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L. S. STUCKY was born at Mahomet, Ill., and there received his education. He has al- ways been interested in the grain business, with the exception of two years which he de- voted to selling the Champion Harvesting Ma- chine. In 1892 he accepted a position as mana- ger of L. W. Porterfield's elevator at Rising, Champaign County, a building 40x30 feet in dimensions, the capacity of which is 15,000 bushels. It is located on the tracks of the "Big Four" Railroad. This position he still holds.
In 1897, Mr. Stucky was married to Miss Ella Laughlin, of Bloomington, Ill. Two children have been born of this union, namely: Dora and Ralph. Mr. Stucky's father, John Stucky, was born in Indiana. He came to Rising, Ill., in the early 'fifties, and followed farming.
CORNELIUS SULLIVAN (deceased) was born in Ireland, in 1821, a son of Denis and Catherine Sullivan, also natives of Ireland. The former died in his native country and his mother removed to America about 1850, her death occurring in Massachusetts. At an early day Cornelius emigrated to New York City, be- came a citizen, and cast his first vote for Frank- lin Pierce for President. He engaged in the grocery business at No. 12 Washington Street, where he continued successfully until the panic,
1035
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
when his business, like that of others, passed into history with "Black Friday." He then moved to Urbana, III., and there, in company with Albert G. Carle, worked for the father of State Auditor Mccullough on his farm. Later he bought a home in Urbana and for some time engaged in ditching, digging wells and other contract work. He purchased a farm just north of where the Big Four round house stands, where he resided until 1872. He then built a house at the corner of Locust and North Central Streets, Urbana. In politics he was formerly a stanch Democrat, but left that party during Cleveland's second candidacy, vot- ing for President Harrison. He was at one time Street Commissioner of Urbana. He was one of the few members who started St. Mary's Catholic Church of Champaign, of which he continued to be a member.
Mr. Sullivan was married in Ireland to Jo- hanna, a daughter of Patrick and Johanna Don- ahue, and to them have been born twelve chil- dren, seven of whom grew to maturity, namely: Mary Ann, born in Ireland, married William G. Doyle, who died January 11, 1888, and she now resides with her mother; Catherine Ger- trude, now Mrs. James E. Joyce, of Peoria; Cornelius, a machinist in Two Harbors, Minn .: Johanna, who married Michael English, of Chicago; Michael W., of Champaign; Patrick, deceased; and Thomas J., an engineer in New Mexico. Mr. Sullivan resided in Urbana until his children had grown up and scattered, when he went to Chicago and there passed the last seven years of his life, his death occurring March 26, 1893.
. GEORGE HARVEY SWAIM, farmer, St. Joseph Township, Champaign County, Ill., was born in Parke County, Ind., March 23, 1828, the son of Col. Jehu B. and Nancy (White-nee Johnson) Swaim, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. Jehu B. Swaim was twice married, and by his first wife the following named children were born: William W. (deceased), Sarah, George Harvey (subject of this sketch), Betsy (deceased), Patsy, Rhoda and Nancy. His first wife having died, he mar- ried Miss Juliet Williams, daughter of Samuel and Mary (VanCleave) Williams, of Russell- ville, Ind., and to them four children were born: Tilghman Howard, Marion (died in in-
fancy), Anna J. (Mrs William Jacobs), and Mary E. Mr. and Mrs. Jehu B. Swaim are both deceased.
George H. Swaim came from Rockville, Ind., to Champaign County, Ill., in 1866. He married Miss Elizabeth C. Jones, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Cass) Jones, and to them nine chil- dren have been born, eight of whom are now living, namely: Teressa Adarene (Mrs. John C. Watson), Amelia J., Wilbern J. (married
GEORGE HARVEY SWAIM.
Mary Eaton), Mary Alice (Mrs. Albert Hudson), Sophronia (Mrs. John C. Adams of Canon City, Colo.), Sarah A., Minnie (deceased), Lennie E. (Mrs. Wiley Pitcher, of Urbana), Alta May (Mrs. Ed. Hudson). Mrs. Swaim died February 24, 1886.
After coming to Champaign County, Mr. Swaim first bought eighty acres of land six miles east and two miles south of Urbana, upon which he located his home, and later bought eighty acres more adjoining his first purchase and thirty acres in the timber on Salt Fork. On this homestead he has resided ever since and reared his family. Mr. Swaim is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church of Muncie, Ill., and in
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
political views is a Democrat, and has served as School Director for many years.
.
Captain Michael Swaim, grandfather of George H., was a patriot in the War of 1812. He married Betsy Barnes, a native of North Carolina, and settled in Indiana about 1820. To himself and wife nine children were born- five sons and four daughters.
HENRY SWANNELL was born in London, England, in 1837, a son of John and Sarah (Lound) Swannell, the latter having been born at Norwich, England, in 1803, and the former in Huntingtonshire, in 1800. The father served an apprenticeship of seven years in the dry- goods business, later establishing a shop for himself in Cambridge, where he remained until 1832, then removing to London, where he con- tinued in business until his death in 1844. His son Henry has the indenture of his apprentice- ship, drawn in 1815, the special license for the marriage of his parents, in 1831, together with the card and a picture of the Dissenting Chapel where they attended divine service, and in which the son was baptized. The grandfather was a member of the Episcopal Church of Eng- land, while his parents attended the Scotch Presbyterian Church at London.
Henry Swannell was fifth in a family of five sons and two daughters, namely: William G., deceased; Frederick, now, living at Kankakee, Ill .; John, who was killed at Fort Donelson; Alfred, deceased; Henry; Eliza, who resides at Danville, Ill .; and Marie, deceased. The family came to Illinois from London shortly after the father's death, and located at Danville. There Henry worked for two years on various farms, and was then engaged as clerk for his brother Frederick, at St. Louis. In 1857 he entered his brother's drug store at Kankakee, in order to learn the business, and remained there three years. In 1860 he opened a drug store on his own account on the opposite cor- ner, in the old Gazette building, and in 1861 purchased the drug store of Smith Brothers, where Mr. Tucker is now located, continuing the two stores until 1865. In that year he removed the entire stock of both stores to his present location, which is conceded to be the best site in town. In 1898 his son, Dan G., became asso- ciated with him in business, and they have built up a large and excellent business.
In 1866 Mr. Swannell was united in marriage
to Miss Emily Gardner, a daughter of Dan G. and May (Hodgers) Gardner, a native of Ohio. Here parents were natives of Connecticut, and are both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Swannell are the parents of two children, namely: Mary S. who married J. W. Taylor, deceased, and Dan G. In religion, the family are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially, Mr. Swannell is a member of the Golf Club. He was elected Alderman on the Democratic ticket for two years, and was a member of the School Board for thirteen years.
B. F. SWARTZ, real-estate dealer and owner of Crystal Lake Park, residing at No. 801, South Vine Street, Urbana, Ill., was born in Franklin County, Pa., November 26, 1859. His parents were John and Susan (Hollinger) Swartz, both of whom were natives of Penn- slyvania, where the father followed farming successfully, and was widely known as one of the substantial citizens of Franklin County. He died on the home farm in 1868, when about fifty-five years old. After the death of her husband, his widow married William Chrom- ister. Mrs. Swartz was one of a large family of children, born to Samuel and Elizabeth (Rayer) Hollinger, five of whom are living. She was a member of the Dunkard Church. She died at the home of her daughter, Anna (Mrs. John Horsh), near Lincoln, Neb., at the age of seventy-three years.
B. F. Swartz is one of a family of eight children, seven of whom are living. He at- tended the public schools of Franklin County, Pa., until he was fourteen years of age, when he moved to Piatt County, Ill., where he worked on a farm in summer and attended school in winter, for several years. Later he engaged in farming on his own account. He moved to Urbana, Ill., in 1893, and entered the in- surance business, which he followed for one year, after which he dealt in coal. In 1902 he engaged in the real-estate business in Ur- bana, which he has since successfully fol- lowed. In 1898 he bought the Crystal Lake property, consisting of forty acres, which was then in a dilapidated condition. He improved the land, built a pavilion, a concrete dam, etc., at an expense of about $5,000. The park is known as the Chautauqua of the twin cities, and there high-class and elevating lectures and
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
.
other literary entertainments are frequently given.
Mr. Swartz was married March 30, 1881, to Minnie E. Schuknecht, a native of Wisconsin, and a daughter of John and Mary Schuknecht, both of whom died in Urbana, at the residence of Mr. Swartz. Mr. Swartz and his wife are members of the First Christian Church of Ur- bana, and the former has been Superintendent of the Sunday School for twelve years; he also held a like position for two years previous to coming to Urbana. He is a member of the Court of Honor, and in politics belongs to the Prohibition party.
Mr. and Mrs. Swartz are the parents of six children, in whom they take a pardonable pride. Their names are: Earl W., Mary, Nellie C., Leon, Fay and Teddie.
JOHNSON ARMSTRONG SWEARINGEN was born in Lewis County, Ky., January 13, 1823, the son of Bartley and Jane (Rankin) Swearingen. His paternal grandfather, John Swearingen, was a native of Pennsylvania. Johnson A. Swearingen came to Ogden Town- ship, Champaign County, Ill., in April, 1842, in company with other surveyors.
In November, 1842, Mr. Swearingen was mar- ried to Miss Sidney Wright, a native of Indi- ana. Seven children have been born of this union, namely: Jasper; David; Matilda, who married Perry Bruner, and resides in Iowa; Elizabeth, wife of William Sprague, who lives at Lebanon, Ind .; William, who was born July 5, 1857, and was married November 10, 1878, to Miss Flora Wrisk, of Champaign County; Gifford, who lives near the Indiana line; and Belle, wife of Marshall Saddler, who lives in Homer Township. Mrs. Swearingen died in 1891, at the age of seventy-one years. Mr. Swearingen is a strong Republican in politics, and in religion adheres to the faith of the Christian Church.
WILLIAM SWEARINGEN was born July 5, 1857, and received his early mental training in the public schools, in which he was later a teacher. Politically he supports the Repub- lican party. On November 10, 1878, Mr. Swear- ingen was married to Flora Wrisk, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Ashley) Wrisk, and they have two children, namely: Daisy, who was born September 18, 1879, and was graduated
in 1902 from Marion College, at Marion, Ind., and Guy Howard, who was born July 3, 1881, and was graduated from the Sidney high school, at Sidney, Champaign County. Guy H. Swear- ingen is now engaged in farming in Worthing- ton, Minn. On September 14, 1904, he was married to Miss Flora Robbins, of Sidney, Ill.
EDWIN STANTON SWIGART, Mayor of Champaign, Ill., was born near Farmer City, Dewitt County, Ill., and received his educa- tion in the country schools, and at Lombard University, Galesburg. Mr. Swigart has fol- lowed several lines of business. He was en- gaged' in farming from 1884 until 1885, was identified with manufacturing, as manager of one of the Creamery Package Manufacturing Company's factories until 1890, and from that period until May, 1896, was engaged in the banking business with his father in the Deland Bank, in Piatt County. From 1896 until 1899 he was cashier of the Citizens' Banking Com- pany of Champaign, Ill., and in 1903, was elected Mayor of Champaign.
On September 3, 1885, Mr. Swigart mar- ried Nellie Lapham, a daughter of Edward V. Lapham, the maiden name of whose wife was Barnes. Two children have been born of this union,-Alla C., a student in the high school, and Seth A., a student in the Cham- paign graded school. Mr. Swigart is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His parents are Jacob and Rebecca (Davis) Swigart, residents of Farmer City, Ill., and his father is President of the old First National Bank of that town, and an extensive owner of farm lands.
OTTO H. SWIGART was born in DeWitt County, Ill., January 16, 1857. His preliminary education was received in the public and high schools of Farmer City, in that county, and later he attended Lombard College, Gales- burg, Ill., where he graduated in 1880. He was reared on the farm of his father, who at that time owned one of the largest stock farms in DeWitt County, and the subject of this sketch now possesses about 2,000 acres near Farmer City.
Mr. Swigart has always been a Republican in his political faith. In 1886 he was elected Supervisor of Santa Anna Township, DeWitt
1038
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
County, serving in that capacity four years. During his term of office the final settlement of the township's bonded indebtedness was concluded, and Mr. Swigart satisfactorily con- ducted the transaction within twelve months, thus saving about $23,000 to the township. When he went into office, there was an in- debtedness against the township of Santa Anna of $103,000. He served as Supervisor until 1890, when he bought 190 acres known as Avon- dale Farm, on the southern edge of Champaign, and devoted this land to general farming. He has since traded a quarter section of this for a half section near White Heath, Piatt County, Ill. In 1896 he was again elected Supervisor and occupied that office until 1902, when he retired on account of business. The new court house was built during his term of office, and he was prominently identified with its erection, having approved, and secured the adoption of, the architectural plans.
Mr. Swigart was engaged in stock feeding until within the last few years. He has since made a specialty of Galloway cattle, and has at present some very valuable stock. He has exhibited some of it at the leading State Fairs and expositions front Winnipeg, Man., to Charleston, S. C. He went to Scotland in 1903, and imported eighty head of Galloways. Some of these had taken `prizes in London, and at the Highland Society show, and a number of them have been prize-winners at the Interna- tional Exhibition at Chicago. At present he has 150 head of all ages, and has enjoyed a good trade in them, having disposed of a number at $1,000 each.
Socially Mr. Swigart is a member of the Blue Lodge Masonic fraternity, and of the Eastern Star. In religion he is of the Universalist faith.
Mr. Swigart was married June 24, 1884, to Miss Sarah Helen Heaton, and they have four children, namely: Lois, a student in the Uni- versity of Illinois; Earl and Fred, who are students in the Champaign school; and Wayne, who is attending school at Lincoln, Ill.
MRS. O. H. SWIGART, one of the most prom- inent and influential women of Champaign, and member of one of the pioneer families of Cham- paign County, Ill., is a native of Tazewell County, Ill., and a daughter of Thomas Reid Heaton. On both sides of her family, Mrs. Swi-
gart comes of early and distinguished ancestry, the paternal line having been established in Virginia during the Colonial period by John Heaton, who came from Exeter Hall, Northern England. John Heaton, great-grandfather of Mrs. Swigart, was an aid to General Washing- ton, and her grandfather, Thomas, enlisted in the Colonial army as a private from Virginia. The Reid family traces its American origin to General Reid, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Three of the ma- ternal uncles, and a paternal uncle, of Mrs. Swigart, were soldiers in the Civil War. The Reid family settled in Illinois in 1845, and the Heaton family, in 1852. Both endured the dan- gers and deprivations incident to pioneer times, and the father of Mrs. Swigart encountered wolves and wild deer on the wild and almost uninhabited prairies.
After receiving her preliminary education in the public schools of Tazewell County, Ill., Mrs. Swigart entered Lombard College, at Galesburg, Ill., from which she graduated in 1882. That she has been a constant and un- tiring student of affairs, is evidenced from the weight attached to her opinion in all educa- tional, economic, and general matters, and her connection with the foremost clubs and socie- ties founded by thinking and advanced minds. A member of the Eastern Star, she is Matron of the Champaign Lodge. She is a charter member of the Woman's Club, and has been at the head of its educational department since the founding of the club. She is at the head of the Social Science Club, of which she was president during 1901. She is a member of the Board of Education of Champaign, and has served two terms as a member of the board of the Julia F. Burnham Hospital Association, of Champaign. During that time she was at the head of its finance committee. Mrs. Swi- gart is also president of the State Domestic Conference, for housekeepers, the meetings of which are held at the University of Illinois.
A. W. THATCHER, manufacturer, of Ives- dale, Champaign County, Ill., was born in Es- sex County, N. Y., in 1849, and at the age of nine years came to Illinois where he re- ceived his mental training in the public schools. He subsequently followed mercantile pursuits until 1896, and then opened a tile and brick factory at La Salle, Ill. In 1903 he obtained
1039
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
control of the Ivesdale Brick and Tile Factory, which was established in 1885 by the Donahue Brothers. He manufactures tile in sizes from four to sixteen inches in diameter, and the capacity of the plant is 15,000 bricks per day. Mr. Thatcher owns beds of clay occupying seven acres of ground. The factory is connected with the Wabash Railroad by a switch, which enables him to sell to the local trade, or to ship his product to other parts of the country, with great convenience. Ten men are em- ployed in the factory. Besides his brick and tile interests, Mr. Thatcher deals to some ex- tent in coal. He married Ida Walker, a native of Illinois. Of this union two children have been born, namely: Addie and Howard.
GUSTAV THELANER was born July 1, 1874, in Saxony, Germany, where he received his mental training in the public schools. His par- ents were Carl and Louisa (Foerester) Thelaner the former of whom was born in Schazen, Ger- many, the latter's birthplace being in Saxony, Germany. His maternal grandfather, Christ Foerester, was also a native of Saxony, Ger- many. His paternal grandfather was William Thelaner, who was also a native of Germany.
Gustav Thelaner emigrated to the United States when in his eighteenth year, sojourning in Boston for a time. He then went to Chi- cago, where he secured work at the trade to which he had been apprenticed in Germany, that of a blacksmith. He remained in Chicago but a short time, when, in 1893, he came to Dewey, Ill., and worked for B. R. Hammer for one year and seven months. He then returned to Chicago and followed his trade for three years, at the end of which time he again came to Dewey, and was employed by B. R. Hammer for seven months. Removing to La Salle County, he worked in a shop of his own for one year, and then returned to Dewey, and worked there another year at his trade. He next started in business on his own account, renting a shop for one year. In February, 1901, he bought a shop, and has been conducting it ever since, his being the only blacksmith shop in Dewey.
In politics Mr. Thelaner is a Republican, and in his religious views, is in harmony with the Lutheran Church. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mod- ern Woodmen of America, and Court of Honor.
Mr. Thelaner was married in June, 1901, to Miss Minnie Evans, who was born in Cham- paign County, where she received her mental training in the public schools. They have one child, Leslie, who was born June 3, 1904.
DANIEL T. THOMPSON was born in Fayette County, Ohio, May 23, 1833, the son of David G. and Mary Ann Thompson, both of whom were reared in Ohio. The family moved to Champaign County, Ill., in 1857 and there the father bought eighty acres of land on Section 15, Sidney 'Township, on which the subject of this sketch now lives. Daivd G. Thompson died in 1867, the death of his wife having occurred in 1858. The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of Ohio, and has since been engaged in farming, owning at the present time 127 acres of land. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Second Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and saw three years of hard service in the Civil War, during which time he was slightly wounded twice and had two horses shot under him. After the close of hos- tilities he went to Homer, Ill., where he lived for one and a half years, and since then has resided on the farm he now occupies, which has a pleasant home and other modern im- provements, made by himself. He is a Repub- lican in politics and has been a School Director for fifteen years.
Mr. Thompson was married October 28, 1869, to Isabel Stallings, of Indiana, by whom he has had five children, of whom four survive: Jean- nette, wife of Lafayette Dunn; Adella; Mary, and Marsh E. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have given all their children an excellent education, all being graduates of high and normal schools. All of them are musicians, several being quite talented, and most of them are, or have been, teachers in the public schools. The daughters are members of the Methodist Church, which the parents also attend.
JAMES THORPE, Superintendent of the tin and copper shop of the plant of the Peoria & Eastern Railroad, was born in Norwich, Eng- land, in December, 1848, and in December, 1868, moved from Chicago, to Peoria, Ill. Feb- ruary 1, 1872, he assumed his present posi- tion, and is one of those longest in service of the company. Mr. Thorpe has six assist- ants, and has charge of the tin, sheet iron,
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
and pipe work. In 1879 he married, in Urbana, Fannie Webber, of which union two children have been born, John and Charles. Mr. Thorpe is a Mason and well known politician, - and served for several years as Alderman of the First Ward of Urbana.
WILLIAM H. THOMPSON, farmer, Ogden Township, Champaign County, Ill., was born in Greene County, Pa., March 7, 1846, the son of
WILLIAM H. THOMPSON.
Andrew Jackson and Catherine (Shape) Thomp- son, who were also natives of the Keystone State. William H. Thompson came to Illinois in 1859. On December 24, 1866, he was married to Miss Valencia Rice, and of this union there were three children, the eldest of whom died in Infancy. Two,-Frank, born January 7, 1870. and Stella, born October 21, 1871,-are now iiv- ing. Mr. Thompson was separated from his first wife by divorce and afterwards married Mrs. Lizzie (Hayes) Huckin, born February 23, 1854, widow of Albert Huckin, who died November 23, 1874, leaving one son named William Huckin. Six children were the result of Mr. Thompson's second marriage, namely: Milton, born September 17, 1880; Esther, born May 28, 1884, deceased March 23, 1891; Ida,
born July 29, 1885, deceased August 9, 1887; Grover, born October 21, 1888; George, born December 29, 1891; and Herman, born Decem- ber 10, 1896.
In political views Mr. Thompson is a Dem- ocrat, and has served his fellow citizens nine years as Drainage Commissioner. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Thompson is a thrifty farmer, and is a
MRS. WILLIAM H. THOMPSON'
cousin of the well-known proprietor of the Thompson restaurants in Chicago.
CONRAD TOBIAS (deceased) was born in Bellbrook, Ohio, February 10, 1826, was reared in Dayton, same State, where he received his education in the public schools, afterwards learning the trade of carpenter and joiner with William Park, later a leading business man of Urbana. Mr. Tobias came to Urbana in 1854 and began business as contractor and builder. He erected many of the first buildings of the better class in the city, among them being the second court house, the old First Methodist church, and other historical struc- tures. He built and operated for many years the first planing mill in Urbana, the most
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
important manufactory in the city in its day. This was later destroyed by fire, causing Mr. Tobias a considerable loss. He was continu- ously engaged in contracting and building, and in superintending building operations for forty years, and, as a business man, enjoyed the esteem of all with whom he was brought into contact. At one time he was interested in the grocery trade in Urbana as an investor, but was not active in the conduct of the business. He was a man of broad, general intelligence, devoting all his spare moments of a busy life
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