iii||iliilii!|g|iii!li^-^i.;P:.
L 1 B RA R.Y
OF THE
U N IVER51TY
or 1 LLl NOIS
977.365
P268
RUNoiS HiST&RiCAL SURVEY
THE
PAST AND PRESENT
OF
VERMILION COUNTY
LLINOIS
ILLUSTRATPCn
CHrcAGo:
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
1903
m^
"Biography is the only true history."— EMERSON.
INDHX.
PAGE
Abdill. Edward C 9^3
Acton, William M JlJj
Adams, Ellis 1047
Ailams, Harvey C 22y
Adams, L. P 84J
Aldridge, Mahlon 544
Alison. Rev. M. M 518
Alldrcdgc. \V. R S.'8
Allen. Giarlcs A 70
Allcrton, S.' W 1024
Allhands, F. M 49^
Allison, Alfred 1145
Anker. William J 1005
Arnold. N. M 9^6
At wood, .Mfred 53^
Auer. Rev. Mclchior I ijt
Ay res, Fred H h^7
BalKixk. Dr. H. S 998
Bailey, Joseph 730
Bailey, J. P -38
Raiky, M. B 2^5
Baird, G. W 7.10
Baird, Joseph 1013
Baird, J. F 719
Baird. W. I 375
Baker. H. S 818
Baldwin. John M 475
Baldwin, Lyciirgus looi
Barnhart. Ephraim 413
Barton, R. T 060
Batim, Samuel W 130
Baum, W. F 784
Beard, David 1054
Benjamin. \. B 7.;6
Bennett, Thomas 056
Benson, O. C 887
Berhalter, A. A. yS
PACE
Bever. William. Sr 904
Bo>-er. M rs. Mary 583
Black. Samuel 270
Blackstock. W. J 351
Blair, Mrs. Mary J 1077
Blankenburg, Ernst 234
Block. R. A 483
Bogart. C. J 653
Bollcs. H. H 944
BcKirdo. Elijah J 409
Brandon, D. C 748
Branhani, Esther E 298
Bratton, T. .-X 429
Brewer. Daniel 694
Bridgett. William M 152
Briggs. CM 311
Bristow. S. .■X 790
Brothers, Stephen 685
Brown, Daniel 11 11
Brown, Dr. W. A 955
Bnckmgham, George T 75
Buhl. Charles 3'2
Busby. C. F 627
Butlerfield. Murry J 1051
Buy. Fred 1122
Callioim, W. J 1042
Callahan, Simeon 995
Cameron, L. A 69
CamplH-ll, F. M 659
CamplK'll. Joseph ^zt,
CamplK-ll. J. D 602
Camplwll. J.J 1 108
CamplK'll. Rev. W. L 1099
Cannon. Hon. J. G 968
Carnahan, Gen. R. H 616
Carson, John 490
Carson, John .M 576
Carter. W. H
Castleman, T. B. . .
Cathcarl, W. G....
Catilicrvvood, \. T.
Catherwood, Mrs
Hartwell
Catherw<M5d. J. S
Cat loft. Herald ..
Catlelt, Hiram H
CluimlK-rlin. O. P
Cheslcy, C. E...
Giesley, John L
Chcsley, L. A.. .
Chesley. RolKrt V
Christnian. J. S..
Christmaii. T. F.
Church. William A
Clark, Judge S. M.
Clapp, A. R
Clements, Col. Isaac
Clinc, Spencer ....
Clingan. J. W
Clitigan. L. .\
Cloyd, Dr. Frazier
Cloyd. Dr. R. A...
Clutter, A. H
Coburn, G. F
Cochran, Dr. W. A
Oxkcrton, George I
C^ddington, A. E.
Cole, Ge<irge S. . .
Collins. Neville A
Collison, F. A. .. .
Collison. Sanniel .
Collison, Thomas F.
Commercial Tnist &
Bank
Cook, B. F
M:
Savings
r.\Gi!
171
867
'157
1148
208
206
630
947
581
378
7^1
1 1 14
172
1102
38
802
841
S88
85-2
1117
1030
385
667
525
-■«4
2<)l
ii7
I3S
I109
1089
1078
132
61
158
1103
SS2
927 1 95
INDEX.
PAGE
Cook. Enos 88i
Cook, James P 161
Cosat, John J 775
Cossairt, William 414
Courtney, J. B 94i
Cox, J. A 1073
Craddock. William 567
Cromwell, Jackson 1058
Cronkhite, B. E 1015
Crow, Charles F 495
Cruzan, Alpheus 1023
Current, Isaac 3-6
Current. W. H.. 283
Cunningham^ E. E 149
Cunningham, Joseph 41
Cunningham. J. A 45
Cunningham, William T.... 66
Custer, John M 125
Dale, John W 16
Daniel. O. M 600
Darr, George W 763
Davis, F, L 1032
Davis, Henry 1050
Davis. Ira Grant 859
Davis. James 615
Davis, J. T 601
Davis, I\I. C 610
Davis, W.J 422
Davison, Jamics 1076
Deal, John 777
DeLong, C. B 78
Dice, James H 433
Dickinson, John A 574
Dickson, James A 812
Diehl. John W 492
Dillon. George 372
Dohhins, W. G 949
Dodge, Gen. A. G. P 978
Doney, B. T 151
Donnelly. Edward 482
Dougherty. James M 112
Dougherty. J. M 1083
Douglass, Dorman B 906
Douglass, J. M 546
Duffiu, Thomas 554
Dukes, John H 1098
Dulcy, W. W 1016
Duncan, Darius 436
Dwiggins. Dr. Walter 28
Dye. W. W 905
Eadcr. I'. R 203
Elliott, Milton 635
PAGE
Ellsworth, C. E 900
Ellswortlh, J. P 963
F.nglisli, Charles L 96
English, J. G 196
Erikson, Ludvig 999
Evans, Judge D. D 57
Everhart, Benjamin 401
Fairchild, Francis M 712
Fairchild, Harrison 402
Fairchild. N. R 769
Fairchild, Seth 368
Fairhall, Dr. Joseph 388
Fares, F. C. V 1092
Faulstick, August 681
Finley. Dr. J. L 896
Finley, Watts 650
Fisher. John VV 35
Fithian, Elisha C. B 228
Fithirn, Dr. Paul E 662
Fuhian, Dr. William 825
Fleming. .A. H 789
Fleming. J. A 973
Flint. W. .\ 411
Fox. Dr. A. L 919
Fox, J. W 1155
France. H. S 1119
Frazier, Jay M 1093
Frazier, John, Sr 458
Frazier, Perry 1091
Friends in Vermilion county. 848
Funk, Carl 333
Games, Francis 286
Garner, James M 1003
Gass, L. D 138
George, Thomas J 1 1 16
Gerrard, John 569
Giddings, Frank A 1018
Gillespie, C. H +28
Gilmore, James 939
Gones, Thomas 451
Goodner, Mrs. Linea E 883
Goodv.'ine, James 804
Goodwine, John. Jr 267
Goodwine, J. W.. Sr 636
Gravat, Oscar B ii34
Greenebaum, Gus M 82
Gregory, A. S 782
Griffith, Linn H 49i
Gustin, F. M 1068
Hacker. Frederick
Haggard. D. R. ..
.531
254
PAGE
Hahn. Leonard J 634
Hamilton, John L 625
Hanly. Dr. G. M 1153
Hanson, William T 987
Harris, H. W 242
Harrison, George 1144
Harry, S. A. D 644
Hart. Charles B 515
Hart, Samuel 1 130
Hart, William 266
Hawkins, W. C 753
Healy, J. J 299
Hebel, Andrew 484
Henderson, Olen 781
Henry, George W 1003
Henton, Dr. C. D 879
tierron, John H 22
Hester, Mrs. Rhoda M 400
Hessey, William 853
Hilleary, George F 11 32
Himrod, David 827
Himrod, Patten 965
Hinshaw, Dr. D. C i77
Hodges. Rev. Sylvester 442
Holloway. Capt. G. W 74i
Holmes, Robert : 246
Honeywell, Alba 84
Hoopes, Thomas 62
?Ioover, James 834
Hoskins, George W 975
Howard, J. J 674
Howard, Thomas A 124
Hubb, William I94
Hubbard, N. E 394
Hughes, Tboma.s 214
Huni'phrey, Dr. S. -A 75°
Ingle, G. W 668
Ingles, Dr. J. A 291
Irwin, Capt. S. S 961
Jewell. W. R 950
Johns, John 529
Johns, Levi 590
Johnson, A. L 884
Johnson, Fred H 1071
Johnson, John H 1035
Johnson, W. C loii
Johnston, David 539
Johnston, W, T 26
Jones, Arthur 552
Jones, Mrs. Charlotte 709
Jones. C. E 794
Jones. C. P 993
INDliX.
Jones. Dr. G. B
Jones, George T . . .
Jones. G. \V
Jont<, Ira G
Jones, Dr. LcRoy. ,
jiuly. .\. B
Jnvinall, V. M
Juvinall. Janics
K.<iu.v. \V. F.
Kicslar. J. \V
KiUcy, Micl>ael . ..
Kcsplcr, fildward C
Kcsi.lcr, F. F
Kotcr, M. B
Kinihrough. Or. A. H
Kimbroiigli, F. R. E
KniKlit, James
Knipht. Johnson F.. .
Kiivkenilall, \V. V
l-;i!icaslcr, Mrs. Mary Jane
Lane, Jesse
I.ane, I.. I>
I.inc. W. \
I arsf in. Peter
U:uli, B. F
I.eeka. Dr. Jesse
I.ieinon, John
Lceninn, R. A
Leitzb.ich, Dr. A. J.
UNevc, .\. N
lx-.\eve, Saninel P.
Leonard. B. F
Li-seurc, Ernest X. .
Le>eiire, Prosi>er .. .
IA•^eure. Victor
Leverich. J. G
Lewis, Charles ^L.
Lindley, Frank
Littler. John .\
Loriii({. A'ilmry ....
Lottnian. Dr. W. .X
I.ont/.enhiser. .A. .N
Love. I-a.ic .\.
Lynch. William
I yon. Jolham .
McCalK?. J. M
.McClenathan. C \ .
Mcford, O. L
McCoy. J. F
MoCray, George M.
McCnskcr. Edward
PAGE
1065
065
704
860
74-'
I07<)
11.11
1074
'(.•;4
-55
u6
.187
510
278
2()2
16.1
127
I I I
(J.M
879
778
1038
1 135
718
420
i6<)
570
4(>4
47
996
921
896
1067
478
555
77-J
1019
149
.|6.^
7j8
MA
'■96
.145
J05
511
722
III.',
PAGK
McF.lhancy. B. F 1034
McFarland. John lOJi
McFarland. O. A 77o
McFerren. J. S 30
Mclnlosh. Dr. J. H 165
McMillin, William M in.-
McNeill, Milton M 701
Mc Reynolds, W. C 340
.Mahoncy, George C 622
Mann. .Miraham, Jr 303
Mann, .\braham, Sr 294
Mann, J. B 434
Mann. John T iob
M.irlin, Edwhn 543
Martin, Patrick .^64
.Martin. P. T 761
Matti. R. H... 44.?
Maxon. Oscar F 112S
Maylingh. John 977
Meade, l>avid 79f>
Mcnii;, George F 894
Messner, L. C 1006
Muhacl, Dr. O. W 501
Miller. Dr. Earl 379
Miller, George W 9.12
Miller. J. W 10S5
Miller, Jolin W 562
Miller. St.icey 1046
Moore, Dr. Samuel 1137
M<«ire, William 104
Moore, Dr. William J 8o<)
Moraii. Charles A>^<
Mozier, A. H .l8o
MiiKany. Oiristophcr 5.H7
Mnrphy. Roy I ^3
Myers. L. R Mf>
Nash, Dr. W. R 477
Neville. Norliourn 27
Ncwion. John W 594
Newman, Mrs. A. L 8,33
Norris. L. C 98S
Oakwood, Thomas 70-^
Odiiert. F. N I156
O Haver. Dr. J. W 890
Olmsted, A. G. . 221
Olmsted, W. C 338
O'Neal, James 377
OslHirn. F. R 142
Osiivin, John W 9'>7
Pamter, LL H 457
Palmer. E. H . . . 45^
r.M.i.
Parle, Sylvester ii2«)
Pastenr, Mrs. Ida J 176
Payne, Lincoln 85.S
P.iyne, W. J 503
Payton, JanK?s G 688
Pc-irson. G. C 13
Pearson, Judge I<.Iin 11
Perry, Thoinns . , 1066
Peterson, Henjaiiiui to86
Pcttegrcvv, J<ihn H., lotj
Phillips, John A ;f>S
Poland, Dr. B. I... . 1 .v
Porter, Dr. Wdliam D 856
Porlerlicld, M. I" 247
Powell, Or 111 . lofv
Prathvr. C \\ 504
I'ralher. Janu-s I 143
Pnit'her. Jonalh.mi 195
Price, A, S -'6j
Price. George ~73
Price. W. n '>22
1'iikIi. Monroe 810
Purnell, {I.-ory.- W I140
I'ntman. C I I'H)
Ray, Cleorge T 2.17
Redden, William 11 7<'>
Redmond. Dr T. B 899
Rees, N.iac M 871
Rcilly. (leorge W 118
Reilly. William io</i
Revctil. W. N 680
Rhoten, J. II 305
Rice, B S . 1041
Rice, J. J . .166
Rideout, Dr. J. L. lot
Rol)erlson, ls;iac ... •S40
Robertson. Zachariah 276
Rogers, S. A. D 1123
Rouse, Edward 184
Runyon, Dr. T. H O08
Rusk, Josiah 5*7
Rnsling. Mrs. Frances 743
Samuel. A. R 55.1
Samlnsky. Josiah 2.56
.Sandusky-. W. T... 352
Sandusky, William ISS
Siinford, Frank 470
Schario, Andrew 986
Sconce, Harvey J 183
Sconce, James S 178
Scott, G. M 927
Shankland. D. M 109S
INDEX.
PAGE
Shea, John G 369
Shedd, James G icx)2
Sherrill, Darea II47
Short, R. A 1033
Sibrel, A. J 1105
Silver, W. M 232
Sloan, James 874
Smalley, R. C 6+2
Smith, A. B 248
Smith, Mrs. A. E 285
Smith, A. G 956
Smith, E. C 943
Smith, George G 94
Smith, Henry 472
Smith, James L 648
.Smith, John R 34
Smith, Joseph 1031
Smith, R. H 1139
Smitfh, VV. M 392
Snapp & Sons. L. E jy
Snider, Charles 1 103
Sodowsky, Harvey 331
Songer, A. M 917
Sowers, Noah D 920
Spang, C. B 103
Spang, T. H 997
Sperry, EH S 1052
Sperry, Wallace 29
Sprouls, John 877
Stearns, J. C 584
Stevens, Qiarles E 811
Stevens, William T 831
PAGE
Steward, John L 319
Stewart, Dr. John C 202
Stewart, William 865
Stites, B. F 686
Stratman, William, Jr 711
Swank, John P 117
Tanner, George 191
Taylor, A. A 654
Terrell, Robert 754
Thompson, John R 1060
Thompson, L. M 744
Thompson, M. W 20
Tilton, George R 643
Tilton, George W 723
Tomlinson, F. D 170
Trego, A. H 50
Trent, J. B 1097
Vance, J. C 310
Van Etten, Frank H 1120
Vinson, Henson 593
Vinson. Levin 524
Voorhees, Peter 988
Ward, A 245
Warner, C. W 360
\\^^tson, -M. H 762
Watson, S. A 682
Watson, Thomas (iT2
Weaver, Michael 99
Webster, Rev. W. H 934
PAGE
Werner, Joseph 1012
White, William 317
Whitham, Eugene H 928
Wilkin, Judge Jacob W 1087
Wilkins, Dr. J. M 358
Williams, A. S 981
Williams, C. C 1150
Williams, James 343
Williams, John 868
Williams, Thomas 147
Williams, William 854
Willison, E. B 1 143
WilUus, John B 354
Wilson, S. G 50
Wilson, Dr. W. R 897
Witherspooai', L. M 334
Wolcott, Albert 1084
Wolter, William 1124
Woodbury, J. C 629
Woolverton, Thomas 240
Worthington, R. R 1 142
Wray, J. M 1009
Wright, M. M 1057
Wysong, O. B 100
Yapp, Jacob 579
Yeager, Mangus 787
Yeomans, George B 496
York, W. H 371
York, Will H 1102
Zerse, A. S 1037
PAST AND PRESENT
OF
VERMILION COUNTY
By G. C. Pearson.
"The Past and Picscnt n\ N'ennilion
County with tliat nf Danxillc its C'i)UiUy-
seat" is an excellent title lor a vDlunie de-
voted to iiistorical facts as well as to Ijio-
graphica! sketches of those who were promi-
nent in founding ami shaping the conditions
existing at present. I'ew realize the true
significance oi what the i)ast emhraces in a
field no wider than that of WMniiJiim
county. We need go no farther than the
fall of 1819. when a conii)any of five men,
Hlackman. Beckwitii. Treat, Allen and
Whitcomb located at Salt Springs, a few-
miles west of the present city of Danville.
They were pioneers, ])romoters, and specu-
lators, in search of what was at that time
ninie esteemed than gold or silver — salt —
since it was an essential in the domestic
economy of the early settlers and was ditii-
cult to obtain.
It is not our |)urpose to offer ;i detailed
narrative or repeat that which has l)een so
well presented by a historian of acknowl-
edge<l ability and research, who in his able
w<irk lias rendered it easy to follow the dis-
coveries anil e;irly explorations of the
French missionaries, the first Europeans to
invade the vast territory drained by the
Mississippi and its tributaries, and liv the
chain of lakes ;uid ri\evs from (Jiicago aiul
Duliith to Quelx'c.
Illinois, Vermilion (.ouuiy .md Danville
are especially considered in the history re-
ferred to which furnishes matter of special
local interest, 'fhesc I'rench missionaries
were in many respects remarkable for ilieir
tenacity of purpose in making geographical
exi)lorations and gaining a knowledge of
the country and in securing the coveted
wealth in tin- large amount of peltry, which
thev obtained of the Indians, at prices dic-
tated i)y themselves. Another motive which
stimulated them greatly was that of extend-
ing their church propaganda, by which they
hoped to Christianize and control the numer-
ous war-like tribes of Indians who were
never at [leace. but were continually carr)'-
ing on wars which resulted in the extermi-
nation of one or both contestants, .\nother
and no doubt as great a stimulas proiuoted
these explorations. It was that by tlie right
of discovery the vast expanse over which
they travelled as well as all contiguous terri-
tory vvas theirs or rather their soveriegn's or
PAST AND PRESENT OF VERMILION COUNTY.
ruler's, who could control, convey and dic-
tate terms relating to these territories re-
gardless of tlie rights of tfie aboriginal
owners who were dispossessed of their
homes regardless of justice or equity.
Is there in the catalogue of crimes an\'-
thing comparing with the treatment and
dealings of the civilized white man with the
aboriginal ljarl)arian, from the first landing
of the Christianizing Sjjaniards in the \\'est
Indies to the present congressional donation
of rights of way to railroads and opening
up for settlement by whites of the lands in
Indian reservations to which they had been
assigned when dri\en from their birthright
homes, east of the Great River? Injustice
and robbery of the Indians has been the rule.
Illinois as it is at present bounded was
admitted into the L^nion December 3, 1818,
bv an act of congress April 18, of that year.
The first state constitution was adopted that
year remaining in force until Alarch, 184S,
when a new one was adopted. The most
important feature of this was a clause
ordering an annual two mill tax to pay
off the state debt. This constitution
answered for twenty-two years, when
August 8. 1870, the organic law was adopted
when radical changes followed, which .have
l>eeu of great value to the people. With
fifty-six thousand square miles of land in
her Ijoundaries. Illinois has one hundred and
two counties. Vermilion county ranks
fourth with a thousand square miles ; La
Salle county with a thousand and eighty
miles is next: lro(|uois with one thousand
and one hundred : and McLean with one
thousand one hundred and fifty square miles
is the largest.
\'ermilion county topographically con-
sidered as well as agriculturally is not sur-
passed by any portion of the state which is
noted for its superiority in these respects.
With the artesian out-pour of pure water in
unlimited cpiantities in the northwestern
portion of the county ; with two and three
six and seven foot veins of excellent bitumi-
nous coal underlaying the west and south-
west portion of the county ; clay, sand and
rock deposits favorably situated for utiliz-
ing at minumum e.xpense, all well distributed
throughout the county, such advantages
are to be considered when determining upon
locations for manufacturing and the invest-
ment of capital and enterprises, the success
of which depends upon economical material
and tlie conversion of same into what is
desired. \'ermilion county is especially
favored, in regard to its freedom from
climatic extremes. The reason for this is
that located as it is midway in the thermal
jjelt between the thirty-ninth and fortieth
degree of latitude, outside of the great air
currents which follow the mountain ranges
on both sides of the continental valley
through which flow the water arteries north
and south from the .\rctic circle to the Gulf
of Mexico — there is a lessened liability of
barometrical disturbances which variations
in pressure are primarily the cause of
tornadoes, cyclones, gales and all of the
variously named winds which benefit or in-
iure mankind. The relation of climate,
more especially the weather, to health, is an
inquirv deserving of consideration. It will
be found from statistics that this section of
the state compares with the most favored,
not only as regards diseases of the respira-
ton- svstem but is free from annual malarial
diseases resulting from marshes and poorly
drained alluvial soils.
In the early part of 1827, Guy W. Smith
and Dan. W. Beckwith donated land to the
county for a county-seat. Danville occu-
PAST AND rKESliNT 01- \EKMILION COL-NTV.
pics that ami imicli iiiuro land at present.
It was a turtimate as well as an ideal lo-
catiiin. As the i)lainsineii have it. "there
was an ahnndance i>f wood, water and
prass" all easily olnainahle. Xn danger of
rtiMids. matters nut if a repetition of Xoah's
time nccnrcti; excellent and eciMiomical
drainajfe. yet easily accessible from all di-
rections. Evidences of the Indian's api^re-
ciation of the heanty and advantaijes of this
site was to be seen by the pioneer, their
campings sjronnds and former village sites
extending: from the crescent hanks of the
main X'ermilion river on the sonth. alons;-
the billowy shaped hLnffs on the west, which
befincd the conrse of the Xorth l"ork to the
abrnpi Dcnniark Hills. Eastward Stone
Creek, wliich was a rapi<ily (lowing stream
of clear cold water, was the boundary. Re-
member, too, that this plateau, level as a
floor, was free from underbrush until lonq;
after the advent of the whites. .\ beautiful
forest of sugar maple was in the southeast-
ern part, while oaks, walnuts, elms and other
varities of deciduous trees clothed the north-
ern portion. It would be useless tfi attempt
a ])en plvjtograph as it wnuld in nowise
furnish a jiicture of the natural Itcautics of
the original landscape before it was marred
an<l destroyed by the ruthless hand of man:
ready to sacrifice any and everything for
gain. I doubt if there exists a nature so
barren of sentiment, so lacking in all that
elevates mankin<l aliove the brute that has
not some fondness and love of the beautifvd.
Can imagination, poetically inspired though
it be, present and form any type of beauty
compared with spring, clotheil in her varied
shades of the bursting: buds of trees and
shrubs trimmed with garlands of flowers of
every color: the summer of hope and antici-
pation: followed then liy the season of
fruition : succeeded by grim visaged w inter
w hich was. however, a time of warm he;irted
hospitality in pioneer days. The latch string
of their log cabins was out to all who be-
sired to enjoy good cheer — letters of intro-
duction, creed and party played no pait in
invitations to take a chair and make oneself
.it home by the hospitable host. The deep
broad firc])laces, the width of one side or
end of the cabin, with its back-log and pile
of ma])le or hickory wood gave Ixith heal
and light — a cheerful place it was for family
or stranger when the day's work was done,
to gather in front of the bright blaze, re-
count the ha|)penings of the day, iliscuss
politics (papers and books were few and far
between in those days ) plan for the morrow's
deer luuit or wolf drive, and not infrec|uently
do some "sparking" if there was an un-
coupled yoitng woman in llu- house.
Modern formalities were unkn<iwn, matri-
monial as well as other ijrojjosals were
direct and easily understood. A couple in-
tent on a Iielter or worse ])rogram "nionnteil
a nag" and were soon wedded by a minister
or s(|uire at an outlay often times of not
more than a "tli.ank you squire" or "much
obliged, Mr. Dominie." Efficient police
were imnecessary for guarding presents or
rejiorters neciled for blazoning to the public
the folly as well as names of friends. It
would sound strangely ;il the ])resent liiue,
if it was given out to the ubi(|uitous reporter
by a i)ork packer, that he intended building
a boat at the foot of \'ermilion street with
gunwales and plank from trees ciu on the
flat east and adjoining an<l loa<ling this boat
for Xew Orleans with hams and bacon
from hogs butchereil on the ground over
which the Wabash railroad now passes on
the north eml of the bridge. This has been
done, however, that to within the memory
PAST AND PRESENT OF VERMILION COUNTY.
of by no means tlie oldest inhabitant.
Equally strange to the well fed citizen of
this day is the fact that a little flutter mill
on the North Fork, near the ground occu-
pied by Beard S: Custer's icehouses, fur-
nished the meal for mush and pones in
1834-5-6, for not only most of Danville's
citizens but the country round about. The
amount that an individual could get ground
was limited to a bushel, half bushel custom-
ers had the preference, although the rule of
succession was as arbitrarily enforced as it
is at a popular ami first class barber shop.
Waiting for hours in sunshine or in rain to
get a half bushel of corn mashed or cracked
(it never was bolted) would not suit present
customers who demand immediate attention
in supplying their request by telephone and
complain of the tardiness of the grocer or
butcher if thay fail in material or time.
A matter which ma\' be forgotten if not
noted is this: there was a time in Dan\ille's
histor}- when there was no butcher shop or
place where pro\isions could be obtained at
all times; beef was killed on the square
after having been thoroughly tested for
milk sickness: if affected it was shown by
■\ii)lent tremliling which gave the disease the
name it was generally known by (trembles)
it was the cause of many deaths among the
early settlers. ^lilk, butter or Ijeef from
towns or country northeast of the citv was
regarded with suspicion. An English family
of se\en who had recently settled in Dan-
ville on the southeast corner of Hazel and
Xorth streets died in a week from eating
butter coming a mile or so northeast from
the junction. The father was a positive
man who said there was not a bit of truth
in the sickness coming from eating butter,
that there was no such thing as milk sick-
ness, that he would show the Hoosiers that
he was right. Poor fellow, his family and
himself might have escaped a fearful death
had he beai willing to accept facts and not
stubbornly ignored them. This milk sick-
ness is something which has eluded in-
vestigation: that it is the result of poison
taken into the system from l^eef, butter or
milk is accepted by medical men whose
practice has given them opportunities for
in\estigatiiin and treating" it. Danville's fair
name was clouded for years by the reported
milk sickness and from the reputation it
gained in the business transactions at the
land office which was located there. A
reputation smirched is like a name with a
bar sinister, diflicult to put aside or over-
come. \\'itli bright prospects for the future
let us hope that all tending to detract from
Danville's fair name is forever buried and
will be forgotten.
Accepting the proposition that effect fol-
lows cause and is dependent upon it. we have
Liriefly outlined that which is termed histiiry
in the organization of \'ermilion county,
with incidental reference to those who gave
to Danville the county seat an existence as
such. An attempt to antidate the Indian
occupancy when discovered by the whites
or Europeans takes us into a field of un-
limited speculation, one in which anthropol-
ogists as well as archaeologists have signally
failed in determining.
As has been previously stated in this
preface, France by right of discoverv- of the
Padres (priests) claimed the Mississippi
valley as also the territories adjacent to the
lake from the Atlantic to the Rocky Moun-
tains. In a work of this kind, however, an
extended and detailed account of occurrences
prior to the time of occupancy of those
whose biographies are given, would be of
no special interest to them, their relatives
PAST AND PKES1£NT OF VERMILION COLNTV.
S
"f pergonal frieiuls. The pressinqf neetls
supplietl l)y sucli a work as the "Past and
Present" is recogfnizecl when \vc lixik arounil
an<l note tlie absence of the many lainihar
faces wlio Init a short time ag^n were prime
factors and participants in every depart-
ment and pliase of hfe. How soon are tliey.
.ind will we \x forgotten! Not a pleasant
snhject for contemplation for tliose wliose
hves have l)een and are a c^ntimions strug-
gle to attain st)me desirable aim — money,
position, or office for themselves and chil-
dren. Xo one. matters not how lacking
they are as regards public estimation while
living, who does not crave for their families
and friends some record of their e.xistence —
information which in years to come will be
treasured and referred to. if not by the
world at large by those who are directly
interestetl — children, grtmdchildren. great-
grandchildren — often by descendants of
many times removed.
The territory embraced in \'ermilion
county was a part of Crawford county, then
of Clark county, which extended as far north
as the Kankakee river. Edgar county fol-
lowed in the secpience of county creations
and was taken from Clark county in January
iSj^. Hy an act of the legislature January
i8. i8j6. \'ermilion county was created
from part of Edgar county and its l»ound-
aries defined which were subsef|uently al-
tered l)y subtractions and additions. In
1833 Iroquois was formed; Champaign
county was given a gooflly strip from the
west side: Livingston county, organized in
1837. came in for another slice from the
northwest comer of \'ermilion county;
druiKly county in 1841. Will county.
Iroc|uois, and Kankakee counties all had
more or less and yet \'ermilion county was
left territory cimugh to make her rank as
fourth in size of the one hundred and two
counties in the state.
The early immigration into this terri-
tory was from the southeast, the Carolinas,
Tennessee. N'irginia. Kentucky, siuithern
Ohio and Indiana, furnished a majority of
those who sought new homes and enjoy the
free ellmw room existing where neighlxjrs
were few and stock range unlimiteil. 1-Vom
the present standpoint it is not i)ossible to
have a correct untlerstanding or idea of
pioneer society. Environments differing es-
sentially from what existeil fifty years ago
necessarily effect not only society but every-
thing connected with and related to it. .\t-
tempte<l descriptions as ordinarily given are
simply extravaganzas or caricatures. What
would fashion's devotees of the pre.sent think
if called upon to card. spin, weave, dye and
make the linsey woolsev for their dresses
and underwear — knit theirs and the st<x:k-
ings for the household from yarn, every
thread of which from the sheep's back had
passed through their busy fingers. The hum
and whirr of spinning wheels large and
small, the thud-thud of the hxnn — was the
nuisic of the drawing ro^m. reception room,
parlor, and kitchen all i n one and not
"E-Pluril)us-Unum". as it is now when
evolution's re(|uiremcnts declare for com-
fort and case which cannot Ik." thoroughly
enjoyed without an unlimited nnml)cr of
apartments and servants many therewith.
What think you would one of those pioneer
grandmothers have said if such a notice as
the following had come under her eyes :
"Girl wanted, two in family, no washing,
two days out. go<id wages. Apply at once.
R(xim H^3. Mat B". Here it may be well
to also state that first class girls etpial in
PAST AND PRESENT OF VERMILION COUNTY.
every respect to those employing them were
paid twenty-five and fifty cents per week —
were reg^rdeil as companions and treated as
such, not as inferiors, drudges unwortliy of
notice. The sociahstic sentiment existing
then was productive of genuine friendship
wliich lasted through life. The feudalistic
idea of inherent nobility or blue-bloodism
imported from Europe in later years would
not have been tolorated in a true democracy.
The government land ottice for this dis-
trict was located in Danville in 183 1-2.
Samuel McRoberts (^afterwards United
States senator) was the first receiver: J- C.
Alexander the first register. This office re-
mained until the ]niblic land or most of it
was disposed of. This required some years,
many receivers and registers serxing in
these responsible positions faithfull}' and
well. Latterly, hoivever. the office was used
by out-siders for personal profit to the detri-
ment of its rejnitation which reflected upon
Danville's reputation and retarded its
growth. Gold and silver coin alone was ac-
cepted for land by the government. This
coin was stored in bo.xes and stacked up on
the ."^oor of the office until the joist would
bend and the fioor sag under the weight.
AMien deposits were made at the sub-treas-
ury in Chicago, a wagon load of money was
sent with no guard or protection except the
driver and a citizen jjerhaps. who had busi-
ness in the Lake City, one hundred and
twenty-five miles distant, most of the way
through a sparsely settled country. What
an opportunity for present professionalists
to burglarize vaults, safes and strong boxes,
terrorize whole communities, and hold u])
railroad trains with impunity.
A fortunate thing has it been for Dan-
\ille escaping as it has, all the booms except
that of 1836 when it was slightly effected.
It has been called okl fogish. a one-horse
place, by town-site promoters and specu-
lators whose boom cities have gone to the
wall long ago, while Danville like the tor-
toise has won the race. Progress based up-
on established business in process of develop-
ing interests which long experience has
shown to be necessary and profitable, with
assurance of continuance, attracts capital
and investors notoriously shy anil conservat-
ive. -Vnother thing which favors the future
welfare of Danville, as well as that of \'er-
milion coimtv, if the awakening of the
citizens to the necessity of utilizing the latent
sources of wealth which have remained un-
disturbed until recently.
Danville's first railroad was the Great
\\'estem of Illinois in 1859. Consolidated
with the Wabash was effected in June. 1863.
when a division was made from the state line
to Danville, making Danville theterminal
for east and west divisions. In Deceml^er,
1869. the Indianapolis, Bloomington &
\\'estern was built into Danville from the
west and from Danville east to Indianapolis
in December, 1870. Chicago. Danville &
\'incennes Railroad was completed to Dan-
ville in December. 1S71 : the shops, engine
house etc., during 1872. What is known as
the Collett road from Terre Haute to D?in-
ville (a part of the Chicago & Eastern
Illinois system) was completed into Dan-
ville December. 1871. The Paris & Dan-
ville Railroad (a portion of the Big Four
system at present) was built in 1872.
It is scarcely necessar}- to trace the de-
velopment of the street car system of Dan-
\ ille from the day when two rats of mules
with tinkling bells to warn pe<lestrians as
well as others to clear the track for the
PAST AND PRESENT OE VERMILION COLNTV.
swiftly innvinj; car in wliicli llie company
:onl<l liave guaranteed a sound sn(M)ze be-
tween any of tlie parks, tlie Jnnction. pulilic
;(|narc and transfer olHcc. Wonderful
.'lianges lia\e l)ecii hrLiuglit al)ont by lliat
igency. electricity, not in locomotion alone
nit eserAtliing else in ci\ilized life. \ic\\ed
from the present stand])oint.
The lives and experiences of ilic earliest
|)i<.ineers would furnish material for volumes
jf greater interest by far than the creations
if authors withont the personal experience
ivhich alone gives true relish to recitals of
)ordcr life. Simple statements of every day
life filled with constant danger of robbery,
murder and the m.my contingencies of at-
tacks by Indians and wt)rse still by the
refugees .ind desperadoes that li\ed ujjon the
borders of civilization. There was a num-
ber of genuine trajjpers and hunters living
in the vicinity of Danville — men I'f tlie
Daniel Boone order. One well remembered
by the writer was Captain Jim Clynian. a
afcniiine frontiersman, hunter ;md trapper,
tall, spare in llesh. keen deep-set blue eyes,
face and hands as bronzed as the color of
smoked buck. skin : hair that fell upon his
•ihoiilders; mouth that closed like a steel
trap, surrounded by a heavy beard which
whh his hair was the color of dried grass.
Habited in a composite dress of linsey wool-
>ey wamns. buckskin pants, and foot wear.
^ coon skin cap worn when in the settlement.
His Itnig full stocked Hint-lock ritle. toma-
liawk and knife were never out of reach ex-
LCpt when he was in the house of a frientl,
which was seldom. He had crossed the
L'ontinent a nnmlwr of times; years Iwfore
the gold excitement he trapjied and hunted
)n the head waters of the Columbia. Mis-
souri. Yellow Stone and other rivers on tlie
western side of the continent. lie had
crossetl the Sierra N'evadas into Sacramento
valley: was thoroughly ac(|uaiiUed with the
topography of California, its mild climate
and abundance of game but knew nothing of
the .gold which lay exposed uiioii the sl.ile
l)ed rock of creeks and rivers on the wes-
tern slope of the mountains. This, however,
is not so strange when Fremont with his
corps of scientists traversed these ranges over
the same ground no doubt which Clyman
had hunted, and not a word was said in his
reports to government about gold. .\
pioneer California g<jld prospector is
skeptical to the merits of the so called
scientists who if they knew did not report it.
CJyiii.iirs remarkable imliv iduality attracted
■ ill who came in contact with him. At limes
when in convers.itional mood he could keep
listeners spell bound by ii;irratiiig his per-
sonal experiences among the IndiUns: of the
many hair-breadth escapes from captin-e,
which meant death by torture, practiced only
bv the Indians: of his contests with mountain
lions, panthers, grizzly l)ears and other wild
animals which furnish the fnrs so much in
demand and are captured at such hazard to
life. Settling finally in .\apa X'alley. Cali-
fornia, this man of adventure passed the
autumn of life in jjcace and jilenty. dying
at the ripe age of ninety-two. Sjiace is given
to this man Clyman as one of the very
first pioneers of Veniiilion county, and yet
it never mentioned as far as the writer
knows, in prose or |toeti\ . eulogy or censure.
Trails and foot paths blazed through the
woods were the only raods in the early days:
bridges there were none: rivers, creeks and
sloughs must be forded or ferried: in time
of high water and Hoods, delays were neces-
sarv until the water subsided. Traveling
PAST AND PRESENT OF VERMILION COUNTY.
was done on foot or horse back by both fit fastened to tlie Ijack of their saddles. lu-
men and women. Short as well as long dependence of thought and action character-
journeys were made that way. Old and ized the women pioneers. What they lacked
yoimg women were proficient in equestra- in scholastic acquirements was made up in
tion. It was not at all uncommon for practical knowledge upon a basis of good
journeys of several hundred miles to be sense,
made by them on horseback with their out-
BIOGRAPHICAL
jrnc.i-: joiix im-.aksox.
Jiulije John Pearson proljuhly took as
active part in the tlevelnpnient of Uctnville as
any other one man. and liis efi\)rts were not
alone along one line, lie did not merely
contribute to the business growth of the
city, but gave liberally of his means to the
support of churches, and moreover he shed
around him much of life's sunshine, because
of his kindly, benevolent spirit, his ready
sympathy and his tired ami true friendshii).
Thus it was that Danville loved and honored
him and reailily acknowledged her indebted-
ness to him for what he accomplisheil in
her l)cbalf.
Jucfgc Pearson was born in .\\on. Xew
York, in January. iSoj. His forefathers
came from England to America, settling in
Connecticut, and at an early day rejjresenta-
tives of the family became residents oi
Avon, being anitmg the' first settlers of
western Xew ^'f)rk. The first of the name in
this country was Rev. Abraham Pearson,
who came from Yorkshire. England, in 1639.
His son. who was also l^ev. Abraham Pear-
son, was the first president of Y.de College,
and died in Killingworth. Connecticut, in
1707. at the age of sixty-one years. John
Pearson, the father of the Judge, was the
1
sixth child born lo I'ipluann anil I laiiiiail
Pearson, his l)irth occurring in the town of
Tolland. Connecticut, in I7f>5. while he
died in western Xew ^'ork, at the age of
forty-seven yan-s. He was a pioneer mer-
chant of that part of the state and a very
wealthy man. He married Rebecca Wat-
rous, whose first husband was (ieneral Hidl,
a Revolutionary soldier; her .second. John
Pearson; and her third. Colonel Samuel
lilakcslce. .ilso a hero of the Revolution.
She survived all. dying .it the age of ninety-
six years.
Judge John I'earson w.xs a graduate of
Princeton College, of Xew Jersey, and read
law with Judge George llosmer. of Avon.
There in i<Sj6 he married a daughter of
(ieorge S. Tiffany, an attorney of Scho-
harie. Xew ^'ork. of a wealthy and aristo-
cratic family, all of whom were in the pro-
fessions. After his marriage Jmlge Pearson
came to what was then the far west and lie-
gan practicing law. His brother-in-law.
Rev. Henry .Storrs, was then in Ravenna.
Ohio, and the Judge located in that town.
He later started for Chicago, stopping en
rojite at Detroit to visit relatives, named
Truax. .\t that place he took a sailing ves-
sel for Chicago, arriving early in June,
1832, and as there was then no harljor the
12
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
vessel had to anchor out in the lake and the
passengers were takeit ashore in yawls
Major Whistler was in command of Fort
Dearborn during the Sauk war of 183 J,
and, as he was a friend of Judge Pearson
and his famil}', he had the Judge bring his
family into the fort. The father, in look-
ing around Chicago, found it was unsafe to
remain there unless one w-as in the fort, so
he came to Danville, the nearest point of
safety, a company of rangers being sta-
tioned here. The Judge came here on horse-
back to look at the town. During his ab-
sence the first steamer arrived at Chicago,
liringing Scott's troops, but it also brought
the cholera and a regular exodus was made
from Fort Dearljorn. Mark Beubean took
the family out to the summit and there
waited imtil the father returned with a
%\'agon to transport them. They were one
week in making the trip, having to follow
an Indian trail -throug'h Joliet, and ciuite a
panic was caused by a lot of Indians who
came up to them, but they were found to
be not hostile, but in search of food because
they were starving.
Judge Pearson began the practice of law
in Danville and was appointed by the legis-
lature to the office of circuit judge, his cir-
cuit comprising Cook, Will, Iroquois, Du
Page and De Kalb counties, and he made
his home in Joliet, while filling that office.
He served on the bench until elected to the
state senate, when he resigned the judge-
ship, and later he resigned as senator in
favor of Joel Matteson. His wife died
June 4, 1842, and in 1843 ^^^ married Kath-
erine Passage, of Princeton, New Jersey.
He then located in New York city, where
he remained vmtil 1846, btit he did not like
it there and besides liis property was in
the west, he having large landed interests in
Chicago and in \'ermilion cuuntv.
In
1849 he made the overland trip to Califor-
nia, where he engaged in selling goods,
taking out a fine outfit. He would not enter
into politics there and after selling out his
store at Bidwell's Bar, California, he went
down among the Yumas on a trading ex-
pedition and his partners were killed. Al-
though he escaped with his life he lost all
his possessions and soon after he returned
to Danville, where he spent his remaining
days, having a fine property here and large
landed interests in the state.
Judge Pearson was a strong Democrat
and G. C. Pearson now has a cane whicl
was cut at The Hermitage and given to his
father by Andrew Jackson. He was noted
for keeping the first carriage and horses
here and his first wife and the children
dro\-e thus to Detroit in 1836, passing
through Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.
He was alwa3's an advocate of progress
and was quick to introduce anything which
tended toward advancement along lines
pro\-ing of benefit to the community. He
gave his attention to the supervision of his
landed interests, and had extensive property
holdings in this state. He at one time
bought eighty acres of land south of Twelfth
street in Chicago, of G. S. Hubbard, for
se\'enteen dollars per acre, and forty acres
on the west side, west of Halstead street,
taking it in part payment for property sold
in Danville, but not considering it of any
value he paid no attention to it and did
not record the deed of sale. He figured
prominently in many events which had much
to do with shaping the development of the
state. His control of property interests not
only led to business activity and to the re-
clamation of wild land for purposes of civil-
izatinn, but he was also an active factor
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
'3
in assisting many citlier measures for ilio
general gootl. (. luirches received his gen-
erous sui>i)(.)rt. ami lie was a man of very
charitable and benevolent spirit. One of his
l)re(lominant traits was his loyalty to his
friends. He held frieiulship inviolable and
was ever ready to assist a friend in any way
possible. This naturally increased the cir-
cle of his own friends, and it is safe to say
that no man in Danville was held in greater
regard by a wide circle of acquaintances
than was Jndge Pearson, the honored pio-
neer, who passed away in June, 1875.
GUST A V US C. PEAR SOX.
Gustavus C. Pearson, a capitalist of
Danville, became a resident of this city Jn'y
4. 1832. Hardly another resident can
claim personal recollection of the county at
that remote period. Many events of im-
portance, however, have in the interval
shajied the life history of Mr. Pearson, who
was one of the argonauts who went to Cali-
fornia in search of the "golden Heece" on
the iliscovery of the precious metal on the
Pacilic slope; who was one of the early
board of trade men of Chicago; and was
also largely engaged in promoting tlie trade
interests of the Pacific coast. Prospering in
his undertakings, he has largely placed his
money in that safest of all investments —
real estate — and is to-day accounted one of
the capitalists of Danville, to which city he
was brought in his boyhood when this was
a frontier settlement.
Mr. Pearson was born in Ravenna
Ohio, July 17, 1827, a son of Judge John
and Catherine (Tiffany) Pearson. In
chilfllmod he came to Illinois and obtainedj
his early education in Joliet. He after" •"■'
atlcndeil iiishop Chase's Jubilee Lullege
near Peoria and Allegheny College at
Meadville, Pennsylvania, and took up the
study of law under the direction of Josiah
McRoberts in Danville in 1845-6. He af-
terward went to Ji.iliet an<l at the age of
seventeen years had charge of the extensive
business of Joel Matteson, with whom he
remained until going to California. He left
Jolict March 25, 1849, proceeded to St.
Joseph. Missouri, and up the Platte river
and thence across the country to Salt Lake,
becoming well acquainted with the Mor-
mons during his three months stay there,
at which time he was engaged in hunting.
He cut five and a half acres of wheat with
a sickle, threshed it with a llail and cleaned
it by means of the breeze from Salt Lake,
which always blows in the afternoon. He
sold his ])roduce to a Mormon bishoj). re-
ceiving Mormon gold in exchange. With
others he had been persuaded to stay until
too late to go by the usual route — the I hun-
boldt — to California, and then they were
told to go by the southern route or else be-
come Mormons, so the former alternative
was accepted, the demand being made by
Brigham Young in open meeting, it l)eing
his intention from the first to make them the
explorers and openers of the southern route.
Mr. Pearson gave up his wagon two hun-
dred and fifty miles before reaching Cali-
fornia. He had one of the finest outfits in
his party but he tnrne<l it over to a starving
family who were to deliver it to him in
California. Ten of them then took their
packs upon their backs and traveled night
and day until they covered one hundred
and thirteen miles, having no water during
this time. The place has since been called
Death's Valley. Two of the men went
crazy from thirst. They had constantly to
be on the lookout and a new t'-'i' I'td to be
14
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
niride for tliere was iiDiie. They finally
reached Alohave and from there broke their
way through the snow and over the moun-
tains, crossing at the foot of San Bernardi-
no mountain. Continuing on for two and
a iialf days without anything to eat they
reached Cocomongo ranch. Jackson, a
former hunter of the Rocky mountains, who
was major-domo in charge there, recognizing
their condition, put them into a cellar, lock-
ing them in and then gave them weak wine
and a little beef broth. This nndoulttedly
saved their lives for had they been permitted
to eat in their half-famished condition, they
would undoubtedh' ha\e killed themselves
by eating too much. Ho\ve\er. Jackson
gradually increased their rations until they
could partake of a regular meal. A lieef
was driven into the court and killed for the
Indian employes daily and after a few da^s
Mr. Pearson and his comrades were al-
lowed to cut off from this beef as much as
they wanted to broil.
P'rom the ranch they went to Los An-
geles, a Spanish hamlet, and on the first
night there was a ball. A southern g^ambler
who had been north was shot down bv one
of a party of gamblers, with whose girl he
iiad danced, yet nothing was done to him,
as such occurrences were too common to
cause much attention. The next morning
the party of gamblers, wanting amusement
put four negro American seamen in a corral
enclosed by a seven foot wall and then sb(_it
at them with revolvers from the top of the
wall. The negroes later escaped to San
Pedro and went north on a vessel named
Honolulu, a boat which had been Iniilt for
the king of Honolulu. Mr. Pearson, \Vill-
iam Richardson and father, from Kentucky,
were also passengers on that schooner,
which landed them at San l-'rancisco. Our
subject possessed eighty dtjllars in Mormon
gold with which he tried to bu}- a jjair of
boots, l)ut found their price was one hun-
dred dollars. He obtained a position in a
wholesale store, receiving his board and one
hundred dcjllars per month and after two
weeks he met his father and went with him
to Marysville. b^rom there they went l)y
wagon to Bidwell's Bar, where the father
had a store. One evening with the boys
from the store, Mr. Pearson went to a gold
bar and about twenty minutes later they had
se\'en dollars and a half in gold dust. They
played poker for this, using beans as chips,
and our subject winning, he invested it in
things to eat for the party.
After leaving the bar. ]\[r. Pearson
erected a half dozen tent houses but lost on
this venture. The town of Eliza, where
they were liuilt, is now twenty feet under
debris from the washings t)f the Yuba and
many who now li\-e in that localitv never
knew that a town existed there. (ireat
changes have taken place and a pear orchard
now grows o\'er the site of the old town.
]\lr. Pearson engaged in prospecting in Ne-
\-ada City with his brother, but not being-
satisfied he went to Poor Man's creek, being
one of the first to discover it. The first
hour he picked up seventy-fi\e dollars in
gold nuggets on the slate bar. There were
ten in bis party and they took up part of
the creek and (li\ided it into twenty-two
claims and then turned the course of the
creek. The numbers of the claims were put
into a hat, shook up and then drawn bv the
memliers of the party, each taking two, but
out of the twenty-two claims only No. 3,
the one Mr. Pearson drew, jiaid anx'thing-
of value. "He and his brother, however,
realized well from this, taking out as high
as five hundred and fifty dollars to the pan.
He afterward bought a claim on the South
Yuba. I)ut it was unprofitable, and as winter
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
'5
came Kii lie went snutli to ilie dry ilij;j;iiiy;s,
while Iiis hmtlier retiirnctl lionie. Mr.
I'carsnii took a stock of goods down from
Sacramento to Dry Creek, south of Ma-
cosmes. I'lierc he was taken ill witii the
mountain fever and was the only one of those
who became sick with the fever to re-
cover. However, he lost everythin.tr he had
hut a mule and four hundred dollars in sjold
dust which he hail under his blankets. He
next went to Owsley's bar on the Nuba
river and he and his father operated two
<>r three (|uicksilver machines for fine fjolil.
makinj; fair wages. The father then went
into the cattle business and the son then
went to Rich bar. on the east fork of beather
river, spending the summer there. He next
went to Downeyville. doing well on Durgans
I'lat. and in October be went u]) the moiui-
tain. passing "Three I'ingered Jack." one
of the Joaquin robbers. Mr. Pearson's
[)arty left the trail to eat and get water and
losing their way they were off the trail for
several miles and when they did reach it
they fouml out that between the place they
left and the place they returned to it. thir-
teen men had been killetl by the robbers that
<lay.
Mr. Pearson returned tt> Illinois, mak-
ing the journey by boat in 1852. The fol-
lowing year he was in Chicago or else
traveling over the country. He then took
some goods to California and there he se-
cure<I some land and set out the first fruit
trees on the red lands, southeast of Sacra-
mento, where General Sutter said fruit
could not be made to grow. In 1855 be
engaged in mining on Sherlock's creek in
the Mariposa grant. In August, 1855. he
with a party of ten others discovered the
Yoseiuite valley aufl with them laid claim
to the valley. He afterward sold goods in
the mountains and in the fall returned to
Chicago. He had an oOice at Xo. \j(}
South Water Street, and at the northwest
Collier of Clark and Water streets, then
known as Rumscy's corner, a few of the
lucn would gather to buy and sell, for there
was no board of trade in the city then. .\f-
tei the railroads were built and grain was
shipped to the city the board was e>rganized
and Mr. Pearson was one of the first mem-
bers. He did a general commission busi-
ness in Chicago until 1S69. also erected
buildings there and owned considerable real
estate on Halstead street and in Hy<lc Park.
He was a personal friend of Lyman J. Gage.
His brother. George T. Pearson, was sec-
retary of the Old Settlers Society of Chica-
go, and at his death, ovir subject, who had
the records of the society, donated them to
the I iistorical Society.
CJoing out of business in Chicago in
1869 on account of bronchial trouble he re-
turned to California. Mr. Pearson took
men with him and Imilt the first grain ele-
vator there, at V'allejo and heljied form tin-
board of trade of San Francisco, for grain
dealing. With his partner. .\. D. Starr, he
also built a big mill at \'allejo with a capac-
ity of two or three thousand barrels per
day and this is still in use. .\fter ten years
of effort he got the warehouse law passed
and it is now recognized as a most benefi-
cial law for California. He drew up the
bill, which was opposed by the Jewish mer-
chants on account of the sack business which
was controlled by them, but after a decade
of unremitting efforts it became a law.
Selling bis mill Mr. Pearson traveled ex-
tensively. He became convinced that vine-
yards would ]>ay in California and went
abroaci to study the question. He shipped
much wine in this way and also sliipjicd the
I6
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
first tliousand barrels which was sent from
JNIarysville across tlie continent. He has
traveled broadly, not only in this country
but also in South America and in Europe.
At length he disposed of his business inter-
ests in California and partly for the purpose
of educating his children returned to the
eSst. locating in Danville about 1879. He
has since been a resident of this city, and
is now widely known as a capitalist.
In September, 1864, Mr. Pearson mar-
ried Miss Hattie Brown, a daughter of
Judge .\nthony Brown, of Ogdensburg.
New York. Her father was a leading at-
torney in that city and her lirothers were
prominent in railroad circles. Mr. and Mrs.
Pearson have three children: John A., of
Danville; Fannie, wife of James A. Meeks,
of the firm of Kimbrough & Meeks, attor-
neys of Danville; and Nomen N.. now in
the United States coast artillerv-, stationed
at San Diego, California. ]\Ir. Pearson is
a member of Blaney Lodge, F. & A. M., of
Chicago, and was formerly a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and
he belongs to the Old Settlers Society of
Chicago and of California. Few men have
so wide and accurate knowledge of the de-
velopment of the two states, California and
Illinois, whose marvelous growth has been
among the wonders of the century, but per-
sonal experience has closely associated Mr.
Pearson with this.
JOHN ^^^ dale.
Few men have contributed in larger
measure to the material upbuilding and sub-
stantial improvement of Danville and this
pnrtii.n ..f Illinois than has John \\'. Dale,
who through his real estate interests has not
only promoted his own individual prosper-
ity but has also contributed to the general
good, the progress and prosperity of the
community in whose welfare he has mani-
fested a loyal and public-spirited interest
and his fellow townsmen respect him as a
man worthy of the confidence and good will
of those with whom he has been associated.
Since i860 he has resided in Vermilion
county and is therefore among the early set-
tlers.
Mr. Dale was born in Clark county,
Ohio, January 15. 1842, and is a son of John
J. Dale, whose birth occurred in Marvland
in 1809. The paternal grandfather was Ja-
cob Dale and the family is of Scotch lineage
the first representative of the name in
America having become pioneer settlers of
Maryland. Jacob Dale died when his son
was a small child and the latter afterward
went to Philadelphia, where he learned the
merchant tailoring business, following that
pursuit for some years. He was wedded in
South Charleston, Clark county, Ohio, to
Elizabeth Davison, who was born in that
county and was a daughter of Isaac Davi-
son, one of the early settlers who removed
from A'irginia to Ohio. After arriving at
years of maturity John J. Dale took up his
abode at South Charleston and began busi-
ness there as a merchant tailor, successfully
conducting his establishment for a number
of years. In 1856, howe\er, he severed all
business relations connecting him with Ohio
and removed to W'arren county, Indiana.
Upon a farm there he made his home for a
few years and in the spring of i860 came to
\^ermilion county. Illinois, ])urch'asing land
in Ross township. The tract of which he
became owner was broad prairie but with
characteristic energv he began its cultivation
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
'9
and iinj)R>vcineiu and soon transfornieil it
into a good farm which he operated for a
nmiiber of years. He afterwanl removed to
Rossville wlicre lie lived in retirement from
lalxir until his death, wliicli occurred in
187". He was electeil and served in va-
rious positions of honor and trust and was
refjarded as one of the leading and influ-
ential men of his neighlxirhood. His wife
survived him for a nnniher of years and
passed away in iSoi) at the age of eighty-
four years. In their family were four sons
and five daughters, all of whom reached
years of maturity with the exception of one
daughter, and three sons and three daugh-
ters are yet living: Sarah, the eldest, is the
wife of Isaac Xeer, of Clark county. (~)hio:
Jacob is living in South Dakota: Martha
became the wife of William M. Ro.ss and
lived in \'ermilion cciunty for sometime but
afterward remove<I to Indiana, where Mrs.
Ross died : Daniel was a member of Com-
pany B, Twenty-fifth Illinois X'olunteer In-
fantry, during the Civil war and was killed
in the battle of Stone river; John W. is the
next vounger: Isaac is a minister and pre-
siding elder in the Methodist Episcopal
church and is now located ,'it SoutJi Bend,
Indiana; Margaret A. is the wife of Abra-
ham Mann, of Ross township: Mary died
at the age of fourteen years; r.mma re-
sides with her sister, Mrs. Mann.
John \V. Dale of this review s|)ent the
first fourteen ycirs of his life in the county
of his nativity and then came with his pa-
rents to Vermilion county. Illinois, where he
assisted in the work of the home farm and
in cultivating its fields until the spring of
18^11. He acquired a good education in the
public schools and after the war he was a
student in an academy at Thornfown. Indi-
ana, under the direction of the famous his-
torian. Ridpath.
On the isl of June. iSM. Mr. Dale join-
ed Company B. Twenty-fifth Illinois Infan-
try and was assigned to the army under the
command of Ceneral Curtis. The first en-
gagement in wliich he i)artici])ated was at
Pea Ridge. Arkansas. Later he was .sent to
Corinth. Mississippi, and soon afterward his
regiment joined the .\rmy of the C'umlKT-
land and participated in the battles of Perry-
ville. Stone River and Chickamauga. In the
latter engagement he was womided. losing
his left arm. .\ gun-shot pierced that mem-
ber and so injured it that it was necessary
to amputate it in a hos|)ital at Nashville,
Tennessee. When he had sufticiently re-
covered Mr. Dale returned home and later
liad to lia\e a second operatit)n on his arm,
another portion of it being amputated. Ik-
was mustered out and received an honorable
discharge in September, 1864. P.efore be-
ing mustered out he was in several hospitals
anil lie experienced all the hardships and
rigors of war.
Returning home Mr. Dale determined
to further continue his education and spent
about two full years in .school. He was af-
terward elected assessor and colleeior of
Ross township, serving for two or more
terms. In the fall of 1869 he was elected
county clerk and by re-election served for
three consecutive •terms in that imjiortant
office, discharging his duties with ability and
fidelity. He retired from the positon as he
had entered it — with the confidence antl
good will of the public. He has since served
as assistant supervisor and commissioner
of highways, likewise as a nieml)er of the
lK)ard of education. In politics he has ever
been a stalwart Republican and he has fre-
quently been a delegate to state conventions.
In whatever positir)n he has been found he
has ever been a faithful and etilicient officer.
His first ballot was cast for Abraham Lin-
20
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
coin in 1S64 and he has never yet wavered
in liis allegiance to the party. On the ex-
piration of his service as county clerk he en-
gaged for a time in the manufacture of bug-
gies and has for some years operated in real
estate, largely handling lands in Vermilion
county, Illinois. In connection with Mr.
Cunningham he purchased nine hundred
acres of land adjoining Danville, laying out
an additon known as Vermilion Heights,
which is now a very atttractive suburb of the
city and includes many manufactin-ing in-
terests there.
On the 26th of June. 1873, in this city.
our subject was united in marriage to ^liss
Harriet 1. Hicks, a native of Perrysville. In-
diana, who was reared and educated there,
her father. George I. Hicks, being one of the
leading business men of that place, and one
of the pioneer pork packers of the Wabash
Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Dale are the parents
of four children : Elizabeth, who is at
home; Katie, who died in childhood;
Georgia and X'ellie. who are still under the
parental roof. The parents Imld member-
ship in the Methodist Episcopal churcli at
Danville and fraternally he is identified with
Danville Lodg'e, I. O. O. F.. in which he has
filled ;ill the oflices and is a jiast grand. He
also belongs to the Benevolent and Protec-
tive Order of Elks and to the Grand Armv
of the Republic, this last membership enab-
ling him to maintain pleasant relations with
his old army comrades. During forty-two
years Vermilion county has been his home
and therefore he has been a witness of its
growth and improvement. He belongs to
that class of progressive American. citi.?ens
who while promoting individual suc-
cess also find time and oijportunitv to ad-
vance the general welfare by hearty and ac-
tive co-operation in all measures for the gen-
eral good. He is to-day as true to his duties
of citizenship as when he followed the starry
banner upon the southern battle-fields.
MORTOX \V. THOMPSON.
Since 1883 ^Morton W. Thompson has
been a practitioner at the bar of Vermilion
county, where he has won distinction as a
most able law\er because of his learning, his
careful preparation of cases, his keen analy-
tical mind and his strength in argument. He
is now filling the position of circuit judge
and upon the bench he has added new laurels
to his already creditable life record.
^\i: Thompson is one of \'ermilion
county's native sons, his Iiirth having oc-
curred on the 23d of May, 1858. In the pa-
ternal line he is of Irish and Scotch ancestry.
His father, John R. Thompson, was a native
of Greene county. Pennsylvania, and from
there he removed to \'ermilion county. Illi-
nois, in the year 1853, driving across the
country with a drove of three thousand
sheep, which he pastured here that season
and then drove to the Chicago market. The
following year he returned to Pennsylvania,
again secured a large flock of sheep and once
more brought them to Vermilion county,
where he fattened them for the city markets.
He was pleased with this locality and its
]5rospects and he resolved '^ make his home
here, continuing a resident o: Vermilion
county throughout his remaining days. He
was an extensive stock-raiser and farmer
and prospered in his business undertakings.
In Champaign, Illinois, in 1856, he was
luiited in marriage to Elizabeth A. Wright,
who was born in \^ermilion county and was
of German lineae-e. Her birth occurred in
JUDGE M. W. THOMPSON.
LIBRARY
OF THE
IJKIVERCITV OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL REmRD
2 I
1S37 ami her death in 1S97, wliile the father
of tlie Jiulgc, wlio was horn in iS^j. passed
away in 1896. Tliey reared a family of
seven children, namely: Morton W.: David
L. ; Anna, the wife of E. J. Boordc: XeUie;
John R., who is proprietor of tlie Thomjjson
restaurants of Chicago: L'lysses S. ; ami
Gerirnde. the wife of R. S. Swaine.
At the nsnal age Judge Thompson en-
tered the public schools and after mastering
the comnuni branches of English learning he
further ouuinucd his studies in the Danville
high school, in which he was graduated
with the class of 1879. He then returned to
the home farm, where he reiuainc<l for a
period of two years. Subsequently he en-
tered the University of Michigim. at Ann
Arbor, pursuing a law course there, and in
iS8.^ he was graduated with the degree of
Bachelor of Laws. Returning to his'iiative
cor.nty he established his office in Danville
and acted as assistant states attorney under
W. J. Calhoun. In 1S89 the law tirm of
Calhoun X- Thompson was organized and
this connection was maintained until 1896,
when Mr. (.allKnni went to Chicago as at-
torney for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois
Railroad Company. The following year he
was elected judge of \'ermilion county at a
special election to fill out an unexpired term,
and in Noveiuber, 1898. he became the regu-
lar nominee of the Republican party for re-
election for a full term. Such is the per-
sonal popularity and such is the confidence
reposed in his judicial powers by the public
that the Democrats placed no opposing can-
didate in the field. It was a merited tribute
to his capable .service during the period in
which he was filling out the unexpired term.
In September, igo2, Jmlgc Thom]>son was
appointed by Governor Vates to fill out the
unexpired term of the late Judge Bi^ik waiter,
of the circuit court, and iiumcdiatelv entered
u]>iin the duties of that ofixe. He has just
been nominated for the full term as circuit
ju.lgc of the fifth judicial circuit by an over-
whelming m.ijorily, which is equivalent to
his election next June. .\ local paper said of
him :
"While in acti\e jiraciicc Judge Thump-
sou was engaged in some of the most im-
l)ortant litigation in this county, and was
always considered an honorable, honest and
careful lawyer. In 1897 he was elected
county judge of this county to succeed lion.
John (i. Thompson, who resigned to accept
the oliice of assistant attorney general of the
United States at Washington. During his
term as county judge he was always court-
eous and accommodating and ready at all
times to exjjiain any business in his comt to
all who might iiKjuire, as well as to advise
those )\hp sought information in reference
to the business of the office — in fact, the
affairs of the county court of this county
were never conducted more ably and care-
fully than I)y him. as thousands of people in
this county will cheerfully testify. One of
the higliest recommendations of Judge
Thompson's ability and honesty is the fact
that not a d.oUar was ever lost to the widows
and heirs of estates while he was county
judge, and it was almost universally re-
gretted by the bar and people generally
w hen he announced a year ago that he would
not accept a renomination to that office.
"Judge Thompson was frc(|uently called
to other counties to try important cases. In
Chicago he has tried some of the most im-
portant cases in this state, notably the State
street and Cottage Grove avenue special as-
sessment cases, and the tax cases of Cook
county tried by him under the new revenue
law of i8q8, involving millions of dollars.
In the big tax cases all parties interested
agreed upon Judge Thompson and requested
22
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
him to come to Chicago and try that docket,
and so ably did he succeed that the supreme
court of this state affirmed his decision in
every case.
"Last September Governor Yates ap-
pointed him to fill out the unexpired term of
the late lamented Judge Bookwalter and he
at once assumed the duties of circuit judge
and held the October term of our circuit
court, which lias just closed. For the past
three months Judge Thompson has held
court every day, and succeeded in disposing
of every case ready for trial, and his manner
of holding court and promptness of dispos-
ing of the business and his uniform courtesy
and fairness has won the respect and con-
fidence of the bar as well as the people of
this county, and proved him to be one of the
most popular and fair-minded judges in this
part of the state."
The Judge was united in marriage to
Miss MoUie \V. Steen, a daughter of Cap-
tain E. D. Steen, of Danville, the wedding
having lieen celebrated in 1 887. Fraternally
he is connected with the Knights of Pythias,
w-ith the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows, with the Benevolent and Protectiv^e
Order of Elks and in the ]\Iasonic fraternity
he is a Consistory Mason, having attained
the thirty-second degree. In private life he
is found as a genial, courteous gentleman,
who has a \-ery wide acquaintance in the
county of his nativity and is not only es-
teemed and honored but has that warm per-
sonal friendship which arises from kindli-
ness and deference for the opinions of others.
The practice of law has been his real life
work, and at the bar and on the bench he has
won marked distinction. A man of unim-
peachable character, of unusual intellectual
endowments, with a thorough understanding
of the law, patience, urbanity and industry.
Judge Thompson took to tlie bench the very
highest qualifications for this responsible
office of the state government, and his rec-
ord as a judge has been in harmony with
his record as a man and a lawyer, distin-
guished by unswerving integrity and a mas-
terful grasp of every proljlem which has
presented itself for solution.
JOHN H. HERRON.
The broad prairies of Illinois ha\-e fur-
nished splendid opportunities to the agri-
culturist and in connection with this busi-
ness the grain trade has become a leading
enterprise of Illinois. ]\Ir. Herron is ex-
tensively engaged in dealing in grain in
Sidell and other towns of the state,
his business having now reached large pro-
portions and in the control of it he has dis-
played excellent capability and discriminat-
ing judgment.
A native of Illinois he was born in ]\[on-
ticello, Piatt county, on the 5th of July,
1868. His father. William G. Herron, was
a native of Ohio, born in ^Madison county,
near London, on the 6th of April. 1829.
The grandfather. Gardner Herron. was a
native of ^Maryland and served as a soldier
of the war of 1812. He wedded Maria Mo-
raine, also a native of ^laryland. and. re-
moving westward, became one of the pioneer
settlers of Madison county. Ohio, where he
was cng-aged in farming until his death,
which occurred in 1855. William G. Her-
ron spent his youth in Ohio, being reared
upon his father's t.nrni in Madison county,
where he remained until twenty years of age.
He then came west to Illinois, but for some
years was connected with a stock trader in
driving stock to this state and Ohio and
cs
LI ■■ 'IV
UNlVEKi-:VY Of ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
-^5
Pennsylvania. In 1855 he niarricil Eva-
line R(il)inson, also a native of Ohio. They
began tlicir domestic life in Piatt county, Il-
linois, wliere Mr. >^erron carried on general
farming and stock-raising for about five
years. In i860 he took up his abode in
Monticello. purchasing an interest in a mer-
cantile business and was there engaged in
trade for several years. In iSSi lie came to
Allcrton and in connection with Samuel Ai-
lerton was extensively engaged in farming
and in the grain and stock business, this re-
lation being maintained for a long period.
Mr. llerron is an earnest and stalwart sup-
porter of the Republican party, active in the
local ranks of the party. He was nominated
for the position of representative in the state
legislature and, being elected l)y a good nia-
jority, serveil for one term in the house with
considerable distinction. He and his wife
are devoted Christian jjcople, having long
held membership in the Methodist Episcopal
church, and for eighteen years he served as
superintendent of the Sunday-scliool of
Monticello. ] le is a most effective and earn-
est Sunday-school worker, his labors in this
regard being far-reaching and important.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Herron were bom nine
children, to whom they gave good educa-
tional privileges, fitting them for life's prac-
tical duties. Having laid aside business
cares, the father of our subject is now liv-
ing a retired life in Sidell in cnmpany with
his wife and they are numbered among the
most highlv esteeme<l residents of the com-
munity
John 11. llerron of this review came to
\'ermilion county in 1881 with his parents.
His early education was supplemented by a
high school course and by two years of
study in C<^lumbia College of Washington.
D. C When he h:icl coniplolci! his educa-
tion he returned to X'ermilion county and
took charge of the elevator and gr.iin busi-
ness of Samuel W. .Allcrton, at .MIerton, Il-
linois. In 1890 Mr. Allerton established a
bank there and for six years our subject
acted as its manager and cashier. In 1896
he came to Sidell, where he became a part-
ner in an extensive grain business, the com-
pany cnnimlling the grain trade at nine sta-
tions and owning and operating five ele-
vators. They have just completed a large
transfer and grain depot at Mtjunl \'ernon,
Illinois, with a capacity of two humired
thousand bushels. Mr. llerron liris mani-
festeil marked determinati')n. enterprise and
capaliility in the control of the branch of the
business at Sidell and other places and he
l\as contributed in no small degree to the suc-
cess of the company. .\ man of resource-
f\ii 'liiw^ness ability, his efforts have not
been limited to one line. He is interested in
whatever tends to promote public improve-
ment and progress and advance the welfare
of the i)eoi)le ;md Sidell has largely profited
by liis efforts in its Ix'lialf. lie was one of
the promoters of the electric light plant at
this i)lace, is one of its largest stockholders
and is now the manager and secretary of the
company. He is also the ])rcsiilent of the
Building & Loan .Xssoci.'ition.
.\n important event in the life of .Mr.
Herron occurred in 1893, at which time was
celebrated his marriage to Miss Florence, a
daughter of John W. Cathcart, a promin-
ent business man i>f Sidell, but after a hajjpy
married life of six years Mrs. Herron
passed away in M.iy. i8<)9. and was laid to
rest in Woodlawn cemetery at Indianola.
She left one son, Alex.inder C, who finds a
home w ith his maternal gran(l])arents.
.Aside from business affairs Mr. Herron
lias been .'i c\t\/cn of worth in Sidi'Il and is
26
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
widely recog-nized as one of the leaders of
the Republican party, taking an active in-
terest in local elections. In 1898 he was
elected supervisor of Sidell township anil has
since been re-elected to the office, in which
he is now serving. In 1902 he was chosen
chairman of the county board of supervisors
in which capacity he is also serving and he
exercises his official prerogatives in support
of all measures for the general good. In his
life he exeniplihes the humanitarian spirit
upon which the ^.lasonic fraternity is found-
ed. He belongs to the blue lodge at Sidell
in w hich he has fdled all of the offices and is
now serving as master. He is also a mem-
ber of the Modern \\'oodmen Camp and of
the Elks Lodge at Danville. A life-long
resident of Illinois he is deeply interested in
progress and advancement of the state and
he has seen much of the growth and develop-
ment of \'ermilion county, being identified
for a number of years with its institutions,
its prosperity and its people. He is well
known throughout this portion of the state
as a man of business integrity, of broad and
liberal views, charitable and public-spirited.
His salient characteristics are such as
command respect and confidence in e\ery
land and everv clime and in \ermilion
county they have won him manv warm
friends.
W. T. JOHNSTON.
W. T. Johnston is a representative of
th.e Johnston Company, photographers of
Hoopeston. A young man, enterprising,
wide-awake and alert he is thoroughly con-
versant with the business to which he de-
votes his energies and has considerable ar-
tistic talent which, combined with his com^
pvehensive understanding of the principles
of photography and his capable business
management, is bringing to him creditable
and well merited success. He was born in
Lafayette, Indiana, on the 28th of Septem-
ber, 1877, and is a son of J. W. Johnston,
who now resides in Hoopeston and is a trav-
eling salesman, representing the W. D. ^les-
singer Company, of Chicago. In his family
were four children: W. T., of this review;
Anna; Thirza and Dell. In the year 1879
the father remo\"ed with his family to Chi-
cago, where he spent se\-en years and then
came to Hoopeston, which place has since
been his home.
W. T. Johnston of this review was a lad
of about nine years when brought b}" his
parents to Hoopeston, and in the public
schools here he pursued his education. He
took up the study of photography in the
Colleg-e of Photography at Effingham. Illi-
nois, where he remained for nine months
and then v.'ent to Chicago, Ijeing in the em-
ploy of Gibson, a celebrated photographer
of that city, fi^r two months. He was next
in the employ of Parrett. the president of
the Indiana State Photographers" Associa-
tion. On leaving him he came to Hoopes-
ton and for six months was in the employ
of "\[r. Schwab, at the end of which time he
purchased his gallery, having been here
since the Tst of ^lay, 1892. The business
is now carried on imder the name of The
Johnston Conipan}", with our sul)ject as
manager and practical operator. Their pat-
ronage increased so rapidly that they needed
more room and bought the E. S. Hall's
Studio on South Market street, an estab-
lished business of twenty-five years. The
company is to-day the only photographic
firm in \'ermilion county to own their
building. Mr. Johnston has alwavs been
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
27
deeply imeresled in photographic work.
Pri'ir to the time that" lie embarked in the
b;isincss as a life work he was nuich inter-
ested in amateur photography and manipu-
lated a kodak, and he has to-<lay become a
leader in his line in this part of X'crmilion
county, keeping in touch with tlie marked
proijrcss and advancement which are being
male in the profession. He is thoroughly
familiar with the latest improvements con-
cerning the development, printing and tin-
ishtng of i)icturcs. and added to this he has
an artistic eye which enables him to pose
hi< subjects to the best advantage to .secure
life-like and natural results. He is a young
man of unfailing courtesy, genial disposi-
tion and pleasant nianner. and he has won a
host of friends throughout this locality. .Ml
who know him esteem him highly for his
genuine worth and he is very i)opular in
social circles. His political support is given
to the Republican party.
.VORP.OLKX .XFAILEE.
Xorboinn Xeville. who is engaged in
the iKikery and confectionery business in
Fairmounl. was born in Tip])ccanoe coun-
ty. Indiana, September 17. i!<47. and is a
son of Cieorge X. and Mary S. ( Throck-
morton) Xeville. who were natives of West
\'irginia. and on the paternal side the family
is of Scotch descent. Unto the parents were
l)orn twelve chililren ami those now living
are: Mrs. .\nna C. Taylor, of l-'airmount ;
Xor')ourii: Mrs. Mary E. Collins, of Catlin;
S. v., of Fairmount : Mrs. .\da Calfee. of
California; and Mrs. X. Owen, of Port
Smith. .Arkansas. Of those who pa.ssed
away Delia die<l in infancy. George W.,
who enlisted in Company D. Tweiity-fiflh
Illinois X'olumeer Inf.intry. was in the serv-
ice for three years ajid was wounded in the
battle of Kenesaw Mountain, his dciith re-
sulting from his injuries. I.ucy also died
in infancy, it was in the year 1S54 that the
father of this family came to \'ermilion
county accompanied by his wife ;md chil-
dren. L'pon arriving here he ])urchaseil the
noith half of section 10. V^ance township,
and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers
finding that everything around was new and
wild, the land unbroken and the grass so
high that when a boy our subject climbed
ui)on a cabin in order to see where the cat-
tle were. The father Inst purchased an old
log schoolhouse that stood on the Sandusky
place, and li\ed in it for a year, after which
he built a more substantial house, con-
structing it from lumber hauled from Cov-
irgion. Indiana. Mr. Xeville of this review
has witnessed the development of the county
from a wild condition when there was not
a fence for miles upon the prairie, to its
present state of progress and improvement.
The father continued his farm work devot-
ing to tlic cultivation of the fields his Lime
and attention also eng.aging in the raising
of .stock, until about ^885. when he retired
to bairmount and put aside business cares.
His wife passed away .\ugust, 18S9, and he
died about si.vteen months later, on the 8th
of January. 1801, at the age of seventy-
one, his birtli h.uin" i.icnrri'<l on the jd of
February, 1820
The anccstPi- of Mr. Xeville is traced
back to the land of the thistle, his paternal
grandparents emigrating from Scotland to
\'irginia in time for his great-grandfather,
Joseph Xeville, to take i)art in the Revolu-
tionary war as a brigadier general. Un-
like many of those who crosserl the .\tlan-
tic at that time, he came fortified with am-
ple means, which be invested largely in
2S
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
lands, comprising a valuable plantation,
worked by slaves whom he liberated at the
time of his death. Among the sons of Gen-
eral Neville was George, the grandfather of
our subject, who was the youngest of a fam-
ily of twelve children. He studied law at
Winchester, Virginia, under Abrani Lock,
was admitted to the bar and tried one case,
bnt then gave up the law for medicine,
which he followed throughout life. He
married Elizabeth Wolfe, of Winchester,
Virginia, \\ho was a daughter of Lewis and
Catherine Wolfe, natives of Germany.
George N. Neville, father of our subject,
was one of seven children born to Dr.
George and Catherine Neville.
Norbourn Neville was the fourth child in
his father's family and was reared and edu-
cated in Vermilion county, working on the
farm during the summer months while in
the winter seasons he attended school. He
remained at home until he was seventeen
years of age and then offered his services to
the government, enlisting in Company K,
One Hundred and Thirty-third Illinois In-
fantry, in 1864, under Colonel Phillips and
Captain Somers. He served for five months,
having been mustered in for one hundred
days, and was then honorably discharged.
After leaving home Mr. Neville rented a
farm for a few years and then purchased a
small tract of land, devoting his energies
to general farming and stock-raising.
Throughout his entire life he has been iden-
tified with agricultural pursuits and he now
owns one hundred acres in Vance township
well improved and tilled, and supplied with
good buildings. In i()oi he embarked in the
bakery and confectionery business at Fair-
mount and having the only exclusive bak-
ery in the town he is enjoying an extensive
trade.
In September, 1870, ]Mr. Neville was
united in marriage in this county to Miss
Elizabeth J. Price, a daughter of John and
Mary E. (Perritt) Price, who were pioneers
of A'ermilion county. Mrs. Ne\ille was
born in Fayette county, Ohio, October 31,
1850, and was the eldest child of her par-
ents. She has no children of her own but
has reared an adopted son, William F. Nev-
ille, who is a graduate of the Fairmount
school and also completed a business course
in Otiincy, Illinois. Lie now assists his fa-
ther in the store. He was married Janu-
ary 2^. 1902, to Miss Edna Cox, who was
bom September 12, 1883, a daughter of J.
A. Cox. They have one daughter, Eliza-
beth Neville, a bright little girl born June
30, IQ02. Mr. Neville of this review is a
Republican in his political affiliations, be-
lieving firmly in the principles of the par-
ty, \\hich he endorses by his ballot. He has
ne\-er been an office seeker, however, pre-
ferring to give his time and attention to his
business affairs in which he has met with
signal success.
DR. WALTER DWIGGINS.
Dr. Walter D\viggins, who is now so
successful!}^ engaged in the practice of os-
teopathy in Danville, was born in Wavtown,
Indiana, July 17, 1874, his parents being
John C. and Susannah (Fonts) Dwiggins,
a sketch of whom appears on another page
of this volume. They were married in In-
diana, where the father was engaged in busi-
ness as a stock dealer until failing health
caused his retirement and he removed to
Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1889. In
March, 1901, he came to Danville, where he
Tin: BlOGUAl'lilLAL RECORD
29
now makes his home, enjoying a well earneil
rest, free from tlie cares and resiwnsibihties
of Inisiness hfe. In his political atViliations
he is a Republican, lie is the father of four
sons but one died in infancy. The others
are Howard, a resident of Danville and the
secretary of the shoe factory at Gibson City,
Illinois; (Jharles, a grain dealer of New-
port, Indiana; and Walter.
The Doctor acquired his early education
in the public schools of Crawfordsville, In-
diana, and later attended the public schools
of Selma, Kansas, and Rossville. Illinois,
graduating at the high school in the latter
place in 1^93. Later he matriculated at the
American .School of Osteopathy, where he
was graduated in 1900. He first opened an
office at Terre Haute, Indiana, Init at the
end of two months he came to Danville
and has since engaged in practice at this
place with most gratifying success, having
a nice oftice in the Temijle block. He thor-
oughly understands his chosen profession
and although his residence here has lieen of
short duration he has already secured a lib-
eral patronage which is constantly increas-
ing. Fraternally he is an honored meml>er
of Lodge. No. 527, F. & .\. M., and \'er-
milion Lodge, No. 432, K. P., both of Ross-
ville, and politically he is identified with the
Republican party.
WALLACE SrERRY.
Among the native sons of Vermilion
county still living within its borders, is
Wallace Sperry, the popular and efficient
postmaster of Muncic. He was born Oc-
tnl)er 23, 1841, and is a son of Erastus and
Ruth (Reese) Sperry. the iV>nner a native
of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. Their
marriage, however, was celebr.ited in \'er-
milion county, Illinois. The paternal grand-
father of our subject was Wallace Sperry,
will, came to this county in the early '^os
and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers.
He took a very active part in the work of
early development and improvement. Both
he and his son Erastus were farmers by
occupation and were Whigs in political
faith. They were also members of the
Methodist Episcopal church and were ac-
counted representative men of this locality.
The father of our subject died in 1852, and
the mother, still surviving, makes her home
in Potomac, Illinois. In their family were
three children, the eldest being Wall;ice
SpeiTv of this sketch, .\rminda is the wife
of John W. Goodwinc of Potomac: and
Amanda is the wife of Samuel B. Demude,
also of Potomac.
Wallace Sperry pursued his education
in the district schools at Higginsville, Ver-
milion county, and at the age of fifteen put
aside his text books, after which his time
and energies were devoted to farm work,
in the employ of others until he had at-
tained his majority. He then began farm-
ing on his own account, leasing his mother's
land. He was married on the 26th of Sep-
tember, 1872. in Blount township to Miss
Mary Bloomfielfl, whose birth occurred in
this county on the 1st of January, 1854.
The lady is a daughter of Reul)en Bloom-
field, who here engaged in farming and who
exercised his right of franchise in support
of the men and measures of the Republican
party. He died in 1873. while his wife
passed away in 1800. In their family were
four rli'l'lr'^'i ■ Willinm. wliri i*; now dc-
30
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
ceased, while his widow resides in Mis-
souri; Cindrella, the deceased wife of J.
C. Tevebaugh, a resident of Danville;
Mary, the wife of our subject; and Samuel,
who has also passed awa}'. The home of
Mr. and Mrs. Sperry was Iilessed with' four
children, but they lost the first three.
Charles, their first born. ha\ing died at the
age of eight years, while the next two died
in infancy. Minnie, the surviving child, i:
now the wife of Orrie Dalbey. of Muncie,
and they now have one child, a daughter,
one and one-half xears old.
!Mr. Sperry carried on farming opera-
tions until 1882, when he abandoned the
plow and turned his attention to merchan-
dising in Higginsville. remaining there for
one year. He then went to Blue Grass,
Vermilion county, where he conducted a
similar business for three years and on the
expiration of that period he arrived in Mun-
cie, wdiere he opened a general store that
he has since conducted, a growing trade
pro\-ing the confidence reposed in him by
the public. In 1897 'le was appointed post-
master and holds that position at the pres-
ent time. In politics he is a Republican and
at one time was town clerk. Here he be-
longs to the Christian church and in all
life's relations is found true to dutv and
loyal to trust and confidence reposed in him.
T. S. McFERREX.
Prominent among the energetic, far-
seeing and successful business men of east-
ern Illinois is the subject of this sketch. His
life history most happily illustrates what
may be attained by faithful and continued
effort in carrying out an honest purpose.
Integrity, activity and energy have been the
crowning points of his success and his con-
nection with various enterprises and indus-
tries have been a decided advantage to this
section of Illinois, promoting its material
welfare in no uncertain manner. But not
only has Hoopeston profited by his labors
and his ability : many districts of the south
have received an impetus to growth and com-
mercial development through his efforts and
his life-work has had a wide scope and been
far-reaching in its influence.
Mr. AIcFerren was born in ^\"arren coun-
ty, Ohio, in 1846, a son of William M. and
Eliza (Snyder) McFerren. The father, a
native of South Carolina, died in 1894, but
the mother, whose birth occurred in Ohio, is
now living in Hoopeston. In their family
were two daughters : Alvira B., the wife of
Ed Griffith, cashier of the First National
Bank ; and Mrs. Mary Hewey of Hoopeston ;
while the brother of our subject is Pingree
McFerren.
^\'hen a young man of twenty-five years
J. S. McFerren sought a more western dis-
trict than that in which he had been reared,
as a field of business activity, realizing that
the new but rapidly developing sections of
the country offered the best opportunities to •
the ambitious young man. Accordingly he
came to Hoopeston in 1871 and from that
date to the present the town has been largely
indebted to him for its promotion. Not only
in business matters, but as its chief executive
and as a private citizen has he labored for
her welfare, interested in all that has pro-
moted advancement along material, social,
intellectual and moral lines. At the same
time he has controlled business affairs of
magnitude. He first became associated with
T. W'. Chamberlin in 1882 in founding a
private bank in Hoopeston and later, pur-
^^^^^<>-■^
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERS:VY C? ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
33
cliasiiig his partners imcrcst. lie has since
IxKJii its president ami Dwner and has nuide
the institutions one of the most reliable fin-
ancial concerns in this part of the state. ]t
wonlil he inipt>ssible to give in detail the his-
tory of his achievements but mention of
some of his busines> interests will serve to
show the scope of his undertakings and to
indicate the ability which has enabled him to
successfully handle so many and so varied
interests. He to-day individually owns
thirty-four hundred acres of land near
Hoopcst<in. He became a member of the
real estate tirm of Moore, Mcberren & Sea-
vey. w hose real estate operations through the
year following March. 1874. amounted to
three Inuiilred and thirty thousand dollars.
Mr. Seavey having withdraw n from the part-
nership the lirm of Moore & Mcl'erren still
exists and has large landed interests in the
south, scattered in the states of Mississippi,
Arkansas and Jennessee. These comprise
twenty-seven thousand acres and represent
six hundred thousand dollars of invested
capital, for the tirm has largely improved
their lands, have established industries there-
on and have secured transportation facilities
through the building of railroads. Their
landed possessions in .\rkansas comprise
tliirty thousand acres and they are now con-
structing twenty miles ot' railroad from Lux-
ora, Arkansas, to Big Lake, called the Mis-
sissippi. Big Lake & Western Railroad.
This will furnish an outlet for their liunl>er
and will also lie a part of the trunk line form
Joplin, Missouri, to the Mississippi river.
Their sawmill at Luxora has a capacity of
thirty thousand feet of lumber daily and in
connection with Mr. Mi«>re our subject also
owns a sawmill at Pitmans Island and an-
other at Woodstock. Mississippi, each hav-
ing a capacity of twenty-five thmisand feet
per day. while three other sawmills which
they own turn out twenty thousand feet of
lumlier each per day. Their most extensive
lumber industry, however, is located at
Memphis.Tennessee, where they have a dou-
ble band sawmill, with a capacity of fifty
thonsanil feet per day. and the \i\:i\n was
erecte<l at a cost of seventy-live thousand
dollars. They also have a large Ijox fac-
tory at Memi)his. Mr. Mcl-'erren was
one of the founders of the Union Tin
Can Company and since it has been
merged in the American Tin Can Cijm-
pany he is still a stockholder. In con-
nection with .\. H. Prego he owns and oper-
ates the Hoopeston Canning Factory, which
is engaged in the canning of corn exclusively.
His pro])erty v;dues in Hoopeston real estate
amount to two humlred thousand dollars
and include the bank block, office buildings,
the opera house block, store buildings and
other structures.
Mr. Mcl'erren was Hoopeston's first
mayor nor was that his only term in the
office, for several times has he been chosen to
the i)osition. During his first incuml)ency
he drove the saloons out of the village an<l
there has never been a saloon since the town
was incorporated. He is now the chief ex-
ecutive of Ilooijeston, honored and honor-
able, putting forth strong effort for the good
of the conununity and its substantial im-
provement. Much of the street paving has
been done while he has lieen in ofiice and
many im])rovements have l>een made during
his administrations. Churches and lienevo-
lent enterprises have received his support
and his aid is witheld from no enteqirise for
the general good.
Mr. Mcl'erren has been twue in.irned.
He first wedded Mi.ss Lida .\. Shultz, who
died in 1894 leaving two sons, William and
Donald. In 1897 Mr. Mcl'erren Lottie I-
Shultz, a sister of his first wife. I lis present
34
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
home, ereclcil in 1885. has been improved
until it is now a handsome property wortli
twenty-five thousand tloUars.
Mr. AIcFerren gave evidence of his lo\-e
for Hoopeston by his generous gift to the
city of a fine parl^. For this purpose he pur-
chased the old fair grounds of thirty acres,
at a cost of six thousand dollars, and tender-
ing this to the city, it has since been main-
tained as a park. Mr. McFerren has also
made liberal donations to the public library
and to other concerns of public benefit and
pride. His name is synonymous wdth im-
provement and progress in Hoopeston and is
so interwoven with the history of the city
that it forms a most important chapter in the
annals of Hoopeston. He stands as the
highest type of American citizenship, capable
and discriminating in business, patriotic and
loyal in citizenship and with conscientious
regard for the rights and privileges of his
fellowmen. Socially he is deservedly popu-
lar, as he is affable and courteous in manner
and possesses the quality of making friends
readily and of strenghtening the ties of all
friendships as time advances.
JOHN R. SMITH.
The life history of John R. Smith is one
which shows a career of enterprise and busi-
ness activity crowned with deserved rest.
He is now living retired in Rossville after
years of close application to agricultural in-
terests. He is a native son of Vermilion
county, his birth having occurred ^larch i,
1836, where Flthian station now stands.
He is a son of William W. Smith, a native
of Clark county. Ohio, born about 1800.
His paternal grandfather was one of the
first settlers of that county and there W. W.
Smith was reared and after arriving at
years of maturity married Catherine Yazel.
also a native of Clark county. They began
their domestic life upon a farm and a daugh-
ter was born inito them ere their removal to
Illinois in the year 1830. Emigrating west-
ward they settled in Vermilion county, .Mr.
Sivith entering and purchasing land until he
became the owner of one thousand acres in
the western part of this county. Much of
this he broke and improved, opening up a
good farm, upon which he spent his re-
maining days, his death occurring in 1851.
His first wife died in 1845 and he after-
ward married again.
John R. Smith was the fourth in order
of birth in a family of four sons and a
daughter and all reached mature years with
tlie exception of the youngest son, although
John R. and his Iirother ^^'illiam are the
or.ly ones now living. After the death of
his father our subject resided with his broth-
er-in-law, Thomas Armstrong, who lived
near Rossville. There he remained for five
years, assisting in the farm work. He had
fair common-school advantages, supple-
mented by a term of study in the Daii\'ille
hi.gh scliool and one term in Knox College.
A\dien he had reached man's estate he joined
a brother at (irand View and acted as a clerk
for him for two years in a general store.
^^"llile there he returned to Rossville and
was married here on the 3d of March, 1839,
to Josephine R. Stewart, who was born in
Danville and was reared upon the farm
\;-here her marriage was celebrated. Her
father. James R. Stewart, was a pioneer set-
tler of Dan\ille. representing one of the pio-
neer families that came from Connecticut
to \'ermilion county. He opened up a farm
which is now within the corporation limits
of Rossville and became an influential and
representative agriculturist of the commu-
nitv.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
35
After his niarriage Mr. Smith eiigngecl
in conducting a hotel in Rossville for tliree
vears. after uliidi he spent a similar ]ierio(l
in agricultural pursuits. He then returned
to the town and established a grocery store,
which he conductetl for twenty-three years.
During three years of that time he was also
engaged in iiuying anil shipping st(Tck and
both branches of the business proved profit-
able. He had a well selected line of gro-
ceries always on hand and his straightfor-
ward business dealing, his earnest desire to
please his patrons and his enterprise brought
to him well merited success. In course of
time he hail accumulated a handsome com-
petence which now enables him to live re-
tired. He built a large, neat residence on
a part of the oI<l Stewart farm and with his
family has occupied this for a quarter of a
century.
In January, 1885. Mr. Smith was called
upoti to n-.ourn the death of his wife.
There were four sons and a daughter by this
uni'iu: Ellen Minerva, the wife of George
S. S?iiith, who is living retired in Rossville
and by whom she has one son, Jean, who
was born in 1889; Alfred F., a farmer of
Los Angeles, California; Herbert Y.. wlm
became his father's successor in the gro-
cery store in Rossville and is married and
has a daughter, Helen ; Jesse R., who occu-
pies a position in Rossville; and Dick, of
this city. In Potomac, Vermilion county.
on the 26th of June, 1889. Mr. Smith was
united in marriage to Mrs. Sarah J. I'.ir-
low. a widow. She was born in this slate
and is a daughter of James Duncan, who
came from Kentucky to X'ermilion county at
an eirly day.
Mr. Smith is unwavering in his allegi-
ance to the Republican party, which he has
supporterl since he cast his first presi<Ien-
tial vote for .\braham Lincoln in i860. The
honors and emoluments of ofiice have had
no attraction for him as he has preferred to
give his time and attention to his business
affairs. He has served, however, as con-
stable antl deputy sheriff and is now filling
the oflice of assistant supervisor. His en-
tire life has been passed in Vermilion coun-
ty and he has witnessed the wonderful
growth and development of this portion of
t!ie .state. He has seen great (locks of wild
geese and other wild game and also herds
of deer in this locality. Much of the land
was swampy and unfit for cultivation, but
it has l^een drained and placed under a high
state of improvement. Roads have also been
laid out, homes built and farms developed
and thus the work of progress has been
steadily carried forward both in the city
and in the country until now one of the rich-
est sections of Illinois is that comprised
within the limits of Vermilion county. Mr.
Smitli takes a just pride in what has been
accompli. shed and in his cnmnnmity has ever
borne his part in the work of adv.'uicemcnt.
JOHN' W. FISHER.
John W. Fisher has lived a life in har-
mony with the laws of nature. It certainly
seems that man was intended to enjoy a sea-
son of rest after years of active labor. In
youth one is possessed of great energy,
bright hopes and strong determination and
in more mature years these are guided by
judgment and experience. Through this
])eriod of early and more mature manhix>d
there is ample opportunity, if one rightly
directs his energies, to gain a competence
for the evening of life and while Mr.
Fisher is still in the prime of life he has so
guided his efforts that he is now enabled to
36
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
li\e retired in the enjoyment of tlie fruits of
his former toil. Ha\-ing always made his
home in \^ermilion county where he has
gained a wide acquaintance, his life record
cannot fail to prove of interest to many of
our readers. He was born January 25.
1840, in Carroll township, on the old Fisher
homestead which he now numbers among
his possessions. His father, David Fisher,
was one of the pioneers of this county who
located here when the prairies were largely
uncultivated and when there was still much
wild game: wolves and other wild animals
were also frequently seen and the conditions
were those of a frontier settlement.
David Fisher was born in Brown coun-
ty, Ohio, in 1809, and his parents, William
and Cynthia (Watt) Fisher, were natives of
Pennsylvania, the former of German pa-
rentage and the latter of Irish lineage. They
I'emoved from the Keystone state to Ohio
at- an early day and afterward located in
Rockville, Indiana, where they were pioneer
settlers. There they lived until called to the
home beyond. When a young man David
Fisher accompanied his parents to Park
county. Indiana, remaining at home with
them through the period of his minority
In 1832 he came to Vermilion county, Illi-
nois, where he secured a tract of land
from the government and engaged in farm-
ing. Having thus made preparations for a
home of his own he was married in 1833 to
Miss Jane \\'eaver, a daughter of ]\Iichael
^Veaver. Throughout his entire life he de-
^•oted his energies to agricultural pursuits.
The first home to which he took his bride
was a log caliin with a puncheon floor, a
mud chimney and a huge fireplace, but as
the years passed his labors enabled him to
surround his family with the comforts and
conveniences of modern life and he became
well-to-do. L'nt(3 Mr. and Mrs. Fisher
were bom five children: Michael, who is
engaged in the hardware business in Indian-
ola and is mentioned elsewhere in this vol-
ume: John W., who is living retired in In-
dianola : Alary Jane, the deceased wife of
Alonzo Hill: George W., a resident of Ne-
braska: and Lucinda, the wife of L. C.
Green, of Sheridan, Wyoming. The pa-
rents were members of of the Baptist
church and in politics INIr. Fisher was a
Democrat, but never sought or desired of-
fice. Fle died upon the old home farm in
Carroll township, lacking but one day of
reaching his seventy-second year. His life
was passed in the quiet pursuits of the farm,
and all who knew him respected him for his
genuine worth while his enterprise and un-
tiring labor brought to him creditable and
gratifying success.
John W. Fisher w^as educated in the
primitive schools of his day, pursuing his
studies in a log building which stood on the
banks of the Swanks creek. His first teach-
er was a man who liberally used the rod in
maintaining discipline, but was also a
capable instructor. Mr. I'isher liad the
privilege of attending for only about three
months each year and during the remainder
of the time he was busily engaged in farm
work. However, he thus pursued bis
studies at intervals until aliout seventeen
or eighteen years of age. Life has, how-
ever been to him a school in which he has
learned many valuable lessons, his reading
and experience largely liroadening his
kn(iwledge.
On the I2th of September, 1861, at the
age of twenty years, John \\'. Fisher was
united in marriage to Miss Alary L. Dye, a
native of Kentucky antl a daughter of Law-
rence and Alar}- Ann (\'an Tries) Dye.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
37
The falliiM \\.i^ a ii,ai\c <<{ lldiirliuii cnuiiix.
Kentucky, wlicro the lainily was cstabhslied
at an early day. lie was married there and
ail of his ciiiltlrcn were born in that iocahty
with the e.xceptiun of one. In 11^41 he came
with his family in a covered wagon to \'er-
milion county, settling in (ieorgetown.
which was then a small village. He farmed
in ICIwood township anil lived to he seventy-
one years of age. while his wife reached the
age of about si.xty years. Of their eight
children five are now living, namely: Mar-
tlia. the wife of John Jones, who resiiles
near (ieorgetown: Eli2al)eth. the wife of
David Sconce, of Indiana : .\ngcline. the
wife of David McDonald, who resides near
Catlin. Illinois: .Mrs. l-'ishcr: and LJhmche
the wife of Joel Cooper, of Oakland, thi^
state. Those who have passed away arc
Hiram. Mrs. Phoebe Jones and John.
In 1859 Mr. I'isher went to Kansas an
engiiged in farming near Emporia, but tir-
ing of that country he returned and rented
a farm of his father, also purchasing forty
acres of land from him. At the time of his
marriage he removed into a little log house
that James nranham had built on a forty-
acre tract. It was a two roomed cabin,
unsealed, and it remained their home for a
coujile of years, when Mr. Fisher purchased
another house and moved it to bis place.
.\s time i)assed and his linancird resources
increase<l be addetl to his farm until be now
has twelve bundretl acres in W^rmilion
county and also owns three hundred and
sixty acres near Monroe City. Missouri, for
which be ])aid nineteen thou.sand eight bun-
<lretl dollars. When upon the farm he dc
voted the greater part of bis attention to
stock raising, making a specialty of I)ecf
cattle which he .soM at gixxl prices in the city
markets. There has been nothing sensa-
liiniiil in in> career, lie wurkeil aluug le-
gitimate business lines, earning bis compe-
tency through persistent purpose and marked
energy.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. I'isher was
blessed with eight children. Charles, who
resides in Iowa and owns farms in both
Carroll and (irecnc counties, married Jennie
-Myers, by w bom he has .seven children :
John .Austin, Xellie, Lelia, Charles, Everett.
Mande and Dean. Edward, who is still liv-
ing in Indianola and is a farmer of Carroll
town.sbip weddeil Ida Maddo.x and has two
daughters, Eva Dell and (lertrude Cail.
.\nnada is the wife of Douglas Miller, a
farmer of Carroll township and has three
children : Winona. Delmar and b'verett.
Josephine is the wife of I'rank Carter, of In-
dianola and has two daughters, Helen and
Mabel. Jacob G., a graduate of the Rush
Medical College of Chicago and now a
practicing physician of Catlin. Illinois, mar-
ried Jessie Matkins. The three children of
the bisher family who have passed away
are Everett, Olive and Mattie, all of whom
died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Eisher are
consistent members of the Presbyteiian
church and people of the highest resjjccta-
l)ility. In politics he is independent, voting
for the candidates \vh(»ni be regards as best
qualified for office without giving attention
to jiarty lines. L'pon his home he erected a
large fine residence and Iiis ])lace is one of
the best improved in eastern Illinois, in fact
it is a splendid property. The large and
commodious buildings are surrounded by
well tilled fields and rich pastures in which
are seen fine grades of stock. In 1897.
however. Mr. bisber purchased town pro])-
erty and removed to Indianola. where be
is now li\ing in retirement fri>ni further
business cares. The county as be views it
38
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
to-day little resembles the district in which
he was reared, for turkeys, prairie chickens
and other wild game were abundant and
deer were still seen, wolves were often
killed by the settlers and all this indicated
the unsettled condition of the country, but
as time passed the land was reclaimed~for
the use of the white race and in this great
country there is no richer farming district
than that of eastern Illinois. Mr. Fisher
may take pride in the fact that he has been
identified with its development and he cer-
tainly deserves great credit for what he has
accomplished in the business world.
THOMAS FRAXCIS CHRISTMAX.
Thomas Francis Christman. cashier of
the Commercial Trust & Savings Bank of
Danville, was born June 7, 1858. in Warren
county, Indiana. He is a son of Isaac and
Elizabeth (Gundy) Christman. natives of
Ohio, and on the maternal side the ancestry
can be traced back to Jacob Gundy, the great
grandfather, who was a soldier of the Revo-
lutionary war. Emigrating westward, he
became a resident of Vermilion county at
an early date, settling upon the north fork
near the old town of ^lyersville. The grand-
father, Joseph Gundy, was a charter member
of the Masonic Order of Danville. By oc-
cupation he was a farmer and stockraiser.
being connected with agricultural pursuits
in this county at a very early day. The
father of our subject was taken by his par-
ents to western Indiana when four years of
age and was reared in Vermilion county.
He, too, became a farmer by occupation and
established his home in Ross township.
Avhere he carried on farming for three years.
He then returned to Indiana, where he re-
mained for several }ears and then again came
to Vermilion county, Illinois, where he re-
sumed farming. He is now living a re-
tired life, making his home in Rossville ai
the age of eighty years, his birth having oc-
curred in January, 1823. His wife, who
was born in the same year, passed away in
1882. They were the parents of nine chil-
dren, of whom Thomas F. is the seventh
in order of birth.
In the district schools of Indiana and
\'ermillion county Thomas Francis Christ-
man pursued his education, continuing his
studies until nineteen years of age. Througn-
out the greater part of his business career
he has followed farming, save for a brief
interval of a year or two that he was en-
gaged in clerking. \A'hen he first came tc
\'ermilion county he purchased land in part-
nership witli his brother, and together they
owned about two sections, but eventually Mr.
Christman of this review sold to his brother.
He then became cashier of the Commercial
Trust & Savings Bank, which is capitalized
for one hundred thousand dollars. He is
now a leading, reliable and respected repre-
sentative of the banking interests of this
part of the state, thoroughly undersands
banking business and methods in every de-
tail, and has contributed in no small degree
to the successful control of the institution
with which he is connected.
In 1900 'Sir. Christman was united in
marriage to Miss Anna Broody, of Will-
iamsport, Indiana, and they ha\-e many warm
friends in Danville, where their own home
is justly noted for its hospitality and socia-
bility. Airs. Christman is a daughter of
Thomas Broody, in whose family were six
children. Mr. Christman is a member of
the Masonic Lodge of Rossville and in poli-
r^^k^-n.
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY CF Il'-INCIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
41
tics he is a stalwart Republican. He needs
no special introduction to the readers of this
volume, because almost his entire life has
been passed in this locality and his history
is largely familiar to those who know him.
Without ostentation or undue display of his
good qualities he has commanded the re-
spect and contidence of his fellow men by
reason of his sterling wcirth and is to-da}
a leading and honoreil representative of busi-
ness interests of Danville.
JOSEPH CUNNINGHAM.
Joseph Cunningham made his advent
into Vermilion county in a "prairie schoon-
er." People of the present century can
scarcely realize the struggles and dangers
which attended the early settlers, the hero-
ism and self sacrifice of lives passed upon the
borders of civilization, the hardships en-
dured, the difficulties overcome. These tales
of the early days read almost like a njmance
to those who have known onl_\- the modern
prosperitv and conveniences. To the pioneer
of the early days, far removed from the
privileg'es and conveniences of city and
town, the struggle for existence was a stern
and hard one, and these men and women
must have possessed indomitable energies
and sterling worth of character, as well as
marked pliysical courage, whc.i they thus
voluntarily selected such a life and success-
fully fought its battles under such circum-
stances as prevailed in the Mississippi valley
at the time the Cunningham family was
here established. Few indeed are the resi-
dents of \'ermilion county who can relate
tales of the pioneer days in which they were
participants, but this Mr. Cunningham can
do and his reminisences are very interesting.
He was born in Cynthiatown, Harrisor.
county, Kentucky, P'ebruary 27, 1828, a son
of William and i\lary (Humes) Cunning-
ham. The father was born in Pennsylvanir
about 1778 and died in X'ennilion county,
May 1 1, 1852, while his wife, a native of the
Keystone state, has also passed away. Thev
were married in Pennsylvania and after liv-
ing for a time in Kentucky they came to
Vermilion county, Illinois, in iSjcj. when
our subject was a year and a hall old. They
settled on the ])rairie in Xewcll township at
what was known as the Cunningham grove.
There were no railroa<ls and the familv trav-
eled in a in'airie schooner, drawn by oxen,
imich time being consumed in making the
trip. In the family were twelve children.
Christine," eldest, was married and had three
children — Squire, Alfred and Margaret,
who became the wife of Joe Osborne. John,
the second of the family, marrietl Nancy
Lindsey, and their children were: \\'illi;un
Da\-id, deceased; Mary Jane, wife of Da\id
Clapp; John L.. who married Hannah
Swisher, wIk) after his death jjecame Mrs.
Hannah Justus and is now a widow ; George
Washington, who lost his right arm while
fighting for the Union; Emily, wife of Mike
Fury: and Sarah, wdio married IMiilo Kna])p.
After the death of his first wife John Cun-
ningham married Elizabeth French and they
had four children : Thomas, who married
]\raria Lane; Samanth;i, wife of Jeff :\1-
lison ; Humphrey, who married Josephine
Campbell ; and Periy, who married Lou
Duncan. James Cunningham, the third
member of the family of Willi.am and Mary
Cumn'ngham. wedded Mary Ann Andrews
and their children were: Hannah C, wife
of John .Mli.son; A. F., who married Polly
Ann Lockhart; William O., whose first wife
42
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
was Mattie Chandler and liis present \\ifc
Etta Clem; and James A., who marriei'.
Anna Wlioops. Nancy Cunning-ham. thc_
fourth child. l)ecanie tiie wife of \\'ilh;nr
Barker and liad two children, John and
William. Isaac was the next of the family.
Washington, the sixth, was drowned in
North I'ork. Thomas married Jane Ann
Starr and had one child. Mary, wife of Xoah
Young. W'illiam hecame a cripple at the
age of fifteen. Malinda. the ninth, married
\\'. K. Chandler and had fi\'e children :
Mary, who hecame the wife of Lew Young,
wdiile her present husband is Andy Claypool ;
Emma, wife of R. Hoover, of Dakota; Rose,
wife of Howard Hicks; Josephus Chand-
ler, deceased; and Ella, deceased, wife of
Howard Hicks, who since her death has
married her sister Rose. Joseph Cunning-
ham, whose name heads this sketch, was the
tenth in the father's family. After the ar-
rival of the family in this count\' two more
children were hc-)rn. Humes married Eliza-
beth Winning and has a son, William, who
wedded Ora Albright and has three chil-
dren — Thomas. Oren and Willard. Jarrett.
the youngest of the famil}-. died in the army
at Nashville, Tennessee.
Joseph Cttnningham is the only survi\-or
of his father's family. He sharerl with the
others in the hardships as well as the pleas
ures of pioneer life. He was educated in
a subscription school, his first teacher being
James Davis, who taught in a log school -
house furnished with slab benches. iMr. Cun-
ningham first plowed with two horses hitched
to a plow with a wooden mold board. The
second plow was a single-shovel affair ;uid
he cut grain with a sickle. The first trad-
ing point of the family after their arrival
here was Chicago, where groceries were
gi\'en in exchange for the farm products
and Mr. Cunningham frequentlv drove
I ixen to that village. The old homestead
was on secti(~>n ii. Newell township. He
has worlced in the snow up to his boot
to|)s. making fences out of rails cut in the
timber. The country was filled with ]M-airie
wohes and there were also many black tim-
ber woh-es and wild games of all kinds,
including deer. It was necessary to pen
up the domestic animals at night for their
protection. It is impossible for tlie citi-
zen of \'ermilion county to-day to realize
what were the hardships and trials endured
in tho.se early times, when this district was
cut off from the comforts of the older east
and when the settlers had to depend upon
what they could raise on the farms for near-
1}' everything x^hich they enjoyed. Our sub-
ject began farming on his own account in
1849 and for forty-seven years was identi-
fied with agricultural pursuits and stock
raising in this locality. He has shipped
many car loads of cattle to the Chicago
market and sold hundred of car loads of
grain. On the T5th of October, iSC^t,, he
suffered loss Ijy fire, which flestroved his
frame hottse, but with characteristic energy-
he began to build a larger and better home,
erecting a two-story brick residence twen-
ty-six by thirty-six feet, which was ready
for occupancy on the 13th of December
and still stands on the lnune farm. In
1878 he built a barn, thirty-six b^- forty
feet, and erected other substantial and com-
modious buildings, making his a model
farm. The corn crop usually yields about
fiftv bushels to the acre and oats thirty-
eight bushels.
Joseph Cunningham was united in mar-
riage to Mary A. Swisher, who died April
5. 1902. after a long and happy married
life. In their famih- were nine children :
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
45
]\Iary E. die.l when aliout twelve years of
age.' Cleantha l)ecame the wife of Zack
Starr, and died leaving three children. Effa.
],-vin and Arthnr. ^lalinda is <lecease<l.
luhn 1. married Ella Bentley and they have
three children : Forrest. Harry and Slirhng.
Kora is the wife of Erson ]• rcnch : W dl-
iam L. has also passed away. E.lward mar-
rie<l Anna Clem. Ida M. is the xNite of
C B Jackson and they have one clnld.
Helen L. and Joseph S., who married
Grace Leonard, is a practicing i)hysic.ar
of Danville. Thev have a son. l)orn No-
vcmher j- '^02. ^Irs. Cunningham, the
mother, was born ' in \-ermilinn county.
March 28. 1832. and on the 31'' "' -M^'''^'
1849 gave her hand in marriage to our
subject. She was tlie eldest in a famdy
of eight children born unto Louis and Eliz-
abeth (Starr) Swisher, who came to \'er-
milion county in company with the Cun-
ningham and Chandler families.
In ptiblic affairs Joseph Cunningham
has been verv prominent and influential. He
has served in everv township office with
the exception of that of justice of the peace
and supervisor and his labors to promote
the public welfare have been far-reaching
and beneficial. He helped to buiUl the
Walnut Corners church and has d.^ne much
to promote the moral welfare of the com-
munitv. Tl^e first services of the Christian
church in this county were held in his
fatber-s U^g cabin. Air. and Mrs. Cun-
ningham became consistent members of that
church, to which their children also belong.
All the children are still living in Newell
township with the exception of Ida. For
a number of years Mr. Cunningham served
either as a d'cacon or elder of his church
and was also one of its trustees. In tSc/.
he retired to private life, putting aside all
business cares, and is now living with his
son. Dr. Cunningham, in Walnut street of
Danville. He is still the owner of two bun
drcd and forty acres of bte best improved
larni land in the county and likewise has
town property, which is the visible evidence
of his life of industry and toil. He stands
to-day as one of the most honored pioneer
settlers of the county, having witnessed al-
most its entire growth and development and
is classed among those who have laid liroad
and deep the foun.lation for the present
pr.^gress and prosperity of this portion of
the state for he has l)een found as the advo-
cate of all measures for improvement and
f,,r the development of the community and
his inllucnce has ever been on the side of the
right.
» ■ »
J. A. cuxxix(;iiAM.
Varied and important arc the business
interests which have claimed the attention
of J. A. Cunningham, of Hoopeston. He
is one of \'ermilion county's native sons and
one whose career reflects credit and honor
upon the place of his nativity. His birth
occurred in the vear 1843 and his parents.
Tames and Mary .\. ( Wndrews) Cunnmg-
iiam. were natives of Kentucky and Xew
York, respectivelv. The father was a farmer
bv occupation, carrying on that pursuit until
sixty years of age. when be put asule busi-
ness cares and lived retired, passing away at
his home in Stateline, Indiana, at the age of
ninety-one years. He had survived his wife,
who also died at Stateline in 1885.
His parents having become residents of
Vermilion county at an early day. J. .\-
Cunningham was here reared and in the
schools of bis native county and of State-
46
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
line, Indiana, he pursiietl his edncation, re-
ceiving instructions from Professor Mar-
shall in the latter place. In his youth he
assisted in the operation of the home farm
and early became familiar with the best
methods of cultivating the liclds. In the
summer of 1864, when twenty-one years of
age, he offered his services to the country
as a defender of the Union, enlisting in the
One Plundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois In-
fantry under Captain Stewart, but he was
rejected on account of physical disability. Be-
ing unable to 1:)ecome a soldier he theixfore
undertook the task of winning success in
the business world and entered the grocery
trade at Stateline. Indiana, conducting his
enterprise with good success until 1866.
when he took up his abode near Hoopeston.
Here he began dealing in stock. He pur-
chased two hundred and forty acres of land
at twenty dollars per acre. .As time passed
and his financial resources increased he has
made very judicious investments in real es-
tate, continually adding to his land until
he now owns thirty-six hundred acres. About
sixteen hundred acres of this lies in Indiana
but the greater part is Illinois property. In
1894 Mr. Cunningham became interested in
the banking business, being connected with
the Bank of Hoopeston conducted under
the firm name of Hamilton & Cunningham,
and of this institution he is now the presi-
dent. He is also one of the stockholders of
the Commercial Trust & Savings Bank re-
cently organized in Danville. A man of
resourceful business ability, he has extended
his efforts into other fields of activity and
to-day he has a half interest in the Illinois
Can Factor}^, with which he has been asso-
ciated for about sixteen years. For se\-eral
years he looked after its farming interests
and the raising of corn, also the work of
delivering this product to the factory. He
was one of the organizers of the Illinois Can
Company, which in 1900 was merged into
the American Can Company, in which he
still retains stock. He was formerly owner
of the Cunningham Hotel and is one of the
six men who own and conduct the Hoope-
ston horse nail factory. His sound busines?
judgment and keen discernment have been
important factors in many interests which
have proven of value to the public by pro-
moting commercial activity and at the same
time have returned to the stockholders a
good profit on their investment.
In 1865 Mr. Cunningham was united in
marriage to Miss Mary R. Scott, the wed-
ding being celebrated in the house which
stood upon the prairie and which vet stand;
to-day as one of the landmarks of that earl\-
time. The lady was reared by Thomas
Hoopes, a wealthy pioneer of \'ermilion
county, and was liberally remembered in hi.s
will. Five children have been born of this
union: Frank H., who married Dora Dove
and carries on agricultural pursuits ; Anna
S.. the wife of D. B. M. Brown; Bert M.,
who wedded Nettie Bond and is an agricul-
turist; Harry R., who married .\Ilie Fades
and is li\ing in Chicago; and \\'altpr, who
died at the age of six years. Since the spring
of 1894 Mr. Cunningham and his family
have resided in Hoopeston. They now have
a beautiful home on Penn street — the old
Hoopes residence.
Politically I\Ir. Cunningham is a stalwart
Republican and for several vears he efficient-
ly served as a member of the board of super-
visors. He was also a member of the State
Board of Agriculture for five years and for
a quarter of a centur}- he was the president
of the County Fair Association which he
aided in organizing, becoming one of its
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
47
stocklioklers. He is one of the men of
means and enterprise who have made Hoope-
ston an enterprising and progresive western
city. He has been very hberal to all measures
for the general good, contributing freely of
his time and means for the promo-
tion of objects of general interest
and improvement. Sncially ho is con-
nected with the Masonic fraternity,
belonging to the blue Iculge, chapter, com-
mandery and council, and of the last named
he is a charter member. The career of Mv.
Cunningham has e\'er been such as to war-
rant the trust and confidence of the lousiness
world, for he has ever conducted all tran
sactions according to the strictest principle?
of honor and integrity. His devotion to the
public good is unquestioned and arises from
a sincere interest in the welfare of his fellow
men. What the world needs is such men —
men capable of managing extensive business
concerns and conducting business nn terms
that are fair alike to employer and employe
— men of genuine worth, of unquestioned
integrity and honor, and then the question
of oppression by capitalists and resistance
and violence by laborers will be forever at
rest.
ALMOND NORTON LE NEVE.
Almond N. Le Neve comes of a family
which has ever been loyal to America, her
institutions and her welfare. He was born
in Newell township, east of the J. D. Camp-
bell farm, starch 9, 1837, and is a son of
John and Rebecca (Newell) Le Neve. The
Newells were the earliest settlers of the
townshi]) and it was named in honor of the
family. The Le Neve's were natives of
Kentuckv. The father of .\Imond N. emi-
grated to Vermilion county in 1823. when
the country was wild and imimproved and
Indians were numerous. The paternal and
maternal grandfathers of our subject were
soldiers in the Ivevolutionary war and
fought valianily in the cause of independ
ence. The maternal grandfather enlisted
in Halifax, Halifax cotmty, 'Virginia, and
went through the entire war without receiv-
ing a wiuind. As he signed his name on the
muster roll lie made this remark: "Be-
cause of the kind treatment of the colonies
I will give my life and if necessary cement
it with my blood." The paternal grand-
father enlisted under (Jeneral La I'ayette
and gave up his life on the altar of his
country, being killed in the battle in which
La Fayette was wounded, ^\■hen La Fay-
ette returned to America, the women met
him spreading shawls for his feet to tread,
in honor of his charity and devotedness to
the men in the field, for he spent a princely
fortune upon the colonics, giving of his
means to feed and clothe his men. Johr
Le Neve, the father of Almond N., was born
in Tenneessee. in 1803. and died in 1882,
while his wife was born in Kentucky, in
1805, and died in 1882, three months after
the death of her husband. Wlicn he came
with his parents to Illinois John Le Neve
settled in Lawrence county on Ellison prai-
rie, west of Vincennes, Indiana, and re-
mained there with his ])arents until 1823.
when he came on to Vermilion county, Illi-
nois. Here he married Rebecca Newell,
reared their family and spent the re-
mainder of their days. John Le Neve
had a brother, Obadia, who was
born in 1799, and died in 1884. He
was a man of charity and public spirit, and
was kind to the widow and orphan. \\'hen
he butchered he would kill enough stock
48
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
so as to g-iN'c to tliose wlio were unable to
purchase meat, and was always ready tc
help any one in distress that would apply
to him. He was widely known throughout
the country and loved by every one. Xo
one went unclothed or hungry from his door
and he was ever trying to uplift mankind
One Saturday he \-isited the home of mu"
subject and entered into a religious con-
versation. Previous to this he had never
made any religious profession, although his
views were liberal and his life was in ac-
cord with the teachings of Christianity. In
this conversation he spoke of the life tc.
come and was content concerning the same.
He was called away the following Monday
night, departing this life at the home of
Mr. Le Neve,
John Le Neve and his wife were the
parents of the following children : Samuel
P. married Adeline Wilson and lives three
miles north of Danville; Isabel Martin is
deceased : William married Emma Smith
who died in Champaign county. Illinois.
They had two children, Samuel Perry and
Marshall Ney. William married again, his
second union being with Minerva Mills. By
tliis marriage seven children were born : San-
ford, now a school teacher: Emma, de-
ceased: Lillv. Thomas, Samuel, and Laura
and Nellie, twins, all at home. The father
of this family, William Le Neve, died March
i6, 1902, leaving to his family an untarn-
ished name and the heritage of a life well
spent. His death occurred at his home in
Indiana., where he had removed about 1898
or 1899. John Le Neve is now deceased
Seraphine is the wife of John S. Weliber.
a retired farmer of Paxton. Illinois, and
their children are: Perry, deceased: .\1-
mond Flavins, who married Hattie Harnett
John L., Charlev and IJncoln. lulia. the
si.xth member of the We1>ber familv. is the
wife, of Henry Corbley, of Champaign coun-
ty, Illinois. Nettie L. is now Mrs. Ewell.
and has one son. Ross is the wife of Stan-
ley Sutton, an attorne}-, of Indiana. They
ha\e one son. The sixth member of the
family of John Le Neve is the subject of
this review. The seventh, Mrs. Mary Leon
ard, is deceased, leaving two children. Perry
and Belle. John Wilson died in September,
1886. Thomas, the youngest child, died in
infancy. John Le Neve came in a prairie
schooner with his ]:)arents from Tennessee.
He began his active business career with r
capital of one hundred and thirty dollars
and fifty cents. He entered eighty acres of
timber and wild prairie land, paying there-
for one dollar and a quarter per acre. This
took one hundred dollars of his capital, and
wlien he began housekeejiing he had just
thirteen dollars and fifty cents left. He
made rails to pay for a cow and he drove
l)ins in a log and laid a board across as a
place to put their dishes. They ate their meals
from a puncheon table, in the old log house
where the subject of this review was born.
During his life-time he was an enterprising
farmer, and also a great stock man. raising
and selling a good grade of stock.
Almond N. Le Neve was reared ujwn
his father's farm and attended the district
school during the winter season, while in
the summer he assisted his father upon the
farm. He supplemented his early educa-
tion with one year in the Dan\-ille high
school and after he left home he taught a
term in Chamjpaign county, Illinois. He
then engaged in general farming and stock
raising, always raising his own cattle and
horses. He rememl^ers the introduction of
the crane, in 1850, and when the first cook-
ing stove was lirought into the neighbor-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
49
hood. He relates how tlie\ used tu build
fires before, matches came into use, with
flint and knife, and how the ])ioneers used
to bake "Johnny Cake." lie remembers
the tirst two augers which came into use in
the neighborhood, the first known as a sev-
en-quarter auger and the other as a one-
quarter inch auger. Augers were sa scarce
then that they were obliged to carefully put
away any boards which they might hud with
a hole in, for use in emergency. Part of the
neighborhood cimld not farm until the hick-
ory bark would ])eel, from which they made
tugs, hames and shoe strings. On his own
home farm they used to shuck corn in an old
Virginia box. They hail to m;ike boxes so
the ears would not roll out and had to re-
pair the boxes each load. Their first plow-
was a wooden mold board, the next a single
shovel. They cut grain with a reaj) hook
and when the cradle came into use they
considered it a great improvement. He re-
members the iirst two carriages in that lo-
cality. Peter Starr owned one of these and
Joe Cunningham's father the other. The
people would gaze at these carriages in as-
tonishment, regarding them as being "won-
derfully and fearfully made." Jn these
primitive times grease lamps and dip can-
dles were in use. When later kerosene came
into use it was regarded as being \-ery. dan-
gerous. Many a time has Air. Le Neve
pursued his studies by the light of a fire.
He also broke prairie in Champaign county,
using ])Iow^s that wouM cut from twenty-
four to twenty-six inches. He and his
brother William "batched" in that county
during one summer in company with their
father.
Alminnd X'. Le Xeve started on his busi-
ness career in his twentieth }-ear and re-
mained in Champaign county, Illinois, until
after his marriage. The lady of his choice
was Nancy J. h'nrd, who was born in Shelby
county, Indiana, a daughter of William and
Sarah ( Lt)uden ) hord, b(jth of whom were
natives of Kentucky. L'nto .\lr. and Mrs.
Lc Neve were born eight children. Louis
died in infancy. Jerome, of Danville, mar-
ried Grace Marple. and they have two chil-
dren. Russell and Marguerite. Emma
Belle, a bright little girl, died at the age of
seven years. Eannie is now Mrs. Charles
YoilMg, of Newell township, and has four
children, Don, Ross. Marv and Harriet
Ruth. Hattic is the fifth member of Mr.
Le Neve's family. Roy married Grace Coff-
m;in ALarch 26, 1902. They have one child,
Paul Reagan. She was born March 5, 1877,
and is a daughter of I^ev. William and Mary
(Betzer) Cofl'man, of Indiana. Jerry as-
sists his father on the home farm, lennie
May, the youngest of the family, died in
infancy.
Air. and Mrs. Le Ne\'e arc members of
State Line City Methodsit Episcopal cbiuTh,
in which Mr. Le Neve was class leader for
se\'eral years, also acting as Sundav-school
superintendent. The luMiie of Mr. .and Mrs.
Le Neve is permeated by Christianity, the
entire family lieing acti\e ruid earnest work-
ers in the church. The children have all
been reared undei' the inlluence of the good
mother and father, and Miss Hattie has
l)een identified with evangelical work for
about si.\ vears. While in New York she
spoke at .\. B. Simpson's church and later
went to Asbmy Park, New Jersey. She i^
fitting herself as a missionary and expects
to go to foreign lands to labor in the cause
of Christianity. In Se])tcml)er. 189;^, Sister
Mershon, an evangelist, held several meet-
ings, during which Mr. Le Neve and bi-^
family were converted and sanctified. .At
so
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
the close Miss Hattie Le Neve felt the call-
ing of the Master to take up his work ant.
gave expression to her feelings by singing
witli Sister Mershon. She has continued
in this work since and is well fitted for it.
having taken training at Nyack, New York.
a missionary training institute. Roy Le
Neve and his wife are also preparing for the
same kind of work. Mrs. Grace Le Neve
is a musician of remarkable talent, being
able to sing and play any piece of sacred
music, although she has never taken lessons
along that line. The Le Neve family have
a happy home and on the walls are inscribed
many lines from the scripture. They have
meetings held at their home twice a week.
On the death of William Le Neve, the
brother of Almond N.. INIiss Hattie Le Neve
preached the funeral sermon. She had been
previously requested to do this by William
Le Neve. The ser\'ice was very touching
and was the means of bringing many to
Christ. The Le Neve family is noted for its
members being of such an upright and hon
orable class. The children of ]\Irs. John S.
Webber, the sister of Almond N.. all mar
ried into highly educated and cultured fam-
ilies.
Mr. Le Neve of this review has helpec'.
to establish the schools and nearly every
church of this locality, and while living in
Champaign county he also took an interest
in public affairs. With his brother Will-
iam he removed to Champaign county, Illi-
nois, in 1858. In the panic of 1873-4 ho
lost heavily, but he did not become discour-
aged. He began life anew and by good man-
agement he again acquired a competence.
He has always lived a Christian life and he
feels that by reason of this he has prospered.
He at one time owned one hundred and
ninety acres of well improved land. Of
this he sold ninety acres or divided it among
his children. He now has one hundred acres
of the \"ery best farm land, on section 24,
Newell township. On this place he has li\'ed
for fifteen years. His son Roy was in the
First Regiment, Illinois Light Artillerj',
Batter}- A, under !Major Williston, Captain
Yeager and General Brook. The regiment
was sent to Porto Rico, but never was in
battle, although some of the infantry and
cavalry- were called into light skirmishes.
Mr. Le Neve of this review has seen the
cit\- of Danville develop from a hamlet to
a thriving and flourishing city, and has been
identified with the interests of \'ermilion.
his native county, all his life. He began
life with no capital and through right prin-
ciples of honesty and integrity he has pros-
perd and stands to-day^ among the highly
respected and substantial citizens of Newell
township. In politics he is a Prohibitionist
and gives his best efforts to the support of
that party. Always public-spirited, he has
served as commissioner of highways and
school director for many years in \"ermilion
and Champaign counties, and he sen-ed as
superintendent of two different schools dur-
ing one summer. All movements for the
genral welfare have his hearty support and
co-operation and no one is more highly re-
garded in \'ermilion county than Almond
N. Le Neve.
A. H. TREGO:
In whatever relation of life Mr. Trego
has lieen found he has been respected for his
sterling worth, his fidelity to principle and
to duty and his enterprising and progressive
spirit. He was born in Bucks county, Penn-
sylvania, on the i6th of Tune. 1838. He
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
53
is a son of Curtis D. and Mary (i. ((iill)crt)
I'rcgo, both uf wliom were natives ot llic
Ke\ stone state and were members of llic So-
ciety of Friends, in whicli faith our subject
was reared. The fatlier was a fanner liy
occupation and during the greater part oi
liis life au-rieil on agricultural pursuits. In
1S56 lie went to Galcsburg in order to pro-
vide his ciiililren w ith better educational ad-
vantages and was there engaged in conduct-
ing a grocery store. .\t the time of the Civi!
war be was engaged in purchasing horses
for the post at Gallatin, Tennessee. He re-
sitled in Orion, Henry county, Illinois, for
-evcral years after the close of the war and
tlie last ten years of his life were spent in
Cass county, Iowa, where both he and his
wife died. This worthy couple were tlie
parents of nine children : Elizal)eth. now
ileceased; .\. 11., of this rcxicw; Jacob R..
who is living in Cass county, Iowa; Helen
R., the wife of Joseph Engle, of that county ;
Letiiia, the wife of A. Clark, of Earlliani.
bnva: Lavinia. the wife of D. D. ll.ill. of
Xorfolk, Nebraska; bVed, of Cass county,
Iowa; Frank, who died in Galcsburg, Illi-
nois; and Einma, who died in Henry county,
Illinois.
In the common schools A. H. Trego be-
gan his education which was comjileted l)y
graduation in Lombard College, of Gales-
burg, Illinois. He completed the collegiate
course in the month of June. 1S62. and in
July of the same year he enlisted in the
Union army as a member of Company C, One
Hunrlretl and Second Illinois Infantry, un-
der Captain Frank Shcdd and Colonel Mc-
Murtry. He served for three years and was
on the staff of General E. .\. Paine, holding
the rank of first lieutenant for a year. .\s
Captain Shaw was on detached duty, our
subject took command of the company in the
Atlanta campaign, serving tlius from Chat-
tanooga until they reached .\tlanta, as a
member of Sherman's forces, lie ;icle<l as
aide de camp on the staff of General Harri
son. who conimanileil the First Brigade and
Third l^ivision. Twentieth .\rmy Corps,
from Atlanta to Sav.annah during Shernian"s
march to the se<-i and continued as acting as-
sistant adjutant general on the staff of Col-
onel Case, of the One Hundred and I''ifth
Illinois Infantry from Sav.umah to Golds-
boro. After Harrison's return to his com-
mand Mr. Trego still acted as assistant ad-
jutant general until after the troops reachetl
Washington. He was mustered out in June.
1865. returning to his home with a record
for gallant and meritorious military service.
He was slightly wounded in the hand and
again in the shoulder, but otherwise escaped
uninjured.
Returning to Galcsburg, Mr. Trego re-
mained for a short time at that place and
then went to Rock Island, Illinois, where
he was engaged in the grocery business with
his father for a year. He ne.xt occupied a
position as bookkeeper in a commission
house in Chicago and in 1X67 he embarked
in the produce commission business on South
Water street of that city. There he carried
on operations until icSji, when his business
was destroyed in the great lire which swept
over the city, the insurance company paying
him only ten cents on the dollar. After this
disaster he did not have money enough to
buy himself an overcoat. With strong pur-
]iosc and unconquerable determination, how-
ever, he began work in a lumberyard as a
sorter. There he remained until the spring fol-
low ing. when he Ijecame shipping clerk, act-
ing in that capacity until 187''). when he re-
moved to Hoopcston and establislied a retail
lumber business, which he conducted with
54
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
success until 1888. ulien lie jold out. Since
that time he has been connected with agri-
cultural pursuits and with the canning busi-
ness'. He was one of the three organizers
of the Hoopeston Canning Company, which
was capitalized for fifty thousand dollars.
In this enterprise he was associated with
J. S. McFerren and A. T. Catherwood, the
latter now deceased. This business is still
conducted by Mr. Trego and ^Ir. McFerren
and since 1890 our subject has had the man-
agement of the plant. He was one of the
eight organizers of the Union Can Company
in 1894. which in 1900 was mergerl into
the American Can Company of which he
is a stockholder. He acted as president of
the Union Can Company until the last year
of its existence. He is a director of the
First National Bank and is the president of
the Hoopeston Horse-Xail Company. He
owns valuable land in Benton county, In-
diana, to the extent of four hundred and sixty
acres and is equal owner with Mr. Mcl'erre
in fourteen hundred acres of valualjle land
in Grant township, this county. He also has
real estate in Chicago, including some resi-
dences on Indiana avenue, with considerable
realty in Hoopeston, including three or four
hundrefl lots. His own attractive residence
here, built in 1881. is situated at the corner
of Fourth and Washington streets. He is
the president of the Illinois-Cuban Land
Company, owning twenty thousand acres of
land in Cuba near the city of Santiago.
In Chicago, in October, 1868, Mr. Trego
was united in marriage to Miss T-'rances C.
Reed, a native of Fulton county, Illinois.
In the family were eight children, five sons
and three daughters, of whom four sons are
yet living: Charles H., who is associated
with his father in farming interests : Edward
F., who is Ijookkeeper for the canning com-
pany; and Walter and Gilbert C. who are
in school. The mother died April 28, 1897,
and on the 8th of Xoveniber, 1900, Mi
Trego was married to Miss Florence Honey-
well, a daughter of Alba Honeywell, who is
represented elsewhere in this work.
For thirty-four years Mr. Trego has
been a member of the Universalist church
and superintendent of the Sunday-school.
He is also chairman of the board of trus-
tees of the church and is deeply interested
in everything pertaining to the upbuilding
of the cause and to the extension of its in-
fluence. He is trustee of Lombard College,,
of Galesburg, Illinois, and for the past seve
years he has served as president of the
Hoopeston Public Library with the excep-
tion of two years when absent from the city.
He is also secretary of the board of trustees
of Greer College. In politics he is a stal-
wart Republican and for a number of years
he served as an alderman of Hoopeston and
was mayor of the city at the time the water--
works system was inaugurated. He has ever
been active in defense of measures pertaining
to the general good. Socially he is connected
with the Grand Army Post at that place, of
which he was the first commander. He be-
longs to Hoopeston Lodge, Xo. 115, F. &
A. M., and the chapter and commandery
at Paxton. He arrived in Hoopeston in
1876 and has resided here continuous!'
since.
The entire life of Mr. Trego has been
one of unu.-iual activity and industry and he
is a self-made man in the fullest sense of
that so frequently misused term. Holding
important business positions, controlling
vast interests — this speaks !(nuler than words,
of his executive and lousiness ability. His
methods have always been in keeping with
the highest principles of honorable and fair
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
57
dealing and witli conscientious regard for
the rights ot others. He has a clear and
conipreliensive mind anil is able to conceive
not only large projects hut also to execute
well directed ])lans. Althougli he has hecn
closely identified with extensive enterprises
his time and attentiim have not Ijeen given
wholly to them. He has been very promi-
nent and helpful in business affairs and also
in matters of public importance. He like-
wise has rare social qualities and delights
hi gootl fellowship and lacks none of those
personal traits of character which are indi-
cative of the warm hearted and high minded
gentleman.
JUDGE D. D. EVANS.
Perhaps there is no part of this history
of more general interest tiiaii the record of
the bar. It is well known that the peace,
prosperity and well-being of every commun-
ity depend ui)on the wise interpretation of
the laws, as well as upon their judicious
framing, and therefore the records of the
various persons who have at different times
made up the bar will form an imixjrtant part
of this volume. .\ well known jurist of Illi-
nois said: "In the American stale the great
and good lawyer must always l)e prominent,
for he is one of the forces that move and con-
trol society. Public confidence lias generally
been reposed in the legal profession. It has
ever been the defender of i>opular rights, the
champion of freetlom regulated by law, the
firm support of good government. In the
times of danger it has stood like a rock and
breasted the mad passions of the hour and
finally resisted tumult and faction. No po-
litical preferment. n(^ mere place, can adil
to the power or increase the honor which be-
longs to the pure and educated lawyer."
Jutlge D. D. Evans is one who has Ijcen hon-
ored by and is an honor to the legal fra-
ternity of Illinois. He stands to-day promi-
nent among the leading members of the bar
of the state. — a position which he has at-
tained through industry, energy and marked
ability.
The Judge has passed the seventy-third
milestone on life's journey, his birth having
occurred on the 17th of .\pril, 18J9, near
Ebc'.islnirg, Pennsylvania, his parents being
David and ;\nna (Lloyd) Evans. As the
name indicates, the Evans family is of Welsh
origin. His paternal grandfather was a na-
tive of the northern portion of Wales, while
the grandmother was torn in a southern dis-
trict of the rock-ribbed country. In child-
hood they crossed the Atlantic with their re-
spective parents, who located in the Keystone
state. The maternal grandfather of the
Judge was a leading and inlluential resident
of Pennsylvania at an early day and was in-
strumental in the formation of a county
there, which he called Cambria, the ancient
name of Wales. He also laid out and
f(^undcd the county .seat of the new county,
which he named Ebensburg in honor of a
deceased son. Not only was he active in the
material development of his portion of the
state but was a man of much influence as the
promoter of its nmral i)rngress. being a min-
ister of the gospel.
David Evans, the father of the Judge,
was reared in Pennsylvania, became a stone-
mason and contractor and aided in the con-
struction of the famous portage road across
the Allegheny mountains in Pennsylvania.
That was at an early epoch in the history of
railroads and the work was considered a
piece of wonderful engineering. The money
which he earned in this way Mr. Evans in-
vested in farm land and then turned his at-
tention to agricultural pursuits. It was thus
58
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
that Judge Evans became familiar with farm
labor in his youth. The advantages and
privileges which he enjoj-ed in his early
youth were few. He did not enter a school-
room until he was ten years of age, and then
spent only two months in each year for a few
years as a student there. He had a love of
learning, however, that prompted his ac-
quirement of knowledge through reading
and study at home, and in this way he be-
came qualified to teach, and for one or two
terms followed the profession of teaching,
whereby he acquired means sufficient to en-
able him to continue his own education at
Hiram, Ohio, His capital was also supple-
mented by his earnings in the harvest field
during the summer vacations. On leaving
that institution he made his way to southern
Ohio and for five or six years continued his
Avork as a successful teacher. During that
time he also spent one term as a student in
the Normal Institute of Lebanon, Ohio.
Forming the determination to become a
practitioner -at the bar, while still pursuing
his educational work as an instructor he took
up the study of law, and in i860 he matricu-
lated in the law department of the Univer-
sity of ^Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was
there graduated in 1863.
In the meantime the country had become
involved in civil war, and with patriotic
loyalty Judge Evans ofifered his services to
the government, but almost immediately af-
ter his enlistment he was taken ill with ty-
phoid fe\-er and was thus forced to return
home. In November, 1864, he became a
resident of Danville, and has since been
numbered among its valued and honored
citizens. Here he entered upon the practice
of his ])rofess!nn in connection with Jolm
A. Kumler. Older practitioners were in the
field and the amount of legal business at tliat
time was not great. He found it difficult to
o!:)tain a foothold that would bring him suffi-
cient pecuniary returns to meet his expenses,
and, while gaining a start in his profession
he again engaged in teaching for a year,
and showed himself a successful teacher.
He also became a factor in journalistic cir-
cles, and, in connection with Judge Clapp,
became the owner of the Chronicle, which
was consolidated with the Vermilion Coun-
ty Plaindealer and became the Danville
Plaindealer, Judge Evans acting as editor of
the new paper. All this, however, was liut
the means of tiding him over and after a
year spent as editor of the Plaindealer he
again returned to the practice of law as a
partner of M. D. Hawes, and when ]\Ir.
Hawes withdrew from the legal profession
after four years, Mr. Evans was then alone
in business for two years. He then formed
a partnership with Charles I\I. Swallow, this
being continued for four years, when the
Judge was again without a partner. In the
meantime, howe\-er, he had demonstrated
his ability to successfully cope with the in-
tricate problems of jurisprudence, had dis-
pla}-ed broad and comprehensive knowledge
of the law, had shown force in argument,
strength in reasoning and clearness and
capability in the presentation of a cause. His
ability attracted to him the attention of the
leaders of the Reptiblican party and in 1881
he was nominated on that ticket for the office
of county judge.
In speaking of this part of his life a
contemporary biographer has said : '"When
Judge Evans came to the bench he found the
affairs of the court in a deplorable cond.ition,
owing partly to the long-continued illness
of his predecessor, Judge Hanford, and part-
Iv to the loose and wholly inefficient methods
which had prevailed in the conduct of the
THE BIOGRAPHICAL l^CORD
59
office. * * * He found cases on the
docket ten, fifteen and even twenty years l>e-
liind, * * * and grave al)uses and
neglect of duty were evident, not the least of
wliicli was the practice of allowing guar-
dians, executors and administrators to settle
at such times as they might elect, with their
wards out of court, and such sctliemenls iiad
been accepted by the court in direct violation
of law, which requires such settlements to
be made under oath, in court, with an item-
ized account of all transactions pertaining
to the estates or other property in trust.
Judge Evans insisted upon changing all of
this. It is probably that the history of the
entire state would fail to show such a com-
l)iete and mdical refonnation and transfor-
mation in so short a time as was wrought by
him during his first term in this office. He
radically revised the methods in vogue in
probate matters, and as rapidly as possibly
under the circumstances, took up. straighten-
ed out and disposed of the oltl cases which
had so long been lingering on the docket :
required all guardians, administrators, ex-
ecutors, assignees and conservators to ac-
count for their trusts in the manner pre-
scribed by law ; developed the common law
term from practically nothing to three tcnus
per year of several weeks each, or in short he
maile the county court of almost equal im-
portance to the circuit court. lie appointed
over two hundred executors ;ind adminis-
trators, and about one hundreil and fifty
guarrlians and conservators, all of wIkmu
he rcf|uired to account regularly in court
as the law refjuired. He gave his undi-
vided attention to the duties of the posi-
tion to which he had been chosen, and
gave careful consideration to each case
as it came up; and as a result of this care
and as evidence of his knowlerlge of law
and sound legal judgment he achieved the
proud distinction of having but one finding
re\ ised and but a single one reversed by the
higher courts during his term of service.
"L'pon the expiration of his first teriu.
Judge Evans was again elected to the same
position, and for four years more prcsideil
over the court, the standing of which he had
done so nuich to establish and elevate.
"It must not be supposed that the meth-
ods adopted by Judge Evans met the un-
qualified approval of all people in the com-
munity, although no one could speak aught
against him personally, for his honor, in-
tegrity, ability and all that goes to constitute
the ideal judge he was above reproach; yet
there were many malcontents. There were
those who had been thriving off the estates
in trust, who found their occupation gone;
the machine politicians were not in love with
him, for he was not the kind of man they
could appnxich. nuich less handle, for the
lurtlicrance of their schemes ; and when it
came time to nominate a candidate for the
thinl term Judge Evans busied himself with
the duties of his office instead of wire-pull-
ing for the nomination, with the result that
he awoke one morning and found another
Richmond in the field. Then it was that the
better element of the other political parly —
the Democratic — formed plans, and without
consulting him and entirely without his
knowledge, and of course without his con-
sent, either directly or indirectly, placc<l
his name on the ticket as their candidate for
county judge. They justified their action
in this matter partially by citing the fact
that during his first candidacy for the oflice
they had placed no candidate for the office
of their own against him but had instead
placerl his name on their ticket, thus making
him virtually the candidate of both political
6o
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
parties ; and now. wiien the machine element
in his own party had succeeded in getting
him put aside, the Democrats placed his
name on their ticket from consideration of
the able and impartial manner in which he
had for eight years conducted the affairs of
this important position. This action of his
friends — undoubtedly kindly meant — placed
Judge E\ans in an awkward position. He
could not without wounding the feelings of
his friends preemptorily spurn this indorse-
ment and in fact and truth he had no oppor-
tunity of "declining the honor," as he was
never consulted in the matter; so he simply
let matters take their course. His enemies
worked persistently and desperately, while
he made no move and gave no utterance in
his own behalf. The result was that he was
defeated at the polls by a small majority.
This may have been poor "politics," and
undoubtedly was from a practical stand-
point, but Judge Evans was never a practi-
cal "politician" in the sense that term is
used in the present day. He has none of
that "all-things-to-all-men" sort of qualitr-
cation which is the principal stock in trade
of the average latter-day politician. He is
modest, dignified and reserved, and scorned
the practice of going into the field and act-
ively soliciting votes for himself. The re-
sult was that his opponents called him an
aristocrat without sympathy with the com-
mon people, and said he was a party turn-
coat because his name appeared on the Dem-
ocratic ticket. By these anil other like meth-
ods enough votes were secured to retire him
from the ofiice he had done so much to
digiiify and honor. He accepted his defeat
gracefully, and at once took up again the
practice of his profession."
\\'hile the practice of law has been the
real life work of Judge Evans he has at the
same time been connected with some very
important Inisiness affairs and with public
interests. In 1S92 he became an equal owner
in The Wabash [Milling Company, but in
1S94 a disastrous fire destroyed the plant,
which was only partially insured, and thus
a large loss was sustained. In matters per-
taining to the general good the Judge has
always been found on the side of progress,
improvement and reform. He has been a
member of the board of education in Dan-
ville and the cause of the schools have found
in him a warm and helpful friend. He has
never wavered in his allegiance to the Re-
publican party and has been recognized as
one of its leaders in his district, serving as
chairman of the Republican central com-
mittee. In 1876 he was made a delegate to
the Republican national con^•ention, which
nominated Hayes for the presidency and
again and again he has been sent as a dele-
gate to the state conventions of his party.
He has ever been fearless and outspoken in
defense of his honest political convictions, yet
is not bitterly aggressive, however, no one
has occasion to question his views. It is
doubtful if he ever weighed an act of his
life in the balance of political policy. He is
an incorruptable patriot and deserves the
homage that cominanding ability wins from
all men. In the press by his own ]3en he
has denounced false methods and has ever
believed in the office seeking the man rather
than the man seeking the office.
In 1867 occurred the marriage of Judge
Evans and ]\Irs. Edwilda A. Sconce, whose
maiden name was Cromwell. They became
the parents of three children, but only one
is now living, \\'aldo Carl. The Evans
household has ever been noted for its graci-
ous hospitality, this home being the favorite
resort of the citizens of Danville and its
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
6i
social features are most eiijoyeil by tlic
friends of the Judge and his estima-
ble wife. As an orator. Judge Evans
is not one of prominence, but is clear
and forceful. He has been a stiulcnt
not only of political issues but of social and
economical questions and from his pen Iiavc
come able utterances on many subjects, cov-
ering a wide range of thought and investi-
gation. There is nothing narrow or con-
tracted about him and he cannot accept nar-
row creeds or dogmas but his is a religion
which believes in the uniform laws of the
universe and the brotherhood of man. He
is a member of no church but his morals
and integrity are unquestioned. He is a
follower of facts ratlier than faith and is a
believer in the freedom of thought. Few
lawyers have made a more lasting impression
upon the bar of the state, both for legal abil-
ity of a high order and for the individuality
of a personal character, which impresses it-
self upon a community. Of a family con-
spicuous for strong intellects, indomitable
courage and energy', he entered upon his
career as a lawyer, and such was his force
of character and natural qualifications that
he overcame all obstacles and wrote his naiue
upon the keystone of the legal arch. Tn his
private life he is distinguished by all that
marks the true gentleman. His is a noble
character, — one that subordinates personal
ambition to public good and seeks rather the
benefit f>f others than the aggrandizement of
self. Endowed by true nature, with high
intellectual qualities, to which he has added
the discipline and embellishments of culture,
his is a most attractive personality. Well
versed in the learning of his profession, anfl
with a deep knowledge of luuiian conduct,
with great sagacity ami extraordinary tact,
be stands to-day as one of the most dis-
tinguished members that has ever practiced
at the bar of this portion of Illinois.
SAMUEL COLLISOX.
Samuel Collison, the presiilenl of the
First National Bank of Rossville, was born
on the 1st of .Vugust, 1S53, in Pilot town-
ship. \'ermilion county, near Collison sta-
tion, which was named in honor of the fam-
ily. His father, Absalom Collison, was a
native of Ohio and arrived in this county in
i8_'8, when Danville was a mere hamlet
upon a broad and Jilmost unbroken prairie
which stretched away U<v miles in every
direction. He settled in wh.it was then
known as Higginsville, entered land from
the government and turned his attention to
farming. Ihe advantages which the county
offered to her early settlers were utilized by
Mr. Collison, who purchased land when it
was cheap and extended his possession un-
til he had about one thousand acres. This
he improved and cultivated and the fields re-
sponded liberally with excellent crops. He
also erected substantial and modern build-
ings upon his farm, including one of the
finest residences in this part of the state,
hauling the lumber from Indiana. He was
not only abreast with modern improvement
but was a leader in advancement along such
lines, and the early development of the coun-
ty w as due in no small measure to his efforts.
He married Mary Chenoweth, a native of
Ohio, who became a resident of Vermilion
county about the same time as her husband.
Thev became the parents of twelve children,
of whom seven are now living. The father
62
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
passed away when about forty-eiglit years
of age and the mother afterward became the
wife of John Smith.
In the district schools Samuel Collison
acquired his early education, which, how-
ever, was of limited character, for his train-
ing was nnich more extensive in farm work
and his time was largely given to the labors
of field and meadow. His father died when
the son Avas less than one year old, and when
he had reached the age of nineteen he left
home and began earning his own living.
Soon afterward he purchased eighty acres
of land in Champaign county and for five
vears resided thereon. During that time he
was married, in November, 1874, when
twenty-one years of age, to Nancy Lindsay,
a native of Vermilion county and a daughter
of David Lindsay, an early pioneer and
farmer from Kentucky, who settled near Mr.
Collison's farm. After about six years in
Champaign county our subject sold his land
there and returned to this county, where he
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of
partly improved land. This he tiled and im-
proved and to it he added a half section, thus
becoming owner of a valuable farm of four
hundred and eighty acres, constituting one
of the finest and best improved farms of the
county. He was extensively engaged in the
buying and shipping of cattle for twelve or
fifteen years, in addition to general farming,
aufl became well known as a very successful
stockdealer. In 1893 he became interested
in the banking business as a stockholder in a
private bank with which he was associated
for seven years. In this enterprise he was
connected with his nephew, Fred Collison.
In 1890 he purchased the interests of IMessrs.
Cunningham and Christman in what was
known as the Citizens Bank, which on the
1st of July, 1900, was organized under the
name of the First National Bank, and is
capitalized for thirty-five thousand dollars,
^[r. Collison is now the president of the in-
stitution, with ]\Ir. Crays as cashier, and the
officers, together with P. Cadle, J. W. Fag-
her, W. T. Cunningham, J. T. Christman,
Ora Greer, and O. P. Stufflebeam constitute
the board of directors. The institution has
prospered, becoming one of the reliable
moneyed concerns of the county, and the
capable management and enterprise of Mr.
Collison are accountable in a large degree
for this desireable result.
Unto I\lr. and ^Irs. Collison have been
born two daughters, Mary and Olive. So-
cially Mr. Collison is connected with the
Modern Woodmen of America, and politi-
cally he is a Republican, who strongly en-
dorses the principles of the party but has
never sought office as a reward for party
fealty. His life has been that of the enter-
prising resolute .American business man,
watchful of opportunities, quick to note
possibilities and yet never taking advantage
of the necessities of his fellow men. His
business career is one which anv man might
be proud to possess because of his success
and the honorable methods he has ever fol-
lowed.
THOMAS HOOPES.
]\Iore than one Illinois man whose name
figures to-day upon the pages of history was
born, as was ]\Ir. Hoopes, in a log cabin
and reared amid the hardships and priva-
tions of pioneer life, but it is only under the
pressure of adversity and the stimulus of
opposition that the best and strongest in men
have been brought out. Although Thomas
Hoopes did not direct his energies into chan-
nels which brought him political renown or
military distinction, he became an important
JhC^^ "^H-tnr^c^
Of i,.£
UNIVERSIiV OF ILLINOIS
THE BlOGiL-Yi'liiCAL l^COUD
65
factor in reclaiming the great prairie dis-
tricts of Illinois for the purposes of civiliza-
tion and achieved success which awakened
admiration and respect, and as long as the
town of Hoopeston stands he will be hon-
ored as its founder and first settler.
On the 26th of June. 1806, in a little
log cabin which stooil in what was then
JefTerson county, but is now Harrison coun-
ty, Ohio. Thomas Hoopes first opened his
eyes to the light of day, being the fourth
in order of birth in a family of six chil-
dren. Primitive pioneer conditions then ex-
isted in the Buckeye state and accordingly
he was dejjrived of many of the advantages
which could have Ijeen enjoyed in a more
thickly settled region. His education was
largely .acquired under the direction of his
mother, although later he had the opportun-
ity of attending a private school for a month.
.\lx)ut the time he attained his majoriy his
father died, and he received as his share of
the estate three hundred and thirty-four
dollars and four cents, which served as the
nuclus around which he gathered his for-
tune in later years.
Mr. Hoopes continued on the home farm
until his marriage, which occurred July 8.
1846. Miss Anna Gray, of Harrison county,
Ohio, becoming his wife. Soon afterward
he i)urcha.sed eight hundred acres of land
near Marion, Ohio, and settling thereon put
up one of the first brick houses in thaf part
nf the state. He also made many other sub-
stantial improvements upon liis farm and
devoted most of his attention to stock-rais-
ing, having a large flock of sheep gracing
U|>on his farm all the time. In .\ugust.
1853. he came to \'ennilion county to as-
certain definitely the condition of the land
and the prospects of the county. That he
was satisfied with the investigation is indi-
catetl by the fact llial in 1853 he brought his
family to the west and jiurchased <.>f W. I.
.\lleu four hundred and eighty acres of land,
on which he established his home. It lay
northwest of the present site of Hoopeston,
crowning a hill on the old Chicago road.
.\s time p.isscd he .uKkHl largely to his laud
ed possession until he became the owner of
seven or eight thousand acres. For years he
was one of the most extensive stock-dealers
and raisers of this part of the state, making
large shipments to the city markets and in-
vesting his profits in land. On the 4th of
July. 1871. the track of what is now the
Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad was laid
across his farm and the year following the
Lake Erie & Western also began running
trains through this district. Mr. Hoopes,
who was always a man of keen sagacity and
foresight, believed that here would be a good
site for a town and began laying ofif his farm
in town lots, thereafter devoting his energies
to the sale of these lots and to the supervision
of the interests of the embno village. The
place was named Hoopeston by one of the
railroad prospectors. Mr. Hoojies subsc-
<|uently sold one thousand acres of his land
to the linn of Snell & Taylor, who had .a
part of it platted and sold as town lots.
From that time until his death Mr. Hoopes
was engaged in no active business cnlcr-
pri.se. save the supervision of his invested
interests. He spent nuich of his time in
traveling with his wife, who was in deli-
cate health, they visiting many portions of
this country in the hope that she might be
I.)enefite<l thereby.
Mr. and .Mrs. H«x>pcs had no children
but reared Mary R. Scott from a little six
year old girl, who made her home with them
until her marriage to J. A. Cunningham,
who is representeil elsewhere in this volume.
66
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
]\Ir. Hoopes was a man of benevolent spirit,
charitable in thought and action, and many
have reason to remember him for the kindly
assistance he rendered in their hour of need.
No man ever accused Thomas Hoopes of
taking unfair advantage of his fellow men
or of performing any act that was not strict
ly honorable. While not a church member,
his life was governed by the most rigid prin-
ciples of honesty and morality. The golden
rule was his gaiide through life and he de-
spised all unworthy or questionable means
to secure success in any undertaking for any
purpose. In his political views he was first
a Whig and afterward a Republican, but tht
honors of emoluments of office had no at
traction for him. His wife passed away
April 25, 1886, and his death occurred Oc-
tober 4, 1893. He left an estate valued at
more than half a million dollars, which in-
dicated his activity in business, his careful
investment and keen discernment, but more
than this he left a legacy to the state one
of its beatitiful and thriving towns; to the
town he left the result of labors for the gen-
eral good : to his friends the memory of a
kindly spirit; and to humanity the example
of a life of untarnished honor.
WILLIAM T. CUNNIXXtHA:M.
W'illiam T. Cunningham is a financier
of \^ermilion county who has had marked
influence in financial circles here, his ef-
forts being a potent element in promoting
business activity and the consequent pros-
perity of this portion of the state. Through
long years he has been engaged in merchan-
dising and banking in Rossvilie and is also
connected through ownership with the bank-
ing interests of Danville. Recently he has
taken up his abode in the latter city, being
one of the founders of the Commercial
Trust & Savings Bank.
Mr. Cunningham was born near the city.
December i, 1856, and is a son of Humes
Cunningham, representing one of the pioneer
families of Illinois. The grandfather, Will-
iam Cunningham, came from Kentucky to
Vermilion county at a very early day and
Humes was born and reared upon a farm
here. When he had reached years of ma-
turity he wedded Elizabeth Winning, a
daughter of Thomas R. \\'inning, who also
became a resident of Vermilion county at
an early epoch in its history. Mr. Cunning-
ham de\'oted his energies to farm work and
carried on the work of plowing, planting and
harvesting until his death, which occurred in
1859, when the subject of this review was
a child of only two years. His wife also
passed away in 1857.
\\'illiam T. Cunningham of this review
thus left an orphan, was reared by his ma-
ternal grandparents and in the schools of
Rossvilie and Danville he pursued his edu-
cation. After arriving at mature years he
engaged in clerking and eventually became
owner of a mercantile establishment, carry-
ing on active business in different lines in
Rossvilie until 1901. Associated with Mr.
Campbell in 1891, he established the old
Citizens Bank of Rossvilie and afterward
purchased his partner's interest. Later he
admitted ]\Ir. Christman to a partnership in
the business and by these gentlemen the bank
was conducted. In 1900 that business was
re-organized and merged into the First Na-
tional Bank of Rossvilie. of which ]\Ir. Cun-
ningham is one of the directors. He be-
came a stockholder, aided in organizing the
institution and was elected to the official posi-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
09
tjon which lie iu)\v tills. He has also had real
estate interests, having bought and sold dif-
tereiit farms in the county anil at the pres-
ent time gives his personal supervision to
the management i>f his larnis near Ross-
villc. He was one of the organizers of the
Commercial Tnist & Savings Bank of Dan-
ville, being associated in this enterprise with
Mr. Christman. This bank was capitalized
at one hundred thousand dollars and is a
new institution of the city, having been
opened for business on the 22d of January.
1003, with Mr. Cunningham as president
and T. !■'. Christman. cashier. In the con-
duct of all of the enterprises with which
he has been associated he has proved him-
self a successful business man and far-sighted
financier and his probity and personal worth
stand as unqucstionetl facts in his career.
In the year 1880, in Rossville, Mr. Cun-
ningham was married to Jennie Foulke, who
was born, reared and educated in Rossville.
Her death occurred in Danville in I'cbruary,
1883. and in 1.SS8 Mr. Cunningham was
again married, his second union being with
Orrie L. Albright, who was born, reared and
educated in this county and also attended
college in Ohio. Ilcr father, Samuel Al-
bright, was one of the early settlers of \''er-
milion county and died in Rossville in 190J.
The marriage of our subject and his wife
has been blessed with three children, Thomas
A.. Irene M. and Willard T.
I'olitically Mr. Cunningham is a Demo-
crat where national issue? arc involved and
at local elections he votes independently,
supporting the men whom he thinks best
qualified for office, regardless of party atlfil-
iations. He has given his time and atten-
tion to extensive business interests and has
therefore had no desire to seek public r)ffice.
He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fra-
ternity of Rossville and his wife is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. On
the opening of the bank in Danville they
remo\ed to the city anil already our subject
has been recognized as a leading representa-
tive of financial interests here, because of the
reputation which he has Ixirne throughout
X'ermilion county for many years, lie has
ever taken an active interest in whatever
has pertained to the general good and has
gixen his hearty co-operation to many meas-
ures for the public benefit. His business
affairs have been carefully and capably
managed. He manifests keen discrim-
ination, unfaltering perseverance and
his judgment is rarely, if ever, at
fault. Intricate business questions he com-
prehends readily, forms his |)lans after ma-
lure tlelibcr.ilion and then carries them for-
ward with dispatch. As the years have
passed he has thus prospered and to-day
is one of the leading financiers of \'er-
milion county.
L. ANGUS CAMERON.
L. .Angus Cameron, a well known resi-
dent of Grant township living near Hoope-
ston, was lx)rn in southern Ohio, on the
13th of January, 1852. His father. Chris-
tian Cameron, was a native of the same lo-
cality, and was a son of Alexander Cam-
eron. The great-grandfather of our sub-
ject was Daniel or Donald Cameron, who
came from Scotland to America soon after
the Revolutinary war. He married a sister
of Simon Cameron, who was secretary of
war under President Lincoln. He brought
with him from the old country two church
letters gi\ing evidence of his inemliersliip
70
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
and good standing in the Presbyterian
church. He hved an earnest Christian hfe
and the family have always been noted for
tlieir loyahy to Christian teachings and their
active work in belialf of the church.
Christian Cameron was also a native
of southern Oliio, and after arriving at
years of maturity he wedded Miss Esther
Core, who was one of a family of thir-
teen children. Her father, John Core, was
a native of Maryland, while her mother was
of Pennsylvania German parentage. L. An-
gus Cameron of this re\'iew is one of a
family of eight children : Elizabeth, now
deceased; Catherine; Sudie, who has also
passed away ; John ; Anna ; Angus ; Emma ;
and Rose, who has also departed this life.
In the county of his nativity Mr. Cam-
eron of this review was reared to manhood,
spending his youth upon his father's farm
and pursuing his education in the public
schools. After arriving at years of matur-
ity he was married and lived for four years
thereafter upon a farm in the Buckeye state.
It was on Christmas day of 1875 that his
marriage to Miss Mary James was cele-
brated. The lady is a daughter of Samuel
and Margaret (McCann) James, the latter
coming of a family of Scotch-Irish ances-
try. ]Mrs. Cameron is one of seven chil-
dren, namely: .\marillus; John, deceased;
Catherine; Eliza, who has also passed
away ; Mary ; Sarah ; Lucy ; and Henry, the
last named being also deceased. The history
of the James family in America dates back
to a very early epoch in the development of
this country.
In November, 1882, Mr. Cameron
brought his family to Illinois, settling in
\'ermilion county, at the place of his pres-
ent residence in Grant township. When a
young man he engaged in teaching school
for four years, but with this exception he
has always carried on agricultural pursuits
and his work has been attended witli a grat-
ifying degree of success. He lives on his
father's farm of two hundred acres of land;
which he has placed under a high state of
cultivation, the farm being a rich and pro-
ductive tract. Everything about the place
is neat and attractive in appearance and is
indicative of the careful supervision and
progressive spirit of the owner. The home
of Mr. and Mrs. Cameron has l>een blessed
with eleven children: Rosy, born April 14,
1877; Sudie, born August 27, 1878; Lucy,
born July 10, 1880; Ann E., born May 4,
1882: Chris, born April 29, 1884: Esther,
born June 10, 1886: Ruth, born ]\Iarch 20,
1888: John, born May 3, 1890; Kate, born
May 7, 1892; Ralph, born May 2, 1894;
and Ruby, born July 8, 1896.
In his political views Mr. Cameron i;
a stalwart Republican, having supported the
party since he attained his majoritv. He
has never wavered in his allegiance to its
principles, yet he has never sought or cared
for public office, content to do his duty as
a private citizen. He and his familv are
all members of the United Brethren church,
in the work of which he takes an active and
helpful interest. He has served as trustee
steward. Sunday-school superintendent and
class leader, and puts forth every effort in
his power to promote the cause of the church.
CHARLES A. ALLEN.
The name of Charles A. Allen figures
conspicuously upon the pages of the legisla-
tive history of Illinois. An enumeration of
the men nf the present generation who have
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
73
won honor and public recognition for them-
sehes and at the same time have honored
tlie state to wliich tliey belong, would be
incomplete were there failure to make promi
nent reference to the one whose name intro-
duces this review. For eighteen years he
has been a member of the state legislature,
and has e\er manifested a deep interest in
those questions which are to the statesman
and the man of affairs, of vital importance
to the commonwealth and to the nation.
AMiilc undoubtedly he has not been without
that personal ambition which is the spur of
energy and without which little would be ac-
complished in life, his patriotic attachment
to his country is even greater and he has
ever placed the country's good before self-
aggrandizement. Thus, over the record of
his public career there falls no shadow of
wrong and while he has awakened en\-y and
criticisiri such as always comes to the man
who figures prominently before the public
the citizens who know him best have mani-
fested their confidence in his worth and work
by repeatedly electing him to represent them
in the council chamber of the state.
^Ir. Allen was born in Danville in the
year 183 1. His father, William I. Allen,
was a native of Ohio, and a farmer by occu-
pation. Coming to Illinois he entered land
at Hoopeston, having three thousand acres.
and upon this farm took up his abode. Later
he became interested in banking and at the
time of the "wildcat" currency his financial
affairs became involved and he lost all that
he had made. By profession he was a law
yer and at an early day he practiced in Dan-
\ille at a time when Abraham Lincoln was
also often seen in the courts of the city. He
married Miss Emily Newell, a daughter of
James Newell, a prominent early settler of
Newell township, Vermilion county, who
aided in laying the foundation for the prog-
ress and development in this portion of the
state. Her father died at an advanced age
an<I was laid to rest in Grove cemetery in
the town of Newell, in 1846.
Charles A. Allen was reared upc m a farm
in Ross township, A'ermilion count\\ and
])ursued his education in the common schools
of that township. He afterward engaged in
teaching school and in this w'ay provided the
money necessar_\- to defray the expenses of
a college education. Determining to make
the practice of law his life work he began
reading with this end in \-iew and later en-
tered the State L'niversity of Michigan, at
Ann Arbor , as a student of the law depart-
ment, graduating in the spring of 1875 ^^'^'-^
that same year he was admitted to the bar.
He gained distinction as a lawyer because
of his comprehensive knowledge of juris-
prudence, his careful preparation of cases
and his thorough understanding of techni-
calities as well as the equity of the suit with
which he was connected. It is a noticeable
fact that lawyers are more prominently be-
fore the public in connection with official
service than any other one class of men. The
reason for this is obvious, because the train-
ing which fits them for the practice of law
also prepares them for duties which lie out-
side the strict path of their profession. They
are apt to look upon a ((uestion from many
standpoints, to view judiciously every mat
ter that comes up before them for settle-
ment and to give a more fair and unbiased
judgment than is often rendered by men
in other walks of life. The native talent
and ability of Mr. Allen won for him the
attention of his fellow men and in 1884 he
was called upon to represent his district in
74
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
the state legislature of Illinois, where he
has served continuously since, covering a
period of eighteen }-ears. His name figures
conspicuously and prominently upon the
legislative records and he has been the pro-
moter of many measures which have found
their way to the statute books of the state.
He is a fearless champion of whatever course
he believes to be right and his loyal defense
of his honest convictions is one of the strong
elements of his success in political circles.
Perhaps his name came into more general
prominence in connection with what is
known as the Allen bill than through any
other measure. This was the street railway
bill which he promoted giving to the city
councils and boards of supervisors the right
of granting franchises not exceeding fifty
years. The present law limits this term to
franchise to twenty years. The bill which
Mr. Allen promoted and fathered was car-
ried by both houses and signed by the go\-
enior, but was repealed with the next session
of the legislature, ^Nlr. Allen being the only
man who voted against the repeal. \"er-
milion county lias profited largely by his
efforts in its behalf and upon the floor of the
house Mr. Allen is known as an active work-
ing member deeply interested in his party's
success, but placing the general good be-
fore personal partisanship. In 1878 was
celebrated the marriage of Charles A. Allen
and Miss Mary Thompson, a daughter of
L. ]\I. Thompson, of Rossville. and they
now have three children : John Newell and
Lawrence T., both of whom are law stu-
dents, arid Esther Mary.
From 1875 until 1881 Mr. Allen prac-
ticed law in Rossville and then came tn
Hoopeston where he has since lived. At
the present time, however, he is not actively
connected with the legal profession, giving
his attention to his legislative work and to
the supervision of his invested interests. He
owns twelve hundred acres of land in Ver-
milion county, fifteen hundred acres in Ful-
ton county, Indiana, and has extensive in-
vestments in gold and silver mining prop-
ert\- in Arizona, being one of fi\-e men who
constitute the Black Rock Gold and Copper
Mining Company. His pleasant and at-
tracti\-e home in Hoopeston is located on
Washington street. 'Sir. Allen is a valued
member of the IMasonic fraternity, the
Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Wood-
men of America. He is a generous and lib-
eral contributor to the churches and worthy
institutions, and the poor and needy find in
him a warm friend. A well known visitor
of the Old Settlers' Home, he often ad-
dresses such gatherings and takes a deep
interest in preserving the records of the
early development and progress of the state.
During campaigns he does effective work
in the interest of the Republican party upon
the stump and is an orator of ability, a ready,
fluent, logical and convincing speaker. While
Mr. Allen is to-day one of the most pros-
perous and distinguished citizens of Ver-
milion county, he deserves to be classed
among the honored men who have achieved
their own advancement. His education was
acquired as the result of his own labors and
his prominence has come to him in direct
recognition of his merit, ability, and earnest
purpose. Viewed in a personal light. Charles
A. Allen is a strong man of excellent judg-
ment, fair in his views and highly honorable
in his relations with his fellow men. His
integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in
his career. His life has been manlv, his
actions sincere, his manner unaft'ected.
and his example is well worthy of emu-
lation.
• THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
75
GEORGE T. BUCKIXGHA^I.
George T. Buckingham is one of the
distinguished lawyers of the \'erniihon
county bar and is also prominent in the busi-
ness and political history of this portion of
the state. Danville claims him as one of
its honored and representative citizens,
whose efforts in its behalf have been most
effective and beneficial. He is a native of
Delphi, Indiana, born April 4, 1864, and
is a son of T. \V. and Helen A. (Clark).
Buckingham, the former a native of Ohio
and the latter of New York, but both are
now residents of this town. The first rep-
resentative of the family to come to Amer-
ica was the Rev. Thomas Buckingham, who
several centuries ago crossed the Atlantic
and settled in Xew Haven, Connecticut. He
was prominent in the aft'airs of that colony
and was one of the founders of Yale col-
lege. Another distinguished representative
of the same family was General William
Buckingham, the famous war governor o.
Connecticut and probably the most promi-
nent meml)ers in the subject's history. Helen
A. Buckingham, the mother of our subject,
was a descendant of General Emmet Clark,
and in the maternal line was descended from
(leneral Luther Tillotson, of New York.
Colonel Buckingham, of this review, is the
third of a family of five children, namely :
Ella B., the wife of George A. May; Mrs.
J. E. P. Butz ; George T. ; Mrs. Robert P.
Harmon ; and Clyde, who is business man-
ager of the Globe, a newspaper published at
Joplin, Missouri.
Colonel Buckingham obtained his early
education in Ladoga, Indiana, and subse-
quently matriculated in the Central Indiana
Normal, after which he was variously em-
ployed in obtaining a !i\-ing. In the mean-
time he took up the study of law under the
direction of Colonel W. J. Calhoun, in
1889 he served as chief clerk in the house
ol represcnlali\es ol Illinois and was in the
government employ from 1890 until 1894,
during which time he was stationed at var-
ious parts of Xew York, San Francisco,
^Mexico and I'.urope. lie has practiced law
in Danville since 1894 and has gained a
prominent place as a representative of the
bar.
While Mr. Buckingham has won an en-
viable position as a leading lawyer of \''er-
milion county he has also been identified
with many local enterprises and with im-
portant puljlic work and political service.
He is a stockholder in the Ike Stern Com-
pany and the Danville Department Store.
Lie is also an extensive dealer in real estate
and was instrumental in founding the su-
burban town of Oak Lawn, and was identi-
fied with the establishment of the interur-
ban railroad system of Danville and vi-
cinity.
In X^)venil)er, 1893, Mr. Buckingham
was united in marriage to Victoria Donlon,
a daughter of John and Virginia (Holton)
Donlon. This marriage has been blessed
with one son, Tracy. Fraternally Mr. Buck-
ingham is connected with the IMasonic Or
der, with the Knights of Pythias, with the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
and with the Modem Woodmen of America.
He also belongs to the Chamber of Com-
merce in Danville and to the Union League
Club of Chicago. In politics he has always
been an earnest and stalwart supporter of
the Republican party. For four years,
from 1897 until 1901. he served as a trus-
tee of the Kankakee Insane Asylum imder
fiovernor Tanner and he was appointed by
(ii)\crnor Yates as one of the commission-'
76
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
ers of the Joliet penitentiary and was elected
president of the board. He is also a mem-
ber of the staff of Governor Yates with
the rank of colonel, having been appointed
to the position in April. 1901. Few men
are more prominently or more widely
known, in the enterprising city of Danville
than Colonel Bnckingham. He has beer
an important factor in bnsiness circles and
his popularity is well deserved, as in him
are embraced the characteristics of an un-
bending integrity, unabating energ}- and in-
dustry that never flags. He is a public-spir-
ited and thoroughly interested in whatever
tends to promote the moral, intellectual and
material welfare of A^ermilion countv.
WILLIAM! B. REDDEN.
Character and ability will come to the
front everywhere. As boy and man many
a one has been beset by difficulties and has
had almost unsurmountable obstacles thrust
in his path, but perseverance has cleared
them away and he has gone on to success.
Such has been the record of ^^^illiam B.
Redden, now extensively engaged in real
estate dealing in Rossville, where he also
devotes some time to the practice of law,
being a member of the legal profession of
Vermilion county, during the past twelve
years.
Born in Fountain county, Indiana, on
the 6th of October. 1855. he is a son of
John Redden, whose birth occurred near
Maj'sville, Kentucky. July g. 182Q. His
grandfather. \\'illiam Redden, was on.e of
tJie pioneer settlers of Kentucky and subse-
quently removed to Indiana, becoming one
of the earliest residents of Fountain countv.
Amid the wild scenes of pioneer life there
the father of our subject was reared, shar-
ing in all the hardships incident to the fron-
tier. He wedded Catherine Anderson, a
native of Fountain county, and a daughter
of John Anderson, another early settler of
that locality, who removed from \'irginia
about 1820. After his marriage John Red-
den turned his attention to agricultural pur-
suits and for several years carried on his
farm work in Indiana. After the birth of
three of their children he and his wife came
with their family to Illinois, settling near
Rossville in i860. There the fatlier cleared
a tract of land and improved a farm, upon
which he reared his children. He is now
living retired in Rossville and is a hale,
hearty and \-enerable man of seventy-tliree
years.
William B. Redden is the eldest in a
family of two sons and two daughters, all
of whom are yet living, are married and
have families of their own. He was not
yet five years of age when brought by his
parents to Vermilion county and hence he
has little recollection of their other home.
He attended the common schools, but is
largely self-educated, as well as a self-made
man for his privileges for acquiring knowl-
edge in the school room were ^-ery limited.
When a young man on the farm he bega
reading law. believing that he would like to
enter the profession and make the practice
of law his life work. For some years he
prosecuted his studies inider great difficul-
ties and amid discouraging circumstances,
but this brought forth the elemental stregth
of his character and gave evidence of the
perse\-erance of purpose and unflagging de-
termination and ambition which have proved
important elements in his success in latei
life. Subsequently he went to ^^eeders•
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
17
burg, Indiana, where he cunductetl a brancli
law office for tlie Honorable W. H. Mal-
lory, a prominent attorney of Danville. He
was admitted to the l)ar in \'eedersbnrg in
Felirnary, 1889, and tried his first case a;
that place. Later he returned to Illinois,
locating on a farm west of Rossville, where
he carried on agricultural pursuits for ter.
years. In January, 1890, howexcr, lie left
the farm in oriler to take up his residence
in the town and here he has since engaged
in the practice of law and in the real-estate
business, gi\ing the greater part of his time
to his operations in property. He has
bought and sold many farms in Vermilion
and IrcKjuois counties and has also handled
some farm land in Indiana. He has a broad
and comprehensi\-e knowledge of the value
of real estate in this portion of Illinois and
his dealings have been attentled with grat-
ifying success. He commenced life a poor
boy, empty-handed, but steadily he has
climbed the ladder of success. The very
difficulties in his path seemed to ser\e as an
impetus for renewed effort and with strong
l)urpose he has pushed his way forward un-
til he now stands among the prosperous
men of Rossville. strong in his honor and
his good name as well as in his prosperity.
On the 30th of ?^Iarch, 1S79. ^^i'- Red-
den was united in marriage to Miss Sarah
E. Remster, a nati\e of Fountain county,
Indiana, and a daughter of Andrew Rem-
ster, who was one of the pioneer settlers
of that county. Four children have gracc(i
this nnrriage : Carter G., v,ho is ncns a
law student in his senior year, in the Mich-
igan L'niversity. at .\nn .Xrbor; Forrest,
a student in the Rossxille higli schnol; Ma-
bel: and James. When age conferred upon
Mr. Redden the right of franchise he en-
dorsed the principles of the Jefferson Dem-
mocracy, casting his ballot for S. J. Til-
den for president in 1876. He has since
voted for each presidential nominee of the
Democracy and has done all in his power
t(j pnjintjte the growth and insure the suc-
cess of his party. In 1896 he served as a
delegate to the national convention and has
been a delegate to numerous county and
state conventions, his opinions carrving
weight in the party councils. He is a Mas-
ter Mason and in his life exemplifies the
benefifeciit and helpful spirit of that fra-
ternit)-. His life history pro\cs conclusixely
what may be accomplished when one has
the will to try and to do ; and his example,
showing the force of industry and an up
right character, is well worthv of emulation.
L. E. SXAPP & SONS.
This well known firm (.)f Georgetown
has been engaged in business here since
1 88 1 as buyers and shippers of poultry, but-
ter and eggs. The senior member is a rep-
resentative of one of the old families of
\'ermiHon county and he was born in
Georgetown, October 3, 1850, his parents
being William and j\Iary J. (LaMar)
Snapp. the former a native of Tennessee
and the latter of Virginia. At an early dav
in the development of this part of Illinois
the fatlier came to Vermilion countv' and
])urcb:ised a farm where the village of
Georgetown now stands. Fle then tn.rncd
bis attention to agricultural ]nu'suits. which
he carried on there until 1853. when he was
Isillcd in a wind storm. His widow still
survives him and now resides with a son in
Iroquois county. Illinois. In their familv
were three children: George W., who is
78
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
now a railroad man, living in Iroquois
county; Ella, the wife of Wesley Houck,
a resident of Oregon ; and Louis E. All
received common-school advantages in this
county.
Louis E. Snapp, like the others, attend-
ed the public schools until fourteen years of
age, when he began earning his own living
b}' working at any employment which would
yield him an honest dollar. In 1875 he mar-
ried ]\Iiss IMargaret F. Bedinger, of Vir-
ginia, a daughter of Daniel Bedinger, who
was a farmer of Vermilion county, but is
now deceased. Unto Mr. and IMrs. Snapp
have been born four children: Robert A.,
born in January, 1877, is now engaged in
the poultry business in partnership with his
father. He married Gay Edith Myers and
they have one child, Marion. William D..
also a partner with his father, wedded Ly-
dia Outland. and they have one daughter,
01i^"e. Jessie L. and George are the younger
members of the family.
After his marriage Mr. Snapp engaged
in contracting and other lines of- business
and eventually became interested in the lum-
ber trade, buying timber and logs, which
he converted into lumber for the market.
He was thus engaged until 1881, when he
began dealing in poultry and as soon as his
sons became of age he admitted them to
an interest in the business as equal partners.
He now has poultry houses in Georgetown.
Fairmount, and Cayuga, Indiana, and em-
ploys from eight to ten men in the conduct
of the enterprise. A number of poultn,-
wagons are continually kept on the road,
buying butter, eggs and poultry of the
farmers throughout this section of the state
and Indiana. The poultry is dressed here
and shipments are made only to the markets
of Xew York, Boston and Philadelphia
The business has now assumed extensive
proportions and Jiis annual sales have reach-
ed a large figure.
]\Ir. Snapp votes with the Republican
party. He has never been an office seeker
nor has he held a political position. So-
cially he is connected with the Woodmen ot"
America, and with the Knights of Pythias,
belonging to the lodges in Georgetown.
Since entering upon his business career he
has been very successful and is now a prom-
inent man of this place. He owns a beauti-
ful residence in the eastern part of the vil-
lage near the poultr}' house and his sons are
located in the same neighborhood. Mr.
Snapp through his business relations and
otherwise has become widely known, es-
pecially to the farming community of Ver-
milion county and all recognize in him a re-
liable business man, v.diose energ}- and de-
termination is supplemented by fair dealing.
C. B. DE LONG.
Perfiaps no resident of Fithian has left
his impress in a greater degree upon the
business development and the consequent
prosperity of the town than has Mr. De Long.
His financial and mercantile interests there
have been and are of an important charac-
ter and he is a representative of that class
of representative citizens who. while pro-
moting individual success also contribute in
a large measure to the general prosperity
and upbuilding.
^Ir. De Long was born in Philo, Illinois.
July 29, 1863, and belongs to that branch
of the De Long family of which the famous
Arctic explorer was also a representative.
His father, C. G. De Long, is a native of
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
New York, his l)irth having occurred near
Utica. In Racine, Wisconsin,, he wedded
Echia Moore, a native of INIassachusetts.
When bnt a boy lie had accompanied his
parents to Racine and was there educated
in the pubhc schools. He afterward engagei.
in farming and took his bride to the farm.
There he continued to m;ike liis home until
1863, when he remo\-ed to Philo, Champaign
county, Illinois. In that locality he pur-
chased two hundred acres of very rich and
producti\e land and in addition to this he
owns a large tract of land in the irrigated
section of Colorado. He is a wiile-awakc
and enterprising business man whose keen
discernment and unflagging industry have
been potent forces in his success. A stanch
Republican in politics, he does all in his
power to promote the growth of his party,
yet has always refused to hold office. He
belongs to the Presbyterian church and is a
man of prominence in his community. He
and his wife have a family of six sons and
two daughters : George A., a banker, re-
siding in Foosland, Champaign county : C.
B., of Fithian; Effie. who resides at home
and fcirmerlv was a teacher in the public
schools : Alinnie, the wife of Eugene Burr,
of Philo, Illinois; C. E., who carries on
farming at Rocky Ford, Colorado; Clarence,
who died at the age of twenty-three years;
W. H., who is engaged in the banking and
grain business at Sadorus, Champaign
county; and E. 1^).. who is in partnership
with his brother \\'. H.
Mr. De Long. Avhose name introduces
this record, pursued his education at home,
in the puljlic schools of Champaign county
and in a business college, where he was
graduated with the class of 1S85. In the
spring of tint vear he became connected
with the grain trade at Strawn. Illinois.
4
where he remained until the fall of 1886.
lie then came to Vermilion county, settling
in Fithian, where he embarked in the grain
business, purchasing and rebuilding the Rob-
inson elevator. He is still extensively con-
nected with the grain trade and owns an
elevator at Bronson, in Oakwood township,
in addition to the one which he has in Fith-
ian. A man of resourceful business ability
and energy, however, he has not conlined
his attention to one line of activity, but has
extended his efforts into other fields, lie is
now engaged in the insin"ance business and
he owns a large warehouse well stockctl with
farm implements, his trade in this direction
being no unimportant one. On the 1st of
May, 1895, 1''^ established the Bank of Fith-
ian, wiiich he still conducts, and it has be-
come a valued and important financial in-
stitution of his locality. He owns six hun-
dred and forty acres of land near Rochester,
in Fulton county, Indiana, and four hun-
dred antl eight)' acres in Regina, Assiniboia,
Canada. The new interurban system con-
necting Danville, Urbana and Champaign
has taken a great deal of ]\Ir. De Long's
time during the past year as it was due to
his efforts that the route now in use w-as
chosen. At first it was the intention to bring
the road from St. Joseph to Homer and then
along the Wabash Railroad to Danville but
owing to the activity of Mr. DeLong that
route was abandoned and the road now fol-
lows the Big Four Railroad from St. Jos-
eph to Danville, touching Ogden, Fithian,
Muncie, Bronson, Oakwood, Bates Town
and Vermilion Heights. Mr. De Long was
the man who secured the right of way for
the company along this route.
On the 8th of October, 1891, in Fithian,
was performed the marriage ceremony wiiich
united the destinies of C. B. De Long and
82
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Miss Minnie Berkenbusch, who was born
in this town February 3, 1873, a daughter
of Henr}' and Sarah (Stephenson) Berken-
busch, the former a native of Germany and
the latter of \'ermihon county. Her parents
were also married in Fithian and here re-
side. The father was a soldier of the Civil
war, defending the Union cause, and in poli-
tics he is now independent. Mrs. De Long,
their only child, has become the mother ol
two children by her marriage : Ruth, bom
November 14, 1894; and Clarence, born July
22,, 1897.
In his political views 2\Ir. De Long is a
Republican, and his fraternal relations con-
nect him with the Alodern Woodmen of
America. He also belongs to the Methodist
Episcopal church and is interested in what-
ever pertains to the general good along ma-
terial, social, intellectual and moral lines.
He has led a very busy life and his marked
enterprise has made him one of the most
prosperous residents of his community. He
has excellent ability as an organizer, forms
his plans readily and in their execution is
determined, prompt and reliable. This en-
ables him to conquer obstacles which would
deter almost any man, and it has been one
of the salient features in his success.
GUS M. GREEXEB.\UM.
In past ages the history of a country
was the record of wars and conquests; to-
day it is the record of commercial activity,
and those whose names are foremost in its
annals are the leaders in business circles.
The conquests now made are those of mind
over matter, not of man over man, and the
victor is he who can successfully establish.
control and operate extensive commercial
interests. Gus M. Greenebaum is one oi
the strong and influential men whose lives
have become an essential part of the history
of \'ermilion county. Tireless energy, keen
perception, honesty of purpose, genius for
devising and executing the right thing at
the right time, joined to every-day common
sense, giiided by great will power, are the
chief characteristics of the man. He is now
closely connected with various important
mercantile interests of Danville and his ef-
forts in this direction have contributed
largely to the commercial prosperity and
upbuilding of this state, in fact a large ma-
jority of the citizens here would give to
]Mr. Greenebaum the credit for the increased
activity which Danville has enjoyed in busi
ness circles in recent years.
]Mr. Greenebaum is a native of Chicago
— the city marvelous. He was born Sep-
tember 21. 1863. and is a son of Michae'
Greenebaum. who in 1846 removed from
Xe\\- York to Chicago and for mail}- years
conducted a large wholesale hardware busi-
ness there, becoming a leading merchant of
that city. He was also the founder and
president of the Zion Literary Society,
which was organized in Alay. 1887, and was
well known as a proprietor of many enter-
prises that contributed to the general good
along material, intellectual and moral lines.
He marrietl Sarah Speigel. a sister of Col-
onel M. M. Speigel, of Ohio, and the\
reared a famih- of ten children, of whom
the subject of this review is the seventh
child. Michael Greenebaum departed this
life in 1894. at the age of seventy-one years,
and his wife died in 1897 at the age of
sixtv-nine years.
Educated in the public schools of his
native city Gus M. Greenebaum completed
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
83
his course in the West Division higli school,
\vith the class of 1879. He then entered the
employ of his father in the wholesale hard-
ware business in Chicago, where he con-
tinued until 1890, when he became asso-
ciated with Charles Friend, under the firm
name of Friend, Greenebaum & Company
in the conduct of a commission house. They
dealt in wool and leather, carrying on husi-
ness until April. 1S97, when on account of
ill health Mr. (jreenebaum withdrew from
the firm and removed to Danville. liere
he purchased an interest in the store of
Ike Stern & Company, dealers in clothing
and men's furnishing goods. He became
secretary and treasurer of the company and
in May, 1902. he purchased the interest of
A. Appel in the store and also became Mr.
Appebs successor in the Danville Depart-
ment store. These two large stores were
then consolidated in 1903 with ^Ir. Greene-
baum as president and active manager, and
the business is now occupying enlarged
quarters, fronting on both West Main and
Vermilion streets, covering sixty-five thou-
sand feet of floor space. This arrangement
makes a high grade department store as
large as any found outside the city of Chi-
cago. It is the outgrowth of a jjusiness
established thirty years ago by Ike Stern.
who died in 1897. In the enlargement and
cnntrol of this enterprise Mr. Greeneoaum
has disjilayed splendid business abilitv. keer.
discrimination, sound judgment and execu-
tive force.
In the spring of 1899 our subject was
elected president of the Chamber of Com-
merce and has f:»een re-elected each year since.
During this time the organization has dnu-
bled its membership and has been a nicest
important factor in the progress of Dan-
ville during these years. By his renomina-
tion ^Ir. Greenebaum was complimented as
one of Danville"s most popular and enter-
[jrising business men. On account of addi-
tional business duties that have recently de-
\-olved upon him he desired to retire fron.
the presidency but his services were consid-
ered so valuable that the members of the
organization felt that they could not dis-
pense \vith them and he was urged to remain
in the office. The Chamber of Commerce
has inrieed done much for the city and great
credit is due our subject, who, though con-
trolling extensive interests in other direc-
tions, has given much of his time and atten-
tion to the performance of the duties of the
ofifice. The business men of Danville com-
posing the memhership of the Chamber of
Commerce knew of no one likely to make
as good a president and despite his urgen'i
re(juest to be permitted to retire he was re-
nominated in 1902 without a dissenting
voice. It is safe to say that he will keep
the Chamber of Commerce up to its present
high standard and that it will coninue to
be an active factor in the development of
the commercial possibilities of this city. He
is also the national vice-president of the
Good Roads Assocation of Illinois, to which
position he was re-elected for two years'
service. He is also one of the promoters
of the Danville, Paxton & Northern Inter-
urban Electric line and was a member of its
first board of directors.
On the 7th of September, 1 880, occurred
the marriage of j\Ir. Greenebaum and I\Iiss
Leah Friend, a daughter of Nathan Friend,
of Chicago. Their union has been blessed
with three children : James, and Harold
and Roliert. who are twins. In his social
relations Mr. Greenebaum is connected with
the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks ; Chicago Lodge, No. 437, F. & A. M. ;
84
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Iroquois Lodge, No. 87, of the National
Union of Chicago. Reared amid the spirit
of business activity and enterprise, which
has led to the wonderful development of
Chicago, he became imbued with that spirit
and has infused it into the business life of
his adopted city. j\Ir. Greenebaum has made
good use of his opportunities, he has pros-
pered form year to year, and has conducted
all business matters carefully and success-
fully, and in all his acts displays an apti-
tude for successful management. He ha>
not permitted the accumulation of a com-
petence to affect in any way his actions
toward those less successful than he. and
has always a cheerful word and pleasant
smile fijr all whom he comes in contact.
ALBA HONEYWELL.
A witness of many and a participant in
some of the adventures which have found
their way to the pages of history during
more than three-cfuarters of a century of
the world's progress. Alba Honeywell is en-
titled to distinction and to honorable men-
tion in the record of \"ermilion countv. He
came here in pioneer times and from the
primitive past to the progressive present he
has labored earnestly and effectively toward
the promotion of the best interests and the
substantial development of this part of the
state. Long has he resided in Hoopeston,
an honored patriarch of the community. To
him there has come the attainment of a tlis-
tinguished position in connection with the
extensive business interests of the commun-
ity and in controlling such he has become
one of the real upbuilders of the town.
A nati\-e of Cayuga county. New York,
Mr. Honeywell was born December 15, 1821,
and his father, Enoch Honeywell, was born
in ^^'estchester county, New York, in 1787.
His education was largely acquired in that
county and upon approaching manhood he
engaged in the manufacture of patent wheel
heads for spinning. This proved a very-
paying enterprise. With marked business
foresight he realized the future of the west
and that a man who had enterprise enough to
take advantage of the opportunities there
might attain to a position of marked afflu-
ence. Accordingly, in 1816, he made his
way into Lidiana and entered one hundred
and sixty acres of wild land, embracing the
present site of the city of Terre Haute, where
he established a home and lived for several
years until malaria drove him away. In the
meantin.ie he engaged in farming and ship-
ping pork, sending his boxes by way of New
Orleans to New York city, often going with
his merchandise himself. He subsequently
located in Cayuga county, New York, and
engaged in chair making, living there until
1836, when be vent on a farm in Steuben
county. New York, where he made his home
until his death in 1887. He was a man of
marked mentality and of considerable liter-
ary ability. L'nder more favorable circum-
stances he would have distingtused himself
in the world of letters, being a ready writer
of both prose and poetry. He looked upon
life from a broad humanitarian standpoint,
recognized the inlluences which were help-
ful to mankind and those which were detri-
mental, favoring with fidelity the former aaid
working with strong opposition to the latter.
He opposed sla\'erv and slave traffic and he
also was directly opposed to ^Masonry and
other secret societies. He was an agitator
of public thought and influenced the same
to a great extent, doing his best to arouse
. 'I'^Tl
7,
fn^uu^^cl
i/^
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
87
the people to a realization of the true situa-
tion concerning- elements or interests that
were derogatory to the public welfare. He
never sought political office, however, nor
desired any honors of such a character. In
early manhood he was a member of the Bap-
tist church, but becoming dissatisfied with
the faith of the church in reg-ard to the slav-
ery question he left it and became identified
with the Wesleyan ^Methodist, remaining a
devoted member of that denomination until
his death, which occurred in New York on
the 14th of January, 1887, when he had
reached llie advanced age of ninety-nine
years. His death resulted from an accident.
He had retained his faculties to a remarkable
degree and e\en in extreme old age he was a
man of marked influence, lalxiring untiring-
ly for the welfare of his fellow men. An ex-
tensi\-e newspaper contributor, his vie'Ws
were widely read throughout the country
and he also published many pamphlets at his
own expense. He appealed to the hearts
and minds of his fellow men in relation to
their ethical duties, and who can measure the
influences of such a life? Tennyson has
said that our echoes "roll from soul to soul"
and "grow forever and forever" and in the
impetus wh.ich ^Ir. Honeywell gave t«i the
realization of man's duty is nndoulitedl}- felt
to-day in the li\-es of those with whom he
came in contact. He married Eliza Dye, a
native of Rhode Island, who passed away
about 1866, when seventy-four years of age.
In their family were three children of whom
the subject of this re^•iew was the eldest.
Gilbert Honeywell is now a resident of
Schnvler county. New York, while Emma
became the wife of a 'Sir. Fenna and lives
ujion the home farm in Schuyler county.
Alba Honeywell was a youth of twelve
years when with his parents he removed to
that section of Steuben conntv. New "^'ork,
which is now included w ithin the Ijoundaries
of Schuyler county, that slate. His pre-
liminary education, acquired in tlie common
schools, ^vas supplemented l)y academic
study and he completed his education in the
Oneida Institute near Utica. where he had
the benefit of instruction from the noted re-
former and theologian, Rev. Beriah (h-een,
who was then president of the school and
later spent several years in lecturing on tem-
perance and anti-slavery, while his periochc-
als concerning reforms were widely read at
that time. Mr. Honeywell began teaching,
his services being employed in the common
schools and academies. He had become im-
bued with the liatred of slavery because of
the belief and teachings of his father and
also of his honored instructor, and he was
among the first to acti\-ely engage in the abo-
•■ litidn mov&ient. He served as a delegate
to the Buffalo convention which nominated
lames G. Birney for the presidential candi-
date of the Liberal or Abolition party. He
subsequently read law in the office of Gilbert
& Osborne, prominent attorneys of Rochest-
er, New York. During those years he made
the acquaintance of many eminent men, in-
cluding Gerritt Smith, ^^'illiam Goodell, Al-
\an Stewart and others interested in the anti-
sla\erv uKivement.
Upon leaving Rochester Mr. Honeywell
removed to New York city and Ijecame editor
of the New York Eagle. Suljsequently he
was an active factor in the American Anti-
slavery Society, of New York city, and was
for four vears the sub-editor of the .\nti-
slaverv Standard, but ill health at length
compelled him to put aside his work in this
connection. He had during this time lie-
come acquainted with Wendell Phillips, Fred
Douglas. William Lloyd (garrison, James
Russell Lowell. Sidney Howard Gray and
many other men of that time who for the
88
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
sake of their principles suffered to a large
extent ostracism from society, but the aboh-
tional sentiment was growing, promulgated
by such men as these. They became still
more deeply rooted in their principles be-
cause of the opposition which they received,
and although Mr. Honeywell was called to
other fields of labor he rejoiced in the fact
that the anti-slavery cause moved trium-
phrmtly on and that victory finally crowned
the labors of the men with whom he had
formerlv been associated in the work.
The spring of 1853 witnessed the arrival
of our subject in Iroquois county, Illinois.
The broad west with its opportunities at-
tracted him and on the 14th of April he
stepped from the packet boat at Lafayette.
It is hardly possible for the traveler to-day
to realize what was the condition of the coun-
try fifty years ago. The people were then
talking of the Wabash Railroad, but no steam
car line made its way in this section of the
state. ]Mr. Honeywell located in Iroquois
county, purchasing one thousand acres of
land in what is now Stockland township.
There he resided for three years, during
^vhich time he made improvements upon his
farm and he also purchased an additional
tract of four hundred acres. While extend-
ing his agricultural interests he also engaged
in teaching and he utilized every available
opportunity during this period to promul-
gate the anti-slavery sentiments which were
already gaining many adherents in Illinois —
the state which was to give to the nation the
great emancipator. In the spring of 1856,
accompanied by his family, Mr. Honeywell
started for the territory of Minnesota. He
arrived in Chicago during Tremfmt's cam-
paign and became associated with the Chica-
go Xews, which was edited and controlled
by the Republican element. The party was
that vear organized and named, and it was
one of the journals which brought it into
prominence before the country.
]\Ir. Honeywell spent that winter in Chi-
cago, and in the spring of 1857 he removed
to Logansport, Indiana, where he turned his
attention to other business aft'airs, becoming
a manufacturer of and dealer in lumber.
He also taught school for several years in
that place and in Lafayette. In the mean-
time he watched with interest the growth of
the abolition sentiment and rejoiced in the
victories w hich came to the L'nion arms after
the Civil war was inaugurated. During the
progress of the war he was offered the ap-
pointment of adjutant in the army, but cir-
cumstances prevented him from accepting it
and in 1863 he returned to his farm in Iro-
quois county. While proceeding with the
impro\-ement of his land he also became pro-
minent in public affairs. He served as town-
ship supervisor continuously until 1869,
when he Avas elected county clerk for four
years, acting in that capacity until 1873. I"
1 87 1 he purchased land on the present site
of Lloopeston and at the close of his term of
office he removed with the family to this
place, having assisted in laying out the town.
He was also instrumental in securing the
extension of the Chicago railroad into this
place and it was through his aid that the
town grew and became prosperous. During
his official service as mayor he labored un-
tiringlv for the city's substantial upbuilding
and improvement along lines that would con-
tribute not only to the present good but to
its future de\elopment. He made two sub-
divisions and he still controls the sale of
lots. He has been deeply interested in every
movement of measure for the general wel-
fare and in the introduction of all business
interests which ha\e contributed to the sub-
stantial upbuilding of Hoopeston. He as-
sisted in the organization of the sugar and
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
89
canning" factories located here and was con-
nected with them nntil they hecame self-
supporting business institutions, expending
in their behalf h\e thousand dollars, from
which he received no return.
For many years ]\Ir. Honeywell contin-
ued his agricultural efforts, owning nearly
one thousand acres of land adjoining the city
of Hoopeston. He reclaimed this for pur-
poses of cultivation, his labors proving of
direct benelit to the community. Ijecause his
efforts caused a material rise in land values.
He was one of the founders of the First Na-
tioual Bank of W'atseka, and has been con-
nected with the institution as a stockholder
and director for more than thirty years. He
has also invested extensi\-ely in lands in other
states, having several hundred acres together
with a fine orange grove in Florida, and he
frequently spends the winter in the sunny
south. Now he is owner of about three
thousand acres of land, much of it rich and
valuable, in Iroquois, \*ermilion. Cook.
Lake and Scott counties. Illinois, and in
Lake and Marion counties, Florida. He
also has an interest in a canning factory at
Ludington, Michigan, and a fruit farm there,
representing an investment of many thou-
sands of dollars. He owns tlie hotel at
Higiana Springs, Indiana, and an elegant
summer home at Lake Bluff', north of Chica-
go, in addition to his sumptuous and attrac-
tive residence in Floopeston and much other
city property. He also has investments in
Cuba.
On the 3d of April, 1851, in Schuyler
county. New York, Mr. Honeywell was uni-
ted in marriage to ]\Iiss Cornelia Andrews.
a daughter of Dr. Andon Andrews. She
was born at Sodus Bay on Lake Ontario in
1829, and lived there and in Yates county.
New York, until her marriage. Four chil-
dren blessed this union : Estella, the wife of
John C. Cromer, by whom she has one son,
Alba, named in honor of his grandfather,
with whom Mrs. Cromer resides; Florence
Andrews, who is the wife of A. H. Trego,
of Hoopeston. and who possesses consider-
alile talent as an artist, having taught both
portrait and landscape painting prior to her
marriage: Lillie jVmelia, wlio is the wife of
Dr. Thomas Allen Beal, a Methodist min-
ister: and Sarah Fliza, the wife of A. M.
Earl, M. D., of Lincoln, Nebraska.
From the organization of the Republi-
can party until 1S84, Mr. Honeywell con-
tinued one of its stanch advocates. He then
became identified with the Prohibition party,
having always been a warm friend of the
cause of temperance. He is a man of de-
cided \-iews and intluence, fearless in their
expression, yet not bitterly agressive, and he
commands uniform respect and confidence
wherever he is known. He thoroughly en-
jovs home life and takes great pleasure in
the societv of his family and friends.
Courteous, kindly and affable, those who
know him personally have for him a warm
regard and what he has done for the de-
velopment of this part of the state cannot
be over-estimated. While he has controlled
extensive and important private business in-
terests which have continually enchanced his
individual prosperity, he has at the same time
promoted the general welfare and the public
success. He was at one time greatly in-
terested in the Pittman system of phonetic
printing and shorthand. He was editorially
associated with Andrew and Boyle in 1848,
and in the Anglo-Saxon, a newspaper in
New York city, advocating the phonetic re-
form, and printed wholly in the new type ad-
\-ocatcd. He is also the author of several
works, the largest of which (yet unpub-
lished) is an exhaustive treatise on language,
embracing all its dq)artments from element-
90
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
ary phonetics to rhetoric and logic — in all,
eleven books. !Mr. Honeywell also -wrote
and staged several plays in younger years, in
which plays he has appeared in character.
There are few men who occupy as exalted a
position in the regard of their fellow towns-
men and citizens as does Alba Honeywell, not
because of his splendid success, though that
would entitle him to consideration for it has
been achie\-ed honorably and it has also been
of financial benefit to the community, indi-
rectly, but because of his sterling qualities of
manhood, because of his deep interest in the
oppressed, because of his hatred of vice and
his love of all that is good, because of his
sympathy for his fellow men who labor under
many of the hardships of the existing con-
ditions of life. His time, thought and effort
have ever been given to the amelioration of
such conditions and for this reason he de-
serves the gratitude of his fellow men.
SEY^IER G. WILSOX.
This is the history of my life. I do not
know of any special act connected with the
making of the history of this county that I
can lay claim to, but as you have asked for
it I will comply with your request :
I was born on the ist day of March, 1858,
in Pickaway county, Ohio. 'My father's
name was John H. Wilson. Jr., the son of
John H. \\'ilson. Sr.. who was the son of
James Wilson, a soldier of the Revolution-
ary war. He was an Irishman. J\Iy father's
mother's people were ^Morgans, the original
of whom can:e to this country from Eng'
land in the days of the colonies. They set-
tled in Virginia. The original ancestor of
my father, on this side of the family, was
at the time that he reached America a boy,
and was immediatelv let out to learn a trade
on a six years' apprenticeship ; before his
time was half through he ran away from his
master, joined ^^'ashington's army, re-
mained with the same until the close of the
war and was rewarded thereafter with a
section of land not far from the \\'hite Sul-
phur Springs, Virginia. The Morgans were
well represented in the war for independ-
ence and also every other war that this coun-
tr}' has ever had. John ^Morgan, of Rebel
fame, was a relative of my father.
On my mother's side I am German, her
family having come to this country from
Frankfort, Germany, where many relatives
of hers now li\e. She was twelve years old
before she could speak a word of English.
Her father, Jacob ]\Iiesse, is now living in
Nobles\-ille, Indiana, at the age of ninety-
four.
I came with my parents in October, 1864,
to this county, and settled on the Eight Mile
prairie, in what is known as "The Fairchild
settlement." Father -was a farmer, and here
he followed that calling until the year 1876,
when he moved to a farm fire miles north-
east of Rossville, this county. The farm
was raw prairie, and here I liroke. that
spring, with one three-horse plow ninety
acres of prairie sod, and killed twenty-seven
rattlesnakes. My parents are now living re-
tired in the village of Rossville.
I have one brother, Jacob \\'ilson, a suc-
cessful merchant in Rossville, this county.
I have two sisters, namely : ^lariah. who
became the wife of L. D. Lane, of this coun-
ty, and died in 1888: and [Matilda, now the
wife of Henry Bell, of Tiffin, Ohio.
As already gathered from this article,
my early life was spent on the farm, where I
did everv kind of hard work known to the
calling. In those days 1 felt that farming
was the hardest work in the world; I have
since learned that children know but little
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
93
of the trials of life. As a child I was sickly,
and I now firmly believe that if my child-
hood days had been spent in the city, I never
would have reached maturity. It was open
otttdoor exercise that I needed and father
gave it to me in abundance. In those days
we were very poor and usually moved e\'ery
year from one rented farm to another.
My schooling was obtained in the coun-
try district schools, I never hax'ing attended
any other kind of school in my life except
one summer term of normal school in Dan-
ville, and the greater part of what education
I have, I acquired as a teacher; having
taught school in country districts from 1878
to i88j, during a part of which time I read
law with Mann, C.'dliDun and Frazier, of
Danville, staying in their office in the sum-
mer time and teaching in the winter. I was
admitted to practice law in tlie summer of
1882, and at about the same time was ap-
pointed a government clerk at Washington,
District of Columbia, where I remained for
five years ; and while tliere took a course in
the National Law University, of that city,
graduating therefrom with the degree of
Master of Laws. I came to Danville in the
winter of 1888, hung out a shingle and com-
menced to hustle with the county lawyers
for business. I was elected state's attorney of
this county in 1892, and was re-elected in
1896, being the first, and so far, the only
state's attorney that ever succeeded himself
in that office in the history of the county.
During that time I tried some remarkable
criminal cases, and also acted for the county
in the celebrated "Gerrymander case,"
brought by Democrats against the Republi-
can re-districting of the state following the
election of 1892.
At present I am engaged in the private
practice of law. and am well satisfied witli
my jiracticc .and the success I ha\'e obtained
therein. I belie\-e that any man with good
common sense can by devotion make a gooil
lawyer — there is nothing difficult about it.
I was appointed counsel to Magdeburg,
Germany, in 1900, by President Mclvinley,
but was unable on account of business affairs
to accept the position.
In December, 1893, I was married to
Gertrude Wallace Kent, daughter of John
W. Kent and Catharine Wallace Kent.
Her father was a son of Perrin Kent,
one of the first settlers of the Wabash val-
ley; a man of strength of character,
a farmer, a soldier of the war of 1S12, a de-
fender of Fort Stephenson, Ohio, and was
A\ ith Harrison at the Thames, Canada. He
was also a surveyor, helping in the survey of
the boundary line between Illinois and In-
diana, His ancestry was colonial, his
father being a soldier in the Revolutionary
war. Her father is still li\ing, at the age of
eiglity, in the city of Danville. He was a
successful farmer and stock-raiser, having
accumulated a large fortune at the business.
Her mother's people are Americans for many
generations back ; her mother's father being
one of tiie first settlers of Edgar county,
this state.
In politics I am a Republican, and frater-
nally I am a member of the Knights of Py-
thias, of the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks and a Mason of the Blue
Lodge, Royal Arch Chapter and the Com-
mandery.
I make no claims of being an orator, but
feel that I can express my thoughts in a fair-
ly clear and forcible manner; have now and
then been called upon to deliver Decoration
day addresses. Fourth of July orations and
political speeches; also while state's attorney
collected data for a lecture, entitled "Crime
and Criminals," that I have delivered with
modest pride to myself.
94
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Financially I have been fairly successful,
and am one of the directors of the Commer-
cial Trust and Savings Bank of Danville.
I can only further say, that with me life
has been a continually active battle; what
help I ha^-e had is such as has come from my
own exertions, and such as any one can have
if they will go after it with the proper amount
of determination. The people have been
good to me, fate has been good to me and I
know of no reason why I should not be well
satisfied with the course of my life.
S. G. Wilson.
GEORGE G. SMITH.
Through sixty-three years George G.
Smith has been a witness of the growth and
development of this portion of Illinois and
as a result of his business enterprise and
activity he is to-day the owner of two hun-
dred and forty acres of valuable land, all
well tiled and improved, being supplied
with modern ecjuipments and machinery.
He has a substantial home and good barns,
his place being located on section 33, Bloun
township.
Mr. Smith is a native of Ohio, born in
Scioto county, August 31, 1829, his par-
ents being Isaac and Sarah (Glaze) Smith,
who were natives of Virginia and Germany,
a covered wagon drawn by horses for Ver-
milion county, where he arrived in safety-
after a long and tedious trip. He found here
an unbroken prairie tract over which ran
prairie wolves, while wild turkeys, prairie
chickens, cranes and ducks could be had in
abundance. The Indians had just left the
district. Mr. Smith was accompanied by
his wife and four children. He entered
eighty acres of wild land for one dollar and
twenty-five cents per acre and immediateh
began breaking and improving his farm. Ht
hired some one to make rails with which to
fence his land and in true pioneer style he
began the raising of grain and stock on the
western prairies, his market being Chicago,
which was then but a village. Danville
contained but one or two stores and a few
houses. Upon the old homestead farm the
father remained until his death. The mother
of our subject passed away in 184S, leaving
four children, and the father afterward
wedded Man- Blackinship, who died in 1863,
and two years later his death occurred, when
he was about sixty-five years of age. Both
of the parents of our subject were devoted
members of the Baptist church. George G.
was the third of their five children, but only
two are now li-ving, his younger brother
being John H. Smith, of California. Those
who have passed away are William A.. Mrs.
Mary J. Lanham and IMartha.
In the district schools George G. Smith
pursued his education, attending subscrip-
tion school, which was held in a log build-
ing. Through the months of winter he
sat upon a slab bench and studied from text
books which were almost as elementary as
the furnishings. In the summer months
he worked upon the home farm and thus
his time was alternately devoted to study
and work until he attained his majority.
He then began working' on his own account
as a farm hand through the winter and in
the summer he drove a breaking team, re-
ceiving seven dollars per month for his ser-
vices. Saving all his money he was thus
enabled after a time to purchase forty acres
of land for which he paid two hundred and
seventy-five dollars. This tract was par-
tially impro\-ed and with this to give him
a start he entered upon the task of making
a home of his own. He was married March
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
95
25, 1852, at the age of twenty-three years
to Eliza Fairchild, who was born February
27, 1833, and is a daughter of Daniel and
Lucy (^ Hemingway) Fairchild, early set-
tlers of Blount township, her father being
a local preacher. She was the second in
order of birth.
After his marriage Mr. Smith continued
to engage in farming and stock-raising
keeping cattle, horses and hogs. In pioneer
times he plowed with a wooden mold board
and drove his horses wtith a single line.
Afterward to cultivate his land he used a
single-shovel plow and cut his grain with
a sickle until that implement was super-
ceded by the cradle. In 1844 he hauled a
load of oats to Chicago, starting with sev-
enty-five bushels and driving three yoke of
oxen. On reaching his destination he sold
his oats for twenty-five cents per bushel and
purchased a load of salt for which he paid
twenty-five cents a pound. He was absen
on the trip for fifteen days. There was not
a bridge between his house and Chicago and
he had to ford the ri\-ers, crossing the creek
at Kankakee and Momence. At nights he
camped out and thus in course of time his
journey was completed. Chicago was but
a village and gave little promise of its future
wonderful development. Cook stoves had
not then been introduced and Mr. Smith
well remembers liow johnny cake was baked
upon a board in the tire jjlace. He has also
seen flint and tow used in starting a fire
before matches were invented and he has
helped to shear the sheep in order to secure
the wool for clothing, only homemade gar-
ments being used by the family in that time.
In the summer the mother spun the flax
for the garments used in that season and
wool for the winter clothing and homemade
shoes were alsij worn. Churcli services were
held in the groves and lighted candles were
fastened upon the bushes while campfires
were often used to give light. Mr. Smith
woidd often borrow fire from the neighbors
when their own fire would go out. He has
made rails at fifty cents per hundred and
performed other wurk at an e(|ually low
price.
L'nto ;\lr. and Mrs. Smith were jjoru
nine children : Elizabeth, the wife of Cieorge
M. Wilson, of Vermilion county, by whom
she has three children : John E., who wed-
ded Mary Tirebaugh, anil died leaving a
widow and five children; Elias D.. who
wedded Clarissa Smith, who passed away
leaving three children; Marshall M., who
married Lillie, a daughter of Noah Young,
and they have two children and make their
home in Indiana ; Wesley C, who married
Emma Sperry, l)y whom he has one child ;
Sarah, who is with her parents: Eva, the
wife of .Vndy Lanham, b}' whom she has
three children; W. G., at home; and J. O..
who married Jessie Stone and has two chil-
dren. They reside in Potomac.
I'or twelve consecutive years Mr. Smith
has held the office of supervisor and for two
years he was collector, for three years com-
missioner of highways, and fov twenty
years a school director. He to-day owns
(we of the best farms of the county and all
that he possesses has been acquired through
his own eft'orts and the assistance of his
estimable wife, who has indeed ])roved to
him a faithful companion and helpmate on
life's journey. He has never had a law suit
hut has ever li\cd peaceably with his fellow
men and has enjoyed the unqualified re-
spect of his entire community. He is now
living retired in his comfortable farm home,
liis land being rented, and he well merits
the rest which has come to him.
96
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
CHARLES L. ENGLISH.
One of ihe most active and best known
of the financiers of the city of Danville and
of the eastern section of the state is Charles
1,. English, president of the First National
Bank, an institntion which is recognized as
being among the leading banking concerns
of the state. Mr. English was born in Per-
rysville, Indiana, July 15, 1846, and is a son
of Joseph G. English, who is mentioned on
another page of this work, \^'ith his parents
he came to Danville in 1854, being then a lad
of eight years, and here his entire life has
since been passed. Entering tlie public
schools of the city he continued to pursue
his studies therein until he entered De Pauw
University at Asbury, Indiana, where he
spent one year.
In April, 1864, when not yet eighteen
years of age, Mr. English enlisted for the
defense of the Union as a member of Com-
pany K, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Illi-
nois Infantry, for the term of one hundred
days, and in October following recei\-ed an
honorable discharge. The same patriotic de-
votion to the general good of his country has
characterized his entire life, always having at
heart the liest interests of his state and na-
tion.
For thirteen years Mr. English was en-
gaged in the grain trade and also furnished
lumber and railroad supplies under contract.
In this enterprise he was associated with
Colonel L. T. Dickason, now of Chicago,
and their business grew in volume and im-
portance until their trade assumed extensive
proportions, they having at times several
hundred men in iheir employ.
In 1867 Mr. English became identified
with the First National Bank, of which he is
now president. It was not, however, until
1 882 that he began to devote his time almost
exclusively to the bank. For a number of
years he occupied the position of cashier,
later became vice president and is now the
head of the institution, having been elected
president in 1S99, upon the retirement of his
father, who had served in that capacity for
many years. Under his capable manage-
ment the business of the bank has increased
until it is now one of the most important
financial concerns of the state. Its success is
certainly due in a large measure to our sub-
ject and since under his control the capital
stock has been increased from fifty thousand
to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars,
while the surplus has grown from forty
th-ousand to one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars, with additional profits of fiftv thou-
sand dollars. iMr. English has given his best
energies to the advancement of this institn-
tion and is uniformly regarded as the lead-
ing financier in this part of the state.
In 1S83 Mr. English was united in mar-
riage to iMiss A. O'Hara, of Anderson, Indi-
ana, and unto them ha\'e been born two chil-
dren : Benjamin Charles, who is now a
student in the Cuh-er r\Iilitary Academy;
and Daniel, at home.
Politically Mr. English is a Republican,
and, while interested in politics so far as
pertains to general government, he is not
and has never been a politician in the com-
mon acceptation of the term. His business
interests and his mental training- have not
been in that direction. Socially he is a mem-
ber of the jMasonic fraternity, and is deeply
interested in the principals of the order — the
oldest fraternal organization in existence.
As a citizen he is interested in everything
pertaining to the general good, and he has
been foimd a supporter of many public enter-
prises and charitable institutions, giving his
influence as well as his means for their ad-
vancement. In business afifairs he is ener-
OF hlE
UNIVERSITY OF iLUNOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
99
getic, notably reliable and prompt in meeting
every obligation and engagement. He has
a genius for devising and executing the right
thing at the right time, and he regards no
business detail as too unimportant to claim
his attention. His success in all his under-
takings has been so marked that his methods
are of interest to the commercial world. He
has based his business principles and actions
upon strict adherence to the rules which
govern industry and strict unswerving integ-
rity. His keen perception and honesty of
purpose are counted among his chief char-
acteristics and have contributed in large
measure to the splendid success which has
crowned his efforts.
^IICHAEL WEAVER.
Michael ^\'ea^•er was an honored citizen
of Vermilion county who might be termed
unique on account of certain characteristics.
These, howe\-er, were such as might well
be followed. They concerned his treatment
of his fellow men, his conduct being guided
by the strictest principles of honesty an('
integrity. He was born in Washington
county, Maryland, near Hagerstown, and
was a son of German parents who emigrate<l
to America pri(.)r to the Revolutionary war.
In the family were three brothers. The
father died when Michael Weaver was but
a small boy and his mother afterward mar-
ried again and removed with the familv to
N^orth Carolina, but Michael Weaver ran
awa}- from home when but ten years of age
and joined a cattle drover's outfit with
which he returned to Alaryland, where still
lived his elder Ijrothers. l-'rom that time
on he made his own way in the world. It
seems almost strange that a boy starling
out so young in life and with no home sur-
roundings should hn\c developed the strong,
sturdy and upright mankind which was
characteristic of Michael Weaver. Not.
long after he had attained his majority he
wedded Mary Elizabeth Specard of Hagers-
town, Maryland, and about a year later they
removed to Pennsylvania, where they spent
the winter with his sister.
They then made their way down the
Ohio river to Kentucky, where Mr. Weaver
purchased a farm and lived for three years.
He then crossed the river into Clermon.
county, Ohio, becoming one of its early set-
tlers, and in 1818 he removed to Brown
county, that state, where he purchased a.
tract, of land which he cleared and devel-
oped into a fine farm.
Upon that property he made his home
until 1828, when in a big covered wagon he
started westward in company with his wife
and nine children. Their destination was
Sugar Creek, Indiana, but, not being pleased
with the country in that locality, they con-
tinued on their way until they reached Ver-
milion county, Illinois, when a settlement
was made in what is now Carroll township
Mr. Weaver entered land from the govern-
ment and at once commenced its cultivation
and improxement. He had to go to Pales-
tine in order to make the entry. These were
pioneer times for Vermilion county was
then almost upon the borders of civiliza-
tion. It was, indeed, a frontier settlement,
having few of the advantages and comforts
of the older east. At first it was necessary to
go to a small place in Indiana in order to do
trading. Later the members of the family
went to Chicago for muslins, buttons, sugar,
luml)er and in fact almost everything needed
about the household. Indians were still
lOO
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
numerous in this part of the country, Ixit
gave no trouble to the settlers. At the time
the Weaver family arrived and took up
their abode in Carroll township they found
that another settler had built a fittle caljin
upon the place. It contained two rooms
with a kitchen built on and in this the famil_\
of eleven took up their abode, but as soon
as opportunity afforded Mr. Weaver erected
a more commodious residence. Game of
all kinds was plentiful, venison was a fre-
quent dish upon the pioneer table and prairie
chickens and turkey's furnished many a
meal. Wolves were often seen and fre-
quently killed by the settlers and there were
many other evidences of the wild condition
of the country. Mr. Weaver always followed
farming and stock-raising and in due course
of time he gained for himself a comfortable
competence.
Unto our subject and his wife were
born eleven children, nine of whom reached
years of maturity : ^lary, who is the widow
of Benjamin Baum, and is now living ir
Indianola at the age of ninety-two years;
Jane, the widow of David Fisher, who is
living with her son, Michael, in Indianola,
at the age of ninety years; Catherine, the
widow of Charles W. Baum and a resident
of Indianola at the age of eighty-five years ;
Louisa, who is the wife of James Gaines
of Edgar county, Illinois, and is seventy-
seven years of age; Sarah, the deceased wife
of Samuel Baum; John and Elijah who
have also passed away ; Clara, the deceased
wife of Isaac Fisher; and Nancy, the de-
ceased wife of John Cole.
Michael Weaver lived to be more than
one hundred years of age and his wife passed
away at the age of eighty-eiglit. She wa^
a member of the Methodist church and an
earnest Christian woman. In politics ]\Ir.
Wea\er was a \\'hig, but never took an
active part in political work or sought office.
He was a self-made man, successful in his
business although his methods were consid-
ered odd by man}-. Would that there were
more who had this oddity of honesty and
fair dealing whh them! E\-en during the
war times when money was drawing twenty
or thirty per cent he would never ask or
accept more than six per cent, and he would
never charge more than twenty-five cents
per bushel for his corn. He did not belong
to a church yet the true spirit of Christianity
was manifest in his life for he did unto
others as he would have them do unto him
O. B. WYSOXG.
It is a noticeable fact that the young men
are rapidly occupying the foremost places
in business circles. \\'hether this is due
to superior educational training or to na-
tive ability is a question of dispute. Per-
haps it is due to both. At all events the
fact remains and each community numbers
among its leading citizens men who, yet
young in years, are controlling extensive
financial, commercial and industrial inter-
ests. Mr. Wysong is one of the yomig men
of Fithian, who deserves mention in a work
of this character. He is occupying a posi-
tion as cashier of the bank here and pos-
sesses marked business ability and executive
force.
He was born in Alansfield. Illinois. Jul}
!/• 1875. His father, A. J. Wysong, is a
native of Ohio, and in Mansfield, this state,
was united in marriage to ]\Iiss Lavina Hil-
ligoss, a native of Indiana. The father is
a carpenter and contractor and was con-
nected with building operations in Mans-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
101
field until 1891, when he removed to De-
catur. There he again engaged in contract-
ing and at the present time he is occupyint;
the position of foreman of the Decatur Re-
frigerating & Manufacturing Conipan_\
Unswerving in his adherence to Democratic
principles, he has nevertheless refused pub-
lic office, his loyal support being given in
no hope of securing official reward for his
party fealty. He belongs to the Christian
church and is a man of strong purpose and
upright character. The mother of our sub-
ject died April 22, 1881, and Mr. Wysong
afterward married Elva Dickson, whose
parents were from Ohio. By bis first mar-
riage there were two sons: O. B.. of this
review; and I. T., who resides in Mansfield.
The children of the second marriage are :
Charles, John, Gladys and Elva.
In the public schools of his native town
O. B. Wysong acquired his preliminary ed-
ucation, which was supplemented by study
in the high school of Decatur. Illinois, and
later he entered the Northern Indiana Nor-
mal school at \'alparaiso, where he was
graduated on the completion of a business
course with the class of 1890. He was af-
terward employed in the Commercial Bank
at ^ilansfield, Illinois, for two years and
in 1895 lie came to Eitbian, where on the
22d of x\pril, of that year, be was appointed
cashier of the Fithian Bank, in which capac-
ity he has since served with marked cana-
bility, his labors contributing in large meas-
ure to the success of the institution. He is
also connected with the grain trade here and
his income is thereby materially increased.
In connection with ^Nlr. C. B. De Long, the
president of the firm. 'Mr. Wysong has
been instrumental in securing the interurban
electric line along the Big Eour Railroad.
It was first proposed to bring it from Ur-
bana tn .'^t. Joseph, thence to Homer and
fnlliiw the Wabash to Danville, but through
the untiring efforts of Mr. De Long
and Mr. Wysong. it now comes the
dtber way, giving Eithian and adja-
cent towns the advantage of g(.)od ser-
vice which they were unable to secure from
the railroad.
On the 25th of November. 1896, Mr.
Wysong was happily married in Fithian to
Miss Cora M. Post, who was born Septem-
ber 5, 1878, a daughter of Dr. G. H. Post.
They now have three interesting little chil-
dren: Lois. Leda and Lenore. Theirs is
one of tlie best homes in this part of \'er-
milion county and it is a fax'orite resort
with their many friends, which circle is al-
most co-extensi\'e with the circle of their
ac(|uaintances.
]Mr. Wysong is a Republican and in
1897-98 he was one of the city trustees. In
1901 he was elected mayor and in positions
of public trust he has ever exercised his
official prerogatives in sujiport of every
movement calculated to j)ro\e of puljlic Ijen-
efit. He is a member of Ogden Lodge, F.
& A. M. ; i\Iorning Star Lodge. No. 489
I. O. O. F., of Fithian: Corn City Lodge,
K. P.. of Ogden; Fithian Camp, No. 427,
M. W. A. ; and of the Methodist Episcopal
church. His genial manner, unfailing cour-
tesy and kindly spirit have made him popu-
lar and Mr. Wysong is indeed widely and
fa\'orabl_\- kmiwn in I'"itbian and this jjor-
tion of \'ermilion counl\'.
J. L. RIDEOUT, D. D. S.
Dr. J. L. Rideout, a successful and popu-
lar dentist of Danville, was born in Fremont,
Ohio. May 15, 1873, a son of E. W. and
I02
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Anna (Deenier) Rideout. On the paternal
side he is of English descent and belongs
to a \ery patriotic family which has been
well represented in the wars of this coun-
try, his grandfather being a soldier of the
jNIexican war, and his great-great-grand-
father of both the war of 1812 and the Rev-
olutionary war. The Deenier family is of
German extraction and was founded in
Pennsyhania during the seventeenth cen-
tury, since which time they have always
taken part in public affairs of an important
character.
. F. W. Rideout, the Doctor's father, was
also born in Fremont, Ohio, and after reach-
ing manhood he there married ]\Iiss Anna
Deenier, a native of Fasten, Pennsylvania.
For fifteen years after his marriage he was
engaged in the real-estate, loan and insur-
ance business at that place, and then re-
moved to Tuscola, Illinois, where the fol-
lowing ten years were spent upon a farm.
He took quite an active part in political
affairs while residing there. His next re-
moval made him a resident of Atwood. Illi-
nois, where he practically lived a retired
life, although he still dealt in loans and real
estate to some extent. He was a Republi-
can in politics, and while living in Tuscola
served as county supervisor and held some
of the township offices. In early life he was
a member of Company K, One Hundred
and Sixty-ninth Ohio National Guards and
was called out during the Civil war. This
-entitled him to membership in the Grand
Army of the Republic and he was also con-
nected with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. For many years he was an active
member of the Methodist Episcopal church
and an officer in the same, and died in that
faith on the 14th of September, 1902, his
remains being interred in the Cartwrisrht
cemetery at Atwood, Illinois. His first wife
had passed away in July. 1888, and in 1891
he married ]\Iiss May Barnett, who survives
him. By his first marriage he had six chil-
dren : W. J., a physician of Freeport, Illi-
nois, who makes a specialty of the diseases
of the eye, ear and nose; E. L., a farmer of
Tuscola; J. L., our subject; R. F., a farmer
of Atwood ; Mayme, who is attending
school in Freeport ; and Clara, who resides
in Freeport. The children of the second
marriage are Harry, Xellie and Ray.
Dr. Rideout began his education in the
schools of Fremont, Ohio, and after the re-
moval of his family to this state he attended
the public schools of Tuscola. Deciding
upon a professional life, he next entered the
Indiana Dental College at Indianapolis,
where he was graduated in 1897 and the
following year located in Danville, where he
had since engaged in practice with marked
success. He has a nice office in 412 Temple
block, supplied with all the latest ecjuip-
ments known to the science, and he has al-
readv secured a large patronage which is
steadily increasing.
On tlie 24th of December. 1896, at Tus-
cola, was celebrated the marriage of Dr.
Rideout and Miss Vivian Boyce. who was
born at that place October 5, 1875, and is a
daughter of Washington and Paulina (Per-
ry ) Boyce. the former a native of Illinois,
and the latter of Jeft'ersonville, Indiana.
Her parents were also married at Tuscola.
Her father was a photographer by profes-
sion and was identified with the Republican
party and the Grand Army of the Republic.
He died in June, 1896, but his wife is still
living and now makes her home with Dr.
Ritleout. They had seven children, six of
whom survive the father, namely : David,
a photographer of Tuscola ; Albert, a dentist
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
103
of that place; William, farmer of Tuscola;
Thomas J. and Charles M., twins, the for-
mer a dentist of Chicago and the latter a
manufacturer of photographers' paper in
that city; and Vivian, the wife of our sub-
ject. The Doctor and his wife have two
children: Esther I'auline, horn September
20, 1897; and Russell 11., horn July 19,
1899.
In his political views the Doctor is a
stanch Republican, and socially he is con-
nected with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and the Fraternal Army. He is
quite popular bnth in social and professional
circles and is a man highh' esteemed and re-'
spected by all who known him.
C. B. SPANG.
C. B. Sjiang, grain merchant and the
proprietor of the Star Roller Mill and lum-
beryard of Georgetown, is well known in
Vermilion county. He is the leading busi-
ness man of the southern ])ortion of the
county and through enterprise and capabil-
ity has contributed not only to his own suc-
cess but also to the general prosperity of the
localities with which he has been identified.
Mr. Spang has been a resident of
Georgetown for the past thirteen years.
He was born in Butler county, Pennsyl-
vania, December 13, 1866, and is a son of
Josiah R. and Margaret (Bracken) Spang.
both of whom were also natives of the Key-
stone state. The father there spent his en-
tire life. He l^ecame manager of the Singer
^lanufacturing Company and occupied that
position until his death. His widqw and the
family resided in Butler county until 1899,
when they removed to Georgetown, Illinois.
C. B. Spang was educated in the coni'
mon schools of his native county and began,
to learn the miller's trade at Butler, Penn-
sylvania, being employed in the Oriental
Rolling IMills until he mastered the busi-
ness. In 1887 he removed westward, set-
tling in Terre Haute, huliana, where he was
employed as a miller for two years and on
the expiration of that period he came to
Georgetown. In 1889 J. E. Hay worth es-
tablished the Georgetown Flour Mill but
he was formerly engaged in the milling
business here from 1S80. On coming to
Georgetown Mr. Spang entered the employ
of Mr. Hayworth, and after working in the
mill for two months, he purchased a half
interest in both the mill and lumberyard,
forming a partnership under the firm style
of Hayworth & Spang. They continued
business together until 1899, when Mr.
Hayworth sold his interest to C. L. Austin,
who was in partnership with <:)ur subject
until 1902.
Mr. Spang is now alone and is doing
the largest business in Georgetown. His
elevator, which is located near the depot,
has recently been enlarged and is now one
of the most extensive in the county. Fle
buys and ships grain daily and his business
has now assumed very creditable and profit-
able proportions. The flour mill is located
in the eastern part of the town and is con-
ducted under the name of the Star Roller
Mills. He manufactures the North Star
flour, the Red Ball and other brands and
has established a wholesale distributing
house in Danville for the products of his
manufactories. He deals in all kinds of
lumber and building materials necessary to
the construction of a house from the foun-
dation to the roof and his patronage in this
line is verv extensive as the business is con-
I04
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
stantly increasing. He is well known
throughout the country as a prominent busi-
ness man of Georgetown and his enterprise
and industry contribute in no small degree
to the commercial prosperity of the place.
Mr. Spank was united in marriage to
Miss Florence Smith, of Slippery Rock,
Pennsylvania, and they now have four chil-
dren : Ethel, Genevieve, Charles and
Bracken. Both he and his wife are mem-
bers of the ]\Iethodist Episcopal church and
he has taken an active interest in church
work. Socially he is identified with the
Modern \\'oodmen of America and the
Knisrhts of Pvthias, havinsf aided in or-
ganizing the latter lodge in Georgetown.
Jn politics he is a Republican and he has
l)een called to fill a number of offices in the
village. Besides his business interests here
he owns an addition to the city of Danville,
where he is engaged in real-estate dealing,
and is also interested in a lumber\"ard and
real estate at W'estville, Illinois. He is a
self-made man, owing his prominence in
business affairs to his own skillfully directed
labor, and among the well-to-do citizens of
Georgetown he is justly numbered.
WILLIA^I :\IOORE.
No adequate history of William ^loore
can be written until many of the useful en-
terprises with which he has been' connected
have completed their full share of good to
the world and until his personal influence
and example shall have ceased their fruitage
in the lives of those with whom he has come
m contact. Yet, there is much concerning
him that can be set down with profit here
as an illustration of what can be done by a
man with a clear brain and willing hands
that sets himself seriously to the real labors
and responsibilities of life. His name is so
inseparably interwoven with the history of
Hoopeston that no account of the business
development and substantial upbuilding of
the town can be gi\-en without mentioii of
his name. His efforts too have extended
far beyond the limits of Hoopeston, and
niany other communities have benefited by
his labors, his marked business ability and
his indefatigable enterprise. He is to-day
numbered among the capitalists of Vermil-
ion county and to this position he has at-
tained not through the aid of influential or
wealthy friends, but because he has prospered
in his work and has made honest dealing one
of the characteristics of his useful and acti\-e
career.
Mr. Moore was born in Coshocton coun-
ty, Ohio, on the 30th of November, 1841,
and is a son of Silas and ]\Iary (McCoy)
M(X)re. Upon the home farm he was reared,
and his early education acquired in the public
schools was supplemented by a preparatory
course in Spring Mountain Seminary of
Ohio. He 'was pursuing his stud}- there with
the intention of preparing for the law \\hen
the Civil war broke out. He had watched
with growing interest the attitude of he
south and the progress of events leading
up to hostilities, and, his patriotic spirit
aroused, he resolved to strike a blow in de-
fense of the Union if the country became
involved in civil war, and on the 23d of
April, 1861, only ten days after Fort Sumter
was fired on, he enlisted for three months'
service as a member of Company D, Six-
teenth Ohio Volunteer Infantr\'. While with
that command he was promoted to the rank
of orderly sergeant and was mustered out
the following August. On the 3d of Octo-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
107
ber, 1 861, he was commissi(5necl by Gover-
nor Denison, a first lieutenant with authority
to raise a company, which he enhstetl mostl\-
iimong the students of Spring Alountain
Seminary. This became Company T, of the
Fifty-first Ohio Infantry under the cum-
mand of Colonel Stanley Matthews. With
his company Lieutenant Moore fought at
Phillipi, Perryville, Chickamauga, Lookout
Mountain, Mission Ridge and Ringgnld.
and in January, 1863. he was commissioned
captain. In the battle of Chickamauga he
lost nearly every man in his command, one-
lialf of the number being killed or wounded,
wliilc many of the remainder were captured.
All of the regimental officers of the Fifty-
first iiaving been taken prisoners. Captain
]\[oore, as ranking line officer, assumed com-
mand, and with but a few men bearing the
regimental colors and a stand of R^ebel col-
ors captured from a South Carolina regi-
ment in the last charge, he cut through the
Rebel lines and. safely reached Chattanooga
the ne.xt day. It was a brave move and
one which displayed stiperior knowledge of
military tactics and undaunted bravery. On
two particular occasions Captain Moore was
selected for special service of a difficult and
hazardous kind. He carried out his instruc-
tions with signal success and was compli-
mented by his fellow and superior officers
and the general commanding the army. In
April, 1864, he was mustered out of the
military .service, having for three years been
a faithful defender of the old flag.
Captain Moore has been a resident of
\'ermilion county since March, 1865. After
his return from the war he remained a resi-
dent of Ohio for about a year and then came
to the west, locating in Grant township, Ver-
milion county, where he had previously pur-
chased a farm of three hundred and twentv
acres. From that time forward he has been
verv pr(.)minent in public affairs as an offi-
cial and as a liusiness man, and his efforts
ha\-e ever proven of the greatest benefit to
the comnumitv with which he is associated.
From 1866 until 1874 he filled the office of
justice of the peace and from 1867 until
1870 was collector of (Jrant townshi]), while
from 1866 until 187 J he was school treas-
urer of township 23, range 11. For sevral
years lie was also a director of the Hoopeston
public schools and it was through his energy
and enterprise that the first imposing and sub-
stantial school building at this place was
erected, a Ijuilding costing twenty-five thou-
sand dollars. In this work Mr. Moore re-
ceived much opposition, but he had firm
faith in the ultimate development of the
town and time has proven his confidence well
placed, for to-day tliat school building is one
of the four ward schools. It is a substantial
monttment to his efforts in behalf of his fel-
low townsmen. The cause of education has
no truer friend in all Hoopeston than Mr.
Moore or one who has been more effective
in his labors to advance the general good
along lines of educational and intellectual
progress. He has been a member of the
Hoopeston Library Association since its or-
ganization.
Throughout all these years while capably
performing official service Mr. Moore has
also controlled e.xtensive and important busi-
ness interests. At an early day he purchased
fifty acres of land at Hoopeston which was
laid out in town lots as the Moore & Brown
addition. In April, 1872, he took up his res-
idence in the village where he has since been
engaged in the real estate business, buying
and selling town property on an extensive
scale. He was also a member of the firm of
Moore & Perkins and later became the senior
io8
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
member of tlie well known tirni of Moore,
McFerren & Seavey. Between JMarch, 1874,
and March, 1875, the sales of this firm
reached three hundred and thirty thousand
dollars. Mr. Moore is still associated with
Mr. McFerren and their business interests
are most extensive and important, including
large landed properties in the south, in the
states of Arkansas, ^Mississippi and Tennes-
see. It would be impossible to give an ade-
c|uate account of the extensive enterprises
which have been established and carried for-
ward to successful completion by Air.
Moore. Soon after the organization of the
Illinois Can Company he became one of its
heavy stockholder and is to-day the owner
of one-half of the business and is acting as
general manager. He was instrumental in
organizing the Union Tin Can Company,
of which he became a stockholder and di-
rector and filled the position of president
at the time the company was merged into
the American Can Company. The business
was founded in 1892 with a capital stock
of forty thousand dollars, and when sold m
1900 returned to the owners one million
dollars, the original stockholders re-
taining their respective interests as
paid up stock. Industrial enterprises in
many other parts of the country contribute
not alone to Mr. Moore"s indi\idual success
but promote the general prosperity of the
localities in which they are located. In con-
nection with Mr. McFerren he owns a large
box factory at Memphis, Tennessee, the an-
nual output of which is nine hundred cars
of box shooks. These gentlemen are also
the proprietors of a double band sawmill
at Memphis, valued at seventy-five thousand
dollars, and having a daily capacity of fifty
thousand feet of lumber. Their enterprises
owned and controlled l)v them includes a
large sawmill at Luxora, Arkansas, with
a capacity of thirty thousand feet of lumber
daily, a sawmill on Pitman's Island, manufc-
turing twenty-five thousand feet of lumber
l)er day, a sawmill at Woodstock, Missis-
sippi, with a similar cajiacity, and three
other sawmills, each turning out al)out
twenty thousand feet of lumber daily. Air.
Moore owns about one thousand acres of
land in \'ermilion county and in connection
with J. C. McFerren is the owner of thirty
thousand acres of timberland in Arkansas.
They are now constructing a railroad from
Luxora, Arkansas, to Big Lake, a distance
of twenty miles, called the Mississipj)i, Big
Lake and Western Road. This will furnish
an outlet for their lumber and also will form
part of a trunk line for the west from Joplin,
Missouri, through to the Mississippi. Air.
Moore secured donations for the two rail-
roads which enter Hoopeston and was a
meml)er of the committee for securing the
right of way for the Lake Erie & Western
Railroad through Vermilion county. He
handled and sold the Thompson North
Hoopeston addition and in connection with
Mr. McFerren he purchased the Casement
addition of one hundred lots, all of which
were sold by the firm inside of six months
and they also closed out thefifty lot addition
of G. \\". Smith. Air. Aloore's attention is
given to the superintendency of the land and
timber estates of the firm in the south and to-
the general management of the Illinois Can-
ning Company of Hoopeston.
On the 1st of Alarch, 1892, Air. Aloore
was united in marriage to Anna Hamilton,
who was born at Ash Grove, Iroquois coun-
ty. Her father is now- deceased and her
mother and brother. Senator Isaac Hamil-
ton, are residents of Chicago. Air. Atoore
has three living children by a former mar-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
109
riage: W'intield S., Claude H. and Cora
]\[. The daughter is now the wife of Dr
Haines, of Memphis, Tennessee. In 1S82
^Ir. Moore erected his magnificent home at
the corner of Fourth and Penn streets in
Hoopeston.
He is a Repuhhcan in pohtics and though
his business interests are so extensive he
yet finds time to serve his fellow towns-
men in matters pertaining to the general
welfare of the place in which he makes his
home. He is a member of the board of al-
dermen here, having served in that office
continuously since street paving was begun,
and to-dav he is the chairman of the streets
and alleys committee and of the buildings
and grounds committee. He belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal church and is a promi-
nent !\Iason, holding membership in the blue
lodge, chapter, council and commandery,
and was the first high priest of the chapter
at this place. It is impossible to estimate
the scope of Mr. Moore's accomplishment.
The benefits of his enterprise are far-reach-
ing, furnishing employment to many hun-
dreds of workmen and promoting jjrosperity
in various communities. Tuidowed by nature
Avith a sound judgment and an accurate,
discriminating mind, he has never feared
that laborious attention to the details of busi-
ness so necessary to achieve success, and this
essential quality has ever been guided by a
sense of moral right which tolerates the em-
ployment only of those means that will bear
the most rigid examination, by a fairness
of intention that neither seeks nor requires
disguise. It is but just and merited praise
to say of Mr. Moore that as a business man
he ranks with the ablest, as a citizen he is
honorable, prompt and true to every duty,
and as a man he has the honor and esteem
of all classes of people.
JOHX H. PETTEGREW.
John H. Pettegrew, an honored veteran
of the Ci\il war, has been equally loyal to
his country in pri\atc life and in ci\-il ser-
\ice. For twenty-three years he was dep-
uty sheriflf of Vermilion county, has filled
the office of constable and is now one of the
assistant county supervisors. He resides at
his home at Xo. 82 Columbus street, in
Danville, having retired from farm life,
which for many years occupied his atten-
tion. He was born in Ohio, March 22,
1 83 1, and is a son of Dr. Ezekiel and Eme-
line (Beach) Pettegrew. His father was
born near Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and pur-
sued a medical education, after which he
engaged in practice in his native town and
also in Scott county, Indiana. Subse-
quentlv he removed to Coles countv. Illi-
nois, where he practiced for seven years
and then went to ^ ermilion county, In-
diana, where he continued his professional
work until his life's labors were ended in
death. His wife also passed away in that
jilace. In their family were eight children,
three of whom are vet li\ing: John H., of
this review; Daniel, a resident farmer of
Lincoln county, Oklahoma; and Margaret
who is the widow of William Coatney
and li\es in Danville.
John 11. Pettegrew accom])anied his
parents on their various removals during his
youth and acquired a common-school edu-
cation. He was about twenty years of age
when he left home and came to Vermilion
C(iuntv, Illinois. He engaged in farming
in Danville township in 1852 and followed
that pursuit continuously for a quarter of
a century, carefully cultivating his fields
and caring for his crops until harvests were
garnered in the late autumn and the sale of
I lO
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
his products brought to him a creditable
financial return for his labors. While re-
siding upon the farm Mr. Pettegrew chose
a companion and helpmate for life's jour-
ney. He wedded Miss Elsie Luddington
and they lived happily together for a num-
ber of years, but the wife was at length
called to the home beyond. There were
four children born of that marriage: John
T., a farmer who now resides in George-
town township; Daniel, who is living in In-
diana ; Clara, deceased ; and one that died
in infancy. For his second wife ]\Ir. Pet-
tegrew chose Miss Susan Bullion, with
whom he is now living. Unto them have
been bom six children, but Clara, the eld-
est, died in childhood. Marion is now
clerking in a store in Himrod, this county.
Charles is in the employ of the Nimrod
Coal Company of that place. Mary is the
wife of Charles Rice, a resident of Park
county, Indiana. William married Anna
Stuebe and is living in Georgetown town-
ship. Park is a laborer of Danville.
After his marriage Mr. Pettegrew set-
tled on a farm near Newport, Vermilion
county, where he lived for six months. He
then removed to Danville, where he was
employed as a laborer and teamster until the
Civil war broke out. He watched with in-
terest tlie progress of events for a few
months and then, feeling that his duty was
to his country, he joined the army on the
4th of August, 1 86 1, as a member of Com-
pany F, Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry, un-
der Captain Keith and Colonel Smith. On
account of physical disability, however, he
was discharged at Rolla, Missouri, in De-
cember, 1861. He then returned to Dan-
ville, where he was engaged in teaming for
a year, after which he was elected constable
and filled that position for two years. He
was then chosen first deputy sheriff under
Joseph N. Payton and filled that office
continuously for twenty-three years under
the various sheriffs of the county. He was.
prompt and fearless in the discharge of his
duties and stood as a faithful defender of
law and order. On his retirement from
office he purchased a farm of one hundred
and sixty acres on section 2, Georgetown
township and there resided for twenty-one
years, devoting his energies to the cultiva-
tion of his fields. In February. 1899, how-
ever, his son took charge of the farm, al-
though Mr. Pettegrew still remains its
owner. He then returned to the city, where
he is now living a retired life. At the pres-
ent time he is filling the position of assist-
ant county supervisor, having served for
several terms in this oftice. He takes a
deep and active interest in political affilia-
tions, keeps well informed on the issues of
the day, and always votes with the Republi-
can party. Both he and his wife are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church of
Georgetown township. Mr. Pettegrew
paid four hundred dollars on that churclu
He has always been liberal in his support
of church and charitalile work and his ef-
forts ha\'e been eft'ecti\'e in this direction.
In his business affairs he has prospered and
is now one of the well-to-do citizens of
Dan\ille. Fle owns a nice residence at No.
82 Columljus street and there hospitality
aljounds. The members of his household
have many warm friends in the community
and like Mr. Pettegrew are held in high es-
teem. He has long been in public service
and over the record of his ofiicial career
there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion
of evil.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
1 1 1
WILLIAM D. KUYKENDALL.
Among the large land owners of Ver-
milion county is numbered William D. Kuy-
kendall, who resides on section i, Middle-
fork township. He has a wide acquaint-
ance in this portion of the state, his business
interests having brought him in contact with
many, while his social qualities ha\e made
him a popular citizen. He is a native of
Virginia, his birth having occurred in
Hampshire county, now West Virginia,
February ii, 1831. His father, Luke Kuy-
kendall, was born in the same county in
181 2, and the grandfather, Isaac Kuyken-
dall, was a native of the Old Dominion,
where the family was established at an early
epoch in the development of the state. Luke
Kuykendall was reared in the place of his
nativity and was there married to Elizabeth
Welch, a native of the same locality. He
was a farmer qf Hampshire county for some
years and afterward determined to seek a
home in the far west, removing to Tippeca-
noe county, Indiana, about 1852. There he
resided for a number of years, after which
he came to Illinois, the place of liis destina-
tion being Vermilion county, where he lo-
cated in i860, his home being near Potomac.
Pie was not long permitted to enjoy his new
place of residence, for his death occurred
ere a year had passed.
In Hampshire county, West Virginia,
William D. Kuykendall of this review was
reared to manhood, receiving good educa-
tional pri\'i leges in the common and higher
schools. With the family he removed to
the west and in 1858 he came to Vermilion
count}', Illinois. Here he rented a fann for
several years and after the war of the Re-
bellion he purchased his first land, Ijecom-
ing the owner of a tract in Blount town-
shii), comprising one hundred acres. This
was an improved farm \yhich he further de-
veloped for one year and then removing to
Dan\'ille he was there engaged in the liv-
ery business with his brother Jacob, who is
still a liveryman of that ])lace. Their asso-
ciation was maintained fur eighteen years
and then Mr. Kuykend.-ill <if this re\iew sold
his interest, although he is still the owner
of a half interest in the brick barn in which
his brother continues to conduct his stable.
While in, Danville our subject purchased
jM-operty and built two good brick livery
barns. The first one, however, was de-
stroyed by fire, but with characteristic en-
ergy he replaced it by one which is .still
standing. In 1889 Mr. Kuykendall re-
moved from the city to the farm where he
now resides, on section 1, Middlefork town-
ship. Here he has erected a large brick res-
idence, which is one of the substantial homes
of the county. He also has good bams and
sheds for the shelter of grain and stock and
the latest improved machinery facilitates the
farm work. He has planted fruit and shade
trees and shubbery and has carried on the
work of improvement on the home place un-
til his farm is one of the finest of the town-
ship and stands as a monument of the enter-
prise and labor of the owner. Mr. Kuyken-
dall has to-day one thousand acres of well
improved land in \^ermilion county and his.
possessions are the visible evidence of his
life of earnest and honoral)lc toil.
In 1862 Mr. Kuykendall went to Frank-
lin county, Ohio, where he was married to
Miss Emily J. Gollidav, a native nf the
Buckeye state, her death occurring in Ver-
milion county about 1870. They had two
children : Frank, w ho is married and re-
sides in Danxille ; and Susan Jane, the wife
of Jay Freese. of Ogden, Illinois. In Ver-
milion county Mr. Kuykendall was again
married, in 1876, his second union being
112
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
with Miss ^lartha J. Smith, a daughter of
John Smith, a native of Enghuul. who came
to IlHnois when tlie work of improvement
and progress here was just laegun. The
daugliter was born antl eehicated in this
county and by her marriage has become tlie
mother of two children, Jacob S. and Mae
A. The former is married and now fol-
lows farming in Middlefork township.
At local elections, where no issue is in-
volved Mr. Kuykendall votes independently,
his ballot being deposited in accordance with
his faith in the capability of the candidate.
In national affairs he was for many years a
Democrat, but at the two last presidential
elections he voted for William McKinley.
He is a believer in prosperity and expansion
and thinks that the work of the Republican
party has furthered both during the last two
presidential administrations. Matters of
public improvement, promoting the growth
and upbuilding of his locality have also re-
ceived his endorsement and co-operation
during the forty-four years of his residence
in Vermilion county. He is well known in
Danville and in Potomac, also in outlying
districts of the county and his genial and
social manner has gained for him many
warm friends. His business interests have
ever been capably conducted along lines
leading to success and to-day among the
prosperous agriculturists he is classed.
JAMES M. DOUGHERTY.
The record of an honorable life should
e\'er be a source of insi)iration and encour-
agement, and the history of James M.
Dougherty is well worthy of emulation for
he always lived so as to command the confi--
dence and sfood will of his fellow men. He
\vas true to high moral principles and his
high moral character and rectitude of action,
his unquestioned probity as well as his busi-
ness ability made him a valued citizen of
Vermilion county.
He was lx)rn in Brown county, Ohio,
.\pril 28, 1829. His father, James Dough-
erty, was also a native of the Buckeye state,
and in Brown county wedded Mary Kirk-
patrick, who was there born and reared.
The great-grandfather of our subject was
of .Scotch-Irish descent and was born in
Scotland. Desiring to become a resident of
the new world he crossed the Atlantic to
Maryland and at the time the colonies at-
tempted to throw off the yoke of British op-
pression he joined the American army and
under General Washington fought for the
independence of the nation until the glorious
result was achieved. His son. Francis
Doughterty. the grandfather of our subject^
was born in Maryland and emigrating west-
ward took up his abode in Ohio. Subse-
quentlv he came to Illinois in 1830 and was
one of the extensive landholders of this lo-
cality. His four sons, including the father
of our subject, then came to the west and
culti\ated the land which Francis Dougherty
had purchased. Here he died in September,
i860, and his wife, who bore the maiden
name of Christian Hill, and whose mother
was the daughter of an English lord, passed
away in 185 1. In addition to the four sons
already mentioned they had four daughters
who also came to \'ermilion county. These
children were as follov\s: Alexander died
in \'ermilion county in 1888. He had mar-
ried Jane Kirkpatrick who died in 1862,
thev had three daughters and one son. Jesse,
whose death occurred while he was serving
in the Civil war. Elizabeth became the wife
of Mr. Ferrier. who died in \'ermilion coun-
tv in 1836. Later, she married Samuel
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
IIS
Gilbert, whose death occurred in the '50s.
Mrs. Gilbert passed away about 1867, leav-
ing" four children, all of whom are now de-
ceased. James, the father of our subject,
was the third of the family. Malinda 1)e-
came the wife of William Leeper and they
resided in Bloomington, Illinois, but both are
now deceased. They left three sons and
three daughters, and two of the sons and the
daughters are yet living, namely : Mar-
garet, wiio is matron of the Young Women's
Christian Association, of Chicago ; Eliza-
beth, the wife of Dr. Wallace, of Decatur;
Charles, a resident of New York; and Will-
iam, of i\Iinneapolis. ^Maybaiy wedded
Nancy Hickman and resided in X'ermilion
county until his death which occurred in
1840. He left a son and three daughters,
the latter all yet residents of this county.
Margaret became the wife of Ira Butler and
made her home in \'ermilion county until
her death, when she left two children of
whom one is yet living. Samuel married
Jane Dalby and has also passed away. He
resided in this county and had four daugh-
ters and three sons, of whom three daugh-
ters and one son, Benjamin, arc yet living.
Nancy, the youngest member of the family
of Francis Dougherty, died at the age of
thirty years.
James Dougherty, tlie father of our suIj-
ject, came to Illinois in 1833, locating in
Vermilion county, but was not long" per-
mitted to enjoy his new home, his death oc-
curring in 1835, while his wife passed away
in 1834. He was a Whig in his political
views and was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. Of his family of four
sons and one daughter we give the following"
record : Francis married Dassa Boggess,
and she died leaving one child who has since
passed away. He afterwai"d married Susan
Tavlor. who died leaxina: nine chiUlren ;
Marcus, a resident of Shawnee. Oklahoma;
Milton, of Kincaid, Kansas; Louis and Al-
vin, prominent merchants who reside in
Logan, Kansas: Elizabeth, the wife of Sam-
uel Parrish, of Missouri ; Marietta, of Kin-
caid, Kansas; Lilly, the wife of Ji;hn Irwin,
who resides near Kincaid; James A., a trav-
eling salesman residing" in Portland, Ore-
gon; and Jennie, now deceased. After the
tieath of Susan Taylor. Francis Dougherty
wedded Belle McNeil and is now living in
Kincaid, Kansas. They had four children,
three of whom sin"vi\e: Lyman, a tra\"eling
salesman representing a St. Joseph, I\Iis-
sotiri, house; Charles, who is living near
Kincaid ; and Francis, who resides with his
father. Kirkpatrick died at the age of one
year. John Dougherty, the second member
of the family of James and Mary (Kirkpat-
rick) Dougherty, wedded Margaret Cheno-
weth and after her death wedded Cida
Graves. He has since died and his widow is
residing in Fairmount. Of this union there
were two daughters and three .sons; Law-
rence and Joseph, who are li\ing in Buena
\'ista, Colorado ; Molly, the widow of Dr.
Wright, and a resident of Danxille; and
Berta, of Fairmounl. Charles, the young-
est child, died in 1873. James M. Dougherty
is the third member of the family. Jo.seph,
now deceased, married Louisa Neville, and
they had two sons, of whom one is living,
Alfred, of Lincoln, Illinois. Edwin's death
occurred in 1890. Mary Dougherty died at
the age of sixteen years in the year 1841.
James M. Dougherty began his education
in the usual style of schoolhouse of the
period, built of hewed logs, furnished with
slab seats and lighted by greased paper win-
dows. This building stood at the northeast
corner of what is now the homestead farm.
His opportunities, however, like those of
other early settlers, were very limited and his
ii6
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
education was largely acquired in the prac-
tical school of experience. His father hav-
ing died when he was six years of age, he
lived with his grandfather, h'rancis Dough-
erty, and worked upon the farm. After the
grandfather's death he managed the prop-
erty, and he inherited forty acres of timber-
land from his father, and purchased eighty
acres of prairie land, thus becoming the
owner of a good farm. Later he traded his
eighty acres for a valuable tract of land in
Vance township, and in order to further
complete his arrangements for laaving a
home of his own Mr. Dougherty was mar-
ried March 30, 1854, near Catlin, to Sarepta
Jane Taylor, who was born in Tippecanoe
county, Indiana, Septemlier 5, 1837. Her
father, Thomas A. Taylor, was a son of
Harrison Taylor and a descendant of Zach-
ary Taylor. He was a native of Virginia,
whence he removed to Kentucky and there
died. His wife bore the maiden name of
Elizabeth Allen, and also died in Kentucky.
They were the parents of four sons and four
daughters, all now deceased. Thomas Tay-
lor was born in Kentucky, and in Tippecanoe
countv, Indiana, he married Iva Allen, whose
birth occurred in Bourbon county, Kentucky.
They began their domestic life in Tippecanoe
county, Indiana, where Mr. Taylor followed
the tanner's trade and farming. In 1853 he
came to Vermilion county, purchasing five
hundred acres of land, whicli be ciintinue<l to
cultivate until his death, which occurred
September 20, 1876. His wife died Decem-
ber 3, 1893. In politics Mr. Taylor was first
a Whig and afterward a Republican, and in
religious faith be was a Cumberland Presby-
terian.
At the time of their marriage Mr.
Dougherty and his wife lived in a double log
house on their eighty acres of land in Vance
township, and he afterward purchased an
additional tract of eighty acres. In 1864
they removed to Faimiount, where he en-
gaged in the livery business for three years.
He next i)urcliased what is now the home-
stead farm of about three hundred acres, re-
siding thereon for two years. On account of
his own ill health and his desire to give his
children better educational privileges he then
remo\-ed to Dan\ille, where for a time he was
engaged in the butchering business. In con-
nectidu with Benjamin Crane he built the
Arlington Hotel in 1876, it being opened
with impressive ceremonies on the 4th of
July of the centennial year. In the fall of
1876, however, Mr. Dougherty left Dan-
ville and through the succeeding year lived
in Fairmount, after which be erected a band-
some and commodious residence upon bis
farm, taking up bis abode there. It contin-
ued to be bis place of residence until his
death, which occurred January 14, 1889,
and he \vas laid to rest in Dougherty ceme-
tery.
The marriage of Mr. and ]Mrs. Dough-
erty was blessed by the birth of six children :
Marv, born February 26, 1855, died October
2^,. i860. Emma, born June 28, 1857, was
marriefl October 16, 1894, to H. Jester
Stearns, and they reside on a farm near Man-
son, Iowa, They have one son, Dorrance:
For several years Mrs. Stearns served as a
school director. Eva Frances, born May 22,
i860, became the wife of William Pankey,
June 23, 1886, and they reside in Danville
with their three children, Loyette, Dwight
and Lorton. \\ illiam Pankey is an attor-
ney and manager of the Vermilion County
Abstract Company. Alfred A., born January
29, 1863, died September 25, 1864. Maud L.,
born June 3, 1866, resides with her mother.
Clara Kirkpatrick, born August 25, 1869,
was married December 28, 1894, to Dr. A.
H. Leitzbach, of Fairmount. They have one
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
"7
daugliter, Elizabeth. ^^liss Maude possesses
exceptional artistic ability and was educated
in her art under Professor Aulich, of Chi-
cago. She studied miniature work with Miss
Cecile Payen, of New York. She also fur-
ther prepared herself in this direction at the
Julian Art Academy, in Paris, France. On
account of ill health she is unable to devote
her time to teaching, as she had hoped to
do, but she still gives considerable attention
to painting.
In his political views James M. Dough-
erty was first a Whig, afterward a Rqjubli-
can and later a Prohibitionist. He served as
a candidate for representati\e from his dis-
trict and succeeded in polling a large vote
which made his defeat almost a victory. He
held a number of township offices, the duties
of which he discharged with marked prompt-
ness and fidelity. He was a member of the
Presbyterian church, served as elder of the
church of that denomination in Danville for
three years, and occupied a similar position
in Fairmount. He was very charitable and
generous,, a consistent Christian man whose
life was noble, whose motives were honor-
able, and whose actions were manly and sin-
cere.
JOHN P. SWANK.
Among the substantial farmers of Ver-
milion county who have helped develop its
natural resources and make it what it is to-
day — one of the richest counties of the
great state of Illinois — is numbered John
P. Swank, now deceased. He was born in
Indianola, Illinois, December l8, 1824.
His parents were Ohio people who emigrat-
ed to Vermilion county, Illinois, at a very
early date in the history of the county.
They became pioneers of the county and
contributed much to the growth and prog-
ress of their community. JNIr. Swank had
three l)n_)thers, and four sisters, and one
brother and one sister are living in Kansas.
In the public schools of Carroll town-
ship "Sir. Swank was educated. He was
reared on the home farm, early becoming-
familiar with the work of field and meadow,
and thus acquiring a practical knowledge
of the occupation which afterward Ijecame
his life work. He was united in marriage
to Miss Phebe Dickson, February 18, 1851,
at Indianiila, Illinois. She was born in In-
dianola, May 17, 1829, and is a daughter of
John and Elizabeth (Doyle) Dickson, both
of whom were born near Louisville, Ken-
tucky. They were the parents of the fol-
lowing children : Nancy Dickson Hub-
bard, now deceased: Mrs. Swank; Mary
Jane, deceased ; Simon, who died in the ser-
vice of his country, being killed in the Civil
war in 1863; James, a farmer of Fair-
mount, Illinois, who is living with his son,
his wife, Amanda (Shepherd) Dickson be-
ing deceased: and Elizal)eth, who died in
early girlhood. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Swank
were born the following sons and daugh-
ters : Albert D. is a farmer residing at
Collison, Illinois. He married Sarah
Smart and they have one daughter. Pearl,
who is noted as a successful trained nurse.
He is fifty years of age. Gilbert E., aged
forty-eight years, lives on a farm near In-
dianola. He married Emma Carter, who
died some }'ears ago, and he afterward was
married to Anna Poindexter. Of this mar-
riage there was born one child, Zelda, who
is now nine years of age. Robert P., aged
forty-six years, is a farmer of Indianola. He
married Mary Dickson. Alice is the wife of J.
Harvey Patterson. They have one lovely
Il8
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
child, Ercell, aged nine years. Edward, aged
forty-one years, is a resident farmer of In-
dianola. Pie was united in marriage
to Drusiila Lane, and is the fifth and
youngest child in the family. In his poli-
tical views Mr. Swank was a Democrat,
and his sons all followed his belief and are
all adherents to the cause of that party and
its principles. In his life Mr. Swank ex-
emplified the spirit of true manliness and he
was highly regarded by all with whom he
was associated. This was not because of
liis position as a leading and substantial
man of the community, but because his
character was so upright and honorable that
they could not fail to respect and admire
liim. When he died he was laid to rest in
\\'oodlawn cemetery, at Indianola. His
death occurred June 8, 1894, and many
friends besides the immediate family
mourned his loss. Mrs. Swank makes her
home on the old place at Indianola, and in
her declining years she is being tenderly
cared for by her children. The old age of a
man or woman who have spent life rightly,
is always beautiful to contemplate. jMrs.
Swank has done this, and she receives the
reverence and love of all who know her.
GEORGE W. REILLY.
The energies and efforts of George \V.
Reilly have been exerted along lines which
haye proven of benefit to his fellow men
and he is well known as a prominent manu-
facturer, church worker and also as a lead-
ing representative of the fraternal order of
the Modern Woodmen of America. His
labors in each direction have brought to him
a wide acquaintance and he has accomplished
much in each line of actixity so that he well
deserves mention among the leading and
representative men of Danville and Vermil-
ion county, where he has made his home
since the fall of 1868.
Mr. Reilly was born in Lafayette, In-
diana, May II, 1852. His father, Luke
Reilly, was a native of Ireland and spent his
youth on the Emerald Isle. He sailed for
the new world in 1830. He was a lawyer
by profession, and, locating in Lafayette,
he there engaged in practice until 1868, dur-
ing which time he was also elected and
served as states attorney. In the year men-
tioned he came to Danville where he opened
a law office and soon became known as one
of the able and distinguished members of
the bar at this place. For many years he en-
joyed a large clientage which was indicative
of the skill which he manifested in his pro-
fession. His last days were spent in Dan-
ville, where he passed away at the ripe old
age of eighty-four years in 1897.
George W. Reilly was reared in this city
and pursued his education in the Danville
schools. After putting aside his text books
he learned the harness maker's trade, which
he afterward followed as a journeyman for
several years. Subsequently he became fore-
man of a large manufacturing establish-
ment, acting in that capacity for eight years,
when he began manufacturing on his own
account and continued the business with
signal success until 1901, wdien he retired
from actix'c business life.
Politically Mr. Reilly has been a life
long Republican, his first vote having been
cast for Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876, while
each presidential nominee of the party since
that time has also received liis support. He
is quite active in local politics, but the honors
and emoluments of public office have had
LIBRARY
or THE
4JNIV£ftSirY OF ILLINOIS
LUKE REILLY.
UNIVcHbllY Of ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
123
no attraction for him personally. He was,
however, solicited to become a candidate for
supervisor in 1898, and, consenting, he was
elected to the office and served for two
years. He estabhshed during that time a
system of records unlike what had been be-
fore used. The expenditures previous to this
time had. been very extravagant and during
his term of service he saved to the county
twenty-two thousand five hundred and eigh-
teen dollars. He was also president of the
town Ijoaril, occupying that position for two
years and on the expiration of his term he
declined further political honors.
Mr. Reilly joined the Modern Woodmen
in 1886, becoming a member of the local
camp and at once taking active part in its
work. He was instrumental in increasing
its membership from eighteen to six hun-
dred and for twehe years he servetl as couii-
sel. In 1890 he was elected a delegate to
the head camp and continued a member of
every head camp until 1901. In that year
he was elected a member of the board of di-
rectors, a very responsible position and has
since given his entire time to the order. This
board pays out from \\\<i to six thousand
dollars per month and the sum is constantly
increasing as the membership of the fra-
ternity grows. Mr. Reilly has firm faith
and deep interest in the order, realizing how
valuable it is as an insurance organization,
protecting its members in illness and pro-
viding for their families at death. He is
justly proud of what the society has already
accomplished and he has contributed in no
small degree to this result. He also belongs
to Danville Lodge No. 69, I. O. O. F., in
which he served as financial secretary for
four years. He likewise belongs to the en-
campment of that order and both he and
his wife are connected with tlie Rebecca de-
gree. He is a member of the Tribe of Ben
Hur, of the Court of Honor and is a mem-
ber of the auditing board of the supreme
court of the last named organization. He has
filled many positions of honor and trust an<'.
to whatever office he has lieen calleil he has-
been found faithful, diligent and efficient.
Mr. Reilly was married in Danville, No-
vember 4, 1874, to Miss Amanda Decker^
a native of Hancock county, Ohio, and a
daughter of Jeremiah Decker, who removed
from the Buckeye state to Iro(juois county^
Illinois, locating near Watseka, where Mrs
Reilly was reared. Her father died when
she was only five years of age and she then
lived with her grandfather in Ire)qu(iis countv
until sixteen years oi age. When a \-oung
lady she came to Danville, further pursuetl
her education here and in this city gave her
hand in niarriage^to the subject of this re-
view. ■ Unto them have been born se\-en
children. Gordon L., a business man of
this city, is married and has one daughter,
Edna. Louie C. is a stenographer holding
a position in the head office of the Woodmen
fraternity of Rock Island. Walter S., Irma.
Georgie and Helen are at home. They also
lost one son, George William, who died in
1878 at the age of two years. The parents
belong to the Kimber Methodist Episcopal
church and for several years Mr. Reilly was
superintendent of the Sunday-school, which
for three years was the largest Sunday-
school of the city, owing to his earnest and
indefatigable efforts in its behalf. He has
erected three residences in Danville and has
aided in improving the city along many
lines. A man of strong purpose, of indubit-
able probity, of marked devotion to any
cause which he espouses, he has at all times
and in all places commanded the respect and
confidence of his fellow men.
124
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
THOMAS A. HOWARD.
Tliomas A. Howard, who was born in
West Virginia, January 4, 1852, is a son of
J. W. and Sarah (Adams) Howard, who
were natives of Virginia and were there
married. Our subject was the third in order
•of birth in the family of three children and
was educated in Iowa and in Vermihon
county, lihnois, while upon his father's
farm he was reared, working in the fields
through the months of summer and attend-
ing school through the winter seasons. At
the age of twenty-one he engaged in farm-
ing on his ow-n account and about 1880 he
turned his attention to the confectionery
business, which he conducted for a time and
then established a meat market which he
carried on for two years. He built the first
two-stor)- building in Fairmount and en-
tered the grocery trade, being identified with
that line of commercial activity until 1901.
In his various business enterprises he has
been successful, carefully controlling his af-
fairs and with keen foresight and energ\'
conducting his interests until they have been
made to yield to him a good return.
On the nth of October, 1881, Mr.
Howard was united in marriage to Miss Ju-
lia Lee, wdio was born in Vermilion county,
September 25, 1855, a daughter of John and
Elizal>eth Jane (Saddler) Lee, both of
whom are natives of West Virginia and be-
came pioneer settlers of Vermilion county.
Mrs. Howard was the third of their
nine children and pursued iier education in
the public schools until she had entered upon
the work of. the senior year. She is an artist
of exceptional ability, displaying particular
skill in oil painting's, whereby she has won
scA-eral premiums at the various fairs in Ho-
mer and in Dan\'ille. She has engaged in
teaching art for, several years and a number
of beautiful paintings of her production
adorn the walls of her home. LTnto Mr. and
Mrs. Howard have been boni two children :
Lottie Lee, who was married in June, 1900,
to Thomas Hughes, of Fairmount ; and Jo-
seph Conrad, who is now thirteen years of
age and is a student in the Fairmount
schools. In his political views Mr. Howard
is a Republican and is recognized as one of
the leaders of his party in this locality.
Called to public office by the vote of his fel-
low townsmen, he served for two years on
the board of aldermen and is now serving
his second term as mayor of Fairmount, his
re-election being indicative of his loyalty
and efficient service. The cause of educa-
tion has also found in him a warm friend
and his co-operation in behalf of the schools
has been of marked benefit. He is a liberal
contributor tc)ward the erection of the Bap-
tist church now being ctjustructed, and
everything pertaining to the general good
has found in him a friend, in fact, he has
l.)een a co-operant factor in whatever tends
to advance the general welfare. He belongs
to the blue lodge of Masons in Fairmount,
in which he has passed all of the chairs and
is also a member of the Modern Woodmen
Camp and the Court of Honor. Both he and
his \\ife hold membership in the Baptist
church and take an active interest in its
work, Mrs. Howard serving as a teacher in
the Sunday-school and as leader of the choir
for a number of years. Mr. Howard can go
back in memory to the pioneer epoch in the
history of Vermilion county when the deer
ran over the hills and when lesser wild game
was to be had in abundance. This country
was all wild, open prairie and the trees and
bushes were the native growth. Mr. How-
ard has always greatly enjoyed hunting and
has killed many deer, bears and wild cats.
A witness of the growth of the county he
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
125
has seen it ad\ance from its pioneer condi-
tions to take its place with the leading coun-
ties of this great commonwealth, and what-
ever has been of benelit to the community
has received his endorsement.
JOHN U. CUSTER.
John ^I. Custer, who is now practically
living a retired life after a long and honor-
able connection with business affairs in
which he gained for himself a handsome
competence, \\'as born in Putnam county
West Virginia, on the 3d of April, 1831.
He is a son of John M. Custer, who was a
farmer by occupation and was born and
reared in eastern Virginia. On leaving the
Old Dominion the father emigrated west-
ward to Champaigii county, Illinois, set-
tling in Homer in the "60s, but he was not
long permitted to enjoy his new place of
residence, his death occurring the following
year. His wife, who bore the maiden name
of Mary Brown and who was of English
lineage, died when her son John was a boy
of only ten years. There were six children
by that marriage. The sisters are all now
deceased, while the brothers of our subject
are M. B. and Edward Custer, both well
known farmers. After the death of his first
wife John M. Custer, the father of our sub-
ject, was married in Ohio to Mrs. Eliza-
beth Meyers, who died in Urbana, Illinois,
in 1902.
The subject of this review began his
education in a log schoolhouse with a dirt
floor, split puncheon benches and greased
paper windows, while the immense fireplace
that occupied one end of the room, was
built of mud and sticks. He received onlv
limited educational pri\ilcges but in the
school of experience he learned many valu-
able lessons. In his early youth he worked
in field and meadow, assisting his father on
the home farm until he was eighteen years
of age, when he made his way to Homer,
Champaign county, Illinois. There he went
to school for one year and followed farm-
ing as a laborer for some time. On the 20th
of April, 1858, he rented land and com-
menced its culti\ation on his own account.
On the 20th of April of that year Mr.
Custer was united in marriage to Miss
Lauretta Long, who was born in Vermilion
county, October 30, 1840, her parents hav-
ing located here at an early day. She was a
daughter of J. C. and Philadelphia F.,
(Spicer) Long, the former a native of Ohio
and the latter of Kentucky, their marriage,
however, being celebrated in Georgetown,
Illinois. In his early life the father was a
blacksmith by trade, but became identified
with the ministry of the Methodist Episco-
pal church and labored in behalf of that de-
nomination until his death, which occurred
near Urbana, Champaign county, in 1886.
He was at that time a member of tlie con-
ference, although he held superannuated re-
lations with it. His wife died in 1869 and
was buried in the Concord cemetery near
Georgetown.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Custer
of this review was engaged in managing a
hotel in Homer. In 1870 he removed to
South Danville, where he has since been en-
gaged in the ice business and in farming.
He owns fifty acres of land on the river
bottom between Danville and South Dan-
ville. He continued alone in the ice trade
until 18S8, when he entered into partner-
ship with John Beard. The firm now util-
izes eight wagons in the delivery of its pro-
126
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
duct and its partners are regarded as the
leading ice men of Danville. Their ice
houses have a capacity of nine thousand
tons and their trade is very extensive, the
business constantly increasing. For several
seasons Mr. Custer also engaged in tthe
operating of coal mines on a small scale,
working drift mines. To a large extent he
is living retired, although he is still inter-
ested in the ice business and looks after his
land.
Unto our subject and his wife have been
born six cliildren : Fannie, the wife of John
Weaver, of Fairmount ; Mrs. Luella Yount,
of Homer; John C, who married Matilda
Dickinson, of Dan^'ille, and is now manag-
ing the ice business for the firm of Beard &
Custer; Charles E., who is employed as a
salesman by Isaac Stearns, of this city; May
Viola, who is making a specialty of the
study of vocal music; Gertrude, at home;
and Jessie, who died at the age of four
years.
In his political views iNIr. Custer is a
Republican and has several times l)een a
member of the South Danville coun-
cil. He belongs to Olive Branch Lodge,
No. 38. F. & A. M.; to Chapter, No. 82,
R. A. M. : and to the commandery, No. 45,
K. T. In his life he exemplifies the Ijenev-
olent spirit of the fraternity which is based
upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly
kindness. He is enterprising, intelligent,
become one of the leading business men of
honest man. Starting in life poor he has
this city. His career has not been marked
bv business failure and vicissitudes, but by
steady progress and straightforwardness.
The methods which he adopted have been
such as to lead to success and therefore he is
now enabled to live in practical retirement
with a comfortable competence to supply
him with all the necessaries and many of the
luxuries of life. He has passed the psalm-
ist's allotted span of three score years and
ten, being now seventy-two years of age,
but he still manifests an active interest in
the city where he has so long resided and
the welfare and progress to which he has
largely contributed through his active co-
operation in liehalf of measures for the gen-
eral good.
MICHAEL KELLEY.
A glance at the history of past centuries
will indicate at once what would be the con-
dition of the world if the mining interests
no longer had a part in the industrial and
commercial life. Only a few centuries ago
agriculture was almost the only occupation
of man and the landed proprietor surround-
ed himself with his tenants and his servants
who tilled his broad fields, while he reaped
the reward of their labors ; but when the rich
mineral resources of the world were placed
upon the market, industry found its way intQ
newer and broader fields : minerals were used
in the construction of hundreds of inventions
and the business of nations was revolution-
ized. When considering these facts we can
in a measure determine the value to man-
kind of the mining interests. One who is
connected with tlie mineral resources of Illi-
nois is Michael Kelley, who is one of the
oldest if not the oldest coal dealer in this
state, operating extensive mines and having
contracts for supplying some of the largest
industrial concerns of the country with coal.
Mr. Kelley was born in Ireland in 1837
and was twenty years of age when he crossed
the Atlantic to America, arriving in New
York on the 24th of July, 1857. He there
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
129
remained until October of tlie succeeding
}-ear and worked for the g;o\-ernment on
fortifications at old Fort Schuyler on East
river. He afterward spent four months in
Pennsylvania and then came to Dan\-ille, in
February, 1859. He was here employed in
a brickyard through one summer and the
next year secured work iu the coal mines
on the blufi:', in i860. As his earnest labors
brought to him some capital he resolved to
engage in business for himself and purchased
a piece of land which is now included within
the city limits of Danville, being located near
the Children's Home. He sold three acres
of this but a portion of it he still retains
Mr. Kelley worked that place until about
eighteen years ago, when he bought twenty-
six acres of land on South Fork, tliree miles
from Danville, along the Chicago & Eastern
Illinois Railroad. He then sunk a mine to
the depth of seventy feet and continued its
operation for ten years. In the meantime
he sunk several other mines in the same lo-
cality. He now operates six mines, being
the largest mine operator in Vermilion coun-
ty. His output in 1902 from two of his
mines was e:ight hundred thousand tons. He
now owns in one body eight thousand acres
of land, on which he has six mines which
are in operation, while another is now being
started. As he has increased his lousiness
along this line he has also extended his la-
bors into other fields of business activity,
his ef¥orts covering a wide scope. He built
both the town of Kelleyville and Westville
upon his land. The former was established
without saloons and has been so continued.
!Mr. Kelley owns three general stores in Kel-
leyville, and one in Westville, and he
owns about three hundred and fifty houses
in those places. He has another gen-
eral store in Dan\ille. He employs about
two thousand seven hundred men in the
mines, and the output for 1903 will be a
little o\er two million one hundred anck
fiftj'-four tons of coal. I'robablv no-
other resident in the county has done so
much for his fellow men in the way of fur-
nishing employment and thus enabling oth-i
ers to serve him and retain their self-respect
because they are self-supporting and inde-
pendent. He is now under contract to fur-
nish six hundred thousand tons of coal to
the Standard Oil Company of Chicago each
year and nine hundred thousand tons each
year to the Illinois Steel Company for use
in its plants in Chicago and joliet.
]\Ir. Kelley is generous of his means and
those in need of assistance are often helped
by him. He possesses a most benevolent
and humanitarian spirit. He is now build-
ing a brick schoolhouse at ^\'est\•ille which
will cost between eight and ten thousand
dollars. This will be a free school in charge
of the Catholic sisters and will be given to
the city. Mr. Kelley is a liberal supjiorter
of churches of all denominations and gives
freely to enterprises calculated to prove of
general good. In 1865. in Danville, was
celebrated the marriage of our subject and
Miss Mary Dunn, who was born in the
Empire state. They now have two sons and
three daughters : Michael, who married
Birdie Podgett; Edward, who is engaged in
bookkeeping for his father: Nellie, Ruth
and Jennie, all at home. The family have
an elegant home opposite the postoffice, the
former residence of Judge Davis. Mr. and
Mrs. Kelley lost one child, Mary, who was a
graduate of the Catholic school at Notre
Dame. Indiana, who died in 1900, at the age
of twenty-four years. Two daughters.
Ruth and Jennie, are now students at St.
Mary's Academy, Notre Dame, Indiana.
I30
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
The family are coniinunicants of the Cath-
ohc church.
In his youth Mr. Kelley liad ver\'
hmited opportunities for acquiring an edu-
cation or to gain a start in hfe. He says
that when lie came to Danville he had noth-
ing but his health. That condition is a strong
contrast to his present financial standing,
for he today ranks among the wealthy men
of this state. All this is due to his business
ability, his enterprise and unremitting la-
bor. His life has ever been a \ery busy one
and that he has advanced be3-ond others
on the road to success is due not to any in-
herited fortune or to a combination of luck}'^
circumstances, but is the direct result of the
exercise of qualities which may be culti-
vated by all. His wealth has come to him
from the discrimination and utilization of
opportunity and the most envious cannot
grudge him his success, so honorably has it
been won and so worthilv used is it.
SAMUEL ^\'. P.AU:^!.
The three essential elements of success
— industr)-, energy- and .intelligence — may
be acquired by all. They do not come
through hereditary tendencies, save in a la-
tent form which must be developed through
exercise; the}- cannot be received as a leg-
acy: nor can they be purchased. They are
a matter of acquirement through cultivation
and thus in a country unhampered by caste
or class the road to success is open to all.
Samuel W. Baum may well be termed a self-
made man. for wliile he stands to-day
among the prosperous men of Vermilion
county, he was at the outset of his business
career empty-handed and dependent entire-
ly upon his own exertions. He became a
leading farmer and stock-raiser, also ex-
tended his efforts into other fields of en-
deavor and now he is living retired in the en-
joyment of the competence which he has
gained.
'Mr. Baum was born Februan,- 15. 1842.
on the old family homestead in Carroll
township, Vermilion county, a son of Sam-
uel and Sarah (\\'eaver) Baum. He be-
gan his education in a little log schoolhouse
in Indianola and after a few weeks entered
a subscription school taught in the old house
that now stands beside the Baptist church.
The teachers "boarded round" at the homes
of the pupils. For two summers he was un-
der the instruction of a capable lady teacher.
Later he attende<l onh^ for about two and a
half months in the winter season, but in la-
ter j-ears he cultivated a power of obser\-ing
as well as a love of reading and thus he con-
tinuall}- broadened his knowledge, becoming
a well informed man. His father believed
in keeping the boys busy and thus he early
became familiar with hard work. He
would break prairie with six yoke of oxen,
turning a twenty-two inch furrow. After
his father's death he left home and was em-
ployed for a time as a farm hand by the day.
His younger brother remained at home and
as thev each had a horse they had bought
they made a team, purchased a plow and set
of harness and rented their father's farm
from the executors. After farming togeth-
er for a year they borrowed some money
and began buying yearling cattle, which they
fed and grazed until tliey were three years
old. when they fattened them and sold. The
second year they both owned a team and re-
mained on the farm. Their first crop
brought eight and ten cents per bushel, but
in war times prices advanced.
When the estate was settled Samuel \V.
Baum received his share — eighty acres of
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
131
raw prairie, and alter tiie tdurtli vear lie
broke tiiis. Tiie timber with wliicli lie
fenced it, he liauled seven miles. His uncle
said he would not fence it for the land —
such was the estimate jilaceil on prairie at
that time. The next year Mr. Bauni bought
another eighty- acre tract, fenced the entire
amount and placed it under the plow. Dur-
ing this time he and his brother had contin-
ued in the cattle husiness tog'ether and the
partnership was maintained until 187J. dur-
ing which time tliev became extensi\e ship-
pers of and dealers in cattle. They then dis-
solved partnership, but Mr. Baum continued
the business and from time to time he pur-
chased more land until his possessions now
aggregate fourteen hundred acres in \'er-
mJlion county. For several years he boarded
■with his sister, Mrs. Pugh, who lived near
by, and then he erected a small frame house,
but later made extensive, valuable and splen-
did imiirovements on his farm until it was
one of the best country seats of this portion
of the state. There he lived until Novem-
Ijer, 1S90, when he removed to Danville,
and after two years lie came to Indianola,
where he |)urchased propertv and has since
made his home. While he is jiractically liv-
ing retired, he yet gives his supervision to
his large farm. He has been one of the most
extensive dealers in cattle in eastern Illinois
and for many years he was interested in
fancy stock. In 1892 he fed six head of tw'O
years-old steers, that weighed on an average
of nineteen hundred and fifty pounds. For
many years he bred fancy shorthorn cattle,
and he gave some attention to horses but
made a specialty of beef cattle and hogs. For
a time he was connected with the Danville
Fair Association and the Indianola Associa-
tion, and has e\-er been interested in what-
ever tends to promote advancement along
agricultural lines. His attention, however.
has not been confinctl entirely to farm pro-
ducts and kindred industries for he is a
stockholder in the large Emery dry-goods
hou.se of Danville.
On the 5lh of November, 1879, Mr.
Baum was united in marriage to Miss Delia
Stewart, a native of Vermilion county and
a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Jane
(Cochran) Stewart. She was born on the
old Achilles ]\ [organ farm in the first brick
house l)uilt in this county. Her parents
were natives of Brown county, Ohio, were
there married and in an early day went to
Woodford county, Illinois. They went
down the Ohio to the Mississippi, then up
the latter to the Illin(_)is and after following
that waterway, for a time, landed at Spring
Ha}-, whence they proceeded on horse back
to their destination. After a residence of
fi\-e or six years in Woodford county they
came to Vermilion county and purchased
the old Morgan farm in Georgetown town-
ship, southeast of Danville. Mr. Stewart
lived to be sixty-four years of age and died
in Danville, to which place he had removed
after his children had married and left
home. His widow now makes her home
with her youngest daugliter, Mrs. R. A.
Rouse. To them were born seven daugh-
ters : Mary Malinda, who died when three
months old ; Thainer Elizabeth, the twin of
Mary and the wife of Thomas Patrick, who
is a farmer of Vermilion county, Indiana;
Lavina, the wife of J. C. ^laddox, of Sidell
township; Sarah Amanda, who died at the
age of five years ; Josephine, the wife of
Jasper N. Baum, of Edgar county, Illinois;
Delia, the wife of Samuel Baum; and Dol-
lie, the wife of R. A. Rouse, of Danville.
In politics Samuel Baum has been a Re-
publican since voting for Abraham Lincoln
in 1864, but he has never held or wanted of-
fice, preferring to give his attention to his
132
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
business affairs, in wiiich lie has met witli
signal success. He is a self-made man in
the best sense ot tliat term, having had
no assistance in his business career, and
while winning prosperity he has also gained
the respect and goodwill of his fellow men
and is numbered among the valued and lead-
ing men of the count)-.
FRAX'CIS ASBURY COLLISON.
Francis Asbury Collison is an- extensive
land owner and stock dealer in Vermilion
county, controlling large business interests,
which demand executive force and ability,
keen foresight and enterprise. He is wide-
ly known throughout the county as "Bury"
Collison and is recognized as one of the lead-
ing representatives of stock-dealing interests
of this portion of the state. Vennilion
county claims him as one of her native sons,
his liirth having occurred June 25, 1837, in
Pilot township, upon a farm which forms a
part of his estate. He obtained his early
education in the log school house and re-
mained at home with his parents until
twenty-two years of age, after which he was
associated with his brother in Potomac for
a year or two.
On the 25th of October, 1866, Mr. Col-
lison was united in marriage to Nannie J-
Howard, who was born in Pilot township,
February 20, 1846, a daughter of Joseph
and Sarah (Martin) Howard. Her mother
died during the infancy of Mrs. Collison
and the father passed away when she was
but five years of age. She had one sister,
Margaret, and a half brother, G. C. How-
ard, but the former died at the age of six-
teen years. After the death of his first wife
Mr. Howard had married Miss Barbara
(Snyder) Morrison, who is now living in
Potomac and is the widow of William I.
Allen.
The marriage of our subject and his
wife was lilessed with nine children, of
whom seven survive. I'red married Fmnia
Martin and is living in Rantoul. Harry
married Mollie Martin, a sister of his
brother's wife, and the two brothers are en-
gaged in the banking business, conducting
the First National Bank of Rantoul. Lillie
is the wife of David Fowler, of Danville-
township. Lulu, a twin sister of Lillie, is
the wife of Robert Pollock, who is a stock-
holder and cashier of the bank at Gilman,
Illinois. Mae is the wife of E. G. Stephens,
a farnier of Pilot township. Maude is the
wife of Charles Atwood, who is conducting
a general store in Collison. Nellie com-
pletes the family. Mr. and Mrs. Collison
also have eight grandchildren. They lost
two children : Joseph, who died at the age
of seven months ; and Jessie, who died at the
age of three months. He had given to their
chilflren excellent educational privileges.
The youngest son is a graduate of the law
department of the University of Michigan
at Ann Arbor and was admitted to the Illi-
nois bar but never practiced. Fred is a
graduate of the Gem City Business Col-
lege of Ouincv, Illinois, and for a number
of tern-is engaged in teaching in the district
schools and in the intermediate department
of the public schools of Indianola. The twin
daughters attended De Pauw University at
Greencastle, Indiana, and Maude was a stu-
dent in the Normal School at Normal, Il-
linois.
The first land which Mr. Collison ever
owned was a tract of one hundred and
twenty acres w-hich he received as his share-
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
135
of the estate whicli helonged to his father,
who was tlie owner of nine huiKhxcl acres,
and to this property our suhject has added
from time to time until his huuled ])osses-
sions now aggregate between eleven and
twelve hun(h-ed acres, all of which is located
in Pilot township with the exception of a
quarter section in Oakwood township.
From the age of sixteen years he has been
engaged in the stock business, giving much
of his time to dealing in live stock. In an
early day he drove cattle to Chicago, but his
tirst sliiiiments were made to Xew York.
He now ships on an 'average of from ten
to twelve carloads of stock each year
and is breeding shorthorn cattle. For a
number of years he is engaged in the
cultivation of his fields, but of recent
vears he has rented his land, all save
his pastures. Splendid improvements have
been made upon his farm, which under his
supervision has been brought to a rich state
of cultivation. In 1880 he ga\e his first
contract for tiling to the amount of two
thousand dollars and almost every year since
that time he has added to the amount of
tiling uiHiu his place. One year he was a
half owner in a tile factory east of Collison.
In 1S85 he erected his present beautiful
home which stands on the site of the old
residence so that he has here lived for
thirty-five consecutive years. His present
palatial residence contains thirteen rooms,
a bath, broad halls and all modern equip-
ments and its furnishings indicate the re-
fined and cultured tastes, of the owners.
Although not a member of any church
]\Ir. Collison attends the Methodist Episco-
pal church of which his wife is a member
and he belongs to the Masonic fraternity,
having formerly been identified with the
lodge at Potomac. The first postoffice in
Pilot t(jwnship was secured through the ef-
forts of Mr. Collison and was called Bixby,
being located on a portion of his farm. It
was looked upon with disfavor by many at
first l)ut later they realized it was one of the
best things that was ever done for the town-
ship. In politics he is a stalwart Republi-
can and has held some minor offices, but has
never been an aspirant for political honors,
preferring to devote his time and energies
to his business aft'airs. Few men in \'er-
milion county are more widely known than
is "Bury" Collison, whose residence here
covers sixty-five years — the entire period of
his life. While he has controlled extensive
business interests and won splendid success
he has never allowed the accumulation of
wealth to warp his kindly nature or to in-
fluence him in any degree in his associations
with cAd time friends. He is a genial gentle-
man, companionable and kindly, and is \ery
popular among those who know him. He
certainly deserves to be classed among the
representative agriculturists of this part of
the state. Though he received some assist-
ance in starting out in life his splendid pros-
perity is due to his own efforts, to his
diligence and to his correct business ])rin-
cii^les. and through the exercise of these
qualities he has won success, which places
him in the front rank among the substantial
citizens of his native countv.
GEORGE E. COCKERTOX.
.'\mong the "captains of industry" in
Danville may be nuriibered George E. Cock-
erton. a self-made man. who at the outset
of his business career realized that there is
no excellence without labor and whose ef-
•36
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
forts therein have lieen exercised consecu-
tively in an endea\or to acquire a hand-
some competence. In tliis he has suc-
ceeded and at the same time he has won
honor and respect which is accorded to
those whose liusiness careers will bear close
investigation and scrutiny. As a boy in
1864 Mr. Cockerton came to Danville with
his parents, John C. and Hannah (Pate)
Cockerton, who are yet residents of this city.
The family is of English lineage and repre-
sentatives of the name came from England
to America, locating first in Chicago, Illi-
nois, afterward in l-dgin and subsequently in
this city. Both the father and mother of
our subject \\ere born in England and the
year of their emigration to America was
184Q. The father was engaged in finishing
woolen goods. In the family were three
children, Init one brother, Frank, died in
Danville at the age of forty-seven years.
The sister, Mrs. Edgar C. Dodge, now in
Chicago, was a teacher in the schools of
Danville prior to her marriage.
George E. Cockerton completed his edu-
cation in the high school of Danville under
the direction of Professor Spellman, leav-
ing that institution at the age of seventeen
years. From the age of fourteen he has
been connected almost continuously with the
printing business. He first entered the of-
fice of the Danville Plaindealer, owned by
the firm of Clapp & Evans. Subsequently
he entered the office of the Danville Times,
owned by A. G. Smith and closely applying
himself to his work, he became one of the
best printers in this portion of the country,
being made manager of a plant. A weekly
paper was published and a large jobbing
business carried on, Mr. Cockerton hax'ing
supervision of the mechanical department
and business management of the Enteqirise
between the ages of eighteen and twentv-
one years. On attaining his majority he
went to the east where he remained for four
years and there further acquainted himself
A\ith the line of work which he had chosen
for a life occupation. For several years he
was also employed in Indianapolis and when
the financial panic of 1877 involved the
country he came to Danville in response to
an offer which was made him to take charge
of the Times. He occupied that position for
two years, managing the jobbing depart-
ment. In 1879 he formed a partnership
with F. E. Bowman, in the establishment of
a job and printing oflice on a small scale.
Immediate failure was predicted for the new
firm by all, but in face of these dire predic-
tions the}- ha\e succeeded, their strong reso-
lution, enterprise and good workmanship
enabling them to overcome all obstacles and
difficulties in their path. At the expiration
of three years their business was sold
at a gootl advance. Later ]\Ir. Cockerton es- '
tablished a job office alone and conducted it
for four years. On the expiration of that
period the Press Company was formed, Mr.
Cockerton becoming business manager and
in that position he remained for two years.
In i88g he established an exclusive job and
book business, and in Januars', 1901, he
admitted his S(jn ti) a partnership in the
business. The new enterprise prospered
frosn the beginning. The public had already
become familiar with his good workman-
sfiip and comprehensive knowledge of the
printing business in all its departments and
it was not long before he had seciu'ecl a lib-
eral patronage. In 1898 he added a book
binding plant and also began manufacturing
rubber stamps. The book binding and
stamp manufacturing departments are now
under the direct management of Herliert E.
Cockerton, the junior member of the firm,
and this branch of his business has had phe-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
137
nomenal growtli. The plant is \-alue(l at tei:
thousand dollars and the value is constantly
being increased by the addition of new ma-
chinery and equipments calculated to pro-
mote the effectiveness of the work and ad-
vance the practical utility of the business.
In 1876 was celebrated the marriage of
Mr. Cockerton and Miss Lillian E. Jack, of
Indianapolis. She was liorn in Centerville,
Indiana, a daughter of Matbew W. and
Ann (Sackett ) Jack. Both parents are now
deceased. In their family were ten chil-
dren, of whom Mrs. Cockerton was the
vcningest. Thomas Carroll, of Carrollton,
Maryland, a signer of the Declaration of In-
dependence, was an uncle of her father. Mr.
Jack died in Chicago at the age of ninety-
one years. He was a tailor by trade and in
later years carried on merchandising. He
held membership in the Tippecanoe Club of
Chicago and was quite prominent in public
affairs there. Unto Air. and Mrs. Cocker-
ton has been born one son, Herbert E. He
was married in November. 1901, to Miss
Lola G. Young, who was bom in Danville
in February, 1880, a daughter of C. M.
Young, one of the well known residents of
this city and general agent for the Home
Sewing Machine Company for Indiana and
Illinois. Mr. Cockerton owns a residence
at No. 310 Oak street, x-alucd at ti\e tliou-
sand dollars, and has a suburban fruit ranch
at the northeast comer of the city covering
two acres and planted to small fruit. His
father lives at that place. The son mvns ^
property at No. 710 Gilbert street. Mr.
Cockerton is a member of Olive Branch
Lodge. Xo. 38. ¥. & A. M. ; Vermilion
Chapter, No. 8j, R. A. M.: Danville Coun-
cil, No. 83. R. & S. M. : and Athelstan Com-
mandery. No. 45. K. T. Of the last named
he is ])ast eminent commander and is past
chancellor of Damascus Lodge, No. 84, K.
P.. He likewise belongs to the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks and to Paugh-
caughnaughsinque Tribe, Improved Order
of Redmen. He holds membership relations
with the C"ycling Club and has been a mem-
ber of the Chamber of Commerce since its
organization. His name is also on the
membership roll of Damille Council, No.
160, of the National L'nion. In his life his-
torv are many e\idences of excellent busi-
ness abilitv. ills ])rosperity cannot be at-
tributed to a combination of Incky circum-
stances, but has arisen from energy, enter-
prise, integritv and intellectual effort well
directed. He is a man of strong individual-
itv anil indubitable probity and one whose
influence has ever been exerted in behalf of
measures contributing to the general good.
\V. A. COCHRAN, M. D.
W. -V. Cochran who in the practice of
medicine has displajed skill and comprehen-
sive knowledge that ranks him among the
leading members of the medical fi-atcrnity
in Danville, was born in Madison. Indiana,
in 1850, and is a son of Andrew and Min-
erva (Morris) Cochran. The father, also
a native of Madison, was a contractor and
builder and in the year 1855 ranoved to
Brookston. Indiana, where the mother died
of smallpox in 1861. The father however,
long survived her, passing away in Brooks-
ton in November, 1901. By the first mar-
riage there were three children of whom the
Doctor is the eldest. His brother and sister
died in childhood. After the death of his
first wife Andrew Cochran was again mar-
ried and l)v the second union had two sons,
Clvde and Sherman, both of whom are now
li\ins'' in Brookston.
138
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Dr. Cochran pursued liis studies in the
Brookston Academy, leaving that institu-
tion in 1868. The following year he took
up the study of medicine, entering the Ohio
Medical College at Cincinnati, where he
was graduated in 1873. The same year he
established the office in Brookston, Indiana,
where he remained for one year after which
he engaged in practice for a year in Han-
over, Kentucky. On the expiration of that
])eriod he located in Indianapolis where he
remained in practice until 1882. which was
the year of his arrival in \'ermilion county,
IHinois. He established his home and office
at Grape Creek where he remained until
1895, when he came to Danville, where he
has since li\ed. Experience of a varied
character in former 3'ears, combined with
reading, study and investigation have al-
ready made him a capable physician and in
the city of his adoption he has long since
left the ranks of .the many to stand among
the successful few.
In 1877 occurred the marriage of Dr.
Cochran and jMiss Martha P. Medaris, the
wedding taking place in Brookston, Indiana.
The lady was born in Hartford, Indiana,
April 3, 1855, a daughter of John Medaris,
a physician of Brookston, Indiana. Her
mother, however, is now deceased. The
Doctor and Mrs. Cochran have two chil-
dren : Charles H., who was born February
7, 1878, is a machinist in the employ of the
Danville foundry and machine shops; Helen
E., born August 30, 1880, is a graduate of
the Danville high school. The Doctor is
identified socially with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, the Tribe of Ben
Hur and the Bene\-olent and Protective Or-
der of Elks. In politics he is a Republican
and for se\en years he filled the office of
county physician, while for two terms he was
police, magistrate at Grape Creek. Illinois.
In 1894 he was elected assistant supervisor of
Danville township. His home is at No. 910
Vermilion street where he has a pleasant
residence. In the line of his profession he
is connected with the Tri County and the
State Aledical Associations. He is engaged
in the general practice of medicine and sur-
gery and has served on the hospital surgical
staff of the Vermilion county hospital for
seven years, tie is also examining physi-
cian for a number of insurance companies
and in this profession where advancement
depends solely on strong mentality and in-
dividual merit he has steadily worked his
way upward until he now occupies a very
creditable place in the ranks of the medical
fraternity.
LEVIX D. GASS.
Levin D. Gass is the well known cashier
of the First National Bank of Danville and
to say of him that he has arisen unaided
from comparative obscurity to rank among
the leading business men of Danville is a
statement that seems trite to those familiar
with his life, yet it is just to say in a history
that will descend to future generations, that
his business record has been one that any
man would be proud to possess. 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
fulfilled, and stands to-day an example of
what determination and force combined
with the highest degree of business integ-
rit}- can accomplish for a man of natural
abilit}' and strength of character. He is re-
spected by the community at large and hon-
ored l)y his business associates.
^Ir. Gass was born in Catlin, Illinois,
November 22, 1858. His father, John H.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
141
Gass was burn in Tennessee and died in
August, 1895, in Chicago. He had been en-
gaged in the hve stock commission business
in tliat city in connection with John Adams,
Son & Company, for twent_\--foui" years. He
took up his abode in \ ermilion count}- in
1856, and in Danxihe in 1866. He was a
wholesale and retail grocery of the ctiy as
well as an extensive dealer in live stock in
Chicago. His wife died in b'ebruary, 1901.
In the family were the following- children :
Hamlet; Charles; Mrs. George Cutter and
Mrs. Butler jMiller, all of Chicago; and Mrs,
Olmstead, of Danville.
Le\-in D. Gass pursued his early educa-
tion in the public schools of Danville and
then became a high school student. In 1875
he put aside his te.xt books and entered the
First National Bank under J. G. English as
president and E. H. Palmer as cashier. He
acted as messenger and errand bov in the
early days of his connection with the insti-
tution and afterward served as collector for
eighteen months and was then advanced to
the position of general bookkeeper, which
incumljency he retained for two years, after
A\hich he was indi\idual bookkeeper for
eighteen months. On the expiration of that
period he was made teller and when four
years had passed he was again promoted.
becoming assistant cashier, in which ca-
pacity he served for fourteen years. For
five years he has been cashier of the insti-
tution and its growth and progress during
this period is largely attributable to his ef-
forts. He is a stockholder and director of
the bank and his thorough understanding
of the banking business combined with
close application and unremitting diligence
have made him one of the most valued of-
ficers (if the institution and a man who has
wiin and retains the public confidence and
regard. He is also a stocklmlder in the
Danville Buggy Company and he owns
both city and farm property, having made
judicious investments in real estate.
In this city, in i88r, Mr. Gass married
Miss Eva Hulce, a native of ^Marshall coun-
ty, Illinois, and a daughter of Martin Hulce,
now deceased, who was the president of the
Dan\ille Buggy Company. They have four
children ; Lewis, Martin, Inez and How-
ard, all of whom are yet under the parental
roof and are now students in school. The
family home is at No. 318 Gilbert street and
the household is celebrated lor its gracious
hospitality.
l''raternally Mr. Gass is connected with
the blue lodge and the chapter of Masonry.
He also belongs to the Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elks, the Knights of
Pythias fraternity and the Modern W'l Kid-
men (jf .\merica. For many years he has
been a niemljer of the Kimber Alethodist
Episcopal church, of which lie has been a
trustee. He takes a \ery prominent and
acti\'e part in politics, is a stanch Republican
and has served as school treasurer and presi-
dent of the board of education in Danville.
He was one of those who helped to start the
movement which caused the Republicans of
Illinois to give an almost universal support
to the sound money [(lank of the [)latform
in 1896 and led the state delegation to give
its unanimous strength to the McKinley
ticket in that year. His has been a busy,
useful ;inil hnnorable life and while business
affairs ha\'e made close demands upon his
attention he has yet found time and oppor-
tunity to failhfull\' perform his duties of
citizenship and of social life. He has a very
wide acquaintance in Danville and the circle
of his friends is almost co-e.xtensive there-
with. His enteri)rise and commercial ac-
142
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
tivity liave not only contributed to his indi-
vidttal welfare but have been a potent force
in advancing business prosperity here.
FRAXKLIX ROBERT OSBORN.
Franklin Robert Osborn. who is en-
gaged in tlie publication of the Ridgefarm
Republican, was born February 24, 1859.
in ^lahomet. Cliampaign county, Illinois,
his parents being Rol^rt Osborn and Mar-
garet Allen (Henley) Osborn. The Os-
borns were among the early English colon-
ists who settled in North Carolina and grad-
ually migrated westwartl first to Kentucky
and thence to Indiana. It was between the
years 1820 and 1823 that James Osborn, the
grandfather of our subject, settled in \'er-
milion county, Illinois, where Robert Os-
born, the father of our subject, was born in
1824. The family resided at the place of
their first residence for nine years and then
removed to a home near the present site of
Homer in Champaigni county, where the
grandfatlier remained for a year. He next
located in the western part of the county
and entered a tract of land, sectiring his pat-
ent from the government. This land
has constituted the old homestead down to
the present time. Roljert Osborn, who is
spoken of in preceding histories of Vance
township and in whose home it it reported
was held the first public worship in that
township, was a great uncle of the subject
of this review. The Osborns were ever an
honored upright peo])le and no taint of dis-
honor is ever attached to the name.
In the district scliools Mr. Osborn of this
review began his education, which he con-
tinued in the ]\Iahoniet high school, in the
Central Iivliana Normal School at Dan-
ville and in the ( hamijaign Business Col-
lege in which he was graduated in 1887.
At night and morning he walked three and
a half miles to high school and was only
once tardy during that period and that was
on a day when the hogs were being killed on
the farm. He was one of only two pupils
who studied grammar in the cotmtry
schools, but he was always ambitious to se-
cure a good education and put fcirth every
effort in his power that would advance this
result. He remained upon the home fanii
assisting in its cultivation and improvement
until twenty-two years of age and in his
voutli he was ever fond of outdoor sports,
being quite athletic. He engaged in wrest-
ling, racing and jumping and these boyhood
pleasures also contributed in large and bene-
ficial measure to his physical development.
As he grew older it l:iecame his desire to
studv law, luit he was dissuaded from this
step by his parents who thought to succeed
in that profession meant a life of chicanery.
He, therefore, took uj) the profession of
teaching which he followed with a marked
degree of success for thirteen years. During
five years of this time, from 1888 until 1892.
he was jirincipal of a graded school at
Thomasboro and in 1892 and 1893 he was
at Ogden. In 1894 he entered upon journa-
listic work. On the 24th of February of
that vear — on the dav on which he was
thirtv-fi\-e years of age — he purchased the
!Melvin Transcript in Ford county and re-
mained its editor and publisher for five
vears, or until March, 1S09, '^vhen he sold
that paper and purchased the Ridgefarm
Republican, which he still owns. Its pa-
tronange is continually increasing and there
is now a large suljscription list in addition to
which the paper has become an excellent ad-
vertising medium. Several causes led Mr.
O.sborn to abandon teaching and enter into
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
143
other work, the close confincinent of the
school room, second, a desire for a more in-
dependent life, third, a wish, to prepare an
employment which would keep the son at
home when not in school, and fourth, a wish
to deal with people who had attained mature
years and to become an active factor in the
business world. On the 7th of August,
1889, Mr. Osborn was united in luarriage
to Miss Lillian Elmira Thompson, of Ran-
toul, Illinois, Dr. Frank Crane officiating.
The lady was born in ^lorris, Illinois, in
1864 and in 1868 was taken by her parents
to Champaigii county, where she grew to
womanhood and became a teacher, success-
fully following that [profession for nine
years. Her father, Thomas Thompson, was
a veteran of the war of the Rebellion and
served under Commodore Foote in his oper-
ations which terminated successfully in
opening up the Mississippi river. Three
children ha\e been born unto i\Ir. and Mrs.
Osborn : Merwyn 01i\er, twelve years of
age; Pauline Theodora, aged eleven years;
and Robert Thompson, seven months old.
Mr. Osborn has never asked for nor held
an\- ])ul)hc offices yet he has been a very ac-
tive factor in the progress and improvement
of various localities in which he has lived
and has left the impress of his individuality
upon ])ul_)]ic th(iught and feeling. While in
Champaign county he labored earnestly and
effectively for the improvement of the
county schools and for a course of study
with the result that the educational interests
of that portion of the state gained a place
in the front rank in Illinois. Mr. Osborn
has always iieen an earnest Republican, un-
tiring in his advocacv of the party principles
and he has delivered many campaign
addresses in behalf of the men and mejisures
of that organization. Reared in the faith
of the ^Methodist church, he became one of
its members wlien nineteen years of age and
while in Champaign county he established
the first "evergreen" Sunday-school at
Thomasboro and was also one of the most
potent factors in the founding of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church at that place and he is
now a trustee of the church of his denomi-
nation in Ridgefarm. He is the president of
the St. Paid's Epworth League and in 1899
he was a delegate to the international con-
vention of the League at Indianapolis. So-
cially connected with the Knights of Pythias
fraternity, Mr. Osborn held the office of pre-
late for two years and then declined to serve
longer on account of illness in his im-
mediate family. He is a member of the
Modern \\'oodmen of America and of the
Royal Circle and in the latter he served for
three terms as worthy ruler and then de-
clined re-election. He was also a member of
the McKinley Marching Club of 1898. Ac-
tivity, energy and determination ha\-e lieen
salient characteristics in his career and were
noticeable when in his ymith and early man-
hood he was a social leader, while later they
formed an important part of his successful
w^ork as a teacher and are now manifest in
his career as a iournalist.
ja:\[es u. prather.
James U. Prather. who carries on agri-
cultural ]jursuils on section 15, Ross town-
shi]). where he owns two hundred and forty
acres of \-aluable land, was born on the 27th
of ■May, 185,1, in this township, represent-
ing one of the old pioneer families of Ver-
milion county. The Prather family has
long been identified with pioneer life, not
onh' in this state l)Ut in Kentucky as well,
and the great-grandfather of our subject
144
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
was killed by the Indians in the Blue Grass
state, at the time when the red men were so
hostile to the white settlers and killed so
many of them that the country became
known as "the dark and bloody ground."
Jonathan Prather was reared and married
in Kentucky and there se\-eral of his chil-
dren \\-ere born. Jerry Prather, the father,
removed to Illinois, settling in Vermilion
count}- ncirtli of Dan\ille, where he secured a
wild tract of land afterward entering it from
the government. Turning the furrows in
his fields he developed his place into a richly
cultivated farm upon which he spent his last
years. He was born in Kentucky atout
1820, and shared with the other members
of the household in all the hardships and
trials incident to the establishment of a pio-
neer h(_ime here. He was married to Eve-
lyn IMiller, also a native of Kentucky, and a
daughter of (Airnelius Miller, a pioneer resi-
dent of Fountain county, Indiana. After
their marriage the young couple located in
Ross township, where Jerry Prather became
the owner of several hundred acres of land.
He developed a good farm about three miles
east of Rossville and was engaged in its
cultivation and improvement. \\'hen in the
prime of life he was called to the home be-
yond, passing away' in 1859. His first wife
had died some years before and he after-
ward married again. His second wife, after
losing her first husband, also married again.
James U. Prather, of this review, Avas
the youngest in a family of seven children,
all of whom reached mature }ears and were
married, while four of the number are yet
living. Sarah A., the eldest, is the wife of
Daniel Kite, of Cass county, Missouri. Jon-
athan is a resident of Rossville. Elizalieth
C. is the wife of William Gundy, of Har-
risonville, Cass county, Missouri. James N.
Prather, of this re\-iew, was reared on the
farm and as soon as old enough to follow
the plow he began work in the fields. After
his father's death he lived with his eldest
sister until he had attained the age of eigh-
teen )-ears, when, in 1869, he went to
W'right county, Missouri, remaining there
for about twelve months, during which time
he worked upon a farm. In 1870, however,
he returned to Vermilion county, rented land
here and engaged in farming for a number
of years. After living upon a tract of one
hundred acres for a number of years he re-
moved to Hoopeston, where he resided in re-
tirement from labor for ten years. In 1902,
however, he purchased the farm upon which
he now resides on section 15, Ross' town-
ship, located thereon and began the further
improvemerit of this place. It is one of the
fine farms of the community.
Near Carlisle, Arkansas, about 1878, oc-
curred the marriage of James U. Prather
and Mariah L. Moyer, a native of Ver-.
milion county and a daughter of Satnuel
Moyer, one of the old settlers of Illinois.
Her mother bore the maiden name of Xancy
Gundy and they were married in Ross town-
ship. She is now deceased and Mr. Moyer,
who has married again, is now living in
Houston, Texas. After the war he removed
to Tennessee, later to Arkansas and is now
a resident of the Lone Star state. Mrs.
Prather spent the greater part of her girl-
hood in Arkansas and prior to her marriage
was a successful teacher. Four children
have been torn of this union : Jennie, Eth-
el, James Forrest and Maude A., all of
whom are still under the parental rcK:)f.
Mr. Prather has been honored with
public offices by his fellow townsmen who
ha\e recognized his worth and ability and
h:i\e therefore nominated him for positions
of i)ublic trust. He has served as township
trustee, fillin"- the office altogether for
LIBRARY
OF liJE
UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
147
t\\'el\e years. He has ne\-er been a poli-
tician, liowever. in tiie sense of office seek-
ing for his business affairs have made heavy
demanils upon his time and attention. His
first presidential liallot was cast in 1872
for General U. S. Grant and he has
since been unfaltering in support of the
Republican party. He and his wife
and two daughters are members of
the Christian church and he belongs to
the ]\Iasonic fraternity in which he has
attained the Royal Arch degree. He
now belongs to Hoopeston Lodge and is
also connected ^vith the Modern Woodmen
of America. The name of Prather is in-
separably interwoven in the history of Ver-
milion county, as from pioneer times clcjwn
to the present representatives of the family
have been prominent in promoting the sub-
stantial upbuilding of this section of the
state. Our subject carries on the work
which was begun by his grandfather and
continued by his father and is known as one
wliose interest in the county is deep and sin-
cere.
THO^IAS WILLIAMS.
Thomas Williams has passed the sev-
entieth milestone of life's journey and is
now living a retired life in Hoopeston. The
regard in which he is uniformly held is evi-
dence of his high character, and he may
therefore be mentioned as a representative
of the best element of citizenship in this
community. He is a man of the strictest in-
tegrity and one, who by his life of industr\-
and the exercise of ecoiKjmy and wise judg-
ment, has obtained for himself a compe-
tence. He is now living retired from ac-
tive labor in a pleasant home in Hoopeston,
attractively located on East Penn street — a
home that was Ijuilt in 1901 and is a
model of beauty and convenience. Mr. Wil-
liams settled in this county during his in-
fancy and he has assisted materially in
gaining for it its present importance.
Thomas Williams spent the first nine-
teen years of his life in Harrison county,
Ohio, where he was born November 29,
1828. His father, Nathan Williams, was a
native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania,
and when a young man emigrated to Har-
rison county, Ohio, where he engaged in
teaching school for two years. Prior to
this time he had learned the tailor's trade.
In the Buckeye state he purchased a tract
of land near Georgetown and there de-
veloped a good farm. He married Sarah,
a daughter of Nathan Hoopes, and unto
them were born ten children, of whom
Thomas of this review was the fifth in or-
der of birth. The father died in 1841 when
sixty years of age. The mother retained
her residence in Ohio until after her chil-
dren had reached mature years and then she
come to the home of her son in this county,
although she did not sell her property in
Ohio. Her death here occurred in 1881,
when she was seventy-nine j-ears of age. lier
birth having occurred in 1802. Like her
husband she was a consistent member of
the Society of Friends.
Thomas Williaius acquired his educa-
tion in the common schools and lived with
his widowed mother until he was nineteen
years of age, when with the natural desire
of youth for change he left home and went
to work for his uncle, Thomas Hoopes. in
Marion county, Ohio. He was thus em-
ployed by the month for seven years and
then he came to Illinois, bringing with him
four hundred sheep. He was to engage in
sheep raising on the shares and he made the
journey to the west on foot, driving his flock
148
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
through from Alarion county, Ohio, to
where Hoopeston, Vermihon county, now
stands, a distance of four hundred miles, be-
ing thirty daj's upon the road. He reached
his destination October 20, 1853, and
througli the succeeding winter made his
home with "Uncle Samuel" Gilbert. His
attention was given to caring for his sheep
which he fed in the timber south of Ross-
ville, ami in the spring he located upon a
farm owned by Mr. Hoopes on section 11,
Grant township, northwest of the present
site of Hoopeston. At that time his nearest
neighbor lived two and one-half miles to the
south and his nearest neighbor on the
north was eight miles distant, so that there
was no one but Mr. Williams and his hired
hand to keep the woh-es away from the
sheep. The dogs would chase the wolves
for a short distance and then the latter
wouUl turn upon the dogs drix-ing them
back to the house. Therefore Mr. Williams
had to be on guard all through the day and
at night he says he "slept with one eye
open," although he had a wolf-proof pound
in which the sheep were driven when even-
ing fell. For two years he continued in this
business and the second winter his flock was
increased by an additional four hundred
head, but the inclement weather and the
rattlesnakes made sad havoc among live-
stock and he was obliged to turn his atten-
tion in another direction. He then purchased
five yoke of oxen and a breaking plow and
for three years was engaged in breaking
prairie, being usually able to make one
hundred dollars per month in the summer
time. When the weather was suitable he
could turn an eighteen to twenty inch fur-
row. In the meantime he pre-empted one
hundred and sixty acres of land in Iro-
quois county, living thereon for a short time
prior to his marriage and making a number
of suljstantial improvements there.
It was on the 9th of June, 1859, that
Mr. Williams was joined in wedlock to
Miss Lovina McFarland, of Iroquois coun-
ty. She was born in Marion county, Ohio,
a daughter of Andrew and Sarah McFar-
land, who in 1857 removed to Illinois, set-
tling in Iroquois county, where Mrs. Wil-
liams lived with her parents until her mar-
riage. Six children were born of this union,
but only three are now living: Charles C,
Walter \\'. and Frank.
About the time of his marriage Mr.
\\'illiams erected a small frame house and
added to it a house standing near by, thus
forming quite a comfortable abode for those
times, and in this the newly wedded pair
resided until Christmas. They then re-
moved to a farm in the vicinity of Hoopes-
ton — the same on which Mr. Williams had
first herded sheep. He rented this until
1863 and later purchasing seventy-five
head of cattle, he established himself south-
west of the present site of the town, his
home being along the creek for about six
years. He next purchased the Churchill
Boardman farm consisting of five hundred
acres partially improved. He then began
giving his attention in an undivided manner
to stock raising, which business he carried
on successfully until the railroad was built
through this section of the county, after
which he devoted his time more generally
to farming. He shipped the first car load
of cattle ever shipped out of Grant town-
ship. In 1870, however, he met with an ac-
cident which resulted in the breaking of his
leg and therefore, leaving his farm, he took
up his abode in Hoopeston, where he began
buying grain and also operated an elevator
in partnership with A. T. Catherwood. For
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
149
seven years they carried on the business with
marked success, operating twelve different
elevators during the last two years. ^Ir.
Williams then retired from active life, hav-
ing in the meantime accjuired spelndid prus-
perity. During these years he had become
a half owner of eighteen hundred and
twenty-five acres of land near Ambia, Ben-
ton count}-, Indiana. He was one of a com-
pany that was the first to experiment with
sugar cane in this locality and later he be-
came interested in a canning factory which
canned the corn product one nine hundred
acres of land during the first year of the ex-
istence of the plant. ]\Ir. Williams, how-
ever, was connected with this enterprise
for only two seasons. A man of splendid
business ability he has carried forward to
successful completion whatever he has tm-
dertaken, and he possesses marked business
foresight and enterprise. Starting out with
only common-school advantages to aid him,
working at the breaking plow for se\'eral
seasons, he was imbued with a laudable am-
bition to attain something better, and stead-
ily he has advanced in those walks of life
demanding keen discrimination, unflagging
energy and marked enterprise. He has tlnis
arisen to a prominent position among the
substantial men of the county. During the
past seven years, because of his invalid con-
dition, he has given the management of his
•affairs over to his son Charles, and is thus
relieved from further laljor. He now owns
thirteen hundred and twenty acres of land
in Indiana, one thousand acres being near
Ambia, and the remainder near Frances-
ville. He also owns three hundred and
twenty acres near Gibson City in Ford
county, Illinois. His extensive possessions
are the \isible evidences of his life of indus-
try. He, together with J. A. Cunningham,
ser\ed as executor of the Thomas Hoopes
estate, which was the largest estate ever
settled in Vermilion county.
Mr. \\'illiams has always gi\en his po-
litical support to the Reiiubhcan party, and
socially he is a Knight Templar Mason,
while religiously he is connected with the
Universalist church and was a liberal con-
tributor toward the erection of the present
house of worship of that denomination in
Hoopeston. Upon locating in this city he
purchased ground on Second avenue and
there lived for four years. Later, he pur-
chased property at the corner of Penn and
Fifth streets, where he is now living. Mr.
\\ illiams commands respect as one of the
prominent and influential residents of
Hoopeston. His life has been one of con-
tinued activity in which has been accorded
due recognition to labor, and to-day he is
numbered among those who by reason of a
life of industry are enjoying substantial
prosperity. His interests are thoroughly
identified with those of Vermilion county
and at all times he is ready to lend his aid
and co-operation to any movement calcu-
lated to benefit this section of the country 01
advance its wonderful de\cli>i)ment.
ELMER E. CUNNINGHAM.
Elmer E. Cunningham, a son oi John
L. and Hannah (Swisher) Cunningham, is
one of the leading, practical and progressive
farmers of Vermilion county. Both of his
parents were natives of this county and the
father of our subject here purchased eighty
acres of prairie land and forty acres
of timber land, clearing the latter and
breaking the entire tract, which he placed
ISO
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
under a liigh state of cullixatiiin, the mother
assisting her husliand in inipro\-ing' the
place.. They were married on the lotli of
November, 1859, and tiie lady was born in
this county September 3, 1840, her parents
being Lewis and Elizabeth (Starr)
Swisher, who were among the earliest set-
tlers of the county, taking up their abode
here when the Indians were far more nu-
merous than the white people. Her father
was a native of Guilford county, North
Carolina and her mother of Ohio, and !Mrs.
Cunning'ham was the fifth in order of birth
of their family, the others being two broth-
ers who reside in Danville, one in Iowa, an-
other in Kansas, and a sister in Oklahoma.
John L. Cunningham carried on agricul-
tural pursuits up to the time of his death,
which occurred on the 9th of April, 1868.
He had three children, of whom Charles T.
died in infancy, while Elmer E. is the sec-
ond in order of birth and the youngest is
Louis M., of Danville. After the death of
her first husband the m<jther was again
married September 3, 1873, becoming the
wife of George \V. Justus. They had
seven children, of \\hom four are living :
Bertha, now the wife of William Starr;
Cora M., the wife of Roy Albright : Frank
M., who married Jessie Swisher; and Annie
C, who is living with her mother. She was
a school teacher for three years and for a
similar period held the oflice of postmistress,
proving a capable ofticial. Mr. Justus
served as a deacon and elder in the Chris-
tian church in which he long held member-
ship and his life was ever honorable and up-
right. Through the greater part of his busi-
ness career he carried on general merchan-
dising, spending three years in this way in
Danville and the remainder of the time in
Blount township, conducting his store in
Potomac, where he died on the 7th of May,
1891. h'rom the age of twenty-four years
he was a member of the Christian church
and was ever faithful and loyal to his re-
ligious professions. Mrs. Justus has long
been a devoted member of the church and
she now lives retired in her beautiful coiui-
try home in Blount township and is a most
estimable lady. In the early days in her fa-
ther's household she often assisted at the
spinning wheel, preparing and weaving
blankets. A de\oted and loving wife and
mother and a faithful friend she has en-
deared herself to all with whom she has
come in contact.
Elmer E. Cunningham was born on the
family homestead in Blount township. No-
'.•eniber 24, 1S64. and acquired a common
school education. Since putting aside his
text books he has devoted his entire time and
energy to farming and stock raising, his
home being on section 15, Bloimt township,
where he has a \'aluable tract of land that
is rich and well improved. He has reecently
erected a s])lendid home and has also sub-
stantial and commodious barns and other
outbuildings necessary for the shelter of
grain and slock. In his business afifairs he
has been quite successful and is numbered
among the progressive and thrifty farmers
of his community.
On the 22(1 of August, 1900, Mr. Cun-
ningham was united in marriage to Miss
Tinne Pate, who was born in Oakwood
township, December 3, 1870. Her father
was a merchant and carrietl i_m business for
fifteen )'ears in Oakwood and then traded
his store for a farm in Jefiferson county, Illi-
nois. Mrs. ■ Cunningham was reared by
her grandmother with whom she remained
until she reached womanhood. The grand-
nKjther was a lady noted for many benevo-
lent gifts and was highly esteemed through-
out the entire communitv. Her charitable
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
151
spirit never allowed any one to leave her
door hungry and the poor and needy found
in her a faithful friend. Mrs. Cunningham
has two sisters, Irella Reester and Mrs. Del-
la Ann Martin, of Oak wood township. In
the public schools ^Irs. Cunningham ac-
quired a good education and is a lady of cul-
ture and refinement who presides with gra-
cious hospitality over her beautiful home.
Both our subject and his wife are members
of the Christian church and in politics he is
a Republican. He servetl for three years as
township clerk but has never been a poli-
tician in the sense of office seeking. Fra-
ternally he is connected with the Modern
Woodmen of America and the Odd Fellows
Society at Bismarck. His entire life has been
spent in this county where his many friends
entertain for him high regartl.
B. T. DOXEY.
B. T. Doney, who is serving as ])ost-
master of Flthian, was born in Montgom-
ery county, Indiana, February 28, 1848.
His father, Benjamin Doney, was a native
of Pennsylvania and after arriving at years
of maturitv he was married in Ohio to Miss
Elizabeth Summers, a native of Maryland.
They began their domestic life in the Buck-
eye state, where the father engaged in farm-
ing until 1845, when he reuKjved with his
family to Indiana, living in Greene county
until his death, which occurred in the year
1858. The Whig party received his politi-
cal endorsement and he was an exemplary
member of the ^lasonic fraternity and a de-
voted Christian man who belonged to the
Methodist Episcopal cluuxh. His wife was
held in high esteem for her good qualities
of heart and mind and she passed away in
1889. In their family were three sons and
two daughters, but only two of the number
are now living, the sister of our suljjcct be
ing Mollie, the widow of John FieKls, ;md a
resident of Bloomington, Indiana.
B. T. Doney pursued his education in
Greene count}', Indiana, in the district
schools and later attended the college at
Bloomington, that state, putting aside his
text books at the age of twenty-one years.
He afterward learned the blacksmith's
trade, which he followed in Greene county
His preparations for having a home of his
own were completed by his marriage on the
2d of February, 1873, in Owensburg, In-
diana, Miss Belle Owen becoming his wife.
She was born in Greene county, November
7, 1856, a daughter of Kiah and IMary
(Brown) Owen, both born in the Hoosier
state. Her parents were also married in
Owensburg and the father followed black-
smithing and wagon-building in Greene
county until after the outbreak of the Civil
war, when aroused by a spirit of patriotism
he offered his services to the government,
enlisting in Company H, Thirty-first In-
diana Infantry. With his regiment he went
to the front and was killed at the Iiattle of
Slii]i)h. thus laying down his life upon the
altar of the Union. In March, 1889, h'^
widow became the wife of Jesse Doney.
Mr. Owen was a Democrat in political
faith. By his marriage he had six children
and by the mother's second marriage there
were no children. F^Dur children have been
born unto Mr. and ]\Irs. Doney: John,
who married Lilly Ward and is a telegra])h
operator at Goodanole, Illinois; Benjamin,
who resides upon a farm near Fithian ; F.
G., who is assistant postmaster of Fithian ;
and Clyde, who is still with his his parents.
The year 1875 witnessed the arrival of
• 52
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Mr. Doney in X'ermilion county, at which
time he took up his abode in Fithian, where
he estabhshed a blacksmith shop. A\hich he
conducted for eight years. He then em-
barked in general merchandise, but later he
sold his store and resumed work at his trade.
Subsequently, however, he again disposed
of his smithy and once more turned his at-
tention to g-eneral merchandising, which he
has since followed. He now carries a good
line of eventhing fountl in such an estab-
lishment and his trade is growing contin-
ually because the public recognizes in him
a merchant of reliability, fair in his deal-
ings, reasonable in his prices and courteous
in his treatment of his patrons. In 1896 he
was appointed postmaster of Fithian and
has continuously occupied the position since
that time. He votes with the Republican
party and for nine years he held the office
■of township assessor, discharging his duties
with marked promptness and fidelity. Fra-
ternally he is connected with the Modern
\\''oodmen of America and with the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
WILLIA^I M. BRIDGETT.
The history of the world proves conclu-
sively that it is under the pressure of adver-
sity and the stimulation of opposition that
the best and strongest in men are brought out
and developed. Those who ha\e been fac-
tors in the world's progress, those who have
Avielded wide public influence and have be-
come leaders in the commercial world are
not those wliose couch has been one of pam-
pered duxury, but who have in youth be-
come inured to arduous labor and have come
to set a true value upon personal endeavor,
probity and perseverance. Trained in the
hard school of experience, yet learning there-
in lessons of marked value, Mr. Bridgett has
arisen from a humble financial position until
he stands to-day not only as a successful
resident of Danville, but one who is, as well
strong in his honor and in his good name.
A native of Kentuck\-, he was born in
Lexington, April 2, 1865! His father,
Thomas Bridgett, was a nati\-e of Pennsyl-
\'ania. and after arriving at years of ma-
turity he married Miss 'Sla.vy Shaffer, who
\\as born in Indiana. They were married
in Rockville of the latter state and there the
father engaged in farming for a time, after-
ward follo\\ing the same pursuit in Ken-
tucky. Subsequently he removed to Illinois,
settling in Clark county, near Martinsville.
The mother died in Kentucky and the father,
who has married again, is yet living in Clark
county. In his political views he is an earn-
est Democrat.
William X. Bridgett was but two years
of age when his mother died and at the age
of eleven years he became a resident of Illi-
nois, since which time he has been depend-
ent ui)i.>n his cjwn etforts for a living". He
began working on a farm and for six years
remained with his first employer, during
which time he was allowed to attend school
through the brief winter season. He then
became a section hand upon the railroad at
Ridgefami, Illinois. After working for
three months he was promoted to the posi-
tion of foreman of a construction crew and
when he bad served in that capacity for six
months he accepted a clerkship in a store,
where he was employed for eight months.
Then entering into partnership with his em-
ployer, A. J. Darnell, the relationship was
maintained for ten months, when Mr. Dar-
nel died. Mr. Bridg-ett then sold out and re-'
moved to Terre Haute. Indiana, where he
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
155
was employed as a salesman in the grocery
store of E. R. Wright & Ct>mpany, but after
ten months he again became connected with
railroading, entering tlie train service as fire-
man on the Vandalia Railroad, where he
serxed for eleven months, when he was pro-
moted to the position of assistant claim
agent by the same company. Ten months
later he returned to Ridgefarm and after
three months he came to Danville, entering
the train service of the Chicago & Eastern
Illinois Railroad as a fireman. \\'hile with
that company he was i)romoted to the posi-
tion of engineer and a }ear later he left the
road to eng'age in the real estate business in
this city, which he has since followed with
offices at Nos. 401-2 Daniels' building. He
is also a loan broker and has negotiated a
numl.ier of important loans and realty
transactions. He has thoroughly informed
himseilf concerning real estate values and of
locations and is to-day one of the leading
representatives of this line of business in the
city.
On the 13th of October, 1892, in Dan-
ville, was celebrated the marriage of Mr.
Bridgett and Miss Nevada Montgomery,
who was born in Clark county, Illinois, No-
vember 10, 1873, a daughter of John and
Ann (Bishop) Montgomery, who were also
natives of Clark county, where they re-
mained until after their marriage. Subse-
quently they took up their abode at Ridge-
farm. Illinois. Her father is a Democrat in
his political views. He l^elongs to the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the M(jd-
ern Woodmen of America and to the Metho-
dist Episcopal church. ]\Ir. Bridgett gives
his political support to the men and measures
of the Republican party, while his fraternal
relations are with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, the Court of Honor and the
Modern Woodmen of America. He is vet
a young man but he has already gained a ]io-
sition in business circles and public regard
that is as enviable as honorable. I\Ian"s suc-
cess in the world is not measured Ijy the
heights he has reached but by the altitude
from which he has climbed and judged in
this way the career of Mr. Bridgett has been
most successful and commendable.
WILLIAM SANDUSKY.
William Sandusky, of Carroll township,
was born >"ovember 19, 1827, in Bourbon
county, Kentucky, within three miles of
Paris, and when but three years old was
brought by his parents to Vermilion county.
Tliev crossed the river at Cincinnati and
came overland to their destination. They
camped along the road at night and spent
manv days in making the journey. They
traveled in a prairie schooner and passed
comparatively few settlements while en-
route. The Sandusky family took up their
abode on the Little Vermilion river and there
was then but a very limited population in
this locality. William Sandusky began his
education in a log schoolhouse on the old
.\lexander place, the building being erected
of logs hewed on two sides. It had a clap-
board roof and an immense fireplace which
would accommodate an eight foot log that
would burn for two days as a back log. His
first teacher was a man by the name of
Durkev and if a pujiil could read, write and
cipher it was all that was desired at that
time. The school was conducted on the sub-
scription plan and in such a "temple of
learning" .William Sandusky completed his
education with the exception of one winter
spent in Indianola, which place was then
called Dallas, Illinois. He continued to at-
1,6
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
tend school at intervals until eighteen years
of age, spending the three months of winter
In this manner while during the remainder
of the year he worked at home. He would
break prairie using an old wooden mold
board plow and later with a rod mold-
board which would turn up a twenty-four
inch furrow and to which was hitched five
or six yoke of oxen. He would also drop
corn as he plowed. When he was twenty-
one years of age he started out in life for
himself and his father built him a little
shanty. There was hot a thing but prairie
grasses around him, but he possessed the de-
termination necessary for the development
of a good farm. He wedded Miss Mary Eliz-
abeth Baum, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah
(\\'eaver) Baum. Her father was born in
Clermont county, Kentucky, February 15.
1805, and his wife in Ohio, January 16,
1804. They became the parents of ten chil-
dren, of whom six are now living: Oliver,
who was bom January 5, 1828, in Clennont
county, is living in Sidell township and mar-
ried Helen ]\IcClenathan, by whom he has
one child living. Mrs. Sandusky was born
July 4, 1829, in Clermont county: Charles
]M., was born in A'ermilion county, Illinois,
December 22, 1838, and now living in Ari-
zona, married Jennie Craig and has three
living children : Samuel is represented
elsewhere in this work ; William, born in
\'ermilion county. March 19, 1843. 's living
in Indiana; Angeline, born June 6, 1849. in
A'ermilion count}-, is acting as housekeeper
for her brother William. Of those deceased,
Susannah, born in \"ermilion county, Sep-
tember 12, 1831, became the wife of Thomas
Rice and died leaving two children ; Sarah
J., born in \'ermilion county, in 1833, died
in childhood; Catherine, born in this county,
December 15, 1834, was the wife of Morton
Pugh and left five children at her death;
Francis M., boni in \'ermilion county, Oc-
tober II, 1836, died in childhood. The fa-
ther of this family came to Vermilion coun-
ty in 1829 when Mrs. Sandusky was only
three months old and settled on what is now
the Indianola fair grounds, where he se-
cured a tract of land from the government.
He lived to be seventy-five years of age and
his wife passed away at the age of thirty-
eight. She was a daughter of ^lichael
Weaver and their remains were interred in
the old Wea\er cemetery in Carroll town-
ship.
The marriage of 2\lr. and Mrs. San-
dusky was celebrated April 20, 1849, ^"d
they became the parents of five children, of
whom a daughter died in infancy. Caroline
is the widow of James Snapp and resides in
Georgetown. She had three children by this
union. Belle, Ivan and Willie, and by her
former marriage she had two daug' iters,
Mary and Josephine. Adeline is the wife of
Thompson AIcMillan, a lumber dealer of
Danville and they have two li\-ing children,
Nellie and Edward. Rochester, who is en-
gaged in the operation of the home place, is
one of the prominent farmers of Carroll
township. Belle is the wife of William H.
James, a druggist of Rossville, Illinois, and
they have three children : \Villie, Don and
^lary Margaret. Mr. and ]klrs. Sandusky
have two great-grandchildren. These are
Fern and Ralph Elliott, children of Mrs.
Earl Elliott, of Georgetown.
At the time of his marriage Mr. San-
dusky started out with two hundred and
forty acres of land and that he has lived a
life of industry, earnest labor and persever-
ance is sho\s-n by the fact that he added to
his pos.sessions until he now has fifteen hun-
dred and twenty acres in the home place.
This is a most creditable showing of a life
work and, moreover, Mr. Sandusky has al-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
157
wavs maintained honorable business rela-
tions and enjoyed the confidence and good
will of his fellow men. From the beginning
he engaged in the cattle business and was at
one time interested in shorthorn cattle, be-
ing an extensive raiser. Whatever he has
undertaken has received his undivided at-
tention and his work has been of a nature to
return to him an excellent income. For
manv years he was recognized as one of the
prominent cattle men of Illinois, buying cat-
tle and feeding them to the extent of about
three hundred head at a time.
In his political views Mr. Sandusky is a
Republican, but has never sought or desired
office. Since pioneer times he has lived in
this county. In the early days he would ride
for miles in any direction without coming
across fences to impede his progress. He
frequently enjoyed a hunt for deer and les-
ser game and often killed wolves which fre-
quently awakened the settlers from their
sleep by their howling. There were geese,
ducks, wild turkeys and prairie chickens and
many of these fowls furnished a meal for the
early settlers. To give the life history of
^\'illiam Sandusky in detail would be to ])ic-
ture forth the pioneer conditions and the
agricultural life of Vermilion county. I le
has always been identified with farming in-
terests and to-day is the possessor of a hand-
some property as the reward of a well spent
life.
B. I. POLAND. M. D.
Dr. B. I. Poland, a practicing [ihysician of
Danville, was born in Gallatin county, Ken-
tucky, May 30, 1854, and is a son of Isaac
and Martha (Duncan) Poland, the former
a native of Tennessee and the latter of Gal-
latin countv, Kentuckv. The Doctor at-
tended school in his native county and in
1861 accompanied his parents to Illinois, liv-
ing on the home farm which was situated
across the Indiana state line. In this local-
ity he attended the district schools until sev-
enteen years of age, when he began teaching
and for eight years followed that profession.
He prepared for the practice of medicine as
a student in the Bennett Medical College, of
Chicago, in which he was graduated in 1883.
He afterward entered the ^Medical College
of ,\tlanta, Georgia, completing his course
there by graduation in 1895. He was en-
gaged in general practice from 1878 until
1S85. when he took up special practice in the
treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose
and throat. His office is located in the Tem-
ple building of Danville. Dr. Poland has a
large practice in his specialty, the public
recognizing his capability and skill.
On the 2 1 St of October, 1S74, in Ver-
mihon county, Illinois, the ]3octor wedfled
Emma B. Leonard, who was born in this
county. July 14, 1857, her parents being
Philip and Angelina E. (Williams) Leon-
ard, the latter a native of England. After
tlicir marriage Mr. and Mrs. Leonard lo-
cated six miles north of Danville and he was
munbered among the old settlers and leading
farmers of Vermilion county. A Democrat
in politics, he earnestly advocated the ])rin-
ciples of the party and for many years served
as justice of the peace. He was also a
prominent member of the Christian church
and in that faith died. His widow now
resides on the homestead farm. L^nto the
Doctor and his wife have been born two chil-
dren : B. F., born May 30, 1878; and Clar-
ence S., bom August 11, 1884.
Dr. Poland is a stanch Democrat and is
a member of the Christian church. He is
now United States examining surgeon and
is a member of the Danville library board. He
158
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
is ser\-ing- as oculist for the Cliicago & East-
ern Illinois Railroad Company and for the St.
Elizabeth's Hospital, and is a member of the
Vermilion County ^kledical Society and the
Illinois State Medical Society. In a calling
where promotion depends upon individual
merit he has gained an enviable position as a
physician.
THOMAS F. COLLISOX.
From early pioneer days Thomas F. Col-
lison has been a resident of \'ermilion coun-
ty and has been an interested witness of al-
most the entire growth and improvement
of this portion of the state. The traveler
of to-day can scarcely realize the condition
of things here during his youth. He has
seen deer and other wild game here and has
traveled over the prairies for miles without
coming to a fence or other indication of
ownership by man. He was born October
12, 1834, on a farm on which he now lives.
His father, Absalom Collison. was a na-
tive of Pike county, Ohio, and in 1828 came
to Illinois. He entered ft)rty acres of land
from the government and began the de\'elop-
ment of a farm. He had previously worked
in the Kanawha Salt ^^'orks of West ^'ir-
ginia and with little capital he came to Illi-
nois. Here be was married to Miss Mary
Chenoweth, who was born near Columbus,
Ohio, and came with her father, Thomas
Chenoweth. to Illinois. It was in his honor
that the subject of this review was named.
Mr. Collison died in the year 1849 ^^'^^^ '^'^
widow afterward married John Smith, who
is now deceased. Our subject was the eldest
of a family of seven children, the others be-
ing F. Asbury, who lives on a farm adjoin-
ing Collison: Mrs. Elizabeth Martin, of
Sumner county, Kansas ; ^Jarv T<ine, the
widow of Samuel Coon, of Rantoul. Illi-
nois : John, who is also li\ ing in Rantoul ;
James, a farmer of jNIiddlefork township, •
X'ermilion county ; and Samuel, who is a
banker of Rossville, Ilinois.
]Mr. Collison of this review tegan his
education in his own home, a lady teacher
being employed to instruct the children of
the Collison household and the children of
the neighborhood who would come there for
that purpose. Later he attended the sub-
scription school, which was held in a log
building with greased paper windows and an
outside chimney built of mud and sticks.
The boys who attended the school would
cut logs to be used for fuel. For about sev-
en years Thomas F. Collison attended school
during the winter months and in the summer
season worked on the farm. He never saw
a blackboard in all his school days. The last
school which he attended was taught by Mr.
]\Iiner, who had our subject purchase a slate
which was used as a blackboard for the
school. A testament ser\-ed as a reader and
an old elementar\- spelling book was used,
while the pens were made of quills.
Mr. Collison remained at home until af-
ter his father's death. He recei\'ed from the
estate one hundred acres of raw prairie land
and ninetv dollars in cash, the land being
\alued at alxuit fi\-e dollars per acre. He
was then married to ]\Iiss IMaiw Billsland,
who was born in Indiana, near Co\-ington,
and with whom he became acquainted while
she was teaching school in this district. She
lived until 1864 and then passed away, leav-
ing four children: Francis R., Charles,
Dora and Florence L., all of whom are now
living. After the- loss of his first wife, Mr.
Collison wedded !\Iary Courtney, of Penn-
sylvania. They have three children : Al-
bert T., a banker of Windsor: Elizabeth, the
wife of George Grays, who is employed in a
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
i6i
bank in Rossville; ami Stella, the wife of
Alfred Crays, who is engagetl in the bank-
ing ])usiness in Windsor.
I'ln-oiighout his business career ]\lr. Col-
lison lias been connected one way or another
with agricultural pursuits. He now owns
over sixteen hundred acres of valuable land.
In 1893 the railroad crossed his farm and
the conipanv paitl hirn forty-five hundred
dollars for the right of way. The follow-
ing year the town of Collison was estab-
lished, about twenty acres of his land Iseing
included within the town plat. He built the
first buildings there, a dwelling and a black-
smith shop, and later he erected a brick
building and a store building. During the
last three years he has rented all of his land
with the exception of his pastures. For
some years he has been extensively engaged
in the stock business, 'buying, feeding and
shipping. Tn uj02 he shipped si.x hundred
hogs and about 130 head of cattle, the for-
mer bringing him over twelve thousand dol-
lars. He has always given more attention
to stock-raising than farming, having
largely hired labor for the work of cultivat-
ing the fields. He drove cattle and sheep to
Chicago before any railroad was built and it
is within his memory that the boundary of
Vermilion county extended almost to that
city. In 1897, in connection with Eihvard
Stevens, he went to Liverpool in charge of a
cargo of cattle, visiting London during the
tri]), which consumed about forty days al-
together. Mr. Collison is also a stock-
holder in the bank of Rossville and Wind-
sor, his stock to the amount of ten thous-
and dollars in Rossville and fifteen thousand
dollars in Windsor, having been placed to
the credit of his son and son-in-law.
Mr. Collison was made a Mason at New-
town. Illinois, but is now demitted. there be-
ing no lodge in his home town. He is a
member of the Knights of Pythias frater-
nity anil the Modern Woodmen of America,
and for twenty years he has been a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which
he has served almost continuously as a trus-
tee. He aided in building the Pilot chapel
t(_) which he gave three hundred dollars and
he also contributed six hundred flollars to
the building (jf the Collison church. In poli-
tics he has always been a Republican. His
is one of the attractive homes of this por-
tion of the county. On his farm he has llow-
ing wells and at his home he lifts the water
from the well with a gas engine. He base al-
ways l:>een progressive in his work, keepings
in touch with thq ad\anced spirit of the
times and everything about his place is neat
and thrifty in appearance. For sixty-eight
years Mr. Collison has been a resident of
Vermilion county. He is a fine looking'
gentleman with a long white beard, a kindly
and strong face. All who know him esteem
him for his genuine worth, and his success-
ful career commands the admiration of those
who are familiar with his history. As one
of the honored pioneer residents of the coun-
ty he certainly deserves mention in this vol-
ume, for his entire career has been closely
interwoven with the development and
growth of this portion of the state.
JAMES P. COOK.
James P. Cook, a capitalist and land
owner of Danville, belongs to one of the old
faiuilies of this county and is a worthy rep-
resentative here. Ilis paternal grandfather,
James Cook, came from Ohio to Vermilion
county in the year 1835, casting in his lot
with its first settlers. Fie took up his abode
two and one-half miles east of Westville, on
l62
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
section lo, Georgetown township. The land
bought by him was wild and unimproved
and the work of progress and improvement
seemed scarcely begun. Deer and other wild
game was to be found in this portion of the
state and much of the land was swampy and
full of sloughs, but there came to this portion
of Illinois a progressive, courageous class
of pioneers, who in due course of time
wrought a great transformation in the coun-
ty and placed it with the leading counties of
the state. The grandfather bore his part in
the work of improvement and upbuilding
and continued to engage in agricultural pur-
suits here until his death, which occurred
about 1 87 1.
At that time Samuel Cook, the father of
our subject, took charge of the old family
homestead. He had previously married
Melvina Graves. Throughout his entire
life he carried on agricultural pursuits
until the time of his retirement in 1900. He
lived upon the old homestead almost con-
tinuously with the exception of two years
prior to his marriage. He first had one hun-
dred and sixty acres of land to which he
added a tract of eighty acres and his farm of
two hundred and forty acres became one of
the valuable country seats of Catlin town-
ship. There he was engaged in general
faiTiiing until 1900, when he put aside busi-
ness cares and removed to Danville. Later,
however, he sold his property in that city
and also his farm in Oakwood and pur-
chased two hundred acres west of Catlin.
His first wife died about 1855 and he after-
ward married again, his second union being
with ilartha E. Citizen. By the first union
there were six children : George, a resident
farmer of Catlin township; James P., of this
review ; Mary, the wife of John A. Wherry,
who is living on the old homestead in Catlin
township; JVIaggie, who died at the age of
fifteen years; Ellen, who died in infancy;
and Charles F., who married Celia Podgett
and is living in Danville. Three children
have been bom of the second marriage:
Berta, Frank and Fred, all of whom are at
home.
James P. Cook of this review was boni
on his father's farm in Catlin township,
Alarch 2"/, 1855. He pursued his education
in the common schools and afterward en-
gaged in farming on his father's land for
two years. He then purchased ninety-two
acres of land where the village of Westville
now stands, in 1880, and commenced its cul-
tivation and improvement. Since that time
he has divided this into town lots and has dis-
posed of most of it at a fair profit. He now
owns ten houses and lots there, the dwell-
ings being occupied b_v miners. In addition
to his real estate operations he has valuable
farm land, owning five hundred acres near
Potomac, which he rents. He also owns a
nice residence in Westville and has farm
property near that place. At the present
time he is erecting a fine residence in Dan-
ville at the corner of Main and Gilbert
streets and as soon as it is completed he in-
tends to remove to that city and make it his
future home.
James P. Cook married Eveline O'Xeal,
a daughter of Isaac O'Neal, who was one of
the old settlers of the county and died here
in the year 1876. He was one of the larg-
est land ov.ners in this portion of the state
and a verj' prominent and influential citi-
zen respected and honored by all who knew
him. The marriage of Air. and ?ilrs. Cook
has been blessed with four children. Ger-
trude is the wife of Frank Downing and is
residing one-half mile west of \\'est\ille.
Lena and Stella, twins, are at home. Her-
man, bom December 16, 1885, is also under
the parental roof. The parents hold mem-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
I&3
bersliip in the Christian church of W'est-
ville, in whicli our subject is now serving
as a deacon. In politics he is a Democrat
and for several years he served as a school
director in his township. He has made ju-
dicious investments in property and thereby
has acquired a handsome competence, num-
bering him among the leading land owners
of Vermilion county. He is enabled to sur-
round his family with many of the com-
forts and some of the lu.xuries of life and
nothing gives him greater pleasure than to
minister to their happiness and welfare. In
business affairs he sustains a high reputa-
tion, because he has always been straight-
forward in his dealings, prompt in meeting
an obligation and in keeping engagements.
He is thus known as an honorable man, is a
pleasant social companion and one whose
friends in the communitv are man^•.
E. R. E. KIMBROUGH.
The term "captains of industry" is a
familiar one in the parlance of the day and
has arisen from the conditions of tlie world
when business activity has replaced the rec-
ords of war and conquest in the history of
civilized nations. Each city claims its rep-
resentatives who have worthily won this
title in the control of large professional,
commercial or industrial interests, and fre-
quently it is found that one man has become
a master in more than one of these lines.
He who is at all familiar with the life record
of E. R. E. Kimbrough will not hesitate to
place him with his class so prominent in
public regard, for his entire career has been
one of activity, energy and enterprise
and the result accomplished well entitles
him to mention as one of the leaders
in business circles of Danville. He has
labored along many lines with success,
so that his name has figured in the linancial
records as well as in connection with great
productive interests, yet perhaps he is best
known in Danville as a member of the bar.
well versed in various departments of juris-
prudence.
Mr. Kimbrough was born in Edgar
county, near Paris, Illinois, ^larch 28, 1851,
and is a son of Andrew H. and Sarah Kim-
brough, both of w"hom are living, as are
the daughters of the family — Laura antl L.
A. E. R. E. Kimbrough, the only son.
having acquired his preliminary education
in the public schools, became a student in
the State L^niversity at Normal. Illinois,
where he was graduated with the class of
1873. He entered upon the study of law
under the direction of E. S. Terry, of Dan-
ville, with whom he continued until Janu-
ary 8, 1876, when he successfully passed an
examination admitting him to the liar. In
the meantime, in 1874-5, he had en-
gaged in teaching as superintendent of the
Golconda schools. After his admission to
the bar he opened an office in this city in the
I'irst National Bank building and was asso-
ciated in practice with W. D. Lindsey until
Deceml)er, 1882. when the relationship was
discontinued. He was then alone in jirac-
tice until July, 1893. when he became as-
sociated with James A. 'Meeks and this part-
nership still obtains. The law practice of
the firm has constantly increased in volume
;uul importance, connecting them with muck
of the chief litigation tried in the courts of
the district. Mr. Kimbrough's success
came soon because his equipment was tm-
usually good. Along with those qualities
indispensable to the lawyer. — a keen,
rapid logical mind plus the business sense,
and a ready capacity for hard work. — he
brought to the starting point of his career
164
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
rarer gifts, — eloquence of language and a
strong personalit}'. An excellent presence,
an earnest, dignified manner, marked
strength of character, a thorough grasp of
the law, and the ability accurately to apply
its principles, are factors in his effectiveness
as an adx'ocate.
Air. Kimbrough is also a man of large
business capacity in other directions. He
was formerly connected witli the Electric
Light & Gas Company and for a quarter of
a century he was connected with the First
National Bank. He is ar present one of its
stockholders and a director, and for two
years has been its vice president. The ma-
terial improvement of the city has been pro-
moted by him for in 1896 he erected in con-
nection with Louis Piatt, the Kimbrough &
Piatt building, the first office building in
the city, and in conjunction with Louis
Piatt he erected the Temple Building, in
1901. He has been connected wnn the
Home and Danville Building Associations
as a director and attorney for over twenty
years. Other property interests which he
has include the ownership of seven or eight
hundred acres of land.
It is usually found that a man of large
business interests and important undertak-
ings has a broad outlook upon public affairs
and that to a greater or less extent is ac-
tively interested in the political situation of
the country. Mr. Kimbrough has labored
earnestly and effectively in the support of
the political principles which he thinks are
best calculated to conserve the nation's wel-
fare and the general good and is a conserva-
tive Democrat. He voted with the regular
party until 1896, when he endorsed the
wing favoring the gold standard and be-
came a delegate to the Indianapolis conven-
tion of Gold-Democrats. He had also been
a delegate to the national convention of the
party in St. Louis, in 1888. and in Chicago,
in 1892. In 1878 he was the Democratic
candidate for state senator from his district
and was defeated by only three hundred and
seventeen votes, although the usual Repub-
lican majority was two thousand. In 1882
and again in 1884 he was elected to the gen-
eral assembly and left the impress of his
indixiduahty upon the legislation enacted
during those sessions. In the city of his
residence, where he is best known, ample
proof was given of the public confidence in
his ability and his loyalty to the general
good, when in 1897 he was elected mayor
of Danville on an independent ticket over
three other candidates, when reform was
made the issue. He carried out his prom-
ises and to the best of his personal ability
and official power labored for the welfare of
the city, introducing many needed reforms
and improvements. For nine years he
ser\-ed as a member of the board of educa-
tion of Danville, and since 1893 ^^^ '"'^s been
a member of the state board of education,
having been first appointed by Governor
Altgeld and reappointed by Go\-ernor
Tanner.
In September. 1876. I\lr. Kimbrough
was united in marriage to Julia C. Tincher,
a daughter of John L. Tincher. who was
one of the founders of the First National
Bank and a partner of J. G. English in the
banking business. He was regarded as one
of the most prominent and influential men
in financial and commercial circles of Dan-
ville and was also distinguished as a states-
man. He died while serving as a member
of the Illinois senate in 1871. L'^nto Mr.
and Mrs. Kimbrough was born a son. Rob-
ert, but he died in 1886. at the age of nine
years, this being the first death to occur in
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
165
the Kinibrimgli family llirnugh many years.
]\Ir. Kimbrough belongs to the Mason-
ic fraternity, in which he has taken the de-
grees of the blue lodge, chapter antl com-
mandery. He is also a representative of the
Knights of Honor and of the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks. He has a wide
ac(|uaintance among leading men through-
out the state. He has ever occupied a prom-
inent position in the foremost rank of the
legal practitioners of Danville. His life
has been one of untiring activitv and has
been crowned with a hig"h degree of success,
yet he is not less esteeiued as a citizen than
as a lawyer, and his kindly imjiulses and
charming cordialitv of manner have rendered
liim exceedingly poi)ular auKing all classes.
J. H. :\IcIXTOSH.
Althoug'h one of the recent arri\'als in
Vermilion county Dr. J- H. Mcintosh has
already g'ained a liberal patronage in the
line of his profession in Hope and in the
surrounding district. He is one of the na-
tive sons of Illinois, his birth having oc-
curred in White comity, on the loth of Jan-
uary, 1872. He was born upon a farm, a
son of the Rev. J. W. Mcintosh, a Method-
ist Episcopal minister who belonged to the
Southern Illinois conference. His dcatl
occurred in Septemlier, 1899, but his widow.
who bore the maiden name of Nancy J.
Hendrick, is now living with her son, the
Doctor. In their family were eleven chil-
dren, seven of whom still survive and with
the exception of two Dr. ^^Iclntosb is tlic
youngest.
The Doctor pursucil his litcrar\- educa-
tion in Lebanon, Illinois, as a student in
McKentlrce College. He afterward spent
one year as a student in the Missouri Medi-
cal College in St. Louis and then entered
the Barnes Medical College of the same city
in which he was graduated with the class of
1895. Soon afterward he located in
]\Iaunie, White county, where he remained
for a year, when he removed to Cravville
of the same county. Subsequently be prac-
ticed in Dewitt, DeW'itt county, and in De-
cember, 1 90 1, he came to Hope, where he
has since remained successfully engaged in
the general jjractice of medicine and surgery.
In Belleville, Illinois, in 1895, ^'""^ Doc-
tor luarried .\nnie Pfeifer, a native of St.
Clair county, Illinois, and a daughter of An-
thony and Nanette (Sohm) Pfeifer. Her
parents were born and reared in Ger-
many and are now residing in Hojje with the
Doctor and his wife. Mrs. Mcintosh is a
well educated lady of natural refinement and
is a graduate of the high school of Belle-
ville. Prior to her marriage she engaged in
teaching to some extent. She has become
the mother of three children : Florence,
Stephen D. and l-Iuth.
The Doctor owns prnpertv in Danville,
ha\ing purchased a lot there and erected a
house. He carries a line of drugs and com-
pounds, all of bis own prescriptions. He
is the onlv phvsician in Hope and his prac-
tice covers a wide area. A young man, he
entered upon his professional career
e(|uii)ped for the responsible duties of that
])osition and he keeps abreast with the times
through reading and research. He belongs
to the Illinois State Medical Societv and in
his fraternal relations is a Mason, holding
membership with the lodge at Hope. He
also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal
church and is a worker in church and Sun-
day-school. His political support is given
[66
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
to the Republican party and at the present
time he is serving as a member of the school
board in Hope. His position as a leading
citizen of this portion of the conntv is clue
not only to his professional skill hut to his
public-spirited devotion to the general good
and his genial personal worth.
JOHN LEEMON.
When for miles the broad prairies
stretched away wild and unimproved, when
the land was still in possession of the gov-
ernment and the most far-sighted could not
ha\-e dreamed that a few years would make
a wonderful change here, John Leemon
came to Vermilion county and upon its
broad prairie he took up his abode far from
any home, save the one settlement which
was the residence of Thomas Hoopes. He
assisted in the arduous task of reclaiming
the wild land for the purposes of civiliza-
tion and certainly no resident of this part of
the state is entitled to more honorable and
distinct consideration in a work of this char-
acter than he of whom we write — a pioneer
whose labor brought not only prosperity" to
himself but was of the greatest benefit in the
de\-elopment and nplnu'lding" of this portion
of the state.
Mr. Leemon was born of Scotch par-
entage in County Armagh. Ireland, on theSth
of May. 1829. His father, Thoinas Leemon,
was likewise born in the north of Ireland,
to \\hich district his forefathers had been
dri\-en during the time of religious perse-
cution in Scotland. He married Miss Eliza-
beth Thompson, and they reared a family of
six children, all of whom followed our sub-
ject to America in 1854, three years after
his arrival. For a time they resided in Jer-
sey cotmty, Illinois, and then removed to
Christian county, where the father died in
1S62. The mother survived him for some
years and spent her last days with her son
John, passing away in 1882.
John Leemon was reared and educated
in the land of his nativity and was twenty-
two years of age when he resolved to seek
his fortune beyond the Atlantic, hoping to
take advantage of some of the excellent op-
portunities which he had heard were offered
young men in the new world. He did not
tarry on the Atlantic coast but came at once
to Illinois, settling in Jersey county. Here
he began working by the month for twelve
dollars and in the winter season he husked
corn at two cents a bushel and board. His
wants were few and ex'en at that small wage
he managed to save a little money until he
had enough to buy a team. He then rented
a tract of land in Jersey county and began
farming on his own account, carrying on' ag-
ricultural work there until 1857.
In the meantime he visited Vermilion
county and purchased four hundred and
forty acres of wild land. As this district
was still in possession of the government
and the pioneer settlements had not pene-
trated this far into the Mississippi valley,
land could be purchased at almost a nomi-
nal figure. Mr. Leemon. however, did not
buy for speculation purposes but with the in-
tention of developing a farm for himself
and as soon as possible he began the work of
plowing, planting and han-esting upon the
tract of which he had become the owner. He
boarded in the home of ]Mr. Hoopes. who
had the only house upon the prairie in this
vicinity at that time. Night and morning
he went to and from his place of work, a
distance of two and one-half miles. In the
fall of 1857 he erected a small liouse upon
his own farm, there keeping "bachelor's
LI5R5RY
or iME
UNIVERS:VY Of ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
i6y
hall" until the time of his marriage. Ener-
getic, resolute and industrious, his work was
carried on with marked determination and
with good effect. His labors wrought a
wonderful transformation in the ai)pearance
of his place and its value. He planted for-
est and fruit trees and set out many rods of
liedg'e fence. With the work of agricultural
improvements he kept abreast and added to
his farm everything that would facihtate
the work and make his property attractive.
He placed upon his lanil two windmills and
a feedmill and his barn was underlaid witli
water pipes, which led to various tanks
wherever water was required for stock. The
wet land was tiled and thus matle cultivable,
his tiling being brought from Bloomington.
He practiced the rotation of crops and in an
intelligent manner carried im the active
work of developing and improving his land
until the Leemon farm gained a wide repu-
tation, unsurpassed by any in eastern Illi-
nois, because oi its producti\eness and the
splendid improvements found thereon,
(jradually the settlements increased, the evi-
daices of frontier life gave way before those
of an advanced civilization, the deer and
wolves which were once so numerous were
driven out. Air. Leemon often remarked
that he saw as many as seventy-five head of
deer in a single herd and the early settlers
were frequently called for a wolf hunt when
hunger liad made the wolves so venturesome
that they would steal to the very doors of
the cabins in order to get the venison found
hanging by the side of the house. Many
winters he killed from fifteen to twenty
head of deer and it was he that killed the last
deer known to have been slain upon the
prairies.
It was on the 26th of August, 1865, in
Rossville, that Mr. Leemon was united in
marriage to Miss Lodema Brown, of Butler
township. She was born near Lockport, Ni-
agara county. New York, a daughter of John
Brown, wlio removed to Indiana with his
family when Mrs. Leemon was only about
seventeen years of age. There she lived un-
til she was twenty-two years of age. when
the family came to East Lynn, \'ermilion
county. Her father spent his last days in
Marysville, Tennessee, where he died a num-
ber of years ago. His wife, who bore the
maiden name of Catherine Bears, remained
with Airs. Leemon until shortly before her
death in 1888. At the time of their mar-
riage Mr. Leemon took his bride to the home
which he had already prepared and as the
years passed children were added to the hous-
hold to the number of six. They lost their
eldest child, however, a daughter, Izele, who
died at the age of twelve years. The others
are : Lida ; Robert A., who married Bessie
Gilson, of Chicago, in 1895, and is now liv-
ing on Penn street in Hoopeston ; John A.,
Charles N. and Edith L., all of whom are
with their mother in Hoopeston. They ha\-e
been provided with excellent eilucations,
Robert having attended school in Quincy,
Illinois; Lida in Onarga, this state; John
and L'harles in Galesburg and Chicago ;
while Edith has been a student in Lake For-
est.
I'pon attaining his majority Mr. Lee-
mon became an advocate of the Democracy
but at local elections where no isstie was in-
volved he voted independently. His fellow
townsmen, recognizing his worth and abil-
ity, frequently called him to public office and
he filled creditably every official position in
town and township. For eight years he was
justice of the peace, was a school director
and trustee, and for four years was super-
visor. He uniformly distinguished himself
as a man of progressive and liberal ideas,
one willing to give his time and infiuence to
I70
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
those enterprises calculated for tlie general
good. He was reared in the faith of the
Presbyterian church and his life was e\er an
honorable one, industry and foresight being
salient features in his career. He never used
liquor or tobacco nor abused nature laws
and therefore enjoyed good health. When
his labors had brought a sufficient capital to
enable him to think of retiring from business
life and to plan for an enjoyment of a well
earned rest, the community was shocked in
hearing of his death on the 15th of Decem-
ber. 1890. He dro\-e to Hoopeston for a load
of lumber and was returning home when his
tean: became unmanageable and ran away.
He was thrown to the ground and the awful
weight of the load of lumber was dragged
over his body, crushing out his life. He
lived for only two days after the accident
and was thai laid to rest in Floral Hill cem-
etery at Hoopeston. It is safe to say that
no citizen of this community has ever been
more deeply mourned than was John Lee-
mon, for he was known as a man of sterling
worth, who had endeared himself to all with
whom he had come in contact in ties of
friendship which naught but death could
sever. As long as the history of Vermilion
county is known to its citizens so long will
the name of John Leemon be honored be-
cause of what he accomplished in pioneer
times. He was a very successful business
man and at the time of his death his landed
possessions were very extensive. He owned
in \"ermilion and Iroquois counties more
than eighteen hundred acres of land in addi-
tion to a two-thirds interest in eighteen hun-
dred acres in Scott county and some landed
possessions in Christian county. Since his
death these lands have been divided among
the heirs. He was one of the org'anizers of
the Hamilton. Leemon & Lateer Bank, con-
tinuing with it up to the time of his death.
since which time it has become what is
known as the Hamilton & Cunningham
Bank of Hoopeston.
-Mrs. Leemon has in her possession some
\alual)le residence property in Hoopeston.
In 1897 she decided to leave the farm and,
purchasing property on Washington street
in Hoopeston, she had this remodeled after
her own plans and now has a ver}' beautiful
and in\iting home, valued at eight thousand
dollars. Into this she moved with her fam-
ily and is now a valued resident of the town.
She holds membership in the Universalist
church and to its support 'Sir. Leemon was
a liljeral contributor, although he never held
membership with any religious denomina-
tion. His was a character of great breadth
and purity, however, and to his family he
left the precious leg-acy of the memor)- of a
noble life that is well worthv of emulation.
F. D. TO:\ILIXSOX.
F. D. Tomlinson is a well known repre-
sentative of the farming interests of \'er-
milion county. He has fi\e hundred acres
of rich and arable land in Ross township
and is accounted one of the successful and
progressive agriculturists and also one of
the early settlers of this locality, for since
1856 he has made his home in the county.
He was born near ^larshfield, in Warren
county. Indiana, JNIarch 25, 1842. His fa-
ther. Jesse Tomlinson, was a native of
Ohio and after arriving at years of maturity
remo\-ed westward, settling in Warren
county in 1827, among the early settlers of
that part of the state. He took up his abode
upon a farm and there he remained until his
life's labors were ended in death in 1853.
He was married there to !Marv jMcFarland,
a native of Ohio. Her death occurred with-
in two months of her husband's demise.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
171
The subject ot tliis review is called Dean
Tonilinson by his many triends ami the cir-
cle' ot his acquaintance is a \-ery wide one
in Vermilion county. He is the youngest
in a family of fi\e sons and six daughters.
all of whom reached mature years, although
he anil his two sisters arc the only ones now
living. His sister Frances resides with him
acting as his housekeeper since the death
of his wife. The other sister. Juliet, is the
wife of \V. B. Miller, of Marshfield. In-
diana. After the death of his father in
1853 F. D. Tomlinson came to Illinois.
being at that time a youth of fourteen years.
He lived with his brother-in-law until he
had attained his majority, when he rented
land and engaged in farming on his own ac-
count. After two j'ears he settled upon his
own place, where he now resides. He se-
cured a tract of raw prairie which he broke
and fenced, continuing its cultivation as the
years passed until its rich productive fields
constitute one of the valuable farms of the
community. His first home was a log
cabin, which he occupied for several years
while clearing and developing his farm,
but it has long since been replaced by a
commodious, neat and substantial residence.
He also has a good barn upon his place,
convenient outbuikhngs and the latest im-
proved machinery. An orchard of his own
planting bears its fruit in season and shade
trees surround the home. The place is well
tiled so that the land has become arable,
and fences divide the farm into fields of
convenient sizes. He raises good stock in
addition to the cultivation of his crops and
his is one of the modern and model farms
of the county.
In this county, in Newell township. No-
vember 12. 1872. Mr. Tomlinson was united
in marriage to ^Matilda C. Young, a native
of this county, born in XewcU township,
January 26, 1853. Her father. Charles S.
^'(lung• was one of the early settlers, who
came to Illinois from Kentucky, his birth
having occurred in Bourbon county, that
state, in 1809. He established his home in
Newell township at a \'ery early period in
its impro\ement and was there engaged in
farming. In 1889 Mr. Tomlinson was
called upon to moiuni the loss of his wife,
who passed away on the 22d of February,
av^d was laid to rest in the family burial
ground near Marshfield, Indiana. They
had four children: Elizabeth F., the wife
of O. W. Cannon, of Danville, by whom
she has a son, William D. ; Charles S. ;
Jesse Dean ; and John R. They also lost
three children : ]\Iary, who died when a
child of se\-en years ; Walter, who died at
the age of four years: and an infant son.
When age conferred upon Mr. Tomlinson
the right of franchise he proudly cast his
first presidential vote for General U. S.
Grant in 1868 and has given his support to
each presidential nominee of the partv since
that time. Forty-six years" residence in this
country entitles him to mention among the
old settlers and he belongs to that class of
enter]irising citizens, who. while promoting
their individual success, have also taken a
helpful interest in the work pertaining to
the general welfare. He is well known in
the northeastern section of the count}- and
his intelligence, worth, and integrity have
made him a valued citizen.
WILLIAM H. C.VRTER.
\'crmilion county figures as one of the
most attractive, progressive and prosperous
division of the state of Illinois, justly claim-
17:
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
ing a high order of citizenship and a spirit
of enterprise which is certain to conserve
onsecuti\e de\eiopnient and marked ad-
vancemnt in the material upbuilding of the
section. The county has been and is sig-
nally favored in the class of men who have
controlled its affairs in official capacity, and
in this connection the subject of this review
demands representation as one who has
served the county faithfully and well in posi-
tions of distinct trust and responsibility.
He is now acceptably filling the position of
county recorder, to which he was elected
in 1900 for a term of four years.
]\Ir. Carter was born in Peoria county,
Illinois. September 15, 1863, and is a son
of Abraham and Eliza (Baum) Carter. He
comes of Welsh-American ancestry. His
maternal grandfather, Charles Baum, was
one of the pioneer settlers of Vermilion
county, Illinois. He came from Ohio to
this county, settling in Carroll township
when that region was still wild and unim-
proved. He bore his part in the work of
development and progress and he lived to
the advanced age of ninety-eight years. Of
his children there is but one survivor, Mrs.
Eliza Carter, the mother of our subject.
She is a native of Ohio, and for one-third
of a century has been a widow, for Abraham
Carter, the father of our subject, died in
1869. He was a native of Illinois. By
this marriage there were three children,
Charles E.. now deceased; Frank A., who
is living in Indianola, Illinois; and William
H., of this review.
In the public schools of Indianola Will-
iam H. Carter acquired his literary edu-
cation. His early youth was spent upon the
home farm and after entering upon his bus-
iness career he accepted a clerkship in In-
dianola. Later he served as deputy clerk
and recorder. In 1900 he was elected re-
corder of Vermilion county on the Republi-
can ticket for a term of four terms, so
that he is now filling that position. He has
also held township offices, having served as
collector. Socially he is identified with the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks,
with the Masonic fraternity, the Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Modern
Woodmen of America. No trust reposed
in him has ever been betrayed and he is a
most capable official, discharging his dutie;
in a prompt and able manner, placing the
general good before personal advancement.
ROBERT V. CHESLEY.
Upon the public life of Danville Robert
V. Chesley left an indelible impression and
he wrote his name upon the keystone of the
legal arch of Illinois, figuring during the
middle portion of the nineteeth century as
one of the most skilled lawyers and gifted
orat(5rs that appeared before courts of the
state. No citizen of Danville was ever more
re.?pected and no man ever more fully en-
joyed the respect so freely accorded him.
Honorable in business, loyal in citizenship,
charitable in thought, kindly in action, true
to every trust confided to his care, his life
was of the highest type of American man-
hood. He was one of the great lawyers of
the Illinois bar who lives in the memories of
his contemporaries encircled with the halo of
a gracious presence, charming personality,
profound legal wisdom, thrilling oratory,
purity of public and private life and the quiet
dignitv of an ideal follower of his calling.
Mr. Chesley was a native of Virginia,
born May 9, 1832, a son of Alexander P.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
175
Chesley, who after removing to Danvilfc be-
came postmaster of the city. The son at-
tended school in Columbus, Ohio, and from
there came to X'ermilion county, where he
entered upon his business career as an ap-
prentice to the harness-maker's trade under
AV'illiam Myers. When his three years' term
of service had expired he continued with his
employer as a journeyman for a number of
years and then accepted a clerkship in the
Humphrey drug store. Subsequently he be-
came a salesman in the dry-goods store of
Prosper and Victor Leseure, after which he
established a harness and saddlery store of
his own, his shop standing at the corner op-
posite the First National Bank. He re-
mained in that business for a time and then
again engaged in clerking, this time in the
employe of William E. Russel, a dry-goods
merchant.
About this time, — on the Jist of Octo-
ber, 1852, — in Danville, Mr. Chesley was
united in marriage to ]\liss Helen }\I. Rus-
sel. a native of Litchfield county, Connecti-
cut, born August 16, 1830, a daughter of
William E. and Emeline (Bradley) Russel,
the former a native of Middletown. Connec-
ticut, and the latter of Litchfield county,
where they were married. Her father was
engaged in the dry-goods business in the
east and after his removal to \'ermilion
county in 1833 followed the same line of
business. He was also engaged in the land
and loan business and did a great deal of
business for the county, also filling a number
of offices, including that of justice of the
peace. Prominent in i)ul)hc affairs his ac-
tivity proved of benefit to the community
along many lines. His political support was
given the Democracy and socially he was
connected with the Masonic fralernit\- and
the Independent Order of Odd !'"cllows,
while in religious faith he was a L'niversa-
list. He died in March, 1856, and his wife
passed away on the 7th of Xo\-ember, 1866.
Mrs. Chesley was one of a family of four
children. She has one li\ing brother, .\1-
bert Russel. who is retired in Danville.
After his marriage Mr. Chesley contin-
ued clerking until September. 1861, when
\\ itli ]i;itriotic impulse to .aid in the preserva-
tion oi the L'nion he joined Company C, of
the Twelfth Regiment of Illinois Infantry,
ser\ing under the command of Colonel Mc-
Arthur and General U. S. Grant. He was
engaged in se\cral battles and skirmishes, in-
cluding the engagement at Fort Donelson,
where he was wounded in the leg by a rifle
ball. He was then sent to the hospital,
where he was discharged after serving for a
year. When he had recovered he took up
the studv of law. lie had previously de-
\'oted much time to reading law while work-
ing at his trade, often sitting up nights until
between one and two o'clock pouring over
some text-book. After his return from the
army he continued his reading in the office
of O. L. Davis and was admitted to the bar
after successfull}' passing the rc(|uired exam-
ination. He then opened an office and began
practice in Danville. He was interested in
the trial of a number of cases with Abraham
Lincoln and they became fast friends. He
was also associated with Stephen .V. Doug-
las and other eminent men of the time,
manv of whom attained n.'itional reputations.
A lirilliaiU orator, his gift in this direction
was one of the potent elements of his suc-
cess, but added to this was his logical reason-
ing, his comprehensi\e knowledge of the law
and his careful preparation of cases. His
political support was given to the Republican
party and had he asij^cd to ])olitical honors
he undoubtedlv could ha\e won fame in
that direction but be always refused to hold
office.
176
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Air. and Airs. Chelsey became tlie par-
ent.s of five cliildren : Charles E., who mar-
ried Ida Dicken, by whom he has five chil-
drai, is one of the owners of the Chesley
Boiler Works and resides in Danville; Fred-
erick H., who wedded Elizabeth Thomas and
has two children, is also living in Danville
and works for his brothers in the boiler fac-
tory; John L., who married Eliza Ham-
nett, is engaged in boiler manufacturing in
this city; L. A., who married Helen S. Stew-
art and has three children, is the secretary
and treasurer of the Danville Foundry Com-
pany; Helen May, born in Vermilion coun-
ty, January i, 1866, is the wife of W. S.
Rowlson, who was born in Terre Haute, In-
diana, Februar)' 24, 1858, their marriage
taking place Alay 14, 1885. His father, I. L.
Rowlson, is a native of Watertown, New
York, and was married in Terre Haute to
Mrs. Mildred McGaughey. W. S. Rowlson
is now engaged in the carriage business in
Danville. He is a Republican in his political
views and a member of the Alodern Wood-
men fraternity. He and his wife reside at
No. 927 North Walnut street and they have
one son, Chesley, born February 24. 1895.
Air. Chesley held membership with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and at-
tended the Presbyterian church. He peidiaps
had more friends in this portion of the state
than ariy other man. He was popular soci-
ally and it is said that no man was more
graceful or gallant in a ball room or at a
social function. He had a wonderful mem-
ory for faces and incidents, a most polished
manner and genial cordiality and all this ren-
dered him a most pleasant entertainer. As
a lecturer he had no equal in Danville and in
fact his superior ability won for him the
title of "the silver-tongued orator of the
west." On the platform such was his per-
sonal popularity and such his personal mag-
netism that his appearance to address the
people was the signal for tumultuous en-
thusiasm and when it was known that he
was to speak at a public or political gather-
ing people came for miles to hear him until
the place of meeting was always taxed to its
utmost capacity and his remarks were
cheered to the echo. But his was not alone
the oratory of the master of rhetoric, his ut-
terances rang with truth, originality, logic
and power. His eloquence made his law
pleas memorable and his law library was one
of the finest of the state. The term "Our
Bob." so often applied to him, was a token of
endearment — an indication of the tender re-
gard which his fellow townsmen had for
him. In his family he was a devoted hus-
band and father and put forth every eft'ort in
his power to promote the welfare and happi-
ness of his wife and children. He had a
most comprehensive knowledge of the scrip-
tures and while he made no professions of
religion, he who attempted to enlist him in a
Biblical argument found that he must look
to his own laurels. He lived religion rather
than professed it, and no man was more
generous to the poor and needy, more ready
in s}-mpatliy or shed around him more of the
sunshine and happiness of life. His name
is inscribed on the records of the bar of iTli-
nois, but in the city where he made his home
and throughout the state where he had ac-
quaintances, it is enshrined in the hearts of
those who were proud to call him friend.
AIRS. IDA J. PASTUER.
The field of journalism has drawn to
its ranks many of the leading men of the
country, men whose patriotic devotion to
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
177
the general good, combined with business
abibly, has enabled them to establish papers
having marked inikience upon the growth
and substantial progress of the localities
with which they are connected. Compara-
tively few women, however, have entered
the journalistic realm, but if others could
do so, manifesting the same capability and
success that has been shown Ijy ]\lrs. Pas-
tuer, it would certainly be a work worthy
of the best efforts of womankind. She of
whom we write is the editor of the Gazette,
of Indianola. Upon her husband's death she
took up the work which he was forced to
lay down and with the assistance of her
two sons, H. M. and W. R. Pasttter, she
has made the paper a credit to the commun-
ity and a worthy representative of the news-
paper field of this portion of the state of
Illinois.
Mrs. Pastuer is a native of Terre Haute.
Indiana, and became the wife of Francis
J. Pastuer, who established the Gazette.
The Danville Press said of her : "She is
a woman of much versatility and governs
a newspaper with the dignity of a society
woman in her drawing room. After the
death of her husband she courageously took
charge of his business and reared her little
family. She mastered the business and made
a success of its every detail." The paper now
has a paid circulation of one thousand cop-
ies, and is an excellent advertising medium.
It is an eight page journal and the plant is
equipped with everything necessary for the
publication of a modern up-to-date paper.
Mrs. Pastuer is ably assisted by her two
sons, H. M. and W. R., and the latter is
not only serving as city editor but is also
city clerk of Indianola. The former occu-
pied the position of foreman of the printing
office and possessed marked ability as a car-
toon artist, his work in this direction being
fa\'oralily conimenleil upon Ijy expert judges
in this line in New York. He is at present
a student in the New York Cartooning
school, and will take a position as cartoon-
ist with a leatling Memphis, Tennessee, pa-
per upun recei\ing his diploma. Mrs. Pas-
tuer reads broadly, thinks deeply, and with-
out strongly marked prejudice she presents
the subjects of which she treats in a fair
,'md just manner. Through the columns of
her paper she has labored earnestly for the
welfare of Indianola, and the town is proud
of the Gazette and of its editor.
D. C. HINSHAW, :\I. D.
Since 1887 Dr. D. C. Hinsliaw has re-
sided in the \illage of Ridgefarm and
throughout the southern part of the county
has engaged in the practice of his profes-
sion, a liberal patronage being accorded
him, because he has demonstrated his skill
and ability to cope successfully witli the
many intricate problems which are con-
tinually facing the physician. He is a na-
tive of Hamilton county, Indiana, born
April 22, 1858, and is a son of John and
Sarah Hinshaw, both of whom were na-
tives of North Carolina, and, removing to
Hamilton county, Indiana, in 1851, became
early settlers of the latter locality. The
father purchased a tract of land and has
since carried on farming there and he and
his wife are leading members of the Friends
church and people of the highest respecta-
bility, wh(^ enjoy to an unusual degree the
confidence and good will of those with whom
they are associated. Their marriage was
blessed with eight children, namely : Isaac.'
178
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
who is residing in Kansas ; Thomas, a phy-
sician, whose home is in IndianapoHs, In-
diana; Martha J., a resident of \\"estfield,
Indiana ; .\ndre\v, who is hving in Hamil-
ton county ; D. C. ; Aseneth, whose home is
in Plainfield, Indiana ; Lydia Ann, of To-
ledo, Ohio; and William, who resides with
his parents on the old home farm in Hamil-
ton county, Indiana.
Dr. Hinshaw, whose name introduces
this record, acquired his early education in
the district schools near the home farm and
afterward continued his studies in the high
school at Westfield, Indiana. He then en-
tered upon his medical course, going to
Indianapolis, where he spent three years
as a student in the Medical College there
and was graduated on the ist of March,
1882, with the degree of M. D. He had
applied himself closely to the mastery of
the branches which formed the curriculum,
and thus thoroughly equipped for the prac-
tice of his profession he opened an office
in Vermilion Grove, Illinois, where he re-
mained for a short time, coming thence to
Ridgefarm, where he has since resided.
From the beginning of his residence here
he has enjoyed a very liberal patronage,
which has continually grown until now his
practice is a large and profitable one. He
has practiced here longer than any other
physician in the village and he has a well
equipped office in the central part of the
town.
Dr. Hinshaw was united in marriage to
Miss Effie R. Dicken, a native of \^ermilion
county, and a daughter of David Dicken,
a farmer who served as a soldier in the war
of the Rebellion. He spent his last years,
however, in retirement from active labor
and died in Danville. The Doctor was called
upon to mourn the loss of his wife in 1901.
she passing away on the 19th of February,
of that year. There were two children of
that marriage, but the elder, Glenn Craw-
ford, died at the age of five months. Hazel
E., bom in October, 1886, resides with her
father in Ridgefarm.
The Doctor is not only prominent pro-
fessionally but is also recognized as one of
the leading and enterprising citizens of the
village, devoted to the general good and ever
allied to the best interests of the town. For
two years he acceptably served as mayor
of Ridgefarm. In politics he is a Republi-
can and fraternally he is connected with
the Knights of Pythias and with the ^lod-
ern Woodmen. In religious faith he is con-
nected with the Society of Friends. In a
profession where ad\ancement depends up-
on individual merit he has steadily pro-
gressed, each year adding to his efficiency
by reason of his continued study and in-
JAMES S. SCO.XCE.
One of the most beautiful homes in east-
ern Illinois is "Fairview." A palatial resi-
dence, it stands in the midst of a well kept
lawn, which slopes gradually to the road, a
quarter of a mile distant, a winding drive
leading up to the house, which is embowered
in stately trees. Far and wide to the right
and to the left stretch the l)road and richly
cultivated fields of the estate, and the evi-
dences of care and cultivation are every-
where seen. "Fairview" is a monument to
the life, the enterprise and the energy of
James S. Sconce, whose well directed efforts
in the business world resulted in the acquire-
ment of this splendid property, which he left
as a legacy to his wife and children, when
Of [.iE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
i8i
liis life's labors were ended in tlealh and he
was called to the home beyond. His mem-
ory is enshrined in the hearts of all who
knew him, for he endeared himself to all by
his straig'htforwartl conduct, his gentle man-
ner and his sterling worth.
Hack to an earl_\- epoch in .Vinerican his-
tory can the ancestry of the family be traced
and in many events which left their impress
upon improvement and progress representa-
tives of the name were active. \\'hen civili-
zation made its way into the wilderness of
Kentucky the Sconces joined the vanguard
and the great-grandfather of James S.
Sconce was one of the pioneers of Bourbon
county. Kentuck}'. where he lived in a large
log house. l)uilt especially to resist Indian at-
tacks. There were eight brothers in the
family and they were am<ing the lirave early '
settlers who reclaimed that beautiful coun-
trv from the domain of the sa\'ages. Near-
ly all of these brothers emigrated to the
south and west, bearing part in the reclama-
tion of wild districts for the purpose of civ-
ilization. There are now many representa-
tives of the name in Texas.
Samuel Sconce, the father of oiu" sub-
ject, was born in Bourbon county, Ken-
tucky, in 1802, and was there reared amid
the scenes of frontier life, sharing in the
hardships and trials of the pioneer settlers
until tlie year 1828, when he came to Illi-
nois, settling in \"ermilion county the fol-
lowing year. Here he was married to Miss
Nancv Waters, who was born in Bourbon
county. Kentucky, in 1808, and in 1829
came with her parents to Brooks Point, V'er-
inilion countv, where the marriage was cele-
brated. For a few years they resided in that
locality and Mr. Sconce gave his attention
to agriculturrd pursuits, which he followed
very successfully. In 1852 he turned his at-
tention to merchandisine: in Indianola as a
member of the firm of Bailey & Sconce,
which proved a prolitajjle venture until the
store was destroyed by fire, when Mr. Sconce
retired from business life. He died in 1874,
at the age of seventy-one years, anil his wid-
ow passed away in 1897, at the age of eigh-
ty-nine. They were the parents of three
children who reached mature years: James
S. ; America J., of Indianola, who is the wid-
ow of Dr. Oliver Calvert, by whom she had
a daughter who died at the age of sixteen
years; and Thomas J., who was for many
years a resident of Carroll township, Ver-
milion county, and died January i, 1888.
James S. Sconce was born near Brooks
Point, November 14, 1831. and acquired a
good education, attending first the district
schools, later the more advanced schools of
Danville and- subsequently the (ieorgetown
Academy, at that time the leading educa-
tional institution of this portion of the state.
He was also early trained to hard work on
the home farm and when twenty-four years
of age he entered his father's store as a clerk
and for four years drew a salary of only
three hundred dollars per year. In 1859,
thinking he might find better business oppor-
tunities west of the Mississippi, he went to
Kansas, where he pre-empted one hundred
and sixtv acres of land in Lyons county. He
remained, however, for only three month.s
and then traded his property for a similar
tract of land in Illinois and here began his
career as a stockman and dro\cr. During
this time he made the acquaintance of the
lady whom he sought as his wife, and in Sep-
tember. 1861, he was united in marriage to
Miss Emma Sodowsky, the only daughter of
Harvey Sodowsky. She was reared at
W'oodlawn. her father's country home and
suijplenienled her early education by attend-
ance at the Georgetown Academy.
After his marriage Mr. Sconce lived for
l82
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
a year with his father-in-law and then lo-
cated on the place which is now the home of
his widow and son. As his financial re-
sources increased he addetl to his property
until lie became the owner of twenty-one
hundred acres of as fine land as can be found
in this part of the country. He erected
thereon a splendid residence in the midst of
tall and g-raceful trees, which shade a spaci-
ous lawn, adorned by the arts of the land-
scape gardener. To this place Mrs. Sconce
very appropriately gave the name of Fair-
view. Mr. Sconce not only g'ave his atten-
tion to the cultivation of the cereals best
adapted to soil and climate, liut was also an
extensive raiser and dealer in stock, his vol-
ume of business in this department reacliing
a large figure annually. The estate left by
him was one of the largest ever probated in
Vermilion county and to the widow and
children also came the satisfaction of know-
ing that it was gained through strictly legit-
imate and honorable business methods.
Unto }ilr. and Mrs. Sconce were born
three children : Anna, the wife of William
G. Catbcart. the banker of Sidell, Illinois, by
whom she has a daughter, Celia ; Harvey J. ;
and Samuel, who died in infancy. It is said
that "sorrows come not singly," and so it
seems for }klrs. Sconce lost her husband, her
father and her mother within a year. Mr.
Sconce passed away September 21, 1888, at
the age of fifty-seven years.
While his success excited the admiration
of those who knew him, it was his personal
characteristics that drew around him so
many warm friends. He was a man of fine
appearance, six feet in height, broad shoul-
dered, and with the keen, blue eye so char-
acteristic of the family. He would have at-
tracted attention in any gathering". Politi-
cally he was a Democrat from conviction
and principle and in 1882 he consented to be-
come a candidate for state senator. He made
a brilliant race, running far ahead of his
ticket in a county which is strongly Repub-
lican. He served as supervisor of Carroll
township and always took a deep interest in
public afl:'airs. A well filled library indicated
his literary taste, and he read broadly and
deeply, spending manv of his most pleasant
hours with his favorite authors. Educa-
tional matters always awakened his earnest
interest and hearty co-operation and for a
number of years he was one of the regents
of the Wesleyan University, at Blooming-
ton, Illinois, which was also favored by his
generosity. He was a C(jnsistent and active
member of the Methodist Episcopal church
and he was buried with Masonic honors in
the Woodlawn cemetery, at Indianola. The
funeral was attended by an immense throng
and the cortege, headed by three hundred
Masons in mourning, was over three miles
in length, probably the larg'est funeral ever
held in Vermilion county. It was remarked
by one who knew ^Ir. Sconce well that "a
secret society which, commanded the fealty
of a man like James Sconce nuist ha\e some-
thing in it." If he loved Alasonry it was
also true that the brethren of the craft loved
him. He lived a life of simplicity, gentle-
ness, kindness and charit)-, and he ne\er al-
lowed the accumulation of wealth to in any
way influence his action toward those less
fortunate, unless it was to make him more
considerate and gracious. He regarded only
the worth of character in those whom he
made his friends and he had the highest re-
gard for upright manhood. It was therefore
a logical result that he should draw around
him a circle of friends that was almost co-
extensive with his circle of acquaintances,
and that his death should come as a personal
bereavement to the great majority who
knew him.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
i«3
His widow still lix'es at Ijeautitul Fair-
view. She is well versed in literature and
art, and "one is never alone who has the
companionship of the old masters." As a
friend remarked to the writer: "It matters
not who goes to the home of ]\Irs. Sconce,
be they rich or poor, they all receive the same
gracious welcome." To her husband she was
a devoted companion and helpmate and for
more than a quarter of a century they trav-
eled life's journey together in a most con-
genial companionship that made her be-
reavement very heavy, yet left her with
many precious memories of happy years of
wedded life.
HARVEY J. SCONCE.
One of die largest and most substantial
property owners of Vermilion county is
Harvey J. Sconce, who. though still a young
man, has the responsibility upon his shoul-
ders of taking care of his large landed intei'-
ests. This he is thoroughly capable of do-
ing, for he well understands progressive ag-
ricultural luethods and takes a deep interest
in every improvement that will add to the
value and attractive appearance of his splen-
did farm.
Mr. Sconce was born at l*"air\'iew farm,
I\Tarch 7, 1875. His father was James S.
Sconce, who was a man pronu'nent in all of
the affairs of the county in which he made
his home and well known throughout the
state, not only as a great agriculturist and
stock-raiser but also as a progressive and
public-spirited citizen who had at heart the
best interests of Vermilion county. He was
born near Brooks Point in Vermilion coun-
ty, November 14. 1831. and died September
21, 1 888. His ])arents, Sanuiel and Xancy
Sconce, were natives of Bourbon count v.
Kentucky, and came to \'erniilion county in
1829. Theirs was a happy married life and
the grandfather of our subject was a i)ro-
gressive and influential agriculturist.
Through the enterprise and efforts of this
couple the great Sconce estate was created,
which is known to be one of the finest coun-
try estates in the Cnitcd States. I'.esides
their son James S. they had two other chil-
dren : America J., the widow of Oliver Cal-
vert and a resident of Indianola : and
Thomas J., who died January i, 1888.
James S. Sconce was educated in the public
schools of this county and the schools of
Danville. He married Miss Emma Sodow-
sky, a daughter of Harvey Sodowsky. who
was one of the farmer "princes" of Ver-
luilion county. She was born June 25, 1842,
and by her marriage became the mother of
three clu'ldren : Anna, Har\-ey J., and Sam-
uel, who died in infancy. Anna is now the
wife of \^'ilIiam G. Cathcart, of Sidell, \'er-
milion county, and has one child, Celia. aged
nine years.
Harvey J. Sconce received his early edu-
cation in the public schools of Vermilion
county and was reared upon his father's
delightful farm called Fairview, situated in
the western part of Carroll township, where
he yet resides. Later he entered the Univer-
sity of Illinois, taking the special agricult-
ural course and graduating in the class of
1897. While in college he took an active
interest in athletics and played on the 'var-
sity football eleven for three years and on
the 'varsity nine for one year.
Upon his return from college Mr.
Sconce immediately assumed control of his
father's estate which had been under the su-
pervision of his mother during his minority.
The farm comprises thirty-one hundred and
forty acres of the finest land in the state.
In connection with the cultivation of his
1 84
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
land Mr. Sconce is also engaged in feeding
stock on a large scale and makes a specialty
of pure bred shorthorns, having a herd of
pure white shorthorns at the present time in
addition to his red herd. He is regarded as
good authority on all agricultural subjects.
On the 2(1 of June, 1897, Mr. Sconce
was united in marriage to Miss Eva Fisher,
who was bom July 22. 1876, and is the
daughter of Michael and Marietta Fisher, of
Indianola. One child blesses this union,
Emma Frances, born May 9, 189S. The
members of the Sconce household now con-
sists of our subject, his mother, wife and
child, and theirs is a happy home, made at-
tractive by all the modern conveniences of
this ])rogressive and enlightened age. Elec-
tric lights illuminate all of the farm build-
ings as well as the palatial residence, which
consists of Ijeautifullv furnished rooms,
fitted up in the most perfect taste. A de-
lightful conservatory is one of the embel-
lishments of the home and it contains beau-
tiful and rare plants and flowers, while a
billiard room contributes to the entertain-
ment of those who enjoy such pastime.
Fraternally J\lr. Sconce is a Mason, be-
ing past master of Sidell Lodge, No. 798,
F. & A. M., and he also belongs to the Be-
nevolent and Protective Order of Elks at
Danville and to the Kappa Sigma, a Greek
letter fraternity. His religious views are in-
dicated by his membership in the Methodist
church and in ])olitics he is a Republican, be-
lieving firmly in the ])rinciples <if that party.
He is deeply interested in the general wel-
fare of his county and state and keeps well
informed on the (juestions and issues of the
day. Patriotic and progressive, public spir-
ited and enterprising, he is one of Vermilion
comity's representative men and is held in
the highest respect and esteem by all wlio
know him.
EDWARD ROUSE.
Edward Rouse is a pioneer settler of
Vermilion county, having located here in
1834. He had previously visited the ci.nmty
in 1832, and returned to Ohio, his natixe
place, in 1833, but he again came to \'ermil-
ion county the next year, locating in Dan-
\-ille township, and removed to Newell town-
ship in 1849. Here he has remained and
during the succeeding years has been a \ery
prominent man in his locality and has taken
an important part in the work of improve-
ment and development of the same. He was
born in Scioto county, Ohio, March t8.
1825. and is the son of Reason and Martha
(Olehy) Rouse, who were natives of Dela-
ware and V^irginia, respectively, and were
married in Ohio. The subject of this review
is one of a familv of six children. Isaac died
in December, 1883. Rebecca Ann died in
Ohio, on the return of Mr. Rouse to diat
state, in 1833. The subject of this review is
the third in order of Irirth. John resides on
the state line in Warren county, Indiana,
and also lived in \'erniilion county for some
years. Dennis died about the year 1896.
Flizalieth is the deceased wife of Joseph
Huston. She left one child, who also died
later.
Edward Rouse of this review attended
the subscription schools in the months of
•winter and worked upon the farm in the
summer .seasons. He came from Ohio in a
co\ered wagon and hired a man to make the
trip, which consumed about three weeks.
His father had died when he was about
six years of age and the mother died the fol-
lowing March, in 1833, leaving six orphans.
Edward Rouse made his home after this
with his mothers brothers and was reared
bv them. He lived with his uncles until he
was al)out eighteen years of ag'e, wlien he be-
LIBRARY
OF 1,;E
nNlVEfiSirV OF ILLIN0I5
EDWARD ROUSE.
MRS. EDWARD ROUSE.
/
LIBRARY
OF IME
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
189
gan working out by the month, at first re-
ceiving seven dollars. He continued work-
ing until his marriage, which occurred Oc-
tober 4, 1S46, the lady of his choice being
]\Iinerva Martin, who was born in Newell
township. \'ennilion county. August 16.
1829. She is the youngest of a family of
eleven children, all of whom reached years
of maturity. The family were pioneers of
\^ermilion county, and Mrs. Rouse is the
onlv sur\i\ing member. The familv was es-
tablishetl in the state before there were any
railroads constructed and Mrs. Rouse now
lives within one quarter of a mile of the old
homestead on which she was reared. There
was a race to enter the piece of land north of
where she was born.
.Vfter his marriage Mr. Rouse oi this re-
view rented land for one year and in 1848
he bought forty acres at four dollars per
acre. This was all wild and unimproved,
but with characteristic energy he proceeded
to cultivate it and place it under a high state
of productiveness. He made all of the im-
provements thereon, and his neat and attrac-
tive residence and substantial barns and
granaries indicate the ])rogressive spirit of
the owner. He has l)een verv industrious
and energetic, and with the aid of his estima-
ble wife he has succeeded in winning a com-
fortable competence. The wife has not only
done the house work, but has made all the
clothing and otherwise has b(Trne the bur-
dens and endured the hardships incident to
pioneer life, when the advantages of an old-
er civilization were not obtainable. Both
Mr. Rouse and his wife were reared in a log
cabin. .After their marriage Mr. Rouse built
a frame house in 1861 on his farm. The
nearest trading points to their home were
Covington and Perrysville. and their grain
was hauled to Lafayette and Chicago in ex-
change for groceries, salt and provisions.
They made the journey with teams, camp-
ing out on the way to and from the city.
Mr. Rouse hauled apples to Ottawa on the
Illinois river, and to Chicago, in 1849. In
case of a drought in their part of the state, he
would return with a load of potatoes bought
at sex'enty-fne cents and sold at one dollar
an.d a half per bushel. There being no rail-
roads in .the state, the interchange of com-
merce was slow and not extensive. Mr. and
Mrs. Rouse well remember the first railroad
that was constructed into Danville, known
as the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railroad,
in 1857. That also was the year in which
Mrs. Rouse lost her mother by death.
Twenty years previous to this. 'during the
early boyhood days of Mr. Rouse, he worked
at teaming on a railroad that was begun liut
was never finished until it was revived in
1857. Mr. Rouse is now in his seventy-
eighth year and can see to read without
glasses, which he has done for the past ten
years, now having his "second eye-sight."
For thirty 3-ears previous to that he wore
glasses. He was actively engaged in farm-
ing until the year 1900. but since that time
has lived retired upon the old home farm.
He and his wife celebrated their golden wed-
ding Octolier 4. 1896. and all of the children
and grandchildren e.Kcept two of the family
circle were gathered around the old home
fireside to participate in the joyous function.
The two not present were Mrs. .Mice Stew-
art, of Kansas, and John B.. of Nebraska.
Invitations were sent out and about two
hundred were present. This was a happy
re union for the family, and many reminis-
cences of former days were indulged in. and
comjjarisons made between the ]')rimitive
IKist and the progressive i)resent. The ven-
erable father and mother of this family of
children were made young again in spirit by
the presence of their loved ones.
190
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Unto yir. and Mrs. Rouse were born
twelve children, as follows : Martha is the
wife of Thomas Alackin and resides in Ver-
milion county. They are the parents of sev-
en children, live of whom are living. Den-
nis II. married Sarah Crouse and resides in
Danville. They have one living child and
lost two. The third member of the Rouse
familv is Susan, who lives upon the home
farm, and is caring for her aged parents.
John B. married Josephine Herrin and they
reside in Nebraska, having three children.
Rosann is the wife of Alex Stewart and
they had six children, five of whom are liv-
ing. They reside in Kansas. Their oldest
girl is married and lives in Colorado. ]\Iary
Ann is the wife of W. T. Hanson. They
had five children, three of whom are yet liv-
ing. They reside one-half mile north of the
old home farm in Newell township. They
have one daughter who is married and has
one child, the latter being the great-grand-
child of jMr. and Airs. Rouse. Rebecca Ann
is the wife of Leroy Walker, is living in
Dan\-ille, and has four children. Julia Ann
is the wife of Charles T. Long. They had
nine children, six of whom are living, and
make their home in Danville township.
!Minerva is the wife of L. P. Adams, of
Newell township, and has four living chil-
dren. They also lost one. Sarah Ann is the
wife of John J. Long, residing in Danville
township, and they have seven children, all
living. One child died in infancy; and Ed-
win Austin, the youngest member of the
family, died Octol)er iS, 1886, at the age of
fourteen years, ten months and two days.
I\tr. and Mrs. Rouse have lived in Ver-
milion county for many years. There were
scarcely any towns or villages here at that
time. They have since sprung up into flour-
ishing and enterprising towns and cities and
thus the progress of the great state of Illi-
nois has been assured. Mrs. Rouse has made
trips to Danville for her mother when there
was only one store in the place — a wonder-
ful change is now seen in this thriving" city
of the west. At that time the land abounded
in sloughs. Her mother died in her sixty-
eighth year, January 28, 1857, in the pres-
ent home of Mr. Rouse and his wife. Her
father died in Washington territory near
Vancouver, in March. 1861. He was one of
the highly respected pioneers of Vermilion
county and at the time of his death was
about se\-enty-five years of age.
!Mr. Rouse and his wife are among those
who ha\-e helped to build up Newell town-
ship, and their prominence and popularity in
the township is inilicated by the fact that
their many friends took occasion on their
golden wedding to present them with many
valuable presents. Among these were two
walking canes, one gold headed and the oth-
er made of pure glass in the glass works at
Dan\-ille. The gold headed cane was pre-
sented by friends at Danville. Their chil-
dren presented each with a beautiful gold
watch. The dishes presented by Danville
friends are gold lined, beautiful and costly
sou\enirs. ^Mrs. Rouse's sister's children
presented them with a golden pitcher of ex-
quisite taste and design and two golden can-
dlesticks representing the fiery serpent were
among the presents. This plainly shows the
high esteem and honor in which Mr. and
Mrs. Rouse are held by their many friends,
and the pages of the history of Vermilion
county, past and present, will be enhanced
by mention of these pioneer citizens. In
their comfortable home happiness, peace and
contentment reign, as the result of lives no-
bly spent. The home is tastefully furnished
and arranged. Their daughter, Susan, who
is acting as housekeeper and general mana-
ger, ha!5 splendid business ability and great
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
191
taste in arranging; the home and grounds.
She is gifted in the art of the taxidermist
and has a charming and beautiful collection
of native birds. Slie has natural ability in
this line and the birds are arranged very
artistically in a case and have a very natural
and life-like appearance. She has a collec-
tion of almost every species of native birds,
among them being two mud hens.
[Mr. Rouse now owns two hundred and
forty acres of the very best improved land in
\'ermilion county, and every foot of the
same has been put under its present state of
cultivation through the hard work of Mr.
Rouse. Only eight acres were cleared when
it came into his possession. His land is so
di\-ided in various portions, that it may be
equally distributed among his children. In
addition he owns one hundred and sixty
acres in Kansas. The labors of this honored
cor.ple have brought to them a comfortable
competence and they are now enjoying a
well earned rest frcim the toils of life. For
many years they have lived together in hap-
piness, their mutual love and confidence in-
creasing as the years have passed. The land
that he possesses is partly in his \vife's name,
she having forty acres deeded to her. Of
the other portion of the farm, one hundred
and thirty-three acres are in Danville town-
ship, and sixty-seven acres are in Newell
township, making in all about two hundred
and forty acres. Before his retirement from
active life Mr. Rouse had been identified for
fifty-four years with farming and stockrais-
ing. He has also taken a prominent part in
public affairs. He served for one term as
supervisor of Newell townshi]). beginning in
the early ]iart of the year 1862, and has
helped build schools on his own and other
land. He and his wife are identified with
the Primilive Bajitist church, which he
helpeti t(i build on his land, gi\'ing the asso-
ciation the site and aiding in its material
and spiritual growth. Many of the meet-
ings of this association are held at his house.
Mr. Rouse has always votetl the Democratic
ticket, casting his first presidential ballot for
Louis Cass, and he has since been a standard
bearer of the part\^, of which he is very
proud. Horace Greeley is the onlv Demo-
cratic nominee for the presidency whom he
failed to vole for. During his active busi-
ness life Air. Ivonse was a \ery successful
farmer and his land was s(_) cultivated as to
yield him a fine return, his annual corn crops
yielding him now forty to fifty bushels and
oats twenty-fi\e to fifty bushels to llie acre.
He is a noble representative of the pioneers
of \^ermilion county, and his life record
should be an inspiration to future genera-
tions.
GEORGE TANNER.
To the heroes who fought and suft'cred,
giving several of the best years of their
earlv manhocid tn the jireservation of the
Union under whose flag they were born,
universal tribute of gratitude is given and
it is fitting that their patriotic service should
find mention in the annals (if their county,
state and naton. Those wIkj arc enjoying
the peace and prosperity which have come
as a direct result of that long and terrible
struggle between the north and south can-
not have impressed uifon their minds too
often the great price which it cost. Wher
the tocsin of war sounded George Tanner
was among those who res])onded. and
throughout the greater part of the Civil war
he wore the blue uniform of the nation and
valiantly fought its battles.
i9i
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Mr. Tanner was born in Carroll county.
Indiana. January 30, 1839, '^'^ parents be-
ing Jacol) and Elizabeth (Pilcher) Tannei .
the former a native of New York and the
latter of Ohio. The father followed farm-
ing throughout his entire business career
The mother died in Vermilion county, Illi-
nois, near Danville, and of the fourteen
children of the family but three are now
living: Samuel, Sarah and George. Sarah
is the wife of Elias Marion. After the
death of his first wife the father married
Mrs. Boggs and his death occurred in Aug-
ust, 1890, in Urbana.
George Tanner pursued his education in
the common schools of Ford county, Illinois,
and remained at home through the period
of his youth, assisting in the work of the
home farm, when not pursuing his studies.
He began farming on his own account on
rented land and after two years thus passed
he purchased forty acres in Vermilion coun-
ty. As a companion and helpmate for the
journey of life he chose Miss Eliza Speers
and they, were married near Pilot Grove.
Illinois, November 17, 1858. The lady was
a native of Virginia and died on the 15th
of November. 1859, leaving one child.
Francis Marion, who resitles in Danville.
On the 4th of August, 1862. in response
to his country's need, Mr. Tanner enlisted
at Chambersburg, Indiana, as a member
of Company H, Seventy-second Indiana In-
fantry, under Captain R. B. Hanna and
Colonel A. O. Miller. The regiment was
assigned to the Fourteenth Army Corps.
under General Thomas, who commanded
the corps for about a year. They were
mounted infantry of Wilder's Brigade and
afterward joined Long's corps of cavalry,
remaining in the cavalry service until the
close of hostilities. Mr. Tanner was also
with Sherman throughout the Chattanooga
campaign and at the battle of Chickamauga.
He was also in the engagements at Stone
River, Hooxer's Gap, the Atlanta campaign,
Buzzard's Roost, Ringgold and numerous
others of lesser importance. During the
Atlanta campaign his entire brigade were
in their saddles for forty-two days and
nights, protecting the troops of infantry.
After this campaign the regiment fell back
with. Thomas, at Nashville, and engaged
in the pursuit of Hood. Later they were
detached and sent to follow Sherman on
his march to the sea, proceeding as far as
Macon, within three days' march of
Atlanta when the news of Lee's surrender
was received. On that occasion the Sev-
enty-second Indiana fell l)ack to Louisville,
Kentucky, and was there mustered out, Air.
Tanner receiving- an honorable discharge
at Indianapolis, on the 26th day of July.
1S65. He w^as within one hundred and fifty
yards of IMcPherson when that general was
killefl. He was also in the battle of Selma.
Alabama, on the Sunday when the Union
troops, numbering only twenty-fi\-e hun-
dred, engaged the forces of General Forest,
numbering seven th.ousand men. Thev cap-
tured Selma, Alabama, in one hour and
forty minutes, and lost one hundred and
fifty men, both commanders. Long and Mil-
ler, being wounded. They secured one
thousand prisoners, over one thousand
horses, and killing more than a thousand
of the Rebel troops. The citv was fortified
by a line of breastworks and was consid-
ered one of the best fortified strongholds
of the entire south, but the Union troops
with marked gallantry captured this place,
destroying the southern arsenal with all its
guns, cannon and ammunition. Mr. Tan-
ner ser\-ed for three vears as one of the
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
193
valiant defenders of the old flag, never wa-
\ering in his allegiance or faltering in his
faith as to the tinal outcome of the Union
arms. His health was much impaired dur-
ing the service, and in fact he has never
lull) recovered to this day.
After the close of the war Mr. Tanner
returned to l-'ord county and assisted his
father on the home farm for a short time.
He then went to Ohio on a visit and was
there married to Julia A. Tanner, of Pales-
tine, in the year 1866. He remained in the
Buckeye state for two years, carrying on
farming, after which he returned to Illinois,
taking up his abode in \'ermiIion county
upon his father's land near East Lynn. He
then cared for his parents until his mother's
death. On account of ill health contracted
in the service he was advised by his phy-
sician to leave the farm and he turned his
attention to the carpenter's trade which he
followed for about a quarter of a century,
li\-ing at East Lynn and working as a buikl-
er in that vicinity. In 1S90 he came to
Hoopeston. where he continued his carpen-
try work for six years and then on account
of ill health he was obliged to retire from
business life. He is now serving his thiri
term as justice (^f the peace in Hoopeston
and discharges his duties in a manner that
is alike creditable to himself and satisfac-
tory to his constituents. He is also acting
as agent for fire and tornado insurance
companies and writes a fair anmunt of jinli-
cies each year.
L'nto Mr. Tanner liy his second wife
were born four children, l)Ul only one is
now li\ing, Catherine, the wife of Lester
D. Knight, now of Clarion, Towa. but at
the time of their marriage a merchant of
Hoopeston. ^Ir, Tanner has also reared
a grandson, Luther .-Xmold. who has been
a membci nl his househokl from the age of
six years. Mr. Tanner resides on East
Penn street where he owns a pleasant and
attractive home. In his political \iews he
is a stalwart Rei)ublican and is now serv-
ing as notary public, lie likewise belongs
to the Grand .\rmy nf the Republic, in
which he served for one term ;is adjutant.
His religious faith is indicated by his mem-
bership in the Baptist church. .\s a citizen
he has been fathful to his duties in times
of peace as well as in times of war. He
made a great sacrifice for his country in
the hour of her danger l)nt he iie\er CDunted
the cost when the stability of the L'nion
was threatened. He relates many interest-
ing incidents of his army life. He tells
how on New Year's eve of 1863. ;i detail
of ten men out of each company of the bri-
gade was made and a detachment from the
Fourth Regulars, from the Seventh Penn-
syhania. the Second Xew Jersey ;ui(l the
Second Tennessee, started with these men
from Mr. Tanner's tjrigade upon a raid.
It was a memorable night because of the
intense cold. The sleet lay so thick on the
ground that it made an icy covering and
the men found it impossible to remain in
their saddles. The second day out they
were on the Cumberland mountains and
stopped that night in Savannah, Tennessee,
where they went into camp on the Tennes- .
see, and from there to Memphis, Tennessee.
Mr. Tanner was among the number de-
tailed, and with the others he proceeded on
the road to Memphis, and from there dnwn
through Mississipi^i to West Point, where
they met General h'orrest. 'iiie Union
troops were compelled to fall back and had
a running fight with the Rebels for five
days and nights, falling back through Holly
Springs and then back to Memjibis. Ten-
194
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
nessee. Mr. Tanner was the first man that
carried chspatches over the Cumberland
mountains from Tracy City to Jasper, Ten-
nessee. The government now grants him a
pension of fourteen dollars per month in re-
cognition of what he did for his Country, ;d-
though this is totally disproportionate to his
services and the sacrifice it has cost him in
vices and the sacrifice it has cost him in
health. He is widely known in Vermilion
county and in office he has gained the re-
spect and confidence of all with whom he
has been associated. His friends are many
and it is with pleasure that we present to
tliem this record of his life.
WILLIAM HUBB.
From an early epoch in the settlement
of Vermilion county William Hubb ^-as
one of its residents and took an active part
in the work which changed this from a wild
frontier region to one of the leading coun-
ties of this great commonwealth. He was
a native of Germany, born September 12,
1 81 2. His father, Adam Hubb, was also
born in Germany, where he spent his entire
life. There he learned the shoemaker's
trade and followed it continuously until his
death. Three of his children came to Amer-
ica — our subject and two sisters — but all
and now deceased.
During his boyhood days, passed in
Germany, William Hubb learned the shoe-
maker's trade and worked at that pursuit
with his father until 1845, when he resolved
to seek a home in the new world, with its
broader business opportunities. Accordingly
he severed the ties which bound him to his
native land and sailed for America, landing
in Xew York city, where he followed shoe-
making for two years. During that time
he was united in marriage to Miss Alagda-
lenc Willem, who was born in Germany, in
June, 1818, and was a daughter of Jacob
Willem, a cooper by trade and also a large
fruit raiser of the fatherland. He spent his
entire life in Germany. The marriage of
j\Ir. and Mrs. Hubb was blessed with seven
children: William, who died in 1886,
Charles, who died in Carthage, Missouri,
in 1898; Magdalene, the wife of E. C.
Vorse, of Crawfordsville, Indiana; Fritz,
who married Callie Johnson and is now en-
gaged in the grocery business at the corner
of Madison and Pine streets in Danville;
Lou, deceased; Marie, the wife of Charles
M. Smith, owner of an art and stationery
store on Vermilion street, in Danville; and
one that died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs.
Smith now make their home with her
mutb.er and they have one child, Hubb.
After his marriage Mr. Hubb came di-
rect from New York city to Danville, ar-
riving here in 1847, among the early set-
tlers. He found a small town in the midst
of a prairie country, which was then but
sparsely settled. He at once opened a shoe
shop and began working at his trade, which
he followed for several years. Later he es-
tablished a shoe store, handling ready made
goods, thus engaging in retailing shoes mi-
til his later years, when he disposed of his
store and practically lived in retirement
from business cares, although he assisted
liis sons to some extent in their grocery
store. He prospered in his undertak-
ings and at the time of his death he owned
considerable property, which was divided
among his children. He belonged to the
German Lutheran church of Danville, of
which his wife is also a member. In poll-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
195
tics he was an earnest Democrat, believing'
firnil}- in the principles of the part}-, tint
thongh he was often solicited to become a
candidate for of^ce he wonld never do so.
His life was one of marked industry and
earnest toil and his labor was followed by
the natural result — a comfortable conmct-
ence. He passed away December 4, rSSo,
respected by all who knew him. He had
many friends among the early settlers of
the city as well as many of the more recent
arrivals here and he enjoyed the esteem of
all with whom he had lieen brought in con-
tact, through business or social relations.
His widow, Mrs. Hubb. and her daughter,
Mrs. Smith, reside in a pleasant home at
No. II Franklin street, which was erected
at an early day by William llubb.
JONATHAN PRATHER.
The name of Prather is closely asso-
ciated with the history of Vermilion county,
especially in connection with the agricul-
tural development of .this section of the
state. Jonathan Prather is a resjiected and
worthy member of this family and is classed
with the intelligent and enterprising farm-
ers of Ross township. He owns a farm
lying partly within and also adjoining the
corporation limits of Rossville. It is well
improved and valuable. He also has three
hundred and twenty acres of land on sec-
tions 9 and 10. Ross township, and thus
his landed possessions class him with the
substantial residents of his community.
About 1847 he became a resident of this
locality and throughout all the intervening
years he has been known as one true to the
duties of public and private life.
Jonathan I'rathcr, his grandfather, re-
mo\cd with his family from Kentucky to
Indiana and became one of the first set-
tlers of ^'ennilion county, that state, spend-
ing his remaining days there. His son,
Jeremiah Prather, the father of our sub
ject, was born in Kentnckv', but was reared
in tlie Hoosier state and when he had at-
tained his majority he wedded Evelyn Mil-
ler. She, too, was born in Kentucky and
was a daughter of Cornelia Miller, an aunt
of George W. Miller, whose sketch appears
elsewhere in this work. Abnul the year
1847 Jeremiah Prather removed to \'er-
milion county, Illinois. Much of the land
still remained in possession of the govern-
ment. He entere<I a tract, bought other
land, and became the owner of nine hun-
dred acres, upon which he dexelojied an
excellent farm, spending his last years at
the old family homestead in Ross township,
where he died about 1859. His wife had
passed away a few years previous.
In Ross township, Jonathan Prather
spent the days of his boyhood and youth
He acquired a common-school education
and after his father's death began providing
for his own support by working as a farm
spent the days of his boyhood and youth,
hand. On the i6th of September, 1863,
howe\-er, he put aside all business and per-
sonal considerations in order to aid in the
])reser\-ation of the Union, and, joining the
Third Indiana Cavalry, was sent to Wash-
ington, D. C, where the regiment was at-
tached to the army of the Potomac in the
valley of the Shenandoah under General
Phil Sheridan. He participated in the seven
days' battle of the Wilderness and in many
similar engagements. He was also in the
battles of Winchester, Cedar Creek and the
mo\-ements of the army around Petersburg,
Iy6
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
continuing with his regiment until the final
surrender ot Lee's troops. He was never
absent from duty and always stacked arms
with his company. Faithful and loyal he
was ever found at his post of duty, whether
on the picket line or the firing line, and after
the close of the war he was honorably dis-
charged at Indianapolis, August 3, 1865,
after which he returned to his home in Illi-
nois.
Mr. Prather then followed farming in
\'ermilion count}', Illinois, until 1867, when
he removed to Wright county, ^Missouri,
where he spent two years. On the expira-
tion of that period, however, he again came
to Vermilion county, renting a farm and
subsequently purchased a tract of one hun-
dred and sixty acres of improved land? This
he at once began to cultivate, working in
the fields until they were made rich and
l^roductive. He also added more land as
his financial resources increased buying ad-
joining tracts and now he has three hun-
dred anil twenty acres, all in one body.
On this he has erected a neat house and
substantial barns, has also planted an or-
chard and has drained his fields by tiling
until the farm is very rich and productive.
About 1887, however, Mr. Prather removed
to Rossville and later bought a seventy acre
tract of land on the east border of the town.
Hereon he erected a large and attractive
home and has since given his attention to
the improvement of his farm, in addition
to the cultivation of the old homestead.
Mr. Prather was married in Grant
township, this county, in 1879, to Mary
Seager, a native of ^Michigan, who was born
and reared near Jackson. She was well ed-
ucated and successfully engaged in teach-
ing both in Michigan and Vermilion coun-
tv. Her father. James Seager, removed
from that state to Illinois, settling in \'er-
niilion county, and here the daughter met
and married Mr. Prather. Their union ha&
been blessed with one son, Arthur, now a
young man.
Mr. Prather was reared in the faith of
the Democracy but has always been a stanch
Republican, unfaltering in his advocacy of
the party and its principles, but he has never
sought office as a reward for his party loy-
alty. He and his wife are members of the
Rossville Christian church and he belongs
to the Grand Army Post, thus mamtaining
pleasant relations with his old comrades
who wore the blue uniform of the nation.
He is to-day as true and loyal to his duties
of citizenship as when he followed the old
flag on southern battle-fields and in Xer-
niilion county, where he has so long made
his home, he is held in the highest regard,
because he has been found straightforward
in his business dealings and honorable in
his treatment of his fellow men in all social
relations.
»« »
JOSEPH G. ENGLISH.
A half century has passed since this gen-
tleman arri\-ed in Danville and he is justly
numbered among her honored early settlers
and leading citizens. He has been prom-
inenth- identified with her business interests
as a merchant and banker and as the proprie-
tor of many enterprises which have not only
advanced his individual success, but have
also contributed to the general welfare and
prosperitv. His is an honorable record of a
conscientious man. who by his upright life
has won the confidence of all with whom he
has come in contact. He has rounded the
Pslamist's span of three-score years and ten,.
JOSEPH G. ENGLISH.
LIBRARY
Of fnE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
199
and although tlie snows of several winters
ha\e whitened his hair, he has the vigor of
a much younger man, and in spirit and in-
terests seems vet in his prime. Old age is
not necessarily a synonym of weakness or
inactivity. It needs not suggest, as a matter
of course, want of occupation or helpless-
ness. There is an old age that is a benedic-
tion to all that comes in contact with it, that
gives out of its rich stores of learning and
experience, and grows stronger intellectually
and spiritually as the years pass. Such is
the life of Air. English, an encouragement to
his associates antl an example well worthy
of emulation to the young.
Joseph Gibson English was born in Ohio
county, Indiana, near the village of Rising
Sun, on the 17th of December, 1820. In the
paternal line the ancestry is traced back
through several generations to the time of
the early settlement of Connecticut, and
and Charles English, the father of our
subject, was a native of New Ha\'en. that
state. After arriving at years of maturity
he married Miss Ann Wright, who was of
English nativity. The paternal g'randfather
removed to Nova Scotia, but subsequently
his children returned to the United States
and settled in various localities. Charles
English became a resident of Ohio county,
Indiana, and was there identified with indus-
trial pursuits, engaging in blacksmithing
and carpentering. In 1829 he left that lo-
cality and became a resident of Perrysville
in the Wabash valley.
It was in the latter place that J. G. Eng-
lish largely spent his boyhood days. If the
horologe of time could but turn upon the ])ast
and we could look at Perrys\ille as it a])-
peared six or seven decades ag(3, wc would
find there a little log schoolhouse such as was
tisually seen in pioneer districts. It had
a puncheon lloor and primitive furnishings
a'l.d among the students was Joseph English,
then a little lad, who owes his school train-
ing entirely to the pri\-ileges found in that
"temple of learning." As his parents were
in somewhat straiglitened financial circum-
stances he early started out to make his own
way in the world and from the age of four-
teen has depended entirely upon his own ef-
forts for a living. He entered the services
of the firm of Taylor & Linton, general mer-
chants of Lafayette, Indiana, with whom he
remained for five years. His position was by-
no means a sinecure for he had to begin
work in the early morning light and continue
at his tasks until long after dark. On mar-
ket days, which occurred thrice weekly, he
arose between three and four o'clock in the
niorning to sweep the store and prepare it
for the reception of the Dunkard customers,
who utilized the earlv morning" hours to
make their piu'chases. Although this seemed
rather a hard life for a Ijoy, it develojjed in
Mr. English a self-reliance and force of
character that have pro\-ed to him of incal-
culable value in later years. While perform-
ing his daily tasks he obtained a good
knowledge of niercantile business and was
thus qualified to engag-e in merchandising on
his own account at a later day. He received
for his services his board and clothing — a
little compensation for such long hours of
steady work. .After he had been with the
firm for five years his employers failed and
he then obtained a position as clerk in a gen-
eral store in Perrysville, at a salary of forty
dollars jier month. When three years had
liassed he found himself in possession of
.about four hundred dollars for he had tuade
a rule alwav-s to save something from his
earnings. With this capital he determined
to marrv and establish a home of his owii
200
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
aiul was joined in wetllock to Aliss Mary
Hicks, a native of Perrysville and a repre-
sentative of an old New England family.
In i8-]4 Mr. English entered the mer-
cantile field on his own account as a partner
of his father-in-law. George Hicks, under
the firm style of Hicks & English. The new
enterprise met with success from the be-
ginning. They stocked their store with dry
goods, groceries, produce and grain; they
earnestly desired to please their customers
and moreover they followed honorable busi-
ness methods, which would bear the closest
investigation and win for them the confi-
dence and therefore the patronage of the
public. Business methods were then some-
Avhat different from those of the present day.
Merchandise was purchased and sold on a
credit of twelve months and the products of
the central IMississippi valley were trans-
ported to market in New Orleans by way of
the fiver route, for the era of railroad trans-
portation had not then dawned upon the
country. The marketable products of In-
diana and Illinois were sent down the Ohio
and ^lississippi rivers and it was thus that
the firm of Hicks & English shipped their
-wheat, corn, pork and other commodities to
Kew Orleans on fiatboats, the subject of this
review frequently acting as an oarsman on
such journeys.
The year 1853 witnessed the arrival of
INIr. English in Danville. He sold his store
in Perrysville, Indiana, and coming to this
city became a partner of John L. Tincher,
under the firm name of Tincher & English.
Their general store also proved a profitable
investment, being successfully conducted
until 1856, when the firm became the as-
signees of the Stock Security Bank, a "wild
cat" institution, which was forced into bank-
ruptcy in the early days of the widespread
panic of 1856-7. iVl that time Messrs.
Tincher & English disposed of their mercan-
tile affairs in order to give their entire atten-
tion to the duties which devolved upon the
firm in connection with the bank. While
thus engaged they gradually began trans-
acting a brokerage and exchange business,
which grew until it had eventuallv become a
private banking enterprise. In February,
1863, the national bank bill passed congress
and these gentlemen were among the first to
seek a charter and organize a national bank.
They established the First National Bank of
Danville, which was capitalized for fifty
thousand dollars, and Mr. English became
the president, continually filling that posi-
tion until July, 1899, when he resigned. In
187J, after the death of Mr. Tincher, the
capital stock was increased to one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars, "where it still re-
mains, with a surplus of over one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars. The success of
this institution was assured from the first,
because of the reliability of the men at its
head, their sound judgment and conserva-
tive business methods. Banking institutions
arc the heart of the commercial body, in-
dicating the healthfulness of the trade, and
the bank that follows a safe conservative
pnlicy does more to establish public confi-
dence in times of widespread financial de-
pression than anything else. Such a course
has the First National Bank of Danville ever
followed under the able management of him
who was so long its president. It has stood
strong in hours of danger, its integrity un-
questioned and its course above suspicion.
Mr. English is a man of resourceful
liusiness ability, who is not only able to
realize the opportunities of the moment but
has also looked beyond the exigencies of
the present to the possibilities of the future.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
20I
His labors have been extended into otlier
fields of business activity outside that of
banking-. He has been one of the heaviest
real estate dealers in this section. He has
inxested largely in farm property and has
also platted several additions to the city of
Danville. Business enterprise auginenting
the commercial activity and consequent
prosperity of the city also owe their success-
ful conduct largely to his wise council. For
a quarter of a century he has been a menil^eer
of the board of directors of the Chicago &
Eastern Illinois Railroad and an enumera-
tion of the business affairs with which he
has been associated would be to gi\e in a
considerable degree the industrial and C(_)ni-
mercial history of his adopted city.
After a happy married life of twenty
years Mr. English was called upon to mourn
the death of his wife in 1864. They had be-
come the parents of seven children : George ;
Charles L., who is now the president of the
First National Bank of Danville; Harriet,
who became the wife of William D. Lind-
sey, who died in July, 1893; Irene J., now
the wife of George W. Partlow, of Danville;
John T. ; Annie Alartha, the deceased wife
of Talxir Mathers of Jacksonville; and Ed-
ward. In 1865 Mr. English was again mar-
ried, his second union being with Maria L.
Partlow, ^with whom he lived for twenty-
one years, when she died in August, 1886.
Tlieir children were J. C. ; and Otis Hardy,
who died in infancy. On the 14th of June,
1899, ^Ir. English was united in marriage
to Airs. Mary E. Forbes, a native of Dan-
ville and a daughter of William Ilesscy, who
was an early settler of this county.
W'hile Mr. English has led a very busy
life and his commercial and financial affairs
have made constant demands upon his time
and attention, he has yet found opportunity
to faithfully discharge his duties of citizen-
ship and by his felow townsmen he has twice
been called to the office of chief exccuti\e of
Danville. He pro\ed a most capable mayor,
his administration being practical and pro-
gressive. In 1872 he became a member of
the first Ix)ard of equalization of this state.
He has always taken a deep interest in po-
litical aft'airs, yet has never sought or desired
political office. On attaining his majority
he joined the ranks of the Democratic party,
with which he affiliated until 1862, when the
Democratic state convention inserted the
"peace" plank in its platform and he then
renounced his allegiance thereto for he be-
lieved in the active prosecution of the war
\\'hich was to preserve the Union. He then
joined the ranks of the Republican party and
throughout the period of the Rebellion was
a strong supporter of the Union and an ad-
vocate of the national administration. In
1863 lie bad charge of the subscription list
for filling the quota of men for the army
from Danville and county.
For forty-six years Mr. English has been
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
contributing liberally to its support ami tak-
ing an active part in its work in its various
departments. He is now serving as a member
of the board of trustees and for fifteen years
he occupied the position of superintendent
of tlie Sunday-school. In 1872 he was elect-
ed liy the lay delegates of the Illinois con-
ference as a delegate to the general confer-
ence of the church, which was held in Brook-
lyn in that year and has served once since
that time in a similar capacity. For many
years he was a trustee of the Wesleyan Uni-
versity of Bloomington. His success has
come to him through energy, labor and per-
severance, directed by an evenly balanced
mind and bv honorable business principles.
202
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
From early life he made it his plan to spend
less than his income. He has made the most
of his opportunities and coukl never justly
be called extravagant unless it was in the
line of his benevolences. He is not slow to
condemn injustice and dishonesty nor is he
slow to reward faithfulness and there is in
him a deep sympathy and abiding charity
which has won for him the respect and
goodwill of his fellow men. He is a man of
distinctive ability and his character is one
which is abo\e a shadow of reproach. He
has been faithful to the high business and
political offices in which he has been called
to serve and is widely known and respected
by those who have been at all familiar with
his honorable and useful career.
JOHN C. STEWART, D. V. S.
Dr. John C. Stewart, who is success-
fully engaged in the practice of veterinary
surgery in Danville, was born in Ayrshire,
Scotland, August 22, 1849. a son of Ouin-
tin and ^largaret (AlcCrindle) Stewart,
who were also natives of Ayrshire. The
father was a highly educated raan. being
a graduate of the Glasg'ow University, and
for some years he was principal of the high
school at Ochiltree, Scotland, where he died
in 1898. at the age of eighty-three years,
honored and respected by all who knew him.
The mother of our subject had passed away
some years previous. Thev were the par-
ents of eight children, all of whom are still
living in Scotland with the exception of our
subject.
Dr. Stewart grew to manhood in his
native land and acquired his education in
the school of which his father had charge.
and he began his business career as an em-
ploye in the office of the National Bank of
Scotland. On leaving home he went to the
West Indies with his brother-in-law, John
Wilson, but in 1873 returned to Scotland
and in the fall of that year came to Ameri-
ca. After spending about four years in
\'irginia he went to Indiana, in 1877. and
became interested in the importation of fine
horses from Scotland. In 1880 he was i
student in the \'eterinary College ot On-
tario, Canada, and was later engaged in the
practice of veterinary surgery in Indiana.
Dr. Stewart removed to Danville. Illinois,
in the summer of 1886, and here he has
since made his home with the exception of
two years spent in Chicago, having been
appointed by President Harrison as veter-
inary inspector in the stockyards of that
city, which position he held for that length
of time. On his return to Danville he re-
sumed the practice of his profession and to-
day has a splendid practice which extends
far into the country for many miles in every
direction.
At Danville. November 11, 1896, Dr.
Stewart married Miss Ethel W'elch. The
Doctor and his wife have a handsome homi
at Xo. 128 N^nrth Walnut street and he
also owns other real estate in Danville, in-
cluding his office and hospital at No. 17
the same street. He has met with excellent
success in the practice of his chosen profes-
sion and is now serving as assistant state
veterinary. Socially he is an honored mem-
ber of Olive Branch Lodge. F. & A. M. :
Hesperian Lodge. K. P., of Franklin. In-
diana : the Order of Ben Hur and the Royal
Arcanum. He attends the Presbyterian
church, of which he was a member in the
old country, and is a stanch supporter of the
Republican party and its principles. He
LIBRARY
OF liiE
UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS
U. R. EADER.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
203
stands cleser\'eill_\- liigli in the esteem of
his fellow citizens and commands the confi-
dence and regard of all with whom he
conies in contact.
ROY L. MURPHY.
Roy L. ]\Iurph\'. the editor and pro-
prietor of the Fairmount Review, was born
at ^lahomet, Illinois. July 7, 1879, his par-
ents being David A. and Asenath Murphy.
The father was a farmer by occupation and
was a well known citizen of Champaign
county. The subject of this review pur-
sued his education in the public schools of
^lahomet. where he was graduated in the
class of 1896. after which he attended busi-
ness college at Bloomington. Illinois, for
two years. In his early youth he enterefl
the printing office of his brother. C. ^^^ ^lur-
phy. and finding the profession congenial
he has since followed it. On the 15th of
May. 1894. he became an employe in the
office of the Sucker State Printing Com-
pany at ]\Iahomet and there learned the
trade, working until the ist of October
1897. with the exception of the periods
which he spent in school. Later he wa'^
employed on different papers in Champaign
and afterward in the same capacity in other
cities in the state. On the ist of September.
1898, however, he embarked in a journal-
isic venture on his own account, purchasing
the Courier at Ogden. Illinois. He was the
youngest editor in this part of the state
at that time, being but nineteen years of
age. He remained in charge of the Courier
until the ist of February. 1899. after which
he was employed in various printing offices
until the ist of December, following, when
he purchased the Review at Fairmount.
where he has since been located. In the
publication of this paper he has met with
success, the circulation having increased as
well as the advertising and job printing
patronage. The enterprise is now proving
a profitable one and Mr. Murphy has a well
equipped ofifice. from which he weekly is-
sues a paper that is a credit to the town and
to its owner. In his political afifiliations he
is a Republican and through the columns
of his journal he advocates the cause of the
party.
On the 14th of November, 1899, at Sid-
ney. Illinois. Mr. Murphy was united in
marriage to Miss Maude Ethel McXichols,
a daughter of Mr. and Airs. A. W. McNich-
ols. old and respected citizens of Tolono,
Illinois, where the former is engaged in the
drug and grocery business. They now have
an interesting daughter, Lois Mae, Ijorn
December 31. 1900. Socially Mr. Murphy
is connected with the Modern Woodmen of
America at Fairmount and with the Ameri-
can Home Circle.
U. R. EADER.
L'. R. Eader is a prosperous resident of
Danville, whose success has practically been
won since 1894 although the previous years
of his connection with business affairs
])rovecl an excellent training school for him,
enabling him to carry forward to successful
coni])letion all that he has undertaken since
he began business on his own account. He
is now in control of one of the successful
and important concerns of Danville, being
engaged in the repair and manufacture of
bicycles and dealing in guns and sporting
goods and electrical and gas fixtures, also
doing work along the lines of electrical con-
struction.
204
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Mr. Eader is one of the worthy citizens
of Vermihon county that Ohio has fur-
nished to this locahty. His birth occurred
in Lima, that state, on the i4tli of June,
1856, his parents being Thomas and Ellei:
(Coons) Eader, botli of whom were na-
tives of Ohio. In the year i860 the family
came to Ilhnois. The father purchased land
in Vermilion county upon which he carried
on s'eneral farmino- until 1871. In that vear
he came to Danville, purchased property
and was here connected with the Danville
Lumber Company for about ten years. He
then sold his property and removed to No-
blesx'ille, Indiana, where he purchased prop-
erty and where he is now engaged in dealing
in real estate and merchandising. He is
also connected with the furniture and gen-
eral store at that place and is in partnership
with his son, David F. Eader, in a similar
enterprise at Noblesville, Indiana. The
mother of our subject died at Noblesville,
Indiana, in 1896, and in igoi the father
was again married. By the first union there
were ten children, of whom the subject of
this review is the eldest. The others yet
living are: D. F. ; Samuel; Frederick;
Mrs. Mary Shumaker; Mrs. ^liranda
Mead ; Mrs. Rosa Hanners ; and Sarah.
In the schools of Vermilion countv Mr.
Eader of this review pursued his education
and from the age of eight years he has been
dependent entirely upon his own resources
for a living. He worked as a farm hand
for his father and also for others in the
neighborhood but not wishing to make
agricultural pursuits his life work he even-
tually turned his attention to other lines
of industry. In 1871 he became connected
with the Danville Lumber Company and
learned the machinist's trade. For eighteen
years his connection with that company
was continued, during which time he was
advanced from one position to another as
he gave evidence of having mastered the
duties that devolved upon him, and he long
ser\'ed as foreman and manager. When
he entered the service of that company he
received ninety dollars per year and during
the eighteen years which he served as fore-
man he was paid four dollars and seventy-
five cents per day, a fact which stands in
incontrovertible evidence of his value to
the compau},-. In 1895, however, he sev-
ered his connection with the company and
entered business on his own account. He
at first handled bicycles only and later he
added sporting goods and established a re-
pair department. At the present time the
wheels which he handles are manufactured
in his establishment. These are called "Our
Own i\Iake" and there are four models.
The output in 1903 will reach one thousand
wheels. He is now employing nineteen
men in the conduct of the business, which
IS divided into four departments : repairing
and maiuifacturing, the sporting goods, the
gun department and the electrical and gas
department. He employs an experienced
electrician and is engaged in electrical con-
struction and deals in electrical supplies.
This branch of his business has proved one
contributing in no small degree to his in-
come. In fact his enterprise in all its de-
partments is now paying well and the busi-
ness amounts to more than twenty-five
thousand dollars annually. \lr. Eader is
also interested in gold mining in ^^'ashing■-
ton, being a stockholder in three mines, in-
cluding the "Fortune," in which several
prominent Danville capitalists arc inter-
ested.
On the 20th of September. 1883. in this
citv. Mr. Eader was united in marriage to
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
205
Miss Lavinia Tanner, of Clianipaign. Illi-
nois. Her parents are both deceased. Two
children have been born of this nnion of
i\Ir. and Mrs. Eader: Alakel ami Horace,
aged respectively seventeen and nine years.
The former will graduate in the high school
of this city in 1903 and is now pursuing
special work in music and elocution. The
family home is at No. 1002 Xorth W'ahiul
street and is an attractive residence valued
at six thousand dollars. Socially Mr. Eader
is connected with the ^Modern Woodmen
of America, with the Tribe of Ben Hur
and the Court of Honor, and in his political
affiliations is a Republican. His splendid
success in business has been achieved since
1894. When he first opened his bicycle
business he had no capital, but he possessed
an untarnished name and good credit. The
growth of his business demanded larger
quarters in the second vear and has since
annually increased in volume and import-
ance. A man of much natural ability his
success during the past nine years has beer
uniform and rajiid. As has been truly re-
marked, after all that can be done for a
man in the way of giving him early oppor-
tunities for obtaining the requirements
which are sought in schools and in book?
he must essentially formulate, determine
and give shape to his own character and
this is what Mr. Eader has done. He has
persevered in the pursuit of a persistent
purpose and has gained a most satisfactory
reward.
ORIN L. McCORD.
Orin L. McCord, who is well known as
a representative of mercantile affairs in
Danx'ille, is now filling the position of coun-
ty treasin-er and is a worthy custodian of the
public funds. With business dispatch lie
discharges the iluties of the position and
his integrity and honor are above question.
Mr. McCord is a native son of Illinois,
his birth having occurred in Putnam coun-
ty, on the 6th of April, 1863. He is a son
of Ninon A. and Susan (Child) McCord.
The father died at the age of fifty-eight
}'ears, but the mother still survives and i.';
now living at East Lynn, N'ermilion county.
Ninon A. McCord was a native of Bond
county. Illinois, and in 1875 removed to
this county, settling in Butler township,
\vhere he followed farming throughout his
remaining days, being recognized as one
of the progressive agriculturists of his com-
munity. Unto him and his wife were born
five children, all of whom are yet living in
\'ermili(in cmnty. These are: Orin L.,
\\'ilmot J., Warren C, Charles C. and
Frank P."
In taking up the personal history of
Orin L. McCord we present to our readers
the life record of one who is widely known
in Vermilion county for he was brought
here by his parents when onlv tweK'c years
of age. He pursued his education in the
public schools of East Lynn and during the
months of summer, when school was not
in session, he became familiar v.-i(h the work
of fielcl and meadow, assisting in the labors
of the home farm until he had attained
his majority. He then entered upon his
business career and not desiring to follow
the pursuit to which he had been reared,
he sought and obtained a clerkship in the
employ of B. M. Ludden & Company of
East Lynn, remaining in that emplov from
1874 until 1878. In the latter year he re-
moved to Georgetown, Vermilion cotmty,
where he l)cgan business on his own account
2o6
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
as proprietor of a grocery and restaurant,
which he conducted for three years. .\t tliat
time Mr. AlcCord came to Danville and was
employed as a salesman in the clothing
house of Mike Plant & Company, with
whom he remained continuously until 1902.
His long connection with the house plainly
indicates his fidelity to duty, his close ap-
plication and his unfaltering lionesty in
business matters. On the 8th of February.
1902, he received the nomination for the
office of treasurer of Vermilion count}', be-
ing given a majority of thirteen hundred
and seventy-seven, which was the largest
ever bestowed upon a Republican candidate
for the office of treasurer of A^ermilion
county.
On the 13th of December, 1888, Mr.
McCord was united in marriage to IMiss
Ella M. Barnes of Hoopeston, Illinois, and
their union has been blessed with three
interesting children, namely: Stella L.,
Edwin .\. and Clarence A. The name of
I\Ir. ]\[cCord is on the membership rolls of
Damascas Lodge, K. P. : the Odd Fellows
Lodge No. 69; Northcott Camp, 'SI. W.
A. : and of the Royal Neighbors, and of all
of these he is a valued representative, be-
cause of his pleasing personal character-
istics, his strict adherence to the teachings
and principles of the orders. Both he and
his wife are members of the Rebecca de-
gree of Odd Fellowship and of the Court
of Honor, and he was formerly president of
the retail clerks' union. He is now inter-
ested in the breeding of thoroughbred poul-
try, making a specialty of Buff Cochins,
and is an expert judge of poultry, being at
the present time secretarv^ of the Illinois
State Poultry Association. His life has
been one of continuous activity, in which
has been accorded due recognition of labor:
and to-day he is numbered among the sub-
stantial citizens of liis county. His inter-
ests are thoroughly identified with those of
the west, and at all times he is reach-
to lend his aid and co-operation to any
movement calculated to benefit this section
of the country or advance its wonderful
development.
.1. STEELE CATHERWOOD.
Tames Steele Catherwood, a well known
broker and real estate dealer of Hoopeston,
was born in. Belmont county, Ohio, April
12, 1845, '1 son of James and Lydia (Tus-
sey) Catherwood. The father was a native'
of Ireland and the mother of the state of
Delaware. During his boyhood da\-s the
former came to the L'nited States and here
learned the trade of a wea\-er. Later he and
his wife's brother operated a cotton factory.
In his early married days he remo\-ed from
tlic east to Belmont county, Oh.io, where
he engaged in merchandising, while later he
turn.ed his attention to farming. His death
occurred in Guernsey couny, Ohio, in 1854,
when the subject of this review was only nine
years old and in 1857 his widow removed
to Shelby county and afterward to Christian
county, Illinois, where she died at the very
advanced age of ninety-four years. She was
the mother of ten children, of whom J. S.
was the youngest son. but he had a younger
sister.
Mr. Catherwood of this review acquired
his education in the schools of Ohio and of
Christian county, Illinois. His early oppor-
tunities in that direction, however, were
limited and his knowledge has largely been
obtained since he reached his majority. In
April, 1864, Mr. Catherwood enlisted for
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
207
service in the Union army as a member of
Compan}- E, One Hnndred antl I'^orty-littli
Illinois Infantry, with whicli he served for
six months, spending most of that time in
Missouri in guarding commissaries. Aflei-
his return lie worked upon a farm for two
years and in the winter of 1866 he again
attended school. He then went to Decatur,
Illinois, and continued his studies in the
vicinity of that city. Snl.isequentl\- he he-
came a student in the Concordsxille Acad-
emy at Concords\ille, Penns}lvania, where
he remained for a year. He next entered
the general store of his brother in Old Ston-
ington. Christian county. Illinois, where he
received his first business training, but as
there were indications of failing health he
went to Saline county, Kansas, which was
then Considered the "far west." This was
in 18(19 and for five years he remained upon
the ])lains herding cattle. He owned a ranch
and herd of his own and for two years he
was located in Saline county, for one year
in ^IcPherson county and for two yeru's in
Ellsworth county, meeting with a fair de-
gree of success tmtil the countr\- became in-
vohcd in the financial panic of 1873-4.
-Mr. Catherwood then returned to In-
diauapolis, Indiana, and entered the employ
of I'.'s linnher as a tra\'e]ing salesman. He
co\ered the territories of Illinois, Indiana
and Ohio and for three years was upon the
roach (Jn the expiration of that peril ul he
began merchandising on his own account at
Fairfield, a little country crossroad town,
being associated with L. L. Bennett under the
firm name of L. L. Bennett & Company.
Thev carried groceries, drugs, boots and
shoes and dry goods.
It was in that year, on the 27th of De-
cember, ^Sjy. that Mr. Catherwood was
united in marriao'e to Miss Marv Hartwell.
who later became distinguished as an au-
thoress of marked ability. She is rejire-
sented on another page of this work. The
marriage took place at the home of his
brother, A. T. Catherwood, west of Hoopes-
ton. For a time our subject and his bride
li\ed in some rooms above his store, spend-
ing almut two years there. Mr. Catherwood
then sold out to his partner and went to In-
dianapolis, where he was engaged in the gro-
cery Inisiness until October, 1882. He then
again sold out and came to Hoopeston.
Here he entered the employ of his brother,
.\. T. Catherwood, as a bookkeeper, a rela-
tion that was maintained until .\pril, 1885,
when James Steele Catherwood was ap-
pointed, postmaster at Floopeston by Grover
Cleveland, succeeding Dale Wallace, who is
now his partner. Mr. Catherwood dccupied
that jiosition until July, 1889, when he was
succeeded b}- Charles W. W'arner. While
acting as postmaster he formed a partnership
with Charles .\. Allen in the loan, insurance
and collecting business and tog'ether they
Clint inued operations until May, 1890. cov-
ering a period of four years. When this
partnership was dissohed Mr. Catherwood
entered into partnership relations with Dale
\\'allace and they have since been thus con-
nected. The firm does a general insurance,
loan and land lirokerage business. They
ha\-e disposed of a number of additions to
Ihiopeston and have done the leading real
estate business of the town for the past
twehe years. To-day their real estate in
this city is valuable. In February, 1888, the
Xorth ^'ermilion Loan &■ Sa\'ings .Associa-
tion was formed and .Mr. Catherwood was
chosen its secretary, in which position he has
serxed continuously since, covering a period
of fifteen consecuti\'e years. He and his wife
owned a farm of four hundred acres in Iro-
208
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
quois county and one hundred and sixty
acres of land in Grant townsliip, Vermilion
county.
Unto Air. and Airs. Catherwood were
bom two children, a son, who died in in-
fancy, and Hazel, who is now an art student
in Chicago. Mrs. Catherwood died Decem-
ber 26, 1902, and was laid to rest in Floral
Hill cemetery. For twenty-one years James
Steele Catherwood has been a resident of
Hoopeston and gradually he has advanced
to a prominent position in business circles.
AIRS. AIARY HARTWELL CATHER-
WOOD.
Beauty is nature's language. It tinds ex-
pression in earth and sky, in the towering
mountain, the boundless prairies, the ever-
changing sea or the tiny flower which grows
in crannied wall, and above all in the char-
acter dex'elopment of luan, when the soul
speaks through its environment in an ex-
pression of eternal principles. \\'ell may
art be accorded the highest place among the
works of man uhen it re]3rdduces in any
form this language of nature, whether upon
the canvas, in the marble or through the pen
pictures which perhaps more clearly than
any other art forms perpetuate the good and
the beautiful. The world's debt of gratitude
can never be paid to those great souls who
in story and song have presented with great
clearness the beauty of life in its personifi-
cation of our highest ideals, giving us an in-
spiration for good which is as the "echoes
that roll from soul to soul, and grow for-
ever and forever." A brave-hearted girl,
whose beauty and purity of soul blossomed
into the highest type of womanhood. Alary
Ilartwell Catherwood left to the world a
rich legacy in her literary productions and
Hoopeston, which for some years claimed
her as a resident, will ever honor and vher-
ish her memory. She was born in Luray,
Ohio, December 16, 1847, but in 1856 ac-
companied her parents to Alii ford, Illinois.
Perhaps her life story has been best told in
the words of Dale Wallace, who read the
following sketch at a banquet of the Alary
Plartwell Catherwood Club of Hoopeston,
on wdiich occasion Airs. Catherwood was
present. He said :
"Dr. Hartwell was an ambitious young
man. He was of Scotch-Irish ancestry and
possessed the fine intellect and hardy phys-
ique of the rugged pioneers of the west.
Married quite young, even before he fin-
ished his course in college, he and his still
younger wife and the Ijabies migrated from
the red hills of Ohio to the black loam of IllL-
nois, locating in the old village of Alilford
and living in the little brick house about a
block north of the old mill. Here he prac-
ticed his profession and gave the cliildren the
lienefits of the limited school facilities then
in vogue. There- was inuch malaria and
fevers unlimited in those early days and the
young doctor was overworked. Then he was
himself stricken with the prevailing mal-
ady, and after a brave struggle, passed be-
yond. During the year following, the
youngest child of the family — Alarcus —
was bom. But the mother, so wholly de-
pendent upon the strong arm and directing
intellect of her Inisband, seeing nothing
ahead but discouragement and possible des-
titution, grieved herself into the grave a
year later, leaving three helpless bairns de-
uendent upon the generosity of friends.
"Poverty de\-elops genius. Wealth be-
gets indolence. Show me the child born
with a silver spoon in the mouth and I will
show vou a creature of ease, and laxitv and
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
211
languor. There are few exceptions to tliis
rnle. Ambition is deadened and energy is
not reqnired. If Alary Hartwell's father
had left her in an independent financial con-
dition, the world might have been deprived
of her splendid g'enius.
"At ten she was g'iven a home and taken
in charg'e by her grandfather Thompson at
New Heljron, Oliio, and placed in the vil-
lag"e schools. At fonrteen she was teach-
ing, being thrown upon her own resources
to obtain proper clothing and to prepare the
way for entrance into the female college at
Granville, Ohio, where she completed a four
years" course in three years. She retired
from that institution eight hundred dollars
in debt. Her uncle, Cyrus Hartwell, hear-
ing of this, agreed that if she would pay the
debt in four years by her own efforts, he
would make her a present of live humlred
dollars. She did it — so did he.
"While still a little girl in pinafores and
pigtails down her back, she contributed
poems to the local papers of New Hebron.
She loved the wild and weird in nature and
often roamed in the woods alone to dream.
Like Joan d' Arc, she would hear voices and
songs and rippHng laughter and the verses
would come to her without effort. An eld-
erly gentleman of rare perception, remarked
that while her poems were very beautiful,
her field lay in prose story telling, and ad-
vised her to try it. Then she began 'seeing
things' as Riley says. The ambitious im-
planted in her being by the elder Hartwell
took entire jjossession of her and the future
unrolletl before her. She foreshadowed her
destiny. She lielieved her career had been
unveiled. If vigor and vim, tireless energy,
unceasing perseverance, economy and pri-
vations would enable her to win, the in-
domitable determination had her within its
grasp, and she started on the voyage de-
termined to never cease until she had reached
the goal. Did she win, my friends? Did
the little homeless orphan, who mastered a
four years" course in college in three years
by working nights, Saturdays and holidays
— did she win ? 1 say to }'ou that Mary
Hartwell C'atherwood"s name will be em-
blazoned in glittering gold on the scroll of'
fame lung after _\-ou ;uid 1 are dead and for-
gotten.
"She wrote a short serial for Frank Les-
lie — 'The Mill-Scott Million', and recei\-ed
her first check. Oh. the joy of that first
check ! The hai)piness wrapped up in that
first commercial recognition of her brain
work was far and away beyond the size of
the check. The new ribbon it would buy,
and gowns, and brooches, and the many lit-
tle gim-cracks and furbelows that girls love
to wear. She was sa\-e(l. The die was cast.
She journeyed out into the woods to hold
sweet communion with her very own self,
and to tell the good news to the birds, the
trees, and the llowcrs and to the voices in the
air, and the spirits of her departed parents.
And she dreamed of the day when Mary
llartwell would ha\-e a whole library of
books all of her own composition. Wasn't
that a ray of sunshine through the rift in
the clouds that had hovered over her from
the da\- of lier mother's death? Then she
began contributing to the lesser magazines
— I.ippincott, Wide Awake, (jolden Hours,
Wood's Household. Youth's Companion —
rdl short stories. The Wide Awake Com-
pany published foiu" of her ju\'eniles that
met with immediate ])o])ularity and have
since liecome classics. Then she was re-
c|nested to contribute to a magazine called
'Outing". She demanded a deposit of
twentv-five dollars in advance, which was
cheerfully comi)Iie(l with. She forwarded
the storv and in due course it was returned,
212
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
scratcheel, interlined and obliterated, with a
request to make some alterations. The de-
mand was unjust and she knew it. But her
carefully prepareil manuscript was practi-
cally ruined. She refused to comply with
their demand and also retained the retainer,
which was entirely satisfactory to the pulj-
lishers. Some time later they requested her
to submit them another, and this one, prov-
ing exactly, in harmony with their ideas
they accepted and remitted promptly, but de-
ducted the twenty-five dollars which they
had advanced on the other article. Then
there was an earth(|uake. But it was not
destructive.
"As Mrs. Catherwood is present this
e\'ening I feel perfectly safe in anuduncing
that slie was born in 18 — 47. Thirty years
later she was married in the house on the
Perkins farm, northwest of this city. Then
a few years later came her baby boy, who
remained to bless the union but a moment,
then passed on to the higher life. It was
during this periled of sorrow following that
she conceixed 'The Romance of Dollard,' in
the preparation of which she lived for a time
in Canada, and was about three years in get-
ting it ready for the publishers. I doubt if
there is a person in this audience who knows
that the publishers to wdiom she first sub-
mitted that beautiful historical romance de-
clined it. but such is the fact. Harpers re-
turned it. It was then for the first time that
Mrs. Catherwood faltered by the wayside.
Her heart was cracking and breaking up into
bits, and she was thoroughly discouraged.
And it was here that her husband came in
with one of his beautiful songs: 'Ne\-er
Give L'p the Ship, Mary,' and said 'Go down
to New York and beard the lion in his den,'
and in a few days she was in the office of the
Century, proud, independent and defiant, but
quaking inwardlv. She submitted the work
to Mr. Gilder, the editor, who inc|uired as
to the nature of it. 'It is a serial — an his-
torical romance." 'Aiy dear matlam,' ex-
ciamied the kind old man, 'don't you know
that we can't use that class of work here in
New York?" She arose, and there was the
smell of burning tow somewhere about the
premises. 'Mr. Gilder, will you do me the
lavor of reading that manuscript?' T will
send, it out to our regular reader and when
it is returned then 1 will read it. But there
is just as much chance of your being struck
l)y lightning as there is of our acceptance of
your work and publication as you desire it.
As it will be several days before we can give
>'ou a reply, you need not be to the trouble
and expense of remaining- in New York.
Leave me your address and I will write you.'
"Richard W^atson Gilder had been up
against propositions of various kinds in his
long experience in the ]nil)lishing Ijusiness,
but he did not know ]\[rs. Catherwood.
" 'I will remain in New York, Mr. Gilder,
until you accept or reject that work.'
".\ few days later IMr. Gilder notified
Mrs. Catherwood that lightning had
struck, to call at the ofiice and get her check.
"Idiat publication elevated her into a
conspicuous position among the literary peo-
ple of the United States, and the demand
upon her pen from all the leading- publish-
ing houses was so great she was unable to
onlv i^iartially meet it. She was called the
Parkman of the west and as Francis Park-
\r:m was the most famous historical writer
and romancer of the past generation, no
greater compliment could have been be-
stowed u]ion her. She received a personal
letter of congratulation from that eminent
man, complimenting her accuracy of detail
and correctness of data, and expressing a
wish to make her acquaintance. 'It is so
rare.' he remarked, 'in our latter da^• his-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
213
torical romances to find the historical facts
so accurately portrayed". This was one of
Mrs. Catherwood's most conspicuous char-
acteristics. Her descriptions are perfect
and from nature. Her facts are derived
from personal observation and contact. Her
characters, with few exceptions, are real.
W'e all lo\-e history and when we can ha\e it
interspersed with facinating romance we
lo\e it all the more. She loved to visit the
ruins of the forgotten past and live over
again in her imagination the tragedies and
comedies enacted there. If there w-as an old
hermit to be found in the vicinity — Indian,
Frenchman, Englishman or American — she
would spend hours with him, pulling his-
torical chestnuts out of the coals with the
tongs of his retenti\'e memory, .And thus
slie broadened into the field which she has
occupied for two decades without a success-
ful rival.
"Seventeen years ago this night, Mrs.
President, the subject of this sketch was
blessed by the arrival of a daughter, anil
Hazel has indeed proven a blessed comfort
to her mother. W'e are celebrating the an-
niversary of that happy event. Cheerful-
ness, ambition, energy, determination, all
came rushing back to her upon the advent of
the little sunbeam. And then followed in
due coiu'se some of the most remarkable pro-
ductions of historical remance in the whole
scope and range of American literature.
"Did you know^ that ]\Irs. Cathervvood
in her earlier career contributed columns and
columns of stories to various publications
under a nom de plume? Do any of you re-
member reading short fiction sketches writ-
ten by one 'Lewtrah?'' the name Hartwell
spelled backward? Did you ever read the
novel 'A Woman in Armor?' Mrs. Cather-
wood is not at all proud of that work. But
from Tontv to Lazarre, the record is with-
out a blemish. Lazarre is the last ami great-
est and l)rightest of the whole gala.xy. It is
the climax of her career. She may write an-
other as gooil, but none better.
"Those of us who knew her ijest will re-
member her not onlv for her literary attain-
ments, but also for her home accomplish-
ments. .\s a wife, as a mother, as a neigh-
bor, she was an exemplary character. There
was no envy there, no jealousies, no bick-
erings. Because of her great renown as a
gifted author, we feel honored to have been
classed among her intimate friends. And
our babies a few years ago, who were her
■Rosel)uds" in the Sunday-school will some
day be proud of that distinction.
"It required a struggle for Maiy Hart-
well Catherwood to give up her home and
.sever the friendly ties of this city. She was
married here, her children were born here,
and her little boy sleeps in Floral Hill. She
loved the people, she loved the town, she
loved the country. But she in early life
mai>ped out her career, and she felt that she
had not vet reached the zenith, and could not
with the limited resources at her demand.
So she resolved, very reluctantly, to leave
us for a time and climb the heights of fame.
She is almost at the top, and when she
reaches the summit she will come liack to us
and when she comes we will all extend to
her the glad hand and cordial greeting of
true friends.
"Ill .-lII my wanderings aronnd this world of care,
In all my griefs — and God has given my share —
I still have hopes my latest hours to crown,
Amidst those humble bow'r,'; to lay me down ;
To husband out lifes taper at the clo.se.
And keep the fiame from wasting, by reptise.
I still have hopes, for pride attends us still,
.•\midst the friends to show my book-learn'd skill;
.Around mv fire an evening group to draw.
.And tell of all I felt, and all I saw ;
And, as a hare, whom hound and horns pursue.
Pant's to the place from wdience at first she flew,
I still have hopes, my long vexations past.^^
Here to return — and died at home at last."
214
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
The little maiden reared in a back-
woods district had attained national fame,
but more than that she had won love in
countless homes throughout the country.
Her friends were among- the most distin-
guished literary people of the country, drawn
to her by the kindest spirit of genius and
congeniality, and when she passed away in
Chicago, December 26, 1902, the news of
her demise was received as that of a dear
friend by thousands throughout the United
States. James W'hitcomb Riley had the
highest appreciation for her work and said
that her death to his mind was a distinct loss
to the fraternity of letters. He spoke of her
as being conspicuous for her industr}-, sin-
cerity and conscience. He sent his floral
tribute when death called her as did the
Bowen-Merrill Publishing Company of In-
dianapolis, Otis Skinner, who is now play-
ing the dramatization of her Lazarre, and
many others of note, together with countless
friends from her home town. Her life work
is ended, but Mary Hartwell Catherwood
has joined "that choir invisible who live
again in Hves made better by their presence."
THOMAS HUGHES.
Thomas Hughes is a well known and
prosperous farmer residing on section 15,
Vance township, \'ermilion county. Illinois.
In his Hfe he exemplified the typical "self-
made man," for all that he has acquired has
been secured through his own industrious
efforts. He was born in Westmoreland
county, Pennsylvania, February 28, 1831,
and is a son of John and Lydia (Musick)
Hughes, both natives of Pennsylvania, where
tliey were reared and married. The father
engaged in coal mining and followed that oc-
cupation for t\vent_\--fi\e years. In 1856 they
removed to Indiana, and in 1866 came to
\'ance township, Vermilion county, Illinois,
making their home with the subject of this
review who had come to Vermilion county
in 1S64. John Hughes was a member of the
English Lutheran church and his wife was
for many years a member of the Ger-
man Lutheran church. He was a Democrat
in his political views but always declined
to accept oilice. The father died in 1871, and
the mother, surviving him for seven years,
passed away in 1878. In their family were
ten children, nine of whom grew to years of
vnaturity and four are still living, name-
ly ; John, who is a resident of Concordia,
Kansas; Thomas, of this review; ]\Iary, the
wife of James A. Burk, who lives at Bement,
Illinois, and is a brother of the wife of our
subject; and Lydia, who resides in Fair-
mount, Illinois.
Thomas Hughes had but limited edu-
cational privileges. He was only able to at-
tend school for three months, which was all
the schooling he ever received. This was
a subscription school, conducted in a small
frame schoolhouse in Ramsay Grove. His
father was not a man of means, and having
a large family of children he could not pro-
vide them with the educational advantages
he would have liked. When the subject of
this review was only ten years of age his- fa-
ther put him out to work, where he received
his board and clothes until he was fourteen
years of age. He then obtained employment
as a farm hand at two dollars per month and
board. After this his salary was increased
to three dollars and four dollars per month
respectively, until he was seventeen years of
age. His father considered that he was
rather extravagant in the way he spent his
"large salary" of four dollars per month.
Accordingly he hired him out to a farmer
LIBRARY
OF TME
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THOMAS HUGHES.
MRS. THOMAS HUGHES.
UNIVtKollY Oh ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
219
for thirty dollars for six moiitlis' service or
five dollars per month, and of this the father
received one-half. Mr. Hughes worked
hard, doing- his full share of the work,
swinging a cradle side by side with full
grown men and working in the harvest field
all day long. Later he concluded to change
his occupation and learn a trade, becoming
apprenticed to a carpenter, but when work-
ing on the tall buildings he became dizzy and
ga\e up that occupation. He then worked
with his father in the coal mines during one
W'inter and in the spring became apprenticed
to a blacksmith, w'ith wdiom he made a con-
tract to work for three and one-half years,
and in compensation for his services he was
to receive his board and clothing and at the
end of the time he was to receive a suit of
clothes besides three months' schooling. He
labored hard in this position for three years,
often working until twelve o'clock at night,
shoeing horses and performing other duties.
During that time he did not i"eceive one dol-
lar, scarcely presentable clothing and his
board. He then worked for three months
for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company,
after which he returned to his former em-
ployer, working for him for six months and
receiving a salary of eleven dollars per
month. He next entered the employ of con-
tractors who were constructing a large dam.
He made the iron work for this and received
eighteen dollars per month for his services.
This was the heaviest kind of labor.
On the nth of Novemljer, 1852, in
^^'estmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Air.
Hughes was united in marriage to Miss
jNIartha J. Sanders, who was born May 16,
1837, and died -March 17, 1858. She was a
daughter of Abraham and Mary (Robin-
son) Sanders, who were married in Penn-
sylvania, where they spent the remainder of
their lives. Her father was a laborer and in
politics was a Democrat. Mrs. Hughes was
one of a family of eight children, four of
whom are still living, as follows : John,
Snllie, Charity, the wife of \\'illiam Irvin,
and Mrs. Wilson, all residents of Westmore-
land county, Pennsylvania. Unto Mr.
Hughes and his wife were born two chil-
dren: John, born December 27, 1853, "lar-
ried Mary Jester, February 8, 1881, and
died in October, 1899. ^^^ widow is now
living in Catlin township, Vermilion county,
with their only child. Pearl. Janies, born
December 18, 1856, was married Novem-
\ier 12, 1884, to Miss Effie Rice, and they
have one child. Earl. He is a painter by
trade and they make their home in Danville.
After his marriage Mr. .Hughes removed
to a small town in Pennsylvania, near where
there were some extensi\e coal mines. Here
he opened up a shop and began housekeep-
ing in a miner's shanty. He had not a dol-
lar in the world but he possessed energy and
determination and with the assistance of a
friend he was enabled to buy his tools and
furnish his home, going in debt to the ex-
tent of two hundred dollars. Within a year
he paid off this indebtedness besides earning
his li\'ing, and at the end of three years he
had cleared five hundred dollars. He then
removed to Parke county, Indiana, and
opened a similar shop for himself. There he
remained for nine years, during which time
he was called upon to mourn the loss of his
wife, whose death occurred March 17, 1858.
On the 14th of August, 1859, Mr.
Hughes was again married, the lady of his
choice being Miss Xancy V. Burks, the wed-
ding taking place in Parke county, Indiana.
She was born March 16, 1830, in tliat state
and is a daughter of Moses and Louisa (Van
Cleve) Burks, both of whom were natives
of Kentucky. The father was born October
17. 1802, and died Februarv 21. 1878. The
220
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
mother's liirth occurretl December 13, 180J,
and she died about 1S96. This couple were
married in Kentucky in 1825. ]Mr. Burks
was a farmer by occupation and removed to
Parke county, IncUana, in tlie "30s. There he
entered land and lived until his death. He
was a member and an officer of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church and in politics was a
Republican. He was the father of eleven
children, four of whom are yet living :
James A., a resident of Bement, Illinois;
A'ancy, the wife of our subject; Louisa J.,
the widow of Alex Breckenridge and a resi-
dent of Putnam county, Indiana, and Moses
R., of Parke county, Indiana.
By his second marriage [Mr. Hughes has
six children. George, born ]\Iarch 11, 1861,
was married December 30, 1886, to Dora
Parish. They have two children, Charles
A. and Cora, and reside in Vance township
on the old homestead farm. William B.,
born July 22, 1863, was married February
18, 1890, to Fanny Garners, and also re-
sides on the old home farm. He is traveling
representative of the Modern Woodmen.
Mary L., born July 24, 1868, died Novem-
ber I, iS6q. Charles '\i.. born September
13, 1866, died June 18, 1894. An infant
boy was born and died on the 7th day of
Alarch, 1865. An infant daughter \\as born
and died on the 22d of June, 1870. ]\Irs.
Hughes also has a daughter by her first mar-
riage, iNIargery A., who was born April 29,
1S4S, imd was married December 24, 1874,
to Robert ^McXott. She died June 3, 1896,
and was the mother of six children, two of
whom, FJarry and Nellie, are still living.
In July, 1862. Mr. Hughes enlisted for
sixty davs" service in the L'nion army, join-
ing Company D of the Seventy-eighth \'o\-
unteer Infantry. He took part in th.e battle
of L'niontown, Kentucky, and was stationed
on the border line between Kentuckv and In-
diana. He and his company were captured
by the Rebels, but they were soon paroled.
His service embraced forty-five days.
In 1864, Mr. Hughes brought his family
to \'ermilion county, Illinois, where he pur-
chased eighty acres of land at eight dollars
per acre. This was prairie land, unim-
proved and wild. But few settlers were in
the county at the time and wild game was
plentiful, including prairie-chickens, geese,
ducks and deer. The prairie wolves were
also numerous and often howled at night
near the pioneer home. Fairmount was then
a town consisting of one-half dozen houses
and three stores. ]\Ir. Hughes erected a
comfortable frame house of three rooms —
the finest and largest in the vicinity, in 1864.
In 1865 he purchased an additional eiglity
acres adjoining his original purchase, at fif-
teen dollars per acre, giving his note in se-
curity for payment. This land he cultivated
and improved, making additional purchases
as the years passed and he accumulated the
capital, until he is now the owner of two
huntlred and ninety acres in \'ance and Cat-
lin townships. His residence stands on sec-
tion 15, Vance township. His home is com-
modious, pleasant and attractive in appear-
ance, and he has on his place large and sub-
stantial barns and all necessary buildings.
He also owns city property in Marshall,
Illinois, yir. Hughes is a member of the
Alethodist Episcopal church of Jamaica, be-
ing a trustee, steward and district stewartl in
the same. He is a prominent Republican
and has been associated with the party since
1856, the year of its organization. Before
that he was a Whig". Fie has held some of
the offices in his tow nship. A man of genial
manner, a delightful companion and a true
friend, he has won the esteem and regard of
all with w hom he has been associated. The
sterling characteristics which he possesses
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
221
h:i\e won for him success and prominence
and he is justly accounted one of the sub-
stantial and wealthy men of \'ermilion
county.
ALBERT G. OLMSTED.
Albert G. Olmsted, whose connection
with pioneer interests in Vermilion county
has made his life record a part of the his-
tory of this section of the state, was born
October 14, 1831, in the vicinity of James-
town, Chautaucjua county. New York. He
is descended from Puritan ancestry, his
forefathers having been numbered among
the early residents of New England. Later
generations of the family became pioneers
of Vermilion county, Illinois, the grand-
parents and parents of our suliject spend-
ing much of their lives here. The Olmsted
family purchased a Mexican land warrant
in the early days for one hundred and twen-
ty-five dollars, and for this amount secured
one hundred and sixty acres of unbroken
land, which, howe^■er, they never impro\-ed.
Later owing to the rise in land values they
sold it for one thousand dollars. George
and Hannah ( Roberts) Olmsted. the*
grandparents of our subject, were natives
of New England, and in 1839 they emi-
grated from their Ohio home to Illinois,
with the father of our subject, the grand-
father dying in this cotinty two years later.
His widow did not long survive him, pass-
ing away in September, 1843. Their son,
Stanley Olmsted, the father of our subject,
was born in Hartford. Connecticut, and
was reared amid the wild scenes of ]iioneer
life both in the Buckeye state and in the
Prairie state. After reaching years of ma-
turity he wedded Almira Green, a native
10
of Vermont and they began their domestic
life upon a farm near Jamestown, Chau-
tauqua count V, .\'ew York, where his father
carried on agricultural pursuits for several
years, de\eloping a farm in the midst of
the prime\-al forest in that section of the
country. lie subsepuently removed from
there with his family to Marietta, Wash-
ington count}', Ohio, but when tive years
had passed he again started upon his west-
ward way and in 1S39 came to Vermilion
count}', making the joiu'ney down the Ohio
river and up the Wabash river to Perrys-
ville, whence he went to what is now known
as Batestiiwn. lie settled in that vicinity
among the pioneers of ?. new district. For
some time he operated what was known as
the Olmsted sawmill and in adtlition to
manufactiu'ing lumber he engaged in build-
ing flatboats. That was the only mill where
such boats were built and he turned out
more than an}' other man in this section of
the countr}'. He became prominent and in-
fluential in public affairs and was a member
of the Masonic fraternity. His death,
which occurred in 1848, robl)ed the com-
munity of a valued citizen. When ten
years had passed his widow became the wife
of Thomas W. Douglass. She has lived
an earnest Christian life, being a dcxdut
member of the Presbyterian church.
Of the ten children born unto Stanley
Olmsted and his wife, Albert G. Olmsted
was the second in order of birth. He was
but eight vears of age at the time of the
emigration of the familx' lo X'erniilion
county and he i)ursued his education in a
log schoolhouse. furnished with slab
benches and an immense fire place. An
entire log would be hauled into the schor)!-
room and laid across the fire and as the
middle portion was burned it was pushed
222
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
o\-er into the embers until it was entirely
coiisuinecl. The greater part nf his boy-
hood was passed in Danville and Catlin
townships. He can remember how in his
early days, before the introduction of
matches, fires were started by striking flint
together until the sparks ignited tow which
was furnished for that purpose, and often
when these necessaries were not to be bail
the neighbors would borrow from each
other. All cooking was done in the old
fire place, pots and kettles hanging from
the crane while the baking was done in a
skillet placed among the coals. The young
girls went liarefooted to and from church
services, onlv wearing their shoes during
the time of meeting, thus practicing econo-
my, which was an important element in
that pioneer period. On one occasion Mr.
Olmsted drove an ox-cart to church, his
grandmother and mother riding in the cart
while he walked beside it with pants rolled
up to keep out of the dirt of the road. Camp
meetings were frequently heUl in the for-
ests, candles being fastened to the bushes to
provide light. Mr. Olmsted w-as about sev-
enteen years of age when his father died.
He never li\-ed in anything but a log house
until the second summer after his marriage.
After his father's death the support of the
family largely devolved upon him. He
rented land and began farming, his first
plow having a wooden mold board. To
cultivate grain he used a single shovel plow
and single rope line, leather harness being
not then in general use. He cut grain with
a cradle and when he was plowing the lady
who liecame his wife, then a maiden of six-
teen years, dropped corn for him in the fur-
rows, never thinking then of the marriage
which was afterward to take place. T\Tr.
Olmsted has seen many changes made in
the machinery and farm im].)lements and
has always kept in touch with the general
])rogress.
On the 22d of July, 1855. was celebrated
the marriage of Albert G. Olmstetl and
Elizalieth Ann \\'rig"ht. who was born in
this count}', September 22, 1832, a daughter
(jf Thomas X. and ]\lary Brown (San-
dusk}) Wright, who were natives of this
part of the county. Mrs. Olmsted was
bom on the old homestead which now be-
longs to our subject, it having formerly
been the jiropertv of her parents. She was
a splendid housekeeper and a most ener-
g'etic woman. She spun and colored the
yarn and made most of the clothing for the
family and i\Ir. Olmsted has in his posses-
sion two beautiful quilts for which "she spun
and colored the yarn in 1858. Hers was
also a hospitable home and the stranger
was always welcome there. Her parents
were nati\es of Bourbon county, Kentucky,
and when her father was nineteen years of
age and her mother twenty they came to
A'ermilion county, Illinois, and were mar-
ried six weeks later, in 1831. near Indian-
ola, immediately afterward settling on a
farm which is now the propertv of Mr.
Olmsted. There Air. \\'right l)uilt a log
cabin. His wife died May 31, 1851. leav-
ing five children of whom Airs. Olmsted
was the eldest. Air. Wright afterward
married Nancy Dougherty and he died No-
vember 18. 1872, on the old homestead
which he developed from a wild prairie. It
was upon this same farm that five children
were born nnto our subject and his wife:
Alary B., now the wife of John H. Palmer;
Charles, who married Agnes Emmett,
who.se death occurred November 17. 1887;
^^"illiam C. who married Eva Beck:
George E.. who wedded Nora Champion, of
* LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
M. B. BAILEY.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
225
Catlin, Illinois; and Albert C. who married
Bessie Da\is and is now a bookkeeper in
the employ of the Chicago & Eastern llli-
nciis Railroad. Mr. Olmsted also has eight
grandchildren.
.\fter their marriage the parents located
up'in a rented farm in Catlin township,
w liich was their home for several years and
after that ]\Ir. Olmsted pnrchased a place
in the \illage of Catlin. He says the first
beds he e\'er saw used were made of a few
posts nailed together and the bedding placed
upon them. The houses were built of round
logs. In these early days he used to haul
corn and pork to river towns. Attica and
other places, and he would go to Lafayette,
Indiana, to have his wool carded. Danville
was the main trading point in these early
days and was but a \-illage. After remov-
ing to Catlin he continued to rent land for
three years. In 1867, the second year after
the purchase of the county farm, he was aji-
pointed its superintendent and owing to his
kindness to the inmates and his efficiency
he was retained in that position for eight
years, after which he tendered his resigna-
tion, desiring to invest in a farm on his own
account. He then became the owner of the
property, which he now possesses on section
23. Catlin township, Mrs. Olmsted ha\'ing
inherited a portion of this land, while our
subject purchased the remainder. He now
has one of the best improved farms in the
neighborhood, supplied with good substan-
tial Iniildings and a splendid farm residence,
where he and his wife resided happily to-
gether for many years. He then retired to
Catlin. where he has now resided for nine-
years. Airs. Olmsted lived to rear and edu-
cate her family and departed this life Jnl>-
26, 1901. She was indeed a devoted and
loving wife and mother, her manv excellent
qualities endeiU'ing her to all with whom she
came in contact. She was ever kindly and
charitable and her good deeds were many.
.Mr. Olmsted has long been itlentihed
with the Vermilion County Fair Association
and tor se\-en years he acted as gatekeejier.
He serx'cd for tw(j years as a member of the
board of sui)er\'isors. as school trustee for
ele\'en years and his incuml)ency in the office
of school director dates back to a period al-
most beyond his memory. He has served
as judge of elections for several years and
has been deeply identified with the upbuild-
ing and progress of the county along social,
material, moral and intellectual lines. Hi'
is a member of the Cumberland Presbyter-
ian church, of which he is now serving as a
trustee and he belongs to Catlin Lodge, No.
285, I"". & A. M., in which he has ser\'ed as
master. Politically he is a Democrat and h;.
assisted in the organization of the militia
during the call for the draft. The history
of Vermilion count}' is indeed a familiar
one to him. becatise of his active connection
\\ith man\- interests which have contributed
to the general progress and im])ro\-ement
here, from pioneer times down to the [ires-
ent. He has so lived that his name is a
synonym of honor and no man is more de-
serving of respect in this community than
\lfred r;. Olmsted.
M. B. B.MLEV.
Whatever else may be said of the legal
fraternitv, it cannot be denied that members
of the bar have been more prominent actors
in jjublic affairs than any other class of
.\mcrican ])eople. The ability and training
which qualify one to ])ractice law also
226
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
qualify liiin in many respects for the duties
which He outside the strict path of his pro-
fession and which touch the general interests
of society. The subject of this record is a
man who has brought liis keen discrimina-
tion antl tliornugh wisdom to bear not alone
in professional paths but for the benefit of
the community in which he lives, and he is
now serving as mayor of Danville and state
senator from the twenty-second senatorial
district of the state.
Mr. Bailey is one of Vermilion county's
native sons, his birth having occurred in the
town of Indianola, January 23, 1858. He
parents were Joseph and Sarah (Brackall)
Bailey. After attending the public schools
of Georgetown for some time he entered
Earlham College, an old Quaker school at
Richmond, Indiana, and on leaving that in-
stitution was a student at the State Normal
School at Normal, Illinois, for a time. In
1883 he matriculated at Columbia College,
Washington, D. C, where he was graduated
in the law department in 1885. The follow-
ing year took a post-graduate course
there and was granted the degree of Master
and Bachelor of Law.
Prior to taking up the study of law Mr.
Bailey had taught school in Georgetown
township and also worked on a farm. In
1879 he went to Colorado and spent three
years in the siher mines near Lead\'ille. On
his return east he was offered a position in
the treasury department at \\'ashington, D.
C and while there he pursued his law
studies at Columbia College. He began
practice at Kansas City, Missouri, but only
remained there a short time, returning ti)
Danville on the death of his mother in 1888,
and soon afterward he opened an office in
this city. In 1889 he again went to Wash-
ington to accept the position of chief of the
law division of the jjcnsion bureau and
served in that capacity until 1892, when we
again find him in Danville. Here he has
since engaged in the practice of his profes-
sion and has met with most desirable suc-
cess.
On the iSth of January. 1899. 'Sir.
Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Lucy
Payne, a native of Rock Island, Illinois, and
one of the four children born to Senator
Payne and his wife. Her parents were also
natives of Rock Island. Mr. and Airs.
Bailey have one child, Joseph, born Decem-
ber 6, 1899.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Bailey
has taken quite an active and prominent part
in public affairs, and in 1894 was elected to
the thirty-ninth general assembly, being a
member of the lower house for two consecu-
tive terms. In 1898 he was nominated by
the Republican party for state senator, but
iiwing to the supreme court's decision on the
apportionment bill no vacancy existed. He
was again nominated, howe\er, in 1900 and
this time was elected by a good majority.
He became quite a prominent and influential
member of the legislature, and in the thirty-
ninth and fortieth assemblies he served on
the judiciary, building and loan, assessment
and insurance committees, of which he was
also a member after entering the senate. He
took an active interest in the school board
law, regulating the power of the Ijoards and
decreasing the cost of text books. He also
worked hard to get a bill passed reducing
the rate on railroads from three to two cents
and prohibiting passes, and took a special
interest in mining leg'islation, being instru-
mental in getting a purer grade of oil to be
sold to the miners and also a law passed pro-
viding the wages for labor should be paid in
cash and thus doing away with the truck
store system. He also secured the passage
of the check weighman law, this giving the
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
227
miners the right to designate the man to
weigh tlie coal and thus avoiding disputes
between them and the operators. Mr. Bailey
was chairman of the committee on mines
and mining and also the committee on pub-
lic grounds during tiie last session. In
April, 1899, he was elected mayor of Dan-
ville, and so acceptably did he fill that office
that he was re-elected in 1901, carrying
everv ward and precinct for the first time in
the history of the city, and is the ])resent in-
cumbent. During his atlministration many
needed improvements ha\e been made, in-
cluding the extension of all the railroad
lines, and the doubling of the sanitary sewer
system. Never were the reins of city gov-
ernment in more capable hands, for he is a
progressive man, pre-eminently public
spirited, and all that pertains to the public
welfare receives his hearty endorsement.
Socially he is an honored member of the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the
blue lodge and chapter of the ^Masonic fra-
ternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Im-
pro\-ed Order of F-ied Men. the Ancient Or-
der of United \\'orkmen, the Fraternal
Army of America, the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows and the [Modern Woodmen
of .\merica. He is deservedly popular, as
he is affable and courteous in manner anil
possesses that essential ciualihcation to suc-
cess in public life, that of making friends
readily and strengthening the ties of all
friendships as time ad\ances.
HARVEY C. ADAMS.
To his own unaided efforts may be at-
tril)Uted whatever success Harvey C. Adams
has achieved or whatever prominence he has
attained. He is yet a young man, but at the
bar he has won a position which would be
creditable to many an older practitioner. A
native of the neighboring state of Indiana,
his birth occurred in Cass county on the 2d
of February, 1870, his parents being Lewis
and Hannah ( Schuman ) Adams, both na-
tives of Ohio. In the state of his nativity
the father was educated and reared to man-
hood. After arrixing at years of maturity
he wedded Flannah Schuman. a daughter
of Christian and Anna (Fall) Schuman. and
they now reside in Hutsonville, Illinois,
having' li\-ed in ijr near that place continu-
ously since 1875.
Harvey C. Adams was eight vears of
age when the family took up their al;)ode in
FIutson\ille, and entering the public schools
there he began his education. He was af-
terward for a short time a student in the
L'nion Christian College at Merom, In-
ili.ana. Desiring to broaden his knowledge
and realizing how important a factor in the
affairs of life is education, he has spent
much time in private reading and study.
He pursued the Chautauqua course, also
took a course in shorthand in the Northern
Indiana State Normal school at Valparaiso,
Indiana, and later, while acting as stenog-
rapher in the office of the firm of Callahan,
Jones & Howe at Robinson, Illinois, he
tdok' uj) the study of law and thus laid the
f(nindation for his present successful career
as a member of the bar. He was appointed
by the circuit judge of Crawfortl county,
Illinois, to the position of court stenograph-
er. After passing the civil service examina-
tion he entered the treasury department at
Washington. D. C as stenogra|)her. When
six weeks has passed, during which time he
gave proof of his business skill, adaptabil-
ity and personal worth, he was transferred
to the civil service commission as a stenog-
rapher, and while thus engaged he took dic-
tation from Theodore Roosex-elt, who was
228
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
tlien one of the tlirce ci\il sei'\ice commis-
sioners. Through the kinchiess of Congress-
man Joseph Cannon Mr. Adams was trans-
ferred to the postofiice department and tliis
ga\'e him an (ipportunitv to pursue his huv
studies. E\er}' stei) wiiich lie to(_)k, every po-
sition which he tihed, was regarded, as l.nit a
means to an end — that of tlie i)racticc of
law. His residence in Washington co\-ered
a jieriod of almost three years, from 1890
until the 4th of March. 1893. In June.
1892, he was graduated in the Cojn.mhian
Uni\-ersity on the completion of a law
course, and in Alarch of the following vear
he resigned his position and returned to Illi-
nois, seeking a location as a lawyer.
In April. 1893, Mr. Adams came to
Danville, where for the past ten years he
has practiced his profession, gaining a
clientage which is very creditahle for one
so young. He now holds the position of
secretary to Justice Jacob W. Wilkin of the
Sujireme Court of Illinois. His law prac-
tice, which he pursues in addition to his sec-
retary work, consists mainly of probate bus-
iness, chancery and the settlement of es-
tates.
On the 8th of November, 1892, was
performed the marriage ceremony wdiich
iniited the destinies of Har\e}- C. Adams
and Miss Blanch Meserve, a daughter of Dr.
Stephen Decatur ^leserve, of Roiiinson, Illi-
nois, and they now have one son, Stephen
Meserve Adams. The subject of this re-
view endorses the principles and platform
of the Republican party and upon that ticket
lie was elected to the office of citv alderman
in 1899 but refused to serve a second term.
Fraternally he is connected with the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Bene\'olent
and Protective Order of Elks. Knights of
Pvthias and the ^lodern Woodmen of
^■Vmerica. I'rom his early boyhood days
Mr. Adams has depended entirely upon his
own resources and efforts for advancement
along educational, professional and financial
lines and although he is yet a young man
his life historv pro\'es conclusively that prog-
ress in these directions may l^e made through
strong determination, honoraljlc ])ur])ose
and laudalile ambition.
ELISHA C. B. FITHIAX.
"Success," said Xapoleon, "depends
upon three things, energy, system and per-
se\'erance." W ith the realization of this
truth Elisha C. B. l-'ithian has so directed
his business aftairs that he has prospered in
his undertakings and to-day he is one of the
most extensive landowners of \'ermilion
county. He is also one of its pioneer citi-
zens, for his l)irth occurred November 8,
1837, in Danville, when that city was Init a
village. His parents were Dr. ^^'illiam and
Orlethea T. (Berry) Fithian, who are men-
tioned elsewhere in this \'olume. The son
pursued his early education in a little log"
building called the Williams school, his first
teacher being a Scotchman named Robin-
son. He was not only a good instructor,
but he also exemplified his belief in the old
adage "spare the rod and spoil the child."
This was a subscription school and the
teacher "boarded around" in the homes of
the different pupils. Later Mr. Fithian was
a student in the White Seminary, a Presby-
terian institution, where he ci.intinueil for
some time, acquiring a good English edu-
cation.
-\fter comjileting his school duties he
entered the general store of his father in
E C. B FIT
UNIVERSITY Of ILLIMOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
2; I
Damille, remaining' there tor aljout a vear.
He tlien came lo tlie farm in Oakwood
township, for he l)ehe\'e(l that the ontdoor
life woiiid ])ro\c lienetlcial to his faihng"
healtli. He took charge of his father's farm
of thirty-se\'en hunih'ed acres, \ery httle of
wiiich was at that time under cidti\-ation.
Mr. Fithian Itegaii hreaking the jirairie. us-
ing five or si.\ yoke of o.xen to a breaking
jilow whicli would turn a furrow of twenty-
two inches. Pie broke a thotisand acres in
this way. l)iit nuicli of it had to be gone o\"er
again, often as many as three cir four times,
for there had been no ditching done and the
warm water would again start the prairie
grasses. Finally .Mr. Mthian ga\'e tip the
attempt to transform into cultivable fields
the low land and used it as pasture. He
turned his attention to the stock lousiness
on an extensi\e scale. His father was a
large stock man antl he had gained practical
knowledge of the business. When the rail-
roads were built through this portion of the
state he made shipments of his cattle to
Chicago. He remembers distinctixely, how-
ever, the early conditions of the county
when there was much game, includ-
ing prairie cliickens, ducks, brant and geese.
There were also large numbers of prairie
wohes that might be heard howling at night
or seen skirring over the country in the day-
time. Mr. Fithian has seen as many as
sixteen deer in a single herd pass through
his orchard. .\t night, if the corn was not
well fenced, the deer would enter the fields
and eat and lram|) down the crt)p. .\s time
passed, however, marked improvements
were made in nietiiods of agriculture, with
all of which Mr. Fithian ke])t abreast, in
fact, he has ever been regarded as one of
the mijst progressive agricultiuMsts of this
part of the state as well as one of the most
extensive and prosperous landowners.
On the _'3d of b'ebruary, i^(i~,. occiu'red
the marriage of Mr. iMthian and Miss Anna
M. Hayes, a native of Athens county, Ohio,
and a daughter of John and Adaline ( Neb-
lock) Hayes, both of whom were natives
of PenusyKania and were of Scotch ;uid
Cerman descent, respectively. Their mar-
riage was celel)rated in Ohio and Mr. Hayes
was a carpenter b_\- trade. Jn 1850, accom-
panied by his wife and children, he drove
across the country to Danville in a jjrairie
schooner, as the old covered wagons at that
time were called. The journey occupied
twenty-one days and at night the family
camped by the roadside. .\fter reaching
X'ermilion county Mr. Hayes spent a few
months in Danville and then located a half
mile south of the old town of Homer,
Cham]);iigu county. There he purchased
land upon which he resided for se\en or
eight years, after which he returned to \'er-
milion cotmty, where he lived upon a farm
a half mile from the Fithian honieslead,
his home being in Oakwood township,
where he s].)ent his remaining days. There
his death occurred in 1885 and his wife
jjassed away on the home place in i8()4.
The_\- were the ]jarents of twelve children,
of whom six are now living, namely: Mrs.
h'itbian : John, of X'ermilion county: Mrs.
Edith McCoy, of Kansas: William, of In-
diana: Mrs. Lydia Cass, of Danville: and
James, who is also living in this county.
The marriage of .\lr. and Mrs. Fithian has
Ijeen blessed with li\e children: I'aid H.
is a jiracticing physician of Fithian: Lalla
is at home: Elisha C. B. is lixing upon a
])arl of liis father's farm, and is married to
Christiana 111k, by whom he has two chil-
dren, George William and Anna Dorothy;
John Charles, who is also upon his faliier's
farm, married Sarah Reese and has one son,
Orion 1').; and Dax'id W'. is a practicing
232
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
dentist of Rossville. He wedded Jessie
Fellow.
^Ir. Fithian was made a Mason in 1875
and belongs to Fairmount Lodge, No. 590,
F. & A. M. His wife is a member of the
Methodist church and his political support
is given the Republicans, but while he keeps
well informed on the issues of the day he
has never consented to hold office except
that of school director. He has eleven hun-
dred acres of valuable land and for some
years he has been living practically retired,
having rented almost all of his land to his
sons. Mr. Fithian is well informed con-
cerning the history- of \'ermilion county
from an early epoch in its history. In tlie
5^ear 1S34 he ha<I an aunt in Iowa who re-
turned to Danville on her wa}- to Ohio and
here she was joined by the mother of our
subject who, taking her baby son with her,
accompanied the aunt to thoir old home in
the Buckeye state, making the entire trip
on horseback. This fact goes to show what
the pioneer women of that day were capa-
ble of. On one occasion Mr. Fithian's fa-
ther sent by wagon to Ohio for two McCor-
mick reapers, which could not then be pur-
chased in the west. In those early days our
subject hauled wheat to Attica. Indiana,
and if prices were "high" he could sell for
forty cents per bushel. Corn brought eight
and ten cents per bushel and in his boyhood
'Mr. Fithian would measure corn from the
crib in a half bushel measure and would
pass it through the window to the men on
the outside. As time passed Mr. Fithian,
taking his part in the agricultural work of
the county, became a leader in progress and
improvement in his line of activity and by
the capable control of his business interests
he won splendid success. He has, however,
never allowed the accumulation of wealth
to in any way warp his kindly nature and
there is no man in the community who en-
joys to a wider extent the esteem and regard
of those with whom he was associated.
WTLLIAAI M. SILVER.
It would be impossible to give a com-
plete history of Hoopeston without mention-
ing William ^I. Silver, for no resident of
the town has done so much for its improve-
ment as Mr. Silver, who in the line of his
business afifairs has continually added to the
city's growth and upbuilding. He is a con-
tractor and builder and a large part of the
brick structures in the town stand as monu-
ments to his enterprise and skill. He enjoys
a splendid reputation as a representative of
this department of business activity and is
a nran whose business honor and integrity
are beyond question.
Mr. Silver was born in Shelby county,
Ohio, in the town of Sidney, in 1844. His
father. Peter Silver, was born in Frank-
fort. Kentucky, and having arrived at years
of maturity he wedded Mar\' Benham. of
Ohio. He, too, was a contractor and build-
er and died in Hoopeston in 1883, while his
wife passed away in 1888. They had been
residents of this place from 1875. and were
well known people here. They had the fol-
lowing children : William M., of this re-
view; Joseph M.. a resident of Leavenworth,
Kansas: Mrs. Sarah ]\Iorris. of Peoria. Illi-
nois : Mrs. Abbie Boggs. who is living in
\\'arsaw, Indiana : and Mrs. Mary E. Plall.
of Hoopeston.
\\'hen only about six months old ^^'ill-
iam yi. Silver of this review was taken by
his parents to Elkhart county, Indiana,
where he remained until fifteen years of age,
during which time he attended school. He
then went to Kosciusko countv, Indiana,
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
233
and from that place entered the army t>n
the 27th of April, 1S62, when only ahont
eighteen years of age, joining the Twelfth
Indiana Infantry under the command of
Captain Samuel Boughton and Colonel W".
H. Link. He was also under Generals Lo-
gan and Sherman and he served for morv
than three years but was never wounded.
At Riclimond, Kentucky, on the 30th of Au-
gust, 1862, he was taken prisoner and after-
ward was paroled and sent to Indianapolis
tu the parole camp, where he remained until
the 14th of November, of that year. On
that date he was exchanged and went to the
south at once, proceeding to jMemphis, Ten-
nessee, and on to Vicksburg, partici])ating
in the siege of that city until its surrender.
Later he went with his command to Chatta-
nooga and also took part in the battles nf
Missionary Ridge and Knoxville, and later
went into winter quarters at Scottsboro,
Alabama. .\t that point he remained until
the 1st (if Alay, 1864, when the regiment
started on the Atlanta campaign, participat-
ing in many of the hotly contested engage-
ments which preceded the siege and fall of
the city. With his regiment Mr. Sihcr then
ciintinued with Sherman on his celebrated
march to the sea and after the surrender of
Savannah he was in the Carolina campaign
and continued northward to Washington, 1).
C, his regiment participating in the grand
review, leatling Sherman's anuy in that cel-
eljrated militarv pageant on the 24th nf May.
1865. Mr. Silver was there mustered out
on the 8th of June and received his final
discharge on the 20th of June following.
He was in twenty-one engagements, taking
part in e\ery battle in which his regiment
participated with one exception. He
marched a little more than six thousand
miles in three vears and was in all of the
southern states except Texas anil Florida.
During all of this time he made the long
marches on foot. His military record is a
most creditable one and he certainly deserves
the gratitude of the nation for what he ac-
complished in aiding in the struggle to main-
tain the L'nion intact.
After his return Ikjiuc Mr. Silver began
learning the brick layer's trade at Warsaw,
Indiana, beginning that work in 1866. He
remained there four years. During that
time he was married in the month of b'eb-
ruary, 1866, to Miss Sarah Bybee, who died
ele\en months later. In 1868 he was joined
in wedlock to Jennie McGrew, of Warsaw,
Indiana, and remo\-ed to h>lkhart, Indiana,
where he remained until 1871. In that
year his second wife died and the two chil-
dren of that union both passed away in in-
fancy. Succeeding the great fire in Chicago
in 1 87 1 ^,Ir. Silver went to that city, where
he followed his trade for eighteen months
and then came to Logan count v. Illinois.
In January, 1873, he was united in marriage
to Mary A. Weaver, and removed to Mid-
dletown and later lived in ^Lincoln, where
he continued until 1879, the year of his ar-
ri\al in Hoopeston. Mr. Silver began con-
tracting here for Ijrick and stone work and
still follows his business with splendid suc-
cess. He has taken contracts for work all
o\er the eastern part of Illinois and western
Indiana. In Hoopeston he erected the citv
hall, the west side school, the N^. Brillhart
house, ten storerooms for J. S. ^McFerren, and
with three exceptions all of the brick store
buildings in Hoopeston. He also erected the
Cunningliatu House, the Catherwood resi-
dence and the additions to the McFerren
residence. He built the first building of the
Union Canning Company and many others
of the business structures here, his services
234
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
being in constant demantl because of his
thorougli understanding of tlie l)usiness and
his faith fuhiess to the terms of a contract
and his known reliability in all trade transac-
tions.
In 1901. Air. Silver was called upon to
mourn the loss of his second wife, who
passed awav in January of that year, leaving
three li\'ing children. There was also one
child by the first wife. Alibie J-. now the wife
of X. E. \\'eaver, of Hoopeston, who is as-
sociated with her father in the contracting
business. She has five children. The other
members of Mr. Silver's family are: Le-
ona G. ; Xellie, the wife of L. A. Blakeley.
a brick layer of Danville ; and Harry Clyde,
at iKime.
In social relations Mr. Silver is promi-
nent, being a valued member of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and of the
Grand Army of the Republic. His political
su])port is given to the Republican party and
he is the present member of the city council
from the third ward. He is now serving his
third term in that position and he filled tlv
position of township supervisor for one full
term and for one year of an unexpired term.
His home is on Market street and he owns
five tenement houses here. His time and at-
tention are largely given to his contracting
and building interests and dviring the winter
months he also operates a broom factory
which adds in a degree to his income. Mr.
Silver well merits his success, for it has been
W'Orthily won. He found the opportunities
he sought — which by the way are always
open to the energetic, ambitious man — and
making the best o-f these he has steadily
worked his way upward. He possesses
resolution, perseverance and reliability and
his name is now enrolled among the best
citizens of Vermilion county.
ERXST BLAXKEXBURG.
Ernst Blankenburg, who is the leading
retail dealer in wines, liquors and cigars in
Danville, was liorn in Eberswaldr, Prussia,
on the 6th of October, 1S43, his parents be-
ing William and Caroline (Torge) Blanken-
burg, both of whom were nati\-es of Prus-
sia, The father died in the year 1871,
when sixty-nine years of age. and his wife
passed away in 1874, at the age of sixty-
two years. They reared a family of nine
children. In the '60s they crossed the At-
lantic to the new world, establishing their
hop.ie in Danville. Our subject was the
fourth in order of birth in a family of nine
children, oi whom those still living are:
(iottlieb: August; Louise, the wife of
George Rust; and Ernst. Those who have
passed away are: William, Frederick,
Christian, Lewis and I'erdinand.
In the pul)lic and private schools of his
nati\e town in Prussia Ernst Blankenburg
pursued his education. He has been a res-
ident of Danville since 1867, coming here
when a young man of twentv-four vears.
He was first employed as a clerk, serving
in that capacit} for three years in the dry-
goods store of William Hessey, after which
he established a brewery which was later
sold to John Stein. In 1875 he established
his present business which he has now con-
ducted for more than twenty-seven years.
He retails wines, liquors and cigars and is
conducting the largest establishment of the
kind in Dan\ille. realizing a handsome and
gratifying profit from the enterprise.
In 1889 Mr, Blankenburg was united
in marriage to I\Iiss Mary S. Lee of this
city and they now have two children, a
daughter and a son, Edna and Russell,
They also lost one son, Herman, who died
ERNST BLANKENBURG.
0, ■ ■-
UNIVEKSIIY Oh iLuNOlS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
237
at the age of three years. Mr. Blankenburg
is a niemlier of tlie Imlependent Order of
Odd Fellows and is secretary of the Dan-
ville Socialer Tm'n \'erein. He is a gen-
tleman of affal)le manner, genial and com"-
tcous and is a leading German-American
citizen of nan\-ille.
(iEORGE T. RAV.
There is nothing in this world that will
take the place of skillfully directed labor and
this fact Mr. Ray has realized as he has car-
ried on his life work. It is to his industry
and enterprise that he owes his place among
the progressive and substantial farmers of
Ross township, his home being on section
30. Among the honored pioneer settlers he
is dikewise nnmliered for he dates his resi-
dence in Vermilion county from 1835. The
family is of German origin, his great-grand-
father being a native of (iermany. The
grandfather, George Ray, was born in Union
county, Pennsylvania, whence he removed
to Ohio, settling near Circleville. in Picka-
way county. His son, John Ray, the father
of our subject, was born at Buffalo \^alley,
Union county, Pennsylvania, and was
reared to mature \ears in Ohio, where lie
formed the acquaintance and married Eliza-
beth Glover, who was likewise a natixe of
the Keystone state. He turned his atten-
tion to farming, wiiich he followed in Pick-
away county for a number of years and
in 183 1 he came to Illinois, settlitig in Will
coun(\. wliere he resided until the spring of
1832 wdien he had to take his family to Fort
Dearborn on account of an Indian uprising.
After a short time, however, he mafle his
wav .southward to \'ermilion countv, In-
diana, w iiere he continued until the Indian
troubles were settleil, lie then removed to
this county in 1835, entering three hundred
and twenty acres of land in Ross township,
located on .section.s 29 and 30. He at once
began to break this, fenced it and in course
of time developed a good farm. The entire
country around, too, was an almost un-
broken wildei'uess and in tiMie pioneer st\le
the family lixed. There the father spent his
remaining days, passing away on the 4th
of March, 1836. llis wife long survived
him and was called to her linal rest February
13, 1882. in their family were three sons
and three daughters, but two of the daugh-
ters are now deceased. Those li\-ing are:
\Villiam G., who resides in .Mvin: lohn, who
owns and operates a part of the old home-
stead: and Sarah .\nn, the wife of John
llilcliens, a blacksmith of Al\in.
\Vhen but a small boy George Ray 1)6-
came a resident of \'ermilion county and on
the old home farm his boyhood days were
passed. Amid the wild scenes (jf the fron-
tier he shared with the family in all the hard-
ships a.nd trials incident to the establishment
of a home amid pioneer surroundings and
wdien his strength and age would permit he
assisted in the work of clearing and develop-
ing the farm. As a com]ianion and helpmate
for life's journey he chose Miss Mary E.
Hickman, their wedding being celebrated in
Catlin township, October 29, 1863, the lady
being a daughter of Hiram Hickman, a na-
tive of Kentuckv, who, when a small boy,
went to Tennessee and afterward to Ohio.
In die latter state he married Martha .A.
.Mien and subsequently they removed to Illi-
nois, settling in Vermilion county about
1833. Mrs. Ray w-as born in Brown county,
Ohio, was reared in this county, and pursued
her education here and in the Georgetown
238
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
high scliool. For several years prior to iier
marriage she was a successful teacher and is
a most estimable lady, who has been to her
husband a faithful companion anil helpmate
on life's journey. They began their domes-
tic life on a part of the old Ray homestead,
our subject clearing the land and preparing
it for the plow. He afterward built a good
substantial residence, a large barn and made
many important and valuable impro^•ements.
The home was blessed by the presence of fi\"e
children: Daniel V., who is married and
has three children, ]\Iary E.. Angelena. and
George T., and resides in Jamesburg. Illi-
nois, where he is engaged in the practice
of medicine; George A., a lawyer of Ross-
ville: Frank H., who is married and is living
in Chicago, having two children, Ruth and
Paul Keneth ; Benjamin, who is married, has
one child, Bertha M., and resides with his
parents ; and Charles, who completes the
family.
Politically Mr. Ray is a Jeffersonian
Democrat, who in 1852 voted for Franklin
Pierce, age ha\ing gi\-en to him the right of
franchise f(jr the first time at that election.
He served for several years as township
school trustee and also as director and has
ever been earnestly interested in the ad-
vancement of the schools and the employ-
ment of good teachers, belie\'ing that edu-
cation is one of the I^uhvarks of our nation.
From ])ioneer times down to the present he
has been a witness of the substantial de\el-
opment of \'crmilicin county. He came
here when much of the land appeared just
as it did when nature completed her wcirk.
It was the haunt of deer and other wild ani-
mals and venison ftu'nished many a meal for
the early settlers, while wild fowls were fre-
quently seen on the pioneer board. A num-
ber of years have passed ere the wild prairie
grasses IkkI entirely been replaced bv the
fields of waving grain in the midst of which
to-da\- stand substantial farm houses, while
towns and villages have here and there
sprung up. ]\Ir. Ray's memory forms a
connecting link lietween the pioneer past
and the progressi\-e present and he has many
interesting incidents to relate of Vermilion
county's histor}'.
J. P. BAILEY.
J. P. Bailey, a well known carpenter and
contractor of Danville and an honored vet-
eran of the Ci\-il war, is a native of this
county, his birth having occurred February
8, 1842. se\-en miles southeast of George-
town on the horseshoe bend of the Little
A'ermilion river. His father, James S.
Bailey, was bom in Chillicothe, Ross coun-
tv. Oliio, and on reaching manhood was
married in Newport, Indiana, to Miss Orena
West, a native of A^ermilion county, that
state, who died on the 3d of November,
1853. Fie continued to reside in Newport
unti' 1867, when he removed to Sangamon
county, Illinois, where his death occurred
December 25, 1873, his remains being in-
terred in Blunk cemeteiy, fifteen miles
southeast of Springiield. By trade he was a
cooper. In religious faith he was a Pres-
byterian, was also connected with the Mason-
ic lodge and was a stanch supporter of the
Republican party. His brother, William
Bailey, was a prominent old settler of \'er-
niilion county, Indiana, where he served as
sheriff and county clerk at an early day.
Our subject is one of a family of three
children, but his brother is deceased. His
sister. ]\larv. is the wife of \A'illiam H,
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
239
Gowdy, of Covington, Indiana. ]\Ir. Bailey
began liis education in the Billings school
at the crossroads near his home prior to the
election of President Pierce, the "temple of
learning" being a log structure furnished
with slab seats, and the school was con-
ducted on the subscription plan. After the
removal of the family to Perr_\s\ille. Indi-
ana, he attended the public schools at that
place and made his home there until after
the outbreak of the Civil war. Since the
death of his mother, when he was eleven
years of age, he has been dependent upon his
own resources for a livelihood, working on
a farm the hrst summer. The folknving
winter he carried the mail from Perrysville
to Georgetown and Danville, Illinois, and
the next summer drove a three-mule team
on the canal from Perrysville to Toledo,
Ohio. During the next winter he drove the
stage for Teller Brothers from Covington
to .\rmiesburg, Indiana, and on giving up
that position he began learning the mill-
• Wright's trade in the construction of tlie
old Williams mill at Hillsboro. Indiana. La-
ter he was employed on the Smith & Jones
mill in Fountain county, that state; the
Kirkpatrick mill at Perrysville and the
woolen mill at that place. He helped to
build the old Xorth street church in Dan-
ville in 1S57, and assisted in the erection of
the seminary at Perrysville in 1859. l)esides
a great many mills throughout the coimtry.
During the dark days of the Rebellion,
howexer. Mr. Bailey laid aside ail personal
interests and offered his services to his
couritry. enlisting at Perrysville, Indiana,
September 9. 1861, in Company D, Thirti-
eth Indiana \'olunteer Infantry under Cap-
tain Weldon and Colonel I. Bass, of Fort
Wayne. His regiment was mustered in at
Indianapolis and assigned to the Army of
the Cumberland. They participated in quite
a number of skirmishes in Tennessee and
their lirst important engagement was the
battle of Shiloh in 1862. In 1864 the com-
m;uul was transferred to the .\rmy of the
Tennessee and was with Sherman on his At-
lanta campaign until the surrender of that
city, after which they returned to Xasbville
under the command of General Thomas.
They next went to Iluntsville. Alaliama,
and from there started to Richmond to re-
lieve the .\rmy of the Potomac, but in the
spring of 1865 were transferred to New Or-
leans and from there went to Victoria, Tex-
as, where Mr. Bailey was mustered out on
the 25th of November. 1865. He was
wounded in the left side by a minie ball dur-
ing the second day's fight at Nash\ille, De-
cember 16, 1864.
Returning home Mr. Bailey resumed
work at the millwright's trade, which he
c(jntinued to follow until 1890, since which
time he has de\oted his attention to carpen-
tering and contracting with good success
and is to-day one of the leading business
men of Danville, where he has made his
home since 1879. He has erected a great
many of the elevators in this county liesides
other buildings and has always faithfully
fulfilled his part of every contract.
On the 25th of March. 1865. in New-
port, Indiana, Mr. I'.ailey married Aliss
I'rances A. Seay, who was born in George-
town. Illinois. April 26, 1846, a daughter
of Thomas A. Seay. As a child she made
her home with Elisha Rainey. of George-
town, but was later adopted by Dr. Perkins,
of Eugene, Indiana. After a short married
life of fourteen years she died April 12,
1879. leaving four children, namely: Min-
nie, the wife of William lUicklcy. of St. Lou-
is, Missouri; John G.. a candy manufacturer
of that city; William IL, who married Lena
Miller and resides in Danville, where he as-
240
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
sists his father in business; and Maud, wife
of Jerome ^laloy, of Perth Amboy. Xew
Jersey.
Mr. Bailey was again married, I'~ebru-
ary 16, t886, his second union Iseing with
Miss Amie E. Ohver. wlio was born eigiit
miles north of Danville. in"\ ermilion count)-,
April 6, 1S60, a daughter of Bushrard and
Melvina (Kritzer) Oliver. Her father was
a native of Bourbon county, and her mother
of Rainesville, Indiana, but they were mar-
ried in Danville. Illinois. The father was a
farmer by occupation, a Democrat in poli-
tics and a member of the Christian church.
He died on the 23d of May, 1894. but iiis
wife is still living and now makes her home
with our subject. In their family were six-
teen children, of whom twelve are still living.
Mr. Bailey is a prominent meml)er of
several civic societies, including the Grand
Army of the Republic, the Independent Or-
der of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen
of America, the Royal Neighbors and the
Mutual Protection League. Politically he is
identified with the Republican party and has
taken a \-ery influential and prominent part
in public affairs, having served as deputy
sherifif at Dexter, Alissouri. and as city mar-
shal, councilman and mayor of Dexter. He
is pre-eminentlv public-spirited and progres-
sive and as faithfully discharges his duties
of citizenship in times of peace as when he
followed the old flag- to victory on southern
battle-fields.
THO:kIAS \\OOLVERTOX.
Among the native sons of Vermilion
countv is numbered Thomas Woolverton
and his life history sets at naught the old
adage, that "a prophet is not without honor
save in his own countrv." There is there-
fore particular interest attaching to the sub-
ject of this review in liis business career.
He is a native son of the county where he
has passed his active life and has so directed
his ability and efforts as to gain recognition
as one of the representative men of Hoopes-
ton. He to-day is the ouner of the Hoopes-
ton machine shops, an enterprise of magni-
tude and importance returning to the owner
and proprietor a very desirable annual in-
come.
;\lr. \\'ooh'erton was but thirteen years
of age when he started out in life for him-
self. His birth occurred in Grant town-
ship in 1 85 1. His father. Colonel Abel
Woolverton, was commander of a regiment
in the war of 18 12 and was a farmer by oc-
cupation. He came of a family that lived
near Cincinnati. Ohio, prior to the emigra-
tion to Illinois. In the year 1850, how-
ever. Colonel Woolverton sought a home in
the Mississippi valley and located in Grant
township. \"ermilion county, settling on
go\-ernment land on the North Fork. He
became on.e of the early settlers of the com-
munitv. Fie had firm faith in the future of
this portion of the state and he foretold the
building of the two railroads which now
cross the county. Colonel Woolverton se-
cured a large tract of land in this locality
and began the development of a farm. There
were many wild animals here, including
wohes, and among the wild game there
were numbered deer, geese, brant and ducks.
The mother of our subject died when he was
but six years of age and the father afterward
married again. Thomas Woolverton has
one sister, Airs. Sophia J. Holmes, of
Hoopeston, and one brother. Charles.
At the time of his father's death, which
occurred when he was thirteen )ears of
age, Thomas Wooherton started out in life
on his own account. He was but a bov, vet
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
J41
he possessed courag^e and self-reliance and
determined that lie wonld win for himself a
creditable position in the business world.
He herded cattle at an early day and en-
gagfed in farm labor until his marriage,
which occiu"red in 1871. Aliss Eliza J. I'ort-
ner liecoming his wife. The lach' is a native
of Indiana and her parents are both now de-
ceased. By this marriage there are two liv-
ing children, Mrs. Ed. R. Knox, whose hus-
band is deputy circuit clerk in I^an\ille, and
X. G., a lawyer who is now in partnership
with Charles iV. Allen, of Hoopeslon, and
is serving' as city attorney.
For several years after his marriage Mr.
\\'oolverton engag"ed in farming and was
the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of
\-alnable land, but after alK)ut six years he
abandoned the plow and removed to
Hoopeston, where he opened a meat market
which he conducted for six years. By going
security he was forced to begin life anew.
Later he was elected township assesstir and
constable and servetl in this office until about
seventeen years ago when he began selling-
farm machinery in a small way. He has car-
ried on this business with ever increasing
success and he is now proprietor of the
Hoopeston machine shops and does an ex-
tensive business in McCormick harvesters,
the Deere plows, buggies, wagons and har-
ness ; in fact, he carries everything needed
upon a farm in connection with its cultiva-
tion. He has a machine shop and a g'eneral
repair shop, forty by one hundred and twen-
ty feet, and jiart of this is two stories in
height. During the busy sea.son he employs
fifteen men in the shop and does all kinds of
repair work from the repairing of a hammer
to a threshing machine. I lis niacine sho])
and implements are upon the west side oi
Bank street, the harness and buggy empor-
ium on the east side, but these are near to-
gether so that he gives his personal super-
visitMi to all branches of his business. He
engages in the manufacture as well as the
repairing of harness and also repairs bug-
gies. The shop on the east side of the
street is fifty by sixty feet and he also nas
two stores which he rents. The business has
constantly grown in \-olume and importance
until it is now the leading industrial and
commercial concerns of the town and the
owner has become one of the substantial
residents of Hoopeston. Long since has he
regained his lost possessions, pushing for-
ward to continued success in the conduct of
the enterprise which has proved to him a
])rofital)le one.
In his political views Mr. W'oolverton is
a stalwart Republican and was appointed to
fill the unexpired term of \\". R. Clark on
. the board of supervisors. At the next reg-
ular election in 1894 he was elected to fill
that office, which he lias held continuously
since, and by re-election he is now serving
for the fourth term and is one of the niost
prominent and valued members of the
board. He has served as its chairman for
two difi'erent terms and is now chairman of
the committee on buildings and grounds.
For eight years he was justice of the peace
in (]rant township and was at one time a
nieniber of the city council of Hoo])eston,
filling the office before the city was divided
into wards. No public trust reposed in him
has e\cr been betrayed in the slightest degree
and he has the entire confidence of his fel-
low men concerning matters of importance
to the city. Fraternally he is connected with
the blue lodge of Masons, with the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he
has served as noble grand, with the I'orest-
ers and with the Modern Woodmen of
America. He has a pleasant home at the
corner of Bank and Penn streets and he
242
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
owns hall a block in the center of the town
on which are located his bnsiness blocks.
He was a resident of this place when the
entire locality was covered with rosin-weed
and milk-weed and [)rairie grasses grew in
abundance. He herded cattle on the pres-
ent site of Hoopeston, but as the years have
passed he has witnessed great changes, a
transformation being wrought which has
contributed in a marked degree to the im-
provement and upbuilding of the entire com-
munity. I\Ir. \\'oolverton possesses marked
energy and keen perception. This enables
him to form his plans readily and he never
wavers in carrying them to a successful
completion. His close applicati(.)n ti:> busi-
ness and his excellent management have
brought to him the high degree of prosperity
which is to-day his.
H. W. HARRIS.
H. W. Harris is now living a retired
life on his farm on section 15, Ross town-
ship, five miles east of Rossville. Here he
has a valuable property of two hundred and
fort}^ acres and thereon has made his home
for forty-eight years. His residence in the
county covers a longer period, however, for
he arrived here in February. 1S4S. He was
born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 6,
1827, and comes of a family of English an-
cestry. His grandfather, Samuel Harris,
settled in ^Maryland at an early day and
there Jesse Harris, the father of our sub-
ject, was born on the 21st of July, 1800.
In the citv of his nativitv he was reared and
was there united in marriage to L\dia Ann
Warner, whose birth occurred in Wilming-
ton, Delaware. By trade he was a cooper
and followed that pursuit throughout most
of his active business life. In his later
years, however, he became general agent for
H. J. Williams, a prominent attorney of
Philadelphia. In the year 1841 he left
Pennsyhania and took up his abode in Ross
county, Ohio, where he resided for seven
years, when he came to Illinois and here set-
tled in Ross township, Vermilion county,
spending his last years upon the home farm
of his son, H. W. Harris.
The last named was reared in Philadel-
phia to the age of fourteen years and began
his education in the public schools there.
The remainder of his boyhood days were
passed in Ohio upon his father's farm and
in 1848 he came to Vermilion county, Illi-
nois, where he began earning his own liv-
ing by working as a farm hand by the
month. In the fall, however, he returned to
the Buckeye state, making the journey on
horseback in order to vote for Zachan*- Tay-
lor, casting his first ballot in that year.
A\'hen his mission was accomplished he once
more came to Illinois, where he worked on
a farm until he decided to engage in agri-
cultural pursuits on his own account and
rented a tract of land. In the new work he
prospered and \\hen he had acquired some
capital he purchased his present farm of
one hundred and sixty acres in 1853. It
was then a tract of raw prairie on which
not a furrow had been turned or an im-
pro\-ement made, but he broke it and fenced
it and otherwise developed the property,
n^aking it a valuable tract of land, which
returned to him golden harvests in reward
for the care and labor which he bestowed
upon the fields. As his financial resources
increased he added to the farm and now
within its boundaries there are two hun-
dred and forty acres of good land. He
erected a neat and substantial residence,
also a large barn and other necessary out-
buildinc's. These were but a few of the im-
H. W. HARRIS.
LIBRARY
OF T.iE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
245
lirovcnieiits wliich he made. He planted an
orchard, tiled his fields and divided the
farm hy well kept fences. He also raised
good stock and although he came to Ver-
milion county a poor man he gradually
worked his way upward until he gained a
place among- the substantial residents of the
county.
Mr. Harris has been twice married. In
Indiana in 1853, he wedded Nancy Clark,
who died in 1864, leaving five children: H.
P.. wlio is married and lives near Wichita,
Kansas; Emma, the wife of Walter Wood,
of Hoopeston ; Isabella, the wife of Chris-
topher Fred, of Fulton, Indiana; Edwin
Stanton, who is married and follows farm-
ing in Oklahoma; and Olive, who married
George Holtz, of Ross tow-nship. After the
death of his first wife Mr. Harris wedded
Mary Money, a native of Kentucky, who,
when a young lady, came to this county
and on the 22d of June, 1865, gave her hand
in marriage to Mr. Harris. There are six
children of this marriage: Salome J., the
wife of Charley W. Smith; Lydia A. ; Jose-
piiine; Julin; Minnie, the wife of .\Ibert
Statzell, of Williamsport, Indiana ; and
Jesse S., who with John assist^- in the opera-
tion of the home farm.
Politically Mr. Harris was originally a
Whig and joined the ranks of the Republi-
can party upon its organization. He voted
for John C. Fremont in 1856 and has never
failed to cast his ballot for each presidential
nominee of the party since that time. He
first voted for Taylor in 1848. In 1875 ''^
was a])pointed to the position of school
treasurer and was elected and re-elected to
the ortice until he served for twenty-seven
consecutive }'-ears. He has also been a del-
egate to numerous county conxentions of
his party. From pioneer times down to the
present he has watched the growth and de-
11
velo])ment of Vermilion county, having seen
a swampy land reclaimed for purposes of
civilization hy tiling and cultivation and
modern farming methods have been intro-
duced and carried on until the country has
been made to bloom and blossom as the
rose. The work of progress has also been
instituted in this city and Mr. Harris feels
a just ])ride in what has been accomplished
here. He is now a venerable man of seven-
ty-fi\e years, receiving the respect and hon-
or which should e\-er be accorded one who
has advanced far on life's journey.
A. WARD.
Eighty acres of good farming land on
section i, (jeorgetown township, constitutes
the farm of A. Ward, wdio is there carrying
on general agricultural pursuits and stock-
raising. He has resided in Vermilion coun-
ty since 1871 and is a native of Switzerland
county, Indiana, born on the 5th of January,
1833. His parents were Bennett and Xancy
(Boggs) Ward, the former a n:itive of
Xorth Carolina and the latter of Kentucky.
In an early day the father removed to Indi-
ana, where he li\-ed iov a number of years.
He afterward spent a few years in Alis.souri
and while there his wife died. Subsequent-
ly he returned to Vermilion county, Illinois,
making his home with the subject of this re-
\icw until his deatli. which occurred on the
^^(\ of July, 188 1.
.\. Ward is the only one of the children
born unto his parents now' residing in Ver-
milion county. He pursued his education
in tiie district schools of Delaware county,
Indiana. He settled upon a farm there,
making it his ])lace of abode until 1871,
when he came to this county. In 1875 he
246
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
boiiglit his present farm on section i,
Georgetown township. Throughout his en-
tire hfe he has carried on the occupation to
wliich he was reared and in his farming
methods is progressive, keeping in touch
with the best methods of cultivating the soil
and caring for stock which are in vogue at
the present day. When he located here the
land was all covered with timber, but he
cleared this and has placed his fields under
a high state of cultivation. His farm is to-
day well improved with modern equipments
and he is successfully carrying on general
farm work and stock-raising.
Mr. Ward was first married while liv-
ing in Delaware county, Indiana, to Aliss
Phoebe Edginton, a native of Ohio. Her
father removed to Delaware county, Indi-
ana, at an early day and there died. Mrs.
W'ard passed away at her home in this coun-
ty in 1877. Of seven children born of that
marriage five are yet living: Alonzo, who
resides in Kansas; Wilson, who married
Maggie Rogers and is living in Mead coun-
ty. Kansas; Franklin, who resides at home
with our subject; Grant, who wedded Mary
Rosenbarger and is living in Veedersburg,
Indiana; and Cooley, who married Maude
^lanle}' and resides in Georgetown, where
he is conducting the Rival Restaurant.
Those deceased are Mary, Amanda and Cal-
vin. After the death of his first wife Mr.
\\'ard was again married, his second union
being with Mary J. Estes, a native of El-
wood township, Vennilion county, born in
October, 1845. H^r parents, Laborin and
Polly (Chambers) Estes, w-ere verj- early
settlers of this county, coming to Illinois
from North Carolina and here they spent
their remaining days.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Ward hold member-
ship in the Christian church of Georgetown
township and are faithful to its teachings
antl principles. He has always voted with
the Democracy but has never Ijeen an office
seeker. His life has been one of untiring
industry and since coming to \'ermilion
county he has accomplished a great amount
of work, in clearing his land, preparing it
for the plow and placing it under the high
state of cultivation in which it is to-day
found.
ROBERT HOLMES.
The storj- of a successful career is al-
ways a matter of interest and although jeal-
ousy is sometimes manifest the great major-
ity rejoice in advancement, especially when
one has risen to prominence and success from
a humble financial position. This Robert
Holmes has done and to-day he is controlling
one of the most extensive and important
industrial enterprises of A'ermilion county.
He was born in Sandusky, Ohio, December
25, 1858, and is a son of William and Re-
becca (Thomas) Holmes, the former a na-
tive of Xew Castle, Dela\vare, and the latter
of Wales. They were married in Sandusky
and a year later located in Clarion, Ohio.
The father was a machinist by trade and
conducted a shop there, making that place
his home until his death, which occurred on
the 1 8th of December, 1872. His political
suppi)rt was given the Republican party and
he was ever a progressive and loyal citizen.
His wife died March 18, 1899. In their
family were five sons and four daughters,
of whom three sons and three daug'hters are
yet living. Robert being the eldest. Grant,
a partner of our subject, now conducts a
machine shop and makes his home in Dan-
ville. Sherman is eng\aged in gold mining
in Dutch Guiana, South America, and is
also a partner of the firm of Robert Holmes
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
247
■& Brotliers, incorporated. Alary is the wife
of Dr. W. H. Snaveley, a resident of Seff-
ner. Florida. Alattie is the wife of J. A.
Jolmson, who is li\"ing in Thomotosassa.
Florida; and Hattie is the wife of Howard
Bolander, of Marion, Ohio.
Robert Holmes began his education in
the schools of Marion and afterward
worked in machine shops there. Owing to
his father's early death he was forced to be-
gin work when only thirteen years of age
and was there employed until he had at-
tained his majority. In 1880 he came to
Danville and secured a position as a ma-
chinist in the Chicago and Eastern Illinois
Railroad shops, where he remained for six
months. He then accepted the agency of
the Huber engine and thresher which is
manufactured in Marion. He established an
agency in this city in partnership with P. T.
Baker and conducted the business with suc-
cess for ten years, when his partner sold out
to W. W. Kent and the latter relation was
maintained for a year. Mr. Holmes then
])urchased his partner's interest and in-
creased the business, extending its scope. In
1893 his brothers removed to Danville and
he became a partner in the business. It was
then that the firm established a machine shop
at Xos. 30 and 36 North Hazel street.
Since then the business has constantly
grown and they now occupy not only the
machine shop space but also a btiilding one
hundred and twenty by one hundred and
fifty feet, extending from No. 49 to No. 53
North Hazel street. It is in this laiilding
that the main oflices are located. The firm
of Robert Holmes & Brothers employs more
than fifty workmen in the machine shops.
They make a specialty of locomotive bell
ringers and air compressors and also of the
manufacture of shaker screens for coal min-
ers. Thev do a big business in mill and mine
machine-repairing and sell everything in the
line of farm machinery and also "everything
on wheels," as their advertisement reads.
This includes all kinds of vehicles, making a
specialty of high grade automobiles. The
output of the house is now very extensive
and the business has reached large and prof-
itable proportions.
In his political views Mr. Holmes is a
Republican, but has ne\-er sought or de-
sired office and in fact has always refused
to become a candidate for political prefer-
ment, although as a private citizen he is ever
true to the welfare of his city, state and na-
tion and is deeply interested in the success
of party principles. He belongs to Damas-
cus Lodge, K. P., and to the Danville Lodge
of Elks. Coming to this city without cap-
ital, accepting a position as an employe, he
stands to-day as a worthy representative of
what may be accomplished through earnest
efYort combined with a thorough knowledge
of the business undertaken, capable manage-
ment in its control and honorable dealings
in the relations with the public.
M. F. PORTERFIELD.
M. F. Porterfield. a representative of the
banking interests of Vermilion county now,
owning and conducting the Porterfield Bank
at Fairmount. was born in Pennsylvania, on
the 17th of February, 1849. His parents,
James B. and Elvira H. (Blaine) Porter-
field, were also natives of the Keystone state.
The father was a tanner and harness-maker
and in the year 1856 came westward with
his family, first settling in Monmouth. War-
ren county, Illinois, where he remained for
a year. He then remo\'ed to Champaign and
became a contractor for the Illinois Central
248
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Railroad Company, making his home in that
place until the fall of 1862. He next set-
tled upon a farm near Sidney, this state, and
later he retired from active life, spending his
last years in the town of Sidney. There he
died in Fehruary, 1891. and his wife passed
away in 1895. In their family were six sons
and three daughters, all of whom are yet
living, namely: M. ¥., of this review;
Mary B., who is living in Sidney; E. N.,
who is engaged in the real estate and loan
business at Kearney, Nebraska; S. E., who
is engaged in the grain business with his
youngest brother, J. Bert, at Sidney; J. C.
who is employed in the veterinary depart-
ment of the Union Stock Yards of Chica-
go; Carrie F., the wife of Charles J. Free-
man, a resident of Decatur; L. W., who is
engaged in the grain trade in Champaign ;
and Xettie. the wife of John F. Largent. a
lawyer of Salt Lake City, Utah.
M. F. Forterfield pursued his early edu-
cation in the public schools near Sidney anil
later continued his literary course in the
State University of Illinois, at Urbana,
while he prepared for business life in a com-
mercial college. He was one of the original
students of the State LTniversity. entering
in the winter of 1869-70. After putting
aside his text books he lived upon the farm
with his father until 1873. when he pur-
chased a tract of land southeast of Sidney
and began farming on his own account,
there carrying on agricultural pursuits un-
til 1 89 1. In that year he came to Fairmount
and established the Forterfield Bank, which
he is now conducting. It is a jjrivate bank-
ing institution, well meriting public support
because of the capability and enterprise of
the owner. Mr. Forterfield also owns the
bank building and other business lilocks in
Fairmount and an elegant residence which
is the family home.
On the ist of January, 1885, near Philo,
Illinois, Mr. Forterfield was united in mar-
riage to Miss Belle J. Cole, who was born
in W'orthinglon, Massachusetts, August 5,
1 86 1, a (laughter of Charles F. and Maria J.
(Pease) Cole, who were likewise natives of
the Bay State. In the year 1863 they came
west, locating near Philo, Champaign coun-
ty, upon a farm. There the father died in
1898 but the mother is still living. In their
familv were three sons and four daughters,
but one son and one daughter have now
passed away. The home of Mr. and Mrs.
Forterfield has been blessed with three chil-
dren : N. Raymond, X. Mildred and W'il-
lard B.
Mr. Forterfield is a member of the !^Iod-
ern Woodmen Camp and of the Court of
Honor and he belongs to the Cumberland
Presbyterian church. His father was a
Whig and upon attaining his majority ^Ir.
Forterfield became a Republican, having
since given earnest and loyal support to the
party. While there has been nothing excit-
ing or adventuresome in his business career,
the history of his success is one of interest,
because it shows what can be accomplished
when one has strong determination and
laudable ambition, guided by sound judg-
ment. These are the qualities which have
gained success to Fairmount's popular
banker, making him a prosperous citizen of
X'erinilion countv.
ABRAM B. SMITH.
Abram B. Smith, a retired farmer of
Danxille. was born in eastern Tennessee on
Christmas Day. 1817. He is a son of Jos-
eph and Sarah ( Brown) Smith, both of
whom were natives of eastern Tennessee,
LIBRARY
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
A. B. SMITH.
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MRS. A. B. SMITH.
UNlVtRSlVY Of ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
!53
and resided there until 1828. when tliey
came to \'erniihon county. Illinois, casting
in their lot with its first settlers. Only ten
years before had the state been admitted to
the Union and this portion of Illinois was
largely wikl and unimproved, awaiting the
awakening- touch of the white race to trans-
form it into one of the richest agricultural,
industrial and commercial sections of this
great commonwealth. Joseph Smith took
up his abode in Georgetown township,
turned his attention to agricultural pursuits
and improxed a good farm, upon which he
made his home until called to his final rest
at the age of seventy-three years. His wife
has also ])assed away. They were the par-
ents of thirteen cliildren. of whom five are
now lix'ing: Eliza, the widow of William
Gantz and a resident of Georgetown town-
slii]); Abram B., of this review ; Amanda,
the wife of Andrew Runnells, of George-
town township; Michael E., who is engaged
in selling farm implements in Brockstown.
Illinois; and Catherine, the wife of Adam
Kyger. of Missouri. The others were all
reared here and most of them died in Ver-
milion county.
Like the other members of the family
Abram 11 Smith pursued a common-school
education, the schoolhouse being fi\'e miles
from his home, lie was only eleven years
of age when with his parents he came to
\'ermilion county. In 1841 he settled on a
farm in Georgetown township, where he
lix'ed until his removal to Dan\ille, devot-
ing his energies to the tilling of the soil.
He married Eliza E. Lockett, a native of
Virginia and a daughter of Richard Lock-
ett, who was one of the early settlers of
Georgetown township and of Danville.
Thrrnif^lmut his entire life Mr. Luckett car-
ried on agricultural pursuits and in early
days he also conducted a grist mill in Dan-
leath occiuTcd in
ville township. Hi
Georgetown.
For many years Mr. and Mrs. Smith
tra\'eled life's jovu'ney together and were
then separated liy the death of the wife,
which occiu^red December 6, 1898, while she
was on a visit to a cousin in Chicago. Unto
them were born nine children but Lockett
R., Sarrdi J., Dora E. and Mary Alice are
all deceased and buried in the McKindree
cemetery. David A. is engaged in farming
in Georgetown township. Matilda A. is the
wife of Hiram W. Ross, a resident of Dan-
ville. Joseph H. is a farmer of Edgar coun-
ty. Illinois. Tilmon C. is engaged in the
practice of law in Danville. Charles New--
ton was born in Georgetown township. Jan-
uary 2^. i860, and from the common
schools of his native county he entered the
State Normal School at Normal, Illinois,
graduating from that institution in the clas.s
of 1882. Choosing the profession of medi-
cine as a life work, he then matriculated at
Rush IMedical College of Chicago and was
graduated with the class of 1885. For two
years he successfully engaged in practice at
lldnier, Illinois, but on account of failing
health he was compelled to give up the prac-
tice and is now living retired in Danville.
He married Miss Mary L. Walker, a daugh-
ter of George Walker, deceased, who was an
early settler and prominent citizen of Taze-
well county* Illinois.
After his marriage Abram B. Smith en-
gaged in farming in Georgetown township
until his removal to Danville. He took up
his abode here on the 4th of August. 1899,
and has since lived retired, occupying a
pleasant iiome at No. 509 Buchanan street.
He also owns a house on Jackson street,
another on Park street, and has two houses
and lots in Homer, Illinois. He is likewise
the iiwner of three hundred and forty acres
254
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
of land ill Georgetown township and tlie
rental of his property brings him a good in-
come. His success in life was due entirely
to his own labor and diligence, together
with the assistance of his estimable wife.
By their frugality they became the owners
of six hundred and si.xty acres of choice
land in Vermilion county, a part of which
has since been divided among his children,
though Mr. Smith still retains the old home-
stead of three hundred and forty acres.
While residing upon his farm he served
as school director but has never been an
off'ce seeker, his farming and stock-raising
interests leaving him no time for political
work. In early life he was a Whig, al-
though his father was a Democrat. He cast
his first presidential vote for William Henry
Harrison and after the dissolution of the
Whig party became independent. He holds
membership in the Methodist Episcopal
church of Georgetown township and is one
of the leading retired citizens of Danville.
For seventy-four years I\Ir. Smith has
resided in \'ermilion county and its history
is therefore familiar to him. He has been
an eye witness of almost its entire growth
and development ; has seen its wild lands
claimed for farming purposes and devel-
oped into verv rich and productive tracts ;
has seen the county crossed by a network of
railroads so that it is supplied with splendid
transportation facilities; has seen hamlets
grow into thriving towns and villages,
while Danville has developed from a little
country crossroads into a city of metropoli-
tan proportions. Throughout all these
years Mr. Smith has followed the even ten-
or of his way as a farmer, yet has kept in
touch with the general progress and im-
provement, has kept informed concerning
the leading questions of the day. and at all
times he has been loval and true to the best
interests of his community, so that he well
deserves representation in this volume as
one of the representative men of Vermilion
countv.
D. BYRON HAGGARD.
Through the yeai's of his identification
with the business interests of Danville D.
Byron Haggard enjoyed the highest respect
of his fellow townsmen b\ reason of his
strict integrity and sterling worth, and in his
death the community realized that it had
lost a valued citizen. He was torn in Lo-
gansport, Indiana, on the 6th of December,
1839, a son of John and Cynthia Haggard,
of that state. His father was a tinner by
trade and for some time conducted a hard-
ware store in Logansport. Both he ami his
wife died in Kokomo, Indiana.
During his boyhood David Haggard had
only the advantages of a common-school ed-
ucation but by reading and observation in
subsequent years he became a well informed
man. In 1858 he received the offer of a po-
sition in the dry-goods store of Mr. Moore,
of Danville, who had formerly been a resi-
dent of Lafayette. Indiana, and with whom
Mr. Haggard had previously been ac-
quaintetl. Accepting the office he came to
Danville that year and engaged in clerking
for a few years or until Mr. Moore sold out.
He then formed a partnership with a Mr.
Miller, under the firm name of Miller &
Haggard, and they embarked in the retail
boot and shoe business, which they carried
on quite successfully until their store was
destroyed by fire in 1861. With character-
istic energv' they then rented a small room on
Vermilion street and put in a stock of boots
and shoes. Prospering in their business
they subsequently remo\ed to more commo-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
255
dioiis quarters in order to meet tlie growing
demands of their trade. Tlie partnership be-
tween Mr. ]\liller and Mr. Haggard was of
comparatively short duration and after it
was dissolved our subject was alone in busi-
ness throughout the remainder of his life.
His brother Edward, who was a shoemaker
bv traile, worked for him in the store until
the Civil war broke out, when he entered
the Union army and died in Andersonville
prison. They were the only members of the
family to come to this county.
In April, 1859, ^Nlr. Haggard was united
in marriage to Miss Charlotte Creamer, who
was born in Champaign county, Ohio, Feb-
ruary 21, 1840. Her parents, Moses and
^Margaret (Reed) Creamer, were natives of
Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively, and
the father spent his entire life in the Buck-
eye state, wliere he died when Mrs. Haggard
was quite young. Her mother subsequently
married John Moffitt, now deceased, antl
his death occurred in December, iqoi.
I'nto Mr. and Mrs. Haggard were born five
children : Minnie, a graduate of the Dan-
ville high school, is now a teacher in the
public schools of the city and resides at home
with her mother. Carrie is the wife of John
Elwood, a civil engineer living in Chicago.
Ella is the wife of Charles Harmstead, who
is a dealer in harness, buggies, etc., in Ur-
b;uia, Ohio. Grace is the wife of George
Rearick, a prominent attorney of Danville.
Royal, the only son, died at the age of two
years.
Mr. Haggard continued in active busi-
ness until a few months prior to his death,
which occurred on the 7th of December,
1872, and he was one of the leading' shoe
merchants of the city. He was what the
world terms a self-made man, for all that
he iiad was obtained through his own well
directed efforts. He began business in Dan-
ville on capital borrowed from his father and
his partner, Mr. Miller, but he was soon able
to pay off this. By untiring industiy, strict
attention to his business affairs and sound
judgment he met with well merited success
in his undertakings and won aii enviable po-
sition in business circles. By his ballot he
usually supi^orted the men ;md measures of
the Republican party, but he never cared for
official honors. Socially he was a worthy
member of the Masonic order in Dan\illc.
His widow still makes her home in Danxillc,
occupying a pleasant residence at No. 312
North Hazel street, where she and her hus-
band lived for a number of years, and she
also owns other valuable property in the
same locality. She is an earnest member of
the First Alethodist Episcopal church of the
city, and is a most estimable lady of many
sterling qualities, who has a large circle of
friends in Danville.
JOHN W. KEESLAR.
John W. Keeslar, who is filling the po-
sition of states attorney in Danville, having
been elected to the office in 1900, for a term
of four years, is one of Vermilion county's
native sons, his birth having occurred on the
24th of August, 1864. His parents were
Charles \V. and Sarah (Snyder) Keeslar,
natives of New York and Ohio respectively.
The maternal grandfather, also a native of
the Buckeye state, emigrated westward
with his family in 1849 and estab-
lished his home in Pilot townshi]). \'er-
milion county. The father of our sub-
ject settled in the same township in 1858
and is li\-ing a retired life there, after many
years' connection with agricultiu'al pursuits.
He has also been prominent in public atfairs
256
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
and from 1878 until 1885 lie tilled the office
of chairman of the board of supervisors.
No event of special importance occurred
to vary tlie routine of farm life for John \\ .
Keeslar in his youth. He became a student
in the public schools and later continued liis
stuilies in the University of Illinois, as a
pupil in the law department of the Illinois
Wesleyan University of Bloomington and
on the completion of his course he was
graduated in the class of 1888 and was ad-
mitted to practice in Danville in 1889. He
continued in practice imtil 1899 and formed
a partnership in that year. In 1900 he was
elected states attorney. In this office he
was elected in 1 900 as States Attorney. In
this office he is displaying conscientious re-
gard for duty and for the welfare of the com-
munity. During his term in office he has
sent more people to the penitentiary than
from any other count}' outside of Cook. In
the prosecution of cases which come to him
he is diligent and persevering, entering the
courtroom well prepared by reason of pre-
vious study and investigation of the authori-
ties and percedents bearing on the points in
controversy. While a young man the pub-
lic and the profession have confidence in his
ability, because of his native talents, his
strong individuality and an earnest desire
to succeed, which is manifested in liis wt rk
in the courtroom.
In 1891 Mr. Keeslar was united in mar-
riage to Miss Eftie Sandusky, a daughter of
J. C. and Mary J. Sandusky, of Vance town-
ship, Vermilion county. Their home is now
brightened by the presence of an interesting
daughter, Nellie. Mr. Keeslar belongs to
the Masonic lodge, to the Knights of Pythias
fraternity, to the Court of Honor and to the
Modern Woodman Camp of Danville, but
while he enjoys social life and its pleasures
and has the high regard of many friends he
lets no outside inlluence or attractions
swerve him from the faithful performance
of his duty. His preparation of cases is
thorough and he seems almost- intuitively to
grasp the strong points of law, in fact no
detail seems to escape him and his cases are
fought with such skill, ability and power
that he rarely fails to gain the verdict de-
sired.
TOSI.VH SANDUSKY.
Progress and improvement depend upon
labor and energy, and the upbuilding of
Vermilion county was due to the aggregate
endeavor of men of strong determination,
unflagging diligence and honorable purpose.
Among this class was numbered Josiah San-
dusky, who for many years was actively and
prominently engaged in agricultural pur-
suits. He was a man whose business record
was unassailable because he did not take ad-
vantage of the necessities of his fellow men,
but, in the legitimate channels of trade
gained the competence which ultimately
crowned his efforts.
Mr. Sandusky was born in Carroll
township, this county, on the nth of Sep-
tember, 1837, a son of Abraham and Jane
Sodowsky. The Sodowsky famil\- was
founded in America by James Sodowsky, a
Polish exile of noble birth, proud spirit and
lofty patriotism. When his love of liberty
could no longer tolerate the despotic rule
of Russia, he became the leader in a rebel-
lion against the czar, and when defeated, but
not subdued, he came to America — "the
land of the free and the home of the brave."
Later he married the sister of Governor In-
slip. of the colony of Virginia, and among
their descendants was Harvey Sodowsky. a
brother of the- subject of this review. In
LIBRARY
OF T.IE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE -BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
259
the course of years representatives of tlie
family changed the speUing of the name, in-
cluding" the brothers of our subject. Two
of these brothers, ^^'illiam and Al)rahani
Sandusk}', are now prominent farmers and
stockmen of Carroll township. \'ermilion
county. Harvey Sodowsky, however, re-
tained the ancestral spelling' of the family
name.
The sjjirit which led James Sodowsky.
the emigrant, first to fight for liberty and
then come to America has been manifest in
his descendants throughout succeeding
generations. It was shown by the Sodow-
skys who fought for the liberty of the colo-
nists of the new world, and how their hearts
must have rejoiced at the glorious outcome
of the struggle; it was again shown by g'al-
lant soldiers of the name in the war of
181 2; and in the subjugation of the western
wilderness they bore a part. Daniel Boone
opened the gates of Kentucky and soon he
was followed into "the dark and bloody"
region by the grandfather of our su])ject,
who settled there just after the close of the
Revolutionary war. Abraham Sandusky.
the father, was born in that state and mar-
ried Jane McDowell, by whom he had eight
cliddren, of whom Josiah Sandusky was the
youngest. As will be seen some of the mem-
bers of the faiuily have anglicized the spell-
ing of the old Polish name, while others
have retained the original orthography.
Josiah Snnduskv obtained his education
in the district schools in early youth and
through reading, observation and experi-
ence in later years. He became an extreme-
ly well informed man for he not only read
broadly but mastered what he read and ])os-
sessed a retenti\e memoiy. .\s the years
passed he gathered a large and well selected
librarv with the contents of which he be-
came very familiar and many of his most
pleasant hours were spent in the compan-
ionship of his books. Throughout his busi-
ness career he carried on general farming
and stock-raising. He remained at home
until his father's death, which occurred
when the son was about twenty-five years of
age. After this he entered into partnership
with his brother Abraham, which connec-
tion was continued for many years. From
his father he inherited some land but to this
he added from time to time until at his
death he was the possessor of about one
thousand acres of valuable land in eastern
Illinois. He became one of the best known
cattle men of the state and at the time of his
demise j)ossessed one of the largest herd of
duchess cattle in the world. Stock dealers
would come from all parts of the United
States and Canada and buy of him, and he
was also one of the leading breeders of fast
horses, bntb running and trotting stock. At
the sale ^vhich was held subsequent to his
death his horses brought about five thou-
sand dollars, while the sale of cattle re-
turned to the family ten thousand and seven
hundred dollars. Mr. Sandusky did much
to improve the grade of stock raised in this
portion of the state and thereby materialh''
ad\-anced prices, thus his labors proxdng of
benefit to the entire locality. In the man-
agement of his affairs he was careful, sy.ste-
matic and methodical and above all he was
strictly honest in every trade transaction.
He became one of the owners of the Indian-
ola Fair Association and he did everything
in his power to promote the interests of ag-
riculturists.
Mr. Sandusky was united in marriage
on the i8th of December, 1873, to Miss
Margaret Moreland, a native of Bourbon
countv, Kentuckv, and a daughter of
26o
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Thomas and Catherine T. (Hedges) More-
land, who were also natives of Kentucky.
On the paternal side Mrs. Sandusky is of
Scotch-Irish descent. Her great-grand-
father, \\'il!iam Moreland, came to Penn-
sylvania before the Revolutionary war and
it was his son William who removed to
Kentucky and in that state married Marga-
ret W'haley. There he lived at the town of
Morelandville, in Fayette county, about
twehe miles from Lexington on the Paris
and Lexington pike. The village was
named in his honor and the Masonic lodge
at that place also bears his name. William
Moreland and his wife were the parents of
three sons and a daughter, of whom
Thomas Aloreland, the father of Mrs. San-
dusky, was the third in order of birth.
Thomas Moreland engaged in breeding and
dealing in fine horses in Kentucky and when
his health gave way he came to Illinois,
hoping here to regain his strength. He set-
tled in Carroll township, Vermilion county,
in 1857, but died in 1864. In Bourbon
county he had married Miss Catherine T.
Hedges, a daughter of Peter Hedges, a na-
tive of Virginia. Tiie Hedges family was
connected with the nobility of England, be-
ing descended from Sir Charles Hedges,
who was prominent at the court of Queen
Elizabeth. The first of che name to come to
America was Joseph Hedges, who was dis-
inherited by his father for marrying out-
side of the nobility, but he w-as true to the
woman whom he loved and wedded, a mer-
chant's daughter. He then brought his
bride to tlie new world, settling with the
^'irginia colony at Jamestown. Thomas
Moreland and his wife Ijecame the parents
of nine children, of whom six are now liv-
ing: Susan M., the widows of Josiah San-
duskv; Iv.nnie Z.. who makes her home
with her elder sister; William H., a resi-
dent of Paris, Illinois; Peter H., of Indian-
ola; John T., of Marshall, Missouri; and
Kate, tlie wife of Charles Cooper, of Green-
castle, Indiana. Mr. Moreland died in Jan-
uary, 1864, and his widow, long surviving
him, passed away in August, 1897, at the
age of sixty-nine years.
The home of Mr. and Mrs, Sandusky
was blessed with fixe children, but the first
born, a daughter, died in infancy, and the
third, a son also died in infancy. Pearl, the
second child, is the wife of Forrest Pyne,
of Los Angeles, California, whom she mar-
ried on the 29th of October, 1902. Abe
H. and Will J. are at home with their moth-
er and the latter is attending school in In-
dianola.
Josiah Sandusky was a home man and
was happiest when he had his family
around him. In politics he was a Republi-
can, but never consented to hold office, pre-
ferring to devote his energies to his busi-
ness affairs and to the enjoyment of the
pleasures of the home circle. He passed
away February 13, 1901, and was laid to
rest in the Sandusky cemetery in Carroll
township. The life record of Mr. Sandusky
covered more than sixty-two years and his
history is that of an upright, honorable man
who always li\ed at peace with his neigh-
bors and was trustworthy in all life's rela-
tions and who enjoyed the unqualified con-
fidence and regard of those with whom he
was associated. The companionship be-
tween himself and his wife was largely
ideal, their mutual love and confidence in-
creasing as the years passed by. He found
in her a faithful and devoted companion
and helpmate and was to her a loving and
considerate husband.
a name untarnished bv anv tuiworthv act.
He also gave to them
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
261
GEORGE F. COBURN.
George F. Coburn, wlio is a practitioner
at the Vermilion county l)ar and makes his
home in Danville, was born in Brown coun-
ty, Ohio, December 29, 1841, his parents
being Francis D. and Nancy (Daulton) Co-
burn. The father was a native of New
Hampshire, and a son of Jerah Meel Col-
burn. In colonial days the family'name was
spelled \\ith an "1." hut in recent \'ears that
letter has been dropped from tlie surname.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was
a Revolutionary soldier who fouglit for the
independence of the nation, when the yoke
of British oppression became intolerable.
He served in the liattle of Bunker Hill and
Concord and was present at the surrender
of Eurgoyne. He was a native of Alassa-
chusetts and after the establishment of the
Republic he removed from that state to New
Hampshire and later to Maine, settling near
Paris about 1800. In iSi i he started over-
land for the new and wild district of the
west and in (812 he t^lok up his abode near
]\!a\sville. Kentuckv, where he spent his re-
niaining days, passing away about 1820,
when seventy-hve years of age, his remains
being interred in the Maysville cemetei"y.
He married Miss Davis, who was born on
the island of Nantucket and died about
1823, when seventy-five years of age.
In his early youth Francis D. Coburn ac-
companied his parents on their removal to
the south. In the spring of 1844 he became
a resident of \'ermilion county, locating in
the southern portion of Danville township,
where he lived until called to his final rest.
Flis second wife died May 4. 1847, ^^ the age
of thirty-two years, having been born Au-
gust 5, 1814. She passed away when the
subject of this review was only six years of
age, leaving four children : Lucy, deceased
wife of Henry T. Kyg^er; Henry; George
Francis ; and John, now deceased. After
the death of his first, wife Francis D. Coburn
was united in marriage to Cynthia (Bock)
Morgan, a daughter of Achilles ^Morgan, one
of tlie pioneer settlers of \'ermilion coun-
ty, Illinois, who died at the house of Mr. Co-
burn, the father of our subject, on the 20th
of January, i860, when he had attained the
ag"e of eighty-seven years, six months and
eleven days. The third marriage of I-Vancis
D. CoJjurn occurred in January, 1848, at
which tirue both he and his wife were fifty
years of age. He followed farming through-
out his business career and was an enterpris-
ing and progressive agriculturist. He kept
everything about his place in a neat and
tlirifty condition and was also a prominent
Mason, a well read man and a gentleman of
excellent judgment, whose sterling worth
commended him to the confidence and re-
gard of all with whom he came in contact.
His third wife died .\ugust 28, 1882. at the
age of eighty-four years, nine months and
eleven days. She was an excellent Chris-
tian woman and a devoted mother to her
step-children. During the last five years of
her life she was blind but she bore her afflic-
tion with Christian fortitude and patience.
The sick of the neighborhood found her
very helpful and her sympatliy was broad _
and her charity generous. While she was
unfaltering in her condeiunation of wrong
she was always quick and willing to aid one
who had stepped from the path of rectitude
to return to a course that would command
respect and confidence. With her husband,
George Bock, she came from West Virginia,
locating in Vernn'lion county in 1830. From
that time until her death she remained an es-
teemed resident of this portion of the state.
It was in the year 1843 tb^t George F.
Coburn was brought by his parents to Ver-
262
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
milion county, Illinois. Upon llic home
farm lie was reared and at an early day he
became accustomed to the tasks of field and
meadow. In the winter months he attended
the common schools, but during the summer
seasons he worked upon the home farm from
the age of ten years. When a young man of
nineteen years he began teaching in the
country schools and was quite successful in
that work. While thus engaged he devoted
his leisure hours to the reading of law, mas-
tering Blackstone in that way. Through
five seasons, beginning in 1861, he continued
his work as an educator in the schoolroom
and during one summer he also taught. In
1866, when twenty-four years of age he be-
came a law student in the office of Judge O.
I,. Davis, who directed his studies until.
having acquired a good knowledge of the
principles of jurisprudence and the methods
of legal procedure, he was admitted to the
Vermilion county bar. in March. 1867. The
following summer he opened a law office and
continued an active practitioner at the \'er-
milion county bar until the spring of 1889,
with the exception of the year 1871. when,
owing to his father's illness, he was oljliged
to return to the farm, remaining there tor
ahout a year. In 1872. however, he again
open.ed his office in Danville. He wa>
elected justice of the peace here and served
for three terms in a capable manner, with
credit to himself and satisfaction to his con-
stituents. He retired from that position in
I go I and then resumed the private practice
of law, which he has successfully continued.
During his services as justice there came be-
fore him seventy-seven hundred and thirty-
one civil cases and thirteen hundred and
twenty-nine criminal cases, making a total
of nine thousand and sixty. His decisions
were strictly fair and impartial and few of
his rulings were ever reversed. He also
married five hundred and thirty-two couples
during that time.
Mr. Coburn had two children, but West-
mer !-'. died June 15, 1877, at the age of
three years. His married daughter, Mrs.
Lena C. Dibble, is living in North Stam-
ford, Connecticut. Mr. Coburn continued
to make his home in Danville township until
about twelve years ago, since which time he
has maintained his residence in the city. He
has one of the finest libraries in eastern Illi-
nois and is not only well versed in his profes-
sion, but has knowdedge of Latin, Greek and
many sciaitific subjects. He is also largely
acc|uainted with history and biography and
thus his reading has covered a wide range,
making him a man of scholarly attainments
and broad general information. He be-
longs to the Methodist Episcopal church
and is an active worker in the Sunday-
school, having served for thirty-four years
as superintendent and teacher in that
branch of church work. He belongs to the
Modern Woodmen organization and was
president of the local camp some time.
.\ man of genial temperament, of high moral
cliaracter. of splendid intellectual attain-
ments and marked ability in the line of his
chosen profession. George F. Coburn com-
mand'^ admiration at the bar and respect
among his fellow men among whom he has
so long lived.
AUSTIN S. PRICE.
Ffv thirty years Austin S. Price has
been cng'aged in the real estate business in
Dan\-ille and is now the land and emigra-
tion agent for the F'risco System at this
place. At eleven .•\. m., on the 15th of De-
cember, 1853, in company with his father
and two brothers, he drove into the ])ublic
A. S. PRICE.
LIBRARY
OF TrlE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
255
square of Danville, which was then a village
of five or six hundred inhabitants. Since
that time he has been interested in the wel-
fare of the city and has contributed in no
small degree to its improvements and pro-
gress, but his efforts ha\-e also had a wider
scope and range and his labors have been
an important element in the development of
various sections of the country, which
through his labors have largely been
opened up to the work of cultivation and
improvement.
Mr. Price is a native of Johnson county,
Indiana, Ijorn on the 26th of June, 1840,
his parents being William and Letitia
(Huston) Price, both of whom are now de-
ceased, the father having died at the age
of seventy-eight years, while the mother's
death occurred at the age of sixty-seven
years and the former was laid to rest in the
cemetery at Danville and the latter in Hig-
ginsville. The father was a farmer by occu-
pation and thnjugh the tilling of the soil pro-
vided for his family, of whom our subject
is now the only survi\'ing member. Two
brothers were killed in the Civil war. Ezra
died as the result of the ninth wound which
he had sustained, while John's death was
also occasioned liy wounds sustained in
battle.
Under the ])arental roof .\. S. Price, of
this review, was reared and the pul)lic
schools afforded him his educational priv-
ileges. For about ten years after his arrival
in Danville he was connected with agricult-
iumI interests in \'ermilion county. l'"or a
time he engaged in the operation of rented
land and later he owned and cultivated a
tract of eighty acres. Leaving this county
Mr. Price removed to Indianapolis, where
for three years he was connected with a
brewery. In 1867, however, he returned to
Dan\ille and for four or five years there-
after was engaged in farming. On the ex-
piration of that period lie took up his abode
in the city and entered the real estate busi-
ness which iie has since carried on continu-
ously for about thirty years, save when he
traveled upon the road for six months, sell-
ing flour for Mr. Gregg, l-'or a nnmijcr nf
years Mr. Price conducted a heavy emigra-
tion business. At one time he ran a train of
ten cars of freight and also carried thirty-
three passengers to Greenbrier, .Mabama.
He has run emigration trains to Mississi])])i,
Tennessee, Missouri and Oklahoma, selling
lands in these states and territories and also
in Virginia, Kentucky and Iowa. In 1900
he took up the exclusive work frum Dan-
ville for the Frisco System, handling lands
in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas,
Indian Territory and Texas. The railroad
system which he represents owns and oper-
ates eight thousand miles of its own tracks
and is known as the Frisco System. Mr.
Price says that its tracks throug'h the south-
west and soYitheast are nearly as numerous
as were the cattle paths which used to lead
tlirough the hazel brush of Vermilion coun-
ty forty-se->-en years ago. Mr. Price has
controlled land which he has had both for
sale and exchange all along the line of this
railroad, his real estate being as cheap for
the purchaser as were the lands in Ver-
milion county in the early days. The busi-
ness which be has done has reached an ex-
tensive figure and he is a trusted representa-
tive of the I-'risco Railroad Company which
he represents.
On the 24th of June, 1861, Air. Price was
united in marriage at Higginsville, Illinois,
to Sarah E, Hull, who was born in Indiana,
h'ebruary 5. 1843. l-Vmrteen children ha\-e
been born of this union, of whom only eiglit
are living. James W., who wedded Mollie
Weingart, is a real estate agent and
266
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
drauglitsman living in Covington, Indiana.
Henry S., who is married and was formerly
foreman in the fertilizer works at Wilming-
ton. Delaware, but is now in .\rkansas.
Austin E., who married Lillie Thomas, is a
sign writer and printer of Champaign, Illi-
nois. John R. is a school teacher in Indian
Territory. Edgar E. is at home. Evelyn
is the wife of L. S. Davis, a clerk of Dan-
ville, by whom she has four children —
Lewis, Raymond, Russell and Ruth. Al-
pha is the wife of Theodore M. Foot, of
Danville, by whom she has one daughter,
Madge. Emma E., the youngest, is at-
home. All of the children have been edu-
cated in the schools of Danville.
Air. Price has a pleasant home at No.
1 130 Gilbert street and also has some prop-
erty on Main street. Pie is a Se\-enth Day
Adventist and in his political vievi^s is a Pro-
hibitionist. Pie has a wide acquaintance
and is widely known for his progress and
business ability and for the active interest
which he has taken in public affairs and in
the general progress. In manner he is free
from all ostentation and display, but his in-
trinsic worth is recognized and his friend-
ship is most prized by those who know him
best, showing that his character will bear
the scrutiny of close acquaintance. He is
a generous-spirited, broad-minded man, a
true type of the American spirit and an em-
bodiment of that progress which in the last
few years has drawn to this country the
admiring gaze of the nations of the world.
WILLIAM HART.
William Hart, now deceased, was born
in Montgomery, Ohio, February 20. 1832.
his parents being John and Nancy (Ireland)
Hart, who were natives of the Buckeye state
and were of Scotch-Irish extraction. In tlie
year 1845 W'illiam Hart accompanied his
parents on their removal to Vermilion coun-
ty and li\ed with them until he attained his
twenty-third year. He was reared upon a
farm in Ohio and this county and remained
upon the old home place in Illinois until the
inauguration of the Civil war. In the mean-
time he had become acquainted witli Miss
Sarah E. Dougherty and on the 6th of De-
cember, 1853, they were married in Oak-
wood township. She was born August 15,
1833, '" Vermilion county and was reared
upon the Jordan place. Her parents were
Maybury and Nancy (Hickman). Dougher-
ty, pioneer settlers of Vermilion county who
entered land from the government and here
developed a farm. Her mother rode horse-
back from Brown county, Ohio, carrying a
babe in her arms, this child being now Mrs.
Littler, a resident of Oakwood township.
Mr. Dougherty drove a four-horse team
hitched to a prairie schooner and thus the
family made the westward journey in the
year 1831. Mrs. Hart now has in her pos-
session an old bureau and cupboard that
were made by hand and were owned by her
mother. These she cherishes as mementoes
of her parents and as relics of pioneer times.
L'nto Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty were born
three daughters and a son : Mrs. Melinda
A. Littler, of Oakwood township ; Mrs.
Sarah E. Hart ; Mrs. Margaret Jeffers, of
Vermilion countv; and Jacob B., who died
during the Civil war. He enlisted in the
Union army and being taken ill passed away
nine days after leaving the hospital at Keo-
kuk, Iowa.
Mrs. Hart was married in her twenty-
first year and with her husband she went to
his father's farm, where he engaged in gener-
al agricultural pursuits, there living until af-
ter the president issued his call for loyal men
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
267
to aid in suppressing the rebellion of the
south. He then enlisted in Company G. One
Hundred and Twenty-fifth IlHnois Infantry
and he too was taken ill while in the serxice
and died of bone er}'sipelas in the liospital
at Nashville, Tennessee. He had enlisted in
September, 1862, and had parti.cipated in the
battle of Perrysville. He was appointed ser-
geant and held the rank of second lieutenant
at the time of his death, which occurred on
the 2d of April, 1S63.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hart have been bom
five children: John, who is living on the
•old family homestead ; Samuel, who is rep-
resented on another page of this work; Mrs.
Mary E. Watkins, of Oakwood township ;
William, who is an invalid living with his
mother ; and one that died in infancy. Mrs.
Hart has twenty-fi\-e grandchildren and one
great-grandchild.
At our subject's death ^Irs. Hart was
left with the care of her children, the eldest
of whom was but nine years of age. She
has since carried on agricultural pursuits
with the assistance of her sons, and she pur-
■chased forty-eight acres of land to which she
has added another tract of forty acres, so
that she now has a good farm that yields
rich crops, bringing to her an excellent finan-
-cial return. In the early days she was noted
for her spinning and weaving and her life
has always been one of earnest industry and
toil. She can remember well wdien corn was
hauled to Chicago and sold for fitteen cents
per bushel, while com in the shock was sold
for six cents per bushel. The country was
full of deer and all kinds of game and during
her childhood days Indians were very nu-
merous in this portion of the state. She can
remember attending church wnth her fa-
ther's family seated upon a sled drawn by
oxen, James Ashmore being the first preach-
er. She also tells of the earlv settlers bor-
rowing fire from a neig^htor if their own fire
went out. She has cooked many a meal at
the old fashioned fireplace long before cook-
sto\-cs came into general use and has made
candles which were the only means of illum-
ination in her girlhood days. She still makes
a few of these in order to have them to carry
around the house. In her girlhood days she
frequently attended campmeeting and can
remember when as a little maiden she would
carry her shoes to Sunday-school, putting
them on just before entering the meeting
house and removing them after the school
was adjourned. Such were the pioneer con-
ditions which surrounded the family at an
early day, and Mrs. Hart has witnessed the
development of the county throughout the
passing years, taking great interest in what
has been accomplished and the improved
methods of work and of living which have
been introduced.
JOHN GOODWINE, Jr.
John Goodwine, Jr., resides on section
I. Middlefork township, and is familiarly
called "Jack" by his numer(nis friends in
\'ermilion county. He is one of the sub-
stantial farmers and stock dealers of this lo-
c.HJity and owns and operates a farm of fif-
teen hundred acres of well improved land,
pleasantly situated within about a mile of
Potomac. He is a native son of Illinois, his
birth having occurred in this county De-
cember 2, 1848, his parents being John W.
and Jane (Charlton) Goodwine. A sketch
of the father appears on another page of this
work. The subject of this review was reared
to manhood in his native county, spent his
boyhood days on the old home farm and in
the common schools he acquired his educa-
268
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
tion, also attending Warren Academy in In-
diana. Wlien about nineteen years of age
he left home ad started out on his own ac-
count, lie was engaged in iierding stock
and in other work until 1870.
On the 22d of December, 1870, Mr.
Goodwine was imited in marriage to Mary
K. Alexander, who was horn in Middlefork
township and is a daughter of John C. and
Esther Alexander, who were among the
first settlers of the county. The young
couple began their domestic life upon a
farm. Mr. Goodwine began to improve the
place upon which he now resides. The happy
married life of the young couple was of
.short duration, however, for on the 29th of
Oct(.iher, 1872, Mrs. Goodwine passed away.
After her death the husband went west to
Colorado, where he remained until the fol-
lowing year, returning then to Vermjlion
county. On May 14, 1874, he was united
in marriage to Lidora A. Lane, a daughter
of R. H. and Mary Lane, who came to Ver-
milion county from Ohio about 1864, the
daughter being reared and educated in this
county. Mr. Goodwine took his wife to his
farm whereon he is yet living and at once
Iiegan to cultivate and improve the place.
He commenced here with about five hundred
acres of land which was partial!)' improved.
His father has since given him more land
and he has also purchased seven hundred
acres, so that to-day his farm is a very e.x-
tensive one. embracing fifteen hundred
acres. He has erected a good and substan-
tial residence, commodious bam and out-
buildings, has planted an orchard, has tiled
and fenced his place, having over thirty-fi\'e
miles of tiling on the farm. In connection
with the cultivation of grain he is engaged
in raising and feeding stock, fattening on an
a\-erage of from one to two hundred head of
cattle annually and also a large number of
hogs. He is now making a specialty of
short-horn and double standard polled Dur-
ham cattle and has a nice herd of some sev-
enty-five head. He also has a new breed of
Hogs called "American thin rind swine."
They are very prolific and good feeders and
his stock has always found a ready sale on
the market. Mr. Cioodwine is one of the
first breeders of this stock of hogs in the
country and also one of the most extensive.
Some of his hogs were placed on exhibition
at the (Chicago Interstate Swine Show, in
December, igoi, where he took a good many
premiums.
The home of Mr. Goodwine was blessed
with one daughter, born of his first mar-
riage, Anna, now the wife of L. D. Lane, a
farmer of Vermilion county. Ten children
graced the second marriage, but they lost
three of the number. Those still living are
as follows: John \\'., who is cashier of the
Goodwine Bank at Armstrong, of which our
subject is the owner: Wilbur H., who is
married and resides on a farm in Middlefork
township; LHysses S., Cora, Everett, Vesta,
and Wavne, all at home. The children de-
ceased are, Nora, who died at the age of
eight years, and Villa, at the age of two,
while one died in infancy. The first two
passed away in 1886, dying of diphtheria
only four days apart. Politically ^[r. Good-
wine was formerly identified with the Re-
pulilican partv for a luimber of vears. 1-1 e
has ever been a stanch temperance man and
a behever in the principles of prohibition and
for a number of years he has now been iden-
tilieii with the PiMliibition party. He has
ne\-er wanted or .sought office, preferring to
give his attention to his farming and exten-
sive business interests. In the fall of 1902,
however, he was the Prohibition nominee
for the legislature. Mr. Goodwine has been
a resident of Vermilion county almost con-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
269
tinuously for nearly fifty-four years and has
witnessed the wonderful growth and devel-
opment of the county. He has seen the
s\vann)s and sloughs drained, the prairies
broken and fenced, the roads constructed
and the towns built up. Janiesburg is biult
on the farm where he was born, in Blount
township. Air. Goodwine has always been
a loyal and progressive citizen and at the
time of the Spanish-American war he be-
gan raising a company, of which he was to
have been captain, but was disappointed in
his patriotic desire on account of the sud-
den termination of the war. He is well
known in Danville and throughout the coun-
ty as a man of tried integrity and worth.
who has met with splendid success in busi-
ness affairs and e\-eiTthing that he under-
takes he carries forward to successful com-
pletion. He has thus become one of the sub-
stantial business men of the township. In
all trade transactions he has ever been found
honorable and trustworthy and those who
know him — and his friends are many — en-
tertain for him high regard.
JAMES KNIGHT.
James Knight, deceased, was for many
years numbered among the leading and hon-
ored citizens of Danville, where he con-
tinued to make his home until called to his
final rest. He was born on the 12th of May,
1832, at Rouse Point, Clinton county. New
York, his birthplace being near Lake Cham-
plain, and he was a son of Dr. James and
Alice (Henderson) Knight, who were na-
tives of Edinburg, Scotland, whence they
emigrated to America after their marriage,
locating at I^ouse Point, New York. The
father, who was a physician, engaged in the
12
practice of his profession there up to the
time of his death. Our subject was the only
son of the family to come to Vermilion
county, but he has one brother, Alexander
Knight, who came to this state and is now
living in Centralia, Illinois. Another
brother brother, Roljert Knight, is a resident
of Yancou^•er, British Columbia.
Our sul)ject acquired his early education
in the common schools of his native state
and there grew to manhood. Coming west
in 1857 he first located in Springfield, Il-
linois, and soon afterward became identified
with the building of the Wabash Railroad,
being overseer of construction for a time.
In 1858 he took up his residence in Dan-
ville and had charge of a construction train
here for a few years until the ciinipletion of
the road in this section. In the capacity of
of conductor he ran the first train into Dan-
ville over the Wabash road, his run for
some time being between this place and
Ouincy and later between Danville and To-
ledo. Lie remained in the train service until
1865, when he was made station agent for
the same company at Danville, and held that
position for several years. On leaving the
railroad company Mr. Knight embarked in
the l)oot and shoe business, which he carried
on for some time and later turned his atten-
tion to real estate. Inlying and selling all
kinds of city property in Danville, but his
last days were spent in retirement from
business at that place.
In i860 Mr. Knight ^vas married u\
Danville to Miss Mary Elizabeth Probst,
who was bcirn in this city, December 20,
1836, and is a daughter of James and Nancy
(Barnes) Probst, natives of Pennsylvania
and Kentucky, respectively. Her father
came to Danville at a very early day when the
Indians were still numerous in this locality.
In his younger years he followed the tail-
270
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
or's trade, but later disconlinued business in
order to devote his entire time to his official
duties. For some time he served as constable
in Dan\ille and subser|uently filled the office
of sheriff of Vermilion county for a number
of years and also county treasurer. After
leaving office he lived retired up to the time of
his death. He was a very prominent and high-
ly respected citizen of Danville, with whose
interests he was closely identified for many
years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Knight were
also born three children, as follows: Charles
F., who now holds a position with the Lartz
Wall l'a])cr Company, of Chicago, and re-
sides in that city: -Mice, wife of B. H. Bab-
bit, business manager for the Albert Peats
Wall l'a])er Company, of Chicago; and
Grace, who is at home with her mother, 'ihe
family have a beautiful home at 204 Frank-
lin street and occupy an enviable position in
the social circles of Danville.
In |)olitics Mr. Knight was a staunch
Republican, but he never cared for the hon-
ors or emoluments of public office. Socially
he was connected with the Masonic order,
being a charier member of the Commandery
of Daiuille, and w.'is also a Knight of
1 lonor and was a ])riiniinc'nl nienibcr of both
lodges. In 1H63 he went to California and
was identified with railroad work. After
a useful and well spent life he passed quietly
away on iju' jjA of October, 1900, honured
and respecled by all who knew him. In busi-
ness a(T;iirs he was prompt, energetic and
notably I'l'liablc, .-tiid gcnerallv carried for-
ward III successful cmnpU'lion \\li;itc\or he
uuderloiik. .At his de:illi he left consitler-
able pro))erly which his widow still owns, in-
cluding scver.al business !)!ncks on North
street near the .Aetna Hotel, the Byers block
and also much valuable jjroperly on W'alnut
street ;uid sixteen .ind .1 li.ilf acres near l.iii-
cnln I '.irk. Those wbn knew Mr. Kniijlit
intimately speak in unqualified terms of his
sterling integrity, his honor in business and
his fidelity to all the duties of public and
])rivate life. His death occasioned the deep-
est regret throughout the community and
Danville thereby lost one of its most valued
citizens. Mrs. Knight is a member of the
Presbyterian church and is a chamiing lady
whose gracious manner wins her many
friends.
SAAIUEL BLACK.
Samuel Black is a retired farmer living
in l-'ithirm. Pie was born in Warren coun-
t\-. Indiana, August 30, 1837. His grand-
father, John Black, was a native of Pennsyl-
vania and served his country as a loyal sol-
dier in the war of 1812. At an early day
he came to Kentucky and in the year 1834
he was killed by an elephant while attending
the circus at Covington, Indiana. James
Black, the father of our subject, was born
in Kentucky anil in early manhood went to
Indiana, where he became acquainted with
and wedded Eliza Ami Odell, a native of
Xew ^'ork, whu was descended from Hol-
land ancestry. They located upon a farm
in \\'arren county, Indiana, where James
Black devoted hi? time and attention to ag-
riculuiral jjursuils until 1856. He then
c.'une to \'ermilion county, settling in Oak-
wood township, three miles northwest of
Fithi.-iu. Purchasing land he lived thereon
until his (le:'th. which occurred in 1894.
His wife had passed away in 1882. They
were consistent members of the Methodist
I'piscdii.al church and Air. Black was first
:' Whig in politics and afterward a Repub-
lican. In their family were ten children, of
wlidui I'nur .are yet living: John, a resident
111' I'ntlcr cminlv. Kansas: Samuel, of this
LIBRARY
or rwE
XJNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
SAMUEL BLACK
MRS. SAMUEL BLACK.
LlBRAr^Y
Of THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
275
reriew: Harriet, the wife of William Jen-
kins who resides on the old home place
nortliwest of l-"ithian ; and Rebecca, the wife
of Oliver Thompson, whose home is four
r.iiles north\\est of Fithian.
In early life Samuel Black suffered
greatly from ill health. He is to-day, how-
ever, a man of robust manhood, weighing
two hundred and forty pounds. In early
life he engaged in farming and his pur-
■chases of land made him the owner of two
hundred acres in Oakwood township.
Throughout his business career he carried
on its cultivation and improvement and
when his labors had brought to him a com-
fortable competence he put aside farm work
in 1892 and removed to Fithian, where he
is now living retired in a splendid home
Avhich he purchased.
On the 25th of March, 1858, :Mr. Black
"was united in marriage to Priscilla McCarty,
the wedding taking place near Muncie. Illi-
nois. The lady was born in that locality,
August 14, 1840, a daughter of John and
Miriam (Sewell) McCarty, both natives of
Ohio. They were married in the Buckeye
state and there lived upon a farm until their
removal to Oakwood township, \'enniIion
■county. Illinois, about 1840. There they
lived until called to their final rest, the fa-
ther passing away in 1880 and the mother
in 1 901. He was a Democrat and served
his fellow townsmen in the offices of con-
stable and justice of the peace.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Black were born
nine children : William, who resides in the
province of Alberta, British Columbia,
where he follows farming, married Mattie
Mansfield and they have five children.
Mary Alice is the wife of John McKinney,
who is serving as deputy sherifif of Cham-
paign county and resides in Urbana, and
thev have five children. Minnie became the
wife of Myron laylor and afterward mar-
ried Jesse Blue, a resident of Nebraska,
b)- whom she has two children, while two
two children were born of her first mar-
riage. George, who is in the employ of the
Chicago ^ Eastern Illinois Railroad Com-
pan}- and resides in Danville, married Clara
Anderson and has three children. Frances
married Alois Rueb and with their three
children the\' reside in Chandler, Oklahoma.
James died at the age of fifteen years. John
married Grace Kirkpatrick and is living in
Fithian. Illinois. Abbie Florence is the wife
of W. W. Soward and resides !n Fith-
ian. They have two children. Charles
is married and has one child. His home is
now in Collins, Iowa. In February, 1891,
I\Ir. Black was called upon to mourn the
loss of his first wife, who was laid to rest
in Stearns cemetery. On the 27th of Xo-
\-ember. 1894. in Catlin, Illinois, he wedded
Mrs. Jennie ( Kistler) Harper, who was
born in Pennsylvania in 1850, a daughter
of ^T. F. Kistler, a native of the same state.
By her first marriage she had one son,
Charles Harper, who is now residing in
Catlin. Mrs. Black was one of a family of
eight children born of her father's first mar-
riage and by his second marriage there were
two children. Mr. Kistler was a Republi-
can in politics and was a member of the
Cumberland Presbyterian church.
When the country became involved
in civil war, Mr. Black laid aside all per-
sonal considerations, and in August, 1861,
enlisted in Company F, Twenty-sixth Illi-
nois \''olunteer Infantry. When his first
term expired he re-enlisted in the same com-
pany and regiment and during his four
years' service participated in fifty-four bat-
tles. These included the siege of Atlanta,
the siege of Corinth and the battles of Cor-
inth. Goldsboro, Holly Springs, Island Xo.
276
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
10, Jackson, Mississippi, Kenesaw Mount-
ain, Mission Ridge, Resaca and Vicksburg.
He was also with Sherman on the cele-
brated march to the sea and was in the
grand review at Washington, D. C. Al-
though in so many engagements, Mr. Black
was fortunately never wounded or injured
in any way. It is estimated that he marched
six thousand nine hundred and thirty-one
miles during his service. The war having
ended he was mustered out on the 22d of
July, 1865, and finally discharged at
Springfield, Illinois.
Mr. Black sometimes supports the Re-
publican party and at other times votes the
Prohibition ticket, being a strong temper-
ance man. He served as road commissioner
one term but has never been a politician in
the sense of office seeking. He belongs to
the Methodist Episcopal church and is serv-
ing as one of its trustees. In the enjoyment
of a well earned rest, he is now living re-
tired in Fithian and is one of the respected
citizens of that locality.
ZACHARIAH ROBERTSON.
Zachariah Robertson has reached the
eightieth milestone in life's journey and to-
day he is numbered among the highly re-
spected citizens and pioneer settlers of Ver-
milion county, his home being on section
3^), Xewell township, where he owns one
luuulred and five and a half acres of land.
He was born in Harrison county, Kentucky,
October i, 1822, a son of Zachariah and
Elizal)eth (Jones) Robertson, who were
also natives of Harrison county. Zachariah
Robertson, .Sr., was a soldier in the Revolu-
tionary War. WHien our subject was
twelve years of age the family came to A^er-
milion county, Illinois. The father was
married a second time and had nineteen
children altogether. Mr. Robertson of this
review has one sister living. Mrs. Delilah
Starr, the widow of Solomon Starr. She is
the second survivor of a family of ten chil-
dren. When the Robertsons came to Il-
linois they made the journey overland in an
old tiiue "prairie schooner," camping out by
the wayside at nights. Our subject waded"
the Wabash river driving the stock through.
When they arrived here deer was plentiful
and there were many prairie chickens,
cranes, ducks and wild turkeys. Hunting
and fishing were sports in which the settlers
might easily indulge and find good reward
for their expenditure of time. Zachariah
Robertson, Sr., lived to be ninety-four years
of age, dying in Newell township on the land
where Bismark now stands. There his wife
also passed away. Mr. Robertson entered
forty acres of land and upon this he built
a log cabin. He was numbered among the
pioneers who felled the forests and broke the
prairie, thus paving the way for civilization
and laying the foundation for the present
progress and prosperity of the county.
Zachariah Robertson of this review pur-
sued his education in one of the old time log
schoolhouses in which an immense fire-
place occupied an entire end of the room.
The seats were formed of slabs, resting upon
wooden pins and the desks which were used
were siiuilarly constructed. In the stuumer
months Mr. Robertson assisted in the work
of the home farm. At the age of nineteen
years he left schix)] altogether and began
working' in the neighborhood as a farm
hand, being thus employed for several years.
He then rented land for a time and after-
ward entered fifty-two and one-half acres
of wild prairie for which he had to pay
one dollar and a half per acre. A\^ith char-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
277
acteristic energy he began to break and im-
prove tliis and to the property he has added
from time to time until he now has one hun-
dred and five and a half acres. He manu-
factured his first plow which had a wooden
mold board and the next was a single shovel
plow. He first cut his grain with a sickle
and afterward with a cradle. He knew the
use of a crane from practical experience and
would light the fire with tlint. It was the
custom to always keep a fire burning and if
it would go out one would often visit a
neighbor and borrow a little fire. The old
dipped candles were used for illuminating
purposes before kerosene was used. When
the young g'irls would go to church they
would carry their shoes until they neared
the house of worship, when they would sit
down upon a log and put them on before
entering the meeting. Such were pioneer
customs and conditions I)ut while the early
settlers had to endure many hardships and
privations they also experienced many
pleasures which are not known at the pres-
ent time. Through the greater part of his
active life Mr. Robertson carried on gen-
eral farming but is now largely living retired,
leaving the care of his place to his sons. In
early days he made several trips to Chicago,
taking produce with him and it required
twelve days to go and come. He would
sleep out uixni the ground at night l:)v the
side of his wagon. There were many
sloughs and ponds, creeks and rivers to be
forded. He saw Chicago when it was but a
village and Danville a mere hamlet. Church
was first held in the home of Peter Starr
and afterward in a log schoolhouse. In his
father's family there were eleven daughters,
who aided materially in furnishing the
family with clothing. Mr. Robertson would
take the sheep to the creek and wash them
and after this thev were sheared and the
wool carded, then the daughters would take
their place at the spinning wheel and thus
the family clothing was supplied. Mr.
Robertson has ever taken a deep interest in
general progress and improvement, in the
building of good roads, in the establishment
of churches and schools and in the develop-
ment of farms. He has served as township
commissioner of highways and as school
director and has ever been active and help-
ful for the general good.
On the 25th of August, 1842, Mr. Rob-
ertson wedded Abigail Starr, a daughter of
Peter Starr. She was born in Preble coun-
ty. Ohio, July 8, 1824, and by her marriage
she became the mother of the following chil-
dren : Priscilla J., the wife of Jacob Deek ;
Mrs. Rachel Mesmore; Celina, wdio was
scalded to death wdien about seven years of
age : Jacob, who married Melissa Britting-
ham: Peter, who wedded Belle Byers; Cath-
erine, the wife of William Cox; Maggie,
the wife of John Smith; Isaac, wdio married
Irene Cox; William, wdio wedded Clara
Ringel; James, who married Rebecca Phil-
lips, and died in 1901 , Anna, the deceased
wife of William Chumley; and Delilah and
Solomon, twins, who died in infancy. The
mother departed this life December 25,
1877, when about fifty-two years of age.
She was a de\-oted mother, a model wife
;md earnest Christian woman and thus she
left to her family an untarnished name. Mr.
Robertson is well preserved for a man of his
years. His eyesight and physical faculties
are scarcely impaired and he possesses the
vigor of a man of much younger age. He
has always voted the Democratic ticket and
has long been one of the standard bearers
of the party in this locality. At the age of
sixteen years he became a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church and has since
been idaitified therewith, serving as a class
278
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
leader and as superintendent of the Sinulay
school for a number of years. He has long
been numbered amont;- the substantial, hon-
ored and respected citizens of Newell town-
ship and in this volume well deserves men-
tion.
■» » »
HEXRY B. KESTER.
More than a half century ag'o Henry B.
Kester became identified with building in-
terests in Danville and to-day there stands
in the city a building which he erected in
1851. Other structures of his building may
also be seen 'as the visible evidence of his
life of thrift and industry. At the present
time he is living retired, making his home
at Xo. 718 Wayne street. He came to this
county on the 2d of Alay, 1850.
A native of West Virginia, he was born
in Clarksburg, that state. May 28, 1828, his
parents, George and Abigail (Bennett)
Kester. being also natives of Clarksburg.
The father there resided until 1831, when
he removed to Morrow county, Ohio, set-
tling on a farm which was his home until
his death. His widow afterward came to
Vermilion county and spent her last days
here. Of their eleven children. Ixit four are
living, tlie eldest being Henry B. The oth-
ers are : ]\Iary, the wife of Thomas Alath-
ews, a resident of Hoopeston, Vermilion
county ; Russell B., a resident of Vermilion
county; and Sarah J., the wife of James
\\'iiitbeck, of Lawrence, Kansas. Those
who have passed aw'ay are : Alexander,
Josiah, Simon, Milton, Hester A., William
and Harriett.
When about three years of age Henry
B. Kester w-as talcen by his parents to Mor-
row county, Ohio, where he pursued his
education in the common schools. He then
learned the carpenter's trade in Mt. Gilead,
following it at that place for about four
years. On the expiration of that period he
came direct to Danville, arriving on the 2d
of May, 1850. He soon secured employ-
ment as a carpenter and as a contractor was
early recognized as one of the leading rep-
resentatives of his line of business in this
city. He erected some of the first buildings
here and his patronage steadily increased as
the years passed by until he employed a
large force of workmen to assist him in exe-
cuting his contracts.
On the 5th of May, 1853, Mr. Kester
was united in marriage to Catherine
Umphenour, who was born near her hus-
band's boyhood home in West Virginia.
Her father, George Umphenour, was an
early settler of Danville and followed farm-
ing in this locality until his death. Seven
children ha\'e been born unto ]\Ir. and Mrs.
Kester: Charles Edward, who died in in-
fancy; George Franklin, deceased; Albert
Eugene, who married Martha Lynch and is
a carpenter of Danville; Henry Lewis, who-
died in childiiood; Francis E., who mar-
ried Flora E. Ailsworth and is a train dis-
patcher on the Wabash Railroad at Deca-
tur, Illinois; and George W. and Minnie,
who died in childhood.
After his marriage ]\Ir. Kester contin-
ued contracting and building until the 6th
of February, 1865, when he joined Com-
pany E, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Illi-
nois Regiment, under the command of Cap-
tain Laferty and Colonel \\'. C. Kcifner.
This compan_\- did garrison dutv until after
the close of the war and at Dalton, Georgia,
on the 27th of January, 1866, Mr. Kester
was honorably discharged. He then re-
turned to Danville, resumed his former
Ixisiness interests here and until his retire-
ment continuouslv followed his trade with
LIBRAI^Y
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
H. B. KESTER.
MRS. H. B. KESTER.
Of r.iE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THK BIOGRAPFIICAL RECORD
283
the exception of the years 1881 and i88j,
which he spent in Florida as a pattern-mak-
er for the I'lorida Soutliern Raih'oad Com-
pany. In 1883 lie again took up his resi-
dence in Danville and in connection with
his building interests he also worked in a
planing mill here until 1899, when he re-
tired from business to enjoy a comfortable
competence wliich had been secured through
indomitable energy, persexerance and close
application to the work in which, as a young
tradesman, he embarked. In that year he
built his present home which he has since
occupied, fie has held a few minor offices
such as school director, but has ne\'er been
a politician in the sense of office seeking.
He votes with the Democracy on questions
of national importance but at local elections
votes independentlv of party ties. A prom-
inent and inlluential member of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church of Danville, he served
as one of its class-leaders for several years.
His life history illustrates most happily for
the purpose of this work, that success is not
a matter of genius but the (outcome of judg-
ment and experience and that an upright
character commands respect and regard in
this country which is not hampered by caste
or class.
» « »
\V. H. CURRENT.
W. H. Current, who is engaged in grain
dealing in Indianola. was born in East Dan-
^'ilIc. on the 4th of September, i860, a son
of J M. CiuTent. He pursued his educa-
tion in Danville and in the country schools,
putting aside his text books when eighteen
years of age. He afterward devoted his en-
tire attention to work u])i)n his father's farm
until he vv'as twenty-three years of age, when
he was married and started out in life for
himself. On the 29th of November, 1883,
he wedded Miss Lax'ina Gibson, who was
born in X'ermilion county, September 13,
1863, their wedding being celebrated at her
home southwest of Fairmount. Her father
was Thomas Gibson, a native of Clarion
count\-, Illinois. The home of our subject
and his wife has been blessed with four chil-
dren : Bertha M., bom February 15, 1887;
Fred F., born July 29, 1889; Clara I., born
August 15, 1893; and Se_\-mi)ur M.. born
August 24, 1896.
After his marriage Mr. Current located
on a farm near the old home place and there
resided continuously until 1892, when he re-
moved to Fairmount where he worked for
his father, who was engaged in the grain
trade. In 1899. however, his father sold
( lut to the firm of Hill & Crou-, and removed
to Homer. Champaign county, Illinois,
where he is now engaged in the grain trade.
In 1898 Mr. Current oi this review came to
Indianola, arriving on the 12th of Decem-
ber. Here he purchased the Downey ele-
vator and has since carried on the grain
trade on his own account, handling a large
quantity of corn and other cereals each year.
He owns eighty acres of land four miles
southwest of Fairmount. and his property
possessions also include city real estate. He
is .likewise agent for a number of insurance
companies and his varied business interests
are successfully conducted, so that he is now-
regarded as one of the prosperous residents
of his community. I'olitically he is an earn-
est Republican and is a member of Ver-
milion Lodge. No. 265, A. F. A. M.. of In-
dianola, the Benevolent and Protective Or-
der of Elks, of Danville, the Modern Wood-
men of America and the Fraternal Army.
He is also coimected with the Royal Ameri-
cans and in two of these lodges, the Masonic
and Fraternal Armv, he has filled the office
284
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
of secretary. lie belongs to tlie jMethodist
Episcopal church of Indianola and is serv-
ing as one of its trustees and stewards. His
life has been quietly passed in the faithful
performance of the duties of pubhc and pri-
vate life in the direction of his business and
in the promotion of measures or movements
calculated to advance the general welfare.
A. H. CLUTTER.
A. H. Clutter, who is now living a re-
tired life in Sidell. was for many years ac-
ti\elv and prominently associated with
fanuing interests in Vermilion county. Pie
is also numbered among the early settlers of
Illinois, dating his residence in the state
from 1855, so that through almost a half
century he has lieen a witness of the develop-
ment and progress which has placed this
great commonwealth in the front rank nf the
galaxy of states which forms the Union.
Mr. Clutter is a native of Pennsylvania, his
birtli having occurred in Greene county.
January i. 1840. His father, Aliraham
Clutter, was born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in 1785, and the grandfather
of our subject, John Clutter, was a native of
New Jersey and served his country as a sol-
dier in the war of the Revolution. The
family is of German lineage and was found-
ed in New Jersey at a verv earlv epoch in
American history. l'"rom his native state
John Clutter removed to Pennsylvania
where he lived to the ripe old age of ninety
years. Abraham Clutter was there reared
to manhood, and after reaching years of ma-
turity he wedded Lydia W'inget. a native of
Ohio and a daughter of Stephen \\'inget.
who removed from Ohio to Pennsylvania.
A farmer by occupation, Abraham Clutter
followed that ]uu"suit in order to provide for
his family whom he reared upon a farm in
Greene county, Pennsylvania. He died in
March, 1845, i'l ^h prime of life. His wife,
sur\i\-ing him for a long period, carefully
reared her family to whom she was a most
devoted mother. A. H. Clutter of this re-
\'iew is one of a family of seven sons and
seven daughters, all of whom grew to ma-
ture years and reached advanced ages, al-
though the subject of this review and one
sister are nnw the only survivors, she be-
ing Mrs. Mary Elliott, a widow who is re-
siding in Ohio, West Virginia.
In the county of his nativity A. H. Clut-
ter was reared upi>n his father's farm. He
received but limited school privileges, but
his training in the work of field and mead-
ow was not limited. When a young man
he came to the west, arriving in Illinois in
1855. He joined his three brothers who had
previously located in \"ermilion county and
here he began work as a farm hand for one
of his brothers by whom he was employed
for three years, at feeding and caring for
the stock. In August, 186:, Mr. Clutter
and there took charge of the home farm
which he continued to operate for eighteen
years, purchasing the interest of the other
heirs in the old homestead which he suc-
cessfully conducted. He was married in
Greene county in October, 1863, to Miss
Mary Miller, who was born, reared and edu-
cated there and engaged in teaching prior
to her marriage. Her father, Joseph Miller,
was one of the early settlers of Greene
county,
In 1881 Mr. Clutter returned to \'ermil-
ion county, Illinois, and located on the Asa
Daniels farm near .'^irmstrong, superintend-
ing that place. Subsequently he became su-
perintendent of the Hiram Sibley farms in
Vermilion county, acting in that capacitv
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
285
for six years. He then rented land and en-
gaged in farming on his own account until
1895, when he purchased a lot in Sidell
and erected thereon a nice residence. He
afterward sold that property and he has pur-
chased and improved other property. At
the present time he is living retired, enjoying
a well merited rest, for his life has heen one
of industry and earnest toil.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Clutter was
blessed with ten children, of whom two sons
and three daughters are yet living: Joseph
Reed, who resides in North Dakota upon a
farm, and is married, and has two daugh-
ters and a son; Nevada, the wife of Robert
Phillips, a druggist of Springfield, Illinois ;
Fannie, the wife of M. E. Pancoast, a con-
tractor and builder of Daii\-ille, by whom
she has two sons and a daughter: John, a
resident farmer of Sidell township, who is
married and has two sons ; and Nettie, who
is occr.p^■ing a business position in Omaha,
Nebr;!ska ; Thomas Miller, who was edu-
cated in this comity and was one of its suc-
cessful teachers. He died January 27, 1903.
at the age of twenty-three, lacking three
weeks. Of tlie children who have passed
away, the first born died at the age of four
years. William died at the age of eighteen
vears. Jennie grew to mature vears and
passed away at the age of twenty-four. Ida
became the wife of James Morrison and died
at the age of twenty-eight years.
Politically Mr. Clutter has been a life-
long Democrat, having cast his first presi-
dential vote for General George B. Mc-
Clellan in 1864, and for each nominee of
the party since-that time. In local elections
however, he has always been independent,
supporting the men whom he thinks best
qualified for office regardless of party aflili-
ations. He was elected and served for one
term as a member of the town board, fillinaf
the position for three years, and he is now
serxiug as police magistrate of Sidell. He
also served for a number of years on the
school board and did effective service in pro-
moting the cause of education. Forty-
seven years ago he came to Illinois, casting
in his lot among the early settlers of Ver-
milion county at a time when the work of
progress and improvement had scarcely
been begun here. There were larg'e herds of
deer and venison was no rare dish upon the
board of the early settlers. There were also
wild geese and other wild game, and wolves
were frequently killed, but all these have
disappeared and the swamps and sloughs
ha^•e been drained, the prairies broken and
fenced and the work of cultivation carried
on until now this is one of the g'arden spots
of the great state of Illinois, famed through-
out the nation as an agricultural district.
He has also witnessed the introduction of
the railroad, the telegraph and telephone,
and along many lines of improvement and
])rogress he has assisted materially, taking
a deep interest in what has been accom-
])lishe(l here.
MRS. ANN E. SMITH.
For almost sixty-nine years this lady has
made her home in Vermilion county and has
therefore witnessed nearly the entire growth
and development of this section of the state,
her family being pioneers here. She has
seen the wild lands transformed into fine
farms, while towns and villages have Sjjrung
u]i and developed into flourishing cities with
all the luxuries and advantages of the older
east.
^Irs. Smith is the widow of Edwin
G. Smith, who was also one of the early set-
tlers of the county, having located here in
286
TPIE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
1848. He was a natix'e of England, bi)m
in 1823, antl was a son of Joseph Smith, wlio
was also l)orn in that conntrv and with his
family came to America in 1848. On land-
ing in this conntrv he made his way direct to
\^ermilion connty, Illinois, where he en-
gaged" in farming nntil his death.
. Edwin Giles Smith was reared and edu-
cated in his native land, being nearly grown
on the emigration of the family to the new
world. He had previously learned the
blacksmith's trade and after coming to Dan-
ville, he .followed that occupation through-
out the remainder of his life, but he was not
long permitted to enjoy his new home as he
died on the 5th of October, 1854. at the early
age of twenty-nine years. His political sup-
port W'as always given to the Democratic
party. He was a \ery industrious, energetic
and enterprising man and had already at-
tained a fair degree of success when called
to the world beyond.
In Danville was celebrated the marriage
of Mr. Smith and Miss Ann E. Greggson,
■ivho was also born in England, October 24,
1827, her parents being George and Ann
(Hazeldine) Greggson. natives of the same
countn,-, where the father was employed as
a shepherd. In 18.^4 he brought his family
to America and took up his residence in \^er-
milion comity, Illinois, where he died the
following year. Of the two children born
to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Charles E., the
older, died in October, 1854, and Edwin G.,
wlio became a prominent druggist of Dan-
ville, died in 1890. The father was a char-
ter meml)er of the Knights of Pythias Lodge
of Danville, and Mrs. Smith is a faithful
member of the First Methodist Episcopal
church. She owns and occupies a nice home
at Xo. 305 North Hazel street and has other
valuable property in Danville, including a
residence at Xo. 307 the same street. She
is \\idely and fa\orably known in the city
where she has so long resided and has a host
of warm friends who esteem her highly for
her sterling worth.
» « »
FRANCIS GAINES.
Francis Gaines scarcely needs an intro-
tluction to the readers of this volume. He
was a participant in pioneer events, as well
as those of later-day progress, and thus with
the "Past and Present of X'ermilion Coun-
ty" he has been identified, improving the
business opportunities which the county has
offered to its citizens, and in return render-
ing valuable aid in the work of improvement
and progress here. l\ir many years he was
engaged in general farming and stock-deal-
ing, but since 1883 has li\-ed retired in In-
dianola, where he has a commodious and
pleasant home. His circle of acquaintances
is a wide one and all who know him are glad
to claim the friendship of this honored man.
Mr. (laines is a native of Ohio, his birth
having occurred in Clark county, near
South Charleston, July 28, 1823. His
parents were Alexander and Mary (Chris-
pin) Gaines, the former a natix'e of Vir-
ginia and the latter of New Jersey. The
Chrispin family was of German lineage and
the Gaines family in America is descended
from Irish ancestry and was represented in
the patriot army during the war of the Rev-
olution. Benjamin P. Gaines, the grandfa-
ther of our subject, went to Ohio in pioneer
times, becoming one of the tirst settlers of
(jreene county. He was a shoemaker by
trade and would travel from house to house,
making shoes for an entire family, and then
proceed to the next house on his route.
The farmer would take his hides to the tan-
FRANCIS GAINES.
LIBRARY
OF T.iE
UNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
289
ner, returning hoiiiL- with the tanned leath-
er, preparatory to tlie \isit of the shoemak-
er. Benjamin P. Gaines Hved to be about
se\enty-live years of age and followed his
trade to the last.
Alexander Gaines spent his entire life
in Greene county, Ohio. Settling in the
midst of a heavily timl:)ered district he be-
gan to clear a farm. He did not follow the
culti\-atii)n of grain to any extent Ijut ga\'e
his attention to the cattle business, first
making his purchases in Ohio and later in
Indiana and Illinois. He would come to
this state, purchase two or three hundred
head of cattle and then drive them to the
east, selling in the markets of either Ohio or
Pennsylvania. He cimtinued to engage ac-
tively in the cattle business until seventy-
five years of age, when he retired to pri-
vate life, having in the meantime removed
to ('edar\ille, Greene ct.)unt\'. 01ii(i, where
his last clays were passed. He died Sep-
temli€r, 1886. and had he lived another
nicmth he would ha\e reached the age of
eiglity-six years. He was regarded as one
of the leading cattle men of Ohio, his excel-
lent judgment concerning stock enal)ling
liim to make very judicious investments,
and thus in his business he prospered.
I'nto him and his wife were born eleven
children, oi whom six are vet living, but
none are residents of Vermilion county
^\■ith the exception of our subject and his
brother Jonathan, who was the fourth in
order of birth and is now a resident of Car-
roll township. Another brother, James, is
one of the large landowners and prosperous
residents of Edgar county. Illinois. The
mother died in 1882, at the age of eighty-
fi\'e vears.
riic conditions which surroundctl bran-
ds Gaines in his youth were those of most
farmers' boys. He bad. perhaps, more op-
portunities than some ami less than others.
Altog"ether his early youth was a period of
earnest toil for he was the eldest of the si.x
sons of the family and bis services were
needed on the home farm. He had to begin
plowing before be was ten years of age and
he used a wooden mold board to turn the
furrows. His educational privileges were
e.xceedingly limited. He had to go two
miles to school and after wading through
the snow that distance woukl sit all day in
wet boots. The schoolbouse was built of
logs and had a i)uncheon floor, slab Ijencbes,
and a plank placed on pins driven into the
wall served as a writing desk. There were
no l>lackboards and the te.xt books were
cfuilc prin.iitixe. in one end of the room
was an immense fire-place that would ac-
commodate a six-foot log. Mr. Gaines was
eleven years of age before he mastered the
alpli.-il)et and must of his knowledge has
been gained through observation, reading
and experience, Init possessing an oliserx'ing
eve and retenti\e memory he became a well
informed man ere he bad l)een in the busi-
ness world many years. As a boy and
youth be was always busy. His father be-
lie\ed in keeping his sons employed and
when the work of the fields was over they
were sent into the timber, so that there were
few leisure moments that fell to their l(_)t.
The only coats which b'rancis Gaines bad up
to the time he was twenty-one years of age
were woven and made Ijy his mother, who
spun and wove for her entire family. In
early life the father had learned the tailor's
trade and after working bard all day he
would return home at night and assist his
wife in cutting mid m.aking clothes for the
children.
In b"el)ruary. 184J, Air. Gaines came
with bis father to Illinois, visiting Edgar
and A'ermilion counties, where tbev bought
zgo
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
two Inmdrcd liead of cattle, wliich tliey
drove to market in Lancaster county, Penn-
sylvania. It required alxxit sixty days to
make tlie trip to tiie east. Danville was then
a little villag'e with few improvements.
James Gaines and our subject came west in
1846 and herded a bunch of cattle for his
father for four months, the father propos-
ing to give his sons half the proceeds for
their assistance, so when the cattle was sold
they found that they each possessed three
hundred dollars, having sold them for four-
teen dollars and fifty cents apiece. As Fran-
cis Gaines had married the year before he
and his wife started west with four cows and
tN\'enty head of sheep. They left their Ohio
home in August, 1847, accompanied by his
sister and her husband, who had a similar
outfit. On arriving in Vermilion county,
Mr. Gaines took up his abode in a house
which his father had purchased for him a
short time before. Immediately after his
arrival he entered forty acres of land and
his father had purchased eighty acres for
him. Four years later he bought one hun-
dred and sixty acres that his father had en-
tered. He made his first two payments
with the proceeds on corn which he sold at
twelve and a half cents per bushel, which
was a good price in those days. Mr. Gaines
now has three hundred acres of valuable
land on sections 32 and 33, Carroll town-
ship.
On the 27th of Noveml>er, 1845. Mr.
Gaines was married to Mary J. McFar-
land, daughter of Arthur McFarland, one
of the early settlers of Greene county, Ohin.
They became the parents of seven children.
but only two reached mature years. Sar.ah
A. is the wife of F. D. Neblick, who is
farming on her father's land, and they have
three children. Dale, Mabel and Edith. Ed-
mund B., the son, resides near Virginia
Hill, Montana, and has three children, For-
rest, Raymond and Beulah. Mrs. Gaines
died on .\pril 20, 1871, and on the 29th of
Octolier following Mr. Gaines wedded Mrs.
Josephine Gaines, a daughter of Leonard
and Catherine ( Baum) Patterson and the
widow of his l.irother \\'illiam. The only
child of this marriage died in infancy. By
her first husband Mrs. Gaines had a son,
Frank, who is engaged in farming in Car-
roll township. He married Ada Kilgore
and has one child, Buena Lillian. ]\Irs.
Gaines was one of seven children and the
eldest of the three now living, the others
being: Emma, wife of William A'anneman,
of Ridgefarm, Illinois ; and John Harvey
Patterson, who resides on the old Patterson
homestead in Carroll township.
Mr. and Mrs. Gaines are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church of Indianola, to
which he has belonged for fifty-two years
and ior a half century he has been steward
and also a trustee. For many years he voted
the Democratic ticket but is now a Prohi-
bitionist. He served as school director for
twelve years, was commissioner of high-
ways three years, was school trustee six
years and was elected supervisor but refused
to serve. Until 1883 Mr. Gaines lived upon
his farm and then built a commodious resi-
dence in Indianola, wdiich he has since oc-
cupied. Here through the past twenty
years he has lived retired from active busi-
ness, having for more than a quarter of a
century been an active factor in the agricul-
tural circles of the county. His trustworthi-
ness in business made his word as good as
any bond ever solemnized by signature or
seal, and his uprightness in all life's rela-
tions has commanded for him uniform con-
fidence and reg'ard.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
291
J. A. IXGLES, ^l. D.
Xot to know Dr. Ingles, of Hoopeston,
is to argT.ie one's self unknown. He has for
many years practiced here and his kindly
manner, deep sympathy and sincere interest
in his fellow men, combined with his medical
skill, have made him the loved family phy-
sician in many a household. He traces his
ancestry hack to 1750, when the family was
founded in .America bv representatives of the
name who came from Scotland to the new
world. The grandfather of our subject was
James Ingles who settled in Beaver county,
Pennsylvania, there carrying on the occupa-
tion of farming. When the country became
involved in war with the mother country he
joined the American army and fought for
the independence of the nation. His death
occurred in Beaver county when he had at-
tained the advanced age of ninety-three
years.
The Doctor's father was born in the
same county and became ■ a minister
of the Associate Presbyterian churcli.
As a pastor of that denomination he la-
bored largely in northern Indiana, but
his death occurred in Edina, Missouri, in
1864, when he was sixty-six years of age,
his birth having occurred in 1798. His wife
bore the maiden name of Eliza J. Hillis and
was born in Madison county. Indiana. Her
father being Judge David Hillis, a distin-
guished citizen of an early day who ser\ed
as judge of the circuit court and later rep-
resented his district in congress. He was a
civil engineer by profession and did much
of the surveying of the state of Indiana, be-
coming a pioneer settler of Jefiferson county.
Not only did he render his country service in
civil life but also in military circles was he
known as a defender of the best interests of
his nation, for he ser\ed in the war of 181.2.
He was the only member of his family who
ever took a prominent part in politics, but the
judge was recognized as a leader of public
thought and action in his community and he
left the impress of his indi\-iduality upon the
place of his residence. His daughter, Mrs.
Ingles, died on the 31st of August, 1893,
when more than eighty years of age. In
their family were four children, James, J.
A., Sarah'and Ealy.
Dr. Ingles, whose name introduces this
record, attended the district common schools
of Indiana and worked for his father until
the spring of 1864, when he started out upon
an independent business career. Wishing to
make the practice of medicine his life work
he prepared for this calling as a student in
the Starling Medical College, of Columbus,
Ohio, which he entered in 1868. There he
remained for two years, after which he be-
gan practice in southern Illinois, being lo-
cated for twenty years at Morea. Continu-
ing his reading he secured a certificate of
practice from the state board of health in
1878. On the 19th of September, 1889, he
came to Hoopeston, where he opened an of-
fice and has since remained, devoting his at-
tention to medical and surgical work. He
has a fair share of public patronage and his
ability is being continually augmentetl by his
reading and research in the line of his pro-
fession.
In Parke county, Indiana, in 1861. Dr.
Ingles was united in marriage to Miss Amy
S. Ramsay, a native of that state. They
now have four children, David W'., who is a
barber, of Portland, Oregon, and married
Carrie Chafifee : John S., who is express agent
on the Illinois Central Railroad at Pa.xton,
this state and married Marguerite McCoy ;
Harry E., a plumber, living at home: and
Amy Grace, the wife of J. F. Mitchell, of
Oklahoma.
292
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
The Doctor resides \\ itli liis wife and son
on South Market street, wliere he has a
pleasant home. In pohtics he is a Repub-
lican. He is a member of the Tri-County
Medical Society. For about three months
he was in the United States service during
tlie Rebellion, being connected with the Fif-
tieth Missouri Mounted Infantry as a mem-
ber of Company A, under the command of
Colonel Wirtz. The regiment was in the
eastern part of the state, doing scouting duty
to protect against bushwhackers, being en-
gaged in chasing Quantrall's band most of
the time. This was in the latter part of
1864. The Doctor is a man of many estima-
ble qualities. His quiet, easy manner is cer-
tainly an excellent characteristic for a physi-
cian, in whom there should be no evidence
of nervousness or excitability, quiet being an
essential of the sick room. He has, too, a
cheer}' manner and sunny disposition which
have rendered him popular with a large cir-
cle of friends who also know him as a physi-
ciaxi of wortji.
ANDREW H. KOIBROUGH. M. D.
Among the citizens of Danville w^hose
genuine worth and many excellent qualities
have endeared them to their fellow men is
Dr. Andrew H. Kimbrough, whose position
in the public regard is not less the result of
his professional power than of his irre-
proachable private life. The Doctor is a na-
tive of Hardin county, Kentucky, born on
the 27th of February, 1823. He is descended
from good old Revolutionary stock, his an-
cestors having taken part in the war which
brought independence to the colonies. The
line of descent can l^e traced back directly
on the father's side to General Ethan Allen,
the distinguished commander of \'ermont
troops. Richard Calvin Kimbrough, the fa-
ther of our subject, was a native of North
Carolina and became a soldier in the war of
1812. He was wounded at the battle of
Horseshoe Bend, his arm being almost en-
tirely severed by the Indians. He was also
in the battle of New Orleans. It was during
the progress of the war of 181 2 that the
Kimbrough family was founded in Ken-
tucky, the settlement being made near the
birthplace of Lincoln, in Hardin county. In
that locality resided the family of Colonel
^Morrison, who was an uncle of Dr. Kim-
brough. Richard C. Kimbrough was united
in marriage in Hardin county, Kentucky, to
Jane Morrison. He was a tanner by trade
and in Kentucky he purchased a farm of one
hundred and sixty acres which he continued
to cultivate for some time. At length, how-
ever, he removed to Edgar county, Illinois,
where he lived until his death, which oc-
curred in 1833. In his political affiliations
he was a Democrat and in his religious faith
was a member of the Christian church. His
wife long survi\'ed him and died on the ist
dav of June, 1876. In their family were
four children, three of whom reached years
of maturity, but the Doctor is the only one
who now survives.
In taking up the personal history of Dr.
Kimbrough we present to our readers the life
record of one who has a very extensive ac-
quaintance in Vermilion county and who is
honored by all who know him. He was but
a boy when taken by his parents to Edgar
county, Illinois, where he acquired his lit-
erary education. Determining to make the
practice of medicine his life work, he then
entered the Jefferson Medical College, in
which he was graduated in the spring of
1858. He took up the subject of medicine,
however, in 1842, and removed to Paris, Illi-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
295
iiois. He then practiced for four miMiths.
, In the year of his graduation he located in
Georgetown. \'ermihon county, ami in 1873
he came to Danville, where he practiced con-
tinuously and successfully until ii)oi. when,
on account of his age and health, he was
compelled to retire. He ever kept abreast of
the times with the best thinking men of his
profession. He read and studied extensive-
ly and had the ability to apply with accuracy
and benefit to his fellow men the knowledge
that he had acquired. He is a member of the
\'crmilion County Medical Society." the
State Medical Society, the National Medical
Society and he was one of the charter mem-
bers of the Vermilion County Medical So-
ciety. The Doctor has been very prominent
in the Odd Fellows fraternity of which he
has l)een a member for fifty-one years, being
■one of the oldest representatives of the or-
ganization in the state. For sixteen years
he was elected high priest of the order and
for many years he has been a valued repre-
sentative of the Knights of Honor. In pol-
itics he is now a warm Democrat and while
he has always kept well informed on the is-
<>ues and c|uestions of the day he has always
refused to accept public office, preferring to
devote his time and energies to his l)usiness
affairs which have been of an imjiortant
character and extensi\'e proportions.
On the 14th of March. 1S47, ne'ir ^'^'^'^-
«ha!l, Clark county, Illinois, the Doctor was
united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ashmore.
who was born in that county April 10, 1820,
a daughter of Amos Ashmore, whose birth
occurred at Greenville. Tennessee. Her
mother bore the maiden name of Patience
McGuire, and was a native of Marion. Penn-
sylvania, in which place she was married.
Mr. Ashmore was the first white child born
in Greenville and lived in an old cabin there.
His father entered eleven hundred acres of
land on Duck river, in Kentucky, but lost it
through war claims. The great-grandfather
of Mrs. Kimbrough was a professor in the
University of Edinburg, in London, and a
church and street of that city were named in
bis honor. Her grandfather was born in
London to which place his parents had re-
nio\'ed from Scotland. Her grandfather
McGuire was born on the ocean when his
parents were crossing the Atlantic to Amer-
ica. They were strong Catholics and fled
from the Emerald isle during the period of
the persecution of the Irish people. Both the
paternal and the maternal grandfather of
Mrs. Kimbrough served in the Revolution-
ary war under Washington. Her father was
an own cousin of Sam Houston, the libera-
tor of Texas, and was said to resemble him
greatly in personal appearance. A farmer
by occupation, he also engaged in taking
contracts for the construction of public
roads. For a time he resided near Newman,
Tennessee, but before the birth of his daugh-
ter he removed to a place five miles from
Terre Haute. Indiana, thence going to Clark
countv. Illinois. Later he became a resident
of Georgetown, Vermilion county, and died
in Elwood township in 1863, at the age of
eightv-one years. His wife had passed away
in 1 86 1. In his political faith he was a Jack-
son Democrat and in religious belief was a
Presbyterian. Mrs. Aslimore had four
brothers who were Presbyterian ministers.
One of these, Rev. Stephen Balch. was chap-
lain of the first congress that convened after
the election of George Washington to the
presidency of the United States. At his
death his remains were interred in the Con-
gressional cemetery at Washington. Mrs.
Ashmore is also a distant relative of Gen-
eral W'ayne and it is said personally re-
sembled him. ]\Ir. Ashmore in the paternal
line was a lineal descendant of l\e\-. Wither-
294
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
spoon, a Presbyterian minister and one of
the signers of tlie Declaration of Independ-
ence, ilrs. Kiniijrough now recounts many
events of the Revolutionary war which slie
heard from her own people and if written
would make a very interesting volume. She
says that the Indians were very numerous in
this state during her early girlhood, and she
was personally accjuainted with a number of
noted chiefs, including Killbuck who traded
with the whites. She came to Vermilion
county in 185S and from that time forward
has been a resident of this portion of the
state. She was one of a family of ten chil-
dren, three sons and seven daughters, but
only three of the number are now living:
Margaret, who is the widow of Rev. Isaac
Bennett and resides in St. Louis, Missouri ;
Mrs. Kimbrough; and Mary, the widow of
Rev. Preston W. Thompson and a resident
of Macomb, Illinois. Unto the Doctor and
his wife ha\e been born three children : Lau-
ra, at home; Eugene R. E. and Ardilla. The
son has been a member of the state legisla-
ture for two terms — 1878 and 1879, and was
mayor of Danville for one term. When he
was but a boy he said he was going to have
three diplomas and he won the first from
Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, of
Chicago, the second from the State Univer-
sity in 1873 and the third upon his admission
to the bar. He was one of the leading ora-
torical contestants in the State L^niversity.
He married Julia C, a daughter of Senator
Tincher, and they reside in Danville, where
he now owns a half interest in the Temple
building. Their only child is deceased.
Dr. Kimbrough and his wife celebrated
their golden wedtling anniversary on the
1 6th of March, 1897, when tliey were ten-
dered a magnificent reception at their beauti-
ful residence by relatives and friends who
presented them with more lovely and costly
tokens of esteem than have ever been give:i
at a wedding party in Danville. Guests to
the number of one hundred and thirty were
assembled and the occasion was a most en-
joyable one. For the past twenty years this
worthy couple have attended the Presbyte-
rian church and they are now living in their
attractive home in Danville and in the even-
ing of life are surrounded by many warm
friends and by all that goes to make life
comfortable and worth the living. Devoted
to each other as they were in the days of their
courtship, their mutual love and confidence
has increased as the years have gone by and
none of the older couples of this city are held
in higher esteem or are more greatly beloved
by their friends than are Dr. and ]\Irs. Kim-
brough.
ABRAHA-M MANX, Sr.
While Danville is indebted to the men
of the present for what they are accomplish-
ing for her welfare and further upbuilding
she can never repay the debt of gratitude
which she owes to the pioneers of the coun-
ty, the men who coped with the natural
conditions, who bravely faced the hardships
and difficulties ever incident to frontier life
and wdio laid broad and deep the founda-
tion for the present progress and prosperity
of this section of the state. In the year
1832 Abraham Mann, Sr.. made his way
into the interior of Illinois, here to bear an
important part in the founding of the coun-
ty, and _\-et he was not the first of the name
who penetrated into the wild of the ^lissis-
sippi valley and aided in opening up this
great section of the country for the uses of
civilization. His father had preceded him
into the central section of the country and
these honored pioneers wrought along lines
ABRAHAM MANN SR.
LI'
f
UNlVtKollY Uh ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
297
of the greatest good, not only for their own
generation hut for their posterity.
John Mann, the father, was a native of
England and came to America when this
country was still counted among the colonial
possessions of Great Britain. He helonged
to a London hrm dealing in paints and oils,
and in the interest of the firm he came to
the new world, locating first in New Or-
leans. iM'om that point he penetrateil into
the interior at an epoch when few settle-
ments had been made upon either side of
the Mississippi from the source to the
mouth. Howe\-er, he proceeded up the Fa-
ther of Waters in a canoe, passed stretches
of country that extended along the river
bank for miles unmarked by any habitation
or indication of the ownership of the white
race. He was one of the first to make his
way up the stream and he penetrated into
the interior of the country as far north as
St. .\nthony's lualls, which later became St.
Paul, Minnesota, trading with the Indians
and shipping his cargoes down the Missis-
sippi to the Crescent City. After the Revo-
lution congress gave him grants of land in
Louisiana and New York to the amount of
thirty thousand acres to compensate him for
the losses which he sutYered because of the
hostilities. Later he returned to England
and spent his last days in London.
I'nto John Mann and his wife Elizabeth,
on the 4th of October, 1785, was born a son
to whom they gave the name of Abraham.
T!ie place of his nativity is Leighton-Buz-
zard, Bedfordshire, England, and in that
country he was reared and educated, be-
coming connected with agricultural pur-
suits, whicli he followed continuously until
his emigration to .America in 1832. The
new world, which had attracted his father,
also proved of interest to him, .and desirous
of making his home beyond the water he
13
sailed with his family for the United States,
taking passage at Liverpool on a sailing
vessel which after a voyage of seven weeks
reached the harbor of New York. I'rom
that place he started inlanil, in company
with his brother-in-law, Joseph Smith.
They made their journey by way of the
Great Lakes to Detroit, Michigan, where
they purchased saddle horses and rode
across the country to Vermilion county,
settling near Danville, which was then but
a hamlet. For miles around stretchetl the
wild prairie, most of it still in possession of
the government, and Mr. Mann entered a
claim of six hundred and forty acres, on
which he built a pioneer home — a log cabin
— that stood near the present residence of
his son until a few )'ears ago. In the meant-
time, however, a commodious and attractive
frame residence had been erected and into
this the family moved, theirs being one of
the fine country seats of the county. The
work of cultivation, development and im-
provement was pushed forward rapidly up-
on the farm under the supervision of Mr.
Mann, and as he found opportunity he en-
tered other land from time to time until
he had se\eral thousand acres. He brought
with him to the new world the advanced
ideas of farming of the old country and
combined with this was his ready adapta-
bility to new conditions and surroundings.
He not only kept abreast with the times
but was a leader in the working of advanc-
ing agricultural interests and was equally
prominent in regard to public' affairs per-
taining to the upbuilding of the county.
Ere leaving his native land Mr. Mann
was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann
Smith, who was born in England, April 15,
1 791, a daughter of Thomas and Mary
Smith, also born in the same country. Her
father died September 8, 1839, at the age of
298
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
sixty-eiglit years and nine montlis. Unto
Mi*, and Mrs. Mann were born tour chil-
tlren : Mary Ann, born in Leighton-Buz-
zard, England. July 14, 1823, died Febru-
ary 5. 1890. Abraham is the only surviv-
ing member of the family and his sketch is
o'iven in this work.
jhn Thomas is also
represented elsewhere in this volume; and
Katharine was the fourth member of the
family.
It would be almost impossible to give
a complete account of what Abraham ]Mann.
Sr., did for Vermilion county. Aside from
his work in bettering agricultural condi-
tions here, he labored earnestly and ettect-
ively for the general welfare along moral,
intellectual and social lines. He burned
the brick to build a residence upon his farm
but as there was no church in the locality.
he used this brick for the erection of the
chapel which stil! stands on the homestead
premises. It is nicely equipped and church
services are still held therein. In religious
faith he was a Methodist and he took an
actix'f interest in the work of the church
and the extension of its influence, con-
tributed generously to its support and l)y
precept and example taught the power of
Christianity. He would ne\er consent to
hold public office, although in every other
way possible he laboretl to benefit the coun-
try and promote its upbuilding. A man of
considerable artistic taste, he delighted in
the beautiful works of art and when but a
boy he displayed considerable skill in that
direction by drawing a map of England in
1800. This was done in Bedfordshire and
is a magnificent piece of work, now in pos-
session of his son, Abraham Mann. Jr. He
had business interests in his native country
as well as in America, being connected with
a large company that possessed landed min-
ing interests in the new world.
Mr. Mann died October 19, 1875, at his
home in this county, anil his wife passed
aw a}- September 13, 1839, both being in-
terred in the cemetery on the old family
homesteail. He was a man of sterling rec-
titutle of character and of integrity above
question, of e\-en temperament, of retined
character — one in wliom nature and culture
vied in making an honored and interesting
gentleman. During the formative period,
the crucial epoch in the history of \'ermilion
county, he stood as the promoter of every
measure tending to make a firm foundation
lor the later-day progress and improvement
and the impetus which he gave to all that is
good, beneficial and noble, is still manifct
in his influence o\er the li\'es of those with
whom he came in contact.
ESTHER E. BRAXHAM.
The estimable latly who bears this name,
is a resident of Indianola, Illinois, and the
widow of .\nnanias Branham. She was
born in Monroe county. Indiana, April i,
1839. and in her maidenhood bore the name
of Esther E. Sunimet. her parents being
Jacob and Esther (Kerby) Sunimet, who
were the parents of the following named
children : Jeremiah C. who was killetl in
the Ci\ il war. in 1862: Alice C. Everroad,
who died in March. 1886: Esther E.. of
this review: William A., a real-estate dealer
in Kansas C'itv, INIissouri, who have fi\'e chil-
dren ; Henr\-. a stone mason of Neodosha,
Kansas, who has three children and was a
soldier of the Civil war; and Emily, who
died in 1875 and was the wife of James
Wakefield, a soldier of the Civil war and a
farmer by occupation.
On the 5th of April, i860, Esther E.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
299
Suniniet became the wife of Annanias Bran-
ham. He, too, was a iiati\e of Monroe
county, Indiana. Their wedding was cele-
brated while the tocsin of war was sounding,
and a year and a half after their marriage,
true to the call of his country, Mr. Bran-
ham left his young wife with her people
and joined the Twenty-second Indiana Vol-
unteer Infantry. For three years he served
his country faithfully and well, and then,
when his services were no longer needed he
received an honorable discharge and returned
to his home. From Indiana, Mr, and Mrs.
Branham removed to Edgar county, Illinois,
in 1870, and in 1875 they settled on a farm
near Indianola, where they remained until
Air. Branham's death, which (jccurred Au-
gust 19, 1894. Mrs. Branham remained on
this farm until November 26, 1901, when
she removed to the village of Indianola,
where she now resides with her three sons,
Walter, Lawson and Frank. For thirty-
four years Mr. and Mrs. Branham lived to-
gether in hapjjy wedded life, sharing the
joys and sorrows, the prosperity and ad\-ers-
ity which fall to the lot of all. When Mr.
Branham was called away the community
lost a good citizen and the family a devoted
husband and father.
The marriage of Air. and Mrs. Branham
was blessed with the following children :
Florence, aged forty-one, is the wife of Ed-
ward Massie, of Boise, Idaho; Elmer E,,
thirty-seven years of age, married Ella Stew-
art in December. 1897, and had two children,
Init both are now deceased. Kerby E.. thir-
ty-four years of age and a carpenter of In-
dianola. married Melinda Martin. April 11,
1900. He served as a soldier of the Spanish-
American war. Walter, aged thirty-two
years, resides at home with his mother.
Hazel O. is the wife of George Bver, a
farmer of Georgetown, Illinois, She is
twenty-eight years of age and they have one
little daughter, aged six years, Lawson,
aged twenty-h\e years, is a prosperous young
merchant of Indianola, and resides at home
with his mother, hrank. also at home, is
twenty-two years of age.
For a cfuarter of a century Mrs. Bran-
ham has been a resident of Vermilion coun-
t\"; and she has always been highly regarded
here for her genuine worth of character.
Her sons and daughters are worthy citizens
of their respective communities and Mrs.
Branham has the high esteem of all with
whom she is associated.
T. T. HEALY.
A large and well equipped department
store of Indianola is the property of J. J.
Healy, and his business career is one which
has e\er been creditable and honorable. At
the same time he has achieved success and
his lifehistory shows that prosperity may be
gained through persistent and well directed
effort. Mr. Healy was born in Boston, Mas-
sachusetts, November 25, 1855, and is a son
of Patrick and Mary (Tracy) Healy. both
of whom are natives of Ireland, the former
l)orn in county Tipperary and the latter in
countv Limerick. Their marriage was cele-
brated in Boston, both having come to Amer-
ica in tlie year 1845. The father was em-
ployed as a stationary engineer in the east
and afterward remo\ed to Chicago, where
both lie and his wife died, his death occurring
in 1896, while his wife passed away in 1893.
The father was a Democrat in his political
views. In the family of this worthy coujile
were five sons and one daughter, and of this
300
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
number the following are living : J. J. :
William and Thomas, who are employed in
the Chicago postoffice; and Elizabeth and
Dennis, who are residents of Chicago.
J. J. Healy pursued his education in the
Skinner school of Chicago and from an early
age was dependent upon his own resources
for a living-. When still quite young he
workeil during the day, attending school at
night, thus paying for his own education
for five years. He had begun work when
but a youth of nine summers, carrying brick
for the building of sewers in Chicago on the
bulkhead. For three years he worked dur-
ing the summer and attended school in the
winter. He next went to St. Joseph, Mis-
souri, when he was fifteen years of age, and
there he continued his education at the same
time following any employment that would
yield him an honest dollar. His determina-
tion to secure an education was proof of the
strong character which would develop with
the passing years. He engaged in teaching
school for four years in St. Joseph and then
returned to Chicago, where he was employed
as a salesman and bookkeeper in a commis-
sion house on South Water street. After
filling that position for about two years he
went to work for F. Salter, with whom he
remained for four years. He continued to re-
side in Chicago until the latter part of 1882,
when he came to Indianola, where he en-
gaged in merchandising.. This business h
has continued to the present time. He has
a very large department store which is
heavily stocked with everything found in a
first class establishment of this character. He
carries drygoods, boots and shoes, groceries,
and even farming implements and machin-
ery', and his patronage is extensive. His
business methods are such as require no dis-
guise and will bear the closest investigation.
and because of his honorable dealing and
his marked industry he has won very credit-
able success. He has an interest in the opera
house here and owns an elegant modern res-
idence which is built in the Queen Anne style
of architecture and fitted up most tastefully.
In Chicago on the 15th of September,
1880. Mr. Healy was united in marriage to
Miss Emma C. Pattison, of Indianola, Illi-
nois, who was born in Ohio, November 25,
1848, a daughter of Elijah and Mary (Cox)
Pattison. Her father was born in Ohio and
her mother in Vermilion county, Illinois.
She was a daughter of Samuel Cox, who
came from Pennsylvania to this state and she
was the first white child born in \'ermilion
county. She is now living in Indianola at
the age of eighty years, and is a very active,
intelligent lady, still doing her own house-
work. She became the wife of Mr. Pattison,
in Indianola; and he afterward devoted his
energies to farming until his death, which
occurred in 1875. In politics he was a
Democrat and he held membership in the
Methodist Episcopal church. In the family
of this worthy couple were six sons and
four daughters : \\'. George, who is vice
president of the Bohart Livestock Commis-
sion Company, of Chicago; Simeon, de-
ceased ; Ed, who resides in Indianola ; Anna
E., of Chicago; Emma C. the wife of our
subject; Franklin and Leander who are resi-
dents of Indianola ; Mary Jane and John,
both deceased ; and Luella, who resides with
her mother. Mr. and Mrs. Healy have had
l)ut one child, Anna M., who was Iwrn in
1882 and graduated with the class of 1900
in the Indianola High School.
Mr. Healy gives his political support to
the Democracy and has l)een honored with
a number of public offices. He has served as
township clerk, was also mavor and treas-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
303
urer of his town, and is now ser\-ing as a
member of the connty central committee
from Carroll townshii). He was also post-
master of Inclianola during President Cleve-
land's administration, succeeding a man
who had held the position for twenty years.
He belongs to \"ermilion Lodge. No. 265,
F. & A. M., and their lodge room is in his
building. He is also a member of the
Modern Woodmen Camp and has memljer-
ship relatiiins with the I'Vaternal Army and
the Knights of the Globe. When he came to
Indianola and established his present busi-
ness he had a capital of only one hundred
and fifty dollars. Since that time he has
had twenty years' experience and during this
long period he has been absent from his
business altogether but three months and five
days. He now owns one of the largest de-
partment stores in the county and his success
is due to close application, a thorough un-
derstanding of trade relations and marke<I
enterprise and diligence.
ABRAHAM MANN, Jr,
-Vhraliam Mann. Jr., living on section
26, Ross township, is one of the substan-
tial farmers and stock-raisers and feeders
of \'ermilion county. He is. too, one of the
largest land owners within its borders, hav-
ing four thousand acres in Ross and Grant
townships, all of which is w-el! improved
and valuable. No history of the cotmty
would be complete without the record of
his life, not only because of the splendid
success which he has achieved but also be-
cause he is one of the honored earlv set-
tlers of this portion of the state, having
resided in the county since 1834.
He is one of the worthy citizens that
England has furnished the United States,
his birth having occurred in Leighton-Buz-
zard, Bedfordshire, that country, February
17, 1829. John Mann, the grandfather of
our subject, came to the new world prior
to the ke\-olutionary war and traveled
through the then largely unexplored west.
He made a trip up the Mississippi river in
a canoe with the Indians and is said to ha\-e
been the first man that penetrated as far
north on the river as St. .\nthony h'alls,
now St. Paul, Minnesota. After the Revo-
lutionary war congress gave him grants of
lands both in Louisiana and New York in
compensation for losses which he had suf-
fered during the period of hostilities. He
later returned to England and spent his last
years in London.
Our subject's father, Abraham I\Iann,
Sr., was born, reared and married in Eng-
land, the lady of his choice being Marv Ann
Smith. He carried on farming for a num-
ber of years on the merrie isle and four chil-
dren were added to the family there. He
then emigrated to the new world in 1S32,
spending the first winter after his arrival
in Herkimer, New York. Then in connec-
tion with his brother-in-law, Mr. Smith,
journeyed westward to Illinois and selected
a location for his family in \'ermilion coun-
ty, Illinois. He entered six hundred and
forty acres of land where the subject of this
re\'iew now resides and with characteristic
energy he began breaking the fields and im-
pro\-ing the farm. In a log house, which he
Imilt, he made his home for several years
and then replaced the [jiimeer cabin by a
good frame house. He also bought more
land and owned several thousand acres,
thus becoming one of the extensive land-
In )l(lers in X'ermilion county. He was a
\ery prominent agriculturist, influential in
public affairs, as well as successful in pri-
304
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
v;ite business interests ami all who knew him
respected him for his genuine worth. He
spent his last years in tJiis county and when
called to his final rest many friends mourned
his loss.
Abraham Mann, of this review, is the
only sur\ivor of a family of two sons and
two daug^hters. He was reared to manhood
ujjon the farm where he now resides and
when a little lad of ten or twelve years he
returned with his parents to England, where
he was placed in school at Biggelswade.
where he completed his course. Previous
to this time he had pursued his education
in Crawfordsville, Indiana. The family re-
mained in England for about four years
and then again came to the United States,
taking up their abode on a farm here. \i-
ter the father's death our subject and his
brother John took charge of the old home
place and tlie business and together carried
on agricultural pursuits for several years.
Abraham Alann has since purchased more
land to the extent of about one thousand
acres. He has on his home farm a very
commodious brick residence, in the rear of
which stand good barns and all necessary
outliuildings for the shelter of grain and
stock. Around his home are beautiful
shade and evergreen trees and a broad lawn
which is well kept. He has also planted an
orchard and the various equipments of the
model farm of the tw'entieth centur}- are
there found. He also has several other
farms in Vermilion county, all of which
are improved with substantial accessories.
He makes a business of raising and feeding
.stock for the market and ships on an aver-
age of from ten to twenty car-loads of cat-
tle annually and a number of car-loads of
hogs. He now has a fine herd of
about one hundred head of registered
short-hum cattle with a fine Cruikshank
bull ;it the head of the herd. He is one of
the most extensive and prosperous stock-
raisers and farmers of the county and is
a business man of marked ability, far-
sighted, enterprising and purposeful. He
is likewise a stockholder in the First Na-
tional Bank of Danville and one of its
directors.
Mr. Atann was married in Vermilion •
county, J.une 13, 1882, to Aliss Margaret
Ann Dale, a sister of John \\^ Dale, of Dan-
\ille. Three sons have been born unto
them ; John, who is a graduate of the Ross-
ville high school : George Dale, a student
in the Cither Military Academy, of In-
diana; and Edward Harold, who is a stu-
dent it: the liomc school. Another memlier
of the household is Aliss Emma Dale, who
has resitled with Mr. and Mrs. Mann since
the death of her mother.
When the Republican party sprung in-
to existence, making the opposition of the
further extension of sla\-ery its leading is-
sue, Air. Mann joineil its ranks and has
since been one of its earnest supporters,
voting for each presidential nominee of the
party since he cast his ballot for John C.
Fremont in 1856. His business interests
ha\-e been too extensive to admit of his tak-
ing an acti\'e part in political work even had
he so desired and he has never even wished
for the rewards of office in recognition of his
party fealt)-. He has, however, been a
member of the school board and has done
etYective work in behalf of the cause of
education. He and his wife are members ^
of the Methodist Episcopal church, belong- V'j/V^O-''*^'*^
ing to M ninij Chapel, and Mr. Mann takes
a most active interest in everything pertain-
ing to the general good along material,
social, intellectual and moral lines.
He has been a resident of Vermilion
county during the great part of tlie time
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
305
of sixty-eight years and has witnessetl tiie
marked changes \\hicli lia\-e occurretl as
development and growtii has transformed
pioneer coiichtions into modern progress.
He lias seen deer and wild game here in
great nnmhers. bnt the?e ha\e disapi:)eared
anil now herds of cattle and other domestic
animals have taken the place of the wild
ones. Air. Alann has witnessed tlie con-
strnclion of the roads and of the railroads
and has seen Dan\ille developed from a
little village of three honses until it has be-
come one of the leading cities of the state.
He has seen the various farms opened and
developed and at all times has given an ac-
tive co-operation to measures pertaining to
the general gi:>od. A most successful ami
enterprising business man, he possesses
keen discrimination and sound business
judgment, unflagging industry and strong
purpose and these qualities have enabled
him to gain an enviable position among the
respected and wealthy citizens of Vermilion
county.
J. H. RHOTEN.
J. H. Rboten, who is actively engaged in
gardening and in the cultivation of fruit
and flowers just outside the city limits of
Danville, owns a valuable tract of seven and
one-half acres of land, and in the conduct of
his business he has become well known for
his reliability, as well as for the excellence
of his products. As he has a wide acquaint-
ance here his life history cannot fail to prove
of interest to many of our readers.
J. H. Rhoten was born in Putnam coun-
ty, Indiana, June 21, 1846. His paternal
grandfather was James Rhoten, who was
a nati\e of England and came to America
in colonial days and fought for the independ-
ence of the country at the time of the Rev-
olutionary war. He lived to the ripe old age
of nearly one hundred )'ears. While in the
service he experienced all of the hardslnps
and privations which befell the .American
troops and on one occasion he had nothing
to eat for three days excq^t two apples.
Thomas Rhoten, the father of our subject,
was born in Brown county, Ohio, where he
spent the first sixteen years of his life and
then became a resident of Putnam county,
Imliana, \\here he attained his majority and
was married, the lady of bis choice being
Sarah W'oolery, who was born in that coun-
ty. Mr. Rhoten carried on farming there
until 1854. when he removed to Cumberland
county. Illinois, where he opened up a fariu.
continuing its cultivation for several years.
About 1869 he came to Vermilion county
and took up his residence upon a farm near
Danville, making it his home throughout his
remaining days. He died about 1876 at
the age of seventy years aiifl his wife passed
away in 1871.
J. H. Rhoten of this review was a little
lad of eight summers when with his parents
he came to Illinois and he was reared in
Cumberland county, this state until se\en-
teen years of age. In 1863 he enlisted for
service in the Union armv. joining the Sixty-
second Illinois Infantry as a member of
Company G. With that command he went
south and joined the western de]jartment.
The first battle in wdiich he engaged was at
Little Rock. The regiment arrived there af-
ter a forced march from Tennessee and they
also did guard duty keeping the Arkansas
river open for fifteen months, during which
time they participated in a number of skirm-
ishes. Later they were sent to Port Gibson,
remaining there for six months, and in
306
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Marcli. 1866, Mr. Rhotcn was honorably
discharged. He then returned home, where
he remained one year, after which he went
to Douglas county. Illinois, spending a year
on a farm there. On the expiration of that
period he came to \'ermiHon county, where
he engaged in farming for two years. He
next turned his attention to bridge builchng
and carpenter work in the employ of the rail-
road and was thus engaged for nine years.
Subsequently he was employed in the coach
building department of the shops at Danville
for a similar period, largely doing repair
work. \\'hi!e thus engaged he purchased the
land on which his present residence was
built and in the spring of 1902 he began the
raising of fruit, vegetables and flowers,
building a large greenhouse. The new en-
terprise has already proved a profitable one
and his patronage in this direction is con-
tinuously increasing.
Mr. Rhoten was married in \'ennili(in
county, in 1870, to Miss Lucy INIartin. a
native of this county, and a daughter of the
Rev. Rolla ^lartin. one of the first settlers
here, having come with his parents in early
pioneer times. He was a minister of the
Christian church and was also prominent ii
public affairs, being elected for two terms to
the office of county treasurer. L'nto ]\Ir. and
Mrs. Rhoten have been born two children
who are yet living. Jessie is one of the suc-
cessful .school teachers of the county, hav-
ing been connected with the Tilton school
for nine years, and Katie is at home. They
also lost one daughter, Edith, who died at
the age of two years. The parents and
daughters are active members of tlie First
Christian church of Danville, taking a help-
ful interest in its work. In his political af-
filiations Mr. Rhoten is a Republican and
no one has reason to question his position on
anv political issue. He is well known in
this city where his fidelity to duty, his trust-
worthiness in business and his loyalty in
friendship have made him a man worthy of
the esteem and confidence of his fellow men.
JOHN THOMAS MAXX.
T!ie extent and scope of the business in-
terests which claimed the attention of Mr.
]\Iann were certainly sui'ficient to win for him
the admiration and respect of his fellow citi-
zens and yet he gained that regard through
other qualities as well, his influence being ex-
erted in Ijehalf of many measures which con-
tributed largely to the public good along in-
tellectual and moral lines. The work begun
by his illustrious father was carried on by
him and his brother and Vermilion county
has no more honored or honorable name upon
the pages of its history than that of Mann.
He whose name introduces this review
was born at Leighton-Buzzard. Bedford-
shire, England. January 30, 1831. being the
second son of the four children of Abraham
and Mary Mann, who are represented else-
where in this work. His education was
largely acquired in liis native country, al-
thougli his parents came to the new world
when he was oidy about a year old. His
parents wishing him to enjoy educational
pri\i leges which could not be secured in the
pioneer district in which they lived, sent him
back to his native land, where he remained
as a student for a number of years, master-
ing the branches of learning which would
prepare him for the practical and responsi-
ble duties of a successful business career.
^^'hen his education was completed he
once more came to America, taking- up
JOHN THOMAS MANN
l; ;y
UNIVERiliY Of ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
309
his residence in the homestead villa,
which had been erected by his father
and in connection witli his brother, Abra-
ham Mann. Jr.. he entered npon his bnsi-
ness career. He always lived upon the
old family homestead and the brothers were
closely associated in extensive agricultural
and commercial pursuits, making a specialty
of the raising of cattle. John T. Mann be-
came a great lover of stock and a most ex-
cellent judge of cattle, horses and hogs. Pie
learned readily to recognize the tine points
of a domestic animal and he studied closely
their needs and the conditions which would
produce the best grades of stock, lie had
both a scientific and practical understanding
of the business and his opinions were re-
garded as authority on matters relating to
stock over a wide territory of Illinois. The
brothers made extensive purchases and after
fattening their stock sold to the city markets,
Thev bought all o\er the southern part of
the state and then shipped to Chicago, where
they never failed to command the hightest
market prices because of the excellent con-
dition of the hugs, cattle and horses, whicii
were sent to the western metropDlis from the
Mann farm.
Living in ^"ermilil)n county in pioneer
days Mr. Mann could remember seeing large
herds of deer running oxer the farm, while
wolves were frequently killed and other
kinds of wild animals were hunted. \'ari-
ous kinds of wild game were also to be had
in abundance and pioneer conditions every-
where existed. The iiomes of the settlers
were widely scattered and many of the early
residents li\-ed in log houses, in fact, such
was t!ie primilixe home of the Mann family,
but after a few vears it was replaced by a
large and pleasant country frame residence.
John Thomas Mann was united in mar-
riage to Miss Martha Cable, who was born
on the 2 1 St of December, 1846, in Long Cren-
dan, Buckinghamshire, England, a daughter
of George" and Elizabeth (Sanders) Cable,
who were natives of Bedfordshire. I'.ng-
land, and came to America in 1855, locating
in Attica, Indiana, where they remained l(.)r
four vears, the father there dex'oting iiis
energies to agricultural pursuits. At the
end of that time he went with his family to
Iroquois county, Illinois, where he remained
for two years and then took u]i his abode
in Rossville, this state, which was his place
of residence for three years. At the end of
that time he removed to Salt Fork, near
Dan\-ille. where he li\-e(l for thirteen years,
next becoming a resident of Homer, Illinois,
where both he and his wife spent their re-
maining days. They were the ])arents of
eight children. After his marriage Mr.
Mann took his bride to the home farm, living
with his brother in the large family mansion.
They had twt) children : Abraham, who was
born May 15, 1869, and died November 17,-
1889: and Mary Ann, who was born April
18, T871. and (lied February J3, 1890. Mr.
Mann passed away on the 19th of Octol)er,
1873, and his wife's death occurred in Santa
Barbara, California, on the 27th of March,
1877. Both were laid to rest in the family
burying ground on the old homestead.
Mr. Mann enjoyed more than local repu-
tation as a splendid marksman and a great
hunter. He always kept a pack of grey
hounds and deer dogs and at different times
killed a large numter of deer. Hunting was
one of his most enjoyable sources of recrea-
tion. While he was deeply interested in his
county and its advancement he never sought
or desired office and in fact steadily refused
to ser\e in any position of a political
character. He took a very active interest in
school work, however, the cause of educa-
tion finding in him a stalw.art friend, and he
3IO
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
lieltl niemhershi|) in the Methodist church
;uk1 In- his presence as well as his material as-
sistance aided in the iiphuilding of the cause
of Christianity. Xo worthy cause ever
sottght his co-operation in vain, and. while
he did not belie\-e in an indiscriminate giving
which often fosters vagrancy and idleness.
he was a most charitable and benevolent man
and to those who were really needy or in dis-
tress he rendered ready and generous assist-
ance. He possesseil many excellent traits of
character, not the least of which was his close
adherence to the golden rule. He made it
his course of action in business as well as in
private and social life and no word was ever
uttered against the honor and integrity of
John Thomas Alann. His life record is one
indeed well worthy of emulation and through
the lorfy-two years of his resilience in Ver-
milion county he so endeared himself to his
fellow citizens that the ties of friendship were
only broken by death and his memory is still
cherished bv those who knew him.
JOSEPH COL VANCE.
In military and political circles IMr.
Vance has been true to his country and its
best interests and to-day in a position of pub-
lic trust — that of justice of the peace — he
is manifesting the same loyalty to the gen-
eral good that he displayed when he fol-
lowed the stars and stripes upon the liattle-
fields of the south.
Mr. Vance is a native of Vermilion
county, Illinois, bis birth having occurred in
Oakwood township on the 2(1 of June, 1844,
his parents having been John W. and De
ziah (Rathborn) \'ance. The father was
a native of Germany and in his boyhood
came with his parents to Illinois, in the year
1822. the family settling in Oakwood town-
ship. \'ermilion county. The father of our
subject was there reared and afterward con-
ducted salt works. He also had farming
interests and in his business affairs he met
with credital.)le success. He died in 1856,
at the age of seventy-five years, while his
wife, the mother of our subject, was called
to her final rest in 1865. at the age of fifty-
two years. Of their family a son and two
daughters now survive, the sisters of our
subject being Lena G., the wife of Samuel
Tilton. of Catlin. \'ermilion county, and
Bridget, who is li\-ing in Danville. There
were nine children altogether in the family.
Mr. \'ance of this review obtained a dis-
trict school education in early life and
started out to make his own way in the world
when a youth of fourteen }'ears. He con-
ducted a farm in Oakwood township for
some time and afterward came to Danvill^,
in the year 1888. Here he becan>e connected
with official service and for five years was a
capable member of the police force. For
three years he filled the office of deputy
sheriff under J. W. Xewlon. and was then
elected justice of the peace, in iSqq. to fill
(]Ut the unexpired term of Park T. Martin.
He discharged his duties so faithfully and
promptly that he was made the nominee of
his party at the regular election, in the spring
of igoi, and was again chosen for tlie ofiice.
Mr. \'ance manifested his loyalty to the
L^nion at the time of the Civil war, by his
enlistment in July, 1862. for tlwee months
as a member of Company A, Seventy-first
Illinois Regiment. On the expiration of
that time he re-enlisted and became a mem-
ber of Company F. Twenty-sixth Illinois In-
fantry. He went with Sherman on his cel-
ebrated march to the sea, and took part in
all of the engagements from the Atlanta
campaign!, in 1864. until the close of the
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
3"
war. when he was nuisteretl out, receiving
an honorable discharge in July. 1865.
In 1869 Mv. \'ance was united in mar-
riage to Lydia E. ^latthewnian, of \'erniil-
ion county. Illinois, and unto them have
been born the following named : Alta. the
wife of James derringer; John P.; Alberta,
the wife of Samuel Saylor; Jcisephine;
Ethel : and Dean. Mr. Vance belongs to
the Masonic fraternity and also has mem-
bership relations with the Modern Wood-
men of America, and the Knights of Labor.
Having always lived in \'ermilion county,
he has a wide acquaintance here and that
his friendship is best prized by those who
know him best, is an indication that his
career has ever been an honorable one.
worthy of the esteem and confidence of his
fellow men.
C. M. BRIGGS.
As a distinguished member of the bar
and as a leading Democratic politician C. M.
Briggs is so well known in \'ermilion coun-
ty that he needs no introduction to the read-
ers of this volume. His career has conferred
honor and dignity upon the profession and
the ci\'ic organizations with which he is
associated and there is in him a weight of
character, a natural sagacity, a far-seeing
judgment and a fidelity of purpose that com-
mand the respect of all. He opened his law
office in Hoopeston in 1892 and has since
gained a distinctively representative client-
age.
'Mr. Briggs was born in Hardin county.
Ohio, in i8'65. a son of Matthew and Louisa
(Webb) Briggs, who were residents of
Richland county, that state. The father fol-
knved farming throughout the years of his
business career and is now living retired in
Porest. where he served as postmaster under
President Cleveland. In the family were
four children : Louisa, the wife of C. E.
Young, of Delphos, Ohio; \V. J., a resident
of Huntington, Indiana; Mrs. Olive Rey-
nolds, of Port Wayne, and C. M.
In taking up the personal history of C.
]\[. Briggs we present the life record of
one who is now widely and favorably known
in \'ermilion county. His early education
was acquired in the common schools and
supplemented by an academic course pur-
sued in Forest, Ohio. At the early age of
fourteen years he entered a drug store and
after being employed there for some time,
during which period he gained a thorough
and comprehensive knowledge of the busi-
ness, he became the owner of a drug store
in Hoopeston, Illinois. He also con-
ducted a similar establishment in Morrison,
this state, and is a registered pharmacist.
Locating in Hoopeston he there conducted
a drug store with excellent success for three
vears, after which, in 1892, he sold out to
Dr. W. R. Wilson. In 1887 he had located
permanently in Hoopeston and after a thor-
ough coiu'.se of law pursued under the direc-
tion of H. M. Steeley, he was admitted to
the Illinois Ijar upon passing an examina-
tion before the supreme court of the state
in 1892.' He then opened his law oflice in
Hoopeston and has since engaged in practice
here. His business has constantly grown in
volume and importance and he has handled
much litigation which has attracted wide at-
tention. Devotedly attached to his ])rofes
sion. systematic and methodical in habit,
sober and discreet in judgment and diligent
in research — these qualities have enabled
him to take a position in the front rank of the
legal profession in Hoopeston.
312
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
In 1885, ill Paxton. Illinois. Mr. BriggT
was married to Miss Belle Doke. who died
in 1899 leaving one son, Jay, who is now
sixteen vears of age and is a student in his
father's law office. On the 12th of June,
1901, Mr. Briggs was again married, his
second union being with Mrs. Addie Snively.
a native of Iroquois county, Illinois. They
have a pleasant home on Second avenue in
the south end of the town and its graciou^•
hospitality is cordially enjoyed by their many
friends. Fraternally Mr. Briggs is con-
nected with the Knights of Pythias, with
the Modern Woodmen of America and with
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He
stands at the head of the silver element of
the Democratic party in tlie northern part
of \'ermiIion county and is ven,- active in
political work. He is a fluent orator, a logi-
cal and entertaining speaker and during the
two campaigns in which Bryan has been the
nominee of the Democracy for president he
has delivered many addresses in behalf of
the Nebraska statesman. His prominence
in political work resulted in his nomination
for congress in opposition to Joseph Cannon.
in 1900. This nomination came to him not
onlv unsought but entirelv without liis
knowledge. At the time he was in Danville
trying a case in court when a telegram was
handed him announcing that his name had
been placed on the ticket in connection with
the oflice of congressman. Accepting the
nomination he did effective work in the cam-
paign, using his efforts for the success of the
Democratic party. It was a foregone con-
clusion that his election was an impossibility
but he carried the full vote of his party. He
is a member of the Democratic county cen-
tral committee and in 1898 he served as city
solicitor of Hoopeston. On numerous oc-
casioiT^ he has been a delegate to the Demci-
cratic state conventions and in the conven-
tion of 1900 he was a memljer of the commit-
tee on resolutions. ]\Ir. Briggs is a young
man of marked ability, possessing excellent
traits of character. He is manly, sincere and
outspoken and he has gained a high place in
his profession by hard work and by merit
which is widely recognized not only by the
public but by the members of the legal fra-
ternitv as well.
CHARLES BUHL.
For vears an honored and respected resi-
dent of Danville, (diaries Buhl pjissed away
on the loth of July, 1898. at the age of
eighty-six years. As the day with its morn-
ing of hope and promise, its noontide of ac-
tivity, its evening of completed and success-
ful effort, ending with the grateful rest and
c[uiet of the night, so was the life of this
honored man. who was for many years
prominent in business circles and after com-
ing to Danville invested largely in real
estate, doing much to improA'e property in-
terests here.
He was born in Zelienople. Pennsylvania,
on the 8th of February, 1812, his parents
being Christian and Fredericka Buhl, both
of whom were natives of Germany, whence
they came to America prior to their mar-
riage. The father took up his residence in
the Keystone state and for a number of
years was justice of the peace. He after-
ward ser\-ed for a number of terms as
county judge and his decisions were strictly
fair and impartial. He left the impress of
his individuality upon the early judicial his-
tory of his county. He was a man of
marked personality, well fitted to become a
LIBRARY
OF TliE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
CHARLES BUHL.
MRS. CHARLES BUHL.
LIBRARY
Of TiiE
UMVERSITY Of ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
3'7
leader of public tliouglit and action and in
the community where he made his home he
was honored and respected by all who knew
him. He died at the age of eighty-seven
years, and his wife passed away at the same
age. In their family were eleven children,
of whom Charles was the fourth in onler of
birth. All are now deceased with the excep-
tion of ^Trs. Robert King, who is residing
in Detroit, Michigan: and Mrs. Robert
Hay, whose home is in .Mlegheny City,
Pennsylvania.
In the common school Cliarles Buhl ac-
(|uired his early education and after putting
aside his text books he became connected
with commercial life. Removing to the
west he established a general furnishing
goods store in Detroit, Michigan, where he
carried on business for several years. Later
he became a resident of Chicago, where he
enjoyed an extensive trade in the same line
of business for eleven years. On account of
ill health, however, he was obliged to retire
from business life and removed to a farm
near Chicago, where he lived for ten years.
In 1861 came to Danville, where he spent
his remaining days. Here he made ex-
tensive investments in real estate. His
money was so judiciously placed that hfe
continually derived a growing income from
his property interests, owing to the increase
in value with the growth of the city's popu-
lation. In business affairs his judgment
was always faultless and he seemed readily
to look beyond the exigencies of the mo-
ment to the possibilities of the future. His
careful control of extensive commercial
transactions brought to him splendid suc-
cess and moreover he sustained an unassail-
able reputation as an honorable business
man.
On the oth of July, 1839, in Pemisyl-
vania, Mr. Buhl was united in marriage to
Miss Klezan McConnaughy, a daughter of
James and Elizabeth (Jones) McCon-
naughy, the former a n;ili\e of Ohio.
Unto this marriage were born six children,
as follows : Charles ; Sidney, who is a re-
tired farmer, li\-ing in Danxille; Walter,
who died in infancy; Frank, also resident
of Danville: Emma, who became the wife of
William Myers and died at the age of forty-
one _\ears : and Laura, the wife of John
Lawrence, of this city. Mrs. Buhl, the
mother, was born on the ist of January,
1820. and was the youngest and is now the
only surviving member of a family of eleven
children. She possesses remarkable vigor
and strength for one of her years and is a
most highly esteemed resident of Danville,
where she has made her home for more than
four decades.
In his political views Mr. Buhl was a
stalwart Republican, always interested in the
(juestions and issues of the day, yet never
seeking or desiring public office. After a
happy married life of fifty-nine years he was
called to his final rest on the loth of July,
1898. His was an upright character and his
career displayed many sterling traits well
worthy of emulation. A man of domestic
tastes he was devoted to the welfare of his
wife and children and he held friendship in-
violable. In business transactions he was
the soul of honor and at all times he was
loyal to the best interests of the city, state
and nation.
WILLIAM W^HITE.
William White is now living on section
5, Xewell township, and was born in Blount
township ]\Iarcli 20, 1830. Among the early
settlers and prominent men of Vermilion
was his father, lames White, now deceased.
Ii8
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
He married Nancy ^^'iles and both were na-
tives of Switzerland county, Indiana. They
took up their abode in Vermihon county, IIH-
nois, when inanv red men stiU h\ed in this
section of the state, the prairies were covered
with the native grasses and in the forests
the trees stood in tlieir primexal strength.
Deer roamed among tlie trees or over the
prairies and there were many prairie wolves.
The family arrived in a covered wagon after
having forded the rivers and swamps ami
here they settled in the midst of a barren
wilderness. He entered government land
and erected a log cabin with a stick and clay
chimney. The wolves often gathered
around this pioneer home making the night
hideous with their howling. Indians often
visited them but uere friendly. James White
was a great hunter and shot many deer and
even after game began to get scarce in this
locality he would go miles to hunt. He saw
Chicago when it was but a mere hamlet and
many times drove his ox-team to that mar-
ket, fording rivers and traveling over the
slougiis which cut up the country, making
the land of Httle \'alue until it had been
drained. Upon the way he would camp out
at night. He frequently had his son W^ill-
iam ride the ox in front which was harnessed
up for the purpose. James White cut down
many a forest tree in preparing his land for
cultivation and he broke the prairie with
oxen, using six to nine yoke to a breaking
plow. He lived to see the whole country de-
veloped from an unsettled wilderness to one
of the most highly cultivated farming dis-
tricts in this great state dotted here and there
with thriving towns and villages and a city
of which the inhabitants have every reason
to be proud. He was often heard to say that
he and a friend swam nearly every stream
between old Denmark and Chicago. At the
birth of each of his children he would go on
a hunt for a deer and when his son William
was born he brought home both a deer and a
wild goose. Many times he trampled upon
rattlesnakes, never knowing that they were
dangerous. He served as a soldier in the
Black Hawk war as did also Langford
Wiles, the father of Mrs. William White.
James White lived to the age of eighty-six
years, dying in June, 1887. In his family
were fourteen children, ten of whom reached
adult age and reared families of their own,
while four died in infancy. The following
are yet living, namely: Mrs. Mary Shafer,
of Nebraska; William Langford, of Blount
township; Mrs. Robert VanVickle, of
Blount township; Silas and Richard, who
are living in the same township ; Thomas, a
resident of Minnesota; and James, of Blount
township.
William White, the second in order of
birth, acquired his education in the early sub-
scription schools which he attended during
the winter seasons and in the summer
months he worked on a farm. From the
time he was ten years of age he followed the
plow to which a team of oxen was hitched.
He often plowed with a wooden mold board
and afterward with a single shovel plow,
while the harness had a single line. He
planted corn by hand, cradled the grain and
bound his wheat by hand. He also assisted
in dipping candles until the candle molds
came into use antl at times he saw a turnip
hollowed out and in this was placed a
greased rag. it was then lighted and served
for a parlor lamp. In the father's family
hax was used for making cotton clothing
and thread and the wool was spun and
woven into cloth for the winter clothing,
spinning wheels forming a part of the furni-
ture of e\-ery household. Many times Mr.
White assisted his mother in that work. He
can also remember the davs when the girls
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
319
wouUl carry their slices to church, wearins;'
them milv (hiring the ser\ice and tlien re-
turning barefooted in order to economize be-
cause only one pair of shoes was allowed to
each person for a year. Peoi)!e rode to
church on horseback, sometimes as many as
tliree peojile sitting upon a sheejiskin uptHi a
single horse. William White owned the last
yoke of oxen used in the neighborhood. It
was a splendidly yoked team, weighing for-
ty-seven hundred pounds, but at length he
sold these animals, keeping the yoke, how-
ever, as a relic of early days.
Mr. ^N'liite was united in marriage to
Elizabeth Wiles, who also came of a pioneer
faniilv. She was born in Blount township
March 20, 1840, a daughter of Langford
and Mary (Cas.?at) Wiles. Two children
have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. White."
Mary was married in 1885 to Alfred Iiigles-
by, a farmer of Blount township, and they
have nine children, six sons and three daugh-
ters. Cordelia Edna is the wife of Ed. Neff
and they were married in 1900. They have
a little daughter, Iva E., ten months old, and
their lionie is in Blount township. Mrs.
White was reared upon a farm and many a
dav has droppeil corn, following the ])low.
l'"or se\en weeks when she was two years old
her mother was left all alone witli her and a
brother, while the father made a trip to Mis-
souri. Some boys tried to scare her mother
with dogs, but although she was alone with
her }oung children she never flinched nor
showed anv signs of fear. When our sub-
ject settled on the eight mile ])rairic there
was not a house within miles. They lived in
pioneer style, cooking over a fireplace, but
with the ad\'aiicing vears they have ac-
quired all the comforts and conveniences
that have been introduced. Mr. White now
owns a valualjle farm of one hundred and
twenty acres on section zy. Blount township.
and ()ne hundred and lifty acres on section 8,
a part of this being covered with timber. He
also has other lands in Newell township. He
and his wife and youngest daughter are
members of the Baptist church, while* the
others are members of the Christian church,
and ill his political \'iews he is a Democrat.
He has served as commissioner of highways
and as a school (hrector for many years. He
is now living retired in the edge of Bk)unt
township, his home being in Newell town-
ship.
JOHN L. STEWARD.
John L. Steward, deceased, was for
about thirty years an honored and highly re-
spectetl citizen of Vermilion county, having
arrived here in 1851, at wliich time he lo-
cated on a tract of wild prairie land in New-
ell township, twelve miles northeast of Dan-
ville. He was born on the i3tli of July,
18 1 6, in Broome county. New York, of
which state his parents, John and Catherine
(Catlin) Steward, were also natives. From
there they removed to l""ountain county, In-
diana, where the father ])urcliased land and
engaged in its cultivation throughout the re-
mainder of his life. Both he and his wife
died in that C(_)unty.
The primary education of our subject
was obtained in the common schools of
Broome county. New York, and he contin-
ued his studies in the ])iiblic schools of
l-'ountain county, Indiana, after the removal
of the family to that state. As soon as old
enough to be of any assistance he com-
menced to aid his father in the operation of
the farm and was thus employed until his
marriage, which important event in his life
occurred on Easter .Sunday. .April 19. 1840,
Miss Marv E. Johnson becoming his wife.
320
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Mrs. Steward was born in Jackson coun-
ty, Ohio, June 25, 1822, and is a daughter of
Richard and Alilbry (Graves) Johnson, the
former a native of Chester county, Pennsyl-
vania, born in 1793, and the latter of Chat-
ham county. North Carolina. The father,
who was an old tavern keeper, removed to
Lafayette. Indiana, at a very early day when
Indians were still numerous in that locality
and when the present flourishing city of La-
fayette contained but four houses. There he
took charge of a hotel, known as the Seven
Stars and continued to carry it on until his
death, which occurred in 1830. In his fam-
ily were seven children, three of whom are
still living, as follows : Harvey, who mar-
ried Amanda Sewell, now deceased, is a re-
tired farmer and land owner residing in Bis-
marck, this county. Mary E. is the widow
of our subject. Colonel Henderson Johnson
married Susan Goodlow, of Kentucky, and
is now living retired in Danville. He is one
of the leading citizens of the place. Those
of the family now deceased are Margaret
Jane, James Clay, Josephine and William R.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Steward were born
twelve children, namely: Harvey J., de-
ceased, served all through the Civil war as a
member of Company B, One Hundred and
Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry;
Ella is the wife of Frank Gordon, a fanner
of the state of Oregon ; Mary, deceased, was
the wife of Martin Barker, now an officer in
the Soldiers' Home in Danville ; William
died at the age of eighteen years; John H.
married Belle Pierce and is now a retired
farmer living at Hoopeston, this county :
Amanda is the wife of J. H. Henderson, a
grocer of Crawfordsville, Indiana ; Laura is
the wife of Henry Peters, who holds a posi-
tion in a h'mberyard in Danville: Lizzie died
at the age of twenty-four years ; Sue is the
wife of C. A. Parsons, a leading photogra-
pher uf Dan\ille. by whom she has two chil-
dren : Harry, burn November 9, 1886, and
Edward, l)orn October 21, 1893, and they
make their home with Mrs. Steward; Annie
is the wife of William C. Thompson, ex-
county treasurer of Vermilion county ; Bert
L. married Alecia Jones and resides in Dan-
ville, Illinois; and Emma died young.
After his marriage Mr. Steward contin-
ued to engage in farming in Fountain coun-
t}'. Indiana, until 1852, when he came to
X'ermilion county, Illinois, and settled on
what was known as Grand Prairie in Newell
township, tuelve miles northeast of Dan-
ville, where he purchased a farm of two hun-
dred and sixty acres. He made many im-
provements upon that place and there suc-
cessfully engaged in general fanning and
stock-raising until 1879, when on account of
ill health he sold his property and went west,
locating on a farm near Portland, Oregon,
where he spent three years. At the end of
that time sickness again caused him to
change locatimi and he returned to Ver-
milion county, purchasing property near the
village of Bismarck, where he lived until
called to his final rest on the ist of October,
1882. He held several minor offices while
residing in Newell township, such as road
overseer, school director, etc., and was ac-
counted one of the valued and representative
citizens of his community. His political sup-
port was given the Democratic party, and
having always been a great reader he was
well informed on the leading questions and
issues of the day. At his death he left many
friends to mourn his loss as he was a very
popular and prominent citizen of the com-
munity in which he lived.
After her husband's death Mrs. Steward
continued to make her home in Bismarck for
two years, and then, disposing of her prop-
ertv there, she removed to Danville, where
n-
LIBrA^Y
cr r.iE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
MRS. ELIZA CAMPBELL
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
323,
she bought a lot and erected her present resi-
dence at Xo. 119 East ]\Iadiscin street. She
also owns other property on tlie same street.
She is a most estimable lady, who has a wide
circle of friends and acquaintances, and is a
consistent member of the First Methodist
Episcopal church of Danville.
JOSEPH CAMPBELL.
Among the early pioneer settlers of
Newell townshi]). \'erniilii.)n countx'. the
name of Joseph Campbell, now deceased,
was prominent. He was born in New York,
May 27, 1 81 6, and his death occurred
March 7, 1858. No more fitting tribute
can be given to the life record of any man
than to say that the county in which he lived
and labored has been benefited by bis life.
This can truthfully be said of Joseph
Campbell, for he was ever faithful to his
duties as a citizen and as a man.
He was a son of Samuel and Mary
(Harper) Campbell, both natives of New
York, who came to Vermilion county, Illi-
nois, and settled on the old Campbell farm
on section 26, Newell township. There
Samuel Campbell purchased land and the
family made their home in a primitive log
cabin, which was the only shelter of the
early settlers of the county. At that time
game abounded and the prairies were un-
broken and unculti\-ated, the timber being
uncut and the entire land untouched by the
ci\ilizing touch of man. The enterprise and
energy of such people as the Campbell fam-
ily, however, have wroright a great change
in this great cummonwealtb and to-day it
stands among the great states of the ITnion,
tlirough the united and consecutive efforts
14
of those who have laliored for its welfare
and upbuilding. I'nto Samuel Campbell
and bis wife were Ijorn se\cn children, the
subject of this review being the youngest of
the family. In the Empire state he received
his early education and there remained until
eighteen years of age, when with his parents
he removed to Vermilion county. Here he
continued his education, which well fitted
him for the duties of life. He engaged in
farming on his father's farm, which after-
ward came into his possession.
An important event took place in his life
when, on the 22d of December. 1840, be was
united in marriage to Eliza Jane Mackeson,
who was born November 28, 1819. This
lady is now eighty-three yearse of age and
makes her home with her daughter, Mrs.
McCowan, in State Line, Indiana. Mrs.
Campbell is a daughter cjf ,\ndrew and Han-
nah (Martin) Mackeson, both natives of
Harrison county, Kentucky, and is the oldest
in a family of four children. L^nto Joseph
Campbell and his wife were born five chil-
dren, namely: Hannah Jane, wbn married
James Gahn, Sqitember 14, 1871. They
have two children. The elder. Joseph
Franklin, is now a lieutenant in the Lnited
States army, stationed at Philadelphia. He
is a graduate of West Point and was the lieu-
tenant who hoisted the United States flag at
I'ekin. China, on the famous walls of that
city. He has been in the United States
army for several years. He was married
September 14. 1902, to Laura Andia Colt.
Mary, the second child of Mr. ancL Mrs.
(iahn, was marriel in 1901 to Fred Hard-
ing, and resides in East St. Louis. John
D., the second child of Mr. and Mrs.
Campl)ell, is now a farmer residing in New-
ell township. Andrew, of Newell township,
is the next in order of birth. He also fol-
324
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
lows fanning. Samuel also carries on farm-
ing in Newell township. Mary is the wife
of John Mc Cowan, of State Line, Indiana.
She was born September 12, 1852, and was
married November 18, 1874. Air. Mc-
Cowan \\as born in Edgar county. Illinois,
August 26, 1849, ^'■^'^l "^^'^s an extensive cat-
tle dealer and shipper. Coming to Ver-
milion county, Illinois, in 1870, he settled
on section 18, Newell township. His par-
ents were nati\es of Kentucky. In June,
1806. he retired to State Line. Indiana,
where he resides in his comfortable dwell-
ing, with his wife and mother-in-law, Airs.
Campbell.
Mrs. Campbell is of sturdy Scotch an-
cestrv and has many of the sterling charac-
teristics of her race who have always held
exalted ideas of what is right and have lived
up to the same. She is among the pioneer
residents of Vermilion county and has seen
great transformation wrought here, the
once unbroken prairies being now dotted by
flourishing towns and villages. She is a
virtuous and estimable lady and is one of
the best known residents of the county.
WILLIAM LYNCH.
William Lynch, whose large business in-
terests make him a valued representative of
commercial and industrial activity in Mun-
cie, was born in New "S'ork, September 15,
1854, and may truly be called a self-made
man, for from an early age he has been de-
pendent entirely upon his own labors. Early
in life he was left an orphan and in 1861
went to live with Henry Sallee, who tilled the
position of township treasurer and township
clerk for thirty-seven years. Mr. Lynch was
permitted to attend school for about three
months during each year and throughout the
remainder of the year his labors were given
to his employers. When twenty years of age
he left school altogether as a student. Mr.
Lynch was permitted to attend for a short
time in Ladoga. Indiana, and for six months
he engaged in teaching. He then learned te-
legrajjliy which he followed for two years,
after which he became connected with the
grain trade and also bought and sold stock.
He devoted his energies to dealing in grain
and li\-e stock for seventeen years, after
which he managed a store for Air. Reinstein.
Later he purchased his employer's store and
conducted the Inisiness himself in connec-
tion with his partner. A. L. Stearns, a rela-
tion that was maintained for ten yeiirs. On
the expiration of that period he began oper-
ating the coal mine which he now owns and
which has been very productive. He has
three partners in the Muncie Coal Company
but is one of the largest stockholders of the
enterprise. The mine has a capacity of
about tive hundred tons per day and the out-
put is therefore valuable. Mr. Lynch also
owns a general mercantile store in Muncie
and a good farm property of eighty acres
besides city real estate and twenty-fi\e acres
in Aluncie.
In his political atiiliations Air. Lynch is
a Republican but has no aspirations for
office. He belongs to Aloming Star Lodge,
No. 489. I. O. O. F.. and Aluncie Camp. No.
4S78. M. \\'. A. He is also identified with
the Fraternal Army of America and in these
different orgaizations he enjoys the warm
regard of his brethren.
He has been twice married, having in
December. 1875. in Muncie wedded Marga-
ret Lowman. who was born in Vermilion
county. They l)ecame the parents of four
children : Cato. Grace, Blaine and Elbert.
l)ut the last two are deceased. The wife and
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
325
mother ilied in 1886 and in Sei)tem1)er. 1888,
in Indianapolis, Mr. Lynch was again mar-
ried, his second union being witli Sarah
■CampbeU, wlio was born in Coles counly.
Illinois. ']"he\- Iia\e three children: 01i\e.
aged tweKe }ears: Willie, nine: and \'erla.
eight.
This is a utilitarian age when the prom-
inent factor of a community is he who con-
trols im])ortant and extensive business enter-
prises and fortunate is the community if such
a man not only has regard for the growth of
his business but also for the de\-elopment nf
the community. Such a quality character-
izes the career of Mr. Lynch and while ad-
vancing his indisidual success he also con-
tributes to the general prosperity by the con-
trolling of his affairs and by the active co-op-
•eration which he gives tii many measures
for the pul)lic good.
WILLIAM ]\I. ACTON.
Among the young men of Vermilinu
•county successfully practicing at the bar and
also prominent in political life is William
M. Acton, whose birth occurretl in this coun-
ty on the 30th of August, 1876. He is a
son of William H. and Eliza J. (Laflin) Ac-
ton. The father was a native of Ohio, and
in 183Q removed to Vermilion county, lo-
cating in Pilot townshii>, where he engaged
in farming and stock-raising and was
known as one of the progressive agricultur-
ists of his community. He died February
.27. 1809, at the age of sixty years, respected
by all who knew him. His widow still sur-
vives him and is now li\-ing in Potomac,
X'ernnlion county. The ijaternal grandfa-
ther of our subject was James Acton, a na-
tive of Kentucky, and he became a pioneer
settlers of this county. .Matthew LaHin, the
maternal grandfather, was also one of the
early residents of the county and both aided
in the material development .-md upbuilding
of this |)ortion of the state.
.\fter ac(|uiring his literay education in
the i)ul)lic schcjols, William M. Acton fur-
tlier prepared for the duties of an active busi-
ness career by a course of study in the Dan-
ville Business College, of Danville, Illinois.
He also pursued the classical course in Greer
College, in Hoopeston, Illinois, where he
was graduated in 1896 with the valedictor-
ian honors of his class. Desiring to make
the jM-actice of law his life work, he then be-
gan reading in the ofifice of C, L. Chamber-
lin, of Hoopeston, while later, J. W. Keeslar,
of Danville, was his preceptor. In October,
i8(;Q, he was admitted to the bar and fonued
a partnership with Mr. Keeslar. He is now
assistant state's attorney, to which position
he was appointed in December, 1900. His
success has come .soon, because his equip-
ment is unusually good. Along with those
qualities indispensible to a lawyer — a keen,
rapid, logical mind plus business sense and a
read}- capacity for hard work — he brought
to the starting point of his legal career elo-
cpience of language and a strong personality.
On the 29th of November, 1899, Mr.
Acton led to the marriage altar Miss Adolyn
M. Herlocker, a daughter of the late U. R.
Herlocker, of Danville. The young couple
ha\e many friends in this county. Mr. .\c-
ton is identitied with the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows. He also l)elongs to the
Modern Woodmen, to the Tribe of Ben Mur,
and to the Methodist Episcopal church, all
of which indicate the high character of his
social life and his religious belief. In poli-
tics he is a Republican, takes an acti\e part
in cam])aign work and has delivered many
addresses in behalf of his party, for he be-
326
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
lieves tliat one of the salient featnres of good
citizenship is tlie endorsement of political
jtrinciples pertaining to good go\'ernment.
ISAAC CURREXT.
Among those who have, after long con-
nection with agricnltural pursuits, put aside
the work of the farm and taken up their
abode in the city of Danville is numbered
Isaac Current, one of \'ermili<:)n county's
native sons. His birth occurred in Newell
township, on the 17th of November, 1845,
his parents being William and ]\Iary (Bast-
win) Current, both of whom were natives
of Virginia. The father was born April
20, 1803. The maternal grandfather, Hen-
ry Bastwin, was also born in A'irginia, and
on leaving that state traveled westward un-
til he took up his abode in Danville town-
ship, Vermilion county, Illinois. Here he
engaged in business as a hat maker, follow-
ing that pursuit for a number of years. La-
ter he went to southern Illinois and after his
retirement from business he made his home
with his daughter, Mrs. Current, for a short
time. He next went to Iowa, where lie lived
with another daughter until his death, which
occurred when he had reached the very ad-
vanced age of nearly one hundred years.
In 1829 William Current, the father of
our subject, came to ^^ermilion county with
a brother and sister, settling in Newell town-
ship, where he engaged in farming. He
was a blacksmith and wagon-maker by trade
and after coming west sold some wagons
of his manufacture in Chicago, besides mak-
ing those for his own use. In those early
days Chicago was the market at which he
sold his butter, eggs and other farm pro-
duce. He continued farming: here until his
death, passing away August 6, 1851. and
our subject now has in his possession many
relics of his father, including a cowbell, a
day l)ook, a Bible and a pocket book, all of
which are valued family relics. The mother
(lied in 1S85. at the advanced age of sev-
enty-eight years. They were the parents of
fi:)urteen children, of whom five are yet liv-
ing, namely: Andrew J., who is a farmer
residing in Tracy, Iowa ; George, who lives
in the Soldiers' Home at Ouincy, Illinois;
James, who is a grain merchant of Homer,
Illinois; Isaac; and Samuel, a grocer of
Franklin, Nebraska. Those who have
passed away are: Henry B., Nancy, Martin
\\'., John, Mary Jane, Susanna, Rebecca,
Lucinda and Matilda.
Isaac Current attended the common
schools in his youth and afterward engaged
in farm work on the home place. He later
purchased a tract of land on Covington
Road in Danville township and there he car-
ried on agricultural pursuits until he re-
moved to Danville on the 17th of Septem-
ber, 1900, having for many years been ac-
tivelv engaged in farm work, whereby he
won a competence that now enables him to
enjoy a well merited rest, surrounded by all
of the comforts and many of the luxuries
which go to make life worth the living.
^Ir. Current has been three times mar-
ried. In 1862 he wedded Clarissa E. Lynch,
who was born in this county, August 10,
1843. ^ daughter of Isaac P. and Mary
Lynch, who were early settlers here and are
now deceased. Mrs. Current passed away
June 14, 1869, leaving a daughter, while
their son. Samuel, who was born July 2,
1864, had died in infancy. The daughter,
Rachel E., born December 8, 1865, is now
tlie w ife of Isaac Bowman and they reside
upon her father's farm in Danville town-
ship. On the 28th of October, 1869, Mr.
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
ISAAC CURRENT.
MRS. ISAAC CURRENT.
OF TM
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
331
Current wedded Mary (Campbell ) W'yatu
of \'erniiliou county. Her father. Harp
Campbell, having located here at an early
period in the development of this portion of
the stale. The second wife died June 21,
1 8" J. Her son, William Frederick, born
;March 20, 1871, died in infancy. For his
third wife INIr. Current chose Mrs. Dorothy
J. Noel and they were married January 26,
1873. The lady is a native of Parke county,
Indiana, horn January 13. 1843, and a
daughter of Cornelius and Xancy Jducs, the
former a native of Virginia and the latter
•of Miami county, Ohio. Her father was an
own cousin of John Brown, the noted abo-
lition advocate and for many years was a
resident of Parke county, Indiana, but died
in southern Illinois. By the third mar-
riage of Mr. Current there was born
one child, Charles Raymond, whose birth
occurred November 17, 1876. He married
Katie Shepherd and is a farmer by occupa-
tiiin. residing in Danville.
When Mr. Current removed to the city
he built his present beautiful home at No.
71 1 Illinois street and he still owns his farm
of one hundred and five acres on section i
and 6, Danville township, together with a
farm of forty acres on section 30 in the same
township anil another forty acre tract near
Eairmount, this county. He had made
splendid improvements up<in the old home-
stead. He erected a nice residence there
and it is to-day one of the best farms in the
township. He also built houses on both of
his small farms. He formerly gave his po-
litical support to the Democracy but is now
a Republican and both he and his wife are
consistent and devoted members of the First
Methodist church of Danville. At all times
]\Ir. Current has been actuated in his con-
duct and in his relations to his fellow men
by iionorable principles and by his Chris-
tian belief, and those who know him — and
his acquaintance is extensive — therefore
cherish for him high respect by reason of
his genuine worth of character.
HARVEV SODOWSKY.
When ci\ilization made its way into the
Mississippi valley the great farms of this
section of the country became the wonder of
the world. The broad prairies of the valley
were transformed into vast country seats,
comprising hundred and sometimes thou-
sands of acres. The more mountainous re-
g-ions of the eastern country had made farm-
ing on this extensive scale impossible, but in
the west nature provided splendid opportuni-
ties and agriculture and its kindred occupa-
tion of stockraising became the leading pur-
suit of the enterprising people who settled
this region. Harvey Sodow.sky directed his
energies into these departments of activity
and won a place second to none among the
raisers of shorthorn cattle in America, and
perhaps second to none in the world. His
success was of gradual growth — the natural
result of energy, perseverance, sound judg-
ment and keen discrimination. In his life he
exeni])lihed many of the sterling traits of his
I'olisb ancestry — the patriotism, the fearless
defense of what he believed to be right and
conscientious regard for the rights of others.
The Sodowsky family was founded in
America by James Sodowsky, a Polish exile
of noble birth, proud spirit ;inil lofty patriot-
ism. When his love of liberty could no long-
er tolerate the despotic rule of Russia, he be-
came the leader in a rebellion against the
czar, and when defeated, but not subdued, he
came to America — "the land of the free and
the home of the brave." Later he married
332
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
tlie sister of Goxernor lnsli]>, of the colony
of Virginia, and anioiii;- llieir descendants
was Harvey So(U)\vsky, of this review. In
tlie course of years representatives of tlie
family changed the spelling of tlie name, in-
cluding the jjrothers of uur subject. Two
of these brothers. \\'illiam and Aljraham
Sandusky, are now prominent farmers and
stockmen of Carroll townshi]), Vermilion
county. Har\ey Sodowsky, however, re-
tained the ancestral spelling of the family
name.
'I'he spirit which led James Sodowsky,
the emigrant, rirst to light for liberty and
then come to America, has been mani-
fest in his descendants throughout succeed-
ing generations. It was shown by the Sod-
owskys who fought for the liberty of the col-
onists of the new world, and how their
hearts nuist haxe rejoiced at the glorious
outcome of the struggle; it was again shown
b_v gallant soldiers of the name in the war of
1812; and in the subjugation of the western
wilderness they bore a part. Daniel Boone
opened the gates of Kentucky and soon he
was followed into "the dark and bloody" re-
gion by the grandfatlier of our subject, who
settled there just after the close of the Rev-
olutionary war. Abraham Sandusky, the fa-
ther, was born in that state and married Jane
McDowell, by wlioni he had eight children,
of whom Harvey Sodowsky was the eldest.
In 1830 they removed with their family from
Kentucky to Vermilion county and located
September 20, 1830, on the IJttle Vermilion
river, where Abraham Sandusky made his
home until his death.
The iiirth of Harvey Sodowsky occurred
in Bourbon county, Kentucky, May 17,
1S17, and when he w-as about fourteen years
of age he came with his parents to this coun-
ty. He was earl\- initiated into farm work
and he remained at home until twenty-four
years of age when he was married to Miss
Susan Baum, a daughter of Charles and
Susan (Moyer) liaum, who hati emigrated
from Ohio and taken up their abode on the
Little Vermillion ri\er. Mrs. Sodowsky w'as.
of Polish lineage and the founder of the
Baum family in .Vmerica was her grandfa-
ther, Charles Baum. He married Miss Bar-
bara McDonald, a relati\e of General Mc-
Donald, who was attached to the division of
the Continental Army that won fame under
the command of Francis Marion. He did
reserve duty in protecting the frontier and
when the war was ended he established his
home in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Fol-
lowing Wayne's treaty with the Indians he
sailed down the Ohio river with his family,
landing at the mouth of Bullskin creek, and
there close to what is now the river town of
Chilo. established the first settlement in the
territory of (3hio. It was Charles Baum,
jr.. a son of Charles Baum. the emigrant,
who became the father of Mrs. Sodowsky.
lie wedded Susan Moyer, whose father.
John Moyer, was one of the heroes of the
war for .\nierican Independence and served
for several years under the immediate com-
mand of General Washington. For some
time following the close of hostilities he
made his home in Pennsylvania and then
joined the brave band of pioneers who re-
claimed Ohio for the purpose of civilization,
from the hands of the red men. In the year
i8^y Charles Baum removed with his family
to another pic_)neer district — Vermilion
countv, Illinois, and here he reached the age
of ninety-six years.
It was on the 20th' of May, 1840, that
his daughter Susan gave her hand in mar-
riage to Mr. Sodowsky, and they began their
domestic life on the farm which thev after-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
333
ward called the \\'oodla\vn Stock I'arni and
which became known throughout the coun-
try because of the famous shortlinrn cattle
raised thereon. Throughout the surround-
ing states Mr. Sodowsky was kni)wn as a
breeder of pure Ijred and high grade short-
liorns and in his barns and pastures were
seen some of the finest specimens of sliort-
horn cattle in America, if not in the world.
Tlie list of premiums which he won is jier-
haps longer than that of any other man
whose exhibits of stock were often seen in
the leading" fairs and expositions of the
country. Carrying on the business for a
half century, Mr. Sodowsky gained wealth,
and also won an honoral)le name, for his
business methods were such as would bear
the closest investigation. In the acquire-
ment of his fortime he ne\er took advantage
of the necessities of others, but bought and
sold, realizing only a fair profit upon his
stock, and in this way adding annually to his
income un.til he became one of the most pros-
perous men of eastern Illinois.
There has been mi home in \'ermilion
County since the days of its first settlement
more justlv noted for warm-hearted hosi)i-
tality than \\o()(llawn and Itoth Mr. and
Mrs. Sodowsky were most generous ami
charitable. The poor and needy found in
them a friend and many a one has reason to
renieniber them gratefulh- for timelv assist-
ance rendered in the hour of adversity.
Their gi\ing was always unostentatious, and
in matters of citizenship Mr. Sodowsky was
public-spirited and ])rogressive. Any meas-
ure for the general good was siu'e of his sup-
port and he was a co-o])erant factor in many
movements that resulted beneficially to the
county. Pioth he and his wife were sincere
Christian ])eople, known and honored among
their fellow men for their intrinsic worth and
high character. The husband passed away'
December 18, 1886, and the wife survived
him only until March 21, 1888. For more
than half a centurv thev bad li\ed in the
county — theirs being a happy married life,
while the example of citizenshiii and busi-
ness integrity left by Mr. Sodo\vsk_\- is one
well wortliv iif emulation.
C.\RT. IT'XK.
Carl I'unk. who is engaged in the gro-
cery Inisiness in Ross vi lie and has been con-
nected with \arious lines of business activity
in Vermilion county for thirty-one years,
was born in Prussia, near the city of W'ils-
nack. June 2S. 1828. His father. John
Funk, was also a' native of dermany and was
a house carpenter. He married Helena
Tinun, also a native of that country, an<l his
death occiuTed about 1838. His wife .limv-
ever, siu'vived him for some time.
Carl Funk was reared in the place of his
nativity and in his ynutb learned the shoe-
maker's trade. Like most \oung men who
start out in life for themselves he desired a
companion and helpmate for the journey and
thus on the 6tli of October, 1854, he was
united in marriage to Wilhelmina Felsch, a
native of Ha\elberg, Germany. After his
marriage he carried on business for over fif-
teen years in Germany and in 1869 he came
to the new workl, crossing the Atlantic to
New "N'ork city. He did not tarry in the
eastern metropolis, however, but continued
his journey to Chicago and thence to Wash-
burn, where he worked for a few months.
Fie afterward began business at Pattons-
burg, Illinois, where he remained for nearly
two years and on the expiration of that per-
iod he came to Rossville and here established
a shoe shop, which he carried on for several
334
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
years. He also carried the mail to Rossville
for nine years and occupied the position of
<lei)uty postmaster under President Harri-
son, remaining in the postoffice for four
years. On the expiration of tliat period
he estabhshed a grocery business in 1895
and lias since been actively engaged in this
line of trade, enjoying a liberal patronage at
the present time. His stock is large and well
selected and his progressive business meth-
ods and earnest desire to please his customers
have secured for him a good trade. He has
also been a prominent factor in the improve-
ment of Ross\'ille and here erected two brick
business houses, which he still owns, includ-
ing the store in which he is now conducting
his own trade. He has also built five resi-
dences here and has thus been an active fac-
tor in the improvement of the city.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. I'nnk has been born
one son. Oscar, who is married and resides
in Cayuga, Indiana. He has seven children :
Loola. the deceased wife of Charles Shel-
by; Otto: Alinnie: Edith; Pearl; Em-
iel : and Roy. ]Mr. Funk also has one great-
grandchild. Politically our subject is a
stanch Republican, earnestly advocating the
measures of the party and casting his ballot
for its candidates. He has served for four
years as a councilman. He and his wife be-
long to the Lutheran church and were reared
in that faith. Air. Funk holds membership
in Rossville Lodge, I. O. O. V., in which he
has .tilled all of the othces and is a past grand.
He has also served as district deputy for two
years. He came to Illinois a poor man with
no capital, save strong determination and
unfaltering enterprise and upon this as a
foundation he has built his success. His life
history is commendable because he has la-
bored diligently and along lines which show
that he has adhered closely to honorable
principles. He is now well known in Ross-
ville and the surrounding country' and en-
joys the high regard of many with whom he
has been brought in contact.
LAWRENCE AI. WITHERSPOON.
L. M. A\'itherspoon is serving as post-
master of Jamaica and is one of the pros-
perous and leading farmers of \'ermilion
county. He was born in Gibson county. In-
diana May 30, i860, and is a son of W". P.
W'itherspoon, a native of Alabama. The
paternal grandfather of our subject was a
direct descendant of John R. Witherspoon,
one of the signers of the Declaration of In-
dependence. W. P. \\'itherspoon was united
in marriage in Gibson county, Indiana, to
Sitha A. McDaniel, a native of that county.
He then engaged in teaching school until
1S61, when with his family he removed to
Fairmount, Illinois, and purchased a farm,
upon which he lived until 1871. He then
took up his abode on the old Witherspoon
homestead, Avhich was his place of residence
until his death, which occurred Februarv 19,
1884. His study of political issues and
questions led him to support the Republi-
can party and for fourteen years he served
as assessor and collector of Sidell township.
He also served as Republican committee-
man from his township and did all in his
power to adxance the cause in which he be-
lieved so firmly. His religious faith was
that of the Methodist Episcopal church.
His first wife died February 12, 1876, and
in 1S79 he wedded Alalissa Orr, a sister of
his son's wife and a native of Indiana. By
Iiis first marriage Mr. Witherspoon had ten
children, of whom Monroe and William, the
first two, died in infancy. J. D. married
Elizabeth Orr and died in September, i88r,
his widow being now a resident of Homer,
, v^'fTl^.*.
L. M. WITHERSPOON.
.♦*••
LIBRA<^Y
CF T.IE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
337
Illinois. George married Ella lies and aft-
erward wedded Mary \Voods, his home be-
ing now in Gibson connt\-. Indiana. L. M.
is the third of the family. Hattie is the
wife of G. J. Gibson, a farmer living near
Fairmount. Elmer E. wedded Jennie Car-
ter and resides in Danville. Mabel is the
wife of W. C. Hawkins, who resides upon
a farm in Fairmount. Xora R. became the
wife of J. B. Michener and after his death
married J. Perdue, with whom she is now
living in Princeton. Indiana. Lillie A. is
the wife of \\'. B. Russell and they reside
on a farm near Catlin.
Mr. W'itherspoon. whose name intro-
duces this review, pursued his education in
the Dougherty and Liberty district schools
of \'ermilion county, his opportunities in
that direction being somewhat limited. He
attended only through the winter months.
for in the summer seasons his lalior was
needed upon the farm. At the age of twen-
ty he left school altogether, becoming an
agriculturist, giving his entire attention to
that pursuit. When twenty-one years of
age he inherited forty acres of land of his
father's estate and in a year sold that and
purchasefl one hundred and thirty acres
upon which he assumed an indebtedness.
All this he paid for, however, in seven years,
and in his farming operations he has ever
been successful.
On the 13th of February, 1884. near
Catlin, Mr. W'itherspoon was united in mar-
riage to ATiss Milda Finley. who was born
in that locality, March 18, 1864, a daughter
of Ezra G. and Jane (Goodner) Finley. the
former bom in Westville, Illinois, and the
latter in Georgetown, this state. They were
married near Georgetown an<l Mr. l^nley
then devoted his attention and energies to
farming and stock-raising. After a year he
removed to his present home near Catlin,
where he owns a valual)le tract of land. His
wife passed away September 12, 1892. Mr.
Finley has refused to serve in political of-
fices, but is an earnest advocate of Republi-
can ])rinciplcs and is a member of the ]\Ieth-
odist Episcopal church. In the early part
of the Ci\il war he enlisted at Danville, in
Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-
fifth Illinois Infantry, and was wounded in
the battle of Sliiloh. after which he was hon-
orably discharged in Aug"ust, 1862, by rea-
son of his disabilit)'. He now belongs to
the Grand Army of the Republic. Having
lost his first wife, in ?vlarch, 1895, he was
married in Catlin to Martha Thomas, also
a native of \'ermilion county. By his first
union he had ten children, of whom six are
yet living, as follows: Milda, now the wife
of our subject; James M., who married Ab-
liie Flewitt, and resides in Catlin; Oliver,
who weddetl Julietta White and resides in
F)an\ille; Ozias, who wedded Pearl Bu-
chanan and makes his home in Catlin ; Fan-
nie, the wife of Augustus Talbott, of Sid-
el', Illinois, and John, who is living with
his father. By his second marriage Mr.
Finley has two children, Elmore and Hen-
ry, who are still with their parents.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wither-
spcMjn has been blessed with four children :
Elsie, who was born near Fairmount, March
4. 1885; Gertrude, born September 2, 1887,
near Fairmount; Alta. liorn in Redlands,
California, June 11, 1891 ; and Clyde F,,
born in Jamaica, Illinois, November 28,
1896.
For five years after his marriage Mr.
\\'ithersi)oon remained in Vermilion coun-
ty and then went to Riverside, California,
while l.ntcr be located at Redlands, where
he was manager for the Mound City Land
and Water Company. He also owned a
nurserv of his own and remained on the
338
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Pacific coast fur Jive years, after whicli lie
returned to this county and purchased a
farm, upon which he is now living. He sold
his proi)erty in Cahfornia, which has since
proved very valuable. On his return here
he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of
land. This, together with an adtlitional
tract of forty acres, constitutes the farm
upon which he now resides. His landed pos-
sessions, however, aggregate four hundred
and fifty acres and he is one of the ])rosper-
ous and rejiresentative farmers of the com-
munity. In 1900 he erected his present
handsome home which is built in Queen Ann
style of architecture. Mr. W'itherspoon has
raised much stock for the market, including
hogs and horses, and is unquestionablv one
of the most progressive, energetic and wide-
awake farmers of Verinilion county.
In politics our subject is a stalwart Re-
publican, and on the 4th of June, 1902, he
was appointed postmaster of Jamaica, in
which off.ce he is now serving. He belongs
to the Modern Woodmen of America and
to the Methodist Episcopal church of Ja-
maica, in which he is serving as a trustee
and steward. He has also held several
township offices and no trust reposed in Mr.
Witherspoon has ever been betrayed in the
slightest degree. Honor and integrity are
synonymous with his name and his word is
as good as any bond ever solemnized liy
signature or seal. His business affairs
have ever lieen honorably conducted and be-
cause of this the most en\ious cannot grudge
him his success.
ALBERT A. BERH.\LTER.
.•\ll)€rt A. Berhalter. who is engaged in
the undertaking ' business in Danville, was
born in Xoble county. Indiana, on tlie 4th
of July, 1867, a son of Joseph and Frances
( Schunder) Berhalter, both of whom were
natives of Germany. When children they
came together to America and were mar-
ried in this countrv after attaining years of
maturity. The father died September 4,
1 88 1, at the age of fifty-six years, and his
wife. survi\ing him for several years, was
called t(j her final rest January 24. 1886. also
when fifty-six years of age. The father en-
gaged in cabinet-making and in the manu-
facture of colTns. This has been a fanuly of
undertakers. There were nine children,
three of w hom are now engaged in the un-
dertaking business, all of the boys devoting
their energies to this jmrsuit. Those still
living are John, Joseph \\'., Louise, George,
Etta. Charles and Albert A. Those who
have passed away are : Frank and Minnie.
With the exception of our suliject the li\ing
members of the family are all residents of
Keiidallville. Indiana.
In the public schools of his natix'e city
Albert .\. Berhalter pursued his education.
The father died when the son was only thir-
teen years of age, after which Mr. Berhalter
continued to attend schol through the win-
ter months until eighteen years of age. In
the summer he assisted in the business w hich
had been instituted by his father, becoming
thoroughly familiar with the trade both in
principle and detail. He also acted as man-
ager of the opera house in Kendallville for a
time. On the i ith of July. 1888, he arrived
in Danville, where he has since made his
home. Here he entered the employ of X. A.
Kimball, an undertaker and the oMner of the
present location and business of the firm of
Berhalter & Olmsted. This business has
now been established for thirty-four years
and throughout the period the enterprise has
been a leading one in this line. On the 30th
of June. 1893. in com]3any with William C.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
339
Olmsted, Mr. Rerhalter purcliased the busi-
ness of his employer, Mr. Kimball, and the
new firm has since conducted the trade w ith
excellent success, their hnsincss constantly
growing. This undertaking;' establishmein is
a model one of the state and has been especi-
ally designed, planned and full\- ei|ui])ped in
the minutest detail. The building is a mod-
ern structure with a full stone front. N'ou
first enter a vestibule, then pass on into the
liall and <in the right is a ])leasant and com-
modious waiting room, while on the left is a
private ofifice. In advance of the hall is a pri-
vate cliapel, morgue and stock room on tlie
tirst lloor. The entire second door is occupied
as a salesroom. The arrangement of the es-
tablishment is such that perfect seclusion and
privacy may be obtained hv those who have
occasion to arrange for the burial of their
dead from this place, thus preserving the
sacredness and solemnity of the occasion.
On the 14th of September. 1S9J, Mr.
Berhalter was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Hurley, of La Salle, Illinois, and their
union has been blessed with three children —
Madeline Frances, Mary Hurley, and Lillian
Xellie. Socially Mr. Berhalter is connected
with, the Knights of Pvthias, the Improvetl
Order of Red Men, Modern Woodmen of
.\merica. Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks and the Ancient Order of L^nited
Workmen. His social (lualities and genuine
personal worth have rendered him a fav(irite
not only in fraternal circles but wherever he
is known.
\\'illiam C Olmsted, the junior member
of the firm of Berhalter & ( )lmsted, under-
takers of Danville, was born in Catlin. this
county, on the 13th of October, 1861, and is
a son of Albert G. and Elizabeth (Wright)
Olmsted. The father is still living, but the
mother passed away on the 26th of July.
1901, at the age of sixty-nine years. The
paternal grandfather was Stanley Olmsted,
a native of Jamestown. Xew York, who re-
mo\-ed with iiis laimly to X'ennilion county.
Illinois, in 1S40. lie was a lumberman and
he and his son. .\lbert. conducted a sawmill
near Danville. The grandfather had also
carried on liusiness in the same line in James-
town, Xew \'ork, ]jrior to his removal to the
west. He died at the comparatively early-
age of thirty-nine years. The subject of this
review was one of a family of eight children,
five of whom are yet living, namely : W'ill-
iam C, Charles E.. Mary, the wife of J. H.
Palmer, George E. and Albert C, all of
whom are residents of Danville.
\t the usual age 'Slv. Olmsted, of this re-
\iew . entered the public schools where he
continued his studies until alxtut sixteen
years of age. At that time he became a fac-
tor in the business world, by entering the
emplov of A. C. Daniels, a merchant with
whom he remained for sixteen years. This
fact is certainly indicative of his capability,
his fidelity, to duty, his close application and
also of the confidence and trust reposed in
him bv his employers. At length he severed
his connection with that hou.se and entered
itito i)artnership with .\lbert A. Berhalter in
the undertaking liusiness in l)an\ille. For
nine vears they ha\e conducted the establish-
ment which was founded tliirty-four years
ago and they have kept it up to a high stand-
ard, mak'ing it not only one of the leading
enterjirises of the kind in this city, but also
of the state because of its especially good
equipment, because of the fine line of under-
taking goods which they carry and by reason
of the well arranged suite of rooms which
they ha\e. enabling their patrons who so de-
sire to hold funeral ser\-ices here with all the
privacy and seclusion of a home. Their
salesrooms are situated on the second lloor
and contain a fine line of undertaking goods.
340
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
As funeral directors the firm have gained a
■wide reputation by reason of their careful
management.
On th.e 28th of January, 1886, :Mr. Olm-
sted was united in marriage to Miss Eva E.
Beck, and they now have two daughters —
Lola and Helen. The family is one well
known in Dan\ille and the hospitality of
their home is enjoved by their many friends.
!Mr. Olmsted is identified with a number of
fraternal organizations. He belongs to the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masonic
fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Royal
Arcanum, the Tribe of Ben Hur and the
Modern Woodmen.
WILLIAM CLARK McREYNOLDS.
\\'il]iam Clark McReynolds has won the
gratitude and honor of his fellow citizens
by his loyalty to his country under all condi-
tions. As long as patriotism is an element
of American citizenship, "as long as tlie sons
of the new world have love for their coun-
try, .so long will the history of her soldiers
be a matter of interest to the public. They
are held in grateful remembrance by the
people of their generation and their names
■win be honored through many ages by jxas-
terity. Among those who fought under the
starry banner of the nation, both in the
Jklexican war and the war of the Rebellion
was numbered William Clark McReynolds.
He was born near Paris, Edgar county,
Illinois, September 16, 1825, and was a son
of tlie Rev. John McReynolds, a Methodist
minister, whose birth occurred in Kentucky
and who came to Illinois at an early date.
In the family were three sons and three
daughters, the only surviving member, how-
ever, being Richard W. McReynolds. a resi-
dent of Covington, Kentucky, who is in the
employ of the government as a ganger in a
distillerv.
Mr. jMcReynolds of this review acquired
his early education in the schools near his
boyhood home, and on attaining his ma-
jority he went to Paris and enlisted in the
Mexican war as a \-olunteer in the United
States army under the command of General
Shields and Captain I\IcConkey. He spent
his twenty-first birthday in this service, be-
longing to Company H of the First Illinois
A'olunteer Infantry, of which he was made
first lieutenant. Later he resigned on ac-
count of his father's death and returned
home to take care of the family, \\nien the
country became involved in civil war,
he once more entered the service and was
instrumental in organizing the Fifty-second
Indiana Volunteer Regiment, of which he
became colonel. There was an urgent need
for troops in Kentucky and as the regiment
had not its full quota it was consolidated
with another command, consequently Mr.
McReynolds accepted the comnn'ssion of lieu-
tenant colonel. He accompanied the regi-
ment to the front but eventually resigned
his commission and returned to his home in
Rushville, Indiana, taking his old position
as cashier in the bank.
During early manhood ]\Ir. IMcReynolds
was engaged m merchandising at Paris. Il-
linois, and was also in business with Jacob
D. Early at Terre Haute, Indiana, for some
years. Friends of his who were interested
in establishing a bank at Rushville, Indiana,
persuaded ]Mr. AIcReynolds to accept the po-
sition of cashier, with George Hibben as
president, and he was afterward highly
complimented by Hon. Hugh McCullock,
then president of all the banks of the state,
for the condition of the one untler his es-
pecial charge.
COL, W. C. McREYNOLDS.
W^^^-'^*^ ^ iityiiwys
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
345
In the spring of 1864 he arrived in Dan-
ville and here secured a position as book-
keeper for M. M. Wright, in whose service
he remained for a nunilier of \-ears. 1^'inally
he resigned and Ijecanie buyer for L. T.
Dickerson, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, be-
ing thus a representative of the business in-
terests of this place until his health failed.
In 1853 Mr. Reynolds was united in
marriage to JMiss Elizabeth M. Pearson, a
native of LixingstiMi county. New York, and
a daughter of John and Catherine (Tiff-
any) Pearson, of Canada. In their family
were three children, but she has only one
brother vet living, G. C. Pearson, while her
elder brother, George T. Pearson, has now
passed away. Unto our subject and his wife
were born ten children, seven of whom
reached maturity: George, who is an en-
gineer living in California; John, deceased;
Mrs. Jane TenBook Johns, of Danville, Illi-
nois; Mrs. I\Ieta Doane, of Winfield, Kan-
sas; William Gustavus, deceased; Mrs.
Mary Reilev, who is a resident of Danville:
Mrs. Fannie Pearson Sloan, whose husband
is in the secret service of United States ;
Thomas, who. during the Spanish-American
war, served with Battery A of Danville, and
was a member of the Eleventh United States
Cavalry which was sent to the Philippines ;
and Philip Barton, who was also a member
of Battery A and was in active service.
One child i>\ the famil\- died in infancy.
Mr. ^Ic Reynolds was called to his final
rest on the 1st of Octoljer, 1890, and his re-
mains were interred in the Danville ceme-
tery. I le was a member of the Grand Army
Post and of the Masonic fraternity, both of
Paris, Illinois. He likewise belonged to the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In
politics Mr. McReynolds was a Whig in
early life and .afterward became a Democrat.
He held membership in the Holy Trinity
Episcopal church and was a man who in all
the relations of life commanded the respect
and confidence of those with whom he associ-
ated. During the years of his residence in
Danx'ille he won many friends. He was a
citizen who by his lilameless and upright life
and honorable career reflected credit not
only upon the city in which he made his-
home but u])on the state. True to every
trust, he commanded the unqualified confi-
dence of those with whom he was associ-
ated in business and the warm regard of
those whom he met in social life. For a
number of years he served as alderman of
Danxille and exerted considerable influence
in public affairs.
JAMES WTLLIAMS.
An honorable retirement from later has
been vouchsafed to James Williams, who,
having put aside business cares is now living
in a pleasant home at No. 708 Fairchild
street, in Danville, surrounded by many
comforts which have come to him as the re-
sult of his former toil. He was at one time
a progressive and enterprising farmer of
\'ermilion county, owning and operating
three hundred and twenty acres of land in
Jamaica township. He is a native of Ohio,
liis birth ha\ ing occurred in Coshocton
county on the 22d of March, 1839. His fa-
ther, Lewis B. Williams, was a native of the
same county, while his grandfather was born
in Afaryland, his birth occurring in the city
of Baltimore in 1765. The family were
early settlers of that state. In i8ti the
grandfather left the south and made his \\a_\"
to Ohio, settling in Coshocton county, where
he entered land from the government. This
was covered with a dense growth of timber.
344
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
but he cleared away the trees and in course
of time developed a good farm. Lewis B.
\\'illiams was ])oni u])i)n tliat farm, was
there reared to manliood and afterward as-
sisted in carrying on the work of tlie home
place. He married Rebecca McCoy, a na-
tive of the Buckeye state and a daughter of
William McCoy, who was one of the early
settlers of Ohio, to whicli place he had re-
moved from Pennsylvania. During the
greater part of his life Lewis B. \\'illiams
resided upon the old family homestead in
Washington township, his last years were
there passed and he died in the spring
of 1859 at the age of forty years. His wife
had passed away in 1844, when the subject
of this review was a child of only five years.
James Williams was reared upon the old
family homestead and his common school
advantages were somewhat meagre, for he
was enabled to attend only in the winter
nH)nths while in the summer he aided in the
work of plowing, planting and harvesting.
After arriving at years of maturity he was
married in Coshocton county, in November,
1858, to Miss Mindwell Roberts, a native
of Ohio. lx)rn. reared and educated in Cos-
hocton county. Her father. Dr. Martin
Roberts, removed to the Buckeye state from
New York. The young couple began their
domestic life upon an Ohio farm where they
lived for about six years and in 1864 they
came to Illinois, settling in \'ermilion coun-
ty. Here Mr. \\'illiams purchased land
which was then in Carroll township. He
and his brother-in-law. Isaac Turner, first
bought one hundred and sixty acres which
they broke and fenced, developing a good
farm. They worked together for about
four years at the end of which time Mr. \\''il-
liams bought out Mr. Turner's interest and
later he added to his farm from time to time
purchasing and trading for more land. He
now owns three hundred twenty acres in-
cluded within two farms which are about a
half mile apart. On his home place he erect-
ed a good residence, sub.stantial barns and
outbuildings, having two sets of buildings.
He also tiled and fenced the place, planting
fruit and shade trees, and there continued
the work of cultivation, development and
improvement until his farm was one of the
best in the locality. In connection with the
cultivation of the grain best adapted to this
climate he was also engaged in raising a
good grade of stock, feeding cattle and fit-
ting them for the market. He began life in
\'ermilion county with but little means, but
by his own exertions. l\v unflagging indus-
trv and strong will he has steadily worked
his way tipward until he is now numbered
among the substantial residents of this lo-
cality.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born
four sons and four daughters : Miles, who
is married and follows farming in Shelby
county. Illinois : Winfield Scott, who is en-
gaged in mining in Colorado: Lyman T.,
who is married and follows farming in
Champaign county. Illinois: Fred, a resi-
dent of \'ermilion county ; Ella May. the
wife of James B. Lamar, of eastern Colo-
rado: Mary M.. Jessie P.. and Lizzie, all at
home. The last named is a student in the
high school of Danville. Both Mr. and Mrs.
\\'illiams hold membership in the Methodist
Episcopal church and he belongs to the Ma-
sonic fraternity, being- identified with the
blue lodge of Danville. In his political
views he is an earnest Republican and has
supported each presidential nominee of the
party since he cast his first vote for Abraham
Lincoln, in i860. He has ne\er sought of-
fice for himself, however, although he has
served on the school board for a number of
years and as township school trustee. He
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
345
carried on his farm work until 1900 when he
purcliased his residence property in DanviUe
and has since lived a retired life in the city.
He has made his home in \'ermilinn cduuIv
iov thirty-eight years, during which time
many changes have occurred. Within this
period the prairies have been broken and
transformed into rich fields; roads have been
laid out and have been cut off from private
property by well kept fences ; progress and
imi)rovement have also been canied forward
in town and city ; and in the work of develop-
ment Mr. \\'illiams has borne his part. He
is a man of integrity and worth and he antl
his estimable wife and family are highly
esteemed throughout the community. All
that Mr. Williams possesses has come to him
through his own enterprising efforts, his
farm property Ijeing the just reward of his
earnest labor.
J. M. McCABE.
Starting in l)usiness life as a farm hand
and realizing that there is no royal roatl to
wealth. J. M. McCabe early displayed the
salient traits of his character which have
made him a prosperous and leading man of
Vermilion county. He is now residing in
Fairmount where he owns and operates the
tile works and has valualjle property inter-
ests, while his real estate possessions also in-
clude farm lands in this county.
Mr. McCabe was born February 19,
1844, '" Dearborn county, Indiana, a son of
Alexander and Rhoda (Knapp) McCabe, the
former a native of Ohio, while the latter was
born near Niagara Falls, in New York. The
McCabe family was established in Dearborn
countv. Indiana, when the father of our sub-
ject was but ten years of age. .\fter reach-
ing }cars of maturity he was married there
to Miss Knapi) and turned his attention to
agricultural ])ursuits. which he followed
until sometime in the 'jo's, when he re-
moved with his family to northwestern Mis-
souri, there remaining for about twenty
years. On the expiration of that period he
continued his western journey to Indepen-
dence, California, where both he and his wife
spent their last ilavs. In their family were
eight children who reached years of ma-
turity, while six of the numl)er are yet liv-
ing'. Arad K., is now deceased. B. F. re-
sides upon a farm in Dearborn countv, In-
diana. P. H. is a resilient of Independence,
California. S. L. lives in Oklahoma. J. M.
is the next younger. William is engaged in
farming in Oregon. ]\lrs. Olive A. Van
X'acler, a widow, is now Ii\ing in Gentry
county, Missouri. ICmma. deceased, was the
wife of Ed Alyers of Indiana.
In the district schools of his native coun-
ty J. M. McCabe acquired his preliminary
education, which was supplemented by study
in tlie high school of Danville. Illinois. He
came to X'ermilion county at the age of nine-
teen years and for six months he was em-
ployed by the month as a farm hand. Dur-
ing the succeeiling winter he engaged in
teaching school. .Afterward he worked by
the month on a farm and engaged in teach-
ing school. Desiring a companion and help-
mate on life's journey he was married on the
27th of November, 1865, in Fairmount, Il-
linois, to Miss Mary E. Dougherty, a daugh-
ter of Samuel and Jane ( Dalliy) Dougherty,
the former a native of Ohio and the latter of
Pennsylvania. Her father was one of the
first settlers of Vermilion countv and here
engaged in farming. l)ut IxitJi he and his wife
have now passeil away. In their family were
346
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
seven cliildren. The liome i>t Mr. and Mrs.
McCabe has been l)lessed witli four cliildren,
but only two are now living, Effie and Elsie.
As time has passed Mr. ^^IcCalje has pros-
pered in his business affairs, and making ju-
dicious investments he has become one of the
prosperous men of his adopted county. He
now owns and operates the large tile and
brick works of Fairmount, an important in-
dustry which proves of value to the com-
munity by affording employment to a num-
ber of men and at the same time brings him
a very desirable return for his investment.
He is also the owner of a zinc mine in Mis-
souri, owns the bank building in this place
and good residence property here, besides
one hundred and thirty-five acres of valuable
land. He possesses keen business discrim-
ination and executi\e force. He forms his
plans readily, is determined in their exe-
cution and through his persistency of pur-
pose and honorable dealing he has gained a
place which is alike gratifying and honor-
able as one of the prominent business men of
his county.
Socially he is connected with Fairmount
Lodge, No. 590, F. & A. M., and has served
as its representative in the grand lodge. He
also belongs to the ^Modern Woodmen of
America, and in politics he is independent,
voting for the men and measures rather than
for the party. He has himself filled several
of the township and city offices, although he
has never been a politician in the sense of
ofifice seeking. At tlie present time lie is
.serving as school treasurer. ^Mr. McCabe
belongs to that class of representative citi-
zens who at all times have due regard for the
welfare and upbuilding of the communities
\vith which they are. connected, and no mat-
ter how great their business interests, can
always find time and opportunity to pro-
mote the general welfare. The entire period
oi his manhood has been passed in \'ermilion
county and the friends who have known him
throughout this period speak of him in terms
of commendation, because his life has been
consistent with honorable, manly principles.
LEONARD R. MYERS.
Leonard R. flyers, now deceased, was
born in Reading, Pennsylvania, January
25, 1836. a son of Leonard and Hannah
(Ratholan) flyers, who were of Pennsyl-
vania Dutch descent. In the year 1854 Mr.
Myers came to the west, believing that he
might lia\e better business opportunities
in a less thickly settled district of the country
where competition was not "^o great. Ac-
cordingly he came alone to Illinois and be-
gan farming in \"ermilion county upon
rented land. In the meantime he dealt ex-
tensively in stock, making a specialty of
horses, and for some years he continued to
rent land, but la.er he purchased a farm
comprising what is now the greater part of
the old homestead. There he lived for about
eight years, when he purchased the Mc-
Kniglit farm on section 6, Oakwood town-
ship, upon whicli his widow is now living.
This is pleasantly located one mile north of
I'itliian. As the years passed Mr. Myers
prospered in his work and acquired a very
comfortable and desirable competence, and
when he died he owned about six hundred
acres of valuable land all improved.
On the 1st of January. 1869, occurred
the marriage of Mr. ]^Iyers and Sarah E.
Lowman. She was born July 15. 1846, in
Oakwood township, and was reared and edu-
cated here. She comes of an old Virginian
family and her great-grandfather was
burned at the stake by Indians in \'irginia.
LIBRARY
liNIVERSITY Of ILLINOIS
L. R. MYERS.
MRS. SARAH E. MYERS.
Cf i.iE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
351
Her mother at the time of her death, which
occurred in 1S98, when she was seventy-
two years of age, had thirty-six grandchil-
dren and twenty-one great-grandchildren.
Her hushand had died many years hefore,
pass-ng away at the age of forty-two.
Unto ^Ir. and ^Irs. ]Myers were born
eleven children : ]\Irs. Minnie Frederick,
of Champaign county, Illinois; Mrs. Hattie
Cessua, of Rochester, Indiana ; William,
who married Cora Black and is living in
Lohr\'ille. Iowa; Leonard, who married Zena
W'ray and resides in Fithian; Reuben, wdio
wedded Doris Hayes and makes his home in
Vermilion county: Mrs. Jeanette Mead, of
this county; Sylvia, who died at the age of
eleven months; Winfred, who married Fan-
nie liantz and resides upon the home farm;
Gracie, Lola and George, all at home. Mrs.
Myers was the third in order of birth in a
family of eleven children born unto George
and Alargaret Lowman, and of the num-
ber five are now living. Her father came to
this county at a very early day, cast in his
lot with the early pioneer settlers and Mrs.
]\Iyers assisted in the fields by dropping
corn by hand, keeping up with the plow.
She has seen wooden mold boards used with
a breaking plow which was drawn by oxen,
guided by a single rope line manufactured
from flax. She can remember when the
grain was cut with a sickle and later by a
cradle, while all the clothing w-as of home
manufacture, the girls wearing linsey
dresses and flannel waists. The spinning-
wheel at that time formed a part of the fur-
nishings of every household and all cooking
was done at an old-fashioned fireplace. The
first mowing machine used in the neighbor-
hood was brought into the county by Mrs.
Myers' father, and people would come for
miles to see it. In the early days Mrs.
Myers aided in making candles by dipping
15
them and later candle molds came into use.
On the J 7th of April, 1897, she was called
upon to mourn the loss of her husband. She
has since remained upon the old homestead,
where her son \\'infrcd now resides, having
charge of the home place. She has ten
grandchildren and the family is one well
known in the commuiity.
WILLIAM J. BLACKSTOCK.
The life history of William J. Black-
stock, if written in detail, would furnish a
more thrilling story than is found on many
of the pages of romance and fiction for his
has been an eventful and varied career. He
was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Au-
gust 14, 1848, and is a son of James and
Mary (Ritchey) Blackstock. In the pater-
nal line he comes of Scotch ancestry. His
grandfather, Joseph Blackstock, was a na-
tive of the land of the hills and heather and
in early life he crossed the briny deep to the
new world, settling in Canada, where the
greater part of his years were passed. The
maternal grandfather of our subject was
Samuel Ritchey, a native of Bedford county,
Pennsj'lvania, and spent his entire life there,
following the occupation of farming. James
Blackstock, the father of our subject, was
born in Dnmfrieshire, Scotland, and about
1820 left that country and became a resi-
dent of Canada, his home being near Que-
bec where other members of the family were
also located. He did not remain long in the
Dominion, however, but removed to Pitts-
buig, Pennsylvania, where he followed the
trade of a carpenter and also engaged in tak-
ing contracts along that line. He was united
in marriage to Mary Ritchey, a native of
Bedford county and he died in 1862 at the-
352
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
age of fifty years, wliile liis wife, surviving
him for some time, passed away at tlie age of
sixty-six years. They were the parents of six
children, two of whom are still living : Eliza-
beth D., the wife of M. F. Freidenrich, of
Philadelphia ; and William J. Of the others
all died in infancy with the exception of
Mamie, who reached the age of three years.
William J. Blackstock attended school in
his early boyhood but through a little strat-
-Egic movement on his part he managed to
become a member of the Fifty-eighth Penn-
syhania Regiment for service during the
Civil war and after serving for a time was
*lischarged on his fifteenth birthday, the 14th
tof August, 1863. He was very young to
liave a soldier's record but while at the front
he was always found faithful to his duty.
Soon afterward he went up the Ohio river
•■as a cook.' In 1864 he left that service,
•however, and went to Dakota, living among
the Indians for several years in that wild
Avestern district. In 1868-9 he traveled over
the ground where Custer was killed and
during his stay amid the various Indian
camps he became acquainted with the leaders
of all of the tribes of the northwest. For
•eight vears he "roughed it" in Dakota and
Montana and the history of that period of
the development of the northwest is famil-
iar to him through actual experience. In
1872 he went to Minnesota, where he en-
gaged in lumbering but after a short time he
purchased the Pine County News, at Pine
City, Minnesota, continuing its publication
for five years. On the expiration of that
period in 1877 he disposed of his plant and
returned to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where
lie remained for one year and then removed
to Sewickley, where he became the owner of
the Valley News. He changed the name of
■this paper to the Sewickley Tribune and re-
mained its editor and publisher until 1884,
when he sold out and again went to Pitts-
burg. There he secured a position as repor-
ter in the interest of the Gazette and was also
employed on the Pittsburg Dispatch. In
1887 he remo\ed to Chicago, but after a
few months he purchased the Xews at
Crisman, Illinois, changing the name of that
publication to the Courier. On selling the
plant there he came to Danville in 1891 and
has since been engaged in the painting, pa-
per hanging and contracting business here
He receives a liberal patronage. He opened
his present store in October, 1901. and the
new enterprise has prospered from the be-
ginning.
In 1881 occurred tthe marriage of Mr.
Blackstock and Miss Ella MacNutt. a
daughter of William and Matilda (McFar-
land) McXut^. both of whom were natives
of Pennsylvania, born near Philadelphia in
which locality they spent their entire lives,
the mother dying when only thirty-three
years of age, while the father reached the
vanced age of eighty-six year. The ]Mc-
Farlands were highlanders of Scotland,
there being only a slight trace of English
blood found in Airs. Blackstock's family. In
his political views Mr. Blackstock is an earn-
est Republican, unfaltering in his allegiance
to the principles of the party and taking an
active part in its work, doing ever\-thing in
his power to promote its growth and insure
its success.
♦ » >
\\TI.LIAM T. SANDUSKY.
William T. Sandusky was bom in Bour-
bon county, Kentucky, March i, 1829, his
parents being \\'illiam and Julia (Earp)
Sandusky, the former a native of Kentucky
and the latter of Virginia. They were mar-
ried in the Blue Grass state and in the fall
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
353
•of 1829 remo\'ed from Bourbon county to
Shelby county, Illinois, making the journey
overland in a cox^ered wagon. E\-er\thing
was new and wild and the father purchased
a claim. lie arri\'ed in the fall of the year
and died in the following I\Iarch. His
willow sur\-ived him only until 1840. \\hen
she, too, passed away. In their family were
three children and the two sisters are now
<leceased.
William T. Sandusky was onlv elex'en
years of age when left an orphan. While
lie resided in Shelby county, he remembers
to have seen the fires started with an old flint
gun. He can well rememlier the first wheat
bread that he e\'er saw, the flour being
ground in a w-atermill. He also remembers
■of \-isiting a family in which were ten girls
and they had two looms and all of the
dresses for common and Sunday wear were
made from cloth woven in these looms.
They carded and spun their ow-n cotton.
From early youth Mr. Sandusky has
been dependent upon his own resources for
a living. In the year 1848 he came to Ver-
milion county driving a herd of cattle to this
portion of the state. He had previously
journeyed on foot to Indiana in order to find
work and had returned again in the same
manner to Shelbyville, Kentucky, where he
l:ired out to a Mr. Smith a cattle dealer, for
whom he brought a herd to Vermilion coun-
ty. His employer drove a herd to New
York and after his return in connection with
our subject took a second herd there. Mr.
Sandusky left Mr. Smith in the east while
he rode back to Illinois making the distance
of over one thousand miles in twenty days.
Arriving here he fed cattle' during the fall
and winter. He also worked in Shelby coun-
ty, Illinois, for one hundred and twenty dol-
lars per year and his board, spending three
years on a fami. Thinking that this was a
slow way of luaking money he statred for
California in 1853 frt)m \'erniilion county.
He had then but three or four hundred dol-
lars. Proceeding to New ^'ork he went by
steamer by w^ay of the isthmus of Panama
and spent three years in the gold regions of
the Pacific coast, both mining and superin-
tending a large farm. He was successful
there and after his return he began trading
in cattle in Illinois. It was his intention to
again go to C'alifornia but he decided other-
wise and became interested in farming and
stock dealing. At times he visited all of the
western territories and the second time he
started for California, going as far as Indi-
ana. There he entered into partnership in
a hotel liusiness in Greencastle, Putnam
county, and after three years he conducted
that house alone. For a similar period he
was proprietor of the Junction House and
then with the capital he had acquired
throug'h his earnest eflrorts he returned to Il-
linois and purchased a farm in Vemiilion
county, buying one hundred and sixty acres
for which he paid si.x thousand dollars in
cash. After three or four months he pur-
chased another farm of one hundred and
ninety acres for which he paid eight thous-
and dollars. For his third farm he gave four
thousand dollars. Thus from time to time
he purchased land and the last farm wdiich
he bought was sold at seventy-five dollars per
acre. To-day he owns about six hundred
acres of valuable land, all under cultivation.
Much of this is underlaid by a six foot vein
of coal and his farming property is all in Cat-
lin township and he is now numbered among
the substantial and prosperous agricultur-
ists in this part of the state. For thirty-five
years he engaged in feeding cattle, following
that business until about three years ago.
He also fed about eighty hogs annually. He
now has four tenement houses on his farms
3S4
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
and the rental from liis places and the pro-
ducts of his fields return to him a splendid
income. He did his first plowing with a
wooden mold board and cultivated his land
with a single shovel, driving his horses with
a rope line. He used to drop sod corn with
a breaking plow for ten cents per day and
has driven a six-yoke team of oxen to a
breaking plow for a similar wage. All that
was in marked contrast to his present posi-
tion as one of the prosperous agriculturists
of the county. He cut grain with a reap
hook and performed much arduous labor
and experienced many hardships and trials.
He drove cows and hogs in 1846, going
barefooted. He was then in his seven-
teenth year. He took the cattle across the
jirairies to the Chicago market and on the re-
turn trip drove a yoke of oxen. It was
necessary to ford the Kankakee river which
was then unbridged and at nights he would
camp ovit on the prairies. Taking his pro-
visions with him he vrould fry bacon and
make "slap jack" aiid coffee. All of the
experiences of pioneer life were familiar to
him through actual contact with its modes
of living. He has worked for twenty-five
cents per da}- and while still in Shelby coun-
ty he made rads for twenty-five cents per
hundred, and with the money thus earned
he purchased cloth from a neighbor woman
and from this had a suit of clothing made.
He can remember that during his mother's
time the only way of coloring cloth was with
black walnut bark. The only overcoat '\lv.
Sandusky e\'er saw while living in Shelby
county was made of an English piece of
broadcloth and cost seventy-five dollars.
On the 30th of November, 1859, oc-
curred the marriage of IMr. Sandusky and
Miss Emily Clements, who was born in
Shelbyville, Illinois, May 28, 1839, a daugh-
ter of John and Emily (Livers) Clements,
v.ho were natives of Maryland and became
very early settlers of Shelby county. In the
family of Mr. and Mrs. Sandusky were two
cliildren who are yet living: Mrs. ]\Iaggie
Hickman, of Catlin township,; and Katie,
who keeps house for her father. She is cer-
tainly proficient in the work and makes a
very pleasant home for her father in his de-
clining years. Mrs. Sandusky died January
13, 1899, and her death was deeply mourned
by her family and many friends. ^Ir. San-
dusky is now in his seventy-third year and
is one of the honored and worthy pioneers
of the state. His has been a varied and
eventfvd life, not only because of his ex-
perience as a frontier settler in Illinois, but
also because of his career as a California
pioneer and ranchman.
JOHN BALTH.ASAR WILLIUS.
It requires courage and resolution to-
sever the connections which bind one to his
native land and cast in his lot with the peo-
ple of a new country with whose language,
habits and business methods he is unfa-
miliar. It is a venture the outcome of which
cannot be foretold, and yet there are certain
elements which are irresistible in business
life throughout the world and if one pos-
sesses these the venture cannot but partake
of success in some measure at least. ^Ir.
\\'illius came to America from the father-
land, his birth having occurred in Mainz, in
the province of Rhine Hesse, Germany,
January 28, 1857. His parents were George
Andreas and Katherina ^^'illius, the former
a merchant tailor.
The son began his education in the pub-
lic schools of his native city and afterward
entered the high school, in which pupils are
prepared for entering mercantile life, and in
JOHN B. WILLIUS.
LISRASY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
357
that institution I\Ir. W'illius was graduated
in the year 1872. There were many ele-
ments of character displayed in his boyhood
that sliowed a strong love of nature and its
beauties. During his school days he de-
lighted to gather (lowers, insects and ferns
and to wander among the beautiful hills and
fields that border the Rhine. .Ml these pro-
pensities were indicative of the strong trait
of character which has been manifest
throughout his entire career and is now ex-
emplified in the department of business ac-
tivity to which he devotes his energies.
.After con:pleting his school life he en-
tered his father's store and later he was ap-
prenticed to a tailor to learn the trade, but it
Avas distasteful to him and after a time he
abandoned work in that direction. It was
liis desire to be a fiorist and accordingly his
father paid five hundred marks to a repre-
sentatix'c of that business who would teach
his son all he knew concerning the best
methods of cultivating and producing flow-
ers and plants, \\dien he had mastered the
trade Mr. W'illius traveled over different sec-
tions of Germany and was employed in va-
rious cities, but the opportunities of the new
■world attracted him and he resolved to test
the truth of the favorable reports wdiich he
had heard concerning America. Crossing
the Atlantic to the United States he was em-
ployed in New York for a time and then
w'ent west to Chicago, but was unable to ob-
tain work as a florist in that city and he
ther-efore entered the service of a farmer and
was sent to Waukesha d^unty, Wisconsin,
but in the autumn of the same year he re-
turned to Chicago and as he was still unable
to obtain employment in the field of his cho-
sen calling he accepted a situation in a pre-
serve factory. The following spring, how-
ever, he was more fortunate, for he secured
■work in a floral establishment and finallv he
came to Danville, where he was made fore-
man of the florist business. When eighteen
months had thus passed he returned to Chi-
cago to his former employer, but the man
whom he had served in DanvilUe did not
wish to lose his services and induced him to
again come to this city. With a laudable
ambition to engage in business on his own
account he afterward went to Fremont, Ne-
braska, receiving favorable reports of the
town and of the opportunities for a florist at
that place. Accordingly he removed with
his family to the west, but did not find things
as represented and after si.x months he re-
turned to Danville for the third antl last
time, for he has never since left this city and
since the ist of August, 1894, he has con-
ducted a prosperous and growing business
of his own. He established his greenhouse
and gardens on the Covington road and for
more than five years has engaged in the re-
tail trade, in selling flowers at No. 134 Ver-
milion street, in Dan\'ille.
In Chicago, on the ist of November,
1884, Mr. Willius was united in marriage
to Lena Sclniltz .and unto them have been
Ijorn three children, but the eldest, a daugh-
ter, died in Chicago at "the age of eighteen
months. George Gotlieb, the second, is now
fifteen years of age, and the third. Charles,
is but three years of age.' Mr. Willius has
been a member of the Odd Fellows Society
since 1893 and for one term he served as
noble grand in his lodge. In 1895 he be-
came connected with the Modern Woodmen
of America, and he belongs to the Metho-
dist church. He has endeavored to make his
life an exemplification of the golden rule
and thus his business career has ever been
honorable and straightforward, while
among his friends he is known for his fidel-
ity, benevolence and consideration. His
greatest interest centers in his home, and he
358
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
finds his chief hap|)iiiess in spending ihe
lidurs nntsitle uf Ijusiness with his wife and
children.
While in iiis native country he served for
two years in tlie Sixth Company of tlie
Eighty-seventh Nassau Regiment of In-
fantry, at Mainz, and was discharged as of-
ficer of reserve. He was never under arrest
for a single hour or paid a disciplinarian
fine. In politics he is a prominent Repuhli-
can never failing to cast his ballot for the
men and measures of the party, yet he has
never sought or desired office for himself.
He is now a rejiresentative and successful
business man of Danville, but he did not
stumble upon his success by chance; he has
earned it by a lifetime of solid work intelli-
gently directed to a single end. Nor has he
ever taken advantage of the necessities of
his fellow men in his dealings with those
who give to him their patronage.
J. :\I. WILKINS, M D.
Dr. J. yi. W'ilkins is the loved family
physician of many a household of Vermilion
county. Through many years he has prac-
ticed his profession in this part of the state,
carrying encovu'agement and comfort into
the residences of the rich and poor alike.
The qualities of an upright manhood and of
a generous sympathetic nature as well as his
professional skill have endeared him to those
with whom he has come in contact.
The Doctor was born in Marion county,
• Ohio, September 22, 1826. The \\'ilkins
family was founded in America by Thomas
and _\ustin Wilkins, who came to the colo-
nies from England at the time of the Revo-
lutionary war. Thomas settled in Marion
countv, Ohio, and after his familv had
grown up he and his wife, in the evening of
life, went to live with their son Benjamin in
Branch county, Micliigan, remaining there
until they were called to their tinal rest. The
other brother settletl in the state of Virginia.
He had two sons, one of wdiom resides in
Crawfcrdsville, Indiana, wihle the other is^
living in Charleston, Illinois, and is serv-
ing as circuit judge there. Both ha\e been
prominent in public office.
Samuel Wilkins. the father of our sub-
ject, was Ijorn in (Jhio and after arri\'ing at
}'ears of maturity he was married in Alarion
county to Miss Mary Mclntyre, whose
grand]iarents were killed by the Indians in
New Jersey during colonial days. They were
living in a \og house and on one occasion
their cattle strayed away from home and
they followed them until finding them when
they started on the way back with their
stock. Before they reached home, however,
they were surprised In- a band of sixteen In-
dian warriors who shot the husband, Joe
Mclntyre. scaljied him and took his clothes
and rifle. Thev made his wife a captive and
when the cattle returned home the sixteen
year-old son realized that something was
wrong. He then went in search of his par-
ents and found the father dead. Telling the
tale to the neighbors, a company of twenty
men was formed and following the Indians,
surprised them and killed all but one, wha
afterward died . The mother was found dead
in the vicinity of their camp, having beeiT
mtu-dered by the red men. At the time of
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. W^ilkins located
ir. Ohio, where the father carried on farming-
until his rieaili. which occurred ab(_nit 1830.
The mother afterward removed with her
only cliild, our subject, to Lagrange county,
Indiana. She gave her hand in marriage
there to Thomas Gothup, who died in 1842.
Later she became a resident of jNIichigan and
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
359
married John Sinclair. Her death occurred
at Chillicothe, Missouri, in 1857. By her
second marriage she had three daughters and
a son, of wiioni two are living. Jane is the
widow of William Townsley, a resident of
Caledonia. Michigan, and Keturah is the wife
of William Race, who resides at Turkey
Prairie, near Lig(3nier, Indiana. By the
mother's third marriage there was one son,
Thomas Sinclair, who is now ]i\-ing in Ouin-
cy, Michigan.
Dr. W'ilkins, whose name introduces this
review, hegan his education in a log school-
house which stood on the side of a marsh, in
Branch count}-, Michigan. Later he at-
tended school in Lagrange county, Indiana,
becoming a student in Lagrange County
Association school. Subseriuently he en-
gaged in teaching for one term in Steuben
county and for one tenn in Porter county,
Indiana, also one term in Lagrange county,
Michigan. In 1845. ^vhen nineteen years of
age, he took up the study of medicine under
the direction of Dr. R. A. Cameron and la-
ter he attended lectures in the Indiana Med-
ical College at Laporte. Indiana, where he
was graduated with the class of 1850. Re-
turning then to Branch county, Michigan,
he there practiced for four years and on the
2d of January, 1854, he arri\-ed in New-
town, \'ermilion county, Illinois, where he
opened an office.
On the jSth of September. 1852, in
Branch county, Michigan, Dr. Wilkins was
united in marriage to Miss Mahitable Pond,
who was born in Cattaraugus county, New
York.'August 10, 1833. She was descended
from one of two brothers, who came from
England to .\meica in an early day, her an-
cestor settling in Vermont, while the other
brother located in \Mrgina. Her paternal
grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier
under Washington and afterward served his
country in the war of 18 12, the government
granting him a pen.sion for his aid in the
army. ]Mrs. Wilkins' father, Willard
Henry Pond, was born in Sudbury, Rutland
county Vermont, .August 8, 1800, and died
in September, 1869, while his wife. Miss
Phelie Abbey, was born in Connecticut, Feb-
ri'.ary 11, jSt>2, and died No\-ember 2J,
i86q. They were married in Madison, Con-
necticut, in 182 J, and the father was en-
gaged in farming. During the girlhood of
Mrs. \Vilkins he removed with his family to
Ohio and subsequently to Fairmount, Illi-
nois, where his death occurred. In his ])olit-
ical views he was a Republican and xoted for
Abraham Lincoln. He belonged to the Ma-
sonic fraternity and to the Baptist church,
while his w ife held menil)crship in the Meth-
oflist church. In the family of this worthy
couple were se\en children, three boys and
four girls, of whom two are living — Mrs.
Wilkins and Mrs. Louis A. Smith, a resi-
dent of Odin, Illinois.
In the }'ear of 1859 Dr. Wilkins and his
wife remo\-ed to Conkeytown, Vermilion
county, wliere they remained some time
and in 1863 came to Fairmount. which was
their place of residence until 1880. In that
year they went to Garnet, Kansas, where the
Doctor ])racticed for two years and then re-
mo\ed to Ottawa, that state, where he re-
sided for twelve years. His next ])lace of
residence was in Fontana, Miami C(iunty,
Kansas, where he remained until October,
igoo. when he went to Chicago, Illinois. In
May, 1 90 1, however, he returned to Fair-
mount, where he is now living. Throughout
all these years he has continued the i)ractice
of his ])rofession, his entire life being de-
\-otcd with conscientious zeal to the allevia-
tion of human suffering. He has been a
most studious physician and owns a large
and valualjle library with the contents of
3<5o
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
which he is thoroughly famiUar, in fact, he
is regarded as one of the most learned and
capahle members of the medical profession
of Illinois. The Doctor is also a courteous
gentleman, charitable to a fault. Never has
the road been too long or the weather too in-
clement for the Doctor to visit those who
are sufifering, no matter what their finan-
cial circiunstances are in life, the poor re-
ceiving the same attention as that which is
given to his riclier neighbor. The Doctor
was a charter member of the \"ermilion
Comity Medical .\.ssociation and in 1883 he
became a member of the State Medical Asso-
ciation of Kansas. Three years later he
joined the Xational ^ledical Association
and he is also a member of the Illionis State
Medical Association. In his practice he has
ever made a special study of the nervous
system and of nervous diseases, claiming
that this system is the most intricate and
important of all the parts of the body.
I'nto Dr. W'ilkins and his wife have been
born thr€e sons and three daughters : ^Nlary
A., born August 6. 1852, died September 8,
1S52. Ida May, born March 31, 1854, died
in Xovember of the same year. Jennie E.,
torn February 12, 1856, is the wife of
Charles Bezensen, a resident of Chicago, by
whom she has two sons, Fred W. and John
M. Charles A., born January 3. 1858, was
married in Central City, Colorado, to ^Ma-
tilda Malmsburg, and is now a civil engin-
eer, mine prospector and assayer of Lead-
ville, that state. He has three children. Hat-
tie, Phebe and Abasha. Frank L., born May
24. i860, died October 11, 1862. Fred, born
October 3, 1864, was married in Ottawa,
Kansas, to Hattie Bement and their children
are Tracey, Bessie and Albert. Their home
is now in Englewood, Illinois, where Fred
Wilkins is a well known professional musi-
cian.
Dr. A\'ilkins was made a Mason in 1868,
becoming a member of Fairniount Lodge,
Xo. 590, F. & A. i\I. He is also a member
of Fairmount Lodge, X"o. 319, I. O. O. F.,
and belongs to the Odd Fellows Encamp-
ment of Danville, and is a member of the
grand lodge of the state. For thirteen years
he represented Fairmount in the grand lodge
and for two terms he has been chief patri-
arch. He has always refused to hold public
office, but in his political affiliations is an
earnest and loyal Republican. Both the
Doctor and his wife are members of the
Baptist church and are most highly esteemed
residents here. Many accord to the medical
profession the highest rank among the call-
ings to which man devotes his energies. At
all events it is one of the most important
and great are tlie responsibilities which rest
upon the physician. Dr. W'ilkins has fully
met every obligation which has devolved
upon him in this connection and with con-
scientious effort has met the demands of the
public for his professional services. He has
continually promoted his proficiency through
comprehensi\e reading and study, and,
moreover, he has a deep human sympathy
without which medical research, bringing
with it broad knowledge, is of little avail.
CHARLES W. WARNER.
The press has not onl}- recorded the his-
tory of advancement, but has also ever been
the leader in the work of progress and im-
pro\ement, — 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 con-
tinually being verified in the affairs of life.
In molding public opinion the power of the
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
363
newspaper cannot be estimated, but at all
e\-ents its influence is greater tban any other
single agency. Mr. Warner is a well known
representative of the journalistic interests
of Vermilion county, being the editor and
proprietor of the Hoopeston Chronicle.
Through the columns of his paper he has
ever advocated progress, reform and ini-
proN'ement and has exercised marked in-
fluence in behalf of the general welfare here.
He is also the efficient postmaster of the
town and as a public official has gained the
commendation of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Warner was born near Crawfords-
ville. Indiana, on the 24th of January, 1857,
his parents being Abner and Mary (Cad-
wallader) Warner, the former a native of
Ohio and the latter born near Crawfords-
ville. Indiana. They were married at Old
Darlington and for many years they trav-
eled life's journey together, but in 1888
were separated by the death of the husband.
Mrs. Warner still survives and is living in
Rossville. Mr. Warner was a farmer by oc-
cupation. He came to Illinois in 1850 and
here herded cattle on the prairies, driving
them across the country to the Philadelphia
markets. He thus dealt in stock in his
younger years but in later life he turned his
attention to farming, which he followed in
Vermilion county, meeting with fair suc-
cess. His death occurred in Rossville. In
the family were but two children, the
younger brother being Perry M., who is
manager of the Telephone Exchange at
Rossville.
During his early boyhood days Charles
W. Warner accompanied his parents on
their removal to Rossville, where he ac-
quired his preliminary education. He after-
ward engaged in teaching for two terms in
the district schools of Champaign county.
He received further mental discipline in the
"poor man's college" — a printing office, —
learning the printer's trade in Rossville after
leaving school and before teaching. When
be had completed his work as an educator
he canie to Hoopeston and was employed in
the office of the Chronicle, which was then
owned by Dale Wallace, with whom he re-
mained for three years. During this time
he also served as journal clerk in the state
legislature of the thirty-second general as-
sembly, appointed thruugh the influence of
Messrs. Buttei-field and Holden, members of
the house from his district. On the ist
of July, 18S2, Mr. Warner purchased the
Chronicle plant, incurring an indebtedness
of three thousand dollars in order to do this.
He has since been editor and proprietor of
the paper, which he has successfully pub-
lished. Owing to an increased circulation,
to a good advertising patronage and to his
capable management, he has been enabled
to discharge the indebtedness and he now
publishes both a daily and weekly edition of
the Chronicle, which is regarded as one of
the best papers which comes from the press
of this portion of the state. He employs
six people and has a well equipped office.
There is a gas engine, a cylinder press and
all of the latest improvements usually found
in a first class printing office. The paper is
devoted to the local interests and to the dis-
semination of general news and has proved
a profitable inx'cstment.
In the year 1889 Mr. Warner was
elected postmaster. Congressman Cannon
calling an election for that purpose, because
there were seven candidates in the field.
Mr. Warner was the choice of the people
and served acceptably in the office during
President Harrison's administration. He
tired and was superseded by a Democrat
during President Cleveland's term of office
and was then again appointed by President
364
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
[McKinley, and was a third time appointed
by Fresidait Roosevelt, so that he is now
the incumbent. His administration is prac-
tical, business-like and progressive and the
affairs of the office are capably managed by
him. He has likewise served as cit\" clerk
and at the present time he is a member of
the county committee of the Republican par-
ty, being a recognized leader in the ranks of
that organization.
On the 13th of December, 1883, in
Hoopeston.Mr. Warner was united in mar-
riage with Miss Lillian Clark, who was boni
at W'enona, Ilhnois, on the 9th of May,
1864, and they have one child, Gladys, bom
December 8, 1891. Mrs. Henrietta B.
Clark, the mother of Mrs. Warner, is also
a member of the household, and they have
a pleasant home at the comer of Peim and
Third streets. Mr. Warner is a prominent
!Mason, belonging to Star Lodge. No. 709.
F. & A. :M., Hoopeston Chapter, No. 181,
R. .\. .M.. and Grant Council, No. 89, R. &
S. M. He is also a member of Hoopeston
Lodge. Xo. 195. K. P.. and Hoopeston
Camp. Xo. J^j. yi. W. A. He has passed
all of the chairs in the Knights of P\-thias
lodge and has been a delegate to its grand
lodge and deputy grand chancellor of the
order. Mr. Warner's political, fraternal
and business relations has brought him a
wide acquaintance and he is justly esteemed
as one of the progressive, enterprising and
respected citizens of his adopted county.
PATRICK MARTIX.
\*ermilion count}- has been the home and
the scene of labor of many men who have not
only led lives that should serve as an ex-
ample to those who come after them but have
also been of important service to the com-
munity through various avenues of useful-
ness. Among them may be numbered Pat-
rick ^Martin, who died at his pleasant home
in Danville on the 20th of April, 1896.
He was bom in County Kilkenny. Ire-
land, ]^Iarch 3. 1840. a son of Michael and
Julia ilartin. who were natives of the same
county, where they continued to reside until
1 85 1. That year witnessed tlie emigration
of the family to America, and on landing in
X'ew York. March 17. they proceeded at
once to Schenectady. Xew York, where they
spent only a short time, however. They next
went to Michigan City, Indiana, and a few
years later livetl for brief periods in Ottowa
and Chicago. Illinois, finally locating near
Stateline. where the father improved a farm.
In the meantime he was looking up a favor-
able location with the intention of buying a
place and was not satisfied until he found a
farm near Fairmount. \'emiilion county,
upon which he and his wife spent the re-
mainder of their lives. They were the pa-
rents of five children, who are still living,
namelv: Bridget, now the widow of
Thomas Cavanagh and a resident of Dan-
ville: INIar}-. widow of John Wall and a resi-
dent of Terre Haute. Indiana; Walter, an
engineer on the Cleveland. Cincinnati. Chi-
cago & St. Louis Railroad and a resident of
Indianapolis. Indiana : Ella, now Mrs. Pat-
terson, of Cripple Creek. Colorado : and An-
nie, wife of Edward Langin. of Lousi-
ville. Kentucky.
Our subject's educational advantages
were limited. At the age of eleven years he
came with his parents to the new world and
continued to assist his father in the opera-
tion of the home fami until the Civil war
broke out. Having a sincere love for his
adopted countr\- he enlisted in 1862 for
three vears' service, becoming a member of
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
365
Company E, Seventy-third Illinois VoKui-
teer Infantry, which was under the com-
mand of Generals Sheridan and Grant. He
was in a number of engagements, including
those of the Atlanta campaign, and was
wounded in the battle of Franklin by a bul-
let in the leg. After some time spent in the
hospital he received an honorable discharge
on account of his wound, March 25, 1865,
and returned home.
In 1868 'Sir. ^lartin married Miss Sarah
Tighe, who was also born in Ireland, March
17, 1834, her parents, Dennis and Mary
Tighe, spending their entire lives in that
countr}^ By occupation her father was a
farmer. Of the four children born to ^Ir.
and Mrs. ^Martin, Annie died in 1.894, Mary
is living with her mother in Danville, and
the other two died in infancy.
After his marriage Mr. Martin pur-
chased a farm near Fairmount, where he
continued to reside for several years, his
time and attention being, devoted to gen-
eral farming and stock raising. Later
he bought a farm near Homer, this
count)', where he made his home until
his removal to the city of Danville in
1890. A hard working, industrious and en-
ergetic man, he had acquired a comfortable
competence and was able to spend his last
years in ease and retirment from active la-
bor. Bv his ballot he always supported the
men and measures of the Democratic party
but never cared for the honors or emolu-
ments of public office. Like his wife and
daughter he held membership in the Catho-
lic church, and his upright, honorable life
won for iiim the confidence and high regard
of all with whom he was brought in coh-
tact. Mr. Martin eminently deserves classi-
fication among the purely self-made men of
the county who have distinguished them-
selves for their ability to master the oppos-
ing forces of life and to wrest from fate a
large measure of success and an honorable
name. He ieft to his widow some valuable
property in Danville, including the beauti-
ful residence at Xo. 442 Jackson street,
which she and her daughter now occupy, and
also a fine farm of one hundred acres near
the village of Tilton in this county. She is
a most estimable lady and was to her hus-
band a faithful companion and helpmate,
aiding and encouraging him in every possi-
ble way along the pathway of life.
TOHX A. PHILLIPS.
The subject of this review is a self-made
man who, without any extraordinary family
or pecuniary advantages at the commence-
ment of life, has battled earnestly and ener-
getically, and by indomitable courage and
integrity has achieved both character and a
comfortable competence. By sheer force of
will and untiring eft'ort he has worked his
way uj^ward and is numbered among the
leading business men of Danville. He is
now the proprietor of the Phillips Laundry,
one of the leading enterprises of this char-
acter in Vermilion county.
John A. Phillips was born in Fountain
county, Indiana, January 23, 1848, his par-
ents being Jackson and Margaret (jNIcQuig)
Phillips. The Phillips family was origin-
ally from Virginia and the McQuigs are
from Ohio. Unto the parents of our subject
were Ijorn four children : Edward, who
makes his home in Danville; Frank T.. who
is living in Montana; Ora, also of Danville;
and John A. The father died at the age of
fifty-eight years and the mother passed away
at the age of sixty-seven years.
When a youth of only thirteen years
366
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Jolin -\. Phillips started out to make his
own way in the world. He is therefore
largely a self-educated as well as self-made
man and through reading, experience and
observation he has gradually added to the
knowledge he had acquired in the public
schools in his early youth. He began to
earn his own livelihood by working as a
farm hand and in i860 he accepted the posi-
tion of assistant to a photographer who was
deaf and dumb and who had formed
an attachment for Mr. Phillips, teach-
ing him the business in his art gal-
lery in Fairbury, Illinois. Our sub-
ject continued this connection with pho-
tography for twenty years, fifteen years
of which time he was engaged in business in
■Danville, having located here in 1871. In
1885 he and his brother, Frank T. Phillips,
formed a partnership and established the
Phillips Laundry, which is the leading en-
terprise of its kind in this city and our sub-
ject is now sole proprietor. He took charge
of the business in 1893 and five years later
he purchased his brother's interest and has
since been sole owner. When they estab-
lished tlieir laundry they employed eight peo-
ple, including two washers and two ironing
men. Their business has so increased in vol-
ume that they now give employment to thir-
ty people, including seven washers. The
plant is splendidly equipped, having an eigh-
ty horse-power boiler, two twenty-six inch
extractors, a collar and cuft' Troy ironer,
number five and nine regular ironers, and
their machinery is all run by gas, which is
manufactured by a patent process in the
building. Mr. Phillips also has a shirt and
■collar dryer which is a machine of his own
device. There is also a car[)et cleaning ma-
chine. It is the most modern and perfect
plant of the kind in Vermilion county. Four
■wagons are utilized in calling and delivering
goods and the business has now grown in
volume until it has assumed very extensive
and profitable proportions.
In 1873 Mr. Phillips was united in mar-
riage to Rosa Noyes, a daughter of William
Noyes, a native of Kentucky now living in
Danville. Four children have been born of
this marriage : George A. ; William, who
died August 10, 1901, at the age of twenty-
three years ; Roy B. ; and Frank A., who is an
assistant in the laundry. The parents hold
membership in the Methodist Episcopal
chrurch and /Mr. Phillips is a prom-
inent Odd Fellow. For ten consecu-
tive years he served as a represent-
ti-/e to the grand encampment. He is
also identified with the Knights of Pyth-
ias, the ])Iodern Woodmen, the Court of
Honor and the Battery A Association.
Flis success has been by no means the result
of fortunate circumstances, but has come to
him through energy, labor and perseverance,
directed b}' an evenly balanced mind and by
honorable business principles. He com-
mands the respect of all with whom he
comes in contact and his honorable career
excites their admiration.
JAMES J. RICE.
This venerable and highly honored gen-
tleman, now a nongenariari, was born in
Chautauqua county. New York, June 13,
1812, and since 1835 ^^^ '^^^ been a resident
of Vermilion county. Although the snows
of many winters have whitened his hair he
seems to possess the vigor of a man of much
younger age, for nature is kind to those who
abuse not her laws and Mr. Rice's career has
been one of right living. Throughout his
long life he has ever commanded the regard
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
367
and confidence of his fellow men and his ex-
ample shonld serve as an inspiration to the
young and is well worthy of emulation. 'Sir.
Rice conTcs of good old Revolutionary stock.
His maternal grandfather was of Scotch de-
scent and served for seven years as a mem-
ber of the Colonial army, fighting for the in-
dependence of the nation. Silas Rice, the fa-
ther, was bom in eastern New York and died
when away from home. Ilis wife bore the
maiden name of .Phel)e Leonard and was a
native of Cayuga county. New York. She
died in Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1857,
at the age of seventy-seven. In their family
were eight children, of whom only three are
now living: J. J., of this review; Lucy and
Hannah. The sister Lucy is the widow of
Isaac Balengee, who was a soldier of the
Confederate army and is now deceased. She
makes her home in Danville. Hannah is the
wife of Charles Clifton, of Omaha, Ne-
braska.
In the fall of 1835 Mr. Rice of this re-
view came to Vermilion county with his
mother and lived for nine years on Salt
Fork. He then remo\ed to Pilot township,
taking up his abode in the eastern part, and
there U\ed for five years, when he moved to
his farm on section 16, where he resided un-
til about fifteen years ago, when he and his
wife removed to Charity, where he has since
made his home. Since the death of his wife
in 1901 Mr. Rice has made his home with
his daughter, Mrs. Harter, of Charity. He
started out in the business world with less
than one hundred dollars, but now he is a
man of aftluence, owning two hundrefl and
forty acres of valuable land, worth one hun-
dred dollars per acre. All this has been ac-
quired through his own perseverance, dili-
gence and honesty.
On the nth of September, 1845, -^^''•
Rice was united in marriage to Miss; Mary •
Davis, who was born in Pickaway county,
Ohio, September 13, 1823. They traveled
life's journey together for almost fifty-six
years and then on the utli of August, kjoi,
Mrs. Rice was called to her final rest, when
nearly se\enty-eight years of age. She was
one of a family of seven children, her broth-
ers and sisters being as follows : Irene, who
is the widow of F. M. Brewer and resides in
Indiana; Emily, the widow of George \\'il-
son, her home being near Quincy, Illinois;
Cynthia Ann, who is the widow of Milton
Cannon, and lives in Chicago ; Diana, the
widow of Daniel Cannon, residing near Fitli-
ian ; Lura J., the widow of James II. W^est,
and a resident of Kansas; and Owen, who
married Sarah Brown and is a farmer of
Arkansas. Seven children were born unto
Mr. and Mrs. Rice, but only three are now
living. Bruce L. died January 5, 1902,
from blood poisoning causetl by an injury
sustained in a runaway. He was then fifty-
six years of age. He served in the Civil war
as a private, entering the army when only
eighteen years of age for one hundred days'
service. He had seven children : Mary,
Grant, Minnie, Oscar, Lucy, Elmer and
Grace. Isaac, who is living in Arkansas, has
two children, Perry and Jessie. George C.
was killed at Oakwood while weighing grain
at the elevator. He fell into the hopper and
was suffocated August 29, 1902. He had
been a merchant in Oakwuod for al)out fif-
teen years and had previously been a mer-
chant and the postmaster at Charity. He
was a graduate of the University of Cham-
paign and was a very prominent and influ-
tial citizen here. Recognized as one of the
leaders of the Republican ])arty he served as
a member of the county central committee.
Me was also a devoted Christian gentleimn
and his death, which occurred when he was
fifty -two years of age, was very deeply
368
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
mourned. Emeretta is the wife of T. J.
Harter, of Charity, and they have five chil-
dren : John, Nellie, Lillie, Roy and George.
Mr. Harter is now operating the old home
place and JMr. Rice lives with him and his
wife in Charity. John D. makes his home in
Arkansas and has one child, Carl. ]\Iary C.
became the wife of Solomon Strong and
died in Chicago, September 29, 1891. Jas-
per, the youngest of the family, has also
passed away. All of the children were born
on the old home place with the exception of
two. There are also five great-grandchil-
dren : Arvin and Leora are the children of
Mrs. Mary E. Bates, of Des ]Moines, Iowa;
Wesley is the child of Oscar Rice; Beatrice
Irene is the daughter of Mrs. Nellie Scaft",
of Charity; Edith May is the daughter of
Lillie M. Cline, of Charity. Three of the
children of Jilrs. Emeretta Harter are also
married : John wedded Daisy Eubank and
lives in Fithian; Nellie is the wife of D. L.
ScaiT, of Charity; and Lillie is the wife of
Mack T. Cline, of the same place.
Mr. Rice is now the oldest living settler
of Pilot township and of the county now liv-
ing in this township. He entered eighty
acres of land from the go\-ernment and after-
ward purchased forty acres of the school
land when it was placed upon the market.
^^"ith characteristic energy he began the de-
velopment of his farm and though he had
crude farming implements compared to the
improved machinery at the present day, it
was not long before his land \\as placed un-
der the plow and made to yield good returns
for his efforts. He always provided com-
fortably for his family and is to-day the
owner of valuable interests here. For more
than sixty years he has been a devoted mem-
ber of the Church of Christ and through a
long period has served as one of its elders.
During the past forty years he has advocated
Prohibition principles. In his early life his
political support was given to the Whig par-
ty and upon its dissolution he joined the
ranks of the new Republican party. For the
past twenty years 'Sir. Rice has voted the
Prohibition ticket. For many years he filled
the office of school director and has served
on county and state juries, in matters of
citizenship he has ever been public spirited
and progressive, taking an acti\'e interest in
whatever has tended to promote the g-eneral
progress. He has ever been honorable and
straightforward in all his dealings and rela-
tions with his fellow men and now in the
evening of life he can look back over the past
without regret and forward to the future
without fear. His name commands respect
because he has ever been true to upright
principles. Certainly he deserves honorable
mention in the history of Vermilion county
and. indeed, the record of this portion of the
state would be incomplete without an ac-
count of his life.
SETH FAIRCHILD.
Among the brave men who devoted the
opening years of their manhood to the de-
fense of our country during the dark days
of the Civil war was Seth Fairchild, who
throughout his active business life was iden-
tified with the interests of Vermilion coun-
tv. He was a native of this county, born
near Danville, Illinois, October 14, 1836,
and was a son of Orman and Hannah
(Wagnon) Fairchild. His father died here,
and after his death his widow, who was a
native of Kentucky, resided in Vermilion
county.
It was in 1872 that Seth Fairchild took
up his abode in Danville aid for two years
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
369
carried the mail between this place and East
Lynn. Later he made his home in Potomac,
this county, for six years, and while resid-
ing there was employed to carry the mail lie-
tween there and Danville. At the end of that
period he removed to a farm in Blount town-
ship and throughout the remainder of his
life was successfully engaged in farming, be-
ing a practical agriculturist and a man of
good business abilit\'.
When the south attempted to secede Mr.
Fairchild resolved to join the boys in blue
and it was not long after hostilities began
that he enlisted on the ist of June, 1861, in
Company B, Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer
Infantry. With his company he participated
in many important battles and skirmishes
and during the engagement at Chattanooga
was wounded in the foot, being confined in
the hospital there nine days. When his term
of enlistment expired he was honorably dis-
charged at Springfield, Illinois, September
5, 1864, and returned to his home in this
county.
In 1865 Mr. Fairchild marrietl Miss
Pleuma H. Lyon, who was born in Ohio
Junction, July 26, 1846. Her parents, Fred-
erick and Bolivia (McCleary) Lyon, were
also natives of the Buckeye state, where in
early life the father followed the carpenter's
trade and later was captain on a canal boat,
his home being at Ohio Junction, where he
died when Mrs. Fairchild was young. Fler
mother married again.
Seven children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Fairchild but only three are now living.
Laura B. is the wife of William Crawford, a
contractor of Danville. John, also a con-
tractor, who lives with his mother, married
Katie Trout and has three thildren, Lowell
O., Edith L. and John Leo. Stella is now
clerking in the Danville Department store in
Danxille. Those of the family now deceased
are Freddie, May, Luther and a daughter
who died in infancy unnamed.
Mr. Fairchild continued to make his
home upon his farm in Blount township un-
til his death, which occurred on the 13th of
March, 1886. By his ballot he always sup-
ported men and measures of the Republican
party and took considerable interest in pub-
lic affairs, aiding in promoting all enter-
prises which he believed would advance the
moral, social or material welfare of the com-
munity in which he lived. He was a con-
sistent member of the Kimber Methodist
Episcopal church of Danville, to which his
wife and children also belong. For two
years and a half after his death Mrs. Fair-
child continued to reside on the farm and
then removed to Danville, erecting there her
present comfortable residence at No. 11 24
Gilbert street. Her son owns other Danville
property, including a place on the corner of
Madison and Chandler streets and in Ver-
milion Heights.
JOHN G. SHEA.
Prominent among the energetic, far-see-
ing and successful business men of Danville
is John G. Shea, president of the Danville
Brick and Tile Company, incorporated. His
life history most happily illustrates what
may be attained by faithful and continued
effort in carrying out an honest purpose. In-
tegrity, activity and energy have been the
crowning points in his success and his con-
nection with various business enterprises and
industries have been of decided advantage
to dift'erent sections of Illinois, promoting
their material welfare in no uncertain man-
ner.
Mr. Shea was born in Ireland, July i,
1842, a son of Dennis and Honora (Sulli-
370
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
van) Sliea. wIid were also natives of the
Emerald isle. In 1850 the father brought
his family to the new world and took up his
residence in Coburg, Canada, where he en-
gaged in farming for several years. He then
came to Illinois, where he followed the same
])ursuit up to the time of his death, which oc-
curred in 1887. His wife passed away in
1889.
During his boyhood and youth John G.
Shea attended the common schools of Can-
ada and after completing his education went
to .Auburn, New York, where he was lo-
cated when the country became involved in.
civil war. Feeling that his adopted country
needed his services, he enlisted in 1861, in
Company B, Nineteenth New York Infantry,
which afterward became Battery E, Third
New York Artillery, and served as an over-
seer on the engineer corps. He participated
in a number of skirmishes but was never in-
jured in any way and was finally discharged
at Auburn, New' York, in June, 1863.
]Mr. Shea then came to Illinois and set-
tled in Cumberland county, where he was en-
gaged in farming for a year, and at the end
of that time crossed the plains to the Pacific
coast, the following four years being devoted
to mining in California and Arizona. On
the expiration of that term he returned east
and located in Decatur, where he was en-
gaged in the grocery business until 1888.
He first embarked in the manufacture of
brick and tile, becoming manager of the De-
catur Tile Company. He also had charge
of the erection of their plant, and he remod-
eled and l)ecame interested in two plants at
Ouincy, Illinois, manufacturing paving brick
and dry pressed brick. In 1896 he sold his
interest in the Decatur works, but is still
connected with those at Ouincy, his son be-
ing the present superintendent, secretary and
treasurer of the same. Mr. Shea removed
to Dan\illc in 1892 and settled at Vermilion
Heights, where he bought his present plant
and has since carried on business here. The
business was incorporated in 1892 under the
name of the Danville PJrick and Tile Com-
pany, with our subject as president and
treasurer: his son John C, vice president
and his wife, secretary. They manufacture
all kinds of paving brick, selling largely to
the local trade, and have supplied a portion
of the brick for the streets of Danville, but
the}- have also shipped brick to Chicago and
Mattoon, Illinois, and to South Bend, Indi-
ana, having built up a large trade in these
and other cities. The company has a very
extensi\-e plant and regularlv emplovs over
forty hands. Mr. Shea also owns a coal
mine near his works, from which he gets his
supply of coal to carry on the business. His
office is at his residence at No. 100 Warring-
ton avenue, Vermilion Heights, in the same
locality. Besides his valuable property in
this state he also owns a nice ranch in south-
ern California.
On April 17, 1872, Mr. Shea mar-
ried Miss Lusannah Clark, who was born in
West Virginia, on the 17th of July, 1845.
Her parents, Cornelius and Abigail
(Wright) Clark, were both natives of ]\Ias-
sachusetts and she is able to trace her an-
cestry back to the Clarks that came to this
country in the Mayflower. Her father was
interested in a number of different enter-
prises. He not only followed farming but
he owned and operated salt works in West
Virg'inia and also run a grist and saw mill'
there. Later he came west and died in Coles _
county, Illinois, wdiile the death of his wife
occurred in Decatur, this state, at the age of
eighty years.
Mr. and Mrs. Shea lia\-e two chiklren.
John C the older, was born August 26.
1873, and was graduated at the university at
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
3/1
Urbana. Illinois, as an electrical engineer.
He married Frances Meyers and is now liv-
ing in Ouincy. where he is superintedent of
his father's tile works but expects soon to
remove to Danville and assist in the works
here. W'illard W'., born December 17, 1880,
recei\ed a college education and was a sol-
dier in the Cuban war, belonging to the bat-
tery from Danville. He married Elizabeth
Dinwiddie and lives on one of his father's
ranches in southern California.
In politics Air. Shea is a Republican but
»is an advocate of the free coinage of silver.
While a resident of Decatur he took quite an
active antl prominent part in local politics
ami served as alderman of the city for two
years. Fraternally he is a member of the
Masonic order, the Grand Army of the Re-
public and the Royal Templars, all of Dan-
^■ille. and his wife is a member of the Uni-
tarian church and was president of the Wo-
man's Christian Temperance Union of De-
catur. Druing the ten years he has been a
resident of this city he has become one of its
leading and influential business men. Thor-
oughness and persistency have characterized
his entire business career and have been sup-
plemented by careful attention to details and
by honorable straightforward effort that has
gained him a most excellent and enviable
reputation.
WILLIAM H. YORK.
William H. York, who for many years
has been a well known li\eryman at Ridge-
farm, was born in Phelps county, Missouri,
November 24, 1854, and is a son of William
and Mary (Dodd) York. The father went
to ?*Iissouri from eastern Tennessee about
1833, l)eing at that time nineteen years of
age. He was reared as a fanner lad and on
18
attaining his majority he wedded Mary
Dodd, and they Ijecame the parents of three
daughters and two sons. The mother died
near Rolla, Missouri, in i86_'. The father
remained in that state until 1867 when with
his family he went to Edmonson, Kentucky,
and in 1877 with his children he removed to
Te.xas, where he is still living. Two sisters
of our subject reside in the Lone Star state
and one sister is now a resident of Sumner
county, Kansas.
William H. York of this re\iew pur-
sued a common-school education and at the
age of sixteen left his Kentucky home to
make his own way in the world. He came
direct to Ridgefarm wiiere he has lived con-
tinuously since the year 1871. For some
nineteen years he was engaged in rail-
roading on various railroads, as station
agent and operator. In 1898 he became
connected with the livery business and
has since owned and conducted a barn
in which he has a number of good horses
and tine vehicles. His earnest desire to
please his patrons, combined with an oblig-
ing manner and honorable dealings has been
the means of bringing to him a profitable
trade.
On the 7tli of March. 1S77, ^^^'- ^'"^k
was unitefl in marriage to Miss Alice Lewis,
a daughter of Caleb and Esther Lewis, of
Ridgefarm. Her parents were natives of
Indiana and Mrs. York had three sisters, of
whom two are still living. Our subject and
his wife have resided continuously in Ridge-
farm from the time of their marriage with
the exception of a Ijrief period of three
years, when they were living in V^ermilion
county, Indiana, and one year in Texas.
They have four children : Roy, who is now
twenty-two years of age, is married and lives
in Dallas, Texas, with his wife and one
child; Glenna, eighteen years of age, Katie.
372
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
thirteen years of age, and Lewis, wlio is a
little lad of seven summers, are at liome with
their parents.
Mr. York is independent in his pohtical
views and at^iliations. He belongs to the
Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellows So-
ciety and the Knights of Pythias, and is a
good citizen, active in support of measures
for the general welfare and is popular with
his many friends and neighbors. From an
early age he has been dependent upon his
own resources and as the architect of his own
fortunes lie has builded wisely and well.
GEORGE DILLON.
In public oiiice George Dillon won for
himself a reputation for loyalty and fidelity
and in private life he gained the highest re-
gard of his fellow men by reason of his pos-
session of many excellent traits of character.
He was for many years a leading and influ-
ential citizen of Danville and he left the im-
press of his individuality upon the devel-
opment of the city and upon its policy in
public oftice. He represented one of the old
Quaker families of the county and was born
near Georgetown on the i6th of January,
1837, his parents being Luke and Chai'ity
(Wright) Dillon. His father removed
from North Carolina to Ohio at a very early
day and was a resident of that state until
1830, when he came to the west, settling in
Vermilion county. He took up his abode
on a farm near Georgetown and there de-
voted his attention to agricultural pursuits
throughout his remaining days, passing
away in 1852. His wife also died on the
old home place there and after her demise
Mr. Dillon was again married, his second
union being with Miss Sarah Hayworth,
who is also now deceased. There were ten
children born of the first union but none
survive.
George Dillon pursued his education in
th.e country schools of Georgetown town-
ship and after putting aside his text books
he engaged in farming there, carrying on
the work of tilling the soil and cultivating
his crops until the country became invc/lved
in civil war. When it was seen that the re-
bellion in the south would not be easily
crushed out and that more troops were
needed Mr. Dillon enlisted in Company D,
One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois In-
fantry for three years. W'ith his command
he participated in many battles of import-
ance and in the engagement at Dallas,
Georgia, he was wounded in the right arm.
He was then taken to the hospital at Chat-
tanooga. Tennessee, and later was trans-
ferred to the hospital at Nashville, wdiere
his arm was amputated. Thus he made a
great sacrifice for his country and he cer-
tainly deserves the gratitude of the nation
because of the assistance which he rendered
in preserving the Union. From Nashville
he was transferred to the hospital in ]\Iound
City, Illinois, where, in 1865, he received an
honorable discharge. Immediately there-
after he returned to his farm in Georgetown
township, Vermilion county, and for a long
period devoted his energies to agricultural
pursuits.
Prior to entering the army ^Ir. Dillon
had married on the 7th of March, 1861,
]Miss Desdemona F. Martin, a daughter of
Henry and Mary (Morgan) Martin. Her
father was a native of Virginia and also
became an early settler of Vermilion county,
having taken up his abode in Georgetown
township in 1820. There he devoted his at-
tention to farm work throughout the re-
mainder of his life. He was also justice of
GEORGE DILLON.
LIBRAI^Y
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
375
the peace tliere for se\eral years. I''ive chil-
dren of his family are yet living, namely:
Presley, a farmer of Blount township ; Eli-
za, the wife of A. Spicer, a resident farmer
of Georgetown townsliip; Martha, the wife
of Jesse Ragel, of Georgetown; Achilles,
who is secretary of the water company of
Riverside, California: and Mrs. Dillon.
Unto our suhject and liis wife have been
born eight children, but two of the numljer
died in infancy. The others are : Lucre-
tia Alma, the wife of C. S. Johnson, a prin-
ter of Danville; William S., a bookkeeper
of the city; Hannah, tiie wife of Harvey
Johnson, a traveling .salesman of Danville;
Grace, the wife of Phillip Yeager, a con-
tractor of Danville; Joseph G., a bookkeeper
of this city; and Robert M., at home.
While living on his farm Mr. Dillon held
many township ofiices, proving a most cap-
able and trustworthy official. In October,
i86S. he removed to Danville and was
elected circuit clerk of Vermilion county,
which office he continued to fill for twelve
years. No higher testimonial of his fidelity
and promptness could be given than the fact
that he was chosen by popular suffrage to
the ofhce so many terms. He was after-
ward a member of the board of supervisors
of the county and has held other official po-
sitions. On his retirement from the office
of circuit clerk he was elected justice of the
peace and filled that oftice with credit to
himself and satisfaction to his constituents
imtil his death, which occurred on the 26th
of September, 1891. To some extent he
also dealt in real estate here and built a nice
residence at No. 214 Robinson street, which
is yet occupied by his widow.
In his politics he was a very earnest and
pronounced Republican and took an active
interest in the success of his party. He be-
longed to Kenesaw Post, No. "jj, G. A. R.,
of Dan\-ill(', and \v;is its liduored commander
at the time of his demise. He was also a
mcu"'ber of the independent Order of Odd
Fellows, of this city, and both he and his
wife held membersliii) in the Church of
Christ, of Danville. He took a very deep
ami helpful interest in the church work,
served as elder for many years and at the
time of his death was a member of the board
of deacons. I'rom the time the church was
built in Danville he continuously served in
one offi.ce or another and his lalx>rs in its
behalf were effecti\'e and far reaching.
Over the record of his public career and his
private life there falls no shadow of wrong
or suspicion of evil. He left his wife in
\-ery comfortably circumstances and in ad-
dition to the property on Robinson street
she is also the owner of several other dwell-
ings in Danville and of a store ]>uilding
here. This property was accpiired by Mr.
Dillon through his marked energy, enter-
prise and careful management. His life
was exemplary in many respects and he had
the esteem of his friends and the confidence
of those with whom he had business rela-
tions.
♦-•-♦
W. I. BAIRD.
W. I. Baird is well known in Jamaica,
having gained a favorable place in public re-
gard while acting as telegraph operator and
station agent here. At the present time he is
engaged in the grain trade, owning an ele-
vator. Mr. Baird is a native of Champaign
county, Illinois, born January 28, 1870, his
paren.ts being J. C. and Eliza (Jones) Baird,
the former a native of Brown county, Ohio,
and the latter of Clermont county, Ohio.
They were married in Clermont county, lo-
cating upon a farm there and in 1869 they
3/6
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
sought a home in llhnois, making tlieir way
westward to Champaign county, where the
father again carried on agricultural pursuits.
In 1892 lie removed to Shelby county. Illi-
nois, where both he and his wife are still liv-
ing. In his political views he is a Repub-
lican and at the time of the Civil war he
manifested his loyalty to the Union cause by
enlisting as a member of Company B. Fifty-
ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in July, 1861.
With the boys in blue of his command he
went to the front and served faithfully until
September, i8(*4, when his term of service
having expired he was honorably dis-
charged. He had participated m the battles
of Shiloh. Alissionary Ridge, Chickamauga,
Kenesaw Mountain, Pittsburg Landing and
in all of the engagements of the Atlanta cam-
paign, preceding Sherman's celebrated
march to the sea. At the battle of Shiloh
he was wounded in the abdomen. He now
belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic,
thus maintaining pleasant relations with his
comrades of the blue. He has held a great
many township offices, proving capable and
efficient in publiQ service and he is a member
of the Christian church. In his family were
ten childern : Charles, who died at the age
of twenty years; Dora, who died at the age
of twenty-five years : W. I., who is the oldest
living son; Martha, who died in infancy;
Howard, w"ho is married and resides in Xi-
antic, Illinois; Bertha, who is engaged in
teaching in the public schools and makes her
home with her parents; .Vrthur. John, Ethel
and Myrtle, all of whom are still under the
parental roof.
W. I. Baird pursued his early education
in the North Raymond school near Sidney,
Illinois, and afterw'ard attended in the
Whitehall district near Broadland, Illinois.
He subsequently was a student in the X'or-
mal school at \'alparaiso,, Indiana, after
which he returned to Champaign county.
There he engaged in teaching for two years,
after which he attentled a school in Janes-
ville, \\'isconsin, taking up the study of te-
legraphy, in which course he w-as graduated
in iSg.;. He next entered the services of the
Chicago Hi Eastern Illinois Railroad Com-
pany, serving as relief agent for that road
for six months on the Chicago division. On
the 2d of January. 1894, he came to Jamaica
as station agent and telegraph operator, con-
tinuously filling the position with marked
capability until February, 1901, when he re-
signed and purchased the grain elevator
which he now owns. Already he has be-
come established in a good trade, which is
returning to him a profitable income.
On Christmas day of 1894, at Goldfield,
Iowa, was celebrated the marriage of W. I.
Baird and Aliss Ethel Jones, who was born
in Moultrie county, Illinois, on the 13th of
December, 1S73, her parents being J. R. anrl
Rebecca (Wilson) Jones, the former a na-
tive of Indiana, while the latter was born in
Moultrie county, Illinois, where their mar-
riage was celebrated. There they located
and Mr. Jones engaged in farming until
1894, when with his wife he removed to
Iowa, where they are now living. He is a
Republican in his political adherence and is
at present serving as notary public and justice
of the peace. In his religious faith he and
his wife are both members of the Methodist
Episcopal church of Jamaica, and he is now
superintendent of the Sunday-school and
president of the Epworth League. Fra-
ternally he is connected with Longview
Lodge Xo. 254, I. O. O. F., and Jamaica
Camp, Xo. 9222. M. W. A., in which he is
serving as clerk. .
Mr. and Mrs. Baird have a pleasant resi-
dence in Jamaica and the hospitality of the
best homes is extended to them. His courte-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
ous obliging manner and helpful disposition
made Air. Baird a popular station agent and
he is equally well and favorably known as a
grain merchant.
JAMES O'XEAL.
James O'Neal has the tlistinction and
honor of being the first white child born in
\'erniilion county. Here he has resided for
more than eighty years, his birth ha\'ing oc-
curred in Georgetown township, on the 20th
of April. 1822. People of the twentieth cen-
tury can scarcely realize the struggles and
danger which attended the early settlers, the
heroism and self-sacrifice of lives passed upon
the borders of civilization, the hardships en-
dured, the difficulties overcome, — these tales
of the early days read almost like a romance
to those who have known only modern pros-
perity and conveniences. To the pioneer of
the early day, far removed from the privi-
leges and conveniences of city or town, the
struggle for exisfence was a stern and hard
one and these men and women must have
possessed indomitable energy and sterling-
worth of character, as well as marked
physical courage when they willingly
selected such a life and successfully fought
its battles under such circumstances as
prevailed in the west. The parents of our
subject were Thomas and Sarah ( Howard )
O'Xeal, the former a native of Nelson coun-
ty. Kentucky, and the latter of Indiana. It
was in the year 1821 that the father came
to this county, settling near Brooks Point,
where he took up a claim that embraces what
is now the Caraway farm. There he resided
for three years and then entered eighty acre.<
of land near the Big \'erniilion creek. After
moving on the \'erniilion river he estab-
lished a tannery, made and dressed his own
leather, and made shoes for his family. He
made Indian moccasins for the use of him-
self and family and to sell to the Indian.s.
These Indians were principally of the Potta-
wattamie and Kickap(_)o tribes. Most of the
winter was spent in making rails and clear-
ing up ground, thus adding about ten acres
e\ery season to the tillable land. After the
Black Hawk war broke out he saddled his
horse and with his gun on his shoulder went
into the service, taking the place of his oldest
son who had gone several months before,
and there remained until the close of the
war. He developed a good farm there and
was engaged in agricultural pursuits
throughout the remainder of his days, his
ileatli occurring in September, 1861. His
wife died two years later and their family
consisted of nine children : Samuel, John,
Isaac and Cynthia Ann, all deceased; James;
Perry, who has also passed away ; Nancy,
the wife of Lewis Balla, residing on the old
family homestead on Big \'ermilion;
Thomas ; and Sarah.
James O'Neal was reared amid the wild
scenes of frontier life and shared with the
family in the hardships and trials incident
to pioneer settlement. He assisted in the
work of the home farm until fwenty-two
years of age and during that period acquired
his education in the subscription or common
schools. He then began work in the old
Morgan and Sheets grist mill in Danx'ille
township on the Big Vermilion, now known
as the Kyger mill, being there employed for
six years.
During that time Mr. O'Neal was mar-
ried to \'esta Pratt, also a native of this
county, born October 2, 1829, and died on
the loth of November, 1902. Her ])arcnts
378
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
were Jonallian and Xancy (^Stevens) Pratt,
the former a native of Canada and the latter
of Kentucky. In a very early day her father
removed to this county. Soon afterward he
entered the mihtary service in the Black
Hawk war and died of cholera while thus
engageil. His wife passed away in this
county. They resided upon a farm which is
known as the old Cole farm in Danville
township. The home of 'Sir. and ]SIrs. O'Xeal
was blessed with ten children. Cynthia Am
is the wife of Simon W. Doop. a butcher of
Casey, Iowa; Xancy J. is the deceased wife
of A. J. Scott. Oliver Perry, born October
i6, 1853. engaged in teaching school in \'er-
milion and Edgar counties for ten years and
since tliat time has devoted his attention to
farming, making his home with his father.
Jonathan T. wedded Mary F. Smith and is
a contractor of Westville. Sarah Hannah
died in infancy. Mary L. is the wife of H.
J. Kirby, of Danville. Sylvia A. is the
widow of Thomas Sandusky and lives with
her father. Clarissa E. also resides with her
father. Effie L. is the wife of Alva Carri-
gan, who is employed in the railroad shops
of Danville. James H. is a carpenter by
trade working with his brother.
After his marriage J\Ir. O'Xeal resided
upon the old homestead farm for four years
and then removed to his present farm. He
purchased forty acres of land, made excel-
lent improvements thereon and continued the
work of cultivation for a number of years,
but is now living retired and his sons manage
the property. When the family first came
to Vermilion county Closes Scott owned all
of the land where the town of Westville now
stands and a plum orchard occupied the
site of the homes and business houses which
now adorn that locality. ]\Ir. O'X'eal built
his home before that town of \\"estville was
laid out. He has never held anv political
offices, save .some minor ones, as he has al-
ways preferred to give his time and atten-
tion to his business affairs. His first presi-
tlential \ote was cast for Henry Clay and
upon the organization of the Republican
party he joined its ranks and has since con-
tinued to follow its banners. Mr. 0"Xeal is
identified through membership relations with
the Christian Church, as was also his wife,
and for some time he served as one of its el-
ders. His life has been one of untiring indus-
trv crowned with success and there are few
men better known in this county and none
more deserve the confidence and good will of
those with whom they have come in contact
than does James O'Neal. He has now passed
the eightieth milestrme on life's journey, but
he still manifests a deep interest in his na-
tive county and its welfare and throughout
his career he has ever taken an active part
in everything pertaining to the general good.
X'o history of the county would be complete
without mention of his life for his residence
here anti-dates that of any other native son
and he is one of the revered patriarchs of the
community.
CHARLES E. CHESLEY.
Charles E. Chesley was born in Dan-
ville April 16, 1854, and is a son of Roliert
y. Chesley who is represented elsewhere in
this volume. The son attended the pu.blic
schools of his native city and continued his
studies in the high school until he reached
the age of seventeen years, when his father
died and he put aside his text-books in order
to pnivide for his own support. He secured
eiuployment in the carriage factor}- owned
Ijy Daniel Force, working as a painter there
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
379
for two years. He then entered tlie service
of the Wabash Railroad Company as call
boy and after a time was promoted to fire-
man. His fidelity to dnty and his efficiency
later won him promotion to engineer and
stibsecjuently he became roundhouse foreman
at Tilton, where he remained for two years.
He then again went up(_>n the road l)ut after
a year he once more became foreman, acting
in that capacity for two years. He was
next assistant to C. F. Lape, general master
mechanic. Once more he went upoi: the road
as an engieer and then after twelve years'
service with the Wabash Railroad Company
he resigned his position in 1886 and estab-
lished his present business, in connection
with his brother, John L. Chesley. Under the
business style of Chesley Brothers' Boiler
Works, thev are conducting a plaiU in which
is manufactured tanks, boilers, stacks, and
other sheet iron products which are shipped
extensively to all parts of the United States.
Their business is continuallv increasing and
has already reached proportions that make
it a leading industrial concern of this city.
Mr. Chesley likewise owns real estate in addi-
tion to the plant and liuildings of the firm.
In May, 1878, was celebrated the mar-
riage of Charles E. Chesley and ^liss Ida
M. Dicken. They are the parents of five
children, namely: Beulah V., Edna M., .An-
nie, Alice and Robert E. Chesley. I\Ir. and
]\Irs. Chesley hold membership in the Epis-
copal church and fraternally he is connected
with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern
Woodmen of America, the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks and the Court of
Honor. In his political views he is an ear-
nest and stalwart Republican, and for one
term he served as a member of the city coun-
cil, during which time he was chairman of
the sewerage committee, and under his di-
rection the large Jarets branch sewer was
built. This is one of the best improvements
the city has ever had. In matters of public
concern Mr. Chesley has ever Ijcen found
progressive and helpful, giving his co-opera-
tion to many movements for the general
gootl. j\s a business man he is known for
his enterprise, industrv, and perse\'erance —
qualities which form important elcmcn s in
a successful career.
EARL MILLER. M. D.
Dr. Earl Miller, who is [jracticing in In-
dianola, was born in Marion countv, Indi-
ana, Septemlier 18. 1872. His father, Asher
N. INIiller, also a native of Marion county,
was a son of \'incent M. and Elizabeth
(Kise) Miller. ^\fter arriving at years of
maturity Asher N. Miller carried on agri-
cultural pursuits and stock-raising in the
countv of his nativitv and became well-to-
do because of his business ability and close
application to his chosen work. He still
resides u])on his farm near Clermont, In-
diana, at the age of fiftv-eight vears, and is
regarded as one of the influential and prom-
inent residents of his community. He is
a man of strong character, who has lived
a temperate, moral life, and his genuine
worth has gained for him the warm regard
of all with whom he has been brought in
contact. He marriecl Ettie L. Hornaday,
also a native of Marion county. Indiana,
ami a daughter of Isaiah and Elizabeth
(Wiley) Hornaday, who were natives of
Rush county. tli;it st;Ue. Their children
were Harvey Hornaday, a journalist resid-
ing in Oklahoma; Henderson, who is a
practicing physician of Indianapolis, Indi-
ana; Santford, a resident of Indianapolis,
^8o
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Indiana, a contractor of public works ; Lil-
lie, wife of Abraham Pollard, of Indianapo-
lis; Miles G., of Indianapolis, an expert ac-
countant ; and Ettie L., the wife of 'Slv. Mil-
ler. By the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mil-
ler seven children were born, of whom the
Doctor is the eldest. The others are: Hat-
tie, who died in childhood: Chester C, a
dentist of Indianapolis; Verlinda. a teacher
of Clermont, Indiana ; Harry G.. a student
in the Central College of Dentistry at In-
dianapolis : Carl R., who is following farm-
ing near Clermont ; and Janette, who is a
student of the schools of Clermont.
Dr. iNIiller pursued his early education
in the common schools and subsequently
became a student in Butler University,
where he remained for two years. When
his literary course was completed he de-
cided to enter upon the stu.dy of medicine,
■wishing to make its practice his life work,
and on the completion of the prescribed
course he was graduated in' the Central Col-
lege of Physicians and Surgeons at Indian-
apolis, Indiana, with the class of 1897. Lo-
cating in Indianola, Illinois, he has since
been in active practice here and althotigh
the period of his residence in Vermilion
countv covers only five years, he has gained
a reputation which many an older physician
might well envy.
The Doctor was married on the 14th of
June. 1897, to ]\Iiss ]\Iargaret D. Varner,
who was born in Edgar county, Illinois,
on the 17th of June, 1877. Mrs. ^Miller is
the third child of Allan and Jemima (Dick-
son) ^^arner. Allan Varner was born April
18, 1829, and his wife, who was the young-
est daughter of David and ^Margaret Dick-
son, early pioneers of ^"ermilion county,
was born January 20. 1844. Unto Allan
Varner and his wife, who are now residing
in Chrisman, Illinois, were born six chil-
dren: J. D., l)orn January 13, 1869. a
business man of Indianapolis; Mary, born
January 4, 1874, wife of T. W. Clayton,
of Chicago; Margaret, born June 17. 1877,
wife of the Doctor; Robert, born April 10,
1879, who graduated from the Indiana
Medical College in 1903; William, born
"\Iarch 15, 1881, a resident of Chrisman,
Illinois : and David, of Chrisman, born July
14, 1883. To the Doctor and his wife one
child has been born, Jemima, born June 14,
1902. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic
fraternity and is a Democrat in his political
affiliations. Temperate in his habits and
of a refined nature, he also possesses a sym-
pathetic disposition which proves an im-
portant element in his successful profes-
sional career. He has the strictest regard
for the ethics of his profession, an exalted
view of his life work and while engaged in
the alleviation of human suffering, he also
commands the highest respect of those with
whom he is associated.
ADAM H. ?iIOZIER.
-\.dam H. IMozier, who is now extensive-
ly engaged in the dealing of hogs and was
formerly known as a cattle dealer as well
as general farmer, makes his home in Pilot
township near Collison. He was born in
Greene county. Ohio, in 1834. a son of Sol-
omon and Christina (Cox) Mozier, both of
whom died in Pilot township upon the farm
where they settled on coming to \'ermilion
county. The father passed away in 1871
and the mother sur\ived until 1887. when
she. too. was called to her final rest, leaving
five children, all of whom vet survi\-e.
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A. H. MOZIER.
LIBRARY
OF Ti-tE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
385
Adam H. and Jolm are twins and the latter
is now a resident of Jefferson county, Illi-
nois. \Villiani makes his home in Mont-
gomery county. Kansas. Levi is enga,n-ed
in the coal husiness in Danville. Harriet is
the wife of D. C. Deamude, who is one of
the commissioners of the National I 'ark,
li^'ins^ near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Adam H. Mozier \\as but two years of
age when his parents removed to Warren
Cdunty, Indiana, there remaining from 1836
until 1840, when they came to Vermilion
county, our subject being then in his fif-
teenth year. He acquired hi education in
the i)ublic schools and in Danville Seminary,
which he attended through two terms. Aft-
er his father's death he remained upon the
home farm with his mother and cared for
the property. After his mother's death in
18S7, he wedded Miss Martha Cooper, of
Miami county, Indiana, their parents hav-
ing been neighbors in the Hoosier state.
The Cooper family was established in Ver-
milion county, Illinois, in 1865. Both Mr.
and -NTrs. Cooper are now deceased and the
family is quite widely scattered. Six of the
children still survive: Mrs. Eliza Juvinall,
of Oregon ; Mrs. Millie Clarkson, of Kan-
sas; Mary, who is living in Pilot township;
Henn,', in Muncie, Indiana; John D., who
resides near Higginsville, Illinois ; and
Amos.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Mozier
has carried on agricultural pursuits and he
now owns two hundred and sc\'enty acres
of land, most of which is culti\abk'.
Through a long period he planted iiis fields
to the crops best adapted to the soil and
climate but during the past ten years he has
rented his farm land, retaining only his ])as-
ture lands for his stock. He feeds from six-
ty to seventy head of hogs annually and
formerly was extensively engaged in feed-
ing cattle, in which branch of his business
he has made most of his mone)'. He raises
his stock and sells to buyers, seldom mak-
ing shipments himself to the city markets.
In his political views Mr. Mozier is a
stalwart RepuLdican and cast his first presi-
dential \'0te for John C. l-'remont. h'or two
years he served as tax collector and has
lieen school trustee for thirty years. In
1873 he was elected to that position and has
been chosen at each consecutive election
since, k^or several terms he was road super-
\-isor and has ever been a faithful officer,
discharging his duties with diligence and
promptness. In 1884 he erected his pres-
ent home on section 12, Pilot township, and
in 1805 built his fine barn there. For more
than half a century he has been a resident
of the county, carrying on farming and
stock-raising, and is widely known as a
straightforward business man, whose word
is as good as his bond.
LUTHER A. CLINGAX.
Luther A. Clingan belongs to that class
of representative American citizens, wIkj
while promoting their individual success alscj
advance the general prosperity. He is to-day
numbered among the leading, intluential and
prosperous residents of Georgetown town-
ship. His business interests have been ex-
tensive and of important character, and he is
now identified with agricultural and financial
interests. He has also been called upon to
serve in positions of public trust and at the
present writing, in igo2, is filling the position
of county commissioner of highways.
Mr. Clingan is a native son of this coun-
ty, his birth having occurred in Danville
township. His parents were James S. and El-
38b
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
vira (Oleahv) Clingan, the former a native
of Ohio and the latter of Vermilion connty,
Illinois. William Clingan, the paternal
grandfather of ( mr sul)ject. removed from the
Buckeye state to this count\- in 1844, becom-
ing" one of the early settlers of Danville
township, where he carried on agricultural
pursuits until his death. James Clingan also
became a farmer of this county and from the
time of the removal of his parents to the
west made his home in Catlin township until
1867. He then became a resident of West-
ville, where he lived retired until his death
in August. 1899. His widow still survives
and is yet living in Westville.
Luther A. Clingan was the youngest of
their four children. In the district schools
he pursued his education, mastering the
branches of learning taught in such institu-
tions. He assisted in the work of the home
farm until his marriage, when he began
farming on his own account. He wedded
Miss Martha Graves, a daughter of L. H.
Graves, who was also a pioneer of Vermilior.
county and became one of the first residents
of Georgetown township, where some of his
family are yet living. Mrs. Clingan was
called to her final rest January 29. 1897. Of
the seven children born of that union three
are yet living : Blanche. Hershal and Roy.
Those deceased are : Herman, Frankie.
Fred and Ray. In 1899. Mr. Clingan was
again married, wedding Miss Leeta Graves,
a sister of his first wife.
In 1886 Mr. Clingan settled upon a small
farm which was a part of the old Graves'
estate and located near his presnt home.
Soon afterward, however, he sold most of
that land to the Westville Coal Company,
which opened mines upon that tract. He
then purchased his present farm on section
18, Georgetown township, also a part of the
old Graxes" estate. Here he made many ex-
cellent improvements in keeping with the
progressive spirit of the twentieth century.
His is the finest farm residence in George-
town and is pleasantly located near the state
road between Westville and Georgetown.
Mr. Clingan, himself, has done little farming
as he rents his land. He is speculating to
a consideraljle extent in land and his invest-
ments have been so judiciuosly made that
they have returned to him splendid capital.
As coal was found upon his farm he sold
his land at a good profit and he has also
made other purchases and sales wherefrom
he has realized a good profit. He now owns
three hundred acres in Edgar county, Illi-
nois, and five hundred and sixty acres in
Porter county. Indiana, and three hundred
acres in \'ermilion county. Illinois, all of
which is rented. Mr. Clingan is the founder
of the town of Lmionville, Illinois, and his
sale of town lots there amounted to more
than seven thousand dollars. For the past
three years he has been a director of the
First National Bank, of Georgetown, and
throughout this county he is regarded as
a wide-awake enterprising business man, be-
longing to that class of representative citi-
zens who have been the founders and up-
builders of Illinois and the great west. He
is well known in the city of Danville and
throughout this portion of the state and in
business circles he sustains an unassailable
reputation.
In 1899 Mr. Clingan was elected to the
oiTlce of commissioner of highways in whicl
capacity he is still serving. He has always
been a stanch Democrat in his political views
and has taken an active interest in politics,
keeping well informed on the questions and
issues of the day, which enables him to sup-
port his position l)y intelligent argument.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
3S7
I'or three _\ears lie served as a school di-
rector in his district. He is a member of
the Odd Fellows Lodge at Westville and his
wife belongs to the Christian church there.
It is beliexed by some that fortunate circum-
stances are an important element in the suc-
cess of the men who advance beyond the
common plane of life in the accjuirement of
wealth, I)ut in analyzing the history of a suc-
cessful man it will alwa\'s Ijc found that there
are certain elements in his career, and that
among tiiese is the ability to recognize and
improve opportunities, combined with skill-
fully direct industry, — such is the case in
the histor\- of Mr. Clingan, who to-day is
numbered among the most pr(.)sperous resi-
dents of X'ermilion county. His success has
been worthil_\- won through honorable effort,
keen discernment and enterprise, and the re-
spect and confitlence of his many friends is
justly merited.
EDWARD C. KESPLER.
Edward C. Kespler, now deceased, was
a well known farmer of Vermilion county
and became a resident of this portion of the
state in the year 1851. A native of Ger-
many, he was bom October 8, 1837, and
his parents, Conrad and Elizabeth Kespler,
were also born in the same country, there
remaining until 185 1 when they determined
to seek a home in America and crossed the
briny deep to the new world reaching the
eastern shores of this country where thev ilid
not tarry long, but made their way to Ver-
milion county, Illinois. The father pur-
chased a farm near State Line. There he
carried on agricultural pursuits until his
death, meeting with signal success in his
work.
Edward C Kespler was about fourteen
years of age when he left the fatherland
and came to the new world. He atlendctl
the common schi_)ols near State Line and as-
sisted his father upon the home farm until
after the country became invoh'ed in Civil
war over the attempt of the southern states
to secede. He enlisted on the i6th of No-
\-ember, 1864, and was assigned to Com-
l)any C, of the Fourth Indiana Volunteer
Infantry. This command was in a number
of engagements of importance, including the
battle of Franklin, where Mr. Kespler was
taken prisoner. He was then sent to Ander-
S(.)n\'ille prision where he underwent all the
hardships and rigors of southern prison life
until the close of the war. He then received
an honorable discharge on the 24th of June,
1865. Returning to his father's farm he
was there employed until his marriage.
That important e\ent in the life of Mr.
Kes]iler occurred on the 23d of December,
1866, the lady of his choice being Miss Anna
P. Neigenfind, a native of Prussia, Germany,
born on the 23(1 of September, 1847, and a
daughter of Gotleib Christ and Johanna Fliz-
abeth Neigenfind. They too were nati\-es of
Germany and in 1861 the father came to
America, settling first in Canada where he
worked as a laborer for a year. He then
went to Ripon, Wisconsin, where he was
employed in a brickyard for a year. During
that time he had saved some money which he
sent to Germany for his family in order to
])ay their passage to the new world. Here
he was joined by his wife and children in
1863. For a year thereafter they lived in
Ripon and then removed to Vermilion coun-
ty, Illinois, settling on Main street in Dan-
ville. In this city the father was emjiloved
as a laborer and afterward he engaged in
gardening on his own account until old age
338
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
forced his retirement from business life.
Both he and liis wife now reside with Mrs.
Kespler and Mr. Neigenfind is now eighty-
four years of age while his wife has reacheil
the advanced age of sevnty-eight years. The
home of ]Mr. and Mrs. Kespler was blessed
with four children : :\Iary E.. now the wife
of Louis Steck. a farmer residing in Ogden.
Illinois: Frank E., who married Lydia M.
Pratt, their home being in Georgetown, Illi-
nois, where he is engaged in business as the
leading druggist of that place: Anna Cath-
erine, the wife of H. L. Smith, a butcher of
Danville: and William F., who married May
Wilke and is employed as a clerk in a cloth-
ing store in Danville. All of the children
were provided with good educational privi-
leges.
After his marriage Mr. Kespler resided
upon a farm near Perrysville for one year
and then returned to State Line where he
carried on farming for another year. He
then again took up his abode at Perrysville,
purchasing a farm which he continued to
cultivate until his death. He made his place
verv productive because of the care and labor
which he bestowed upon it. The excellent
improvements still seen there are the results
of his handiwork and everything about the
place indicates his careful supervision and
progressive spirit. He was a hard
working man, industrious and hon-
est and became well-to-do. He was
never an office seeker nor did he desii^e polit-
ical preferment }-et he was known as a sub-
stantial and inflexible adherent of Republi-
can principles. He passed awa}' November
27, 1878, and his loss was deeply regretted
not only by his immediate family but by
many friends, for he had gained an enviable
place in public regard.
Since the death of her husband Mrs. Kes-
pler has removed to Danville and is living
with her father and mother at No. 23 Hays
street, her parents having there resided since
1865. She still owns thirty-six acres of val-
uable farming land near Perrysville and has
some business lots on East ]\Iain street in this
city. At one time she also had other property
in Danville, but has sold most of this. She
is a member of the German L'nited Brethren
Church and is a lady of many estimable
qualities.
JOSEPH FAIRHALL, M. D.
Dr. Joseph Fairhall. a physician and
surgeon of Danville, was born at Tadwell
Hall, on the isle of Sheppy, in the county
of Kent, England, on the 9th of February,
18^3, and is descended from the old baron-
ial family of that name. The ancestry can
be traced back through many centuries and
the name of Joseph was borne by the eldest
son in each successive generation. From an
earlv period in the history of England the
Fairhails were connected with progress and
ad\'ancement in the counties of Sussex and
Kent. Tradition says that the ancestors of
the Doctor were paid soldiers of ^\"illiam
the Conqueror. Joseph Fairhall, the father
of the Doctor, was also born on the isle of
Slicppv and there wedded Esther Shaw,
whose birth occurred in the same locality.
They located at Tadwell Hall, the father be-
ing a country gentleman. In 1868 they re-
mo\-ed to Sittingbourne, which was a town
in that locality, and there his death occurred
in 1885, when he was seventy-two years of
aee. The mother survived until March i;.
1902, and both were laid to rest in the fam-
ilv vault at Oueensboro, in Kent county.
England.
Dr. Fairhall acquired his early educa-
DR. JOSEPH FAIRHALL.
LIBRARY
OF TflE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
391
tion in what was known as the National
School of Minster on the isle of Sheppy and
afterward entered the grammar school at
Sheerness. Later he became a student in
the L'ni\ersity at London, Englantl, in
which institution he was graduated with
the class of 1881. He next entered the
Charing Cross Medical University in Lon-
don, where he remained for three years. In
1877 he joined the Irish Rifles, in which veg-
iment he served with credit as a volunteer
for eight years, being mustered out in 1885.
He continued to remain in London, how-
ever, until 1887, and in that year he came to
-America. Making his way westward, he
became connected with the South Chicago
Dock Company and also with the Grape
Creek Coal Company, holding the office of
vice president of both. During the first
three years after his arrival in America he
made his home in Chicago, liaxing become
interested in the coal company while en-
route, and he acted as its vice president un-
til the company went into the hands of a re-
ceiver in 1892. In 1890 he took up his res-
idence on the property of the company at
Grnpe Creek and was instrumental in in-
augurating the village. \\"hile there he
studied practical mining engineering and at
the same time took the active management
of the company's affairs. Both he and his
wife gave their attention to the improve-
ment of the social condition of the w'orking
classes in the community by inaugurating
church and Sunday-school work, concerts
and other means of entertainment of a ben-
eficial character, and in 1S92 he was the
means of establisiiing the Grape Creek
Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and became its first presiding of-
ficer. He was always very enthusiastic for
the welfare of the order and passed through
its various degrees until he had arisen to
high office in the Uniformed Rank of Patri-
archs Militant. In connection with this di-
vision of the fraternity he founded the de-
gree of Ladies Militant in 1901. In all of
this work he was ably assisted by his wife
who founded the White Oaks Rebekah de-
gree lodge at Grape Creek and later was the
first president of the Ladies Militant.
In the meantime the coal company be-
came involved in litigation and after pass-
ing into the hands of a receiver Mr. Fairhall
assumed control of the Grape Creek Clay
Works and by close study of the various
clays found in the vicinity coupled with his
knowledge of chemistry, he was enabled to
master the art of brick manufacture. Pie
became a member of the National Brick
Manufacturers' Association, at whose con-
ventions he was always present, taking an
active part in the work of the organization.
Owing to the long litigation in which the
coal company was involved and which pre-
cluded him from obtaining a lease of the
clay works for longer than one year at a
time, he found at the end of four years that
he could no longer continue the work with
profit and consequently determined to retire
from business.
On the 27th of March, 1896, he went
before the state board of health and ap-
jilied for a license to practice the profession
of medicine, and after satisfactorily pass-
ing the required examination the license was
granted. In the spring of 1898 he took up
his residence in the city of Danville, build-
ing a house and office near the Gilbert street
bridge, commanding an extensive and pic-
turesque \-iew of the Vermillion river. In
the same 3-ear — 1898 — he was elected a
member of the staff of physicians of the
Vermilion county hospital, and professor of
anatomy and physiology in the Danville
training school for nurses. Progressive in
392
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
his profession, he keeps abreast with the best
thinking men who are connected with this
Hne of business activity through his mem-
bershi]! in the \'ermiiion County ]\Iedical
Association, the Tri-County Medical Asso-
cia1:ion, the Danville Physicians Protective
Association and the National Medical Asso-
ciation.
On the i/th of November, 1877, Dr.
Fairhall was united in marriage to Miss
Eli.iabeth Sand}-s, the third daughter of
William King, Esquire, of Ehvick \'illa, at
Ash ford, Kent county, England. When he
emigrated to America he was accompanied
by his wife and two eldest sons, arriving in
this country on the 29th day of March,
1S87. In 1893 a third son was born unto
them while they were living in Chicago and
in 1894 they became the parents of a daugh-
ter, Lucy Winnifred, born at Grape Creek.
Both the Doctor and his wife have gained a
large circle of friends in Danville and the
hospitality of many of the best homes of the
city is extended to them. Thoroughly
equipped by his collegiate work for the pro-
fession whicli now engages his attention,
and continually promoting his efficiency by
reading and study, he is to-day one of the
best informed members of the medical fra-
ternity in this city, having gained a high
standing in a calling where influence and
wealth availeth little or naught but where
merit is the foundation of advancement.
WILLIAM M. SMITH.
\\'illiam M. Smith is now practically liv-
ing a retired life at his home in Danville
and well does he deserve rest from labor,
but to a man of his nature it is almost im-
possible to utterly put aside business cares.
Indolence and idleness have ever been ut-
terly foreign to him and therefore he yet
gives his supervision to the management of
his invested interests, and his sound busines
judgment and enterprise are manifested in
the capable control of his property. He re-
sides at No. 142 South Logan a\enue. in a
nice home which is a monument to his inde-
fatigable lalior and capability.
i\Ir. Smith was born near the village of
Potomac, Vermilion county, on the i6th of
October, 1840, and is a son of Henry and
Jane (Stewart) Smith. The father was a
nati\e of Oxfordshire. England, born No-
\-ember 20. 1806, and the mother's birth oc-
curred in Birmingham, England. The pa-
ternal grandparents of our subject were
Thomas and Mary (Fletcher) Smith, also
natives of England where the grandfather
followed farming and likewise engaged in
conducting a dairy and cheese factory. He
followed those lines of business until his later
years when he came to America and after a
year's residence in this country he was called
to the home beyond. Henry Smith crossed
the broad Atlantic to the new world in 1838
and settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where he es-
tablished a meat market. He also engaged
in buying and shipping stock there for three
years, after which he removed to ^'ermilion
county, Illinois, settling near the village of
Potomac, where he carried on agricultural
pursuits until 1847. In that year he came to
Danville where he opened a meat market and'
was the third oldest merchant in that line in
the city. He did his own butchering and
engaged in selling fresh as well as salt meats,
until 1867 when he disposed of his store and
purchased a farm near the village of Tilton
in this county. There he carried on the
work of cultivating his fields until 1880 when
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
393
he returned to Danville and was again en-
gaged in the meat business through the two
succeeding years. Afterward he li\ed re-
tired in this city until his death which oc-
curred in 1897. His wife passed away here
on the 14th (if November. They were
highly respected people esteemed because
they were true to upright principles ami were
honorable in all their relations with their
fellow men. Unto this worthy couple were
born eleven children, but only four are now
living, namely: William M. ; Mary, the wife
of Robert Stevens, of Danville; Fannie J.
antl Lucy, who reside at No. 1 16 South Jack-
son street in the old home which their father
built here. Those who ha\e passed awa_\'
are John, Edwin. Sarah, Frank, Henry,
Charlie and Joseph.
William M. Smith acquired a common
school education in Potomac and in Dan-
ville and in early life he assisted his father
in the meat market, being thus engaged until
after the inauguration of the Civil war. He
watched with interest the progress of events
in the south, saw that the war was to be no
mere holiday affair and that it would require
the united strength of the great majority of
the loyal sons of the nation in order to pre-
serve the Union. Accordingly, on the 12th
of August, 1862, he offered his services to
the government enlisting as a member of
Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-
fifth Illinois Infantry, under command of
Colonel Harmon. His company was com-
manded by Captain Ralston and afterward
by Captain Brown. With his regiment Mr.
Smith participated in many important en-
gagements, including the battles of Kene-
savv, Chattanooga, Atlanta and Perryville.
Although often in the thickest of the fight,
exposed to the hot fire from the enemy's
guns, Mr. Smith was never injured in any
way. He was discharged at Washington,
D. C on the ist of June, 1865, returning
to his home witli the consciousness of having
faithfully performed his duty, his military
record being a most creditable one.
After the war was over Mr. Smith again
assisted his father in the meat market in
Danville and after his father's removal to
the farm he took charge of the market, con-
ducting it successfully until 1880. He then
sold a part interest in the establishment, and
he also owns a slaughter house which is near
his home. Mr. Smith is also engaged to
some extent in the nurserv business. ha\'ing
his place set out in nursery stock and shade
trees which he sells to the local trade. In
addition to all this he is the owner of several
houses and lots on South Logan avenue and
he owns some residence property in Vermil-
ion Heights and in Dan\-ille.
On the 25th of December, 1867, occurred
the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Mary
A. Morgan, a native of Indiana and a daugh-
ter of John Morgan who was engaged in the
livery lousiness in the Hoosier state and came
to Danville at an early day. Here he en-
gaged in teaming until his death which oc-
curred in 1864. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith
have been born six children : Bertie, at home;
Kittie, the wife of Charles Milemore, of^
Danville; Belle, the wife of Ed Laflin, re-
siding near her parents ; Roena and Wilma,
both at home; and Harry, who died in in-
fancy. The family home is an attractive
residence at No. 142 South Logan avenue,
near the Vermilion river. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Smith hold membership in the Kimber
Methodist Episcopal church of Danville and
he belongs to the Grand Army Post in this
city. In politics he is a Repul)lican. Those
who read between the lines can gain consid-
erable knowledge of the life work of Mr.
394
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Smith. A self-made man. he started out
upon his business career determined to make
the most of his opportunities and advantages
and he is to-day one of the oldest representa-
tives of the meat trade in this city. More-
over, he sustains an unassailable reputation
because of reasonable prices, of honorable
dealing and an earnest desire to please his
patrons through his trade relations as well
as in social life and he has won many warm
friends who esteem him highly.
XOAH E. HUBBARD.
One of the extensive landowners of Ver-
milion county is Noah E. Hubbard, whose
property possessions aggregate six hundred
acres of valuable farm land. He has
resided in this county since 1840 and is now
living retired from active business, enjoy-
ing a rest which he has truly earned and
richly deserves. One-half the w-idth of the
continent separates him from his birth place
— Sheffield, Massachusetts, where he tirst
opened his eyes to the light of day on the
20th of Xovember, 1S14. He is a son of
Noah E. and Cynthia (Clark) Hubbard,
Ixjth of whom were natives of the same lo-
cality. His father there conducted a dis-
tillery and sawmill and also engaged in
farming in Massachusetts until 1819, when
he removed westward with his family, set-
tling in Michigan, which was his home for
two vears. He then purchased an ox team
and started for Indiana, while his family
made their way to that state in an old log
canoe on the river. All were on the trip for
about six weeks and a settlement was then
made in Vermilion county, Indiana, where
Noah. E. Hubbard, Sr., purchased a farm
and also bought a hempmill. He engaged
in the operation of the latter in connection
with the cultivation of his fields until 1835,
when he ic)ined the IMormons. Leaving his
family in Indiana, he went to Missouri,
where he lived for three years. On the ex-
piration of that period he returned to Illi-
nois, settling in Nauvoo, where he lived with
the Mormons until they left that part of the
country. Mr. Hubbard at that time took
up his abode in Vermilion county. Indiana,
on the old borne farm, where he had previ-
ously liverl. continuing there for two years,
when, with his wife, he started for Salt
Lake City, L'tah, to join the IMormons there.
They only proceeded to Council Bluffs,
Iowa, when the father was taken ill and
died. The mother then returned and lived
w'ith her children until her own death. They
were the parents of ten children : Parmelia,
who now resides in Topeka, Kansas ; Lucy
Ruth, ilececeased ; Charles, a farmer living
in Utah; Cynthia, who has passed away;
Noah E. ; Prudence, deceased ; Lucy, who
died in infancy; Clark, who is the owner of
a large cattle ranch in California and makes
his home in that state; William, a farmer of
Benton county, Indiana ; and David, who
died in infancy.
At the age of seventeen years Noah E.
Hubbard went to Terre Haute, Indiana,
where he worked in a tanyard for four years,
receiving his board and clothing in com-
pensation for his services. He then re-
turned to Vermilion county, Indiana, living
upon the old home farm there until 1840,
when he crossed the line to Vermilion coun-
ty, Illinois, settling in Georgetown town-
ship at what is now known as Hubbards
Ford on Big Vermilion creek. There he
accepted a position as superintendent of a
sawmill for fifty cents per day and followed
that pursuit for six years. He next settled
LISRArtY
Cf t,;e
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
MRS. N. E. HUBBARD.
NOAH E. HUBBARD.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
399
on what is known as the Sprouls farm on
section 36, Georgetown township, purclias-
ing the land and living there until 1867. In
that year he removed to his present farm
and in connection with its cultivation also
engaged in operating a sawanill until 1892,
when because of failing health he retired to
private life. His has been a useful, active
and successful career, in which he has won
prosperity and also gained an untarnished
name
In 1845 Air. Hubbard was uniteil in
marriage to Aliss Catherine Ogden, a
daughter of James Ogden. an early settler
of this county. Her death occurred in 18S0
and manv friends mourned her Icjss. Six
children had l)een born of this marriage:
Cardin, who married A. Hayworth and lives
in the village of Georgetown; Cynthia, the
wife of Ira Courtney, a farmer of George-
town township; Lucy, who died in infancy;
Azrell A., who married ^Marietta Hayworth
and is engaged in farming near Ogden; Ja-
cob, who wedded Sarah Commons and fol-
lows agricultural pursuits in Georgetown
township; and Cornelia Alice, the wife of
Joseph Gantz, Ijv whom she has one child,
Lilly. They reside upon her father's farm,
Mr. Gantz carrying on the work of the
fields.
When yir. Hubbard first purchased land
in Georgetown township the tract was all
covered with timber, but soon the wood-
man's ax gave evidence that the trees were
falling beneath his strudy strokes. He
cleared off the land, plowed and planted it
and also made other improvements. As the
years ha\e passed great transformation was
wrought in the appearance of his property,
\\hich became a very valuable and highly
limductive farm. His boundaries, too, were
extended as Mr. Hubbard made additional
17
j)urchases until he nuw owns o\'er six hun-
dred acres of land in different parts of
Georgetown townshii) and he has likewise
given some land to his children. He has a
beautiful home on his farm which is now- oc-
cupied by his daughter and her family, it
being one of the most attractive residences
in this part of the county. In early life Mr.
Hubbard gave his political support to the
Whig party. In the ante-bellum days he
attended the debates held by Douglas and
Lincoln, shaking hands with each statesman.
Since the election of Lincoln he has always
voted the Republican ticket, strongly en-
dorsing the principles of the party. He has
almost reached the eighty-ninth milestone
on life's journey and no man is better known
in this part of V'ermilion county or is more
highly esteemed. Splendid success has at-
tended his efforts in business. He has
worked earnestly and indefatigably and his
labors have brought to him a rich reward
so that he is now one of the wealthy agri-
culturists of this portion of the state. In re-
cent years he has enjoyed an honorable re-
tirement from labor and the competence
which he formerly acrpu'red supplies him
with conveniences and many of the luxuries
of life. Vast changes have occurred in Ver-
milion county during the time in which he
has resided within its borders, its forests hav-
ing been cleared away, its prairies cultivateil
and the entire district transformed into a
rich agricultural tract. Towns and villages
too have shareil in the general progress and
advancement has been made along material,
social, intellectual and moral lines. In the
evening of life 'Sir. Hubbard can look back
over the past with just pride for what he has
accom]jlished and he has always lived so that
he has enjoyed the esteeem and high regard
of his fellow men.
400
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
-MRS. RHODA M. PIESTER.
Airs. Rhoda M. Hester is one of the
native residents of X'ermilion county who
through more tlian three score years and ten
has been a witness of the growtli and up
building of this portion of the state. She
is now residing in Ridgefarm and enjoys the
high esteem of all who know her. Sh.e was
born December 7, 18^7. near Vermilion
Grove, a daughter of Ira and Esther. (Hor-
ney) Mills, and her father was a native of
Jefferson county, Tennessee, born December
4. 1806, and came of a family of rich farm-
ing people. He was one of eleven children,
all of whom are now deceased. When he was
sixteen years of age he accompanied his par-
ents on their removal from Tennessee to Illi-
nois, a settlement being made on what be-
came known as the Great Mills Farm, two
miles west of A'ermilion Grove. From that
time to the present representatives of the
family ha\e lived upon the land which be-
came the property of the grandparents. After
arriving at years of maturity Ira Mills was
united in marriage to Miss Esther Horney,
who was born in Xenia, Ohio, December 12,
1805. Her parents were also farming peo-
ple, and she was one of five children.
About 1825 the family was established
in \'ermilion county and here on the
1 2th of December. 1826. she gave her hand
in marriage to Ira Mills. They lived happiU'
together until the 23d of November, 1836.
when Mrs. Mills was called to her final rest,
leaving a family of six children. The father
afterward married Mar}^ Dillon, who also
belonged to an old family of Tennessee and
came to Illinois during her early girlhood.
By her marriage she became the mother of
thirteen children. In the year 1868 Air
Mills removed with his familv to Carthage.
Missouri, and there he spent his remaining
days. His second wife died there in 1872.
while his death occurred on the 8th of April.
1S80. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Hes-
ter are: Mrs. Louisa Lewis, who was the
mother of nine children and is now deceased ,
John R., who has also passed away; Paris,
who is a merchant of Syracuse, Kansas, and
has one child; William, who died leaving
four children; and Mrs. Lydia Smith, whose
husband is a millwright, of Los Angeles,
California.
Mrs. Hester was reared under the pa-
ternal roof and trained to the duties of the
household, continuing her education in th.
district schools until she put aside her text
books. On the loth of November, 1853, she
gave her hand in marriage to John Hester,
who was born near Richmond, Indiana.
March 11. 1827. and was one of a family of
seven children. By his parents he was
brought to ^'ermilion county in 1829 and
was here reared as a farmer boy, early becom-
ing familiar with the duties and labors that
fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His entire
life was spent in Elwood township and his
attention was always given to farm work,
which he conducted with profit.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hester was
blessed with the following children : Al-
fred, who is living at Ridgefarm: Ida M.,
who died at the age of eleven years; Airs.
Mary E. Rook, of Elwood township, wl.
had six children, four of whom are yet liv-
ing; Cyrus, of Ridgefarm. who has two
children; Ada, who died in childhood; and
Paris J., a farmer of Ridgefarm, who has
five children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hester
were reared in the faith of the Society of
Friends. He was an earnest Christian man
whose upright life commended him to the
confidence and good will of all with whom
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
401
he was associated. He passed away Jul\
17, 1899, leaving to liis family the priceless
heritage of an untarnished name and to the
ycjung an example well worthy of emulation.
Mrs. Hester was always an ahle assistant (if
her hushand. When she was but se\enteen
years of age she began teaching, following
tliat profession for seven years in order to
assist in the sujjport of her father's large
famil}'. She had been a student in the
Georgetown High School and is a lady dt
culture and intelligence. She also spun ami
wo\e in an early day in order to assist her
family, and after her marriage she faithfully
performed the duties of her household, while
her husband was working in the helds, Mr.
and Mrs. Hester continued to reside upon the
home farm until 1891, when they came tc^
Ridgetarm where she is now Ijving, ha\'ing
here a comfortable home. Her menmry
forms a connecting link between the pioneer
past and the progressive present of Vermil-
ion county, and she can relate many interest-
ing incidents of the days when this section of
the state was upon the frontier, and can tell
many pleasing tales of the mode of life in
that early period.- Kindlx- and generous, the
sterling traits of her character and her good
c[ualities of heart and mind have made her
a loved friend, and one widely and favorably
knnwn iu her native C(juntv.
BENJAMIN EVERHART.
Un the roll of the dead, among the men
who were prominent, honorable and success-
ful in business, appears the naiue of Benja-
min Everhart, and while he has passed away
he is yet remembered l)y many who knew him
iu Danville antl throughout Vermilion coun-
ty. He came to this cit_\' when the W'aljash
Railroad entered it, from J3ecatur, Illinois,
driving a yoke of oxen. His entrance here
was s\'ml)oIical of his business connection
with the city for throughout the greater part
of his residence here he was engaged in team-
ing and his patronage grew as the years
passed by until his business had assumed ex-
tensi\-e and jirofitable jiroiiortions.
Mr. Everhart was a native of Switzer-
land, born on the 17th of September, 1833,
.and both his parents died in Switzerland dur-
ing his early boyhood, lie remained a resi-
dent of his native land until he was sex-en-
teen years of age when he sailed from that
C(.)untry for .\n-ierica, believing that he niight
have better opportunities to secure business
advancenient in this country where the ener-
gy of young men is not hampered by caste or
class. 1-anding in New- York he worked as a
laliorer in the Enipire state for a few years,
after which he can-ie to the west, settling in
Decatur, lUinois. There he ])urchased an ox-
team and was engaged in the dra^'ing busi-
ness until his removal to Vermilion county.
After coming to Danville Mr. Everhart was
here married in i860 to Miss Dorothy Kline,
who was a native of Germany, born h"el)ru-
ary 27, 1842, her parents being Jacob and
Dorothy (Miller) Kline, both of whom werL
natives of the fatherland. Coming to .\mer-
ica they established a home in Michigan
where Mr, Kline engaged in farming until
he was called to his final rest. The home
of Mr. and Mrs. Everhart was blessed with
eleven children : John, who is now engaged
in the baking business in Indian Territory ;
Charles, who married Maude Chaftield, and
is engineer for the Chicago & Eastern Illi-
nois Railroad, his home being in Danville;
Katherine and Bennie, both deceased ; Mary,
the wife of Charles Anderson, of Danville,
402
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
who left two children, Bennie and Bessie
(twins), who have been adopted by Mrs.
Everhart and now live with her; Annie, the
wife of John Louck, of Fairmount, Vermil
ion county; Rebecca, the wife of Grant El-
berson, a machinist of Danville; Emma and
Bennie, who have also passed away; Eliza-
beth, who resides at home and is employed
as a clerk in a store in this city ; and \'irginia.
also with her mother. The children were all
given good educational privileges ajid thus
prepared for life's practical and responsible
duties.
After coming to this city J\lr. Everhart
engaged in teaming with his ox-team and
assisted in hauling the rock used in the con-
struction of the first bridges over the Ver-
milion river at Danville. He also aided in the
construction of those bridges. For several
years he carried on general teaming and
then took charge of the Danville dray line.
During the last seventeen years of his life
he was engaged in the draying business and
his services were in constant demand. There
was much difiference between his good teams
of horses and his outfit of oxen and old
fashioned wagon which he had at the time
of his arrival. His patronage, too. had in-
creased with the passing years and as the
result of his labors he had acquired a com-
fortable competence. He was always an in-
dustrious, hard working, energetic man, and
these qualities brought to him the confidence
and good will of those with whom he came
in contact. He passed away July 28. 1895.
but his memory is still cherished by many
who knew him and respected him because his
life was in consistent harmony with the prin-
ciples of upright manhood. In politics he
was independent, supporting the candidates
whom he believed best qualified for office.
He belonged to the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, of Danville, and was highly
esteemed in the fraternity. Mrs. Everhart is
a member of the German Methodist Episco-
pal Church of this city and she now resides
at her home at Xo. 31 South Walnut street
with her daughters. She has long lived here
and has a wide acquaintance. She has seeii
Danville grow from the conditions of a vil-
lage until it has become one of the leading
metropolitan centres of this great state. L'ke
her husband she well deserves mention ni
this volimie devoted to the worthy and rejjre-
sentative citizens of A'ermilion countv.
HARRISON FAIRCHILD.
The histor\- of a state as well as that of
a nation is chiefly the chronicle of the lives
and deeds of those who have conferred hon-
or and dignity upon society. The world
judges the character of a community by that
of its representati\e citizens and yields its
tributes of admiration and respect for the
genius, learning or virtues of those whose
works and actions constitute the record of a
state's prosperity and pride; and it is their
character, as exemplified in probity and be-
nevolence, kindly virtues and integrity in the
affairs of life, that is e\-er affording wortiiy
examples for emulation and valuable les-
sons of incentive.
To a student of biography there is noth-
ing more interesting than to examine the
life histor}- of a self-made man and to de-
tect the elements of character which have
enabled him to pass on the highway of life
manv of the companions of his youth who
at the outset of their careers were more ad-
vantageously ecjuipped or endowed. The
subject of this review has through his own
CF THE
UWIVERGITY OF ILLINOIS
HARRISON FAIRCHILD.
MRS. HARRISON FAIRCHILD.
LlBFtARY
UNIVERSITY ^OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
407
exertions attained an honnrahle position and
marked prestige among the representative
men of the \vest, and with signal consistency
it may be said that he is the architect of his
own fortunes and one whose success anii)ly
justilies the application of the somewhat
hackneyed but most expressive title, "a self-
made man."
Mr. I'airchild, wln) is now li\ing a re-
tired life, in a beautiful residence at Xo.
1444 Xorth X'erniiHon street, in Danville,
comes of a very old and prominent family
of \'ermilion county. He is a native of this
county, his birth having occurred on Crist-
mas Day of 1840. His parents were Daniel
and Lucv ( Hemmingway) Fairchild. The
father was a native of New York, born in
1810, and he and four brothers left the Em-
pire state in 1828, coming direct to X'ermil-
ion CDunlw Illinois, iov the opi)i)rtunities of
the l)road west attracted them. Daniel Fair-
child settled in Blount township, among its
hrst residents. He began making impru\e-
ment upun a tract of wild prairie and tim-
ber land and built the first brick house in
that part of the county, after which he de-
voted his energies to farming for many
years. He was also a minister of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church and in connection
A\ith his agricultiu'al pursuits he devoted
considerable time to the work of spreading
the (jospel. and influencing his fellow men
to walk in the straight and narrow path. In
his later years he preached nmre funeral ser-
mons and married more couples than any
other minister of his day in the county. His
inthience, too, was of no restricted order and
his memorv yet remains as a blessed bene-
diction to those who knew him. He was
widely recognized as a prominent and influ-
ential resident of Vermilion county and his
death, which occurred on the old home farm
in Blount townshi]). May jj. 1870, was the
source of deep regret to his man\" friends.
His wife, who proved to him a faithful com-
panion and helpmate on life's journey and
who assisted him largely in his work of re-
deeming men, also passed awa}- on the old
home farm January 10, 1891. In the fam-
ily of this worthy couple were fourteen chil-
dren, of whom seven are yet living. Ordil-
la, born March 26, 1832, is the widow of
Daxid Lindsey and resides in Cherryvale,
Kansas. Eliza Ann, born November 27,
1833, 's the wife of George Smith, a resi-
dent of Blount township, this county. Har-
rison is the next younger. Nathaniel Rob-
bins, born August 15, 1843, is a resident
farmer of Blount township. I'". ]\Iilton, born
April 20, 1848, resides near and owns the
old homestead in Blount township. Eliz-
abeth, born January 9, 1851, is the wife of
Joseph Ingram, an agriculturist of Blount
township. Sophia Ella, born .\pril 20,
1S57, is the wife of John W. Duncan, of
Ahin, Illinois. Of those who have passed
away one died in infancy. The others were :
Henry, who died before the Civil war ; Wes-
le_\- and Daniel C, who were killed while
serving in the Union army during the war;
Eli, who died in 1893; Elkanah, who served
his country in the One Hundred and Thirty-
tifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry in 1864 and
died May 16, 1900.
Like the other members of the faniilj'
Harrison I'airchild began his education in
the old subscription schools of the county,
later attended the common public schools
and subsequently came to Dan\-ille, where
for six months he was a student in the Red
Alethodist Episcopal Seminary, where he
completed his education, lie was a student
in that institution at the outbreak of the
Ci\il war and in June, 1861, he offered his
services to the government, enlisting in
Com|)anv B, 'J'wenty-fifth Illinois Infantrv,
408
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
under Cajjlain Walls and Colonel Coller.
He particiiiated in the following engage-
ments: Pea I-Jidge. Corinth, Perrysville,
Chaplin Hills, Noonday Creek, Pinetoi)
Mountain, Chattahoochee, Stone River,
Manchester and Chickamauga. At the last
named Mr. Fairchild was slightly wounded
by a ball in the leg. He was afterward in
the charge of Missionary Ridge, where he
was wounded in the arm by a piece of shell.
Subsequently the company marched with
Sherman to Atlanta and he was also in the
battle of Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, and in
many skinuishes. During the .\tlanta cam-
paign he was relieved from further duty, his
term of service hax'ing e.\i)ired. and return-
ing to Illinois, he received his discharge at
Springfield, Illinois, September 5, 1864.
Returning to Blount township, this
county, Mr. Fairchild engaged in farming-
near the old homestead. He was married
on the 8th of March, 1865, to Sarah E.
Lanham, also a native of this county and a
daughter of Robert A. Lanham, one of the
early settlers of Blount township, where he
followed farming for many years, passing
away there in 1865. The marriage of Mr.
and Mrs. Fairchild was blessed witli thir-
teen children : Rev. Wilbur Daniel, a min-
ister of the Methodist Episcopal church and
now a resident of Murdock, Illinois; Lilly
Jane, the wife of John Crawford, a resident
of Danville; Efihe, the wiie of Edward Ben-
nett, who is living in Urbana, Illinois ; Os-
car H., a chemist of Denver, Colorado;
John L., who now resides on the old home
farm in Blount township; Myrtle, the wife
of the Rev. J. M. Judy, a Metho-
dist Episcopal minister at Delavan,
W'isconsin ; Roscoe S., who was lx>rn
May 12, 1878, and is now a stu-
dent in the Chicago University, having
previously served as corporal in Battery A
in the Spanish-American war, being for two
months in P(jrto Rico; l'~thol, the wife of
Jesse Kenney, of Higginsville, Illinois; Bes-
sie, Ruby, Harrison and .Albert, all at home;
and Sarena, who died in infancy.
.\fter his marriage Mr. Fairchild pur-
chased a farm near the old homestead in
Blount township. He made all of the im-
provements upon that property, including
the erection of substantial buildings. He
uses the latest improved machinery in carry-
ing on the work of the farm and has made
his place a verv attractive and \aluable one.
Idiere he continued his business until 1895
when, wishing to give his children better
educational facilities, he removed to the city
of Danville, purchased here a lot and erected
his present home at No. 1444 North Vermil-
ion street. It is one of the pretty residences
in that part of the city. He still owns his
farm in Blount township, which is rented
to his son John L.
Mr. Fairchild is now serving as one of
the school directors in his tiistrict. No. 112,
in this county, and has held minor offices in
Blount township, discharging his duties
with promptness and lidelity. He belongs
to the IVIodern Woodmen of Danville, and
in his political affiliations he has always been
a stalwart Republican. Both he and his
wife are devoted members of the First
Methodist Episcopal church of Danville and
he is now serving as one of its stewards.
He was elected by the cjuarterly conference,
Bismarck circuit, Danville district, as a lay
delegate to the Illinois ([uadrennial confer-
ence of the Methodist E|)iscoi)al church held
in Jackson\ille, September, 1879; Danville
in 1883; Decatur in 1887; and Jacksonville
in 1891. His wife belongs to several of the
church societies and both are active in sup-
port of the church, contributing in many
wavs to its growth antl npljuilding. In all
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
409
the relations of life Mr. Fairchild has
proved himself to be an earnest, honest, up-
right man and a citizen of whom the coni-
munit\- may justly be proud.
ELIJAH J. BOORDE.
In pioneer times, about a halt century
ago, the Boorde family was established in
\'erniilion county and the old homestead
farm was the birthplace of the subject of this
review, his natal day being May 17, 1859.
He is a- son of George and Sarah A. (Bow-
ling) Boorde and the ancestry can be traced
back through sevral generations to England
the first of the name coming from Yar-
iniiutli, that country, to America, Ijringing
with him his wife, their two children ami
their maid servants. They took passage on
a vessel called Mary .\nn, and on the i6th
of October. 1637, they became residents of
Newberry, Massachusetts. The progeny of
these first American ancestors is now very
numerous in the new world. Elijah Boorde,
Sr.. the grandfather of our subject, was a
brick mason and farmer. He married Xancy
Crane, who was born March 4, 1801, and
was a representative in the sixth generation
of the Tappan family, of English descent.
Among their children was George Boorde,
the father of our subject. He was liorn
June 2y, 1826, in Warren county, Ohio, and
on the 9th of September, 1847, ^''^ ^^''is united
in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Bowling,
whose birth occurred October 21, 1829, in
Fountain county, Indiana. Mr. Boorde was
reared about seven miles east of Covington,
in T'^ountain county, ha\ing accompanied his
parents on their removal to that locality when
the country was all wild and uninii)ro\-cd.
and in the midst of pioneer conditions he
spent the days of his lioyhood and youth,
acquiring his education in the jirimitive
schools of those da_\'s. lie .'ifterward en-
gaged in farming through the summer
months, while in the winter seasons he fol-
lowed teaching, and his wife also engaged
in teaching before her marriage. .Mrs.
Boorde was a representative of one
of the earliest families of Co\'ington,
Indiana, and there she resided until 1854,
when the family came to X'crmiliou county.
Illinois. Here the father began farming up-
on a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of
land whicli was entirely destitute of im-
])rovements, not even a fiu^row having been
turned upon the place. The journey west-
ward had been made in a "])rairie schooner"
in the primitive style of the times, for there
were no railroads and the work of progress
and improvement had scarcely been begun
in tliis portion of the state. With character-
istic energy, however, Mr. Boorde began to
clear and improve his land, using a plow
which was drawn by an ox-team. The
family lived in true pioneer style and while
the father was engaged in tlie work of the
fields the mother spun and wove the material
used for clothing for the family. .\s the
years progressed the labors of Mr. Boorde
resulted in transforming his land into a
\ery richly cultivated farm, the well tilled
fields returning to him golden harvests while
the excellent buildings placed upon the land
also stood as momunents to his thrift and
enterprise. He devoted his energies to the
raising of grain and stock until after the
outbreak of the Civil war, wlien his patriotic
spirit being aroused he oft'ered his ser\ices
to the government, enlisting in Company C,
of the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illi-
nois Infantr)-, being with the regiment as
4IO
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
it marched to Xashville. The long, arduou.-
march, however, underniined his heahh, an:'
he was transferred to the Invalid Cor])s and
afterward stationed at a camp in southern
Indiana. Suljsequently he was sent to Cami;
Dennison, in Ohio, and for some time was
ill. \\'ord reached his wife that he was worse
and she immediately started for Columbus,
Ohio, and on reaching there hastened to
Camp Chase thinking to find her husband,
but before her arrival he had passed away
and was buried, his death having occurred
November 5, 1863, — one of the brave sol-
diers who laid down his life as a sacrifice
upon the altar of his country. He was a de-
vout member of the Christian Church, a man
of upright life and irreproachable character,
and his remains were interred in the cemetery
in Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Boorde still sur-
vives her husband and is now living in In-
dianola in her seventy-third year. In the
family were six children : Rosina, now de-
ceased: Alpheus, wdio married Stella Jones,
and is living in Oakwood township; Enoch
P., who died at the age of two years; Mar-
tha, the wife of Joseph Fisher, of Fith
ian ; Elijah J. : and Ida May, w ho died at
the age of twenty-four years.
Elijah J. Boorde, the fifth in order of
birth, named in honor of his grandfather.
was reared upon the old home farm which
is still his place of residence, and in the dis-
trict schools of the neighborhood he acquired
his education. He has always lived here
with the exception of a period of two years
spent in Danville and one year in South Da-
kota. He to-day owns the old homestead
and has added to it a tract of eighty acres,
making in all two hundred and twenty acres
save that at the time of the building of the
railroad a small portion was cut off, leaving
two hundred and sixteen acres, which con-
stitutes (jiic of the richest and best improved
farms of the Prairie state, pleasantly and
conveniently located on section 12, Oakwood
township, about a mile and a quarter north-
west of the town of Fithian. His farm is
splendidly improved with all modern equip-
ments and accessories for facilitating work
Mr. Boorde employs a number of men to
perform the active w^ork of field and mead-
ow, and to the business of farming he gives
his careful supervision, and his capable man-
agement and executixe ability form import-
ant elements in its successful control. The
land is well tiled, the fields highly cultivated
and fine stock is raised. The home is a very
attractive, commodious residence, forming
one of the pleasing features of the landscape
and all the other buildings of the place are
substantial and well adapted for the use
to whicli they are put. Mr. Boorde also owns
an interest in the Fithian Telephone Com-
pan_\', the line extending from Fithian
througliDUt the surrounding country and
also into Champaign county.
On the 23d of February, 1888, :Mr.
Boorde was united in marriage to Miss An-
nie B. ThcMupson. whose birth occurred
I\Iarch 31, 1861, in Oakwood township, Ver-
milion county, while in the district schools
she acquired her preliminary education which
was supplemented by one year's attendance
at the high school of Danville. She has been
a popular teacher of her native county hav-
ing successfully taught for about twelve
terms in Oakwood township. She was the
third in a family of twelve children born
unto John R. and Elizabeth (Wright)
Thompson. Her paternal grandparents
were Joseph and Nancy (Stoughton)
Thompson, the former a native of New Jer-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
411
sey and the latter of Penns}"l\-aiiia. John
R. Thompson was 1)oni in Washington
county, Pennsyhania, April 12, 1830, and
was the eighth in a taniily of eighteen chil-
dren, twelve of whom reached years of ma-
turity. On the 27th of November. iS^G. he
was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth
Wright, and in order to provide for his fam-
ilv he engaged in agricultural pursuits, be-
coming one of the leading stock raisers of
Vermilion count}'.' He made a specialty of
sheep, keeping on hand graded Shropshire
and ]\Ierinoes. Pie herded a drove of over
one thousand sheep upon the prairie in an
early day. He was also a lover of good
horses and owned fnur fine horses of Ken-
tucky running stock. In business affairs he
was" prominent and influential, and was a
citizen of worth in \^ermilion count}', hon-
ored anil respected by all who knew him
Mrs. Boorde is a sister of Judge Thompson,
of this county. By her niarriage she has
become the mother of two children, Mabel
antl John Rosslyn. both of whom are stu-
dents in the schools of Fithian.
Mr. Boorde has served as school director
and the cause of education finds him an
advocate of progress and improvement along
that line. He has also served as township
trustee and has been Repulilican county com-
mitteeman for two ternis, being a stanch
advocate of the Republican party. Both he
and his wife hold membership in the Metho-
dist Episcopal church of Fithian and he is
a member of the Modern Woodmen Camp
of that place. His entire life has been ])assed
in this county and the circle of his friends
is an extensive one. While there has been
nothing exciting or sensational in his career
it is that of a man who has always been loyal
to duty, faithful in citizenship and true to the
relations of the home and of friendship.
W\ A. ITJXT.
From the age of tweh'e years W. A.
VUnt has depended upon his own resources
for a lix'clihood and the success which he has
achieved has come to him as a result of hi.^
own labor and diligence. He was born ii
Lincoln cininty, Kentucky, on the lotli of
May, 1862, and was reared to manhood in
that state. His educational privileges were
very meager, for his parents were poor and
his ser\'ices were needed upon the home
farm. After his fathers' death, which oc-
curred when the subject of this review was
only eleven years of age, W. A. Flint assisted
in supporting the family of eight children.
When twelve years of age he entered the
store as a clerk and there remained for five
years, lixing during that time at East Bern-
stead, Kentucky. During the first year o
his business connection at that place he sent
ten thousand dollars by express, as the re-
sult of the year's trade. He remained there
for three years and then sold out. He had
had the entire management of the business
and had displayed much ability in its con-
trol. On the expiration of that period he
returned to his native county and entered the
store in which he had formerly acted as
clerk. In the meantime he had broadened
his knowledge l)y attending night school and
through reading and observation he had be-
come a well informed man, realizing that
mental training and education were necessi-
ties of a successful business career.
For two years he remained in his native
county and after his marriage he went to
Texas in 1886, making his way to Abilene.
He took with him two hundred dollars in
cash and there rented a house for twelve
dollars per nionth. He entered the emplov
of a furniture dealer who paid him one dol-
4.12
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
lar per day for the first year's wages. He
proved so valiial)lc to the owner tliat he
won promotion rapidK- and insicle of tlirec
years he owned the building and the stock,
acquiring this by reason of the stringency
of the money market caused by the drouglit
of 1887-8. Its proprieicirs liecanie (hscour-
aged and on account of poor lousiness pros-
pects he left Texas and went to Central
America where he is now living. When a
year had passed Mr. Mint admitted a part-
ner to the business. Sales had not been
very good because of the drought and ex-
isting conditions of things in the south, but
he persevered in his work and in 1888-9 ^""^
purchased the stock of all competitors in
the furniture business, becoming the owner
of two stores, one in the northern part of the
town and another in the southern part. He
did all of the furniture and undertaking busi-
ness in this town of five thousand inhabi-
tants for ten years, having no competition.
His trade covered a radius of one hundred
miles in all directions. He remained in busi-
ness there for fifteen years meeting with
splendid success in his undertakings. He
also became the owner of two valuable
ranches, one of twenty-seven hundred acres,
and the other of four thousand acres. These
were splendidly stocked, his horses number-
ing four hundred, his cattle five hundred.
At length, however. Mr. Flint disposed of
his various business interests in Texas and
came to Hoopeston in 1898. At Lincoln,
Illinois, he purchased a stock of shoes value. i
at ten thousand dollars and shipped these to
Hoopeston, also adding a grocery stock. In
the meantime he had purchased a stock of
dry goods in Kansas City, which he also
shipped to Hoopeston, and opening these
various lines of goods he conducted business
for about two vears as an extensive anrl suc-
cessful merchant. At the end of that time,
however, he suft:'ered very serious losses
amounting to about t\venty-fi\-e thousand
(;k)llars. This was a result of a difticultv
which he had with a man by the name of H.
Kirby, who had falsely manipulated land
deals for Mi. Flint, making these business
relations result to his own benefit instead of
to the owner of the property. Mr. Kirby
had completely won Mr. Flint's confidence
and later he abused this in the most shame-
ful manner. Trouble arising between them
in self-defense Mr. Flint shot the man bu
did not fatally injure him. In his course our
subject received the support of the best resi-
dents of Hoopeston and was acquitted.
Starting out in business life anew at this
place he became a broker and real-estate
agent and has since continued his efforts
along these lines. While maintaining his
residence in Hoopeston he has to a large ex-
tent superintended landed investments scat-
tered over the state which are the property
of the Bank of Salem, acting as agent for
Mr. Marshall, of that place. He sold r>ne
farm in southern Illinois for Mr. Marshall,
for twenty-two thousand five hundred dollars
cash. This tract comprised one hundred and
sixty acres, and Mr. Flint succeeded in get-
ting a higher price for the land than any
that had ever been paid in that part of the
state. He possesses sound judgment, keen
discrimination and marked executive force —
qualities which are very valuable in business
life. Building a hotel in Pana, Illinois, he
conducted it for a luunber of years and then
sold out. He has also bought and sold farms
in this state and he now owns six hundred
andi forty acres of valuable land on the Chi-
cago & Eastern Illinois Railroad about fifty-
five miles south of Chicago. He also owned
the citv electric light plant for a year and
TIIK BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
413
managed it during that time, after which he
sold it in i(;oi. He is also the nwner of a
half interest in the Cuinningham Hotel. He
has two hundred and forty acres of farm
land near Salem, Illinois, and eighty acres
near Kank.akee. together with S(_>me town
proijerty.
.Mr. Mint was united in marriage to
Lockie B. Daniels, a native of Lincoln coun-
ty. Kentucky, where they were married. Her
people are now living in .Abilene, Texas,
while Mr. Mint's people still reside in Ken-
tucky. Three days after the wed<ling wa-
performed .the young couple started for the
Lone Star state, where they remained for
a number of years. The marriage has been
bles.sed with four children: Harold, War-
ren, J. P. and l-'erris .\ndrey. In his polit-
ical views Mr. Mint is a Ihyan Democrat.
He belongs to the Knights of Pvthias fra-
ternity, of .\bilene. Texas, and holds mem-
bership in the Baptist church. Such in brief
is his life history and those who read be-
tween the lines may know .something of the
struggle which he has had in the business
world, but though he has met difficulties and
obstacles he has persevered in the face of
such opposition and to-day he occupies an
enviable position, prominent both because of
his success and of the confidence reposed in
him.
EPHR.Vl.M B.\RXH.\RT.
Ephriam Barnhart, now deceased, fol-
lowed farming throughout his entire life and
was long a resident of \^ermilion county re-
spected as a worthy representative of its
agricultural interests. He settled in Edgar
county, Illinois, at an early day and thence
came to this section of the state. ]\Ir. Barn-
hart was a nali\c of l'einis_\l\-ania, born
July 10, 1834, .and his parents, Jacob and
Mary Barnhart, were also natives of the
Keystone state. There thev spent the greater
portion of their lives, the tather following
the occupation ot farming in I'ennsyl\-ania
until his death. The mother, however, af-
terward came to Illinois and died at the
home of her son George in Edgar county.
Mr. Barnhart of this review was indebted
to the common schools of Pennsylvania for
the educational jirivileges which he enjoyed
in his youth. Me resided in the state of his
nativity during the period of his minority,
assisting his father upon the home farm un-
til after he became of age. He then made hi.s
way westward settling in P^dgar count}', Illi-
nois, where he purchased a farm seven miles
east of Paris. Here he began cultivating
the soil on his own accotint and was engager
in the further de\-elopment and improve-
ment of his place. When the country,
aroused o\-er the issue of sla\ery and of the
secession of the .south, became in\-ol\-e(l in
Civil war, he resolved to strike a blow in
defense of the L^nion. It was on the 28th of
May, 1862, that Mr. Barnhart enlisted, be-
coming a member of Company E. One I lun-
dred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, at
Paris, this state. He was under the com-
mand of Captain Campbell and Colonel
Birge and with his regiment he partici])atcd
in a number of important engagements in-
cluding the battles of Eort Donelson and
Shiloh. He was never injinxd. however, in
an encounter with the enemy, btit because
of failing health he recei\-ed an honorable
discharge. He then returned to the farm in
Edgar county and was there living at the
time of his marriage.
In 1863 Mr. Barnhart was joined in
wedltjck to Miss Eliza J. Barrow, a native
4'4
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
of Augusta county, \'irginia, born Xovem-
ber 16, 1835. her parents being Bayless and
Nancy (Myers) Barrow. Theye were na-
tives of Virginia and removed to \^igo coun-
ty. Indiana, during the early girlhood of
^Irs. Barnhart and there they lived until
their death. The father devoted his atten-
tions to agricultural pursuits. The home of
our subject and his wife was blessed with
four children : Halbert. who resides with
his mother, and is engaged in farming near
the city ; Carrie, the wife of \\'alter Haniuuu,
a plumber of Danville, by whom she has
two children, Howard and Walter; Elea-
nora, the wife of Robert Sage, a boiler ma-
ker in Chicago; and ]\Iayme, the wife of
William H. Carson, a plumber of Danville,
who is a member of the firm of Carson &
Company. They reside with ]\Irs. Barnhart
and have two children, Thomas Henry and
Freddie Barnhart.
Our subject and his wife began their
domestic life upon his farm in Edgar county,
Illinois, and there remained for eight years,
after which they removed to Denison. Texas,
where our subject carried on agricultural
pursuits for two years. He then returned
to Illinois, settling in Clark county, where he
carried on farm work for four years, or until
1884 when he moved with his family to Dan-
ville. During the summer months he con-
tinued his farm work and during the winter
seasons he followed teaming in this city until
his health failed him and he was obliged to
put aside lousiness cares, living retired from
that time until called to his final rest. He
passed away December 24, 1898, deeply re-
gretted bv his manv friends. He had verv
firm faith in the principles of the Republi-
can party and always supported its men and
measures. Socially he was connected with
the Grand Army Post of this city. Brooking
no obstacle that could be overcome by de-
termined and earnest effort, he achie\ed suc-
cess in this way and at the same time he won
a good name and left to his family and
friends an example well worthy of emula-
tion. Mrs. Barnhart is a member of the
First Cumberland Presbyterian church of
Danville. She occupies a nice residence at
No. 907 Robinson street, where she is living
with her son and with Mr. and ^Irs. W. H.
Carson.
WILLIAM COSSAIRT.
Lpon a good farm on section 4, Middle-
fork township, lives William Cossairt and
his place of one hundred and sixty acres is
equipped with modern accessories, which in-
dicate him to be a progressive agriculturist.
His land adjoins the town of Potomac on
the west and thus the comforts of town life
are easily secured. A native son of Illinois,
he was born near the city of Danville, July
5, 1836. His father was David Cossairt,
his grandfather Albert Cossairt and both
were natives of Kentucky. The latter re-
moved with his family to Illinois in early
pioneer times, settling in Vermilion county
north of the present city of Danville.
There he secured a tract of wild land, which
he transformed into a good farm, becoming
one of the prosperous and well known agri-
culturists of his community, Cpon that
place he reared his family and there lived to
the ripe old age of more than ninety years.
David Cossairt was reared upon the old
homestead and early became familiar with
the arduous task of developing new land.
He also shared with the family in the vari-
ous hardships and trials incident to frontier
life. He was married in Vermilion county
CF r,:E
JNIVERSiry OF ILLINOIS
MRS. WILLIAM COSSAIRT.
WILLIAM COSSAIRT.
UNlVtRoUY U^ ILLINOIS
• /»•,-•',., - ,
,Vj >. . . vV.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
419
to Jane Caldwell, a native of Germany, who
came with her parents from Ohio to Illi-
nois. In order to provide for his wife and
for the children who were afterward added
to the family, David Cossairt followed
farming, living near the old homestead for
several years. In 1S42 he purchased the
place now owned and occupied by his son
\\'illiam and here he began farm work,
making the lirst improvements on the place.
His home was a hewed log house, in which
he resided until the time of his death, which
occurred about 1845, when he was yet a
yiiung man. His wife survix'ed him for sev-
eral vears. Of the family of two sons and
two daughters \\'illiam Cossairt is the eld-
est. His brother John was a soldier of the
war of the Rebellion, serving in Company I
of the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illi-
nois Infantry, and he died at Nashville,
Tennessee, during the war. ]\Iary, one of
the sisters, grew to womanhood, was mar-
ried and at her death left a son, William H.
Young, who now resides in Idaho. The
other sister, Margaret, is the wife of Isaac
Dwiggin, of \\'aynetown, Indiana.
In taking up the personal history of
William Cossairt we present to our readers
the life record of one who is widely and
favorably known in Vermilion county. He
grew to manhood on the farm where he
now lives and bought out the interest of the
other heirs in the old home place, thus suc-
ceeding to the ownership. He has cleared
and broken the land, has fenced the fields
and made the farm what it is to-daj- — a rich-
ly developed tract splendidly adapted for ag-
ricultural pursuits. He also erected a neat
and suljstantial residence and planted an or-
chard, the trees of which now bear good
fruit. Some of the trees of his own planting
are at the present time more tlian two feet
in d.i;uneter, these being set out fifty-eight
years ago. He has also tiled his land and
added many equipments of \alue to facili-
tate farm work. He is now making a spe-
cialty of feeding and fattening hogs and cat-
tle for the market and is justly numbered
among the successful stockmen of the
county.
In Aliddlefork tow^nship in 1861 was cel-
ebrated the marriage of Mr. Cossairt and
Louisa A, Smith, a daughter of Septimus
Smith, a native of England, but his daugh-
ter was born and reared in Vermilion coun-
ty. By this union there have been born nine
children: William S., who is a practicing
physician of Potomac; Adeline S., at home;
Da\'id S., who is married and follows farm-
ing in Middlefork township; Samuel A.,
also a farmer of the same township ; Laura
Grace and Mary May, both at home; anl
John. They lost two children, Emma, the
first born, who died at the age of twenty
months ; and Josephine, who died in in-
fancy.
Mr. Cossairt became of age in 1857 '^'''*^'
it was therefore that in i860 he cast his
first presidential vote. His ballot was de-
posited for Abraham Lincoln and he has
since been an earnest supporter of the Re-
publican party, its men and its measures.
He has served as school trustee since twen-
ty-seven years of age, covering a period of
more than four decades. He has also been
tow^iship trustee for a number of years and
for four consecutive years has been asses-
sor. He has likewise served as a delegate to
numerous conventions of his party and in
all public offices of trust he has l)een prompt
and faithful in the discharge of his duties.
He and his wife hold membership in tiie
Potomac Methodist Episcopal church and
have been true to its teachings as exemplified
in their noble relations with their fellow
men. For over sixtv years Mr. Cossairt has
420
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
resided upon the farm whicli is yet his home.
Perhaps this record is equalled by that of
no other resident of Vermilion county. His
entire life has been passed within the borders
of this county and he has watched its won-
derful transformation. Great indeed have
been the changes which have been wrought
as the swampy land has been made to pro-
duce abundant harvests. As towns and cities
have been built the work of progress and im-
provement has been carried forward along
all lines. There is not a man in the commu-
nity more highly respected than William
Cossairt and no history of this portion of
the state would be complete without the rec-
ord of his life.
JESSE LEEKA, M. D.
The qualities which make a. successful
physician have long been manifested in the
career of Dr. Leeka, who is now practicing
in Oakwood. \'ermilion county, and his pro-
fessional business has long been of an im-
portant as well as of an extensive charac-
ter. The Doctor was born in Clinton coun-
ty. Ohio. May 19, 1S30, and his father,
Philip Leeka, was born in Washington coun-
ty, \'irginia, in 1799, while the grandfather
of our subject was of German birth and was
one of the Hessian soldiers that were hired
by England without their consent to serve
in the Revolutionary war. Contrary winds.
however, delayed the ships in which they
embarked and the war was over before they
arrived in the new world. Mr. Leeka, how-
ever, decided to remain and settled in Vir-
ginia. The mother- of our subject bore the
maiden name of Elizabeth Hodson, who was
born in North Carolina in 1797. It was in
Clinton county. Ohio, that she gave her hand
in marriage to Philip Leeka. who was a
farmer by occupation. He remo\ed to that
county about 1815, settling upon a tract of
land there. He spent his remaining days in
that locality and died in June, 1884. The
mother of our subject had passed away in
January. 1843. and Philip Leeka later wed-
ded Miss Erazier. who is also now deceased.
His political adherence was given to the
Whig party in early life and he afterward
became a Republican. In the family were
ten children, namely. Jonathan, who resides
at New Vienna, Clinton comity. Ohio
Sarah, who died in September, 1900: Han-
nah, who became the wife of Joseph A. Han-
sel and lived for a time in Cedar county,
Iowa but afterward removed to Linn coun-
ty, that state, and died in Marion, Iowa, in
the spring of 1900: Christian, who died at
the age of seven years : the Doctor, who is
the fifth in order of birth ; Henry, who was
twice married and who served as a Lnion
soldier in the Civil war and made his home
in Clinton county. Ohio, where he died in
May, 1901 ; Mary, who wedded John In-
gold, who died in 1879 in New \"ienna,
Clinton county, Ohio, where his widow now
resides ; IMathew. who married Lucinda But-
ler, of Hancock county, and has one child
a daughter, and resides upon the old home-
stead farm in Clinton county; John \\'esley
who enlisted in 1861 as a member of Com-
pany A, Forty-eighth Ohio Infantr\', and
served for three years with the Union army
and while on duty was wounded in the foo;
at Pittsburg Landing: and Martha E., who
is the youngest of the family, now living in
New Vienna. Clinton county, Ohio.
Dr. Leeka pursued his education in the
Hoskins district school and in New Vienna.
Ohio. He afterward engaged in teaching
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
421
for four months and later he came to Ilh-
nois. setthng- in Tuscola. Douglas county,
where he taught school in the winter of
1883-4. From 1876 until 1878 he was a stu-
dent in the Indiana Physio Medical Cullege
at Indianapolis, in which he was graduated
with the class of 1878. He afterward prac-
ticed in Jerome and Kokomo, Indiana, and
later went to Missouri and to Kansas, but
after a few months spent in the west he re-
turned to Illinois and engaged in teaching
school in Tuscola. From that place he re-
moved to Fairmount. where he practiced
medicine until 1886. when he came to Oak-
wood and entered upon a professional career
which has been profitable and has demon-
strated his skill in a marked degree.
On the 22d of February, 1855, in Rush-
ville. Rush count)'. Indiana, the Doctor wed-
detl Rebecca A. Macy, who was born in
Henry county, Intliana, June i. 1833. Her
father, h^rancis B. Macy, was a native of
North Carolina, and was descended from
one of three brothers of the name, who came
from England to the new world when the
Quakers were being banished from that
country. They took up their abode in Nan-
tucket and there, intermingling with the In-
dians, married some of the maidens of the
red race. I-'rancis B. married Hulda B.
Hunt, a native of North Carolina and a rep-
resentative of an old family of that state,
prominent in jiublic affairs and active as
members of the Quaker Society. They were
married in Henry county, Indiana, where
tile father followed his trade of a tinsmith.
Subse(|uently he removed to Rush county,
Indiana, and afterward to Kokomo, where
both he and his wife lie buried. He voted
with the \Miig party and was identified with
the Society of Friends. Mrs. Leeka was
one of a familv of four children, but the
only one now sur\i\-ing- is John L. Macy, a
resident of Kokomo. Mrs. Leeka died April
14. 1873, and on the 3d of May, 1885. in
FairmouiU, Illinois, the Doctor wedded Miss
Elizabeth J. 'i'immons. who was born in Car-
roll county, Indiana, in 1838. By the first
marriage there were five children. Francis
Edgar, who married Sarah Sisson, is man-
ager of the Durango Smelting Works of
Durango, Colorado. Charles !•'.. who re-
sides on a farm in Porter county, Indiana,
wedded Ida Ailsworth and thev had fiv.
children, of whom two are living. Theodore
and Ethel. William L., wh became a phy-
sician but is now a ])hotogTapher of Fair-
nioimt has ijcen twice married and by his
union with Mary Gil)son had three children,
while by the second marriage one child has
been born. Cora Ann, the fourth of the
famil}-, died at the age of twelve years. Dan-
iel K., who is a practicing dentist, is also a
photographer.
Dr. Leeka is a stanch Republican and fin-
two terms served as coroner in Henry coun-
ty, Intliana. For fourteen years he has been
notar\- public and for four years was post-
master, while at the present time he is serv-
ing as clerk of Oakwood township. He be-
longs to Newton Lodge, No. 714, F. & A.
M., having been a Mason for forty-nine
years, beccjming a member of the craft in
New Vienna, Ohio. He lias served as ex-
aminer for all the insurance fraternal or-
ganizations wliich have representati\es in
Oakwood and for many insurance societies.
He is a memljer of the American Ph_\-sio
Medical Association and of the Illinois Phy-
sio Medical Association and through these
relations he keeps in touch with the ad\'anced
thought of the profession, with the investiga-
tions which are continuallv Ijcing made and
with the experiments which result in broad-
422
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
ening knowledge and promoting tlie effi-
ciency of the physician. Tlie Doctor is also
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church
and of the Grand Army of the Republic. He
is entitled to membership in the latter be-
cause of his services as a Union soldier in the
Civil war. He enlisted at Carthage in Rush
county, Indiana, December 12, 1863, as a
member of Company E, Ninth Indiana Cav-
alry, with which he ser\-ed until the 29th of
September, 1S65. He was then mustered out
at A'icksburg, Mississippi. His regiment par-
ticipated in a number of noted engagements
and while at the front he contracted rheuma-
tism because of the dampness occasioned bv
the swamps by which the troops were many
times surrounded. Dr. Leeka is to-day as
true and loyal in matters of citizenship as
he was when he wore the nation's blue uni-
form and in civic office and in professional
life he is most faithful to the trust reposed in
him. He stands to-day among the promi-
nent respected and honored men of his com-
munity, and no history of Oakwood or this
section of Vermilion county would be com-
plete witliout the record of his career.
WILLI.AM J. DAVIS.
\\'illiam [. Davis, a real-estate operator
of Dan\-ille, \vas born in Vermilion county,
August I,- 1838, and is a representative of
one of the old pioneer families of that local-
ity. His father, James A. Davis, was a na-
tive of England and in the year 1828 sailed
for America, landing at Savannah. Georgia,
where for a time he was employed as a clerk
in a store. He afterward started up the
Mississippi river in the boat, Brandywine,
but the vessel caught hre and he jumped
into the river, swimming ashore with the aid
of a boartl. He lost all he had, however,
and after being furnished transportation to
Natchez, he walked from there to Danville.
He had been given a suit of old clothes and
a little money, but he liad only twelve cents
upon his arrival here and he had never
worked out of doors before in his life, being
entirely unused to the hard labor of a farm
or other such occupation. He was accom-
panied by a man of the name Russell, who
was also without funds. An old Quaker
gave them shelter over night and then
'made a gift of one dollar and twenty-
five cents to each, sending them on their way
rejoicing. The first thing which Mr. Davis
did in Vermilion county was to conduct a
school. The settlers built a little log school-
house in the spring of 1832 and he became a
teacher of the first school ever taught in
Danville, thus laying the foundation for the
educational development of this portion of
the state. I'he building was located at what
is now the foot of Hazel street and there Mr.
Davis taught for three months, after which
he A'olunteered for service in the Black
Hawk war and not only did he do his mili-
tary duty l)ut he also acted as nur.se to some
old soldiers who had cholera. He was never
sick or wounded, however, and after the
war he returned to Dan\ille, where in the
following spring he was married and then
engaged in farming. It was on the 22d of
March, 1S33, i" this city that he wedded
Lavina Canady, a native of Kentucky, and
for a year he lived upon a rented farm, after
which he took up go\-ernment land near
Stateline, continuing there until 1847, '^vhen
he rem(_i\-ed to a large farm in the north-
western part of the county, carrying on ag-
ricultural pursuits until the T5th of May.
1851, when he retired from farm life and
removed to Dan\ille, where he lived until
1888. He then went to California in the
WILLIAM J. DAVIS
UNlVERSllY OF ILLINOIS
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
427
Iiope of Ijcnehiing- liis wife's health and they
H\-e(l in .\naheini. Orange count}', until
called to their final rest. Mr. Davis passing
a\va\- May i. 1902. and his wife on the 17th
of August. 1895. He was a Repuhlican in
]5olitics and by appointment served for sev-
eral terms as deput_\- shei"iff. Ijut he always
refused to become a candidate for any elec-
tive office. He was, however, deeply inter-
ested in pulilic affairs, contributing of his
time and efforts to the promotion of all
measures calculated to prove of general ben-
efit. For man}' years he was a member of
the Odd Eellows Society and was an active
and helpful member of the Christian church,
iiis life being in harmony with its teachings,
in fact, to known James A. Davis was to es-
teem and honor him for his upright career
made him win the regard of all and he
should also be held in grateful remembrance
by the people of Vermilion county for what
he did in its behalf, for he assisted in laying
broad and deep the foundation of pioneer
development, upon which rests the present
prosperity and progress of this section of the
state.
^^'illiam J. Davis is one of a family of
five children, all yet living, and was the first
born. The others are: Frances P., the wife
of \V. R. Harker, a resident of California;
Mary, the widow of Leonidas M. Brown,
whcj died in Los Angeles, California, where
she is now li\ing: Julia, who is the widow
of John Lane and resides in Garden Grove,
Orange county. California: and Alice, who
makes her liouie with her sister Julia.
In his early youth \\'illiam J. Davis pur-
sued his education under his father's in-
struction in a country school in Xewell
township and afterward attended the puljlic
schools of Danxille until nineteen years of
age. when he accepted a clerkship in the Le
Seuer store, where he remained for a year.
18
He was afterward in the employ of ^^'. R.
Gessie for six months and then accepted the:
position of deputy county clerk under J. C-
Short, serving for four years. At the end
of that time, in August. 1862, Mr. Davis
became a defender of the L'nion. joining the
boys in blue of Company C. One Hundred
and Twenty-lifth Illinois Infantry, enlisting
at Danville under Captain William W. Fel-
lows and Colonel O. F. Harmon. He was
then ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, to join
the Army of the Cumberland and served for
four months when he was taken ill, because
of exposure and was discharged for physical
disability. He returned to Danville but for
a year thereafter was confined to his 1iome
and when he had suflkiently recovered his
health he entered the office of the circuit
clerk, who had been county recorder when
Mr. Davis served as deputy. For four years
he occupied that position and then was en-
gaged in the abstract business for five years,
since which time he has been engaged in real
estate dealing. Perhaps no lietter idea of
Mr. Davis' high reputation as a business
man can be given than to Cjuote a letter
which was signed and endorsed l)y many
of t he leading citizens of this section of the
state an.d other portions of Illinois. It read ;
"This letter wi"ll introduce to you Mr. Will-
iam J. Davis, a man whom I have known
for many years as a careful, honest, imle-
fatigable worker. He has been in the real
estate and abstract business for a great
many years and he is well qualified to attend
to anything in that line of business as any
man in the county. I heartily commend him
to your careful consideration.
"Very truly yours,
Thomas J. Dale, county clerk.
\V. C. Thompson, county treasurer.
"I heartily and cheerfully concur."
J. (j. Cannon, member of congress.
428
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
F. Bookwalter, judge of the circuit ..'ourt of the
fifth judical district.
M. J. Eargcr, circuit clerk.
C. V. Guy. manager of \'ennilion County Abstract
Company.
W. J. Calhoun, inter state commerce commissioner.
C. M. Swallow, president of Glenburn Coal Com
pany.
"I concur in the above:"
William P. Cannon, president Second National
Bank.
'•So do I:"
John C. Black, Manadnock Building, Chicago.
J. B. Mann, Lawyer, Marquette Building, Chicago.
Jacob W. Wilkins, one of the judges of the
Supreme Court of Illinois.
James Sloan, Sheriflf.
M. W. Thompson, county judge.
L. D. Gass, cashier First Natinai Bank.
M. J. Wolford, cashier Palmer National Bank.
John G. Thompson, assistant attorney general of
Washington. D. C.
On the loth of December, 1863. in Dan-
ville, ^Ir. Davis married Charlotte E.
Baker, who was born in Fort Kent, Essex
county. New York. October 22, 1843. Her
father, J. R. Baker, was a native of Eng-
land and in New York w-as married to Mar-
garette Frazier, a native of Fort Kent, Xew
York. In the year 1850 they came to the
west and after ten years located in Danville,
where Mr. Baker was engaged in the boot
and shoe business until his death, which
occurred in 1881. His wife survived him
until 1888. In politics he was a Democrat.
Mrs. Davis had three brothers. Unto our
subject and his wife have been born three
children: Charles E., who died at the age
of eighteen years; Edwilda F., the w'ife
of Walker F. Rabb, a resident of Engle-
wood, Illinois, by whom she has one
child, Ina, and Harry W., who married
Clara Shultz, wdio died in 1894. since w-hich
time he has wedded Lena Burroughs.
They reside in Danville and have two chil-
dren. Charles E. and James .\.
In his political views Mr. Da\is is a
Republican but has always refused to be-
come a candidate for office. He was
formerly a member of the Odd Fellows So-
ciety and he belongs to the Christian church.
He owns property in Dan\ille and has an
office in the Daniels Building, where he con-
ducts a good real estate business.
C. H. GILLESPIE.
C. H. Gillespie is thoroughh^ familiar
with the builder's art and through a number
of years has been closely associated with the
building interests of Danville where many
fine structures have arisen as monuments to
his skill and enterprise. He w^as born in
Detroit, Michigan, November 21, 1849, 'i'^
father being \\'illiam G. Gillespie, who was
born in the Shenandoah Valley of Pennsyl-
vania. In Michigan he was united in mar-
riage to Eliza Swan and in order to provide
for his family he followed agricultural pur-
suits. They becaine the parents of five chil-
dren, all of whom are yet living, namely
C. H., Lovell, Frank, Baxter and Grace. The
last named is now making her home wdth her
mother m Birmingham, Michigan. The
father is deceased, having departed this life
in 1887.
At the usual age C. H. Gillespie entered
the public schools and thus he acquired his
education. In the periods of vacation he
worked upon his father's farm, becoming
familiar with the labors of field and meadow.
He was thus emplyed until twenty-one years
of age when he abandoned the plow for the
saw^ and plane. Lie mastered carpentry work
in Michigan and in 1875 ^^^ came to Dar
ville, where two days later he secured a posi-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
429
tion in tlic coach department of tlic Chicago
& Eastern Uhnois Railroad Company. Tliere
he was emplo^-ed for lour years and tei".
months, giving excellent satisfaction. On
lea\ing that service he worked for two years
as a journeyman carpenter and then began
general contracting and building which he
has since followed with signal success. He
has erected many of Danville's substantial
and attractive residences and business
liouses. He built the Young Men's Chris-
tian Association block, the Germantown
school building, the Hendricks flats antl the
Ginibell store building, together with uTany
others. In fact he has enjoyed a liberal
share of the patronage in his line in Dan-
ville. l'i)V two years he vras associated with
a partner, but through.out the remainder of
the period since beginning business on his
own account he has been alone. During th.e
past few years his work has been confined
chieily to this city and he has executed many
important contracts which indicate his abil
ilv in the line of his chosen occupation. He
is most trustworthy and reputable in busi-
ness afl'airs and this, combined with his me-
chanical skill, enables him to enjoy in a large
measure the support and confidence of the
public.
Mr. Gillespie is a member of the Knights
of the Globe. His political support is given
the Republican party and he was solicited
to become a candidate for alderman from
his ward but refused to do so, having no
political ambitions, being content to devote
his entire time and attention to his business
affairs which are now extensive and impor-
tant, so that he employs from ten to twenty
men during the building season. He
erected his own home at the comer of Hazel
and Davis streets and has other city prop-
ert}- \alued at about twenty thousand dol-
lar's.
In 1876, in Danville, occurred the m;u"-
riage of Mr. Gillespie and Miss Delilah
Clutter, who was born in Vermilion county
February 2, 1856. Her father died during
her childhood and her mother now resides
in Homer. She has one sister, Mrs. Eliza-
beth ^[orrison, who lives near Homer. Four
sons ha\"e been born unto our subject and his
wife. Lovell married Ici Dora Cass, and is
acting as foreman for his father. He was
with Battery A from Danville, under Captain
Yeager. of this place, with the command of
General Miles, in Porto Rico ; \\'illiam, the
second son. is also in bis father's employ;
Dane li\es at home: and Harry, the young-
est son. is in the Indian Territory and will
])rnbably become a rancher. In analyzing
the life work of Mr. Gillespie it will be found
that his history is one which will l;)ear the
closest scrutiny, for his entire career has been
c<:ilore(I by straightforward dealing with his
fellow men. Courteous, genial, well in-
formed, alert and enterprising, he stands
to-da}- among the leading representative men
of his city.
♦-»-♦
TILGHMAN A. BRATTON.
Through almost forty-si.x years Tilgh-
man A. Bratton has been a resident of Ver-
million county and to-day is one of the suc-
cessful and enterprising farmers of Ross
township where he owns one hundred and
sixty-four acres of good land. He is a na-
tive of the neighboring state of Indiana, his
birth having occurred near Waynetown, in
Montgomery county, September 4, 1849.
Plis father, Charles S. Bratton, was born in
430
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Montgomery county, in 1828, while the
grandfather of our subject. Archer Bratton,
was a native of Kentucky. The great-great-
grandfatlier was Ijorn in Ireland and on
leaving that ct)nntry crossed the Atlantic
to the new world Ijecoming one of the pio-
neer settlers of the Blue Grass state. Archer
Bratton grew to manhood in that state and
was there married, after which he removed
to Indiana, becoming one of the first settlers
of Alontgomery county. There he cleared
away the trees from a tract of land, turned
the furrows in his fields, planted the crops
and in course of time reaped good harvests.
Upon the farm which he de\'el()i)ed he reared
his famil}', including Charles S. Bratton.
The latter after arriving at years of matur-
ity wedded Sarah Armontrout, liorn near
Waynetown, Indiana. They began their do-
mestic life upon the Shawnee prairie and
wdiile living there Mrs. Bratton died, leaving
two children, Tilghman and Mrs. Eliza Jane
Hamilton, who is now a widow living in
Vermilion county, Illinois. After the death
of his first wife the father married again and
alxjut 1856 came to this state, purchasing
land in what is now known as Butler town-
ship, Vermilion county. He entered a tract
of three liundred and twenty acres which lie
broke and improved. Later he sold one hun-
dred antl sixty acres and on the remaining
cjuarter section placed substantial improve-
ments and developed a fine farm, rearing
his family there. In 1888 he removed to
Rossville. purchased property in the town
and spent his last years there in honorable
retirement from labor, passing away in Au-
gust, 1892. His second wife still survives
him and makes her home with the subject of
this review.
On the old home farm Tilghman A.
Bratton was reared. His school privileges
were limited and lie is ahiKjst entirely self-
educated, but he has greatly broadened his
knowledge since arriving at years of matur-
ity. He remained with his father and car-
ried on the home place until 1888. His
father then removed to the town and our
subject Cf)ntinued to operate the home farm
until 1893. The following year he came to
Rossville and in 1901 he purchased the farm
in Ross township which he now owns and to
the cultivation of which he devotes his ener-
gies.
In 1870, in Butler-township, Mr. Bratton
was united in marriage to Maria Biddle, who
was born in Montgomery county, Indiana,
and is a daughter of Stephen Biddle. who
removed to Porter and afterward to Jasper.
Indiana, and about 1861 came to Vermilion
county, Illinois, where Mrs. Bratton spent
the greater part of her girlhood. By her
marriage she became the mother of two
children, but Lennie died in 1890 at the age
of eighteen A-ears. The son, Charles S., is
still with his parents. Both Mr. and ]\Irs.
Bratton are devout members of Rossville
Christian church in which he is serving as
an elder and trustee, antl in the work of the
church they take an active and deep inter-
est. Politically he is independent, casting his
ballot in support of the candidates whom he
regards best qualified for office and of the
measures which he thinks will most largely
serve the general good. He is a friend of
the cause of education, believes in having
good schools and emploving competent
teachers, and for a quarter of a century he
has done eft'ecti\e service in this regard by
serving as a member of the school board.
He has lieen on the town school board
for seven years and used his influence to se-
cure the present substantial school build-
ings of which Rossville has e\-ery reason to
Of IHE
UUIVEFiGllY Of ILLINOIS
MR. AND MRS. JAMES H. DICE.
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
433
be proud. During his long residence in
Vermilion county he has become widely and
fa\-oral)ly known. The tra\-eler of tn-day
looking upon the cities with their pulsing
industrial and commercial activity and upon
the fine farms of Vermillion county can
scarcely realize that with.in the memory of
Mr. Bratton this district of the state was
largely a wild and unimproved region
crossed with sloughs, while nuich of the
land therefore was swampy. He has seen
deer and wolves in the county and has rid-
den for miles over the wild prairie unim-
pedetl liy a fence, but there came to this
region a class of people with resolute spirit
and progressive ideas and through their
efforts Vermilion county has been splendidlv
developed, Mr. Bratton bearing his share
in all the work of impro\'enient.
JAMES H. DICE.
James H. Dice, the well known pro-
prietor of the South Side Jersey farm and
one of the leading business men of Hoopes-
ton. is a native of the neighboring state
of Indiana, his birth having occurred in
Fiiunlain count\' on the lOth of January.
i86j. His parents, George and Catherine
(Workman) Dice, were also born in that
county, the former in i(S33 and the latter
in 1843. Throughout his active business
life the father has engaged in agricultural
pursuits and still owns and operates a fine
farm of two hundred acres in his native
county. In his family were twehe chil-
dren, nine of whom are still living, namely:
James H,, of this review: Frank, a resident
of Grant township, \'crmiliiin c<iuntv, Illi-
nois; Carrie, wife of Dr. Saylor. of Coving-
ton. Indiana: Alvessa, wife of Frank Good-
win. ;dso of Grant township: .Vmanda, wife
of Walter Harris, of I-'onntain county. In-
diana: Winifred, wife of Mr. Crooks, a
school teacher of Vermilion count)-, Illi-
nois; Josie, a singer of much ability who
is now with a traveling evangelist: and
Katie and Clifford, both at home,
James H. Dice, whose name introduces
this sketch, grew to manhood in Van Buren
township. Fountain county, Indiana, and is
indebted to the public schools of the local-
ity for his educational privileges. As soon
as old enough to be of any assistance he
commenced to aid in the work of the home
farm and continued to give his father the
benefit of his laljors until his marriage.
It was on the i8th of December. 1887,
that Mr. Dice wedded Miss Kittie B. Ray,
who was also born in Fountain county, In-
diana. November 20, 1867, a daughter of
W. L. and 'Slary Jane (Carpenter) Ray.
Her father is still living and makes his
home in Lafayette. Indiana, but her mother
is now deceased. She has three sisters,
namely: \'ictoria. wife of Henry Bushing,
of Denver, Colorado: Julia, wife of \\'. D.
CofKng, of Stone Bluff. Indiana : and Cretie,
wife of Harry Dice, of Hoopeston. Our
subject and his wife h;i\'c three children:
Glen Lloyd, Chauncey and Marie.
In 188S ]\Ir. Dice came to Vermilion
county and has since made bis home in
Grant township, living upon rented land for
twelve years. In the meantime he purchased
a farm of one hundred acres near Royal
Center, Indiana, which he sold three yeans
later and then Iiought a tract of two hun-
dred anfl twenty acres southwest of Hoopes-
ton, which he held for two years. In Sep-
tember, 1900, be ])in'cbased his ]iresent
farm, then consisting of fifty-two acres ad-
joining the corporation on the south, on
454
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
which was a good residence costing forty-
five liuiulred dollars. He has since platted
fifteen acres of this tract, dividing it into
forty-five lots facing Second avenue and
Orange street, which he subsequently traded
for a farm of two hundred and forty
acres near Rochester, Indiana, so that
he now has about thirty-seven acres of
the original purchase, which he has fitted
up for dairy purposes, and now gi\'es his
entire time and attention to that business.
He has a fine herd of twenty-seven Jersey
cows and finds a ready market for his milk
and cream in Hoopeston. In May, igoo,
Mr. Dice purchased a half interest in a brick
and tile factory south of the town, covering
ten acres, and operated it in connection with.
E. A. Smith for about a year, when his
partner sold out to Peter Anderson. The
works were burned, however, on the 26th
of May, 1 901, and the following July ^Ir.
Dice traded his interest in the land on the
propertv near R(.)chester. Indiana, previous-
ly referred to. Since that time he has given
his attention exclusively to his dairy busi-
ness, renting his farm in the Hoosier state.
He is a very wide-awake and energetic lousi-
ness man and in all his undertakings has met
with a well merited success. Religiously
Mrs. Dice is connected with the Christian
church and socially he is a member of the
Independent Order of Foresters, wdule
politically he is identified with the Republi-
can partv.
JOSEPH B. MAXN.
Joseph B. ]\Iann was the first city a.ttor-
ney of Danville and almost continuously
since that time he has been a member of the
Vermilion county bar, his practice cox'ering
all departments of jurisprudence, showing
a comprehensive knowledge of the science
of law. Mr. ^lann is a native of Xew Jer-
sey, his birtii ha\'ing occurred in Somer-
ville, Somerset county, on the 9th of No-
vember, 1S43. The Mann family is of Hol-
land lineage and was founded in Pennsyl-
vania prior to the Revolutionary war. The
paternal great-grandfather of our suljject
was a colonel in the Pennsylvania militia
and participated in the battle of Germantown
during the struggle for independence. After
the cessation of hostilities he took up his
abode in Berks county, Pennsylvania, among
its earliest residents. John 'SI. Mann, the
father of our subject, was born in Pennsyl-
vania, but in early youth accompanied his
family on their removal to Middlesex coun-
ty, Xew Jersey, and later to Somerset coun-
ty, where he w'as reared to manhood. Pre-
paring for the liar he became one of the dis-
tinguished lawyers of that state and left the
impress of his strong mentality and marked
ability upon its judicial history. He was
also a recognized factor in political circles,
but ne\"er sought the rewards of office in
recognition of party fealty. He served,
however, as clerk of courts and also as sur-
rogate for two terms, and later in life he was
elected a member of the X'ew Jersey legis-
lature. He was several times offered the
nomination for congress in his county,
where such a nomination was equivalent to
election, Init be always declined the honor.
He was never ambitious for political prefer-
ment, content to do his duties as a private
citizen and in that way to exercise his influ-
ence in behalf of [jublic progress and im-
provement and as a molder of public opin-
ion. He was united in marriage to Eliza
Bonnell, of Hunterdon county, X^ew Jersey,
who was of French lineage on the paternal
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
435
side and of Irish ancestry in the maternal
line. Her great-grandfather served as a
private in the Revolutionarx- war. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Mann were born eight chil-
dren, five of whom are yet li\-ing: !Mrs.
A. Bishop Baldwin, the widow of General
A. Bishop Baldwin, of New Jersey ; Alexan-
der v., who is president of 'the Lumber-
man's National Bank, of Muskegon, Michi-
gan ; Charles B., a merchant of Muskegon;
Samuel B., who is the treasurer of the firm
of Aiken & Laiubert, of Maidens Lane, New
York ; and Joseph B. Of those who have
passed away one died in infancy. \\'i'liam,
the second, was an adjutant of the One Hun-
dred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry in the Civil war and served for three
years. For a long period he was a pr<imi-
nent merchant of Danville, but has now de-
parted this life. Charles B. was a major of
the Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry with
whicli he scrxcd until the close of the war
and both he and William ]\Iann went with
Sherman on the celebrated march to 
