USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 16
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ten times the wealth or resources of Mr. Bach. He gave his own effort and work in addition to the money that he contributed.
But in addition to all this, Mr. Bach was at that time mainly instru- mental in securing for the city and county a magnificent gift in the form of the McBarnes Memorial building for the soldiers and sailors of all wars. Mr. Bach acted as legal advisor for Mr. and Mrs. John McBarnes after they had first indicated their wish to donate a sum of $150,000 for such a memorial building. It was first proposed that the gift be made to the Wesleyan fund, to be used for a special memorial building. However, there were certain legal difficulties about the acceptance of such a gift by the Wesleyan trustees. Then it was proposed that the same offer be made to McLean County through the board of supervisors. After much negotia- tion the supervisors accepted the gift, having previously secured a site for the building by a long lease granted by Mrs. Ida Hanna for the lot at the corner of Grove and East Streets which had belonged to her late husband, George S. Hanna. The negotiations between the board of super- visors and Mr. and Mrs. McBarnes were carried on for several weeks, but the papers were finally signed and the gift was secured which resulted in the building of the handsome McBarnes Memorial, which is now the state headquarters of the American Legion and the center of all the patriotic societies of Bloomington and of the county.
Mr. Bach was married on June 17, 1897, to Miss Lelia Frances Means, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Means, old and well known residents of the city and county, her father having formerly been a business man and later county treasurer. Mrs. Bach is a member of the D. A. R. and was one of the trustees of the Bloomington public library. They have one son, William, Jr. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bach are active members of the First Methodist Church. Mr. Bach from his youngest manhood had been active in the local councils of the Republican party and acted as official of the organization for several years. In a fraternal way, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen, Odd Fellows, Bloomington Lodge No. 43 of the Masonic fraternity, of DeMolay commandery of the Knights Templar, and of the Bloomington Consistory, being a 33d degree Mason. He was an active promoter of the plans of the building of the great Consistory Temple in Bloomington and also of the Masonic Temple at the corner of Jefferson and East Streets in Bloomington.
Of recent years in the practice of his profession Mr. Bach has made a specialty of business connected with grain and grain elevators. In
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that connection he had to do with all the important litigation for the Illinois Grain Dealers' Association. He has appeared many times before government bodies for the purpose of securing from the railroads and other public utilities equitable terms for the business of the grain dealers and pro- ducers. Mr. Bach is a member and has served as an officer of the Rotary Club of Bloomington, and is affiliated with the Bloomington Club and the Bloomington Country Club. He takes an interest in clean sports, being a follower of local school athletics and of the Three Eye League baseball team. He plays golf and enjoys other outdoor pastimes.
E. B. Lanier, the efficient and well known cashier of the State Bank at Downs, was born in Downs Township, Oct. 7, 1860, the son of W. and Mary (McCain) Lanier.
W. Lanier was born in Georgia in 1835 and during the Civil War enlisted for service. He died in 1863 while serving with the 94th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and is buried in the National Cemetery at New Or- leans, La. To W. and Mary (McCain) Lanier only one child was born, E. B., the subject of this sketch. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Lanier later married Thomas Clark, and to that union one son was born, George L. Clark, lives near Downs. Mrs. Clark died Dec. 12, 1912, and is buried at Downs.
E. B. Lanier received his education in the district schools and at Ohio Wesleyan University and Northwestern University. After finishing his schoolwork, Mr. Lanier engaged in general farming in Downs Township until 1888. He then entered the Keenan Bank at Downs, where he re- mained for two years, after which he again followed farming until 1901. At that time the bank was organized at Downs and Mr. Lanier was appointed cashier, which office he has since filled in a capable and trust- worthy manner.
On Sept. 6, 1883, Mr. Lanier was married to Miss Cora Buckles, a native of LeRoy, born May 15, 1862, and the daughter of Thomas Buckles. Mrs. Lanier died April 28, 1888. They had one son, Elmer, who died July 7, 1886. On Aug. 7, 1901, Mr. Lanier was married to Mrs. Mary (Welch) Ready, a native of McLean County, born July 17, 1874, and the daughter of Patrick and Mary Welch. To E. B. and Mary (Welch) Ready Lanier
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two sons have been born: Lynn, born June 29, 1902, assistant cashier of the State Bank of Downs; and George, born April 28, 1904, at home.
E. B. Lanier is a Republican and a member of the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America.
The State Bank of Downs was organized in 1901 as a private bank with a capital stock of $10,000. The first officers were: J. D. Downs, president ; E. S. Hobart, vice president; E. B. Lanier, cashier; and J. W. Dooley, assistant cashier. The directors were: J. D. Downs, J. R. Carlisle, W. M. Buckles, E. S. Hobart, Frank Cowden, C. W. Tallon, Alvin Null, E. B. Lanier, J. W. Dooley, and W. M. Kendell. On Jan. 1, 1921, the bank was reorganized as a state bank and with a capital stock of $26,000 and surplus of $25,800. The present officers of the bank are: J. R. Carlisle, president; G. H. Merrier, vice president; E. B. Lanier, cashier, and Lynn Lanier, assistant cashier. The directors are: H. H. Wagner, J. D. Downs, W. M. Buckles, E. L. Clarke, and O. L. Scott.
W. M. Ijams, an enterprising farmer and stockman of Downs Town- ship and the owner of 172 acres of well improved land, is a native of Illi- nois. He was born at Farmer City, Oct. 15, 1873, the son of T. L. and Rosetta (Walker) Ijams.
T. L. Ijams was born in Ohio, in 1842, and came to Illinois with his parents in 1853, settling in McLean County. He became a well-to-do farmer and was widely known. Mr. Ijams died Aug. 26, 1908, and his wife, a native of Bloomington, died in 1919. They were the parents of the following children: H. L., lives at Farmer City, Ill .; Hattie, lives at Farmer City, Ill .; Ida Kendall, lives at Farmer City, Ill .; George, lives also at Farmer City; W. M., the subject of this sketch; J. M., lives in Los Angeles, Calif .; Ella Nichols, lives in Florida ; Edith Curtis, lives at Downs, Ill .; and Edna Johnson, lives at Bloomington, Ill.
W. M. Ijams received his education in the public and high schools of Farmer City, Ill., and after finishing his school work engaged in general farming on the home place in Downs Township. Mr. Ijams is an extensive feeder of stock and has about 1,000 head of sheep on his place at present. He has a fine residence, and his farm is modern in every respect.
On Feb. 24, 1897, Mr. Ijams was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Scott, a native of West Township, McLean County, born Dec. 23, 1876,
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and the daughter of J. D. and Susan Aletta (Kumler) Scott, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. J. D. Scott was born Feb. 14, 1843, and came to Illinois in 1873. He served throughout the Civil War in Company I, 167th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He and his wife now reside at Farmer City, Ill. They are the parents of the following chil- dren: O. G., lives at Springfield, Ill .; O. E., lives in Montana; Ollie May Ruble, died Dec. 24, 1918; and Mrs. Ijams.
To W. M. and Nellie (Scott) Ijams two children have been born, as follows: Lynn, born Jan 14, 1900, a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan Uni- versity ; and Lee Scott, born June 5, 1908, attends school.
Mr. Ijams is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He is well known in his community, where the Ijams family have always been held in high esteem.
Clinton E. Graves, a well known business man of Weston, who is en- gaged in the grain, lumber and coal business, was born at Duncan, Stark County, Ill., April 5, 1873, the son of Jacob and Sidnia (Barnett) Graves.
Jacob Graves was a native of McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio, and at. the age of 22 years married Sidnia A. Barnett. In April, 1864, he heeded his country's call, and bid farewell to his wife and four children to enlist in Company C, 148th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving with the army of the Potomac, around Richmond, City Point and Petersburg until the close of the war. Within a few days after his discharge from the service, he set out with his family for Illinois, locating on a farm near Duncan, Ill., which land is after 60 years still owned by his family. Jacob and Sidnia Graves were the parents of 11 children: Mary A. Fouts of Ottawa, Kan .; Lucinda A. Schiabel of Cumberland, Wis .; Elba V .; Smiley R .; Stanley S .; and Elton O. of Duncan, Ill .; Lyman S., postmaster at Wyoming, Ill .; Jennie E. Addis of Toulon, Ill .; Julia E., and Emery R., deceased, and Clinton E. the subject of this sketch.
The father of this large family was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and a staunch Republican in politics. As assessor of Es- sex Township for 20 years, the Board of Equalization never changed one of his figures and as supervisor his associates never negatived one of his propositions, thus showing in all political and social connections his preci- sion and adherence to truth and fairness brought him the esteem of every
CLINTON E. GRAVES.
LIFRANTY OF INE
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one. He passed away in August, 1913, being preceded by his wife in July, 1887.
Clinton E. Graves, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the country school, which was located on his father's farm, and at Abington Normal College from which he graduated in the class of 1892. He began teaching at the age of 19 and spent eight years in the schools of Stark County, serving as principal at Duncan and Elmira.
Wishing to enter the grain business he resigned the principalship of the Elmira school in January, 1901, to accept the position as manager of the grain business for F. L. Churchill at Weston, Ill. He remained with Mr. Churchill for 12 years and upon the retirement of the latter from business in 1912, purchased the grain elevators of both F. L. Churchill and the Shearer Grain Company at Weston. His business prospered from the beginning and in 1915 he took over the lumber and hardware busi- ness of H. J. Greene and Company thus acquiring one of the most sub- stantial and prosperous business plants in Central Illinois.
Mr. Graves was married on June 15, 1899, to Nellie B. Stephens, a native of Weston, Ill., born May 17, 1870, and the daughter of Richard and Sarah (Mayo) Stephens. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens, now deceased were the parents of the following children: Addie and Frank living on the old homestead in Yates Township; Delmar and Jennie, deceased; Wilbur, a farmer near Weston; Luella Davis of Austin, Texas, and Nellie B., the wife of the subject of this sketch.
Mr. and Mrs. Graves were the parents of two sons, the first born July 17, 1900, and only lived two days; the second, Claude Myron, was born Dec. 8, 1901. He received his early education in the Weston schools and at the age of 15 years entered St. John's Military Academy at Dela- field, Wis., for training that would prepare him for service in the World War, when his country called him. He had spent two years in the Re- serve Officers Training Corps at the academy, and was just ready to re- turn for his third year when stricken with an incurable malady and passed away Aug. 7, 1919, after an illness of only four days' duration. Memorial services, in his memory, were held at the military academy at the same hour of the funeral services in his home. Both sons were laid to rest in the family lot in Graceland Cemetery at Fairbury, Ill.
In politics Mr. Graves is a Republican and as strong in the faith of his party as his father and grandfather before him. He has served 10 years on the school board, nine years as its secretary and one year as president.
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Also served Yates Township for 12 years as town clerk, and is now be- ginning his sixth year as supervisor. He is a member of the county farm and county officers committees on the McLean County Board of Super- visors, also a director of the Fairview Tuberculosis Sanitarium, in which he and Mrs. Graves have endowed a room in memory of their son Claude. He has also represented Yates Township on the Republican County Cen- tral Committee for 22 years and has served as delegate to various county judicial, senatorial, congressional and state conventions during that time.
His 23 years' experience in the grain trade has given him a wide acquaintance throughout the state, and he has served several years as a director of the Illinois Grain Dealers' Association, being first vice-presi- dent of that organization at the present time. Mr. Graves is a 32d de- gree Mason, having taken both the York and Scottish Rites degrees in Masonry ; has also been a member of the Modern Woodmen for 30 years. He has tried to follow the precedent set by his father, as a man of integ- rity and industry and thus be one of the reliable and substantial men of his community.
James Fulton, a progressive and successful farmer and stockman of Downs Township, was born in Heyworth, Ill., Jan. 17, 1868, the son of James and Mary (Bishop) Fulton.
James Fulton, Sr., was a native of Harrison County, Ohio, born Sept. 10, 1826, the son of William Fulton, a native of Westmoreland, Pa. The Fulton family originally came from Ireland and Scotland. William Ful- ton died in 1872. James Fulton, Sr., came to Illinois in 1852 with his father and settled on a farm near Bloomington. He became a successful farmer and was well known. On Jan. 6, 1856, James Fulton, Sr., married Mary Boyd, a native of Ohio, and to this union two children were born: Eliza A. Black, lives in Ohio; and Albert, lives at Heyworth, Ill. On Sept. 9, 1858, Mr. Fulton was married to Miss Mary E. Bishop, a native of McLean County, born June 24, 1836, and the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Weed- man) Bishop. Jacob Bishop was born in Maryland, June 25, 1797, and died Jan. 23, 1889. His wife was born Dec. 15, 1799, and died Jan. 23, 1873. She was the daughter of John Bishop. To James and Mary E. (Bishop) Fulton the following children were born : Mary B., lives at Bloom- ington; Sarah, deceased; John, deceased; Mattie E. Brown, lives at Hey- worth; and James, the subject of this sketch.
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James Fulton, Jr., attended the district schools and spent his boyhood on his father's farm. He has always followed farming and stock raising and has lived on his farm in Downs Township for 53 years. Mr. Fulton specializes in the breeding of Shorthorn cattle and is a lover of good horses.
On Oct. 4, 1904, Mr. Fulton was married to Miss Anna J. Graves, a native of Franklin County, Mo., born Dec. 8, 1878, and the daughter of George H. and Margaret (Stillman) Graves. Mr. Graves was born Jan. 28, 1847, in Virginia and came to Ohio at the age of 16 years. His wife was born near Heyworth, Ill., Dec. 7, 1850, and they were married Feb. 14, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Graves were the parents of the following chil- dren : Anna J .; Samuel, Randolph Township, McLean County; David, lives in Bloomington; and Sarah, wife of Charles Banner, lives in Champaign County, Ill. To James and Anna J. (Graves) Fulton the following chil- dren have been born : Iris A., born Sept. 2, 1905, attends high school; Altha Louise, born Nov. 5, 1908, attends high school; James Howard, born March 19, 1912, died Dec. 30, 1919; and Elsie B., born Oct. 28, 1921.
Mr. Fulton is a Republican and he has been a member of the school board for 10 years. He is a member of the Methodist Church and be- longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Fulton is a substantial citizen and stands high in the township and county.
Ralph Teter is a prosperous farmer and stockman of Downs Town- ship and a member of one of McLean County's prominent pioneer families. He was born on the farm where he now resides and is the son of Laban C. and Esther (Honnor) Teter.
Laban C. Teter, now deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War and a well known citizen of McLean County for many years. He was born in Pendleton County, W. Va., in 1840, and died May 11, 1884. Throughout the Civil War he served with Company K, 26th Regiment, Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, and saw active service during the entire period of the war.
On March 8, 1877, Mr. Teter was married to Miss Esther Honnor, a native of Kent, England, born March 21, 1859, and the daughter of Wil- liam and Harriet (Peckman) Honnor, both natives of England. When
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Mrs. Teter was 11 years of age her parents came to this country and lo- cated in Old Town Township, McLean County. There were seven children in the Honnor family, of whom three are now living: Mrs. Teter; William, lives in Nebraska; and George. By a former marriage Laban C. Teter had three children, as follows: Martha E. Honnor, died 1912; Ida May Lantz, lives in McLean County; and Marietta, died in infancy. To Laban C. and Esther (Honnor) Teter three children were born, as follows: Wil- liam C., deceased; Jessie Alice, married Chauncey Adams, lives at Normal, Ill. ; and Ralph D., the subject of this sketch.
Ralph Teter received his education in the district schools of Downs Township. He has always been a farmer, and now operates the home place.
On Nov. 14, 1903, Mr. Teter was married to Miss Aletta D. McMillen, a native of McLean County, born July 4, 1885, and the daughter of Sam- uel W. and Mary E. (Oaks) McMillen, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. McMillen have seven children, as follows: John, Craig, Colo .; Mrs. Teters; Nell, wife of Edward Subke, lives near Bloomington; Ruth, deceased; Thomas, lives in Craig, Colo .; Della ; and Lottie, now live Grand Island, Neb. To Ralph and Aletta D. (McMil- len) Teter two children have been born: Esther A., born May 9, 1905; and Ralph G., born June 4, 1914.
Ralph Teters is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. His mother makes her home with him and his family. The Teters family has always been one of the well known and highly esteemed families of McLean County.
Joseph Fisher, a well known and successful farmer of Randolph Town- ship, and owner of Fairview Farm, was born near Centralia, Ill., March 15, 1862, the son of Joseph and Sophronia (Nurseberger) Fisher.
Joseph Fisher was a native of Germany and came to this country when he was 17 years of age, locating on land near Centralia, Ill., where he became a successful fruit grower. He died at the age of 49 years and his wife, also a native of Germany, lived to the age of 74. They had four children, as follows: Charles, lives near Centralia, Ill .; Otto, near Cen- tralia, Ill .; Pauline Wright, lives near Centralia, Ill .; and Joseph, the sub- ject of this sketch.
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Joseph Fisher received his education in the district schools and has always followed farming. He has lived on his present farm in Randolph Township since 1903 and is among the leading stockmen of that township, Mr. Fisher specializes in the breeding of pure bred Chester White and Duroc Jersey hogs, and is also a feeder of cattle and dairy stock.
On Dec. 25, 1892, Mr. Fisher was married to Miss Barbara String- field, who was born in Randolph Township, McLean County, daughter of Alford M. and Amelia (Hand) Stringfield. Alford M. Stringfield was born in Tennessee, Oct. 14, 1809, and was one of the early settlers of McLean County, having settled on the present Stewart farm in 1822, in Randolph Township. He was the son of John Stringfield, who served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Stringfield died June 15, 1895, and his wife, who was born in Ohio, Oct. 2, 1814, died in 1885. They were the parents of 10 children, two of whom are now living, Mrs. Fisher and Mrs. Frank Rust, who lives in Peculiar, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Fisher have no children.
Joseph Fisher is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist church. He is a progressive and enterprising citizen of McLean County. He served as school director about nine years and was also a member of the Shipping Association.
Henry Schmidt is a successful breeder of thoroughbred horses and a well known farmer of Downs Township. He was born in Germany, April 12, 1867, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fry) Schmidt.
Jacob Schmidt and his wife spent their entire lives in Germany, where they owned a well improved farm. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, as follows: Kate, lives in Germany; Jacob, died in 1921; Adam, lives in Germany on the home place; Elizabeth, lives in Germany ; Caroline, lives in Germany; Henry, the subject of this sketch; and Louis, lives on the home farm in Germany.
Henry Schmidt spent his boyhood on his father's farm in Germany and was educated in the district schools. He came to the United States when he was 16 years old and settled on a farm in DeWitt County, Ill., where he worked for two years. Mr. Schmidt then began farming on his own land and has lived on his present farm in Downs Township since 1874. He is a widely known breeder of Percheron horses and has many
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thoroughbred horses on his place, including Napoleon, registered by the Percheron Society of America, No. 118748. Mr. Schmidt has many prize winners among his horses and he is well known also as a breeder of Duroc Jersey hogs, and holds several sales each year. During his last sale, Mr. Schmidt sold 55 head. Mrs. Schmidt is successful as a chicken fancier and specializes in the raising of Buff Orpington chickens.
On Feb. 9, 1893, Mr. Schmidt married Miss Martha Longhoff, a native of Bloomington, born Jan. 30, 1874, and the daughter of Fred and Lena Longhoff, natives of Germany and early settlers of Bloomington. Mr. and Mrs. Longhoff were the parents of the following children: Lena Schultz, lives at Bloomington; Rickie, lives near Bloomington; William, deceased; Alvina, lives at Bloomington ; Matilda, deceased; Herman, lives near Bloom- ington; Charles, lives at Normal; Mrs. Schmidt; Emma, lives in Ohio; John, deceased; Frank, lives at Normal; Rose, lives in Ohio; and Fred, lives in Iowa. To Henry and Martha (Longhoff) Schmidt the following children have been born: Alvina Studeman, born Feb. 7, 1894, lives near Heyworth; Henry, born Dec. 25, 1896, lives near the home place; Minnie, Weed, born Aug. 1, 1899, lives in Downs Township; Freddie, born Aug. 18, 1902, lives in Francefield, Panama, and is a mechanic with the air force there; and Martha, born May 3, 1905.
Mr. Schmidt is an independent voter. He is a member of the Presby- terian Church at Heyworth and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. Mrs. Schmidt is a member of the Royal Neighbors Court of Honor and the Pythian Sisters at Heyworth. They have many friends and stand high in the community.
Frank W. Benjamin, a leading farmer and stockman of McLean County is a native of Bloomington Township, having been born on the farm where he now resides, Jan. 30, 1858. His parents were born in New York and came to McLean County in 1856 and settled on the present Benjamin farm. There were two other children besides Frank W., the subject of this sketch. Mary is deceased, and Addie lives in Gibson City, Ill.
Frank W. Benjamin received his education in the district schools and has always followed farming. He raises a good grade of stock and has a well improved farm, which is located one and one-half miles east of Bloom- ington. There is a fine well on the Benjamin farm, which is 158 feet deep.
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It also produces natural gas. It was drilled in 1901 and still has an abundant supply of water, and gas for household use.
On Feb. 23, 1888, Mr. Benjamin married Miss Nettie Greenlee, who was born near Lexington, Ill. To this union two sons were born, Ralph G., at home, and Paul K., a teacher at Normal University. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin have one grandson, Paul Kingsley Benjamin, Jr. Mrs. Benja- min attended Illinois Wesleyan University and is a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and each year the annual picnic of the sorority is held on the Benjamin farm. She is president of the McLean County Household Science Association, which office she has held for 14 years, and she was also state vice president for three years.
Mr. Benjamin is a Republican and has served as road commissioner and school board director. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America No. 110, and is a highly respected citizen of McLean County.
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