USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 51
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Harry E. Flesher was educated in the Lexington public schools and in 1891 entered the employ of Mahan Brothers Company as a salesman, remaining with this firm for 16 years. In 1908 he accepted a position in the hardware store of S. F. Strayer, continuing in the employ of this con- cern until May, 1911, when he bought the business and has since conducted it under his own name.
The business of H. E. Flesher was one of the most extensive conducted in Lexington. The stock consisted of shelf and heavy hardware, cutlery, granite, tinware, stoves, guns, ammunition and everything carried by a general hardware dealer. In connection Mr. Flesher also conducted an ex- tensive tin and sheet metal shop, manufacturing tin roofing, spouting, sky- lights, cornices, and also construction work in this line. The plumbing and heating department was also an important branch of the business. Furnaces, hot water and steam heating plants were installed along sani- tary and scientific lines. Mr. Flesher was the first to introduce automobile delivery trucks in Lexington. On March 3, 1923, he was appointed post- master of Lexington, which office he has since filled in a capable and effi- cient manner.
On Oct. 1, 1891, Mr. Flesher was united in marriage with Miss Minnie A. Yoder, a daughter of Amos Yoder, of Money Creek Township. Five children have blessed this union, as follows: Russell R., lives at Blooming- ton; Kathryn, married on May 18, 1917, to William C. Lindsay, Jr., man- ager of the grocery department of the Lindsay and Smith Company at Lexington, and they have one child, Helen Annette; Dorothy L., a gradu- ate of the Lexington High School in 1922 and now postmistress with her father; Edith M., a junior in high school; and Mary E., in the sixth grade of school.
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The Flesher family affiliates with the Christian congregation and are prominent in social circles. They reside in one of the modern homes of this city, where they extend hospitality to a large circle of friends. Mr. Flesher is a gentlman of genial personality and an excellent business man, and has always taken an active part in the political and public affairs of his town. He was a member of the Republican County Central Committee for a term of 10 years. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and has held the office of Keeper of Rec- ords and Seal for the past 25 years and has also been their Grand Repre- sentative for over 20 years.
J. W. Ashabran, manager of the Lexington Garage Company and agent for Hupmobile automobiles, is a native of McLean County and a prominent business man. He was born in Lexington Township, Aug. 16, 1873, and is the son of Daniel and Lydia (Downey) Ashabran.
Daniel Ashabran, a native of Lexington Township, McLean County, was born April 2, 1840, the son of John and Bettsy (Haner) Ashabran, natives of Pennsylvania and pioneer settlers of McLean County, where they died. Daniel, father of the subject of this sketch, was their only child. He was a leading farmer of Lexington Township and served throughout the Civil War with Company K, 145th Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. Mr. Ashabran owned the old homestead of 200 acres, which he farmed until 1898, when he retired and moved to Lexington, where he died in February, 1916. Lydia (Downey) Ashabran was born in Ohio in 1844 and died in 1891. She was the daughter of William Downey, a native of Ohio and early settler of Clark County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Ashabran had five children, of whom only one is now living, J. W., the subject of this sketch.
J. W. Ashabran was reared on his father's farm and received his edu- cation in the public schools. He remained on the home place until 1916, when he sold it and came to Lexington. Mr. Ashabran formed a garage company and became manager. He is now secretary and treasurer of the company, which is one of the leading business enterprises of Lexington. They have the agency for Hupmobile automobiles and Fisk tires.
On Dec. 18, 1895, Mr. Ashabran was married to Miss Carrie Harness, a daughter of William and Arzelia (Taylor) Harness, residents of Lexing-
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ton. To J. W. and Carrie (Harness) Ashabran four children have been born, as follows: Voyle, at home; Violet, married William Falkingham, lives at Lexington, and they have one child, Donald; Neva, married James Reese, lives at Chicago, and they have one child, Rhoa; and William, lives at home.
Mr. Ashabran is identified with the Republican party in politics and has served as road commissioner for three years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Asha- bran is well and favorably known in McLean County and takes an active interest in the affairs of the community.
L. B. Strayer, the well known cashier of The Peoples Bank of Lexing- ton, is a member of one of McLean County's oldest and most prominent families. He was born at Lexington, April 8, 1869, the son of Morinus and Sarah F. (Smith) Strayer.
Morinus Strayer was a well known attorney of McLean County for a number of years, having come here from Bellefontaine, Ohio, where he was born. His wife was a native of McLean County, born in 1842, and she now lives in Lexington. After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Strayer was later married to W. D. Powley, deceased. To Morinus and Sarah F. (Smith) Strayer two children were born: Frank, lives in Detroit, Mich .; and L. B., the subject of this sketch.
L. B. Strayer was reared and educated at Lexington and entered the banking business in 1886. His first position was that of janitor in the First National Bank and he was later made bookkeeper and finally cashier of the bank. In 1898 the First National Bank of Lexington was consoli- dated with The Peoples Bank, and at that time Mr. Strayer entered the hardware business, where he remained until 1911, when he was again made cashier of the bank, which office he has since filled.
In 1892 Mr. Strayer was united in marriage with Miss Blanche Clag- gett, a native of Lexington, and she died in 1896 at the age of 25 years. To this union two children were born, as follows: Jane, married John Gilmore, lives at Lexington; and Elaine, lives at Normal, Ill. In 1901 Mr. Strayer was married to Miss Wintie E. Franklin, a daughter of J. N. and Sarah (Chase) Franklin, both deceased. No children have been born to the second union.
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In politics Mr. Strayer is a Republican. He has served as city treas urer of Lexington, school treasurer, member of the school board and sec- retary of the board for 12 years, chairman of the county board and he has been a member of the board of the Smith Library and treasurer since its organization on June 28, 1912. Mr. Strayer is a member of the Ma- sonic Lodge, and was one of the originators of the Turkey Creek Golf Club.
Thomas B. Kilgore, who now lives retired at Bloomington, is a vet- eran of the Civil War and a prominent citizen of McLean County. He was born in Franklin County, Ohio, March 23, 1840, and is the son of John and Malona C. (Beach) Kilgore, natives of Madison County, Ohio, where the former was born Oct. 30, 1815, and the latter April 6, 1823. The pa- ternal grandparents, Thomas and Jane Kilgore, were born in Pennsylvania.
John Kilgore first acquired 100 acres of land in Ohio, subsequently increasing his possessions to the extent of 256 acres there. On this farm he lived from 1839 until 1893. At one time he was also the owner of 800 acres of land located in Lawndale Township, McLean County, Ill. In 1893 Mr. Kilgore and his wife paid a visit to their son, Thomas B., the subject of this sketch, in Bloomington, and while on this visit Mr. Kilgore died. His wife died April 25, 1905. There were four children in the Kilgore family: Albert, deceased; John N., lives at Kenton, Ohio; Sarah, de- ceased, was the wife of Samuel Stauffer, of Colfax, Ill .; and Thomas B., the subject of this sketch.
Thomas B. Kilgore received his education in the district schools and also attended Ohio Wesleyan University. He was reared to the life of a farmer and assisted his father in the farm work until the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1861 he enlisted in the First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, organized under Colonel Ransom, and during his service took part in 30 battles. He participated in the battle of Corinth, and while at Courtland, Ala., the battalion of which he was a member was surrounded and captured. Mr. Kilgore and five others put spurs to their horses and escaped under a heavy fire. He fought at Perryville, Chicamauga, Mis- sion Ridge, the Siege of Knoxville, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain, the Siege of Atlanta, and in many other engagements, emerging from all unharmed. After the war Mr. Kilgore remained with his father on the farm. On March 10, 1867, he came to Illinois and with his father's assistance bought
THOMAS B. KILGORE.
MRS. THOMAS B. KILGORE.
LO
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320 acres of land in Lawndale Township, McLean County. He applied himself diligently to work and prosperity attended his exertions, enabling him in a short time to add 160 acres to the original purchase. Since 1888 Mr. Kilgore has lived retired in Bloomington. His residence is located at 1006 East Grove Street.
On April 11, 1867, Mr. Kilgore was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Batterton, who was born July 18, 1840, the daughter of Mar- tin and America (Taylor) Batterton, natives of Kentucky. The Batter- ton family came to Illinois in 1830, locating in Lawndale Township, Mc- Lean County. Mrs. Kilgore had one sister, Zerilda, and one brother, Ira. To Mr. and Mrs. Kilgore four children were born, as follows: John M., born March 29, 1868; Lizzie M., born June 1, 1871, married Dr. Welsh, of Lexington; Maude B., born Aug. 1, 1877, married Albert Vasey; and Thomas Beach, born May 16, 1881, an attorney. Mrs. Kilgore died April 25, 1922, and is buried at Colfax, Ill.
Mr. Kilgore is a Republican and he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a 32d degree Mason, having been a member of that organization since 1873. Mr. Kilgore is a substantial citi- zen and the Kilgore family has always been representative of the best citizenship in the county.
L. F. Hyneman, manager of the Lexington Telephone Company, is a prominent citizen and successful business man of McLean County. He was born at Lexington, July 8, 1879, the son of M. M. and Mary Jane (Wood) Hyneman.
The Hyneman family came to Illinois from Monroe County, Ind., where M. M. Hyneman was born in 1833. They were among the first settlers of Lexington, where Mr. Hyneman worked at his trade of black- smith. He later carried on farming and stock raising and now lives retired at Lexington. His wife died in 1911 at the age of 76 years. They had five children, as follows: Elizabeth, married H. L. Hyre, lives at Lexington; Julia, married W. C. Knight, lives at Grand Junction, Colo .; Addie, married Jacob Brown, lives at Yukon, Okla .; Eva, married N. F. McConnell, lives at Lexington; and L. F., the subject of this sketch.
L. F. Hyneman received his education in the public schools of Lex- ington and attended Fishburn Military Academy at Waynesburg, Ky. In
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1897 he inaugurated telephone service at Lexington, having built an exchange there. Mr. Hyneman built the switch board and installed it himself and during the first year of service 40 telephones were in use, as compared with 600 now used at Lexington. Mr. Hyneman has 160 miles of long distance lines in use and in 1907 a modern brick building was constructed for the telephone company, which is 20x32 feet in size and of fireproof construction. The Lexington Telephone Company was the first company in any of the small towns to install underground cables and Mr. Hyneman is among the pioneer telephone men of McLean County.
The Lexington Telephone Company was incorporated in 1905 for $20,000, and since that time has been increased to $50,000. The company employes six operators and about five men and the stockholders are citi- zens of the community.
Mr. Hyneman was married on Nov. 20, 1901, to Miss Mae LaFever, a native of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and the daughter of William and Addie (Guy) LaFever, natives of Ohio, who settled in McLean County in 1885. Mr. and Mrs. LaFever now reside at Lexington. To L. F. and Mae (LaFever) Hyneman three children have been born, as follows: Lucile, at home; Lyle ; and Levin ..
In politics Mr. Hyneman is a Republican and he has served as city alderman. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Hyneman is a man of excellent char- acter, industrious and competent.
George J. Smith, a well known citizen of McLean County, who is suc- cessfully engaged in the general merchandise business at Lexington, was born at Lexington, March 16, 1863, and is the son of Milton and Lydia (Goddard) Smith.
Milton Smith was born in Franklin County, Ky., Feb. 19, 1808, and died in 1887. He was a farmer and came to Illinois in 1835, making the trip on horseback. Mr. Smith helped build the first house at Lexington and was supervisor of the county board in Lexington Townshop. He was a large landowner and cattle feeder, and was the son of William and Obedi- ence Smith. Lydia (Goddard) Smith was born in Indiana, and was the daughter of Dr. Abbott Goddard, a pioneer physician of McLean County.
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She died in 1890 at the age of 70 years. Mr. and Mrs. Milton Smith were the parents of the following children: Sarah, the widow of Willis Strayer, lives at Lexington; W. A., a retired farmer, lives at Lexington ; Fletcher M., lives at Everett, Wash .; Carrie, the widow of A. D. Pierson, lives at Lexington; Kate, the widow of L. D. Poole, lives at Lexington ; L. H., dairyman, lives at Lexington; George J. ,the subject of this sketch; Estelle, married Harry S. Shade, lives at Nomal; and Anna Mary, de- ceased, was the wife of George B. Okeson.
George J. Smith has always lived at Lexington and received his edu- cation in the public schools there and is also a graduate of the Blooming- ton Business College, in the class of 1884. He then engaged in the mer- cantile business with Lindsay and Son, as a clerk. Five years later Mr. Smith bought the interest of the elder Mr. Lindsay, and formed a part- nership with W. C. Lindsay, and since that time the firm is known as Lindsay and Smith. They carry a complete line of general merchandise and it has become one of the thriving business institutions of McLean County. Besides his town interests, Mr. Smith owns a well-improved farm of 250 acres in Lexington Township.
On Sept. 20, 1888, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Emma Lindsay, a native of Lexington, and the daughter of William and Ruth (Carlisle) Lindsay. Mrs. Smith was a classmate of her husband. She died in April, 1899, leaving one son, Milton, who is also deceased. Milton Smith was married to Miss Rachael Armstrong, and she now lives with her father- in-law, Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith is a Republican and for the past 20 years has served as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and is a substantial and highly respected citizen of McLean County.
W. C. Lindsay, Sr., a successful merchant at Lexington, is a mem- ber of one of McLean County's prominent pioneer families. He was born at Lexington, July 21, 1856, the son of William and Ruth (Carlisle) Lindsay.
William Lindsay, an early settler of Lexington, was born at Glas- gow, Scotland, in 1844 and came to the United States when he was 24 years of age, locating at Shippensburg, Pa. While there he married and for the next ten years engaged in carpenter and construction work. In
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1854 Mr. Lindsay came to Lexington, Ill., where he followed his trade as builder. He brought 10 carpenters with him from Pennsylvania and built many homes for the early settlers. During the Civil War Mr. Lind- say engaged in the general mercantile business in partnership with W. M. Grier, and this partnership continued until 1874. Three years later Mr. Lindsay went into business at Lexington with his son, W. C., the subject of this sketch, and the firm was known as Lindsay and Son. In 1893 he retired from business and died on July 24, 1894. Mr. Lindsay was an active worker in the Presbyterian Church and was an elder for a num- ber of years. He gave the ground where the church now stands and also laid out Lexington City Park and planted trees, which is known now as Lindsay Park, named after Mr. Lindsay. Mrs. Lindsay was born at Shippensburg, Pa., in 1824 and died in 1892. They were the parents of eight children, three of whom are now living, as follows: Alice, mar- ried W. M. Grier, lives at Phoenix, Ariz .; John H., lives at Lexington; and W. C., the subject of this sketch.
W. C. Lindsay, Sr., was educated in the schools of Lexington and after finishing his high school course he was employed as clerk in his father's store. In 1877 he went into business with his father and in 1893 purchased his father's interest in the business. The firm was then known as W. C. Lindsay, and in 1896 Mr. Lindsay formed a partnership with George W. Smith, which still exists. They have a fine store and carry a complete line of groceries and general merchandise.
On April 8, 1885, Mr. Lindsay was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Elders, a native of Bloomington, born July 17, 1860, and the daughter of Dr. C. S. and Mary (Martin) Elders. Dr. Elders was a probi- nent physician of Chenoa, Lexington and Bloomington. To W. C. and Josephine (Elders) Lindsay five children have been born, as follows: Ruth, at home; Dr. Charles, a physician in Chicago who served through- out the World War; Mary, employed in her father's store; W. C., Jr., man- ager of the Lindsay and Smith grocery department, a sketch of whom ap- pears in this volume; and Louisa, at home.
Mr. Lindsay is a Republican and has been a member of the school board for a number of years. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Lindsay has an extensive acquaintance in McLean County and is recognized as a dependable citizen.
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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
W. C. Lindsay, Jr., president of the Commercial Club of Lexington, is a progressive and enterprising young business man of McLean County. He was born at Lexington, Sept. 2, 1895, and is the son of W. C. and Josephine (Elder) Lindsay, a sketch of whom appears in these volumes.
W. C. Lindsay, Sr., is a prominent business man of McLean County and the Lindsay family are among the oldest families of the county. Mr. Lindsay owns a large store at Lexington and is in partnership with George W. Smith. They carry a complete line of general merchandise and have an extensive business. Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay have five children, as fol- lows: Ruth, at home; Dr. Charles, a physician at Chicago; Mary, at home ; W. C., Jr., the subject of this sketch; and Louisa, at home.
W. C. Lindsay, Jr., has always lived at Lexington. He received his education in the public and high schools there and attended the state university, where he took a commercial course. Mr. Lindsay was then engaged as clerk in his father's store at Lexington and is now manager of the grocery department.
In 1922 when the Commercial Club was organized at Lexington Mr. Lindsay was made president, which office he now holds.
On May 18, 1917, Mr. Lindsay was married to Miss Kathryn Flesher, a native of Lexington, and the daughter of H. E. and Minnie (Yoder) Flesher, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. To this union one child has been born, Helen Annette, born June 10, 1918.
In politics Mr. Lindsay is a Republican. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Lindsay is a capable young man, one whose success in life is assured by virtue of his industry and training.
Nettie Bills Dement, superintendent of McLean County schools, is without doubt one of the prominent women of McLean County. She was born eight miles east of Lexington, Ill., Aug. 5, 1861, and is the daughter of Dr. William W. and Margaret A. (Myers) Bills.
Dr. William W. Bills was a prominent physician of Missouri for many years, and a native of Bourbon County, Ky., where he was born May 11, 1837. He was the son of Dr. Alvin and Mary Nelson (Sims) Bills, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Culpeper County, Va.
To Dr. William W. and Margaret A. (Myers) Bills the following chil- dren were born: Nettie Bills Dement, the subject of this sketch; George
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W., deceased, was a prominent newspaper man, further mention of whom is made below; and Ella May, married E. G. Hayward, and they live at Cooksville, Ill., where he is a grain dealer.
George W. Bills established a newspaper at Peoria, Ill., which he was conducting at the time of his death in 1915. He was married to Miss Sadie Jeffries, a native of Bloomington, and to this union one son was born, Alvin B., who lives at Washington, D. C.
Nettie Bills Dement was reared on a farm and attended the district schools, and when she was 12 years of age her parents moved to Pleas- ant Hill, Mo., where she attended high school. Later, she attended War- rensburg Normal School at Warrensburg, Mo., and Christian College at Camden Point, Mo. In June, 1881, Mrs. Dement began teaching school in District No. 80 in Randolph Township, McLean County, where she re- mained for three years, at which time she organized the school at Colfax, Ill., and was made superintendent. President Edwards of Normal and County Superintendent Miller were her helpmates in this project. In 1892 Mrs. Dement resigned her position and the following year on Dec. 25th she was married to George R. Dement, a native of Lexington, Ill., and the son of George T. and Ann E. (Richmond) Dement. He was one of the most successful and prominent men of McLean County. Mr. and Mrs. George R. Dement have had no children but reared Mrs. Dement's nephew, Alvin B. Bills, and he made his home with them until he was 18 years of age.
After her marriage, Nettie Bills Dement lived at Quincy, Ill., for a short time, where her husband was engaged in the insurance business, and they later moved to Lexington, on account of the illness of Mr. De- ment's mother. She resumed her teaching there and taught for 25 years and spent each summer either in teaching school or attending Chicago University and Chicago Institute. Among the numerous courses Mrs. Dement has taken is a course in home economics. She has always been ambitious and persevering, which accounts for her unusual success in life.
In politics Mrs. Dement is a Democrat and in 1923 she was elected superintendent of McLean County schools. She is a member of the State Parent Teachers' Association, the McLean County Historical Society, the Illinois State Teachers' Association, the National Educational Association and the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Nettie Bills Dement is a woman of deep convictions, unselfish principles, and strong attachments. Since childhood she has been a member of the Christian Church.
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Dr. William Henry Welch, a well known veterinarian at Lexington, is a member of one of McLean County's prominent pioneer families. He was born on a farm four and one-half miles southeast of Bloomington, May 7, 1871, the son of Jeremiah and Sarah (Myers) Welch.
Jeremiah Welch was a native of Vigo County, Ind., born in 1826, the son of Solomon and Susan (Jacoby) Welch. He came to McLean County in 1835 and located on land near Bloomington and became one of the leading farmers and stockmen of that section. Mr. Welch was also a dealer in horses and on different occasions sold three teams of fine horses for $1,000.00 a team. He died in 1897, and his wife, who was a native of Kentucky, died Jan. 11, 1906. She was the daughter of John G. and Mary (Lindley) Myers, who settled on the present site of the McLean County farm. Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Welch were the parents of five children, as follows: Mary, deceased, was the wife of Louis K. Calhoun; Louella, deceased; Minerva, married Charles C. Wagner, lives in Bloom- ington; John F., engaged in the real estate business at Bloomington; and Dr. William Henry, the subject of this sketch.
Dr. William Henry Welch spent his boyhood on the farm and at- tended the district schools, Illinois Wesleyan University, and was gradu- ated from the Chicago Veterinary College in 1892. He then located at Lexington to practice his profession, and since that time has built up a splendid practice. Dr. Welch is widely known as a man of exceptional ability in his profession.
On May 7, 1895, Dr. Welch was married to Miss Elizabeth Kilgore, a native of Lawndale Township, McLean County, born June 1, 1871, and the daughter of Thomas B. and Mary E. (Batterton) Kilgore, the former a native of Franklin County, Ohio, and the latter of Kentucky. Mr. Kil- gore now lives retired at Bloomington. Dr. and Mrs. Welch have two daughters, Eleanor, a graduate of the Frances Shimer School of the Uni- versity of Chicago, and Laurastine, a senior in Lexington Community High School. Mrs. Welch attended Illinois Wesleyan University and is a prominent club woman of Lexington. She served as vice-president of the McLean County Home Bureau, is a charter member of the Women's Club, and has held other offices of importance.
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