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 70
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After attending the country schools of Champaign County and the public schools of Longview, Park T. Irwin spent three years at Westfield College, and at the age of twenty-one years entered upon his commercial career as proprietor of a grocery business at Westfield. He was successful in this venture, but after two years was compelled to dispose of his interests because of failing health, and for the next year traveled to various points. Returning to Longview, he embarked in the grain business, and to this enterprise has since given his attention, having built up an excellent trade at Longview and in the surrounding territory. Mr. Irwin is a young man of push and enterprise and has inherited much of his father's business acumen, while the integrity which he has shown in his business operations has gained him a name for probity in commercial circles. He is a Repub- lican, although not active in politics, and his fraternal connection is with the Modern Woodmen of America, in which order he has numerous friends.
Mr. Irwin was married May 26, 1907. to Miss Emma White of West- field, Illinois, and they have three children : Frances, born July 20, 1911; Margaret, born August 29, 1913; and Elizabeth, born January 15, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin are members of the Presbyterian Church.
RUFUS B. HOY. A resident of Champaign County almost forty years, Rufus B. Hoy after a brief visit determined that this county should be his permanent home, and here his industry has borne fruit and his name is one that is spoken with honor and respect.'
Mr. Hoy was born in Hancock County, Ohio, November 6, 1850, son of Abraham and Mary (Fellers) Hoy. His father was a native of Penn- sylvania and his mother of Ohio and both their ancestors several genera- tions back came from Germany. Abraham Hoy and wife had twelve children, six sons and six daughters, Rufus being the youngest son. These children were educated in a district school known as the Hoy School, sit- uated on a corner of their father's farm back in Ohio.
Rufus B. Hoy when twenty-eight years of age came to Illinois for the purpose of working one summer on the farm of his brother Abraham, located east of Urbana and known as the old Cook farm. The country and its people had a special charm for the young man and he prolonged
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his visit indefinitely. He worked on various farms in the county, and at the age of thirty he laid the foundation of his own home by his marriage to Miss Martha J. Arrington.
Mrs. Hoy, who has stood beside her husband in all his work and in the ordering of her home and the training of her children for the past thirty- five years, was born in Hancock County, Indiana, daughter of Samuel and Matilda (McDuffey) Arrington. Her parents were natives of North Caro- lina and were early settlers in Indiana, whither they went with their only child. Their other children were all born in Indiana. The McDuffey ancestry originated in the land of hills and heather, Scotland. The six children of the Arringtons comprised four daughters and two sons, both sons dying in infancy. Martha was the youngest daughter and the only one still living. She was educated with her sisters in the Wright district school. In 1860 the Arrington family moved to Champaign County and settled near Mayview.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoy after their marriage began farming on rented land a mile and a half south of Mayview. Possessing youth, enthusiasm, energy and ambition, they made each year count for something definite in their scheme of life and in the matter of progress, and in the course of time were able to buy out the other heirs of the Arrington estate, and while they lived there they added many improvements to that beautiful farm. They now have 340 acres in Illinois and 640 in Missouri.
Two sons and three daughters were born to their marriage, named Jesse F., Bertha M., Gertrude May, Fred and Lucy F. These children were well educated both at home and in the district school known as the Willard School. Bertha graduated from Brown's Business College at Cham- paign, fitted herself for work as a teacher and taught in the College Corner School and the Kirkpatrick School. She is now the wife of A. N. Duvall, and they live in Rantoul, where Mr. Duvall is a postal employe. Their one child is named Gladys Bernice. Gertrude, the second daughter, was educated in the University of Illinois at Champaign and was a teacher of public schools in Champaign County. She taught the Allen and York schools, spending two years at each place. She married Earl Swartz, and they live at Matthews, in New Madrid County, Missouri, where he is a grain dealer. Fred is a farmer on his father's place at Mayview. He married Opal Lockwood, and of their two children one died in infancy, the one still living being Marjorie. Jesse, also a farmer on one of his father's places south of Mayview, married Mary Brooks and has a daugh- . ter, Lavinia. Lucy F. graduated from the Urbana High School and took the full college course in the University of Illinois. She is a cultured and capable young woman, still at home with her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoy have always been interested in every work for the upbuilding of the social and religious community in which they have lived. Early in life he accepted the doctrines and principles of the great Repub- lican party and has found that organization most expressive of his mature convictions and experience in the regulation of political affairs. He is an ardent Mason, having joined that order back in Ohio when a young man and is a charter member of the Court of Honor.
Thirteen years ago, having seen their efforts duly rewarded, Mr. and Mrs. Hoy left their farm and came to Urbana, where he bought a pleasant and attractive residence on Elm Street. Here this worthy couple have surrounded themselves with the comforts of life and live in the enjoyment of their family and their numerous friends.
. Such people as Mr. and Mrs. Hoy are counted among the builders of a county, always interested in every good work for the promotion of the good of the community socially and religiously. Converted in early life,
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in 1891, they both took their place in the home church at Mayview, the Methodist Episcopal, as earnest, conscientious members, and have found their deepest source of joy in working in the interests of the Man of Galilee. The day of their conversion was a milestone in their lives and they always pleasantly refer to that time which with devout Christians is the day of all days. This decision came early in their lives, and has influenced and regulated all their subsequent actions and has proved fruitful in deeds of kindness so that the name Hoy is wreathed with pleasing memories. On moving to Urbana Mr. and Mrs. Hoy united with the Methodist Church there and have been liberal supporters of its every cause, and Mr. Hoy is now serving as a church steward.
JAMES A. WILSON. Some of the finest and best cultivated farms of Champaign County are located in the southern townships and among these it is no disparagement of the efforts of others to mention the fine place of James A. Wilson in Raymond Township. Mr. Wilson is a practical and progressive farmer and owns and occupies a part of the land which the Wilson family have cultivated for fully half a century.
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Mr. Wilson was born near Ridge Farm in Vermilion County, Illinois, April 29, 1859, but has lived in Champaign County since early childhood. His parents, William and Martha (Fulton) Wilson, were both natives of Ireland. His father on coming to America followed teaching in the schools of Ohio and a similar occupation after locating in Vermilion County, Illinois. In 1866 he came to Champaign County and began life as a farmer on section 9 of Raymond Township, where as a result of his well- timed industry he built up an estate of 240 acres. On that old farm he passed away October 18, 1874, leaving ample material possessions and an honored name to his descendants. His wife died there February 3, 1894. They had nine children : George of Long View ; Maria, deceased ; William of Mount Vernon, Illinois; Thomas of Raymond Township; John and Henry, twins, both deceased; Martha Jane, who died in 1883; Sarah Mary, deceased; and James A.
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Nearly all the experiences of James A. Wilson, whether as a child or as a mature man, center around section 9 of Raymond Township. He grew up there and besides the district schools he attended the Champaign High School, from which he was graduated in 1883: For two terms he taught in his home township, and after his marriage he took charge of the home place. When the estate was divided he received 160 acres, and has grad- ually enlarged this as his farming business has grown, first buying eighty acres in section 10 and later buying another eighty acres of the homestead. Thus he has under his control a full half section, and the bountiful crops of his fields and the splendid improvements and equipment testify to his efficiency as a farmer without recourse to other descriptions.
On January 22, 1887, Mr. Wilson married Rachel Catherine Hughes of Bates County, Missouri. They had a happy married life of a little less than five years, until her death on February 3, 1892. She was the mother of three children : Harriet, who died in infancy ; Frances Gertrude, wife of Richard Davis of Raymond Township; and William Walter of Hensley Township. On March 22, 1894, Mr. Wilson married for his second wife Mary Graham, a native of Hamblen County in East Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of six children: Frederick Roscoe of Edgar County, Illinois; Ruth Ellen, wife of Alfred Toppie; Grace Edith, who graduated from the Champaign High School in 1917 and is now attending the Teachers' Institute in that city ; Ernest, Thomas Graham, and Blanche Olive, all at home and attending the local schools.
Mr. Wilson has done his part as a public-spirited citizen and served
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two years as assessor and two years as collector. He is a Democrat, a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and with his family worships in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His fine home is on Rural Route No. 58 from Sidney.
HERMAN M. SMOOT has had a very determined and energetic business career at Homer and at the age of forty his prosperity is now assured as well as his position as a man of affairs and influence in his community.
Mr. Smoot was born on a farm in Vermilion County, Illinois, June 19, 1877. His parents were John and Sarah C. (Lewis) Smoot, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were brought to Illinois when children, and grew up in Vermilion County, where after their marriage they lived on a farm in Vance Township. In 1895 John Smoot moved to Homer and with Mr. J. Stingle opened a lumber business. He remained in that business until 1898, when he was succeeded by his son Herman, and he then retired. His death occurred January 4, 1917, but his widow is still living in Homer. John Smoot was a member of the Masonic Order and of the Episcopal Church. There were five children, the two oldest, both sons, dying in infancy. William S. is a carpenter by trade and lives in Kansas City, Missouri. The fourth in age is Herman M. Bertha E., the only daughter, is the wife of J. Charles Franz, of Homer.
Herman M. Smoot was eighteen years of age when the family left the farm and removed to Homer. Up to that time he had attended country schools and he then put in a fall and one winter in the high school, working out by the day during the rest of the year. The next winter he returned to high school and that term was followed by other work on the farm at monthly wages. During those two years he saved enough to enable him to take the course in Brown's Business College at Decatur. Having proved himself a young man of considerable ability and active resolution, his father then loaned him his half interest in the lumber business, and in a short time he had made good in these responsibilities and in 1904 bought out Mr. Stingle and has since bought out two other local competitors and now has practically a monopoly of the local lumber trade.
Mr. Smoot married Miss Elizabeth Shaw, who was born at Homer, daughter of Dr. Homer C. and Eliza V. (White) Shaw. Mr. and Mrs. Smoot have two children : John I., born July 3, 1900; and Catherine E., born January 22, 1903.
Mr. Smoot has done more than carry on a very successful business at Homer. He served two terms as mayor, and is now vice president of the Champaign County Highway Improvement Association, is president of the Community Improvement Association of Homer, and president of the local Chautauqua Association. He is a Republican, a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and in Masonry is affiliated with the Lodge, Chapter and Knight Templar Commandery. He and his family worship in the Presbyterian Church.
PATRICK T. MADIGAN. In the erection of a substantial business struc- ture in the field of insurance Patrick T. Madigan of Longview, Illinois, was able to build upon a foundation formed by a good business education, a worth-while and practical training and an inherent ambition. These have formed the real concomitants of his success, although combined with them have been the accompanying desirable factors of perseverance and natural ability. Mr. Madigan was born on a farm in Raymond Township, Cham-
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paign County, Illinois, July 8, 1878, a son of John F. and Katherine (Foley) Madigan, natives of Illinois.
John F. Madigan came to Champaign County in 1874 and took up his residence on a farm on section 27, Raymond Township, where for many years he carried on successful agricultural operations, developing a good property and winning prosperity by industry and good management of his investments. He has now retired from active pursuits and is residing at Philo, where Mrs. Madigan died September 30, 1911. Mr. Madigan is one of the well known citizens of his locality who has the confidence and . esteem of his fellow men, and while residing on the farm held township offices on various occasions. He and his wife were the parents of three children : Patrick T .; Dennis F., born November 21, 1879, and died May 15, 1899 ; and Josie, born in 1882, who is now the wife of Edward O'Neill of Philo.
Patrick T. Madigan was reared on the home farm and received his early education in the rural schools. He was prepared for a commercial career by a course at the Quincy Business College, and in 1907 left the farm and came to Longview, where he has since made his home. On his arrival here he accepted a position in the employ of the Indianapolis Grain Company, with which he has been identified to the present time. After having been at Longview several years, Mr. Madigan began to be interested in the insurance business, and subsequently devoted more and more of his attention to this line of work, until he is now one of the well known men in this field in Champaign County. He represents the Aetna, Phoenix and Hartford, all excellent old-line companies, and has built up a large busi- ness, having sold some appreciably large policies. He is accounted one of the energetic and progressive men of this thriving community and has made numerous stanch friends both in and outside of business circles.
Mr. Madigan was married January 15, 1908, to Miss Helena E. Smith, who was born in Edgar County, Illinois, and to this union there have been born two children : Paul J., born July 18, 1911; and Katherine Marie, born November 21, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Madigan are members of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat, but his connection with public affairs is only that of a good citizen who performs his civic duties well and has no desire for public preferment.
JAMES H. UMBANHOWAR. It may be cited as proof of the stable character of the people of Champaign County that many of the finest farms here are owned by direct descendants of the original settlers, and the land has never been out of the family since it was secured from the government a half century or more ago. The Umbanhowar farm is a case in point. Its owner is James H. Umbanhowar, who was born on this place, situated in section 17, Homer Township, September 25, 1853.
The parents of James H. Umbanhowar were Samuel and Julia Anna (Spencer) Umbanhowar, the former of whom was born in either Virginia or Pennsylvania and the latter in Ohio. They came to Champaign County in 1840 and settled on this farm in 1852, a wild tract at that time, but favorably situated and well watercd. Its choice illustrated the good judgment of Samuel Umbanhowar, which has been a characteristic of his descendants. During his subsequent nine years of life he worked hard to clear and improve his land but he died April 15, 1861, hence much of the laborious work fell to his sons. He was survived by his wife until August 20, 1876. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: a son who died in infancy; Margarct Anna and Mary, both of whom are deceased ; Matthew, who is deceased; Samuel, who is a resident of Hoops- ton, Illinois; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Z. T. Moran, of Hartford, Nebraska; James H .; and Abigail, who is deceased.
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James H. Umbanhowar attended the district schools in boyhood when he had the chance, but the early death of his father made it necessary for him to assume responsibilities while still young, and as soon as possible he took over the management of the farm and continued to operate it for his mother until her death in 1876. He continued to work the farm and his sister Mary kept house for him until her death in 1883. Mr. Umban- howar received twenty-four acres as his part of the estate. He now owns 172 acres of finely improved land, it being the fruits of years of toil and self denial, combined with good judgment. The time has come when he can rest and for some years he has been retired, his second son being a capable and practical farmer and carrying on all the farm industries very profitably.
Mr. Umbanhowar was married February 16, 1888, to Miss Elizabeth Hall, who is a daughter of Edward and Sarah (Yeazell) Hall, and they have four children, three sons and one daughter: Charles E., a railroad man with the Big Four, lives at Indianapolis, Indiana; Fred S., who rents and operates the home farm; Audry O., who is a member of Battery F, Tenth Artillery, United States Army, now stationed at Douglas, Arizona ; and Julia Anna, who is with her parents. Mr. Umbanhowar and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a sound Republican, believing firmly in the principles upon which this organiza- tion was founded. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, attending lodge at Homer, and for many years has belonged to the Masonic fraternity.
JOHN E. RAYMOND, one of the best known and most active figures in the general farming and live stock industry of southern Champaign County, is a grandson of the man for whom Raymond Township was named.
This grandfather was Nathaniel Raymond. a native of Milford, New Hampshire. He came to Champaign County in pioneer times, became a large land owner, and after taking the lead in having a separate township set off from the original Sidney was elected the first supervisor of Raymond Township. Nathaniel Raymond married Melissa Stuart, a native of New York State, and both of them died in Champaign County and they had five children : Josephine, widow of W. S. Maxwell of Bayside, Long Island; Sarah, widow of J. B. Green of Sioux City, Iowa, both Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Green having been pioneer merchants of Champaign; John, who lives in Girard, Kansas; Isaac S .; and Jane, who died in 1884.
Isaac Stuart Raymond, father of John E., was born in Ohio and came to Champaign County with his parents in 1866. He graduated from the University of Illinois in the class of 1872 as a civil engineer. He was offered a position with the Illinois Central Railway Company, but as his father owned a large amount of land his son accepted his advice to stay at home and he became a practical farmer. For two years after his marriage he taught school, and then began farming and finally accumulated over 600 acres. In 1884 he bought the old homestead from the rest of the heirs and this one place has been in the possession of the Raymond family over half a century. Isaac S. Raymond was one of the notable men of Cham- paign County. For twenty years he was on the board of supervisors, was school trustee of Raymond Township from 1873 until his death, and in 1892 was elected a trustee of the University of Illinois and served six years. He was also president of the Farmers' County Institute for fifteen years and took a lead in every progressive movement in matters of agriculture or civic improvement. The death of this prominent Champaign County citizen occurred July 19, 1915. He married Edith Eaton, a native of New Jersey, on October 17, 1875, and she is still living in Raymond Town-
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ship. Isaac S. Raymond was a Mason. He and his wife had two chil- dren, John E. and Ruth Cleveland, the latter the wife of W. E. Haseltine of Berkeley, California.
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John E. Raymond was born at the old homestead in Raymond Township in section 8 on November 19, 1876. Most of his life has been spent in that community, and he grew up to the well ordered industry of his father's farm. In 1899 he completed the agricultural course in the University of Illinois, and in 1900 he went abroad with Henry Dunlap and assisted in arranging and maintaining the Illinois fruit display at the Paris Exposi- tion. The following year he took up farming in connection with his father, and has since devoted his efforts to the development of an extensive grain and stock farm.
September 3, 1909, he married Grace M. Lane, a native of Hamilton County, Illinois. Mr. Raymond is a Democrat, is a school trustee, a thirty- second degree Scottish Rite Mason and is an able and energetic worker for anything that concerns the welfare of his community.
W. H. WOODIN, now living in the village of St. Joseph, has had a very active and useful career in Champaign County as a farmer, contractor, busi- ness man and public spirited citizen.
He was born at Catlin, Illinois, a son of Moses and Caroline (Walcott) Woodin. His father was born in New York and his mother in Indiana, and they were among the pioneers of Champaign County, coming from Indiana and locating east of St. Joseph, spending several years at Burr Oak Grove. Moses Woodin developed a large business as a farmer. With his three sons he carried on an extensive estate. At one time he farmed the land where the village of St. Joseph now stands. The last time the site of that village was a scene of waving grain the fields were cultivated by the Woodin family. His son Ira drove a team helping grade the rail- road through St. Joseph. Ira is now a prominent farmer in Southern Missouri. When the Woodin family came here most of the country was wild, and deer ran over the prairies in large droves. The hunters, chased them with hounds, and furnished a sport which the little boys greatly enjoyed watching. The family of Moses Woodin consisted of six children, three sons and three daughters.
W. H. Woodin grew up in this county, received his education in the local schools, and at the age of thirty-four married Sarah J. Sperry. She was born north of Urbana, daughter of Elias and Serena Sperry. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Woodin located in St. Joseph Township and for several years he was engaged in farming. About that time the prob- lem of drainage became acute and the efforts of individuals and com- munities were concentrated upon its solution. Large sums of money were invested in digging ditches, and Mr. Woodin and others took up ditch contracting. He kept several teams and hired men and built some of the largest ditches in the county. He also did contract work when the Interurban Railway was constructed through St. Joseph.
Always a very busy man, Mr. Woodin has at the same time possessed that public spirit which causes him to sacrifice some of his private interests in order that he may serve the public. He was elected to the office of constable and served sixteen years. He was many times called upon to perform his official duties in St. Joseph, Stanton and Ogden townships and had some trying experiences. He was oftentimes called upon to hunt down hardened criminals and arrest them. The most unpleasant task he ever had to perform was when a warrant was placed in his hands to arrest a woman. Mr. Woodin confesses that he would rather arrest five men than one woman. A woman invariably breaks down and cries,
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and he would rather confront physical violence than tears. At the present time Mr. Woodin is serving as assessor of St. Joseph Township. Three children were born to him and his wife, one son and two daughters, Lester, Isa and Maud. They were educated in the public schools of St. Joseph Township. Maud obtained a first grade teacher's certificate and did some very successful work in the schools of Champaign County, teaching in the Argo, South Mayview and Tipton schools. She was much beloved personally and for the sake of her work. It is an old saying that death loves a shining mark, and this girl proved the truth of the rule when she was taken away at the age of twenty-two. She was an honored and active member of the Christian Church at St. Joseph. Everything was done by her parents to effect her recovery, but with no avail.
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