USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 54
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Lewis C. Wheaton is an extensive stock buyer of Lexington and the owner of 305 acres of well improved land. He was born at Decatur, Ill., April 6, 1860, the son of James S. and Emma (Dawson) Wheaton.
James S. Wheaton was a native of Fayette County, Ohio, as also was his wife. He died in 1862 at the age of 28 years, leaving one son, Lewis C., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Wheaton was a butcher by trade and in partnership with Mr. Wickoff, who is still in the meat business. In 1873
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Mrs. Wheaton was married to Jesse Stretch, and to that union one son was born, Harry H. Stretch, who lives at Normal. Mrs. Stretch died in 1919 at the age of 81 years.
Lewis C. Wheaton is a self-made man. He received his education in the district schools and lived on his step-father's farm until 1881, when he began buying stock. Mr. Wheaton's first farm was in Gridley Town- ship and he now owns land there and also in DeWitt County, Ill. He has been a leading stockman of McLean County for many years and is also a feeder of stock. Mr. Wheaton dealt in fine horses for many years also, and sold them throughout the United States. In 1912 he moved to Lex- ington, where he owns a fine residence in the southeast part of town. He devotes his entire time to the buying and shipping of stock.
On Oct. 2, 1906, Mr. Wheaton was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Atonia Claggett, a native of Culpeper County, Va., and the daugh- ter of Thomas and Columbia (Claggett) Claggett, early settlers of McLean County. Although Mr. and Mrs. Wheaton have no children of their own they have reared and educated two, Elmer J. Roy, a son of Mrs. Wheaton's sister, and Alice Ambrose, a daughter of Albert and Belle Ambrose.
Mr. Wheaton is a Republican and for five years served as township as- sessor of El Paso Township, McLean County. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and is an enterprising citizen of McLean County.
John S. Johnston, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War and one of the successful and enterprising farmers of McLean County. He was born at Hellers Corner, Ind., Dec. 1, 1838, the son of Charles and Rebecca (Stevenson) Johnston.
Charles Johnston was a native of New Jersey, and his wife was born at Xenia, Ohio. He went to Ohio when he was a young man, married there, and then brought his family to Illinois during the early days. They settled on a farm west of Danvers, and later moved to White Oak Town- ship, where Mr. Johnston became a large landowner and successful farmer. There were nine children in the Johnston family, as follows: James S., deceased; Mary N., deceased, was the wife of Charles Barnes, and he lives at Mound City, Kan .; John S., the subject of this sketch; Martha Jane, deceased, was the wife of W. J. Baldridge; Joseph Henry, deceased; Cath-
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erine, deceased, was the wife of Henry Wright; Rebecca, the widow of John A. Benson, lives at Middlepoint, Ohio; Amanda, deceased, was the wife of S. C. Kirkpatrick ; and Sarah, married Alonzo Mckinney, lives at Normal, Ill.
John S. Johnston grew to manhood on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools and at Illinois Wesleyan University. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted with the 3rd Illinois Volun- teer Cavalry and served for three years and three months, and was raised to the rank of sergeant. After the close of the war, Mr. Johnston returned to McLean County and engaged in general farming and stock raising. He owned 240 acres of land and was a breeder of good stock, and also an ex- tensive cattle feeder. He came to Hudson, Ill., in January, 1889, and died Feb. 5, 1905.
On Jan. 1, 1865, Mr. Johnston was married to Miss Martha Elizabeth Havens, a native of Hudson Township, McLean County, born Feb. 11, 1841, and the daughter of Hiram and Sarah Ann (Trimmer) Havens. The Ha- vens family came from Licking County, Ohio, to McLean County, and Jesse Havens, grandfather of Mrs. Johnston, settled at Hudson, Ill., in 1826, on land now known as Haven's Grove. He was the first postmaster of Hudson. Mrs. John S. Johnston, who died Feb. 15, 1887, was one of the first students to be enrolled at Illinois State Normal, at Normal. Her fa- ther, Hiram Havens, was known as Squire Havens and was one of the prominent farmers of Hudson Township. At one time in the winter he shot a wild deer near his home. He walked through the woods, following the steps of the deer, and when he came upon it a man was skinning it. Mr. Havens discovered that the man had also shot the deer, both their bullets striking at the same spot, although the bullets left the body at different spots.
To John S. and Martha Elizabeth (Havens) Johnston six children were born, as follows: Lora, further mention of whom is made below; Aura, a farmer, lives in Hudson Township; Grace, lives at Hudson, Ill .; Mae, lives at Hudson, Ill .; Emma, married J. A. King, lives at Atlanta, Ill. ; and Sarah R., married Chester A. King, lives at Normal, Ill.
Lora Johnston was born and reared in White Oak Township and at- tended Illinois Wesleyan University, and later taught school for six years. In 1903 Miss Johnston was appointed postmistress of Hudson, Ill., which office she held until July, 1915. She was acting postmistress from Jan. 24th until April 24th, 1923, and later appointed postmistress again, which office she now holds. Miss Johnston is local correspondent for The Panta-
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graph of Bloomington and she is one of the interesting and refined women of the community. After the death of her mother and father, she as- sumed the role of provider and brought up her brothers and sisters. Dur- ing the World War Miss Johnston was very active in the Red Cross work. She was chairman of the organization for Hudson Township and devoted all her time to the cause.
In politics Mr. Johnston was a Republican and he was a member of the Methodist Church. He was an industrious, energetic man, who held the high esteem of his neighbors.
William G. Long, now living retired at Lexington, has been a prom- inent farmer and stockman of McLean County for many years. He was born in Spencer County, Ind., March 25, 1847, the son of C. W. and Harriet (Franklin) Long.
C. W. Long was born in Kentucky and at the age of 16 years went to Missouri and later to Indiana, where he farmed for a number of years. He later returned to Missouri and was a prominent breeder of horses in Lincoln County and sold his horses at St. Louis during the early days. Mr. Long moved his family to McLean County at the time of the building of the Chicago and Alton Railroad through that county and he built a hotel at Lexington with Noah Franklin. Mr. Long was married the first time to Harriet Franklin, a native of Indiana, who died in 1863 at the age of 36 years, and to this union three children were born, as follows: Mary Elizabeth, the widow of R. S. Dement, lives at Chicago, Ill .; William G., the subject of this sketch; and Nancy Emma, deceased, was the wife of George Mahon. After the death of his first wife Mr. Long was married to Miss Jane Pollard and they moved to Odessa, Mo., where he died in 1891. To this union five chil- dren were born, one of whom is now living, Clara, the widow of Mr. Gilbert, and she lives at Odessa, Mo.
William G. Long was reared and educated in Lexington and was employed as a clerk in the general store of George T. Dement and Com- pany. He then followed general farming in Lexington Township, where he owned 217 acres of land. After several years of farming Mr. Long's health failed and he went to San Diego, Calif., where he worked as a street car conductor for four and one-half years. He returned to Lex- ington, Ill., in 1895, and again followed farming and stock raising until
MRS. W. G. LONG.
IV. G. LONG.
200
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1915, when he retired and moved to Lexington. After selling his farm in Lexington Township, Mr. Long purchased 320 acres of land in In- diana, which he sold one year later. In the 80's Mr. Long made some improvements as to road graveling. He built one mile of gravel road from the Mackinaw river bridge near his farm to Lexington at a cost of $1,000. The road was 10 feet wide and one foot deep. Mr. Long states that this was the first gravel road built in the state of Illinois. He do- nated the gravel and another man and himself with two teams did the construction. The money was donated by the Lexington business men; the farmers did the hauling.
On Aug. 16, 1870, Mr. Long was united in marriage with Miss Emma P. Flesher, a native of Lexington Township, born in a log cabin, April 29, 1852. She was the daughter of Andrew J. and Sarah (Brown) Flesher and came to Lexington to live when she was 12 years of age. Her father was a well known lumber dealer there. Mrs. Long died Dec. 10, 1920. Mrs. W. G. Long was a very loving wife, a devout Christian woman. For many years she was organist in the Presbyterian Church and later the Methodist Church of which she was a member. She was a great helpmate to her husband. They were as one in all things. Mr. and Mrs. Long had no children but adopted a son, R. H. Long, who now lives at Montgomery, Ala., where he raises pure bred cattle. He has two sons, Robert and Clarence Long.
Mr. Long has served on the city council and is a firm believer in prohibition. He is a member of the Methodist Church and has held many offices in his church. He is a respected citizen of his community.
Frank Allison, a retired farmer of Lexington Township, is a promi- nent and substantial citizen of McLean County. He was born in Allin Township, McLean County, May 10, 1870, the son of Benjamin Franklin and Martha (Johnson) Allison.
Benjamin Franklin Allison was a native of Ohio, born in 1846. He came to Illinois and settled on a farm four miles southwest of Lexington, which he farmed for 17 years. Mr. Allison died in 1897 and his widow now lives with her children at Ames, Iowa. She was a native of Twin Grove Township. Mr. and Mrs. Allison were the parents of eight chil- dren, one of whom is deceased.
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Frank Allison received his education in the district schools and has always lived on a farm. In 1891 he rented land in Money Creek Township, which he farmed until 1919, when he purchased 25 acres of land in Lex- ington Township, just outside of the city limits of Lexington. He now lives retired.
On Dec. 17, 1890, Mr. Allison was married to Miss Minnie May John- son, a native of Miami County, Ohio, and the daughter of George and Mary Jane (Surface) Johnson, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Illinois. To Frank and Minnie May (Johnson) Allison four children have been born, as follows: Ruby Jane, married W. F. Beck, lives in Lex- ington Township; Josephine Elizabeth, married Ralph Berry, lives in Money Creek Township; Flossie A., married Lincoln West, lives in Blue Mound Township; and Eugene F., at home. Mr. and Mrs. Allison have five grandchildren.
Mr. Allison is a Republican and a member of the Christian Church. He stands high in the community and he and his wife have many friends and acquaintances.
R. T. Claggett, vice-president of The Peoples Bank of Lexington, and leading farmer of McLean County, is a native of Fairfax County, Va., where he was born May 10, 1858. He is the son of James A. and Cather- ine (Johnson) Claggett.
James A. Claggett was born in Virginia and came to McLean County with his family on Dec. 25, 1866, and settled on a farm in Lexington Township, where Mr. Claggett became a successful stockman. He owned 400 acres of land, which is now owned by his son, R. T. Claggett, the sub- ject of this sketch. Mr. Claggett died in 1886 at the age of 66 years and his wife died in 1900 at the age of 86 years. They had three children, of whom R. T. is the youngest and the only one now living.
R. T. Claggett received his education in the district schools, but was not able to receive much schooling as his mother lost all the slaves on their farm during the Civil War, and he was obliged to work on the farm when he was quite young. Mr. Claggett has always been a farmer and now operates 400 acres of well-improved land in Lexington Township. He moved to Lexington in 1897 and owns a beautiful home at the corner of Cedar and Chestnut avenues.
On Jan. 24, 1884, Mr. Claggett was married to Miss Minnie Biggs, a
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native of Money Creek Township, born Jan. 31, 1863, and the daughter of Josiah and Lucy (Empie) Biggs, early settlers of McLean County. Mrs. Minnie (Biggs) Claggett, on her mother's side, is a direct descendant of Barbara Fritchie; on her father's of John Quincy Adams. Josiah Biggs was born in Money Creek Township, Feb. 26, 1834, the son of Lemuel and Nancy (Mullen) Biggs, natives of Ohio. One son of Lemuel Biggs is still living, Lemuel, and he lives at Seattle, Wash. Josiah Biggs was married on Aug. 30, 1860, to Lucy Empie, a native of New Albany, N. Y., born Aug. 30, 1842. Mr. Biggs died in 1900 and his wife died July 29, 1922. They were the parents of five children, of whom two are now living, Mrs. Claggett and Hattie, the widow of Frank Brown, Seattle, Wash. Mrs. Claggett's great aunt, Deliah (Mullen) Evans, was the first woman teacher to teach in the school that stood on the present site of Bloomington, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Claggett have no children of their own, but reared Elmo F. Hill and his sister, Catherine Hill was adopted.
Elmo F. Hill was born at Lexington, Feb. 3, 1899, the son of Elmer and Daisy (Mosier) Hill, both deceased. He enlisted for service during the World War from Peoria, in October, 1917, and was assigned to the 5th Balloon Corps. In January, 1918, after training at Omaha, Nebr., he sailed for France, where he died on Sept. 23, 1918, from influenza. Mr. Hill's body was returned to this country in 1920 and buried in Selma Cemetery, McLean County.
Catherine Claggett was born Oct. 5, 1900. She has attended Lexing- ton High School, Fairy Hall at Lake Forest, Ill., and in 1924 she will be graduated from the university at Normal, Ill.
R. T. Claggett is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist Church, as also is his wife. They have an extensive acquaintance in McLean County and stand high in the community.
M. E. Jenny, who is successfully engaged in business at Lexington, was born at Highland, Ill., Nov. 10, 1883, and is the son of S. L. and Louisa (Steiner) Jenny.
S. L. Jenny, a native of Switzerland, came to this country when he was a young man and settled a Highland, Ill. He served throughout the Civil War, having enlisted from Jamestown, Ill. Mr. Jenny now lives retired at Highland and is 83 years of age. His wife was born in Illinois
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and died in 1921 at the age of 72 years. They were members of the Ger- man Evangelical Church and the parents of five sons and five daughters, all of whom are living. M. E., the subject of this sketch, is the eighth in order of birth.
M. E. Jenny was reared on his father's farm and received his educa- tion in the public schools. He started life as a farm hand near Peoria, Ill., and when he was 21 years old he started farming on rented land. In 1915 Mr. Jenny came to Lexington and engaged in the grocery business. He has built up a fine business and is among the enterprising merchants of the community. In 1917 Mr. Jenny began handling farm implements in connection with his store and he now represents the International Har- vester Company. He owns two store buildings at Lexington as well as a fine home.'
On Dec. 10, 1920, Mr. Jenny was united in marriage with Miss Alma Frieberg, a native of Saybrook, Ill., and the daughter of Charles and M. Frieburg. Mr. Frieburg lives at Saybrook, Ill., and his wife is deceased. To M. E. and Alma (Frieburg) Jenny one daughter has been born, Do- rothy, born Feb. 25, 1923.
Mr. Jenny is a Republican, a member of the Christian Church, and be- longs to the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. In 1916 he began trap shooting and in 1922 won the state championship at a meet where 150 trap shooters engaged in. Out of 200 targets, Mr. Jenny shot 197. Mr. Jenny is an excellent business man of Lexington, where he is highly esteemed as an alert and enterprising citizen.
George W. Priest, a substantial and well known farmer and stock- man of Hudson Township, is a member of one of McLean County's oldest families. He was born on the farm where he now lives, Sept. 21, 1846, the son of Elijah and Rebecca (Hinthorn) Priest.
Elijah Priest was a native of Coshocton County, Ohio, as also was his wife. They came to McLean County in 1835 and settled on the farm now owned by their son, George W. Priest, the subject of this sketch. At that time there was only one frame house standing in Bloomington and Mr. and Mrs. Priest were interesting pioneers of the county. He died in 1890 at the age of 79 years and his wife died in 1867, at the age of 54 years. They had six children, of whom only one is now living, George W.,
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our subject. After the death of his wife, Elijah Priest was later married to Miss Minerva McCurdy, a native of Ohio, who died in 1875. No chil- dren were born to this union.
George W. Priest has always been a farmer. He received his educa- tion in the district schools of Hudson Township and then engaged in farming on the home place with his father. Mr. Priest has improved the home place considerably and he is known as a breeder of good stock.
In 1896 Mr. Priest was married to Miss Ellen Priest, a native of Iro- quois County, Ill., who died June 24, 1923. Mr. and Mrs. Priest had no children.
Mr. Priest is a Democrat and served as school director for 25 years. He is one of the highly esteemed and prominent men of his community.
Stephen A. Finley, now living retired at Lexington, is a member of one of McLean County's oldest families. He was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, March 24, 1855, the son of James and Harriet (Owens) Finley.
The Finley family came to Illinois from Brown County, Ohio, in 1857 and settled on a farm in Blue Mound Township, where James Finley be- came a prosperous farmer. He later moved to Lexington Township, where he operated 100 acres of well improved land. Mr. Finley died Nov. 15, 1907, at the age of 82 years and his wife, who was born Sept. 15, 1824, died Nov. 29, 1901. They were the parents of 12 children, five of whom are now living, as follows: Mary, the widow of J. A. Roberts, lives at Varna, Ill .; Curtis, lives at Schuyler, Nebr .; Stephen A., the subject of this sketch ; Richard C., a retired farmer, lives at Bloomington; and G. L., lives at Red Lodge, Mont.
Stephen A. Finley was two years of age when his family came to Illinois and he received his education in the district schools. He began farming on rented land in 1883 and later purchased 85 acres in Lexington Township, McLean County. Mr. Finley added to his land holdings when- ever possible and now owns 285 acres of well-improved land in Lexington Township, which is operated by his son. He retired in 1920 and now re- sides at Lexington.
On Feb. 20, 1883, Mr. Finley was united in marriage with Miss Laura Elbert, a native of New Albany, Ind., born Oct. 17, 1857, and the daugh- ter of William and Elizabeth (Smith) Elbert. Mr. Elbert was born near
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Pittsburgh, Pa., and came to McLean County in 1857, and settled on land in Blue Mound Township. He served with the 33d Illinois Volunteer In- fantry throughout the Civil War and also served in the Mexican War. Mr. Elbert died Aug. 20, 1907, at the Danville Military Soldiers Home, and his wife died in 1867. They were the parents of five children, as fol- lows: Mrs. Finley ; Sarah, married F. P. Casey, lives at Peoria, Ill .; N. L., lives in Blue Mound Township on the old home place; Anna, the widow of C. K. Hutchinson, lives at Lexington; and Nettie, married Parker Hefner, lives in Blue Mound Township. To Sephen A. and Laura (Elbert) Finley five children have been born, as follows: Anna, deceased, was the wife of Harold Brown; Elbert, lives at Hudson, Ill .; Myrtle, deceased; Eugene, who operates the home place; and one child died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Finley have four grandsons.
Mr. Finley is identified with the Democratic party in politics and he has served as school director for 20 years and as road commissioner. He is a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows. Mr. Finley is a substantial citizen.
Van Armstrong is a prosperous farmer and stockman of Lexington Township and the owner of 460 acres of well improved land. He was born on a farm in Highland County, Va., Dec. 22, 1875, and is the son of William and Susan (Botkin) Armstrong.
William Armstrong and his wife were born in Highland County, Va., where he operated a large farm for his uncle, John T. Armstrong. During the Civil War he served for three years with the Confederate army and he died in 1916 at the age of 68 years. Mrs. Armstrong still lives on the farm in Virginia. They had eight children, all of whom are living, and Van, the subject of this sketch, was the fourth child in order of birth.
Van Armstrong spent his boyhood on the farm and attended the dis- trict schools of Virginia. When he was 15 years of age he left home and came to Lexington, Ill., where he remained one year and then went to Iowa. Mr. Armstrong borrowed $15.00 from a schoolmate to help pay his way to Illinois from Virginia and after coming here worked on a farm for $18.00 per month for three years in the employ of William Rockel. He later farmed the Ed Kemp farm for 20 years and in 1920 purchased his present farm in Lexington Township, which was originally the Will-
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iam Rockel farm. Mr. Armstrong raises stock and also carries on general farming and his farm is well improved and among the valuable stock farms of the community.
On Dec. 25, 1899, Mr. Armstrong was married to Miss Alice Turnip- seed, a native of Lexington, and the daughter of D. T. and Emma (Cross) Turnipseed. To Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong four children have been born, as follows: Lola, married Fred Froelich, lives at Gridley, and they have two children, Van Edwin and Fred Franklin Froelich; Florence, Willie, and Glenard, all at home.
Mr. Armstrong is identified with the Democratic party in politics and he has served as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and belongs to the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Armstrong is a man of integrity and ability, a good farmer and an excellent citizen.
Manfred J. Trimmer, an enterprising and well known farmer and stockman of Money Creek Township, is a native of McLean County. He was born on a farm in Money Creek Township, Aug. 3, 1856, the son of Daniel and Mary Ann (Stretch) Trimmer.
Daniel Trimmer was born in New Jersey and was one of the first set- tlers of McLean County, having come here in 1826. He engaged in farm- ing and was one of the prominent stockmen of the early days. He was accidentally shot while on his way to the polls to vote for President Lin- coln, when his gun accidentally exploded. Mrs. Trimmer, a native of Lick- ing County, Ohio, died in 1892. By her first marriage she had 10 children, all of whom are now deceased except Manfred J., the subject of this sketch. She later married W. J. Fryer and to that union two children were born, one of whom is now living, Charles E. Fryer, who lives at Bloomington.
Manfred J. Trimmer was four years old when his father died. He received his education in the district schools and has always followed farm- ing and stock raising, and he lived on the same farm in Money Creek Township for 20 years, which he rented. In 1913 Mr. Trimmer purchased his present farm of 12 acres and made extensive improvements. He has been a breeder of pure-bred hogs for 35 years and has made many exhibits of his Chester White hogs at fairs. He also is an extensive ship- per of pure-bred hogs for breeding and also raises shorthorn cattle.
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On Feb. 2, 1882, Mr. Trimmer was married to Miss Ella Ogden, a na- tive of Money Creek Township, and the daughter of Albert and Sarah (Pertle) Ogden, the former a native of McLean County and the latter of Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Trimmer two children have been born, as fol- lows: Earl C., married Bernadine O'Hara, lives in Los Angeles, Calif., and they have one daughter, Valeria; and Ruby L., married Hershel Kemp, lives near Burlington, Iowa, and they have four children, Ogden, Franklin, Lucille and Morine.
Mr. Trimmer is a Republican, served as county supervisor for about three and one-half years, road commissioner for four years, and as school director for 35 years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a substantial citizen of McLean County.
Noah Franklin, president of The State Bank of Lexington, and the owner of 1,100 acres of well improved land in Money Creek and Gridley Townships, has been prominently identified with McLean County for many years. He was born in Owen County, Indiana, June 29, 1831, the son of John and Mary (Puett) Franklin.
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