USA > Illinois > Champaign County > Early history and pioneers of Champaign County : illustrated by one hundred and fifteen superb engravings by Melville : containing biographical sketches of the early settlers, the early history of the county obtained from the most reliable sources and many graphic scenes and incidents from the bright and shady sides of pioneer life > Part 2
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Here he engaged in private banking and continued until in February, 1856; he then accepted the position of cashier in the Grand Prairie Bank, which had a branch at West Urbana. These were the only banks in Champaign county, prior to 1861, Mr. Hubbard continued cashier until the latter date;he then engaged in the grocery and hardware trade and continued it until 1866, when he moved to Cromwell, Conn. (form- erly a part of Middletown) and remained until 1869, when he returned to Urbana. Since the latter date he has been engaged in the hardware trade.
When Mr. Hubbard first settled in Ur- bana there was not a brick house in the town except a small one story dwelling house sit- uated at the southwest corner of the court house square. The store building now oc- cupied by M. Lowenstern & Son was built one story and completed the following year. The Illinois Central railroad was finished to
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Champaign in the fall of 1554, but did not run trains regularly that winter. Mr. Hub- bard's banking office and residence from 1554 to 156 were on the same ground now occupied by his hardware store.
Mr. Hubbard married Miss Jane E., daugh- ter of Willis Woodruff M. D., of Meriden, Conn., November 14th, 1849. Of this union there are four children whose names are as follows: George W., who married Miss Edna P. Post, of Cromwell, Coun. He is a member of the firm of Hubbard & Son, hardware merchants, Urbana. Minnie W., Julia E. and Harry T. are yet at home.
Mr. Hubbard and his entire family are members of the Presbyterian church. In his political affiliations he has always acted and voted with the republican party; he was a member of the board of aldermen from 1875 to 1879 and from 1884 to 1886.
Mr. Ilubbard is a genuine representative of the thrift and enterprise of the New Eng- lander described above. He is ever ready to aid every enterprise that gives promise of building up the town and county. lle and his son, George W., his partner, conduet one of the largest hardware, stove and tin stores in the county and have for years done a prof- itable business.
MELVILLE CHI
DAVID CANTNER
Was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1812. His parents dying while he was young he made his home with a prominent iron merchant by the name of Shellaberger, of Bedford county. Ile learned the trade of cabinet maker. The exact date of his com- ing west is unknown. He worked at his
trade in Indianapolis for several years be- fore he arrived in Urbana. He landed here in 1839. Ile went to the Sangamon and opened a store in the village of Mahomet, also kept a hotel there, and later farmed for a year or two. In the spring of 1842, he mar- ried, and soon after came to Urbana. Ilere he engaged in various business, but more particularly carpentering and building. In 1866, the village of Rantoul began to loom up. The surrounding country began to settle up and there was a demand for houses. Mr. Cantner went there and in a few years prac- tically built the town. He came back to Ur- bana in 1872 and here engaged in grocery and provision trade ou a large scale. Ile still continued building. In 1873, he erected the St. Nicholas hotel block and the next year put up the block of buildings on Market street and also built several dwelling houses. The hard times coming on caught him in elose financial quarters and he yielded to the inevitable, though not without making a herculean struggle. It may be said of him that he contributed more to the towns of Ur- bana and Rantoul than any dozen of men. The building now occupied and known as the Masonic Temple was built by him as early as 1856. The brick were burned and shipped from Milwaukee, and cost $40 per thousand. He also built the first freight house in Chain- paign and was the builder of the court house and jail for Iroquois county.
He had the most abiding faith in the future greatness, development and prosper- ity of the west. He would, in his quiet way, undertake enterprises demanding large sums of money and careful preparations, without a dollar in his pocket. Ile trusted to Inek and the growing wants of the future. Ilis judgment was not often at fault, his enterprises were often interrupted, but they were always completed. He was undismay- ed in the face of dificulties, that to others looked insurmountable. There were plenty to predict his failure in the initial move of his enterprises, but they lacked knowledge of the man. Many men have accomplished more than David Cantner, but fow have done as much under similar circumstances and surroundings. Had his life been cast in many places he would have been known as a great builder and would have risen to wealth and a high place among men.
Mr. Cantner married Miss Jane Carson, in 1842. She died about 1870. There were three sons by this union viz: Thomas J., who married Bertha Van Dam. He is a merchant of Rantoul: Charles P., leading grocer and provision dealer of Urbana, and James II., who is with the latter.
Politically Mr. Cantner was a republican.
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
It is said that David Cantner bought the first cook stove in Champaign county. He died at Urbana, in November 1879,
MEL VILLE CHI
GEORGE W. BURTON.
The subject of this sketeh was born in Sussex county, Delaware, April 13th, 1825. His parents, William and Anna (Pool) Bur- ton moved to Ohio, when George was in his eighth year. Ile came to this county in 1852 and settled in Urbana. At that time Urbana was a small struggling village of abont one hundred honses. There were no houses where Champaign now stands. The Illinois Central road had not been built. He first found employment with William Park and helped him to saw the ties for the Central railroad. He was for a time engaged in the bakery and grocery business on the corner of Main and Market streets in a building now known as "Spence's corner." In company with James Johnson he did the first ditch- ing in the county. Ile invented and operat- ed the first open ditching machine in the county. lle has done much to put our farm- ing land in a good tillable condition. After he quit the mercantile business he engaged in ditching and farming and still continues in the latter.
Hle married Margaret Oliver, in Barnes- ville, Belmont county, Ohio, July 1st, 1846. She was born in Washington county, Dela- ware, August 12, 1828. They are the parents of the following children: Allen, tile man- ufacturer at Philo; Mary married John Ripley, now deceased ; Eunice, married Holin Cover, of Camargo, Ill .; Charles, of
the firm of Burton Bros., Philo. Mr. and Mrs. Burton are members of the M. E. church. In politics he is a republican and invariably votes his ticket straight. He has held the office of highway commissioner for nine years and has been industrious in giving us good roads. He is also school di- rector for his district. Mr. Burton belongs to the industrions, energetic class of men, and he also ranks as one of our very best citizens.
WILLIAM H. OWENS,
Among the live business men of Urbana is W. H. Owens. He was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, December 22, 1833. He is the son of Samuel and Eliza (Brooks) Ow- ens. His father was in the mercantile busi- ness and young Owens became a clerk while young and was educated, so to speak, be- hind the counter. He came west in April, 1856. He believed that this country present- ed more advantages to a young man who was industrious and desired to get ahead in the world. Soon after his arrival here he clerked for Eli Halberstadt for two or three years and then for Alexander Spence, with whom he remained for twelve years. He subsequently purchased a farm of 120 acres on the Sangamon and farmed for several years, then returned to Urbana May 1, 1882, and purchased a stock of groceries and pro- visions of Mrs. Hollister and has continued in the trade to the present.
During this time he has also engaged in the breeding and raising of Short Horn cat- tle. In his herd may be found some of the finest specimens of that breed in the county.
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
He has also given a great deal of attention to the improvement in the breed of horses. He has one fine imported Norman and also a Morgan-Belgian, equally as fine an indi- vidual as the other. He is also interested in the breeding of superior breeds of hogs and sheep.
Mr. Owens married Miss Sarah Wolfe, who is still living. They are the parents of the following named children: Joseph W., Bessie, Lucy, Kate and Daisy. Joe is ex- press agent and clerk in his father's store ; Bessie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. Mr. Owens united with the M. E. church about 1849. He has been a class leader for over thirty years and a member of the official board for about the same time. Ile has always been active in church affairs. Politieally, he has ever been a stanneh re- publican, and has so far steered elear of any offices.
Mr. Owens attends to his grocery business and at the same time looks after his Mahom- et farm and fine stock and we sincerely trust that the prosperity his labors have brought him thus far, may be continued and increased, as he certainly deserves that it should be so.
MEL VILLE CHI
CHARLES ALEXANDER HUNT, M. D.
Doctor Hunt was a native of Trenton, New Jersey, where he was born April 15th, 1819, and where he continued to reside until he was thrown upon the world by the death of his father, at the tender age of 13 years. He then, in company with some of the older members of his father's family, emigrated to Ohio, where, through the aid of friends
and a determination and perseverance that knew no such thing as fait, he succeeded in obtaining a fine English and classical educa- tion. When he became of age he entered the office of Dr. Gillett, of Springfield, Ohio: His medical studies were completed at the Ohio College of Medicine, Cincinnati, where he graduated with high honors, March 6th, 1845. He did not cease study upon his grad- nation, for all his life he was a close stu- dent and extensive reader.
In 1847 he was married to Isabella Hop- kins and removed to the Wabash valley, where he resided and practiced his profes- sion both in Indiana and Illinois umtil he and his family removed to Urbana in 1555. Here he entered into the drug business, which, as a member of the firms of Ilumnt; Sim & Lindley, and Hunt & Sim, he contin- ued until the breaking out of the war of the rebellion. Although warmly attached to his profession, and ardently loving the scien- tifie pursuits akin thereto, he in fact con- tracted a dislike for the details of medical practice. Abandoning the profession for a time, he did not abandon his studies and in- vestigations connected with medicine and/ surgery, but was constantly engaged, when he had leisure to do so, in reading or writ- ing upon topies pertaining thereto. Ile often published in the medical journals and local papers his theses showing great learn- ing and original research. He also leti among his papers many manuscripts writ- ten upon scientific and political topics. He was a corresponding secretary of the Chi- eago Academy of Natural Sciences.
The first guns fired upon Fort Sumter, in 1861, stirred within him a patriotic fervor which determined his future. As soon as his business could be closed and an oppor- tunity for his services offered he entered the military service of the goverment as Surgeon of the 126th regiment of Illinois volunteers. Here, by his faithfulness to the sick under his charge, and his knowl- edge of the healing art, he warmly attached to himself the officers and sokliers of the regiment. Always conscientious in the dis- charge of duty he neither knew nor wanted to know any other way than to faithfully stand at his post of duty here, let it lead where it might. The eventful siege of Vicksburg drew his regiment and with it the surgeon to the post of danger. Ilis hospital was lo- cated at Haines' Bluff, on the Yazoo, that point so renowned for its miasma and bad water, where he spent several months in con- stant personal care of the sick and wounded, during the summer of 1863. This contin- ned until worn out by disease, hardships and incessant professional labors, he started
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
for his home and family, where he might re- enperate his depleted system, or if need be, die among friends; but the hope of again meeting the little ones at home and his faith- ful, loyal wife, was never realized. Those in charge of the hospital boat which brought him north were compelled to leave him at the general hospital at Mound City on the 29th of July, in charge of Doctor Wardner, where he expired Sunday, August 2nd, 1863, only a few hours after the arrival of his wife, who, upon hearing of his illness, had hurried to his side. His neighbors at home were shocked by an unexpected dispatch from Mrs. Hunt announcing his death and the hour of her arrival with the remains. Sadly they met her at the northern bound train and bore the body of their esteemed friend to the home he so much loved and so much desired and expected to again visit. Ilis letters to his wife and friends, while in the service, breathed the most ardent attach- ment to home, family and friends, and often counted ou the time when, duty fully done, he would turn his face homeward and again reunite family ties and engage in the priv- ileges and duties of citizenship. But, alas, this was not to be and he peacefully yielded up his life as did so many others, that his country might be saved. Sorrowfully were his remains laid to rest by admiring and afflicted friends amid the surroundings so much loved by him in life.
llis wife, Mrs. Isabella Hunt, after a wid- owhood of twenty-three years, still survives him. His sons, J. E. Hunt, a popular drug- gist of this eity, Isaac Lindly and Cory A. have since then grown to manhood and to lives of usefulness, but his only daughter, Sarah V., followed her father to the grave, in 1865.
Dr. Ilunt was eminent in every sense. In the social circle, by his wit, his wisdom and his guileless attachment to his friends and associates, he warmed all hearts towards lim. In the language of a prominent mem- her of the medical staff, who was thrown much in his society. "He had no enemies and he deserved none." He was a leader in society so far as taking the front in every movement for its elevation. In him the infant schools of the country had a faithful and very useful friend. Ile was an early friend of the slave and entered warmly into the movement for the formation of a party unfriendly to the extension of slavery. Up- on political topies he wrote and published much, always in the most logical and con- vincing style. As a neighbor and a friend he was warm-hearted, obliging and sincere. We can do no better than to close with a quotation from an obituary notice published
in a local paper of that day: "He was deep- ly learned in his profession, an elaborate and profound thinker and writer. In all those qualities which go to make up the good and honored citizen, his life and character were rich, and in those qualities of heart and mind which endeared him strongly to his neighbors and friends, he abounded su- perlatively."
JUDGE J. O. CUNNINGHAM.
This old settler, lawyer, journalist and jurist, of Urbana, was born in Lancaster, Erie county, N. Y., December 12, 1830. 1Ie was the eldest child of Hiram W. and Eu- nice (Brown) Cunningham. Miss Brown was of the Brown family, of Vermont; her grandfather carried on the first earding and fulling mill in the then colony of Vermont, before the revolutionary war. Iliram W. was descended from the Cunninghams of Connecticut, who settled there in the latter half of the seventeenth century. Hiram W. removed with his parents in 1811 to what was known as the "Holland Purchase," Erie Co., N. Y. In 1833 he removed from there to Huron county, Ohio, where he died in 1866.
J. O. Cunningham began his education in the district schools of Ohio, and continued it in the Baldwin Institute at Berea, Ohio; later he attended the famous Oberlin college. In 1852, he pushed further west and taught school at Eugene, Vermilion county, Indi- ana. There he began the study of law, a profession in which he was destined to be successful. He came to Urbana, June 18th, 1853, returned to Ohio and was married at Bainbridge, Ohio, October 13th, 1853, to
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Mary MeConoughey, who still lives and pre- sides, with true womanly grace and ability, over as pleasant a home as may be found in this county. It is located just outside the city limits, northeast of town, where the judge and his much valued partner are sur- rounded by all the luxuries to be enjoyed in this community. He is a vigorous and versatile writer and soon after he came here he purchased the Urbana Union of Col. W. N. Coler, and for a time published it with a man named Benjamin A. Roney: later, in part- nership with G. N. Richards, and afterwards with G.W. Flynn, each of his partners being practical printers. In the campaign of 1856, the Union was radically for Fremont and the republican ticket. Mr. Cunningham retired from the Union in 1858. He then attended the Union law college at Cleveland, Ohio, graduating in 1859, and on the first of May of that year formed a partnership with J. W. Sim, which lasted about five years. He did some editorial work for Rev. Wm. Mun- hall, when he was publishing the "Patriot," but was also, at the same time engaged in the practice of the law. When Flynn and Richards bought the Union and Gazette, in 1864, Mr. Cunningham assumed editorial control until in 1866, when he retired from active journalism, and has since assiduously applied himself to the profession of law, in which he has been eminently successful.
In 1861 he was elected judge of the county court and held the office for four years. In this position he saw the necessity for some well considered work on probate law and a few years since he aided in editing and publishing the well known work entitled "Practice in the County Court" by Jones and Cunningham. From 1867 to 1873 he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the State University, in the location of which, in this city, he had taken an active part. From 1869 to 1876, he was in partnership with Hon. William B. Webber, since which time he has practiced alone.
Judge Cunningham and wife have for many years been members of the M. E. church.
The judge was formerly a radical republi- can. and during the slavery agitation and war times was active as such. In later years he had been an independent in poli- ties. Twice he has led the opposition in this county as candidate for state senator, polling more than the full strength of the two opposition parties, running ahead of his ticket. These honors have come to him unsonght, however, as he does not seek or desire public office but is content to conduct his extensive legal business which affords him a handsome income, and is much more
congenial to his tastes than engaging in po- litieal struggles.
Judge Cunningham is a man who possesses a will of his own and has strong conviction, in all the great moral as well as political questions of his time. Independent in thought and action he does not subscribe to all of the doctrines of any political party. He neither seeks to lead nor ean he be coaxed or driven in any pre- seribed path. Ilis code of morals, laid down to govern himself, are of the strictest kind, yet he is charitable towards others. A good hater so long as eanse exists therefor, and a warm friend of those who come up to his standard of friendship. He is courteous to his professional brethren but unsparing in his denunciation when once aroused. His friendships are lasting and his emnity when once incurred is apt to be long lived. A constant reader, his literary attainments are ot a high order and he holds a high position at the bar as well as in the confidence of the people.
NINIAN A. RILEY.
This enterprising merchant and old settler was born in Edgar county, Il., January 29, 1844, and is the eldest son of Elder G. W. and Bethire (MeClain) Riley. He received a good English education in the common schools of the county while residing with his father and in the winter of 1860 and '61 attended the Chicago University for the purpose of adding still more to his scholastic knowledge. While at this University Fort Sumpter was fired upon. He immediately
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
left his books and less patriotic comrades at college, and came home to enter the service of hiscountry. He had received instructions in Chicago from one of Col. Ellsworth's men in the Zouave drill; he at once organized a company of Zouaves numbering about forty, and drilled them until the early part of 1862. This company gained a wide reputation for their perfect movements and thorough knowledge of military tacties. His work was so well done that nearly every man of that famous company entered the service and became an officer in the army.
In 1862 he joined company B, 76th regi- ment, Ill. volunteer infantry. He was soon made an orderly, was afterwards promoted to First Lieutenant of his company. He par- ticipated in the great siege of Vicksburg and promptly answered every call of duty. Hle served faithfully for two years in the army when he resigned and came home. On his return from the army he was appointed dep- uty internal revenue assessor, and served at a time when the law was new and the duties of the office was complicated and not easily understood ; he acquitted himself with credit as such officer until Andrew Johnson be- came president, and relieved him and his superior officer of further responsibility in that direction. He then entered the dry goods store of M. Lowenstern, in this city, remaining with him for about four years and was an efficient and valuable salesman.
In 1870 he formed a partnership in the dry goods business with John Gere; the firm of Gere & Riley suffered great loss by the fire of 1871, but it paid every dollar in full and was dissolved in the fall of 1874 each resum- ing business separately. Later he formed a partnership with his younger brother Ozias, in the dry goods business which continued about two years, since which time, Mr. Ri- ley has been in business alone.
Ile was married August 24, 1862, to Miss Emma D. Porter, of this city, who is still living. The children born to them are: Maggie Il., Frank A., Clarence N., Fred A., and Anna B. Riley. Frank A. died in 1879, Those living are all residing at home.
Mr. Riley united with Urbana Baptist church in 1852, and is now a member of the board of deacons and a leading and active member of the church. He has been leader of the choir for more than twenty years, during which time perfect harmony and good feeling has been maintained by his skillful management.
He is always drawn upon to aid in public concerts given for various charitable pur- poses, and always honors the draft; he was one of the quartet that made the "Cham- paign County Glee Club" famous.
In polities he has always been, and is now, a republican. He presides over the "Good Luck" dry goods store and by his close buy- ing and good taste in selecting and display- ing his goods, as well as by his courteous manner, affable disposition and fair treat- ment to customers, he has succeeded ad- mirably in business. His business increases every year and is destined to continue to grow in proportion with the growth and de- velopment of the city and surrounding coun- try.
ELISHA STEVENSON, SEN.
Among the old settlers of Champaign county is the subject of this sketch. Ile is a native of Ohio, born in Columbiana county, May 23, 1817. In early life he learned the hatter's trade in Pittsburg, Pa. In follow- ing his trade he drifted about to different places, but was for the greater part of the time a resident of Ohio. In 1854 he came west to this county and settled in Urbana, and here engaged in farming. Ifis health failing he was compelled to abandon hard labor and for a number of years has lived a quiet, retired life. While a resident of Hillsboro, Ohio, he married Miss Nancy Ann Keeier. The date of the ceremony was June 24, 1849. They are the parents of elev- en children, six sons and five daughters. Their names are as follows: Lewis E., a prominent druggist and postmaster of St. Joseph ; he married Miss Ada O. Coffman. Cinderella, widow of C. A. Lawhead. Elisha, jr., a conductor on the I., B.
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
& W .; he married Miss Nora E. Trum- bnl, of Pekin, Ill. Sara J., who is at home; Susan, wife of E. J. Stephens, who is a con- ductor on the Missouri Pacitic R. R., and re- sides at St. Louis: Josephine is the wife of Ed. T. Swan, a farmer living in Urbana township; Charles II., baggage master on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R., with headquarters at Las Vegas, N. M .; William F., druggist at St. Joseph ; he mar- ried Miss Emma C. Coffman : Benjamin F., who is a resident of St. Joseph: he married Lucia Ketterman : Mary Elizabeth and Uriah are yet at home. Politically Mr. Steven- son votes the democratic ticket. The sons have harkened to the political teachings of their father and have followed in his foot- steps and vote the same ticket with great nanimity. Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson have raised a large and mostexcellent family. All are industrious, with steady habits, and are recognized as first class citizens.
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