Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Edgar County, Part 150

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell
Number of Pages: 876

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DR. WILLIAM H. TEN BROECK, a physi- cian and surgeon of Paris, Ill., was born in Northumberland County, Pa., May 10, 1851, a son of Andrew Ten Broeck, who was a native of Elmyra, N. Y. The latter's occupation was farming. The paternal ancestor of Dr. Ten Broeck, Wessel W., was born in 1636 and died at Kingston, N. Y., Nov. 25, 1704. He came to America froni Westphalia, Netherlands, ou the ship "Faith," which landed at New Amster. dam in December, 1659. John T., the great grandfather of William H., served in the Revo- lutionary War, holding the various ranks of Captain, First Major, and Lieutenant Colonel, and commanded a battalion at the battle of Monmouth. On account of his understanding the language of the Hessian soldiers he was engaged to teach them and induce them to remain in America. Dr. Ten Broeck was edu- cated in the public schools, later attending the University of Ohio at Wooster. He then studied medicine and was graduated from the Rush Medical College, at Chicago, February 27, 1877. In the same year he came to Paris and has since practiced his profession in Edgar County. He is a member of the Edgar County Medical Society, the State Medical Society, the Aescula- pian Society of the Wabash Valley, and the American Medical Association. In religion he is a Presbyterian. On May 17, 1888, Dr. Ten Broeck was united in marriage to Miss Ida. B. Barrett, of Bucyrus, Ohio.

JOSEPH A. THIEL, one of the most pro- gressive and successful farmers of Embarras Township, was born in Richlaud County, Ohio,

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

June 20, 1860, a son of Joseph A. and Mary A. (Jasper) Thiel. The parents of Mr. Thiel were born in Germany, came to the United States in 1847, and to Edgar County in 1865, when he was five years of age. He was reared on the pater- nal farm, attended the public schools when the home work permitted, and finally purchased his present farm of 120 acres. He is now a general farmer and stock-raiser, but has branched out into chicken and bee raising, making a spe- cialty of Plymouth Rocks and Hatien bees, and deriving a substantial income from these two interesting resources. He raises many Poland-China hogs and blooded stock, and has one of the most complete and modern farms in the township. Mr. Thiel married into another pioneer family of Edgar County, Feb. 28, 1894, his wife being Tilly F., daughter of John Noole, a native of Ireland, and an Illinois resident since 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Thiel are the parents of three children: Stella F., Karl C., and John J. Mr. Thiel is a Democrat in politics, is fraternally connected with the Brocton Lodge No. 297, I. O. O. F., and in religion is a Meth- odist.

CLAUDE P. THOMAS, a successful farmer and stockman of Edgar Township, Edgar County, an active Democrat and prominent Mason, was born Oct. 17, 1870, in Kansas Town- ship, Edgar County, a son of Milton and Lucy Thomas, of Kentucky. The family emigrated to Edgar County at an early day, and Claude P. was educated in the public schools of Kansas and Edgar Township, also attending school in Valparaiso, Ind., and subsequently returning to the occupation of his ancestors. At present he owns 500 acres of land in Edgar Township, and is engaged in general farming and stock-rais- ing. He has held the office of Town Clerk for three years, and that of Supervisor for two years.

ALBERT THOMPSON, farmer, Prairie Town- ship, Edgar County, Ill., was born in the town- ship where he now resides, Nov. 14, 1849, the son of Simpson and Emeline Thompson. He remained with his parents on the homestead until 1875, when he became an independent farmer, an occupation he still follows, besides raising stock to a considerable extent. On March 16, 1875, Mr. Thompson was married to Clara, daughter of David and Ellen Collins, of Prairie Township, and of this union four chil-

dren have been born-Elmer, Grace, Emma and Nellie J. (deceased). In political affiliations Mr. Thompson is a Republican. He is a mem- ber of the Friends Church. .

EDWARD T. THOMPSON, owner of 156 acres of land in Embarras Township, Edgar County, Ill., is a native of Noble County, Ohio, where he was born March 14, 1843. His par- ents Thomas J. and Anna E. (Kinsey) Thomp- son, born, respectively, in Culpeper County, Virginia, and Pittsburg, Penn., came to Ohio in 1825, and were married in 1835. In 1861 Mr. Thompson enlisted in Company F, Twenty- sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving two years and three months, being wounded at the battle of Stone River, Tennessee, Dec. 31, 1863. He came to Edgar County, Ill., in 1865, and has lived at his present residence since 1875. On December 29, 1870, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Mina J. McDonald, who died August 17, 1903, leaving the following children : Fred L., Charles O., Don K., Ed- ward F., and one daughter. Mrs. Thompson was born in Elbridge, Edgar County, Ill., Jan. 4, 1851, the daughter of Thomas McDonald, a native of North Carolina. In politics Mr. Thompson is a Republican and served one term as Township Collector. Fraternally he is iden- tified with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is an upright and industrious man, an obliging and considerate neighbor, and enjoys the respect and good will of all who know him.

LORIN THOMPSON, owner and operator of 250 acres of land in Prairie Township, Edgar County, Ill., was born on his present farm. July 13, 1858, the son of Simpson and Emily Thompson, pioneers of Edgar County. Remain- ing at home until the death of his father in 1875, Mr. Thompson thereafter lived with his brother on a portion of the old place until 1880, since which time he has owned and managed his shore of the homestead, upon which he has conducted general farming and stock-raising. On September 5, 1880, he married Rachel Brat- ton, daughter of John W. and Martha J. Brat- ton of Prairie Township. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Society of Friends.

HON. ANDREW YORK TROGDON, attorney, Paris, Ill., was born in Stratton Township,

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

Edgar County, Ill., July 8, 1833, son of Samuel and Ellender (Swafford) Trogdon, natives of Randolph County, N. C. Samuel Trogdon first came to Edgar County, Ill., in 1815, and in 1825 located on land one mile southeast of Vermilion, improved his farm, and became an extensive land owner. In addition to agricultural pur- suits, he was a tanner and a blacksmith, and made the first plow (Cary plow) manufac- tured in Edgar County. He was married near Ashville, N. C., and to him and his wife twelve children were born-nine boys and three girls -A. Y. Trogdon being the youngest of the boys and is the only surviving member of this family. His father died when this son was a mere child. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm, attended the district school, and when a young man read law with John P. Usher, Chambers, Y. Patterson and Hon. H. D. Scott, in the meantime having as a companion and fellow-student Joe Cannon, present Speaker in the House of Representatives. He formerly attended Ashbury University (now De Pauw), Greencastle, Indiana, and was admitted to the Bar in May, 1857. He immediately began prac- ticing his profession in Terre Haute, Ind., but in 1858 removed to Paris, Ill., and has since been an active member of Edgar County bar. He was married to Mary C. Clapp, daughter of Christian and Catherine Clapp, and of this union there are six children: Alice, Jessie, Ida, Como, Lula and Dick. In political views Mr. Trogdon is a Republican; has served as Town Clerk, Mayor of Paris, and three terms as County Judge of Edgar County, and his deci- sions as Judge were almost universally approved. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Order I. O. M. A. When a youth on the farm Mr. Trogdon was one of the best ox drivers and breakers in the country -- yes, a "cow-boy." In addition to his professional work he has been interested at different times in agricultural pursuits in Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois.

GENERAL JAMES M. TRUE, in early life &. farmer, later a merchant, during the Civil War a distinguished and able commander, and since 1880, a minister in the Baptist Church at Paris, Edgar County, Ill., was born Oct. 14, 1823, in Scott County, Ky., a son of John and Mary True, natives of Spottsylvania, Va. John True was born Feb. 5, 1778, and died in 1860 on the farm in Coles County, Ill., to which he

had removed from Bourbon County, Ky., in the fall of 1834. His wife, who was born Dec. 8, 1783, died Oct. 23, 1844. James M. True was reared on his father's farm, and followed gen- eral farming and stock-raising until about 1854. He then engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in Charleston, Ill., and was thus employed at the outbreak of the Civil War. Notwith- standing his large home responsibility, he went to the near-by town of Mattoon and enlisted in Company E, Thirty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was at once elected Captain of the company. The military record of the gen- eral is as follows: Commissioned Captain of Company E, Thirty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, August 15, 1861; commissioned Colonel of the Sixty-second Illinois, Dec. 1, 1861; as Brigadier-General, March 6, 1865; appointed United States Consul to Kingston, Canada, Feb. 20, 1874, and acknowledged by Queen Victoria, April 6, 1874. On September 21, 1843, he was united in marriage with Nancy B. Threlkeld, of Coles County, who became the mother of six children, of whom Lilly A. is the sole survivor. Mrs. True died March 27, 1890, and on June 1, 1891, Mr. True married Candace M. Kester, of Edgar County. Always a devout and earnest man, General True entered the Baptist ministry in 1880, and since has greatly enlarged his opportunities for well doing. He is a Republican in politics, and served as a member of the Illinois State Legislature in 1866 and '68. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Kansas Post No. 405.

G. O. TUCKER was born in Edgar Township, Edgar County, on the homestead he now occu- pies, Oct. 9, 1859, a son of Osborne and Irene J. (Parks) Tucker. The father was a native of Clark County, Ky., his birth having taken place there Jan. 22, 1818, while the mother was born in Owen County, Ind., Nov. 29, 1824, her death occurring in October, 1864. Nine children were born to them, of whom the following five survive: Emily E., Sarah, George K., G. O., and Franklin J. Mr. Tucker's second wife was Mrs. Susan Baird Fair, to whom he was married Feb. 7, 1867. She was born June 24, 1829, and died April 23, 1874. One child was born to them, Lucy Q. The third wife of Mr. Tucker was Mrs. Sarah Edmonston Hunsinger, their marriage taking place Oct. 19, 1876. She was a native of Lincoln County, Tenn. Osborne Tucker lived in Kentucky until 1829, coming

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

in that year to Edgar Township with his par- ents, Kelly R. and Susan ( Battershell) Tucker, natives of Maryland and Kentucky respectively. The family settled in Edgar Township on what is now known as the Alex Moss farm. In 1843 Osborne entered 40 acres of land, gradu- ally adding to this nucleus until he had acquired 400 acres, which he owned at the time of his death, Nov. 3, 1900. In politics he was a Republican and held the office of Com- mitteeman, School Trustee, Director and Super- visor. He was a member of the Baptist Church in which he held the office of deacon. G. O. Tucker was reared on the family homestead and obtained his education in the district schools. After the death of his father he inher- ited a part of the estate and at the present time owns 130 acres. He is successfully following general farming in connection with stock rais- ing and has one large threshing machine. He is also in partnership with his brother, G. K., in the implement business at Horace, Edgar County. Socially he is an Odd Fellow. In politics he is a Republican and held the office of Assessor for four years. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Tucker was married Feb. 21, 1884, to Nettie, a daughter of Truman and Serilda (Gilkeson) Wright, who came to Edgar County from In- diana at an early day. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Tucker, two died in infancy, the other two being Trueman O., born Feb. 14, 1890, and Forrest K., born Feb. 26, 1892.

JAMES K. TUCKER, a successful land owner and stock-raiser of Shiloh Township, was born June 20, 1853, in Edgar Township, this county, a son of Nathan and Polly Tucker, who came from Kentucky to Edgar County at an early day, and both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Tucker had scant educational or other oppor- tunities in his youth, and the farm of 369 acres which speaks so eloquently of his energy and resource, has been won principally by his own exertions. October 30, 1883, Mr. Tucker married Rosa Tweedy, and of the union six children have been born: Chester B .; Fred J .; Mana F .; Anna L .; Nathan A .; and an infant. deceased. Mr. Tucker is a Republican in poli- tics, and has served as a member of the school board. In religion he is a Baptist, being iden- tified with the church at Horace.

JAMES L. VANCE, ex-County Treasurer and ex-Circuit Clerk, is the son of W. B. and Ardilla (Earley) Vance, pioneer residents of Edgar County. He was born in the city of Paris, Ill., where he now resides, August 22, 1832, receiv- ing during his early life a good business educa- tion at what was known as the Edgar Academy. Having engaged in various business pursuits, the first on his own account being in agricul- ture, he was connected in 1865 with the con- struction and operation of the Vance Woolen Factory, continuing in this business until 1869, when he engaged in the tanning business quite extensively. In 1872 he was elected to the office of County Treasurer, holding this office two terms, with not only credit and honor to himself, but with perfect satisfaction to those whom he represented. In 1892 Mr. Vance was elected to the office of Circuit Clerk, which office he filled most acceptably two terms. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Vance was married March 27, 1855, to Miss Sarah A. Brown, a native of Virginia, and of this union there were eight children, five of whom are now living, viz .: Charles W., H. Emmett, James Edwin, John Warren, and Robert Burns, all of whom are highly respected citizens. Mr. Vance is considered one of the leading citizens of Edgar County, and has always interested him- self in public matters pertaining to the wel- fare and advancement of his community, an ! has won the respect and esteem of all who know him.

GEORGE ALLEN VANDYKE, attorney, Paris, Ill., was born at Ashmore, Ill., Dec. 14, 1855, the son of Joseph and Caroline (Rich- ards) VanDyke. Joseph VanDyke was born in Brown County, Ohio, the son of John A. and Charity (Haws) VanDyke, natives respectively of Erie, Penn., and Hawsville, Ky. His wife. Caroline Richards, was a native of Felicity, same state. The subject of this sketch was educated at Ann Arbor University, Mich., grad- uating from the law department of that institu- tion in 1879, and established his practice in raris, Ill., in 1890. On November 10, 1880, he was married to Miss Harriet Hawley, born in Ironton, Ohio, October 3, 1864, daughter of Chauncey Giles and Mary (Kelley) Hawley, and to them one child, Chauncey Joseph, has been born. In political views Mr. VanDyke is a Republican, and in religious faith a Presby- terian. Fraternally he is a member of Paris

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

Lodge A. F. & A. M. No. 268, Edgar Chapter R. A. M. No. 32, Young Council No. 9, and the Tribe of Ben Hur.

HENRY VAN SELLAR, lawyer and ex-Jus- tice of the Circuit Court, Paris, Ill., was born on a farm in Delaware County, in December, 1839, of Pennsylvania and New England ances- try; was educated in the public schools, the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, and at

HENRY VAN SELLAR.

Dennison University, Granville, Ohio, and in August, 1860, came to Edgar County, Ill., where he became a student at law. He also engaged in teaching for six months, but promptly after the firing on Fort Sumter, on April 15, 1861, enlisted as a private in Company E, Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for three months service, of which he re-enlisted for three years, and on August 1, 1861, was elected and com- missioned Second Lieutenant, on October 18th following being promoted to the captaincy of his company. At the close of his term of serv- ice, having re-enlisted as a veteran, he was, on Feb. 19, 1864, elected and commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of his regiment, of which he retained command until its date of muster- out at Louisville, Ky., July 10, 1865. He was commissioned Colonel of his regiment but not

formally mustered in, as by this time the roll- call of the regiment showed less than 800 men. Having returned to his home in Edgar County after the close of the war, Colonel Van Sellar resumed the study of law, and, at the April term of the Supreme Court of Illinois, in 1866, was formally admitted to the bar, and since that time has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Edgar County and elsewhere. At the election of November, 1884, he was elected for the Thirty-first District, as succes- sor to the late Attorney-General George Hunt, serving in the Thirty-fourth General Assembly. In June, 1897, he was chosen Circuit Judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, serving in this capacity one term of six years, retiring June, 1903, when he resumed his practice at the bar. Other public positions held by him include those of Supervisor for four years, and as member of the Paris Board of Education for fifteen years. In his political views Judge Van Sellar has been a consistent and earnest Repub- lican, sustaining by his vote the principles for which he periled his life as a soldier during the war for the preservation of the Union.

RICHARD W. VAN SICKLE, a retired farmer, residing in Metcalf, Edgar County, Ill., was born August 7, 1834, three and a half miles northeast of the town of Vermilion, Edgar County. He was the son of Winecoop and Martha (Tweedie) Van Sickle, who were born respectively in Virginia and Tennessee. His father, who died in 1849, was a pumpmaker and came to Edgar County, from Tennessee, in 1832 with his family, consisting of twelve chil- dren. He settled in Stratton Township and for many years made pumps, assisted in the work by James Duck and Sons as partners. Richard W. was reared on a farm and in 1858 was married to Miss Martha Jane Craig, the marriage taking place in Young America Township. Mrs. Van Sickle was the daughter of John Craig, who was a painter and resident of Paris. Eight children were born to them; all are deceased but one, Samuel G., of Paris, Ill. Mr. Van Sickle enlisted in October, 1864, with Company D, Forty-fourth Illinois Volun teer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, where he was wounded. At one time he owned 400 acres of land, a part of which he sold, giving 80 acres to his son, leav- ing for himself a farm of 160 acres. Politically

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

he is a Republican and a member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Van Sickle has three brothers and one sister still living, all of whom are older than himself.

JAMES F. VAN VOORHEES, a prominent attorney of Edgar County, was born in Coles County, Ill., Dec. 6, 1859. His parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Burgan) Van Voorhees, are natives of Washington County. Penn., the

JAMES F. VAN VOORHEES.

former's birth occurring March 18, 1825, and on October 31, 1855, was married to Miss Ann Elizabeth Burgan, who was born Dec. 23, 1836, and is still residing in Paris, Ill. In 1856 they removed from Pennsylvania to Coles County, Ill., where Mr. Van Voorhees purchased a sec- tion of land, which is now a part of Douglas County. This land he soon after sold, and moved to Falls County, Texas, where he remained until the spring of 1868. He was engaged in the business of stock-raising and shipping cattle to the St. Louis market, and returned to Douglas County in 1878. The chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Voorhees were: Mary Belle, wife of Thomas M. Porter; James F., George R., Valverde, wife of Frederick W." Dundas, an attorney at Paris; and Jordahlia, wife of Frank Rudy. James F. Van Voorhees attended the high school in Douglas County,

where he completed the course and then turned his attention to school teaching. In 1880 he was Principal of the public school in Scott Land, and in 1881-2-3 was associated with Alfred Harvey in conducting a summer Normal School while at the same time he was teaching in Scott Land, and in 1883 pursuing the study of law. He attended Ann Arbor University, pass- ing the examination, June 26, 1884, and was graduated from the same class with Governor Yates. Later he became Superintendent of Schools at Chrisman, where, in 1885, he com- menced the practice of law, which profession he continues successfully at the present time (1904). On October 16, 1895, Mr. Van Voorhees was united in marriage to Miss Susan E. Hart- ley, daughter of John S. and Margaret (Scott) Hartley, and two children have been born to them, Margaret E., born Dec. 8, 1897, and Her- bert B., born May 8, 1901. Politically Mr. Van Voorhees is a Republican, prominent and active in behalf of his party. He was defeated for County Judge in 1886, and in 1893 was again a candidate, but was defeated by only two votes. He is the present City Attorney, to which office he has been several times elected, and which he held when the town was changed to a city in 1901. He is an able speaker, and one of the leading lawyers of Edgar County. He is attor- ney for the "Big Four" and Indiana, Decatur & Western Railroads at Chrisman. Fraternally he is a Mason, Odd Fellow and K. P. He owns a farm of 88 acres in Ross Township, 1,000 acres in Jersey County, Ill., and two farms in Indiana, aggregating 176 acres; he also pos- sesses valuable property in Chrisman.

CAPTAIN ALLEN VARNER, stock-raiser and farmer of Ross Township, Argonaut of '49, ex- soldier of the Civil War. and former holder of local political offices, was born April 18, 1825. in Marion County, Ind., son of David and Jemima Varner, natives of North Carolina. The youth of Captain Varner was uneventfully passed on the home farm, and, as opportunity offered, attended the public schools of his dis- trict. The cry of gold, with its unsettling, uprooting tendencies, penetrated his peaceful agricultural region in the latter '40s, and in the spring of '49 he joined a mule train bound for the Pacific coast, in the mines of which region he engaged in mining for four years. Returning to Illinois, he purchased the farm he now lives on in 1856. made many improvements on his

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HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY.

place, and now owns 500 acres of fertile land. In June, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Twen- ty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, being com- missioned First Lieutenant of the company, and in January, 1863, was promoted to the rank of Captain. Participating in many of the important battles and skirmishes of the war, he fell under the ban of ill health (rheu- matism) from exposure and deprivation, in con- sequence of which he was obliged to resign his commission in April, 1864 Returning to Edgar County, he has lived here since, with the excep- tion of two years spent in the stock commis- sion business in Buffalo, N. Y., during 1873-4. He has a more than local reputation as a breeder of fine stock, and for twenty years was one of the largest and most successful breeders of Short-Horn cattle in the state. Politically Independent, the Captain has been an import- ant factor in the political undertakings of his township, the beginning of his service dating from the war, when, for three years, he was supervisor of Ross Township. In the early part of 1861 he was elected Township Collector. but owing to his enlistment was unable to serve. Again being elected Supervisor upon his return from the war, he served four years, and has since declined all nominations tendered. In June, 1864, he married Jemima, daughter of David and Margaret Dickson, the former a pioneer of Vermilion County, Ill. To Captain and Mrs. Varner have been born six children: Jacob; Mary, wife of W. T. Clayton; Margaret, wife of Dr. Earl Miller; Dr. Robert D .; Wil- liam; and David D .- the youngest being twenty years of age, and all are living at the date of this writing, Nov. 8, 1904.

GEORGE W. VICE, a farmer and stock-raiser, and a resident of Symmes Township, Edgar County, was born in Putnam County, Ind., Dec. 28, 1858, his parents being Robert and Permelia (Harvey) Vice, both natives of the Hoosier State. When he was twelve years old his mother died and his father married a sec- ond time. As a boy he worked during the sum- mer on neighboring farms and attended school in the winter. He came to Edgar County about 1871 and began farming on rented land in Buck Township, removing, in 1899, to Symmes Town- ship, where he now operates 180 acres. Before his marriage he was engaged principally in buying and selling horses, later turning his

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Edgar County, Part 150

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Number of Pages: 876

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell
Number of Pages: 876