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 21
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three sailors got into a small boat, which was capsized, and the mate drowned. Mark was only saved by clinging to the boat and getting astride its inverted bottom, on which he drifted for several miles before he was taken off. After stopping for sometime in New Orleans, he went to Lafourche, La .. and commenced work at $1 per day, with board, at his trade of bullding mills and cotton-gins. Here he spent his summers for three seasons, spending each winter in New Orleans. In 1823, he went to the par- ish of Feliciana, where he remained until 1837. In Louisiana Mr. Carley found a people and climate suited to his taste, he continued to live there, with occasional visits East and North, for a period of 17 years. During one of his visits to Vermont, April 27, 1830, he was married at Springfield, Vt. Locating his wife in Clermont county, Ohio, he returned to the field of his labors in Louisiana to accumulate something for his future support and comfort. In 1837 he joined his wife in Ohio, where he purchased 500 acres of land and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He subsequently added to his possessions, engaged in farming and boating wood down the Ohio river to Cincinnati until 1850, when he was attacked by the prevailing California fever and, in the spring of that year started, by the way of the Isthmus, for the gold fields of the Pacific coast. During the passage from New Orleans to Chagres, owing to adverse winds, the vessel stopped at Grand Camar island in the Carribbean Sea, which he found inhabited by the descend- ants of the old buccaneers, with an English resident governor. From Panama the vessel went to Cocos is- land for a supply of water. While there he saw chiseled in the rock the names of the three small vessels com- manded by Captain Cook in his first voyage around the world, together with the day and month of his land- ing. After arriving in California, Mr. Carley soon won the confidence of the miners to such an extent that he was chosen one of the three judges of the mining region, about 60 by 80 miles in extent, requiring great prudence, good judgment and discrimination, where no statute or common law was in force, and the judge held in his hands the lives and property of all
concerned. He remained in California and Oregon until 1852, when he re- turned to Ohio. He spent the sunnner and fall of 1852 traveling through Il- linois on horseback, starting at East St. Louis and visiting nearly every county in the State, his brothers-in- law, the late B. P. Prather, of Somer township, and David Howse, of Cham- paign, being his traveling companions a part of the time and Edmund and William Davies, of Piatt county, a part of the time. He remained a resi- dent of the Buckeye state until 1853. when he decided to make his home in Champaign county, being as he saw it the "garden spot" of Illinois. In August, 1853, he removed to Urbana and in May, 1854, to what is now Champaign, but then a raw prairie, dotted with only a farm house or two. He erected and occupied with his family the first permanent dwelling house on the original town plat, on the ground where Wm. Dodson's residence now stands, on State street, which was afterwards removed to Randolph-st. He also erected the first grain ware- house in Champaign, and put in the first steam engine to operate a corn sheller and grain elevator. This ele- vator and cribs were burned Aug. 24, 1872. He then built the brick agri- cultural warehouse on Main street and brick livery stable on Market street, in 1861 brick residence on Church street. In 1857 he purchased lots in Tolono, and erected a steam grain elevator- the first one there -- and graded and laid the rails to the long side-track at his own expense. He also built and owned two large residences and store building there. In his domestic re- lations he was affectionate and indul- gent. Two of his daughters, (Mrs. Kincaid and Mrs. Mahan), and one grand-daughter, (Mrs. Weston) made the tour of Europe at his request. In his social and business relations Mr. Carley enjoyed to an unusual degree the confidence and esteem of all with whom he was connected. When West Urbana (now Champaign) adopted township organization, he was its first supervisor, also the first justice of the peace elected in Tolono, but not wish- ing to be bothered with the office, nover qualified. In religion he was extremely unorthodox, and did not ac- cept any theory or system of faith that starts out with a direct assault upon
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reason, or was in conflict with the es- tablished truth of science. In politics he was equally pronounced, his maxim being, "The wise man changeth, the fool never." He was a Clay Whig, then voted with the republican party until 1872, when, believing that the republicans were mismanaging the government, he ever after voted with the opposition. Mrs. Carley followed those who had gone before, and on November 14, 1871, her remains were laid to rest in the family vault in Mt. Hope cemetery. Mr. Carley departed this life February 3, 1888, at his home in Champaign and February 5, 1888, his remains were put in the family vault at Mt. Hope cemetery. Re- marks of Rev. I. S. Mahan at funeral of Mark Carley :
"Born of good lineage, he was possessed of a native integrity and honesty of character 1hat inspired the confidence of his neighbors, and gave him an enviable reputation as a man and a citizen. He was identified with the en- tire history of the city of his adoption. He erected the first permanent dwelling house in it, and watched the rising of every house, the improvement of every street, and the coming of every family; and here at his death the whole eity mourns."
A. P. CUNNINGHAM,
The leading druggist of Champaign county, was born in Lancaster, Erie county, N. Y .. Aug. 11, 1832, the son of Hiram W. and Eunice (Brown) Cunningham. The same year of his birth his family removed to Huron
county, O. Judge J. O. Cunningham and Edwin W. Cunningham, of Em- poria, Kansas., are his brothers and Orton Cunningham, (now deceased ), was a brother. Hon. J. C. Sheldon is a half brother. A. P., remained upon the farm until 20 years old, receiving a good common school education and completed his studies in Oberlin Col- lege. He came to Illinois in 1853: clerked for three months in a dry goods store. He occupied the position of assistant cashier in the Grand Prai- rie bank from 1853 to 1862. In that year he enlisted in Company G, 76th Ill., Vol. Infantry. His soldierly qual- ities were soon recognized and he be- came second lieutenant. After two years of hard service he resigned on account of ill health. He took an ac- tive part in the seige and capture of Vicksburg. After an honorable dis- charge he entered the drug business in Urbana, where for years he was among the brightest and most success- ful of her business men. During his residence of twenty-five years in Ur- bana he was elected to several offices in the city, serving two or three terms as elderman from his ward, was also a member of the board of education and was twice elected as mayor. He aided in founding the CHAMPAIGN COUNTY HERALD, of which he was an editer for about one year, and proved to be pos- sessed of considerable literary talent that would have insured success in the editorial field, but he returned soon to the drug business and located in Cham- paign in 1880, in which he had spent more time than at anything else. He is to day, and has been for many years, proprietor of one of the neatest and most prosperous drug and book stores in Central Illinois. His trade is con- stantly increasing. He has served one term as treasurer of the Illinois Phar- maceutical Association and one term as its president. In 1855 he married Miss Ophelia J. Seger, daughter of A. W. Seger, a native of Connecticut. Four children have been born to them, El- mer, George, Clara and Ralph. Mr. Cunningham is a man of wide inform- ation in general as well as a thorough business man. Interesting in conver- sation, cultivated in manner, a man of most pleasing address, he wins friends wherever he is, whether with his com- rades who with him braved the dang- ers of war, or among the members of the fraternal societies of which he is a valued brother, or among his neighbors and business abquaintances, he is a
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prime favorite. Politically he is a thorough republican, and next to his religion, which is of the Presbyterian faith, he values the doctrines of the grand old party which brought the nation safe and undivided from the Southern rebellion. His home, on West Washington street in Champaign is pleasantly situated and surrounded by all the comforts that make life worth living. It is the hope of the HERALD that he may be spared for many years to his family, his friends and to the business circles of the enterprising city in which he is a prominent business man and highly esteemed citizen. He has always been active in Grand Army cirels and is the present commander of Col. Nodine Post, No. 140 G. A. R.
DR. WILLIAM A. CONKEY.
One of the oldest and most respect- ed citizens of the east part of this county is Dr. William A. Conkey, who came to this county in November. 1843, and has been a useful citizen and done much to bring Champaign coun- ty up to its present high position as one of the leading counties in the state. He was born in Charlemont, Franklin county, Massachussetts, De- cember 6. 1820. His father's name was Alexander Conkey and that of his mother Lucy Mccullough, both of Massachusetts. They removed to Ed- gar county, Illinois, in 1830, where they made their home. The subject of this sketch clerked in a store from
1832 to 1839, but having always had a strong desire to study me 'icine which increased as he became older, in 1838 he commenced the study, finishing in 1841 and graduating at the medical college at Louisville, Ky. In 1843 he located in old Homer, situated then on the bank of the creek about one and a half miles north of the present site of Homer. Here he engaged in the practice of medicine and soon became known as a skilful physician. He con- tinued the practice until 1850, when, being tired of the heavy work connect- ed with it, he purchased a farm a short distance west of Homer, where he now resides. Mr. Conkey said that the vil- lage of Homer in 1843 had less than ten families and in the present limits of the township not to exceed nine- teen outside of the village, making a total of about 26 families. The census would have been 130. The town was first built near the timber, for the prairie land was considered as value- less for agricultural purposes when located a reasonable distance from the timber, besides the settlers deemed it very unwise to erect a home on the prairies where they would be exposed to the bleak cold winds and snow storms. The doctor was one of the first to brave the terrors (?) of the prairies and open up a farm, but his good judgment was soon admitted and his model farm was soon the admira- tion of every one and he demonstrated the fact that the most fertile ground in the world was the black soil on the prairies. He took a prominent part in the removal of the town of Homer, in about 1856, to its present site, which was accomplished during a heavy snow, when the houses were moved out on sleds. M. D. Coffeen be- ing instrumental in having this done. In May, 1849, Dr. Conkey was united in marriage to Miss Sarah V. Saddler, who is still living: is an excellent wife and mother and has the love and re- spect of every one who knows her. There has been born to them the fol- lowing children, viz: Aubert who is married and is a farmer near Homer: Lncy, at home: Bruce, is a mail agent. running from Toledo to St. Louis. is married and has a pleasant in Hon- er: Carle, is at home: Frank. is a. dentist, living in Springfield. Massa- chussets, and has a good practice: Em- ma, married E. P. Babb, a wealthy young farmer, of Compromise town- ship: Fred, is at home. In politics, the Doctor was a Whig in older days
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and a republican ever since. He has always taken a prominent part in matters pertaining to the public good and has for several terms represented Homer township on the Board of Sup- ervisors of the county. Although Mr. Conkey is now seventy years of age he is hale and hearty and bids fair to live for many years and enjoy the beautiful home he has built on the former bleak prairie which is now blooming like the rose. He has only 340 acres of the finest land in the county left after dividing up with some of his children, yet he has suf- ficient to keep him in ease and com- fort should his life and that of his es- timable wife be spared for a quarter of a century.
JUDGE CALVIN C. STALEY.
Judge Staley was born near Guan- dotte. West Virginia. July 14. 1850. He, with his family, came to Urbana in 1854, and in the spring his father bought a tarm on which the University now stands and built the first house west of the mechanical building, where they resided until the spring of 1860, when they removed to their farm, now Staley station. Here his father died in 1863. Calvin worked upon the farm while receiving a common school edu- cation, working a part of the time for W. H. Romine for his b ard while at- tending high school. Then took a course at the University of Illinois and fol- lowing that he attended the Michigan University. taking the law course.
from which he graduated in 1877 with the honors of his class. He was mar- ried in November, 1882, to Isabella S. Harwood, daughter of Hon. Abel Har- wood. of Champaign. She died Feb- ruary 10. 1888, leaving three children, Isabella, Eliza and Annie. Judge Sta- ley has been a consistent christian and member of the Presbyterian church in Champaign since 1882. His first vote was cast for the republican ticket and has remained unswervingly of that faith ever since. His voice has been heard in almost every school house in this county in favor of republican principles and candidates. Upon grad- uating in 1877, he formed a partner- ship with Col. Langley, which contin- ed in the practice of the law alone un- til June, 1890, when he was appointed by Goyernor Fifer, county judge of Champaign county, to succeed Judge Langl y. who had resigned. The re- publican primaries of 1890 resulted in the choice of Judge Staley by the re- publican party as its candidate for that responsible office. He was elected in November and ha since filled that office with credit to himself and his party and to the entire satisfaction of the members of the bar and of the people having business in his court. He is studious, careful, painstaking and faithful to his trust. He has splendid natural abilities; is a hard worker and will, we confidently be- lieve, take still higher position at the the hands of his constituents.
Few men have done more work in the way of public speaking for his party on the stump and in other ways than Judge Staley. He is a fluent and convincing speaker, knows what is needed by the people and speaks accordingly. He is always welcomed in whatever locality he is called. He has had to fight the bread and butter question single handed, having had much hard experience in this line when he was attending the University of Illinois, as he then had to earn his own support while pursu- ing his studies; this has in a great measure tended to bring him into contact with the world in a very em- phatic manner.
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WILLIAM G. BROWN,
Was born March 29. 1840, in Roser Coshocton county, Ohio. His father's name was John G. Brown and was born in Massachusetts. His mother's name was Clarinda Howe. They came to Urbana March 27, 1855. William G. accompanied his parents. He at- tended the public schools in Ohio and Urbana, and received a good common school education. He farmed in his boyhood and engaged in mercantile pursuits for about four years. When the late war broke out, he at once en- listed in company K, 25th Illinois In- fantry, serving eight months, when he was transferred to Battery L, Second Regiment, Illinois Light Artillery, where he served for three years, mak- ing three years and eight month's service. His health was very seriously impaired in the army and at this time it is only by taking the best care of himself that he is able to discharge his duties. After his return from the war, and partially regaining his health, he took a position as Deputy Circuit Clerk, which he held for nearly nine years, then entered the County Clerk's office and staid there about nine years, making eighteen years of con- tinued work. This long term of ser- vice in the court as well as the tax and probate departments of the county made him one of the best informed men in matters pertaining to these do- partments in the county. The people recognizing his superior qualifications
and also appreciating the excellent service Mr. Brown had rendered his country, elected him in November, 1888, to the office of Circuit Clerk, a position he occupies with credit to himself and satisfaction to all with whom he has business. He is affable, accommodating and makes a popular officer. He was married April 12, 1867. to Miss Harriet A. Wolfe, who died in 1882. There were born to them four children : Mary A., married to Orville L. Davis, local editor of the daily Gazette, Champaign ; Fred G., an architect, residing in Chicago ; Inez D. and William Jay, at home. Mr. Brown is and has been for many years a member of the Methodist church. In politics he is and always has been an unswerving republican.
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CHALMERS M. SHERFY
Was born in Hagerstown, Maryland. His father's name was Jacob Sherfy, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. of Dutch descent His mother's name was Amelia MeNull, of London county, Virginia, of Scotch-German parentage. For the solid, sterling qualities possessed by the subject of this sketch he is indebted in a great measure to his parents, His parents removed to Indiana and after- wards removed to Perrysville, in same state, in 1831. In 1845 young Chalm- ers, having formed a high opinion of the art preservative, entered a printing office as "devil." He worked in Per- rysville for about a year, then went to Terre Hante where he worked from
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1845 to 1851 and then returned to Per- ryville. Not liking the printing busi- ness as well as he expected and an ad- vantageous offer being made him, he entered the mercantile business. At the end of a year a proposition was made to him to go to Urbana and take charge of a general store there. So May 25, 1852, he arrived in Urbana. took charge of the store and showed that he possessed ability in this line. In a short time he associated with him in business William Gessie, and pur- chased the store he had charge of. The firm was known as Gessie & Sherfy and was one of the well known firms in the early days. In 1855 he was elected as county treasurer and asses- sor and served in that responsible po- sition for two years. The Illinois Cen- tral road having been built in 1854 through the present, corporation of Champaign, he saw a bright future for that city and at the close of his term of office, engaged there in the banking business in which he continued for 22 years. He also did a large business in real-estate and insurance, being the second insurance agent in the county. In 1879 he formed a partnership with G. C. Willis, of Champaign, as Willis & Sherfy, for the dealing in real-estate, insurance and loaning money, which partnership continued until January 1, 1891, when Mr. Sherfy purchased the interest of Mr. Willis and now conducts the business alone. He was united in marriage October 13, 1869. to Miss Eunice M. Beach, of Champaign, now deceased. There was born to them one child, Fannie Belle, who is now an ac- complished young lady and the pride of her father. In religions matters, although Mr. Sherfy is not a church member, he is a constant attendant at the First Presbyterian church of Cham- paign. In politics he is an unswerving republican and takes a prominent part in forwarding the interests of his party. On account of partial paralysis Mr. Sherfy is not as active as he was in his early days, yet his long years of exper- ience and wide extended acquaintance give him a business second to none in his line in Central Illinois. He is a member of the executive board of the Champaign County Old Settler's Asso- ciation and is energetic in rescuing from oblivion the things pertaining to the early settlement of this county.
SAMUEL VANBRUNT,
Danke
Was born September 1, 1841, in Durke county, Ohio. His father's name was Samuel VanBrunt, of New Jersey. His mother's name was Melvina
Brown. of Virginia. Samuel, Jr., came with his father in 1853, to this county and located in Sidney township where he engaged in farming. His education was obtained at the public schools. April 19, 1866. he was united in marriage to Rachel B. Sampson, daughter of Willard and Margaret Sampson. She was born in 1846. The following children were born to them : Marens G .. . ho was killed on a railroad near Lexington, Mo, in 1888: Raymond B., Gertrude R .. Earl I., Edgar. Merton C .. Chest r S., Clyde died in the fall of 1888. Mr. Van Brunt is an active member of the Christian church, of which denomination he has been a member for the past eighteen years. In politics he has always been a strong republican and a leader in his vicinity. His occupation has been that of a stock dealer and farmer. He was driving oxen breaking prairie when the war broke out and he 'promptly answered the call of his country and enlisted Company I, 10th Illinois Cavalry, September 22, 1861, and was mustered out January 6, 1866. He was careful of his small wages while in the service and invested the same in land. He now owns 360 acres of well-improved land with very valu- able buildings, His home is one of the
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handsomest and most pleasant in the township. He is also engaged in the mercantile and grain business at Deers station. While he has always taken an active part in politics, he yet finds his time so fully occupied that he has no time to bother with offices, al- though he has filled the office of High- way Commissioner for two terms and has been school director for a number of years. Mr. Van Brunt is an every day sort of a man, has the confidence of all who know him and is an excel- lent citizen and neighbor.
MRS. MARGARET SMITH,
Is one of the oldest living settlers in the county, having been a resident of this immediate vicinity for near sixty years. She was born December 13, 1814, in Washington county, West Virginia, at Glades Springs. Her father's name was James Beatty, of same county. Her mother's name was Hester Fulton, of London county, Virginia. Her parents died when she was about seven years old. She was married January 31st, 1833, to Jacob Smith, in Shelby county, Kentucky. Mr. Smith was born in Shelby county, Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Smith came to this county October 16, 1833. They came in an old Virginia wagon, drawn by oxen, and settled on a part of the farm now owned by the family, about a mile east of Urbana, where they built a log cabin. Mrs. Smith says, "We first lived in this eabin with two
rooms and a leanto with a lynn bark loft, puncheon floor, no windows. We were happy and thought we were for- unate in having such a good house. Monday after we came the first town lots in Urbana were sold at auction. The Brumley school house near us was the first school house in the neighborhood, Andrew Stephenson, John Gardner and Chaney Standish were among the first teachers. Mr. Smith built a new house in 1837, which was a good one for that day. The flooring was sawed by a whip saw, and the lath was made by hand, all by Mr. Smith." Mr. Smith was school director, road overseer, etc .. but did not care for offices, found enough to do to attend to his own business, which he did, and by in- dustry and good management, in which he was ably assisted by his wife, had six hundred acres of well- improved land all paid for when he died, in March, 1854. The habits of economy and thrift have extended to the children who, to-day, are among the best and most successful farmers in the county. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith the following children : Elizabeeh, who is at home ; Malinda J., died at the age of 3 years ; James N., farmer, living near ; Eliza A., married a Mr. Turner, and lives in Woodbury, county, Iowa ; Sarah Mar- garet, married Mr. Shroyer and lives in Oswego, Kans .; William H., a farmer, living in Kimball county, Texas ; Armstrong B., a farmer, in Urbana township ; John T., died in infancy ; David M., a farmer, and Ja- cob Mervin, a farmer. Mrs. Smith has been a member of the Baptist church in Urbana for over 30 years and is an earnest, faithful christian. She lives quietly on the old farm which she has seen brought from a wilderness until it now is in a high state of cultivation. Her daughter, Elizabeth, and her son, Mervin, and family share the old home with her, and here, surrounded by grand-children, she enjoys the fruit of a well-spent life of industry and takes pleasure in looking back and talking of the privations as well as the joys of the early days.
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