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 22
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
DAVID RICE.
Was born in West Virginia April 7th, 1836. His father was Shelton Rice, of East Virginia. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Brown, of near Richmond, Virginia. His parents re- moved to Sadorus township in March, 1854, when that part of the county was wild and almost unbroken. The sub- ject of this sketch attended the public schools in Virginia aud obtained a good common school education. Early in life he commenced business for him- self and did much to improve the land which he now owns. On their settle- ment in the western part of the town- ship of Sadorus, they had to come to Urbana for mail also brought their wheat and corn to the mill at the same place. They frequently took their grinding to Terre Haute where they purchased their groceries. Mr. Rico was one of three young men who pur- chased the first thresher brought to that part of the county. The machine was made at Piequa. Ohio. For many years these young men threshed the grain for almost the entire western part of the county. March 3rd, 1859, Mr. Rice was married to Miss Sarah Haines, daughter of Elijah C. Haines, of Sadorus township, formerly of Ohio. Two children have been born to them, viz : Carrie M., born in 1860, married to JJ. T. Hutchinson and lives in Sa- dorus township : Carrio M .. married to Dr. C. M. Craig. a prominent phy- sician and druggist of Tolono. Mr. 28
Rice has always taken a prominent part in politics, being a straight re- publican. He wields a wide influence politically and at the same time com- inands the respect of all parties, which was evidenced in the spring of 1891 when he was elected supervisor from his township which usually sends a democratic representative. Mr. Rice is the owner of 520 acres of well im- proved land, which he has become the possessor of by dint of his own energy and thrift. He has recently purchased a cosy home in Sadorus where he takes life easier, yet his attention is fully occupied in looking after his farms and stock. He being considered one of the best stockmen in the county.
HUGH JACKSON ROBINSON,
Was born March 28. 1833, near Bel- fast. Ireland, and was the seventh child of Robert and Maria (Jackson) Robinson. His mother was a first cousin of General Andrew Jackson, who with her husband named the subject of this sketch after the uncle of Andrew Jackson, viz: Hugh Jack- son, his grandfather. Robert, the father, emigrated to this country when Hugh was a child and settled in Dutch-' ess county, New York, where he at- tended the public schools and received a good common school education while being trained in practical farming. Robert Robinson removed with his family to Fon du Lac county, Wiscon- sin, in the spring of 1849, where he purchased wild land and built for him-
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
self a home where his earthly labors were brought to a close by death in June, 1852. Young Hugh J., not be- ing satisfied with the country, and be- ing thrown on his own resources, went. to Chicago by steamboat and walked from that city to Urbana, Illinois, ar- riving here October 6, 1852, foot sore. weary and lonesome, with but three dollars and fifty cents in his pocket. There were no settlements on the road except along the timber and groves. which were few and far between and no pubhe conveyance of any kind. Young Robinson at once got employ- ment with J. & J. S. Gere, who were then getting out ties for the construc- tion of the Illinois Central road. He hauled and unloaded the ties in the high prairie grass where Champaign now stands. In the following spring he went with his employers to Bourbon, in Douglas county, and helped build a mill, and in filling a contract for 250 .- 000 ties for the Central and Wabash roads. Becoming a partner with J. S. Gere. they put 6,500 cords of wood on the track of the Central road. He was thusengaged until 1858 when he bought his first piece of land, which he now occupies as his home. He was married on October 8, 1856, to Miss Jane, daugh- ter of Dr. Jacob Thrasher. of Geauga county, Ohio. Three children were born to them, viz : Robert T .. William Cullen and Martie J. Robert married Miss Lillie Kellor. Wm. Cullen married Miss Edith Styan. and Mattie was mal - ried to William R. Miller. The wife and mother died at her home July 4, 1874. Mr. Robinson was next married to Miss Jennie Hutchinson, daughter of Capt. Scott Hutchinson. of Calhoun county, Michigan. The result of this marriage was a son. John W., who died at the age of four and a-half years. Mr. Robinson is and always has been a strong democrat in polities, but was never an office-seeker. although his party has honored him many times. He has filled the office of supervisor of his township the greatest part of the time since the county adopted town- ship organization. He was elected as chairman of the board of supervisors in 1890 and filled the position to the satisfaction of everyone. Socially. few men have a larger number or warmer friends than he. He was a charter member of J. R. Gorin Lodge, A. F. & A. M. at Sadorus, and served as its master for several years. In religion he was raised an Episcopalian, but. takes a more liberal view, and although
not a church member, favors the doc- trines of the Universalist church. He is now president of the Champaign County Old Settler's Association and takes a lively interest in everything pertaining to the perfecting and acen- mulating of the early history of this county.
ROBERT PETERS.
One of the oldest and most respected of the old settlers of St. Joseph town- ship is Robert Peters, who has been a resident for over sixty years. His father's name was William Peters and his mother's Sarab MeNutt, both of Kentucky. They came to this county from Kentucky in 1830 and settled about a mile south of old St. Joseph. At this time there were about nine hundred Indians camped near Mr. Peters' farm. He said they hauled all their grain to Chicago, grew their own fax and made all their own clothing. Robert Peters attended school in a log house near his father's farm. Part of the time the school was held in the kitchen of his father's house. The schools in those days were subscription schools, educational advantages being very limited. Mr. Peters was married in August, 1848, to Mary E. Swear- inger, who was born March 31, 1831. There have been born to them eleven children, viz : Sarah Catharine, Isaac S., John H., Franklin, Susan J., Eliza J., Thomas J., Charles R .. Alta Belle. William A. and Mary E., all I ving ex- cept Franklin. Thomas, Charles and Alta ; all are married except John H. Mr. Peters was formerly a democrat in
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
politics, but voted for Lincoln for his second term and has voted the repub- lican ticket ever since. In religious matters he is very zealous. He has been for a number of years a consistent member of the Christian church. Mr. Peters was born January 8, 1827, in Rush county, Indiana, and is in the sixty-filth year of his age. He has lived in St. Joseph for nearly sixty-two years and is known by almost every one in the eastern part of the county. He is very proud of his family and has good reason to be, as his children are among the best and most thrifty citi- zens of the community. "Unele Bob," as he is familiarly called. has a repu- tation that any one might envy. We have been over the township, are well acquainted and we hear every one re- ferring to Uncle Bob as one of the best men in the county and he is honorably entitled to this high opinion of his neighbors. He lives on the old farm near the thriving town of St. Joseph with his wife and in a few years will, if spared. celebrate their golden anni- versarv. Here, surrounded by their children and grand-children, loved and respected by their neighbors he and his wife are pleasantly spending their de- clining years and patiently waiting for the time when they shall be called to their home across the river.
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MARY ANN MOORE,
Was a member of one of the first fam- ilies to settle in the big grove and be- fore Champaign county was formed. Her father's name was Thomas Rol- and. born in Pennsylvania. Her
mother's name was Bailey, born in Maryland, but afterwards removed to Maysville, Kentucky, where she was married to Mr. Roland. They came to this county, which was then part of Vermilion, Octobor, 1826, and was the third white family in the county. They first settled at the old salt works near Oakwood. Vermilion county and in April, 1827, moved to the big grove and settled about 5 miles northeast of Urbana. Mrs. Moore was born in Mason county, Kentucky, February 7, 1821, and came with her parents to this county October, 1826. She at- tended school in the old log school house near the Brumley farm and was one of the scholars who were in the school house when they barred out A. Bruer, the teacher, and he went on top of the house, covered the chimney with clap-boards, smoked the scholars out compelling them to open the door. Mrs. Moore said when they first came the country was full of In- dians and some settlers were mas- sacred within 10 miles of them. They raised their own flax, also quite an amount of cotton and had usually good luck with the cotton when it was not killed by the frost. She said, "My father, John W. Vance and a Mr. Prince staked out the town of Urbana. It was a cold, raw day and snowing some." In regard to the smoking out at the school house, she said, "I re- member it well. There were there three Trickle boys, Mat., Elizabeth, Mary, Fount and Rod Busey, Jim Boyd, Jim Kirby, the Rinehart boys, the Trumen's, Jane Busey and Larkin Deer's girls, Jane and Francis." She said they used to have their log rais- ings, merry makings, &c., but that she never attended but one dance and that was at Robert Trickle's. She went to school first to Mr. Crane, then to John B. Thomas and last to A. Bruer. Mrs. Moore was married near Danville to John J. Scott in 1838. He died in 1854. She was married in March. 1856, to William I. Moore, a promin- ont merchant of Danville. The wed- ding took place in Urbana. The fol- lowing children were born to her by her first husband : T. W. Scott, who resides in Fairfield, Illinois ; Callie, married to Wm. O. Corberly, and died in 1872; James R. Scott, living in the northwestern territory of the British possessions, and Charles G. Scott, who
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
resides with his mother at Danville. Mrs. Moore is a strong Methodist, having been a member of that church for near fifty years. Her husband. Mr. Moore, dying several years ago. She is living in Danville, having only her son Charles with her. She has recently built a handsome residence and has plenty of this world's goods to satisfy every want. She is well known by the old settlers of both Vermilion and Champaign counties and respected by all who are acquaint- ed with her.
JOHN C. KIRKPATRICK.
Among the old settlers of the county few have contributed more to improv- ing the same or are better known than John C. Kirkpatrick of Urbana. He was born in Piqua county, Ohio. October 25. 1825. His father's name was James Kirkpatrick, of Ross county, Ohio. He died in 1871. His mother's name was Jane Porter, also of Ohio, who died in 1848. He came to Urbana in 1849, and in October of that. year married Mary C. Busey. second dangh- ter of Col. Mathew W. Busey and wife. Mr. Kirkpatrick purchased land. part of which is now occupied by the city of Champaign, and in August. 1850. having built a house. he moved into it. The land bas all been laid ont into town lots, except a block which was the residence of the family. Mr. Kirk- patrick received the main part of his
education in log school houses with greased paper windows. Although his opportunities in this direction were limited. he seems to have improved them and has a good practicai educa- tion which has been finished by his battle with the world, His ideas on the topics of the day are common sense and his judgment on all subjects good. In politics he was first a Whig then a republican. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick are the parents of the following chil- dren ; Marion F., Albert James, Eliza- beth. married J. R. Dilling, these live at Mayview ; Hattie Belle, married Charles Barricklow, junior partner of J. C. Kirkpatrick & Co., Urbana ; Samuel A., residing near Mayview : Dr. Charles S., was a prominent young physician who died about two years ago in the prime of manhood and his usefulness : Jessie C. and Fannie, both reside at home. Mr. Kirkpatrick is justly proud of his children who are among the best citizens of the county. He has always been an active worker in religious matters, having been a member of the Methodist church since 1852. He is a strong worker in the temperance cause and has by precept and example exerted a wide influence in this county. He lived on a large farm near Mayview for many years, and assisted largely in building the Methodist church building at that place and served as trustee of the same for many years. He built the first house in the present limits of Cham- paign city, before that town was laid out and before the Illinois Central road was built. He hauled the larger part of the lumber to build his house from beyond Covington, Indiana. He has made a business of stock raising and farming and has been very suc. cesstul in both. He now has over 1,300 acres of improved farm land as good as can be found in the county. besides town property in Urbana and Champaign. He has a pleasant home in Urbana where he is engaged in business, but he especially enjoys tak- ing his estimable wife and driving ont to visit his children and grand-children. for which he says he is living. He is highly respectel by all who know him as an honest. upright man and citizen.
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Jonx J. REA.
Mr. Rea was born two miles west of Mahomet, Ill., October 11, 1852. His parents, John J. Rea and Sarah P. (Henderson) Rea, were both born in Lewis county, Kentucky. They were married there and lived on what is there known as the Rea homestead, until they came to this county in the fall of 1849 and settled upon the farm on the Bloomington road, where the subject of this sketch was born. He received a good common sehool educa- tion in the Mahomet and Farmer City Schools. He was married at Urbana. to Miss Minnie Fugate, of this city. They have two children, Thurston Wayne. aged 8 and John Carlysle, aged 5 years. He clerked while a youth for T. M. Brown, for James M. Graham and for P. H. Seott at Ma- homet, Ill .. and engaged for a short time in business for himself. He taught school seven terms, and in the meantime was studying law and had an ambition to become a lawyer. He spent his evenings and spare moments in studying the books, until in March, 1879, he began to read law with Som- ers & Wright. He was admitted to the bar June 5, 1880. The class then ex- amined numbered 40, and Mr. Rea was one of the three that were at the head. He immediately formed a partnership with Judge J. W. Sim, which existed for two and one-half years. He has since continued in the practice alone and with uniform success. He has one of the best libraries in the county
and his practice is constantly growing in volume as well as in importance. When Mr. Cleveland was inaugurated president. the administration recog- mized his political labors and power by tendering him the position of chief of one of the principal divisions of the Second Auditor's office, at a salary of $2,000 and later the office of Federal Attorney, in Indian Territory, both of which poritions he declined. on ac- . count of his growing practice and of his disire to succeed in his profession. Politically, Mr. Rea is a rock-rooted democrat and he is easily the leader of his party. He has been elected four times supervisor in a republican town- ship, which sufficiently indicates his popularity among the people of all parties
As a lawyer Mr. Rea has exhibited marked ability and has already at- tained a wide reputation as an excel- lent judge of law and is considered one of the best speakers in the county.
DANIEL D. CANNON
Was born in Shelby county. Ohio, March 10, 1837. His father's name was Richard M. Cannon, born in Ire- land. He died in Ohio, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-two. His moth- er's name was Mary Broderick, born in New Jersey; she died in Ohio in 1865. The subject of this sketch lived in Ohio. where he received a good com- mon school education. In August.
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
1856, being then nineteen years of age, he left Ohio for the west and de- cided to locate in Urbana, which was then a in new country. The Illinois Central road had only been built through this county about two years previous and he saw splendid oppor- tunities for the future. For several years he worked on a farm, then at the trade of a carpenter: then for sev- eral years he engaged in mercantile business. When the civil war broke ont he was among the first to enlist, going out as a private in Company I. in the Second Illinois Cavalry and served three years. In 1858 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Black, of Urbana. Two children were born to them, Ada F., who married G. W. Scott, a passenger conductor on the J. & S. E. railroad and resides at. Eureka, Illinois, and Jennie E., who married James W. Braddock, a pass- enger engineer on the C .. C .. C. & I. railway and resides at Indianapolis. Indiana. Mrs. Cannon died in 1886 and Mi. Cannon married Miss Aseneth Black in Angust, 1890, of Urbana, who is still living. He has been a member of the Presbyterian church of Urbana for over twenty - five years, having filled the office of deacon for many years. Politically, he has al- ways been a republican casting his first vote with that party and for each candidate of that party ever since. After he returned from the army he was elected to the office of constable and has made an efficient officer, fill- ing that office with satisfaction to all concerned for eighteen years. He
was appointed to the office of deputy sheriff and has filled that responsible position for the past eight years and now holds that office under S. C. Fox, the present sheriff. His long experience as constable during which time he was more or less con- nected with the sheriff's office. and his term of eight years as deputy makes him one of the most efficient officers in the county. He is thoroughly conver- ant with all the duties of the office, is acquainted throughout the entire connty and a large part of central Illinois and is almost invaluable in his position. He has the reputation of being one of the best officers in this part of the state and has, during the twenty- six years of his official life proven himself to be possessed of more than ordinary executive allity and the right man in the right place.
MAILON GLASCOCK.
Prominent among the men who have developed and made St. Joseph town- ship what is, is Mahlon Glascock, who was born in Fauquire county, Virginia in 1815. He inherited all the sturdy qualities characteristic of the old- fashioned Virginian. His father was named Moses, a native of the same State. His mother, Rebecca Bishop, was also of old Virginia stock ; sha died in 1875, Moses only living until 1829. The subject of this sketch re- moved to Ross county. Ohio, where, in 1845, he was united in marriage to Miss JJester, with whom he lived hap- pily until her death, which took place in 1858. In the fall of 1854 he re- moved from Ohio to Ilinois, stopping at Sidney until the next spring. when he moved to where he now resides on the state road, in St. Joseph township. In 1861 he married Miss Mary Gill. of Urbana, who died in 1861. In 1865 he was again married to Mrs. Mary Rankin, who is still living. Mr. Glass- rock has had eight children to help make his home happy, viz. Burr, who lives at home and has charge of the large farm : Albert, who is dead ; Aquilla, a well-to-do farmer, living in the vicinity : William, who died in in- fancy ; these were children by the first wife. The result of the last mar- riage is Grant. Jesse. Lida, and Alta. all at home.
In polities. Mr. Glascock was an
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
old time whig, and cast his first vote for General Harrison, and at the last presidential election voted for General Benjamin Harrison, and for overy re- publican candidate between. Ho at- tended the great Harrison meeting in Columbus, Ohio, in 1840, and went from Bainbridge in wagons to Chille- cothe and on a canal boat to Columbus. He has always been a strong partisan and a staunch friend of the old flag. His sons, Burr and Aquilla, were both soldiers in the late war. In relig- ious matters Mr. Glascock is a Methodist, having joined that de- nomination in early youth. He has until late years been prominent in publie matters and represented his township on the Board of Supervisors for four years. Although advanced in years Mr. Glascock is hale and hearty, has a large and pleasant home on 540 acres of well-improved land, where, amid peace and plenty, he is enjoying life, loved and respected by all who know him.
CALVIN JJ. SABIN.
Among the business men of Cham- paign no one stands higher for moral worth and strict business integrity than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Hanover, Chautauqua county, New York, June 8, 1831. His father's name was Ebenezer Sabin, born in Jamaica, Windom county, Vermont. His mother's name was
Jerusha Gage, of same state, and from whom Calvin J. inherited many of the qualities which have made him suc- cessful in social as well as business life. His parents not being possessed of an overabundance of the goods of this world, the education of Mr. Sabin depended in a great measure upon himself, so at the age of 16 we find him working during the day and studying at night. In this way he secured a fair education which was in every way practical. He early learned the trade of a machinist, which has been of great service to him in his business. His special liking was railroading. He went to Galena, Oct. 29, 1854 and, as engineer, took in the first passenger train from Galena to Dunleith. He followed this occupation until 1866, coming to West Urbana, now Chan- paign, and for several years was pas- senger engineer on the Illinois Cen- tral. On quitting the road, he en- gaged in the agricultural implement business with Mr. Angle as Angle & Sabin. He finally succeeded to the business, and has since Jan. 1, 1877, been conducting it by himself. He has the reputation of having the most complete stock of goods in Central Il- linois. His large trade and wide rep- utation would seem to bear us out in this statement. December 13, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Hannah E. Whitcomb, of Ransom, Mich. There has been born to them Irwin C., who is doing a prosperous implement business in Farmer City ; Elmer C and Frank C., firemen on the Illinois Central ; Irle C., a clerk in the trainmaster's office of the I. C. R. R. at Champaign ; Roy C. and Nellie I., at home. In politics Mr. Sabin is and always has been a republican. He does not interest himself in public matters very much, having his hands full of his own business, yet is an al- derman and finds time to look after the interests of his constituents in mat- ters pertaining to the city and its growth. His years of experience and practical ideas of business, make him a valued citizen and no one occupies a higher position in the community than he.
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
MATHEW E. STAMEY.
Is a son of one of the oldest families of this county and who came here be- fore the county was organized, and while Chicago was yet in Vermilion county, which then occupied almost. the east half of the State. The sub- ject of this sketch was born November 16, 1835, in what is now known as Somer township. His father's name was Ellis Stamey, who came from North Carolina. His mother's name was Drusilla Busey. daughter of Mat. E. Busey, who came from Kentucky to this county in 1829, and settled near Urbana. They were among the first settlers and did much towards improv- ing the country. The subject of this sketch attended school in the old log school house on M. E. Busey's farm, also later attended school in Urbana. He hunted deer on the present loca- tion of Champaign long before a house was built there. He assisted in plant- ing many trees which now make a forest. He assisted in breaking up the virgin prairie, and from a wild waste of land, seemingly too bleak to live upon, there has grown up beau- tiful, well improved farms with fine groves and orchards, and the wild land is the most productive in the world. Mr. Stamey was married to Miss Ida O. Gray at Rantoul. March 28. 1865, she died in January, 1872, leaving one son. William, born January 19. 1868, and is now farming in Condit
township. Mr. Stamey was married to Mary T. Broshar in 1874. and three children have been born to them. viz : Frank, born December 6. 1875 : Belle. born November 1. 1878 : Daisy, born May 11, 1882. In polities Mr. Stamey is and has always been a republican. He has taken quite an interest in pub- lic matters and has represented Hens- ley township on the Board of Super- visors, also served several terms as Highway Commissioner. He has also engaged in business. but has given his attention mainly to farming and deal- ing in real-estate in which, on account of his general knowledge of the county and excellent judgment. he has been quite successful and now owns 825 acres of well improved land in this county and about the same number of acres in other states. He resides at 103 Prospect avenue, Champaign. where he has a pleasant home. He is in the prime of manhood. surrounded with a fine family and consequently enjoys the blessings of life.
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