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 71
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
Before her death the Woodin family had been visited by the death angel, when Mrs. Woodin entered into rest. She was a loving wife and mother and a kind neighbor, and many grateful memories wreath her name.
Since the death of his wife Mr. Woodin has continued to live at the old home with his children and since his daughter's death Isa has been his housekeeper. The Woodin family are attendants at the Christian Church, and Miss Isa is one of its active members.
Fraternally Mr. Woodin is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge and the only charter member of that order living in the village of St. Joseph. He is also a member of the Woodmen Order. In matters of politics he is a stanch Republican, having cast his first vote for that party and has never experienced a change of heart nor has he found a solid reason why he should deviate from the support of an organization which has done so much to maintain the integrity of this country.
JOHN CARL WEGENG has the good fortune to call Champaign County his home from birth to the present time, and his life's activities have been chiefly expressed through the business of farming, in which he has made a notable success. Mr. Wegeng's home is in Raymond Township, near the village of Bongard.
Mr. Wegeng was born in Raymond Township, July 25; 1868, a son of John and Margaret Wegeng. His parents were both natives of Germany and they came to America a few weeks before their son John C. was born. They located in Raymond Township, where the father became a prosper- ous farmer and at the time of his death, on December 22, 1898, owned a half section, or 320 acres of land. He also served as school director and was a man of importance in the community in many ways. His widow is still living at Villa Grove, Illinois. They had the following children: Bertha, wife of Pat Mooney of Crittenden Township of this county; Phoebe, wife of John Beatty of Raymond Township; John C .; Francis of Villa Grove; Simon, who lives on the old homestead; Philip of Champaign; Emma, wife of Henry Mooney of Champaign; Annie, deceased; Martha, wife of Roy Sheppard of Pesotum; and Katherine, a resident of Villa Grove. The father by a previous marriage to a Miss Richter had two sons, Otto, deceased, and August, a resident of southern Missouri.
John C. Wegeng grew up on his father's farm in Champaign County and was educated in the district schools. At the age of twenty-one he began working as a farm hand, continuing for two years, and his father then bought a tract of 160 acres in section 18 of Raymond Township. Mr. Wegeng did his part in developing this land for about three years and then rented a portion of the homestead for five years. At the age of twenty- nine Mr. Wegeng married, and at his father's death he bought eighty acres of the old homestead, later another eighty acres, and the last addition to
RESIDENCE OF GEORGE N. LEAS
WILLIAM C. LEAS
MARGARET LEAS
GEORGE N. LEAS AND FAMILY
999
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
his landed property came when Eli Chapman willed him eighty acres. All of this has been highly developed and improved and under Mr. Weg- eng's capable direction it is one of the most productive farms in the southern part of Champaign County.
June 4, 1896, he married Margaret Fitzgerald. They are the parents of a fine family of eight children : John T., Pearl M., Russell Leo, James Francis, Rex Joseph, Mary Dorothy, Frances June, and Ruth Marcella. These, children have received excellent advantages both at home and in the local schools. Mr. Wegeng has proved himself a friend of education and has served as school director. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Crittenden Township. His home farm is on Rural Route No. 64 out of Longview.
GEORGE M. PORTER, a veteran of the Philippine War, has had a very strenuous and active career, but is now quietly engaged in the business of farming and stock raising near Homer, where he was born November 29, 1881. Mr. Porter represents some old settlers in this section of Illinois. His parents were' Charles D. and Effie M. (Custer) Porter. His father was born in Ireland and was brought to America when a child, the family locating in Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Thomas Porter, finally brought his family to Homer, Illinois, and was the first cobbler in that town. Charles D. Porter became a railroad man and was killed at Spring- field in 1902. He was switching cars when he slipped and went under a moving train to his death. Mr. Porter's maternal grandfather, Martin B. Custer, walked all the way from Buffalo, West Virginia, to Homer, and for several years clerked for M. D. Coffeen in the latter's store. He also became a commission buyer of live stock for Mr. Coffeen and in that way got his start in life. He became a wealthy man and owned eight hundred and sixty acres in Vermilion County besides lots in Chicago Heights and Danville. Through his daughter, Mrs. Porter, all this property eventually descended to his grandson, George M. Porter. Mrs. Effie Porter died at Tampa, Florida, in 1907.
George M. Porter, the only child of his parents, spent his early life on a farm, and secured his education in the common schools. He was seventeen years of age when the war with Spain broke out and he then joined Troop G of the Fourth United States, Cavalry. He was all through the Philippine War, and was in active service for four years. After his marriage he returned home and for seven years was a railroad man with the Chicago and Alton. Since then he has had active management of the extensive farm interests he owns in the vicinity of Homer and makes a specialty of feeding cattle and of handling thoroughbred Hampshire hogs.
On May 30, 1902, Mr. Porter married Fannic B. DeFrates, of French ยท parentage. They have one son, Charles George, born August 3, 1903, and they also have two daughters, Hilda and Dorothy E. Mr. Porter is one of the best known citizens of Homer. He is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of various other Masonic bodies, belongs to the Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Homer and in politics is a Republican.
GEORGE N. LEAS. . No name can be recalled more profitably for the instruction and enlightenment of future generations in Champaign County than that of the Leas family. One of its representatives is Mr. George N. Lcas, a prosperous land owner, farmer and business man at St. Joseph.
Mr. Lcas is a native of Champaign County, having been born in Stanton Township, April 10, 1869, son of William C. and Margaret (Argo) Leas.
1000
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
His paternal ancestors were from Indiana, while the Argos came from Ohio. The Leas family located in Champaign County in early days. William C. Leas was a gallant soldier of the Civil War. He served his country three years, marching and battling for the cause of the Union, and did not return from the front until the flag was waving in triumph over all the states. After the war he settled down and reared a family of honorable children, educating and training them for the responsible duties of life. He was wounded in the battle of Chattanooga, and just forty years to the day from that event he attended the reunion 'of Wilder's brigade on the battlefield of Chattanooga, being accompanied by his son George N. and wife.
George N. Leas was one of three children, the other two being daugh- ters. Mr. Leas married Martha Bowers, member of another notable family in Champaign County. She was born in Indiana, November 28, 1870, a daughter of A. J. and Ruth (Raper) Bowers, also natives of Indiana. Mrs. Leas was educated in the Bowers district school in Champaign County.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Leas farmed for one year eighty acres of land belonging to his father in Stanton Township. His father was so much pleased with the manner in which his son did the farm work that at the end of the year he placed a deed for the eighty acres in George's Christmas stocking, and at the same time gave a similar deed to his daughter, Mrs. Christie. Later he gave another eighty acres to the other daughter, Mrs. Leigh. William C. Leas was always impartial and treated all his children alike.
For five years Mr. and Mrs. Leas occupied the eighty-acre farm in Stanton Township. About that time Mrs. Leas' father, A. J. Bowers, desired to sell his place and expressed a wish that some of his family should be its owner. Therefore Mr. Leas with his father, William, bought the Bowers estate, where Mrs. Leas had spent her girlhood. Thus the place is endeared to her by many associations.
A. J. Bowers was a minister of the Dunkard or the Brethren Church. He ministered to the organization at Urbana and also the congregation in the Swearingen schoolhouse four miles southeast of St. Joseph. He was a faithful minister for seventeen years, and during all kinds of weather he never failed to be on hand to hold services. It is the rule of the church of the Brethren that ministers shall serve without financial recom- pense, and this adds to the merit of Mr. Bowers' splendid fidelity and work. He was a splendid citizen, widely informed in secular as well as biblical knowledge, and his life was one of Christian action. His widow remained at the old homestead with the family of her daughter, Mrs. Leas, until September 24, 1917, when she entered into rest, her husband preceding her to the realm of the dead five years previous. The land of this estate was first acquired from the Government by Benjamin F. Argo, . and he sold 120 acres to Mr. A. J. Bowers in 1872. At that time the land had very few improvements. Mr. Bowers owned the property for thirty years, and during that time he beautified the place with commodious buildings, set out fruit trees and shade trees, including a fine grove of evergreens in front of the house and lined the driveway with maples and pines. Thus, as a result of his labors, it was converted into one of the conspicuous country seats of St. Joseph Township. Mr. Bowers took spe- cial pride in his fruits, and at one time had seven varieties of yellow peaches growing in his orchard. He practiced agriculture with the faith of the true Christian, believing that where he sowed there also should he reap, and he had many evidences that his diligence and faithfulness were liberally rewarded. He also took pride in his home, and it was one of his greatest pleasures that his daughter's family finally took charge of the
1001
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY .
management of the estate where he had worked so long and faithfully. The Bowers property comprised 200 acres originally.
Since he took active charge Mr. Leas has done much to increase the value and attractiveness of the farm, and all is now in a shining state of improvement and cultivation. Mr. Leas is one of the leading stock farmers of Champaign County, has a number of full blooded Percheron horses, Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs.
Mr. and Mrs. Leas have two sons, George William and Arthur Bowers, aged respectively seventeen and twelve years. The Bowers district school furnished them their early advantages and George is now a student in the St. Joseph High School.
Mr. Leas and wife spent seven years in western Canada, in what is now the Province of Alberta. They made this change for the benefit of the health of Mrs. Leas. Mr. Leas now owns 960 acres of the land of western Canadian prairies and is very enthusiastic about the country, and is certain that it is now the greatest land of opportunity in the western hemisphere. While in western Canada they saw much of the scenery of the Canadian Rockies and also visited Portland, Oregon.
Mr. and Mrs. Leas are members of the Christian church, the Prairie Hope Church, a splendid little chapel which was built from lumber taken off Grandfather Leas' estate in Indiana and was hauled by his sons to the site of the present building. Grandfather Leas was a charter member of the church, and thus that place of worship has many happy associations for the family.
In politics Mr. Leas is an active Republican, is identified with the Masonic order, and has been a stanch friend of education and schools, having served as director of the local school. Thus the lives of the Bowers and Leas families have been in many ways identified with the best life of Champaign County.
In conclusion a word should be said concerning the life and character of Mrs. Margaret (Argo) Leas and her husband, William Leas, the parents of George N. They possessed many admirable traits of character, but especially were noted for their generous hospitality and kindness to the poor and needy. After her death it was well said that no one could ever take her place in the community. Whenever a needy family moved into the neighborhood this worthy mother, with her heart filled with love, was the first to be there, a ministering angel of mercy, and many a heart and home were gladdened by her presence. They were constant in Chris- tian practice and charity, relieving distress, lightening burdens, enkindling hope, and no one ever called upon them in vain. It seemed to be Mrs. Leas' special mission to help the poor and unfortunate in the bearing of their burdens, and like the woman of old it will be written of her in letters of imperishable gold, "She had done what she could." Father Leas was a devoted member of his church and one of his rules of life was that when he had Sunday visitors they were invited to attend religious service with him or remain at home until his return, recognizing thus his Christian obligation to his church and its importance.
JERRY GORMAN. One of the most widely known men of Champaign County is Jerry Gorman. Mr. Gorman has had an unusual career of achievement. He is a hard working and thrifty Irishman, never had any special advantages when a boy, and has relied on honest toil and judgment born of experience to. place him in the front rank of farmers and land owners.
He was born in Ireland, came to America when a young boy, grew up on farms in Grundy County, Illinois, where he worked out as a hired
.
1002
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
laborer, and in 1875 he came to Champaign County. At that time he located on section 7 of Raymond Township, and began as a modest but substantial farmer. His success has been growing year by year, and out of the proceeds of his work as a general farmer and stock raiser he has increased his holdings to 1,200 acres and has some of the best improve- ments found on any individual tract of land in the southern part of Cham- paign County. Mr. Gorman is a vigorous Democrat, and he and his family worship as members of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Crittenden Township.
He married Mary Fitzgerald, a native of Champaign County, and six- teen children were born to their union. Fourteen of these are still living, named as follows: John, on the home place; Maggie, wife of Terrence Williams of Danville; Mary, wife of Mathew Reynolds of Springfield; Catherine, wife of M. Lowry of Crittenden Township; while the other children, all at home, are named Fannie, Annie, Josephine, Hester, Ruth, Gertrude, James, Jeremiah, Lawrence, and Martin. Truly, this is one of the notable families of Champaign County.
DAVID B. WHITE. For sixty-three years one of the fine farms of Homer Township, Champaign County, has stood in the name of White, which is an old and respected name in this section, where it has always meant good citizenship, sterling integrity and those personal qualities which engender friendly feeling in a neighborhood. The present owners of the old White homestead are heirs of Henry Clay White by his first and second marriages. David B. White was born here November 19, 1871. His parents were Henry Clay and Elizabeth (Stayton) (Sweringen) White.
Henry Clay White was born in Ohio. He was reared on a farm and was accustomed early to the handling of cattle and he often in later years told of a journey he made in early manhood to New York City in company with others, when they drove a bunch of beef cattle to the metropolis. He never complained of the hardships of the trip although he traveled on foot the whole distance there and back. Such an enter- prising young man was just such a pioneer as was needed in Illinois and when he came from Ohio he brought his household possessions with him with a team of oxen. They proved very useful in breaking up the tough prairie sod when he settled on his tract of 160 acres on section 20, Homer Township, in Champaign County. He was a man of great enterprise and gave encouragement to many of the early business ventures in this section, especially the building of mills. Later in life he lent his influence to progressive movements in township and county and was a friend of the County Fair Association. Being better educated than many of the early settlers, his advice was frequently sought, and for sixteen years he served as township commissioner. His death occurred April 16, 1913.
Henry Clay White was thrice married. His first wife was Emily Laborn, and they had four children, namely: Abraham L., who lives in the city of Indianapolis; Charles F., who lives at Danville, Illinois; and two daughters who died in infancy, the death of the mother following. Mr. White's second marriage was to Mrs. Elizabeth (Stayton) Sweringen, a widow whose husband had been killed in the Civil War. She had one son, Henry Sweringen, who is now deceased. She was born in Illinois and died in this state. There were children born to the second marriage as follows: John C., who lives at Homer, Illinois; David B .; Sadie E., who is the wife of Marley Davidson, of Defiance, Ohio; Frank B., who lives at Danville, Illinois; James S., who is deceased; and Elizabeth E., who is also deceased. To the third marriage of Henry Clay White, with Caroline Upp, no children were born.
1
1003
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
David B. White had educational advantages in the public schools. He has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits and has been farming for himself since 1893. He entertains modern ideas concerning his business and believes in the kecping of good stock and caring for them as valuable property, and the use of first class farm machinery. His is one of the best improved farms in the township.
Mr. White was married on March 21, 1895, to Miss Minnie Clutter, who was born in Vermilion County, and is a daughter of Abraham and Matilda (Carrol) Clutter, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania and both died in Vermilion County, Illinois. Mrs. White was the youngest born in their family of five children, the others being: Samuel, who is a resident of Homer; John, who makes his home in Pennsylvania; William, who lives in Vermilion County; and Alice, who is the wife of Wayne Smith, of Danville, Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. White have two sons: Glenn C., who was born May 6, 1898; and D. Gordon, who was born June 8, 1908. Mr. White and family belong to the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican and for twenty years has served as a school director, and it may not be out of place to mention that Homer Township is proud of its reputation for its excellent schools. Mr. White is a Mason and also an Odd Fellow.
BENJAMIN C. PAINE. Among the substantial citizens and large prop- erty owners of Champaign County, one who has contributed to his com- munity's welfare and prestige by his splendid citizenship no less than by the honorable success which he has gained in a material way, is Benjamin C. Paine. Belonging to a family that has been well known in the county for more than sixty years, Mr. Paine has maintained the high reputation borne by the family name and in offices of public trust and responsibility has vindicated the faith and confidence placed in his ability and integrity.
Mr. Paine was born near Sidney, Champaign County, Illinois, May 12, 1867, a son of Andrew J. and Elizabeth (Shackelford) Paine. His father, born August 19, 1832, in Worcester County, Massachusetts, was twenty- three years of age when he came to Champaign County, Illinois, settling in Philo Township, where he resided for two years. He next purchased eighty acres of land near Sidney, but in 1868 removed to Raymond Town- ship, where he bought a like tract, and this he had increased to 180 acres by the time of his death, September 15, 1903. Mr. Paine was a Democrat in politics and one of the influential men of his community, serving as town clerk for fifteen years and as justice of the peace from 1872 until his death. He was a man of upright character, upon whose judgment his associates depended in matters of business and civic importance, and who took the initiative in movements for the general public welfare. With Mrs. Paine he attended the Christian Church. Mr. Paine was married April 26, 1861, to Elizabeth Shackelford, who was born in Kentucky, came in young womanhood to Illinois with her parents, and died June 2, 1898. They were the parents of three children: Sarah and Leanah J., who are deceased ; and Benjamin C.
Benjamin C. Paine was given good educational advantages in his youth, first attending the district schools of Champaign County, later the high school at Sidney, and finally Eureka (Illinois) College, where he was a student for one year. He then returned to the home farm, where he assisted his father until his marriage, when he rented 160 acres of land and worked this for about fifteen years. Removing then to Fairland, he became cashier of the Farmers Bank, a position which he held for two years, and then returned to the farm, where he resumed his general farming and stock raising operations. He is now the owner of 400 acres of land, a part of
1004
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
this being in Douglas County, and he makes his home at Longview, from whence he superintends the work on his property. In business circles Mr. Paine has an excellent standing and his integrity in civic affairs has been no less pronounced. He has served as supervisor, town clerk, assessor and collector, and in each position has unselfishly devoted himself to a con- scientious discharge of his duties, applying his best energies in a proper administration of affairs for the benefit of his community. He is fraternally affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Fairland Camp No. 791; Longview Camp No. 2852, Modern Woodmen of America; and Fairland Lodge No. 327, Court of Honor. He supports the Christian Church in its various movements, and is a Republican in his political views.
On October 17, 1889, Mr. Paine married Miss Emma M. Rees, born in Iroquois County, Illinois, daughter of Robert and Harriet (Gibson) Rees, natives of Indiana, who came to Broadlands, Illinois, in 1885. There Mr. Rees died March 9, 1914, and Mrs. Rees in March, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Rees had twelve children, those living being: Louis of Broadlands; - Thomas B .; Mary, the widow of Gilford Sims of Chicago; Julia, the wife of J. J. Douthitt of Broadlands; Emma M., now Mrs. Paine; Elizabeth, the wife of G. C. Vance of Longview; and Addie, the wife of Charles Levie of Iroquois County. Mr. and Mrs. Paine have three children : Ada Emma, born May 30, 1905; Eva Julia, born April 22, 1906; and Andrew J., born September 8, 1907.
PETER H. MULLIGAN, present postmaster of Tolono, has been so long identified with the citizenship and farming activities of southern Cham- paign County as to require no special introduction.
Mr. Mulligan was born at Tolono July 4, 1865. His parents, Peter and Margaret (Lynch) Mulligan, were both natives of Ireland. The father came to this country when a young man, lived in New York about three years, spent another two years in Indiana and then joined the early settlers of Champaign County, establishing his home on a farm near Tolono. There he followed his vocation as a farmer until his death in 1895. His wife had passed away January 4, 1895. They had seven chil- dren: Margaret, of Tolono; William, of Tolono; Thomas, of Champaign ; Peter H .; Ellen, who died in infancy ; Lewis, of Tolono; and Daniel, deccased.
Peter H. Mulligan grew up on his father's farm in Champaign County. He learned the lessons as taught in the district schools and was at home helping his father in the fields until the age of twenty-three. He and his brother Lewis then rented 160 acres of land for a couple of years, after which he bought the farm he still owns in Tolono Township. Mr. Mulli- gan has lived in the village of Tolono since 1912, and in 1913 received appointment as postmaster and has given all his time to the capable administration of that office.
In April, 1903, he married Elizabeth Sandwell, a native of Philo Township. Their only child died in infancy. Mr. Mulligan is an active Democrat and he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church.
E. CLARENCE CHURCHILL. With the exception of a short period spent at St. Louis, E. Clarence Churchill has passed his entire career in Cham- paign County, where he is now known as a representative of the class of men who have added impetus and encouragement to business, financial and agricultural development. Mr. Churchill entered the Longview Bank in the fall of 1906, and has steadily risen in prestige and position until at this time he is occupying the office of vice president of this institution, to the success of which his abilities and energies have greatly contributed.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.