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 46
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At that time Mr. Heinz took the undertaking line and also the real estate and insurance department. He still continues the undertaking business, and has a splendid equipment for a small town, including a motor hearse. He is also senior partner in the firm of Heinz & Creamer at Tolono, and is head of the Heinz-Riemke agency of automobiles. at Pesotum. They make a specialty. as sales agents of the Haynes and Reo cars.
In 1913 Mr. Heinz accepted the position of cashier of the Bank of Pesotum and now gives much of his time to the administration of the bank's business and is one of its directors.
His name is also associated with the public affairs of Pesotum. He was the first village treasurer and was tax collector one year. Politically he is a Democrat, is a member of the Catholic Church, and is affiliated with Champaign Lodge of Elks, has taken the fourth degree in the Knights of Columbus and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. November 22, 1916, Mr. Heinz married Kathryn Kerwin, a native of Marion County, Illinois.
ABRAHAM PAULUS. It is a distinction such as pertains to few living Champaign County residents that Mr. Paulus enjoys by reason of his con- tinuous residence in the county since 1856. That was an early year in the pioneer history of this county and was a notable one in national affairs, since it saw the first entrance of the Republican party into national politics. Mr. Paulus has witnessed a remarkable development going on under his eyes during the past sixty years, and he and his good wife have borne their
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shares of labor and responsibilities in this community. Champaign County in 1856 was a broad stretch of prairie land, open only here and there by the industry of the early settlers.
Mr. Paulus was born in Darke County, Ohio, September 9, 1843. He was one of a family of thirteen children, four sons and nine daughters, whose parents were Daniel and Louisiana (Treon) Paulus. Five of this large family are still living. Lydia, the oldest, resides in Indianapolis and is the widow of Jacob Ware. Lucy Ann lives at Mansfield, Illinois, the widow of John Hollihand. Sarah, a resident of Billings, Montana, is the widow of Levi Brooks. The next in the family is Abraham Paulus. Jonathan Francis, who served in an Illinois regiment in the Union army during the Civil War and was granted an honorable discharge, is now living at Marion, Indiana.
Daniel Paulus, father of this large family, was born in Maryland, Jan- uary 12, 1807. He lived a long and useful life and passed away in 1902 in Indiana, at the age of ninety-five. When he was one year old his parents removed to Ohio, crossing over the mountain barriers and journey- ing westward in true pioneer style. They lived for some years in Preble County. Grandfather Paulus had the offer of ten acres of land gratis pro- vided he would locate in Cincinnati, then a raw and unpromising com- munity. This offer was given him because he was a blacksmith and men of that trade were sorely needed in Cincinnati. However, he chose Preble County instead. Daniel Paulus was a self-educated man and made farming his chief vocation. He owned 120 acres of land in Darke County in west- ern Ohio. In 1856 he gave up his land there and came farther west into Champaign County and bought 160 acres in Newcomb Township. For this land he paid $25 an acre. At that price it had more improvements than many other of the newer farms of the township. It was located on the cast side of Newcomb Township. Later Daniel Paulus sold this land and returned to Ohio about 1864, and remained in that State until the death of his wife. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Lutheran Church.
His good wife was born in Pennsylvania, February 9, 1810, and died December 1, 1877. She was a young woman when her parents removed to Ohio. Both she and her husband were interred in the Union City Ceme- tery in Ohio, where a monument marks their last resting place.
Mr. Abraham Paulus was only thirteen years of age when his parents came to Champaign County. While living in western Ohio he attended a log schoolhouse. Its seats were made of slabs held up from the floor by wooden pins, and he had all the experiences of a pioneer school boy, including the writing of a copy set by the master and with the old goose- quill pen, which was fashioned with a real "pen knife" by the schoolmaster himself. Mr. Paulus more than most people in Champaign County is able to appreciate the vast contrast between modern schools, their fine equipment and furniture and their course of instruction, and the temples of learning where he gained his first instruction. After getting his educa- tion Mr. Paulus took up farming as a practical pursuit and lie was not yet twenty-one years of age when he married and set up housekeeping for himself. His marriage occurred in Champaign County, April 7, 1864. Miss Mary Jane Lane was the bride. They have been married now over half a century. Ten children have been born into their home, six sons and four daughters. Eight are still living. William was educated in the common schools, has been a Democrat in politics, and was formerly engaged in agricultural vocations, but is now a resident of Champaign City and pursuing his favorite work as a mechanic. Oliver is a successful agricul- turist in East Bend Township. He married Miss Alice Robinett, and
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they have a little daughter, Ruby. Oliver is a Democrat and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his wife are Chris- tian Scientists. Cora lives in Pontiae, Illinois, the widow of Morris Haines. She has two children, Orville and Verla. She and her daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Louisiana married William Sheppard, a resident of Champaign. Mr. Sheppard is a Demo- crat. They have three children, Vern, Ray and Mary. Clara is the wife of Lee Mulvane, who lives near Saunemin, Illinois, where he is engaged in farming. Mrs. Mulvanc is a member of the Methodist Church. Joseph is an agriculturist at Breckenridge, Michigan. He married Miss Ida Tay- lor, and they have a young son, Richard. They belong to the Methodist Church. Stella was educated in the common schools and married Walter Fielder. Mr. Fielder died in April, 1917. He left one son, Virgil, who was educated in the common schools and is now taking the second year of work in the Fisher High School and is one of the brightest students in his class. Mrs. Fielder now lives with her parents. She is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. Frank, living near Proetor, Illinois, on a farm, married Miss Emma Adams, and they have three children, Evelyn, IIarriet and Wilbur. They are members of the Lutheran Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Paulus also reared in their home their grandson Jesse, educating him in the common sehools, and he is now a practical farmer. He married Miss Marie Adams and they have two small daughters, Helen and Bernice, who afford the greatest delight to their great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Paulus.
Mrs. Paulus was born in Clinton County, Indiana, December 1, 1845, a daughter of William and Catherine (Blacker) Lane. She was one of six children, three sons and three daughters. She is the oldest of the three now living. Her sister Cynthia is the wife of Abram Ater, a resident of Urbana. Her brother John was formerly in the sales and livery busi- ness and is now living at San Diego, California, and is married.
Mrs. Paulus' father was born in Ohio and when young moved to Indiana and was married in that State. In 1857 he came to Champaign County and spent the rest of his life here. He was a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. Mother Lane was also a native of Ohio, but grew up in Indiana. Mrs. Paulus' parents are both now deceased, and they were laid to rest in the City Cemetery at Mahomet, Illinois, where appropriate stones mark their last resting place. Mrs. Paulus was educated in the common schools.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Paulus started out to make their own destiny in the world without special help from anyone and relying almost . entirely upon their own efforts and industry, inspired by their ambition. For a number of years they were farm renters. Their first purchase was cighty acres, and later they bought 160 aeres in Neweomb Township. Half of this has since been sold, and they retain the rest of it as their attractive country home. Mr. and Mrs. Paulus began heavily in debt. They were able to make their first payment on their land only $100. By industry and rigid economy they pulled out of debt and at the present time they owe no one a dollar and have in addition to their farm a good town home in Fisher. They have enjoyed the highest esteem of their community throughout their residenee in this county.
Mr. Paulus is a Democrat. He has passed all the chairs in Fisher Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are aetive in the Methodist Protestant Church of Newcomb Township. He has been one of the trustees since the church was built and for years was superintendent of its Sunday school. He is also president of the Township Sunday School Convention, and year in and year out has
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worked earnestly for the upbuilding of church. Sunday school and every worthy movement in the community. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Paulus is known as the Maple Lawn Farm. It is the abode of hospitality, and their many friends find a hospitable welcome within its bounds. In 1910 Mr. and Mrs. Paulus made a delightful tour of the far West, including Montana, San Diego and Portland, Oregon. It was a journey that brought them to some of the greatest natural wonders of America, and they returned home all the better satisfied with Champaign County and with the place which their own carnest efforts had given them to own and to possess in this rich garden spot of the world.
JACOB SWICK. A resident of Champaign County during a period of sixty-five years and still interested in the pursuit of agriculture here, Jacob Swick is one of the best known among the citizens of Broadlands and the vicinity. During his long career it has been his fortune to liave gained many of the rewards of industry and integrity, and in addition to material remuneration to have attained a position of substantial prominence in his community and a place in the respect and confidence of those among whom his long life has been spent.
Mr. Swick was born in Germany, June 27, 1837, a son of Jacob and Christine (Oberly) Swick, both born in that country. The family came to the United States in 1852, first settling in Pennsylvania, from which state they moved to Ohio, and there the parents passed the remaining years of their lives engaged in farming. They were honest, industrious, God-fearing people who reared their children to lives of usefulness and honor and gave them all the advantages that they could afford. The children were as fol- lows : Jacob, of this notice; Christina, who is the wife of John Vedder and a resident of Urbana; Christopher, who also resides at that place; and Mary, the wife of Joseph Marsh, of North Dakota.
Jacob Swick was about fifteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to the United States, and here in the public schools of Pennsylvania and Ohio completed the education which he had started in Germany. When he left the parental roof to engage in life's activities on his own account he went to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he worked on a farm for five years, after which the Civil War came on and he enlisted in Company F, First Ohio Heavy Artillery, with which he served for two and one-half years. He had an excellent record as a soldier, and upon receiving his honorable dis- charge returned to Ohio, but soon located in Morgan County, where he worked on a farm for five years, after which he came to Champaign County and took up his residence in Raymond Township, where he engaged in oper- ations on a farm of eighty acres. Later he bought forty acres more, and to this added an additional tract of like size, and finally purchased 240 acres in Ayers Township, where his subsequent activities were carried on. Mr. Swick won success by reason of his constant industry, his fidelity to engagements and the honorable manner in which he carried on his transac- tions, and the record of liis business life presents a clean and unblemished page.
Mr. Swick was married first to Katherine Kirchner, who died in Cham- paign County, leaving one child, who died in infancy. For his second wife Mr. Swick married Elizabeth Thady, and they became the parents of four children : Lillian May, Charles E., Ella Irene and Harry C. Mr. Swick is a Republican, but not a politician, although active in good civic move- ments in the community. His religious faith is that of the United Brethren Church. Since liis practical retirement from active agricultural affairs Mr. Swick has resided at Broadlands, where he has a comfortable, modern home.
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CHARLES FAIRFIELD. One of the most valuable and best cultivated agricultural estates in northern Champaign County is that owned by Charles Fairfield, a modern farm lying in Brown Township, not far from Fisher. For a number of years devoted to general farming, it has recently taken on the added department of blooded stock raising, and under the progressive and able management of its owner is developing into a farm that is extending its reputation beyond the limits of its immediate com- munity. Mr. Fairfield is known in Brown Township as one of the agri- culturists who has not allowed his extensive personal interests to blind him to the needs of the locality in which he lives. He has helped his community to grow and has supported good movements. His title as a representative citizen has been secured not only by individual gaining of material things, but by co-operation with other public-spirited men in forwarding Champaign County's general welfare. .
Charles Fairfield was born in Livingston County, Illinois, January 20, 1866, and is the eldest of a family of four sons and two daughters born to John W. and Priscilla (Shirery) Fairfield. All are living and all are residents of Illinois with the exception of one daughter, who lives in Iowa. John W. Fairfield was born in Ohio in 1838, was married in his native State, and in 1865 came to Illinois, settling in Livingston County. He followed agricultural pursuits there until 1871, when he moved to Mahomet Township, Champaign County, where he rounded out his career, his death occurring in 1879. Originally an old line Whig, with the birth of the Republican party he joined that organization and supported its interests thereafter loyally. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and Mrs. Fairfield were faithful members of the Christian Church. When he first came to Champaign County the church services were held in the Allison schoolhouse, situated two miles west of Fisher. Mr. Fairfield was laid to rest in the Naylor Cemetery. Mrs. Fairfield was born in 1840, also in Ohio, and still survives.
Charles Fairfield was about six years of age when he was brought by his parents to Champaign County, and here his education was secured in the public schools. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and when he was twenty-six years of age, having less than $500 capital at the time, felt enough confidence in his own abilities to embark upon an independent career. At that time, August 24, 1892, he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Schenk. To them three children have been born. Roy J., educated in the public schools and at Brown's Business College, is one of the progressive and energetic young farmers of Champaign County, residing in Brown Township. He married Miss Augusta Heyer, a grad- uate of the Fisher High School. Floyd A. was educated in the public schools, and is training himself to become a first-class farmer and stock- man. Emmet C. is attending the public schools. The children belong to the Christian Church.
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Mrs. Fairfield was born in Champaign County, Illinois, and was reared on the farm on which she now resides, her education being secured in the public schools and the high school. For two years prior to her marriage she taught in the county schools. Her birth date was March 23, 1873, and she is a daughter of Anthony and Mary (Frichauf) Schenk, being one of a family of five sons and nine daughters, of whom seven children are living, although besides herself there is only one living in Champaign County, this being her sister Ella, who is the wife of J. A. Fairfield, a contractor and builder of Fisher. Anthony Schenk was born near the Rhine River in Prussia, October 28, 1832, and as a youth dis- played remarkable talents in mathematics, being a teacher when he was only twelve years of age. Subsequently he learned the trade of molder,
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but when he was sixteen years of age came with his parents to the United States, via Havre, France, the sailing vessel on which they made the trip taking eight wecks for the passage. For a short time the family resided near Albany, New York, then going to St. Louis, Missouri, where they lived for five years. Mr. Schenk and his brother John then purchased 400 acres of land in Champaign County, a part of which is now included in the home farm of Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield. Mr. Schenk, who died in 1900, became not only one of the substantial farmers of his community, but also stood high in the esteem of his fellow citizens, who chose him as township treasurer for fourteen years and as supervisor of Brown Town- ship two terms. Although a Democrat, he cast his vote for Benjamin Harrison for president. Always a religious man and a faithful member of the Christian faith, he assisted in the erection of three churches in his locality, and now lies at rest in Mount Hope Cemetery, where the first monument placed in that burial place marks the grave of one of his brothers. Mrs. Schenk was born near the city of Berlin, Germany, March 16, 1841, and was eight years of age when brought to the United States by her parents in a sailing vessel which took seven weeks to cross the_ Atlantic Ocean. She was educated in German and English, has always been a devout member of the Christian Church, and now makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield, being one of the best and most affectionately known ladies of the community.
When they started married life Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield were renters. They were energetic and industrious, worked hard to make themselves a home, and eventually came into possession of enough land to give them a start. From that time to the present they have added to their holdings and to their comforts, and now are in possession of 360 acres of finely cultivated and productive land, on which are located substantial buildings and all modern improvements. Their large and commodious residence and three fine barns have been erected and remodeled by them, and other indications of good management and prosperity abound. Mr. Fairfield has just started in to raise blooded Percheron horses and Shorthorn Durham cattle, and has already made a success of his venture. In addition to the 360 acres included in his own farm, he is also operating 160 acres, and is making each acre of land pay in full for the labor expended upon it.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Fairfield cast his first vote for Benjamin Harrison for president. He has been selected as a delegate to the county conventions, and the confidence in which he is held by his fellow townsmnen is shown in the fact that he has been township treasurer of schools for seventeen years, school director for seven years and highway commissioner for twenty years. In addition to being deacon and trustee of the First Christian Church, he is chairman of the building committee in charge of the fine new church which will be completed during the autumn of 1917, at a cost of from $15,000 to $20,000. Throughout his career he has allowed his name to be connected only with honorable dealings, and as a result his record as business man, agriculturist and official is free from any manner of blemish.
L. P. GRIMES. Many of the best homes in Champaign County have been won as a result of long and toilsome process, involving the clearing of the land, the draining of the swamps, the construction of ditches and fences, and every improvement has meant an expenditure of labor and care that only the very successful or those who have been through the experience can appreciate.
Among the men who have had that experience and have witnessed the evolution of Champaign County during the last forty years is Mr. L. P.
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Grimes of St. Joseph Township. Mr. Grimes was born in Vermilion County, Illinois, August 12, 1852, a son of John and Hannah (Snyder) Grimes. His parents were also natives of Illinois. Grandfather Grimes came from Ohio and in the early days settled four miles north of Danville, when Danville was only a trading post. For a number of years there were hardly any families in that neighborhood except the Grimeses and their rel- atives. It is said that for two miles in every direction nearly every house contained a Grimes. John and Hannah Grimes had nine children, four sons and five daughters. These children were all educated in the district schools. In 1865 John Grimes took his family to Kansas and spent the rest of his days there.
In 1875, at the age of twenty-three, L. P. Grimes returned from Kansas to Illinois, for the purpose of visiting, and he found so many interests to claim his time and attention that the visit has been continued indefinitely to the present time. At the age of twenty-nine he married Miss Annie R. Ridinger. She was born in St. Joseph Township, daughter of Milburn and Margaret (Moore) Ridinger. The Ridinger family also eame from Ohio, and Mrs. Grimes was third in a family of ten children. She was well educated in the loeal district sehool.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Grimes rented twenty-ninc acres adjoining the Ridinger homestead. The outlook was not very encouraging. They had a small house, a log barn and a few rods of rail fence. In front of the house and shutting off the view of the road were trees and brush, while about the farm were sloughis in which the water was so deep in places that it came up to a horse's side. In spite of this faet the young people possessed the energy and determination to make their work count, and at the end of two years they had saved enough to make the first payment upon their land. It was a happy day in their lives when they seeured a deed to this small tract, but their industry did not stop there and they have gone ahead with their work and improvements until they now have cighty acres of good farm land, well drained and cultivated, improved with fruit and shade trees, a commodious house, barns, and altogether constituting one of the valuable farms of Champaign County.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Grimes, one of whom died in infancy. The other is A. M. Grimes, who was educated in the local distriet school and finished in the St. Joseph High School, and he is now a careful and successful farmer on a place just across the road from his father's farm. A. M. Grimes married Cora Parks; and they have a bright young son, Claude L., who was born January 5, 1894. This boy has proved his ability in different ways, is an expert in handling a horse and has qualified as a chauffeur, being able to handle an automobile with skill and the cxpertness of a veteran.
Mr. L. P. Grimes has made his success as a grain and stock farmer. He now raises chiefly the Red Duroe hogs and has about seventy-five full blood animals, besides Jersey cows. He separates the eream on his farm and ships it to market.
Mr. and Mrs. Grimes are active members of the Christian Church at St. Joseph and worship in the beautiful brown stone and brick edifice that is one of the most attractive religious centers of the county. In politics Mr. Grimes is first, last and always a Republican, and fraternally is affiliated with the Royal Americans. His fellow citizens have shown their confidence ยท in his ability and public spirit and have elected him to the office of road commissioner. Thus Mr. and Mrs. Grimes have attained the fullness of suceess out of their humble early efforts, and the credit for what they have accomplished and the influences that have emanated from their characters are due to them equally, since Mrs. Grimes has been a factor in the making of the home and has always stood beside her husband in counsel and advice.
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JOHN F. TROTTER. In early days the superiority of soil and climate attracted to Champaign County as permanent settlers many eastern thought- ful and observing pioneer home-seekers, and one of the families firmly established here bore the name of Trotter, a name that has been an hon- ored one in the county ever since. A worthy representative is found in John Franklin Trotter, one of Newcomb Township's most respected citi- zens. He was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, April 7, 1852. His parents were Hiram and Lydia A. (Alamang) Trotter. To them were born ten children and five of these survive, John Franklin, the fifth in order of birth, being the only son living. His four sisters are: Elizabeth, who is the widow of J. B. Lester and resides at Fisher, Illinois; Jennie, who is the widow of David Inskeep, resides at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Bar- bara, who is the wife of George Teats of White Heath, Illinois; and Jane, who is the widow of Oscar Mullvain, lives at Thomasboro, Illinois.
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