History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources, Part 58

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1180

USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources > Part 58

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MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

Vermont, October 9, 1815, and is the son of Solomon and Mary (Moore) Joiner. In 1838 Mr. Joiner came west from his native state to Indiana, ând located in Warren county. In 1845 he was admitted to practice law in Indiana. In the same year he came to Middleport, Iroquois county, and began the practice of law, and to-day is the oldest practicing attorney at the Iroquois county bar.

Joseph W. Kay, justice of the peace, Watseka, was born in Ohio, February 26, 1836, and is the son of William R. and Ruth (Wright) Kay. After the death of his father he came to Iroquois county, and was placed in the hands of his grandfather, Jonathan Wright, where he remained for a number of years. He was engaged in farming, and after receiving a commnon-school education, he began to teach, in which profession he was engaged for about two years. In February, 1855, he went to Cal- ifornia seeking gold, and there remained within two months of ten years. While there he was engaged with a company in a claim on the American river. He was flooded out, and all lost their investments and labor. Mr. Kay, in 1861, enlisted in Co. A, 2d Cal. Vol. Inf., and served three years fighting the Indians. He traveled over Washington territory, Oregon and California; and was engaged in fighting the Modoc Indians. In 1864 Mr. Kay returned to Iroquois county, and commenced the study of law. In 1876 he was admitted to the bar, and in 1873 was elected police magistrate. He has also held the office of coroner of Iroquois county for twenty-seven years and constable eight years. In these offices Mr. Kay has given entire satisfaction. He is a republican in politics. He was married in 1865 to Miss Sarah Burlin- game, of New York.

Thomas L. West, farmer, Watseka, was born in Sussex county, Dela- ware, May 30, 1824, and is the son of David and Elizabeth (Hudson) West. In 1834 they moved west to Indiana and located in Fountain county, where Thomas remained until 1847, when he moved to Illinois and located in Belmont township, Iroquois county. He first entered 80 acres of land south of his present farm. In 1849 he went to Califor- nia, gold seeking, and remained two years, when he returned to Iro- quois county and settled on his present homestead. Mr. West was married, in 1852, to Miss Sarah Turrell, who died shortly after their marriage. He afterward was married to Miss Mary Ellen Longshore. He is the father of ten children : one by his first wife and nine by his present wife. Mr. West is a republican in politics.

John L. Donovan, banker, Watseka, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Mason county, Kentucky, August 27, 1824, and is the son of Joseplı A. and Elizabeth (Hannah) Donovan, both of whom were born in Lewis county, Kentucky. His father was a farmer, at which

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

business John L. was engaged during early manhood. In 1834, when yet a child, he was brought to Vermilion county, Illinois, whither his parents moved. They remained there until 1841, and then removed to Clark county, Illinois, where they remained until 1846, and again re- moved, this time to Rock Creek, Will county, Illinois, where they resided about two years, and then moved to Iroquois county in 1848, this proving to be the final move of his parents. His father bought what was known then and since as the Buckhorn tavern, where the village of Donovan, in Beaver township, now stands. Here they set out in farming, which his father continued until his death, which occurred in 1860, at the age of sixty-one years. His mother is still living on the old homestead, and is in her eighty-fifth year. At the date of their moving to Iroquois county, John L. had grown to manhood, and in looking for a favorable oppor- tunity to engage in business on his own account, he secured the contract for carrying the United States mail between Joliet, Will county, and Danville, Vermilion county, Illinois. This he continued about two years, at which he saved about $500, with which, in 1850, he engaged in the mercantile business in Bunkum (now Iroquois), Iroquois county, con- tinuing about one year. While there he was married to Miss Anna H. Bradford, of York state. Closing out his business in Bunkum, they engaged in farming near the old Buckhorn farm; but in 1855 they again returned to Bunkum, where Mr. Donovan resumed the mercan- tile business, in which he remained engaged until 1858, and then again returned to farming. In 1859 he was elected, by the republican party, treasurer of Iroquois county, which office he held one term. In 1859 he moved to Middleport, and in 1860 to Watseka, and the same year became interested in the mercantile business in Sheldon. In 1862 he removed his stock of goods to Watseka, and resumed trade in company with Decatur Morgan and William M. Coney. This firm continued business about seven months, when Mr. Donovan reopened a store at Sheldon and one at Bunkum, both of which he managed until 1865. He was then engaged very extensively in the cattle trade. In March, 1868, he began the banking business in Watseka, in company with George A. Woodford and Hon. Thomas Vennum, under the firm name of Donovan, Woodford & Co. They continued to do a general bank- ing business until 1874, when they quit business. In 1876, in company with Hon. Thomas Vennum, he again began a general banking busi- ness at Milford, Iroquois county, where they still continue to do a business that is an honor to themselves and a credit to the county. Thoughi doing business in Milford, Mr. Donovan still continues to reside in Watseka. In 1877 the people of Belmont township elected lıim supervisor, in which capacity he has served to the satisfaction of all

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

interested. Besides the business enterprises above mentioned, in which Mr. Donovan has been interested, he has been engaged in many others, important both to himself and the public, as many of the thrifty and growing villages of Iroquois county owe their origin and growth to his enterprise. In all movements resulting in the general welfare of the public he has taken an active part; and though he began business at carrying the United States mail, poor and dependent upon his own energies and resources, he is now one of the wealthy class of citizens of Iroquois county, and the possessor of an lionorable name and reputa- tion, which are not always retained in the accumulation of wealth.

George West, farmer, Watseka, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, May 29, 1819, and is the son of John and Azuga (Wilson) West. His mother was a native of Ohio, and his father of Georgia. Azuga West was a soldier of the war of 1812, under Gen. Harrison. George West's grandfather, Basil West, was one of the party that threw tlie tea into the Boston harbor. The subject of this sketch remained in Champaign county until 1833, when, witli his parents, he moved to Warren county, Indiana, where he remained a resident until 1840. Here he learned the wheelwright trade, under Z. & J. Parker, of Parker's patent water wheel. He came to Iroquois county and was engaged in helping on a mill at Milford. From that on he has built and helped to build some sixteen mills,-one at Milford, one at Bulvounia's Grove, one at Hickory Creek, one on the Dupage river, six on the Kishawaukee river, one near Beloit, Wis., one near New- burg, Ill., one at Pine Creek, Ind., and others. In May, 1848, he located at Texas, Iroquois county, and purchased the old Courtright mill, in partnership with J. Thomas. In 1855 and 1856 he built a new mill, and from that on he, in company with his brothers, did a large milling business at Texas, employing, on an average, twenty- seven men to operate the mill. The mill had four run of burrs and three run of saws. Here they were thriving, but the Indiana drainage law so stopped the flow of water that they had to quit business. In 1863 they sold the mill for $2,000, the original cost being $9,000. Mr. West helped to raise a company of soldiers for the late civil war- Co. I, 113th reg. Ill. Vol. ; he was elected captain. The com- pany was composed principally of men who worked for Mr. West in the mill. He did duty at Camp Hancock, guarding prisoners of war. In May, 1863, he resigned on account of ill health, and returned to Iroquois county, and has been a resident ever since. He moved on the present farm in 1865, where he has remained ever since. He is a republican in politics, and has held several offices of public trust : road commissioner two and a half years, and supervisor one term.

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

He was married in Iroquois county, in 1848, to Miss Rachel Earl, of Indiana. She died about October 5, 1849, and was the first interment in the Texas graveyard. Mr. West's second marriage was to Phobe Ann Earl, and they have one child, a son, Thomas W.

John F. Vennum, Watseka, was born in Milford township, Iro- quois county, Illinois, December 5, 1848, and is the son of Christopher C. Vennum, who made his home in Iroquois county, in an early day. Mr. Vennum was raised on the farm, where he remained until 1865. He enlisted in the army, and participated in the late civil war. He enlisted in Co. D, 150th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., as sergeant. This regiment did duty in the Southern states, and was mustered out at Griffin, Ga., in 1866, and finally discharged at Springfield, Ill. At the close of the war Mr. Vennum returned to the old homestead, where he was engaged in farming. From there he went to Milford and worked for Gilbert Vennum, in the lumber business, about two years. In 1875 he came to Watseka, and was engaged by Mr. I. C. Wade, as clerk, in the hardware and lumber business, and here he has remained ever since. In 1877 Mr. Vennum enlisted in the Watseka Rifles, Co. A, 9th battalion I. N. G., as sergeant. June 21, 1879, he was elected captain of this company, which position he now holds. In 1875 he was married to Miss Sarah Garner, of Iroquois county, by whom they have had two children, one living, Vene.

Richard Roberts, farmer, Watseka, was born in Bedford county, Virginia, April 1, 1827, and is the son of Alexander and Annie (Anderson) Roberts, both natives of Virginia. His father was a soldier of the war of 1812. Mr. Roberts was raised on the farm. When he was about two years of age, he moved with his parents to Montgomery county, Kentucky, where he remained until lie was about seven years of age, when they moved to Ross county, Ohio. June 6, 1846, Mr. Roberts enlisted for one year in Co. C, 2d Ohio Vol. Inf., and participated in the Mexican war. The regiment was ordered first to Cincinnati, then to New Orleans, then to Brazos Island into Mexico, and then to Buena Vista. While Mr. Roberts was in the service he had the small-pox, from the effects of which he lost part of his eyesight. In 1847 he returned to Ohio. In 1848 he came to Iroquois county, Illinois, and located in Middleport town- ship, where he has been a resident ever since, with the exception of two years when he was in California, gold seeking. He married Miss Mary Jane Eastburn, daughter of Carr and Ann Eastburn, botlı old settlers. They have five children. Mrs. Ann Eastburn is now living at Mr. Roberts', at the good old age of seventy-eight.

M. Stanley, liveryman, Watseka, was born in Watseka, Novem-

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

ber 23, 1848, and is the son of Micajah Stanley, the old pioneer settler of Iroquois county. He engaged in the livery business in 1874, and since then he has continued in the same business. He is now running the best livery stable in Watseka, and here may be found fine turnouts, and they can be had at reasonable prices. The stable is located in the rear of the Williams House. Mr. Stanley was married to Miss Jennie Edinger, by whom they have one child.

Samnel H. Porter, farmer, Watseka, was born in Middlesex county, Massachusets, February 4, 1818; where he remained until he was sixteen years of age, engaged in farming. He then went to Con- necticut, and thence to New York. In 1849 he came west to Illinois and located in Iroquois county, on Spring creek, where he remained some five or six years, when he moved his family to Middleport. Mr. Porter was made superintendent of the Poor Farm, and was the first manager of. that institution. The building was formerly a log cabin, and from that it has steadily improved, until to-day it is one of the best county poor farms in eastern Illinois. . Mr. Porter remained in office some nine years. He says the first two paupers sent to the farm were Ann Sapp and Margaret Scritchfield. Mr. Porter was married to Miss Lavina Barden, of New York, by whom he has had four children. Since Mr. Porter's connection with the Poor Farm, he has lived on his present homestead.

Rev. William Pentzer, minister and farmer, Woodland, was born November 25, 1819, in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, and is the son of Philip C. Pentzer, a farmer and a shoemaker by trade. When Mr. Pentzer was about seven years of age, he with his parents moved to Ohio and located in Columbiana county, where he remained until he was sixteen years of age. From there he moved to Wyandotte county in the same state, and there remained until he moved to Indiana. Here he first entered the field as a Methodist minister, and traveled in different parts of Indiana for four years. He preached in Parke, Tipton, Clinton and Howard two years, and in Jasper and Jay counties one year each ; these, at that time, were comparatively new counties, and Mr. Pentzer made his trips on horseback, there being but few railroads in that part of the country. He came to Iroquois county and preached here some four years in the Belmont church, the first M. E. church in Iroquois county. He also preached at Middleport, and returned to Indiana and remained there two years ; when he received a call and returned to Iroquois county, where he remained four years. He then went to Clark county, and there remained eight years at Westfield, when he returned to Iroquois county, and here is now engaged with the American Tract Society.

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

He is living on his farm in Belmont township. Mr. Pentzer was mar- ried to Miss Sarah Ann Sexton, of Ohio; they have had two children, a son and a daughter. The daughter died in 1860 with diphtheria, aged four years and five months. The son, Orrin Wesley, is now engaged in teaching school, and is a graduate of the Westfield College.

Amos White, deceased, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, Feb- ruary 27, 1811, and was the son of Amos White, an Ohio farmer. The subject of this sketch was born on his father's farm, where he remained but a short time, when, with his parents, he moved to Butler county. Here he was married in 1832 to Rebecca Cannedy, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, April 19, 1812. About 1835 they moved to Ben- ton county, Indiana, where he became a very prominent man and was elected county judge. Here Mr. White, who was one of the early settlers, was engaged in farming. They remained in Benton county until 1849, when they moved to Iroquois county, Illinois, and located near Milford, on 400 acres of land. He was engaged in farming and stock-raising up to the time of his death, which occurred April 28, 1862. Thus passed away one of the old settlers of the county, a man that was beloved for his kindness by every one. He left a wife and five children. In 1864 Mrs. White moved to Watseka, where she has been a resident ever since.

G. W. Parker, merchant and farmer, Watseka, was born in Clinton county, Indiana, in 1842, and is the son of Daniel Parker, who was born in Bordentown, New Jersey, in 1809, and who, with his parents, moved to Ohio when he was about six years of age. In Ohio he was married to Lucy Parker, of Cincinnati. In about 1830 he moved to Indiana, and while a resident there was sheriff of Clinton county. In 1849 he, with his wife and three children, came to Illinois and located in Middleport, where he was engaged in the mercantile business. In 1859 D. Parker & Son commenced the erection of the building now occupied by the "Iroquois County Times." This they finished at a cost of about $2,300, and commenced business in 1860 in dry goods and general merchandise. This being the first store of the kind opened in Watseka, these gentlemen did an extensive business in the dry goods, grain and stock business until the death of Daniel Parker, which occurred September 11, 1877. Thus passed away one of the most prominent and highly respected business men of Iroquois county. He had held several offices of public trust; was associate judge of Iroquois county, and was a member of the board of supervisors for about ten years. He was a man that began life poor, but with industry and good management he had accumulated in 1849 a fortune amount- ing to some $20,000. This amount he invested in a stock of goods and

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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

loaded them on a steamboat bound for Iowa. The steamboat sank at Vincennes, and he lost his entire stock, with no insurance. He then came to Iroquois county, a poor man. He entered business on a very small capital, but with his good management he had accumulated at his death property valued at $40,000. Mr. G. W. Parker received his principal education at the Albany University, from which he graduated in 1860. He practiced law for a short period, but most of his time has been engaged in the mercantile business as a partner of his father. He is largely engaged in farming. In 1878 he commenced the mer- cantile business in Chebanse, where he is now carrying on business, but in the meantime making Watseka his home. Mr. Parker has held several offices of public trust. He has been supervisor of Middleport for one term, and in 1864 was a member of the state legislature. Mr. Parker married Miss Nellie Hamilton, of Green county, New York. They have two children.

Judge Franklin Blades, circuit judge, Watseka, is one of the best known and most highly respected men of Iroquois county. He was born in Rush connty, of the Hoosier state, November 29, 1830, and is the son of James and Mary (Harcourt) Blades. His father was a native of South Carolina, and was a practicing physician. At an early day he came to Indiana, where he died, near Indianapolis, in 1846. Judge Blades, the subject of this sketch, was raised on the farm, where he received a common-school education at the district school. In 1852 he graduated from the Rush Medical College, of Chicago. In 1854 he was a student of the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia. In 1851 he came to Iroquois county, where he practiced medicine until 1858. In 1856 he was connected with the publishing of the " Iroquois County Republican," and the same year was elected a member of the Illinois legislature. In 1857 he was admitted to practice law at the Illinois state bar. In 1862 he was commissioned surgeon of the Ill. Vol. Inf., and served until 1864. In 1877 Mr. Blades was elected eir- cuit judge, and reëlected in 1879. Judge Blades was married, in 1854, to Miss Jennie King, of Ohio. They have three children.

J. A. Graham, real estate, Watseka, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, November 23, 1823, and is the son of James C. and Isabella (Henderson) Graham. His father was a farmer, and here Mr. Graham remained, in his native county, until he was about ten years of age, at which time, with his parents, he moved to Montgomery county, Indi- ana, on a farm. From the farm, our subject entered a printing office in Crawfordsville, where he learned his trade as a printer. In 1847 and 1848 he was engaged in publishing the " Danville Weekly News," at Danville, Indiana, and from there he went to Crawfordsville, where 5

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

he was engaged in publishing the "Indiana Christian Herald," since merged into the "Christian Herald," now published in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was also foreman of one of the leading newspapers pub- lished in Danville, Illinois. In January, 1851, Mr. Graham came to Middleport, and commenced the publication of the "Iroquois County Journal," the first newspaper published in the county. This paper was whig in politics, and started with a circulation of about three hun- dred subscribers. Mr. Graham was engaged in the publication of the " Journal" about three years, when he sold out to Scott & Keady, who immediately made it a democratic paper. Mr. Graham then inoved to Janesville, Wisconsin, and was engaged on the "Janesville Weekly Gazette." He was also publishing the " Wisconsin Educa- tional Journal," a leading monthly paper. Here he remained until 1856, when he returned to Middleport, and commenced the publication of the "Iroquois County Republican." The first issue was made in May, 1856. Mr. Graham continued the publication of this paper until after the November election, when he sold to Robertson & Sheward. In 1857 Mr. Graham was placed on the republican ticket for county clerk, but was defeated by Daniel Fry. At this time the whole of the republican ticket was defeated, but Mr. Graham ran ahead of his ticket. In 1858 and 1859 he was deputy sheriff and constable. In 1861 he volunteered in Co. F, 25th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., for three years. In January, 1862, he was discharged for disability, caused by typhoid fever. He returned to Middleport, where he has remained since, en- gaged in the real estate business. Mr. Graham has been assessor of Middleport township for ten years, and in this position has given entire satisfaction. He was married, in 1848, to Elizabeth Willite, of Hardin county, Kentucky.

Williams Brothers, proprietors of the Woodland Creamery, Wood- land, comnienced business in June, 1878, and to-day are manufacturing an article of butter that ranks with the leading creameries of Illinois. The building is a fine two-story brick, 36×40 feet, furnished. with all the modern improvements for the manufacture of butter. It is run by steam power, and the whole building is heated by steam in the winter, and in the summer months the first story is kept cool by a pipe run- ning the extent of the building, through which runs water obtained from an artesian well 108 feet deep. On the first floor is the engine room, and the next room is the one used for churning. Each churn holds sixty gallons, and is run by a steam engine of two-horse power. The firm of Williams Brothers has invested about $7,000 in this busi- ness, and they own about 175 cows. They employ in the different departments about seventeen hands. In connection with their steam

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

power, they have erected an addition to the main building 36×15 feet, which is used in grinding feed for the stock. The firm is composed of George M. and John S. Williams. George M. was born in Belmont township, Iroquois county, in 1852, and has been a resident in this vicinity all his life. He received a common-school education in the district school, and went to the Onarga College, where he received a commercial education. He was for several years previous to entering the present business, engaged in the stock business. John S. was also born in Belmont township, Iroquois county, in 1855, and received a full commercial education in the Onarga College, and was for a time engaged in the grain and lumber business. Neither of these gentle- men has ever been married.

Daniel W. Ayres, attorney-at-law, Watseka, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, August 24, 1837, and is the son of Jessie B. and Sabra W. (Stathem) Ayres, both natives of New Jersey. They were mar- ried in New Jersey, and came over the Alleghany mountains in wagon to Pittsburgh, and then came down the Ohio river on a flat-boat to Cin- cinnati, and located on a farm in Hamilton county, where they remained until 1852, when they started for Illinois by wagon, and came to Iroquois county and located at Bunkum. It is supposed they brought the first sofa to Iroquois county, and also brought one of the first Durham bulls. In Ohio Mr. Kay, our subject, received his prin- cipal education. His brothers commenced the mercantile business in Bunkum. Mr. Ayres clerked for them for several years. He also operated a store for them at Morocco, Indiana. From the store he returned to the farm, and then commenced school teaching, which he followed for a number of years. His first school teaching was in Mar- tin township, where he received some $20 per month. He taught the first school in the district, three miles east of Watseka. He also taught school in Bunkum and Sheldon. In 1863 he went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in prospecting for oil, where he remained until 1865, when he returned to the farm. and laid off an addition to Sheldon. Mr. Ayres was admitted to practice law at the Illinois bar in 1870. He was justice of the peace for several years at Sheldon. In 1874 he moved to Watseka and began the prac- tice of law. In 1874 the firm of Ayres & Holland was formed, which is among the leading law firms of the Iroquois county bar. Mr. Ayres has held several offices of public trust. In April, 1877, he was appointed master-in-chancery by Judge Blades. He is a liberal in pol- itics, but at one time was a strong republican. Mr. Ayres was mar- ried, in 1863, to Miss Maria Symson, who was born near Rochester, New York. She was for a while engaged in teaching school at Mid_

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History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources, Part 58

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903 Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co. Number of Pages: 1180

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1180