USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Biographical review of Hancock County, Illinois : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent citizens of to-day and also of the past > Part 10
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Homer Davenport Brown, whose name introduces this review, remained with his parents until he attained his majority. when he further improved the land where the Wild Cat Springs are located and where the Chautauqua assembly is held, which he still owns.
On the 26th of October, 1869. Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Alice Harvey, who was born in St. Cath- erine's, Ontario, and attended the com- mon schools and an academy there. She is a daughter of Samuel and Lucy Sophia ( Parsons) Harvey and was their only child who lived to mature years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been horn two children : Nellie L., born June 16, 1871 : and Harvey Homer, born November 25. 1876. Mr. Brown is well known in Hamilton as an enterprising business man. alert and energetic. making the most of his opportunities and conducting. a business along modern lines. He is winning gratifying success and occupies an enviable position in business circles there. He casts an independent ballot, having no strong political preferences but voting for the man whom he thinks best qualified to fill the offices. He has served
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for two terms as alderman of the third ward and proved a capable official, sup- porting each measure that was intro- duced that he believed would prove bene- ficial to the town and at the same time opposing as strongly those measures which he believed might prove detri- mental to the welfare of the city.
ISAAC N. HOBART.
Isaac N. Hobart, a native of Hancock county. and a man of whom the county may well be proud, resides on his large and well-improved farm on section 6 of Hancock township. Mr. Hobart is the owner of three hundred acres of fine farming land, part of which lies in Han- cock township and part in Carthage township.
Isaac N. Hobart was born in Foun- tain Green township. Hancock county, Illinois, on January 10. 1834, and was the son of Norman and Ura Eaton ( Flol- liday) Hobart, the father being a native of Essex. New York, his birth occurring December 29. 1810. Norman Hobart came to Illinois in 1833. locating in Rushville, where he lived until his mar- riage to Miss Holliday, after which he came to Hancock county, where he lo- cated in Fountain Green township. re- maining but one year, and then removed to Carthage township. Mr. Hobart purchased a farm in Carthage township on which he made his home part of the time, and partly in Carthage, where he
owned a carding machine. Later he bought the old grist mill on Crooked creek, which he rebuilt, making a steam flouring mill of it, also adding a saw mill which he operated for a number of years. He then moved the mill to Carthage, op- erating it as a grist mill, then purchased a farm of eighty acres, one mile from Carthage, which he farmed until his death. December 13. 1878. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, for many years being a local preacher in that church.
He was a public-spirited man and gave his support to the Republican party. though he was never an aspirant for of- fice. Norman Hobart was a prosperous man of his day and was an important factor in the building up of the com- munity in which he lived. He assisted in building the first wagon road from Fountain Green to Carthage. His re- mains were laid to rest in the Carthage cemetery. His wife was a native of Kentucky and came to Illinois at an early day. She was the daughter of Moses and Celia (Skirvin) Holliday, both na- tives of Kentucky. Mr. Holliday was a hatter by trade. Both parents were buried in Hancock county.
This worthy couple were the parents of fourteen children, only two of whom are now living, our subject being the oldest in point of birth.
Isaac N. Hobart was educated in the common schools of the township in which he lived. in the old log school houses of that day, and also in a school that was held in the oldl brick church in Carthage township, near what is now Ehm Tree post-office. The school was taught by
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Squire R. Davis and was a subscription Alma E. Jennings B. Harry. Ross M. school. When about sixteen years of Mabel and Fay Hobart: age he went to work in the grist and saw mill of his father and continued at this for eleven years.
On the 31st day of January. 1861, oc- curred the marriage of Isaac N. Hobart and Mary E. Duffy, of Hancock county. which union was blessed with eleven children. all of whom are now living. This large family of children are all mar- ried and have homes and interesting fam- ilies of their own, of whom Mr. and Mrs. Hobart are justly proud. Mary Emily. widow of Joseph Kuntz, has four chil- dren : Mary 1 ... Leo, Harley, and Garret H .. and resides in Missouri :
Carrie Luella, wife of Samuel Sowers. a farmer in Nebraska, has six children : Jessie B .. wife of Lee Julian, also a farmer in Nebraska. and parents of two children : Gladys and Clayton L. ; Mary W., Blanche. Floyd. Buby C., and Garret :
Joseph N., resides in Hancock town- ship, farming part of the home farm, married Eva Wright, and has one child. Ray:
Dennis W .. resides in Missouri on a farm owned by his father, married Katic Murtland, and has three children : Glenn, Joseph, and Dennis W .:
Eva Elizabeth, married John McCon- nell. a farmer in Fountain Green town- ship, and has six children : Beulah E .. Evelyn H .. Margaruite, Frances, Bernice and Anna M .: each of whom is a credit to the parents.
Lillie Estella, wife of Morris Yutter. a farmer of Fountain Green township. and has seven children: Lewis ....
Matilda E., wife of John Herron. a farmer of Nebraska, and has four chil- dren: John Newton, Erma G., Charles and Joseph Bernard :
U'ra Amanda, wife of Wayman Mills. a farmer and saw-mill owner of Carth- age township, and has three children : Mary E., deceased. Dennis W .. and Myrtle :
Isaac N., resides on part of the home place, which he farms, married Mary Hasten and has two children: Gladys M .. and Ivan :
Ethel B., wife of William E. Koontz. a farmer in Hancock township, has three children: Forrest U .. Franklin Clay. and Fern;
Mabel Grace, widow of Gerald Mos- ley, who died in Colorado, where he had gone for his health, his death occurring September 20, 1905. Mrs. Mosley has one child. Herman Harold, born June 7. 1004.
All of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Hobart were born in Hancock township. Hancock county. Mr. Hobart is a large landowner, part of his property lying in Hancock county, and part in Missouri. He has made many improvements on his farms, and keeps his buildings in the very best of repair. For many years he has engaged in general farming and stock raising. His wife was the daughter of Anthony and Mary Matilda (Spangler ) Duffy, carly residents of Hancock coll- ty. the mother being called from earth in July. 1872, and the father in Septem- ler. 188 4. after having mourned the death of his companion about twelve years
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Mr. and Mrs. Hobart have lasting monuments in the well-kept properties which they have accumulated, and are surrounded by many happy families of their children.
Mr. Hobart has used his progressive- ness and good judgment to the better- ment of the community in which he makes his home, as well as for the ad- vancement of his own welfare. and is a man whose counsel is asked and heeded by his contemporaries.
Leverett W. Buell, formerly identified with farming interests and later en- gaged in the hotel business in Dallas, is now living retired. Centuries ago the Greek philosopher uttered the words of wisdom. "Earn thy reward: the gods give naught to sloth," and this truth has been manifest in all the ages. Mr. Buell is one who has justly earned all that he possesses and a life of activity is now crowned with an honorable rest. A na- tive of Connecticut, he was born in Killingsworth. Middlesex county. Febru- ary 22, 1840, a son of William and Louisa (Chatfield) Buell. who were like- wise natives of that place. The father was a farmer by occupation, and enlisted in the war of 1812 but was not called out for active service. He filled the of fices of justice of the peace and road com- missioner and gave his political support to the democracy. He held membership in the Methodist church, while his wife belonged to the Presbyterian church and
both died in the place of their nativity. They had five children, of whom four are now living: Leverett W., Cornelia, the wife of Joseph H. Beal. a Methodist minister living in Portland, Maine; Jen- nie, now Mrs. Snow, of New Haven. Connecticut : and Celestra, wife of Dar- well Stone, of Guilford. Connecticut.
LEVERETT WELLINGTON BUELL., born in Killingsworth. a daughter of
L. W. Buell was educated in Killings- worth, Connecticut. and engaged in farming with his father until 1864, when he engaged in butchering and the meat business for five years. His marriage occurred in 1865, Miss Celestine E. Parmelee becoming his wife. She was Orin S. and Phoebe (Lynes) Parmelee, both of whom died in Connecticut, the mother being killed in a runaway acci- dent. In their family were nine chil- dren, of whom three are living. Mrs. Buell died April 21. 1879. and was buried in Durham township. Hancock county. She had two children, one of whom died in infancy, while Frank W. was killed by a traction engine in Carthage town- ship. March 24. 1905. He was a most highly respected and worthy young man. and his death came as a great blow to his father. He had married Emma Heiler. who still lives in Carthage township. and they had three children-Ethel, Chesley and Elwood. On the 21st of September. 188t, Mr. Buell married Mrs. Mary J. Potter, nee Robinson, whose parents live on a farm in Kansas. They had seven children: William and John, who are residents of Colusa. Illinois, and were soldiers of the Civil war: Martha and Elizabeth, both of Kansas; and Percival. of Oklahoma, who served in the Philip-
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pine war. Mrs. Buell is the other mem- ber of the family. She lost her first huis- band in 1869. There were four children by that marriage, the eldest of which died in infancy, the others being: Louisa. the eldest, is the wife of Lemuel Wells, of Pontoosnic. Ilinois, by whom she has five children : Sarah, the wife of Cleo Frice. of Dallas, and the mother of one child. and Jesse, Imogen, Mariette and Helen, all at home: Charlotte Potter is the wife of Albert Thannert, a traveling man for a Burlington hardware store. now living in Red Oak, lowa. Warren Potter, who is living in North Chillicothe, Illinois. married Emma Snyder, of Burlington. They have four children : Harry LeRoy. Marie, Clifford and .Allen.
Mr. Buell came west in 1800 in No- vember, engaged in farming in Durham township until 1886, when on account of his health he retired to Dallas, pur- chasing a home on Front street. after spending two years as proprietor of the Riverside Hotel, of Dallas, which was destroyed by fire in 1800. He then bought his present home and he also owns a vacant lot in Kerby's first ad- dition.
U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Buell has been born a son, William Henry, who was born in Senora township, July 30. 1885. and is at home. For four years he has worked as a painter in Burg's factory. Mr. and Mrs. Buell are also rearing her niece. Verda Robinson, whose mother died when she was a little girl. She was born in November, 1804. In his po- litical views Mr. Buell is a democrat and has served as town clerk and a commis- sioner of highways of Durham township.
Ile is a member of Dallas City Lodge No. 235 A. F. & A. M. of which he is past master, also a member of Dallas Chapter No. 111. of which he has been tyler for many years. AA Methodist in religious faith and an active worker in the church, he was Sunday-school super- intendent and secretary for thirteen years and sexton of the church for many years. while for three years he was also sexton of the Congregational church. His wife is a member of the Christian church, Mr. Buell is an intelligent man, of kind and generous disposition and of quiet manner. His wife, too, possesses many sterling traits of character and in the community where they reside they are accorded the approval of public opinion.
BARZILLAI ROBINSON.
Barzillai Robinson, a retired farmer living in Hamilton, was born in Mus- kingum county, Ohio, June 23. 1830, and is a representative of one of the old southern families. His paternal grandfather. Israel Robinson, was born in Virginia and married a Miss Iledge. They were early settlers of Ohio, remoy- ing to that state when the Indians were more numerous than the white men. They aided in reclaiming the region from the domain of the savages and converting it into nses of civilization and there they resided until called to their final rest. Their son, Silas Robinson, was born in Wellsburg. West Virginia, in 1708, and
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was a descendant of Sarah Pierce, who came to America in the Mayflower. land- ing at Plymouth. After arriving at years of maturity, Silas Robinson was married to Miss Polly Warne, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1802, and was a daughter of Abram and Elizabeth (Pierce) Warne, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Polly Robinson was a descendant of James Pierce and the name Pierce was retained in the family through many generations. The maternal grandparents of our sub- ject removed to Ohio about the same time the Robinson family was founded there and they. too, lived in that locality until called to the home beyond. Silas Robinson and Polly Warne were married in Ohio, where he owned and operated a quarter section of land and also con- ducted a gristmill in connection with his farm. In 1852 he started westward with his family, consisting of wife, three sons and one daughter, driving through in a wagon. They were two weeks upon the way from their Ohio home to Wythe township. Hancock county. Here Mr. Robinson purchased a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres of unimproved prairie land. They lived in a little log cabin until the following fall, when a neighbor returned to his old Ohio home and the Robinsons then occupied his two- story frame house. A few months after- ward, however, this house was destroyed by fire, but as soon as possible Mr. Rob- inson erected a frame house on his own farm. He began the work of fencing the fields and breaking the land and as the years passed by he improved his farm until he made it a splendidly developed
property. He was an energetic. enter- prising man and was well known as one of the leading farmers of his community. His death occurred in 1894. while his wife passed away in 1866.
Mr. Robinson of this review was the third in order of birth in a family of three sons and a daughter. The days of his boyhood and youth were passed in the usual manner of farm lads, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of that life in his boyhood days. His father had accumulated considerable land and afterward divided it among his children. Mr. Robinson securing one hundred and twenty acres of the old home place. There was a log cabin upon this tract. into which he removed after his marriage, which event occurred on the 3Ist of December. 1863, the lady of his choice being Miss Priscilla Callison. who was born in Illinois. She died in 1866 and in October. 1873. Mr. Robinson was again married, his second union be- ing with Mrs. Mollie E. (Chapman) Hill, a widow, who was born in Ohio and was a daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Frazee) Chapman. Unto this marriage three children have been born : Mary Chapman, who is now teaching school in Hamilton: Wayland B., who occupies the home farm: and Jessie M. at home.
Following his first marriage Mr. Rob- inson began general farming and also raising and feeding horses, cattle and hogs. He was thus actively engaged for many years and kept adding to his land until he was the owner of two hundred acres, constituting a valuable property on sections 7 and 8. Wythe township.
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He worked energetically and persistently year after year. gathering good crops and realizing good returns from his stock. At length after many years of active and successful connection with farming and stock-raising interests he re- tired to private life and in May, 1903. removed to Hamilton, where he pur- chased a residence which he now occupies with his two daughters, his wife having died in April. 1883. He has recently sold his farm to his son Wayland. In early manhood he engaged in teaching schools for a year before leaving Ohio and for three terms after coming to Han- cock county, but otherwise he has always made farming his life work and is now enjoying a well-earned rest. He is known as a man of thorough reliability and enterprise and enjoys the respect of those with whom he has come in contact. He has lived in the county for more than a half century and has therefore wit- nessed much of its growth and develop- ment. Without special advantages in his youth, he has worked his way steadily upward to success. He attended school only during the winter months when a boy, but has acquired through practical experience and observation a good busi- ness education. In his religious faith he is a Presbyterian and in his political views a republican. He has served as school trustee and assessor of Wythe township and at all times has been in- terested in movements for the general good. His services for the public have always been rendered with a view to the public good and from the standpoint of a patriotic citizen, none too many of which are to be found in this great country.
WILLIAM T. DYE.
The farming interests of Carthage township find a worthy representative in William T. Dye, who is living on section 9. where he owns one hundred and twenty acres of good land. He is a na- tive of Brown county, Ohio, born Sep- tember 5. 1855. and when only seven months okl was brought to Hlinois by his parents, who settled in Rock River town- ship, Hancock county, where the father purchased and improved a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He is a son of Wilson and Anna ( Wall) Dye, both of whom were natives of Brown county. Ohio. The father engaged in farming there and followed the same pursuit sub- sequent to his removal to this state. Pur- chasing land in Rock River township he continued to make his home thereon un- til his death, which occurred when he was thirty-eight years of age. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and a democrat in his political views, and throughout an active life he manifested sterling traits of character which won him the respect and confidence of his fel- lowmen. He was also one of the pres- perous and progressive residents of his community and in addition to his farm- ing interests he engaged in business as a bridge contractor and constructed ser- eral bridges near Warsaw. Hancock county. It was while building one of these bridges that he caught cold and pneumonia resulted, being terminated by death when his son William was but four years of age. His grave was made in the Carthage cemetery. His widow survived him for about six years and was married
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to James Thompson. She died at or near Bentley. this state. By the first marriage there were four children, of whom Wil- liam T: was the third in order of birth. Only two are now living, his sister being Mrs. Elizabeth F. L. Harper, who re- sides in Carthage, Hancock county, Illinois.
William T. Dye was educated in the common schools of Carthage, his mother having sold the farm and removed to that city in his boyhood days. He remained with her until her death, and at the early age of eleven years started out to fight life's battles unaided. He engaged in farm work by the month on various farms of the county, being thus employed until his marriage, which occurred on the 5th of October, 1876. the wedding be- ing celebrated in Carthage. The lady of his choice was Miss Hortense Yetter, a daughter of William and Mary (Long) Yetter. Her father was one of the early settlers of this county, coming here from Ohio, his native state. He engaged in farming throughout his active business life with the exception of the period spent in the Civil war, in which he served for nearly four years. He is now living a retired life, making his home in the city of Carthage. Mrs. Dye was born in Hancock county, Illinois, pursued her education in the public schools and re- mained at home until her marriage. This union has been blessed with four children and the family circle yet remains un- broken by the hand of death. All were born in Carthage. Joseph E., the eldest, resides on the home place and assists his father in its cultivation and improve- ment. He married Miss Ollie Van Dyke,
and they have one child. William Fran- cis. Frank L .. the second son, residing in Springfield. Illinois, is an emplove of one of the interurban railroads. He married Esta Reed and they have two children, Leland H. and Ruth I. Ro- wena May is the wife of Frank G. Wright, a resident farmer of Carthage township, and has one child. Goldie Mae. Homer W., a student in the Carth- age high school is yet with his parents.
For sixteen years after his marriage Mr. Dye operated rented land in Carth- age township, and in 1888 purchased his present farm, on which he has since resided. He put all of the present im- provements upon the place, supplanting the old house with a good substantial frame dwelling. also erecting commodi- ous barns and other outbuildings. He has the entire farm under cultivation and annually gathers rich harvests. In addi- tion to the tilling of the soil he also en- gages in the raising of stock and his business interests are capably managed and bring to him a good return. His life has been one of untiring activity. crowned with a gratifying measure of success, yet he lias found time to devote to public interests. In politics he is a democrat and has held the office of high- way commissioner for eight years and is still filling the position. He, with his wife, is a member of the Presbyterian church ; he is also a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity of Carthage, the Modern Woodmen camp and the Illinois Bank- ers, a local fraternal and insurance or- ganization of this state. Viewed in a personal light Mr. Dye is a strong man, strong in his honor and good name, in
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his business capacity and in his accom- plishments. Starting out when only eleven years of age with no assistance from influential friends or through in- heritance, he owes all that he possesses to his own labors and as the architect of his fortunes has builded wisely and well.
CAMILLE P. DADANT.
Camille P. Dadant, president of the National Beekeepers Association and the vice president of the State Bank of Ham- ilton, is justly accorded a place among the prominent and representative busi- ness men of Hancock county. In fact few residents of the county have such a wide acquaintance as Mr. Dadant, who is known by reason of his manufacturing interests not only throughout America but in foreign lands as well. It has been said that the name of Dadant is a fa- miliar one wherever bee culture is carried on. The enterprise of which he is now the head, has reached extensive propor- tions and in its control he displays splendid business ability, executive force. keen foresight and capable management.
A native of Langres, France, he was born on the 6th of April. 1851, and in both the paternal and maternal lines rep- resents old French families. His paternal great-grandfather was a locksmith of France. His grandfather. Dr. Francois Dadant, engaged in the practice of med icine and surgery in his native country throughout his entire life and was there married to Justine Javet. Their soll.
Charles Dadant, was born amid the golden hills of Burgundy at Vaux-Sous- Aubigny, France, on the 22d of May. 1817, and his education was completed by a collegiate course at Langres. While in his native country he wedded Gabrielle Parisot in 1847, her parents being Pierre and Louise (Guillomot ) Parisot.
Charles Dadant was engaged in the operation of a tannery in his native coun- try, but devoted the greater part of his attention to merchandising until the ven- ture proved unprofitable, when, closing out his affairs in France. he sought a home in the new world, hoping to re- trieve his fortunes in this country, nor was he destined to meet disappointment in this respect. On the contrary he en- tered upon a business career that proved eminently successful and gained him world-wide reputation in connection with his chosen line of endeavor. He came at once to Illinois and settled on a farm about two miles from Hamilton in Han- cock county. He had planned to devote his attention to the cultivation of grapes. with which business he had become ia- miliar in his youth in France, but at the same time he began the raising of bees and the latter proved so profitable that he concentrated his energies more and more largely upon this business, which he also developed along ramifying lines until he was recognized as one of the most prominent and extensive bee enl turists not only in America but also in the world. Perhaps there are others who have produced as great an amount of honey in a single season, but there was no one who equalled him in the extent
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