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 14
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Politically Mr. Little has always been an ardent Republican, believing
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that the best laws and policies have emanated from that party. He is a man of public spirit, served on the school board a number of years, and has done all he could to obtain community institutions and improvements in line with advanced standards. There are many city homes that do not equal the Little place in point of facilities. They run the farm with improved machinery, have installed a complete water system around the house, having hot and cold running water within the home, and they also have two auto- mobiles in which to enjoy life and better carry out the business of farming. Thus for many years the lives of the Little family have been closely identified with Champaign County. The Little home is one noted for its hospitality and in the character of its members the family is one well entitled to the respect they enjoy.
JOHN CLARK. It is a grateful distinction to have spent half a century in one community, and when those years were filled with worthy accom- plishment and with that old-fashioned spirit of loving kindness, such a career becomes one deserving of admiration and worthy of perpetuation in any history of a county in which it has been spent. The venerable John Clark, who died August 21, 1917, was a resident of Gifford. He came to Champaign County in 1868. He lived far beyond the fourscore mark, and his activities and those of the family have been a notable contribution to the upbuilding of Champaign County.
He was a native of Scotland and when he brought his bride to this country it took fifty-two days to cross the ocean. Now only the space of a breath serves to bring us into touch with remote continents. Thus he wit- nessed and experienced that remarkable age of scientific achievement by which the world has been rewrought and made to respond to entirely new influences and new principles.
John Clark was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, April 2, 1830, a son of William and Mary Clark, both natives of Scotland. There were four children. Thomas and Alexander are now deceased. Isabella is still living in her native land, the wife of David Freeman. John Clark grew up and acquired his early training in the habits of industry and frugality in Scotland, and there he laid the foundation of his own home by his mar- riage to Miss Jean Butters. She was born in Kirrmour, Scotland, Septem- ber 16, 1827. Two of her sisters continue to live in Dundee and a brother, David, in Australia. John Clark and wife were married at Glasgow, and the day following their marriage they turned their faces toward the New World and embarked on the Java, a 300-foot packet, sailing to New York. On arriving in that city John Clark found employment and worked for two years in a sugar factory. In 1855 he came west to Chicago and subse- quently lived at LaGrange, Illinois, until they removed to Champaign County in 1868. When they came to Chicago John Clark had only $6. Five dollars he paid for the rent of a house and thus they faced the world with brave hearts and courageous spirits but with only $1 in cash.
To their marriage were born five children, one of whom died in Chicago and was buried there. The others were named Alexander, Robert B., John A. and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the wife of Alfred Jenkinson.
After coming to Champaign County John Clark through industry and economy was able to purchase eighty acres of land, paying $8 an acre. That land today is worth many times what he paid for it. Gradually his prosperity grew with the passing years, and Mr. Clark owned 320 acres in Illinois and also had 220 acres in Canada.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark always used their means so as to promote their own comfort and happiness and the pleasure of those around them. In January, 1886, they returned to Scotland for a visit to the hills and
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MR. AND MRS. JOHN CLARK Taken on Their Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary.
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heather of their native land, and spent four months in the Old World. They sailed from New York on the steamer Oregon, which on its return trip sunk. How vastly improved transportation was in the interval which had passed since they first came to the New World was indicated by the fact that they were only nine days in going from Chicago to Dundee, Scotland.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark instilled the principles of honesty and integrity in the character of their children and did all they could to prepare them for worthy citizens. They reared their sons as farmers, believing that the man who tills the soil can always face life independently. Their oldest son, Alexander, is a farmer two miles east of Gifford, located on his father's old homestead. He married Isabel Minnis, a native of Wisconsin, and their children are Jeannc, Emma, whose name at home has always been "Bonnie," John, Nellie, now deceased, and Robert. These children were cducated at Penfield. Bonnie graduated from the high school there and was a successful teacher in Champaign County before her marriage to John Bryan. Mr. and Mrs. Bryan live at Wolcott, Indiana. John Clark, son of Alexander, married Inez Reynolds, and their child, John, became a great-grandchild of Mr. John Clark. Robert is now a student in the Gifford High School, and Jeanne lived with her grandfather at Gifford until his death.
Robert Clark, the second son of John Clark, married Sarah Rupp, and they have a child, Edith.
John A. Clark, the third son, married Dora Hummel, and their five daughters are named Lena, Julia, Dora, Rosella and Orvilla.
Mr. and Mrs. John Clark lived to see Champaign County converted from almost a virgin district into one of the garden spots of the world. Along with the material success that rewarded his efforts Mr. John Clark found himself the repeated object of estecm on the part of his fellow citi- zens, who elected him road commissioner for fifteen years, and also school director. In politics he was first, last and always a Republican. He said : "We never find a Democrat a Scotchman." It was his opinion that the best principles of good government had their birth in the Republican party. Mr. Clark was long affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife were very active members and liberal supporters of the Baptist Church at Gifford.
The greatest sorrow of his life came on June 1, 1916, when his beloved wife and companion was claimed by death. Mrs. John Clark was a true mother in Israel. The affection of a large community was given her during her life and hundreds of sorrowing friends gathered to pay a last tribute of respect when she died. It could be said of her that none knew her but to love her and none named her but to praise.
After the death of his wife Mr. Clark was comforted by the presence of his granddaughter, Jeanne Clark, who as housekeeper, counsellor, secre- tary and adviser, cherished him constantly as he faced the setting sun of life. It was a worthy career on which he could look back. He never shirked work or responsibilities, and his days were days of toil, of useful endeavor, and guided by a constant aim to live according to conscience and the divine revelations.
On May 23, 1903, Mr. and Mrs. John Clark celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Ten years later, in 1913, their sixtieth anniversary was celebrated. This was a notable occasion and 187 guests sat at the banquet which was served in the opera house. In the Clark home is a photograph of the assembled guests who gathered on his lawn at Gifford. Such occasions have a greater significance and value than many of the events which attract more newspaper publicity.
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ELIZABETH CLARK JENKINSON, daughter of the late venerable John Clark of Gifford, whose carcer has been fully sketched in preceding pages, resides on one of the fine farming estates around Gifford and some special mention should be made of her family.
She is the wife of Mr. Alfred Jenkinson, who was born at Lacon, Illi- nois, a son of Benjamin and Mary A. (Willy) Jenkinson. Benjamin Jenkinson was born in Yorkshire, England, and his wife in Leicestershire, England. They immigrated to America at an early day and were mar- ried at Lacon, Illinois, in 1857. Of their ten children Alfred was the oldest. The children all attended district schools in Marshall County, Illinois, and experienced the hardships incident to pioneer life. The Jenk- inson family lived in a log house, and their efforts served to reclaim a portion of Illinois soil to cultivation.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Jenkinson began their wedded life on his father's estate half a mile north of Gifford. Here Mr. Jenkinson has found ample opportunities to prove his ability as a farmer and his business judgment has enabled him to acquire a farm of 200 acres.
Their family consists of four children, Clemens J., Mary Isabel, Jessie Virginia and John Benjamin. The education and training of thesc chil- dren were a primary consideration of Mr. and Mrs. Jenkinson from the beginning. They sent them to the local district schools and also to the Gifford High School. John took a three years' high school course in Rantoul. The other three children are all graduates of the Gifford High School, while Jessie taught in her home school and also the Martin and teachers of Champaign County. Isabel taught two terms at the Weber School. The daughters Isabel and Jessie proved popular and successful Reynolds schools.
Clemens J. Jenkinson married William Lohmiller, a farmer living on a place adjoining Mr. Jenkinson's. They have four children: Elizabeth J., Jessie Paulinc, Mary Clemens and John Alfred.
Mary Isabel Jenkinson married Harry Hamilton, bookkeeper with a lumber firm at Hoopeston, Illinois. They have five children : Laura Eliza- beth, Harry Leland, Kenneth Franklin, Mary Isabel and Margarct Helen.
John Benjamin Jenkinson, a railroad man living in Chicago, married Margaret Miller, and they have a child, Jean Clark, named after her great- grandmother.
Jessie Virginia Jenkinson is the wife of George Corbley, a farmer living near Paxton, Illinois. They have one child, Virginia.
Besides his success as a farmer Mr. Jenkinson has in many ways proved his public spirit as a factor in the community. He served as school director over twenty years, also as road commissioner and township treasurer. He is loyally identified with the Republican party, and he and his family attend the Baptist Church in Gifford. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. Jenkinson takes an active part in local social affairs and is a member of the Social Science Club.
JOHN A. CLARK. Among the numerous families of Champaign County whose activities have contributed materially to its upbuilding and the pro- motion of its best interests that of Clark stands prominent.
Now living retired at Rantoul, Mr. John A. Clark spent the best ycars of his active career as a successful farmer, and he reared and liberally provided for his family through the fruits of his toil in the fields of this county.
Mr. Clark is a son of John and Jean (Butters) Clark, both of whom were born and reared among the hills and heather of Scotland. John Clark's heart was won by a Scotch lassie and he succeeded in persuading
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her to change her name. The young people were possessed of character- istic energy and progressiveness, strong traits of the native Scotch. It was their ardent desire to cast their lot with the New World, concerning which they had heard wonderful stories. On the day following their wed- ding, when the festivities of the occasion were scarcely ended, John and Jane Clark started for America. The future was rainbowed with prom- ises, and seen through a rosy tint of bright anticipation they courageously undertook to carve out their own fortune. After landing in New York they lived there two years and then removed to Cook County, Illinois, and still later to Champaign County. From time to time children came into their home until the house echoed with the cheerful laughter of four bright Scotch-American girls and boys. They were named Alexander M., Robert B., John A. and Elizabeth W. Clark.
John Clark, Sr., spent his life as a farmer and in time acquired a fine estate and a luxurious home, surrounded with productive land. He finally retired from active duties and removed to Gifford, where he entered into rest August 21, 1917, honored and esteemed.
John A. Clark married Dora Hummel, daughter of Phillip and Cath- erine Hummel, both of whom arc natives of Germany and came to America at an early day. This good couple were possessed of the usual German energy and thrift. The Hummel children were Phillip and Mary (born to the father's first union in Germany), Henry, Chris, Will, Mrs. Anna Roberts and Mrs. Dora Clark.
John and Dora Clark began their wedded life on a farm near Penfield, Illinois, and in that section of Champaign County their industry and energy soon brought ample reward. Into their home were born five daughters and one son. The son died in infancy, but the disappointment of this loss was recompensed somewhat by the lives of the five daughters who grew to the flower of womanhood. These daughters are named Pauline, Julia, Dorothy, Rosilla and Orvilla. The daughters first attended the Stone Strect district school, later the high school at Penfield, from which both Dorothy and Rosilla graduated with honors, the former in 1909 and the latter in 1911. Dorothy Clark, in order to fit herself for a position of usefulness, went to Urbana and learned the dressmaking trade from Mrs. Maxfield and is now successfully engaged in that occupation. Mrs. Clark endeavored to rear her daughters as diligent and faithful home makers, and it has been her satisfaction to sce the splendid proofs of her work in the efficiency with which these young people have gone about their duties. Pauline Clark married John Oehmke, a farmer near Penfield, and they have two children, Dorothy and Myron. Rosilla Clark married Lloyd Wise, and it is permitted to say that he was a wise man to secure such a worthy companion. He is a successful farmer, and they reside on the Clark estate at Penfield, where Mr. and Mrs. Clark had their home for thirty-five prosperous and happy years. Mr. and Mrs. Wisc have a daugh- ter, Gwendolyn. The remaining three daughters, Julia, Dorothy and Orvilla, still reside with their parents. For seven years Dorothy lived with her Grandparents Clark at Gifford, where she attended high school.
In politics John A. Clark has always been a stanch Republican. He and his brothers learned the principles of that political faith from their father in boyhood days. The strongest characteristic of his life aside from the hard sense he has employed in his business affairs is the public spirited attitude he has taken into his relations with the community. That he possesses the full confidence of his fellow citizens scarcely needs proof in a community where he has been known for so long. His counsel and advice have been sought frequently in the administration of public affairs. He served as school director, and whether officially or as a private citizen
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,he has done all he could to promote the upbuilding of the local schools. He has also been road commissioner, township central committeeman for many years, and was township supervisor until he removed from his old neighborhood. His experiences and opinions have been helpful and have been appreciated. Mr. Clark is a true American, of that type which has colored and made glorious the annals of this country.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark with their daughters are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Penfield. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, and both he and his wife are members of the Court of Honor. Formerly Mrs. Clark and daughters werc Pythian Sisters. In 1917 Mr. and Mrs. Clark retired to Rantoul, where they have a pleasant home on Grove Avenue. They are still active, and the wisdom of experience enables them to enjoy these years even more abundantly than the past. They have contributed their share toward the enrichment of American life, have reared their daughters and trained them carefully for the emergencies and duties of the world, and it is not strange that they enjoy the esteem and admiration of a host of friends.
PAUL J. STRAHLE is one of the younger business men of Champaign, is active and aggressive, and has already acquired a secure position as a unit in the commercial community.
A native of Champaign, he was born February 20, 1892, the only son and child of John G. and Catherine (Dawson) Strahle. His mother was born in England and died at Champaign, March 1, 1912. John G. Strahle is also a native of Champaign County, was for a number of years a tailor by trade, but is now associated with his son in business.
Educated in the public schools of Champaign, Paul J. Strahle early evinced a strong inclination and tendency for mechanical pursuits and he served an apprenticeship which in itself constituted the equivalent of a technical university course. For a time he was in the engineering depart- ment of the Cadillac Company at Detroit, also with the Studebaker Com- pany, and from there removed to Dayton. Ohio, and had a thorough course of training in the engineering departments of the Delco plant. Mr. Strahle is an expert electrician and is master of practically every technical detail connected with the construction, assembling and repair of automobiles. In March, 1915, he engaged in business for himself at Champaign in electrical supplies and garage. He is now manager and proprietor of the Willard Service Station there. Mr. Strahle is unmarried. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JESSE MEHARRY. One of the largest farming estates in Champaign County is that of the Jesse Meharry family, now managed and operated by the sons of the late Jesse Meharry. Mr. Meharry was a notable figure in Champaign County affairs, not only as a land owner, farmer and stock- man, but as a public spirited citizen.
He was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, October 9, 1835. He was of Scotch-Irish and Welsh extraction. Concerning his ancestry it is said that during the reign of "Bloody" Queen Mary his forefathers escaped by going to Ireland. After several generations some of the family located in Pennsylvania, near Connelsville. Later they moved to Adams County, . Ohio.
The parents of Jesse Meharry were Thomas and Eunity (Patton) Meharry. Thomas Meharry was born April 27, 1799, in Adams County, Ohio. Eunity Patton was born in Brown County, Ohio, August 16, 1802. They married in December, 1827. Soon after their marriage the young people moved to near Wingate, Indiana, in Montgomery County, where they lived the remainder of their lives. He was a man of splendid business
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ability and acquired a large amount of land not only in Indiana but in Illinois. Thomas Meharry died January 29, 1874. He was the father of seven children : Mrs. Jane P. Dick, William, Mrs. Ellen Martin, Jesse, Mrs. Polly A. McCorkle, Abraham P. and Isaac.
Jesse Meharry was raised on his father's farm in Indiana, attended the local district school and spent two years at Asbury, now DePauw Uni- versity, at Greencastle, Indiana. He taught the local district school for two winters. He cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, and voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He remained loyal to the Republican party throughout his life.
Jesse Meharry came to Champaign County in 1862, herded and fed cattle on the prairie between Mattoon and Rantoul for three years. In 1865 he took up his permanent residence in Philo Township on a tract of land of 640 acres which was raw prairie. There he occupied himself in bringing his farm to a high state of cultivation and in feeding and raising live stock. In 1893 Mr. Meharry moved to Tolono, Illinois, where he held residence till his death.
Mr. Meharry served his fellow citizens as supervisor of Philo Township for eleven years and was a commissioner of highways in Philo Township for several terms. He had been a member of the Republican County Cen- tral Committee since 1888, serving a longer term than any other member ever had served.
On June 4, 1887, Mr. Meharry united with the Tolono Methodist Episcopal Church. He served over forty years on the official board and acted as Sunday School Superintendent for twenty-two years. He was a member of the building committee when the new church was erected.
He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, Illinois, for the seven years prior to his death.
On February 27, 1873, Mr. Meharry was married at New Lenox, Illinois, to Miss Addie A. Francis, the daughter of Abraham and Mary A. J. (Davison) Francis, and of this union the following children were born : Jesse Erle, George Francis, Edwin Thomas, and Paul Francis.
Jesse Erle Meharry was born near Tolono, Illinois, December 31, 1876, and was graduated from the Tolono High School in 1895, and from the University of Illinois in 1899. He was married to Katharine I. Hay of Carmi, Illinois, September 22, 1916. He is a farmer and breeder of Poland China hogs, his herd being classed with the best six herds of Poland Chinas in the United States.
George Francis Meharry, born at Tolono, Illinois, June 12, 1880, was graduated from the Tolono High School 1899, and from the University of Illinois 1905. He was married to Miss Sophie Mary Voss of Cham- paign, Illinois, February 27, 1912. He is engaged in farming.
Edwin Thomas Meharry, born near Tolono, Illinois, November 30, 1881, was graduated from the Tolono High School in 1900, and from the University of Illinois in 1906, and is a farmer by occupation.
Paul Francis Meharry was born March 23, 1888, near Tolono, Illinois, was prepared in the Tolono High School and the University of Illinois Academy, and finished his education at the University of Illinois. He was married to Miss Stella Blanche Dougherty of Fairmount, Illinois, on February 3, 1914. He follows farming.
LEO H. BIRELINE, one of the youngest business men of Champaign, is successfully engaged in the metal roofing business, an industry which he learned during his youth, his father being also connected with the same line of business.
Mr. Bireline was born in Danville, Illinois, June 19, 1894, a son of Henry and Emma (Diehl) Bireline, both of whom were also natives of
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Danville. His parents are still living at Danville and his father conducts a roofing and sheet metal works in that city. There were five children in the family: Catherine Ellen, wife of W. A. Meck of Danville; Robert, who is associated with his brother Leo in business at Champaign; Leo; Florence and Emily, both at home with their parents.
Leo H. Bireline grew up in Danville, attended the city schools, spent two years in high school and finished his education in Brown's Business College at Danville. There he took a bookkeeping and general business course, and with that equipment and with the experience he had acquired under his father he came to Champaign to take charge of the local branch of tlie sheet metal and roofing business. This business in its subsequent growth now requires all his time and active attention. The headquarters of the business is a large building 25x125 feet, with ample facilities for a perfect service in their particular line.
Mr. Bireline married Ruby Bodinc, a native of Kingman, Indiana, but reared in Danville. They have one child, Margaret. Mr. Bireline is a Republican in politics, is a thirty-second degree and Consistory Mason, and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Hc and his family are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church.
PETER PETERSON. For many years the late Peter Peterson was a resi- dent of Champaign, was a quiet and industrious business man, acquired considerable property and made his name influential and honored in this community.
A native of Sweden, Mr. Peterson was born in 1848. He was twenty-one years of age when he left his native land and came to America in 1869, soon afterward locating in the city of Champaign. He had received his educa- tion in Sweden and was well fitted for a life of activity. He engaged in the dray and transfer business at Champaign, and conducted that actively for nearly forty years. He was in the full vigor of his powers almost until the last, and his death occurred in Champaign in August, 1909.
He was married in 1871, at Champaign, to Marian Christina Olson. She was born in Sweden and came to Champaign in 1870. Mrs. Peterson is still living, but an invalid and has lost the power of speech. She has one of the comfortable homes of Champaign, owns considerable property, and her constant attendant in her declining years is her daughter, Mrs. Sophie J. Parr. The only son of Mrs. Peterson, Charles J. Peterson, lives in Chicago, Illinois.
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