USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 33
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H. Bert Patton was married on March 27, 1890, to Miss Nellie E. Gilman, of Goodland, Ind., and the daughter of William W. and Nellie (Morse) Gilman, natives of New York. At an early date Mr. Gilmar went west to Minnesota and later came to Illinois, and finally located at Goodland, Ind., where he spent the remainder of his life. He was promi- nent in politics and served in the legislature and also the senate of Indiana. He was a Republican. Mr. Gilman died in 1912 and his wife died in 1920. Mrs. Patton is one of six children living, as follows: Minnie, married Milton Wertsbaugh, now deceased, and she resides at York, Nebr .; William, lives at Goodland, Ind .; Jessie, married Frank Hitt, lives in Chicago; Fred, deceased; Carrie, married Dr. O. H. Mohney, lives at Goodland, Ind .; and George, who lives in Chicago. To Mr. and Mrs. Patton three children were born: Owen B., assistant manager of the
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Bloomington Produce Company; Ferne, resides in Chicago, where she is interested in musical work, and Crystal Pearl, a high school student.
Mr. Patton is a Republican, a member of the First Christian Church, and belongs to the Kiwanis Club and the Y. M. C. A., being a director of Y. M. C. A. Board, chairman of board of directors of Home Sweet Home Mission of Bloomington, and interested in all church and community work for public good.
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Dr. Paul E. Greenleaf, a successful physician engaged in the practice of his profession with offices at 2201% North Center street, Bloomington, Ill .. is a native of Indiana. He was born at Markland, Ind., Nov. 12, 1885, a son of Dr. Hannibal A., and Mary A. (Strain) Greenleaf, the former a native of Nathez, Miss., and the latter of Cincinnati, Ohio. The father now resides at Jeffersonville, Ind., and the mother died in May, 1919, and is buried at Vevay, Ind. Dr. Hannibal A. Greenleaf was a capable physi- cian and surgeon and was engaged in the practice for many years. He is now living retired.
Dr. Paul E. Greenleaf was one of four children born to his parents, as follows: Mrs. Grace Pell, Louisville, Ky .; Carroll Greenleaf, Charlotte, N. C .; Joseph Greenleaf, Waco, Texas, and Dr. Paul E. Greenleaf, the subject of this sketch.
Dr. Greenleaf was reared at Markland, Switzerland County, Ind., and received his education in the common and the high schools at Vevay, Ind., and Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind. He taught school for three years. He then entered the medical department of the University of Louisville, at Louisville, Ky., where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After serving a hospital interneship at St. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital, at Louisville, Ky., he came to McLean County and engaged in the practice of his profession at Lexington. Three years later he located in Bloomington where he has built up a large practice.
When the United States entered the World war, Dr. Greenleaf was among the first to offer his services to the government. He was com- missioned first lieutenant on May 11, 1918, and left Bloomington, June 13, 1918, upon receiving a call to the service. His first orders sent him to the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research in New York City where he was given special instruction in the Carrel-Dakin method of the treat-
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ment of infected wounds. Upon completion of this course he was ordered to report for temporary duty at Base Hospital at Camp Gordon, Ga., near Atlanta. He remained there during July and August and was then ordered to leave Camp Gordon and proceed to the Medical Officers Train- ing Camp at Camp Greenleaf, Ga., for a course in military training and military surgery. After two months at Camp Greenleaf he was ordered to Bellevue Hospital, New York City, for a special course in the treatment of fractures and war injuries. This course was intended for men who were to be sent overseas for taking care of the wounded in base hospitals. His final period of duty was at Camp Meade, Md., where he was stationed at the base hospital where the formation of a base hospital was being made for overseas duty. Just when his unit was completed and all the members were in readiness to go to France, the armistice was signed and the orders to sail were countermanded. Dr. Greenleaf, however, was kept in active service until January, 1919, when he received his discharge and resumed his practice in Bloomington.
Dr. Greenleaf was married at Bloomington, June 16, 1915, to Miss Julia E. O'Neil, a native of Bloomington, and a daughter of Daniel M. and Joan (Pyne) O'Neil, natives of Ireland and both now deceased. The mother died in February, 1914, and the father in February, 1922. To Dr. and Mrs. Greenleaf has been born one child, Paul Anthony Greenleaf, born Jan. 26, 1920.
Dr. Greenleaf is a Republican and a member of the Catholic Church. His lodge affiliations are with the Knights of Columbus, Woodmen of the World and the Court of Honor. Dr. Greenleaf has an extensive acquaint- ance in Bloomington and McLean County and is held in the highest esteem.
James William Parker .- The firm of Parker Bros., of Bloomington, are establishers and promoters of one of the largest lumber and coal enterprises in McLean County.
James William Parker was born in Nicholas County, Ky., Sept. 18, 1844, the son of John and Nancy (Talbot) Parker. John Parker was a native of Virginia, born in 1808, and his wife was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in 1814. Mr. Parker was educated in Virginia and when a young man moved to Kentucky with his parents, where he followed farming the remainder of his life. He died in 1849 and his wife died Jan. 19, 1860.
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They are buried at Carlisle, Ky. There were seven children in the Parker family, as follows: Sarah Jane, married W. W. Talbert; Thomas, a mem- ber of the firm of Parker Bros., lives at 804 East Grove St .; George Luther, lives at 711 East Grove St .; James William, the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth Mary ; Emma, married I. M. Chism, and John T. Parker died in 1877.
James William Parker lived in Nicholas County, Ky., until he was five years old, when his parents moved to Bourbon County. He received his education in the common schools and attended Kentucky Wesleyan University and a business college in Covington, Ky. He began life as a farmer. The first member of the family to respond to the local lumber need was George Luther Parker, who arrived in Bloomington in 1866. Two years later he, with others, purchased the Horace McCurdy Lumber business and operated it under the name of Parker, Means & Scott. Means retired during the first year and in 1870, after working for the company for two years, James William and Thomas Parker purchased an interest in the business. Since that time the firm has been known as Parker Bros. The firm remained intact until 1904 when Thomas Parker resigned, his place being taken by George W. Parker, a son of James W. Parker. This partnership continued until June 1, 1922, when George Luther Parker retired, selling out his interest to the other partners, who now constitute the firm of Parker Bros. The place of business is at 923 East Grove Street, where ample buildings, sheds, and general facilities are provided for conducting the trade with method and dispatch. In the early history of the firm of Parker Bros., before the building of the Big Four and Lake Erie Railroads, lumber was hauled from their yards as far as Ford County, Ill. Most of the lumber at that time came from Michigan and Wisconsin by way of Chicago.
On Nov. 17, 1874, James William Parker was married in Bloomington to Miss Rosanna C. Weith, a native of Peoria County, Ill., and a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Walters) Weith. Mr. Weith was born in Hes- sedarmstadt, Germany, and came to the United States as a young man. His wife was born in Switzerland and came to this country with her parents in childhood. He died in 1851 and his wife died in 1862. To James William and Rosanna C. (Weith) Parker six children have been born as follows: George Weith, lives at 1015 East Grove Street, and is associated in business with his father; Nancy Maud, married Raymond D. Dooley, lives at 614 East Walnut Street; Elizabeth Grace, a teacher
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in Bloomington High School, lives at 803 East Front St .; Christina Ella, married Henry L. Carter, lives at Carlisle, Ky .; Emma Ruth, married Charles J. Robinson, lives at Des Moines, Iowa; and Mary Alice, at home.
Mr. Parker is a member of the Baptist Church and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He lives at 803 East Front Street. Mr. Parker is a reliable business man, one of the substantial citizens of his community and the Parker family ranks among the leading families of McLean County.
Thomas Ellis Champion is a well known retired business man of Nor- mal. He was born in Bristol, England, March 5, 1843, the son of George and Eleanor (Ellis) Champion.
George Champion was a native of England, as also was his wife. He died in 1843 on the coast of Africa and 11 years later his wife brought her three children to the United States and settled in Kane County, Ill. There were three children, as follows: Thomas Ellis, the subject of this sketch; George, a retired merchant of Normal, a sketch of whom also appears in this volume; and Miss Athaliah, who lives with her brother, George.
Thomas Ellis Champion was 11 years of age when his mother brought him to this country and he received his education in the district schools of Kane County, Ill. After finishing his school work, Mr. Champion was employed by D. F. Barkley of Elgin, Ill., where he learned the tinner's trade, and received $30.00 per year for his services. In 1864 he went to Waukegan, Ill., and worked in a tin shop there for three years, after which time he came to Normal and opened a hardware and tin shop with his brother, George. Mr. Champion later sold his interest to his brother and then opened a canning factory at Normal, which he successfully con- ducted for 56 years. The factory is located on East Ash Street, adjoining the Champion home. In 1919 Mr. Champion sold his factory and since that time has lived retired.
On May 5, 1866, Mr. Champion was married to Miss Fannie Hopkin- son, a native of Waukegan, Ill., born in 1850, and the daughter of Isaac and Pulcheria (Davis) Hopkinson. Mr. Hopkinson was a prominent at- torney at Waukegan for a number of years. Mrs. Champion died May 13, 1906, leaving six children, as follows: Grace, deceased; Trevor, lives at
THOMAS E. CHAMPION.
OF THE
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Chicago and has three children, Beatrice, Ellsworth and Catherine; Elea- nor, married Bert G. Finch, lives in Oklahoma City, Okla .; Ethel Louisa, married L. R. Manning, lives at Normal, and has one child, Hortence Clark; Jacquelin, married Bert Kuss, lives at Gary, Ind .; and Blanche, the widow of Edwin Iehl, lives at Long Beach, Calif.
Thomas Ellis Champion is an independent voter and he is a member of the Methodist Church. He is a man who is highly esteemed in his community and he is a valued citizen.
Dr. Arthur E. Rogers, who has practiced his profession for over 25 years with honor and exceptional ability, is a veteran of the World War and one of Bloomington's broadminded and public spirited citizens. He was born at Covell, Ill., in 1870, the son of Thomas A. and Isabella M. (Shade) Rogers.
Thomas A. Rogers and his wife were natives of Lancaster, Pa., and early settlers of Covell, Ill., where Mr. Rogers owned and operated 400 acres of farm land. He held public offices and was supervisor at the time of his death in 1892, which was caused by a runaway accident. His wife died in 1921. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Mary B. Hoover, died Dec. 19, 1923; Maggie J., deceased; Rev. S. A. D. Rogers, deceased; Nettie E. Mitchell, lives at Bloomington; and Dr. Arthur E., the subject of this sketch.
Dr. Arthur E. Rogers received his early schooling in the schools of Covell and Bloomington, and Illinois Wesleyan University. After teach- ing school for two years he entered Louisville Medical College in 1894, but the following year went to Rush Medical College at Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1897. He immediately entered Dr. Godfrey's office at Bloomington, where he remained until the fall of 1897, when a partnership was entered into with Dr. D. H. Nusbaum, which lasted until 1900, the time of the big fire in Bloomington which destroyed their offices and equipment. Dr. Rogers then practiced his profession in the Greis- heim building and later in the Peoples Bank building at Bloomington. In . the fall of 1908 he took post graduate work in eye, ear, throat and nose
work at London and Berlin, and on his return specialized in that line of work until the time of the World War in 1917. He entered service at Fort Riley, Kan., as a specialist in the X-ray department and was as-
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signed to Evacuation Hospital No. 16 at Camp Meade, Md., and later sent to France. He assisted in caring for the wounded during the battle of St. Mihiel and the Argonne campaign, being located near Verdun. After the close of the war his organization was sent to Coblenz, Germany, in charge of the main hospital there. At the time of his discharge in 1919 he held the rank of Major. He again took up the practice of medicine at Bloomington as an X-ray and skin specialist. He is now serving as member of Pension Board for McLean County.
In 1896 Dr. Rogers was married at Stanford, Ill., to Miss Sadie R. Paul, a native of Stanford, Ill., and a daughter of William and Louise Paul, natives of Ohio, now deceased. Dr. and Mrs. Rogers have two children, as follows: Byron S., a graduate of the law school of Illinois Wesleyan University, lives at Bloomington ; and W. Paul, associated with the F. W. Woolworth Co.
In politics Dr. Rogers is identified with the Republican party and he belongs to the Masonic lodge, being a member of the Consistory ; the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows; the Modern Woodmen of America, and the R. N. A., also a charter member American Legion and Veteran of Foreign Wars. He is a member of the First Methodist Church and his wife belongs to the Christian Church. Besides his practice, Dr. Rogers has also been interested in the housing situation of Bloomington and Normal, and has made a specialty of building and selling homes on the payment plan.
Dr. Rogers is widely known in McLean County and has well earned the respect and esteem of his many friends.
Dr. Harry Lee Howell, a capable physician and surgeon who has been successfuly engaged in the practice of his profession for the past 20 years in Bloomington, with the exception of a period of 29 months in the Medical Department of the United States Navy during the World War, is a native of Indiana. He was born in Porter County, Ind., June 3, 1878, a son of Lee Griggs and Kate Rhea (Bailey) Howell, the former a native of Springfield, Ohio, and the latter of Terre Haute, Ind.
Lee Griggs Howell was educated in Antioch College. He was a promi- nent farmer and raised horses and cattle extensively. He served as county commissioner of Porter County, Ind., for several terms. He died May 28,
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1908, and is buried at Valparaiso, Ind. His widow resides at 308 E. Jef- ferson Street, Bloomington, Ill. They were the parents of three children; Irene, who died in infancy; Dr. Harry Lee, the subject of this sketch; and Mrs. Ruth Isabelle Sutton, 900 Taylor Avenue, Scranton, Pa.
Dr. Howell grew to manhood in Porter County, Ind., and attended the public schools at Kouts, Ind., and later the Valparaiso High School and Purdue University at Lafayette, Ind. He then entered Rush Medical School at Chicago, Ill., where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1904. He then began the practice of medicine and surgery at Bloomington, Ill., and was continuously in the practice here until the United States entered the World War, when he tendered his services to the government. He was accepted for service in November, 1917, and was first sent to the Great Lakes Naval Training station. Soon after he was ordered to the Atlantic coast and assigned as one of the medical officers of the U. S. S. "Valamares" which was in the transport service. Remain- ing on this boat from April until October, he was transferred to the giant transport Leviathan, which was the greatest troop carrying ship under the American flag during the war. It had formerly been the Vaterland of the German Hamburg-American line, but was interned in an American port at the outbreak of the war. It was taken over by the United States government and converted into a troop ship. This vessel had a carrying capacity of 12,500 men, and the medical officers of such a ship naturally had great responsibilities. In his capacity as medical officer, Dr. Howell made 15 trips across the Atlantic during the war, but after the signing of the armistice came an even greater task for him. The great move- ment of troops homeward from France required extra work for the troop ships and the Leviathan was one of the most relied upon on account of its great capacity and speed. The medical officers' duties were strenu- ous, for many of the returning soldiers had been wounded or gassed. Prior to April 30, 1919, Dr. Howell had charge of the surgical department for troops alone, but after that date his jurisdiction was extended to cover the crew also. Dr. Howell continued in this active service until the fall of 1919, when he was permitted to return home on a furlough. Not until the spring of 1920 did he receive his discharge. He had attained the rank of lieutenant, which is a high naval rank. After his discharge he re- turned to Bloomington and resumed his practice and is recognized as one of the leading physicians and surgeons of central Illinois.
Dr. Howell was married at Chicago, Sept. 16, 1902, to Miss Rose
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Belle Bachrach, a native of Litchfield, Ill., and a resident of Bloomington. She is a daughter of John S. and Emilie (Mandel) Bachrach, the former a native of Baltimore, Md., and the latter of Germany. Mr. Bachrach died June 13, 1904, and his widow resides at 410 East Front Street. Bloomington, Ill. To Dr. and Mrs. Howell have been born two children, Jane Lee and June Irene, both students in the Bloomington High School.
Dr. Howell is a Republican and ranks high in Masonry, being a mem- ber of all the Masonic bodies, including the 33d degree. He is also a mem- ber of the Elks, the Odd Fellows, and the Modern Woodmen of America.
Oscar O. Rodman, a retired farmer of McLean County, now living at Bloomington, has been known for years as a successful stockman. He was born on the David Davis farm, near Bloomington, Dec. 7, 1854, and is a son of Scammon and Elizabeth Rodman.
Scammon Rodman was born in Buck County, Pa., Aug. 27, 1810, and his wife was also a native of the same county. In September, 1853, they removed to McLean County, and rented a farm for two years. Later, Mr. Rodman purchased 80 acres of land and became a successful farmer. At the time of his death he was one of the large landholders of the county. Mr. Rodman served as justice of the peace for a number of years and also as township supervisor. His wife died Jan. 28, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Rod- man were the parents of ten children, nine of whom were sons. Mrs. Amanda Porter, their daughter, and four sons are now living.
Oscar O. Rodman was the youngest child and spent his boyhood on his father's farm. He engaged in general farming and stock raising and lived on the Rodman homestead for 27 years. Since 1917 he has lived retired in Bloomington.
On April 7, 1880, Mr. Rodman was married to Miss Kate B. Schultz, a native of Bloomington, born Aug. 2, 1861, and the daughter of John F. and Catherine (Dobbins) Schultz. Mr. Schultz was born in Germany and in 1852 came to Bloomington where he operated a transfer business for many years. He later purchased a farm in Old Township, McLean County, where he lived until 1894. He died at Bloomington in 1896, and his wife died the following year. Mrs. Rodman was the only child. To. Mr. and Mrs. Rodman six children have been born, as follows: Elizabeth J., born April 9, 1881, died in infancy; Orlando Scott, born April 12, 1884, died
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Oct. 2, 1888; Myrtle S., born April 4, 1887, married Floyd Campbell, lives at Holder, Ill., and they have one child, Muriel L .; Mildred Permelia, born Sept. 28, 1892, married J. Whitwood, lives at Hudson, Ill .; she is a gradu- ate of Grays Music College; Fairy Dell, born Feb. 19, 1897, is a graduate of Grays Music College, Bloomington, lives in Chicago; and Howard Newton, mention of whom is made below.
Howard Newton Rodman was born July 7, 1899, and received his edu- cation in the public and high schools at Downs, Ill. He was employed in the office of the Pantagraph at the time of the World War and enlisted when he was 18 years old. He died in a government military hospital at Hoboken, N. J., on Oct. 9, 1918, after undergoing an operation, and is buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Old Town. He was a member of the Downs Methodist Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar O. Rodman are members of the Methodist Church and are highly respected citizens of McLean County, where they have spent their entire lives.
W. C. Means, a former county treasurer and a member of one of the very early pioneer families of McLean County, is a native of this county. He was born in Cheneys Grove Township, Jan. 4, 1852, and is a son of David Dixon and Rebecca (Cline) Means.
David Dixon Means was a son of Robert and Sarah (Rumsey) Means, who moved from Kentucky to Vermilion County, Ill., in the fall of 1829. They spent the winter there and in the following spring removed to Che- neys Grove Township, McLean County, arriving there on March 9, 1830. They located on the north side of the grove, about one mile from the west end, and was the fourth white family to settle at Cheneys Grove. The place where Robert Means settled in Cheneys Grove is now owned by three of his grandchildren, the children of his youngest child, Mrs. Mar-
garet Means Vanscoyoc. Robert Means lived about five years after com- ing to McLean County. He died Aug. 1, 1835, leaving his widow with 10 children. He was a soldier in the War of 1812.
David Dixon Means, father of W. C. Means, was about four years old when his parents settled at Cheneys Grove. He grew to manhood amidst the pioneer surroundings of this county in the early days. When he attained his majority he entered 120 acres of land from the govern-
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ment, one and one-half miles north of the land settled by his parents in Cheneys Grove Township. In 1850 he was married to Rebecca Cline and began housekeeping in the old log cabin which his father built when the family settled at Cheneys Grove. This was the home of David Dixon Means for only a few years when he built on his own land.
Rebecca Cline, the wife of David Dixon Means, was the daughter of George Cline, who was also one of the early pioneers of Illinois. He lived near Old Berlin, 16 miles west of Springfield. He was a veteran of the War of 1812 and was a Whig up to the time of the organization of the Republican party. He was a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln and one of Lincoln's ardent political supporters.
W. C. Means was born in the old log cabin which his grandfather, Robert Means, built at Cheneys Grove. He was the oldest of a family of 12 children, nine brothers of whom are living. Two brothers are de- ceased, one dying at the age of three years and the other at the age of 12, and one sister who died at the age of six years.
W. C. Means was reared on the farm which his father entered from the government in Cheneys Grove Township. He began his educational career on April 1, 1858, in a new school house, which was built by the settlers in a new district which had just been formed. His first teacher was Charles Randall, who taught a term of three months. The second teacher of the new district was Charles Bovee and the third was Miss Laura Case. After 1861 young Means' school days were limited to the winter months as he had to assist his father with the farm work during the summer months. In 1866 and 1867 he attended what was known as the Saybrook Academy for six months each year, and in 1872 he was a student at the Wesleyan University at Bloomington for six months.
On Nov. 3, 1875, W. C. Means was married to Miss Mary Alice Lewis. She is a daughter of John D. and Margaret (Riggs) Lewis, early settlers in Cheneys Grove Township. Mrs. Means was reared on a farm just one mile from the boyhod home of Mr. Means. They knew each other from early childhood and attended the same district school together. To Mr. and Mrs. Means have been born two children, as follows: Roy DeBell, teller in the First National Bank of Pueblo, Colo., married Grace King of Lamar, Colo., and they have one child, Roy D., Jr .; and Margaret Pearl Means, resides in Bloomington with her parents.
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