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Mr. Munhall's parents moved from Cam- bridge, Ohio, to Urbana, Ill., in October, 1854. The father died in Cleveland, Ohio, in March, 1864, and the mother passed away at Urbana, Ill., in January, 1881. At the latter place, and in Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Munhall received his early mental training, after which he learned the printer's trade. He came to Champaign in 1865, and was employed as a dry-goods clerk for five years. In 1870 he entered the Gazette printing office, where he remained for twenty-eight years, at the expiration of this long service establishing the Munhall Printing
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
House, with which he is still connected and in which his capacity and energy have won suc- cess.
On November 22, 1874, Mr. Munhall was mar- ried to Margaret W. Hulbert, who was born in Sherburne, N. Y., and received her girlhood mental training in Champaign, Ill. Eight chil- dren have blessed their home, namely: Grace Mae, Dorothy, Charles Scott, William, Ada, Hazel, Maurice and Mildred.
Politically, the subject of this sketch up- holds the principles of the Republican party. Fraternally, he is identified with the Knights of Pythias.
WILBERT W. MUNSELL, M. D., practicing physician, Urbana, Ill., was born at Naples, Ontario County, N. Y., April 3, 1878, the son of William Watkins and Florence Lydia (Soule) Munsell, the former born at Rose, Wayne County, N. Y., and the latter at Savannah, in the same county and State. His father, Wil- liam W. Munsell, originally a publisher in New York, is now engaged in the publishing business in Chicago, as the head of the Mun- sell Publishing Company. On the paternal side the family is of combined English and Welsh ancestry, and on the maternal side of English descent, Quakers in religious belief, of strong anti-slavery principles, and in social habits they were sturdy abstainers from the use of intoxicating liquors.
Mr. Munsell's mother died at Naples, N. Y., May 19, 1830, and July 12, 1882, his father mar_ ried Ida May Hamilton, a daughter of B. W. Hamilton, D. D., of Syracuse, N. Y., and to her he is largely indebted for studious train- ing and those inspirations which resulted in the choice of one of the learned professions as his life work.
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Wilbert W. received his early education in the public schools, later taking a course at Cazenovia Seminary, Cazenovia, N. Y., and in 1897 graduated from the Evanston Township High School at Evanston, Ill. During the same year of his graduation at Evanston, he entered the Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, from which he graduated in 1901, being one of eight out of a class of about 70 who were honored by special mention. After graduation, as the result of a competitive examination, he was awarded a position as an interne at the Hahnemann Hospital, but having a period
of three months on his hands before his hos- pital service began, he went to East Bloom- field, N. Y., where he engaged in practice, meanwhile taking an examination before the State Medical Board and receiving a license to practice from the Regents of the University of the State of New York. In September, 1901, he assumed the position assigned him in the hospital, which he retained until September, 1902, when he removed to Urbana, and there entered into practice which he has successfully prosecuted continuously to the present time. The professional organizations with which he is identified include the local (city and county), State and National Medical Associations.
Dr. Munsell was married at Philo, Cham- paign County, September 23, 1903, to Emma Adeline Doolittle of Chatsworth, Ill., who was born November 7, 1875, and they have one daughter, Mary Margaret, born July 8, 1904. In religious associations and belief Dr. Mun- sell is a Methodist, and in his political views a
Republican. From his ancestors he in- herits those sturdy principles which tend to the up-building of a high standard of moral and business integrity, the effect of which is seen in the earnestness and efficiency with which he is devoting his life to his chosen profession.
JUDSON NICHOLS, banker and merchant, was born in Champaign County, Ill., in 1859, and received his education in the public schools. His father, H. S. Nichols, was a native of Connecticut, came to Illinois in 1856, and in 1866 engaged in the general mercan- tile business, in which he continued until his death. In 1888 he organized a private bank at Sadorus, and this institution is still success- fully conducted by the subject of this sketch. Besides the banking business, Mr. Nichols is interested in the grain business, being the owner of an elevator having a capacity of 50,- 000 bushels. In 1890 Mr. Nichols was married to Emma Ford, a native of Illinois, and of this union five children have been born, namely: Hezekiah, Judson, Mary, Stanley and Sturgis.
JAMES G. OLDHAM, real estate and loan operator, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, near Washington Court House, October 2, 1847, a son of John G. and Anna (Warner) Oldham, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Ohio; both descendants of old Quaker stock. The elder Oldham, who was a large land owner and stock raiser in Ohio, died there in 1852. His widow survived her husband thirty-three years, her death occurring near Urbana, Ill., in 1885. They were the parents of ten children, namely: Levi W., deceased; Mrs. Jane Downs; Mrs. Margaret Cockayne, deceased; John E., deceased; Mrs. Massey Williams; Simon W .; Mrs. Elizabeth W. Lukens; Abner W .; Joseph W. and James G.
Edward Oldham, father of John G., was a native of Virginia, and married Miss Jane
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JAMES G. OLDHAM.
Gardner, whose family were of English descent. Mrs. Anna Oldham was a daughter of Levi Warner, a Quaker, whose grandparents emi- grated from England to Ohio at an early period, and engaged in farming.
James G. Oldham was trained to agricultural pursuits. He at first worked on a farm for seven dollars a month, but before the end of the year the amount was increased to $15, and the following year, to $17. He educated him- self in the public schools, and was engaged as a teacher at the age of seventeen years, near Pendleton, Ind. He came from Madison County, Ind., to Illinois in 1864, and began farming on his own account, having rented a
farm three miles east of Urbana. He laid the foundation of his successful career as a farmer and stock-raiser, on rented lands, operating in this way for eleven years. In 1875 he pur- chased a farm in Urbana Township, which he conducted until 1882. In the meantime, and as early as 1871, he engaged in the live-stock trade, and became widely known throughout his region as a buyer and shipper. He con- tinued to be identified with this trade to a great extent until 1887, and was especially prominent as an owner and breeder of im- ported and standard-bred horses. He is the owner of the famous Kentucky standard-bred trotter, "Sonticus" (by Belmont '64), which has a record of 2:17.
Mr. Oldham is still identified with agricul- tural interests. In 1883 he came to Urbana, which has since been his home. Immediately after coming here, he engaged in the real estate and loan business, and at once became a leader in improving the city. He has not only subdivided, and as an agent brought about the improvements of various additions to the city, but has, himself, erected many buildings. At present (1905), he is the owner of more than a dozen dwellings. He has been a large operator in farm lands, and his transactions in recent years have extended far beyond Illinois, covering nearly all the Western, Northwestern and Southwestern States, and several Southern States.
While acting with the Republican party and taking a good citizen's part in public affairs, at times participating actively in the conduct of the political campaigns, he has persistently refused to hold office of any kind, concentrat- ing his energies on the enterprises which have given him a commanding position among busi- ness men in this portion of Illinois. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been active in building up the First Methodist Church of Urbana, with which he has been officially identified as trustee.
On March 9, 1871, Mr. Oldham married Miss Belle L. McDonald, a daughter of John and Maria (Roe) McDonald, who were born in Indiana. Their only children are Mrs. Ora (Oldham) Craig, of Champaign, and Miss Ada Pearl Oldham.
HUGH O'NEIL, President of Village Board, Homer, Champaign County, Ill., was born in
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Providence, R. I., October 12, 1849. His parents were Francis and Isabella O'Neil, the former a native of Rhode Island, and a tailor by trade. Francis O'Neil moved to New York City in 1855, where he and his wife spent the re- mainder of their days. His wife was born in one of the New England States, and was of Irish descent. The paternal grandfather, Harry O'Neil, was born in Ireland.
Hugh O'Neil, with his two younger brothers, John and Francis, were left orphans in 1859, and were placed in charge of the New York Juvenile Home, where they remained for two years, in New York City, and at Tarrytown-on- the-Hudson. They were eventually sent to Illi- nois, and Hugh O'Neil came to Champaign, Ill., October 9, 1861, and was indentured to George Clark, a farmer of Homer Township. He re- mained with Mr. Clark for six years, and then went to Homer, where he resided with Dr. W. A. Conkey until 1871. He then began farming on his own account in Homer Town- ship, and continued thus employed until 1890. In that year he returned to Homer and opened a meat market, which he has since conducted. He occupies a pleasant home on South Main Street, equipped with all modern improve- ments.
In politics Mr. O'Neil is a Republican, and has been a member of the School Board, both in the country and the village, for many years. He was a member of the Village Board of Trustees for ten years. In 1901, he was elected President of the Board, and on the expiration of his term, was reelected. In his social relations he is identified with the I. O. O. F., the M. W. A., and the Royal Arch Masons; is also a charter member of the Knights of Pythias, with which order he has been affili- ated for fourteen years, having filled all the official positions, including that of Grand Chan- cellor. Mr. O'Neil's youngest brother, Francis, was a bugler in General Custer's command, and lost his life in the massacre of June 25, 1876. His other brother, John, is a prosperous business man residing at Plainville, Kans.
On September 7, 1871, Mr. O'Neil was mar- ried to Miss Alice Yeazel, a daughter of James Yeazel, a prominent farmer and an early set- tler of Champaign County. Eight children have been born to them, namely: Grace, the wife of Jesse C. Ewen; Charles H .; Frank P .; Maria M., widow of H. Sullivan; Willis Clinton, who
died at the age of eleven years; William H .; H. Ralph, and Mary.
GUSTAVUS A. OSTRAND was born on the University farm June 30, 1875, and received his education in the common schools. His parents, John and Christina (Anderson) Os- trand, were natives of Orebro, Sweden, the former's birth having occurred on August 27, 1843, and the latter on May 24, 1839. They emigrated to the United States May 20, 1870, locating in Illinois, where Mr. Ostrand was first employed by John G. Clark, and later worked for four years on the University farm, and since, has been engaged for a number of years in the drayage business. To him and his wife were born four children, namely: John C .; Anna; Gustavus A .; and Sophia, who is now Mrs. Louis Sabin. John C. was born July 11, 1870, in Champaign County, where he attended school and learned the baker's trade. He owns a one-third interest in the Ostrand Bakery. Socially he is a member of the order of Redmen of America. In 1891 he married Miss Hattie Frye, a native of Cham- paign County, and they have two children,- Grace and Pansy.
Gustavus A. Ostrand, after finishing his schooling, was engaged for a time in the grocery business, in which he continued until June 8, 1903, when he started a bakery. Hav- ing, however, no practical knowledge of the business, he gave a third interest to his brother John C., and his cousin Martin G. Os- trand, who were both experienced bakers. The bakery, which is located at No. 112 North First Street, has a daily output of from 800 to 1,500 loaves of bread. He has built up an ex- cellent trade, his cream bread being consid- ered the best made in the twin cities.
Politically, he is a Republican, and in relig- ion, he and his wife are members of the Bap- tist Church. 1
Mr. Ostrand was married November 23, 1898, to Miss Daisy J. Overman, a daughter of Ansell Overman, of Champaign. She is a native of Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Ostrand two chil- dren have been born, namely: Madeline, aged five years, and Ansell, who is three years old.
DAVID E. PARK, retired manufacturer, was born near Xenia, Greene County, Ohio, Oc-
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
tober 11, 1834, and when five years old, came with his parents to Urbana, Ill., where he grew up in the midst of pioneer environments. He attended the schools of Urbana, Ill., and was afterwards engaged with his father in the milling business at Sidney, Ill., until about the year 1887. Then he devoted his atten- tion to farming and stock-raising near Sid- ney until 1899, when he returned to Urbana, which he has since made his home. The old Park homestead, which he now occupies, was built by his father, William Park, in 1857, and was the second brick residence erected in Ur- bana. During recent years Mr. Park has not been actively engaged in business, but has given his attention entirely to his property interests. He cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has been a member of the Republican party ever since.
Mr. Park married Miss Mary S. Mansfield, a daughter of John Mansfield, of Sidney, Ill., who was born at Warsaw, Ind. Their only child is William M. Park, a mechanical en- gineer, of Urbana. Mr. Park has been a mem- ber of the Masonic order for many years, be- ing affiliated with Urbana Lodge, No. 157. -
WILLIAM PARK (deceased), pioneer manu- facturer, Urbana, Ill., was born on a farm in York County, Pa., December 19, 1812, and lived in that State until he was nineteen years of age, when he came west to Greene County, Ohio. He obtained a public school education in his native State, and afterwards learned the miller's and wheelwright's trades, at which he worked in Greene County, Ohio, until 1849, when he moved to Urbana, Ill., then a village of about 100 people. He built the first flouring mill and the first sawmill in Urbana, which he operated until about the beginning of the Civil " War. In the early days, some of the patrons of this mill came a distance of thirty miles, to have their grinding done.
After the war, Mr. Park owned and operated a large flouring mill at Sidney, Ill., although he continued to reside in Urbana until his death, which occurred December 12, 1889. With Judge Archibald Campbell and a capitalist from Rome, N. Y., named Randall, he built the Urbana & Champaign Street Railway, connect- ing the two cities. This was the first street railway operated in the State, outside of Chi- cago. Later, with his son-in-law, Francis G.
Jaques, he bought a controlling interest in the line, and they operated it until it was pur- chased and absorbed by the present system in 1899. Besides his grain-milling interests, Mr. Park was identified, at different times, with woolen mills and an iron foundry, and was en- gaged in the manufacture of reapers and mow- ers in Urbana. While he never applied himself to farming, he was an extensive land-owner throughout Champaign County. Mr. Park was one of the founders of the Universalist Church in Urbana, and one of those who did most to build up and support that organization. Al- though he never took an active interest in politics, he was one of the early members of the Republican party, and was always identified with it.
The subject of this sketch was married, in Ohio, to Miss Margaret Haines, who was born near Xenia, in that State, in 1814. Mrs. Park died in Urbana, in 1898. Their only children were David E. Park and Mrs. Eliza Park Jaques, both of whom are still residents of Urbana.
MILTON S. PARKS, real-estate operator, Urbana, Ill., was born near Columbus, Ohio, December 31, 1851, the son of Andrew and Sarah (Eyre) Parks. His parents moved to Vermilion County, Ill., in 1852, living on a farm until 1860, when they removed to the nearby village of Georgetown. Here occurred the death of the elder Parks in 1882. The sub- ject of this sketch was educated in the schools of Georgetown and there had his first business experience as clerk in a dry-goods store. From 1876 to 1887 he was Deputy Clerk of the Cir- cuit Court of Champaign County, and this brought him to Urbana, where he has since been prominent as a citizen, churchman and man of affairs. From 1887 to 1889 he was manager of the abstract office of Frank Wilcox in Urbana. In 1889 he established a real-estate loan and insurance agency, which has since grown to large proportions, and caused him to be known as one of the leading representatives of those interests in Central Illinois. He has dealt largely in Champaign and Urbana prop- erty, and besides having materially aided in building up these two cities, he has also oper- ated extensively in farm land in Illinois and other States. He was one of the first Illinois- ans to direct attention to the fine agricultural
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
lands of Mississippi, and evidenced his faith in the future of this enterprise by purchasing over 3,000 acres, which have proved a splendid investment. He is also a large owner of farm lands in Illinois. He was one of the chief organizers of the Home Loan Association of Urbana, of which he was the first Secretary, and has since been a Director of that institu- tion, which has been of inestimable benefit to home builders and has reflected the highest credit on its founders and managers. Mr. Parks also aided in founding a similar associa- tion at Clarksdale, Miss., which has greatly promoted the development of that country.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Parks has been active in various campaigns, serving as Chair- man of the City Central Committee of Urbana, and by rendering other services to his party. As a member of the city Board of Education he shared in the advancement of the public service, and in that field of work he has been active, generous, and helpful. For twenty years prior to 1903 he was a member of the official Board of the First Methodist Church of Urbana, and was a leader among those who planned and completed the handsome edifice belonging to that denomination. Parks Chapel, a historical sketch of which will be found in this connection, was named in his honor, he having been one of the founders of the Society and its chief benefactor.
In 1883 Mr. Parks married Almeda V. Lind- ley, daughter of Dr. Mahlon Lindley, of Ur- bana. Like her husband, Mrs. Parks has been a leader in church work and other movements designed to promote culture, education and public welfare. She has been a member of the Board of Managers of the Cunningham Deacon- ess Home and Orphanage since its foundation, and for several years has been Treasurer of the local Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was also one of the founders of the mission known as the Third Methodist Episcopal Church, located in the eastern part of Urbana, and has given to this society, free of charge, the use of the church building in which its services are held, con- tributing largely also to the improvement of the building and the maintenance of the society. Mr. Parks has been a member of the Board of Trustees of this church since its organization. The children are Paul L., Ralph M., and Frank A. Parks.
GEORGE C. PARRETT was born in Ohio, in 1849, the son of H. A. and Germania (Clouser) Parrett, the latter also being a native of Ohio. The parents came to Mahomet in 1852, when our subject was but an infant, and there the father bought 200 acres of land which he continued to cultivate during the re- mainder of his life. George C. received a common-school education in Mahomet, and be- gan farming on his own account in 1875, in the same year moving to his present farm, which he conducts in partnership with Mr. Thomas, who later became his father-in-law. In 1878 he was united in marriage to Mollie Thomas, a native of Mahomet, Ill., and of this union one child, Roy, has been born.
GEORGE VALENTINE PARSONS was born in 1868, on his father's farm in Section 26, Urbana Township, Champaign County, Ill., and received his mental training in the public schools. He is the only surviving member of a family of nine children born to Thomas Par- sons, who was a native of Oxfordshire, Eng- land, born October 12, 1819. He attended the public schools in his native place and in 1840 emigrated to America, first locating at Balti- more, Md., where, for fourteen years, he was employed in one of the leading hotels. His parents were Nathaniel and Sophia (Burt) Par- sons, natives of Oxfordshire, England, where they were engaged in farming and fruit-grow- ing.
In February, 1848, Thomas Parsons was united in marriage to Miss Generous Whelttle, a daughter of Valentine and Catherine (Fritz) Whelttle. Her father was born February 14, 1787, in Germany, and emigrated to America. He located in Champaign County, in 1856, where he engaged in farming. For many years he watered the streets of Baltimore, and later, went into the milk business. He died in Oc- tober, 1855. He was the father of the follow- ing named children: John Nathaniel, who died in 1880; Thomas Charles, who died in 1881; Mary Ann, who died in 1894; Josephine; Wil- liam, who died in 1884; Fanny Sophia, who died in 1885; one, who died in infancy; and George Valentine, who now lives on the old homestead and cares for his aged mother. The father came to Champaign County in 1856, and bought forty acres of railroad land. The county was at that time unsettled, neighbors
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
were few and far between, ague was prevalent, and Mr. Parsons endured many hardships. He added eighty acres to his first purchase, built a comfortable home, and had the farm well im- proved before his death, which occurred July 27, 1896. His wife survives him at the age of 76 years. In politics, he was a Democrat. For a time he was a member of the Church of Eng- land, but died in the Catholic faith.
From an early age, George V. Parsons as- sisted his father on the farm. He now owns forty acres of highly cultivated land. In his political belief he is a Democrat. Mr. Par- sons was married in 1898 to Catherine Dough- erty, a daughter of Patsy and Mary Dougherty, of Philo, Ill., and Mr. and Mrs. Parsons are the parents of two children,-Thomas Edward and Marie H. In religious belief the family adhere to the Catholic faith.
CHARLES ARTHUR PERCIVAL was born in Cass County, Ill., November 11, 1851, a son of Simon Perkins and Charlotte (Beals) Perci- val, the former a native of Virginia, the latter born in Ohio; both are deceased. Mr. Percival came to Champaign County with his parents when one year old, and received his education in the public schools of Urbana and Cham- paign Townships. He was brought up on a farm, and followed that line of industry through life, and now owns sixty-three acres, on which stands the fine homestead, besides which he possesses 160 acres in Philo Town- ship. In politics he supports the Republican party, and April 5, 1904, was elected Road Commissioner, which office he now holds.
On May 12, 1886, Mr. Percival was united in marriage to Miss Ellithorp, a daughter of E. W. and Mary (Schofield) Ellithorp, and four children have been born to them: Arthur, Harry, Charles and Fred.
ISAAC S. PETERS was born in St. Joseph Township, July 18, 1853, and received his edu- cation in the district schools. He is a son of Robert and Mary E. (Swearingen) Peters, the former a native of Rush County, Ind., where he was born January 8, 1827, the son of William, who was the son of David Peters, the birth- place of the latter being Pennsylvania. He lived to be ninety-six years of age. Robert died February 13, 1894. His wife, Mary E., was the daughter of Henry and Ann (Robert-
son) Swearingen, her birth taking place March 31, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Peters were the parents of ten children, namely: Sarah C., Isaac S., John H., Susan J., Eliza A., William A., Mary E., Franklin, who died at the age of twenty-four years; Thomas J., died when three years old; Robert G., died aged two years, and Altu May, who died at the age of one year.
Isaac S. is a Republican in politics, and has served his community several terms as As- sessor and Collector. He is connected with the St. Joseph Bank and also has banking interests in Champaign. Socially he is affiliated with
ISAAC S. PETERS.
the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Wood- men of America.
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