Dora E. Farrow, a
native of Piatt county, and a daughter of
Frank and Elizabeth (Lorish) Farrow. Her
father was born in Kentucky, and at an
early day came to Illinois, settling in Ma-
con county, where he resided for a number
of years, carrying on agricultural pursuits.
About 1868 he removed to Piatt county,
where he again engaged in farming, and he
is still living at the age of seventy years.
His wife, who was born in Pennsylvania,
died at about the age of thirty-eight years
in the faith of the Christian church, of
which she was a consistent member. She
was the mother of eight children, of whom
two are still living. Mrs. Adkins obtained
her education in the common schools of
Piatt county, and is a most estimable lady,
possessing many excellent traits of character.
She has one brother, John Farrow, who is a
resident farmer of Bement township; and a
half-brother. Frank Farrow, who also fol-
lows 'agricultural pursuits in Bement town-
ship. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Adkins have been
born nine children : Ella ; twins who died
in infancy unnamed; Charles Otis; Benja-
min V. ; Reuben : Roy; Ruth and Grace. All
of the children were born in this county and
are being educated in the schools of Bement.

At one time Mr. Adkins entered into a
contest for a prize to be given for the best
one hundred acres of corn raised in Piatt
county, and he was at that time farming in
Willow Branch township. The prize was
five hundred dollars, offered by S. W. Aller-
ton, the father of Robert Allerton, who is
living in this county. Mr. Adkins had a
splendid field, as did one of his neighbors.

I 'I ATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

and the committee was unable to decide be-
tween them, so the prize was divided be-
tween the two. The corn was estimated to
have a -yield of one hundred bushels to the
acre, and these two gentlemen carried off
the prize over thirty competitors. Mr. Ad-
kins received the following letter from Mr.
Allerton about that time:

Chicago, November 14, 1889.
Mr. Charles Adkins.

Monticello, Illinois :

Dear Sir Inclosed you will find my
check for $250, the prize awarded you by
Messrs. C. F. Tenney and T. E. Bondurant,
which I send you with pleasure, for I feel
you have paid me the highest compliment of
any man in the county, for you had the best
cultivated one hundred acres of corn, and
you have demonstrated to the people of Pi-
att county, as a matter of fact, one hundred
bushels of corn can be raised on an acre of
land.'

I took great pleasure in walking through
5'our field of corn. It was a more beauti-
ful picture to me than any that the old mas-
ters could paint.

With my best wishes, I remain,
Yours truly,
SAMUEL W. ALLERTOX.

Mr. Adkins is deeply interested in every-
thing pertaining to agriculture and the ad-
vancement of farming interests. He has
been actively connected with the Farmers'
Institute of this state, has delivered many
addresses before its meetings and during the
past year of 1902 has delivered man}- ad-
dresses in different counties of Illinois upon
questions of vital interest to the farmer. So-
cially, he has been connected with the Ma-
sonic order for the past sixteen years, and he
is also a member of the Modern Wood-
men Camp and the Tribe of Ben Hur. In

1901 he was elected supervisor of Bement
township, and has since acted in this capac-
ity. He has also been a member of the
school board for two years, and in politics
he is a stalwart Republican, having firm
faith in the principles of the party. He
stands to-day as one of the most prominent,
enterprising and successful farmers of Piatt
county, and is certainly worthy of repre-
sentation in this volume.

WILLIAM P. SMITH.

A representative of one of the pioneer
families of Piatt county, William P. Smith
has spent his entire life in this county and
has attained to a position of prominence in
business, political and social circles. There
is nothing in his life history to attract the
reader in search of a sensational chapter,
but the student who reads between the lines
and recognizes the value of character and
the force of enterprise and energy in the
world,- will find much of interest in his
career. N,t only has he gained a creditable
position in the business world, but he has
also won the respect and confidence of his
fellow men among whom his lot has been
cast. He is now engaged in dealing in real
estate, abstracts, loans and insurance in
Monticello. where he has spent the greater
part of the years of his manhood. He was
born in Willow Branch township, Piatt
county, on the I2th of September, 1859,
about two years after the removal of his
parents to central Illinois.

The ancestral line of the Smith family
in America can be traced back to a period
antedating the Revolutionary >var. Jacob
Smith, the great-grandfather of our subject,

W. P. SMITH

J. G. W. SMITH

MARY E. SMITH

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

253

joined the colonists in their struggle for in-
dependence and valiantly fought for liberty
through seven long years of the Revolution.
His son, Samuel Smith, the grandfather of
our subject, was born in Dauphin county,
Pennsylvania, and was of English and Ger-
man descent. Jacob Smith, the father, was
also a native of Dauphin county, born in
1817, and was twice married, his second
wife being the mother of our subject. She
bore the maiden name of Nancy Shenk, and
her birth occurred in Dauphin county, Penn-
sylvania, in 1820. Her father was Michael
Shenk, also a native of Pennsylvania and
of German descent. The children of the
first marriage of Jacob Smith were Henry
Augustus, who married Margaret Brightbill ;
and Catherine, wife of John Diller, a res-
ident of Nebraska. Those of the second
were J. G. W., who was a teacher for a
number of years and died in 1884; James
M. ; Mary E. and William P. In the spring
of 1857 the father came with his family di-
rectly from Dauphin county, Pennsyl-
vania, to Piatt county, Illinois, having
acquaintances here. He settled upon a
tract of land which he developed into
a highly cultivated and improved farm
and made his home there until 1882,
when he removed to Monticello, where
he spent his remaining days in retirement
from active labor. He was known as
Colonel Smith, having commanded a regi-
ment of state militia and served as a colonel
on the staff of Governor Pollock, of Penn-
sylvania. He was a most pronounced Re-
publican, and kept well informed on the is-
sues of the day, and was thus enabled to
support his position by intelligent argument.
His life was busy, useful and honorable, and
he commanded respect wherever known.
He died in 1897, and his second wife is still

living in her eighty-second year and is
now in fair health.

The boyhood days of William P. Smith
were spent in the usual manner of farmer
lads. He remained upon the home farm
until twenty years of age, and during that
time acquired his education in the district
school and received ample training at farm
labor through the periods of vacation. He
early became familiar with the labors of
the fields and continued to assist his father
through the summer months, until after he
had attained his majority, while in the win-
ter seasons he engaged in teaching school
for five years, beginning when he was twen-
ty years of age. At the age of twenty-five
he entered the office of William E. Lodge,
a prominent attorney of Monticello, acting
as his bookkeeper and also studying law.
He continued with Mr. Lodge for three
years, and then embarked in merchandising,
handling cigars and tobacco. Having con-
ducted his store for three years he then sold
out, and in 1891 opened a real estate office
in Monticello, since which time he has en-
gaged in the purchase and sale of lands, ne-
gotiating many important real estate trans-
fers. In 1897 he compiled a complete set
of abstract books, and thus established a
new department to his business. He is also
a loan and insurance agent. He has worked
earnestly, systematically and along legiti-
mate lines in securing a large clientage in
the different departments of his business,
and his labors have been crowned with a
richly merited degree of success. He is also
a member of the Piatt County Loan Associa-'
tion, one of the strong financial institutions
of the county, also one of its organizers, di-
rectors and principal stockholders.

In 1894 Mr. Smith was united in mar-
riage to Miss Catherine Webster, who was

254

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

born and reared in Monticello, while her fa-
ther, Samuel B. Webster, was a native of
Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents
of three children : Marion, William Web-
ster and Richard A.

Socially, Mr.- Smith is connected with
Selah Lodge, I. O. O. F., and he is also
a member of the Modern Woodmen Camp
of Monticello. In his political views he is
a stalwart Republican, taking a prominent
and helpful part in county and state politics.
He served for four years as city clerk of.
Monticello, and on the 1st of April, 1901,
was appointed by Governor Richard Yates
a member of the live stock commission of
Illinois, and was elected chairman by the
board. He was for four years secretary of
the Republican county central committee,
and "his active connection with the political
work here has been a desirable factor in Re-
publican successes. His genial manner, un-
failing courtesy and deference for the opin-
ions of others, which, however, never in-
terferes with his stalwart support of his own
honest convictions, are elements in his life
which have won him the friendship and re-
spect of his fellow men.

JAMES L. ALLMAN.

One of the most extensive landowners
of western Illinois is James L. Allman, whose
landed possessions aggregate one thousand
acres. His home is on section 23, Monticel-
lo township. An analyzation of his life
work shows that he owes his success not to
any fortunate combination of circumstances
or to inheritance or the assistance of influ-
ential friends, but to the capable control of
his own business affairs, to the utilization of

opportunity and to strong purpose guided by
sound judgment.

Mr. Allman was born in Ireland, in Au-
gust, 1838, and his father was John All-
man, who remained a resident of the Em-
erald Isle until his death. At the usual age
the subject of this review entered the com-
mon schools of that country, and he contin-
ued to make his home in his native land un-
til 1854, when he crossed the Atlantic to the
New World, establishing his home in Piatt
county, Illinois. It was necessary that he
secure employment in order to provide for
his support, and he soon obtained a posi-
tion as a farm hand, working in that way
until 1862, when, believing his business ex-
perience and judgment justified his engag-
ing in business on his own account, he rent-
ed a tract of land belonging to John Piatt,
and situated near Monticello. On this he
lived for three or four years, and success-
fully operated the property. In 1865 he pur-
chased two hundred and forty acres of land
on section 35, Monticello township, and
continued its cultivation. Later he pur-
chased four hundred and forty acres more.
From time to time he added to his property,
until he is to-day one of the most extensive
landowners in the county. When he took
up his abode on his present farm it was all
wild prairie, and the water covered nearly
the entire surface. It required much drain-
ing in order to make it cultivable, but Mr.
Allman possessed resolute spirit and strong
perseverance necessary to the successful
prosecution of a work so arduous as the de-
velopment of a farm. He endured all the
hardships of pioneer life, broke the soil,
placed it under the plow and tiled the entire
farm. Year by year other improvements
have been made, until he is to-day the owner
of some of the most valuable farm property

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

255

to be found in this state. He has planted
orchards, has erected a good residence and
substantial barns and outbuildings, and has
set out beautiful shade trees. In connection
with the cultivation of cereals best adapted
to the soil and climate he annually feeds many
cattle for market, making a specialty of
shorthorn, black polled cattle and Here-
fords. He also raises hogs for the market,
selling about four hundred Poland China
hogs each year. His has been an extremely
prosperous career, and the most envious can-
not grudge him his success, so honorable has
it been won. He is likewise a member of
the board of directors of the First National
Bank of Monticello, which is one of the
strong financial institutions in central Illi-
nois.

In April, 1877, Mr. Allman was united
in marriage to Miss Anna McCheffey, at
Champaign, Illinois. She was born in Phila-
delphia, Pennsylvania. They now have
seven children : Mary, Agnes, Margaret,
Edmond, Anna, James and Joseph, all of
whom are still under the parental roof. The
parents hold membership in the Catholic
church, and Mr. Allman votes with the De-
mocracy. In seeking for the causes which
have contributed to his success he finds them
not so much in their rarity as in their har-
monious union. It is no very rare thing for
a poor boy in our country to become a pros-
perous man, occupying a commanding posi-
tion in the business world, but many who
have fought their way from poverty to
wealth, from obscurity to prominence, re-
tains some marks and scars of the conflict.
They are apt to be narrow and grasping,
even if not sordid and unscrupulous. Mr.
Allman, however, is an instance of a man
who has achieved success without paying the
price at which it is often bought for his pros-

perity has not removed him farther from
his fellow men, but has brought him into
nearer and more intimate relations with
them. His life history stands in exemplifi-
cation of what can be accomplished in this
free land, where opportunity is open to all,
and to-day he is numbered among the most
prominent as well as the most, successful
citizens of Piatt county.

BALTIS ORR.

In the history of the residents of Piatt
county who have been prominent in public
affairs or have been worthy representa-
tives of business enterprises mention
should be made of Baltis Orr, who for
many years followed farming in Piatt coun-
ty. He was one of the early settlers here,
and was well known in Monticello and
throughout this section of the state. He
resided in the country from 1866 up to
the time of his death, and through the
faithful discharge of his duties of citizen-
ship he aided in the promotion of public
progress and improvement.

Mr. Orr was born in Licking county,
Ohio, November 4, 1835, a son of John
and Lavina Orr, both of whom were na-
tives of Virginia. On leaving the Old Do-
minion they settled in Licking county,
Ohio, where they engaged in farming
throughout their remaining days, both the
father and mother passing away in that lo-
cialty. Mr. Orr of this review was the only
one of the family that came to Piatt coun-
ty. He obtained his early education in the
common schools of Licking county, Ohio,
and was trained to farm work upon the
old homestead. He lived in the Buckeye

256

PAST AND PRESENT

state until March, 1865, carrying on fann-
ing there, and on severing his business con-
nections in Ohio he removed to the Mis-
sissippi valley, settling first in LaSalle
county, Illinois. There he engaged in
farming for a year, and on the expiration
of that period he removed to Piatt coun-
ty and purchased a tract of land in Unity
township. Here he at once began its de-
velopment and improvement and success-
fully carried on general farming until
1897. Each year saw good crops raised
upon his place, and as modern machinery
was introduced he secured such accessories
as would facilitate his farm work and add
to the value of his crops. Everything
about his place indicated his progressive
supervision, and he continued actively in
farming until 1897, when he removed to
the village of Hammond, where he lived
retired until his death.

While still a resident of Ohio Mr. Orr
was united in marriage to Miss Hannah
L. Boring, also a native of .Licking coun-
ty, born on the 2ist of September, 1837.
She is a daughter of George Boring, who
was born in Virginia, but removed to Ohio
at an early day, and there spent the re-
mainder of his life upon a farm. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Orr was born one daughter, Ad-
die, whose birth occurred on the 3ist of
October, 1865, and who died in 1888. She
was the wife of H. W. Leavitt, and had one
child, Elmer, who now resides with his
grandmother, Mrs. Orr.

Mr. Orr voted with the Democracy
and believed firmly in its principles, but
was never an active politician in the sense
of office-seeking. He held some minor
township offices, but always preferred to
give his attention to his business affairs,
in which he prospered so that he left his
widow in verv comfortable circumstances.

He died August i, 1901, respected by all
who knew him, for throughout his life
he had been honorable in all his relations
with his fellow men, and he thus gained
uniform confidence and regard. Mrs. Orr
is a consistent and valued member of the
Baptist church of Hammond. She now
owns three hundred and twenty acres of
the best farming land in Unity township,
which she rents, and in addition to this
she has a beautiful residence in Hammond,
where she is now living with her grandson.
She also owns several building lots in Ham-
mond, and she is well known in the county
where for thirty-seven years she has made
her home. Mr. Orr lived to see many
changes wrought here by time and man
as the county emerged from its primitive
condition to take its place with the lead-
ing counties of this great commonwealth.
Because of its broad and rich prairies
agriculture has been the chief occupation
of its people, and of this business Mr. Orr
was also a worthy representative. So
productive is the soil and so enterprising
the farmers that Piatt county has become
one of the garden spots of the world.

CHARLES M. DAUBERMAN.

Charles M. Dauberman, who is en-
gaged in business in Mansfield as a grain
merchant, was born, in Union county,
Pennsylvania, on the 5th of February,
1856, and is a son of Jacob and Esther
(Yarger) Dauberman, who are still living.
Both were natives of Snyder county, Penn-
sylvania, which adjoins Union county, and
throughout his business career the father
carried on the occupation of farming. On
the old homestead in the Kevstone state

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

257

Charles M. Dauberman was reared, and
at the usual age he entered the public
schools of Union count}', therein pursuing
his studies until he had largely mastered
the common branches of English learning.
His training at farm work was not meager,
for at an early age he began assisting in
the work of plowing, planting and harvest-
ing. He continued upon his father's farm
until twenty-one years of age, when he be-
gan working in a machine shop in Mifflin
county, Pennsylvania, where he was em-
ployed for a year. At. the end of that
time he began working as an engineer in
a flouring mill, and afterward he came to
the west, where he secured a position as
a farm hand in the employ of W. D. Fair-
banks, a well-known agriculturist of Piatt
county. He acted as assistant manager
and engineer upon the farm for some time,
and in 1881 he took up his abode in Mans-
field. Here he managed a grain office for
W. D. Fairbanks through a period of six
years, after which he leased an elevator
and engaged in the grain trade on his own
account. He had followed that business
for himself for six years in Mansfield,
when he ceased renting and built an ele-
vator of his own, worth about nine thou-
sand dollars. He is one of the wide-awake
and progressive grain merchants of this
place, and his business furnishes an excellent
market for the grain-raisers of this, locality,
while his own sales are attended with profit
and are bringing to him a very creditable
prosperity.

In 1891 occurred the marriage of
Charles M. Dauberman and Miss Sarah
M. Osborne. They now have one child,
Lucile, who is attending school in Mans-
field and is now .nine years of age. Mr.
Dauberman holds membership relations
with the Modern Woodmen of America,

and he exercises his right of franchise in
support of the men and measures of the
Republican party. Almost every year he
is solicited to become a candidate for of-
fice, but has always steadily refused, pre-
ferring to devote his energies to his busi-
ness affairs. While a member of no
church there is probably no resident of
Mansfield whose career more clearly il-
lustrates the power of honesty and' integ-
rity in active business affairs than does
that of Charles M. Dauberman. He start-
ed out in life empty-handed, but resolved
that he would win success if it could be
done by persistent, earnest effort. Brook-
ing no obstacles that could be overcome by
diligence and perseverance, he has steadily
advanced to the goal of prosperity, and as
a grain merchant is now well known as
a successful and enterprising business man
of Mansfield.

REV. MOSES PREDMORE.

Rev. Moses Predmore has for the past
twenty-eight years devoted his life to the
ministry of the United Brethren church.
Who can measure the influence of such a
career or can tell of what shall be the
harvest of the seeds of good sown? It is
a well-known fact, however, that Mr. Fred-
more has taken a very active and helpful
part in the moral redemption of the people
of this locality, and long after he shall have
passed away his influence will be held as
a blessed benediction by those who know
him.

Rev. Predmore is a native of Licking
county, Ohio, his birth having there oc-
'curred on the gtli of April, 1833. His
father, Benjamin Predmore, was a native

258

PAST AND PRESENT

of Scotland, a man of powerful frame and
well fitted to cope with the hardships and
difficulties of pioneer life. He became
an early settler of Licking county, Ohio,
and aided in the arduous task of reclaim-
ing that region for the purposes of civiliza-
tion. He wedded Miss Mercy Ann Evans,
a native of that county and a daughter of
Lewis Evans, who was also born in Ohio.
It was of this marriage that Rev. Moses
Predmore was born. He was reared as a
farmer boy and early became familiar with
hard work. His father was a well-edu-
cated man and a successful teacher in
early life, but he died when his son, Moses,
was only two years of age, and the mother
passed away ten years later, so that the
boy was left an orphan at the tender age
of twelve years. After that he made his
home among strangers, fighting life's bat-
tles as best he could without any one to
advise him or to guide him. He was am-
bitious and energetic, however, and de-
sirous of obtaining an education. He at-
tended the district schools as he had op-
portunity until his sixteenth year. He
then left Ohio and made his way to Ful-
ton county, Illinois. As his means were
limited he traveled on foot part of the
way, and during other portions of the
journey proceeded by stage. He stopped
first at Otto, Fulton county, where he
found employment with a farmer who re-
sided on the bank of Otter creek. Rev.
Predmore remained in his service for three
years, and on the expiration of that 'pe-
riod he returned to Ohio. Soon after-
ward, however, he went to Arkansas for
the purpose of chopping wood during the
winter months. Being large and strong,
he proved himself especially capable as a
chopper, and had no difficulty in secur-

ing employment in that way. Returning
to the north, he located in Springfield. Illi-
nois, and there rented land for four years.

Seeking a companion and helpmate for
life's journey, on the loth of March, 1861,
Rev. Predmore led to the marriage altar
Miss Sarah Fairbanks, of Springfield, Illi-
nois, a daughter of Samuel Fairbanks.
They continued to reside upon the farm
near the capital city for four years, and
during that time Mr. Predmore prospered
so that he was enabled to purchase a larger
tract of land, buying one hundred and six-
ty acres of land in DeWitt county, Illinois,
and there resided until 1875. During that
time he had resolved to devote at least a
portion of his time to the holy calling of
redeeming men from sin, and while there
he began studying for the ministry and
became a local preacher of the United
Brethren church. In 1875 ne commenced
work on the circuit, which embraced two
or three counties. Later selling his De-
Witt county farm, he came to Monticello
and continued in the work of the ministry
here, giving his labors to the United Breth-
ren church in this city until 1902, when,
on account of failing health, he was obliged
to retire from active connection with the
ministry. His deep interest in the church
and its work, however, has never abated
in the slightest degree, and he does every-
thing in his power to promote the cause
of Christianity in this locality.

In 1896 Mr. Predmore was called upon
to mourn the loss of the faithful and lov-
ing wife with whom he had traveled life's
journey for thirty-five years. He has since
married again, his second union being
with Mrs. Martha Martin, the widow of
John Martin. By her first marriage she
had three children : William, a mechanic-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

259

of Springfield ; Allen, who engages in
farming; and Bertha, who is at home with
her mother. Like her husband, Mrs. Pred-
more is much interested in church work,
and has long been active in behalf of the
cause of Christianity. Mr. Predmore in
former years made judicious investments
in real estate, and now owns considerable
property in Monticello, including a num-
ber of dwellings, the rental from which
brings to him a good income and enables
him to enjoy the rest which he greatly de-
serves. Through his reading, research
and observation he has become a man of
scholarly attainments, and has ever put
forth his utmost power in behalf of his
church. In his discourses he is earnest,
forceful and logical, and many have heard
him with attention and deep interest, re-
sulting in a change in the course of their
lives.

THOMAS MORRIS.

Thomas Morris is one of the self-made
men and successful farmers of Piatt coun-
ty, his home being on section 4, Unity
township. The possibilities that America
offers to her citizens he has utilized, and
though he came to this country in limited
circumstances he has steadily and perse-
veringly worked his way upward, leaving
the ranks of the many to stand among the
successful few.

A native of Ireland, Mr. Morris was
born in County Galway in 1833, and is a
son of Michael and Mary ( Shaughnessy)
Morris, who spent their entire lives in that
country. In their family were nine chil-
dren. Our subject grew to manhood in
his native land and was twenty years of

age when, in 1853, he emigrated to the
United States. He landed in New York
city and from there proceeded to Pennsyl-
vania, where he remained until the fall of
1854, which witnessed tyis arrival in Piatt
county, Illinois. Here he hired out as a
farm hand and continued to work by the
month for about nine years, receiving from
sixteen to twenty dollars per month. In
this way he gained a start in the business
world and for five years rented land in Un-
ity township. At the end of that time he
was able to purchase eighty acres of land
on section 4, the same township, and sub-
sequently bought eighty acres on section
9, another eighty acres on section 4, and
eighty acres on section '5, all in Unity town-
ship. He also purchased two one hundred
and sixty acre tracts in Bement township
and a similar amount in Monticello town-
ship, making four hundred and eighty
acres in all. For his first land he paid elev-
en dollars per acre and the second tract
nine dollars, but it is now very valuable
property owing to the rise in value and its
present improved condition. When he lo-
cated on section 4, Unity township, his
place was all wild, but he has tiled and
drained the land, made many improve-
ments thereon, and is to-day the owner
of some of the best farming property in
this section of the state. Since 1861 he has
been a resident of Unity township and has
been actively and prominently identified
with its development and prosperity, but
at present is practically living retired
while his sons cultivate the land.

Mr. Morris married Miss Mary Con-
ner s, who was born in County Kerry, Ire-
land, and came to America when a child.
By this union six children have been born
namely : Michael, who lives on one of his

26o

PAST AND PRESENT

father's farms in Bement township, mar-
ried Sarah Dooley and has three children ;
David, who also lives on a farm belonging
to his father in Bement township, wedded
Mary Brown and has one child; James
married Jane Dooley and makes his home
in Monticello township; Thomas, Mary
and Henry are still with their parents upon
the home farm.

Mr. Morris and his family are commu-
nicants of St. Michael's Catholic church
of Bement and he assisted in building both
the old and new churches at that place, as
well as the school houses in his section
of the county. In his political views he
is a stalwart Democrat, taking an actjve
interest in public affairs. When he first
came to this county the Illinois Central
Railroad only extended as far as Cham-
paign and he has been a witness of the
greater part of the growth and develop-
ment of this section of the state. He has
broken many an acre of prairie sod with
oxen and some with horses and has mate-
rially aided in transforming this region in-
to a productive agricultural district. In
early days he was fond of hunting wild
game of all kinds, including ducks, prairie
chickens and cranes which were found in
abundance. Much of the land was under wa-
ter and fever and ague were the prevailing
diseases among the pioneers, but all of
these conditions have gradually changed
and Piatt county now ranks among the
best in this great commonwealth.

E. S. ROOT.

E. S. Root is numbered among the hon-
ored veterans of the Civil war, and is also
one of the early settlers and highly esteemed
citizens of Piatt county. He is now leading

a retired life in the village of Bement and
well does he merit the rest, for he has himself
earned the competence which now 'enables
him to put aside further business cares. He
was born in Athens, Athens county, Ohio,
on the 3Oth of January, 1831. and is a son
of Levi and Polly (Stewart) Root. The
father was born in Vermont, but at an early
day in the history of Ohio he took up his res-
idence in the latter state, becoming identi-
fied with its farming interests. Throughout
his business career he carried on agricultural
pursuits, and at length he died in Missouri
at the advanced age of eighty-one years.
His life record shows that industry and in-
tegrity were salient features in his career
and formed the basis of his prosperity. He
voted with the Republican party and was
a member of the Methodist church, his Kfe
being in consistent harmony with its teach-
ings and principles. His wife was born and
reared in Athens county, Ohio, and always
lived there until called to the home beyond.
She. too, was a member of the Methodist
church and into the minds of her children
she instilled lessons of honesty and morality
which have .borne fruit in honorable lives.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Root were born twelve
children, all of whom are natives of Athens
county. Ohio, and of this family E. S. Root
is the eldest. Eleven of the children are still
living, but none are residents of Piatt county
with the exception of our subject. The
mother was born in 1809. and passed away
in 1857, at the age of forty-eight years.
Ezra S. Root began his education in
Ohio at an early day. His advantages in
that direction were somewhat limited, ow-
ing to the primitive condition of the schools
and to the need of his services upon the
home farm, but he made good use of his op-
portunities, and in later life has added large-

E. S. ROOT

MRS. EZRA S. ROOT

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

26$

ly to his knowledge through reading, obser-
vation and experience. In 1857 he came to
this state, locating first in Douglas county,
Illinois, where he engaged in general farm-
ing until after the outbreak of the Civil war.
Prompted by a spirit of patriotism he of-
fered his aid to the government, enlisting in
Douglas county in 1862 as a member of
Company E, Seventy-ninth Illinois Infantry,
with which he served for three years. He
was in a number of very important battles
and skirmishes, including the engagements
at Stone River, Tullahoma, Chickamauga
and Mission Ridge, and when the war was
over he received an honorable discharge at
Springfield, Illinois. He was always found
at his post of duty, whether it led him into
the thickest of the fight or called him to the
lonely picket line. He never failed in his
allegiance to the old flag and his military
record is one which he has every reason to
be proud of.

Mr. Root had five brothers in the Civil
war, and all retured home save one, Wil-
liam Henry, who was killed in the battle of
Perryville. The others were D. O., Charles,
John Wesley and Lawrence Eugene, the last
being but fifteen years of age when he en-
listed. The grandfather of our subject on
his mother's side, served in the Revolution-
ary war, while his grandfather on his fa-
ther's side was in the war of 1812. An
uncle served in the Black Hawk war.

After receiving his discharge Mr. Root
returned to Douglas county, where he re-
sumed farming, carrying on the work of
tilling the soil there until 1874. In that
year he removed to Iowa, but after three
years returned to this state, making his way
to Piatt county. Locating in Bement town-
ship he engaged in farming and followed that
pursuit throughout the remainder of his act-

ive business career. In 1898 he retired
from agricultural life and is now living in
Bement, resting in the enjoyment of the
fruits of his former labor. His life record
stands in exemplification of the truth that
success is the outcome of energy guided by
practical judgment and by laudable ambi-
tion guided by common sense.

In 1850, in Athens county, Ohio, was
celebrated the marriage of Mr. Root and
Miss Margaret McCreary. who was born in
the Buckeye state, and who proved to her
husband a faithful companion and helpmate
on life's journey for alx>ut fifty-one years.
At length she was called to her final rest,
passing away at her home in Bement in
1901, at the age of sixty-nine years. She
held membership in the Methodist church,
and was a woman who was greatly loved by
all who knew her, because she was most
faithful to her friends and was a devoted
wife and mother. In her life she displayed
many excellent traits of character, and her
death was thus the occasion of deep regret
among those in whose midst she had lived.
Mr. and Mrs. Root were the parents of nine
children, four of whom survive. Emily,
who died at the age of forty years, was the
wife of William Cravatt, of Iowa, and had
three children, Guy and Levi, who are liv-
ing, and Grace, deceased. Mary Jane died
at the age of eleven months. Elizabeth be-
came the wife of James Gill, and at her death
left seven children. Harriet is the wife of
Cornelius Hopkins, of Bement, who is' em-
ployed as a section hand on the W abash
Railroad, and they had four children. Myr-
tle, Arthur. Jerry and one that died in in-
fancy. Levi F., who resides in Bement and
works at the coal shaft of the Wabash Rail-
road, married Victoria Snyder. Ezra N.,
the next in the family, died at the age of one

266

PAST AND PRESENT

year. Wesley Bement married Bessie Davis
and has four children. Theodore G. died
at the age of nine months. William Sher-
man is a farmer and resides with his father.
He married Laura Martindale, and they
have two children, Rosetta and Raymond.
All of the children were born in Illinois with
the exception of the three oldest.

Mr. Root has seen many improvements
made in Piatt county and has assisted mate-
rially in the substantial development and
permanent upbuilding of this section of the
state. He owns the dwelling in which he
lives and three village lots in Bement, in
addition to two lots and dwellings which he
leases. For his services in the Civil war he
draw's a pension. In times of peace he has
been as loyal to his country as he was when
he followed the old flag on the battle-fields of
the south, and his public career is indeed hon-
orable and upright. In his business relations
he. has ever been straightforward. He holds
membership in the Grand Army Post and
thus maintains pleasant relations with his old
army comrades. In politics he has long been
a stalwart Republican and feels it the duty as
well as the privilege of American citizens to
exert his right of franchise in support of the
measures he believes will prove of greatest
benefit to his country and its government.

JOHN H. CARVER.

There is an old German saying that a
man, may have three things in this world
the gains he accumulates, the hearts he
loves and his good works. The wealth is
the first to leave him when death lays its
hand upon his form ; the loved ones go
to the tomb, turn from it and pass to their

homes ; but the good works followed
through all the years, praising his narne
and make hallowed his memory. Mr. Gar-
ver won creditable and honorable success in
his business career, but it was not this
that made him so loved by the people who
knew him and caused him to be accounted
one of the most prominent and best liked
citizens of Piatt county. He lived a life
that at all times commanded respect and
honor and his kindness of nature, his gen-
ial disposition and his honorable principles
gained for him the warm friendship of all
with whom he came in contact.

Mr. Garver was born November 3,
1825, in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania,
a son of Jacob and Susan (Hisey) Garver,
both of whom were natives of the Key-
stone state, where they lived until 1839,
when they came with their family to Illi-
nois, settling in Macon county. There
the father engaged in farming for several
years, but afterward removed to Kansas,
where both he and his wife died. Of the
children born unto them seven are now
living as follows : David, who is engaged
in the poultry business in Cerro Gbrdo;
Mrs. Susan Johnson, a resident of Kan-
sas; Mrs. Mary Wallace, who is living in
Humbolt, Kansas ; Samuel, a carpenter re-
siding in Louisiana; Barbara, the wife of
Sanford Rogers, also a resident of Kan-
sas; Daniel, who is clerking in a store in
Decatur, Illinois; and Abram, who con-
ducts a meat market in Westfield, this
state.

John H. Garver was a youth of only
fourteen years when he became a resident
of Illinois and throughout his remaining
days he resided in this part of the state.
After coming to Cerro Gordo he engaged
in the grain business, buying and shipping

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

267

grain of all kinds. He conducted opera-
tions along that line for several years and
then, disposing of his enterprise, he turned
his attention to the grocery business, con-
ducting a store here until his life's labors
were ended in death. His business meth-
ods were very honorable and would bear
the closest investigation. In all of his
work he was systematic, progressive, in-
dustrious and thoroughly reliable and his
word was as good as any bond that was
ever solemnized by signature or seal.

On the 1 6th of December, 1848, Mr.
Garver w r as united in marriage to Miss
Sarah Jane Hudson, the wedding taking
place in Cerro Gordo. The lady is a na-
tive of Newcastle, Maryland, born in 1830,
and is a daughter of Asa and Phoebe
(Jester) 'Hudson, who were also natives
of Maryland, but in 1832 they removed to
Ohio, where they resided for a number of
years. In 1841 they came to Illinois,
and settled in Oakley township, Ma-
con county, near the village of Cerro Gor-
do. Subsequently they took up their
abode within the borders of Piatt county
and the father engaged in farming un-
til his death. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carver
were born nine children, but five of the
number are now deceased, namely : Al-
bert, Addie, Willie, Chester and Minnie.
Of those living Benjamin F. is the eldest.
He married Docia Neblock, of Cerro Gor-
do, and follows the painter's trade here.
Samuel D.,'who married Emma Hummell,
is a plasterer who follows his chosen occu-
pation in Cerro Gordo. May is the widow
of H. E. McKinney, a son of Andrew and
Mary (Rogers) McKinney. Andrew Mc-
Kinney was a prominent dry goods mer-
chant of Cerro Gordo who removed from
Illinois to Kansas, where he became an
extensive landowner and both he and his

wife died in the Sunflower state in 1898.
Their son, H. E. McKinney, acted as a
salesman in the stores of Cerro Gordo dur-
ing the greater part of his life and was
a prominent young business man here,
popular with a large circle of friends. He
belonged to the Masonic fraternity and
was a worthy exemplar of the craft. His,
death occurred August 7, 1888, and his
widow now resides with her mother, Mrs.
Garver. Charles A., the youngest of the
family, is a farmer and resides in Okla-
homa. Mrs. Garver and Mrs. McKinney
occupy a pleasant home in the southwest-
ern part of Cerro Gordo and each own other
valuable property in the village.

In early days Mr. Garver was a Repub-
lican, but in later life gave his political
support to the Prohibition party for he
was a stanch advocate of the cause of tem-
perance and believed it to be one of the
paramount issues before the people. For
a half century he was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church to which his
wife also belongs and was one of its most
earnest and consistent workers. Perhaps
no better estimate of his character can be
given than to quote from the funeral ser-
mon which was delivered at his death by
his pastor, Rev. J. H. Waterbury, on the
i5th of November, 1898, and who said:
"We bury from our sight this day one of
God's saints. For three score years and
ten he has been engaged in the conflict
which all men must wage in this ' world.
His pathway has not been one of roses
entirely. He knew what it meant to be an
overcomer. In the contest for material
prizes he has been fairly successful. By
the economic use of his energies, he has
gained for himself a competency. His de-
clining years were spent in the peaceful
possession and benefits of accumulation

268

PAST AND PRESENT

wrested from the soil. That kind of over-
coming is full of hardships, yet his victory
in the realm of the moral and spiritual is
more significant.

"First, I desire to direct attention to
our brother's relation to secular life. He
enjoyed the confidence of men. His
agreements were kept to the letter. One
thing that came to the surface in conversa-
tion with Brother Carver was his keen
discrimination between right and wrong.
In business transactions, any injury he
may -have done his neighbor was a mistake
of the head and not of the heart. He was
conscientious. This alone is a record of
which men may well be proud, but with
him there was no suspicion that he had
done anything unusual in doing right. It
was a life acting in harmony with a high
purpose.

"In social life he sustains the position
he .gained in secular affairs. It is a grief
to lose the example of a good man. Con-
sciously or unconsciously he becomes a
center of moral power, restraining the bad
and encouraging the good. Such was his
example. He was universally kind. While
he was not able to mingle in society toward
the close of his life, he was in touch with
all that was going, and contact with him
revealed his interest in men. A trait
worthy of emulation was the invariable
disposition to hang the mantle of charity
over the faults of others. This was not
due to a desire to palliate wrong doing,
but rather a knowledge of the weaknesses
of humanity. The influence of such a life
cannot be measured this side of eternity.
It is educational. It is the good of this
world which preserves society from cor-
ruption, and the Savior's language 'the salt
of the earth' applies to him.

"As an overcomer in spiritual matters
he reaches the highest place in our confi-
dence and esteem. Mr. Carver was a be-
liever in eternal verities. Christ was at
once his Leader, Master, Friend. It is
with pleasure I emphasize his belief in
God. You bear me out in this statement
who knew him best. He sought out the
footsteps of Christ and followed Him.
With a child-like faith he placed his hand
in that of his Savior and was led through
life's changing scenes, ending with the 'val-
ley and the shadow of death.' He bowed
in humble submission to divine mandates,
believing that God does all things well.

"If loyalty to the church is a test of
spiritual life, the deceased does not dis-
appoint. In early life he was a regular
attendant upon the services of God's
house. Few men have a higher regard
for the mission of Christianity than did
our brother, and when he was too feeble
to leave his home he prayed for the suc-
cess of Zion, and gave wings to his prayers
by paying promptly of his money to the
extent of his ability. A test of this loyal-
ty was his attitude toward his pastor. As
a minister I am competent to speak here.
I visited him often, and in each instance
he fixed himself more securely in my af-
fections. He was a friend, a brother, an
adviser and a confidant. He was not ex-
pecting absolute perfection, and yet en-
couraged me to do my best. I revere
his memory. He was sympathetic and
true. There are some in glory to-day
and others on the way, whose lives had an
impetus toward heaven through contact
with this man of blessed memory.

"Finally I will speak of his domestic
life. How true a heart has ceased to beat
no one knows' as well as his familv. As

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

269

a husband he was all that the term im-
plies. He was a lover of home and did
his share to make it a refuge from the
storms of life. He walked by the side
of her who is widowed to-day for fifty
years and in that period of a half century
fulfilled the vows taken at the marriage
altar. The home cannot be again what it
has been because he is not. As a father he
tried to do his duty. He was very tender
toward his loved ones, and their joys and
sorrows were his joys and sorrows. He
repeatedly expressed the hope that God
would save them an unbroken family.

"It is not my intention to assume that
Mr. Carver was without fault. Doubtless
he had the weaknesses to which flesh is
heir. But the trend of his life was right.
His motives were pure, his positions clear-
ly defined. He favored no compromises
with evil and believed in the ultimate tri-
umph of the right. We reluctantly give
him up, but we confidently believe that
the influence of his life in the business and
social world, and in his home, is a per-
manent blessing. May God, who was the
inspiration and joy of this life, lead us as
he was led, that when it is ours to depart
it can be said of us 'he has fought a good
fight, finished his course and kept the
faith.' "

AMOS STOLLARD.

One of the beautiful country seats of
Piatt county is the property of Amos Stol-
lard, a commodious and attractive resi-
dence standing in the midst of a well-kept
lawn shaded by magnificent trees and in
the rear are all the outbuildings needed for
the shelter of grain and stock. These in

turn are surrounded by richly cultivated
fields and the farm is complete in all of
its appointments. It is situated in section
1 6, Monticello township, and Mr. Stollard
carefully superintends the cultivation of
this place with the result that it returns
to him a good annual income.

A native of Ohio, he was born in Picka-
way county, upon a farm near Circleville,
February 2. 1847, n ' s parents being Wil-
liam and Margaret (Vinson) Stollard. 'His
father was born in Maryland, April 6, 1814,
and was educated there in the common
schools, after which he assisted his father
at the blacksmith's trade until they re-
moved to Ohio. In the latter state they
turned their attention to farming in Picka-
way county and William Stollard remained
upon the home place with his father until
he was twenty-one years of age, when he
began farming on his own account upon
rented land. Soon afterward he was mar-
ried to Miss Margaret Vinson and he con-
tinued to engage in the operation of a
rented farm in Pickaway county until 1867,
when he came to Piatt county, Illinois,
settling in Monticello township. He' here
rented the Marquiss farm, upon which he
lived for two years, after which he leased
the McReynolds farm for seven years. At
the end of that time he retired from active
business life, his son, Amos, taking charge
of the farm and the father living with him
until his death. Unto the parents of our
subject were born six children : Martin
L., who married Malinda Kuiser and is
now living in Tarlton, Ohio; Louis P., a
retired farmer of Bement who married
Jane Russell and after her death, which
occurred in less than a year following their
marriage, he wedded Tamson Sullivan;
Malinda, who is the widow of Philip

270

PAST AND PRESENT

Baum, who died about 1869; Amos, who
is the fourth in the family ; Mary Janes, de-
ceased; and Minerva, who is the wife of
Benjamin F. Hood, now living on a farm
on section 18, Monticello township.

At the usual age Amos Stollard be-
gan mastering the branches of learning
taught in the common schools of Picka-
way county, Ohio. He continued his stud-
ies through the winter months, while in
the summer seasons he worked in the fields
and meadows, early becoming familiar
with agricultural life in all of its depart-
ments. With his father he removed to
Piatt county, Illinois, and he continued to
assist his. father in farm work until after
his marriage, which important event in
his life occurred in September, 1877. He
wedded Miss Sarah C. Jones and then be-
gan farming on his own account. After
renting land for two years he purchased
the farm upon which he is now located
on section 16, Monticello township, and
has developed this into one of the finest
properties in this section of the state. He
erected a beautiful residence containing
eight rooms, has built two barns and two
double granaries, together with other out-
buildings needed for the shelter of grain
and stock and for the protection of his
farm implements from the inclement
weather. A driveway winds up to the
house, around which is a well-kept lawn
shaded by beautiful trees. So numerous
are the trees that at a distance the place
appears to be a small grove. Everything
about the farm is kept in first-class condi-
tion. Mr. Stollard has lajd a large amount
of tiling and has . enclosed his land by a
new wire fence and has also thus divided
it into fields of convenient size. He has
set out two new orchards, has a deep well

upon the place and, in fact, there is no
equipment of the model farm that is lack-
ing. His landed possessions comprise
one hundred and twenty acres, of which
eighty acres is situated on section 17 and
forty acres on section 16, Monticello town-
ship. Annually he produces large crops of
corn and oats, also raises considerable
clover and has rich pasture lands. He
yearly sells many head of cattle and hogs
and in all of these departments his farm
work is bringing to him a good profit.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stollard have been
born seven children : Amos Elmer, who
is attending school in Dixon, Illinois ; Wil-
bur Earl, who is at home with his father;
Maggie May, who is also attending school
in Dixon; Hattie, deceased; Minnie Ethel,
who is at home; one who died unnamed
in infancy ; and Irene, deceased.

Mr. Stollard votes with the Republi-
can party, believing firmly in its principles
and its platform. For more than ten years
he has served as school director and the
cause of education finds in him a warm
friend. At the present time he is filling the
position of road commissioner. His wife
is a member of the First Methodist Episco-
pal church and both Mr. and Mrs. Stollard
are well known in Piatt county. His life
record should serve as a source of inspi-
ration and encouragement to others, for
he started out on his own account without
capital or the aid of influential friends.
With him success has been ambition's an-
swer. He has labored perseveringly, us-
ing discrimination in the conduct of his
business affairs and as the years have
passed his financial resources have in-
increased until he is to-day classed among
the substantial residents of his adopted
county.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

271

NELS B. LARSON.

Nels B. Larson, one of the most en-
terprising and practical farmers of Unity
township, was born in Sweden, February
18, 1861, and is the oldest of the nine chil-
dren of Bonde and Bessie Larson. His
parents are still living in that county,
where the father is engaged in farming.
He visited his sons in America in the sum-
mer of 1902. Six of his children are now
living in the United States, these being
Nels B., of this review; S. B., who lives
on his Uncle Nels Larson's place on sec-
tion 7, Unity township; John, also a resi-
dent of that township ; Hannah Hanson,
a resident of Macon county, Illinois; Se-
grie Pierson, who makes her home in the
same county; and Emma Pierson, of Ar-
genta, Macon county. Those living in
Sweden are Annie, Larson and Sophie.

Nels B. Larson spent his boyhood and
youth upon a farm in his native land and
is indebted to the public schools of that
country for the educational privileges he
enjoyed. Deciding to try his fortune on
this side of the Atlantic, he emigrated to
America in 1881 and has since been identi-
fied with the interests of central Illinois.
He was entirely unfamiliar with the Eng-
lish language on his arrival in this coun-
try, but could speak it quite fluently be-
fore two years had passed. His first work
here was tiling, and he afterward worked
by the month as a farm hand for three
years.

At the end of that time Mr. Larson
rented the Ruby farm in Unity township,
which he operated for nine years, and next
"had charge of the Daniel Dawson place in
Bement township three years. The fol-
lowing two years were passed on the Ed-

mund Davis farm in Bement township,
and from there he removed to Moultrie
county, Illinois, where he purchased one
hundred and sixty acres of unimproved
land, for which he paid sixty dollars per
acre, and he at once began to drain, break
and cultivate the land, which to-day is
worth one hundred and fifteen dollars per
acre owing to the improvements he has
made thereon. It is well tilled and a sub-
stantial house, barn and other outbuildings
stand as monuments to his labor. After
residing here for four years Mr. Larson
rented the place, which is now occupied by
a tenant, and removed to the E. P. Thomp-
son farm on section 6, Unity township. On
this place he has made his home since 1901,
operating the land on the shares, and in con-
nection with general farming he carries on
stock-raising to a considerable extent, making
a specialty of a high grade of horses.
He has sold some fine stallions at good prkes
and also has some good roadsters.

An important event in the life of Mr.
Larson was his marriage on the 3Oth of
April, 1883, to Miss Emma Ericks, the
ceremony being performed at Marinette,
Wisconsin. She is a daughter of Erick
Swanson, who is now living in Michigan,
and is a most hospitable woman, well liked
by all who know her. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Larson have been born eight children,
namely: Bessie, who is now the wife of
Oscar Swanson and a resident of Michi-
gan ; Mamie ; Lillie ; Albert ; Annie ; John ;
Russell and Stella. Our subject is giv-
ing his children the best educational ad-
vantages possible, desiring that their train-
ing shall fit them for any position in life
that they may be called upon to fill. 'His
eldest daughter has studied music.

On coming to Illinois Mr. Larson

272

PAST AND PRESENT

found much of Piatt county covered with
sloughs and ponds, and he has done his
share in the work of improvement, for he
is a public spirited and progressive citizen
who takes a deep interest in the welfare of
his adopted country. While living in
Moultrie county he acceptably served as a
member of the school board and as path
master. Socially, he is an honored mem-
ber of the Odd Fellows Lodge of Bement,
and he and his family hold membership
in the Presbyterian church at that place.

YY. D. FAIRBANKS.

Business conditions in America have rev-
olutionized the commercial history of the
world. No other country has made as rapid
advance or as splendid progress as our own
republic, where every man is equal before the
law and finds his opportunity if he will but
diligently seek it. Every community has its
leaders men capable of controlling import-
ant and extensive business interests and
whose carefully earned success awakens the
admiration and respect of the public. Such
a one is W. D. Fairbanks, who has risen to
a prominent position among the most exten-
sive land-owners of central Illinois, and his
business record is such as any man might be
proud to possess, not alone because of his
brilliant prosperity, but also because of the
honorable manner in which it has been
achieved. Judicious investment, careful
management and strict conformity to com-
mercial ethics stand as salient features in his
career and make his name an honored as well
as a powerful one in financial circles.

Mr. Fairbanks, whose landed holdings
exceed those of the majority of citizens in

this locality, and who is the president of the
First National Bank of Mansfield, Illinois,
was torn in Union county, Ohio, on the i6th
of June, 1857, and traces his ancestry back
through many generations to England. The
first of the name of whom we have record
was Jonathan Fairebanke, who was born in
England before the year 1600, and came with
his family to the new world, landing in Bos-
ton in 1633. After a residence there of
three years he went to Dedham, Massachus-
etts, becoming one of its founders, and there
he built the celebrated "Old Fairbanks
House" in 1836. It is still standing in a
good state of preservation, and has never
been out of the possession of those who bear
the family name. Jonas Fairbank, the sec-
ond in line of direct descent to our subject,
was born in England and accompanied his
parents to the new world in 1833, becoming
a resident of Dedham, Massachusetts, after
three years. He was killed in an Indian
massacre, February 10, 1676. Captain Jabez
Fairbank, his son, was born August 1 1, 1670,
in Lancaster, Massachusetts, was a valiant
officer in the Indian wars, became famous as
a scout and stood very high in the confidence
of Governor Drummer. Deacon Joshua Fair-
bank, a son of Captain Jabez Fairbank, was
born in Lancaster, Massachusetts, March 28,
1714. and was a -soldier of the French and
Indiana war. The next in the line of direct
decent was Captain Luthes Fairbank, the
great-grandfather of our subject, who was
born in Lancaster, Massachusetts, August 15,
1755, and was a brave and well-known officer
of the Continental army. He was one of
those who were taken prisoner while in the
act of scaling the walls of the fortifications
of Quebec, under General Montgomery, in
December. 1775. Luther Fairbank, his son,
and the grandfather of our subject, was born

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

275

in Swanzey, New Hampshire, September 10,
1780, became a farmer of Vermont and aft-
erward removed to Ohio, where his remain-
ing days were passed.

Loriston Monroe Fairbanks, the father
of our subject, was born in Barnard, Ver-
mont, May 4, 1824, and was the first of the
name to add the final "s." When a young
man lie removed to Ohio, locating in Union
county, upon a farm near Unionville. He
was among the pioneer settlers of the local-
ity and took an active interest in the early
development of that part of the state. He
there met and married Mary Elizabeth
Smith, a native of New York, who went with
her parents to Union county, Ohio. In early
life Loriston M. Fairbanks was a mechanic
and engaged in the manufacture of wagons
and buggies at Homer, Union county, being
in partnership with his father-in-law, Wil-
liam DeForrest Smith. He resided at Homer
for many years, and ultimately began farm-
ing on account of his health. He followed
that pursuit throughout his remaining days
with the exception of a brief period of three
or four years, which were spent in Delaware,
Ohio, to which place he removed, that his
children might attend the Ohio Wesleyan
University there. The last eight years of his
life were passed in retirement at his home in
Springfield, Ohio, though he and his wife
spent their winters at Pasadena, California,
where he died January 30, 1900, when sev-
enty-four years of age. His remains were
brought back and interred in the beautiful
cemetery at Springfield, Ohio. His widow
now resides in Springfield, with her daugh-
ter, Mrs. Milligan. They were the parents
of ten children, of whom five are still living :
Charles W., who is United States senator
from Indiana and one of the distinguished
statesmen of the country ; Luther M., who re-

sides in Chicago and in Mansfield, and is en-
gaged in the grain trade in the former city;
W. D., of this review; Newton H., an attor-
nev-at-law of Springfield, Ohio ; and Jennie,
the wife of Melvin Milligan, of Springfield,
Ohio, of which city he was formerly mayor.
Those that have passed away are Mary, the
eldest child, who died at the age of two and
a half years; the second one who bore the
name of her deceased sister, Mary, and died
at about the same age; Adolphus, who
died at the age of four years; Nellie, at the
age of twenty; and Harry, who died at the
age of twenty-two years.

In the county of his nativity W. D. Fair-
banks pursued his preliminary education,
which was supplemented by study in the
Ohio Wesleyan University, in which he pur-
sued the scientific course. He then took up
the study of law, but his health prevented
his continuance in that task, and hoping that
he might be benefited by the outdoor life
which is required in the supervision of farm-
ing interests, he came to Illinois, settling in
Mansfield. Here he engaged in the grain
business and also l>ecame identified with
farming. His first purchase of land con-
sisted of eighty acres, two miles west of
Mansfield, which he bought in connection
with his brother, L. M., with whom he was
also associated in the grain trade. As the
years have advanced the brothers have made
extensive investments in real estate and have
carried on their farming and grain business
on a mammoth scale. All of this, however,
represents much hard labor, keen discrimi-
nation, careful watchfulness of the markets
and of everything bearing upon their busi-
ness, and unfaltering perseverance in their
undertakings. Mr. Fairbanks of this re-
view is now the owner of seven hundred
acres of valuable land in Piatt county and has

2/6

PAST AND PRESENT

one thousand seven hundred acres of valu-
able land in other parts of the state. He has
nine hundred and sixty acres in South Da-
kota and jointly with his brother owns ten
thousand acres in Greene county, Illinois,
and seventeen hundred acres in Dickey
county, North Dakota. He likewise has full
control of five thousand acres in Piatt and
McLean counties, owned by his brother, Sen-
ator Fairbanks, of Indiana. He conducts an
extensive grain business at Blue Ridge, Illi-
nois, and fn 1902 -he founded the First Na-
tional Bank of Mansfield, of which he is the
president.

On the 23d of December, 1880, Mr. Fair-
banks married Miss Flora A. Kroell, a native
of Ohio, and a daughter of L. H. Kroell,
who removed from the Buckeye state to Pi-
att county and is now deceased. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Fairbanks have been born four
children Lulu May, Jennie, William De-
Forrest and Bernice. Mrs. Fairbanks be-
longs to the Methodist Episcopal church and
Mr. Fairbanks holds membership in Mans-
field Lodge, No. 589, I. O. O. F., of which
he is a past grand. He also belongs to
Monticello Encampment and to the Modern
Woodman Camp. In politics he is a firm be-
liever in Republican principles and has
served continuously as justice of the peace
for fifteen years. The locality in which he
has long made his home has found in him a
benefactor by reason of the generous and
prompt assistance he has given to many
measures for the public good. He has never
sought to figure prominently before the
public in any relation save that of a business
man and yet his co-operation is never sought
in vain in behalf of measures for the general
welfare. In his business life, however, he
has achieved a brilliant success along legiti-
mate lines, which are open to all. It is his

adaptability his quick recognition of oppor-
tunity, his persistency of purpose and his dis-
criminating judgment which have been the
basis of his wealth, and no business man of
Piatt county occupies a higher position in
the esteem of his fellow men.

JOHN H. FRENCH.

John H. French, a well-known citizen
of DeLand and proprietor of a meat mar-
ket at that place, was born on the i8th of
October, 1861, in Farmington, Fulton
county, Illinois, a son of Edward and Anna
Jane (Jamison) French. The father was
born near Manchester, England, in 1803,
and was reared and educated in that coun-
try, where he was employed as a shepherd
for some time prior to his emigration to
America. It was in 1823 that he crossed
the broad Atlantic and took up his resi-
dence in New York, where he had a milk
route for a few years, and then came to
Illinois, settled near Farmington. He
made his home there until his death, which
occurred in August, 1900, and he was laid
to rest there. His wife survived him only
three months, passing away in November
of the same year. In early life he_ success-
fully engaged in agricultural pursuits and
became the owner of a good eighty-acre
farm, but during the last fifteen years of
his life he lived retired from active labor.
He purchased a lot in Farmington and
erected thereon a good modern residence,
where he and his wife passed their remain-
ing days in ease and quiet. He was a man
of good business ability and met with fair
success in his undertakings. His family
consisted of three children : Edward, who

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

277

died in infancy; James Edward, who died
in California in December, 1897; and John
H.

The subject of this review was educat-
ed in the Farmington high school and re-
mained at home with his parents until
twenty-two years of age, when he went to
California and was with his brother on a
fruit ranch for two years. He was then
called home by the illness of his father
and continued under the parental roof un-
til his marriage in 1887, the lady of his
choice being Miss Essie Maud Blakeslee,
a daughter of S. S. and Addie (Egan)
Blakeslee, who lived about eight miles
from Farmington. Three children grace
this union, namely: Boyd Edward, born
in 1891; Bert Carlton, born in 1893; and
Oneita Mae, born in 1898.

Mr. French spent the years 1888 and
1889 in learning the butcher's business
and in the latter year opened a market of
his own at Waverly, Nebraska, where he
spent four years. He met with success at
that place and was much pleased with the
location, but on account of his father's fail-
ing health he returned to Farmington at
the end of that time and accepted a posi-
tion with E. Clark & Brother, butchers of
that place. Four years later he removed
to DeLand, where he has since conducted
a meat market and engaged in the butch-
ering business with good success, having
the only establishment of the kind in the
town. He enjoys a good trade and has
made many friends since coming to this
place by his fair dealing and strict atten-
tion to his business affairs.

In religious faith both Mr. and Mrs.
French are Methodists and they also hold
membership in the Court of Honor. He
is connected with the Fraternal Army and

the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 740, at De-
Land, and in his political affiliations is a
stalwart Republican. For one year he has
served as village treasurer, being elected
on the Citizen's ticket, and for three years
he has been a school director, now serv-
ing his second term. He takes a commen-
dable interest in public affairs and does
all in his power to advance the welfare of
the community along social, educational
and moral lines.

HAAGEN SCHWARTZ.

Haagen Schwartz is a well-known mer-
chant of Monticello, where for a number
of years he has been engaged in the jewelry
business. He is a native of Norway,
which country has furnished to the United
States many bright, enterprising young
men who have left the land of the mid-
night sun to enter the business circles of
this country with its more progressive
methods, livelier competition and advance-
ment more quickly secured. His birth oc-
curred in 1859 and in his sixth year he
became a student in the public schools
of his native land, where he continued to
master the branches of learning therein
taught until he reached his fourteenth
year. At that time he entered upon his
business career as an apprentice to the
trade of a jeweler in the city of Drammen,
Norway. His term of service covered six
years, during which time he acquired a
thorough and comprehensive knowledge
of the trade in all of its departments and
was thus well equipped to enter upon busi-
ness life.

Having heard favorable reports of the

2 7 8

PAST AND PRESENT

new world and its opportunities he re-
solved to cross the Atlantic in order that
he might enjoy the advanages offered by
America. In 1878 he crossed the water and
for a time was detained at Castle Garden.
From New York city he went to Elgin,
Illinois, where he secured a situation in
the Elgin watch factory, and fiis capable
service and fidelity to duty led to his re-
tention in the factory as one of its most
trusted employes for four years, and in the
Illinois watch factory at Springfield for
nine years. He then severed his connec-
tion with the company, wishing to engage
in business on his own account. Remov-
ing to Monticello, he has here 'resided for
eleven years. Opening a store he secured
a good stock of watches, clocks, silverware
and jewelry, and now he has a well ap-
pointed establishment and is classed
among the honorable and reliable mer-
chants of Piatt county, having the patron-
age of the best citizens of Monticello and
the surrounding districts. He is a practi-
cal and skilled workman in the line of
watchmaking and he carries a large and
carefully selected stock of diamonds and
jewelry, silverware and china ware, pur-
chasing his goods from the most reliable
manufacturers.

In 1882 was celebrated the marriage
of Mr. Schwartz and Miss Mary Lauret-
son, of Elgin, Illinois. She was born in
Christiana, Norway, and by her marriage
she has become the mother of six children :
Minnie, Inga, Henry, Lillie, Andrew and
Lina, who is the baby of the household.

Mr. Schwartz is a member of the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, also of
the Tribe of Ben Hur. He owns six acres
of valuable land in the southern part of
Monticello, upon which he has erected a

comfortable residence and good outbuild-
ings. He is an enterprising citizen here
deeply interested in the progress and im-
provement of Monticello and his active co-
operation has been given to many lines for
the general good. The hope that led him
to leave his native land and seek a home
in America has been more than realized.
He found the opportunities he sought,
which, by the way, are always open to the
ambitious, energetic man, and making
the best of these he has steadily worked
his way upward. He possesses the reso-
lution, perseverance and reliability so
characteristic of people of his nation, and
his name is now enrolled among the best
citizens of Piatt county.

ALVIN T. SMOTHERS.

Alvin T. Smothers, a retired farmer
now living in Mansfield, was born on the
2Oth of May, 1867, in Franklin count)',
Ohio, and is a son of Emery and Lida
(Sherbourne) Smothers. The father was
a farmer by occupation and at the time of
the Civil war he responded to the coun-
try's call for troops, serving for two years.
He started with Sherman on the memor-
able march to the sea, but was wounded
while on the way and was unable to reach
the sea coast. For six months he lay in the
hospital and afterward received an hon-
orable discharge. In April, 1880, his life's
labors were ended in death. His widow,
however, still survives him and is now liv-
ing in Licking county, Ohio.

Alvin T. Smothers obtained his prelim-
inary education in Harlem, Ohio, and aft-
erward entered the university at Wester-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

279

ville, Ohio, where he pursued advanced
studies and became well equipped for the
practical and responsible duties of life. On
leaving school he enlisted in the regular
army of the United States, serving for
four years. At the expiration of his mili-
tary service he came to Piatt county, Illi-
nois, where he began working by the
month as a farm hand for Isaac Hilligoss,
receiving as a compensation for his serv-
ices twenty dollars per month. Later he
was married and returned to Ohio where
he remained for twenty-one months, but
he thought that he preferred Illinois as a
place of residence and again came to Piatt
county, this time settling upon a farm
which he rented from W. D. Fairbanks.
For four years he resided there and har-
vested good crops as the result of his per-
sistent labors. He also spent four years
upon a farm which he rented of E. P. Barn-
hart and then purchased a part of the farm
which he was cultivating, becoming the
owner of a tract of eighty acres. For a
number of years he successfully carried on
agricultural pursuits in this county and in
December. 1901, he removed to Mansfield,
where he has since made his home. Here
he purchased a house and lot and has lived
retired from farm life, but to some extent
carries on carpentering.

Mr. Smothers was united in marriage
on the 7th of November, 1889, the lady
of his choice being Miss Jennie Bateman.
a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth
(Brown) Bateman, who were natives of
Ireland and Canada, respectively. The fa-
ther left the Emerald Isle in 1848 and
crossed the Atlantic with his parents.
There he was reared to manhood and aft-
er his marriage he came with his wife
and children to Piatt countv, Illinois, in

1871. Here he has since resided and is
now one of the wealthy, prominent and
influential farmers of this portion of the
state. He has taken an active part in im-
proving and developing this locality and
his business career proves the value of en-
ergy and activity in agricultural circles.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bateman have been
born eleven children : Thomas, Mrs. Jen-
nie Smothers, Mrs. Mary Ann Chase, Sam-
uel, Charles F., John R., Mrs. Elizabeth
Smith, Etta, Nellie, Mrs. Edna Warren
and Harry. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
Smothers has been blessed with one child,
Edith Lisle, who was born on the 27th of
August, 1890, and is now attending school
in Mansfield.

The parents hold membership in the
Methodist church and Mr. Smothers is a
Republican, doing all in his power to pro-
mote the growth and insure the success
of the party, yet never seeking office as
the reward for party fealty. The cause
of education finds in him a warm friend
and he is now serving as a school director.
He is also a co-operant factor in the moral
development of the community and in
many measures for the general welfare.
His business career has been honorable
and active and through his capable man-
agement he has gained the competence
that now enables him to live retired in
Mansfield, enjoying all of the comforts
and many of the luxuries of life.

WILLIAM D. COFFIN.

The deserved reward of a well-spent
life is an honored retirement from business
in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil.

280

PAST AND PRESENT

To-day, after a useful and beneficial ca-
reer, Mr. Coffin is quietly living at his
pleasant home in Bement, surrounded by
the comfort that earnest labor has brought
him. He is a native of Indiana, born in
Vermilion county, January 22, 1842, and
is a son of Berkley and Narcissus (David-
son) Coffin. The Coffin family is of English
origin and was founded in America by
Christian Coffin, who was one of the first
settlers of Massachusetts and from whom all
bearing the name in this country are de-
scended. The early family was known as
the Nantucket clan. Our subject's pater-
nal grandfather, William Coffin, was cap-
tain of the first company from Wabash,
Indiana, that crossed the plains to Califor-
nia during the gold excitement, and he
died in Sacramento, his being the first
death recorded by the secretary of the
cemetery. His death-bed was in a wagon.
His wife, who bore the maiden name of
Eunice Worth, was also a representative
of an old eastern family of English ex-
traction.

Berkley Coffin, the father of our sub-
ject, was born in North Carolina and
about 1832, when still a boy, removed to
Indiana with his brother, Dr. Coffin, who
is now a retired physician of Monticello,
Illinois. In early life Berkley Coffin
learned the blacksmith's trade, but in later
years turned his attention to farming,
which he followed in Parke and Vermilion
counties, Indiana, for some years, and in
the spring of 1858 came to Piatt county,
Illinois, where he pursued the same occu-
pation until called to his final rest in 1861.
His wife died in 1852 at Fort Laramie
while on her way to California. They had
but two children, the older of whom is our
subject. His sister Ann is the wife of I.

S. Matthews, a resident of Fort Jones,
California, and is the mother of nine chil-
dren, seven sons and two daughters,
though one daughter died April 15, 1903.
William D. Coffin was principally
reared and educated in Vermilion county,
Indiana, though he attended school to a
limited extent after the removal of the
family to Piatt county, Illinois, in the
spring of 1858. As soon as old enough
to be of any assistance he began to aid
in the labors of the farm and throughout
his active business life continued to en-
gage in agricultural pursuits with marked
success. He accumulated much valuable
property and is to-day .the owner of land
to the amount of four hundred and eighty
acres in Bement township, which he rents.
In 1895 he retired from active labor and
removed to the village of Bement, where
he now makes his home. He has traded
quite extensively in farm property and has
met with uniform success in his opera-
tions. His first purchase of land consisted
of eighty acres of raw prairie, which he
broke and improved, and he later bought
forty acres in the edge of the timber, a
part of which he cleared. There he made
his home in a log cabin for one year and
then removed to his prairie farm. Every-
thing was new and wild and there was
plenty of game of all kinds, including deer,
while the prairie wolves were also numer-
ous.

At the age of twenty years Mr. Coffin
laid aside all personal interests to enter
the service of his country during the dark
days of the Rebellion, enlisting at Bement.
August 7, 1862, as a private in Company
D, Seventy-third Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry, under Colonel James F. Jaquess
and Captain Thomas Motherspaw, who-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

281

was afterward appointed major and led
the charge in the battle of Franklin, Ten-
nessee. This was known as the "Preach-
ers Regiment" as many of its officers were
ministers, and it was the first regiment to
be called from the state of Illinois in 1862.
For two years Mr. Coffin was under the
command of General Phil Sheridan and
he remained in the service for three years,
being mustered out at Nashville, Tennes-
see, June 12, 1865, at the close of the war.
The principal engagements in which he
participated were the battles of Perryville;
Stone River, where he was slighty wound-
ed; Chickamauga, September 20, 1863,
where he was wounded in the hip by a
spent ball; and Missionary Ridge, where
he was wounded in the left arm near the
shoulder, nearly losing the member. He
was all through the Georgia campaign un-
til after the fall of Atlanta, when his regi-
ment returned to Tennessee to meet Hood
and took part in the severe engagement
at Franklin, where Major Motherspaw
and Adjutant Davis were both killed in
leading charges. This was followed by
the battle of Nashville where they routed
General Hood's army. Dr. Coffin was at
Blue Springs when the news came of Gen-
eral Lee's surrender and the assassination
of President Lincoln, having been sent
there with his regiment to fill up a gap.

At the close of the war our subject re-
turned to Vermilion county, Indiana, and
was married September 13, 1866, to Miss
Mary Holtz, a daughter of John and Lovinia
(Whipple) Holtz, both deceased. The fol-
lowing October they came to Piatt county,
Illinois, where they have since made their
home. Of the eight children born to them
the following are still living: Eva, the
wife of A. H. Harshbarger, who is en-

gaged in the implement business in Be-
ment; Harry M., who married Delia Na-
tion and lives in Bement ; Bessie and Fred-
erick, both at home. Those deceased are
Homer, a twin brother of Harry, who was
accidentally killed by a gunshot; Emma,
who married John Crawford and died of
appendicitis; Eddy, a bright little boy,
who died of scarlet fever at the age of
three years; and William, who died in in-
fancy. The children have all received lib-
eral educations and the family is one of
prominence in the community where they
reside. They attend the Methodist Epis-
copal church.

Mr. Coffin affiliates with the Republi-
can party and at one time took quite an
active and influential part in local politics.
For two terms he acceptably served as
township supervisor in Bement township
and was school director of the Coffin
school, located on his land, for about twen-
ty-nine years. He was also a member of
the board of education in the village of Be-
ment one term 'and never withholds his
support from any enterprise which he be-
lieves will prove of public benefit. He is
well known in the county of his adoption
and by those qualities which in every land
and clime command respect he has won
many friends. The early career of Mr.
Coffin was one of unfaltering industry and
through strong purpose and diligence he
worked his way upward to the plane of
affluence.

POPE HISER.

Pope Hiser, who carries on farming and
stock-raising on section 32, Cerro Gordo
township, was born on the 8th of August,

282

PAST AND PRESENT

1862, just west of the village of Cerro Gor-
do, in Macon county, and is a representative
of an old and honored family of this sec-
tion of the state. His father, Solomon
Hiser. was born in Cumberland county,
Pennsylvania, November- 19, 1826. and in
1855 wedded Miss Mary E. Page a native
of Xe\v York, born in 1833. In 1850 he
came to Illinois and, settling in Macon coun-
ty, aided in its pioneer development. He
broke many an acre of wild prairie land, and
for nearly forty years engaged in farming
there. Most hospitable in manner, he was
a model pioneer and although not a member
of anv church he was always found on
the side of right and order and gave
liberally, though unostentatiously, to all
worthy objects. He believed firmly in
the principles of Christianity and died as
he had lived, with a hope of a just reward,
not fearing death, but ready to meet his God.
He passed away at Cerro Gordo. September
28, 1889. at the age of sixty-two years, ten
months and nine days, and his wife died at
the same place, at the age of sixty-two years
and two months, from the effects of a cancer,
after long and patient suffering. Her fu-
neral was from the Methodist Episcopal
church. Rev. Poe officiating, and her re-
mains were interred in the Frantz cemetery.

In the family of this worthy couple were
eight children : Mrs. J. J. Garver. a resi-
dent of Decatur, Illinois ; Pope, whose name
introduces this sketch ; Samuel : Mattie. the
wife of Henry Berry, of Salem, Illinois; Al-
ma, wife of John Eiler, a mail-carrier of
Cerro Gordo; and three deceased.

Pope Hiser was educated in the district
schools near his boyhood home, and early ac-
quired an excellent knowledge of every de-
partment of farm work. At the age of twen-
ty-two he began farming on his own account

in Macon county, and remained there until,
coming to Piatt county, in 1893, when he set-
tled on his present farm, having purchased
the place two years previously. It was then
in bad repair, but he has remodeled the house,
tiled and drained the land and made many
other useful improvements, spending about
eighteen hundred dollars in this way. He
is a progressive farmer and is meeting with
well-deserved success in his chosen occu-
pation.

In 1887 Mr. Hiser was united in mar-
riage to Miss Delia Wheeler, by whom he
had two children, but both are deceased.
Mrs. Hiser is also a native of Macon coun-
ty, and is a daughter of John O. K. and
Xancy ( Hudgeon) Wheeler, both deceased.
She is one of a family of eight children, five
of whom are still living, two of the number
being residents of Macon county : Grant, of
Seattle. Wash ; and John K., of Macon coun-
ty. Isaiah resides in Cerro Gordo, Piatt
county. Melissa is the wife of John Huff,
a farmer of Oakley township.

LEWIS M. UHL.

One of the best-known and most hon-
ored citizens of Cerro Gordo township is the
gentleman whose name introduces this
sketch, his home being on section 32, where
he successfully carries on operations as a
farmer and stock-raiser. He is a native of
Ohio, born in Ross county, January 12, 1854,
and is a son of Peter and Anna Elizabeth
(Luthwick) Uhl. natives of Germany. On
the 3d of July, 1847, they left the fatherland
on a sailing vessel which weighed anchor at
Hessedamstat, and after a voyage of forty

L. M. UHL

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

285

days landed in New York city, whence they
proceeded to Ross county, Ohio. They made
their home there until the fall of 1856, and
then came to Piatt county, IHinois, first set-
tling in Monticello township, where two
years were passed. They next removed to
Bement township, and on the 3d of March,
1865, located on the farm in Cerro Gordo
township, where our subject now resides.
The father broke and improved this place,
erecting the present residence in 1872.
He was one of a family of five chil-
dren, all now deceased, and his death oc-
curred on the 3d of June, 1889, when in
his eighty-third year. His wife, who was
one of a family of three children, all now de-
ceased, passed away January 16, 1887, at the
age of seventy-two. She was a devout mem-
ber of the German Lutheran church and a
most estimable lady, while her husband was
an active and earnest worker in the Christian
church, to which he belonged.

This worthy couple were the parents of
nine children, who in order of birth were as
follows : Peter, now a resident of Oklahoma
Territory; John, a traveling salesman living
in Pana, Illinois ; Jeanette, who married
George Erler and died leaving two children.
Lizzie and Louis ; L. C., an attorney of Smith
county, Kansas; Henry, an attorney of
Colorado; Jane, who died in infancy;
Lewis M., of this review ; Charles, who is en-
gaged in the abstract business in Smith coun-
ty, Kansas : and William, who died in in-
fancy.

Lewis M. Uhl attended the district
schools near his boyhood home and early be-
came familiar with all the duties which fall
to the lot of the agriculturist. His entire life
has been devoted to farming with exception
of the time spent as postmaster at Kensing-
ton, Smith county, Kansas. For several years
he worked bv the month for others, and in

this way gained a start in life. He now lives
on the old homestead of eighty acres, where
the family located in 1865, and he materially
assisted in breaking and improving the place.
It is now well drained and tiled, is under a
high state of cultivation and is well improved
with good building, a new barn having been
erected by our subject in 1896. It is one of
the choice farms of the locality and is pleas-
antly located on the main road to Cerro Gor-
do, being three and a quarter miles east of
that village. Mr. Uhl handles a good grade
of stock, including horses, cattle and hogs,
and finds this branch of his business quite
profitable. He has borne his share in the de-
velopment and improvement of this section,
transforming the wild lands into well-culti-
vated farms. When the family first located in
this region much of the land was unbroken
and wild game was quite plentiful.

Mr. Uhl was reared in the Lutheran
church and still holds to that "belief. Polit-
ically, he is a Democrat, and on his party
ticket was once the candidate for township
assessor, but was defeated by twenty-three
votes, the township being strongly Republic-
an. He has served as postmaster and takes
an active interest in promoting the welfare
of his township and county. Fraternally, he
is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No.
346, of Cerro Gordo ; Cerro Gordo Lodge,
No. 600, F. & A. M. ; and Bement Chapter,
R. A. M. He is also connected with the
Modern Woodmen of America, and is a man
highly respected and esteemed by aU who
know him.

EPHRAIM DRESBACH.

Illinois ranks among the first states of
the Union in agriculture, as well as along
manv other lines, and its rich lands have

286

PAST" AND PRESENT

been reclaimed for farm purposes by such
enterprising and progressive citizens as
Ephraim Dresbach. Upon a farm on sec-
tion 1 6, Monticello township, Mr. Dresbach
makes his home, and he has a splendidly im-
proved prpperty, its neat and thrifty appear-
ance and excellent equipment indicating his
careful supervision and progressive meth-
ods. Mr. Dresbach was born in Ross coun-
ty, Ohio, on the 5th of August, 1848. His
father was John Dresbach, whose birth oc-
curred in Ohio, October 13, 1810. In the
common schools he was educated, attending
the subscription schools such as were com-
mon at the time. He not only spent the sum-
mer months in aiding in the work of clear-
ing and developing the land, but also much
of the winter was thus passed, and thus his
educational privileges were quite meager.
He lived in Ohio until 1855, when he came
to Illinois, establishing his home in Piatt
county. He also carried on farming here,
purchasing what is known as the Brady farm
two and a half miles east of Monticello.
There he carried on agricultural pursuits for
twenty years, breaking most of that land
and developing it into rich fields, which re-
turned to him excellent harvests. When
two decades had passed he removed to the
farm now occupied by our subject, and made
it his place of residence until his death, which
occurred in 1884. His wife, who bore the
maiden name of Mary Vinston, was a daugh-
ter of Thomas and Margaret Vinston, of
Maryland. Eight children were born unto
Mr. and Airs. Dresbach, of whom the fol-
lowing are living: Mary, now the wife of
George Brady, of Monticello; Ephraim; and
Edward, who is now engaged in dealing in
coal and wood in Chicago.

In the common schools of Piatt county
Ephraim Dresbach was educated, pursuing
his studies in the first frame schoolhouse

ever built in Ridge school district. For the
building of this the lumber was hauled from
Urbana with teams. During his youth Mr.
Dresbach also became thoroughly familiar
with farm work in all of its departments, as-
sisting in the clearing and cultivation of the
land and the harvesting of crops. He con-
tinued to attend school mostly during the
winter seasons, until twenty years of age.

On the I4th of May, 1868, was celebrat-
ed the marriage of Mr. Dresbach and Miss
Samantha Brady, a daughter of John and
Sarah (Buesy) Brady, of Piatt county.
They lived with his father for about six
months, and then rented a house, moving by
themselves. Mr. Dresbach, however, con-
tinued to engage in farming operations in
connection with his father for about five
years, at the end of which time he began
farming on his own account, buying forty
acres of land and renting about forty acres
more of the farm which he yet owns or one
adjoining this place. In his work he has
been very successful, and he has carried on
farming operations along progressive lines
that have proven of value in bringing to him
a comfortable competence. He has tiled the
place, thus draining the fields and making
them very productive. He has also divided
his farm into fields of convenient size by
well-kept fences, and has planted an orch-
ard, erected a new residence and built a sub-
stantial barn and other outbuildings. At the
present time he is engaged in further im-
proving his home. There is upon his place
an old brick house which was probably built
here in 1853, and was the first home occu-
pied by his father on removing to this local-
ity. The brick with which it was construct-
ed was made by Gabriel Dresbach, an uncle
of our subject, on Camp creek.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dresbach have been
born eleven children : William, who mar-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

287

riecl Jennie Ashleman, and is a farmer resid-
ing about a mile east of Monticello; Cora,
who is the wife of Edwin E. Fuller, a resi-
dent farmer of Humboldt county, Iowa;
Charles, who married Elsie Saint, and is
now residing in Humboldt county, Iowa;
Jennie, who is the wife of Louis Nisson, a
farmer living about four miles southeast of
Monticello; Frank, who married Ottie Hon-
selman and resides on a farm two miles east
of Monticello; Mary, who is at home with
her parents ; John, who is working on his
brother's farm near Monticello; Emery, who
assists his father in the operation of the
home farm ; Nellie, who is yet under the
parental roof; George, who died when about
a year old ; and Letha, who is now eleven
years of age and is attending school. Mr.
Dresbach belongs to the Court of Honor,
Xo. 118, of Monticello, with which he has
been connected for four years. In politics
he is a stalwart Republican, and has held
the office of school director for nine or ten
years, the cause of education finding in him
a warm friend. He is a representative of
one of the old pioneer families of this por-
tion of the state, and is to-day classed among
the most successful, energetic and reliable ag-
riculturists of the community.

RICHARD S. MINER.

In taking up the personal history of Rich-
ard S. Miner, we present to our readers the
life record of one who has a wide acquaint-
ance in Piatt county, having resided here
since pioneer times. He is now living a re-
tired life after many years of connection
with agricultural interests. He was born in
Ross county, Ohio, in 1847, a son f T- C-.

and Emeline Miner. The father was born
on the 3d of October, 1812, and learned the
tailor's trade. He also became a farmer,
and for many years engaged in the tilling
of the soil. He died in 1901, his death re-
sulting from an accident. While walking
home one day he slipped on a slab and
broke his angle, and the injury terminated
his life. His wife, who was born on the
5th of M'ay, 1818, passed away in 1892.
The subject of this review has three broth-
ers and two sisters yet living in Piatt coun-
ty-

Richard S. Miner was educated near
Monticello, in an old log schoolhouse fur-
nished with slab seats, a writing desk around
the wall and an immense fireplace in one
end of the room. The methods of instruc-
tion were somewhat limited, but reading and
observation have greatly added to his
knowledge as the years have gone by. He
accompanied his parents to the west and can
well remember the journey. They started
on the 2d of November, 1856, driving across
the country, and on the i6th of November
reached Piatt county. On the way they en-
countered a severe snowstorm and the trip
was thus fraught with hardships. The coun-
try was all prairie, wild and unimproved, and
the district abounded in game. The town
of Mansfield was not established at that time,
nor were any railroads built, Mr. Miner well
remembering when the first roads were laid
for steam traffic. He remained with his
father upon the old homestead, which was
known as the Collins farm. The father, oft
making the purchase, secured an old buck-
skin deed, such as were used at that time. He
bought a farm of two hundred and forty-
two acres, and then drove to Decatur in or-
der to purchase tables and chairs. On the
return trip he became lost in a fog, and drove

288

PAST AND PRESENT

all day before he could arrive at his home.
Many were the hardships and trials endured
by the pioneers as they attempted to estab-
lish homes en the frontier and perform the
arduous task r-f re"' n 'ming the wild regions
for the uses of civilization. Mr. Miner as-
sisted his father in the development and cul-
tivation of the home farm and continued to
reside there until the time of his marriage,
which occurred when he was twenty-five
years of age.

It was in 1872 that Richard S. Miner
was joined in wedlock to Miss Hannah F.
Stewart, a daughter of Levi and Mary J.
Stewart. Unto them were born two chil-
dren : Etta, who is now the wife of Isaac
Wilson and has three children ; and Stew-
art A., who at the age of eleven years is liv-
ing with his parents.

After his marriage Richard S. Miner en-
gaged in the cultivation and operation of
his wife's farm, comprising one hundred and
forty acres. He paid special attention to
the raising of stock, having large numbers of
cattle and hogs upon his place. He also
engaged in the raising of grain and fed
much of his crops to his stock. He tiled the
farm and improved it from year to year,
making it a valuable property. There he
continuously carried on agricultural pursuits
until about four years ago. when he removed
to Mansfield and erected a residence, in
which he is now spending his days in the
enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
His wife's farm is rented to their son-in-
law, while Mr. Miner has rented his own
farm to his brother. He owns thirty acres
of land in Goose Creek township.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Miner belong to the
United Brethren church, and in his political
affiliations he is a Democrat, while socially
he is connected with the Odd Fellows' So-

ciety of Mansfield, being a popular and val-
ued member of that lodge. For five years
he served as school director of the county,
and the cause of education finds in him a
warm friend, interested in its welfare and
doing all he can to promote the standard of
the schools. His mind bears the impress of
the early historic annals of the county. Few
men have longer resided within the borders
of Piatt county than has Mr. Miner, who
from the age of nine years to the present
time has lived here. He herded cattle on the
prairies when no towns could be seen, none
of the small towns which now dot the county
here and there having been built. There was
only one mill in Piatt county at that time,
and it was operated by water power. Corn
could be purchased for ten cents per bushel,
and prices for other farm products were
equally low. The courthouse was an old
plank storeroom, and court was only held
for one day at a time. Marvelous changes
have since occurred as this county has
emerged from pioneer conditions to take its
place in the leading counties of the com-
monwealth. Mr. Miner has ever borne his
part in the work of progress and improve-
ment, and is known as a highly respected cit-
izen, who in all life's relations has been hon-
orable, and who in his business career has
been active and energetic, thus gaining a
comfortable competence.

JAMES A. VENT.

James A. Vent is the popular and well
known cashier of the State Bank of Ham-
mond and is recognized as one of the lead-
ing and influential citizens of this town in
which he has made his home since 1898.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

289

He \v;is born in Willow Branch township,
Piatt county, on the 23d of May, 1874,
and is a son of James T. Vent, who is now
living a retired life in Monticello. To the
common schools of his native township
he is indebted for the early educational
privileges which he enjoyed. Subsequent-
ly he attended Brown's Business College
at Decatur for one term and obtained a
good business education, graduating in
February, 1894. At the end of that time
he returned to the old homestead and for
a short period he engaged in farming in
Willow Branch township, but not desiring
to follow the plow as a life work he re-
moved to Monticello in the fall of 1894,
where he was connected with an implement
business for one year. He then entered
the employ of the firm of E. G. Knight &
Son, with which he remained for three
years, during which time he became famil-
iar with business methods and was thus
well qualified for th ( e position when called
upon to take charge of the jewelry house
in Monticelo owned by Mr. Knight. He
acted as its manager most capably con-
trolling its affairs until 1895. 'He also held
other positions in business circles in Mon-
ticello, remaining there until the ist of
November, 1898, when he came to Ham-
mond and accepted the position of cashier
in the bank owned by Dighton & Thomp-
son. It was then a private banking insti-
tution. Mr. Vent was the youngest bank
cashier in Piatt county, being only twen-
ty-four years of age at the time he accepted
the position. This bank was organized as
a state bank on the 23d of September,
1901, and Mr. Vent has since been cashier,
his efforts being an important factor in
making this one .of the reliable financial
institutions of this part of the county.
In Monticello January 12, 1899, was

celebrated the marriage of James A. Vent
and Miss Jessica Stafford, a native of Graf-
ton, Illinois, and a daughter of Charles
Stafford. She was reared, however, by
Dr. and Mrs. Tidball, of Monticello. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Vent have been born two
children: Louise, born December 31,
1899; and Vivienne, born October 17,
1901. Mrs. Vent is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church and both our
subject and his wife occupy an enviable
position in social circles. He belongs to
Lovington Lodge, No. 228, F. & A. M.,
of Lovington, Illinois, and he gives his
political support to the Republican party.
He is now serving as a member of the vil-
lage board and also as school treasurer of
16-5. He occupies a very fine residence
in Hammond and is a prominent, well-to-do
and popular young business man. He spends
the greater part of his time at the bank be-
tween the hours of nine in the morning and
four in the afternoon, and he is also interest-
ed in real estate, dealing largely in that line.
He is likewise a representative of the insur-
ance business, being agent for the Hartford
Company, the Insurance Company of
North America and the Security Insurance
Company. Whatever he undertakes he
carries forward to a successful completion
and has found that success is ambition's
answer.

EDWARD S. STOUT. ,

Edward S. Stout is one of Illinois' na-
tive sons, his birth having occurred in
Moultrie county, on the i8th of February,
1867. He is a son of Amos and Catherine
(Allman) Stout, and only the first years
of his life were passed in the county of his
nativity, his parents then removing to

290

PAST AND PRESENT

Champaign county. The father was born
in Pickaway county, Ohio, and there lived
until he had attained his majority. Decid-
ing that he might find better business op-
portunities in the west he came at that
time to Illinois, 'first settling in Monticello
township, Piatt county. This was about
1855. There he engaged in farming for
some years and afterward was employed
in the village of Monticello, where he spent
a number of years. At the end of that
time he removed to Moultrie county,
where he carried on farming for a year,
after which he followed the same pursuit
in Champaign county for a year. Return-
ing then to Piatt county, he located in
Bement township, where he purchased a
farm of one hundred and twenty acres on
section 3. Here the family settled and
still reside. He placed excellent improve-
ments upon his land, remodeled the house
and continued to cultivate the fields with
success until his death. He also carried
on stockraising in connection with gener-
al farming and both branches of his busi-
ness proved profitable. In all his work
he was enterprising and was thoroughly
in touch with the progress that character-
ized agriculture in the nineteenth century.
In matters of citizenship he was public
spirited and was deeply interested in ev-
erything pertaining to the general welfare.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Stout es-
poused the cause of the Union and in 1862
feeling that he wished to aid in the defense
of the old flag and the cause it represent-
ed, he donned the blue uniform and went
to the front, serving for three years as a
member of Company E, One Hundred and
Seventh Regiment of Illinois Volunteers.
He participated in the battles of Frank-
lin, Nashville, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach-

tree Creek, Resaca and the Georgia cam-
paign and in the engagement at Kenesaw
Mountain he was wounded by a bullet in
the head, but he never received a pension.
Prior to the Civil war he gave his support
to the Republican party for a time and aft-
erward became a Democrat, voting with
that organization until his demise. He
served as road commissioner, but was nev-
er an active politician in the sense of office-
seeking, content to do his duty as a private
citizen.

Amos Stout was united in marriage
to Miss Catherine Allman, who was born
in County Kerry, Ireland, and who was
Brought to America when a little maiden
of eleven years. She was reared in Ohio
and came to Illinois when a young lady.
Both of her parents died on the Emerald
Isle. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stout were born
five children, of whom three are still liv-
ing, the subject of this review being the
eldest. The others of the family are : John,
who died when about thirty years of age ;
James C., who is a bank clerk at Ivesdale,
and married Miss Annie Crinigan ; Mary,
who is the wife of Malachi Loftus, a farm-
er of Ivesdale, Illinois, by whom she has
two children. The father of this family
passed away in 1888 and his remains were
interred in the cemetery at Ivesdale. His
widow still survives him and is now residing
on the home place in Bement township
at the age of sixty-one years. Mr. Stout
was a leading and influential resident of his
community and an honored veteran of the
Civil war and his many excellent traits of
character gained for him the high regard
of all with whom he came in contact.

Under the parental roof Edward S.
Stout spent his boyhood days, most of his
time being passed in Piatt county. At the

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

291

usual age he entered the public schools
and therein mastered the branches of
learning usually taught in such institu-
tions. He assisted in the work of the home
farm when not engaged in the duties of
the schoolroom and on the old home place
he has always resided, devoting his ener-
gies to general farming and stockrais-
ing. As a companion and helpmate for
the journey of life Mr. Stout chose Miss
Bridget Grady, the wedding being cele-
brated in Ivesdale. The lady is a daugh-
er of John and Bridget (Lynch) Grady,
and her father is a farmer of Ivesdale,
where both he and his wife are living. The
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stout has been
blessed with three interesting children:
Catherine, who is four years of age;
Mary, two years old; and Edward, who is
the baby of the household. All of the
children were born in Bement township.
Mr. Stout exercises his right of fran-
chise in support of the men and measures
of the Democracy and socially he is con-
nected with the Independent Order of
Foresters, while both he and his wife are
members of the Catholic church. Having
resided in Piatt county throughout his en-
tire life with the exception of a brief pe-
riod of two years he is to-day widely and
favorably known and among those with
whom he has been acquainted from boy-
hood are numbered many of his stanchest
friends.

F. BALES, D. V. S.

Dr. F. Bales, who is engaged in the
practice of veterinary surgery in Monti-
cello, is a native of Indiana, his birth hav-
ing occurred in Vermilion county, that

state, upon the home farm, June 12, 1865.
His father, William F. Bales, was a pros-
perous agriculturist and stockraiser of
that county, carrying on business in a
way that brought to him a good financial
return for his labor. He continued to re-
side in Vermilion county until his demise.
His wife, who bore the maiden name of
Nancy Merriweather, was likewise a na-
tive of Vermilion county, Indiana, and a
daughter of Josiah Merriweather, a prom-
inent and influencial gentleman of high
standing in the community and of con-
siderable wealth.

Dr. Bales of this review was educated
in the schools of his native county, attend-
ing the district school near his home.
During periods of vacation he worked up-
on a farm and early became familiar
with the best methods of caring for the
fields and for the stock. His father was
especially active as a stockraiser and Dr.
Bales learned much concerning horses
and cattle, their needs and requirements.
His early educational privileges were sup-
plemented by one year's study in the Agri-
cultural University at Lafayette, Indiana.
He afterward read medicine and, deciding
to devote his life to the practice of veter-
inary surgery, he became a student in a
veterinary college at Toronto, Canada,
which is considered the best institution of
the kind* in the new world. There he
studied until he had mastered the
branches which constituted the curric-
ulum and was graduated in the spring of
1890.

Dr. Bales then returned to Indiana
and entered upon the practice of his
chosen calling. In December, 1890, he
removed to Monticello, Illinois, where he
opened an office and now devotes his en-

292

PAST AND PRESENT.

tire time to his professional duties. He
is well established in practice, his business
extending all over Piatt county. His
treatment of horses has been particularly
successful. He has made a very close
study of his work and his knowledge is
broad, comprehensive and accurate.

The Doctor is a Democrat in his poli-
tical affiliations and during the adminis-
tration of Governor Altgeld he was ap-
pointed assistant state veterinary surgeon.
This brought to his care a number of im-
portant cases. The Doctor is also a
breeder of standard bred trotting horses
and is the owner of the celebrated stud
Vincent DePaul. He is likewise the
owner of the noted stallion Pluton, weigh-
ing two thousand pounds and imported by
John Ulrich of Decatur, Illinois. Another
stallion, which is the property of Dr.
Bales, is Albrook, sixteen and a half hands
high and weighing twelve hundred and
fifty pounds. As a breeder as well as a
veterinary the Doctor has become well
known and is conducting a successful bus-
iness in both lines. He has attained a
high position in Piatt county and has done
much to improve the grade of stock raised
in this locality and thus to advance prices
whereby the general agricultural popula-
tion is benefited.

In 1895 Dr. Bales was united in mar-
riage to Miss Louise Jones, of Monticello,
and this union has been blessed with three
children : Harold, Carl and Frederick.

MARTIN E. MILLER.

Martin E. Miller, a well-known and high-
ly esteemed citizen of DeLand, is largely in-

terested in agricultural pursuits here and
elsewhere, but has practically retired from
active labor, leaving the operation of his
lands to others while he gives his entire time
and attention to the supervision of his busi-
ness affairs and the management of his prop-
erty.

A native of Illinois, Mr. Miller was born
in Fulton county, this state, March 27, 1865,
and is a son of Jacob F. and Anna (Nicewan-
der) Miller, both natives of Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, which was their home until
after their marriage. The father was born in
1834, and in early life followed the black-
smith's trade, but after his removal to Fulton
county, Illinois, in 1863, he turned his atten-
tion to farming. He rented land until 1870,
when he removed to Piatt county and pur-
chased a farm of eighty acres in Goose Creek
township, near DeLand, to which he after-
ward added an adjoining eighty acres though
just across the line in DeWitt county. Here
he continued to engage in farming until his
death, and so successful was he that he was
able to add to his property until he had two
hundred and eleven acres under a high state
of cultivation and well improved. He also
fed stock for market and both branches of his
business proved quite profitable. After a use-
ful and well-spent life he passed away in
the fall of 1890. In his family were eight
children : Louisa, the wife of Henry Reeser, a
retired stock-buyer of Farmer City, Illinois;
Martin E., whose name introduces this
sketch : Dessie, wife of Newton Troxell, of
Huntsville, Alabama ; Oliver, a liveryman
and farmer of South Dakota; Cora, a resi-
dent of Farmer City; Clarence, a farmer of
that place ; Belle, deceased wife of Frank Mc-
Bride ; and Tishia. who died in infancy.

Martin E. Miller was only five years old
when he accompanied his parents on their re-

MARTIN E. MILLER

MRS MARTIN E. MILLER

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

297

moval to Piatt county, and here he acquired
a good practical education in the public
schools, at the same time gaining an excellent
knowledge of every department of farm
work while aiding in the operation of the
home farm. He remained with his father un-
til his marriage, which was celebrated Febru-
ary 4. 1891,' the lady of his choice being Miss
Catherine AlcBride, a daughter of Philip and
Mary (Johnson) McBride, of Piatt county.
Her ancestors were originally from Mary-
land and Pennsylvania. To our subject and
his wife have been born two children : Corda
Opal and Cecil Dale, now in school.

After his marriage Mr. Miller located on
his father-in-law's farm of one hundred and
sixty-six acres in DeWitt county, and on the
death of Mr. McBride the property came into
possession of Mrs. Miller. Our subject con-
tinued to operate that farm until 1901, when
he removed to DeLand, but Mrs. Miller still
owns the place. In the meantime he had pur-
chased a farm of one hundred and two acres
south of Farmer City, which he sold in the
fall of 1901. and also bought three hundred
and eight acres in Carroll county, Missouri,
which is still in his possession.- Besides this
property he has sixteen and a quarter acres
at the edge of DeLand, which is a well-im-
proved place, he having remodeled the resi-
dence, built a barn, and in other ways en-
hanced its appearance. Here he raises some
stock, and he still continues to operate his
wife's farm, one hundred and sixty-six acres
of which is in De\Yitt county, and the re-
maining forty, which they have added, be-
ing just across the line in Piatt county. He
is a practical and progressive farmer, who
thoroughly understands the vocation and is
meeting with well-deserved success. He is
also a stockholder and director in the First
National Bank of DeLand, and is a man of
excellent business and executive ability.

Religiously, both Mr. and Mrs. Miller are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and fraternally, he is connected with the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and De
Land Camp, No. 2178, M. W. A. His po-
litical support is given the men and measures
of the Democracy, and he takes a deep in-
terest in public affairs. Pleasant and genial
in manner he makes many friends, and is held
in high regard by all who know him.

ALBERT HISER.

As the world has progressed in civili-
zation history is no longer a record of
wars and conquests or the tale of a power-
ful nation conquering a weaker one, but
has become the record of an enlightened
people whose energies are devoted to bus-
iness activity and a steady culture. There
is no country on the face of the globe that
has made such rapid advances along busi-
ness lines as has America, and every com-
munity has its leading and progressive
men who are the promoters of the pros-
perity of the towns which they represent.
To this class Albert Hiser belongs and he
is now largely engaged in dealing in
grain in La Place, where his operations
having assumed extensive proportions are
bringing to him very gratifying success.
He has resided in the village for six years
and for eighteen years has made his home
in Piatt county. He is, moreover, a na-
tive son of Illinois, his birth having oc-
curred in Macon county, this state, on the
5th of January, 1864. His parents were
John and Sarah (Hess) Hiser and the
father throughout his business career car-
ried on agricultural pursuits in Macon
county, but at length when he had ac-

298

PAST AND PRESENT

quired a comfortable competence he re-
moved to the village of Cerro Gordo,
where he is now living retired, enjoying
a rest which he has truly earned and
richly deserves.

Upon the old homestead and in the
usual manner of farmer lads of the period
Albert Hiser spent the days of his boy-
hood and youth. When a little lad of six
years he was supplied with the necessary
text books and made his way to the
country school near his home. Therein
as the years passed he mastered the
branches of learning usually taught in
such institutions and during the summer
months he assisted his father in the work
of field and meadow. He continued upon
his father's farm until the time of his mar-
riage, which was celebrated in 1883, the
lady of his choice being Miss Martha
Veagh, also a native of Macon county
and a daughter of John Veagh, who died in
Macon county. Mr. and Mrs. Hiser now
have two very interesting children, Bessie
and Firman.

After his marriage Mr. Hiser entered
upon an independent business career, re-
moving to Piatt county, where he pur-
chased a farm located in Cerro Gordo
township. With characteristic energy he
began its further development and im-
provement and he cultivated his land with
excellent results, producing good crops
annually and to the personal supervision
of his land he devoted his energies until
1897, when he removed to the village of
La Place. Here he became a factor in the
commercial pursuits, opening a general
mercantile store which he conducted for
three years. He then sold out in that line
and turned his attention to the grain busi-
ness, in which he has since continued. He

owns a large grain elevator at the west end
of the village and handles many hundreds
of bushels of grain annually, his business
forming an excellent market for the produc-
ers in this section. He is also a dealer in
coal and his annual sales of both commodi-
ties have reached a large figure. While care-
fully conducting his business affairs Mr. Hi-
ser has also faithfully performed his duties
of citizenship and is public spirited. He has
held several minor offices in his township
and for the past six years he has been a mem-
ber of the school board, doing all in his pow-
er to further the interests of education along
practical lines. His political support is
given the Democracy. Socially he is con-
nected with La Place Lodge No. 787, In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, of La
Place and both he and his wife are mem-
bers of the M. E. church here. He is a
man of distinctive ability and his character
is one which is above a shadow of re-
proach. He has been faithful in the posi-
tions in which he has been called to serve
and is widely known and respected by all
who have been at all familiar with his
honorable and useful career.

JOSEPH P. CARTER.

From the age of nine years Joseph P.
Carter has resided in Piatt county and now
owns and occupies a farm of eighty acres
on section 35, Bement township. His long
association with agricultural interests and
his excellent reputation in business circles
have made him widely known and gained
for him the unqualified regard of those with
whom he has been brought in contact. Ken-
tucky is the state of his nativity, his birth

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

299

having occurred in Grant county in 1854, his
parents being Landon S. and Sally Carter,
who were also natives of Grant county. The
father followed farming throughout his en-
tire life, and about 1863 he left his native
state and came with his family to Illinois,
settling in Piatt county, where he cultivated
a farm for a number of years. He next re-
moved to Kansas, where he lived for eight
or ten years, and on the expiration of that
period he took up his abode in Missouri,
where his remaining days were passed. He
lived to the ripe old age of seventy-three
years. In politics he was a Democrat, but
took no active part in political work, prefer-
ing to devote his time and energies to his
business affairs. His wife died in Missouri
about a year prior to the demise of her hus-
band. They were the parents of eleven chil-
dren, six sons and five daughters, and with
one exception all are yet living. Mr. Carter
of this review, however, is the only one who
resides in Piatt county, the others being res-
idents of Missouri.

Joseph P. Carter obtained his education
in the public schools of Cisco, Willow
Branch township, living at that time on the
Allegan farm. Five years ago he purchased
his present place on section 35, Bement
township, and here he has since engaged in
general farming and stockra-ising. Before
buying his present home, however, he was
manager of the Allerton farm in Unity
township and continued with Mr. Allerton
for twenty-four years as supervisor of his
place. He is most thorough and systematic
in his work, and everything about his home
is indicative of his careful supervision and
advanced ideas concerning farming.

In 1901 Mr. Carter was united in mar-
riage to Miss Nancy M. Carter, the widow
of O. T. Carter, a deceased brother of our

subject, and a daughter of Frank Nelson, of
Argenta, Illinois, who was an early settler
of that portion of the state, and died at an
advanced age. By her first marriage Mrs.
Carter had four children : Jesse O., who
is now in the employ of Samuel W. Aller-
ton, of Chicago; Willis L., who married
Miss Laura Trigg, by whom he has two
children and who resides in Bement, de-
voting his time and attention to the oper-
ation of a threshing machine; Edgar, who
resides with his mother ; and Nellie, the wife
of Walter Wells, who is living two miles
west of Bement. They have one child.

In his political views Mr. Carter is a
Democrat, his study of the questions and
issues of the day leading him to the belief
that the Democracy contains the best ele-
ments of good government, and has served
as school director of Unity township and
is deeply interested in the advancement of
education, realizing that it is one of the bul-
warks of the nation. His religious faith is
indicated by his membership in the Metho-
dist church, and at all times he is known as
a man of strong and upright character,
unfaltering in his fidelity to duty and to his
principles. Through a long residence in
Piatt county he has witnessed many of its
changes and has seen the work of improve-
ment carried forward until the district to-
day bears little resemblance to that in which
the family arrived forty years ago. During
his remembrance the wild prairie has been
transformed into productive farms which
have been made to bloom and blossom as
the rose, and along other lines of work
improvement has kept pace with the general
progress of the world. Mr. Carter takes a
just pride in what has been accomplished
here, and he certainly deserves great credit
for his personal success, for all that he has

300

PAST AND PRESENT

has been won through his untiring labor,
guided by sound business judgment and
prompted by laudable ambition.

REV. RICHARD B. HUBBART.

Rev. Richard B. Hubbart is now devot-
ing his time and attention to general farm-
ing on section i, Monticello township, Piatt
county, but he has devoted much of his life
to the work of the ministry, and it is a hard-
ship to him that his entire time and energies
cannot be directed for the betterment of
mankind and the advancement of moral
growth among his fellow men. His health,
however, prevents this, and, finding it im-
possible to longer continue in the active
work of the ministry, he retired to his fa-
ther's farm, which is situated just eight
miles from his birthplace. His natal day
was July 28, 1868.

His father, Hon. William C. Hubbart,
a distinguished and prominent citizen of
Piatt county, now living retired, was born
in Pickaway county, Ohio, October 26, 1835.
The ancestry of. the family, however, can
be traced farther back than this. The great-
grandfather of our subject was Thomas
Hubbart, a native of Maryland, and his son,
Richard Hubbart, the grandfather, was born
' in Pennsylvania. He became a well-to-do
and enterprising farmer, and after reaching
years of maturity he wedded Nancy Down,
who was born in Ohio in 1806. a daughter
of William Down. Richard Hubbart's birth
occurred in 1807, and the marriage was cele-
brated in the Buckeye state. In 1856 he re-
moved with his family to Piatt county, Illi-
nois, settling in what was then Goose Creek
township, where he purchased a tract of

land from the government, paying the usual
price of one dollar and twenty-five cents per
acre. His farm comprised one hundred and
sixty acres, to which he added from time to
time until it was an extensive property.
There he engaged in general farming and
stockraising until his death, which occurred
in the year 1859. He was for several years
swamp land commissioner in Piatt county,
and was well known as a leading and influ-
ential citizen. From the early days of his
residence here he was deeply interested in
whatever pertained to the progress and wel-
fare of the county, and his efforts proved a
patent factor in the substantial upbuilding
of this section of the state.

William C. Hubbart, the father of our
subject, was reared to farm life. He pursued
his education in the common schools, his
teacher being Samuel Morain. Upon his fa-
ther's farm he continued until his twentieth
year, and in' 1862, putting aside all busi-
ness and personal considerations, he respond-
ed to his country's call for aid, enlisting in
defense of the Union as a member of Com-
pany E, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Snell, of Clin-
ton, Illinois, commanding the regiment. Mr.
Hubbart took part in a number of skirmishes
and battles, but escaped without wounds,
nor was he taken prisoner. He served his
country faithfully until June, 1865, for some
time acting as division mail-carrier, and aft-
er the close of the war was honorably dis-
charged, returning then to his home in
Goose Creek township. He was twice mar-
ried, the first union being with Miss Clarin-
da Marquis, their wedding being celebrated
Xovember 19. 1857, and in 1858 Mrs. Hub-
bart was called from this life, leaving a lit-
tle daughter, Florence, who is now the wife
of Wylie M. DeWess, of DeLand, Illinois.

-PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

301

In 1862 Air. Hubbart was again married,
his second union being with Mrs. Luanda
Coon, a daughter Mr. and Airs. Bartholo-
mew Ham, who lived on the Ezra Marquis
place in a little pioneer cabin. The second
marriage of Mr. Hubbart resulted in the fol-
lowing children : Willie, who died in infan-
cy; Edith P., who is a teacher; Richard B.,
a farmer; Jennie M., the wife of Dr. F. P.
Stedem, of Saybrook, Illinois; Oliver S.,
who is a student in the State University at
Champaign ; Delia S., who is the wife of
Dr. A. F. Conard and resides in Homer, Il-
linois; and Dwight C, who is a student in
the Northwestern University at Evanston,
Illinois.

Throughout his business career Hon.
William C. Hubbart followed agricultural
pursuits, and became one of the prosperous
farmers of Piatt county. His landed pos-
sessions are extensive and he still owns a fine
farm of five hundred acres in Goose Creek
township, together with a tract of one hun-
dred and sixty acres in Moultrie county, Il-
linois, eighty acres in Champaign county
and a farm in Sangamon county. He is
classed among the largest landowners of this
section of the state, and as one of the most
prosperous representatives of the agricultur-
al class. His success is well-merited, and
lias been so worthily won that the most en-
vious cannot grudge him his prosperity. He
sustains an unassailable reputation as a busi-
ness man, and his industry, perseverance
and sound discriminating judgment have
formed the basic elements of his career. He
now occupies a nice home in Alonticello,
tastefully furnished with attractive sur-
roundings, and there he is enjoying a well-
earned rest. Well fitted for leadership, he
has left the impress of his individuality upon
public thought and action. He served in

the legislature in the year 1874 and again
in 1895, elected on the Republican ticket.
While a member of the house he gave care-
ful considration to every question which
came up for settlement, and his official career
has been characterized by conscientious fidel-
ity to duty and patriotic devotion to the wel-
fare of the state. Fraternally he is con-
nected with Franklin Post, No. 256, G. A.
R., and in this organization, as in other
walks of life, he enjoys the highest regard
and good will of those with whom he is
brought in contact.

Richard B. Hubbart, whose name intro-
duces this review, obtained his early edu-
cation in the common schools near his home,
and later attended the Wesleyan University
at Bloomington, Illinois, but had been there
only one year when his health failed him,
and he was obliged to discontinue his stud-
ies. Prior to this, in 1888, 1889 and 1890.
he taught school in Piatt county. A year
before going to the university he entered
upon the work of the ministry in connec-
tion with the Methodist Episcopal church,
and for one year he was the pastor of the
church of his denomination at Weedman,
Illinois, and for two years at Thomasboro.
He was then appointed to the church at Og-
den. and while acting as pastor for the sec-
ond year his health again failed and he was
forced to resign. For some time he was
very ill, and in March, 1890, he removed to
his father's farm, where he is now located
for the benefit of his health. He is gaining
in strength and health and feels happy in
that he has a country home to which he can
retire when his strength will not permit him
to engage in ministerial labors that being
his chosen life work. He expects when he
has sufficiently recovered to gain the doc-
tor's consent to again enter into active rela-

302

PAST AND PRESENT

tions with the ministry. He was very suc-
cessful in his labors in behalf of the moral
advancement of mankind and while he was
preaching he had between four and five hun-
dred conversions in his church.

On the gth of May, 1894, Rev. Hubbart
was united in marriage to Miss Iris Porter,
and it was in the same year that he entered
into conference relations. The lady is a
daughter of Austin and Emma (Jones)
Porter and was born in Parnell, DeWitt
county, near Farmer City. Her father was
a grain merchant at Parnell and owns a
farm adjoining the town. He is now living
retired, having gained a comfortable com-
petence, sufficient to supply him with all the
necessities and many of the comforts of life.
Mrs. Hubbart taught schools in Piatt coun-
county for ten years prior to her marriage.
She has a brother, Clarence Porter, who is
now^in Oklahoma, and a sister, Delia, who
is teaching school in Champaign county,
Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hubbart have
been born three children, who are yet living,
and they lost one, Harold Evan, the young-
est, who was born on 5th of September,
1902, and died on the I3th of November of
the same year. The other children of the
family are Faith Iris, who was born April
19, 1895, at Weedman, and is now attending
school; Ruth Frances, born at Ogden City,
this state, February 21, 1899; and Paul
Richard, born on the home farm October
23, 1901.

Mr. Hubbart is a member of the Modern
Woodmen of America, having joined Pop-
lar Camp, No. 253, on the 6th of June,
1895, at Farmer City. His wife has been
an able assistant to him in his work, both
upon the farm and in the ministry, carefully
superintending the household and encour-
aging him by her sympathy and deep inter-

est in whatever he undertakes. At the pres-
ent time Mr. Hubbart is engaged in the
raising of corn, oats and clover. He also
has upon his farm twenty-six head of cattle
and fifty sheep, together with a number
of hogs. In the past year he had a drove of
seventy hogs, but thirty-five were killed by
cholera. The ' farm is a well improved
place with good buildings and modern
equipments, and in its control Mr. Hubbart
shows excellent business ability. It would
be almost tautological in this connection to
enter into any series of statements as show-
ing him to be a man of genuine public spirit
and broad human sympathy for this has
Ijeen shadowed forth between the lines of
this review. His deepest interests lie in
the welfare of his fellow men, in the line of
character development and his efforts in
this direction have been far-reaching and of
marked benefit.

JOHN ETNOYER.

Since 1893 John Etnoyer has lived re-
tired in the village of Cerro Gordo, but for
a number of years he was extensively and
successfully engaged in farming, and is still
the owner of valuable land. He has resided
in Piatt county since 1880, and no agricul-
turist of this section of the state occupies a
higher position in the esteem of his fellow-
townsmen. Mr. Etnoyer is a native of Dau-
phin county, Pennsylvania, born on the first
of February, 1834, and is a son of Henry
and Mary (Stupher) Etnoyer, both of
whom were natives of the Keystone state.
There they spent their entire lives, both hav-
ing now passed away and the father devoted
his attention to agricultural pursuits in order
to provide for his family.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

303

At the Msual age John Etnoyer entered
the public schools, to prepare for life's prac-
tical and responsible duties. He- continued
his studies during the winter months and
during the summer seasons remained at
home, assisting his father in the work of
the farm. The sun shone clown on many a
field which he plowed and planted and
ripened the grain which sprung from the
seed that he sowed. He became familiar
with farm work in all its departments and
was thus well equipped to carry on similar
Work when he started out in life independ-
ently. He chose as a companion and help-
mate for life's journey Miss Mary Holin-
ger, who was born in Dauphin county,
where their wedding was celebrated. Her
parents, Christian and Nancy (Kinzie) Hol-
inger, were also natives of Dauphin county,
and the father carried on farming there in
his early life, while later he operated a
woolen mill. Both he and his wife died in
the county of their nativity. The marriage
of Mr. and Mrs. Etnoyer has been blessed
with four children : Emma, who is.now the
wife of Michael Stookey, who is a farmer of
Bement township, Piatt county ; Anna, now
the wife of Samuel Diehl. a farmer living
in Cerro Gordo township; Frank, who
married Lizzie Shively, and is an agricul-
turist of Cerro Gordo township; and Ida,
the deceased wife of Samuel Landis, who
now resides in the village of Cerro Gordo.

After his marriage Mr, Etnoyer en-
gaged in the burning of lime in Dauphin
county, and later turned his attention to
farming, which he followed in his native
state for six years. He then came to the
west, settling first in Edgar county, Illinois,
where he purchased a tract of land and en-
gaged in general farming until 1880. That
year witnessed his arrival in Piatt countv.

He settled in Cerro Gordo township, where
he secured a tract of land, and for thirteen
years he devoted his energies to its cultiva-
tion and improvement until 1893, when he
determined to put aside further business
cares and spend his remaining days in the
enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
He then took up his abode in Cerro Gordo,
where he has since lived. He yet owns a
farm of one hundred and twenty acres
north of town and another tract of land
southeast of Cerro Gordo. In addition to
this he has a nice residence in the west part
of the village which he and his w r ife now oc-
cupy.

Mr. Etnoyer served as a school director
in Edgar county for some time and took a
deep interest in everything pertaining to
the welfare and improvement of the schools.
In politics he has ever been a stalwart Rep-
publican, giving his support to the party
since he attained his majority and never fal-
tering in his allegiance to its principles.
Both he and his wife are members of the
German Baptist church. His life history
is another instance of what can be accom-
plished in this land where opportunity is
not hampered by caste or class, but where
energy and strong purpose form the basis
of success. Not to any fortunate combina-
tion of circumstances or to the aid of influ-
ential friends does Mr. Etnoyer owe his
prosperity. It may all be attributed to his
own efforts and his business career is such
as any man might be proud to possess, for
it has ever been characterized by industry
and unswerving integrity. He possesses
in full measure the ennobling qualities which
command respect, and his honesty and fair-
ness have gained for him the confidence and
good will of all with whom he has been as-
sociated.

PAST AND PRESENT

HIRAM DILLIN.

It is with pleasure that we present to our
readers the life record of Hiram Dillin, for
through the conduct of business affairs,
which have been capably managed and well
directed by sound judgment and energy, he
has acquired a competence that now enables
him to live retired and enjoy the fruits of
his former toil. For many years he was
connected with agricultural interests in Piatt
county, and now he occupies a fine residence
in Monticello, where he has lived continuous-
ly since 1895. His residence in the county
dates from an early day, and he is therefore
familiar with much of its history, while his
own labors have been of particular benefit in
the line of agricultural development.

A native of Virginia, Mr. Dillin was
born upon a farm in Taylor county in the
Old Dominion, his natal day being July n,
1837. His parents were Thomas and Mary
(McDonald) Dillin, both of whom were na-
tives of Virginia, and during the early boy-
hood of their son, Hiram, they left that state,
removing to Hocking county, Ohio, in the
year 1845. There the parents settled perma-
nently and the father devoted his attention
to farming and stock-raising. For about eigh-
teen years he carried on his work there, and
in 1863 he was called to his final rest, while
his wife passed away the following year.
They were the parents' of eleven children,
four daughters and seven sons, all of whom
reached adult age, while five of the number
are still living, two being residents of Wis-
consin, one of northwestern Indiana and two
of Minnesota.

Hiram Dillin, whose name introduces this
record, began his education in the district
schools of Ohio, near his boyhood home. He
remained upon the farm until he attained his

twentieth year, and during that time he spent
the summer months in the work of the fields.
In early spring he assisted in the plowing and
planting and in late autumn he aided in har-
vesting the crops. When in his twentieth
year, however, he left home to earn his own
livelihood, working as a farm hand during
the summer months. In the year 1857 Mr.
Dillin came west to Piatt county, and as he
had no capital with which to purchase land
and engage in farming on his own account,
he continued to work as a farm hand, being
employed in this way for about five years,
most of the time in the service of William
Bryden.

In 1863 was celebrated the marriage of
Mr. Dillin and Miss Mary G. Bryden, of
Goose Creek township, a daughter of his em-
ployer, William Bryden and the latter's wife,
Mrs. Catherine (Batie) Bryden. After his
marriage Mr. Dillin spent one year in Monti-
cello, where he followed various business pur-
suits. On the expiration of that period he
returned to Goose Creek township, and en-
gaged in the operation of his father-in-law's
farm, making his home thereon for five
years. At the end of that ime, with the
money he had acquired, he purchased eighty
acres of land, and also receiving a part of
Mr. Bryden's old homestead, he became the
owner of one hundred and sixty acres. With
characteristic energy and unremitting zeal he
took up farm work on his own account, and
in connection with the raising of cereals best
adapted to the soil and climate he engaged
in feeding hogs and cattle, thus readily turn-
ing the products of his farm into money. In
all of his business career he displayed marked
energy and determination and. overcoming
all obstacles that could be met by persistent,
earnest effort, he worked his way upward to
the goal of prosperity. He made excellent

HIRAM DILLIN

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

307

improvements upon his property, including
the erection of a good dwelling, a barn, out-
buildings and sheds. All modern equipments
and accessories were added to the place, and
the farm was developed into a splendid prop-
erty, which is now occupied by his son, Rob-
ert, the only child of his first marriage.

In 1881 Mr. Dillin was called upon to
mourn the loss of his first wife, and later he
wedded Mrs. S. J. Welch, an estimable lady,
who was educated in the schools of Monti-
cello and is widely and favorably known in
Piatt county. She lost her mother when only
five years of age, and was reared by James A.
Piatt. who sent her to the schools of Monti-
cello. Her father died in 1866. He was a
prominent old citizen of Piatt county, coming
here in 1855. and was the owner of a valu-
able farm of four hundred acres known as
the Thomas Reed property. By her former
marriage Mrs. Dillin had one son, James
Piatt Welch, now a street car conductor of
St. Louis.

It was in November, 1895, that Mr. Dil-
lin removed from his farm to the city, put-
ting aside the more arduous cares of business
life in order to enjoy a rest which he has
truly earned and richly deserves. In 1894 he
had purchased his land in Monticello and had
erected thereon his present fine residence.
This is an attractive home, modern in all of
its appointments and equipments, is tastefully
furnished and is surrounded by a broad ve-
randa eight feet in width, which adds much
to the beauty as well as the comfort of the
dwelling. The lawn is well-kept and deco-
rated with beautiful flowers and trees, and al-
together the home is one of the most pleas-
ing in Monticello. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dillin
hold membership in the First Presbyterian
church and Mrs. Dillin takes a very active
part in church work.

Forty-six years have passed since Hiram
Dillin arrived in Piatt county, and thus from
early pi< nicer days he has watched the prog-
ress and development of this portion of the
state. In matters of improvement he has
been deeply interested, and to such has often
given his co-operation. He certainly deserves
great credit for what he has accomplished,
for he started out in life empty-handed. He
had no influential friends or inheritance to
assist him, and he had to learn the value of
persistent industry, close economy and care-
ful management. Upon this safe and sure
foundation, however, he has reared the su-
perstructure of success, and as the architect
of his own fortunes has builded wisely and
well. Such a record is of greater value than
the possession of material wealth, for it in-
dicates a personality strong, efficient and re-
liable. Tried in the battle of life he has not
failed. Wherever known he is held in high
regard and as an honored pioneer and highly
respected citizen he is certainly deserving of
prominent mention in the history of his
adopted county.

NATHAN HANELINE.

No history of Piatt county would pre-
sent a faithful picture of the locality and
its upbuilding without prominent and ex-
tended mention of Nathan Haneline who
passed away in 1903 after long years of
residence in this county dating from its
early pioneer days. At the time of his
death he was the oldest living pioneer in
this section of Illinois. A native of Ohio
his birth occurred in Greene county on
the 22d of November, 1815, his parents

3 o8

PAST AND PRESENT

being Abram and Alsey (Moslander)
Haneline. The father was a native of
North Carolina, where he spent the first
eighteen years of his life, removing thence
to Kentucky with his mother. In the lat-
ter state he was married and afterward
went to Champaign county, Ohio, where
he lived for some years. In 1822 he came
from Ohio to Illinois and for two years
was a resident of Sangamon county. It
was there that the mother of our subject
died in the spring of 1823, and in the
spring of the following year the father
came with his children to Piatt county,
locating within the present limits of San-
gamon township, where he spent his re-
maining days. He belonged to that class
of representative early citizens to whom
the present generation owes a debt of
gratitude, for what they accomplished in
the work of preparing the way for ad-
vancement and improvement at a later
date. He assisted in the arduous task of
developing new land and gave his in-
fluence in behalf of every measure for the
general welfare, so that when he was
called to his final rest the community
mourned the loss of one whose value was
great and who had come to be widely
known and honored in this section of the
state.

Nathan Haneline was the last sur-
viving member of the family of ten chil-
dren. He was reared amid the wild
scenes of frontier life, sharing with the
family in all the hardships and trials
which fall to the lot of the pioneer.
Around the home for long distances
stretched the unbroken prairie, while
along the stream the native timber grew
and the work of development lay in the
future. The Indians were still numerous

in the neighborhood and Mr. Haneline
had the little sons of the forest as his
playmates. They belonged to the Potta-
watomie, Kickapoo and Delaware tribes.
Mr. Haneline shared in their sports, went
hunting with them and often slept in
their wigwams. He acquired a know-
ledge of their languages and greatly en-
joyed with them the pleasures which they
indulged, the Indian always proving
friendly to him. He had in his posses-
sion up to the time of his death a number
of interesting relics as mementoes of his
early associations with the tribes. How-
ever, his early youth was not all a period
of pleasure, indeed, the greater part of
his time was devoted to farm work and as
soon as old enough to handle the plow he
began work in the fields. Throughout
his entire business career he carried on
farming and stock-raising and for more
than a half century he resided upon the
farm which was his place of residence at
the time of his demise, taking up his abode
there in 1850. The farm is situated on
section 14, Monticello township, and com-
prises two hundred and forty acres of
very rich land. When he settled on this
place there were but three families living
in the entire district. At first he did his
farming after the primitive manner of the
times, but as improved agricultural im-
plements were introduced he kept apace
with the general progress and had better
facilities to aid him in his farm work. He
practiced the strictest economy and the
most unfaltering industry in his early days
and thus as the years passed he added to
his financial resources, ultimately becom-
ing one of the substantial residents of his
community.

There is a period of romance in the

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

309

early history of Mr. Haneline, for he was
but eighteen years of age when he sought
in marriage the hand of Miss Sarah
Souder, who was then but fifteen years of
age. 'Her parents were Peter and Mary
Souder, who were residents of Champaign
county, Illinois. Piatt county then
formed a part of Macon county and her
parents resided on the Champaign county
line. The course of true love did not run
smoothly, however, for the young couple.
Their marriage was opposed by the par-
ents because of their youth and because
of the impecunious condition of the young
lover. However, they were not to be de-
terred by parental objection and finally
the parents reluctantly consented to the
marriage and arrangements were made
for the wedding. The trousseau of the
bride was not very elaborate, the wedding
dress of white costing but seventy-five
cents a yard. The groom went to Pekin
to purchase his wedding suit and the shoes
for the occasion were the third pair he had
ever owned. They were married on the
I2th day of November, 1833, and Abe
Haneline, a brother of the groom, went to
Urbana to secure a justice of the peace to
perform the ceremony. They were de-
layed on the return trip and did not
reach their destination until eleven o'clock
at night. When everything was ready it
was discovered that the license was issued
in Champaign county and that if the wed-
ding was legal it must take place in that
county. Fortunately the parents lived on
the county line, so the party proceeded
across the line and under a giant oak the
marriage ceremony was solemnized. This
was the beginning of a long and happy
married life, in which they shared together
the joys and sorrows, the adversity and

prosperity which come to all. They be-
came the parents of eight children, of
whom the living are James, now a resi-
dent of Piatt county; Mary Jane, the wife
of Jacob M. Freeman of Jasper county,
Missouri ; Peter, who lives in Piatt coun-
ty; Elizabeth, the wife of David Shipman;
Columbus Thomas of Stafford county,
Kansas. Those deceased are Sarah H.,
John and one that died in infancy. After
traveling life's journey side by side as man
and wife for fifty-six years Mr. and Mrs.
Haneline were separated in death, the
wife being called to her final rest. Mr.
Haneline afterward made his home during
the greater part of the time with his son
James. He is survived by his five chil-
dren, twenty-six grandchildren and thirty
great-grandchildren.

In his political views Mr. Haneline was
always a stanch Democrat and did
everything in his power to promote the
growth and insure the success of his
party. He served as township school
treasurer and did what he could to pro-
mote education in this section of the state.
In 1855 he aided in organizing lodge No.
58 F. & A. M., becoming one of its char-
ter members and throughout the re-
mainder of his life he was identified with
the organization. His history is unique
in that he lived in four counties without
moving out of the neighborhood. He
was first a resident of Sangamon, then of
Macon, later of DeWitt and lastly of
Piatt county. In matters pertaining to
the general good he was deeply interested
and his interest was often that of active
co-operation. He desired to see the sub-
stantial development of the county and
his assistance was of a practical nature
that leaves lasting results. Death came

3io

PAST AND PRESENT

to him at the advanced age of eighty-
seven years. The vital forces slowly
ebbed and at last rest came, but he went
about the house up to within a short
time prior to his demise. It was compara-
tively only a few hours in which he had
not the use of his faculties. His friends
and neighbors had learned to respect and
honor him because of his genuine worth,
his freedom from ostentation and his life
of integrity and honor and because of the
important part which he performed in the
improvement of Piatt county and be-
cause he was so long a representative of
its business interests we take the greatest
pleasure in presenting his record to our
readers.

JACOB GROSS.

No better illustration of the characteris-
tic energy and enterprise of the typical Ger-
man-American citizen can lie found than
that afforded by the career of this gentle-
man, who is successfully engaged in farm-
ing and stockraising on section 36, Unity
township. Coming to this country with no
capital ex-cept his abilities he has made his
way to success through wisely directed ef-
fort and he can now look back with satis-
faction upon past struggles.

Mr. Gross was born in Waldshut coun-
ty. Baden, Germany, on the 23d of October,
1845. and is a son of Casper and Rachel
(Gross) Gross, also natives of that coun-
try, where his father followed the trade of
wagonmaking until his immigration to
America in 1863. In the family were seven
children, five of whom are now living :
Casper, a furniture dealer of Atwocd. Illi-
nois : Henry, a' general merchant of the

same place; Theodore, who is living retired
in Atwood ; Rachel, wife of William Berch-
er, of Atwood; and Jacob, our subject.
Those deceased are Salina and Mary. The
first of the family to come to the new world
was Henry, who settled in Chicago in 1857,
and there followed the carpenter's trade for
a time. Theodore and Salina also came in
1857; Casper in 1861, and the remainder of
the family in 1864. The father was acci-
dently killed while walking on the railroad
track August 3, 1883, at the age of eighty-
one years.

Jacob Gross was reared and educated in
his native land and although his home was
in a- village, 'he worked on a farm -during
his boyhood and youth, and has always fol-
lowed agricultural pursuits. In 1864 he ac-
companied his parents on their immigration
to America, and coming direct to Illinois,
settled on section 36, Unity township, Piatt
count}-. He purchased the Ned Shunk-
wieler farm, which was a partially im-
proved place of one hundred and sixty-five
acres, and also bought forty-seven acres of
land where he low lives. He has since made
many improvements upon his farm which
to-day is well tiled and fenced, and he is suc-
cessfuly engaged in general farming and
stock-raising, making a specialty of draft
horses. He also keeps a good grade of
cattle and has prospered in all his under-
takings.

On the 26th of December, 1872, Mr.
Grosi was united in marriage to Miss Kath-
erine Scheffer, a daughter of Henry and
Katherine Scheffer, both of whom are now
deceased. Mrs. Gross was born in Hesse-
Cassel, Germany, and became the mother of
nine children, those still living being Cas-
per, Mary. Arthur. Annie, Mollie and Ma-
linda. The wife and mother died .August
29, 1892. when in the prime of life, and

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

two childden died when about seventeen
years of age. For his second wife Mr.
Gross married Christina Peterson, who was
born in Holstein, Germany, and by whom he
has two children, Robert and William. The
children have all been given good educa-
tional advantages and are well fitted for
life's responsible duties.

In 1879 he became identified with James
A. Hawkins in the manufacture of brick and
tile at Atwood, a business which they carried
on quite successfully under the firm name
of Hawkes & Gross until 1893, since which
time our subject has given his attention
principally to his farming interests. In his
political views he is a stalwart Republican
and is one of the standard bearers of his
party in Piatt county. He has served as a
member of the board of education in At-
wood, as trustee of the Mutual Telephone
Company of the place, and trustee of the
cemetery there. He has also been vice pres-
ident of the Farmer's Institute of Unity
township, and is a man of prominence and
influence in the community where he re-
sides. He is a member of the County Fair
Association and in this connection has done
much to advance the interests of this section
of the state. Religiously, Mr. Gross is a
member of the German Evangelical church
at Garrett, Douglas county, and he is
a man who commands the respect and confi-
dence of all with whom he is brought in
contact either in business or social life.

STEPHEN SHIVELY.

Piatt county is very rich in its agricul-
tural opportunities. . Throughout the length
and breadth of this land there can be found

no district <;f soil more productive or
which is better adapted to the production
of grain which is the basis of all business
prosperity. More than a century ago George
Washington said "Agriculture is the most
useful as well as the most honorable occu-
pation of man," and the truth of this state-
ment has been verified throughout the ages.
It is to this work that Stephen Shively has
devoted his energies through an active and
honorable business career, and now he is
living a retired life. He has made his home
in this section of Illinois for over forty-five
years', having settled in Oakley township,
Macon county, Illinois, near Cerro Gordo,
in 1858.

A native of Ohio. Mr. Shively was born
in Montgomery county on the 28th of De-
cember, 1828, and is a son of Jacob and
Susannah (Metzger) Shively, the former a
native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylva-
nia. The father was reared in Ohio and
there lived until 1836, at which time he re-
moved to Clinton county, Indiana, where
he carried on farming until his life's labors
were ended in death. His wife also passed
away in that county. They were the parents
of three children : Stephen ; Andrew, who
married Barbara Metzger and is living in
California ; and Mary, who is the widow of
John W. Metzger, and makes her home
with her children.

Stephen Shively was quite young when
he accompanied his parents on their removal
to Clinton county, Indiana, and there he ob-
tained his education in the public schools.
He also assisted his father in the work of
the home farm until his marriage, which
important event in his life occurred in the
year 1850, the lady of his choice being Miss
Catherine Metzger. She, too, was born in
Ohio, her birth occurring on the 4th of No-

312

PAST AND PRESENT

vember, 1832, near the place of the nativity
of pur subject. She is a daughter of John
and Hanna (Ullery) Metzger, the former
a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of
Ohio. Her father was an agriculturist, fol-
lowing that pursuit in the east until 1859,
when he came to Piatt county, Illinois, and
settled on a farm in Cerro Gordo towship.
Later he went to California, but soon re-
turned to Illinois and lived retired in Cerro
Gordo until his death, wlhich occurred in
1896. His wife passed away in 1887.

After his marriage Mr. Shively began
farming in Clinton county, Indiana, where
lie carried on agricultural pursuits for eight
years. t On the expiration of that period
he came to Illinois, establishing his home
in Oakley township, Macon county, where
he purchased a tract of land and at once be-
gan its development and improvement. There
he carried on general fanning with creditable
and gratifying success from 1858 until 1881.
when he removed to the village of Cerro
Gordo, wherehe has since lived a retired life.
In his farm work he was progressive and
enterprising, steadily advancing along all
lines which have proven of value in the
work of cultivating the fields and producing
excellent crops.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Shively has
been blessed with five children : John J.,
who married Miss L. Blickenstaff and is
now a resident farmer of Cerro 'Gordo
township; Solomon, who married Mary
Yont, and is engaged in carpentering in Ram-
sey, Illinois; Susannah, who is the wife of
Amos Ratsman, and resides on the old
homestead in Oakley township, Macon coun-
ty ; Hannah, who is the wife of John Cripe,
a farmer of Macon county, Illinois ; and
Jacob, who died in 1862, at the age of
two years. The parents are members of the

German Baptist Brethren church of Cerro
Gordo, and have lived earnest Christian
lives in harmony with their professions. In
political views Mr. Shively has always been
a Republican and has held a number of
minor offices. During his long residence
in this section of the state he has witnessed
almost its entire development and improve-
ment, and his interest in its welfare has
been indicated by the co-operation which he
has given to movements for the general
good. He is thoroughly genuine, there be-
ing not the slightest suggestion of anything
hypocritical about him. With him friend-
ship is inviolable, his word is as good as
his bond, and he clings with unyielding
firmness to a position which careful consid-
ation and mature judgment has convinced
him to be right.

ALONZO T. PIPHER.

The profession of law when clothed
with its true dignity, purity and strength
must rank first among the callings of men,
for law rules the universe. The work of
the legal profession is to formulate, to
harmonize, to regulate, to adjust, to ad-
minister those rules and principles that
underlie and permeate all government and
society and control the varied relations
of men. As thus viewed there is attached
to the profession nobleness that cannot
but be reflected in the life of the true law-
yer, who, rising to the responsibilities of
the profession, and honest in the pursuit
of his purpose, embraces the richness of
learning, the firmness of integrity and the
purity of morals, together with the graces

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

313

and modesty and the general amenities of
life. Of such a type Alonzo T. Pipher is
a representative. His connection with the
Piatt county bar covers a longer period
than that of any other resident of this
section of the state.

A native of New York Alonzo T.
Pipher was born in Jefferson county on
the 1 3th of May, 1831, and is a son of
Lewis and Sophronia (Gardner) Pipher.
It is thought that the father of our sub-
ject was a native of France and he fol-
lowed carpentering in Jefferson county,
New York, until August, 1854, when he
came to Illinois, settling near Blackberry,
Kane county. There he continued to
work at his trade for a number of years
and afterward removed to Miami county,
Kansas, where he spent his remaining
days, dying at the home of a son there.
His wife was a daughter of Hiram Gard-
ner, who was of English descent and was
a native of Connecticut, whence he re-
moved to New York at an early period in
the development of the Empire state. He
became one of the pioneers of Alexan-
dria, Jefferson county, and it was during
his residence there that Mrs. Pipher was
born. The tract of timber land which he
purchased lie developed into a rich and pro-
ductive farm and continued to make his
home thereon until his removal to Illinois,
where he cast in his lot with the pioneer
settlers of Kane county. There he en-
tered land from the government, securing
a tract of prairie about four and a half
miles west of Aurora and to its cultivation
and improvement he at once directed his
energies. He made his home on that
farm until 1847, when he died at about the
age of eighty years. His daughter, Mrs.
Pipher continued to survive her husband
for some time and died in Miami county,
Kansas, in 1884.

Alonzo Pipher of this review was one
of a family of ten children. He acquired
his preliminary education in the common
schools of Jefferson county, New York,
and when he had mastered the branches
of learning therein taught he became a
student in Aurora Academy at Aurora,
Cayuga county, New York, being then
nineteen years of age. For two years he
was enrolled among its pupils and then en-
tered Blackriver Institute at Watertown,
New York, where he prepared for admis-
sion to Hamilton College. In 1852 he
matriculated in that college and com-
pleted the work of two years, but failing
health obliged him to abandon his hope
of graduating there and he had to put aside
his text books. In September, 1854, Mr.
Pipher arrived in the west, reaching
Chicago on the 28th of that month. After
spending a few weeks in visiting friends
in Bloomington, Illinois, he went to
Springfield, afterward to St. Louis, Mis-
souri, and then to Kane county, Illinois. He
had relatives living in this place and after
renewing his acquaintance with them he
entered upon his business career in this
state, accepting a position as teacher at
Ross Grove, DeKalb county, where dur-
ing a six month's term he received a salary
of twenty dollars per month as compensa-
tion for his services and "boarded around"
among the pupils. In August, 1855, Mr.
Pipher met with an accident that incapaci-
tated him for any work for eighteen
months and during that period he re-
mained at his father's home in Blackberry.
In the fall of 1856 Mr. Pipher began ac-
tive preparation for the profession which
was his life work, becoming a law student
in the office and under the direction of
John Stephens at Dixon, Lee county. He
remained under that preceptor for a year
and then accepted a position as a teacher

I'AST AND PRESKXT

in \Yinthrop, Kane county, thus replen-
ishing his somewhat exhausted ex-
chequer. On the expiration of that pe-
riod lie located in Blooming-ton, where he
engaged in teaching school, devoting all
of his leisure hours, to the study of law.
In 1857 he was admitted to the bar and on
the 1 3th of April, 1858, he came to Monti-
cello, where he has since practiced. He
stands to-day as the nestor o'f the Piatt
county bar and has easily maintained a
leading position in the ranks of the legal
fraternity. Nature bountifully endowed
him with the peculiar qualifications that
combine to make a successful lawyer.
Patiently persevering, possessed of an
analytical mind, and one that is readily re-
ceptive and retentive of the fundamental
principles and intricacies of the law ; gifted
with a spirit of devotion to wearisome de-
tails; quick to comprehend the most sub-
tle problems and logical in his .conclusions ;
fearless in the advocacy of any cause he
may espouse, and the soul of honor and
integrity, few men have been more richly
gifted for the achievement of success in
the arduous difficult profession of the law.
Mr. Pipher was married July i, 1850,
to Sophia Singer, a native of Hummels-
town. Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and
a daughter of Jacob Singer. They be-
came the parents of the following chil-
dren : Ella Lillian, who is now the wife of
Elijah Hedrick; Albertina ; Florence, the
wife of Frederick Bostwick ; May ; Alonzo
S. : and Sophia. In 1872 Mr. Pipher was
called upon to mourn the loss of his wife
who died on the 28th of April, of that
year. He was again married May 5, 1880,
his second union being with Mrs. Caroline
H. Mentz, a daughter of John H. and
Mary Mona. Mrs. Pipher was born in
Ross county, Ohio, and first became the

wife of William Mentz, who died in
Monticello in 1869. By her first marriage
she had three children: Sarah B., now
the wife of Frederick Haines ; Nancy
Maria and William.

Mr. Pipher has served as police magis-
trate for a number of years and was also
for a long period master in chancery and
in the discharge of his official duties he
has ever been found prompt, faithful and
reliable. His political support is given to
the Republican party and he belongs to
the Methodist Episcopal church while his
wife is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and
stainless in reputation, such has been his
life record. His scholarly attainments,
his excellent judgment and his charming
powers of conversation would have en-
abled him to fill and grace any position
however exalted, but he has desired rather to
give attention to his professional labors.
He is honored in public life and loved by
his friends and close associates, and his
prominent position at the bar well en-
titles him to representation among the
leading citizens of his county.

BENJAMIN F. .LODGE.

Only those lives are worthy of record
that have been potential factors in the pub-
lic progress in promoting the general welfare
or advancing the educational or moral inter-
ests of the community. Mr. Lodge was a
man of noble character, much of whose life
was devoted to the betterment of his fellow
men, and the world is certainly better for his
having lived.

A native of Ohio, he was born in Read-
ing, that state, December 26, 1832, and was

B. F. LODGE

MRS. F. E. LODGE

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

319

a son of Benjamin F. and Julia A. (Brooks)
Lodge. His father was born in New Jersey,
and at an early day came to Illinois, taking
up his residence in Paris, where he and his
wife both died. For many years he served
as county surveyor of Edgar county, and
took an active part in public affairs. In his
family were seven children.

Mr. Lodge, of this review, was only
about five years old when the family removed
to this state, and his early education was ac-
quired in the schools near Paris. In 1856 he
united with the Methodist church in that city,
and determining to enter the ministry he aft-
erward took a theological course and joined
the Illinois conference in 1858. Coming to
Piatt county he entered upon his ministerial
labors, and for a time was junior preacher
on the Monticello circuit. Among his
charges were Bement, Cerro Gordo, Monti-
cello, Baker schoolhouse, Ridge school, Camp
Creek and several other places in the coun-
ties of Sangamon, Shelby, Cole, Edgar,
Douglas, Champaign, Piatt and Menard, but
at the end of nine years he was obliged to
giving up preaching on account of ill health,
and in 1866 located on a farm near Paris,
where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for
some years. He then came to Piatt county
and made his home on the farm now occu-
pied by his widow until called to his final rest.

On the 2 ist of April, 1862, Mr. Lodge
was married by Rev. Peter Cartwright to
Mrs. Frances E. Lyon, a daughter F. Ewing
and Eliza (Foster) Berry. Her maternal
grandfather was Constantine Foster, who
was born in Cape May county, New Jersey,
October 18, 1792, and was married in Cum-
berland county, that state, to Miss Margaret .
Sayre, who was born in the same county,
February 25, 1800. They had five children
born in Cape May county, New Jersey, who

accompanied their parents on their removal to
Dayton, Ohio, in 1832, and thence came to
Sangamon county, Illinois, in the autumn of
1833. The family first settled in what is now
Cartwright township, and two years later re-
moved to what is now gardner township. One
child was added to the family in Sangamon
county. Eliza, L., the oldest, was born in New
Jersey, May 13, 1820, and on the 22d of
June, 1837, in Sangamon county, gave her
hand in marriage to F. Ewing Berry, who
died four months later. A daughter, Fran-
ces E. Berry, was born of this union in San-
gamon county, June 4, 1838, and was mar-
ried August 27, 1857, to Henry F. Lyon.
His death occurred April 25, 1858, and their
only child, Ida, born September 14, 1858,
died in infancy. Mr. Lyon was engaged in
the shipping of stock at Mechanicsburg, Illi-
nois, and was only twenty-nine years of age
at the time of his death. Constantine Foster
died in Sangamon county, September 29,
1865, his wife April 9, 1867, and both were
laid to rest in the Pleasant Plains cemetery.
Their other children besides Mrs. Berry were
Catherine, who married John C. ,Bone, and
both are now deceased ; John S. ; Jacob ; Jo-
seph R. ; and Mary J.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lodge were born nine
children, of whom Benjamin F., Julia, Wil-
liam and Elmer are all now deceased. Those
living are as follows : Charles Albert, now
a contractor and builder of Lincoln, Nebras-
ka, married Miss Emma Hyder, of Bement,
Illinois, a daughter of Mrs. Martha Flynn,
and to them were born five children : Clar-
ence, who died in Oklahoma at the age of
eleven years ; Ethel, who died near Monticel-
lo, Illinois, at the age of two; Harold V., now
ten years of age; Hazel Marie, aged eight;
and Charles Norman, aged six. Frank, the
second son of Mr. and Mrs. Lodge, is a rail-

320

PAST AND PRESENT

road man and resides- at home with his moth-
er. Fannie May is the wife of H. .C. Body,
of Bement, and has three children : Alta May,
William Neville and Harriet L. Howard F.
manages the farm for his mother, and Daisy
K. is also at home. All were born in Piatt
county with exception of Benjamin F., whose
birth occurred at Windsor, Illinois ; and Wil-
liam, whose birth occurred in Edgar county.
The family reside on the old home place on
section i, Bement township, and are people
of prominence in that community.

Mr. Lodge departed this life July 6, 1902,
and in life's span of almost seventy years he
accomplished much, leaving behind him an
honorable record well worthy of perpetua-
tion. He was devoted to the work of the
church even after leaving the ministry, and
always took a deep interest in religious af-
fairs. Domestic in his tastes he displayed
a great fondness for his home, and was a
most exemplary husband and father. He
was also much attached to children, and was
especially the young man's friend, aiding him
by his wise counsel and advance as well as by
more material assistance. His death occa-
.it<ned the deepest regret throughout the com-
munity, and Piatt county thereby lost one of
its most valued citizens and an earnest Chris-
tian gentleman. His remains were interred
in the Monticello cemetery.

JAMES P. RAY.

James P. Ray, deceased, through the
years of his identification with Piatt coun-
ty, enjoyed the highest respect of his fel-
low citizens by reason of his strict in-
tegrity and sterling worth. Almost his
entire life was passed in Illinois, for he was

born in Marion county, this state, on the
ist of May, 1848, and lived at the place
of his birth until twenty-six years of age.
His parents were Alfred and Mary (Mor-
gan) Ray, the former of whom was born
and reared in North Carolina and the lat-
ter in Tennessee. At an early day they
came to Illinois and settled in the southern
part of the state. By occupation the
father was a merchant and farmer and in
religious belief was a Methodist, while his
wife held membership in the Christian
church. Both died in Marion county at
an advanced age.

Reared in the county of -his nativity,
James P. Ray was indebted to its public
schools for his early educational advan-
tages. When a young man he assisted in
the work of the home farm and on leaving
the parental roof went to Kansas, where
he engaged in farming for three years.
On his return to Illinois, he took up his
residence in Unity township, Piatt county,
where he continued to follow the same
pursuit for some years. He next removed
to Bement township, where he continued
to engage in farming and stock-raising
until his death. He operated three hun-
dred and twenty acres of well improved
and valuable land here and also had a
good farm of ninety acres in Marion
county, Illinois. His life was one of thrift
and industry and the success that came to
him was due to his well directed efforts,
keen discrimination and sound judgment.

On the igth of March, 1874, Mr. Ray
was united in marriage to Miss Electa B.
Wooters, also a native of Marion county
and a daughter of E. J. and Elizabeth
(Richardson) Wooters, both of whom are
now deceased. Her father was born in
North Carolina and her mother in Ten-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

321

nessee. Both were faithful members of the
Methodist church and people of the high-
est respectability. During his active
business life Mr. Wooters engaged in
merchandising and for some time served
as postmaster of Raccoon, Marion coun-
ty. Mrs. Ray now makes her home upon
a farm in Bement township and with her
reside three children of her sister, the
boys having charge of the farm.

In politics Mr. Ray was a Democrat
and for a time he held the office of school
director. He was a member of the Ma-
sonic Order and his life was in harmony
with its teachings. He died in Bement
township, March 31, 1896, honored and
respected by all who knew him. Like her
husband Mrs. Ray is also held in the high-
est esteem and has a host of warm friends
in the community where she has long
made her home.

JAMES FISHER.

One of the most energetic and successful
agriculturists of Piatt county is James
Fisher, who now resides on section 14, Be-
ment township, where he is operating a half
section of rich farming land. He was born
upon that place September 9, 1860, and is
a son of Elihu Fisher, who was also a native
of Illinois, born in one of the pioneer homes
in Greene county, at Roodhouse, November
29, 1825. Elihu Fisher was left fatherless
at the age of ten years, but his mother lived
to an advanced age and died in Macoupin
county, this state. He grew to manhood on
a farm in the county of his nativity, and on
leaving there in 1857 he came to Piatt coun-
ty, taking up his residence in Bement town-

ship, where for many years he was actively
engaged in farming. In course of time he
accumulated a valuable property and was
enabled to retire, passing his declining years
free from the care and labor that beset his
early life. His farm, which was one of the
finest in that part of the county, comprised
five hundred and sixty acres of well im-
proved land of surpassing fertility and its
improvements were of the best. Besides
this, he owned other valuable property in
the village of Bement. His life record was
an honorable one, alike to himself and to
the community in which he so long resided,
and where he was always held in high es-
teem of his fellow men. He always dis-
played a zealous interest in the welfare of
adopted township, and aided in carrying on
its public affairs in the several township of-
fices that he at various times held. To his
zeal while holding the office of highway
commissioner his section of the county is
greatly indebted for the improvements
made in its roads and byw T ays. He was also
interested in advancing educational matters
and made many improvements in that re-
gard while holding various school offices.
He was a man of force, and had decided
opinions and a fine appreciation of what
was right and what wrong, and was a
strong advocate of any measure that he be-
lieved would tend to improve the district
in which he lived. He served throughout
the Mexican war and took part in the battle
of Buena Vista and other important engage-
ments. Shortly before his death he united
with the Presbyterian church and died in
that faith in Bement township at the age
of seventy-one years. He was a member of
the Masonic order for many years. At the
time of his death he owned five hundred and
twenty acres of land in Piatt county, be-

322

PAST AND PRESENT

sides his village property and a valuable
farm in Lee county, Illinois.

In Greene county, Illinois, Elihu Fisher
married Miss Lydia J. Rawlins, who was
a native of that county and survived him
until a year ago, when she died on the
home farm at the age of seventy years,
She was also a member of the Presbyterian
church and was a most estimable lady. In
their family were ten children, namely :
Sarah E., wife of Robert Lamb; Cordelia
A., wife of Joseph Zorger; William Bur-
gess; James; Effie, wife of Daniel Hall:
Charles ; Kate ; Mary and Fred.

James Fisher received his early educa-
tion in the district schools near his boyhood
home, and for one year attended the uni-
versity at Rloomington. After completing
his education lie assisted his father upon
the home farm and also operated a farm
near the- village of Cerro Gordo, which he
then owned. Throughout his active busi-
ness life he has engaged in farming and
stock-raising and to-day has one of the
model farms of the county. In addition
to his interest in his father's estate he has
recently purchased thirteen hundred and
sixty acres of bottom land in Missouri. He
is quite extensively engaged in the raising
of high grade road horses and in all his un-
dertakings has met with -well-deserved suc-
cess for he is energetic, enterprising and pro-
gressive and thoroughly understands the
vocation which he follows.

In July, 1895, Mr. Fisher was united in
marriage to Miss Sarah N. Creighton, a
daughter of Matthew and Maria (Groves)
Creighton. Her father was a native of
Delaware, and from that state removed to
Ohio in 1840, and in 1852 came to Illinois,
locating in Cerro Gordo township, Piatt
county, where he became the owner of a fine
farm of five hundred and sixty acres on

which he made all the improvements. His
residence was built in 1860. In 1849 he
married Maria Groves, and to them were
born eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher
have six children : Grover F., Mamie Etta,
Ollie May, Orville, Ralph and Lydia J., all
born in Bement township with the exception
of Grover, who was born in Cerro Gordo
township.

Mr. Fisher is a member of the Presbyte-
rian church and for many years has been
connected with the Masonic fraternity. Po-
litically, he is identified with the Demo-
cratic party and takes a deep interest in
public affairs. He is widely and favorably
known in the community where he resides,
and those who know him best are numbered
among his warmest friends, a fact which
plainly indicates an upright and honorable
career.

JOHN N. DARST.

John N. Darst is a well-known contrac-
tor and builder residing in Mansfield. He
stands to-day prominent in business cir-
cles, and his life record proves what can be
accomplished through the force of energy,
determination and honorable dealing. He
was born in Circleville, Pickaway county,
Ohio, on the I4th of October, 1855, and is
a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Evans)
Darst. The father was a shoemaker by
trade and followed that pursuit for thirty
years, but later in life, however, engaged in
farming. In 1861 he removed from Ohic
to Marshall, Clark county. Illinois, and after
a few years residence in that locality came
to Piatt county. He died June 4, 1896, and
the mother of our subject passed away Sep-
tember 4, 1871.

John N. Darst pursued his studies in the

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

323

Argo schoolhouse in Sangamon township,
Piatt county, but in early youth he started
out upon his business career. When about
thirteen years of age he began to earn his
own living, working as a farm hand at
eight dollars per month. At the age of
eighteen years he began farming -for him-
self and was thus engaged during the years
of 1873-4-5. He then commenced to learn
the builder's art, and in 1876 he took up
his abode in Mansfield, where he has since
resided. Becoming an expert workman in
the line of building he turned his attention
to contracting, and has erected the majority
of the best buildings in Mansfield during
the past twenty-five years, including the
Sisson department store, First National
Bank building, the State Bank building,
Hotel Monroe, the high school building, a
fine structure erected in 1895, and many
others of a public and private character. In
the first part of the year 1903 he erected
eight buildings. He employs his own ma-
sons, painters and workmen of all kinds,
and he takes contracts all over this part of
the state, also doing work in Chicago. He
thoroughly understands the builder's art
in every particular, and his labors have
brought to him very gratifying success as
the years have gone by. Mr. Darst is also
one of the directors and was one of the or-
organizers of the First National Bank in
Mansfield. He owns five houses and lots
in this city, and his property interests are
the visible evidence of his life of industry
and thrift.

On the 2ist of February. 1881, occurred
the marriage of Mr. Darst and Miss Jennie
Bateman, a daughter of Thomas Bateman,
of whom more extended mention is made
elsewhere in this volume. The home of Mr.
and Mrs. Darst has been blessed with three

children : Mabel Elizabeth, who was born
December 8, 1888; Nellie Bernice, born on
the agth of May, 1890; and Mary Isabel,
born February 6, 1900. They have an at-
tractive home in Mansfield and Mr. and
Mrs. Darst occupy an enviable position in
social circles. In politics he is a Republican
and while he gives a firm support to the
principles of the party, he has never sought
or desired office, desiring rather that his
time and energies shall be devoted to his
business affairs which have already
brought him creditable success. A life of
unswerving integrity and honor, of unfal-
tering diligence and of straightforward
dealing has gained and retained for him the
confidence and respect of his fellow men
and he is distinctively one of the leading
citizens of the thriving town of Mansfield,
with whose interests he has been identified
for a quarter of a century.

JOHN R. HOWELL.

Prominent among the energetic, far-
seeing and successful business men of
Piatt county is the subject of this sketch,
who is interested in a number of different
enterprises and is also serving as post-
master of the village of Burrowsville. En-
ergy, close application, perseverance and
good management, these are the elements
which have entered into his business ca-
reer and crowned his efforts with pros-
perity.

Mr. Howell was born in Moultrie
county, Illinois, October 28, 1865, his par-
ents being John T. and Susan (Harris)
Howell. both natives of Shelby county,
Kentucky, and early settlers of Moultrie

PAST AND PRESENT

county, where they located in 1864. At
that time there was only one house be-
tween his place and Bement and most of
the land was wild and covered with
sloughs and ponds. 'His farm had pre-
viously been improved though he subse-
quently broke many acres of prairie with
oxen and materially assisted in the de-
velopment and improvement of this sec-
tion of the state. He continued to live
in Lovington township, Moultrie county,
for some years, his time being devoted to
agricultural pursuits, but he is now living
retired in Decatur, Illinois. Although
seventy-two years of age he is still hale
and hearty and his wife is in her sixty-
eighth year. The children born to them
are as follows : H. T., now a resident of
Missouri; S. W., of Holly, Colorado; Jphn
R., of this review ; Molly, wife of Rev. B.
C. Dewey, a Methodist Episcopal minister
now located at Pana, Illinois; James, who
is living in Denver; and three deceased.

In the district schools of his native
county John R. Howell obtained a good
practical education and on laying aside
his text books took up farming, to which
occupation he still gives considerable at-
tention in the supervision of his fine farm
of two hundred and forty acres on sec-
tions 33 and 34, Cerro Gordo township.
In the fall of 1890 he embarked in the
grain business and in general merchandis-
ing at Burrowsville and on the ist of the
following year was appointed postmaster
at that place, which office he has since
filled to the satisfaction of all concerned.
His elevator has a capacity of thirty thou-
sand bushels and he handles on an aver-
age one hundred and fifty thousand bush-
els annually and also deals quite exten-
sively in stock. Although he buys and

sells sheep and cattle, he makes a spec-
ialty of horses and is very much interested
in the same. In addition to his other
duties he also acts as station agent for the
Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad
at Burrowsville.

In 1894 Mr. Howell married Miss
Grace Toney, of La Place, who was born
in Indiana on the ist of January, 1877,
but was reared and educated in Macon
county, Illinois, whither she removed with
her parents, J. W. and Marie (Nesbott)
Toney, when about five years of age. Mr.
and Mrs. Toney came originally from
Bedford, Indiana, and are now residents
of La Place, Illinois. Mrs. Howell is the
youngest in a family of six children and is
the mother of a little son, Roland J., now
seven years old. She had two other chil-
dren : Virgil, who died at the age of
fourteen months ; and Marie, who died at
the age of twenty-two months.

Politically Mr. Howell affiliates with
the Democracy and has served as a dele-
gate to the conventions of his party.
Within his remembrance land in this sec-
tion of the state has risen in value from
twenty to one hundred and twenty-five
dollars per acre and he has seen much of
the upbuilding and development of this
region. He is one of the most energetic
and progressive citizens of his locality and
gives an earnest support to all enter-
prises which he believes will prove of pub-
lic benefit. Fraternally he is a member
of Ben Hur Lodge, and religiously both
he and his wife are members of the
Christian church. His genial, pleasant
manner has made him quite popular in
business and social circles and as a public-
spirited, enterprising man he is recog-
nized as a valued citizen of Piatt countv.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

3^5

DR. J. H. WOOD.

Dr. J. H. Wood, who is engaged in the
drug business in De Land, was born in
Fulton county, Illinois, on the I5th of
April, 1843, an d is a son of Thomas and
Mary (Dyckes) Wood, the former a na-
tive of Pennsylvania and the latter of
Maryland. Both the Dyckes and Wood fam-
ilies were of English extraction. William
Dyckes, the maternal grandfather of our sub-
ject, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and
was woUnded in the battle of Fort McHenry.
The parents of the Doctor were married
in Cleveland, Ohio, where the father was
engaged in blacksmithing. In the year
1837 he and his wife came to the west,
crossing the lakes to Chicago, which was
then a frontier village, giving little prom-
ise % of the marvelous development which
was soon to make it the metropolitan city
of the west. They proceeded by stage to
LaSalle, Illinois, and thence by boat to'
Havana. Mr. Wood took up his abode
in Farmers township, Fulton county,
where he erected a blacksmith shop upon
a tract of land which he secured from the
government. This he improved, carrying
on agricultural pursuits in connection
with the blacksmithing which he did for
the early settlers. He was one of the
pioneer residents of this part of the state
and took an active and helpful part in
the early development of the county and
was widely known among the pioneer
settlers who esteemed him highly for his
genuine worth. He died at the age of
sixty-nine years and his widow is now
living in Denver, Colorado, at the age of
eighty-five years with her son J. D. Wood.
They became the parents of seven chil-
dren, of whom the subject of this review

was the third in order of birth. Those
still living are the daughter Alice, who is
the widow of James Sperry, and resides
with his brother ; and J. D., who is with his
mother in Denver, Colorado.

Dr. Wood obtained his early educa-
tion in the public schools of Farmers
township and for several years he engaged
in teaching school. Desirous to become
a member of the medical profession he be-
gan studying privately and when he had
earned enough money to meet the ex-
penses of a college course he matricu-
lated in the College of Physicians and
Surgeons of Keokuk, Iowa, in which he
was graduated with the class of 1878. Im-
mediately upon his graduation he came
to DeLand and here began practice. In
his work he met with creditable and grati-
fying success and remained an active prac-
titioner here until 1894, when he removed
to Champaign. For six years he was a
member of the medical fraternity at that
place and in 1900 he removed to Ham-
mond, Louisiana, where he was located
for a year and a half. He then returned
to De Land and purchased the drug store
of William Downey, since which time he
has been conducting the business, having
now a liberal patronage which is accorded
him in recognition of the good stock
which he carries, his reasonable prices and
his honorable and courteous treatment of
his patrons.

In December, 1875, was celebrated
the marriage of Dr. Wood and Miss Sarah
Peirsol, a native of Illinois and a daughter
of Sampson Peirsol, of Lee township, Ful-
ton county, Illinois. 'Her parents died
during her early girlhood and she made
her home with her uncle Dr. Peirsol. She
is a member of the Presbyterian church

PAST AND PRESENT

and is a most estimable lady. Fraternally
the Doctor is connected with De Land
Lodge, No. 812, F. & A. M., with Monti-
cello Chapter, No. 48, R. A. M., and with
Champaign Commandery, K. T. In his
political views he is a stalwart Democrat
and for a number of terms served as
supervisor of his township. He has also
been town clerk and in public office he
has been found most loyal and faithful to
his duties. In 1864 he enlisted in Com-
pany I. Sixth Regular Cavalry under
Captain, now General A. R. Chaffee and
served three years, being mustered out
as first sergeant. He was stationed on
the Texas frontier after the close of hos-
tility, Fort Belknap being their head-
quarters the greater part of the time.
During a long residence in this section
of the state Dr. Wood has become widely
and favorably known and well deserves
mention in this volume as one of the
representative men of Piatt county.

JOHN HENRY WARREN.

John Henry Warren, who carries on gen-
eral farming in Piatt county, his home being
on section 17, Blue Ridge township, was born
on the 7th of July, 1859, in the city of New
York, and is a son of Edward and Elizabeth
(Clary) Warren, both natives of Sussex
county, England. The father was born Jan-
uary 2, 1824, and is still living, but the moth-
er, whose birth occurred February 14, 1828,
died on the 3Oth of May, 1897. It was in
1855 that they came to the United States,
and during the first six years of their resi-
dence in this country lived near Albany, New
York, where the father worked on a farm for

one man all of that time. They then came to
Piatt county, Illinois, and for eight years Mr.
Warren operated a rented farm near his pres-
ent place, and then purchased the latter.
Since becoming a naturalized citizen he has
always supported the Republican party. His
children are William Howard, now a farmer
of Iowa; Alfred, a carpenter of Champaign,
Illinois; John Henry, of this review; and
Arthur, also a resident of Blue Ridge town-
ship. The first two were born in England,
the third in New York, and the youngest in
Piatt county.

John H. Warren spent the days of his boy-
hood and youth in his parents' home, and in
the public schools acquired his education.
When twenty-one years of age he began
working for himself, and for two years was
employed by the month as a farm hand. He
afterward took up his abode on his father's
farm in Blue Ridge township, Piatt county,
where he is now living. He pays his father
six hundred and forty dollars per year as rent
for the farm, and he also takes care of this
aged parent. As an agriculturist Mr. War-
ren is practical and progressive and every-
thing he undertakes he carries forward to
successful completion. His place is neat and
thrifty in appearance, indicating his careful
supervision and annually his labors return
to him a good income.

On the 3oth of May, 1879, Mr. Warren
was united in marriage to Miss Flora Trus-
ler, who was born in Indiana, October i,
1860, and is a daughter of James and Nancy
Jane Trusler. Her parents were farming
people and made their home in Blue Ridge
township, this county, for about twenty years
after coming from Indiana. The father died
February 2, 1899. and the mother passed
away August 13, 1901. Their other children
were Daniel, a resident of Ford county. Illi-

J. H. WARREN

MRS. J. H. WARREN

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

nois ; Mrs. Martha Bishop, of Ohio ; William,
a farmer of Ford county ; Elijah, a painter of
Indiana; Charles, a resident of Ford county,
Illinois ; and Emma, of Blue Ridge township,
Piatt county. Mr. and Mrs. Warren have
eight children : Golda Belle, Frances Paulina,
Grace Alma, Sarah Hazel, James Henry Ed-
ward, Susie May, Laddie Elizabeth and Ru-
fus George Franklin, all of whom are still
under the parental roof.

Mr. Warren exercises his right of fran-
chise in support of the men and measures of
the Republican party, and is deeply interested
in its success, for he believes that the party
platform contains the test elements of good
government. He has been a school director
for five terms and the cause of education has
in him a warm friend. Socially, he is con-
nected with the Modern Woodmen of Ameri-
ca, and carries two thousand dollars' insur-
* ance in that order.

JACOB H. CLINE.

In viewing the mass of mankind in the
varied occupations of life the conclusion is
forced upon the observer that in the vast
majority of cases men have sought employ-
ment not in line of their peculiar fitness,
but in those where caprice or circumstances
have placed them, thus explaining the rea-
son of the failure of ninety-five per cent of
those who enter commercial and profession-
al circles. In a few cases it seems that men
with a peculiar fitness genius it may be
called, for a certain line have taken it up
and marked success has followed. Such is
the fact in the case of the subject of this bi-
ography, who is now engaged in general
merchandising in White Heath.

A native of Piatt county, he was born
in Sangamon township, August 25, 1851,

and is a son of John and Letitia Cline. His
parents were natives of Ohio, coming from
Pickaway county, that state, to Illinois at
an early day. They entered a claim from
the government, thereby becoming the own-
er of a tract of land in Piatt county, and
in the course of years the father improved
about eight hundred acres. He certainly, in
this way, aided largely in the development
and progress of the county and this section
of the state acknowledges its indebtedness
to him for- the work which he performed
in advancing civilization here. His death
occurred on the 25th of March, 1860, when
he was living upon his farm two miles
northeast of White Heath. His wife, who
was born in Pickaway county, April 7,
1817, died in White Heath on the 4th of
March, 1891. They were people of the
highest respectability, and during the long
years of their residence here they gained
many friends for their sterling traits of
character awakened the respect and admi-
ration of those with whom they were asso-
ciated.

Jacob H. Cline when small became a
student in a little schoolhouse where the
White schoolhouse now stands about three
and a half miles north of White Heath.
Later he attended the Hazeldell school, but
his education was somewhat limited for the
schools of that day had not reached their
present advanced standard. It was also
necessary that he should assist his mother.
The father died when the son was only
nine years of age. leaving a large family of
six children to the care of his widow.
Jacob H. was the fifth in order of birth.
He remained upon the old home with his
mother until nineteen years of age, when he
was married and started out in life for him-
self. It was on the I3th of February. 1870,
that he wedded Miss Josephine Knott. His

332

PAST AND PRESENT!

share of his father's estate was then under
the control of the second guardian, S. R.
Reed, of Monticello. Mr. Cline took his
bride to his farm and continued its cultiva-
tion for two or three years. He then traded
the property with his younger brother, Ezra
Cline, and in the second or third transfer
he came into possession of the home farm,
which he cultivated for two years. He
then traded that property with John A.
Flanagan, and he became the owner of one
hundred and twenty acres of land near
White Heath. Removing to this place he
there erected a new house, built a barn,
planted an orchard and made other improve-
ments, which added to the value and at-
tractive appearance of his home. After re-
maining there about three years he made a
deal with Charles Smith, of White Heath,
whereby he came into possession of a store,
house and lot, formerly owned by Mr.
Smith in the village. Mr. Cline is now one
of the oldest as well as one of the most re-
liable merchants of White Heath. He car--
ries a large stock of general merchandise
and receives a gratifying share of the pub-
lic patronage. His diligent attention to
business has won him a constantly growing
trade among the best families of White
Heath and the surrounding district. He is
always courteous to his customers, is pro-
gressive in his business methods and is al-
ways fair and just in his dealings. In addi-
tion to supervising his store he has also
served as postmaster, being appointed dur-
ing President Arthur's administration, and
holding the office continually since, with
the exception of the period of President
Cleveland's second administration. A rural
route was established from this office on the
ist of March, 1902, and at that time the
old star route from White Heath to-Center-
ville was discontinued.

Mr. Cline owns a fine home adjoining
his store, and it stands in the midst of a beau-
tiful and well-kept lawn, adorned with shade
trees. He also has many other trees upon
his place, including apples, ciiernes, peaches
and plums. The home occupies an excel-
lent location in the center of the business
district in the pretty village of White Heath
and there is no more attractive place than
that of Mr. Cline. He likewise owns
twenty acres of rich land, adjoining the vil-
lage and another desirable residence situ-
ated on Washington street in Monticello, Il-
linois. His business affairs have been care-
fully conducted, resulting in the acquire-
ment of a desirable capital, which he has
judiciously invested in real estate.

In this connection it will be interesting
to note something of the family history of
Mrs. Cline who is a daughter of Dr. A. B.
and Mary (Law) Knott. Mrs. Cline was
born in Washington Court House, Ohio,
January 22, 1853, and in the year 1856 was
brought by her parents to Illinois, the fam-
ily locating in Centerville, where the Doc-
tor practiced his profession continuously
for twenty-five years, being one of the lead-
ing and successful physicians of that part
of the state. Mrs. Cline pursued her educa-
tion in the schools of Centerville and of Ot-
tawa, Illinois, and by her marriage she has
become the mother of five children : Anna
B., who is the wife of Edward Gale, and is
a nurse, making her home with her parents :
Minnie M., the wife of Jerry Purcell, of
White Heath; Cora O., who is a doctor of
osteopathy in Monticello; Ona L., who is
deputy circuit clerk of Piatt county ; and
Roy R., who attends school and assists his
father is the store during the periods of va-
cation.

In his political views Mr. Cline is a stal-
wart Republican, active in the party and in-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

333

fluential in its councils. For several years
he has served as chairman of the township
central committee. He has held the office
of supervisor for fifteen years and has also
been commissioner of highways. Fraternal-
ly he is connected with Monticello Lodge,
No. 58, F. & A'. M., and also with the Mod-
ern Woodmen of America. His wife is a
member of the Royal Neighbors and with
the Court of Honor and has long been a
prominent and influential member and work-
er in the Universal ist church of White
Heath. He is truly a representative Ameri-
can citizen and a worthy representative of
that type of American character which pro-
motes public good in advancing individual
prosperity. Prosperity has come to him as
a natural consequence of industry and appli-
cation, and his splendid success bears testi-
mony to his rare judgment in business af-
fairs.

WILLIAM H. FIRKE.

Among the representative business men
of Mansfield who have done much toward
its upbuilding and development probably
none are better known than the gentleman
whose name introduces this sketch. As an
extensive landowner and banker he has been
prominently identified with the business in-
terests of the county for many years and is
a recognized leader in agricultural and fi-
nancial circles.

Mr. Firke is a native of Indiana, his
birth having occurred in a log cabin in
Wiesburg. on the I7th of January, 1852.
His parents were Conrad and Anna (Auf-
encamp) Firke. The father was a carpen-
ter by trade and followed that pursuit
throughout his business career. He died in

Indiana on the 28th of January, 1852, and
is still survived by his widow who is now
living in Cass county, Nebraska, near Green-
wood. Mr. Firke is one of three living chil-
dren and two of the family are now de-
ceased.

In the common schools of his native
state the subject of this review obtained his.
early education. He was left an orphan and
started out to earn his own living at the
age of seventeen years, first working as a
farm hand in which capacity he w.as em-
ployed until 1874, when he came to Illinois,
settling near Farmer City. There he
worked for one year as a farm hand for D.
W. and J. C. Smith, after which he rented
a tract of land and carried on farming on
his own account. During this time he made
money and with the capital he had acquired
he purchased one hundred and sixty acres
.'I land in Piatt county, of which he became
owner in 1876. This he plowed, planted
and tiled, thus producing very rich and ara-
ble fields and he continued his farm work
there until 1883, at which time he purchased
two hundred and forty acres of land in
Champaign county. He has since owned
much valuable property. In 1889 he bought
what is known as the William Lindsey farm
in Piatt county near Blue Ridge. This he
tiled and upon the place he erected two good
barns, unsurpassed by any in the county.
He also built corn cribs and other necessary
buildings, planted an orchard and made
various improvements which added to the
value and attractive appearance of the place.
In iBgo he purchased forty acres of land
in Champaign county, and in 1895 he bought
in Vermilion county four hundred acres of
land on Eight Mile Prairie. This he im-
proved and tiled, erected a good residence,,
substantial barns and new corn cribs, in fact,.

334

PAST AND PRESENT

he made all the improvements upon the
place. In 1902 he became the owner of
four hundred and twenty-seven acres of
land in Pike county, afterward purchased
one hundred and seventy-three acres in Piatt
county, this being the old Mansfield home,
for which he paid one hundred and seventy
and a half dollars per acre. He also owns a
half interest in four hundred and thirty acres
of land in Pike county, which he purchased
in 1893, ar >d one hundred and sixty acres
in Champaign county, and also an eighty-
acre tract there. Thus from time to time he
has continued to make investments in real
estate, until he now is one of the extensive
landowners in central Illinois, his posses-
sions aggregating altogether nineteen hun-
dred and fifteen acres of well-improved and
valuable land. All this is the visible evi-
dence of his life of industry, of his keen
foresight and business sagacity. He has
also been associated with financial interests
of the county, having in 1893 organized the
State Bank of Mansfield, which is capital-
ized for forty thousand dollars. Mr. Firke
is its president and holds stock in the insti-
tution to the amount of twelve thousand dol-
lars. The other officers are Alvah James,
vice president ; W. H. Burns, cashier ; and
Robert Howe, assistant cashier. This was
conducted as a private banking institution
until 1899, when it became a state bank. He
is interested in the Dighton & Dilatush Loan
Company of Monticello.

On the 6th of March, 1878, Mr. Firke
was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth J.
Petry, a daughter of Jacob Petry, a native
of Indiana. Her mother died during the
infancy of the daughter and the father has
also passed away. Six children have been
born unto Mr. and Mrs. Firke : Alma Belle,
the wife of J. R. Bateman, who resides four

miles north of Mansfield upon a farm and
by whom she has one son, Russell ; C. W.,
who was graduated in the law department
of the State University of Michigan at Ann
Arbor in the class of 1902, and is now prac-
ticing his profession in Mansfield; Lutie
Phebe, who died at the age of five years ;
Ada Catherine, at home ; Ralph W. and
Frank J., who are also under the parental
roof.

Mr. Firke gives his right of franchise in
support of the men and measures of the De-
mocracy and has served eighteen years as
school trustee and two years as supervisor.
Both he and his wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Firke is
a broad-minded man, who looks at life from
a practical and humanitarian standpoint. He
is one of the well-known citizens of Piatt
county, whose labors have closely touched
the interests of the state and have contrib-
uted toward the general advancement. He
is a man of firm convictions, and it is doubt-
ful if he ever weighed a single act of his
life in the scale of policy, his conduct being
prompted by the spirit of usefulness and
conscientious obligation. While he has
won wealth it has been gained so honorably
that the most envious cannot grudge him
his success. His achievements represent the
result of honest endeavor, along lines where
mature judgment has pointed the way.

JOHN C. FURNISH.

One of the leading and representative
farmers of Sangamon township is John
C. Furnish, who was born on his present
farm on section 21, near White Heath,
March 17, 1851, and has here spent his

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

335

entire life, his time and attention being
devoted to agricultural pursuits. His
father, Samuel Furnish, was one of the
oldest settlers of Piatt county. He was
born in Kentucky in 1822 and was only
two years old when he accompanied his
parents on their removal to this locality,
making his home here until his death,
which occurred in 1869. He cleared and
broke a large amount of land which was-
originally covered with a heavy growth/
of timber, and became the owner of con-
siderable property though prior to his
death he disposed of much of it, though
he still retained about one hundred and
sixty acres. He was educated in an old
log schoolhouse such as is generally
found in a pioneer settlement, and in his
younger days drove cattle from this coun-
ty to New York city, where prices were
enough better to pay him for so doing.
Throughout life he successfully engaged
in agricultural pursuits. He married Miss
Catherine Coon, a daughter of Henry and
Ruth (Clemens) Coon, who were from
Ohio. By this union were born six chil-
dren, as follows : James, who is now
operating the Foster farm northwest of
White Heath ; John, of this review ;
George and William, both farmers of
Missouri; Charles, who is farming one
half mile west of White Heath ; and
Frank, deceased.

John C. Furnish received a common-
school education, beginning his studies in
what was known as the Hughes school-
house, which was a log structure with a
puncheon floor, slab seats and a desk
made by placing boards on wooden pins
driven into the walls. During the early
residence of the family in this state deer
were known to have eaten salt out of the

troughs his father had fixed for the cattle
and horses, and all kinds of wild game
were then abundant. Like most boys our
subject was only able to attend school for
a short time during the winter months
while through the summer season he aided
his father in the cultivation of the farm, re-
maining with him until the latter's death,
after which he worked out one season. He
then returned home and had charge of the
farm until the estate was settled, when he
received his share of the same. In connec-
tion with its operation he also cultivates
some rented land and raises corn, oats,
wheat and melons, making a specialty of the
last named product, which he finds quite'
profitable, planting ten or twelve acres of
that crop. He hauls his melons by team to
the neighboring towns, where he finds a
ready sale for them, owing to their excel-
lence, and he makes more money on them
than he could from any other crop raised
on a similar amount of land.

On the 30th of April, 1874,- Mr. Fur-
nish was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia
Blacker, a daughter of Guston and Anna
Blacker, of this county. They have become
the parents of eleven children : George,
now a resident of St. Louis, Missouri ;
Frank, deceased ; Lewis, Oscar, Erria, Ollie,
Stella, Lola, Pearl and Wilma, all at home;
and one who died in infancy. The younger
children are still in school.

By his ballot Mr. Furnish supports the
men and measures of the Republican party,
and for three years he acceptably filled the
office of school director but refused to hold
the office any longer. He is a worthy repre-
sentative of one of the honored pioneer fam-
ilies of this county and can remember when
this region was still largely wild and unim-
proved. He was born in an old log house

336

PAST AND PRESENT

which stood on the site of his mother's pres-
ent residence, it having a puncheon floor, a
stick chimney and many other pioneer appli-
ances. Some of the land which his father
bought cost him only the government price
of one dollar and a quarter per acre, and
with the development and improvement of
the county the family has been actively iden-
tified.

WILLIAM A. WACHS.

One of the prominent German Ameri-
can citizens now residing in Monticello, is
William A. Wachs, who was born on a farm
bordering the Baltic sea, near Colberg, Ger-
many, September 22, 1836. His father,
Christopher Wachs, was a native of the
same place, his entire life being passed upon
a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near
Colberg. He married Sophia Kopka, and
unto them were born three children : Frank,
who is still engaged in farming on the old
homestead in Germany; Annie, who married
a Mr. Benson, a farmer of that country,
and died in 1861 ; and William A.

Our subject was educated in the public
schools of his native land, and on leaving
home at the age of fourteen years he went
upon the ocean, spending five years as a
sailor before the mast. He then returned
home on a visit, and while there was draft-
ed into the German army, becoming a mem-
ber of the Fourth Company, Ninth Regi-
ment with Colbeck. After serving for
three years he was discharged in the fall of
1858, and the following year he spent at
home with his parents.

In 1859 Mr Wachs sailed for America,
and while on shipboard he met Miss Lizzie
Zybell, also a native of Germany and a

daughter of John Zybell. They soon be-
came fast friends and journeyed together to
Monticello, Illinois, where she had a broth-
er living. It was not long before they were
engaged to be married, and Mr. Wachs de-
cided to purchase a farm with the three thou-
sand dollars he had brought with him to
this country, so that they might have a
home of their own. They went to Iowa in
search of a location, but not being pleased
with the country, and Miss Zybell wishing to
be nearer her brother, they returned to Piatt
county and purchased forty acres of land
in Goose Creek township near DeLand.
They were married at Monticello in the
spring of 1860 and at once took up their
residence on the land which Mr. Wachs
had purchased and lived in a cabin he erected
thereon. It was all wild prairie and swamp
land, and their nearest neighbor at that
time was a mile and a half away, so sparsely
was the country settled at that time. Tiling
and ditching his land, Mr. Wachs soon
made it cultivable and after it was broken
good crops were raised, but she who had
borne with him all of the hardships and
trials of frontier life, died in November,
1863, leaving two children: Frank, who
married Katie Lust and is now operating a
farm adjoining the old home farm in Goose
Creek towship: and Martha, who married
Elza Davis, a farmer of Iowa, and died in
1888.

Mr. Wachs was again married, March
29, 1864, his second union being with Miss
Dena Hammerschmit, a daughter of Enda
and Elizabeth Hammerschmit, of Dena,
Province of Hanover, Germany. Her father
died in that country and her mother after-
ward came to the United States to live with
Mrs. Wachs. Here she married again, be-
coming the wife of Thomas Angar, a farm-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

337

er of Washington. Missouri, where she
died in 1890. The children by her first
marriage were Louis, a furniture dealer of
Monticello; Lizzie, wife of August Zybell.
a retired shoe merchant of Monticello;
Charles, a carpenter of that city ; August,
who is still living' in Germany; and Augus-
ta, wife of Henry Smith, who is engaged in
farming near Poplar Bluff, Iowa ; and
Dena, wife of our subject. By his second
marriage Mr. Wachs has four children :
Albert, who is engaged in farming on
section 35, Sangamon township, and whose
sketch appears below; Lillie, widow of
Rempt Arends. now residing near Green-
up, Illinois; Lizzie, wife of John Nelson,
a carpenter of Normal, Illinois; and Rose,
wife of Joe Clinton, a farmer of Monticello
township. All of the children have been
given good educational advantages and
have attended high school.

After his second marriage Mr. Wachs
sold his farm in Piatt county and went to
Missouri with the expectation of locating
there, but not liking it there he returned to
Illinois and bought a farm of forty-three
acres in Piatt county, where he spent one
year. He was next engaged in the butch-
ering business in Washington, Missouri, but
as this was uncongenial he again came to
Piatt county and purchased a farm of eighty
acres in Goose Creek township near De-
Land. In the operation of this place he met
with excellent success and at the end of five
years bought an eighty-acre tract adjoining,
and still later another eighty acres. Upon
his property he built two good houses and
a number of barns and other outbuildings,
tiled the land and set out orchards, until he
had a well-improved and valuable place.
Mr. Wachs continued to actively engage
in farming until 1893, when he retired and

moved to Monticello, where he now owns
a nice home. He is a man of sterling worth
and many excellent traits of character, and
is held in high regard by all who know
him.

ALBERT WACHS.

Throughout his active business life the
subject of this sketch has been identified
with the agricultural interests of Piatt coun-
ty and is to-day successfully carrying on his
chosen occupation on section 35, Sangamon
township. He was born on a farm south
of DeLand in Goose Creek township, Janu-
ary 8, 1866, and is a son of William and
Dena (Hammerschmit) Wachs, whose
sketch appears above. During his boyhood
and youth he worked on the farm with his
father in the summer and for about three
months during the winter season attended
the neighboring school. He remained un-
der the parental roof until his marriage. It
was on the 8th of October. 1889. that he
wedded Miss Katie Baker, who had come
from Germany in 1885, and to them has
been born one child, Lillie, who is now with
her grandparents in Monticello attending
school.

After his marriage Mr. Wachs com-
menced farming upon eighty acres of land
which he rented from his father, and when
the latter retired and removed to Monticello
our subject took charge of half of his land,
consisting of one hundred and twenty acres,
which he farmed quite successfully. At
length in the fall of 1902 he was able to
purchase one hundred and ten acres of
land, known as the R. H. Benson farm and
upon this place he has made his home since
the gth of March, 1803. The place is im-

338

PAST AND PRESENT

proved with good modern buildings, and
the land is under a high state of cultivation,
the latest improved machinery being used
in its operation. Mr. Wachs' crops are
principally corn and oats, and he raises
some cattle and hogs for market. He is a
very progressive and energetic farmer and
well deserves the success that has crowned
his efforts thus far in life. In his political
view's he is a Republican, active in the party,
and influential in its councils.

HARMON KUHN GILLESPIE.

Harmon Kuhn Gillespie, who for many
years was a representative farmer of Piatt
county, but is now deceased, still lives in the
memory of his friends because he had en-
deared himself to them by strong ties. His
honorable manhood and his genuine worth
won for him the respect and confidence of
all and when he was called away his death
was deeply deplored.

Mr. Gillespie was born in Huntingdon
county, Pennsylvania, in September. 1825,
a son of Christian and Dorothy Gillespie,
both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania.
In 1845 the parents removed to the west,
settling in McLean county, Illinois, where
they spent their remaining days. The
subject of this review was the oldest of
the family and in his early life he was em-
ployed in the iron works of the east. He ac-
quired a good common-school education in
Pennsylvania and when still quite a lad he
learned the trade of wagon-making. Ere
his removal to the west he was married on the
2Oth of September, 1845, to Miss Nancy
Moore, a native of Bedford county, Pennsyl-
vania, born on the I4th day of April, 1823,

and a daughter of James and Anne (Wein-
gardner) Moore. Her people were also from
Pennsylvania. Her father followed farming,
spending his entire life in the Keystone state,,
as did his wife. The Moores were of Scotch-
Irish descent, and all were of Quaker faith.
The Gillespies were also of Scotch-Irish line-
age and the grandfather of our subject came
from Ireland to America in an early day.
The family was represented in the Revolu-
tionary war and also in the war of 1812.
Unto our subject and his wife were born nine
children, all of whom are yet living: Chris-
tian, who resides in Champaign county, Illi-
nois, and is mentioned in connection with the
sketch of Fred Gillespie; George Moore, who
is living in Champaign county, and who wed-
ded Ollie Crawford, by whom he has two
children, Belle Irene and Luella Ida; Ann
Dorothy, who is the wife of Philip Wied-
man, a resident of DeWitt county, living
near Farmer City, by whom she has two chil-
dren Frank L. and Lou Ola ; Samuel Jo-
seph, a resident of Storm Lake, Iowa, who-
married Miss Eva Wisegarver and has two
children Nancy Pearl and Clyde C. ; John
Wesley, who resides in Farmer City and
married Miss Emma Cook; Henry Martin,
who is living near Farmer City in DeWitt
county and married Ida Knight, by whom he
has one child, Hazel A. ; Lizzie Jane, who is
the wife of Henry C. Eakin, a resident of
Piatt county; Carl O., who is represented
elsewhere in this volume ; and Frank Leslie,
a resident of Montezuma, Indiana, and mar-
ried Jennie Bunton and has one child, Cas-
sius M. C.

Mr. Gillespie had been married for but a
brief period when with his wife he came to
the west, arriving in Illinois in 1847. He
settled at Bloomington, and after a residence
there of about five years he removed to Piatt

PIATT COUNTY. ILLINOIS.

343

county, where he entered government land,
becoming the owner of a tract of one hundred
and sixty acres. All of this was wild and un-
improved, and with characteristic energy he
began its development. In course of time it
yielded to him good harvests, and as his
financial resources increased he added to this
property until he owned some four hundred
acres of land. There he carried on agricul-
tural pursuits until 1891, when he removed
to Farmer City, and in the latter place he
died, June 25, 1901, his remains being in-
terred in Maple Grove cemetery, south of
Farmer City. He was a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church and a valued member
of the Masonic Lodge of Farmer City, also
of the local chapter, R. A. M., and Urbana
Commandery, K. T. He was always true
and faithful to the teachings of the craft, and
was buried with Masonic honors. In politics
he was a Republican and for many years
served as supervisor, while for a long period
he also acted as justice of the peace. His
faithfulness in public office was most marked,
and in the discharge of his duties as justice
he was impartial and was strictly fair to all.
He was largely instrumental in securing the
building of the Big Four Railroad from Ur-
bana to Peoria, thus obtaining railroad fa-
cilities in Piatt county, and he was always a '
very active factor in the development and im-
provement of this section of the state. He
served as superinendent of construction on
the road when it was called the Illinois,
Bloomington & Western Railroad. Along
many lines his helpfulness was shown and he
co-operated in many measures for the public
good.

BRENT L. BARKER, M. D.

The subject of this biography is a well-
known physician and surgeon .of White

Heath, Illinois. He is a native of Kentucky,
his birth having occurred in Somerset, that
state, on the I5th of December, 1871. His
father, William M. Barker, was also born
in Somerset, December i, 1836, and was a
son of James Irby and Canzada (Simpson)
Barker. The grandfather was born in Lee
county, Virginia, in 1795, and on leaving
his native state removed to Somerset, Ken-
tucky. His parents were John and Lucy
(Irby) Barker. John Barker was one of
the heroes of the Revolutionary war, and by
profession was a minister of the gospel. In
his family were six children, namely : As-
bury Edmond, who married Keziah Cover;
Sarah, who became the wife of Thomas
Floyd'; James Irby, the grandfather of our
subject; Elizabeth, who died unmarried;
Thomas, who served throughout the war of
1812 and was so nearly starved while, in the
army that on his way home from New Or-
leans he purchased a side of meat and died
from eating too much of it, the report of
his death being made by his comrade, Fred-
erick Tarter, on his return home; and John
F., who married Katherine Weaver. The
Doctor's grandmother, Mrs. Canzada Bar-
ker, was a daughter of James and Sarah
(Carson) Simpson. The former died in
1832 and his wife in September, 1840. The
latter was of Irish descent on both the pa-
ternal and maternal sides, and her parents
were quite old at the time of their marriage.
Unto James and Sarah Simpson were born
twelve children, as follows : William L.,
who married Susan Buster; Canzada, 'wife
of James Irby Barker ; Samuel ; Eliza, wife
of John Cover ; Thomas, who married a
Miss Stringer ; Greenup ; David, who mar-
ried Nancy Cover ; Mary, wife of John
Pierce; John R., who married Susan Yager;
Sarah Jane, wife of Wesley Cover; Frank-
lin, who married Emeline Richardson; and
Quails. The children of James Irby and

344

PAST AND PRESENT

Canzada (Simpson) Barker were John W.,
who married Polly Molen; James S., who
married Dostia Ann Molen ; William Mason,
the father of our subject ; and Sarah G., the
wife of Michael Pennington.

William Mason Barker was educated in
the common schools of Somerset, Kentucky,
and after reaching manhood engaged in
farming there throughout life. In 1856 he
was united in marriage to Miss Malinda Sie-
vers, who was born in Germany and came
to this country when a child of thirteen
years. She died in Somerset, in May, 1875,
leaving eight children, namely : Walter O.,
the eldest, died, and his wife has since mar-
ried James Roberts, a resident of Dunnville,
Kentucky. John C. is now a physician of
Hustonville, Kentucky, having graduated
from the medical department of the Univer-
sity of Louisville in 1893, and also taken a
course in medicine and surgery at Philadel-
phia, Pennsylvania in 1896 and 1897. He
was married in 1895 to Annetta Hamon,
and they have two children, Anna L. and
William Hamon. Sarah J. was married at
Somerset, Kentucky, to Rufus Barker, and
removed to Texas, where she died in 1901,
leaving a husband and six children. James
F. was married in Texas to Lula Jones, and
is now engaged in farming in Texas. Rosa
E. is the wife of Stanton Pierce, who was
formerly a resident of Somerset, but is now
carrying on farming near Greenville, Texas.
Brent L., of this review, is the next in order
of birth. Alonzo L. is a merchant of Som-
erset, Kentucky. Malinda is the wife of
Sievers Barker, who follows farming near
that place.

Dr. Barker acquired his elementary
education in the public schools of Somerset,
and later engaged in teaching school for two
years. He was next a student at the Na-

tional Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio,
where he pursued a general course, and on
leaving that institution he resumed teach-
ing, again following that profession for
three years. While thus employed at Som-
erset, he took up the study of medicine, and
in 1893 entered the Louisville Medical
School, where he was graduated on the 25th
of March, 1897, with the degree of M. D.
He was also presented with a gold medal by
the same institution, which he won in a com-
petitive examination, and was also honored
in the same way by the Pulaski County Ora-
torical Association, being given the first gold
medal ever presented by that society.

For one year after leaving medical col-
lege Dr. Barker was engaged in the prac-
tice of his profession in Kentucky, but in
1898 came to White Heath, Illinois, where
he has since made his home. On the igth
of July, 1902', he purchased property here,
consisting of two lots on which is a nice
house and barn in good repair. Here he has
his office. He has many patients through-
out the surrounding country, covering a ra-
dius of fifteen miles, and in his treatment of
cases of all kinds he has been remarkably
successful. Although still a young man he
is regarded as one of the leading practition-
ers of his adopted county, and well does he
deserve the confidence reposed in him.

Dr. Barker was married on the I7th
June, 1903, to Miss Nellie Rankin, of White
Heath, who was born near Cisco, September
i, 1882, and is the third in order of birth
in a family of six children. Her parents are
now living on the road between White
Heath and Monticello. Her father was born
August i, 1849, and her mother's birth oc-
curred on the 22d of November, 1854.

Politically Dr. Barker is identified
with the Democratic party, but has never

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

345

cared for the honors or emoluments of office,
preferring to devote his entire time and atten-
tion to his business affairs. Fraternally, he
is an honored member of White Heath
Camp, No. 2119, M. W. A., in which he has
served as clerk for over two years ; and also
belongs to Mount Royal Lodge, No. 120,
Court of Honor; Fern Leaf Camp, No. 145,
Royal Neighbors; and White Heath Coun-
cil, No. 319, Mutual Protective League, all
of White Heath. He is quite popular in so-
cial as well as professional and business cir-
cles and is well liked by all who know him.

MARION BOSSERMAN.

Marion Bosserman. a well-to-do agricul-
turist living on section 28, Goose Creek
township, is a typical self-made man, and in
the following record of his career there is
much to arouse respect and esteem. His suc-
cess in life is largely due to his industry and
perseverance, and by making the most of
circumstances, however discouraging, he has
acquired a comfortable competence.

A native of Ohio, he was born in Frank-
lin county, September 25, 1847, and is a
son of Daniel and Rachel (Young) Bosser-
man, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jer-
sey, respectively. The father was reared
and educated in the Keystone state, and in
1^60 came to Illinois, settling in DeWitt
county, where he was engaged in farming
until his death in 1889. He died very sud-
denly, being seemingly well -at noon, but
passed away at one o'clock from the effects
of an epileptic stroke. His widow is still
living at the age of eighty years, but is now
in very poor health. In their family were

ten children, six of whom are still living,
namely: William and Michael, who oper-
ate the home farm: Catherine, the wife of
Robert Marsh, a farmer living three and a
half miles southwest of Weldon, Illinois;
Charles, a farm hand; Lucy, at home with
her mother; and Marion, of this sketch.
Those deceased are John, who died at the
age of four years ; David, who died at the
age of three; and Lincoln, who died in in-
fancy.

From the time he attained a sufficient
age until the removal of the family to Illi-
nois, Marion Bosserman attended school in
Ohio, and was later a student in the public
schools of DeWitt county, where his par-
ents settled. When about twenty years of
age he began working as a farm hand in
that county, and being careful and econom-
ical he was able to save nfost of his wages,
in which way he gained a start in life. He
began farming on his own account in De
Witt county, two and a half miles north of
Weldon, where he purchased eighty acres of
low land in a very poor condition, but he
improved the same, transforming it into a
good farm, which he successfully cultivated
for some years, adding greatly to its valua-
tion during that time. In 1888 Mr. Bos-
serman sold that property and removed to
Piatt county, purchasing the John Van
Sycle farm of one hundred and eighty acres
in Goose Creek township. In its operation
he steadily prospered and was able to add
to his property until he now owns two hun-
dred and sixty acres of as good land as Piatt
county affords. Upon the place is a pleas-
ant residence, good outbuildings, an orchard
and various kinds of small fruits, and its
neat and thrifty appearance plainly indicates
the supervision of a progressive and pains-
taking owner. He raises the cereals best

346

PAST AND PRESENT

adapted to the soil and climate and also feeds
for the market cattle and hogs of a fine breed.
He also keeps good horses for his own vise
and raises some nice colts.

Mr. Bosserman was married in 1873, the
lady of his choice being Miss Anna Eliza
Marsh, a daughter of John and Anna Eliza
(Forceman) Marsh, who were well-known
and highly respected farming people of De '
Witt county, Illinois. The children born to
this union were Iva, who died in early child-
hood'; Laura, the wife of Frank Marvin, a
farmer of Piatt county ; John, Robert and
Charles, who assist their father in carrying
on the home farm ; and Frederick, who died
at the age of three years. The sons are
honest, industrious and reliable young men.
who are of great assistance to their father,
and who have the respect and esteem of all
who know them. Mr. Bosserman owes not
a little of his success in life to his estimable
wife, who by her help and encouragement
has aided him in every possible way. She
is a kind mother and loving wife, who takes
pride in making her home a cheerful one
and in doing everything for the comfort and
welfare of her family. By his ballot Mr.
Bosserman supports the men and measures
of the Republican party, and he is now capa-
bly filling the office of school trustee for a
second term. He also served as school di-
rector while living in DeWitt county, and is
a public-spirited and enterprising citizen.

WILLIAM M. DE GROFFT.

William M. DeGrofft is now living a re-
tired life. Nature was bountiful in her gifts
to the agriculturist who was wise enough to
locate in Piatt county as a place of residence.

The rich land of this portion of the state
yields abundant harvests and furnishes excel-
lent pasturage for stock, and he who devotes
his energies to farming and stock-raising,
carefully directing his labors by sound judg-
ment, finds that within a number of years he
has acquired capital sufficient to supply him
with the necessities and many of the com-
forts of life without further labor. Such
has Ijeen the case with Mr. Groffts, who
resides on section 34, Blue Ridge township,
and who was long actively engaged in farm-
ing in Piatt county.

A native of Fayette county; Indiana, he
was born in 1842 and is a son of Aaron and
Elizabeth DeGrofft, both of whom were na-
tives of Indiana. The father, who was a
farmer by occupation, is now deceased, but
the mother is still living. It was in the year
1857 that this worthy couple came to Illi-
nois, locating in Champaign county. The
subject of this review was at that time fif-
teen years of age. The three came overland,
making the journey with a team and wagon,
and were thirteen days in completing the
trip. The father secured a tract of land and
the son assisted him in its cultivation and
improvement. When twenty-one years of
age William M. DeGrofft, however, left
home and entered upon an independent busi-
ness career. He rented three hundred and
twenty acres of land in Sangamon town-
ship, Piatt county, not far from Galesville,
and he made his first purchase of land in
1882, becoming the owner of one hundred
and seventy-two and a half acres, which con-
stitutes the farm that he now owns and oc-
cupies. He has added all of the .improve-
ments upon the place and has made it a
valuable tract of land substantially equipped
with good buildings and modern accessories.
He gave his attention to general farming.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

347

carrying on both grain and stock-raising tin-
til about five years ago, when he rented his
land to his son, Lyman, and is now living
retired. His wife owns fifty acres of land
near Mansfield, and Mr. DeGrofft has prop-
erty in the town of Mansfield. He is also
one of the directors of the First National
Bank, which was founded in 1902. Year
after year through a long period he labored
in the fields, plowing, planting and harvest-
ing, and as the result of his careful atten-
tion and capability he acquired a handsome
competence, becoming one of the substantial
residents of the community.

On the 1 6th of March, 1866, Mr. De
Grofft was united in marriage to Miss Cath-
erine Macke, a daughter of John Macke, of
Warren, New Jersey, who had emigrated
to Ohio in early life, and unto them have
been torn nine children : Aimer, who is
living in Whiteside county, Illinois; Rachel
A., who is the wife of Edmund Ouayle, a
resident of Champaign county; John W.,
who makes his home in McLean county. Il-
linois ; Lyman, who resides in Piatt county ;
Franklin, who died at the age of one year
and five months ; Delilah, who is the wife of
Edmund Van Sycle, a resident of Piatt
count}': Alice, who is the wife of William
Patterson, of South Bend, Indiana; a son
that died in infancy : and Ida, who is living
at home.

Mr. DeGrofft is both self-educated and
a self-made man. In his early life he pur-
sued his studies in an old-fashioned log
schoolhouse in Indiana, seated with slab
benches, while in one end of the room was
an immense fireplace. His attendance there,
however, was quite limited, and yet through
reading and observation he has gained broad
practical knowledge. He possesses an ob-
serving eye and retentive memory, and is

now well informed concerning the leading
questions of the day. His business career
has been creditable and by close attention to
his work he has advanced steadily on the
road to success. Both he and his wife be- ,
long to the Methodist church' and in politics
he is a Republican. For six years he served
as road commissioner, but with this excep-
tion he has never consented to hold office,
preferring to give his time and energies to
his agricultural interest, whereby he has
won signal success. When he first came
to Illinois this county was very wild, being
still a frontier region. Wolves were nu-
merous and deer were also to be seen in
great numbers. Much of the land was under
water and some unfit for cultivation, but til-
ing has made it very productive and the rich
soil annually returns splendid harvests. Mr.
DeGrofft has seen the growth of the coun-
ty, has witnessed its development and has
aided in its progress, especially along agri-
cultural lines. As one of the pioneer set-
tlers, therefore, as well as a successful citi-
zen, he deserves mention in this volume.

HENRY GESSFORD.

Among the leading and representative
citizens of DeLand probably none have done
more for the upbuilding and advancement
of the place than the gentleman whose name
introduces this sketch. For over thirty
years he has been prominently identified
with its material development and prosper-
ity, and has done all within his power to ad-
vance its interests.

Mr. Gessford is proud to claim Illinois
as his native state, his birth having occurred
in DeWitt, DeWitt countv, on the i6th of

348

PAST AND PRESENT

December, 1842. His father, Elihu Gess-
ford, was born in North Carolina, in 1802,
but as a small boy went to West Virginia,
and in his early manhood followed farming
there. In 1834 he came to Illinois and en-
tered one hundred and sixty acres of land
near DeWitt, in DeWitt county, which he
broke and improved, his first home here be-
ing a log cabin in which our subject was
born. He experienced all the hardships and
trials of pioneer life and in those early days
he hauled his grain to Chicago by team a
distance of one hundred and forty miles.
After selling his wheat at from twelve to
fifteen cents per bushel he would return
home with a load of salt for the cattle. In
1824 he was united in marriage to Miss
Frances Webb, a daughter of Henry and
Catherine Webb, of Wythe county, Vir-
ginia. Mrs. Gessford was born in that
county in 1810 and died at Farmer City, Il-
linois, in 1871, while her husband passed
away on the old homestead farm in 1847.
To them were born eleven children, namely :
Sarah and Catherine, twins, both now de-
ceased ; Malinda and Rebecca, also deceased ;
Stephen, a farmer residing near Creston,
Iowa ; Frances, wife of George Walters of
Kansas City, Missouri ; Columbus, de-
ceased; Henry, of this review; William,
who was a member of Company I, Thirty-
ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry during
the Civil war, and died after his return
home from wounds received in service;
James, who was a member of Company I,
One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volun-
teer Infantry, and was killed in the siege of
Atlanta; and Annie, also deceased.

Henry Gessford was educated in the
common schools of DeWitt county near
Farmer City, but at the early age of twelve
years he started out in life for himself by

working as a farm hand at ten dollars per
month, being thus employed until the coun-
try became involved in civil war. Like his
brothers he offered his services to the gov-
ernment to help put down the Rebellion, en-
listing in 1 86 1 in Company F, Forty-first Il-
linois Volunteer Infantry, which was as-
signed to the Seventeenth Army Corps. He
participated in a number of hard-fought bat-
tles, including the engagements at Fort Hen-
ry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, the siege of Co-
rinth and Vicksburg. He was also in the bat-
tle of Hatchie's Run and Jackson, Mississip-
pi. He was wounded at both Fort Donelson
and Vicksburg, and after over three years of
faithful service he was mustered out and
honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois,
August 20, 1864.

On his return from the army Mr. Gess-
ford commenced farming on his own" ac-
count, operating land near Farmer City un-
til 1873, when he removed to DeLand and
embarked in merchandizing under the name
of the Henry Gessford Mercantile Com-
pany, conducting the store successfully for
five years. He then sold out and turned his.
attention to painting and paper hanging.
He has since given more or less attention to
the real estate business, buying and selling
town property, and he now owns five houses
and lots besides his own home and some va-
cant lots. These houses he keeps in good
repair and rents. Soon after coming to De-
Land he purchased two lots and in 1884
erected thereon the small house which he
now occupies, but in the summer of 1903 it
is his intention to erect a fine large residence
with eleven rooms and all modern conveni-
ences and improvements. His property is
well located and is surrounded by beautiful
shade trees which add greatly to the at-
tractive appearance of the place. On his

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

349

return from the army Mr. Gessford found
DeLand unplatted, in fact a large cornfield,
and it is largely due to his efforts that the
village to-day enjoys its present prosperity.
He has bought and sold a number of lots
and erected several buildings, including
private residences and stores.

Mr. Gessford was married December
22, 1864, to Miss Mary Jackson, of Farmer
City, Illinois, who was born in Stockport,
England, in 1846, and came to this country
in 1850 with her parents, Joseph and Han-
nah (Higginbotham) Jackson, also natives
of that country. On their arrival in Amer-
ica they first settled in Rochester, New
York, but six years later removed to Le
Roy, Illinois, and in 1863 took up their res-
idence in Farmer City. Mrs. Jackson is still
living at the age of eighty-three years, but
has suffered a third stroke of paralysis and is
now totally blind. She makes her home
with our subject and his wife. Mr. and
Mrs. Gessford have four children : James
W., a harnessmaker and dealer in harness
and saddlery at DeLand ; Charles G., who
lives with his father and owns and operates
a thresher and cornsheller; Maude DeLand,
who was the first white child born in the
village for which she is named, and now the
wife of Edward Johnson, of Monticello;
and Bertram E., who is with his brother
James in the harness business.

Mr. and Mrs. Gessford are earnest and
consistent members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, and he is also connected with
Lemon Post, G. A. R., of Farmer City.
For thirty-three years he was also a member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
but was obliged to withdraw from that so-
ciety on account of failing health. In poli-
tics he is a stanch Republican and he is as
true to his duties of citizenship to-day as he

was when following the old flag to victory
on the battlefields of the south during the
dark days of the Rebellion. Upright and
honorable in all the relations of life, he merits
and receives the confidence and esteem of
"those with whom he is brought in contact,
and his friends are many in the community
where he has so long made his home.

JAMES VAN GORDER.

Section 19, Blue Ridge township, is the
home of this "horny handed son of toil."
Here he was born and bred, and in this com-
munity none stand higher in the public es-
teem. James is the son of Benjamin and
Charlotte Van Gorder, who were early set-
tlers in the county, and highly regarded for
their honesty and integrity. He is a native
of the county, born in 1866 in Blue Ridge
township, where he still cultivates the home-
stead farm. One brother, William Judson,
and a sister, Mrs. Mary Martin, who also
reside in the county, are the remaining mem-
bers of the family.

Mr. Van Gorder passed the period of
boyhood and youth in the invigorating out-
door life of the farm, securing a good pri-
mary education at Langley, the district
school of the community. For a year after
attaining his majority he remained beneath
the parental roof, working for his -father,
then took up the duties of life on his own
account, cultivating a portion of the home
farm. In 1895 he purchased forty and five
years later purchased forty acres more of the
three hundred and twenty acres he now cul-
tivates, the remaining portion still belonging
to his father. The farm is one of the most

=10

PAST AND PRESENT

productive in the county, the combined ef-
forts of the father and son having brought
it to a high state of cultivation. They de-
vote its products largely to the fattening of
cattle and hogs for the market, using grain
as a crop in rotation.

Mr. Van Gorder waited until he was well
prepared to care for a wife before taking the
important step of matrimony, the I3th day
of October, 1892, marking that event. Mrs.
Van Gorder was a Piatt county girl, the
daughter of Hiram and Susan Steele, well-
to-do farmers living near Galesville. where
her father and sisters still reside, the mother
having passed away. To the union of Mr.
and Mrs. Van Gorder have been born Adelia,
Howard, Paul, Vernie, who died in infancy,
and baby Bertha, who constitute a most in-
teresting family.

The weight which attaches to a life well
spent entirely within one community is
hardly to be estimated. A floating popula-
tion is the bane of our civilization. Using
the other end of the familiar old saw, "A
rolling stone gathers no moss," one finds in
the Van Gorder family a fine old moss-cov-
ered stone covered with the attractive moss
of sterling attributes of character. Their
church affiliations lie with the United Breth-
ren, while fraternally Mr. Van Gorder is a
worthy member of the Modern Woodmen
and the Masons, with membership at Mans-
field. He is a Democrat in politics, and
though not courting office, has been called
on to serve his community in a minor way.
He is at present school director of the dis-
trict and as such is an earnest advocate of the
growing idea in educational fields that con-
solidation of schools in the country will
greatly improve the service which is an idea
that is yearly gathering strength as each new
experiment demonstrates its feasibility.

SAMUEL McCLURE.

Willow Branch township has many good
citizens but none better known and more fav-
orably held in the esteem of the public than
the gentleman whose name prefaces this
sketch. He resides on a splendid farm of
three hundred and sixty acres on section 9.
the fine twelve- room modern farm house,
which he erected in 1883, having few equals
in the county.

Mr. McClure's place of nativity was in
Jefferson county, Kentucky, where he was
born in 1829. His father, William McClure,
was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and near
there he married Nancy Wheeler about 1823.
William McClure was of a stirring, restless
character, with an abundance of animal spir-
its and not a lazy bone in his body. Had he
possessed business ability in a larger degree
he would have risen to affluence. In early life
he engaged in wagon-making. Later he
turned his ingenuity to good account in the
manufacture of stocks for cradles and
scythes. His later days were passed in agri-
cultural pursuits in Macon county. Illinois, to
which state he had removed in 1848. After
the death of his wife, on November 6, 1877,
he became an inmate of our subject's home,
where he was. tenderly cared for until his
race was run, the date of his death being 1878.
The family born to these parents were as fol-
lows: John C. W., who entered the army
during the Mexican war, and died in Mexico ;
Samuel : Emaza J., deceased wife of George
R. Farrow; Eranie E., who married William
Farrow and is now deceased : Nancy, who
died at the age of twelve years, and William,
who died at fifteen.

Samuel McClure is the product of grind-
ing toil and poverty. It was his lot until near
his majority to pass the daylight hours, as

SAMUEL McCLURE

MRS. SAMUEL McCLURE

P1ATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

355

well as many of the night, in hardest toil.
After he became a man he, Lincoln-like, se-
cured enough education to transact ordinary
business, and an observant mind has done the
rest toward making him what might safely
be called a man of good education. His first
efforts were directed toward getting a home
for his wife, whom he married May 15, 1851,
her maiden name having been Eliza Jane Far-
row. She was the daughter of Thornton and
Catherine Farrow, of Macon county. By
renting land and breaking prairie for outside
parties he was finally enabled in 1856 to buy
his first piece of land, an eighty-acre tract in
Macon county, all wild. Several different
times he bought and sold, steadily advancing
in prosperity. Finally, in 1857, he purchased
a part of his present farm, it being at that
time virgin prairie, and now, as he looks out
over his three hundred and sixty acres of
broad domain, Mr. McClure does so with the
satisfaction that his is the unaided hand
which has wrested from nature one of the
finest farms in the whole state. He laid the
first tile used in the township, and the farm is
covered with objects of his care and fore-
thought, fine orchards yielding abundant
fruit in every variety, wells and good fenc-
ing, and spacious and substantial barns and
outbuildings. For many years Mr. McClure
was one of the most active farmers in the
county, raising large crops of all kinds of
grain. Of late years, however, he has taken
matters more quietly, pleasing his fancy in
the raising of thoroughbred stock Norman
horses, Aberdeen and Jersey cattle and Po-
land China hogs with which varieties he
has had great success.

Eight children were born to the union of
Mr. and Mrs. McClure: Daniel K., a farmer
of Willow Branch township; John C. and
Francis, both of Bement; Theodosia, wife of

William F. Ater, a bookkeeper of Chicago;
and Lyona, wife of O. B. Baker, a farmer of
the township. Three girls died in early in-
fancy.

Life is a 1>attle. To win one must have
a superabundance of reserve force. This may
consist of inherited wealth or natural ability,
reinforced by strong will power. Samuel
McClure found himself handicapped as to the
former, but endowed with an abundance of
the latter he has vanquished adversity. All
honor to such a man. As road overseer and
school director he serves his community most
acceptably, and he and his family deserve the
large measure of esteem which comes to them
from friends and neighbors.

JACOB FISHER.

Jacob Fisher is a retired farmer living in
White Heath. Fie was born in Pickaway
county, Ohio, December 2, 1837, his par-
ents being John and Margaret (Cline) Fish-
er. The father was a native of Frederick
county, Virginia, born on the pth of Au-
gust, 1808, and obtained a common-school
education in the Old Dominion. In 1836
he was united in marriage to Miss Cline,
and in 1839 they removed to Piatt county,
Illinois, this being then a frontier region in
which the work of progress and improve-
ment had been scarcely begun. For miles
stretched the wild prairie unclaimed and un-
improved. Mr. Fisher took up his abode
upon a tract of this land and developed a
farm which continued to be his home for
fourteen years. In the early days he and
his family endured many hardships and
trials incident to pioneer life. He broke the
prairie with one of the old-time plows, driv-

356

PAST AND PRESENT

ing an ox team. He raised wheat and corn
for market, and by the sale of these prod-
ucts was enabled to gain some of the other
necessities of life. He would haul his wheat
to Chicago for there was only one other flour
mill, and that was in Springfield, but on ac-
count of the low prices at which groceries
sold in Chicago at that day Mr. Fisher pre-
ferred to take his wheat to that city in order
to secure his other supplies. He first made
the trip with ox teams and afterward with
horse teams. His wheat sold for thirty-
seven and a half cents per bushel, while
pork brought one dollar and fifty cents per
hundred weight. He harvested his wheat
and corn with the sickle, and shocked it all
by hand. All farm work was done with
primitive machinery, and the farmers felt
that thev were greatly benefited by the in-
vention of the cradle which enabled them to
do much more work with less labor. There
is certainly a great contrast between farm
machinery used at that early day and the
improved agricultural implements of the
present. The home was a log cabin, and
while many of the conveniences in use at
the present time were then unknown, still
pioneer life was not devoid of its pleasures
for hospitality then reigned supreme, and
many were the merry gatherings held in
the different pioneer homes. After some
years residence in this county, Mn Fisher
purchased a farm of three hundred and
forty acres upon which he resided until his
death. In addition to general farm products
he was also extensively engaged in raising
stock for the market, making a specialty of
hogs. Year by year the work of improve-
ment was carried on by him until at the
time of his demise he was considered one
of the most successful and prosperous agri-
culturists of Piatt county. He died on April

n, 1863, respected by all who knew him.
His wife was of German lineage and was a
most estimable lady, carefully rearing her
family. She died on May 1 1, 1849, at tne ac '~
vanced age of eighty-three years. Their
children were Jacob; George W., deceased;
Mary Ann, who died in early childhood;
John, who died in infancy ; Martha, the
wife of James Collins, now deceased; Sarah
Malissa, who died when but three years old ;
Hiram, who died at Memphis, Tennessee,
while serving in the Union army; David,
deceased ; James, a farmer living three
miles north of Monticello; Serelda C, who
is the wife of James Phalen, and is living
on the Allerton farm, four miles southwest
of Monticello; Margaret, the wife of I. N.
Holloway, who is living retired at White
Heath ; and Ezra, who died Jn infancy.

Jacob Fisher is indebted to the public
school system of Piatt county for the edu-
cational privileges he enjoyed. He gained
his lessons sitting upon a slab bench in a
log schoolhouse and wrote his exercises up-
on a plank desk. There were puncheon
floors and old fashioned fireplaces. It was
just about that time that sawmills were
coming into universal use and lumber was
therein prepared for flooring and other
purposes. Mr. Fisher worked upon his
father's farm and attended school when he
could be spared from the labors of the fields,
but he was the eldest of twelve children and
his services were often needed at home.
His educational privileges were therefore
limited, but in later years reading, experi-
ence and observation have added largely
to his knowledge, making him a practical
business man. He wedded Mary Ann
Morse, a daughter of Henry Morse, of Ma-
homet. Champaign county, Illinois. Her
father was a Canadian while her mother

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

357

was from Ohio, and Mr. Morse followed
the blacksmith's trade in Mahomet, carry-
ing on the business also at his farm about
half a mile from the town.

At the time of his marriage Mr. Fisher
began farming upon his father's land and
was thus engaged until two years after his
father's death. He then purchased land of
his own a part of the Cline tract and
continued to carry on agricultural pursuits
there until 1898, when he rented the place
and removed to White Heath. About
three years ago he sold his farm to William
Alexander and purchased a house and a half
block of land in the village. He also owns
property in Clinton, Illinois, and the rental
from the place brings to him a good in-
come. Since his removal to White Heath
he has lived a retired life. In all his deal-
ings he has been straightforward and honor-
able, and his untiring industry has been the
source of his prosperity. He has never con-
sented to hold office nor cared to figure
prominently in public positions, save during
three years when he served as school direct-
or. Many other times he has been urged
to become a candidate for political prefer-
ment, but has always refused. Both he and
his wife are very familiar with the pioneer
history of this section of the state, and
passed through the experience and hard-
ships incident to frontier life. ' They can
relate many interesting incidents concerning
the early days, Mrs. Fisher telling of the
times, when years ago the water was so high
in the spring that it was almost impossible
to ford the rivers, and it overflowed many
places until it reached the height of a
horse's back. On one such occasion her
father's family exhausted their supply of
flour and meal and were obliged to live three
weeks without bread, subsisting on hominy,

potatoes and meat. At the end of that
time they were all so hungry for bread that
Mrs. Fisher's mother parched some corn
which she ground in a coffee-mill and then
converted the meal into bread, which Mrs.
Fisher declares tasted better than any wheat
bread they ever ate. An estimable lady,
she holds membership in the United Breth-
ren church and is most loyal to its teachings.
Mr. Fisher votes with the Democracy, and
both are widely and favorably known in
the county and are held in the highest re-
gard by all with whom they have come in.
contact. They are among the oldest set-
tlers now residing in White Heath, and it
is with pleasure that we present to our read-
ers the history of people who have been so
closely associated with the annals of Piatt
county through long years.

CHARLES S. DEWEY.

One of the most progressive and suc-
cessful agriculturists of Piatt county is--
Charles S. Dewey, whose home is on sec-
tion 28, Goose Creek township. His meth-
ods of farm management showed deep scien-
tific knowledge, combined with sound prac-
tical judgment, and the results show that
high-class farming as an occupation can be
made profitable as well as pleasant.

Mr. Dewey was born in McDonough
county, Illinois, June 10, 1865, and is a
son of Edward and Delphina (Lantz)
Dewey, and a grandson of Alonzo Baldwin
and Emeline (Washburn) Dewey. His fa-
ther is a second cousin of Admiral Dewey
of America's most prominent naval officers.
The grandfather of our subject lived to quite
an advanced age and died on the 2oth of

358

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

March." 1891, but the grandmother died in
1845, at the age of thirty-five years.

Edward Dewey, the father, was born in
Northfield, Vermont, November 7, 1836,
and during boyhood came to Illinois with
his parents, the family locating in Mc-
Donough county, where he was reared and
educated in the usual manner of farmer
boys. When the Civil war broke out he
resolved to strike a blow in defense of the
Union, and op the I2th of October, 1861,
enlisted in Company F, Fifty-fifth Illinois
Volunteer Infantry. Going south he partic-
ipated in a number of important engage-
ments including the battles of Shiloh,
Corinth, Chickasaw Bayou, Champion
Hills, the siege of Vicksburg, the capture
of Jacksonville, Mississippi, and the battles
of Raymond. Missouri Ridge, Kenesaw
Mountain, Atlanta and Peach Tree Creek.
He was severely wounded in an engage-
ment July 28. 1864, and several days later
was sent home on a furlough. In due time
he reported for duty at Quincy, Illinois,
and. was transferred to Company E. Twen-
ty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and
his brigade was assigned to General Sher-
man's command. At the time of President
Lincoln's assassination his company was
stationed at Springfield, Illinois, and was
appointed a guard of honor while the body
lay in state at the capitol. The war having
ended and his services being no longer
needed, Mr. Dewey was honorably dis-
charged in June, -1865. and returned home.

On the 1 2th of May. 1864, at Bushnell.
Illinois, he was united in marriage to Miss
Delphina Lantz, who was born at Stanhope,
New Jersey, October 28, 1842, a daughter
of David and Malinda (Heminover) Lantz.
Eight children blessed this union, of whom
our subject is the eldest. John- E.. born

November 4, 1866, is now a farmer of
Ringgold county, Iowa. William F., born
August 24, 1868, died December n, 1871.
Mary Estella, torn June 27. 1871. is the
wife of Joseph Severs, a carpenter living in
Ohio. Curtis Melvin, born June 8, 1873, is
a farmer of Ringgold county, Iowa. Hattie
M., born March 29, 1879, is the wife of
Ray Covey, a carpenter of Farmer City,
'Illinois. David Edwin, horn March 14,
1 88 1. died January 31, 1889. Etta Viola
Jane, born October 26, 1885. is at home
with her parents in Farmer City.

In 1871 the father brought his family to
Piatt county and purchased a farm of one
hundred and twenty acres in Goose Creek
township, four miles and a half north of
DeLand. He broke and improved this
place, and after operating it for about two
years, he purchased forty acres adjoining
and eighty acres more two years later. As
time passed he steadily prospered and kept
enlarging his estate from time to time by
additional purchases until at present he
owns about a thousand acres of well im-
proved land. His success in life is due en-
tirely to his well directed efforts, persistent
industry and good management for, on
starting out for himself he was without cap-
ital and had to make his own way in the
world unaided. He is a man of exceptional
business ability and sound judgment, and
has steadily overcome all obstacles in the
path to success until he has acquired a hand-
some competence which ranks him among
wealthy citizens of his community. After
years of active labor, he is now living a re-
tired life in Farmer City, enjoying a well-
earned rest.

Charles S. Dewey was quite young when
he accompanied his parents on their removal
to Piatt countv, and he is indebted to the

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

359

district schools near DeLand for the educa-
tional privileges he enjoyed during his
youth. During the summer season he would
aid in the work of the home farm and at-
tended school for about three months dur-
ing the winter until seventeen years of age,
when he laid aside his text-books and took
up the more arduous duties of life. He
gave his father the benefit of his labors until
about twenty-two years of age.

On the 1 3th of March, 1889, Mr. Dew-
ey wedded Miss Mary Emma Beckwith, a
daughter of James and Laura (Levy) Beck-
with, both natives of Pennsylvania, where
her father followed farming for some years.
In 1871 he came to Piatt county, Illinois,
and is now living near Farmer City in De-
Witt county. Mrs. Dewey's mother died
February n, 1891, at the age of forty-one
years and tweny-seven days, and in 1893,
Mr. Beckwith was again married, his sec-
ond union being with Etta Shreeves, by
whom he has one child, Ruth. The chil-
dren of the first marriage are Lawrence, a
farmer of DeWitt county ; Mary E., wife
of our subject ; and Katie May, wife of
Frank Keefer. a farmer living near Storm
Lake, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Dewey have
two children : Clyde Edwin, born Septem-
ber 12, 1890; and Ethel May. born Janu-
ary 17, 1894.

After his marriage Mr. Dewey com-
menced operating a part of his father's land
and purchased eighty acres of the land.
He has since bought tracts from other par-
ties, and to<lay owns a half section of fine
farming land, which he has placed under
a high state of cultivation. Upon the place
are good and substantial buildings, a finr
orchard and beautiful shade trees, and ev-
erything indicates the supervision of a pro-
gressive and painstaking owner. The best

improved machinery is used in carrying on
the work of the farm, and the most ad-
vanced and practical methods are employed
in its operation. Mr. Dewey is interested
in stock, raising hogs for market, and he
also has five pure-blooded registered Perch-
eron mares and two two-year-old stallions.
Like his father, he possesses exceptional
ability in business affairs and his success is
but the just reward of honest labor. Fra-
ternally, Mr. Dewey is a member of De-
Land Lodge, No. 603, K. P., and the
Twentieth Century Lodge, No. 2178, M.
W. A., of DeLand, and politically he affili-
ates with the Republican part).

JOHN SMITH.

John Smith, whose entire life has been
spent in or near Centerville, Piatt county,
Illinois, was born on a farm near that vil-
lage, May 28, 1851, and is a son of Wil-
liam H. and Julia Ann (Wright) Smith,
both natives of Pickaway county, Ohio, the
former born in 1818, and the latter in
1826. In 1840 the father came to Piatt
county with his stepfather, Ezra Marcus,,
and worked on a farm by the month until
his marriage to Miss Wright in 1844,
when he removed to his father-in-law's
farm and there spent twelve years. At the
end of that time he removed to Centerville
or Lick Skillet, as it was then called, and
purchased two lots on which he erected a
store building and put in a stock of general
merchandise. He carried on business at
that place until his death, hauling his goods
from Chicago, and sometimes from St.
Louis. He passed away in 1870. His
first wife also died in Centerville in 1856,

360

PAST AND PRESENT

and after her death he married Barbara
Dawson, a daughter of William Dawson.
She is now the wife of Daniel Clinger and
lives bn a farm near Mansfield, Illinois. By
liis first marriage Mr. Smith had six children :
Charles, who is married and lives in Ala-
bama; George, deceased; Mary, wife of W.
H. Dawson, a resident of Missouri; Sarah,
wife of V. I. Williams, of Champaign, Illi-
nois; John, of this review; and one who
died in infancy. The children of the sec-
ond union were James, a resident of the
state of Washington ; Frank B., of Nebras-
ka; Edward, of Missouri; Isaac D., who
died in Mansfield, Illinois, in November,
1902; and Madie, wife of 'Edward Reed,
of Mansfield.

During his boyhood John Smith at-
tended a subscription school in Centerville,
and after completing his education at the
age of fifteen years, he commenced driving
a team for his father in hauling goods from
Chicago and Champaign. He also assisted
in the work of the home farm until his
father's death, when he went to Iowa and
spent one year, his brother having charge
of his father's store at that time. On his
return to Piatt county he worked in the
store until after his marriage, when his
brother removed the stock of goods to
White Heath, and with an entirely new
stock, our subject embarked in business on
his own account at the old stand. Two
years later he sold out and bought a forty-
acre farm which he operated for three
years, and on- disposing of that property he
purchased a house and two lots in Center-
ville, where he has since made his home.
To some extent he still engages in farming,
but owning to failing eyesight he is not able
to do much.

In 1873 Mr. Smith was united in mar-

riage to Miss Sarah Jane Camp, a daugh-
ter of William and Charity (Morris) Camp,
who came to this county from Pickaway
county, Ohio, in 1866. Six children bless
this union, namely : Lula, wife of Frank
Webster, who is engaged in farming near
DeLand; Arthur M., who is also a farmer;
Alberta, wife of James Winters, a resident
of Champaign ; Etta, wife of Otis Mc-
Wethy, a farmer living near Urbana ; Eva,
at home ; and Elmer, who also follows farm-
ing. In his political views Mr. Smith is a
Democrat. He is widely known in the com-
munity where he has always made his home,
and those who know him best are numbered
among his warmest friends.

GEORGE W. TEATS.

George W. Teats, who is living in White
Heath, was born in Adelphi, Ross county,
Ohio, on the 3Oth of August, 1854, his par-
ents being Mathias and Mary (Puffinbarger)
Teats. The father was also a native of Ross
county, born August n, 1818, and was a
shoemaker by occupation, following that
pursuit in Adelphi thirty-six years. He was
married there in 1840 and in 1856 he re-
moved with his family to Piatt county, Illi-
nois, taking up his abode upon a farm near
White Heath, where the Camp Creek ceme-
tery is now located. Unto him and his wife
were born five children Maria Louisa, who
was the wife of James H. Hickman, and died
in the spring of 1902; Mary Elizabeth, who
married Jehu Trotter and departed this life
in the year 1901 ; Caroline Marian, who died
about 1856; Jane, the wife of Jesse Bushee,
of White Heath ; and George W.

In taking up the personal history of

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

361

George W. Teats \ve present to our readers
the record of one whose life history demon-
strates the power of industry and persever-
ance in the active affairs of life, for he has
been the architect of his own fortunes and
has built wisely and well. He was educated
in the common schools, attending the Camp
Creek school through the winter months,
while during the summer seasons he worked
upon his father's farm and thus became fa-
miliar with every department of agricultural
life.

Mr. Teats continued with his father until
October 29, 1886, when he was united in
marriage to Miss Barbara E. Trotter, a
daughter of Hiram and Lydia Maria (All-
man) Trotter, of Champaign county. She
was born in Newcomb township, that county,
June 12, 1858. Her parents were natives of
Virginia and are now deceased. Her father
was born January 22, 1813, and died No-
vember 13, 1900. He was three times mar-
ried, his second wife being Mrs. Teats' moth-
er, who was born October 7, 1815, and died
in Champaign county, December 28, 1881.
Mr. and Mrs. Teats have a daughter, Lydia
May, who was born January 16, 1889, and is
now attending school.

Our subject and his wife began their do-
mestic life upon the Plunk farm, which he
rented for two years, and afterward rented
the Jehu Trotter farm, which was their home
for the same length of time. Subsequently
1hey removed to Nebraska, but after farm-
ing there for one season they returned to
Piatt county, Illinois, and Mr. Teats pur-
chased of W. P. Smith thirty acres of land
in Sangamon township. In 1899 he sold
that property, having successfully operated
it during the intervening years. He then re-
moved to White Heath, where he engaged in
the livery business and in carpentering for

four years. Three years ago he purchased
about ten acres of land within the town lim-
its, and in September, 1902, bought another
nine acres, upon which he is now engaged
in the raising of fruits, including pears of
all kinds and also peaches, plums and cher-
ries. He makes a specialty of strawberries
and blackberries, however, and has a thor-
ough and comprehensive knowledge of hor-
ticulture, his opinions on this subject being
largely regarded as authority in the com-
munity. He makes a close study of the needs
of different kinds of fruits, is always ready
to investigate any methods advanced for the
improvement of fruit and that which he pro-
duces is of such superior size and excellent
flavor that he can always command the high-
est market prices. He and his family occupy
a nice home only a short distance from the
center of White Heath, and Mr. Teats is now
improving this property by building an addi-
tion thereto.

FRED D. GILLESPIE.

Fred D. Gillespie, who is engaged in
dealing in grain in Harris and is also a gen-
eral merchant there, was born in McLean
county, Illinois, on the I2th of August, 1879,
and is a son of Christian and Lauretta (Da-
vidson) Gillespie. The father was a native
of Blair county, Pennsylvania, born on the
2d of August, 1846, and the mother's birth
occurred in Westmoreland county,' of the
same state, on the igth of April, 1849. Dur-
ing his early boyhood days Christian Gilles-
pie came to the West with his parents, who
settled in McLean county, Illinois. He was
educated in Piatt county, however, but was
married in McLean county. He then took

362

PAST AND PRESENT

up his abode on the old Gillespie homestead
in this county and continued to engage in
farming here for a number of years. Later
he removed with his family to Normal and
there his wife died in the year 1882. On
Thanksgiving Day of 1889 he was again
married, his second union being with Louisa
Osborn, of Mansfield. They now reside in
Champaign county, and are well known and
highly respected citizens of that locality. By
the first marriage there were two children
Jessie, who is the wife of Charles B. Har-
rison, a resident of Manhattan, Kansas ; and
Fred D.

Fred D. Gillespie is indebted to the com-
mon-school system of the state for the early
educational privileges he received, while
later he attended school in Farmer City, pur-
suing a high-school course there. He then
went to the normal school at Normal, Illi-
nois, and later he engaged in teaching school
for three years in Piatt county, following the
profession in Blue Ridge and Sangamon
townships. In the year 1901 he established
his grain business at Harris, having a good
elevator there, with a capacity of fifty thou-
sand bushels. He is now carrying on a suc-
cessful trade as a grain merchant, and his
business furnishes an excellent market for
the grain-raisers of this locality. He like-
wise conducts a general mercantile store and
has secured a good patronage in that line lie-
cause of his earnest desire to please his cus-
tomers, his obliging manner and his straight-
forward business methods. In the fall of
1901 he was appointed postmaster of Harris
and is now acting in that capacity.

On the 1 7th of June. 1904. Fred D. Gil-
lespie was united in marriage to Miss Stella
M. Long, a native of Piatt county, Illinois,
and a daughter of Lewis Long. They now
reside on the old Gillespie homestead near

Harris, which place was entered by his
grandfather. H. K. Gillespie. who settled in
Piatt county many years ago, becoming one
of the first residents of this portion of the
state. Mr. Gillespie votes with the Repub-
lican party and is a popular, enterprising,
wide-awake and highly respected young
man of his native county.

CHARLES TAYLOR.

For some years Charles Taylor has been
prominently identified with the business in-
terests of Milmine, where as a member of the
firm of Phillips & Taylor he is now doing an
extensive, business as a grain-dealer. He is a
representative of that class of citizens who,
while advancing individual success, also pro-
mote the public welfare.

A native of Piatt county, Mr. Taylor was
born in Willow Branch township on the I4th
of October, 1863, and is a son of Elijah Tay-
lor, a farmer and stock- raiser who was well
and favorably known in this county, where
he made his home for many years, dying here
July 2, 1887. The father was born in a pio-
neer home in Ross county, Ohio. January
23, 1834. and passed his early life in that
state. He received a public-school education,
and as soon as old enough he commenced
farming. He came to this county in 1853,
and here he was married on the I3th of Feb-
ruary, 1861, to Miss Catherine Peck, a native
of Piatt county, born December 15, 1839, and
a daughter of Adonijah and Mary (Ater)
Peck. For three years after his marriage
Mr. Taylor engaged in farming on rented
land, and then located on the farm in Willow
Branch township, where his widow still re-
sides in a well-appointed home. His first

CHARLES TAYLOR.

MRS. CATHARINE TAYLOR

ELIJAH TAYLOR

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

purchase consisted of eighty acres of wild
prairie land, on which not a furrow had been
turned or an improvement made. By per-
sistent hard work he brought his land to its
present high state of cultivation and made
many valuable improvements on the place, in-
cluding the erection of the handsome brick
residence occupied by his widow, it being
built in the summer of 1871. He kept add-
ing to his property from time to time until
he had one of the best and most desirable
farms of the township. For many years he
was an active and prominent member of the
Christian church, in which he served as dea-
con, and was always found on the side of
right. Politically, he was identified with the
Democratic party and he served as clerk of
Willow Branch township and as township
school trustee. After a useful and well-spent
life he passed away, leaving many friends as
well as his immediate family to mourn his
loss. His widow still survives him and con-
tinues to reside on the old homestead. At her
husband's death she was left with seven chil-
dren to care for, the eldest of whom had just
arrived at man's estate, while the youngest
was only nine years old. No one but those
who have experienced it can measure the
weight of the load thus thrown upon her, but
with a heroism born of a great need she faced
the situation and began the contest. Details
vary in such cases and the outcome alone con-
cerns us. Her children were reared to habits
of industry and honesty and are to-day num-
bered among the leading citizens of the com-
munity where they reside. Eight children
were born to her, but Edwin, the eldest, is
now deceased. Charles is the next of the
family. Ulla Dell was the wife of C. Davies,
who now lives in Oklahoma. Alonzo is a
mechanic at. Milmine. Lewis and Adelbert,
the youngest, carry on the farm for their

mother. Anna B. is the wife of William
Burns, superintendent of the United States
weather bureau at Springfield, Illinois.
James E. is on a cattle ranch in Arizona.

Charles Taylor was educated in the pub-
lic schools of this county, and on completing
his education he engaged in teaching school
here for four or five years. He next engaged
in general merchandising with A. C. Evans
at Bement for two years, and in June, 1890,
formed a partnership with R. M. Shepherd
under the firm name of Shepherd & Taylor
in the same line of business. They carried
a large and well-selectd stock amounting
to about three thousand dollars and met with
excellent success, doing an annual business
between fifteen and twenty thousand dollars.
Mr. Shepherd is to-day one of the popular
men of Cerro Gordo township. On disposing
of his mercantile interests, Mr. Taylor em-
barked in the grain business in partnership
with Frank Phillips under the firm style of
Phillips & Taylor, and they now do the
largest business in their line of any firm in
tlie county. Their elevators have a capacity
of thirty-five thousand bushels and they have
succeeded in making Milmine one of the
great grain centers of central Illinois. Dur-
ing the summer of 1902 they handled one
thousand dollars worth of oats per day for
thirty days. Both Mr. Phillips and Mr. Tay-
lor are energetic and enterprising business
men of known reliability and well deserve
the success that has come to them.

On the gth of January, 1889, Mr. Taylor
wedded Miss Mary Brandenburg, a native of
Piatt county and a daughter of Samuel Bran-
denburg, who was born in Clark county.
Kentucky, July i, 1827. Her paternal
grandfather, David Brandenburg, was of
German extraction. Samuel Brandenburg
was married August 24, 1853, to -Miss Ade-

3 68

PAST AND PRESENT

line Haggard, who was also born in Clark
county, Kentucky, April 15, 1835, and is a
daughter of Zachariah and Zilpha (Hodge)
Haggard, her father being a Virginian by
birth and a pioneer of Kentucky. Mrs. Bran-
denburg was reared and educated in that
state, and by her marriage became the moth-
er of eight children, Mrs. Taylor being the
seventh in order of birth. Mr. Brandenburg
died at his home in Cerro Gordo township,
January 29, 1886, honored and respected by
all who knew him.

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have three children :
Theo, aged thirteen ; Adlia, aged nine ; and
Ulla, aged seven. The family have a very
cozy and pleasant residence in Milmine and
are highly respected and esteemed by all who
know them. Mrs. Taylor is an active worker
in the Christian church and Mr. Taylor was
formerly connected with the Presbyterian
church, but now attends the Christian church.
He is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge,
No. 276, the Modern Woodmen of America,
the Court of Honor and Loyal Americans, all
of Milmine, and in all of which he is serving
as secretary. He also belongs to Cerro Gor-
xlo Lodge, Bement Chapter, Decatur Com-
mandery and Mohammed Temple of the
Mystic Shrine of Peoria, all of the Masonic
order, and his wife is a member of the Re-
bekahs, a branch of the Odd Fellows society.
He takes a very active and influential part
in local politics and is a strong supporter of
the Democratic party and its principles. He
served as postmaster of Milmine for four
years under President Cleveland and is now
filling the office of township treasurer of
schools. He is also United States section di-
rector and weather forecaster. Public-spir-
ited and progressive, he takes a deep interest
in the welfare of his community and is num-
bered among its most valued and useful citi-
zens one devoted to the public welfare. ,

CHARLES W. YAPP.

Charles W. Yapp, who is engaged in
farming on section 27, Blue Ridge township,
was born in Illinois in the year 1850 and is
a son of G. W. and Anne Yapp. The father
was a native of New York and at an early
day came west, establishing his home in
Iowa. He carried on agricultural pursuits
in the Empire state, afterward following
farming in Iowa, dying there. The mother
and family came later to Champaign county,
Illinois. He died when the subject of this
review was only eight years of age, and the
mother's death occurred in the year 1867.
In the family were six children, but Charles
W. is the only one now living in Piatt
county.

When a youth of seventeen years Charles
W. Yapp was left an orphan. At the age of
nineteen he came to this county and, entering
upon his business career, he leased eighty
acres of land, upon which he is now living.
Later he leased an additional tract of a quar-
ter section, and in 1874 bought forty acres,
to which he has since added one hundred
acres. When he took charge of the farm
there were no improvements upon it. The
land was all wild prairie and not a furrow
had been turned. Mr. Yapp has planted all
of the trees upon his place and has carried
on the work of improvement along various
lines until he is to-day cultivating one of the
finest farms to be found in this section of the
state.

As a companion and helpmate on life's
journey Mr. Yapp chose Miss Martha A.
Gardiner, a daughter of William Gardiner.
Their marriage was celebrated in 1873 and
has been blessed with five children Grace,
who died at the age of a year and a half;
two who died in infancy : Lucy May, who is
now at home, and William W., who is also

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

under the parental roof. The daughter,
Lucy, however, has been appointed to a
school in the Philippine Islands. She at-
tended school in Normal, Illinois, and is now
studying music under Professor Foster in
Champaign, but expects to go to our colonial
possession in the far East.

The family attend the services of the
Methodist church, to which Mr. Yapp be-
longs, taking an active and helpful part in
its work. He is now serving as superintend-
ent of the Sunday-school, is also a trustee
and steward of the church and likewise sec-
retary and treasurer of the board. He does
everything in his power to advance the cause
of Christianity, and his labors in its behalf
have been far-reaching and beneficial. In his
political views he is a Republican and he
served as collector and road supervisor. Fra-
ternally, he is connected with the Masonic
lodge at Mansfield and he also belongs to the
Court of Honor.

He may truly be called a self-made man,
for both of his parents died when he was
young and he had to begin work when but a
boy, his early life being a period of hard-
ships in many respects. He never had but
two hundred and sixty-four dollars given
him in all of his lifetime. When he was
about seventeen years of age he had only one
suit of clothes, and he had to work an en-
tire month in order to secure another suit.
For three years he was employed in the tim-
ber, having to grub up roots and split rails
while in Iowa. In November, 1859, he
started to make the trip from Iowa to Illi-
nois. When he came to the Mississippi
river it was frozen so that the boats could
not run and the wagon had to be hauled
across the ice. Mr. Yapp only had one boot
on owing to a sore foot and the one with the
boot on was frozen at that time. Finally he

arrived at Bloomington, Illinois, and thence
went to Mahomet. The snow at that time
was up to the horses' knees. The town of
Mahomet was called Middletown and Farm-
er City was known by the name of Mount
Pleasant. At that time Mr. Yapp went to
live with his grandmother in Champaign
county and thus established his home in a
district where wolves were still numerous,
and where various kinds of wild game
abounded. He has watched with interest
the development of this county as the years
have gone by and has seen its wonderful
transformation. He has also advanced in
his business career and to-day he is the own-
er of an excellent^farm of one hundred and
forty acres of land, on which he raises grain
and stock.

JOSEPH S. HUBBARD.

Among the representative farmers of
Piatt county is Joseph S. Hubbard, who re-
sides on section 21, Blue Ridge township.
He was born in Pike county, Illinois, in
1844, his parents being Joseph and Lucinda
(Lewis) Hubbard. The father was a native
of Massachusetts and was a painter by
trade. He also engaged in school-teaching
and in farming, and he died when his son
Joseph was but five years. of age. Two years
later the mother was called to her final rest
and thus our subject was left an orphan. He
acquired his early education in Pike county
in a log schoolhouse, but by reading and ob-
servation in later years has added largely to
his fund of knowledge and become a practical
business man. He started out for himself
at the age of fourteen years in Pike county
by working as a farm hand for ten dollars

372

PAST AND PRESENT

per month. He was thus employed until
1862, when he enlisted in Company C of the
Ninety-ninth Illinois Infantry under the
command of A. C! Matthews and Colonel
Bailey. His company was the flag company
of the regiment, and with this command M
Hubbard participated in the battle of Harts-
ville, Missouri, and also about fourteen other
open fights. He was likewise in the siege of
Vicksburg and afterward was taken ill, be-
cause of which he received an honorable dis-
charge and returned home.

Following his military experience, M-.
Hubbard was engaged as a farm hand for
two years in Logan county, Illinois, receiv-
ing twenty-three dollars per month, which
was very high wages to be paid for such
labor. In the year 1866 he was united in
marriage in Logan county to Miss Sarah P.
Johnston, a daughter of William Johnston,
and by this union have been born four chil-
dren, but the first two died in infancy; Min-
nie, the daughter, is now the wife of Bert
Collins, who is living in Farmer City, Illi-
nois, and J. W. C. Hubbard, the youngest
of the family, died on the i8th of December,
1902, at the age of twenty-five years. The
wife and mother passed away in January,
1895. In 1900 Mr. Hubbard was again mar-
ried, his second union being with Elizabeth
Johnston, with whom he is now living on his
pleasant farm in Blue Ridge township. ,

Mr. Hubbard came to Piatt county in
1869 and rented one hundred and sixty
acres of land, on which he lived for four
years, continuing its care and cultivation
throughout that period. He then pur-
chased eighty acres of land near the West
Point schoolhouse. Later he' sold that prop-
erty and took a trip to the Pacific coast,
spending about four months in Oregon and
California. He then came to Illinois and

rented a quarter section of land for a period
of seven years, after which he purchased that
property. He has made all of the improve-
ments upon his farm and has now an excel-
lent tract of land under a high state of culti-
vation. L T pon the place are good buildings
and everything is modern and progressive.
He has always made it the rule of his life to
be honest and straightforward in his dealings
with others and these qualities have gained
for him the unqualified confidence and re-
gard of his fellow men.

He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge
at Mansfield and with the Grand Army Post
at Farmer City. In his political views he is
a Republican, and for two terms served as
a school director. Both he and his wife be-
long to the Methodist Episcopal church and
he is well known throughout the community
as one whose career has been guided by hon-
orable principles and characterized by stead-
fastness of purpose. Left an orphan at a
very early age and starting out in life on his
own account when still quite young, he has
steadily worked his way upward and the suc-
cess that he has gained may be attributed en-
tirely to his own diligence and perseverance.

WALTER GULLIFORD.

Walter Gulliford, a representative young
farmer of Piatt county, now engaged in his
chosen occupation on section 34, Cerro Gor-
do township, was born in Bement on the 2ist
of April, 1874, and is a son of Thomas and
Eliza (Knighton) Gulliford, both natives of
England. The father is now deceased and
the mother is now the wife of William
Clark, whose sketch appears elsewhere in
this volume.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

373

During his boyhood \Yalter Gulliford
pursued his education in the Gulliford school
of Cerro Gordo township and after complet-
ing his studies he turned his attention to
farming, to which vocation he still devotes
his energies with marked success. He now
rents and operates his mother's farm of one
hundred and sixty acres on section 34, Cerro
Gordo township.

On the 22d of February, 1899, Mr. Gulli-
ford was united in marriage to Miss Ora
Edith Peel, who is the second in order of
,birth in the family of Benjamin and Amanda
E. (Haviner) Peel. By this union one child
has been born, Katie Belle. Mrs. Gulliford's
father is a native of Marshall county, Ken-
tucky, and on first coming to this state in
1857, located in Sangamon county, whence
he removed to the village of Bement, Piatt
county, in 1880. He is now working for our
subject on the farm. During the Civil war
he served for eight months as a member of
the Seventh Illinois Cavalry and was hon-
orably discharged November 4, 1865. His
children are as follows: Charles E., Ora
Edith, wife of our subject ; Laura E., a resi-
dent of Kansas ; Lenora; Lura Eva and Carl
William. In his political views Mr. Gulli-
ford is a Republican and he takes a deep and
commendable interest in public affairs, as
each American citizen should do.

JOHN BECKENHOLDT.

Since 1881 John Beckenholdt has made
his home in Piatt county, where he began
work as a farm hand, and to-day he is one
of the well-to-do agriculturists of Blue Ridge
township and all that- he possesses has come
as the reward of earnest labor. He was born

in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, on the 7th of
February, 1856, and is a son of John and
\Yilhelmina Beckenholdt, both of whom were
natives of Germany. In early life they came
to America and were married in Cincinnati,
Ohio. The father was a brewer by trade and
for many years operated a brewery in Law-
renceburg, while later he devoted his ener-
gies to farming in that county. He and his
wife both died during the early boyhood of
their son John.

In the schools of Dearborn county, Indi-
ana, John Beckenholdt of this review ac-
quired his education. He was there in-
structed in the elementary branches of learn-
ing and as the years have passed he has add-
ed to his knowledge through reading and ex-
perience. He possesses an observing eye and
retentive memory and has thus gained valu-
able information concerning the world and
the practical duties of life. He and his three
elder brothers lived together in Dearborn
county, Indiana, keeping "bachelors' hall."
In 1877 Mr Beckenholdt, whose name in-
troduces this review, came to Illinois. Later
he went to Kansas, where he took up a
homestead in Sheridan county, but not meet-
ing with the success that he had anticipated
there, he went to Colorado and also to Ne-
braska, remaining in the west until 1881,
when he returned to Illinois, this time estab-
lishing his home in Piatt county. Here he
began working by the month as a farm hand
in the employ of Jacob B. Chase, of Blue
Ridge township, but when he had acquired
a sufficient capital to become a landowner
he invested his savings in a tract of three
hundred and twenty acres, for which he paid
thirty-one dollars and a quarter per acre. As
his financial resources steadily increased he
extended the boundaries of this farm until
it now comprises four hundred and eighty

374

PAST AND PRESENT

acres of the rich land of Piatt county, and
there is no more productive soil in this great
farming state of Illinois than is to be found
in Blue Ridge township. Mr. Beckenholdt
also owns four hundred and twenty-three
acres in Pike county, Illinois. His home
farm was improved but very little when he
took up his abode there, and it is now well
tilled, the rich fields promising golden har-
vests in the autumn. He has also given con-
siderable attention to the raising of beef cat-
tle and hogs, shipping to the Chicago mar-
kets and finding this a profitable source of
income.

In 1884 Mr. Beckenholdt was united in
marriage to Miss Sallie E. Chase, a daugh-
ter of his first employer in Piatt county, Ja-
cob B. Chase, who came from Dearborn
county, Indiana, and won a place among the
well-to-do residents of this locality. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Beckenholdt have been born
four children Walter; Minnie, who died
September 4, 1902, and was laid by the side
of her mother in Blue Ridge cemetery ; Wil-
ber, who passed away February 8, 1890, and
Willard. The wife and mother was called
to her final rest October 16, 1894, her death
being deeply deplored by many friends. In
1895 Mr. Beckenholdt was joined in wed-
lock to Miss Emily Godwin, but after a short
married life she passed away March 5, 1898.
In 1900 he wedded his present wife, who
bore the maiden name of Lena Roth. She
is a daughter of Christian Roth, who is rep-
resented elsewhere in this volume.

Mr. Beckenholdt is a member of Farmer
City Camp, M. W. A., and in politics is a
Democrat, but has never consented to be-
come a candidate for office, desiring rather to
give his time and energies to his business
pursuits. He is a member of the Baptist
church of Mansfield and has been a co-op-

erant factor in the material advancement and
the moral improvement of his community.
In addition to his agricultural interests he
became one of the organizers of the State
Bank of Mansfield in 1901 and is one of its
directors. He is a man of great natural abil-
ity and has been very successful in business.
As has been truly remarked after all that may
be done for a man in the way of giving him
early opportunities for obtaining the require-
ments which are sought in books and schools,
he must essentially formulate, determine and
give shape to his own character, and this is
what Mr. Beckenholdt has done. He has
been very persevering in his life work and
has gained a satisfactory reward.

EDWARD MOVER.

Edward Moyer, who is the present as-
sessor of the township of Bement and who
resides on section 13 there, where he owns
an excellent farm of one hundred and fifty-
eight acres, was born at Delphi, Indiana, on
the 3ist of October, 1853. The Moyer fam-
ily is of German lineage and was established
in America by Jacob Moyer, the grandfather
of our subject, who settled in Pickaway
county, Ohio, and there spent his remaining
days, reaching the advanced age of eighty-
one years. He was a farmer throughout his
active business career.

The parents of our subject were David
and Delilah (Kerns) Moyer. The father
was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in the
year 1818 and, removing to Indiana, he
spent four years in that state, after which he
came to Illinois. Making his way to Piatt
county, he here purchased three hundred and
twenty acres of land in Willow Branch

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

375

township. All was wild and unimproved
and with characteristic energy he began the
arduous task of developing a new farm. For
many years he successfully carried on gen-
eral agricultural pursuits and stock-raising
and in his work he prospered. His land was
richly cultivated and the well-tilled fields re-
turned to him golden harvests, while because
of the good grade of stock which he raised he
found a ready sale for his horses and cattle
on the market. As his financial resources in-
creased he added to his property until he was
the owner of three hundred and fifty acres.
About twenty years ago he removed to the
village of Bement. where he spent his re-
maining days, his death occurring about
1892. In his political views Mr. Moyer was
first a Democrat, but afterward became a
Republican and in his later life was a Prohi-
bitionist. He was fearless in his defense of
what he believed to be right and never wav-
ered in his allegiance to the political princi-
ples which he thought contained the best ele-
ments of good government. For six years
he served as supervisor of Willow Branch
township and was most loyal and prompt in
the discharge of his duties. His religious
faith was indicated by his membership in the
Presbyterian church and his fidelity to its
teachings. His wife, who was born in Pick-
away county, Ohio, there lived until her
marriage and her parents died in that county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moyer were born six
children Mary E., who was the wife of
Giles Clarke, and is now deceased; Isabella,
the deceased wife of John LeFever; John,
who died at the age of four years ; Edward,
of this review ; Clara, who is the wife of
R. E. McKinney, of Decatur, and Ruth, the
wife of William Cochran, of Bement town-
ship.

Edward Moyer was only three years of

age when brought by his parents to Piatt
county and was reared upon the home farm
in Willow Branch township. He acquired
his earh - education in the schools of this
county and afterward became a student in
the Jacksonville Business College, in which
institution he was graduated. He then re-
turned to the farm in Willow Branch town-
ship, where he remained until the fall of
1883, carrying on general agricultural pur-
suits. He also engaged in stock-raising
quite extensively and successfully, making a
specialty of shorthorn cattle and Norman
horses. He devoted much attention to the
breeding and raising of horses for six years.
In 1883 he removed to Bement township,
where he purchased one hundred and fifty
acres of land on section 13, and upon this
farm he still lives. He was for a number of
years one of the representative agriculturists
and stock-raisers of the community, but
about two years ago he rented his land and
is now living retired. His business affairs
have been so capably conducted that as the
years passed he won comfortable competence
and is now largely resting in the enjoyment
of what he previously earned.

In August, 1876, in Willow Branch
township, Mr. Moyer was united in marriage
to Miss Eva Heath, a daughter of John and
Charity Heath. Her father was one of the
early settlers of Willow Branch township,
having come to Piatt county in 1854. Both
he and his wife are now deceased. The home
of Mr. and Mrs. Moyer was blessed with six
children, all of whom w y ere born in Piatt
county. The three now living are : Charles
A., who resides at home; lona B., the wife of
H. C. Cornelius, of Bement, by whom she
has two children, Paul and Ruth ; and Lena,
who is the wife of David Johnson, a painter
of Urbana, Illinois, by whom she has one

376

PAST AND PRESENT

child Edward D. The members of the fam-
ily who have passed away are : Edward,
who died when about eight years of age ;
Roy, who died of diphtheria at the age of
four years ; and one that died in infancy un-
named.

Mr. Mover has held the office of assessor
for five years and has been elected for an-
other year. He was also road commissioner
for one term and no public trust reposed in
him has been betrayed in the slightest de-
gree. His political support is given to the
Democracy, and he keeps well informed on
the issues of the day, thus being able to sup-
port his position by intelligent argument.
Mr. Moyer is a valued and popular repre-
sentative of a number of fraternal and in-
surance associations. He belongs to the
Modern Woodmen Camp, to the Masonic
fraternity, to the Court of Honor, to the
Tribe of Ben Hur, to the Fraternal Army.
to the Loyal Americans and the North Amer-
icans, and he has held official positions in all
of these save the Tribe of Ben Hur. He has
many excellent qualities which have made
him esteemed by those with whom he has
come into contact and gained for him the
favor and friendship of many with whom he
has been associated. ' There is in his life rec- .
ord much that is commendable, for he has
always been faithful to duty, progressive in
citizenship and reliable in business.

JOSEPH H. RANKIN.

Joseph H. Rankin, who is the well-known
and capable manager for the Galesville Grain
Company of Piatt county and a resident of
DeLand, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio,
on the 5th of April. 1848. His life record

proves conclusively that success is not a mat-
ter of genius, but may be won through per-
sistent effort, laudable ambition and sound
judgment. It is these qualities that have
formed the basis of Mr. Rankin's prosperity
and made him a substantial and respected citi-
zen of his adopted county.

Mr. Rankin is a son of James and Ma-
linda (Decker) Rankin, who were also na-
tives of the Buckeye state. By occupation
the father was a stone-mason and carpenter.
Coming to Illinois in the fall of 1852, he set-
tled in DeWitt county, casting in his lot
among the early settlers who laid the founda-
tion for the present development and pros-
perity of this section of the state. He pos-
sessed natural mechanical genius and marked
ingenuity along such lines and before coming
to Illinois he had also mastered the trade
of a millwright. After locating here he en-
gaged in the operation of a mill for three or
four years and also followed carpentering,
carrying on the latter pursuit until his re-
tirement from further business cares. His
life for many years was one of unceasing in-
dustry and unfaltering enterprise and there-
by he won a comfortable competence which
now enables him to live retired. He makes
his home in Waverly, Morgan county, at the
age of seventy-six years and is one of the
respected citizens of the community. His
wife died when the subject of this review
was but six years of age and her remains
were interred in Logan county near Atlanta.
The children of this union were three in num-
ber, two sons and a daughter, all of whom
are yet living, namely : John W., a resident
of Oregon; J. H., of this review; and Ma-
linda, who is the wife of Clayton Newberry,
a resident of Waverly, Morgan count}-.

J. H. Rankin acquired his early educa-
tion in the common schools of DeWitt coun-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

379

ty and mastered the branches of learning
therein taught which prepare one for the
practical duties of life. He attended school
until about fifteen years of age and then be-
gan working for his father on the home farm,
being thus connected with agricultural pur-
suits until about twenty-four years of age.
For some years thereafter he followed car-
pentering and in this way was connected with
the substantial upbuilding and improvement
of the locality. He was actively connected
with the builder's art for twelve years or un-
til he turned his attention to the grain busi-
ness as manager of the Galesville Grain
Company. This is a farmers' co-operative in-
stitution of which Mr. Rankin took charge
on the 4th of August, 1902. The business is
an incorporated concern capitalized for ten
thousand dollars, the company dealing in
grain, coal and salt. The present officers are
J. T. Churchill, president, a resident of
Goose Creek township; J. Z. Schwartz, of
the same township, vice president; James
Bert, secretary and treasurer, also of Goose
Creek township ; and J. H. Rankin, manager.
Mr. Rankin makes his home in DeLand,
where he had been employed in the line of
carpentering prior to coming here. He is a
man of good business ability and executive
force and is rarely, if ever, at fault in mat-
ters of business judgment, so that he is well
qualified for the important position which he
is now filling.

In 1867 in Piatt county near DeLand
Mr. Rankin was united in marriage to Miss
Emma Brown, a daughter of James A.
Brown, who came here at an early day from
Virginia. Two children graced the mar-
riage of our subject and his wife: James
Floyd and John W., but the latter died in in-
fancy. In his political affiliation Mr. Rankin
is a Democrat with firm faith in the princi-

ples~ of the party and he has been honored
with a number of local offices. He served
for four years as justice of the peace ; was
also town clerk for two years; was notary
public and police magistrate for twelve years,
and is still holding the last named office. He
has ever been prompt and faithful in the dis-
charge of the duties devolving upon him.
Fraternally, he is connected with DeLand
Lodge, No. 812, F. & A. M., of which he is
a worthy and prominent representative, hav-
ing served for three years as its secretary,
prior to taking up his business at Galesville.
He is likewise identified with some fraternal
insurance orders. Mr. Rankin dates his resi-
dence in this county from pioneer times and
the red men were still numerous when the
family came to this section of the state and
there was wild game of all kinds, including
deer and turkeys. There were also many
prairie wolves and pioneer conditions existed
on every hand. With the work of progress
and improvement Mr. Rankin has been iden-
tified and has taken a deep interest in what
has been accomplished in this part of the
state. He is the owner of one of the best
homes in DeLand, which stands in visible
evidence of his life of industry. His career
has ever been honorable and straightforward
and those who have known him entertain for
him warm regard.

James Floyd Rankin, the son of J. H.
Rankin, is now a bookkeeper in the First Na-
tional Bank of Champaign. He acquired a
liberal education, attending the common
schools of this county and afterward becom-
ing a student in Bryant & Stratton's Busi-
ness College of Chicago, in which he pur-
sued a commercial course. At the age of six-
teen he began acquiring a practical educa-
tion in the State Bank of DeLand and readily
mastering the duties intrusted to him, he

3 8o

PAST AND PRESENT

steadily and rapidly advanced. Going to
Kansas City he was assistant receiving teller
in the First National Bank of Commerce
there, and later returning to DeLand, he en-
tered upon his present position in connection
with the financial interests of this place. He
is a young man of exemplary habits, respect-
ed in business circles because of his capabili-
ty and trustworthiness. He married Miss
Ermer Dresback, a resident of this county
and a daughter of John P. Dresback, an
old settler and retired farmer now living near
DeLand. They have one child, Esther Burl,
who was born on the 3rd of July, 1902, in
Kansas City.

WELLINGTON EDWARDS.

On the 2d of December, 1895, Piatt coun-
ty citizens were called on to mourn the de-
mise of one of their number, Wellington
Edwards, a gentleman, of the old school, and
who had been a resident of the county since
1854. Mr. Edwards was born near Buffalo,
New York, February 14, 1831. At the age
of five he accompanied his parents on their
removal to Ohio, where they settled at Bu-
cyrus. He lost his mother at the age of ten
and the family afterward became scattered,
our subject becoming an inmate of the home
of an uncle, with whom he lived until his
marriage. This event occurred January n,
1852, the lady who now survives him being
SaraTi Jane McPheeters, daughter of Sam-
uel McPheeters.

Thirteen children were born to this
union as follows : Susan Janette. born
March 24, 1853; Samuel Francis, December
3, 1854; Willis, November 12, 1855; Joseph
C, April 20, 1858; Selah Ravenia, March

16, 1860; Adeline, December 20, 1861 ; Al-
meda Ellen. December 20, 1863 ; Charles \V.,
September 26. 1865; Alonzo L., August 12,
1867; Sarah Eveline, June 20, 1869; Mel-
cena, June 31, 1871 ; Harry V., February 4,
1873, and Harvey, January 25, 1875.

For. two years after marriage Mr. and
Mrs. Edwards rented land in Ohio. They
then concluded to come to the great west,
. where land was cheaper and where they
could secure a home with less outlay. They
settled in Sangamon township. Piatt county,
Illinois, where they purchased eighty acres
at one dollar and a quarter per acre, which
Mrs. Edwards still owns. Additions have
been made at times to this original purchase
one hundred and sixty acres at one time
and thirty-two at another. It is unnecessary
to relate in detail the struggles and priva-
tions endured by the family in their efforts
to build up a home and rear and educate so
large a number of children. Suffice it to say
that these children are all living and occupy-
ing respected positions in their different
spheres of life. They are all married except-
ing Alonzo and Almeda Ellen.

JOSEPH C. EDWARDS.

Joseph C. Edwards cultivates a farm in
section 24, Blue Ridge township. He was
born as stated and continued dutifully at
home, aiding his father in the support of his
large family until the year preceding his ma-
jority. He then rented a farm from Thomas
Bondurant. upon which he raised one crop
and then rented his father's farm of eighty
acres for a period of six years. By this time
he was enabled to make a purchase of eighty
acres, but with which he soon parted. An-

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

381

other purchase of two hundred and forty
acres was made by our subject, which he re-
tained for a time and then sold at a good
advance. In 1900 he purchased the farm on
which he now resides. It contains two hun-
dred and forty acres and our subject de-
votes it to general farming the raising of
stock and grain.

Mr. Edwards consummated marriage
December u, 1879, the other contracting
party being Emma Jane, daughter of Wil-
liam and Nancy Hall. Mrs. Edwards has
become the mother of nine children as fol-
lows : Lucinda, born September 5, 1878;
Cora. July 3, 1880; Albert, August 15,
1882 ; Daisy, Novembers, 1884; Roy, Janu-
ary 28, 1887; Carl, February 7, 1889: Lillie,
March 3, 1891; Pearl, March i, 1893, and
Lloyd, November 19, 1898.

Character is what we are, reputation
what people think we are, at least so says the
savant. Both, however, are really synony-
mous. No man can have a good reputation
with his associates in daily life whose char-
acter is faulty, nor is the development of a
good character possible without developing
its consequent, a good reputation. These re-
marks are made introductory to the asser-
tion that no man in the county has either in
better degree than our subject. With word
as good as his bond and a social and genial
temperament, Joseph Edwards is the peer of
any citizen of Piatt county.

JOHN HENRY SHREVE.

John Henry Shreve is one of the self-
made men of Piatt county now numbered
among the farmers of affluence. He has
steadily worked his w'ay upward to this po-

sition through persistency of purpose, over-
coming all the obstacles and difficulties in
his path by a strong determination and in-
dustry. He was born April 26, 1844, in
Fairfield county, Ohio, and is a son of
Samuel and Mary (Gearhart) Shreve. The
mother died in Ohio and the father after-
ward came to Illinois, settling first in Cham-
paign county, whence he later removed to
Piatt county. After residing here for a time
he went to Missouri, where his remaining
days were passed. He was thrown from a
wagon and never recovered from the in-
jury received in this accident. In the fam-
ily were two children, the younger brother
of our subject being Oliver Shreve, who is-
now a resident of Calhoun county, Iowa.

The educational privileges of John Henry
Shreve were somewhat limited. He attend-
ed school in Boone county, Indiana, conning
his lessons in a little log schoolhouse while
sitting upon a slab bench. The remainder
of his education was acquired in Champaign
county, Illinois, where he again attended a
district school. He has always kept well in-
formed on the questions of the day and on
topics of general interest, continually adding
to his knowledge through reading and ob-
servation. When twenty years of age he
began earning his own living, working as a
farm hand, and while thus employed he re-
ceived from twenty to forty dollars per
month in compensation for his services. For
eight years he was thus 'employed, and with
the money which he \vas enabled to save
from his earnings he then purchased his own
farm, containing one hundred and fourteen-
acres of land in Blue Ridge township. This
he bought in the fall of 1885, and it has since
been his home, covering a period of eighteen
consecutive years. He raises stock and grain
and his richly cultivated fields annually bring-

PAST AND PRESENT

to him good harvests, while the sales of his
grain and stock add considerably to his bank
account.

On the 26th of October, 1885, Mr.
Shreve was united in marriage to Miss Mary
Katharine Freeze, a daughter of Harvey
and Josephine (Paulsel) Freeze. In 1898
Mr. Shreve was called upon to mourn the
loss of his wife, who died on the 6th 'of De-
cember of that year, her remains being in-
terred in the Mansfield cemetery. Unto
them had been born but one child, Roy Allen,
who was born November 28, 1888, and is
now living at home with his father. Mr.
Shreve gives his political allegiance to the
Democracy and while he keeps well informd
on the issues of the day he has never sought
or desired public office, preferring to devote
his energies to his business affairs. He be-
longs to the Baptist church, and his life is in
consistent harmony with its teachings. He
has long resided in Piatt county, and is
known as a worthy and representative farm-
er of this portion of the state.

JOHN T. CHURCHILL.

John T. Churchill, farmer, stock-raiser
and splendid good citizen, residing on sec-
tion 34, Sangamon township, was born at
Mechanicsburg, Sangamon county, Illinois,
September 29, 1853. His parents, Joe
and Lucretia J. (Bondurant) Churchill, were
natives of the Blue Grass state, from which
they came to Piatt county in 1825, thus con-
stituting them pioneers of the pioneers.
They remained in the county until the close
of the Civil war, and then removed to the
new state of Kansas, where they settled near
the famous town of Lawrence. After ten

years, however, they returned to their early
love, where they continued to reside until
their death.

John T. Churchill passed his early boy-
hcod on the Kansas farm, receiving train-
ing in the district school and later at Bald-
win University. Upon leaving that institu-
tion in 1874 he remained in Kansas, engaged
in farming, but met with so little encourage-
ment on account of the grasshoppers and
drouth that he finally returned to Piatt coun-
ty. Mr. Churchill retains vivid remembrances
of those early days of his career and especially
of the grasshoppers. He happened to be in
a section particularly overrun with the pests
and distinctly recalls one day on his return
home from town seeing them piled in the
road three feet deep, and having to drive out
of his way on account of them. In Febru-
ary, 1875, Mr. Churchill rented a farm in
Piatt county and has since that time been
a continuous resident here. In 1892 he made
his first purchase of one hundred and sixteen
acres in Sangamon township, but he later
sold out and bought his present two-hundred
and- forty-acre farm, which under his careful
and intelligent management is without doubt
one of the best farm properties in the county.
He devotes it largely to the raising of grain,
a crop which he understands as well as any
man in the county, and from which he real-
izes handsome profits.

Three years after his return from Kan-
sas, June ii. 1878, Mr. Churchill became a
married man. leading to the altar Miss
Florence Bell, daughter of William and
Katherine Hatfield, of DeLand. now de-
ceased. Three children have come to
brighten their home, Fabian C, born Au-
gust i, 1879: Roscoe W., December 2, 1881
and Lloyd J., September 10, 1896.

Mr. Churchill votes with the Republican

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

party, and carries insurance with the Modern
Woodmen, holding membership in Mans-
field Camp, No. 2919. He and his family are
much esteemed and enter with zest into all
movements looking to the elevation of their
fellow citizens.

THOMAS BATEMAN, JR.

Thomas Bateman, Jr., is one of the well-
known, successful and enterprising agricul-
turists of Piatt county, his home being on
section 19, Blue Ridge township. He was
torn in Ontario, Canada, on the I4th of
November, 1866, and is a son of Thomas
and Elizabeth (Brown) Bateman, who were
natives of Ireland and Canada, respectively.
The father crossed the Atlantic to the Do-
minion in 1848 in company with his parents,
and the grandfather there carried on farm-
ing for some years. Subsequently, however,
he removed to the United States, settling in
Piatt county, Illinois, where his remaining
days were passed.

In the year 1863 Thomas Bateman, Sr.,
was united in marriage to Elizabeth Brown,
and in 1872 they arrived in Piatt county,
where he had previously purchased the old
William Johnson homestead of one hundred
and sixty acres. To-day he is the owner of
two hundred acres of valuable land, but at
one time owned five hundred and sixty acres.
This, however, he has divided among his
children, giving to them more than one-half
of the entire amount. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Bateman were born eleven children and it is
remarkable in that the family circle has never
been broken by the hand of death. The chil-
dren are as follows : Thomas, whose name in-
troduces this record ; Jane, who is the wife of

Alvin Smothers of Mansfield ; Mary, the
wife of Enoch Chase, of McLean county,
Illinois; Samuel, who is also living in Mc-
Lean county ; Charles, who is engaged in
the grain business at Bellflour, Illinois ; John,
a resident of Piatt county; Elizabeth, the
wife of Latham Smith, of McLean county;
Etta and Nellie, both at home ; Edna, the
wife of Herbert Warren, of Mansfield; and
Harry, who completes the family The
father is now practically living retired upon
his home farm and is one of the respected
and worthy citizens of the community whose
life record contains many lessons that might
be profitably followed.

Thomas Bateman, Jr., was only about
seven years of age when the family came to
Piatt county, and in the public schools here
he became familiar with the branches of
learning usually taught in such institutions.
He also early became identified with farm
life, receiving ample training in the work of
field and meadow. He remained at home
until his marriage, which was celebrated on
the 1 6th of March, 1892, the lady of his
choice being Miss Cora Slater, a daughter of
William and Mary Slater, of Champaign
county. They now have one son, William
Slater, whose birth occurred January 28^
1893.

The home farm of Mr. Bateman is a
tract of two hundred acres of productive and
fertile land on section 19, Blue Ridge town-
ship, and to its cultivation and improvement
he gives his personal supervision. The farm
is adorned with one of the best country resi-
dences to be found in this section of the
state. It was built by Mr. Bateman in 1899,
is a commodious structure erected in a mod-
ern style of architecture, is supplied with hot
and cold water, is heated by hot water and is-
equipped with all modern conveniences. It

PAST AND PRESENT

was erected at a cost of three thousand dol-
lars. Other improvements Mr. Bateman has
placed upon his farm which is indeed a model
one. He gives his attention to the raising
of grain and stock, making a specialty of fine
cattle and hogs. He is an industrious and
energetic business man and has met and is
meeting with richly merited success. He
exercises his right of franchise in support of
the men and measures of the Republican
party, and his religious faith is indicated by
his membership in the Baptist church of
Monticello.

WILLIAM H. LEACH.

William H. Leach, a retired farmer, is
now living in Mansfield in a pleasant home
which stands as a monument to his life of
industry. For many years he was con-
nected with agricultural pursuits and the
rest which he is now enjoying is well mer-
ited, because he has always been a most in-
dustrious and energetic man, and has ever
been honorable in his business relations. He
was born on the 24th of March, 1827, near
Wheeling, West Virginia, and is a son of
Clement and Mary (Worley) Leach. In the
family were the following named : Mor-
decai M., born September 10, 1818; John,
March 12, 1821 ; Rebecca, December 17,
1822 ; Rachel and Levina, twins, October 20,
1824; William, March 24, 1827; Clement,
May 18, 1829; Martha, April 5, 1831; and
Joseph, February 24, 1834. The last named
served as a soldier of the Civil war, being
commissioned lieutenant, and lost his health
while in the army.

William Leach was reared in the state of
liis nativity, spending his boyhood days

under the parental roof, and in the public
schools of the locality he acquired his educa-
tion. After arriving at years of maturity
he wedded Miss Mary Ann Bowen, who was
born on the nth of September, 1851. De-
termining to seek a home in the Mississippi
valley they started by wagon for Illinois,
driving across the country with a four-horse
team. They were eighteen days upon the
road, and on reaching their destination Mr.
Leach was the possessor of seventy-five dol-
lars in cash and a team of horses. He went
first to Grundy county, Illinois, and became
identified with agricultural interests and
about twenty-six years ago removed to
Piatt county and began farming in this lo-
cality. He purchased one hundred and
sixty acres of land a mile from Mansfield,
and devoted his attention to the raising of
grain and hogs. He annually harvested
large crops and in addition he raised many
head of hogs annually, his profits in one
year on his hogs amounting to fourteen hun-
dred dollars. This work has been the
source of his prosperity. He has never en-
gaged in speculation or placed his depen-
dence upon a combination of fortunate cir-
cumstances, but has worked diligently and
persistently and has thus acquired a com-
fortable competence. He is now the owner
of two hundred and sixty acres of rich
farming land in Webster county, Iowa, in
addition to his house and lot in Mansfield.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Leach have been
born the following children : Clement, born
September 2, 1852; Martha. October 29,
1859: Mary M. B., October 12, 1857; Wil-
liam, October i, 1860; John M., November
27, 1863; George, October 3, 1866; and
Rose, November 11, 1871. Martha died at
the age of seven years but the others are still
living and all are married.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

385

Mr. Leach usually gives his support to
the Republican candidates, but votes rather
for the men than for the party. He keeps
well informed on the issues and questions
of the day and does what he believes is for
the best interest of the country in the exer-
cise of his right of franchise. His religious
faith is indicated by his membership in the
Methodist church, and his connection there-
with influences his life and his treatment of
his fellow men. He has always lived up-
rightly and his many excellent traits of char-
acter have gained for him the regard of those
with whom he has been associated.

CARL O. GILLESPIE.

Carl O. Gillespie is one of the extensive
landowners of Piatt county, his possessions
aggregating seven hundred and twenty
acres. He lives on section 36, Blue Ridge
township, and is one of its native sons, his
birth having occurred in this township in
1861. His parents were H. K. and Nancy
Gillespie, who are mentioned elsewhere in
this volume. The father was born in the
year 1828, and died in June, 1901. while his
wife, whose birth occurred in 1828, is still
living, making her home in Farmer City,
Illinois.

In the usual manner of farm lads Carl
O. Gillespie spent the days of his boyhood
and youth. He attended the public schools
and assisted in the care and improvement of
the home farm and in 1886 he began farming
on his own account on the old home place,
comprising four hundred acres. The practi-
cal training which he had received in his
youth now proved of marked value to him.
He engaged in the raising of fine cattle and

hogs which he carries on extensively and
finds a profitable source of income. He
raises only good grades of farm stock and
he now ships about three carloads of hogs
annually. In all of his farm work he is pro-
gressive and enterprising, and as the years
have passed he has met with a high degree
of prosperity. He still resides upon the old
home place, to which he is continually add-
ing improvements of an important character
so that his farm is one of the best in this
portion of the state. He owns altogether
four hundred acres of rich land, two hundred
and forty located at Bethel church and one
hundred and sixty near the home place. His
mother owns the home place.

In 1890 Mr. Gillespie was united in mar-
riage to Miss Minnie Wisegarver, a daugh-
ter of George W. and Mary Wisegarver,
who are living in Farmer City. Unto our
subject and his wife have been born two
children who are yet living and they have
also lost two, their eldest, George L., having
died in infancy, while Maurine, the third,
died at the age of one year. The others are
Evangeline, now ten years of age ; and Mary
Madge, a little maiden of six summers. The
parents belong to the Methodist church and
take an active interest in its work. In poli-
tics Mr. Gillespie is a Republican, but the
honors and emoluments of office have had
no attraction for him as he has preferred to
give his time and attention to his business
interests. He has never followed any oc-
cupation save that to which he was reared
and has found it to be a profitable source of
income. He belongs to that class of pro-
gressive agriculturists of the west who have
made the county to bloom and blossom as
the rose, using the latest improved machin-
ery, and all modern equipments that will
facilitate his work. He has a good home

3 86

PAST AND PRESENT'

and valuable farm and deserves much credit
for what he has accomplished during his
business career.

WILLIAM CLARK.

Nature seems to have intended that man
should enjoy a season of rest in the evening
of life. In youth one is full of energy, deter-
mination and bright hope, and with more ma-
ture years comes sound judgment, keen in-
sight and practical experience so that labor
is carefully directed and brings its just re-
ward. If one has carefully husbanded his
resources and made the most of his oppor-
tunities he will through the years of youth
and mature manhood gain capital sufficient
to enable him to put aside business cares, in
his later life. This Mr. Clark has done and
his rest is well deserved, for his has been an
honorable career characterized by industry,
enterprise and integrity. He is now living
in the village of Bement and is one of its
most respected and worthy citizens.

Mr. Clark was born in Somersetshire,
England, on the I2th of June, 1828. Com-
ing to the United States in the year 1855, ne
determined to make the most of his oppor-
tunities here and win success if it could be
gained through honorable persistent effort.
He had obtained his early education in the
subscription schools in the place of his birth
and until his immigration to America he had
always been employed as a farm hand, but de-
siring to see the new world and having heard
much of its advantages for the young men of
pluck and energy, he decided to leave Eng-
land and established his home in the United
States. Immediately after his arrival on the
Atlantic coast he made his way to Ohio and

spent six months in Lorain county as a farm
hand. At the expiration of that period,
however, he continued his journey westward
and soon arrived in Piatt count}-, Illinois,
where he has since resided, spending the
greater part of this time in the village of Be-
ment. He has always engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits and his first farming here was
done in Cerro Gordo township. There he
rented a small tract of land which he culti-
vated for several years. He afterward spent
sometime in working on a number of farms
in the county by the month, being thus em-
ployed at the time of the outbreak of the
Civil war.

After coining to the United States he
had informed himself thoroughly concern-
ing conditions and political issues and he
noted the growing dissatisfaction in the
south. In 1862, prompted by patriotic loy-
alty to the Union cause, he offered his ser-
vices to the government, enlisting in Com-
pany H, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois
Infantry, with which he served until the close
of hostilities. He was in some of the hard-
fought battles of that long and sanguinary
conflict and when the war was ended re-
ceived an honorable discharge at Camp But-
ler near Springfield, Illinois. He was always
found at his post of duty, loyal to the na-
tion's starry banner and the cause it repre-
sented, and with a creditable military record
he returned to his home.

On again reaching Piatt county Mr. Clark
spent a short time in the village of Bement,
and afterward went to Monticello township,
where he again took up the occupation of
farming, which he followed through several
years. He has been twice married and by
his first wife had five children, of whom two
are still living, the others having died in in-
fancy. Sherman is now a resident of Iowa.

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

389

He married Lena Bauch, and they have five
children. John, the second surviving son,
is employed in St. Louis. For his second
wife Mr. Clark chose Mrs. Eliza Gulliford,
the widow of Thomas Gulliford. She was a
native of England, and a daughter of Ed-
win and Anna (Bacon) Knighton, both of
whom were natives of England, where they
spent their entire lives. Mrs. Clark came to
the United States when twenty-one years of
age. Her first husband, Thomas Gulliford,
was also born in England, and came to
America in the same vessel in which Mr.
Clark crossed the Atlantic. He made his way
to Piatt county and located in Cerro Gordo
township, where he carried on general farm-
ing and stock-raising. He also became an ex-
tensive shipper of live stock to the city mar-
kets, and a well-known business man of this
locality. He died in Cerro Gordo township
at the age of forty-three years, leaving a
widow and two children, the sons being Wal-
ter E. and Herbert. The former, who is now
a farmer of Cerro Gordo township, married
Edith Peel and they have one child, Katie.
Herbert, who is also an agriculturist of
Cerro Gordo township, wedded Mabel High
and they have a son, William.

After his second marriage Mr. Clark en-
gaged in the operation of the farm owned
by his wife until his health failed, and dur-
ing the last few years he has been leading
a quiet life at his pleasant home in the vil-
lage of Bement. He draws a pension in
recognition of his services during the Civil
war, and he is a member of the Grand Army
Post at Bement. In politics he has always
been a Republican, and in matters of citi-
zenship he is as true and loyal to his coun-
try as when he wore his blue uniform, and
followed her banners upon the battlefields
of the south.

ISAAC SHIVELY.

Among the prominent and successful
agriculturists of Piatt county none are more
deserving of mention in this volume than the
gentleman whose name introduces this
sketch. He was born in Montgomery coun-
ty, Ohio, February 8, 1837, and there spent
the first fourteen years of his life, at the end
of which time he removed to Wabash coun-
ty, Indiana, with his parents, Christian and
Barbara (Ulery) Shively, the family loca-
ting near North Manchester. His parents
were also natives of Montgomery county,
Ohio, and the father was a farmer by occu-
pation. He assisted materially in the early
development and upbuilding of Wabash
county, Indiana, and spent the greater part
of his life in that state, but died at the home
of our subject on section 24, Cerro Gordo
township, Piatt county, Illinois, when over
eighty-eight years of age. His wife had
passed away on the old home farm near
North Manchester, Indiana. In their family
were eight children : Jacob died in infancy ;
Esther is 1 the wife of John Miller, of North
Manchester, Wabash county, Indiana ; Sam-
uel died at the age of thirty years; Isaac is
next in order of birth ; Christian is a resident
of Lincoln, Nebraska; Elizabeth married
Samuel Blickenstaff and died in Wabash
county, Indiana, leaving a family; John H.
lives in North Manchester, Indiana ; and
Barbara died at the age of sixteen years.

Isaac Shively received but a limited edu-
cation in the common schools of Ohio as his
time was almost wholly occupied by the work
of the farm. At the age of twenty-two he
started out in life for himself as a farmer,
near North Manchester, Wabash county,
Indiana, and remained there until after his
marriage. He wedded Miss Margaret

390

PAST AND PRESENT

Blickenstaff, a daughter of Samuel and
Mary (Gumph) Blickenstaff, and in 1871,
accompanied by his wife and three children,
he came to Piatt county, Illinois. He pur-
chased the north half of section 24, Cerro
Gordo township, some of which was under
cultivation, but there were many ponds and
much of the land unbroken, but he has since
ditched and drained it and made many other
improvements to the value of thousands of
dollars. In addition to the original pur-
chase he now owns one hundred and twenty
acres more, which is well drained. For his
first eighty acres he paid twenty-five dollars
per acre, for the second eighty thirty dollars,
and for the last eighty acres, adjoining it on
the east, sixty dollars per acre. He now has
four hundred and forty acres, and it is all
worth over one hundred dollars per acre, ow-
ing to the rise in value and the many im-
provements he has made thereon. He built
two good barns, one, forty by sixty feet, and
the other thirty by seventy-eight feet, which
will accommodate sixteen head of horses and
cattle, and he has corncribs which hold about
six thousand bushels. His success in life
is due entirely to his own well-directed ef-
forts, being a man of sound judgment and
good business ability. He has always made
the most of his advantages, and has labored
untiringly to make for himself and family
a comfortable home and competence. Be-
sides his property in this state, he owns a
section of land southwest of Houston, Texas.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shively were born
ten children, seven sons and three daughters,
of whom nine are yet living : Elizabeth, the
wife of Frank Etnoyer, of Cerro Gordo
township ; Julia, wife of Jacob Wyne, whose
home is near LaPlace in Cerro Gordo town-
ship; Daniel, who married May Boone and
lives in Cerro Gordo township; John, who

married Dora Musselman and also resides
in Cerro Gordo township; Samuel, who
wedded Annie Musselman, a sister of his
brother's wife, and makes his home in the
same township; Joseph, who married Nora
Duncan and resides in Carroll 'county,
Indiana ; Jerome, Ira and Festus, all at
home.

For many years Mr. Shively has served
as school director and has ever taken an ac-
tive interest in educational affairs, doing all
in his power to secure good teachers and the
best advantages along that line. He is a
deacon in the German Baptist church of La-
Place, in which he and his wife hold mem-
bership, and they are active and sincere
Christian workers. Mr. Shively is regarded
as one of the representative men of his com-
munity, as well as one of its most substantial
and honored citizens, and is therefore justly
deserving of mention in this volume.

EUROPE L. FOSNAUGH.

Europe L. Fosnaugh is largely a promot-
er of the business activity of White Heath,
where he is engaged in dealing in dry goods,
boots, shoes and groceries. He is also pro-
prietor of the only hotel in the town nnd
throughout this portion of the county he is
very widely known, while his friends are al-
most as numerous as his acquaintances. He
was born upon the farm three miles north-
east of the village, September 24, 1858, his
parents being Ezra and Eliza (Bushee) Fos-
naugh. He is of German and French de-
scent. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Fos-
naugh. was a native of Pennsylvania and
was of German lineage, while the maternal
grandfather, Jacob Bushee. was of French

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

extraction. The parents of our subject were
natives of Fairfield county, Ohio, and in the
year 1856 came to Illinois. They journeyed
westward by wagon to Macoupin county,
where they remained for one winter and then
continued on their way to Piatt county. Here
the father carried on agricultural pursuits
near White Heath until his death, which oc-
curred oh the ist of October, 1873, when he
was fifty years old, his birth having occurred
in 1823. His wife was born in 1832 and sur-
vived him until 1901. They were the par-
ents of eight children : Austin, who is a
merchant in Clinton, Illinois; Selina, who
was the wife of George McCabe and died in
1873; Theodore, a railroad employe living
in Springfield, Illinois ; Elifus, a farmer who
is living five miles east of Monticello ; Eu-
rope L. ; Dora Alice, the wife of William
Dungan, of Deadwood, South Dakota; Lau-
ra Belle, the wife of John Dilsaver, who re-
sides upon the home farm; and Erwin, a
railroad employe living in Decatur, Illinois.
Europe L. Fosnaugh pursued a common-
school education in the Prairie Dell school
near White Heath. His studies were pur-
sued through the winter months, while dur-
ing the summer he worked with his father
and thus became familiar with the farm work
in all its departments. He entered upon an
independent business career as a farm hand,
working for eighteen dollars per month, and
he continued in that way for about four
years. He next rented a farm which he cul-
tivated for a year and subsequently he ac-
cepted a clerkship in his brothers store in
Lane, DeWitt county, Illinois, where he re-
mained for three years. When that time had
elapsed he again rented a farm for one sea-
son and then embarked in business for him-
self as proprietor of a pool and billiard hall
in Tolono, Illinois. He conducted it for

three years, and on selling it took charge of
his brother's store in Lane, this state, there
continuing as a merchant for fifteen years,
when he purchased the store in White Heath
of which he has since been proprietor. He
now carries a large and well-selected line of
dry goods, boots, shoes and groceries, and
has a liberal and growing patronage. On the
7th of April, 1903, he rented the only hotel
in the town and has since conducted it. This
hotel is well located on the main thorough-
fare of the village and in this line Mr. Fos-
naugh also does a profitable business.

On the 23<i of March, 1874, occurred
the marriage of Europe L. Fosnaugh and
Miss Ida J. Graham, a daughter of George
W. and Jane (Morgan) Graham. She was
born February 4, 1861. Her father's birth
occurred in Fairfield county, Ohio, July 8,
1824, and he was a son of William and Su-
sanna (Leichleiter) Graham, natives of Vir-
ginia. After arriving at years of maturity
George W. Graham was united in marriage
to Miss Jane Morgan, who was born in
Fairfield county, Ohio, December 4, 1827,
and was a daughter of John and Anna ( Mc-
Cleary) Morgan, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
The latter was a daughter of James and Ja-
nette ( McCleary) McCleary, who were cous-
ins prior to their marriage. , They went to
Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1815, and the lat-
ter died in 1862. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fos-
naugh have been born six children: Harlie,
who is now at home; Garah, who is the wife
of Vance Mattix, a farmer of DeWitt coun-
ty ; and Grace Jane, Lucile, William and Le-
ota, at home.

Mrs. Fosnaugh is a devoted member of
the Christian church and a most estimable
lady. Mr. Fosnaugh belongs to Mozart
Lodge, No. 96, K. P., of Weldon, Illinois;
to Lane Camp, No. 1782, W. M. A., of Lane;

392

PAST AND PRESENT

and the Mutual Protective League of Lane.
He is likewise connected with the Royal
Neighbors, and in these various societies he
is a valued representative, having the good
will and high regard of his brethren. Po-
litically, he is a stalwart Democrat, but has
never sought or desired public office, prefer-
ring to devote his energies to his business af-
fairs. That he has prospered is due entirely
to his own labors. Realizing that there is
no royal road to wealth, he has worked un-
tiringly as the years have gone by, and upon
the sure foundation of indefatigable industry
he has builded his success.

C. T. RINEHART.

On a farm on section 25, Blue Ridge
township, resides C. T. Rinehart, who is one
of the worthy citizens of Piatt county that
Pennsylvania has furnished to this state. He
was born in Millerstown of the Keystone
state in 1861, and is a son of Frederick and
Mary A. Rinehart. The father was a farmer
by occupation and always carried on that
work in Pennsylvania. At the time of the
Civil war, however, he put aside all business
and personal considerations, enlisting in
1 86 1 as a member of the Union Army. He
participated in many of the most important
engagements of the war until about the close
of hostilities when he was wounded in the
left shoulder, the wound proving so serious
that it became necessary to amputate his
arm. He spent the rest of his life in the
Soldiers' Home in Virginia, and his death
occurred in Millerstown, Pennsylvania, in
1893.

Mr. Rinehart of this review began his
education in Pennsylvania as a student in

one of the old-time log schoolhouses. He
sat upon a slab bench and conned his lessons
from books that were almost as primitive as
the school buildings. Later he attended
school in Logan county, Illinois, for one
term and he has also added to his knowledge
through reading and experience until he is
now a well informed man. Having come to
the west in early manhood Mr. Rinehart be-
gan working for himself at the age of twen-
ty-one years, being first employed by the
month as a farm hand in Logan county. He
there worked for three years, receiving
eighteen dollars per month, after which he
rented a farm where his mother acted as his
housekeeper. In 1886, however,Mr. Rine-
hart was united in marriage to Miss Melissa
J. Michaels, and unto them has been born a
daughter, Bessie Fay, whose birth occurred
in McLean county, Illinois, on the i8th of
April, 1892, and who is now attending the
home school.

Mrs. Rinehart was born in Logan
county, December 15, 1862, and is a daugh-
ter of Gus Davis and Elizabeth (Barr)
Michaels. Her father was a native of Ger-
many, torn June 6, 1822, and was twelve
years of age when he came to this country.
By occupation he was a farmer and both he
and his wife were members of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church South. She was born
in De Witt county, Illinois, August 2, 1834,
and died there September 27, 1893. Mr.
Michaels' death occurred June 26, 1894,
both passing away at the home of a daugh-
ter in DeWitt county, though they made
their home in Logan county for many years.
Mrs. Rinehart has five sisters and one
brother living.

Mr. Rinehart first became a landowner
in 1893, when he purchased a tract of forty
acres. Two years later, having prospered

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

393

in the meantime, he added to this eighty
acres, and he now lives upon his farm which
comprises one hundred and twenty acres of
the rich land of Piatt county. It is situated
on section 25, Blue Ridge township, and is
a good property. In 1902 he spent four
thousand dollars in improving his house and
barn. In his home he has many of the mod-
ern equipments which are found in the city
homes of the present. There is hard and
soft water all through the house, being piped
to the various rooms, and a hot water plant
is used for heating, while the light is fur-
nished by a system of acetylene gas lamps.
Under the house there is a basement contain-
ing five rooms, and altogether this home is
one of the most modern and desirable in the
county.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Rinehart belong to
the Methodist church and are widely known
throughout the community for their ster-
ling worth and upright lives. In politics
Mr. Rinehart is a Democrat and has served
as a school director for a number of years,
the cause of education finding in him a warm
friend. He is always deeply interested in
everything pretaining to the welfare and
progress of the community along lines of
material, social, intellectual and moral de-
velopment and his cooperation for the pub-
lic good has been far-reaching and benefi-
cial.

SYLVANUS NELSON.

Agriculture is, perhaps, the chief occu-
pation of the residents of Piatt county for
the lands in this portion of the state are
so rich and productive that a splendid oppor-
tunity is afforded for the acquirement of suc-
cess by following farming. To this work

Mr. Nelson devotes his time and energies,
and he is one of the native sons of Piatt coun-
ty, his birth having occurred here on the I2th
of December, 1856. His parents were Wes-
ley and Nancy (Marsh) Nelson, who re-
moved from Indiana to Piatt county, Illinois,
at an early period in the development of this
portion of the state. The father was of
German lineage and the mother of Irish de-
scent. He devoted his energies to the occu-
pation of farming and thus provided for his
family.

On the old family homestead in the coun-
ty of his nativity Sylvanus Nelson was
reared, his boyhood days being spent in the
usual manner of most farmer lads of the pe-
riod. In his early youth he was a student in
the Clinger school in Piatt county, and the
remainder of his education has been ob-
tained through reading and through contact
with the world, whereby he has gained much
valuable and practical experience. He was
twenty-two years of age when he started
out upon an independent business career, and
well may he be called a self-made man, for
all that he has acquired has been gained
through his determination and energy. He
has had no assistance from influential
friends, nor has a fortunate combination of
circumstances aided him. He first worked
by the month for Daniel Reed, receiving
twenty-two dollars per month. He was thus
employed for a year, at the end of which
time he rented a tract of land of David Bail-
ey, of New York, who owned farming in-
terests in Piatt county. About 1893 Mr. Nel-
son purchased a farm in Indiana, becoming
the owner of eighty acres in Boone county,
and later he disposed of that. He now has a
farm in Blue Ridge township, and his well-
developed property indicates that his career
has been an active and useful one.

394

PAST AND PRESENT

On the 3d of July, 1880, Mr. Nelson was
united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Ber-
ry, and as the years have passed children to
the number of six have been added to the
household: Lillie Bell, born April 9, 1881,
is now married and resides upon her father's
farm; William Jasper, born August 16,
1884; Laura May, born July 27, 1887; Roy,
born March 18, 1890; Amy Winniefred,
born January 27, 1893, and Flora Henrietta,
born November 28, 1897, are all with their
parents. Thus the family circle remains un-
broken.

Mr. Nelson belongs to the Modern
Woodmen of America, in which he carries
insurance amounting to three thousand 'dol-
lars. He exercises his right of franchise in
support of the men and measures of the Re-
publican party, and was at one time the
school director, but otherwise has held no
public office. He has made the golden rule
his life motto, and has closely followed it.
After an honorable and useful life, actuated
by unselfish motives, he may rest assured
that the people of the county entertain for
him respect, confidence and good will.

PHILIP ISOR GORDON.

Nature seems to have intended that man
should enjoy a period of rest in his more
advanced years, for in early life one is full
of energy, determination and courage, and
later added to .these qualities is a mature
judgment that renders one's efforts more ef-
fective in the search of success. With ad-
vancing years, however, comes a desire for
rest that may be gratified if one has dili-
gently labored along practical lines as Mr.
Gordon has done. In former years he was

engaged in general farming and worked so
untiringly and earnestly that to-day he is the
possessor of a handsome competence. He
maintains his home in Mansfield, where he
is now living a retired life.

Mr. Gordon was born in Bucks county,
Pennsylvania, on the 4th of January, 1838,
his parents being Franklin and Gertrude
(Hyde) Gordon. The father was born Jan-
uary 26, 1810, and the mother February 9,
1811, and they were married on the I7th of
December, 1829. Their union was blessed
with ten children, of whom Philip I. is the
fourth in order of birth. The family record
is as follows : Caroline, born December 18,
1830; Anna, October 6, 1832; Martha A.,
July 20, 1835; Philip I., January 4, 1838;
Benjamin Thomas, January 24, 1841 ; An-
na E., January 3, 1843 ; Nancy Jane, March
ii, 1845; Mary Katherine, October 20 f
1847; Sarah A., January 19, 1850; and Git-
ty Margaret, September 5, 1853. Only four
of these children are now living, Philip, Sa-
rah, Mary and Gitty. The father was a
farmer by occupation and removed from the
Keystone state to New Jersey, whence he
afterward went to Preble county, Ohio, mak-
ing the journey by wagon. He was upon
the road for six weeks, and then reached his
destination in safety. For seventeen years
he continued to reside in Preble county,
where he owned and operated a farm of fifty-
three acres. In 1857 he came to Piatt coun-
ty, Illinois, where he served for many years
as justice of the peace of Blue Ridge town-
ship. He had also filled that position in
Ohio, and the official papers for his tenth
term came to him when he was on his death-
bed. He was a man in whom his friends and
fellow citizens placed unbounded confidence,
for he was the soul of honor and integrity
in all life's relations. When serving as jus-

PI ATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

395

tice in Ohio and Illinois he settled many es-
tates, especially in Ohio. He did practically
all of this for miles around. He left to his
family the priceless heritage of an untar-
nished name, and to his friends the memory
of a noble life. He passed away April 12,
1872, after having survived his wife for
about five years. She died July 30, 1867,
and her death was also deeply deplored by
those who knew her, for she was a most
estimable woman.

Philip I. Gordon, whose name introduces
this review, spent the greater part of his early
life in Ohio, being reared upon the home
farm, where he early became familiar with
the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the
agriculturist. When a young man of nineteen
years he came with his parents to Illinois, and
throughout his business career he followed
the occupation to which he had been reared.
When he had acquired sufficient capital he
purchased one hundred and twenty acres of
land in Blue Ridge township, which he still
owns, and to this he afterward added a tract
of forty acres. While upon the farm he
raised considerable stock, feeding them all
of the grain which he annually harvested.
His farming methods were progressive and
in keeping with the spirit of the times.
Everything about his place was neat and
thrifty in appearance and gave evidence of
his careful supervision and practical methods.
In 1890, however, he put aside the arduous
duties of agricultural life and took up his
abode in Mansfield, where he is now living
retired.

On the 1 7th of February, 1860, Mr. Gor-
don was united in marriage to Miss Martha
J. Mathews, and unto them have been born
three children : Thomas Edward, whose
birth occurred December 20, 1860, and who
died January 22, 1864; Benjamin Franklin,

who was born August 15, 1862, and died
April 17, 1866; and Charles, who was born
on the 1 8th of February, 1864, and married
Luella Caldwell. He is now living on the
old home farm in Blue Ridge township, and
unto him and his wife have been born three
children : Philip Burton, Bertha and James
Willard.

In his political affiliations Mr. Gordon is
a stalwart Republican and has firm faith in
the principles of the party, but has never as-
pired to public office, preferring to give his
time and attention to his business interests,
which have been so capably conducted that
he has gained a neat little fortune. He and
his wife are faithful members of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church, regularly attend its
services, contribute generously to its support
and take a helpful interest in its work. They
are well known in Mansfield, and their many
friends speak of them in terms of praise.

WILLIAM F. MATSON, M. D.

From no professional man do we expect
to exact so many of the cardinal virtues as
from the physician. If the clergyman is au-
stere, we imagine that his mind is absorbed
with the contemplation of things beyond our
ken; if our lawyer is brusque and crabbed,
it is the mark of genius ; but in the physician
we expect not only a superior quality of
mentality and comprehensive knowledge, but
sympathy as wide as the universe. Dr. Mat-
son in large measure meets all these require-
ments and is regarded by many as an ideal
physician. Certainly if patronage is any cri-
terion of ability he ranks high among the
leading physicians and surgeons of Piatt
county. He has resided here since 1898, and

PAST AND PRESENT

during the intervening years has well demon-
strated his broad learning and ready adapt-
ability of his knowledge to the needs of suf-
fering humanity.

A native of Ohio, Dr. Matson was born
in Logan county, that state, on the gth of
August, 1864. He comes of Scotch and
Irish ancestry in the paternal line, and is of
German lineage in the maternal line. His
great-grandfather, Uriah J. Matson, was a
native of Pennsylvania and a farmer by oc-
cupation, following the pursuit through his
entire life. He wedded Eliza J. Beach, a
native of Ohio. Dr. Albert F. Matson, the
father of our subject, was a native of Rich-
land county, Ohio, and after attaining his
majority practiced medicine there for a num-
ber of years. During the Civil war he
served as a surgeon and was stationed for a
considerable time at Bermuda Hundred.
After his return from the war he resumed
practice in Logan county, Ohio, where he re-
mained until his death, which occurred in
1867. He married Miss Hannah J. Mar-
quess, who was born in Greene county, Ohio,
a daughter of Thomas T. and Rosina
(Stiles) Marquess, natives of Virginia. In
the family of Dr. Albert F. Matson and his
wife were three children : Charles A., a min-
ing engineer, is at Dawson, Alaska ; Ona
D. died in 1895.

Dr. William F. Matson obtained his pre-
liminary education in the district schools of
Logan county, Ohio, and then took up the
study of telegraphy and telegraph construc-
tion, entering the employ of the Western
Union Telegraph Company, with which he
continued for some time. From 1888 until
1890 Dr. Matson was in the West Indies,
in the employ of the West India Improve-
ment Company, and later he was in the serv-
ice of James Ray, the millionaire prince of

the West Indies. On returning to the
United States he took up the study of medi-
cine, reading in the office and under the di-
rection of Dr. Staples, a prominent physi-
cian of Dubuque, Iowa, and later he was
graduated in the medical department of the
State University of Iowa City, with the class
of 1896. After his graduation the Doctor
located in Gilmore, Humboldt county, Iowa,
where he continued in practice for two years,
and in 1898 he came to Monticello, where he
has since made his home. Here he has se-
cured a large and lucrative practice.

In 1886 Dr. Matson was united in mar-
riage to Miss Ida M. Calland, of Degraff.
Ohio, a daughter of Gershan and Elizabeth
(Dickey) Calland. They now have one
daughter, Ona Marguerite. Both the Doctor
and his wife have gained many friends dur-
ing the five years of their residence in Monti-
cello and their own home is the center of a
cultured society circle. The Doctor is a
wo'rthy representative of the Masonic fra-
ternity, belonging to Fraternal Lodge, No.
58, F. & A. M., and to Lincoln Park Chap-
ter, No. 177, R. A. M., of Chicago. In the
line of his profession he is connected with the
Champaign County District Medical Society,
the Illinois State Medical Society and the
American Medical Association, and through
the interchange of thought and experience in
these organizations he is continually broad-
ening his scientific knowledge and rendering
his labors more effective in his practice.

DANIEL P. SWISHER.

Daniel P. Swisher, who is successfully
carrying on general farming on section 16,
Goose Creek township, was born on the gth

MR. AND MRS. D. P. SWISHER

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

399'

of September, 1850, in the state of Pennsyl-
vania, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine
(Palm) Swisher, natives of West Virginia
and Pennsylvania, respectively, the former
born April 25, 1803, and the latter January
n, 1805. The Palms were of German de-
scent, Mrs. Swisher's parents having come
to this country from the fatherland. The
birthplace of the father of our subject was
Stanton, West Virginia, and there he con-
tinued to make his home until about 1840,
when he removed to Pennsylvania. Previous
to this event he had followed the black-
smith's trade, but he now turned his atten-
tion to farming, in which pursuit he engaged
until called to his final rest on the nth of
August, 1857. He had nine children, who
in order of birth, were as follows : Sarah
Anne Elizabeth, born October 3, 1824, died
July 2, 1825. William, born December 3,
1827, was graduated at the Allegheny Medi-
cal College at Meadville, Pennsylvania, and
was first engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession at Elmwood, Illinois, and later at
Canton, this state, where he died in 1881,
leaving a wife and one child. His son, Edwin
S. Swisher, is now a practicing physician of
New Mexico. Mary Eveline Amanda, the
third child of Jacob and Catherine Swisher,
was born December 5, 1831, and died Au-
gust 17, 1850. Elmus Josiah E., born No-
vember 22, 1834, died in July, 1840. Julia
is the wife of Daniel Billig, who is engaged
in farming near Harper- in Harper county,
Kansas. Emily L. is a resident of Fairview,
and the widow of Jacob Wise, a carriage-
maker and trimmer, who died about fifteen
years ago. Jacob James K., who was born
in 1843, ar >d died during his service in the
Civil war March 2, 1863. Samuel is now en-
gaged in the harness business at Meadville,
Pennsylvania.

Daniel P. Swisher received a good prac-

tical education in the common schools of his
native state, and made his home with his
mother until reaching manhood, his father
having died when he was only seven years
old. In early life he learnd the harness-
maker's trade at Jamestown, Pennsylvania,
and continued to follow that occupation until
1873, when he came west and located a mile
west of DeLand, Illinois, in Piatt county.
Here he rented eighty acres of land which he
afterward purchased in 1883, and although
he has since bought and sold a number of
farms, on which he has made his home for a
time, he finally returned to his first purchase.
The farm is well tiled and improved and is
divided into fields of convenient size by well-
kept fences. A deep well has been made and
a windpump set up, and the place is supplied
with the latest improved machinery for facil-
itating farm work. The family residence
has been remodeled and improved and the
fields are highly cultivated. In connection
with the operation of his own land, 'Mr.
Swisher has charge of his father-in-law's
farm of three hundred and twenty acres.

In 1876 he was united in marriage to
Miss Sarah Ann Wilson, a daughter of Jo-
seph and Lucinda (Judy) Wilson, and to
them have been born three children : Ger-
trude E., at home; Edith Viola, wife of
Charles Marvel, a farmer of Goose Creek
township ; and Grace Anna, at home. The
family are earnest and consistent members
of the Christian church of DeLand, and Mr.
Swisher also holds membership in DeLand
Lodge, No. 740, I. O. O. F. In political
views he is a Republican.

JOSEPH C. SMITH.

On section 24, Blue Ridge township, is
located the home and farm of Joseph C.

'400

PAST AND PRESENT

Smith, who is successfully carrying' on gen-
eral agricultural pursuits. He was born in
the year 1845, an< ^ ' s a son ^ Thomas and
Jane Smith. . His paternal grandfather was a
native of England and came from York,
that country, to America in the year 1816,
landing at Philadelphia. He crossed the
mountains in wagons and came down the
Ohio river in a flatboat, landing at Law-
renceburg, Indiana. In that locality he pur-
chased land and engaged in farming for a
number of years, being one of the early set-
tlers of the locality. Thus he took an active
part in advancing civilization there and aided
in laying the foundation for the present pros-
perity and progress of the commit rt
family were ten children, including Thomas
Smith, the father of our subject, who was
born in York, England, in 1805. He pur-
sued his early education there and acquired
good mental training for that day. With
his parents he came to America and through
long years was identified with agricultural
interests in Dearborn county, Indiana.
Prior to the Civil war he was a stanch Aboli-
tionist and was very anxious to see slaves
freed, but he never lived to hear the procla-
mation. When because of the cruelty of
southern masters many slaves attempted
to gain freedom in Canada, Mr. Smith con-
ducted what was known as a station on the
famous underground railroad. He and his
wife frequently sheltered the negroes, who
were then fleeing northward and assisted
them on their way. Thomas Smith died in
1863, and his wife, who was born in 1807,
long survived him, passing away in 1891.
In the family of this worthy couple were
eight children, and our subject now has one
brother who lives in Piatt county.

Joseph C. Smith was reared and edu-
cated in Dearborn county, Indiana. He pur-

sued his studies in an old log school-house
and, though his privileges were somewhat
limited he made the most of his opportuni-
ties arid has always followed that course
through life. It has been this that has
brought to him his success. He started out
for himself when twenty-one years of age,
and for two years worked by the month as a
farm hand in Piatt county, receiving from
twenty-five to forty dollars per month. He
purchased eighty acres of land about 1890,
and has since added to his original purchase
a tract of one hundred and sixty acres. The
land was not improved and Mr. Smith broke
it, doing the first plowing upon the fields.
He has added a great many substantial im-
provements, has planted all of the trees, has
erected good buildings and has made a splen-
did farm. His attention has always been
given to general farming, and to-day he has
a. valuable property. In 1873 he erected a
good residence, and the following year built
a large barn. Annually he sells good crops,
and as the years have passed he has gradu-
ally increased his capital until he is now
numbered among the men of affluence in the
community. In 1871 Mr. Smith was offered
a wagon for one hundred dollars cash or one
hundred and ten dollars on time. He went
to a bank in Farmer City and borrowed one
hundred dollars for three months, paying
six dollars interest, but on the expiration of
that time did not have the money and paid
six dollars more interest. At the end of six
months he was still unable to pay and was
told that as money was a little more plentiful
he could have it for another three months for
five dollars. Again he could not raise the
one hundred dollars, and this time paid an-
other six dollars interest. He was able to
settle at the end of the year, after having
paid twenty-three dollars interest, which

PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

401

would seem very exorbitant price at present.

In 1874 Mr. Smith was united in mar-
riage to Miss Lida Robinson, a daughter of
William Robinson, and they became the par-
ents of six children; Omer, who died at the
age of sixteen years; Nora, who is the wife
of E. B. James, by whom she has two chil-
dren ; Raymond, who married Maude El-
more; Alfred, who is living at home at the
age of twenty years ; Burton, who is now
fourteen years of age ; and Glenn, who died
in 1902.

Mr. Smith is now serving as the efficient
road commissioner of Blue Ridge township,
and has held the office for four years. Dur-
ing the spring of 1903 he had five iron
bridges built in Blue Ridge township. In
politics he has always been a Republican, and
is a progressive citizen, taking an active in-
terest in everything pertaining to the welfare
of the comunity and its progress along sub-
stantial lines. When he came to Piatt coun-
ty there were only one or two spring vehicles
in the county, and everything was primitive
because this district was but a frontier set-
tlement. Great changes have since occurred
and Mr. Smith has endorsed everything per-
taining tq the general welfare and given his
co-operation to many movements for the
public good.

ANTHONY CLARK.

Anthony Clark, who is now residing on
section 10, Bement township, where he owns
and cultivates a farm of one hundred and
sixty acres, was torn in Jefferson county, In-
diana, on the 27th of March, 1837. The
family is of English lineage and was estab-
lished in the new world by the great-grand-

father of our subject, who settled near Bal-
timore, Maryland, on crossing the Atlantic
to America. The grandfather, John Clark,
removed from the Atlantic coast to Ken-
tucky, and there spent his remaining days.

Samuel Clark, the father of our subject,
was born in Baltimore, Maryland, but was
reared in Kentucky and became a steamboat
captain on the Mississippi river. He was
the pilot on the third boat on that river, and
. ran from Pittsburg to New Orleans. For
many years he followed that life, but at
length was killed in Arkansas by an explo-
sion on his boat when thirty-two years of
age. He had married Miss Maria Horse-
man, who was born near Pittsburg, Pennsyl-
vania, and survived her husband for some
years, passing away in 1861 at the age of
fifty-four years. She was a member of the
Baptist church, and a lady whose many ex-
cellent qualities greatly endeared her to her
family and many friends. Mr. and Mrs.
Clark were the parents of four children, a
son and three daughters : Elizabeth, the de-
ceased wife of Thomas D. George, who was.
a Baptist minister, and died in Indiana, while
her death occurred in California; Louisa,
who resides at Columbus, Indiana, and is the
wife of David J. Stilling, a railroad con-
tractor ; Anthony, whose name introduces
this record; and Catherine, who is the wife
of John H. Jones, a retired farmer living
in Martinsville, Indiana.

Anthony Clark was reared in the place of
his nativity, remaining there until 1865. His
education was obtained in the public schools
of Jefferson county and he worked upon the
home farm, early becoming familiar with the
duties and labors that fall to the lot of the
agriculturist. He remained upon the old
homestead for a short period after attain-
ing his majority, and then came to Illinois,.

402

PAST AND PRESENT

locating in Pittsburg. For two years he re-
sided there and then came to Piatt county
in 1867, establishing his home on the place
which he now owns and occupies in Bement
township. He has made all of the improve-
ments here and has to-day a valuable farm,
supplied with all modern equipments. He
uses the latest improved machinery in carry-
ing on the work of the fields, and his place
is characterized by neatness and t