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 8
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The democratic party made a wise selec- tion in Mr. Radebangh for postmaster. He is giving the office his personal attention and under his good management it reflects credit upon him and his party and at the same time the publie is being treated to an efficieney in their postal affairs to which many communities are total strangers. Mr. Radebaugh has been faithful to the inter- ests committed to him as a lawyer, in every instance giving his best energies to serve his clients as if their cause was his own; he has been equally faithful in the publie trusts reposed in him, and should his party retain power, will doubtless earn, by strict official integrity and faithful performance of duty, still further honors at its hands.
FIELDING L. SCOTT.
None among the prominent citizens of Champaign county are better known than Judge Scott. He was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, January 27. 1807, and was the second child of Patrick and Anna Camp- bell Seott. His father was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and his grandfather was from Scotland. His mother was from Ireland and came to this country when a child with her parents. In 1275 his father, together with about twenty other families emigrated to Kentucky. They pro- ceeded down theOhio in flat boats. They were prevented by the Indians from landing until they reached Louisville, Ky., which they did upon an island, and immediately set to work clearing and planting it incorn. Their provisions running short. his grandfather with three others, effected a landing and went ninety miles, to Boonesboro, for relief and supplies. Soon after. Mr. Scott located land about twenty miles from Boonesboro, in what is now Bourbon county, where he died in 1806. His son Patrick also died there in 1854. The early life of Judge Scott was spent on the father's farm. September 18th, 1827, he married Julia A. Herriott. In 1830 with one child, they started to Illinois.
Arriving at the Grand Chain in the Wabash, they were delayed and compelled to resume their journey overland, Mrs. Scott riding on horseback. The snow was knee deep. They traveled all day through a wilderness when Mr. Scott becoming exhausted mounted be- hind his wife, and fortunately reached shelter. They soon after bought a farm in
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Vermilion county, where they resided six years, when they removed to a farm near Mahomet, where he resided until his death, which occurred November 16, 1877. Judge Scott was a Missionary Baptist in his re- ligion and an unflinching republican in his polities. During the war he was a staunch union man and gave two sons to the service of his country; one of whom was killed at Kenesaw Mountain, and the other has thir- teen sears, from as many bullet wounds, as an evidence of his patriotism. Through all trials and adversity Mr. Scott bravely con- tended, and, with his own hands. assisted by his excellent wife, carved out a comfortable competency at the same time making and maintaining for himself a name for strict honor and integrity which after all is the best heritage to leave to posterity.
MELVIL-B
ABNER W. SOMERS
Was born March 20, 1-21, in Surrey county, North Carolina. His parents were of English descont. The Somers family had long owned a plantation bordering on the Yadkin river, it was a beautiful and healthy place. On one side of the farm in a bend of the river are "the seven islands," where young Abner passed many happy hours. At this favorite place the boys fished by the blazing light of the pine torch. and often swam the river over 200 yards wide. He worked on the farm and went to school at Rockford. Being fond of study and books he acquired a good connuon school education and much general knowledge.
A1 20, he began the study of medicine
which he continued a year, or more, before coming to Illinois. Then he gave up the idea of becoming a physician, and turned his attention to teaching and farming.
He came to this county with his father's family in the fall of 1541. They settled north of the Big Grove ou what is now section 22, Somer township. Here his father bought tand, and soon after. Mr. Somers began teaching. Ile taught about three years ac- cording to the most approved methods of that day and was considered an excellent teacher.
In 1845 he rode to Danville on horseback and entered the land where he is now living at $1.25 per acre, receiving his patent from the president, James K. Polk.
He united with the Methodist church in 1$51. under the preaching of Rev. Moore. at the old meeting house in Somer.
September 15, 1853, he married Miss Mary Ann Kerr. Nine children were born to them : John M .. William R .. Edward H .. Annie C .. James B., Abner W .. Mattie JJ., Samuel, Roscoe and Frank: all of whom are living at home, but the oldest son and daughter. Jolin died March 4, 1852. Annie died June 9, 1886.
In politics, he was a whig, casting his first vote for Henry Clay. The greenback party claimed him as a member, but he is now a republican. Ile is a man of calin thought and considerate judgment. Ile held the office of justice of the peace for four years and is the present school treasurer of Somer township.
Mr. Somers had a good opportunity of seeing Champaign county in its wild state of beauty and grandeur. He was one of the early settlers that went to Danville to mill and to Chicago for groceries and salt. He often accompanied his brother. John L. Somers, who surveyed large portions of the county ; was with him as tlagman in the selec- tion of swamp lands: also when the lots. where now stands the city of Champaign, and the town of Ludlow were surveyed and many other places. On one occasion at the Mink Grove, when far away from the camp, he was startled by a noise: he saw his dog running towards him closely pursued by six- teen fierce looking wild hogs. No one knew better than Mr. Somers when to run, and then, but tow were swifter of foot than he. Like a deer he bounded over the prairie, reached the timber and mounted a tree which saved his life.
He experienced the hardship and dis- advantages of the early days, yet the abun- dance of game and the beauty of the country were to him, "a joy forever." Prairie chick- ens, wild geese, duek, etc .. were seen by the
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thousands, and the deer roamed in herds over the prairie.
The splendid timber in the Big grove was unculled by the pioneer's ax, the prairie sod unbroken by the old settler's plow, and in- numerable wild flowers shed their perfume on the air, filling the heart with gratitude to Him, who clothes the earth in beauty. Often he thought of the lines:
"Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air."
Mr. Somers has lived to see this changed to cultivated fields, beautiful houses, flourish- ing towns, seoools, churches and all the comforts and luxuries which the people of this grand county now enjoy.
Jonx W. DODGE.
John W. Dodge,a native of Steuben, Oneida county, New York, was born Nov. 21, 1808. His grandfather fell in the battle of Bunker Hill. His father was born in New Hampshire July 2, 1776: His mother. Hannah Weeks was from Connecticut, and several of her brothers were prominent in the early settle- ment of Ohio. Joseph II. Weeks, going to Granville, with a colony from Mass., and Win. R. Weeks, D. D., settling in Newark N. J., where he labored successfully for many years.
Mr. Dodge was married Ang. 21, 1834, to Susan Bissell, a lady who proved to be a model of industry and economy, and the beauty of her moral and religious character is indelibly impressed, upon the minds of those who knew her best. Four years ago she passed to that bourne from whence none ever return, after years of patient suffering.
Six children came to bless their wedded life, three of whom are still living. A son, O. B. Dodge, lives in Dixon, Ill., and is con- nected in business with the Grand Detour Plow company, and two married daughters, Mrs. J. M. Beard and Mrs. A. P. Neal, live in Rantoul.
Going west in the early days of pioneer life in Ohio, Mr. Dodge began opening up small farms from the dense timber lands of that state ; and, with his own hands chopped, cleared and feneed two hundred acres of land, during the years from 1828 to 1840. To those who think farming in Illinois on these open prairies, is hard work, we would like to say, what if you had first to remove heavy timber from the land by the slow pro- cess of chopping it by hand, you might then talk of hard work.
When forty years of age. Mr. Dodge en- tered into general merchandising, and con- tinued in that business until 1855, when fail- ing health demanded a change; and he came to Illinois in company with a number of others, called the "Ohio colony." They pre-empted several sections of land in Pera (now ealled Ludlow township,) Champaign county, and built eighteen pre-emption shanties, and at the land sale in Danville, the following winter, paid the government for abont 3,000'acres of land at an average expense of $3.00 per acre, including inciden- tal expenses of pre-empting.
A year later he commeneed making im- provements, (sleeping at first in a pre-emp- tion shanty without floor, door, or window,) and afterwards moved together three others, and occupied them with his family and other new comers (numbering together from 15 to 20 during a whole summer) while a house was being built. If there was not room to "turn round" in the house, plenty could be found outside.
Groceries and provisions, Inmber and hard- ware were brought from Chicago.
Wild game of different kinds was plenty. Prairie chickens, ducks, geese and sand hill eranes, the latter would gather together in an open space and perform a dance, keeping perfect time with their leader. Prairie įwolves; were everywhere, and the first year deer were seen in herds, passing from Buck grove to the Sangamon timber in a regular line, once sixty were counted in a single line, and often 15 or 20 were seen.
Prairieffires were fearful until the land was broken, very destructive ; sweeping over miles of territory in a single night.
Mr .¿ Dodge tried farming till 1861, with a lack of success which was rather discourag- ing. Ile then went into the drug business in Rantoul and continued in it, till the land
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business held ont to him more flattering in- dueements. About this time the Illinois Central railroad offered their lands for sale, and within four or live years, fifty thousand (50,000) acres of land changed hands through his agency. all in the vicinity of Rantoul. Ilealth again gave away, and since that time he has lived quietly in his home at Rantoul. now nearly seventy eight years of age. Ilis silver hairs speak plainly of the busy life he has lead.
He possesses all those excellent qualities of head and heart that constitute the attri- butes of a true and successful man.
MELVILLE GHI
JOIN GEORGE ELY.
Among our respected German American citizens is Mr. Ely, the well known carriage maker, of Champaign. Ile was born in Kempton, Bavaria, June 13th, 1825. He is the son of Ernst and Magdalena (Plifer) Ely. Young Ely received a good education then excellent schools of his native country. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to the trade of carriage making and served his time, after which he worked as a "jour." He came to America while yet a young man. He stopped some time in New York City, and while there married Miss Eliza Rehner. The date of the marriage was October 1st. 1554. She died November 9th, 1563. In the spring of 157, Mr. Ely coneluded to try his fortune in the west. He came to Urbana, landing here April 10th, of the year above named. He found work in the shop of Boyden & Oshield, which some of the older citizens will recolleet. It stood on the ground now owned by J. L. Charni, West Main street. He remained with the above
named firm for three years. He then started a shop of his own, doing all kinds of general blacksmithing work. wagon making. ete. Ile continned in Urbana until 1563, when he moved to Champaign and opened a shop. and continued with varying success. up to isso, when he built the large three story briek building to accommodate his extensive and growing business. His business has grown from a small beginning until it is now one of the most extensive establishments of its kind in Central Illinois. He manufac- tures carriages of all kinds. buggies and spring wagons, and does a general repair business.
When Mr. Ely first began work for him- self, he had to make everything. Mat E. Busey came into his shop one day and want- ed him to make a buggy body for a pair of running gears. Mr. Ely drew the outline with chalk on the floor. Mr. Busey express- ed himself as satisfied if the body would look that way when made. Mr. Ely finished it from the plan on the floor. That buggy body was the first one ever made in the county of Champaign. When Mr. E. first went to Champaign it was then ealled West Urbana. There were but sixty houses in the town. The Illinois Central company were then erecting their round house. The out- look for the struggling village was not very bright, but Mr. E. had unbounded confidence in its future. Times has demonstrated that his judgement was not at fault. Theeity in a great measure owes its growth and pros- perity to that class of enterprising and ener- getic men to which Mr. E. belongs. They are the men who give life and vitality to a town.
Mr. Ely's present wife was Dora Demlo. Their marriage took place April6, 1564. He is the father of twelve children. The eldest is twenty eight and the youngest five years of age. George, Samuel. John and Louis. are working in the carriage shop. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ely are members of the Reformed Lutheran church. Politically, Mr. Ely is a pronounced demoerat. Thus in short is a brief outline of the life of Mr. Ely. He came here poor in purse, but rich in the possession of youth, health and industrious habits. Through these he has built up a large business, and made himself an honor- able name among men.
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
JOHN ASIMON BENEDICT.
Among the hills of Delaware county, New York, John Ashmon Benedict was born, December 2, 15229. He was the son of Martin Green Benedict, whose father came from Connectieut into the then far west.and settled near Meredith, in that county. Many are the thrilling stories of hair breadth escapes from horrible massacre by Indians which are re- lated of him. At one time the Indians raid- ed the country. He pretended to be their friend and during their raids in the day time buried his valuables. Early one morning shortly after the departure of the Indians, upon their raid of daily massaere he too departed, and sought in safety his boyhood home in Connectieut. Returning he found his home burned to the ground.
Martin Green, born in 1500, was raised among these thrilling scenes, and took life in earnest. In early life he married Myra Ann Flint. He was a successful farmer and lived to see the woodland hills of Delaware county, made beautiful by the toil and labor of its early settlers. He died in December, 1576, John Ashmon was the eldest son by this union. He was educated in a district school near Meredith, and at the Delaware Academy. During the winter, when not needed for farm work, he taught school. In the Autumn of 1854, at an evening party he met the maiden of his choice, Olive Lee. June 5, 1856, they were married. She was the daughter of John and Mitty Lee, of Roxbury, New York. Soon after their marriage they too, determined to seek a home in the far west. Charles Fitch Post visited the father of John Ashmon, in the
summer of 1556 and at this time the agreement was made to settle in the same locality. In October he started. He first went to Cambridge, Wis., the home of Mr. Post. From here he and Mr. Post started for Champaign, Ill., but meeting N. L. Seaver on the train they were advised to locate at Rantoul, which after visiting that place they concluded to do, and returned to Cambridge, for their families and goods. John Ashmon stopped in Chicago upon his return to his future home, and bought lumber for the first lumber yard in Rantoul. He arrived with his wife Nov. 1st, 1556. Under the firm name of Post & Benediet, they carried on a lumber business during 1957 and 1555, when John Ashmon bought out Post's interest, and carried it on until fall of 1559, when he sold out to Abram Cross. During the winter of 57-55, he taught the first public school in a frame buikling. corner of Girard and Grove avenues. This was distriet No. 1, which had just been organized. In the fall of '50, this distriet built a more commodious school house. John Ashmon was a member of the board of school directors, who were the first elected and held office at the time of its erection.
About January 1st, 1859, he formed a part- nership with Henry Wright, in the general merchandise business-firm name, Benediet & Wright. Sold out his interest in spring of '60. Then went into the lumber and grain business with Peter Meyers. In the spring of '61, sold his interest to Meyers. Farmed during this and the coming year, and in May 1863, bought out M. Huffman, a general merchandise dealer of Ludlow. This busi- ness he carried on until the spring of '65. He sold out and in the fall of '65, bought out O. B. Dodge, a general merchandise dealer, of Rantoul. He continued in this business until his death, Oct. 12th, 151. His family consists of a wife and two sons; John Lee, and Charles Post, who survive him, a little daughter, Ada Jane, having died Sept. 13th, 1562.
In his business transactions, he was suc- eessful. His estate including a fire proof business block, 50x80 feet, two stories high, a pleasant residence, corner of Sangamon avenue, and Girard street, town and farm property and such personal property as was necessary to run his extensive merchandis- ing business. All his property was free from incumbrance. In polities he was a republican. He was a member of the town Board of Trustees for several years, onee its president. For several years also he was a member of the county board of supervisors and during his last term was chairman of that body. Was a member of the congres-
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sional convention of 1980, which met at Mattoon, Ill. He was one of the original incorporators, and one of the first directors of the H., R. & E. R. R. Incorporated Jan- uary 9th, 1576. Although not a member of any church, his wife being a Meteodist, he took an active interest in the church of her choice.
Prominent among the many good traits of character of John A. Benedict, was his large hearted charity for the poor or unfor- tunate. Hle delighted to soften the couch of the afflicted and brighten the home of the sufferer, not by words of cheer and consola- tion alone, but by substantial help in the hour of need. Many are the individuals and families, that owe much of their prosperity to the helping hand & John A. Benedict, and cherish, to-day, his memory with the sin- cerest gratitude and veneration.
ELVILLā
ALONZO LYONS.
Thirty-two years ago, Alonzo Lyons came to Urbana. He brought with him his moth- er and youngest sister. He continued his residence in the county until his death, which occurred AAugust 25th, ISTS. He was born in Coleraine. Franklin county, Mass., October 18, 1823. His father. James, and mother, Sophia (McCulloch) Lyons, were natives of the same state. Mrs. Lyons came to this county in 1854, from Clinton, Indiana. where she had lived after leaving Massa- chusetts. The marriage of Mr. Lyons with Miss Julia E. Bassett., of Castleton, Ver- mont, took place in Urbana, January, 17th, 1855. Mrs. Lyons survives her husband and is still a resident of Tolono. The oldest child,
Mrs. A. L. Carney, resides at Portsmouth, Ohio: the other children, two sons and two daughters. live with their mother. Mr. Ly- ons came west in 1537. with his uncle, James McCulloch, to Clinton, Indiana, and elerked in his uncle's store, for several years. After- wards for a number of years he and his brother were partners in the mercantile bus- iness. at Clinton. In 1850 they opened a branch store at Camargo, in Douglas county, Illinois. In 1553, the partnership was dis- solved, Alonzo taking the latter store. In February of the next year he opened a store in Urbana with Dr. Rollin Whitcomb in charge of same. In 1858, Mr. Lyons and family removed to Tolono where he resided and continued in the mercantile business until the date of his death, above mentioned. The business of Mr. Lyons necessitated long trips over the country. He was not deterred by stormy weather, if business called him. Many times he was compelled to drive aeross the open country; the trips were long, and frequently night came on when he was a long distance from home, or from any house. Ile had many exciting experiences in driv- ing over the lonely prairies with but few land marks to guide him in his course. Once during a blinding snow storm, in the wide open prairie, he lost his way, and after struggling along attempting to strike the trail he almost gave up and feared he could never get home. but trusting to the instinct of his faithful though jaded horses, they pulled him through and brought him safely home, though many hours late, and very much exhausted and suffering from the se- verity of the storm. Mr. Lyons was always interested in any movement that had for its object the public good or welfare of the community in which he lived, and gave liber- ally of his means to aid such enterprises. In his religions belief he was a Universalist.
Politically he was an ardent and staunch republican, thoroughly imbued with the be- lief that the application of its principles to governmental affairs would insure great good and the perpetuity of our republican form of government. lle took an active in- terest in polities and was recognized as one of the leaders of his party in the county. He was a man of more than ordinary intel- lectual ability. Ile read much and digested well what he did read. He was a pleasant and agreeable companion. In his death his family lost a kind hearted, good husband and father, and the community a valuable and worthy citizen.
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PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
VILLA CHI
JUDGE J. P. TENBROOK
Was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1509. His parents, Abraham and Catherine, (Piatt) Tenbrook, emigrated to Indiana in 1818 and settled in Franklin county, where the father died in 1822. Ile left a large family and their only support was their mother and Jolm P., who was then a lad of thirteen years. But he struggled along manfully and succeeded in keeping the wolf from the door until the family was self-sustaining. In 1837, finding him- self in possession of three good teams, Mr. Tenbrook resolved to try the country further west. He located in Monticello, in Piatt county. At that time the country between Urbana and Monticello was an unbroken prairie and the smoke of the camp-fire of the Indians still ascended from the Big Grove. Mr. T. engaged in the hotel busi- ness in Monticello, and continued in it for twelve years. He came to Champaign coun- ty in 1850 and located at Sadorus, where he has made his home ever since, with the ex- ception of a few years that he spent in Ur- bana. Ilis house was the first erected in the village of Sadorus. In 1837 he married Miss Eklula, daughter of Henry Sadorus, the pioneer of Champaign county. She died in 1852. She was the mother of four children, three of whom are living. Their names are: Henry, Eliza, wife of Mr. Tim- mons, residents of Monticello, and Malissa, wife of Mr. Lochrie, residents of Iowa. Po- litically, Judge Tenbrook has been a life long democrat. His first vote was cast for Gen. Jackson, in 1828, and from that time to the present he has not faltered in his alle-
gianee to the party of his first choice. He has filled many honorable positions in the county. He was county judge for a number of years. when the county was under the old organization, and has represented two dif- ferent towns, at different times in the board of supervisors. He has been a justice of the peace for many years. He is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity and was the first Worshipful Master of Urbana Lodge No. 157, while under dispensation and the first after its organization. Judge Tenbrook has many friends in the county, whom he has won by his genial, good na- tured disposition. In religious belief he is a Cumberland Presbyterian.
MELVILLE
WILLIAM REDHED
Was born at March. in Cambridgeshire, England, September 23. 1530. He left home at the tender age of eleven years, and has made his own way in the world from that day to the present. He left London in September, 1850, bound for the United States and took passage on the Ocean Queen. Ho thus eut loose from the scenes of his childhood and youth and boldly struck out to the new world to wrestle with the difficulties and obstacles of life. He arrived in Chicago in December, 1850, and remained in that rapidly growing city until April 1857, when he located at Tolono, in this county. Ile was married July 2, 1857, at Chicago, to Miss Mary M. Ladey. This excellent lady died July 16, 1883, at the home of Mr. Redhed's mother, at March, England, whither Mr. Redhed and she had gone on a visit to the scenes of his boyhood days.
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