USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 18
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born three children but Clarence, the eldest, is deceased. Mamie is a teacher of this county, and Myrtle is at home. Mrs. Johnson belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Johnson belongs to the Odd Fellow's lodge at Sibley. They are both people of the highest respectability, whose good qualities of heart and mind have won for them the confidence and friendly regard of all who know them. In his business career Mr. Johnson has displayed excellent ability and unfaltering diligence and as the years have passed his labor has been the measure of a gratifying success.
H. H. BEVINGTON.
Among those who, formerly identified with agricultural interests, have found in elose application and careful management in the pursuits of the farm the means for the acquirement of substantial competence that now enables them to live retired is H. H. Bevington, of Paxton. He was born in Wayne county, Ohio, November 16, 1852, his parents being Samuel and Marcia Ann (Johnson) Bevington, who were likewise natives of the Buckeye state and of English parentage. The family came to America at an early day and was established in Ohio during the pioneer epoch in the history of that state. Samuel Bevington followed the occupation of farming and died in Defiance county, Ohio, after having devoted his active life to the work of the fields. Unto him and his wife were born nine children, eight of whom reached adult age, namely : C. J., a farmer of Crawford county, Kansas; Naney, the wife of George Dodge, of De Kalb county. Indiana; Hannah, the wife of Osear Dodge, of Defiance county, Ohio; II. II., of this review; E. A., who follows farming in
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Butler township, Ford county, Illinois ; S. P., who is living in Buckley, Iroquois county, Illinois; S. E., whose home is in Hoopeston, Vermilion county, this state; and Delia M., the wife of Reed Place, of Defiance county, Ohio. The mother passed away December 15, 1891, while the death of the father occurred March 3, 1904.
HI. H. Bevington acquired his education in the common schools of Defiance county, Ohio, and the year 1878 witnessed his arrival in this county. He was then a young man of twenty-six years and began life here upon a rented farm, for he had no capital with which to purchase property. Ten years of industry and economy, however, enabled him to become the owner of two hundred acres of land in Patton township, which he purchased for forty-one dollars per acre, and upon which some slight improvements had been made. With characteris- tic energy he took up its further development and cultivation and in course of time the fields were bringing forth rich and abundant harvests. This is now well improved with good buildings and the substantial barns and outbuildings necessary for the shelter of grain and stock. He has made it a model farm and everything about the place indicates his thrifty spirit and enterprising efforts. He continued active in the work of the fields until 1901, when he removed to Paxton and the following year purchased a nice home in the town, sinee which time he has lived retired.
On the 21st of June, 1877, Mr. Bevington was married, in Defiance county, Ohio, to Miss Alice U. Irish, a daughter of Charles R. and Eliza (Barney) Irish. They were the parents of eight children: Diana, now the widow of HI. Keller, of Defiance county, Ohio; Augusta, the widow of A. T. Spencer, of the same county; Silas W., who is living in Williams county, Ohio; Francis V., of Chicago, Illinois; Delia V., the wife of J. A. Grandy, of Clarence, Ford county. Illinois ; Alice, now Mrs. Bevington ; Herbert E., who has passed away, while his family resides in Hicksville, Ohio; and Ina, the deceased wife of Thomas Eck, of Williams county, Ohio. Mr. Irish was called to his final rest May 16, 1889 and his wife died March 5, 1908.
Mr. and Mrs. Bevington have but one child, Charles E., a graduate of the Rice Collegiate Institute, who was born July 23, 1881, and was married February 6, 1900, to Miss Emma L. Denman, a daughter of William Denman, of Paxton. They have two children, Bernina M. and Dorothy M., and they reside upon his father's farm in Patton township.
Mr. Bevington is a member of Paxton Lodge, No. 418, I. O. O. F., and politically is a democrat. For twelve years he served on the school board. He came to the county a poor man, but the road to success is open to all who
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have the perseverance to continue therein. Through hard work and the exercise of true economy he has succeeded in accumulating a handsome property and is regarded as one of the most substantial, as well as one of the most respected citizens of this part of the state.
JAMES R. SUTTON.
James R. Sutton, a prosperous and enterprising agriculturist of Mona township, was born on the farm on which he yet resides, his natal day being July 12, 1871. He is a son of John W. and Rachel Sutton, the former a native of England and the latter of Ohio. In the year 1850 the parents came to Illinois, first locating in Grundy county, where they operated rented land for three years. The father served as a loyal defender of the Union in the dark days of the Civil war, his term of enlistment covering three years and six months. In 1868 he came to Ford county, purchasing the farm which is yet the home of our subject. He had a family of three children, namely : James R., of this review ; Elizabeth ; and William. John W. Sutton successfully carried on his agricultural interests until the time of his death in 1906, but the mother still survives him, making her home in Mona township with her daughter.
James R. Sutton acquired a common-school education and assisted his father in the cultivation of the old homestead farm until he had attained the twenty-fourth year of his age. He then wished to start ont in life on his own account and accordingly rented a tract of land for two years, but on the expiration of that period returned to the home farm, where he has lived continuously since. He now operates two hundred and forty aeres of rich and productive land, the fields yielding golden harvests annually as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon them. He follows progressive and modern methods in the conduet of his agricultural interests and his farm comprises one of the neat and attractive properties of the county.
In 1900 Mr. Sutton was joined in wedlock to Miss Bertha R. Bute, a native of Livingston county, Ilinois, whose parents now reside in Kempton. She was one of a family of three children and by her marriage has become the mother of four children, namely: Elmer L .; Clarence B., Velma F., deceased ; and Arthur I.
In his political views Mr. Sutton is a republican and for three years acted as collector, while for four years he was deputy sheriff under Frank Mason.
MR. AND MRS. JAMES R. SUTTON
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Ilis public duties have been discharged with the same fidelity and capability that he displays in the conduct of his private business interests and he has ever received the warm regard and confidence of his fellow townsmen. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 406, at Kempton, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are held in high esteem throughout the entire community by reason of their upright and honorable lives. Mr. Sutton has spent his entire life in this county and is therefore familiar with its development from pioneer times down to the present, having aided in the arduous toil which brought about the wonderful transformation that is everywhere apparent in this part of the state. Although one of the younger representatives of agricultural interests in Ford county, he has already attained a measure of success that augurs well for the future.
JOHN SHILTS.
John Shilts, who is a retired agriculturist living in Melvin, is still the owner of three hundred and thirty acres of rich and valuable farming land in Ford county, from which he receives a good income. He was born in Witten- berg, Germany, on the 22d of May, 1847, a son of Michael and Argatha Shilts, natives of the fatherland, who emigrated to America in 1852. They first located in Kendall county, Illinois, where the father worked as a laborer for seven years and then operated a rented farm for a period of eight years. In the year 1868 he removed with his family to Ford county, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 13, Peach Orchard township, which he improved and cultivated, making his home thereon until his death in 1883. His wife had passed away in 1874 and their remains were interred in the Chatsworth cemetery. They were the parents of the following children : John, of this review; Joe, of Melvin, Illinois; Reuben, who resides in Iowa; Mary, the wife of Robert Underwood, of Ford county; Frank, who makes his home in Missouri; Mathew, living in Crawford county, Illinois; Katherine, who became the wife of George Morris and reside in Tacoma, Washington ; Maggie, the wife of Thomas Underwood, of Ford county; and three who died in infancy.
John Shilts acquired his education in the common schools and remained with his father until he had attained the age of twenty-three years, when he was married and started out in business life on his own account by renting
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a traet of land. When a year had passed in this way he purchased eighty acres on section 24, Dix township, to which he added from time to time until his landed possessions now aggregate three hundred and thirty acres in Ford county, while in Crawford county he also owns a tract of forty acres. He brought his land under a high state of development, adding all the equipments and accessories of a model farming property, and met with such a large measure of prosperity that in 1895 he was enabled to retire from the active work of the fields. He now rents his farm and lives retired in a pleasant and commodious residence in Melvin, surrounded by all the comforts and luxuries which go to make life worth living. He is widely recognized as one of the extensive landowners and prosperous citizens of the county, and also as one of the early settlers who aided in the work of pioneer development and progress here.
The wife of Mr. Shilts bore the maiden name of Hannah J. McGee and is a native of Pennsylvania, accompanying her parents on their removal to Illinois at an early day. She has one brother and one sister: George, who resides in Oklahoma; and Margaret, who is the wife of John Crawford and lives in South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Shilts became the parents of seven children as follows: Minerva, deceased; Sybil E., who has also passed away; May E., at home; Calvin, who has departed this life; Ida M., deceased ; Estella E., who became the wife of Albert Getleman and now resides in the state of Washington; and Elsie R., the wife of Philip Waleby, who also makes her home in Washington.
In his political views Mr. Shilts is a democrat and has served as school director for twenty years, the cause of education finding in him a warm and stalwart friend. He also acted as ditch commissioner for seven years and gives loyal support to all movements and measures instituted for the promo- tion of the general welfare and the prosperity of the country at large. He was reared in the Catholic faith but his wife and family are members of the Congregational church at Melvin, where the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them.
RICHARD DUNN.
Richard Dunn is a well known and worthy representative of the farming interests of Brenton township and now derives his income from a good prop- erty of four hundred and fifteen aeres on sections 9, 10, 15 and 16. . He is also well known as a dealer in live stock and this has added materially to his success.
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Mr. Dunn was born in Warren county, Illinois, November 14, 1840, and is a son of Joseph and Mary Dunn, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Kentucky. They came to Illinois in 1837 and cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Warren county, where the father entered land from the government and began the development of a new farm, living in the style of those who established homes upon the frontier. There he continued until 1866, when he sold the property in Warren county and removed to Ford county, investing here in four hundred acres of land on section 15, Brenton township. The place was at that time a tract of wild prairie but with charac- teristic energy he began its development and brought the fields under a high state of cultivation. He lived upon the farm for about seven years and then sold out, removing to Nebraska in 1873. Again he invested in four hundred acres of land and upon the farm which he there cultivated made his home until his death. The mother of our subject had passed away in Warren county, Illinois. They were the parents of nine children. of whom six are yet living; Sarah J., now the wife of N. Ward of Oklahoma ; Richard, of this review ; Julia Ann, the widow of Robert Wilson of this county; George, living in Kansas; Joseph, whose home is in Texas ; and James, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Those deceased are William, who was the sixth in order of birth, and Harry and Mary, who were the youngest members of the family.
Richard Dunn was reared upon the home farm in Warren county amid the wild scenes of the frontier, sharing with the family in all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life and aiding in the arduous task of develop- ing a new farm. He attended the common schools and continued to assist his father in the work of the fields until twenty-two years of age, when he began farming on his own account, purchasing eighty acres of land in Warren county, which he cultivated for a year. He then rented that place and took a trip to California, going by way of New York and the water route. He spent three years on the Pacific coast as stage driver for the Pioneer Company but preferring the middle west as a place of residence he returned to Warren county, Illinois, in 1866, and again took up the cultivation of the farm which he had there purchased. For three years he continued its further improve- ment and then sold out, after which he removed to Ford county and bought eighty acres of land. Upon this he located and as his financial resources in- creased he kept adding to his property from time to time until he now owns four hundred and fifteen acres, attractively and pleasantly situated on sections 9, 10, 15 and 16, Brenton township. The fields indicate his careful supervision and practical methods, bringing forth rich crops which are a merited reward for his labor. He has also engaged quite extensively in raising and feeding
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stock, keeping an hand good grades and thus finding a ready sale for his stock on the market.
In 1864 Mr. Dunn was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Poe, who was born in Wisconsin in 1848, a daughter of William Poe and a member of a family of six children. By her marriage she has also become the mother of six children who are yet living : William H., the eldest, left home six years ago and has not been heard from since that time. Fred, at home, is a graduate of the Davenport College. Ile belongs to the Masonic lodge at Piper City and is well known and respected throughout the community. ITis time is given to gen- eral agricultural pursuits and he owns eighty acres of land on section 9, Bren- ton township. He married Miss Mable King of Rock Island, Illinois, from whom he has since secured a legal separation. They had two children, James Rich- ard Joseph, who is with the father, and Lula May, who is with the mother. Lula M. Dunn, the third member of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dunn is also a graduate of Davenport College and is at home. Herman is married and lives in Ford county. Joseph is a dentist practicing in Chicago. Lillian Belle is studying music and makes her home with her parents.
The cause of education has ever found in Mr. Dunn a stalwart champion and he has done effective work for the schools of his neighborhood during twenty-four years of service as school director. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Piper City and also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Ile supports and attends the Presbyterian church and his influence is ever on the side of those interests and movements which tend to promote educational, material political and moral progress. His worth as a man and citizen are widely acknowledged and in his business life he has shown how forceful are the qualities of diligence and perseverance when supplemented by sound judgment. His prosperity is due to these sterling traits of character and in all of his undertakings he has been so straightforward that his name is largely a synonym for business integrity to those who know him.
ISAAC C. DAY.
Isaac C. Day, who owns and operates a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 30, Lyman township, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, on the 18th of September, 1843, his parents being John and Ann (Crew) Day, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of North Carolina. John
ISAAC C. DAY
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Day removed to Ohio with his parents when but a small boy and when he had reached man's estate built a log house with elapboard roof and puncheon floor and a stick chimney, living in this primitive structure for twenty years. He purchased seventy-two acres of land, which he cleared of the heavy timber, thus making a nice farm and planting the seeds of civilization in a hitherto wild and uncultivated district. Ile also followed his trade of shoemaking in con- nection with his farming interests, and in politics was a stanch whig and later a republican, taking an active part in the local affairs of his party and giving loyal support to every movement or measure which he deemed would prove beneficial to the general public. His demise occurred in 1884 and the mother of our subject died in 1863, both passing away in Ohio. In the family were nine children, of whom six are now deceased. Stephen, who makes his home in Ohio, is the only survivor of his father's first marriage, and there are three by the second : Isaac C., of this review; James II .; and Anna, wife of Lon Hobbs, both residents of Barnesville, Ohio.
Isaac C. Day pursued his education in the common schools, remaining with his father until he attained the age of twenty-one years, when he enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of Company E, Seventy-seventh Ohio Infantry, being mustered out at Brownsville, Texas, in the spring of 1865. He returned home at the close of the war with a ereditable military record and then began earning his own living, being employed as a farm hand for two years. In the fall of 1866 he came to Illinois, locating first in Marshall county, where he also worked as a farm hand for two years. On the expiration of that period he came to Ford county, and after he had been engaged at farm labor here for a year he was married and rented a farm, which he successfully operated for eighteen years. Ile then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 30, Lyman township, where he still resides, having brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and development. In addition to the work of general farming he also fed and shipped stoek for several years, both branches of his business bringing to him a gratifying financial return annually. The success which he now enjoys is entirely the result of his own well directed labor and enterprise and he is accounted one of the substantial and progressive citizens of the community.
Mr. Day was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Thompson, who was born in Ohio in 1845, of which state her mother was also a native, while her father was born in Virginia. Mrs. Day was one of a family of seven children and by her marriage has become the mother of four children : William, of Lyman
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township; II. A., at home; Anna, the wife of Andrew Arends; and Stanley, also at home.
In his political views Mr. Day is a republican and is quite prominent in the local ranks of his party, having served as school director for six years and as constable for three years. Ile is a member of the Grand Army post, No. 500. at Melvin, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. He has been identified with the agricultural interests of Ford county from a very early day and has not only been a witness but also an active participant in the arduous labor which transformed this region from a wild and windswept prairie into one of the richest farming districts of the great state of Illinois. He is widely and favorably known throughout the entire community and has won the warm esteem and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact.
EVAN MATTINSON.
The specific and distinctive office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave the perpetual record establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his fellowmen. Throughout Ford county Evan Mattinson is spoken of in terms of admiration and respect. ITis life has been varied in its activity, honorable in its purposes and far-reaching and beneficial in its effects and has thus become an integral part of the history of the city and has left an impress upon the commercial and financial development of this part of the state. He is a son of Matthew and Margaret (Evans) Mattinson, and was born in Clark county, Ohio, September 30, 1857. ITis father, a native of Westmoreland county, England, was born October 15, 1810, and when a young man of twenty-four years came to the United States in 1834, making his home in Clark county, Ohio, where he was married on the 20th of December, 1841, to Miss Margaret Evans, a daughter of Edward Evans, a merchant of England, and of Welsh lineage. Mrs. Mattinson was born in north Wales in 1820, and came to the United States in 1837.
Upon his father's farm Evan Mattinson spent the days of his boyhood and acquired his education in the schools of South Charleston, Clark county, Ohio, passing through successive grades until he became a high-school student. In 1880 he came to Illinois and has since made his home in Gibson City. He
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entered business circles here as a clerk in the banking house of Burwell, Leffel & Company, which institution constituted the nucleus of the First National Bank, of which Mr. Mattinson is now president. He filled a clerical position for two years and then purchased the interest of E. C. Leffel, of Springfield, Ohio, the business being conducted under the firm style of Burwell, Mattinson & Wilson. After two years the senior partner retired and the firm was reorganized, with Washington Wilson, Matthew Mattinson, father of Evan Mattinson, and William J. Wilson as partners, under the firm style of Mattin- son, Wilson & Company. This relation was maintained for twenty-three years, Mr. Mattinson of this review acting as cashier until 1902, on the death of W. J. Wilson. In 1906 the bank was reorganized under the national banking laws and became the First National Bank of Gibson City, with Evan Mattinson as president, in which position he still remains. This is one of the safe and reliable financial institutions of central Illinois, following a conservative, yet progressive method that commends it to the support and trust of the business public.
Mr. Mattinson throughout his business career has made it his purpose to thoroughly acquaint himself with the interests with which he has become connected and in all things has displayed an aptitude for successful manage- ment. He studies every question from the standpoint of possibilities, of success and of failure and therefore places a correct value upon the opportunities that are before him. In matters of business judgment his opinions are regarded as sound and are often accepted as conclusive. Aside from his banking interests he has been treasurer and director of the Gibson City Canning Company since 1880, and president of the company since 1904, a leading productive enterprise of the county, employing three hundred opera- tives. Indeed the company is the largest employers of labor in Gibson City and the business is one that proves directly beneficial to the community not only by reason of the work given to many of the people of the town, but also to the fact that it furnishes a market for many farmers of the locality. At a former date Mr. Mattinson was also treasurer of the Gibson City Building and Loan Association.
On the 5th of March, 1885, was celebrated the marriage of Evan Mattinson and Miss Minnie Belle Wilson, a daughter of William JJ. and Lydia (Goodfellow) Wilson. They have one son, M. Clarence, who is a graduate of the Culver Military Academy of Indiana and now a student in the University of Chicago. In community affairs Mr. Mattinson is deeply interested and his aid and cooperation can always be counted upon to further any progressive and valuable public measure. Several times he has served as city treasurer and
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