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Genial, enterprising and public-spirited, Col. Matthew W. Busey's home during his lifetime in Champaign County was one of the most widely known and hospitable in that section of the State, and, after the lapse of over half a century, many generous tributes are still being paid to his memory.
MATTHEW WALES BUSEY, the well-known President of Busey's Bank, in Urbana, Cham- paign County, Ill., was born in Urbana, De- cember 7, 1854. His father, Simeon Harrison Busey, was born in Greencastle, Ind., October 24, 1824, and his mother, Artimesia (Jones) Busey, was born October 26, 1826. The pa- ternal grandparents, Col. Matthew W. and Elizabeth (Bush) Busey, were born in Shelby
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County, Ky., the former, March 6, 1798, and the latter March 20, 1801. The great-grand- father, Samuel Busey, was a native of North Carolina, born January 10, 1768, and the great- grandmother, Catherine (Seigler) Busey, born in Loudoun County, Va., in 1776. On the ma- ternal side, the grandfather, John W. Jones, was born November 16, 1794, and the grand- mother, Alice (Scott) Jones, October 20, 1798. Matthew Wales Busey was educated in the place of his birth and has ever since been conspicuously identified with the most import- ant material, moral and educational interests of Urbana. He is regarded in commercial cir- cles as a sound and sagacious financier, and, in the community at large, as one of the rep- resentative men of Champaign County.
On November 15, 1877, Mr. Busey was mar- ried to Katherine W. Richards, who was born in Warm Springs, Va., and educated at the Cook County (Illinois) Normal School. Mr. and Mrs. Busey have two children, Paul Gra- ham and Virginia R.
In politics Mr. Busey is a Gold Democrat, and fraternally is very prominent in the Ma- sonic order, having reached the 32d Degree, and being affiliated with the Orders of the Mystic Shrine and Knights Templar.
GENERAL SAMUEL T. BUSEY .- The Busey family, one of the oldest in Illinois, canie in the early days from North Carolina to Shelby County, Ky., where they settled and took part in the early settlement of that State, and con- tributed not a little to the success of the whites in the long war and strife with the Indians who contested the settlement of their lands by the whites. The Buseys were of fine phy- sique, and were companions of Daniel Boone and were strong helpers in the many bitter fights with the red men. After the country became more settled, Colonel Mathew W. Busey, father of General Samuel T. Busey, removed his family to Washington County, Ind., where he made his home. In 1832, the Colonel, be- lieving there was better land further west, came to Urbana and purchased a large tract to which, in April, 1836, he removed his family and became largely instrumental in shaping the affairs and building up the country.
General Samuel T. Busey was born in Green- castle, Ind., in 1835, and, after arriving at proper age, worked on his father's farm until he attained his majority. He early manifested
an inclination for mercantile pursuits, and, in 1856, engaged in merchandising in which he continued until 1862, when he sold his business to answer the call for the defence of his country against the enemies of the Union. Having ob- tained a commission from the War Governor, Richard Yates, he recruited a company with which he went into camp at Kankakee, August 6, 1862. On the organization of the Company, he was elected Captain of Company B, Seventy-
SAMUEL T. BUSEY.
sixth Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, and on the organization of the regiment, was elected Lieu- tenant-Colonel. August 22nd the regiment started south for Columbus, Ky., then the base of supplies for Grant's army at Corinth; from thence went to Bolivar, Tenn., later with Grant to Coffeeville, Miss., and for a time the regi- ment was on garrison duty at Holly Springs and also served as rear-guard on the return.
In April, 1863, Colonel Busey led his regiment to join Grant's army in rear of Vicksburg, and landed at Chickasaw Bayou the night Grant drove the rebels into Vicksburg, His division being sent to Snyder's Bluff to guard the rear, the officers of the division circulated petition to Grant to send them to the front. Colonel Busey refused to sign it, stating that General Grant was in command and that it was the
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recommendation of Generals Andrews, Steel and General Grant, for gallantry in leading his regiment in the assault on Fort Blakeley.
duty of a brave soldier to take any position assigned him, and not annoy the commanding General who was responsible for results. When chided by other officers he quietly remarked: After the close of the war General Busey engaged in farming until 1867, when, in com- pany with his brother, the Hon. Simeon H. Busey, he organized what is to-day known as Busey's Bank, and which is known as one of the most solid financial institutions in this part of the State. General Busey afterwards bought cut the interest of his brother and associated with him his nephew, Mathew W. Busey, who, "The Seventy-sixth is ready to go when and where it is ordered, and will do the best it knows how, but I trust I have no officer willing to seek promotion by needlessly sacrificing a single man." Three days later they were or- dered to the extreme left; the first night two of the loudest boasting regiments, most anxious for fight, were surprised and routed with 114 men taken prisoners; the Seventy-sixth turned . in company with his brother, George W. Busey, out, prevented what might have been a gen- are to-day conducting the bank on the same solid plans inaugurated by General Busey. The bank from the time of its inception to the present has never asked for an extension of any of its obligations, but has met every debt promptly, which is and always has been characteristic of the Busey family. Having large land holdings, General Busey turned over the bank to his nephews so as to have more time to devote to his private business. eral rout, advanced the line on the river bank, afterwards took and held the most advanced position on the entire line until the surrender. He led his gallant regiment thence to Jackson, Miss., held the post of honor, the extreme right, during the siege. Colonel Busey was the first Union officer in the city after the evacuation by the rebel troops. He won the gratitude of citizens by his efforts in subduing fire and re- straining the lawless. He refused promotion General Busey was very fortunate in the se- lection of a wife who has made him a model home. Their marriage took place at Delphi, Ind., December 25, 1877. The lady was Miss Mary E. Bowen, daughter of a prominent banker and citizen of Delphi, and the result of this union has been two daughters, Marietta and Bertha, and one son, Charles Bowen. to Brigadier General, because he didn't want to leave his regiment. Later he was offered command of the post at Natchez, and urged by citizens and soldiers to accept; this he de- clined for the same reason. His regiment was then attached to the Reserve Corps of Missis- sippi river. During this time he had led several expeditions into the country around. General Busey has always taken a promi- nent part in the affairs of the city and was five times elected Mayor and always discharged his duties with the same integrity and good judgment which characterized him in the bank. In politics he was affiliated with the Democratic party, yet he was known as one of the con- servative kind and so was popular with all classes; this was proven when, much against his will, he was nominated by his party as a candidate for Congress against Hon. Joseph G. Cannon. He was very loath to make the race, as the district had been Republican by a large majority and Mr. Cannon, the incumbent, had been strongly intrenched for many years; yet the issue was made and the General made the fight with the same vigor that he did while in the war, and the result was he came out vic- torious. As a member of the Fifty-second Congress, General Busey was noted for the sterling integrity with which he discharged his duties. He used the same care and excellent judgment which have always characterized his He and his regiment left Memphis, January 1, 1865, and was the first to report to General Canby, at New Orleans, of that vast army af- terwards operating against Mobile. He went to Pensacola, Fla., thence to Pollard, Ala., and thence down the country to Blakeley, the last stronghold near Mobile, which was carried by assault, April 9th, after a hot siege of ten days. The old Seventy-sixth was the first reg- iment to enter the works and suffered more loss than all the rest of the command. Colonel Busey was the second man on the rebel works, urging his men to deeds of bravery; the other man was killed and the Colonel was wounded after an almost hand to hand conflict with three different men, each of whom was per- suaded to "lay down." He was sent to the hospital at New Orleans, returning in June; thence he went to Texas, was mustered for discharge at Galveston, and was discharged at Chicago, August 6, 1865. He was afterwards commissioned Brevet Brigadier General, on
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
business methods. He made a wide acquaint- ance and an enviable reputation and has left a record of which he and his family may well be proud. On retiring from Congress, and since, he has given his time to the enjoyment of his family and in looking after his private business. He is one of the representative men of this part of the State, and has the love and respect of the entire community.
HON. SIMEON H. BUSEY (deceased) .- Among the sturdy pioneers of Champaign County no one has left his imprint in a more pronounced manner than Hon. Simeon H. Busey.
SIMEON H. BUSEY.
He was the eldest son of Col. Matthew W. Busey, who, in 1832, purchased land here and assisted in securing the location of the county- seat at Urbana and, up to the time of his death, was one of the most influential citizens of this part of the State and did much in the early days to develop the country and build up the thriving town of Urbana.
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. The Busey family has strongly marked char- acteristics, which have descended to the pres- ent generation. Among these is a far-seeing insight into the business future, the art of making and saving money and the cardinal principle, of paying their obligations promptly.
These traits were especially noticeable in the Hon. Simeon H. Busey, and he successfully in- stilled them in his children.
. Although not having the advantages of the present day, yet there were few better business men than Mr. Busey; he had an abiding faith in the future of Champaign County, and ac- cordingly invested largely in farm lands in the days of low prices-this fact alone tending to make him one of the wealthy men of the county. He was a farmer and stock-raiser by choice, yet his business foresight led him to invest in other business ventures. The first of these was assisting in the organization of the First Na- tional Bank of Champaign. Soon after getting the bank started, however, he sold his interest and, in 1868, in company with his brother, Col. Samuel T. Busey, organized what is known to-day as Busey's Bank in Urbana, which in- stitution has become a household word in this part of the State and stands for everything connected with sound banking, square dealing and solid financial responsibility. Mr. Busey's excellent business judgment and financial back- ing made him sought after by other financiers, and we find him one of the charter members and Directors of the Bankers' National Bank of Chicago, which office. he filled from the date of organization until his death. He was also an extensive stockholder in a large Peoria bank, and in other enterprises which have all proven the value of his judgment.
Mr. Busey was born at Greencastle, Ind., October 24, 1824. At the age of twelve years he removed with his parents to Urbana. In 1848 he returned to Greencastle and was united in marriage with Miss Artimesia Jones, who survives him and still resides in Urbana, sur- rounded by her large family by whom she is loved and respected as a devoted and loving mother should be.
The result of this union was eight children living, namely: John W., a banker and exten- sive farmer and stock-raiser of Compromise Township, Champaign County; Mrs. Augusta Morgan, of Minneapolis, now residing at Ur- bana; Elizabeth F., wife of Ozias Riley, Post- master at Champaign; Mathew W. and George W., composing the firm of Busey's Bank; James B., an extensive farmer and banker, at Ma- homet, Ill .; Alice W., wife of Gus Freeman, a business man of Urbana; and William H., who has charge of extensive land interests of the family in Mississippi. The family possess the
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
traits of the father and are all, without an ex- ception, among the best citizens of the com- munity.
Religiously Mr. Busey was a Baptist and was a member of the First Baptist church of Ur- bana. He was also an honored member of the Masonic arder, being a charter member of the local lodge. Politically he was reared in the Democratic faith and acted with that party, representing his district in the Thirtieth Gen- eral Assembly (1876-78). During the political campaign of 1896 his business principles led him to be classed with the Gold Democrats, and he was the candidate of that branch of the party for Trustee of the University of Illinois.
Mr. Busey was at all times and under all cir- cumstances loyal to his home town, and he filled many important positions and, by his good judgment, contributed largely in building up the city. He was one of the active workers in securing the location of the University of Illinois at Urbana, also in securing the location of the railroad running from Peoria to Indian- apolis, now known as the Peoria & Eastern, and a part of the "Big Four" system.
Socially Mr. Busey was loved and respected by all classes; he was benevolent, yet preferred to do his acts in this line in a private manner, and many unfortunate people date their pros- perous turn in life to his substantial aid, coup- led with the sound advice he was so well qual- ified to give. His health had been poor for sev- eral years, yet he attended to his business until a short time previous to his death, which took place June 3, 1901, when, surrounded by his family, he passed over to the other side.
JOHN W. BUTLER (deceased) was born near Sidney, Ill., December 15, 1839, a son of Thomas and Rebecca Butler. Sergeant John W. Butler was enrolled in Captain S. M. Mc- Kown's Company of the Sixty-seventh Regi- ment Illinois Volunteers, June 2, 1862, to serve for three months, and was honorably discharged on October 6, 1862, by reason of the expiration of the term enlistment. Its service was ren- dered in guarding rebel prisoners at Camp Butler, Springfield, and Camp Douglas, Chica- go. On May 2, 1864, he again enlisted to serve for 100 days and was chosen Third Sergeant of Company K, One Hundred Thirty- third Illinois Volunteers; was officially gazet- ted to rank on May 14, 1864, and honorably dis- charged September 24, 1864. Under date of De-
cember 15, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln authorized the issuance to Sergeant Butler of a certificate of thanks for honorable service, and from this document, now in possession of Mrs. Butler, we quote the following: "The President directs an official acknowledgment to be made of patriotic service. It was his good fortune to render efficient service in the brilliant oper- ations in the Southwest and to contribute to the victories of the National Arms over the rebel forces in Georgia. On every occasion and in every service to which he was assigned, he performed his duty with alacrity and cour- age."
JOHN W. BUTLER.
Mr. Butler became a member of the United Brethren Church, at Sidney, Ill., February 25, 1880, and on the removal of the family to Urbana in 1892, he united with the First Methodist Church of that city, of which he was a faithful member up to the day of his death. He was married to Miss Sarah J. Meyers, of Homer, on March 8, 1866. There was no is- sue from this union, but the love that this united couple had for children will be under- stood from the fact that they have reared three, whose names are: Aaron Wright of Ma- homet; Mrs. Ella Shon, of Saybrook, and Maud Oneal-the last mentioned being still under
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
their care at the time of their demise. Mr. Butler died February 23, 1904, aged sixty-four years, two months and eight days.
Besides his wife and the three children whom they adopted and reared, Mr. Butler is survived and mourned by his mother, who is now eighty-five years of age, three brothers (who were his juniors), and five sisters.
ALBERT MASON BUTTERFIELD (de- ceased) was born in Boone County, Ill., Sep-
ALBERT M. BUTTERFIELD.
tember 3, 1853, and acquired his early educa- tion in the common schools, which was later supplemented by a course in the University of Illinois. His youth was spent upon the farm, and while still a young man he came to Cham- paign, where he resided until his death, which occurred January 23, 1903. He was a son of Charles O. and Martha D. (Bogardus) Butter- field. For a number of years he was in the employment of the Illinois Central Railroad.
On October 23, 1890, Mr. Butterfield was married to Miss Mary Louise Matter, a daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth (Alles) Matter, the former of whom was born in Switzerland, and subsequently emigrated to America, locating at an early day in Champaign, where he fol- lowed the vocation of blacksmith and wagon- maker, residing in Champaign until his death in
1872. He was married in New York to Miss Elizabeth Alles, who was born on the Isle of Guernsey, and came to America when seven- teen years of age.
In his fraternal affiliations Mr. Butterfield was associated with the Royal Circle. He was, for several years, Secretary of the Home Forum. Politically he was a stanch Republi- can. In religion he was a member of the Congregational Church, and was a highly es- teemed and very popular man in his commun-
MARY L. BUTTERFIELD.
ity. To Mr. and Mrs. Butterfield were born two children, Charles, born November 14, 1892, and Mabel born April 17, 1894, and died Sep- tember 17, 1894, when five months old.
PATRICK BUTLER, the son of John and Bessie (Donnely) Butler, natives of Ireland, was born in 1833, and was educated in the common schools of that country. His early life was spent on a farm in Ireland, and, in 1853, he came to America and located twelve miles north of New York City, where he re- mained for one year. He then removed to Indiana and resided in LaPorte, for four years. In 1858 he came to Champaign County, Ill., and settled near Tolono, adjacent to which he owns eighty acres of land. In 1853 he was married to Bridget Gillson, a native of Ireland, where she was reared and educated, and the
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
following named children have been born to them: John, Kate (Mrs. McCoulf), Thomas, Betsey and William, three of whom are de- ceased. In his church affiliations our sub- ject is a Catholic. In politics he is a Democrat.
THOMAS S. BUTLER (deceased) was born in Allegheny County, Pa., March 6, 1806, the son of John and Margaret (Lyons) Butler, and the greater part of his youth was spent in Mount Vernon, Ohio. He came to Illinois in the fall of 1828, and first settled in Vermilion County. After living there several years he moved to Champaign County, settling on a farm near Homer, and there he passed the remainder of his life. He was a successful farmer and, as a pioneer, and throughout his long life, enjoyed to the fullest extent the es- teem of his neighbors and the general pub- lic.
He was a resident of Champaign County in the days when the farmers of that region han to go to Danville, Ill., and Perryville, Ind., to mill, and to Chicago to market their crops, trips which were frequently made with ox teams. In 1832, when the Black Hawk War was in progress, he enlisted in Captain Brown's Company of the United States Reg- ulars, and served through the following year, assisting to put down the insurrection and to restore order in the region which had been overrun by the indians. In the later years of his life he was noted locally for his interest- ing recollections of pioneer days, and the many exciting events in which he had participated or of which he had personal knowledge. He was mentally and physically vigorous, hale and well preserved until his life was cut short by a railway accident at Homer in April, 1904.
Mr. Butler was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Wright, a daughter of John B. Wrght, who was born in Winchester, Randolph County, Ind. Their surviving children are: Mrs. Ellis Palmer, of Anderson, Ind; Mrs. Andrew Pal- mer, of Newberg, Oregon; John W. (deceased) ; James and Mrs. Evaline Wright, of Homer, Ill .; David C., of Crawfordsville, Ind .; Mrs. A. J. Conkey and Thomas R., of Homer, Ill .; and Mrs. Lora B. Wilson, who resides near Sidney, Ill.
Mr. Butler was a Whig in early life but later a Republican of the pronounced type.
ARCHIBALD B. CAMPBELL was born August
4, 1870, in Ayrshire, Scotland. In 1873 the family came to America and located in Tolono, Ill., where he received his education in the public and high schools. His parents were Archibald B. and Christina (Stewart) Camp- bell, the former born in Ayrshire, Scotland, the latter also being of Scottish birth. At the age of seventeen years Mr. Campbell began work in a railroad office, and in 1891 bought the "Tolono Herald" from its publisher, E. B. Cha- pin (now editor of the "Champaign News"), and which paper he still publishes. In 1897 he was appointed Postmaster at Tolono and assumed charge of the office on July 13 of that year. When the Citizens' Bank of Tolono was opened, February 8, 1904, he was installed as Cashier. In politics he is a Republican, has been Chair- man of the local Central Committee for a num- ber of years, and has also been Town and Vil- lage Clerk for several terms. Socially he is a member of the order of A. F. & A. M., of which he was Master for three years; also belongs to the Knights of Pythias; the Court of Honor, and Modern Woodmen of America. In religion he is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
On September 21, 1893, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage to Bertha Skinner, who was born in Tolono, Ill., where she received her education in the public and high schools. They are the parents of one child, Florence, who was born October 9, 1894. Mr. Campbell's paternal great-grandfather, Thomas Campbell, and his grandfather, John Campbell, were both natives of Scotland. On the maternal side his great- grandfather, George and Elizabeth (Coul- ter) Stewart, and his grandfather, William Stewart, were all of Scottish birth.
F. G. CAMPBELL, of the firm of F. G. Camp- bell & Son, real-estate, insurance and loan agents, located at No. 112 East University Av- enue, Champaign, was born in Preble County, Ohio, November 11, 1848, the son of John and Margaret M. (Dooley) Campbell. His father was born December 12, 1812, in Boone County, Ky., where he followed farming until 1848, when he moved to Preble County, Ohio, and in 1852 to Illinois, locating in Peoria County, where he resided until his death in 1887. In religion he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was an elder for many years. His father was Alexander Campbell, who was a farmer in Kentucky. The mother
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
of the subject of this sketch, born at Beards- town, Ill., November, 11, 1812, was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a very pious woman. She died at the age of eighty-eight years. Her parents were George and Elizabeth (Richie) Dooley, both of whom lived to an advanced age, he dying when eighty-eight years old and she at the age of ninety. They were the parents of five children, all of whom are deceased. F. G. Campbell is one of a family of seven children, four of whom are still liv- ing. He was educated in the public schools of Peoria County, Ill., and the high school at Princeville. For two years he taught school, but not finding that occupation congenial, al- though he was successful in that line of en- deavor, he later engaged in farming in Peoria County, continuing that vocation until 1892. He owns a farm in Peoria County, also one in Champaign County, each of which comprises 160 acres-both of them being leased. Mr. Campbell engaged in his present business in 1892, buys and sells farms and city property, rents all kinds of real-estate, negotiates loans, is agent for a fire insurance company, and ex- ecutes legal documents. He was married in Peoria County, Ill., September 4, 1872, to Alice C. Gilbert, a native of Peoria County and daughter of James A. and Lucy Gilbert, both of whom are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Camp- bell have been born four children: Walter G., who married Floy Ferguson and resides in Min- neapolis, having one child, Margery Maud; Maud, an artist, engaged in designing; Ralph, junior member of the F. G. Campbell & Son firm; and Leland L., a graduate of the Brown Business College, Peoria, who is employed ill the office of the Street Car Company.
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