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CONRAD TOBIAS.
to reading and study along various lines, and is remembered by his old friends still living as a man of striking virtue and lovable character. He served the city as a member of the Board of Aldermen, and has also filled other city offices. In religion he was a stanch Universa- list.
During the Civil War Mr. Tobias was among those who contributed most freely to the sup- port of the families of those who went out to fight the battles of their country, and to aid in other ways in the prosecution of the war. During the latter years of his life he affiliated with the Prohibition party. He was one of the founders of the Universalist Church in Urbana.
Mr. Tobias was married in 1856 to Miss Jen-
nie Higgins, a daughter of Calvin and Amanda (Gere) Higgins, mentioned elsewhere in these volumes. Their children are: Mrs. Addie Busey, Mrs. Annie Riley, Frank I., Edgar B., and Lewis B., all of whom reside in Urbana.
The demise of Mr. Tobias occurred July 5, 1897. His wife still resides in Urbana, and in late years has had, as members of her house- hold, Irene L., Harry R. and Grace I. Higgins, her nieces and nephew. Like her husband, Mrs. Tobias has long been a devoted member of the Universalist Church, and has contributed much to the advancement of its interests.
WILLIAM TOMLINSON, one of the pioneer farmers of Kerr Township, Champaign Coun- ty, Ill., was born in Marion County, Ind., in 1837, a son of Robert and Rachel (Sheets) Tom- linson, both of whom died when their son was a small boy. Left an orphan with meager resources, he was brought to Illinois by his uncle, Elisha Crawford, and left to grow up and make his way as best he could. In the late 'fifties, Mr. Tomlinson came to Kerr Township and became the owner of 160 acres . of land which had previously been purchased from the Government by another party, and upon which he has since lived. His memory is a store house of interesting information relating to the early times of the county, when the settlers were subjected to want and priva- tion, and when danger abounded on all sides on account of wild animals, the subject of this sketch, himself, barely escaping with his life on one occasion, after being attacked by a large buck-deer.
Through his marriage with Mary E. Walker, who died about 1875, Mr. Tomlinson has five children, namely: John; Albert; Andrew; Rachel, wife of Joseph Gray; and Effie, wife of Harry Shoemaker. Mr. Tomlinson is a Re- publican in politics; he is highly respected by the community at large.
LEANDER L. TOMPKINS, farmer, Stanton Township, Champaign County, Ill., was born in Clermont County, Ohio, February 2, 1843, the son of Nicholas and Nackey (Stevenson) Tompkins, who were also natives of the Buck- eye State. The subject of this sketch has two brothers now living, Stephen L. and Albert M., the former a resident of Clinton County, Ind., and the latter, of Urbana, Ill. He also had five sisters, three of whom-May, Belle and Laura
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
-died in childhood, and two-Mira (Mrs. J. L. Trees) and Ella (Mrs. Richard Corbin)- are living.
On November 1, 1862, Mr. Tompkins was married to Miss Julia A. Trees, who was born November 8, 1844, the daughter of William and Delia (McAdam) Trees, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins became the parents of twelve children: Lutura, born Augsut 8, 1863, and married Oliver W. Maddock; William E., born March 4, 1865, married Maggie Gainer; Nettie B. (Mrs. Albert Shaff), born November 11, 1866; Laura C. (Mrs. Benjamin Pilcher), born December 28, 1868; Frank, born April 1, 1871, and married Carrie Corray, who died August 31, 1892; Burt L., born September 11, 1873, and married Jessie Waters, who died January 23, 1896, Daisy Thompson becoming his second wife; Josephine (Mrs. Charles M. Davis), born September 13, 1875; Arthur W., born September 1, 1877, married Lena Phillips; Lossen L., born October 8, 1879, married Molly Besore; Clara (Mrs. William E. Swisher), born February 11, 1882; Clarence M., born August 4, 1885; and Vinton, born February 10, 1888. The two last named reside at home. Mrs. Tompkins died October 8, 1904. She was a devoted member of the United Brethren Church. In political views, Mr. Tompkins is a Democrat.
GEORGE TOY was born in Urbana, Ill., August 23, 1857, the son of John I. and Susan (Adams) Toy, both natives of Pennsylvania, who moved to Champaign County in 1854. The father was the owner of a farm in Champaign County, and also one in Iowa, but made his home in Champaign County until his death in 1890.
George Toy was reared on his father's farm, and received his education in the public schools of Urbana. He rents a farm on Section 8, in Sidney Township, Champaign County, where he carries on general farming and stock-rais- ing.
Mr. Toy has served his township as Assessor for three years, and has also held the office of School Director. Socially, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Court of Honor, to the latter of which his wife also belongs. Both attend the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Toy is a stockholder in the Farm- ers' Elevator Company, at Sidney, and also in the Home Telephone Company.
SAMUEL CREED TUCKER, a well-known druggist of Champaign, Champaign County, Illinois, was born in Saybrook, McLean County, Ill., January 9, 1871, Sylveter J. Tucker, his father, was born in Lancaster, Ohio, June 25, 1838, and his mother, Sarah (McDaniel) Tuck- er, was a native of Saybrook, Ill., where she was born April 18, 1839.
The subject of this sketch received his early mental training in the public schools of Cham- paign, and on January 10, 1889, began to learn the druggist's trade. In this he was employed eight years and three months, when he re- signed the position and went to Rawlins, Wyoming, about June 1, 1897. There he worked with his uncle, Creed McDaniel, proprietor of the Wyoming Drug Co., until July 20, following, when he returned to Champaign, and on August 1, 1897, bought the De Zoiger drug stock.
From August 1, 1897, to the spring of 1899, the firm name was S. C. Tucker & Brother. After that period it became Tucker & Kirby, T. W. Kirby having bought the interest of A. J. Tucker. In August, 1902, the subject of this sketch purchased Mr. Kirby's interest, and continued in business at the corner of Univer- sity Avenue and First Street until January 15, 1903, when he moved to the corner of Church and Neil Streets. Mr. Tucker is a thoroughly competent pharmacist, attending closely to his business, and has a good patronage.
On November 22, 1897, Mr. Tucker was mar- ried to Florence Ballentine, who was born in Alton, Ohio, and attended school in Cham- paign, Illinois. Three children have blessed this union, namely: Marion G., born September 1, 1899; and Claude S. and Creed A., twins, born October 27, 1901.
Politically, Mr. Tucker is a Republican. In April, 1901, he was elected to the office of city treasurer, and served efficiently for two years from May 7, 1901.
Fraternally, the subject of this sketch is affiliated with the K. of P. and the B. P. O. E.
SYLVESTER J. TUCKER was born in Fair- field County, Ohio, June 25, 1838, and attended the early subscription schools of that county. Many of the school houses of that time were log cabins, with puncheon floors and furnished with slab benches and rough boards for desks, the seats being put together with wooden pins, the window openings covered with greased paper. Being one of a family of sixteen chil-
1043
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
dren, and the tuition fee for so many at the same time being more than the father could afford, his schooling was limited, and, as soon as he was large enough, he was put to work with his brothers on the farm. Later he was employed on a farm in McLean County, Ill., remaining there for three years, at the end of that time returning to Ohio for one year. Again going to McLean County, he enlisted in the Third Illinois Cavalry at Bloomington, on August 10, 1861.
The regiment first saw service in Missouri, taking part in the Battle of Jefferson City, af- ter which it moved to Warsaw, and there cap- tured a large amount of supplies. Building a bridge over the Osage River, the company moved on to Springfield, Mo., with Carr's brigade in Fremont's army. Arriving at Rolla, Mo., it moved in the advance of General Curtis' army to Springfield, and subsequently, in ad- dition to numerous raids and skirmishes, took part in the following named battles: Spring- field, Mo .; Pea Ridge, Lafayette, Batesville, Fairview, Harris' Bluff and Arkansas Post, Ark .; Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, and the Siege of Vicksburg, Miss .; Vermilionville, Opelousas and Carrion Crow Bayou, La .; Tupelo, Okalona, Guntown and Salem, Miss .; Memphis, Lawrenceburg, Spring Hill, Campbellsville, Franklin and Nash- ville, Tenn. In May, 1865, Mr. Tucker's com- pany returned to St. Louis,, and later went to St. Paul, where it reported to General Curtis, after which it took part in expeditions against the Indians throughout Minnesota and Dakota. Then, after a short stay at Fort Snelling, it was sent home, and mustered out at Spring- field, Ill., October 18, 1865. Mr. Tucker was constantly with his command, faithfully per- forming all duties required of him from the date of his enlistment until March 6, 1862, when he was thrown from his horse, and re- ceived an injury of the knee which caused a double hernia. Upon the surgeon's certificate of disability, he was honorably discharged at Cairo, Ill., September 24, 1862.
In his political faith Mr. Tucker is a Re- publican, and has served as school clerk in Kansas, where he resided for six years. He has served twice as a member of the police force of Champaign, and was also elected to the office of Constable of that town. Socially, he is a member of Colonel Nodine Post, No.
140, G. A. R., in which he was Sergeant Major. He has been a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church for twenty-five years and at one time a trustee of the Sunday school.
On August 22, 1864, Mr. Tucker was united in marriage at Bloomington, Ill., to Miss Sarah McDaniel, a daughter of Samuel and Eliza- beth (Banks) McDaniel. After his marriage, he engaged in farming for seven years, after which he moved to Kansas, remaining there six years. He then moved to Arrowsmith, Mc- Lean County, Ill., but two years later disposing of his property there, came to Champaign, where he worked at the carpenter's trade, with the exception of the time he was on the police force. He was a contractor, and for two years was associated with his brother, Frank, who was accidentally killed while employed in the erection of the Christian church at Lincoln, Neb.
To Mr. and Mrs. Tucker have been born the following named children: William G., an en- gineer on the Illinois Central Railroad; Sam- uel C .; Lute E., a druggist; Allison J .; Charles J., who is employed on the Illinois Central Rail- road; Oliver J .; Ida E .; and Maggie B. (Mrs. Frank Oliver), who died, leaving two sons and one daughter, namely: Sylvester J., Frank A., and Maggie B.
The parents of Mr. Tucker were John Wes- ley and Elizabeth (Johnson), both of whom were natives of Virginia. They had the fol- lowing named children: John Milton, Lucy Ann, William Allison, David Wesley, Mary Jane, Calvin, Thomas, Sylvester J., Oliver, Sarah (Mrs. Stevenson), Emily (Mrs. Strause), Adaline (Mrs. Roberts), George and Frank.
EDWIN JUSTIN UDELL (deceased), editor and author, was born in Westerlo, N. Y., Oc- tober 23, 1838, and attended the district schools of that place until he was seventeen years old. At that age he came to Illinois and engaged in farming for a time, first in Bureau County, and then in Livingston. After this short period he taught school for nine years in Livingston, Grundy, and Marshall counties. He was a telegraph operator for the Illinois Central from 1864 to 1890, and was American express agent also for the same length of time. He was a student all his life, very accurate, loved sci- ence, history and poetry; there were few top- ics with which he was not familiar. In 1891 he became the editor and proprietor of the
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
"Rantoul Weekly News," a Democratic publi- cation. This paper, after Mr. Udell's death, was continued by his wife, Mrs. H. M. Udell. In 1880 President Hayes appointed him Super- visor of the Fifth Census District of Illinois, which was composed of fourteen counties and 233 enumeration districts; for several years he was Township Treasurer; and for twelve years was School Director and Clerk of the Board. He was the author of a number of poems, pub- lished in the "Boston Pilot." "Potter's Maga- zine," "Chicago Tribune," "Youths' Compan- ion," and other prominent publications. His death occurred April 16, 1903.
MERTON S. VAN BRUNT, a well-known farmer and breeder of thoroughbred horses, living on Section 12, Philo Township, Cham- paign County, Ill., was born where he now lives, September 18, 1876, the son of Samuel and Rachel (Samson) Van Brunt, natives of Darke County, Ohio, and of Canada, respec- tively. As the name indicates, the ancestral home was in Holland, the founder of the fam- ily in Champaign County being Thomas Van Brunt, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who settled on a farm in Sid- ney Township, where his death occurred shortly afterward in 1851. His son, Samuel, enlisted in Company I, Tenth Illinois Cavalry, in the early 'sixties, and served until the close of the Civil War. In 1867 he established a home of his own in Sidney Township, and became the father of eight children, Merton S. being the fifth in succession of birth.
Although his entire life has been spent upon the home farm, Merton S. Van Brunt has en- joyed excellent educational advantages, attend- ing the district school, and graduating from the High School and the Business College of Cham- paign. Since his father's retirement to Cham- paign in 1894, he has had charge of the home farm of 360 acres, eighty additional acres of which is managed by a tenant. The property is among the best improved farms in the county, and besides general farming, a spe- cialty is made of high grade horses and cat- tle raising.
In 1895 Mr. Van Brunt married Jessie Dukes, a daughter of Spencer and Cynthia Dukes, and they have three children, namely: Noel, Rus- sel and Vera.
Mr. Van Brunt is a Republican in politics, and at present is serving as School Director
and Highway Commissioner. Fraternally he is connected with the M. W. A., K. of P., and I. O. O. F.
SIDNEY VAN WEGEN was born in Orange County, N. Y., in 1868, and received his mental training in Champaign, Ill. He came to Cham- paign with his parents when but six years of age, and followed farming until 1894, when he became connected with the Water Works Com- pany of Urbana, Ill., filling the position of chief engineer. This company has eight wells from 160 to 165 feet deep, and four boilers and engines, which supply Urbana and Champaign with water.
Mr. Van Wegen has been Alderman of the Second Ward of Urbana. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the American Friendly Society, the I. O. O. F.and the Yeomen of America. He married Melissa Jalibith, a native of Kan- sas, and to them have been born the following named children: Lula, Lela and Della.
SAMUEL B. VARNEY (deceased) was born in Albion, Me., April 27, 1812, and his youth was spent in that State, where he became a successful farmer, merchant, manufacturer, and hotel keeper before coming west. He moved to Illinois in 1859, having previously purchased a half-section of land four miles from what was then the new town of Champaign. The Illinois Central Railway was at that time just completed, and the land which he purchased was a portion of the grant made to that Road by the Government. At the same time he purchased four lots in J. P. White's Addition, which was one of the first made to Cham- paign. He built a home in Champaign in 1859, and lived there until his death, a'though car- rying on extersive farming operations for several years. He died November 19, 1866, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Archibald M. Crane, in Chicago, where he had gone for med- ical treatment. He was one of the pioneers of Champaign, who took a most active interest in the improvement of "West Side Park," help- .ing' to plant many of the trees which now beautify that part of the city.
Mr. Varney was married first, in 1833, to Sarah Pearsons, of Bangor, who was born in Montville, Me., and their home was in South Levant, in the same State. Mrs. Varney died in 1844, and in 1845 he married Lucy J. White, of Montville, Me., who died in Champaign, in
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
1895. Of eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Varney, the only one now living (1905) is Mrs. Lanzarah V. Crane, of Champaign. Charles P. Varney, one of the sons, served over four years in the Union Army during the Civil War, and died in 1900. Mrs. Crane, who owns and occupies the old homestead built by her father in 1859, at the corner of West Church and Elm Streets, was born in Levant, Me., October 19, 1835, came with her father's family to Champaign in her young womanhood, and there became one of the early school teachers in Champaign, numbering among her pupils many of the men who are now most prominent in the business and professional life of Champaign and Urbana. In 1863 she mar- ried Archibald M. Crane, of Chicago, who died in 1879 in Chatsworth, Livingston County, Ill. During the entire years of her married life Mrs. Crane's home was in Chicago. In 1894 she returned to her old home in Champaign, where she has since resided.
FRANK B. VENNUM, President of the Illi- nois Title & Trust Company, Champaign, Ill.,
FRANK B. VENNUM.
was born October 12, 1853, on a farm south of Watseka, Ill., the son of C. C. Vennum, who moved to Onarga when Frank B. was thirteen
years old. The father died the following year. The son worked on a farm during the summer, attending school in the winter, finishing his education at the Grand Prairie Seminary. Later he took up telegraphy, which he followed for two years, being located during that time at Milford, Gibson, and Belleflower. He then en- gaged in the grain and mercantile business at the last named place, continuing in that line for four years. Subsequently, he moved to Fisher, where he was engaged in mercantile business until 1883, and then opened a bank, being the youngest sole owner of such an in- stitution in the State. He made numerous in- vestments in farm lands, and now owns farms in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa, aggregating over 2,500 acres. He is President of the Champaign County Abstract Company, the Illinois Title & Trust Company, and three banks. Politically Mr. Vennum is a Prohibitionist, and in religion he is a member of the Christian Church.
In November, 1874, Mr. Vennum was mar- ried, at Belleflower, to Sadie A. Marsh. Two children were born of this union, namely: Vinnie V., the wife of Virgil W. Johnston, at- torney and abstractor; and Ernest M., teller in the Illinois Title & Trust Company.
JOHN P. VILLARS, farmer and coal and brick dealer, St. Joseph, Champaign County, Ill., was born in Vermilion County, Ill., Feb- ruary 15, 1860. His parents, John Q. and Rachel (Olehy) Villars, natives of Ohio, came to Vermilion County, in childhood, with their parents, in 1832. John Q. Villars and Dennis Olehy, the father of Rachel, took up land in the same neighborhood. The elder Villars died at his residence in Danville, Ill., at. the age of seventy-two years, May 16, 1902. His widow now lives in Danville, and is seventy-three years old. They became the parents of five children, all living, John P. being fourth. Mary E. married Hiram Lynch, of Danville, Ill .; James W. married Jennie Brewer, of Danville; William D. married Sarah F. Shepherd, of Cov- ington, Ind .; and Rebecca J. married Thomas D. Smith, of Danville.
Mr. Villars gained his first agricultural ex- perience on his father's farm, and afterward conducted independent farming operations. He came to St. Joseph in February, 1901, and lived retired until he started his present coal and brick business in September, 1904. He is a
1046
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
public-spirited and efficient business man. Po- litically, Mr. Villars votes according to prin- ciple rather than party. Religiously, he is actively identified with the Methodist Episco- pal Church of St. Joseph.
On February 17, 1884, Mr. Villars married Mary E., daughter of France and Minerva (Martin) Olehy, who were early settlers of Vermilion County. Two children resulted from this union, Lola and Forest L. The for- mer died March 19, 1898, and the latter, Oc- tober 11, 1901.
HACHALIAH VREDENBURGH, an architect, with offices on the fourth floor of the Illinois Building, Champaign, Ill., was born in Ver- milion County, Ill., August 5, 1848. He is a son of Dr. Samuel H. and Temperance (New- lon) Vredenburgh, the former of whom is a native of Indiana, and is still living at the age of eighty-three years.
From the fall of 1846, Dr. Vredenburgh prac- ticed medicine in Vermilion County, where he was widely and favorably known as the "home physician," during the war. He has been re- tired from active practice for several years, but still occasionally gives his old friends the ben- efit of his medical knowledge and is frequently called in consultation. For several years he has resided at Danville, Ill., where he has been prominent in the work of the Methodist Church. His father, Rev. Hachaliah Vreden- burgh, was a member of the N. Y. Conference and went to Indiana as a missionary, having two others ministers as his assistants. He was a great organizer, was Presiding Elder for a time, and was very successful in every enterprise he undertook. He resided at Green- castle, Ind., and had much to do with the founding of Asbury University at that place. He died at the age of eighty-four years. He married Sarah Kniffin, who was a most ex- cellent woman, and a fit helpmeet for her hus- band. She was ten years his junior and sur- vived him about five years, dying in . 1872. They had five sons and three daughters, the father of the subject of this sketch being the only one now living. The family is of Hol- land extraction, and members of it settled in New York State at an early day. When the subject of this sketch was but a small boy, his mother died at the age of thirty-six years. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Four
children were born to her and her husband, three of whom were as follows: John W., now of Danville, Ill .; Mary Temperance, deceased, and Hachaliah.
Hachaliah Vredenburgh spent his boyhood on the farm with his father, attending public school and taking charge of the farm while the latter practiced medicine. He learned the carpenter trade, which he followed for several years, and then studied architecture, carrying on both lines of industry for awhile, but sub- sequently, in 1895, gave up carpentry, since which time he has confined himself to archi- tectural work. He planned and made the speci- fications for the Illinois Building, Leibech Hall, the Baptist church at Fairmont, Ill., and many others.
In a religious connection, Mr. Vredenburgh and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the former is affiliated with the Masonic order, in the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, and Commandery. Politi- cally, Mr. Vredenburgh's family were formerly Whigs, and later, Republicans. He was mar- ried August 14, 1868, to Angeline M. Hicks, a native of Vermilion County, Ill., and a daugh- ter of David and Elizabeth Hicks. Her father is deceased, and her mother is at present a resident of Champaign, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Vred- enburgh are the parents of four children. One of these, Ella A., married John Snyder, and re- sides in Champaign. Another, James Hamilton, is the father of three children, Effie, Robert and Royal. Still another, Sarah Temperance, is now Mrs. Frank Hire.
FRANCIS THEODORE WALKER, pioneer merchant of Champaign County, was born in Whiting, Addison County, Vt., September 3, 1827, a son of Whitfield and Martha (Hall) Walker, both of whom were natives of Ver- mont. The father was a Captain of Militia and participated in the war of 1812, one of the important battles in which he took part being that of Plattsburg. Gideon Walker, the paternal grandfather, came originally from Massachusetts but later moved to Vermont and settled on the west side of Granite Mountain, where he built a log house and cleared several acres of land. He was a soldier in the Rev- olutionary War. Mr. Walker came to Cham- paign from Peoria in December, 1855, and en- gaged in the furniture business, which he con-
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
tinued to the present time. He was one of the organizers of the Champaign National Bank, of which he was elected Vice-President December 20, 1897, which position he has since occupied. He has been a member of the Ma- sonic Fraternity since 1858, and is a Knight Templar. In politics he has always supported the Republican party, but he has never sought to hold office. While not being affiliated with
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