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 3
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LEWIS A. MCLEAN
Was born in Grafton, Illinois, May 5, 1543. Ile removed to Urbana with his mother, Mrs. Mary B. Vanderveer, and step-father, Cornelius M. Vanderveer, from Vermilion county, Illinois, April 15, 1853. His father was Dr. John McLean, a physician, and died in 1844, at Carlyle, III. His mother, now Mrs. Mary B. Webber, resides in this city and is well known by the old settlers of the county.
Ile attended the public school until eigh- teen years of age, two years of which, in
1857 and 1858, was at the fourth district high school in the city of New Orleans, La. In December, 1562, he entered the office of the circuit clerk and recorder of this county as deputy of W. H. Somers, then serving his second term, and remained in that position for seven years; he was then for a time dep- uty United States assessor. From 1822 to 1879 he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. In the fall of 157 he accepted the position of book keeper and assistant editor of the Champaign Gazette, which he filled until October 9, 1882, when he took a position as associate editor of the CHAMPAIGN COUNTY HERALD, with M. W. Mathews, its proprie- tor, which position he still holds. The suc- cess of the paper has been phenomenal in the newspaper history of the county and it is only just to say, that as its business man- ager and local editor, he is entitled to the credit for its unusual growth and rapidly increasing circulation.
Hle was married May 12, 1864, to Miss Jennie E. Russell, daughter of Dr. E. L. Russell, now of DesMoines, Iowa. She is still living and is an active worker in the Baptist church. Their children are: Nellie, who is in her junior year at the University of Illinois; Albert H., and Clair F., who are both at home and attending school. Mr. MeLean united with the Baptist church in December 1863, and has been connected with the Sabbath school as superintendent or as- sistant superintendent for over twenty years. He has served two years as secretary of the county Sunday school association and takes an active part in the work.
He is also secretary of the Old Settlers' Association of this county and is vigilant and active in rescuing from oblivion every fact and incident with reference to the old settlers of the county.
In polities he is a republican and has act- ed and voted with that party ever since old enough to vote, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1861.
PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
MELVILLE CHI
JoUN THORNBURN
Was born in Thirkleby, Yorkshire, England, January 30, 1529. His father was John Thornburn and his mother Elizabeth Dunnel. They came to this country in 1851, taking passage on the sailing ship Flora MeDonald, on the 16th of April and arriving at Balti- more, May 31, thus being six weeks on the ocean. They traveled on to Barnesville, Behnont county, Ohio, both of them dying there. In 1854, John Thornburn, the sub- ject of this sketch came to this county and stopped at Burr Oak Grove. The next year he came to the Brumley place, three miles east of Urbana. Four years later he remov- ed to this city and lived for many years on the southwest corner of the lot upon which is now the residence of T. S. Hubbard. John was married March 10, 1851, in York- shire, England, to Miss Anna Burnett, who has been and is yet his faithful companion in his reverses as well as his successes. Au- gust 5th, 1562, he entered the army in Comt- pany G, 76th Ill. Vol., and served faithfully for three years. He was at the siege of Vicks- burg, Big Shantee, Resaca, Kenesaw Moun- tain, siege of Atlanta, and other battles in which his regiment was engaged. He was dis- charged August 5th, 1565, having served ex- actly three years to a day. His son, Thomas B., who resides in Somer township, is his only surviving child, his daughter Elizabeth having died in infancy. Mr. Thornburn voted for Lincoln in 1560, and would have done so in 1564, but for the fact that the cop- perhead legislature of Illinois did not allow her soldiers to vote. Ile is outspoken and
radical in his political views and has fought the battles of his party with courage and fidelity ever since it was organized. He has been a commissioner of highways for 12 years and treasurer of the board since 1976. except one year. He has helped to lay out about all the roads, and built about all the bridges in the township. lle has been col- lector of the township for the past four years. When Mr. Thornburn landed, with his good wife, at Alleghaney City he Had to stop and work for seventy-five cents per day to get money enough to continue his journey to Barnesville, which place ke finally reached with the sum of five cents as his capital. He has now a fine farm of 250 acres and knows how to enjoy life by living at home and boarding at the same place. He has no mortgages or debts to annoy him and he is about as happy and prosperous as any man could wish to be.
MELVILLE DNI
JOHN L. MCCAIN.
Biography, says Horace Mann, especially of the great and good, who have from the depth of obscurity risen to eminence and usefulness is an ennobling study. Its direct tendency is to reproduce the excellence it records. It is but lately that we, as Ameri- cans, have paid any attention to it. In this matter of fact-age and utilitarian country we stop to ask, "Does it pay?" forgetting that the profit may be hidden in obscurity. But we are advancing to a higher plane of in- tellectuality and with it comes the increased desire for biography. The deeds of the
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
good man. however humble may have been his sphere. can best be told in the lines of his life. Of such was the subject of our sketch.
Of John L. McCain it may be truthfully said, "that the world was better that he lived." He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in May, 1504, and was of Scotch Irish parentage. Ile had many of the characteristics of that race. large and brawny, with thews and sinews strong and hard as steel, erect, and strong, with an eye that lowered not its gaze to friend or foe, he stood before yon a type of physical men that only the Highlands of Scotland produce, and yet this strong man in the midst of his firends was as weak as an infant. No blood ever welled up from a truer, more honest. or nobler heart. A friend could lead him, but no foe could drive him. Innately honest, he looked for honesty in every other.
His father, James McCain, was a native of the north of Ireland, and was a man of superior education. Hle emigrated to America while yet a young man; while on board the ship that he took passage in, he made the acquaintance of a Miss Montgom- ery, a Scottish lady, which ripened into love and finally culminated in marriage. Miss Montgomery was a near relative of Gen. Montgomery of revolutionary fame. Mr. McCain, the subject of this sketch, drift- ed with the tide westward, and settled in Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he married Miss Elizabeth Dake. The marriage was solemnized in 1846 in Dayton, Ohio. She was a native of the above county, born in 1824. There were four children born of that union that still survive. Their names are Emma, who is the widow of Charles Maxfield; Lillie, single, bothª residents of Urbana; Sadie, wife of :J. E. Fairhead, a railroad engineer, and Maude, wife of Charles Holden. Theyzreside in MIt. Sterling, Ken- tucky.
Mr. McCain was a moulder by trade, and followed it after he came to Urbana, owing to it injuring his sight he was compelled to abandon it. When the gold fever broke out in California in 1849 he went there and re- mained one year, then returned, and travel- ed over a number of states working at his trade. In the spring of 1856 he came to Urbana and here as before stated worked at his trade until his eyesight failed, and then up to within a short time before his death he labored with a team, draying and hauling.
Ile was originally an old time whig and upon the abandonment of that political or- ganization he joined the republican party and voted with it until his death. He was postmaster at Yellow Springs, Mo, and served as tax collector of Urbana township to the satisfaction of the people.
He united with the M. E. church in 1836, and was an energetic and untiring worker in that christian organization. Soon after he became a christian he was licensed to preach and continued to do so at intervals until his death. He was a live worker in the Sunday school, and was a class leader almost from the time he united with the church. He was what might be called a simple christian, absolutely without guile, spot, or blemish. He was also an interest- ing worker in the cause of temperance, and did much to further its interest in Urbana. It was however in his simple religious fervor where the man shone forth as a light in the pathway of his followers.
Father McCain's mind, though unblest with early advantages, was enriched by much reading, especially upon subjects per- taining to religion. In fact upon topics re- lated thereto he was a profound scholar. Unlike many who acquire learning of this kind, his views were not dwarfed and narrowed, but broadened and expanded almost beyond the limits of his orthodox belief. His charity was of the widest range, and his faith in the saving power of chris- tianity had no bounds. He never talked of lost souls and the regions of the damned, but always of salvation through Christ as a success. To him the heavenly road was a broad one thronged with every willing one who rejected not the great gift. He was a metaphysician and could not reconcile the claim of some that an all-powerful God is finally to meet with overthrow in His efforts to save His children. He loved to listen to the gospel as he understood it and could not brook a minister of Christ who put forth doubts of the divine success.
He loved in the elass meeting to hear of high hopes and expectations, and had no patience with doubters, who, willing for salvation feared it might be a dream of fic- tion. Such he always rebuked as putting limits upon God's power.
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
MELVILLE
RANDOLPH C. WRIGHT.
Randolph C. Wright, of Homer, the genial and efficient state's attorney of Champaign county, was born in Winchester, Randolph county, Ind., November 3rd, 1829. His fath- er, Jesse B. Wright, was brother to James S. Wright, of Champaign, and his mother's maiden name was Mary Draper. He came with his parents to Illinois, in 1830, at which time the future legislator and prosecutor, was less than a year old, and settled north- east of Homer, in the edge of Vermilion county. In 1830, he came over the line into Champaign county, to make his home with his uncle, David C. Wright, and since that date his home has been in this county. As may be presumed, the opportunities for ed- ucation were not of the best, but he attended school in the winter months and diligently improved all the poor advantages offered. Feeling the need of a better education than could be obtained in this new country. in 1847, he proceeded to Winchester, his birth place, for the purpose of attending school, making his home with Mr. William Way. In 1849, he returned to Champaign county and engaged in teaching. In 1851, he at- tended the Georgetown Seminary and com- pleted his education. On the 10th of April, 1853. Mr. Wright was married to Miss Jane L. Moore, a native of New York, and who ever since has divided all his sorrows and heightened all his joys. Six children have been the fruit of this union, viz : Mary A. Charles Bruce, Maud Alberta, Edwin Ran- dolhp, Anna Belle, and Jesse C. In 1854, Mr. Wright joined the Methodist church, and has since been a consistent member.
All of his family, with the exception of the youngest, Jesse, belong to the same denom- ination. Mr. Wright's first vote for presi- dent was cast for General Winfield Scott, his second for John C. Fremont. He has never wavered in his devotion to the princi- ples of the republican party since its organ- ization. Mr. Wright has always hell a strong place in the regard of his fellow-citi- zens, who elected him sheriff in 1860. In 1870, he was chosen to represent his district in the legislature. In 1863, Mr. Wright was admitted to the bar. He has ever since had a lucrative practice, principally in this and Vermilion counties. He is an effective and eloquent orator, and hence exercises great influence in jury trials, where he brings out the strong points of his case with great ability. lle has used his splendid ora- torical powers a great deal in the temper- ance cause. His voice is heard, too, in each campaign with telling effect, laying before his constituents the claims of the republican party, of which he is a faithful member. He is now serving the people as state's at- torney and his vigorous prosecutions of criminals makes this county a very undesira- ble field of operations for them. He will, doubtless, be continued for another term in this important office, and higher honors at the hands of his constituents, we predict, awaits him.
MELVILLE CHI
DAVID SILVER
Was born in Salem county, New Jersey. February 15, 1795. He was the son of Joseph and Patience Silver, who came to Ohio in 1801, and settled in Warren county. Ile
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
was married in Montgomery county, Ohio, Jime 26, 1523, to Eliza, the youngest daugh- ter of Jonathan and Elizabeth Munger, who were Vermont Yankees. She died Novem- ber 29, 1563. David Silver came to this rounty in June 1854, his family following in November of same year. Their children are as follows: William M., John L .. Wal- lace. Myra and Perry, all living except Perry who died December 14. 1855. David was brought up in the Friends' society and adhered closely to their views, though he abandoned their plain lan- guage. He was a whig and later a republi- ean and was always strongly opposed to slavery and to the party that uphell it. He engaged for some years in the dairy business, in Ohio, marketing his butter in Cincinnati, making weekly trips a distance of 40 miles in a wagon. Most of his life, however, was spent on a farm. His early life was spent in clearing the heavy timber on his father's tarm in Ohio, as where he had settled it was one unbroken forest and made much hard work necessary. His edneational advanta- ges were somewhat limited, but he obtained a fair education through the teaching of an older brother who had been educated in New Jersey. A small log house was built near the dwelling where he taught David and a few of the neighbors' children. He at first studied law but became disgusted with it and abandoned the idea of becoming a lawyer and went back to the farm. He was 56 years old when he took a trip to Illinois; he was so impressed with the beau- ties of the vast prairies that he decided to locate here and open a new farm; he did most of the breaking on his farm and dug his own wells. His health failed somewhat in after years, and in 1867 he went back to Ohio, to the old farm and spent the remain- der of his life with his son John and only daughter. Although for several months prior to his death he was blind from eata- raet in both eyes, he still retained his inter- est in every day affairs and was always en- thusiastie in praise of Illinois. Few men worked harder than he and yet he found time to read and keep thoroughly posted on current events. He took a deep interest in public schools and in the matter of publie roads and did a great deal to build them up. He was a moral man and was radical in his temperance views; he was among the first to discard whisky from the harvest field and his voice was always for temporanee, teach- ing these principles to his children on every proper occasion. He died November 10, 1525, mourned by hosts of friends of Ohio and Ilinois as well.
MELVILLG CHI
W. J. FORD.
The man who makes two blades of grass grow where one grew before is a public ben- efactor. The man or men who have added musele and bone, symmetry and high action to our beasts of burden, who have made one horse by careful breeding and training to do more than two is doubly a benefactor. In any community will be found one or more men who. by their enterprise, advanced ideas, push and pluck. have become public benefactors. Of this class of men is the sub- jeet of this sketch. MIr. Ford was born in Clark county. Ohio, in February 1831. IIis parents, James G. and Elizabeth (Hannah) Ford, were natives of the same state. Young Ford grew to manhood in his native state. Hle was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. In 1853, he married Miss Catharine Birely. She was born in Fredericksburg. Indiana, in October, 1533. Three children are the result of this union. Their names in the order of their birth are: Sarah Elizabeth, wife of W. J. Harris. They reside east of Urbana. Lewis E., is a rosi- dent on his father's farm. Eliza E., married J. E. Nye, who is a farmer and resident of Somer township. Mr. Ford came to Illinois in 1860 and settled in Piatt county, where he remained until 1863, when he came to this county and rented the farm now owned by J. W. Cushman, south of Urbana. He sub- sequently removed to seetion twenty-one (21,) in Somer township, where he pur- chased a tract of land and there remained until his removal to Urbana. His ocenpa- tion has been farming and breeding of fine
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
horses. Soon after hisarrival in this county, he began taking a deep interest in the im- provement of stock. His efforts were di- rected mainly to the horse, and it can be truthfully said that he has done more to bring the breed up to their present high standard than any other man in the county. lle brought a horse with him when he came to the county, known as the "Ford" horse. Many of our readers will recollect him. In 1575 he purchased the well known Belgian horse "Bismark" who, perhaps, is better known in Central Illinois than any other of his breed. Old "Bis" is still living, in fine condition, not the least disfigured and still in the ring. In 1884, Mr. Ford made a special trip to Scotland, as a member of the firm of Ford, Thomas & Saffel, and personally se- lected a number of fine horses which he brought over and placed in their stud. The firm have since that made other importations, many of them have been sold to parties throughout the state. Their stables and paddocks are extensive and specially fitted up for the business. They have now a num- ber of fine specimens of the Clyde, Norman and Belgian breeds, that is well worthy of a visit and inspection. In addition to their business of importing and selling blooded horses, Messrs. Ford, Thomas & Saffel are extensively engaged in the sale of agricul- tural implements. They have a large and extremely well arranged agricultural ware- house. It is filled with reapers, mowing machines, threshers, corn planters, eultivat- ors, plows, harrows, hay rakes, eorn shellers, wagons, buggies, garden tools, grass seeds, etc., etc. This season has witnessed great activity in and around their warehouse. Their business in this department is larger than any other house in the county and is constantly increasing as their low prices, pleasing and correct methods of doing busi- ness becomes better known. In short, the importing stables and agricultural imple- ment business of Messrs. Ford, Thomas & Satfel is one of the big institutions of Ur- bana.
ME
VILLE CHI
EDWARD BLACKSHAW
Was born September 1st, 1831, at Bromley, near Dudley, Staffordshire, England, about one mile from the place where iron was first smetted by bituminous coal, by Dud Dudley, son of Lord Dudley, in 1865, at Dud Dud- ley's. His father was Joseph Blackshaw, his mother was Hannah Hill. He was mar- ried in Edgbaston England, April 3, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth Jones, since deceased. He was married a second time, August 17, 1882, to Mrs. J. Strachan, who is still living. In 1858, on his arrival here, he established his dental office and has done an extensive business ever since. He has always been a thorough student and has introduced the va- rious inventions in his profession as soon as his investigation convinced him of their merits. Ile was the first to introduce in this county, the following inventions, to-wit: Rubber as a base for artificial teeth, in 1861 or 2, Nitro Oxide or langhing gas, in 1864. Os-artificial as filling for teeth, in 1862, Cheo- plastie as a base for lower sets, in 1860, Weighted Rubber, as a base for lower sets, in 1879, Cavities in lower plate, in 1878, Bro. of Ethyl, in 1883, the local anesthetie for the gums, in 1860, the use of a base plate of metal and fasten the teeth on with rubber for lower sets, in 1884, Tiffine, for extraeting, June 1885, Robbins Remedy, in August 1885, Yinglings Chlorodont, in December 1885, Emery Burrs and wheels for lathes, in Au- gust, 1885. In 1886, the Doctor introdneed Moseley's Soporative, which produces natural sleep, which he is using very successfully in his dental business. Dr. Blackshaw is well known throughout the
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
state as a zealous Free Mason. He was made a Mason in 152, in Fountain Lodge, No. 20, Fon Du Lac. Wisconsin. He has Held the office of Master of Urbana Lodge, 157, been High Priest of Urbana Chapter, No. -0, for eleven years. T. I. G. M. of Urbana Council, No. 19, for twenty-one years, serv- edl as Captain General of Urbana Comman- dery, No. 16, and now occupies the position of Generalissimo in same Commandery. He also filled the honorable position of Puissant Grand Master of the Grand Council of the state of Illinois, for one year. The Doctor is known far and wide as a skilled dentist and in every town in Central Illinois has warm friends who always give him a hearty greeting.
MEL VILL
JOHN T. PHILLIPS
Was born in MitHin Co., Pa., May 24, 1818, being the same day on which Queen Victoria was born. His parents were Isaac Phillips and Priseilla Ilill. He worked on a farmi and in a distillery from the time he was ten years old until 1847, when he emigrated to Iowa, where he farmed until the spring of 1850, when he crossed the plains for Cali- fornia, where he remained till the fall of 1851. His wife whom he had married Sept. 19, 1839, in Pennsylvania, came to Illinois in August 1851. She was born in Mifflin Co., Pa., and is still living. Mr. Phillips drove an ox team back from California. Ilis children are, Mary Matilda, who married Richard Joe, now in Nebraska; Frances, who married Fred Davis, and died in 1876; Will- iam II., who entered the army in the 16th lll. Cavalry and was starved to death in Andersonville prison; John, now married
and residing in Urbana: Edward, a tinner in Philo, and Ella, who has already shown much proheieney in vocal music. Four children died in infancy. He was a Presby- terian prior to coming to Illinois, but has been a Methodist since coming here. Ile was an old live Whig and has been a red hot republican ever since that party was born. Mr. Phillips was the engineer in Park's Mills in Urbana for twelve years. and for about nine years was sawyer in a Inill. He worked for the L., B. & W. R. W. Co., for about six years and is now connect- ed with the mail service. Ile has seen this county grow from a vote of 1,300 to one of over ten thousand. Mr. Phillips has always been an industrious man of steady habits and although in his 69th year he attends to his business regularly and faithfully and bids fair to live many years longer.
MELVILLE CHI
ALEXANDER SPENCE.
Of all the foreign-born subjeets of this country that are first to learn the true intent and meaning of republican institutions, the Scotchman stands at the head. While not so numerous as other nationalities, yet his thrift, industry, brawn and musele, and wide intelligence has made him an important fae- tor in our civilization.
The subject of this brief sketch was born in Kirkland, Fifeshire, Scotland, June 11, 18225. 1le is the son of John and Jeannette (Davidson) Spence. In his youth he served an apprenticeship at the baker's trade and followed it after his arrival in this country. Hle came to America in 1852, landing at New York, Nov. 17. He worked at his trade in
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
different places until October, 1558, when he came to Urbana and worked for Geo. W. Burton, who was the proprietor of the bake- shop on the southwest corner of Main and Market streets. In 1562 he purchased Mr. Burton's interests and continued the bakery, added groceries and provisions and was thus engaged until 1579. On the 9th of October, 1>71, his building was destroyed by fire. He soon after erected the present large brick building, which contains two handsome bus- iness rooms. In 1829 he sold out and went to Kansas City and followed baking for four years there, returned to Urbana, where he at present resides.
While yet a resident of Scotland Mr. Spence married Elizabeth Kennear. By that union there were two children, John and Mary. The former married Miss Eliza- beth Kenney. They are residents of Mis- souri. Mary is the wife of George Lloyd and is a resident of Urbana. Mr. Spence married Miss Lavina J. Baltzell in 1863. She died in 1866 without issue. Mr. Spence married his present wife in 1974. She was the widow of John Nevin. Both Mr. and Mrs. Spence are members of the Presbyte- rian church. Politically, Mr. Spence, soon after coming to this country, joined the dem- ocratie party. He continued a member of that political organization until the free soil issue became prominent. Not liking the at- titude of his party on that and the slavery question, he took the first opportunity of joining a party more in accord with his views. The opportunity came with the for- mation of the republican party and nomina- tion of Abraham Lincoln. Ile cast his first republican vote in 1860, and from that time to the present has remained staunch and true to its teachings.
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