USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. > Part 19
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one in Dixon. After a short engagement with this enterprise he went to Oregon, Illinois, where he became publisher of the " Ogle County Reporter," in which business he continued for two years. At this time he returned to Dixon, and engaged as clerk in the private bank and land office of E. B. Stiles, where he was employed until March 1, 1854. He then opened a bookstore at his present site, on Galena street, in a room 12×20 feet, which was the first establishment of that kind in Dixon. Prosperity attended him, and in a few years he had amassed considerable property, and his store had grown to its present magnitude. He subsequently met with severe reverses, which materially injured and retarded him ; but being a live business man, and enjoying the full vigor of his powers, he is again on the forward march. At the age of twenty-two he became a Freemason, and for many years was secretary of the lodge at Dixon. He has been a promi- nent worker in the Sunday schools and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has been twice married, and is the father of five children, four of whom are now living. In politics Mr. Mead is a republican. In social life he is pleasant and affable.
THERON CUMINS, manufacturer, Dixon, was born in Vermont in 1825. He was the son of Joseph and Hannah (Converse) Cumins, both of whom are now dead. His parents left Vermont and moved to Ohio when he was fifteen years of age, and settled in Geauga county. After remaining there for two years he came around by way of the lakes to Chicago, from thence by stage to Dixon, having but $3 in his pocket on his arrival. From Dixon he went to Grand Detour, where he obtained a position of clerk in the store of W. A. House & Co., at a small salary, remaining there for two years and a half. He then returned to Newark, Ohio, and for four years clerked in the store of J. O. and H. Smith. He then returned to Grand Detour and went into business with the firm for which he had formerly been a clerk, under the firm name of T. Cumins & Co. This firmn was dissolved within less than three years, and he returned to Bucyrus, Ohio, and having formed a business connection with A. Haynes, under the firm name of A. Haynes & Co., they obtained a large grading contract on the Ohio & Indiana railroad, afterward a part of the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne railroad. On the extension of the latter road the firm obtained large contracts for grading and bridging, which, a few months after, they sold to other parties, realizing a handsome profit for themselves. Mr. Cumins again returned to Grand Detour, where he became general manager for Leonard Andrus, former proprietor of the G. T. Plow Works, continuing in that capacity for about two years, when he became an equal partner with Mr. Andrus. At the death of Mr. Andrus, which occurred six years afterward, Mr. Cumins purchased
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his interest and became sole proprietor, and so continued for about two years and a half, when the works were removed to Dixon, and an interest in the business was purchased by Col. H. T. Noble, the firm becoming Cumins & Noble. Mr. Cumins was married at Grand Detour in 1854, to Miss Josephine Harris, and has two daughters living. Mr. Cumins is a truly self-made man and adds another name to the list of those whose integrity, energy, and perseverance have brought them from humble circumstances to wealth and prominence.
SHERWOOD DIXON, attorney, Dixan, was born November 15, 1847, at Dixon, and was the son of James P. and Fannie (Reed) Dixon, and the grandson of John (Father) Dixon. James P. Dixon was born in the city of New York, March 6, 1811, and came with his parents to Illinois in 1827, and to Dixon in 1829. Upon arriving at manliood he engaged in active business, and was for a long time agent for Flint & Walker's stage line, and in the latter years of his life was in the livery business. He also held several positions of honor and trust, being a county commissioner at the organization of Lee county and likewise at the time the court-house was erected. He also held the position of postmaster for several years. He was married December 7, 1834, to Miss Fannie Reed, daughter of Samuel Reed, the first settler of Buffalo Grove, in Ogle county, where he located in 1831. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Dixon, all but the last of whom are still living: Henrietta, born in 1836, married in 1860 to William H. Richards; Elizabeth, born in 1838, married in 1856 to William Barge; Sarah, born in 1845, married in 1870 to George W. Goodwin ; John R., born in 1842, married in 1872, and now resides in Michigan ; Sherwood, who still resides in Dixon ; and Susan F., born in 1839, married in 1861 to Amos Goodwin, and died at Dixon, September 15, 1878. James P. Dixon died April 5, 1873, at Dixon, but his widow, now in her sixty-sixth year, is still living and at present residing with her son, Sherwood Dixon. The subject of our sketch was educated in the public schools of his native place, and in February, 1866, com- menced the study of law with Win. Barge, Esq. He was admitted in January 1869, and commenced practice as junior member of the firm of Enstace, Barge & Dixon, in August 1869. In October, 1874, Messrs. Barge & Dixon removed to Chicago, and forming a partnership with W. W. O'Brien, of that city, practiced their profession there until November 1877, when they returned to Dixon. In March, 1878, Mr. Dixon dissolved his connection with the firm of Barge & Dixon and formed a partnership with Mr. S. H. Bethea, the new firm succeeding to the firm and business of Eustace & Bethea. Mr. Dixon was appointed master in chancery in June 1880, and is serving his second term as a member of the board of education. He was married November 16,
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1869, to Miss Melissa G. Mead, daughter of the late H. P. Mead, and has two sons, Henry S., aged eleven, and Louis N., aged eight years. Mr. Dixon's political views are democratic, and he is chairman of the county committee of that party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has been for two years superintendent of the Sunday-school of that denomination.
JONATHAN N. HILLS, ex-sheriff of Lee county, Dixon, was born July 24, 1829, in Oneida county, New York. He spent his early life at farming, and received a common school education. In 1849, with his father's family, he came to Lee county, Illinois, and they settled in Malugin's Grove, where his father died, June 5, 1864. In 1868. he engaged in mercantile pursuits, the firm name being Hills & Carnahan, at Maługin's Grove, which business they continued five years. In 1876 he was elected sheriff of Lee county, and in November of that year removed to Dixon, where he has since continued to reside. In 1878 he was reelected. He has since tilled various town offices, but has been justice of the peace longer than any other. He has always been a line republican. Mr. Hills aspired to a military record, but because of ill health was rejected from the service. He was married December 17, 1851, to Miss Nancy Merwin, of Paw Paw Grove, Lee county, and they have six children, one of whom, a daughter, is married and living in Kansas; the others are at home. Mr. Hills is an active member and officer in the Methodist Episcopal church at Dixon, and is also a warmı friend of Sunday-schools. He is a member of the blue lodge (of which he is master), the royal arch chapter, and the Dixon commandery of Knights Templar. He is also a member of the I.O.O.F. Mr. Hills is a firm temperance man, and believes in moderation in all things, excess in none.
HON. JAMES B. CHARTERS, county judge, Dixon, was born July 11, 1831, in the city of Belfast, Ireland. He is the only son of Alexander Charters, popularly known as "Governor " Charters. Until seventeen years of age the judge attended school at Carafurgus Island, after which he was placed in the Trinity College at Dublin, Ireland. He graduated from that institution in 1852, and afterward kept his law terms at the Inner Temple, in London, England. Immediately after graduating in law he came to Dixon, Illinois, where his father had lived since the spring of 1838. His father's home was a beautiful country site, two miles from the city of Dixon, on the Rock river, the lands of which he purchased from the United States government, and christened the manor Hazelwood. Here, in 1853, the judge was mar- ried to Miss Fannie Charters, a lady of his own country and house. In 1856 he commenced the practice of law at Dixon, where he has ever since been engaged in professional pursuits. In 1877 he was elected
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judge of the county court of Lee county, and since that time has been the incumbent of that office. Prior to his election as county judge he served one term as mayor of the city of Dixon. He has been largely interested in several manufacturing establishments at Dixon, among which we may mention the Dixon File Works, of which he was secre- tary and treasurer. In 1868 the concern was converted into the West- ern Knitting Mills, which were burned in 1873, with a loss of about $60,000, a heavy share of the loss falling upon the judge. The mills were never rebuilt. Politically the judge supports the democratic principles, as they were discussed in the debates upon the constitution. He is a prominent member of the blue lodge, royal-arch chapter, and commandery of Knights Templar. He is a member and vestryman of the Episcopal church at Dixon. Personally Mr. Charters is a gen- tleman of pleasing address and cordial manner.
HON. JOHN D. CRABTREE, attorney-at-law, Dixon, was born Novem- ber 19, 1837, in Nottingham, England, and with his parents came to America in 1848. They came direct to Winnebago county, Illinois, where they settled and remained some time. In 1853 they removed to Dixon, which has since then been his home. The judge's opportuni- ties for obtaining an education were few, yet by hard work and close application he managed to obtain quite a liberal one. He had privately read law some, prior to June 1, 1861, at which date he entered the office of Mr. Edsall (now attorney-general of Illinois) ; but taking an active interest in the result of the rebellion he enlisted as a private soldier, April 17 of the same year. Here he made a brilliant record, rising by promotion and appointment to the office of captain of Co. F, 3d Mo. Cav., and before the close of the war had been breveted major. He was mustered out of the service November 5, 1865, and on returning home he reentered the office of Mr. Edsall, and resumed his professional reading. In July, 1866, he was admitted to the bar, and in October following formed a partnership with Mr. Edsall, which con- tinned three years. He was then elected county judge of Lee county, which office he held eight years. At the expiration of that time he re- sumed the practice of law at Dixon, and that has been his business since. He is a fluent speaker, a deep and active reasoner, and wields a strong influence in the public sentiments and politics of Lee county. He cast his first vote for president Lincoln, and has voted for every president since then, living up to the republican principals as he taught them. He has held prominent offices in the various masonic orders, and has been a member of the I.O.O.F. He is a member of the veter- an soldiers organization called O.C.D. His church preferences are for the Baptist, though he subscribes to no church ritual. His fine so- cial qualities, combined with excellent abilities, make him a general favorite among his friends, both in and out of the profession.
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SAMUEL C. EELES banker, Dixon, was born in Delaware county, New York, March 19, 1822, where he spent his youth on a farm, and later as a clerk in a dry-goods store. As soon as sufficiently advanced he entered the Delaware Academy, where he received a very liberal ed- ucation. In 1854 he was married to Miss Annie More, a lady of his own nativity, and they now have three children, all living. The same year he came to Dixon, Illinois, as bookkeeper for the firm of Robert- son, Eastman & Co. In the spring of 1855 Mr. Eastman retired from the firm, and it then became Robertson, Eells & Co. In 1859 the firm was changed to Eells & Coleman, and in the spring of 1865 was suc- ceeded by the organization of the Lee county national bank. In this institution Mr. Eells became cashier, and Mr. Coleman assistant cash- ier ; the latter has since retired from the business. The life of our sub- ject has been one of even tenor and his just pride is in his financial career. Politically he is a staunch republican and exerts a telling but quiet influence for his party. He is a member of the Episcopal church at Dixon, and is a warm friend and supporter of all churches. He is the pronounced friend of educational institutions. Personally he is a man of a kind heart and courteous address.
WILLIAM H. VAN EPPs, farmer, Dixon, was born in Genesee county, New York, in December 1842. His parents were William HI. and Charlotte R. (Churchill) Van Epps. The father of the subject of our sketch, the Hon. W. H. Van Epps, deceased, for many years a promi- nent resident and merchant of Dixon, was born in 1812, at Schenectady, New York, and was the son of John A. and Deborah (Housman) Van Epps, whose great-grandparents emigrated from Holland early in the last century. His parents removed to Genesee county, New York, in 1813, where his father (who served in the war of 1812) died in 1816. In 1829 his mother removed to Monroe county, New York, where he attended the best schools. In 1837 he determined to go west, and hav- ing located in Fulton county, Illinois, engaged in various successful en- terprises until 1848, when he returned to Genesee county. In 1854 he again came west and settled at Dixon, where he opened an extensive dry-goods and general store, which he carried on for more than twenty years. In 1856 he became a member of the Illinois State Board of Ag- riculture, and in 1860 was made its president, serving in that capacity for four years. In 1868 he was the candidate of the democratic party of which he was a member) for lieutenant-governor. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Charlotte R. Churchill, of Genesee county, who died in 1848. He was again married in 1850 to Miss Mary A. Peck, also of Genesee county, New York. His death occurred October 8, 1877, at the age of sixty-five years. Up to the time of the family's arrival in Dixon the history of the present W. H. Van Epps
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is comprised in that of his father. He received excellent educational advantages, and after leaving school was in the employ of James R. Ashley, of Morrison, until he enlisted in the marine artillery in August, 1862, serving with them a few months only. On leaving the service he returned to Dixon, and with the exception of some three or four years, during which time he twice went to California, remaining about a year each time, he has been steadily engaged in farming. He was married to Miss Leah Emery, on December 6, 1877.
WILLIAM BARGE, attorney, Dixon, was born February 26, 1832. His parents were John and Jane (Elliott) Barge, and he is of French descent on his father's, and Scotch on his mother's side. In 1833 the family removed to Richland county, Ohio, where the earlier years of Mr. Barge were passed. The family removed from Richland county to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1839, his father dying there in 1850. Dur- ing this time Mr. Barge attended the Wooster Academy, where the greater part of his education was acquired. In 1851, with his mother and two sisters, he removed to Rock Island, Illinois, where he entered the law office of Pleasants & Henderson as a student. Removing to Dixon in 1854 he started the first graded school (outside of Chicago, at least) in the state, and continued in charge of it until 1859. He com- menced to practice law in 1860, and after being for some time a partner of H. B. Fogg, Esq., became in 1869 a member of the firm of Eustace, Barge & Dixon. In the fall of 1874 Messrs. Barge & Dixon removed to Chicago, becoming associated there with W. W. O'Brien, Esq., but being appointed in 1877 attorney of the Illinois Central railroad, he again returned to Dixon. He has had also, for many years, charge of the legal interests of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad in his sec- tion, and still continues to hold the important trust confided to him by both corporations. Mr. Barge was married August 19, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth Dixon, granddaughter of the old pioneer John Dixon, and is the father of five children : Mrs. Rathbun, wife of W. W. Rathbun, Esq., of Mercer county, Illinois ; W. D. Barge, who has just been ad- mitted to the bar and has become a partner of his father ; John J., aged twenty, Lizzie M., aged fourteen, and Charles R., aged nine years. Mr. Barge, though never active in political matters, is a democrat from con- viction, and has long been one of the most prominent members of the legal profession in northern Illinois.
HON. JASON C. AYRES, Dixon, was born August 22, 1835, in St. Lawrence county, New York, and in 1836 his parents moved to the west, and settled in the vicinity of Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father died when the subject of our sketch was nearly four years of age, and in the following year his people returned to Buffalo, New York, where his youth was spent and where he received a very liberal education,
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with special direction to the profession of surveying and civil-engineer- ing. At the age of eighteen he located in Chicago, and in the spring ot 1854 settled in Dixon, Illinois, where he has since resided. Here he was for a short time engaged in a small mercantile business, which proving unprofitable he abandoned it. He then went into business as land agent and surveyor, in connection with the Hon. Jos. Crawford, forming a partnership that continued until 1863. During the latter year they prepared and published, from actual surveys, the first correct and authentic map of Lee county. Mr. Ayres afterward continued the real-estate business, devoting the greater portion of his time to reading law. In 1870 he was admitted to the bar, but has never en- gaged exclusively in the general practice of his profession. Being a surveyor as well as an attorney, he has made a specialty of conveyane- ing, and has pushed his business to successful growth and substantial results, and for many years has been engaged in making and negotiat- ing loans on real-estate securities. He is also a prominent stockholder in, and president of the Dixon national bank. While his financial ad- vancement has been very signal, his social record is an enviable one. He was elected city clerk March 6, 1861, and has held that office ever since, a duration of over twenty consecutive years, and March 16, 1864, he was elected city treasurer, which post he lias ever since had. Polit- ically he is a staunch republican. He is a member of the Masonic order, a Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar ; in lodge, chapter, council and commandery he has held prominent offices. He was married May 7, 1861, to Miss Lovina, danghter of Dr. Jno. S. Crawford, of Williams- port, Pennsylvania. They have two children, a daughter now grown, and a son.
HON. JOHN V. THOMAS, mayor of the city of Dixon, was born at Princeton, New Jersey, October 30, 1835. He spent his youth there, and took a full classical course in the Princeton College. In 1857 he came west, and being pleased with it concluded to abide in Dixon ; soon after he began the study of medicine, under the tutorship of Dr. Oliver Everett, at Dixon, and afterward, during the winter of 1859-60, attended lectures at the Keokuk (Iowa) Medical College; but before he had completed his course there he was called into the hospital service of the government, where his duties, though of short duration, had the effect to turn him from the further pursuit of that profession. On returning home he took a course in didactics, under Prof. A. M. Gow, and afterward began the business of teaching ; first at Nelson, Illinois, and subsequently at Dixon, as principal of the north side public schools. Here he remained until 1874, when, on account of impaired health, he was obliged to abandon it. He then engaged in the real- estate and insurance business, which has been attended with successful
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results and substantial growth. When he gave up teaching the citizens chose him city councilman, and afterward mayor of the city, the second terni of which office he is now filling. In various ways they have demonstrated their appreciation and respect for his high moral worth and superior abilities. For many years he has been a prominent mem- ber of the A.F. and A.M., and master of Friendship Lodge. He has been high priest in the Royal Arch Chapter, and is now prelate of the Dixon Commandery of Knights Templar, which post he has had for three years. He is also a member of the I.O.O.F. His prefer- ences are for the Episcopalian church. In 1861 he was married to Miss Ellen J., daughter of Dr. Dewitt C. Warner, then of Dixon ; they have three children, the oldest of whom is a son, now a law student at Dixon.
EUGENE PINCKNEY, attorney-at-law and loan agent, Dixon, was born in 1839, in New York city, where he obtained his earlier education. Later he was sent to the Wesleyan Institute, located at Newark, New Jersey, and afterward to the New Jersey Institute, at Pennington, New Jersey, from which he graduated in 1852. He then entered Princeton College, where he took a full course in the classies, and in March, 1856, he came west. In May of that year he came to Dixon, Illinois, which has ever since been his home. Here he began a course of professional reading, in the office and under the direction of Messrs. Heaton & Atherton, and in 1860 was admitted to the bar by the supreme court of Illinois. He immediately entered the practice of law, and subsequently added to his legal pursuits the business of loan- ing money upon real estate. He was prominently interested in the Dixon file works, an institution of considerable magnitude, but which is now extinct. He was the first editor of the Dixon " Sun," one of the leading papers in Lee county. His habits have always been those of a student, and his favorite fields of research have been in the natural sciences and profane and biblical literature. He is a member of the State Geological Society, and has recently organized the Dixon Biologi- cal Society, which has a promising future. He is master in the Forest Home Lodge of the A.O.U.W., located at Dixon. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Dixon, and is an active Sunday-school worker, sometimes extending his work in this to other counties. He has been twice married, but has no children. He is a Jeffersonian democrat, and has never voted any other ticket.
HENRY P. BECKER, miller, Dixon, was born in Schoharie county, New York, in 1819. His parents were Peter I. and Lena (Woolford) Becker. He received a common school education, and at the age of seventeen went into his grandfather's mills to learn the business. He remained there about ten years, going from thence to Albany in 1847.
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He resided there until the spring of 1850, when he migrated to Wis- consin, and after working for various parties until 1857 he in that year entered into partnership with Mr. Bean, under the style of Bean & Becker. In the fall of 1859 he elosed his connection with this firm, and coming to Dixon he purchased an interest in the Dixon mill, then conducted by C. Godfrey & Son. His brother, John W. Becker, was also interested. In the following spring Mr. Godfrey's remaining interest was purchased by Nathan Underwood, and the firm became Beckers & Underwood, which on the retirement of J. W. Becker, in 1872, was changed to Becker & Underwood, as it still remains. Mr. Becker was married in 1840 to Miss Lucretia Tygert, of Albany county, New York, and had one son, Ezra S. Becker, born in Schoharic, New York, in 1841. He was a young man of great promise, and under- stood the milling business thoroughly in all its branches. He lost his life in the fire that destroyed the mill in 1880, a full account of which will be found elsewhere. It was a sad blow to his father, whose aged mother had died in 1878, followed by the death of his wife in 1879, and now the tragic fate of his only child, left Mr. Becker stripped of his whole family in the short space of twenty months. Mr. Becker is a republican, and is now serving his fourth term as alderman of the second ward of Dixon.
ABALINO C. BARDWELL, attorney-at-law, Dixon, was born October 23, 1844, at Conneautville, Pennsylvania, and was the son of George A. and Julia A. (Cutler) Bardwell. His parents removed to White- sides county, Illinois, in 1853, where Mr. A. C. Bardwell received the most of his education at the neighboring schools. Coming to Dixon February 10, 1864, Mr. Bardwell commenced to study law in the office of Geo. P. Goodwin, Esq., and at the same time held a clerkship in the office of Hon. J. V. Eustace, then provost-marshal of the district. On February 10, 1865, he enlisted as a private in the 147th Ill. Inf., and upon the organization of the regiment was elected captain of Co. G. Having served for about three months as company commander, he was detached and appointed provost-marshal at Resaca, Georgia, and afterward served in the same capacity at Americns and Savannah until mustered out of service February 10, 1866. Returning home he re- sumed his law studies, attending Chicago law school during the winter of 1866-7, and being admitted to the bar soon after, he commenced the practice of his profession at Rochelle, Ogle county, Illinois, late in the following fall. Shortly after, his health becoming impaired, he re- moved to Dixon, and in the spring of 1868 established the Dixon "Herald," which was, in November 1869, merged into the Dixon " Tel- egraph," owned by a joint stock company with Mr. Bardwell as editor, in which position he continued until May 1871. In the ensuing Au-
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