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 23
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EDWARD ROGERS. The most capable, successful and prominent men in either public or business life are not always those who started out with the ambition to achieve something really great and famous, but in the majority of cases are individuals who at the outset have placed due valua- tion upon honesty, integrity and determination. Possessing these qualities as practically representing his entire capital Edward Rogers embarked upon his career in young manhood, and in the course of years has won a place for himself among the leading citizens of Champaign County. For a long period he has been identified with the official life of the community, having for some time been city treasurer of Champaign, and at the present is the incumbent of the responsible office of treasurer of Champaign County. His success, self-made, is indicative of the rewards attainable through a career in which proper respect has been given to honorable effort and worthy service.
Edward Rogers was born at Westboro, Clinton County, Ohio, Decem- ber 31, 1869, the only son of Thomas J. and Adelia (Pearce) Rogers. His father, a native of Virginia, left the Old Dominion and went to
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Ohio, and enlisted in the Union Army from West Virginia. He was later transferred to the Forty-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served bravely with that hard-fighting organization, which accompa- nied the forces of General Sherman in their memorable march to the sea. In the fighting which took place before Atlanta, July 22, 1864, Mr. Rogers fell wounded, and his injury proved of such a nature as to disable him from further duty and he was honorably discharged and invalided home. When he recovered he resumed his harness-making operations and continued to be engaged therein in Clinton County, Ohio, until 1877, in which year he came to Champaign County, Illinois. He is now retired from active labor and makes his home at Champaign. During a long and active career he has worked out a modest success, and in his declining ycars is able to enjoy the comforts earned by years of honorable labor. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers were the parents of two children: Edward; and Fannie, who is the wife of Frank Sabin, of Champaign.
When he had completed the course of study prescribed by the graded schools Edward Rogers entered the high school at Champaign, having been brought to this county as a lad of eight years. He was graduated in 1883 and for a time was engaged in farming, but like many farmer boys was attracted to the business of railroading, although, unlike the majority, he did not enter the train service. When he was twenty-one years old he became an employe of the Illinois Central Railroad as a clerk in the machinery department, and continued to be connected with that branch of the service until 1910, when he was made deputy county treasurer of Champaign County. In the meantime, from 1907 until 1909, he had served as city treasurer of Champaign, establishing an excellent record. In 1914 he was made the candidate of the Republican party for the office of county treasurer of Champaign County, and received a good majority at the polls. The people of the county who elected him have had no reason to regret their choice, for he has made a good and hard-working official who has placed the interests of the county above all others, and who has made his office one of the best governed of the section. It has been his aim and desire to keep the county finances in the best of condi- tion and to conserve the interests of the tax payers in the greatest degree possible. Mr. Rogers is accounted one of the wheel-horses of the Republi- can party in Champaign County. He is well known fraternally, and belongs to the local lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Tribe of Ben Hur, and also holds membership in the Sons of Veterans.
On May 18, 1898, Mr. Rogers married Miss Elma Kelley, who was born at Leroy, Illinois, and they are the parents of three children, namely : Donald M., Vera L. and John K.
CARL WILHELM SPOEHRLE. Since his arrival in Champaign County in 1873 the career of Carl Wilhelm Spoehrle has been one in which industry, integrity and fidelity have served to give him an ever-increasing success, a standing as a reputable and substantial citizen, and the respect of the community in which he has so long resided. At the time of his arrival he was in modest circumstances, and he found the new community in which he settled little more than a raw prairie. His own development from his former position to one of affluence has kept steady pace with the progress of the county to its present proud position among the leading agricultural centers of the state.
Mr. Spoehrle was born in Germany, a son of Gottlieb and Katherine Spoehrle, natives of that country, where their entire lives were spent. Carl W. was given an ordinary educational training by honorable parents
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who were possessed of only moderate financial means, and in his youth showed himself ambitious to make something of himself. The opportuni- ties in his native land, however, were not any too plentiful, and his future did not seem bright, so that when nineteen years of age he was glad to accept the invitation of his sister, Christina Magdalina, who had preceded him, to come to the United States. He accordingly took passage on a sailing vessel, and after a voyage of more than forty days arrived in America and immediately made his way to the home of his sister at Atlanta, Illinois. There he secured employment of an agricultural nature and, being intelli- gent and alert, soon picked up American customs and methods, as well as the language of this country. By 1873 he felt himself ready to enter upon a career of his own, and in that year came to Champaign County, which he found to consist of prairie land. For seven years he worked hard and faithfully, and with native economy saved his earnings, so that at the end of that time he was able to purchase his first tract of land, for which he paid $35 an acre. This was in the vicinity of the home of his sister, Mrs. Christina Summit, who did much to cheer and encourage him, and but for whose advice the entire trend of his life might have been changed. When still little more than a youth, with the ambition and venturesome spirit of young manhood, he was about to allow himself to answer the call of the great West, lured there by stories of the wonderful fortunes to be won by young men of energy and ambition. His sister, with her maturer wis- dom, however, entreated the young man to remain in Illinois, and her judgment prevailed. Mr. Spoehrle has never had cause to regret his deci- sion of remaining in the Prairie State, where he has found position, a comfortable competence, the friendship of his neighbors, the respect of his fellow citizens and the love and affection of those near and dear to him.
From the time that he became a landholder Mr. Spoehrle's industry increased in volume, and his ambition was encouraged. There was not a tree on his farm when he bought it, nor was there drainage of any kind, although there were plenty of sloughs. Setting to work, he planted trees, drained off the sloughs and put in up-to-date drainage, subsequently made other improvements and erected substantial and commodious buildings and a large, comfortable residence. Through his industry and the straightfor- ward manner he had of doing business it was not long before he came to be looked upon as one of the substantial men of his community, a desirable and reliable citizen who added strength and worth to the locality's agricul- tural prestige. He has retained a young heart, and is cheery, kind and hospitable, and his pleasant home, located two miles south of Ludlow, is the scene of numerous gatherings of his many friends. In politics Mr. Spoehrle is a Republican, but he has not been an office holder, although always a supporter of good men and measures and of public spirited move- ments. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Evangelical Church in Germany, but after coming to America became a Methodist, and now belongs to the Ludlow Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a liberal supporter. His farm consists of 140 acres, all under a high state of culti- vation.
Mr. Spoehrle is unmarried, and his home is presided over by his niece, Miss Lydia Summit, a daughter of his sister Christina, who first persuaded him to come to this country and later to stay in Illinois. Mrs. Summit's other children are Scott, Sarah and Minnie, the last having been christened Wilhelmina, in honor of Mr. Spochrle, whose middle name is Wilhelm. Lydia is not only housekeeper for her uncle; she is also counsellor and adviser to him, and manager of many of his affairs. Her presence in her uncle's household assures his visitors of the best cheer that could be offered by any household manager, and in Mr. Spoehrle's declining years she is a
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source of great comfort to him. Miss Summit is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Ludlow, is active in good works and kind deeds, and is held in great esteem in the community by those who know her intelligent mind and large heart.
PATRICK MOLLOY. Among the honored names of Champaign County none stands higher in the records of honesty, thrift and community esteem than that of the late Patrick Molloy.
He was a native of Ireland. He came to America in early life and while living in Ohio met and married Catherine Gleason. She was born in Parish Gilbairn, four miles from Bursycane and ten miles from Nenagh, Ireland, a daughter of Patrick and Catherine Gleason. When she was four- teen years of age her parents came to America and settled in Butler County, Ohio, where she grew up and married.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Molloy came to Champaign County, when much of this district was raw. and new, and located two and three-quarters miles northwest of Rantoul out on the open prairie. Much of the heavy development work had yet to be done and the country stretched around them for miles, affording an uninterrupted view clear to the San- gamon River, ten miles away. The future stretched equally before this energetic young Irish couple, rosy with bright promises. There they worked hard year in and year out, and in time had the satisfaction of ample possessions and sufficient for themselves and for their children.
Six children came into their home: Edward J., Daniel, Thomas, Wil- liam, Mary and Alice Agnes. The children were educated in the Rantoul High School, while William finished a course in Quincy, Illinois.
William Molloy married Margaret Donovan, and their three children are Louise, Helen and William. Mary Molloy married Michael Walsh, now a retired farmer, and their children are Francis, Willie, Leo and Agnes, and one that died in infancy. Thomas married Jennie Cahagan of Bloomington, Illinois, and they live on the old home farm. Their one daughter is named Helena. The Molloy family experienced all the hard- ships of early life and the pleasures and incidents of increasing prosperity. Their home was noted for its kindness and hospitality and it is said that no person in need was ever turned away empty handed. The old people grew in the riches of esteem in their neighborhood and had many friends all over that section. Both were active members of St. Malachi's Catholic Church and their children were reared in the same faith.
Patrick Molloy died in 1905. After his death his widow removed to Rantoul and lived with her son Edward J. Edward J. and William A. Molloy are among the active business men of Rantoul and conduct a large real estate office.
JOHN C. DALLENBACH, M. D. Among the leaders in the medical profession at Champaign is a native son, Dr. John C. Dallenbach, who belongs to one of the old pioneer families of the county, which was founded by the grandfather, John Dallenbach, who came here when his son, John J. Dallenbach, was three years old. Few names in this section have been more continuously or justly held in esteem and the present representatives perpetuate the sterling characteristics of the older generations.
John C. Dallenbach was born at Champaign, Illinois, December 22, 1881. His parents are John J. and Anna (Mittendorf) Dallenbach, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Cook County, Illinois. When the grandfather, in 1857, came with his family to Champaign County he located on a farm in Champaign Township, but only for one year, moving then to Champaign and establishing the meat business, which ·
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continued a stable industry of the city, until his descendants sold it in 1917, under the old family name, the grandfather being succeeded by his two sons, John J. and William C. Dallenbach. Of his parents' three children, Doctor Dallenbach is the eldest, his next younger brother, Karl M., being an instructor in psychology in Cornell College, Ithaca, New York. The youngest of the family, Louis E. Dallenbach, owns and manages a large chicken farm near Champaign. In 1917 he responded to the call of duty and became a captain in the artillery department of the Officers Reserve Corps and at present is in active service.
John C. Dallenbach secured a public school education at Champaign and was graduated from the high school in 1899, following which he entered the University of Illinois, taking the three year preparatory to the medical course and receiving his A. B. degree in 1906. He graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania at Phil- adelphia in 1906. During 1907 and 1908 he led a busy student life of practical experience as resident physician of the Methodist Episcopal Hos- pital, Philadelphia. From there he went to the Far West and for four years was in active medical practice at Seattle, Washington, at the end of that time returning to his native place and herc has been in practice ever since.
On November, 17, 1907, Doctor Dallenbach was united in marriage with Miss Reba B. Bryan, who was born in New Jersey. In his political views Doctor Dallenbach is a Republican and at all times is interested in local issues as they influence sanitation and good government. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the Elks. A physician's role at all times calls for a high order of courage as well as high ideals of service to mankind, hence Doctor Dallenbach doubtless would disclaim any par- ticular bravery should occasion demand his professional services in his office of first lieutenant of the Medical Reserve Corps of the United States army. Certain it is that no more skillful or competent physician could be secured. In the summer of 1917 he was in the Medical Officers Train- ing Camp, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis. At present he is surgeon of the Three Hundred and Thirty-second Field Artillery with rank of captain.
JAMES A. SOMERS is a native of Champaign County and for many years, with his good wife by his side, has labored industriously and with good results as a farmer in St. Joseph Township. He has built up a splendid home and at the same time has acquired the esteem and confidence of a large body of the citizenship of Champaign County.
He was born in Somer Township of this county October 10, 1866, a son of John L. and Mary J. (Kirby) Somers. His father was a native of North Carolina and his mother of Indiana. The parents were married at Farmer City, Illinois, and spent the rest of their days in Somer Township of Cham- paign County. They were the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, James A. being the fifth in age.
He was well educated in the common schools of his native township, and grew up to a life of independent effort, with industrious habits early incul- cated. At the age of twenty-eight, on March 3, 1895, he married Miss Minnie I. Grierson, daughter of Robert and Sarah (McDaniels) Grierson. Mrs. Somers was next to the oldest in a family of nine children, and was educated in the district schools.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Somers, possessing little capital, though with abundance of energy and enthusiasm, rented a tract of land in Somer Township and were tenant farmers a period of thirteen ycars. In that time, in addition to providing for their family and home, they were each
8. P. Little.
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year laying something aside and planning effectively for the future, and they then invested their capital in eighty acres of land in section 28 of St. Joseph Township. This they made a permanent home and have greatly improved and beautified it since it came into their ownership.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Somers: Russell Ivan, Ross Donald and Florence Winifred. The only daughter dicd at the age of ten years. Mr. and Mrs. Somers appreciated the need of good education for their children and have encouraged them in every way to make the best of their talents. Both the boys attended the district schools in the country and afterwards attended high school at Urbana. Russell then entered the Uni- versity of Illinois, where he specialized in the study of chemistry until his studies were interrupted by the call to duty for his country. He is now with Company K of the Three Hundred and Forty-ninth Infantry, stationed at Camp Dodge, Iowa. The younger son, Ross Donald, is still a student in the Urbana High School. Mrs. Somers is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Somers are a splendid couple, who can look back upon a period of prosperity which their own efforts have earned, and they may take pardonable pride in the home they enjoy and the sturdy sons that are growing up to manhood's responsibilities.
EGBERT P. LITTLE is one of the old residents of Champaign County, having come here with his parents nearly fifty years ago. The business to which he successfully applied his efforts through many years was farming, but he is now living retired in the city of Champaign. Mr. Little prospered as a farmer and stock man, and his material circum- stances have added to his own comfort and have also provided means and training for the careers of his children, in whom he takes special pride.
Mr. Little was born in La Salle County, Illinois, September 3, 1857, a son of John and Frances (Bassford) Little. His parents were New Englanders, his father a native of New Hampshire and his mother of Vermont. Both are now deceased. His father was for many years a farmer and was long identified with the agricultural interests of Cham- paign County. Of the nine children in the family four died in infancy. Addie A. is the wife of John Blair of Syracuse, New York; Leslie resides at Tolono in Champaign County. The next in age is Egbert P .; Luella is the eighth in the family and Linnie is the wife of Charles DeForest, of St. Joseph, Illinois.
Egbert P. Little was eleven years of age when he came with his parents to Champaign County in 1868. He grew up on a farm at Tolono, and was educated in the local district schools. He lived at home until his marriage, and then bought land and applied himself with all the vigor and enthusiasm of youth to the task of making a home and succeeding at his chosen vocation. Mr. Little continued active on the farm until 1908, when he removed to Champaign and bought his present home at 905 South Wright Street.
On March 19, 1884, he married Matilda Merry, a native of Champaign County and a daughter of Franklin and Catherine (Norton) Merry. Her parents were both natives of New York State and were quite early settlers in Champaign County, where they located on a farm in 1855. Both spent the rest of their years in this county and her father was killed by the kick of a horse. Mrs. Little was the second in a family of three children. The oldest was Cyrena, now living in Nebraska, the widow of Frederick Brown. The youngest is Charles D. Merry, of Urbana.
Mr. and Mrs. Little had five children, the fourth of whom died in infancy. Roger F., the oldest, is now a practicing lawyer at Urbana.
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Leroy Louis, after graduating from the University of Illinois, taught in a high school three years, went abroad, spending about a year in Servia, and is now an associate editor of the Outing Magazine in New York City. Ethel Esther is a graduate of the class of 1917 in the University of Illinois, while the youngest child, Elmer P., is in the first year of the University. Mr. Little is a Republican in politics and has been casting his vote in allegiance to that party for forty years. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
CHARLES M. WEBBER. Since 1914 the postoffice at Urbana has been in charge of Charles M. Webber, and in the time that has elapsed since that date the people of the county seat of Champaign County have had no reason to complain of the mail service. Mr. Webber was for many years a business man and in the activities of commercial life found much to broaden him and to give him sound, practical ideas and love of system which have assisted him greatly in keeping the machinery of the postoffice in smooth running order. Also, he had previously held official position, so that he was not unfamiliar with the exigencies of public life, and in addition he had always been appreciative of the responsibilities and obliga- tions of the public servant. These things have combined to make him a most excellent official and to win him the friendship and confidence of the people.
Mr. Webber was born October 20, 1869, at Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois, and is a son of Robert A. and Mary E. (Waller) Webber. His father, also a native of the county seat, passed his entire life here and was widely known in business circles, his activities having invaded several lines of endeavor. His early experience was in mercantile fields, sub- sequently he became an abstracter, and during the latter years of his life he was secretary of the Citizens Building Association. His death occurred at Urbana February 5, 1905. Mr. Webber was an honorable man of bus- iness, in whom his associates had the greatest confidence, and a citizen who helped in various ways to make the community grow. Mrs. Webber, who survives him and still resides at Urbana, was born in Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Webber were the parents of nine children, as follows: George W., a resident of Urbana; Charles M., of this notice; Thomas B., a resident of Urbana; J. Clay, a business man at Rantoul, Illinois; David D., whose home is at Cleveland, Mississippi; James W., of Urbana; Miss Anna B., · who resides with her mother; a son who died in infancy; and Elizabeth, also deceased.
Charles M. Webber attended the public schools of Urbana and was graduated from the high school with the class of 1887. Following this he had his first business experience in his father's abstract office, and when the elder man disposed of his interests in that business the son went to Rantoul, Illinois, where he joined his brother, J. Clay Webber, in the management of a retail drug business. Charles M. Webber remained in this line for only about fifteen months, however, and then sold his share in the business to his brother and returned to Urbana, where he was elected secretary of the Citizens Building Association, a thriving enter- prise with which he continued to be connected in the same capacity until November, 1906, when he was elected to the office of county clerk. During the next four years he acceptably discharged the duties of that position, and when his term of office was completed opened an office at Urbana for the sale of real estate. This enterprise continued to occupy his time and attention until April, 1914, when he was appointed postmaster of Urbana by President Woodrow Wilson. Postmaster Webber has been earnest and energetic in his efforts to give Urbana and the surrounding country, the
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best of mail service, and that his efforts have been successful is shown in the prompt and expeditious manner in which the mails are handled and the general satisfaction among the people here in this regard.
On July 20, 1893, Mr. Webber was married to Miss Lola C. Gulick, of Mahomet, Illinois, a native of Champaign County, and to this union there have been born ten. children, as follows: Robert Alfred, who is a member of the junior class at the University of Illinois; Joseph T., John Savage, Charles M., Jr., Marion Everett, Thomas Raymond, Dorothy L., Mary E., Martha C., and Byron W. In his political alliance Mr. Webber is a staunch and unswerving Democrat and has long been accounted one of his party's able workers in the county. He is fraternally affiliated with the Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Court of Honor, and also holds membership in the Urbana Business Men's Association.
THOMAS R. HOPKINS. Modern business requires practical and thorough training in the same degree as the professions and sciences. In Champaign County there is no institution which affords a better cur- riculum and practical business education than the commercial college formerly known as Brown's Business College and now owned and adminis- tered by Mr. Thomas R. Hopkins, himself a thorough educator of long experience and a man who has trained hundreds of young men and women and given them a thorough preparation for entrance into business affairs.
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