USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
Jesse Chism and his wife were natives of Tennessee and early set- tlers of Bloomington. He owned large tracts of land in McLean County and was an extensive stockman, driving his stock to Chicago markets during the early days. Mr. Chism was one of the organizers and build- ers of the first Christian Church in Bloomington. At one time he was the owner of 1900 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Chism, now deceased, were the parents of five children: Amelia, married John Riley, both deceased; Perry, the subject of this sketch; Josephine, who died at the age of 17 years; and two children died in infancy.
Perry Chism received his education in the district schools and after completing a course of study at Eureka College, engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising. After a number of years he retired and engaged in the grocery business near Des Moines, Iowa. Mr. Chism died June 16, 1916, and is buried in Bloomington.
Mr. Chism was united in marriage with Miss Louelda Brandenburg, a native of McLean County, and the daughter of Aaron and Helen Jane (Henderson) Brandenburg, natives of Ohio and early settlers of McLean County. Mr. Brandenburg was a prosperous farmer and stockman, as well as a breeder of horses. He shipped horses to various parts of Europe.
843
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
He was a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Bran- denburg died Feb. 10, 1907, and his wife died June 4th of the same year. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Mrs. Chism was the youngest. To Perry and Luella (Brandenburg) Chism one daughter was born, Josephine Helen, who is a graduate of Berkley School in Los Angeles, Calif. Mrs. Chism and her daughter reside at 703 North Evans Street, Bloomington, where they own a beautiful home. They travel ex- tensively throughout Europe and other foreign lands.
Perry Chism was a Republican and a member of the Christian Church in Bloomington. He was one of the interesting men of the county, where he held the esteem of all who knew him.
Frederick Lighthart, deceased, was a substantial farmer of McLean County for many years. He was born at Ottawa, Ill., Oct. 1, 1858, the son of Charles and Sophia (Wakie) Lighthart.
Charles Lighthart was a native of Germany, as was also his wife. They were early settlers of Ottawa, Ill., and later removed to Blooming- ton. Mr. Lighthart followed farming and stock raising during his life and was successful. There were 13 children in the Lighthart family, as follows: Frederick, the subject of this sketch; Jessie, deceased; Lina, married William Richter, lives in Oklahoma; Tillie, deceased; Dora, mar- ried Fred Powell, lives in Bloomington; Effie, married Harvey Scott, now deceased; Charles, deceased; Kate, married William Rinker, lives in Kan- sas; Tena, deceased; Emma, deceased; Mary, the widow of John Wilhite, lives in Kansas; Lydia, married Edward Sawyer, lives in Illinois; and one child died in infancy.
Frederick Lighthart was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools of Illinois. He followed farming and stock raising dur- ing his entire life and was widely known. Mr. Lighthart operated the home place of 200 acres in Randolph township, McLean County, Ill. He died Nov. 2, 1918.
On Feb. 23, 1887, Mr. Lighthart was married to Miss Iva Alice Bray, a native of Colfax, Ill., born Aug. 7, 1868, and the daughter of Sion W. and Nancy (Railsback) Bray, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Kentucky. Mr. Bray was among the pioneer school teachers of his day, having been professor of an Indiana high school for three years.
ยท
844
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
He settled in McLean County many years ago, entering land from the government at $1.25 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Bray are now deceased. Mrs. Lighthart is their only living child. To Mr. and Mrs. Lighthart two chil- dren were born: Forrest F., born Aug. 10, 1890, lives in Los Angeles, Calif .; and Walter W., born Oct. 8, 1892, lives near Carlock, Ill. He served throughout the World War in the Navy, and was stationed on the same ship for five years. There are two grandchildren, Alice Louise, born July 6, 1914, and Ellen Irene, born Feb. 6, 1917.
Mr. Lighthart was a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belonged to the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He was a progressive citizen of McLean County and merited the esteem in which he was held by his fellow citizens. Mrs. Lighthart lives at 1209 West Elm Street, Bloomington.
Frank Supple is one of the most enterprising and successful business men of Bloomington, where he has been a citizen since 1883. He is a grain dealer with offices in the Durley building, and has many other busi- ness interests. Mr. Supple's complete name is James William Franklin Supple. He was born April 17, 1865, at Greenville, in Augusta county, Va., about twelve miles south of Staunton, the seat of the famous military school. He is the son of James and Sallie (Mitchell) Supple. His father served through the civil war and was a cooper by trade. He was a native of Greenville and died in 1868. The mother, also a native of Virginia, died in 1877. There were two children, John and Frank.
After attending the public schools at Greenville, Va., Frank Supple came west to McLean county, arriving here in Feb. 2, 1883. After his arrival in Bloomington he was employed by the Chicago & Alton Railroad company at 88 cents a day. After a few months of this work, he entered the employ of E. H. Rood, former mayor of the city, who owned an ele- vator just off South Main street near the Big Four railroad. In 1896 Mr. Supple decided to embark in business for himself, renting a grain elevator from Ike Livingston with $185, the only capital he then had. From that time his interests gradually expanded and in time he owned seven elevators at different stations. He now owns four, three at Ogden, Ill., and one at Rumpler, Ill. He also owns city property. He is agent for the city prop- erty of Mrs. Sarah Lillard, one unit of which is the Durley building, where Mr. Supple has had offices for 14 years. The only public office that he ever
845
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
occupied was that of park commissioner, which he held for two years, and during that time advanced many progressive ideas for the improvement of the city parks.
In 1895 Mr. Supple was married to Miss Mattie M. Brandenburg, a native of Germany, and the daughter of Charles Brandenburg. Mrs. Supple was brought to this country by her parents when she was three months old. The family home is at 1105 South Fell avenue in Normal. To Frank and Mattie Supple two children have been born, as follows: Edith, who mar- ried J. C. Fielding and lives at Ogden, Ill .; and Hazel, who married Rogers S. Getty and lives with Mr. and Mrs. Supple. Mr. and Mrs. Fielding have one son, James Frank Fielding. Edith Supple Fielding is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, and her sister is a graduate of Illinois Normal University.
Mr. Supple is identified with the Republican party in politics. He is a self made man and is well and favorably known in McLean county.
Paul F. Beich is one of the leading citizens of Bloomington, where he has been successfully engaged in the candy business for many years. He was born at Wehlau, East Prussia, May 22, 1864, the son of August and Hulda (Vogelsang) Beich, the former of whom was born in Margonin and the latter in Schneidemuhl, Germany. The parents moved to Wehlau shortly after their marriage and here the father held the position of Government Hospital Inspector for many years. In time he moved his family to Culm, one of the oldest towns in West Prussia, located on the Vistula river, 70 miles from Dantzig, and was overseer of the cadet school at that point, one of the finest military schools in Germany. In late life he retired.
As a small lad Paul F. Beich attended the German kindergarten and later a private elementary school, completing his student life with a seven-year course in the Gymnasium at Culm. At the age of 18 years he completed a three-year apprenticeship in the mercantile trade and in 1822 came to the United States. When he arrived in Bloomington he secured employment with S. A. Maxwell & Co., dealers in wall paper and interior furnishings. In 1883 he began work for Bruce & Brown, confec- tioners, and the following year went to St. Louis as a traveling salesman for the firm of O. H. Peckham Candy Manufacturing Company, with whom
846
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
he remained until 1891. In the meantime he had acquired a comprehensive knowledge of the confectionery business, and upon severing his connec- tion with the Peckham people, organized the Beich Buffe Candy Com- pany, which did a large jobbing business in St. Louis until 1893. Mr. Beich then sold out and returned to Bloomington, where he purchased the confectionery business of J. W. Gray & Co., at 121 East Front Street. Succeeding beyond his expectation he soon was compelled to seek larger quarters, so moved to 107 East Front Street. Still later, outgrowing his capacity, he moved to the present quarters at 109-111 East Front Street. Mr. Beich's products have a reputation for purity and excellence, and are sold throughout the country. In January, 1899, Mr. Beich purchased an interest in the Bloomington Caramel Company, which on Jan. 1, 1905, became the Paul F. Beich Company. Mr. Beich is vice president of the American State Bank of Bloomington and holds other offices.
On April 4, 1888, Mr. Beich was united in marriage to Miss Kittie Gerken, a daughter of William A. Gerken. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beich: Otto G. and Albert C.
Mr. Beich was president of the National Confectioners' Association of the United States. Fraternally, he is connected with the Consistory and the Mozart Lodge, A. F. and A. M. With his wife he is a member of the Episcopal Church.
Mr. Beich was one of the men of Bloomington who was most active in different war projects during the World War. He devoted many of his days and nights to promoting one after another of the enterprises de- signed to help with the war. He was chairman of the membership com- mittee of the McLean County Chapter of the Red Cross, and in this capacity he directed two of the greatest drives of the war, for the purpose of increasing the membership of the Red Cross. That he was successful is shown in the fact that from an initial membership of 174 persons when the chapter was organized, the numbers grew until they reached a maxi- mum of nearly 15,000 or one person in every five in the county. Mr. Beich was also very active in the different Liberty Loan campaigns, serving as chairman of precinct committees in several of them. In all his effort for war work he was of course assisted by many willing co-workers, who had confidence in his ability and energy to put "over the top" any propo- sition which he undertook. The employes of the Paul F. Beich Company were a patriotic company, and one of the red letter days of the war with them was the occasion of a flag raising with due ceremonies, when Mr.
847
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
Beich addressed them. Mr. Beich gave liberally of his own income toward every worthy war subscription and in every way assisted the community in its struggle toward the final victory.
Mr. Beich has gained wealth, influence and high business standing through his integrity and perseverance. He and his family are highly esteemed throughout Illinois.
Judge Homer W. Hall, attorney of Bloomington, is among the highly esteemed and prominent citizens of McLean County. He was born at Shelbyville, Ill., July 22, 1870, and is the son of William Wesley and Mar- garet Catherine Hall.
William Wesley Hall was a native of Illinois and the son of William and Sarah Hall, who came to Illinois from Christian County, Ky., in 1828. Margaret Catherine Hall was the daughter of James H. and Ann (Byers) Fouke, who came to this state from Virginia in 1830. William Wesley Hall served in the Civil War in Company G, 115th Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. He was a wholesale and retail shoe merchant for many years and also engaged in farming and stock raising in McLean County.
Judge Homer W. Hall was an alderman in the city of Bloomington under Mayors Neville, Holland and Costello. He was assistant attorney general of Illinois under William H. Stead and was appointed County Judge of McLean County by Governor Charles S. Deneen to succeed Judge R. A. Russell, who resigned in 1909, and he was elected to succeed himself in 1910, later serving as master in chancery. In 1915 Judge Hall formed a partnership for the practice of law with Lester H. Martin, now state's attorney, and Oscar G. Hoose, now commander of Louis E. Davis Post, American Legion. This firm is still in practice under the name of Hall, Martin, Hoose and DePew, Mr. Joseph W. DePew having joined the original firm.
Judge Hall was vice president of the Illinois Savings & Trust Com- pany at the time of its consolidation with the State Bank of Blooming- ton and the First National Bank of Bloomington in 1921, and is now vice president of the First National Bank. He is extensively interested in farming and stock raising in this county and has been so interested for 30 years.
Judge Hall is a descendant of Lyman Hall, who signed the Declara- tion of Independence. He is a Republican and has been officially identified
848
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
with the party organizations for many years. His official and political life has been marked by careful, conscientious and painstaking work and as an attorney and judge he has had to do with many important cases. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, the Bloomington Consistory, the Bloomington Club, and the Bloomington Country Club. He is at pres- ent president of the McLean County Bar Association.
In 1893 Judge Hall was married to Miss Susan E. Forman, a daugh- ter of David Gordon and Sarah (Flock) Forman. To this union was born one son, Harry H. Hall, who served throughout the World War. There are two grandchildren, Janice and Harber Hall, children of Harry H. and Dorothy (Harber) Hall. Harry H. Hall is assistant cashier of the First Trust and Savings Company of Bloomington. Judge Hall has served faithfully and efficiently as an officer of the county. He is capable in his profession and is a citizen of high ideals.
Gustave Punke, who now lives retired on his farm in Gridley Town- ship, is a highly respected citizen of McLean County. He was born in LaSalle County, Ill., Dec. 11, 1861, the son of Henry and Lena (Magnus) Punke.
Henry Punke and his wife were natives of Germany and early set- tlers of Illinois, having come here in 1856. After living in LaSalle County for a number of years he moved his family to Woodford County, where he owned and operated a large farm. Mr. Punke was a Republican, a member of the Lutheran Church, and served as road overseer for a num- ber of years. He died Feb. 22, 1921, and his wife died May 12, 1921. They were the parents of the following children: Reinhold, a farmer, lives in Woodford County; Gustave, the subject of this sketch; Otto, died in 1920; Minnie, married Edward Flesher, a retired farmer, lives at Grid- ley; Betty, married John Diggle, and she died in 1911; Caroline, married Burton Lee, a farmer, Woodford County ; Henry, a farmer, lives in Grundy County ; Anna, married Henry Blessman, lives at Gridley; and one child died in infancy.
Gustave Punke spent his boyhood on the home place and received his education in the district schools of Woodford County. He worked
MR. AND MRS. GUSTAVE PUNKE.
LIBRARY OF THE
849
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
as a farm hand for two years at $15.00 per month and then rented land for a number of years before purchasing his farm of 240 acres in Grid- ley Township. Mr. Punke is a breeder of Duroc Jersey hogs and Short- horn cattle, and his farm is among the modern and well equipped stock farms of the county.
On Feb. 21, 1888, Mr. Punke was married to Miss Lucinda Peck, a native of Woodford County, Ill., born March 26, 1868, and died April 22, 1922. She was the daughter of John and Catherine (Bauman) Peck, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Peck, deceased, were the parents of the following children. Cath- erine, married Samuel Gross, both deceased; Susan, married Marion Can- non, lives in Wisconsin; Mrs. Punke; Phoebe, married Otto Punke; and four sons died in infancy. To Mr. and Mrs. Gustave Punke nine chil- dren have been born, as follows: Harry, further mention of whom is made below; Elmer, a farmer, lives in Gridley Township; Ethel, married Will- iam Pinkham, lives in McLean County; Alice, married Chris Rinken- burger, a farmer, lives in Indiana; Grace, married Samuel Kiefer, real estate and life insurance dealer, lives at Gridley ; Nora, married Earl Bur- rows, lives at El Paso, Ill .; Gustave, Jr., lives at El Paso, Ill .; Minnie, at home; and Theodore, also at home. Mr. and Mrs. Punke have 11 grand- children.
Harry Punke was inducted into service during the World War and trained at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, and served overseas for six months with Company C, 130th Machine Gun Battalion, 35th Division. He now farms on the home place with his father.
Gustave Punke is a member of the Lutheran Church and has served as school director for a number of years. He is a respected citizen of McLean County.
A. F. Heineman, justice of the peace at Bloomington, is a substantial and highly respected citizen of McLean County. He was born at Belle- ville, Ill., Dec. 25, 1855, and is the son of Jacob and Catherine (Werckle) Heineman.
Jacob Heineman was a native of France and of German descent. In 1849 he came to America with his wife and three children, landing at New Orleans. On their way up the Mississippi river his wife died, leaving the following children: Henry, a Civil War veteran, now deceased; August died while in the army during the Civil War; and Mary, married Joseph
(52)
850
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
Krieg, and now deceased. Mr. Heineman was a linen weaver by trade and later in life engaged in the milling business at Belleville, Ill., where he remained until the time of the Civil War, then removing to Peoria, III. However, in 1868, he returned to Belleville, where he died. Catherine (Werckle) Heineman was first married to William Miller, who died of cholera in 1849, leaving one child Catherine, now deceased. Catherine was the wife of M. Peterson and she died at Fresno, Cal. To Jacob and Catherine (Werckle) Heineman three children were born, as follows: A. F., the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, died in infancy; and Maud, deceased. Mr. Heineman was a great admirer of Lincoln and was per- sonally acquainted with him. His son remembers of having seen both Lincoln and Douglas.
A. F. Heineman was reared in Belleville, Ill., and attended the public schools there and the Lutheran school at Peoria. When he was ten years of age he spoke German fluently. He learned the barber trade in Peoria when a boy and on Sept. 1, 1873, came to Bloomington as a journeyman barber. In 1882 he became a traveling salesman out of Bloomington, later traveling out of Chicago. In 1893 Mr. Heineman was appointed gov- ernment gauger of the 8th District of Illinois and remained in the Internal Revenue service for five years and eight months, serving under Dr. Wil- cox of Springfield and Richard Yates. In 1899 he returned to Bloomington and entered the employ of Paul Beich as traveling salesman for a time, and was later engaged in the manufacture of cigars. In 1901 Mr. Heine- man was elected justice of the peace in Bloomington and has served in that capacity ever since. He heard the first case to be tried in the present court house in Bloomington, in 1903, which was the murder trial of People versus Jarine. Mr. Heineman's records are unusually neat and remark- ably well kept, and consist of 38 volumes of closely written material.
On Feb. 24, 1874, Mr. Heineman was united in marriage with Miss Lenora Wilkie, and to this union three children were born, as follows: Vera, died at the age of 14 years; Mrs. Lottie Canan, lives at Owensbor- ough, Ky .; and Harry F., engaged in the printing business at Bloomington.
Mr. Heineman is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Bloomington, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights of Pythias, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Yeoman Lodge. He has passed through all chairs and grand lodge of the Red Men in Illinois and has been a delegate at the great council of the United
851
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
States of the Red Men 12 times. He has also passed through chairs of the Knights of Pythias, the Yeoman Lodge, the Eagles and the Modern Woodmen of America.
William R. Bach .- Rising by his own efforts, William R. Bach of Bloomington has attained positions of distinction, in his profession, the practice of law, and as a public servant and worker for the good of the community, in which he was born and in which he has lived all his life. Mr. Bach is the grandson of a minister, his father's father having been Rev. Frederick Bach, a Lutheran preacher in his native land, Germany. His father, William Bach, was also a native of Germany and grew to young manhood there, but when he had attained manhood he left that country and came to America for the sake of his ideas of political freedom which he could not realize in the rule of the German empire. The elder Mr. Bach was liberally educated for a man of that time, and when he reached America he located in Philadelphia and learned the printer's trade. It was while he was in Philadelphia that the Civil War came on and Mr. Bach enlisted in the Third Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, with which he served throughout the war. After the capture of Jeff Davis, the presi- dent of the defunct Confederacy, Mr. Bach was one of the soldiers de- tailed to keep guard over the person of Davis while the latter was prisoner in Fortress Monroe. After the Civil War, in 1869, the elder Mr. Bach emigrated to Bloomington, having been attracted to this city by a friend who had located here. He became connected as.a printer with the Panta- graph newspaper office and later was transferred to the press room and mailing department, where he served until his retirement in 1907. His death occurred shortly afterward, and he left behind him a fine record as a craftsman, a patriot and a citizen.
William R. Bach was one of several children who grew up in the humble home of his parents in Bloomington. He was born Dec. 10, 1871. He attended the grade schools in Bloomington as a lad, and then attended and was graduated from the Bloomington High School in the class of 1889, being near the head of his class in his studies. During his high school course he worked much of the time to earn money for his own support, by carrying papers and otherwise. After leaving school he entered the
852
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
Bloomington postoffice as a letter carrier, where he served four years before entering Illinois Wesleyan Law School. He was graduated in law in 1894, with the highest honors of his class. He at once formed a part- nership with Sigmund Livingston, a classmate, and they continued in business together for many years.
Mr. Bach took an active interest in politics and public affairs from the very time of his entrance upon the practice of law. In 1897, only three years after graduation, he was elected city attorney, and was re- elected in 1899. In his term as city attorney he had to do with many of the most important municipal problems that had come up for many years. This experience broadened Mr. Bach's knowledge of the law and of public affairs and in 1904 he was elected to the most important position of state's attorney for McLean County. This position he filled for a continuous period of eight years, or two terms, which is about as long as any state's attorney serves in this county. He made a fine record for impartial law enforcement during his whole term of office. He had to try some of the most important cases that have been upon the criminal docket during recent years. In all cases he secured conviction where the evidence was available to prove the indictments. Before his retirement from the office of state's attorney, Mr. Bach was called back into the service of his well beloved city by his appointment to the office of park commissioner, a position in which he served without pay. Under his regime and that of his fellow commissioners, the present handsome pavilion at Miller Park was constructed, and a general policy of progressiveness was inaugurated in regard to all the parks of the city. The other park commissioners who served with Mr. Bach were Oscar Wakefield and J. B. Stevenson.
But it was not alone in the line of his official duties in many stations that Mr. Bach has proved his worth to the community. On the contrary, in ways of usefulness as a private citizen he has more than ever shown his willingness to work and sacrifice for the public good. One of the most notable instances of this kind was the great Wesleyan campaign of the summer of 1921, when Mr. Bach was one of the most active personal workers for raising the required fund of $650,000 and was himself one of the most liberal, if in fact not the very most liberal contributor. He announced early in the campaign that he would give a certain sum to match another given sum at every recurring period of the drive. In con- sequence when the campaign was over it was found that he had pledged a total sum which would have been a credit to many another citizen of
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.