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 4
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In 1882 Mr. Cherrill built a pretty home on Madison street and he also owns other property in the city. Unto him and his wife have been born six children. Lawrence C., the eldest, is a resident of Chicago. Ellen Maria is the wife of Charles C. Merrill, formerly of Carthage. who is now passenger agent of the New
York Central Lines, with headquarters at Kansas City, Missouri. Edward K., living in New York city, is assistant cash- ier of the Merchants Exchange National Bank. He was graduated from the high school and Carthage College, and during the periods of vacation spent much of his time in his father's bank, where he gained the ground work of the business. Lucy Sholl is the wife of Dr. Marsh, of War- saw, and has two children, John and Susan. Katherine has attended the pub- lie schools of Carthage and also Carthage College, and is now at home with her parents. Elizabeth G. is yet in school. The daughters of Mr. Cherrill are con- nected with the Daughters of the Ameri- can Revolution, through William Mack, great-grandfather of Mrs. Cherrill. De- void of ostentation or display in his home life or business affairs, Mr. Cherrill has won his way to a position of prominence in financial circles in this part of the state. In politics a democrat he has never sought public office but is content to remain a private citizen.
FRANCIS ORREN PERSHING. M. D.
Although Dr. Pershing has resided in Dallas City for only about a year he was not a stranger in the town when he lo- cated here, and he has already made a creditable place for himself in profes- sional circles. He was born in Durham township, Hancock county, November 3. 1867, his parents being Wesley K. and
35
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Ruth A. ( Cather ) Pershing. Both par- ents were natives of Pennsylvania, the father having been born in Westmore- land county, and the mother in Greene county. The paternal and maternal grandparents of our subject settled in Hancock county in the early '4os, and were identified with the pioneer develop- ment and progress of this part of the state. Wesley K. Pershing is a farmer by occupation, and for over a half cen- tury lived in this county. He purchased government land. cleared a portion of it and built thereon a log cabin. As the years advanced he continued the work of progress and improvement, his labors be- ing interrupted. however, by the Civil war, for at the time of the inauguration of hostilities between the north and the south he espoused the Union cause and became a member of Company 1. Six- teenth Illinois infantry. He served for four years, participated in the seige of Vicksburg, went with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea and also took part in the grand review in Wash- ington at the close of the war. While in Georgia he was wounded, being shot through the throat and for a time was in the hospital. His political allegiance has ever been given to the republican party and its principles, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He served for many years as superintendent in different Sun- day-schools in various parts of the county, filling that position for a period in Burn- side. Both he and his wife now reside in Oklahoma. In their family were four children, three of whom are now living: Dr. Pershing, of this review: Royal S ..
a dentist practicing in Canada : and Stella R., who has been a teacher of Marshall county, Illinois, and is now with her par- ents in Oklahoma, being engaged as a teacher in an Oklahoma seminary.
Dr. Pershing attended the schools of Durham township, of Dallas City and of Burnside, and later pursued a business course in Hedding College, at Abingdon, Illinois, from which institution he was graduated. He prepared for his profes- sion as a student in Keokuk Medical College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1893. and he later took post- graduate work in the Chicago Polyclinic College, in 1902. From 1893 until 1896 inclusive he practiced medicine at Hamill, Iowa. and then located for practice in Burnside, where he remained for a year. On the expiration of that period he re- moved to Whitefield, Illinois, where he continued for six years and later spent three years in active practice at Tiskilwa. In January, 1906, he located in Dallas City, and now has a nice suite of rooms on Oak and Fifth streets, supplied with all modern appliances that are of aid to the physician in his effort to diagnose a case, check the ravages of disease and re- store health. He is a physician and sur- geon in general practice and yet makes somewhat of a specialty of diseases of the nose and throat. He has all the latest im- proved instruments needed in his profes- sion and his well equipped office shows that he is thoroughly familiar with modern methods of practice.
On the 29th of March. 1893. Dr. Per- shing was married to Miss Winifred 1 .. Bray, of La Harpe, who was born and reared in that place, and is a daughter of
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEIİ'
Thomas and Emma ( Leavitt) Bray. Her father came from Wales and settled first in Ohio but at an early day they re- moved to La Harpe, where he located in the '40s. His wife is a native of Maine, and her people arrived in Hancock county before the Bray family was established here. Mr. Bray was a tinner and hard- ware merchant for some years but at the time of his death, in 1894, was engaged in the undertaking business. He served as a soldier of the Civil war for two years. His widow still survives and makes her home in La Harpe. She be- longs to the' Congregational church, while Mr. Bray held membership in the Episcopal church. They were the par- ents of a son and two daughters: Edwin M. Bray, proprietor of a general store at Towne. Texas, a suburb of El Paso. where he makes his home; Anna, the wife of J. V. Place. of La Harpe; and Mrs. Pershing. John and Joseph Bray. two of the brothers of Thomas Bray. were killed in the Civil war and some of Mrs. Pershing's relatives on the Leavitt side were in the Revolutionary war, so that she is eligible to membership with the Daughters of the American Revolu- tion.
Unto Dr. and Mrs. Pershing has been born one son. Francis Orville, who was born in Hamill. Lee County, lowa. May 14. 1895. and is attending the public school of Dallas City. They are tem- porarily living on Oak street but Dr. Per- shing expects soon to build or buy a resi- dence here. He belongs to Dallas City Lodge A. F. & A. M. No. 145 and Odd Fellows lodges and to the Modern Wood- men camp as well as the Knights of Pyth-
ias and he votes with the republican party but does not care for office. preferring to give his time and energies to his profes- sional duties, and in the line of his chosen calling he has won a reputation which many an older practitioner might well envy.
Dr. Pershing is a member of the Han- cock County Medical Society. the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
JOHN I. HEISLER.
John I. Heisler, ex-postmaster of Dal- las and now in general business, was born in Hancock county. May 28. 1853, a son of George and Mary ( Housewert) Heisler. The father was born in Ohio in 1814, while the mother's birth occurred in Pennsylvania in 1823. He was a farm- er by occupation and in 1835 came to Hancock county, settling in Dallas. His brother, William Heisler, had come to the county in 1832-the year of the Black Hawk war. George Heisler was suc- cessfully engaged in farming until his death. clearing away the timber in or- der to build a log cabin, in which he lived in true pioneer style until he was able to make modern improvements. He served in the war against the Mormons at Nauvoo in 1844, carrying the flag, and was associated with other early historic events. He now lies buried in a ceme- tery in Durham township. His widow still survives and is a member of the Chris-
37
IL.INCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
tian church. In their family were seven children, of whom three are living: John 1 .; George F., of Dallas City: and Me- lissa, the wife of Edward Avis, living near Colusa, Illinois.
John 1. Heisler largely acquired his education in the district schools but also spent two years as a student in Carthage College. He remained with his mother upon the home farm until he had attained his majority and then purchased land in' Dallas township upon which he en- gaged in general farming and stock-rais- ing for fifteen years, meeting with suc- cess in his undertakings. He then de- voted ten years to the poultry business. being one of the early fanciers of the county, introducing the first thorough bred fowls of different varieties and win- ning over 5.000 prizes at various fairs during the time he was in the business. lle was then appointed by President Mc- Kinley to the position of postmaster at Dallas and after serving for three years was reappointed, his incumbency in the office covering altogether seven years and three months and giving general satisfac- tion to the public by reason of the prompt and efficient manner in which he dis- charged his duties. During this time the first rural route was inaugurated and the office became a presidential office. He was city alderman for four years, tax collector of Dallas township for two years and township supervisor for two years. and as a public official he bears an unas- sailable record.
On Christmas day of 1876 Mr. Heisler was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Salsbury, a native of Kirksville, Missouri, and a daughter of Christopher and Eliz-
abeth Salsbury. Mrs. Heisler was born in Missouri and died in this county No- vember 19. 1901, her remains being in- terred in Durham township. She was a member of the Christian church, was a good wife, kind mother and friend to all, and her many excellent traits of char- acter won her the esteem of those with whom she came in contact. She left one daughter. Malinda, now the wife of Fred J. Dickson, of Dallas City, by whom she has two children. Leo and Ethel. On the 24th of January, 1906. Mr. Heisler was married to Mrs. Ellen Elizabeth (Toof) Dean, who was born in Durham town- ship, Hancock county, July 9. 1852, a daughter of B. L. and Mary A. (Ather- ton ) Toof. Her maternal grandfather built the first log cabin in Dallas and it is now a part of the residence of the late B. F. Black on Oak and Front streets. This place was his farm and there were then still many Indians in the locality. while wild deer and other kinds of wild game could be had in abundance. In the log house which he erected Mr. Atherton (lied.
B. L. Toof. father of Mrs. Heisler, was born in Vermont. February 29. 1820, and died March 27. 1885. His wife, who was born in Ohio, July 24. 1823. died September 7. 1877. and both lie buried in Dallas cemetery. He came to Hancock county when a small boy and to Dallas in 1850 and followed farming until his death. He voted with the republican party and held various township offices. He was a charter member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he passed all the chairs, and he and his wife were mem- bers of the Congregational church at Dal-
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEWV
las. They had seven children. all liv- ing: Henry A., who was born Septem- ber 15. 1843. and was a soldier of the Civil war, is now living in Aurora. Ne- braska : Daniel L., born March 22, 1850. in Iowa, also resides in Aurora. Ne- braska : Ella E., born July 9. 1852. is now Mrs. Heisler: John Wilson, born Decem- ber 15. 1854. is a resident of Santa Cruz county, California : M. Jane, born in Dal- las City, October 20, 1859. is the wife of William Ramsay; Mary Catherine, born February 15. 1863. is the wife of William Phipps, of Braham, Oklahoma.
By her former marriage Mrs. Heisler had three children. William B. Dean, born in Henderson county. November 24. 1869, when seventeen years of age be- came connected with the Sierra Lumber Company. of Chico, California, of which he is now the manager. He is one of the foremost business men of that place. well known from New York to California, and his weekly payroll amounts to two thou- sand dollars. He married Miss Lulu Wa- dams. of Chico, who died when her sec- ond child, Vera A .. was fourteen days old. also leaving another daughter. Lolita R. Mrs. Dean was buried in Chico cem- etery and after living a widower for nine years with his mother, who cared for his two children, William B. Dean was mar- ried, in June. 1903. to Bertha Fish. a prominent teacher of California. Nellie Dean. born in Durham township. April 25, 1873. is the wife of Harry Moir. as- sistant cashier and head bookkeeper in the Butte County Bank at Chico, Cali- fornia. Dr. J. Wilson Dean, born in Dur- ham township. Hancock county, May 10. 1875, was graduated from the St. Louis
Medical College and began practice when twenty-one years of age. He is a suc- cessful physician and surgeon now of Pond, Missouri, frequently called in con- sultation on important cases, and he makes a specialty of diseases of the eye and ear. He married Miss Viola Huttenman, who was born August 7, 1879, and they live in Pond. Missouri.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Heisler are descend- ed from highly respected pioneer families of Hancock county. They played together when little children and later attended the same school and social gatherings and then each married. Miss Toof becoming Mrs. Dean and later spending much time in California. On a visit to her old home and friends in Hancock county in 1905 she again renewed the acquaintance and friendship with her former playmate and in course of time they were married at the home of her son in Pond, Missouri. It was with delight that Mrs. Heisler's old friends, neighbors and relatives of this county welcomed her back. She is a member of the Eastern Star, in which she has been warden and chaplain and she also belongs to the Woman's Relief Corps and for many years was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church but is now a member of the Christian church with her husband.
Mr. Heisler built a pretty home in Dal- las in 1906 and he also owns eighty acres of improved land in Dallas township, where he is again devoting considerable time and energy to the poultry business. in which he is well versed. He is mana- ger and secretary of the Dallas Creamery Company and is president of the Hancock County Poultry Association. Outside of
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HLINCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
the eighty acres of land which he inherit- ed from his father, he is entirely a self- made man, and his energy and honesty constitute the basis of his success. He stands high in the community, respected by all, and both Mr. and Mrs. Heister number their friends by the score.
LUKE M. VAUGHN.
Luke M. Vaughn, who follows the oc cupation of farming in Durham township. was born in Carman, Illinois, October 15. 1870. a son of Mathew and Mary ( Mars- den ) Vaughn, who were natives of Eng- land and came to America in early life. Mr. Vaughn first resided in Ohio and subsequently removed to Henderson coun ty, Illinois, where he purchased a farm, while his last years were spent as a re- tired agriculturist in Burlington, Iowa. where he died on the 22d of February. 1905. Mrs. Vaughn had departed this life twenty-eight years before. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom nine are living, namely: Catherine, the wife of Thomas Dickson, of Henderson county, Illinois; George, who is living in Carman, this state: Arthur, who is located near Lomax: Alice, the wife of John Johnson. of Osceola, Nebraska : Miles, liv- ing in Nebraska City: James, of Lomax : Mark. of Lomax: Luke, of this review. who is a twin brother of Mark: and Manford, who is living in Carman.
In taking up the personal history of Luke Vaughn we present to our readers
the record of one who is widely and fa- vorably known in Durham township. He was educated in the public schools and was reared to agricultural life, remaining upon his father's farm to the age of twenty-four years, when he was married and started out in life on his own ac- count. It was on the 5th of December, 1894, that he wedded Miss Leona Git- tings, who was born near Disco, Illinois. in 1876, a daughter of Austin and Ellen ( Inghram) Gittings, the former a native of Texas and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. Gittings was brought to Hancock county by his parents when only six years of age and is now a farmer of Mis- souri. In his family were fifteen chil- dren, namely : A. J. and Emmet, both residents of Disco: Minnie. the wife of Wesley Scott. of Dallas City : Clyde, who is living near Carman: Mrs. Vaughn : Ena, the wife of Orville Pence, living near Dallas; IIettie, the wife of Archibald Vaughan, of Carman : Weaver, of Disco : Robert, of Lomax: Edward, also of Disco: Annie, deceased ; Luella, the wife of John Hayden, of Disco; Bertha, Ollie and Jessie, at home; and one died in in- fancy.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn has been blessed with three children : Clarence L., born in Henderson county. Illinois, in 1895: Ferrill L., born March 3. 1897; and Floyd V .. November 16. 1900. Following their marriage the par- ents lived upon a farm near Lomax for two years and subsequently spent three years near Dallas. In 1900 Mr. Vaughn purchased one hundred and ten acres of land in Durham township, upon which he has erected a beautiful residence, com-
3
40
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEIT'
. . modious barns and other outbuildings and has improved here a splendid farm. equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences. He also owns eighty acres of good land in Durham township below his home place. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and in the cultiva- tion of his fields employs practical and progressive methods, resulting in annual gatherings of good crops. He is a re- publican but without aspiration for of- fice. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen, while his wife is a mem- ber of the Christian church. He never received any assistance through inherit . ance or aid of influential friends but has lived a life of industry and frugality and through the united efforts of himself and wife there are now many comforts to be enjoyed in the Vaughn home. There hos- pitality also reigns supreme and the fam- ily have many friends in this community.
GEORGE M. CUMMINGS.
.
George M. Cummings, a well-to-do farmer of Dallas township, was born in Blooming Grove. Lycoming county. Pennsylvania, September 8, 1853, a son of George and Elizabeth ( Keyport ) Cum- inings. The father's birth occurred in New York in 1802. In early manhood he learned and followed the trade of a black- smith and tool maker. At the age of eighteen years he went to Pennsylvania and in that state was for a long period engaged in general farming. In 1879 lic
came to Hancock county, Illinois, where he lived retired until his death, which oc- curred about a year later. His wife had passed away in 1876, at the age of sixty- four years. She was born near the cap- ital of Switzerland and came to America when only three years of age with her parents. George Cummings, Sr., was a republican in his political views and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability. called him to fill various town- ship offices. In the family were ten chil- dren, of whom five are now living: Har- riet C., the widow of William G. Edwards and a resident of St. Louis, Missouri : Mrs. Sarah Porter, a widow living in Erie. Pennsylvania : Louisa. the wife of Norman Strieby, of Burlington, Kansas : George M., of this review : and W. W .. who is living in Los Angeles, California.
George M. Cummings was educated in the public schools of his native county and gave assistance to his father in the farm work until twenty-three years of age. In the spring of 1878. when he came to Illinois, he began working as a farm hand by the month and was employed by John Dietrick, of Pontoosue township. The next summer he rented a farm in Se- nora township and started out in life on his own account. He has always carried on general agricultural pursuits and for a number of years has been accounted one of the representative agriculturists of Dal- las township.
On the toth of February, 1880, Mr. Cummings was united in marriage to Miss Ellen M. Dietrich, who was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, Jan- uary 1. 1857. a daughter of Joseph F. and Sarah ( Benner) Deitrich. The mother
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
died when Mrs. Cummings was a child two years old. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, long survived. Ile came to Hancock county in 1863 and passed away in Dallas township in 1901. Both he and his wife were natives of Pennsylvania and in this county they won many friends. The political allegiance of Mr. Deitrich was given to the democracy and he held a number of important local offices. Both he and his wife belonged to the Lutheran church, in which he served as a deacon. He was twice married and by his first wife had five children. of whom three are now living: Mary, the wife of 1. 11. Foresman, of Dallas City : Mrs. Cummings: and Hetty, the wife of W. W. Cummings, of California. By his second marriage Mr. Deitrich had thir- teen children, of whom six are now liv- ing: Etta P'., the wife of James Paulus and residing in Colusa. Illinois: Myra. the wife of Warren Jacobs, of Missouri: William M .. of Dallas township: Su- sanna, who is living with her mother on the home place in Dallas township: and Grover C. and John Wesley, also with their mother.
Following his marriage Mr. Cummings brought his young wife to a farm of eighty acres on section 14, Dallas town ship, which she had inherited from her mother. There was a little old house upon the place and in this they began their domestic life. From time to time as his financial resources have increased Mr. Cummings has added to the property and now has a valuable tract of one hundred and sixty acres on sections it and 14. Dallas township. Here he has built a beautiful modern residence, also good
barns and other substantial outbuildings and added many modern equipments and improvements. The farm is altogether a valuable property and although he is now leaving the more active work to his sons he still gives supervision to his place.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cummings have been born nine children. all born on the farm where they now reside, and seven of the number are living. as follows: Homer D)., who is a locomotive fireman and re- sides in Chicago: Joseph M .. at home : Mark T .. who is in the Farmers State Exchange Bank at Dallas City, of which Mr. Cummings is a director, and was one of the original organizers of the bank. which is now doing a successful business : Laura, Clara, Kate and Charles, all under the parental roof.
Mr. Cummings gives his political al- legiance to the republican party and has served as supervisor for two years, while for twenty consecutive years he has been a school director. The cause of educa- tion indeed finds in him a warm and help- ful friend, his labors being very effective in behalf of the schools. Fraternally he is a member of Dallas City Lodge No 235. A. F. & A. M., and has served as worshipful master of his lodge and has represented his lodge in the grand lodge. lle is also a member of Dallas chapter No. 11I. R. A. M. and has filled the office of high priest and attended the grand chapter at a number of meetings which fact indicates his high position in the regard of the brethren of the craft. He and his wife are members of the Chris- tian church, in which he is an elder. Il- ability, energy and economy. together with the assistance of his estimable wife
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BIOGRAPHICAL RET'IEN'
who has indeed been a helpmate to him, constitute the secret of his success. He now owns an excellent farm in Dallas township and enjoys the respect and es- teem of the entire community.
D. H. MILLER.
D. H. Miller, manager for the Alexan- der Lumber Company of Carthage, is a native son of Illinois, his birth having oc- curred in Adams county in 1856, his par- ents being. Jacob and Nancy (Chandler) Miller. The father was born in Ger- many. October 12, 1828, and the mother in Adams county, Illinois. She died dur- ing the infancy of their son, D. H. Miller. The father was only thirteen months old when brought to the United States by his parents, who settled in Pennsylvania. The voyage was made in one of the old-time sailing vessels and they landed at New York. Jacob Miller was reared to the oc- cupation of farming. which he followed as a life work and in 1845 he took up his abode in Adams county, Illinois, where he resided until 1864. when he removed to Hancock county, Illinois, here carrying on general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred January 21, 1905. He had therefore long survived his wife. In their family were five children, of whom two died in infancy, the others be- ing: D. H., of this review; Melissa, the wife of J. Cook, of Oberlin, Decatur coun- ty, Kansas ; and Alfred. who is living in Seattle, Washington. The mother, Mrs.
Jacob Miller, had three brothers who were soldiers of the Civil war, John, William and George Chandler. The first named was killed in the service and William re- mained with the army for about four years. The grandmother of our subject in the maternal line was about ninety-two years of age when she passed away and the grandmother in the paternal line was ninety-four years of age, while her hus- band reached the age of ninety-two years.
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