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 25
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
John Fred and Elizabeth (Schultz) Oehmke, both natives of Germany. John F. Oehmke came to America at the age of seventeen and at once located in Champaign County. He had experience as a farmer, also in the marble works, and subsequently bought a farm, which he cultivated until his death in 1910. His widow is still living in Gifford, Champaign County. John F. Oehmke was honored with several township offices, and was a man of capable work and citizenship in this county. He and liis wife had fourteen children: William, of Larchwood, Iowa; Louis Frank, deceased ; Fred, of North Dakota; Louisa, deceased; Charles F .; Edward, of Larchwood, Iowa; John, a farmer of Penfield, Illinois; Henry, of Oklahoma City; Rose, wife of J. T. Michaels, of Oklahoma City; Emma, deceased ; Martin, of East St. Louis, Illinois; Walter, of Detroit, Michi- gan ; Minnie, still at home; and Frank, of Pomeroy, Iowa.
Mr. Charles F. Oehmke was educated in the common schools and had six months of high school training. He had also nine weeks of summer terms in the University of Illinois. At the age of seventeen he became a regular hand on the farm, and after three years in that occupation took up school teaching. He taught six years altogether, most of the time in the country schools, but during the last year in the Philo grammar school.
On July 13, 1906, Mr. Oehmke passed the civil service examination and since then has been connected with the Urbana postoffice, at first as clerk but now as assistant postmaster.
He married November 15, 1908, Miss Bertha J. Eyestone, a native of Champaign. They have two children : Irene and Charles McDonald. Mr. Oehmke is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks and the Methodist Episcopal Church. -
CHARLES H. WATTS. Educational work is very exacting in the demands which it makes upon its devotees. Ostensibly the duty of the instructor is to instill in each of his pupils a proper and practical working knowledge; but equally important is his correlative, though less direct, function of instilling character and worthy precepts through his unavoid- able personal influence. The first duty calls for an individual of knowledge and specialized training; the second for a capable and con- scientious person whose manner of life and mode of living provide a fit criterion for the younger generation. When a man combines the possession of these attributes with the exclusion of strongly detrimental characteristics, the early years of future citizens may be safely entrusted to his care. Such a man is Charles H. Watts, county superintendent of schools of Champaign County and the incumbent of this office for fifteen years. His entire career has been devoted to the instruction of the young and he has gained a reputation as an educator which extends far beyond the limits of his immediate home community.
Mr. Watts was born November 16, 1867, in Coles County, Illinois, and is a son of Sinclair and Martha (Holiday) Watts, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indiana. The parents of Mr. Watts came to Illinois about the year 1860, and when the Civil War came on the father enlisted as a private in the Seventy-third Regiment, Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, with which he served for a period of one year. The rigors of army life were too great for him, and after an illness he was invalided home and honorably discharged because of disability. When he had recovered Mr. Watts, who had made a good record for bravery and faithful discharge of duty, resumed „farming operations, in which he had been engaged up to the time of his enlistment. He was an industrious agri- culturist, who prosecuted his operations energetically and directed them ably, and as a result won success in his farming activities. In 1895 he
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retired from active pursuits and took up his residence at Champaign, where he now makes his home, Mrs. Watts having passed away in that city October 31, 1914. They were the parents of four children, namely : Charles H .; William, who is a resident of Ypsilanti, Michigan; Sadie, who is the wife of Clay Gaunier, of Alvin, Illinois; and Mrs. Ovanda Martin, a widow, living at Longview.
Charles H. Watts attended the public schools of Champaign County, Illinois, and divided his time in his youth between his studies and the work of the homestead property of his father. As he grew to young manhood he evidenced a studious nature, and when he was eighteen years of age was sent to Danville, Indiana, where he attended the Danville College, a private institution, for one year. At that time he entered upon his career as an educator, and for three years taught in the public schools, but, realizing the need of further knowledge of an advanced character, he resumed his own studies, this time in a private school at Ada, Ohio, where he remained for three years. Once more he took up teaching, and with his advanced knowledge progressed rapidly in his calling, so that he was soon known as one of the best educators in the county. This reputation naturally brought his name to the forefront, and when the election for county superintendent of schools of Champaign County came on in 1902 he was chosen for the office, which he has filled to the present time, having been chosen through consecutive elections. Mr. Watts has met with very agreeable success in his chosen line of work. From the start he has been exceptionally well fitted for the duties and responsibilities involved, and he has invariably given his best efforts toward the progress and advancement of Champaign County's schools. He has manifested a personal interest where some others might have shown only a business obligation, and has established in the hearts of his former and present students and co-workers a warm tenderness and respect.
Mr. Watts was married July 21, 1896, to Miss Blanche Irwin, a native of Champaign County, and a daughter of James W. and Margaret (Fisher) Irwin, the latter deceased, and the former now a resident of Longview, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Watts are the parents of two children : Helen, who was born April 30, 1897; and Harold H., born May 18, 1906. Mr. Watts is a Republican in his political tendencies. He affiliates fraternally with the Masons and Knights of Pythias, is also a member of the Sons of Veterans, and, with his family, belongs to the Presbyterian Church.
FREMONT McMILLEN. After spending his early youth in Champaign County, Fremont McMillen made choice of the various vocations and professions and determined to become a farmer, a business in which he had been thoroughly trained as a youth. He has never had any substantial reasons to regret that early choice, since his years of labor have brought him profitable rewards, the esteem of a large community, and ample means for his family and those dependent upon him. Mr. McMillen has one of the fine farms in Champaign Township on Rural Route No. 3 out of Champaign.
Though a resident of Champaign County most of his life, he was born ncar Logansport, Indiana, June 15, 1856, a son of William and Rosanna (Henderson) McMillen. His parents were both born in Ohio. In 1859 they came to Champaign County and acquired. a farm in section 4 of Champaign Township. Here the parents lived out the rest of their useful and honored lives, and both of them passed away in this county. There were nine children, the first, a daughter, dying in infancy; Franklin and Lucinda are also deceased; Susan lives at Logansport, Indiana, the
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
widow of F. Gotchell; Newton, -Isabella and Lucretia are all deccascd ; Joseph lives in Grand Junction, Colorado, and the ninth and youngest is Fremont. -
. Mr. Fremont McMillen, after arriving at the age of twenty and after completing his education in the local schools, rented the home farm of 110 acres and continued its active'management under his control until 1905. In that year he bought another place of 161 acres in the same section, and now has both farms under his ownership and management, including 271 acres. It is all in section 4 of Champaign Township. His efforts have been expended most profitably as a general farmer and in the dairy industry. In 1909 Mr. McMillen erected one of the fine country homes of Cham- paign County, a two-story residence with every modern facility and equipment.
In June, 1888, he married Miss Laura Curtis. They have three chil- dren : Ethel, now deceased; Bessie, wife of William Ehler of Rockwell, Iowa; and Nellie, wife of John Schwengel, who occupies the old McMillen farm. Mr. and Mrs. McMillen are active members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican. Mrs. McMillen has been prominent in the Woman's Club at Champaign, was registrar of the club and for four years was treasurer of its music and drama department.
Mrs. McMillen is a daughter of George F. and Elizabeth (Barnum) Curtis, her father having been a pioneer in Champaign County. Her mother died December 24, 1914. Mrs. McMillen was the oldest in a family of six children, two of them dying in infancy. Her brother Elmer lives in Champaign Township; her sister Elizabeth is the wife of Professor J. Sammes of the University of Wisconsin faculty; and her brother John W. is a farmer in Champaign Township.
SAMUEL L. BURWASH. It was more than half a century ago, when he was a small boy, that Samuel L. Burwash first knew Champaign County. He was identified during his active career with the agricultural element. It is in agriculture that Champaign County has found its greatest pros- perity during this period. Mr. Burwash was not an unimportant factor in that development. He prospered as did all the other progressive farmers of his time, and in recent years has enjoyed the fruits of his earlier toil and is now living comfortably in Champaign.
He was born in Eastern Canada, near Montreal, November 16, 1851, a son of Samuel and Lois (Barber) Burwash, who were also natives of Canada. His father was a farmer by occupation. In 1860 the family removed to Edgar County, Illinois, and during the three years spent there the mother died. From Edgar County Samuel Burwash moved to Cham- paign County, and continued here an active farmer until his death. He and his wife had cight children, the first two of whom died in infancy. Besides Samuel L., the others are: T. N., a retired physician at Cham- paign ; Delia M., deceased ; Milo B. and Carrie, both unmarried and living together in Champaign; and Ella, deceased.
Until he was twenty-two years of age Samuel L. Burwash lived in his father's home. An education suitable for his future needs was acquired in the local schools. In the meantime he had become a practical farmer by training and experience, and on leaving home he and his brother Milo rented land and were partnership farmers. In the meantime they worked the old homestead. This was their plan of business operations for a num- ber of years. Still in partnership, they bought a hundred sixty acres and made a specialty of raising grain for the market. Their partnership continued with mutual profit and advantage for a number of years, after which Mr. Samuel Burwash went for himself and farmed in Champaign
Samuel L, Breswash
Margaret M. Brunwash
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County for a quarter of a century. In 1910 he was able to retire with a financial competence, and removed to Champaign. In 1914 he built a hand- some brick residenee at 714 West Green Street in Champaign, and has occupied that modern home since November of that year. Mr. Burwash has been a Republican since casting his first vote, and he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Burwash was married November 15, 1885, to Miss Margaret Me- Cullough, a native of Champaign County and member of an old and prom- inent family of this section. Her parents, Alexander W. and Elizabeth H. (Seylar) Mccullough, were both born in Pennsylvania. Her father eame to Champaign County in 1854, loeating on a farm south of Urbana, and lived there until his death in January, 1899. Mrs. Burwash's widowed mother died July 19, 1909. In their family were nine children : James S. and Sarah J., deeeascd ; Adeline C., wife of W. N. Ramey, of Missouri ; Annie Elizabeth, widow of John Bond, of Tolono; Frank F., living in California; Mrs. Margaret Burwash; Albert C., of Urbana Township; Benjamin T., deceased ; John, a resident of Urbana Township. Mr. and Mrs. Burwash have no children.
AUGUSTUS M. EVANS. In the administration of the affairs of eounty government the duties of few offices are more important than are those of the sheriff. To occupy this position acceptably the incumbent must be a man of unquestioned courage, for even in the most law-abiding eommunities he is frequently called upon to faee situations demanding quick, decisive and fearless aetion ; he must possess no inconsiderate amount of detective ability, to be used in the solving of perplexing cases, and he must, withal, be a man of executive ability and foree of character in order to inspire respect in his community. Champaign County is fortunate in the possession of a eapable sheriff who measures up. to the standard set above. Augustus M. Evans has held the shrievalty since 1914, and prior to that time had gained much experience in the office of deputy. He is a former newspaper man and well known to the people of the county who have watched his good official work with satisfaction.
Augustus M. Evans was born in Brown County, Ohio, May 22, 1867, and is a son of George M. and Elizabeth A. (Park) Evans, both of whom were born in the Buckeye State. The family came to Champaign County about the year 1868, settling first at Tolono, where George M. Evans fol- lowed the trade of carpenter. In 1882 he removed with his family to Champaign, and in that eity continued to follow his chosen vocation up to the time of his death. Mrs. Evans also passed away in that eity. There were three children in the family, namely: Charles G., who is now deceased ; William A .; and Augustus M.
Augustus M. Evans was an infant when brought to Illinois by his parents, and the greater part of his schooling was secured in the public schools of Tolono. His real education came, however, after he had located at Champaign. There, in 1882, when he was fifteen years of age, he joined the force of the Champaign Gazette, and during the next twenty- nine years worked his way through various positions, seeing all sides of newspaper life and making a large acquaintance throughout the country. His experience in this connection brought him into contact with all kinds and manner of people and sccured for him a wealth of information that has proved of the greatest value to him in his official work. Mr. Evans' connection with the Gazette office was severed in 1911, when he was appointed deputy sheriff. He remained in that capacity until 1914, when he became the candidate for the office of sheriff on the Republican ticket, and was successful at the polls, receiving a handsome majority. He has
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discharged the duties of his office well, and during his administration Champaign County has been singularly free from the presence of criminals and evil-doers.
On November 12, 1890, Sheriff Evans was united in marriage with Miss Kate Sharp, who was born in Champaign County, and to this union there has been born one son: Harry S., who is serving in the capacity of deputy sheriff. Sheriff Evans is a stanch Republican and has for a long period been an active worker in the ranks of his party. He believes in the benefit and enjoyment to be derived from membership in fraternal orders, and is at this time affiliated with the local lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, in all of which he has numerous friends.
J. E. FULLER. The Fuller home is a mile and three-quarters south- east of Ludlow, in section 8 of Harwood Township. It is a home of com- forts and superior improvements, and is the domicile of people whose character and activities tend to raise the general standard of community life in Champaign County.
Mr. Fuller was born in Michigan, son of Dexter and Elizabeth Ann (Curtis) Fuller. His parents were born in Massachusetts, moved from there to Ohio and finally to Michigan. J. K. Fuller was educated in Michigan schools, completing his training in a seminary at Spring Arbor in that state, where he graduated in 1884. Following that for a number of years he was a successful teacher both in Michigan and also in Champaign County.
Mr. Fuller married Miss Jennie Pearson. She was born in Mason County, Illinois, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Fletcher) Pearson, both of whom are natives of England, but came to this country when still single. Mrs. Fuller was the second in a family of five children. She attended the district schools, the college at Paxton, Illinois, and was mar- ried at the age of twenty-four.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Fuller located at their present home place, and that has been their continuous residence ever since. Here they have 160 acres and the passing years have witnessed many improve- ments in their surroundings and have also endeared the home to them by many happy associations.
To their marriage were born five children. One died in infancy and the others are named Nanny, Robitine, Horace and Fred. To fit these chil- dren for the responsible duties of life Mr. and Mrs. Fuller sent them to the local district school, where all of them finished the eighth grade. The daughter Nanny became a student in the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, where she took the liberal arts course, specializing in English. The girls have also had piano instruction, and music is one of the features of the Fuller home. The daughter Robitine attended the high school at Paxton, where she graduated in 1915. She is now the capable helper to her mother in the home. Nanny taught her first school in Harwood Center during 1911-12, had the Martin school for two years, and then one year in the old home school district, the Gallagher school. Miss Nanny has been superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday school at Ludlow. The son Fred is active in the work of the home farm. The other son, Horace, now lives in North Dakota, near Arthur. He married Sarah Van Schoyck of Ludlow. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller have always endeav- ored to carry out the principles of her father who taught his children strict loyalty to the flag and country which gave them protection. In church affairs the Fuller family are active in the Methodist Episcopal
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Church at Ludlow and are liberal supporters of that organization. Mrs. Fuller and her daughter Robitine are both teachers in the Sunday school. In politics Mr. Fuller is, a Democrat, and all of them have rendered sup- port to the prohibition movement, Mrs. Fuller being active in the local W. C. T. U. Fraternally they are members of the Court of Honor, and Mr. Fuller and his sons belong to the Modern Woodmen of America.
Mrs. Fuller is not only a most capable home maker but has proved her executive ability as a farm manager. For a number of summers Mr. Fuller has lived in North Dakota, looking after his farm there, and during his absence Mrs. Fuller has assumed the active management of the home farm, being assisted by her son and daughters. The Fuller farm at Ludlow is appropriately called Maple Hurst. Recently the farm residence was remodeled into a modern home, and Mrs. Fuller superintended every detail of this work. They now have one of the most complete country homes of Harwood Township.
GEORGE C. FAIRCLO. Champaign County is rapidly becoming noted for the excellence of its roads, and at the present rate of progress will before long rank with the leading counties in the state in this direction. A number of years ago the people came to a realization of the fact that prog- ress and prosperity, both in the country districts and in the cities and towns, depended largely upon the condition of the roads, but it has been only in comparatively recent years that steps have been taken to improve in the fullest degree the highways of this section. In this work one who has been and is very active is George C. Fairclo, who since December, 1913, has occupied the office of county superintendent of highways of Champaign County. A man of comprehensive training and broad experience, he has brought to his labors an energy and enthusiasm that have aided greatly in the accomplishment of big things, and some of his vim and spirit has been caught by the citizens, a number of whom have been awakened to existing conditions.
Mr. Fairclo is a product of the agricultural country of Illinois, hav- ing been born on a farm near Kingston in De Kalb County, May 13, 1877, his parents being Isaiah D. and Sarah E. (Parker) Fairclo. His father, a native of New Jersey, was a lad when he came from that State to Illinois, about 1850, and at that time located on a farm in De Kalb County. There he developed into a first-class agriculturist and developed a good property, accumulating at the same time a competence that allowed him to retire from active pursuits in 1896 and remove to Champaign, where his death occurred six years later. He was a Republican in politics, but did not take any active part in public matters, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Fairclo, who survives her hus- band, makes her home at Champaign. There were two children in the family : Elizabeth Temperance, who is the wife of Shields A. Blaine of Champaign; and George C.
George C. Fairclo attended the graded schools of Sycamore, Illinois, and in June, 1905, graduated from the high school there. He grew up' on the home farm, but it was not his intention to take up an agricultural career, as his inclinations ran in another direction, one which necessitated the securing of an advanced education. Shortly after he left high school he enrolled as a student of civil engineering at the University of Illinois, and graduated with his degree in 1902, but during this time, in order to pay his expenses, he worked three years in the service of the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad and for the Chicago-Wilmington-Vermilion Coal Company, in the capacity of engineer. After graduating from the university he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad from June, 1902, until September,
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1903, at which latter date he was appointed city engineer of Urbana. He retained that office until May, 1905, when he became city engineer of Champaign, and remained as such until May, 1909. Mr. Fairclo then opened an office and engaged in private practice as a consulting engineer at Champaign, but in December, 1913, he was once again called into public service when elected county superintendent of highways for Cham- paign County. In discharging the duties of his position Mr. Fairclo has been conscientious and energetic. He has brought his wide experience to bear upon the problems facing his department in the improvement of highway conditions, and his achievements have undoubtedly proven an important factor in advancing the interests of the agricultural country, while at the same time contributing materially to the comfort and enjoy- ment of the motoring class, which has grown so greatly in numbers during recent years. Mr. Fairclo in his political affiliation is a Republican. He fraternizes with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and his religious connection is with the Presbyterian Church. His offices are located in the courthouse at Urbana.
Mr. Fairclo was married December 7, 1907, at Champaign, Illinois, to Miss Mabel Lindsay, who was born at Onarga, this state. They have no children.
REV. ERNEST MOEHL. The wealth of Champaign County does not consist alone in broad lands and money and other material things, but in its people of sterling worth and integrity of character. Among those who have devoted themselves to the molding of character and the improvement of spiritual conditions is Rev. Ernest Moehl, pastor of the German Evan- gelical Church of Flatville.
Rev. Mr. Moehl was born in Hersfeld, near Cassel, Germany, a son of John and Dorothy (Auding) Moehl. His father was a teacher in the old country. The family consisted of ten children, seven sons and three daugh- ters, Ernest being the oldest son.
He received his education in German schools, including collegiate training, and graduated in the spring of 1881. In the fall of that year he came to the United States, for the purpose of fitting himself for minis- terial labors in America. He pursued his course in Wartburg Seminary at Mendota, Illinois, from 1881 to 1884, and in the latter year went to Nebraska, where he was ordained in the German Evangelical Church. His first charge was at Waterloo, Iowa, where he remained more than ten years.
While there he went to Mendota, Illinois, and married Miss Charlotte Fritschel. She was born in Iowa, a daughter of Sigmund and Margaret (Brottengeier) Fritschel, both natives of Germany. Mrs. Moehl was reared and educated in Mendota, Illinois, and they were married in the German church there. After their marriage they went to Iowa, and four children were born to them: Hedwig, Emma, Hilda and Erna. The two younger daughters are now attending the grade schools at Flatville. Hedwig and Emma received their education at Dubuque and Ottumwa, Iowa. Emma graduated from a seminary at Waverly, Iowa, and fitted herself for work as a teacher, which she has followed very successfully for a number of years. She is now teaching in the German school at Flatville, being instructor in German and English .. She is a young lady of many accomplishments and assists her father as organist in the church. Hedwig is devoting her time to the home interests.
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