USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 10
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Mr. Kennedy is a Democrat, a member of the Christian Church, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a man of in- tegrity and industry, and is one of the reliable and substantial men of his community.
John M. Lorig, a well known farmer and stockman of McLean County, now living retired at Colfax, was born in Chicago, April 7, 1866, the son of Peter and Margaret (Urbahnas) Lorig.
Peter Lorig was a native of Germany, as also was his wife. He came to the United States in 1837 and settled in Chicago, where he worked at his trade as painter and decorator. Later Mr. Lorig purchased a farm of 57 acres in Illinois, which he operated until the time of his death in 1903. His wife died in 1886. They were the parents of the following children: John M., the subject of this sketch ; Albert, lives in Iowa ; Nich- olas, lives in San Francisco, Calif., unheard of after the earthquake there; Peter, a farmer, lives in Sherburn, Minn .; Clara, the widow of Joseph Sherra, Steger, Ill .; Tillie, married Emil Peterson, who died in 1923, and she lives in Chicago Heights, Ill .; Anna, married John Klein, lives in
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Chicago Heights, Ill .; Mary, married Wilbur Johnson, lives in Chicago Heights, Ill .; Maggie, married Charles Algood, lives in Chicago Heights, Ill .; Joseph, lives at Crete, Ill .; and Godfrey, deceased.
John M. Lorig received his education in the schools of Chicago and started life on a farm, working for $16.00 per month. He later operated 320 acres of land in McLean County, and for many years was a success- ful breeder of Poland-China hogs. He was also an extensive feeder and shipper of stock and for 26 years was a well known thresher of McLean County, having come here in 1884.
On Aug. 24, 1887, Mr. Lorig was married to Miss Bertha E. Hoffmann, a native of Germany, born Aug. 23, 1869, and the daughter of Fred and Augusta (Fricke) Hoffmann, natives of Germany. Mr. Hoffmann, who was a leading farmer of McLean County for many years, now lives retired at Anchor, Ill., and is 84 years of age. His wife died in 1913. They were the parents of 16 children, as follows: Tena, the widow of John Kerber, lives in Iowa; Bertha Lorig; Henry, a farmer, lives in Anchor Township, McLean County ; Charles, a farmer, lives in Anchor Township; Harry, a farmer, lives in Ford County, Ill .; Millie, married John George, a farmer, lives in Colorado; Marie, married Carl Lage, a farmer, lives in Anchor Township, McLean County; Fred, a farmer, lives in Ford County, Ill .; Louie, a farmer, lives in Minnesota; Augusta, married M. Oman Piles, lives at Anchor, Ill .; Caroline, married Ernie Brown, a farmer, lives in Iowa; Minnie, married John Meulenfort, a farmer, lives in Melvin, Ill., and four children died in infancy. To John M. and Bertha (Hoffmann) Loring 13 children have been born, as follows: Carl J., born May 24, 1888, a farmer, lives in North Dakota; Fred, born Aug. 22, 1889, lives in Emmets- burg, Iowa, is a World War veteran, having served overseas with the 88th Division throughout the war and with the army of occupation in Germany, and he was discharged March 6, 1919; John, born Jan. 9, 1891, a farmer, lives in Minnesota; Tillie, born April 15, 1892, married Lawson Denton, lives at Decatur, Ill .; Joseph, born Sept. 2, 1893, lives at Colfax; Peter A., born July 2, 1895, rural mail carrier at Arrow- smith, Ill., also a World War veteran, having served overseas during the war and with the army of occupation, and he was discharged from serv- ice July, 1919; Augusta, born April 15, 1897, married Ira Cottner, a farmer, lives in Cropsey Township, McLean County; Tena, died in infancy ; Min- nie, born Jan. 26, 1900, married Joseph Grosse, a farmer, lives in Crop- sey Township, McLean County; Harry, born Nov. 8, 1901, employed by
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the Paramount Knitting Mills at Kankakee, Ill .; Bertha, born June 17, 1904, at home; Henry, born Oct. 4, 1906, at home; and Lewis, born Nov. 23, 1908, also lives at home. Mr. and Mrs. Lorig have 16 grandchildren.
John M. Lorig is a Democrat, a member of the Catholic Church, and belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He has served as justice of the peace for a number of years and also as school director. Mr. Lorig is a dependable citizen and a worthy representative of McLean County's pio- neer families.
Judge David Davis .- The life and fame of David Davis are insepar- bly interwoven with the history of Illinois and his services to the state and nation are recognized as important features of general history. He was born in Cecil County, Md., March 9, 1815. His father died when David Davis was a youth, although he left quite a considerable estate, thus enabling the young man to obtain a good education. After re- ceiving a thorough preparatory education in the public schools of Mary- land, he entered Kenyon College, Ohio, and upon completion of his course there read law in the office of Judge Henry W. Bishop, of Lennox, Mass. He finished his professional education with a course in the New Haven Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 1835 and came to Illinois the same year. He first located at Pekin, but removed to Bloomington within a year. Here he began the practice of law and laid the founda- tion of his future greatness as a lawyer, jurist and statesman.
His public life commenced as a member of the Illinois State Legisla- ture in 1844, in which he served one term, declining a renomination. He was next elected to the constitutional convention in 1847. He was judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Illinois, the one in which Abraham Lincoln practiced, from 1848 to 1862. From 1862 until 1877 he was a Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and from 1877 to 1883 he represented the state of Illinois in the United States Senate. He was the intimate friend and companion, as well as a trusted advisor, of Abraham Lincoln, and it was at Lincoln's personal request that Judge Davis at- tended the Republican Convention which met at Chicago, on May 16, 1860, at which Lincoln was nominated for president. Judge Davis was a delegate at large and it was largely through his leadership and man- agement that Lincoln was nominated over Seward of New York, who was
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practically conceded the nomination before the convention met. In 1861 Judge Davis was appointed one of a commission of three by President Lincoln to adjudicate conflicting claims against the quartermaster of the army of the Department of Missouri. While a member of the United States Senate he served as acting vice-president of the United States for nearly two years during the administration of President Arthur, after the death of Garfield.
In every position of public trust and responsibility, Judge Davis dis- charged his duties with the highest standard of ability and integrity, and few men in the history of the state or nation had a more complete or honorable record of public service than did this great man of whom McLean County is justly proud. Judge Davis was not only a great fig- ure in public affairs, an unusually strong character as a jurist and states- man, but he was great in all the essentials of the highest standard of manhood.
Judge Davis was first married to Miss Sarah W. Walker, a daughter of Judge William P. Walker, of Lennox, Mass. Mrs. Davis died Nov. 9, 1879, leaving two children: George Perrin Davis and Mrs. Sarah D. Swayne. In March, 1883, Judge Davis was married to Miss Adeline Burr, of Fayetteville, N. C. Judge Davis died June 26, 1886, and thus closed the career of one of the notable men of Illinois.
George Perrin Davis, deceased, was for many years a prominent fac- tor in the affairs of Bloomington and McLean County during the period of the greatest industrial and social development. He was a son of the late Judge David Davis and Sarah Woodruff (Walker) Davis. A bio- graphical sketch of Judge David Davis appears in this volume.
George Perrin Davis was born in Bloomington, June 3, 1842. He passed his childhood days in Bloomington and when old enough to at- tend school he was sent to the private boarding school of Deacon A. Hyde, at Lee, Mass. He afterwards attended Illinois Wesleyan Univer- sity at Bloomington and Beloit College at Beloit, Wis. He then entered Williams College in Massachusetts, where he was graduated in the class of 1864. He later entered the law department of the University of Michi- gan and was graduated from that institution in 1867. After being ad- mitted to the bar he engaged in the practice of law in partnership with
GEORGE P. DAVIS.
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L OF THE
DAVID DAVIS.
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William H. Hanna. Two years later, however, owing to the fact that public affairs required his father's constant attention in Washington, George Perrin Davis took over the management of the extensive landed interests of his father in McLean County. In addition to the manage- ment of the estate he was also interested in cattle feeding.
Mr. Davis was interested in a number of enterprises in addition to the vast farm interests of the Davis estate. He was a director of the First National Bank of Bloomington and interested in several other bank- ing institutions. He was vice-president of the board of trustees of Illi- nois Wesleyan University and for a time was president of the McLean County Historical Society.
On June 17, 1869, George Perrin Davis was married at Attica, Ind., to Miss Ella Hanna, of Indianapolis, Ind., a granddaughter of Gen. Rob- ert Hanna, who was the first man to serve as a United States senator from Indiana. To George Perrin Davis and wife were born the following children: Alice Scranton, born March 23, 1870, married Dr. E. Wylls Andrews, of Chicago; David, born June 23, 1876, and Mercer, born May 6, 1878.
Politically, George Perrin Davis was a Republican, although he never had any ambition to hold any public office. However, he served as super- visor of Bloomington Township for about 20 years. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bloomington and served in the capacity of trustee for a number of years. He was widely known and held in high esteem.
David Davis, whose home is at 1000 East Jefferson street, Bloom- ington, Ill., is a man of extensive interests in McLean County. He was born in Bloomington, June 23, 1876, a son of George Perrin Davis and Ella (Hanna) Davis, the former a native of Bloomington, where his father, Judge David Davis settled when Illinois was new. Ella Hanna Davis was a native of Indianapolis, Ind. Further biographical history of Judge David Davis and George Perrin Davis appears in this volume.
David Davis has one sister, Mrs. Alice D. Andrews, who lives in Chicago, and a brother, Mercer Davis, whose home is in Bloomington, Ill., and a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
David Davis was reared to manhood in Bloomington and received his education at Lawrenceville, N. J., and Williams College at Williamstown,
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Mass. For 20 years prior to the death of his father, David Davis, had charge of farm lands and other real estate. After the death of his father he acted as executor of the George P. Davis estate. Besides being executor of the extensive Davis estate, Mr. Davis has other interests and is interested in numerous activities. He is a director of the First National Bank of Bloomington and also a member of the board of direc- tors of the First National Bank of Normal. He is trustee of the Abraham Brokaw Endowment Fund and a director of the McLean County His- torical Society.
On Sept. 28, 1899, David Davis was united in marriage at Blooming- ton, Ill., with Miss Edith Melluish, a native of Bloomington and a daugh- ter of Joseph H. and Hannah Bell Melluish, both natives of England, and now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Davis have been born two children: George Perrin Davis, graduated from Williams College with the degree of A. B., is now a student in the electrical engineering course in Massachu- setts Institute Technology, and David Davis, Jr., is a student in the Uni- versity High School, Normal, Ill.
Mr. Davis is a Republican and he and Mrs. Davis are members of the First Presbyterian church of which he is a member of the board of trus- tees. He is a progressive and enterprising citizen.
Mercer Davis, a well known citizen of Bloomington, who is ex- tensively interested in McLean County, is a member of the Davis family, which has been conspicuous in McLean County and Illinois for three gen- erations. He is a son of George Perrin Davis and a grandson of Judge David Davis, biographies of whom appear in this volume. His mother bore the maiden name of Ella Hanna, a native of Indiana and a member of a prominent family of that state.
Mercer Davis was born in Bloomington, Ill., May 6, 1878, and was one of three children born to his parents, the other two being David, who is engaged in the management of the Davis estate, and resides at Bloomington, and Alice Scranton Davis, who married Dr. Wylls An- drews, of Chicago. Mercer Davis was reared in Bloomington and received his education in the Illinois Wesleyan University and Hotchkiss School in Connecticut. After completing his education he returned to Bloom- ington and engaged in farming and stock raising and in the management
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of the extensive Davis estate in McLean County. Mr. Davis was mar- ried at Fairbury, Ill., April 22, 1903, to Miss Dorothy Phelps, a native of Fairbury and a daughter of Albert and Linda (Hanna) Phelps, both natives of Illinois. Mr. Phelps was an extensive farmer and stock raiser in the vicinity of Fairbury.
Mr. Davis is a Republican.
Palmer Fincham, the able and highly esteemed deputy sheriff of Mc- Lean County, was born at Colfax, March 11, 1891, and is the son of L. S., Sr., and Elizabeth (Wiley) Fincham.
L. S. Fincham, Sr., has been a successful farmer of Martin Town- ship, McLean County, since 1883. He operated 400 acres of well-improved land and has been a leading stockman, shipping stock throughout the United States. Mr. Fincham is a Democrat, served as road commissioner for 18 years, and is a member of the Masonic Lodge. He and his wife now live retired west of the town limits of Colfax. They are the parents of six children, as follows: Lawrence, engineer on the Northwestern Railroad, lives in Waseca, Minn .; Fred, a farmer, lives in Lawndale Town- ship, McLean County ; L. S., Jr., a farmer, lives in Blue Mound Township, McLean County; Palmer, the subject of this sketch; Gertrude, married LeRoy Withers, a farmer, lives in Martin Township; and Earl, employed as baggageman on the Illinois Central Railroad at Champaign, Ill.
Palmer Fincham received his education in the public schools of Col- fax and started life as a drayman and later as a coal miner. He has been superintendent of the Colfax Pumping Station for three years and has served as marshall of Colfax since 1920. Since being elected deputy sheriff of McLean County, Mr. Fincham has filled his position in a very capable and efficient manner and is highly esteemed throughout the county. His home is located on West Brook Street in Colfax.
On Sept. 11, 1913, Mr. Fincham was married to Miss Ethel Sutton, a native of Decatur, Ill., born Sept. 29, 1891, and the daughter of Frank and Martha (Oxley) Sutton, natives of Indiana. The Sutton family came to Macon County, Ill., in 1893, and in 1910 moved to Martin Township, McLean County, where Mr. Sutton engaged in general farming and stock raising. They now live retired in Indiana and are the parents of the follow- ing children: Mrs. Fincham; Grace, married Frank Binkley, lives in Illi-
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nois ; Carl, a farmer, lives in Indiana, and is a veteran of the World War, having served with the navy for three years; Clarence, lives in Indiana, served about three years in the navy; and Maude, lives with her parents. To Palmer and Ethel (Sutton) Fincham two children have been born, as follows: Marie, born Sept. 29, 1915; and Marjorie, born March 20, 1917.
Mr. Fincham is a Democrat, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
C. H. Ficken, well known garage man of Colfax and agent for Chev- rolet automobiles, was born in Germany, Dec. 6, 1866, the son of John Peter and Catherine (Lange) Ficken.
John Peter Ficken spent his life in Germany, where he owned a small farm. He died at the age of 84 years and his wife died at the age of 76 years. They were the parents of the following children: Margaret, de- ceased, was the wife of John Miller; Mattie, married John Leppler, lives in Minnesota; John, a farmer, lives in Germany; and C. H., the subject of this sketch.
C. H. Ficken came to America from Germany when he was 16 years of age, after having attended the public schools there. He lived in Ohio for one year and then came to Colfax, and later he engaged In farming near Anchor, Ill. Mr. Ficken owns 265 acres of well-improved land in Michigan and for 16 years he operated a general store at Anchor, Ill. He came to Colfax in 1920 and opened his garage. Mr. Ficken is a mechanic and does all kinds of automobile repair work, and handles automobile accessories. His store is located on East Main Street and the garage is located in the west part of town.
On Feb. 13, 1890, Mr. Ficken was married to Miss Margaret Henson, a native of McLean County, born Aug. 18, 1875, and the daughter of H. A. Henson. Mr. Henson was a native of Germany and an early settler of Mc- Lean County, where he farmed until the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Henson were the parents of the following children: Minnie, married Jacob Rhode, a retired farmer, lives in Oregon; Mrs. Ficken; Mary, mar- ried Henry Fasking, a farmer, lives in McLean County; and John, a farmer, lives in McLean County. To Mr. and Mrs. Ficken five children have been born, as follows: Christina, married C. T. Glinghagen, general merchant, Clara City, Minn .; John, undertaker at El Paso, Ill., and is a
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veteran of the World War, having served overseas during the war; C. H., engaged in the garage business with his father, married Helen Parmlee; Mabel, teaches music and lives at home; and Violet, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Ficken have two grandchildren, Margaret and Stanley Klinghagen.
C. H. Ficken is a member of the Lutheran Church and has held many township offices. He is a capable and progressive man and an enterpris- ing citizen.
Frank Powell, pioneer hotel man of McLean County, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, March 23, 1852, the son of Jackson and Malinda (Robertson) Powell.
Jackson Powell was a prominent farmer of Fayette County, Ohio, for many years and was a veteran of the Civil War. The Powell family came to Illinois in 1872 and settled on a farm near Lexington, where Mr. and Mrs. Powell spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Frank, the subject of this sketch; Marion, retired, lives in California ; Albert, Charles and Elmer, all deceased.
Frank Powell spent his boyhood on his father's farm in Ohio and was educated in the district schools there. After coming to Illinois with his parents he was employed at various occupations, such as drug clerk, for a number of years. In 1885 Mr. Powell entered the hotel business at Col- fax, where he owned and operated the only hotel until the Colfax Hotel was erected. He is widely known throughout Illinois as an enterprising and successful business man and during his many years in the hotel business he built up a good business. For the past six years he has owned and conducted a billiard and pool hall at Colfax.
In June, 1885, Mr. Powell was united in marriage with Miss Adeline Ridgley, a native of Colfax, born in 1863, and the daughter of Samuel and Jennie (Smith) Ridgley. Mr. and Mrs. Ridgley were natives of Indiana, early settlers of McLean County, and the parents of the following chil- dren: Mrs. Ritchie, lives in Nebraska; Lizzie, deceased; Lucy, deceased; Dixie, deceased, George, lives in Nebraska; James, lives in Iowa; and Mrs. Powell. Mr. Ridgley died in October, 1899, and his wife died in March, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Powell have no children.
In politics Mr. Powell is a Democrat.
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U. S. Lyons, a prosperous and widely known farmer of Martin Town- ship, was born on the farm where he now lives, Aug. 11, 1864, the son of John U. and Mary J. (Wiley) Lyons.
John U. Lyons, a native of Kentucky, was born Oct. 22, 1830, the son of William and Catherine (Eddings) Lyons, the former a native of Ken- tucky, and a pioneer settler of Illinois, where he followed farming for many years. Later, William Lyons went to Indiana, where he died. He had four children, as follows: Anderson, deceased; John U., father of the subject of this sketch; Mary, married Elijah Wiley, both deceased; and Mahaley, married Collins Bradley, both deceased.
John U. Lyons came to Illinois during the early days and settled on the present Lyons farm in Martin Township, which is now operated by his son, U. S. Lyons. He became a successful farmer and owned 240 acres of land, and during the early days drove his stock to Bloomington and Lexington for the markets. Mr. Lyons held many township offices and was a Democrat. He is deceased and his wife now resides at Colfax and is 87 years of age. They were the parents of the following children: Thomas, deceased; Rhoda C., married O. S. Hatch, both deceased; John D., a retired farmer, lives with his mother 'at Colfax; William, deceased; U. S., the subject of this sketch ; Sarah C., married L. W. Baldwin, both de- ceased; Emma, married Franklin Batterton, deceased; Mary E., married Sheldon Powell, lives at Colfax, Ill .; Hannah M., the widow of Otis Hol- lingsworth, lives at Bloomington; and E. S., a farmer, lives in Martin Township, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
Mary J. (Wiley) Lyons, mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in Kentucky, Oct. 24, 1837, and is the daughter of Thomas R. and Rhoda (Swift) Wiley, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley were the parents of the following chil- dren: William Thomas, deceased; Lucinda, deceased; Sarah, deceased; Elijah, deceased; Mrs. Lyons, now lives in Colfax; Ruth and Americus, both deceased; and Nancy, married Charles Burke, lives at Saybrook, Ill.
U. S. Lyons received his education in the district schools of Martin Township and attended Illinois Wesleyan University. After finishing his school work, he engaged in farming on the home place in Martin Town- ship, which he has always lived on, and Mr. Lyons now owns the farm. He has 245 acres of land and is a successful breeder of pure-bred Poland- China hogs and also ships stock extensively.
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In 1893, Mr. Lyons was married to Miss Sarah Janes, a native of Money Creek Township, McLean County, born Sept. 27, 1862, and the daughter of Peter H. and Eliza (Crose) Janes. Mr. Janes was an early settler of Money Creek Township and a prominent farmer. He and his wife, deceased, were the parents of six children, as follows: Annette, married John W. Brown, both deceased; Laura, married James Beasly, both deceased; Mrs. Lyons; May, deceased; Barbara, married E. S. Lyons, brother of the subject of this sketch; and Minnie, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. U. S. Lyons have two children: Flossie, born Jan. 25, 1895, married John Steinlicht, lives in Anchor Township, McLean County ; and Nellie E., born March 6, 1903, married Harry Morefield, a farmer, lives in Martin Town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Lyons have four grandchildren, as follows: Dorothy and Wayne Steinlicht; and Helen and Warren Moorefield.
Mr. Lyons is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. He is well known in the county and is one of the progressive and ener- getic citizens of his community.
Harlan O. Lundgren, a well known and successful young business man of Colfax, was born at Aurora, Ill., in September, 1899, and is the son of Oscar and Tillie (Swanson) Lundgren.
Oscar Lundgren came to this country from Sweden when he was 26 years of age and settled in DeKalb, Ill., and later went to Aurora where he worked at his trade as machinist. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Lundgren, who now live retired at LaCrosse, Wis., are the parents of five children, as follows: Raghild, deceased; Harlan O., the subject of this sketch; Roland, lives at home; Hazel, died at the age of 18 years; and Ralph, died in infancy.
Harlan O. Lundgren was educated in the public and high schools of Aurora and LaCrosse, Wis., and also took a correspondence course at the University of Wisconsin. After completing his college education, Mr. Lundgren followed his profession as mechanical engineer until Sept. 11, 1922, when he opened his store at Colfax. He has an excellent business, being located on Main Street.
On Sept. 15, 1921, Mr. Lundgren was united in marriage with Miss Dorothea Stadsholt, a native of Bloomington, Ill., born in January, 1900,
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and the daughter of John and Marie (Steinke) Stadsholt, natives of Ger- many and early settlers of McLean County. Mr. Stadsholt was a promi- nent farmer for many years and now lives retired at Bloomington. Mrs. Lundgren, who taught school for one term at Normal before her mar- riage, has the following brothers and sisters: Clara, married W. L. Mays, a farmer, lives near Bloomington; John A., merchant, Bloomington; and Cecelia, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Harlan O. Lundgren have one daughter, Dorothea Fern, born Nov. 17, 1923.
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