USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Historic sketch and biographical album of Shelby County, Illinois > Part 38
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PETER DIDDEA.
Peter Diddea was born of German parentage in Pottsville, Pa., June Ist, 1849. The name of his father was Christian, and the maiden name of his mother, Margaret Geremahley. The father was a coal miner by occupation and had a place among the overseers. He moved to Chicago when Peter was a small child, and afterward to
Sheffield, this state, where he again found em- ployment in a mine. In the year 1865 he moved to Stewardson and purchesed a farm of eighty acres. His death occurred six years later, viz., in 1871. Mrs. Diddea still lives and is a resi- cent of Effingham.
In addition to the ordinary district school education, our subject spent some time in the college at Teutopolis : this doubtless served to fit him for the business successes which he has achieved in these later years. He began com- mercial life for himself in 1871. The only capital of which he was possessed was that inherent in himself and in the person of a loyal wife. 111 August of the year last named he was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Leffler. a native of Ohio. To- gether they settled upon a leased farm, rearing the humble log cabin in which they lived. Five children, three of whom died in infancy, were born to them. The two living are: Miss Ida, who is house-keeper for her father, the faithful mother having died in 1893; and Emma. now Mrs. Wesley Duddleston. of Stewardson.
For one year Mr. Diddea conducted an im- plement business in Stewardson with Mr. G. S. Baldwin as partner, and, then dissolving the part- nership, he entered another to trade in the same line of merchandise, with Mr. George W. Voris. After two years Mr. Diddea was made assignee to look after the interests of a stock of hardware : he then went in the firm of York, Mautz & Diddea. After one year Mr. York dropped out of the partnership, and the remaining two con- ducted the business for a period of twelve years. While with Mr. Mautz, Mr. Diddea owned an interest in a livery stable at Altamont and a half interest in his present establishment in Shelby- ville. In 1893 he came to this city and has since become the sole owner and manager of the busi- ness here. He keeps between twenty and thirty
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horses and numerous fine rigs and turnouts. His prices are reasonable and all may feel assured of courteous and satisfactory treatment. Besides this livery enterprise he conducts three excellent farms, and is the owner of above five hundred acres of good land. He is gradually becoming quite an extensive stock raiser and dealer. In politics Mr. Diddea is a democrat. At the time he cast his first ballot he was elected constable and until business cares precluded the possibility of taking an active part in political affairs he was never without a public office. He is a member of the Masonic and K. of P. orders, besides several insurance organizations. The life of our subject illustrates what is possible in the line of financial success to those who are frugal and in- dustrious. As we have stated, he began with nothing and is now well-to-do. In additon to this, he bears a good name throughout the county. We find him kind, approachable and obliging, and account him among our friends.
HOMER S. CORLEY, M. D.
The subject of this review was born in Cold Spring township, Shelby county, on the 28th day of August, A. D. 1871. His father, W. W. Cor- ley, was a native of Kentucky, and came to this state in 1823, being 2 years old ; and his mother was born one mile west of Shelbyville, in 1834. The Corleys settled upon land which is remem- bered as the "Old Ridge camp ground." Here they engaged in general farming and stock rais- ing. The Pughs or mother's parents settled about one and one-half miles northeast, on the Wakefield farm. The Wakefields were the first settlers in Shelby county.
Mr. Corley correctly reads the signs of the times, and saw the increasing importance of
educational training ; having become somewhat opulent through the successful management of lis farm, he moved into the City of Shelbyville, that his children might have the benefits of a graded school. Thus it occurred that Homer's early years were spent in the rugged pursuits of a farmer's son, and in attendance upon the dis- trict school; while, somewhat later, during his youth, he enjoyed better privileges. For a per- iod of four years he further stored his mind with the treasures of knowledge in the halls of the Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, Illi- nois. Subsequently, for one semester, he at- tended the Brown Business College, and then matriculated with the Missouri Medical College. of St. Louis, (now the Washington University). and was graduated from that institution in the class of '97 ; thus were laid, broad and deep, the foundations of that generous culture which now characterizes the man. He began the practice of his chosen profession in Tower Hill the sun- mer after his graduation. On the 14th day of Feb- ruary, igoo, he was joined in marriage with Miss Edith E., the accomplished daughter of Dr. J. J. Conner, of Pana, Illinois. The doctor in addi- tion to his practice, conducts the home farm of one hundred sixty acres, which is situated about four miles south of Tower Hill. For about two years he was a partner in a furniture business in Le Roy, Ill., viz., from 1894-1896. The deaths of the doctor's parents, who lived to rank among the old and best-known citizens of the county, occurred in the years (father) March 20, 1890; and (mother) January 20, 1891. Our subject is Past Master of the Masonic lodge of Tower Hill, No. 493, and is also present Master of the same. He is a member of the K. of P. order, Merlin lodge, No. 202, at Le Roy, and also of A. I. chap- ter Sigma Chi fraternity, Bloomington, Illinois. He is Past Sachem in the Improved Order of
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FINDLEY BEHYMER.
HENRY MILLER.
BIOGRAPHIES.
Redmen. Shingewassa tribe. No. 116, and a member of Past Sachem's association. In poli- tics he is a republican, but not a bitter partisan. For three years he has been committeeman for hís township. For a period of two years he has been president of the Village Board of Health. He is a member of the Central Illinois Medical society and ranks well in his profession. We have found him to be a gentleman pleasant to meet, cultured. refined and possessed of public spirit. His practice is increasingly large, as is also the circle of his friends. Both the doctor and his estimable wife are in the first rank in social circles, and we predict for them lives of increasing usefulness, happiness and success The name Corley is to remain a prominent one in the annals of Shelby county.
FINDLEY BEHYMER.
(An Autobiography.)
Findley Behymer is the son of Samuel Behymer, Sr .. who was a native of Virginia, and of German descent. He resided with his parents till grown to manhood, and then emigrated from Fredericksburg. Va., to a place near the present site of Cincinnati : this was just prior to the ad- mission of Ohio as a state. Here Father Behy- mer made a land purchase from Col. Lucas, of Revolutionary fame : this comprised a military tract of two thousand acres bordering on the Ohio river, about fifteen miles above Low Santeeville, now Cincinnati. Hamilton and Lucas counties divide on the southwest corner of this tract. Father settled upon this survey with his young Virginian wife. Miss Catherine Logan. His nearest neighbor, the father of his wife, lived two miles distant : the country be-
tween being frequently occupied by prowling savages and fierce animals. Six children were born into this frontier home : two boys and four girls. After about twenty years of toil in which many primeval conditons were altered by needed improvements, the wife's health began to fail and she crossed the borders of the unseen coun- try. About 1818. father was subsequently married to a Yankee lady. Miss Mary Parvin. Nine chil- dren were the offspring of this union, all boys. of which I am the seventh. My birth took place in Clermont county, Ohio, March 11th. 1829. My opportunities for an education were limited to the district school of that early day. When I was seventeen years of age, father, who had been an invalid for several years, passed to his upper estate. A few months prior to the loss of my father. I had lived as an apprentice to a carpenter and joiner : after three years, I served one year as foreman for my employer. In 1852 I went to Indianapolis and there worked upon the Bates hotel. the Asylum for the Blind, the Capi- tol. etc. 1 afterward returned to Cincinnati and resumed my trade in that city.
On January 5th. 1854. I was married to Mrs. Susan Leach Ashcraft, the eldest daughter of John and Nancy Leach, then of Clermont coun- ty, Ohio. Previous to my marriage 1 had pur- chased a home where I resided until the spring of 1857. when I sold out and moved by stream to Keokuk, Iowa. Soon after reaching the above place a cyclone completely ruined the town and in the depression which followed 1 moved to Shelbyville. Illinois. Here I arrived June 9th. 1857. and at once took up the work of my trade. which I continued till 1862. At Lincoln's call for 100,000 volunteers I responded and assisted in organizing Co. B. of the 115th Ill. Inf. I was elected first corporal. Afterward 1 was pro-
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moted, under the hand of Col. Moore, for meri- torious conduct under dangerous circumstances. to the rank of sergeant. Was ever with my com- pany save at short intervals ; 1 served as a com- missioned officer in the battle of Wanhachie, Tenn .. October 29th, 1863, and later commanded the regiment on New Year's day, 1864, while the ‹ fficers were celebrating at a town a few miles away.
In 1864, June 20, 1 was appointed Color Bearer and was specially commended for gal- lant conduct in the battle of Nashville. When the regiment was mustered out | returned to Shelbyville, and to my former house which had stood incomplete through those years of service. but which had been watched over and cared for by an anxious and loving wife. 1 completed iny house and then resumed the labors of my trade in a public manner. I was named by the citi- . zens as one of the charter members of the School Board in the act of the legislature which created the "Shelbyville Graded School." The charter was granted May 7th, 1869, and under this the Main street school building was erected.
1 took an active part in the organization of the Shelby County Veteran association, and was appointed on the committee to draft constituion and by-laws; when our work was presented it was adopted without alteration. Was chosen by Commander E. H. Martin, of Cyrus Hall Post. G. A. R., as one of a committee of three to raise funds with which to place a suitable memorial window in the First M. E. church. This enter- prise was successfully consummated and today the beautiful south-front window may be seen by all, bearing a triune inscription which is doubt- less well-pleasing to the Creator and Founder of all nations.
JAMES BOYS.
It is an important duty to honor and perpet- nate, as far as is possible, the memory of the citi- zen, who, by his blameless and honorable life, has reflected credit upon the region in which he has lived. Ilis example, in whatever field his work may have been done, thus stands as an ob- ject lesson to those who come after him, and though dead he yet speaks.
James Boys, of whom we write, was such a man, and bore such a character, leaving to his children and acquaintances an example which commands respect and emulation. Mr. Boys was born in Durbin county, Indiana, on the 26th day of June. 1827, the same year in which this county was organized. His parents were Alex- ander and Virginia ( Bradley) Boys, who were born, respectively, in Ohio and "Old Virginia," Mr. Boys being of Irish descent, and Mrs. Boys of Scotch parentage. When but seven years of age, James came with his parents to Vermilion county, this state, where they settled upon a farm, and for three years engaged in the im- provement of the same. At the expiration of that time they removed to Shelby county, and procured land in Okaw township. These parents remained in Shelby until their deaths, which oc- curred in 1881. within two days of each other. They were laid to rest at the same time, and in the same grave, thus being united in death as they had been in life.
James Boys is one of thirteen children born to the parents above mentioned, three of whom died before reaching maturity. He spent his early life on his father's farm, and was taught in the common schools of his neighborhood, having at- tended the first school ever held in Okaw town- ship.
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On the 15th of October, 1849. Mr. Boys was married to Miss Sarah, daughter of Thomas Harly. She was a native of Fairfield county. Ohio, twenty-two years before. After his mar- riage, Mr. Boys purchased land which is now within the corporate limits of Shelbyville, but two years later settled upon land in Ridge town- ship, where he remained until his death. Decem- ber 21. 1897. and where his loved wife died on the 11th of November of the year previous. At the time of his marriage Mr. Boys was not rich in this world's goods, but, with his young wife. possessed indomitable energy and courage. and in the years following he accumulated consider- able property, ultimately owning 800 acres of fine farming land, 500 of which were included in the farm upon which he resided, and upon which he still remained, though being retired for some few years previous to his demise.
Mr. and Mrs. Boys were the parents of nine children, five of whom are still living, and are as follows: John, W .. whose biography appears in this volume : Mary, who is the wife of Robert Weakly. a prosperous farmer of Ridge township : James M .. a sketch of whom also appears upon another page of this book : Thomas H., a physi- cian of St. Louis, who married Miss Lucy Fisher. of Flat Branch township : and C. F., also living in St. Louis, and who married Miss Della Risacker, of Shelbyville.
Mr. Boys was a democrat in politics, and cast his vote and influence with that party for years. He held the office of road commissioner and school director for some years. but refused to accept any office which would necessitate his relinquishing his attention to his private busi- ness affairs. Both Mr. Boys and his wife were prominent members of the Methodist church. South, and were earnest supporters of the same. Mainly through the generosity of Mr. Boys, a
church of that denomination was erected near his home. After long years of uprightness. this worthy couple are now enjoying the "crown of righteousness" which the Lord hath given them.
JAMES M. BOYS.
Of James M. Boys we write this biography. one of the boys born to Mr. and Mrs. James Boys, whose memorial biography appears among the memoirs in this volume. He was born on the farm in Ridge township. Shelby county. thirty-six years ago, and has ever lived within a few miles of his birthplace. His education in the common schools, and his outside reading and observation have made of him a well-educated man in agricultural lines and other affairs. While a young man. he assisted in the conduct of his father's farm. and in 1867 removed to the Hager farm, which he rented for a period of three years. His farming here was exceptionally successful. and in one season he sold $1800 worth of wheat from that farm. From 1890 to 1892. he tilled a part of his father's farm and 80 acres adjoining. which he purchased with his "wheat money, referred to above. This is the 80 acres in section 26. on which he now lives. Mr. Boys received 80 acres from his father. and subsequently pur- chased 80 acres, which now makes him the pos- sessor of 240 acres of rich farming land. all of which, he. himself farms. In addition to this work. he conducts a threshing business which he began in the fall of 1897, and at which he is very successful, securing a great deal of threshing through his section of the county. In the last season, which was the best of all, he did more than a thousand dollars' worth of business in that line. In 1899. Mr. Boys sold more than $1.800 worth of broom corn. the product of only sixty
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acres of his land. In 1897, he erected the house in which he resides, and which, for appearance and convenience, ranks amongst the best in the county. It has modern appliances, and running water inside, which is not found in very many of the dwellings outside of city limits. The barn, which is a fine, large one, was built in 1893.
Miss Ida K. Rogers, of Vandalia, Illinois, was the young lady who, by her charming man- ner, captivated Mr. Boys, who, succumbing to her power quite willingly, led her to Hymen's altar in the year of 1886. Miss Rogers was the daughter of W. Il. and Phebe (Askins) Rogers. But one child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Boys, a son, Glen V., born on the 18th of June. 1890, and who is attending school. Both Mr. Boys and his estimable wife are members of the Court of Honor.
Mr. Boys is what is commonly termed a "stiff democrat," believing in the doctrines set forth by that party, with all his heart. and lend- ing all his influence and vote to its success. By his neighbors he is looked upon with favor and as one who is of upright character and untiring energy in pursuit of that which will secure to himself and family greater happiness and enjoy- ment of life.
JOHN W. BOYS.
The man of whom we write this sketch, was born on the 18th day of March, 1857, the son of James Boys, a memoir of whom appears in this volume. His boyhood was spent upon the farm of the father, and his education was begun in the district schools of his neighborhood. Later in life, having passed through the grades of the common schools, he spent two years in careful and persistent study in the High school of Shel-
byville, and acquired an education which has been ever helpful to him in his argicultural pur- suits, as well as in the discharge of his duties as a public officer, of which we will speak later.
When 22 years of age he began farming. in- dependently, on 80 acres of land previously pur- chased by him, in Okaw township. At the ex- piration of two years he sold his farm, and pur- chased what is known as the Hager farm, in Ridge township. For three years after he mar- ried he lived there. and then disposed of the place, buying in its stead a farm in Section 27, of the same township, upon which he still resides. By honest endeavor and intelligent working out of ideas and plans relating to the tilling of the soil, Mr. Boys has made a success of farming. and is today possessed of about 455 acres of most excellent land. Of this, he, himself, works about 250 acres, while he has the balance of it let to tenants. In 1896, Mr. Boys sustamed a consid- erable loss, in the burning of his house, the value of which was only partially covered by insurance : but in the same summer, however, he erected his present comfortable and substantial dwelling. which is built in modern design, and presents a very pleasing appearance.
Mr. Boys' wife was Miss Katie E. Boyce. of Mt. Vernon, Indiana. Her parents were Washington and Hattie Boyce, the maiden name of her mother being Alldredge. Mr and Mrs. Boys have been the parents of seven children, six of whom are still living and are at home with their parents.
"There is no fireside, howe'er defended. But has one vacant chair."
is true of this home, for eleven years ago occur- red the death of Washington Boys, then but five years of age. We name those who are living in
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JOHN ANGLIN.
JOHN BOYS.
BIOGRAPHIES.
the order of their birth, as follows: T. DeWitt. named for Talmage ; Wilkinson P., Fabian, Floy and Wesley.
Mr. Boys has ever been identified with the democrats in politics, and is prominent in poli- tical circles. He has been honored by his neigh- bors, in being elected supervisor from his town- ship, a position which he now holds, together with the responsible office of treasurer of his school district. He has been an incumbent of the office of township clerk, and also township col- lector, two positions of trust which he occupied and the duties of which he discharged to the eminent satisfaction of his constituents.
Fraternally, Mr. Boys is an honored mem- ber of the F. & A. M. lodge. He and his family are esteemed by their neighbors, and occupy a very warm place in the hearts of their friends.
ALVA P. WEAKLY.
Ohio bears the distinction of having sup- plied more presidents to the Union than any other state, and it has doubtless furnished to Shelby county more pioneers than have come from any other one state. By no means the least among these were Samuel and Maria (Fet- ters) Weakly, who, in the spring of 1852, occu- pied fourteen days in driving through from Pickaway county, Ohio, to Ridge township. in this county. Here they rented a farm, upon which they lived until the fall of that year, when they bought a farm and settled upon it, remain- ing there until their deaths ; that of Mr. Weakly occurring in 1890, and Mrs. Weakly dying in 1860. These people were the parents of ten chil- dren, nine of whom are still living; and Alva P. Weakly, of whom we write this sketch was the second son.
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Alva was born in the Ohio home. in 1842. and has a very vivid recollection of the long over- land journey above referred to, when he was but ten years of age. One incident, in particular, of the trip will never be effaced from his memory. In fording Eel river, they inadvertently drove into quicksand which abounded along the edge of the water, and it was only by the assistance of others that they were enabled to safely cross.
The "schooling" of this boy was received in the districts of his boyhood homes, and he was well drilled in the studies taken up in those early days. At the time of his coming to Shelby coun- ty, there were no churches near his home, and the circuit preachers held their services in the school houses, thus illustrating that religion and education go hand in hand. In Shelbyville, was the nearest physician. and when it became nec- essary to come to this place for any purpose. they came in a bee-line across the prairie, as there was no road then established. At that time the site upon which the First National bank now stands, was occupied by a steam saw mill. Among these frontier-like environments, Alva grew to be a stalwart. happy-hearted young man. always ready to perform his share and more. of the agricultural toil. After settling upon his father's farmi for six or seven years, he purchased 80 acres near by, and began tilling the soil on his own behalf. This farm in which there were at first but 80 acres. now contains 335 : Mr. Weakly having, by purchase, increased it to its present dimensions, and has made it one of the most de- sirable pieces of real estate in Shelby county. The house in which he now resides is not more than a mile and a half from where the father lo- cated upon his advent in the county. This large and handsome residence, of modern architecture. and the spacious barns, were built by Mr.
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Weakly, and are indeed an ornament to the sec- tion of the county in which they stand.
In 1864, Miss Mary Miller became the wife of Mr. Weakly, and has until the present, been the partner of his domestic felicity, and has shared with him the universal respect and good- will of their large circle of friends and neighbors ; and the hospitality of the Weakly home is authenticated by many who have enjoyed it. Mrs. Weakly was the daughter of C. P. and Catherine (Spears) Miller, of Ridge township. and was the fifth child of her parents. To Mr. and Mrs. Weakly have been born seven children. who all live, and are a credit to the parents who bore them.
Cyrus S. is a prosperous farmer of Obed, and is married to Clara Moll, of that place : ()scar M. is still at home, and assists his father in the conduct of the farm ; William E. is a dry goods merchant at Lakewood; Elmer rents a farm near his father's, and is married to Olive a daughter of one of the Klauser Brothers, of Shelbyville : Laura .A. is the wife of Mr. J. Trout, who is a partner of Wm. Weakly, at Lakewood ; Alta is the wife of George Seaman, a druggist of Shelbyville ; and Emory A. is a bright lad who helps to make the home happy, and attends school.
Mr. Weakly is a republican in politics, and cast his first vote for "Honest Abe," of whom he was a great admirer. When but 18 years of age he united with the United Brethren church, and has been a faithful member of the same to the present time. His wife also became a mem- ber of this church in her girlhood, and together they discharge their religious duties, as well as those of a more secular nature.
Mr. Weakly is a public-spirited citizen, and throughout the section of the county in which he lives he bears an enviable reputation for keen
business tact and foresight, and there is perhaps no man in his township whose advice and coun- sel are more eagerly sought, and more closely followed. Mr. and Mrs. Weakly are not yet old in years, but, enjoying to the full the blessings of life, they are journeying happily toward an honorable old age, and a final recompense in Elysium, for lives of uprightness and good deeds.
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