USA > Illinois > Champaign County > A Standard history of Champaign County Illinois : an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, civic and social development : a chronicle of the people, with family lineage and memoirs, Volume II > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
He was married in October, 1897, to Miss Florence Ballentine, a native of Toledo, Ohio. She died June 4, 1915, leaving three children, all at home. named Marion, Claude and Creed. Mr. Tucker married for his present wife Mrs. Emma Collison, widow of Fred Collison of Rantoul, Illinois. Mrs. Tucker is an active member of the Christian Church, while Mr. Tucker is a Methodist. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World.
JOHN E. GEHRT. Upon the success and welfare of the cultivators of the soil rests the true destiny of any nation. Nowhere does the agricultural element represent such qualities of business success and energy as in Cham- paign County, and one of the men who have claimed this county as their home and have gained unusual fruits from their effort is Mr. John Gehrt, whose home is in section 33 of Harwood Township.
Mr. Gehrt is a native of Stark County, Illinois, a son of John M. and Catherine (Best) Gehrt. Both parents were born in Germany, came in early youth to America, where they married, and were pioneer farmers in Illinois. The father is still living, at the ripe age of eighty-three, in Stark County. His good wife entered into rest October 20, 1913.
John E. Gehrt was one of their eight children. He grew up on his father's farm in Stark County and acquired a public school education there. On January 18, 1899, he married Miss Matilda Streitmatter, who was born in Peoria County, Illinois, a daughter of William F. and Mary (Munk) Streitmatter. Her parents were also natives of Germany, but were married in this country.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gehrt began housekeeping on land owned by his father near Dillsburg. Mr. Gehrt has 233 acres therc, and through his efficient management he has created a home which many city people might be proud to own. At an expense of $3,000 he has remodeled his house into a perfectly appointed residence, and has added many other improvements to the farm, including a large corn crib that cost $1,200 to build. The home has a complete water system, running hot and cold, heated by hot water, and a private electric light plant has been installed to furnish light. These conveniences, with the telephone and the rural free delivery, give the Gehrts practically all the advantages enjoyed by
608
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
city people. Mr. Gehrt is a sueeessful stoek farmer and keeps a number of Polled Durham and Shorthorn eows and ships large quantities of eream. For a number of years his fields have averaged sixty bushels of corn to the aere. Mr. Gehrt owns a fine Buiek ear, and this is one of the chief sourees of pleasure to the family. Both he and his son are thorough automobile ineehanies and ean repair as well as operate their ear.
Mr. and Mrs. Gehrt have two sons: Rollin L. and Arthur R. Both are studious and aetive boys and Rollin has completed the eighth grade of the common schools and has spent two years in the Rantoul High School. Mr. and Mrs. Gehrt are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Rantoul and both sons are members of the Sunday school there. Polit- ieally Mr. Gehrt is a Republican and is a stanch believer in the great destiny of that party. He has served several years as director of the local schools and is always willing to lend a hand in forwarding all community improvements.
EDWIN P. BABB. The Babb family came to Champaign County in 1853. Five years later, at the home of his parents on a farm in North Ogden Township, Edwin P. Babb was born November 9, 1858. His life eareer has been one of commendable industry and accomplishment, has been liberally rewarded, and for a number of years he has lived retired in one of the comfortable city homes of Champaign.
His parents were Milton and Elizabeth (Littler) Babb. Milton Babb was born in Grant County in what is now the state of West Virginia, grew up there, took up the oeeupation of farmer, and subsequently became a merchant. He owned a half interest in a large store in West Virginia, but on aeeount of failing health removed to the west. Champaign County was still comparatively new and undeveloped when he located in North Ogden Township in 1853. Coming from the rough and semi-mountain- ous distriet of West Virginia he seemed to recognize the value of the rich land in Champaign County, and invested all the money he could secure in the farming district and kept purchasing new property until at the time of his death on January 22, 1868, he owned a thousand and fifty acres. He lived only long enough to accomplish part of the development of this land.
In the early years the Babb family lived isolated compared with the modern facilities and conveniences of the country districts of Champaign County. There were no telephones, no free delivery of mail, no pike roads, and the nearest postoffice to the Babb home was Danville, twenty-five miles away. Only at considerable intervals did a member of the family go there for the mail and other supplies. The nearest church was seventeen miles distant. Milton Babb was a very useful man in his community. He built the first schoolhouse in that section on his own land and paid for the build- ing out of his own pocket. Later, when the district school was formally organized and established, he was reimbursed for the expense of this school- house. Another incident that is recalled is his hiring a man at steady wages and furnishing him with a gun and ammunition to keep the deer out of his eornfields. That indicates how numerous the deer were at the time. Nearly every night the wolves howled about his doorstep.
Elizabetlı Littler Babb was born near Circleville, Ohio, and lived to a good old age, passing away in 1910. She was the mother of four children ; Edwin P., the oldest; Alice J., deceased; James E., a prominent corpora- tion attorney of Lewiston, Idaho; and Charles D., a banker at Homer, Illinois. The mother of these children married for her second husband James Yeazel. The two children of that union are Milton J., of Danville, and Frank, of the Province of Ontario, Canada.
Edwin P .. Babb grew up in Champaign County, attended the district
-
Milton Balls
609
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
school near the old homestead, and at the age of twenty-one took charge of the home farm. He was only ten years of age when his father died and being the oldest son responsibilities were early thrust upon his shoulders in advance of liis age. He continued the management of this farm until the property was divided among the heirs. He then engaged in farming on an extensive seale and made a specialty of raising Pereheron horses and Shorthorn eattle. Mr. Babb still owns a fine farm, on which he keeps a tenant. In 1904 he removed to Champaign, and lived in a beautiful home at 401 Prospeet Street.
Mr. Babb married October 8, 1884, Miss Emma Conkey, who was born. at Homer, Champaign County. Her parents were Dr. William A. and Virginia (Sadler) Conkey. Her father, a native of Massachusetts, eame to Champaign County when a boy. All the money he had was two dollars and a half, and he invested this in a town lot at Homer. He possessed a genius for versatile aeeoniplishment and effort, and was always able to adapt himself to eireumstanees. He took up the study of medieine, com- pleting his education at Louisville, Kentucky, and on returning to Cham- paign County praetieed successfully for nine years. He also served as supervisor of his township and commissioner of highways. As his family grew up he bought a farm and was engaged in farming until his death. Dr. Conkey married on May 31, 1849, Virginia Sadler. She was born in Virginia, November 20, 1827, and her family were early settlers in Ver- milion County, Illinois, loeating there in 1840. Dr. Conkey and wife had nine children: Aubert J., of Homer; Byron M., deceased; Franeis, deceased; Luey, wife of Mathew Speneer; Bruee T., deceased; Carl A., of Homer; Emma, Mrs. Babb; Frank M., of Homer; and Fred B., of Howe, Indiana. Dr. Conkey died December 2, 1908, and his wife passed away March 4, 1904.
In polities Mr. Babb is a Republican. He is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Champaign. He and his wife have had two children. Harry C., who was born January 17, 1886, lives at Champaign and is a traveling salesman. He married Lulu Goodman, and his three children are Dorothy Louise, born May 10, 1909; Harry C., who died at the age of eight months; and James Carloek, born April 29, 1915. Mr. Babb's only daughter, Jennie Kate, born March 1, 1888, died February 3, 1893.
C. MAXWELL CALDWELL. As a general electrieal contraetor C. Maxwell Caldwell has more than made good in Champaign, and a few years ago he established his business in a two-story building which in point of equipment and service is without question the best small plant in the state, Chieago not excepted. He is in the general electrieal contraeting business and also handles supplies and does manufacturing in that line. It is the only busi- ness of the kind in eentral Illinois.
Mr. Caldwell was born in Logan County, Illinois, September 7, 1879, a son of A. M. and Letitia (White) Caldwell. His father was born in New Holland in Logan County, Illinois, while his mother was a native of Ohio. In 1902 A. M. Caldwell removed to Champaign and for fifteen years he was live stock representative for the Chicago Live Stoek World. He is now looking after a plantation of 3,000 aeres in Arkansas, and is taking life somewhat leisurely. He and his wife have eight children: Grace, wife of Guy Stewart of Champaign ; Emma, wife of George Bates of Great Falls, Montana ; C. Maxwell ; Richard of Champaign ; B. John, who is associated with his brother in eleetrieal contraeting; Eva, also in business in her brother's firm ; Marie and Neil, both still at home with their parents.
C. Maxwell Caldwell, preparatory to his aetive business eareer, had the
-
610
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
advantage of training for three years in the University of Illinois. He then went on the road as a traveling salesman for the Chicago Live Stock World in the advertising department, and gave that up to establish his present business.
Mr. Caldwell was married August 6, 1908, to Harriet Woodcock, a native of Champaign. They have two children: John Maxwell and Betty Jane. In politics Mr. Caldwell is independent. He is a member of Western Star Lodge No. 240, A. F. & A. M .; Champaign Chapter No. 50, R. A. M .; Champaign Commandery No. 68. K. T .; Mohammed Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; is a member of Champaign Lodge, B. P. O. E .; a member of the Champaign Rotary Club, the Champaign County Country Club, the Cham- paign City Club, and a member of the Champaign Chamber of Commerce. He and his family worship in the Methodist Episcopal denomination.
THOMAS MCQUAID. Three generations of the McQuaid family have devoted their industry and their active years to the business of farming and the affairs of their community in Champaign County. The founder of the family here was Thomas McQuaid, Sr., now deccased, while Thomas, Jr., is owner of the old homestead in Compromise Township, but its chicf respon- sibilities are now in the hands of his son John McQuaid.
Thomas McQuaid was born at Rantoul, a son of Thomas and Catherine (Moiland) McQuaid. He was one of two children, his sister being Ellen. Thomas McQuaid, Jr., was educated in the Rantoul High School, and in 1884 married Anastatia Gordon. She was born at Aurora in Kane County, Illinois, a daughter of John and Mary Gordon.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McQuaid located on the old McQuaid homestead and took the active management of the farm. His parents lived with them until they passed away. Thomas McQuaid, Sr., was a native of Ireland and came to America in 1848. He married in Michigan and on coming to Illinois bought 240 acres in Champaign County. He had all the characteristics of those worthy people who come from the land of the Shan- rock, and he earned his prosperity and left in his farm a splendid monument to his industry. It was Thomas McQuaid, Sr., and wife who set out the many trees which now make a complete grove around the homestead, and it is one of the finest tree plantations in the county.
After the death of his parents Thomas McQuaid, Jr., continued to live on the farm, and the well kept fields show the character of his work as a hus- bandman.
Mr. and Mrs. McQuaid had three children : Catherine Agnes, Emily and John J. Death came into the home and removed both of the daughters, so that the only surviving child is John McQuaid.
Mr. John McQuaid, one of the most progressive young farmers of Cham- paign County, began his education at Penfield, and in 1905 his parents moved to Champaign in order that he might have the very best training for the serious duties of life. In 1912 he graduated A. B. from the University of Illinois, and on leaving college he entered the service of the First National Bank of Champaign. He remained there three years and gained an experience invaluable to him for his future years. In 1916 he assumed active management of his father's farm, and both of them now spend their working hours on the farm but retain their home in Champaign. Mr. Thomas McQuaid is an active Democrat, and he and his family arc members of the Catholic Church at Champaign. While they enjoy the comforts of a good town home, the old homestead is endeared to them by many associations and tender remembrances. Every visitor to this choice spot of Champaign County is attracted by the stately old trees, the broad, fertile fields, and the many evidences of successful cultivation and management. The farm con-
.
611
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
sists of 560 acres, and in quality of soil it is not surpassed by any other similar tract of land in the state. The companionship of Mr. and Mrs. McQuaid has been one of rare felicity and a happy combination of talents and qualities that have made their years most happy and productive. Mr. John McQuaid, the son, though the only child of well-to-do parents, was not content merely to use the means which were so liberally supplied him. He made a splendid record as a student in the University of Illinois and has shown capability and wisdom in every business undertaking. He is a young man of exemplary and temperate habits, and his life has already justified the sanguine expectations of his family and friends.
FRANK G. RUSSELL came to Champaign after an extensive business as a meat merchant both in local houses and on the road, and now enjoys high financial rating and a successful business as proprietor of the Chicago Market Company, dealers in meats and packing house products. Mr. Rus- sell was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, October 1, 1888, a son of William and Emma (Braiser) Russell. His father was born in Burlington, Iowa, and his mother at Terre Haute, Indiana. Both are now living at Danville, Illinois, where his father for many years has been in the sign business. There were three children: Louis, associated with his father at Danville; Frank; and Harry, who is in the employ of his brother at Champaign.
Frank G. Russell was educated at Danville, and at the age of eighteen entered the American Bank & Trust Company at Danville, where for about three years he had a practical training in bank work and general business which has proved of inestimable valuc to him in subsequent years. From the Danville bank he went to Terre Haute and became assistant bookkeeper with Dowdall & Baker, wholesale meat dealers. He was with them two years in the offices and then about a year traveled on the road as their rep- resentative. This house eventually put him in charge of the market at Champaign, which he opened in 1912, and in 1915 he bought the business and continues to make a splendid success of it under his own management.
In June, 1914, Mr. Russell married Nellie Ice, a native of Champaign. Mrs. Russell by a previous marriage had four children, Mariam, Madge, Helen and Dorothy. In politics Mr. Russell takes an independent attitude.
JACOB MOUDY. The community of Ludlow in Champaign County pays special honor and respect to Jacob Moudy and his family. Mr. Moudy has had a long and active career. His years have been spent with benefit to himself and also to his family, friends and neighbors, and he has done something to make every community with which he has been identified a little better and to elevate the standards of life and morality.
Mr. Moudy is a son of Peter and Elizabeth Moudy, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. In the carly days they migrated from Penn- sylvania down the Ohio River, traveling on a flatboat to Cincinnati. Later they went still farther west to Illinois, making this journey in the old- fashioned prairie schooner. Peter and Elizabeth Moudy had eleven chil- dren, Jacob being next to the youngest.
When Jacob Moudy was twenty-three years of age the war cloud arose over the land and he enlisted with the boys in blue and went to the front at Columbus, Kentucky, on the Mississippi River at Columbus Ford. Later his command was moved to the Little Obion River in Tennessee, and he was employed there chiefly in guard duty and in protecting railroads. With the close of his term he went to Chicago and was mustercd out, but was still desirous of continuing his service to his country and sought to get enrolled in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Regiment, where two of his cousins were fighting. He was unable to get enrolled because
612
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
about that time he was taken with the fever. Returning home to Dan- ville, Illinois, he was married two years later to Miss Mary Villars.
Mrs. Moudy is a daughter of Oliver and Mary Villars of Vermilion County, Illinois. Her Grandfather Villars was a native of Pennsylvania and her maternal Grandmother Timmens was a native of England. Oliver and Mary Villars migrated from Ohio to Illinois. Mrs. Moudy was a small child when her mother died, and she was reared in the home of her grandfather, who was a minister of the Gospel. She was carefully trained and given a wholesome equipment for the duties of life.
After his marriage Jacob Moudy began housekeeping in Ford County, Illinois. His home was eight miles east of Paxton, where he was success- fully engaged in farming. A year later he sold his farm and removed to Chicago, and took up the trade of carpenter. He was employed by the Illinois Central Railway in the passenger department, a position secured for him through an old friend. While there he received a telegram to return home, as his brother was dangerously ill. After his brother's death, which soon followed, he yielded to the earnest wish of his father, whose feeble health unfitted him for work, and returning to Danville, took active control of the old homestcad. Some years later Mr. Moudy returned to Ford County and resumed farming there, and with the exception of seven years' residence in Missouri he and his family have lived in Ford and Champaign counties to the present time.
To Mr. and Mrs. Moudy were born eight children, four sons and four daughters. Their names are Luther, Oscar, Lisha, Lewis, Hannah, Leota, Dona and Cora. The children obtained their early education chiefly in the district schools of Ford County. Luther, who is a farmer with home at West Salem, is married and has two sons, Wilbur and Earl. Oscar, also a farmer at West Salem, married and has a daughter, Dorothy. Lisha, after the death of his wife, bought property near West Salem in order to afford better educational advantages to his son and daughter, Wayne E. and Mercedes. Lewis resides in Akron, Ohio, where he is employed in an automobile factory, and he has two children, Berdine and Herschel. . Hannah is the wife of Ed Ketchum, a carpenter whose home is at Clarence, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum have five children, Oscar, Mary, Milo, Allen and Clarence. Leota married Clarie Hupp, who is a grain merchant at Cullom, and their two children are Raymond and Marlin. Dona mar- ried Charles McHaley, a hardware merchant at Rankin. Their three chil- dren are Marvin, Opal and Laura Etta. Cora is the wife of Homer Funk- houser, a farmer near Penfield. Mr. and Mrs. Funkhouser have seven children named Merle, Doris, Eugene, Christine, Margaret, Lenore and Emery. Mr. and Mrs. Moudy are very proud of their children, their grand- children and especially of their great-grandchild, Emerson Shoemate. This great-grandchild is a son of Elmer and Mary (Ketchum) Shoemate, and a grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Ketchum, above mentioned. Mr. and Mrs. Shoemate reside at Ludlow and he is employed with the grain elevator there.
Mr. and Mrs. Moudy deserve much credit for rearing and bringing their children to places of usefulness and honor in the world. Mr. Moudy in politics has always voted with the Democratic party. He takes pride in the fact that he supported William Jennings Bryan for the presidency three times, and with that great Nebraska commoner has always stood strongly for temperance principles. He believes that a joyful day awaits America when King Alcohol is dethroned. Mr. and Mrs. Moudy first united with the New Light Church and subsequently with the Christian denomination. They are able to take pardonable pride in their past, which they may review without regret. Mr. Moudy is now at an age when he
-
613
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
may enjoy the leisure of well earned retirement and can feel that duty has been well performed. It is especially a satisfaction to know that in early life he marched away with the boys in blue carrying a gun for the protec- tion of his flag and Government, and in subsequent years he lived to see his country peaceful and united and growing and developing upon the sure foundation of unity and freedom.
CHESTER W. LITTLE. One of the fine country homes which bespeak comfort and the enjoyment of the good things of life well earned is that of Mr. and Mrs. Chester W. Little, located four and a half miles southwest of Rantoul on one of the rural routes radiating from that city.
Mr. Little has had a long and active career as an agriculturist and is still busy with his fields and his live stock, and has in his children mnost capable assistants both in the home and on the farm. Mr. Little was born at Collison Station in Vermilion County, Illinois, a son of John and Charlotte (Coon) Little, both of whom are now deceased. They were born in Ohio and came to Illinois in early youth. Their children were named Thomas, George, Samuel, Jane, Chester and Benjamin. These children grew up in Vermilion County and acquired an education in the Gray district schools. The sons were reared to the same profession as their father, that of agriculture, and all of them have demonstrated their capability.
Chester W. Little married Elizabeth Thayer, who was born in Cham- paign County, one of the ten children of Milo and Mary (Wright) Thayer. Mrs. Little was educated in the Union Center district school.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Little started life on a place a mile and a half northeast of Thomasboro. Mr. Little owned eighty acres there, having earned that by his work as a wagc earner in early life. The Little family moved when he was young to Champaign County, and he spent his boyhood in the early times of this section. When he was a boy very few of the pastures were fenced, and the neighbors followed the practice of driving their stock together, herding them on the prairie, the responsibility of herder usually falling upon some active and vigilant boy. Chester Little got his full experience of that work. Thus he spent many hours on the prairies alone with the stock, and while there he improved his opportunity to observe nature and also formulated that practical working philosophy which has stood him in good stead for all the subsequent trials and problems of life.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Little went to work with zeal and energy, and the passing years have abundantly rewarded them. Into their home came three children, one son and two daughters, Florence, Chester and Hazel. Mr. and Mrs. Little from the first took the greatest of pains to edu- cate these children for useful work in the world and as true types of Ameri- can citizens. The children attended the Union Center School.and Florence and Chester both finished the eighth grade there and subsequently attended Brown's Business College at Champaign. The girls are still studying music, piano, at home.
After selling his first place Mr. Little bought 200 acres southwest of Rantoul, and there the best work of his life has been done. He remodeled the house, built commodious barns and other outbuildings, has planted fruit and shade trees, and has made one of the attractive features of the landscape. Mr. and Mrs. Little have also accomplished the one thing that many farmers neglect, and that is making the home attractive to their children. Thus the young folks have of their own volition remained at home instead of seeking opportunities outside, and the family by their co-operation have demon- strated again the truth of the phrase, "In union there is strength."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.