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 35
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Mr. Morrison was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, son of Mr. and Mrs. Abram Morrison, his father a native of Ohio and his mother of Pennsylvania. In the early days Mr. Morrison attended district schools in the vicinity of Zanesville, Ohio. The schoolhouse which stands clearcst in his memory was an old log building. It had slab benches, a desk sup- ported by pins driven into the side wall, and the instruction was as crude and limited as the furnishings of the building. Occasionally the pupils would attend school for six months in the year, though the usual term was three months.
He was only eighteen years of age wlien he enlisted at Zanesville for service in the Union army. He became a member of the Home. Guard and was ordered with his comrades to Maryland, to Harper's Ferry, then to Baltimore, and he did service chiefly as a guard along some of the sea- coast fortifications. He was mustered out and given his honorable dis- charge at Zanesville.
It was in April, 1870, that Mr. Morrison, then twenty-four years of age, drove across the country from Ohio to Champaign County. He brought with him his wife, whom he had married in Ohio, Miss Maggie A. Frazier. They located at Thomasboro in this county on land belonging to Mrs. Morrison's father. Mr. Frazier had given his daughter forty acres and Mr. Morrison bought from him forty acres more at a price of $1,000. The young couple had the cnergy and the courage to face life cheerfully and bravely for all the hard work it promised, and gradually their prosperity took on increasing measure until Mr. Morrison found himself possessor of 100 acres, containing some of the richest land in all Illinois. For many years he also engaged in the buying of grain at Thomasboro. Mr. Morrison has experienced the usual joys and sorrows that are the lot of the human family. After his prosperity had been assured his good wife passed away and he also saw his son, Lec F. Morri- son, enter into rest at the age of twenty-four. Mr. Morrison married for his second wife Dolly George, who dicd in 1916. His present wife before her marriage was Mrs. Margaret Mulliken of Champaign, daughter of J. S. Grindley. She was educated in the Champaign schools. Mrs. Morrison has four sons and a daughter by a former marriage: Byron, L. Burns, Robert Burns, Helen Margaret and Clarence E. Byron is a graduate of the high school in Champaign and is now a stenotypist and is employed by a big lumber company in Mississippi. Robert is a student in the Military Academy of Mexico, Missouri.
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Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are members and liberal supporters of the Con- gregational Church. Politically he has always given his allegiance to the Republican party. He is affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic and his wife is a member of the Eastern Star. It was in 1912 that Mr. Morrison gave up the active superintendence of his farm and purchased his present magnificent home in Rantoul. Here he has surrounded him- self with the comforts that are the products of his own work and lives to enjoy life in the fullness of years and the consciousness of duties well performed. He has always stood as a public spirited citizen of his com- munity, and for many years served as school director and did much to improve the advantages of the schools in his own locality. He has also served as road commissioner.
HENRY T. SCHUMACHER has been one of the strong and resourceful members of the Champaign County bar for the past thirteen years. He has built up a large and profitable general clientage and his name and reputation are gradually being extended all over the judicial district and the eastern section of the State. Mr. Schumacher is a native of Illinois, born at LaRose in Marshall County, July 11, 1879. His parents, Adolph and Hannah (Steinke) Schumacher, were both natives of Germany. Adolph Schumacher came to America about 1858, locating in Marshall County, Illinois. For two or three years he lived in the city of Henry, but then removed to LaRose and was one of the very first to locate in that vicinity. He spent his active career as a farmer and died there in January, 1908. The widowed mother still lives at LaRose. Of their four children one died in infancy. Alvina, the wife of Edward Rechlin, lives at LaRose, Illinois. Louise is the widow of Conrad Henn.
The fourth in order of birth, Henry T. Schumacher, grew up on his father's farm and his early environment was the rural section of a pros- perous Illinois community. In 1899, after completing the work of the common schools in his native locality, he spent two years in the University of Illinois. He then entered the law department of that university and was graduated in 1904 LL. B. Since then Mr. Schumacher has been in active practice at Champaign.
He is a Republican and has been interested to a considerable extent in politics, though not in such a way as to interfere with his profession. He is now serving as law clerk to the House of Representatives at Spring- field. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he and his family are Presbyterians.
He married Miss Minnie Nuckolls, a native of Sangamon County, Illi- nois. They have four children: J. Willis, Margaret, Henry N., and Elizabeth.
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JOHN H. WYNE. For more than forty-five years Champaign County has been the home of John H. Wyne, and those have been years of achieve- ment in the material sense and also in the acquisition of the riches of community esteem paid him for his worthy life and the influence he has exerted for good.
Mr. Wyne was born in Jefferson County, Indiana, January 24, 1842, a son of William and Margaret (Rutledge) Wyne. His father was a native of Virginia and his mother of Tennessee. His father went to Indiana in the early days, and kept his home in that state on a farm until his death. He was twice married, and by his first marriage had eight children. By his second wife his only child was Mr. John H. Wyne.
The latter attended school in a hewed log schoolhouse with his half
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brothers and sisters, and at the age of twenty-nine, in 1871, he came to Champaign County to visit his aunt, Marilda Thompson. In this county he found employment on farms, and was a steady worker. for others until he was able to conduct a place of his own.
He was also twenty-nine years of age when he married, at Cincinnati, Ohio, Miss Mary Jane Thompson. The one child of that union is Miles Earl Wyne, who was named for his cousin, a prominent lawyer .. Miles E. Wyne is a practical farmer in Harwood Township and married Nellie Clifton.
After coming to Champaign County Mr. Wyne worked steadily for a farmer, Mr. Philips, and from that labor saved enough to buy forty acres of land. That was the nucleus of his homestead and farm and his independent efforts have been richly rewarded. When his son 'was five years of age the beloved wife and mother passed away, and for his second wife Mr. Wyne married Rosa Rigdon, who was born in Parke County, Indiana, a daughter of William and Mellie (Carlin) Rigdon. There were seven children in the Rigdon family and they were all educated in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Wyne are active members of the Baptist Church at Rantoul and are among the workers and supporters in that church. Mr. Wyne is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He has served his community as road overseer and director of the local schools. Throughout Harwood Township Mr. Wyne is known affectionately as Uncle Johnnie. Wyne. His is a most hospitable home, and he has proved a kindly neighbor, so that his name is one that is wreathed with kindly memories. He has always been ready to extend a helping hand where help was needed and the setting sun of his life finds him comfortably situated, with his son near by to relieve him of the heavier duties and cares of life. In politics Mr. Wyne is a stanch Republican. He was reared in a Democratic household, and as a boy he witnessed many of the evils of slavery, and came to have an abomination for that institution. The war and the assassination of President Lincoln turned him definitely into the ranks of the Republican party and he has been a voter for those prin- ciples for over fifty years.
GEORGE J. BABB is a native of Champaign County, and has made a good record as a practical farmer and business man, and his name stands equally high as a citizen whose support can be depended upon for those movements and enterprises which reflect the public good.
Mr. Babb was born in Hensley Township, September 30, 1871, a son of John and Ann (Deakin) Babb. His parents were both born in Eng- land. His father came to America about 1860, and after a brief residence in Ohio removed to Champaign County in 1861. He was a practical farmer, and lived in this county until his death in June, 1903. For several terms he served as supervisor of his township and he always had a following of loyal friends. He and his wife were the parents of four children : Ella, wife of John Stevenson of Geneva, Nebraska; Alice, wife of D. L. Bardwell, formerly superintendent of one of the high schools of New York City; Jessie of Champaign; and George J.
Mr. George J. Babb was educated partly in New York State and for one term was a student in the University of Illinois. His first business experience was as a farmer in the State of Nebraska. He remained in the West three years, and on returning to Champaign County took up farming and developed many substantial interests. He remained on his farm until 1904, when he removed to the city of Champaign, and is now president of the Farmers Grain Company at Thomasboro and also has a large grain ranch in Saskatchewan, Canada. When the city of Champaign
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adopted the commission form of government Mr. Babb was one of the five candidates for the office of commissioner and was elected. He is now serving as commissioner of finance.
Mr. Babb was married February 7, 1894, in Nebraska, to Miss Jessie Sprout. Mrs. Babb is a native of Illinois. Their four children are: Walter George, John Howard, Elizabeth Margaret, and Helen Catherine, all of whom are members of the home eircle. Mr. Babb is a Republican in politics, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World.
ELI BUCK. The late Eli Buek was one of the fine, substantial and prosperous citizens of Champaign County. He established his home here in early days, and before his death his name was associated with the owner- ship of extensive and valuable farm lands and his character and activities were such as all must respect.
Mr. Buck was born in Vermont, a son of Gould and Valetta Buck. He married Miss Catherine Hogan, who still survives and makes her home in the village of Penfield.
Mrs. Buck was born in Tipperary, Ireland, a daughter of Michael and Mary (Ridden) Hogan. When she was quite small her father died and her widowed mother was left with nine children. When Catherine was nine years of age her mother crossed the Atlantic and settled in Con- nectieut. At the age of fifteen Catherine came to Illinois, and when she was twenty years of age she met Eli Buek at Monmouth, Illinois. Their acquaintance ripened into affection and eulminated in marriage.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Buek located in Monmouth, where they remained thirteen years, and then, coming to Champaign County, settled within a mile of Gifford. At that time the town of Rantoul con- tained only nine small houses. Mr. and Mrs. Buck went sturdily to work to build up a home, and had eighty acres well improved when, as a result of failure of erops and other circumstances, they suffered financial calamity by which they lost all their property. Failing to be discouraged by this setbaek, they started all over again and in time they owned a fine farm of 160 acres in Compromise Township.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Buek were named Thomas Nathan, Joseph James, William Michael, George, Anna Valetta, Mary, Martin, Alice and Emma. The son Thomas Buek is a well-to-do farmer at Pen- field, and by his marriage to Sarah Graham has children named Franeis, Joseph, Artie, Eddie, Harold and Charles. Joseph Buck married Frances Downie, and their children are Leo, Esther, Margaret, Joseph, Gertrude, Franeis, Catherine and George. George Buck married Theresa Hennesy. Anna Buck is the wife of Peter Mooney and is the mother of Stella, Kate, Mary and Dan. Mary Buck married Anthony Hannagan and has one ehild, Artie. Aliee Buck is the wife of Henry Ellis, and her children are Frances, Loretta and John. Emma Buck, the youngest of the family, married Francis Graham, and their family of children consists of Agnes, Gertrude, Maude, Franeis, Thomas, Raymond and Gilbert.
The Buck family are all members of the Catholic Church. It was in 1913 that Mr. Eli Buck was called to his final rest at the age of eighty-four. Though he attained advanced years he was a strong man both physically and mentally. He had an uncle who lived to be one hundred and two years of age. Mr. Buck was a kind and loving husband and father, and his name is greatly revered in the community where he spent so many years.
Mrs. Buek is still living, with her children around her, and she has reared them all to worthy lives. She is able to say what few mothers
Andrew Tornquist.
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can say, that during all her active associations with her children she never chastised them physically and when she spoke she was obeyed. This habit of obedience was one of the characteristics of the Buck home and is one that many families might emulate. Mrs. Buck still has in her home her son William Michael, a splendid young American, who, like the other children, was well educated and his life has been an honor to his parents.
ANDREW TORNQUIST when he came to America from his native Sweden in 1879 had as his equipment some experience in mechanical trades and also as a farmer. Otherwise his capital was extremely limited. An earn- est purpose, hard work, and that wisdom that comes with experience, have put him far ahead in the game of life, and while he is not wealthy as wealth is understood at the present time he is financially independent and for all that he has he has given an adequate reward in service and practical value to the communities where he has lived.
Mr. Tornquist was born in Sweden, July 13, 1857, a son of Daniel and Carolina (Anderson) Tornquist, being their only child. When he was fifteen years of age his father died and the mother married again and is still living in Sweden. His father was a blacksmith and carriage maker. At the age of fifteen Andrew Tornquist had to take upon his shoulders unusual responsibilities. With such knowledge as he had picked up of his father's trade he managed to carry on the little shop and business and also managed the farming property of his father. At the age of twenty Mr. Tornquist left home and removed to the city of Stockholm, where he worked at the building trade as a carpenter and brick layer.
That experience continued for a year and a half and in 1879 he sought a home and better fortune in America. Locating in Chicago, he became a mechanical employe in the power shops of the Illinois Central Railway Company, , but in 1881 removed to Donovan, Iroquois County, Illinois. There he bought a machine and repair shop, and was successful in business there for about twenty years. He also bought a farm of eighty acres, and is still owner of that property. After selling his first shop he engaged in the hardware business with A. C. Swanson, under the firm name of Tornquist & Swanson, for three years. Mr. Tornquist then traded his interest in this store for one hundred and sixty acres of land in Min- nesota. In the meantime he had taken up contracting and building, and he continued that until he came to Champaign. He had also built another machine shop, and thus was a man of varied interests and affairs.
In 1903 Mr. Tornquist moved to Champaign. He bought ground on Springfield Avenue, and built a ten-room house after tearing down the small house that had formerly occupied the site. He sold this house and bought a cottage, later bought two lots in the Fairland Addition, building on one lot and selling the other. Still later he bought the home at 408 Chalmers Street where he now resides. In 1913 he acquired the property at 601 Chalmers Street and during the same year put up another house on that ground. In 1907 he made a trip to his old home in Sweden, remaining away three months and upon his return Mr. Tornquist accepted a position as mechanic in the farm and mechanic department of the Univer- sity of Illinois. .
He married in 1883, four years after coming to America, Matilda Johnson, also a native of Sweden. Three children were born to their union, the second, a son, dying in infancy. Charles Herman, the oldest, is a graduate civil engineer from the University of Illinois, and is now employed on an irrigation and power plant project in the State of Idaho. Alpha Caroline, the only daughter, was graduated in the domestic science department from the University of Illinois in 1917. Mr. Tornquist is a
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Republican in politics. While living in Iroquois County he served as a member of the School Board six years. He is affiliated with Western Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M. of Champaign, Champaign Chapter, R. A. M., and Champaign Commandery, K. T., and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
CHARLES M. EAGLETON is one of the best known men of Champaign, where he has lived for over thirty years. His father died while in the service of the Union. Government during the Civil War, and the son was thus early thrown upon his own resources. He has made good in the work and responsibilities that destiny has assigned him, and his name is spoken with respect throughout a large community of this rich and pros- perous section of Illinois.
Mr. Eagleton was born in Jasper County, Illinois, October 24, 1858, a son of Alexander M. and Mary J. (Farr) Eagleton. His father was a native of Tennessee and his mother of Pennsylvania. Alexander Eagleton followed farming in Jasper County, enlisted from there as a volunteer in the Union army early in the Civil War and was soon assigned to manage a supply store for the army at Helena, Arkansas. He died while still at his post. His widow has survived him all these years and is now living at Newton in Jasper County, Illinois, at the age of ninety-one.
Next to the youngest in a family of eight children, Charles M. Eagleton had rather limited home comforts when a boy and he was not given the privilege of attending even the common schools with perfect regularity. Besides what he acquired in the common schools he attended a normal at Newton for two terms. In 1884 Mr. Eagleton came to Champaign, and having learned the carpenter's trade, followed it actively in this com- munity until 1897. He was then elected to the office of constable and filled that position with credit and efficiency for seven years. He resigned to enter the real estate and insurance business and is still an insurance man, representing several of the well known companies and having a large clientage throughout the county.
He has always been interested in local affairs and in 1903 was elected alderman from the Third Ward. He was a member of the governing body of the city for eleven years, finally resigning. He was then appointed superintendent of streets, and gave most of his time to that important office until May 15, 1917, when the city adopted the commission form of government.
Mr. Eagleton married for his first wife Maggie Howell, who died, leaving him two children, Mena of Champaign, and Ruby, wife of Walter Ellis of Newton, Jasper County, Illinois. For his second wife Mr. Eagle- ton married Minnie Conroy, a native of Rushville, Indiana. They have one child, Charles M., Jr., who is now in the fourth year of the Champaign High School and is preparing to enter the University of Illinois.
Mr. Eagleton is a Republican in politics. He is one of the directors of the Champaign County Monumental Association and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Sons of Veterans.
ROBERT GROVES, now living retired at Sidney, when in his prime was regarded as one of the keenest and best judges of live stock in Champaign County. He has had a long and useful career, and one that is deserving of more than passing mention.
Mr. Groves was born in Rush County, Indiana, at the town of Fairview, September 17, 1839, son of Joseph and Nancy (Baker) Groves. The original Groves came from Havre de Grace, Maryland, and distributed themselves in the states of Kentucky and Indiana. A more remote origin
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of the family is found in Holland, where Hans and Jacob, known in English as John and Jacob, Graff lived and emigrating from that country they bought land from William Penn in Pennsylvania. The name Graff became in time Grove. These two brothers married and settled in Penn- sylvania and reared large families who in subsequent generations moved to Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and other states. From the first they were noted as progressive and ambitious men, and it used to be a common saying in ยท Pennsylvania there was never a lazy Groves known. They excelled as hunters and were among the brave frontiersmen. On one occasion two Groves brothers, John and Mike, were returning with some young men from a deer hunt in Pennsylvania. They met a small war party of Indians, from whose belt hung the scalps of the Groves boys' parents and neighbors. The Indians by their grimaces indicated to the boys how the parents looked while being scalped. The boys hastened home, found the village in ruins and the bodies of their parents, and then and there vowed vengeance on the perpetrators of the massacre. With two companions the Groves boys followed the Indians three days and finally came upon the place where they were camped at night. The Indians had stacked their arms on the bank of a creek, and all were asleep except one left on guard. Mike Groves, who was able to speak the Indian language, instructed his companions to fire when he gave the signal in the words, "Surround them, boys." Creep- ing through the tall grass until he reached the place where the arms were stacked, he grabbed up all the guns and threw them over the bank into the creek, at the same time yelling in the Indian language, "Surround them, boys." He himself shot the guard while his companions fired, each one killing an Indian. The red men made a race for their arms, were fired on a second time, and being completely routed they ran for their lives. The white men followed them two days, and drove them entirely from that part of the country. This was the last Indian raid recorded in Pennsylvania, and the citizens were so grateful to the Groves boys that they named the township Groves Township in their honor. Thirty years ago the old creek was drained, and the old rusted flintlock muskets were recalled as testi- mony to this brave attack.
At one time Jacob Groves of Sugar Creek, Pennsylvania, was charged by a big buck deer which he had wounded. Having no time to climb a tree he grasped the enraged animal by the antlers, matching his strength against that of the wild beast. They fought round and round in the brush until they got close to a white oak sapling, and while holding on for his life with one hand the hunter twisted the sapling around the deer's neck, and slowly by inches brought the lead to the ground and dispatched the animal with his hunting knife. He returned home too exhausted to carry the meat and with his clothing torn in shreds.
The grandfather of Mr. Robert Groves was a licensed Methodist Epis- copal preacher and also a soldier in the War of 1812. Rev. William A. Groves of Oil City, Pennsylvania, was also a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and J. W. Groves and wife, Mrs. M. Groves, were ministers in the Advent Christian Church. Mrs. Groves was state evan- gelist in Ohio and Washington. They organized several churches in Penn- sylvania and Ohio. At Mount Liberty, Ohio, they held a tent meeting, organizing a fine church of ninety-nine members. Mrs. Groves has engaged in evangelistic work from Buffalo, New York, to Vancouver, British Colum- bia, preaching in thirteen states in the Union and also in the Canadas. They have one son, Don Welcome Groves, now of John Day, Oregon. Mrs. Groves is author of an interesting book, entitled "Broken Links in Error's Chain," which has received some favorable press and pulpit com- ments. It is an argument against the mythological and traditionary per-
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sonal Satan, shown to be purely a relic from the Dark Ages. The work accomplishes the commendable purpose of driving sin home where it belongs, the heart of man ..
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