USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 19
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In 1886 Mr. Stutzman was married to Miss Ellen Lantz, a native of Dry Grove Township, and the daughter of Simon and Mary (Plank) Lantz, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of McLean County, where they purchased land in Dry Grove Township for $1.25 per acre. To U. G. and Ellen (Lantz) Stutzman one child was born, Claude L., married Gertie Armstrong, lives in Normal, where he is employed by the Burroughs Adding Machine Company, and they have two children, Pauline and Harold. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Stutzman was married in 1889 to Miss Bertha Augspurger, a native of Danvers Township, and the daughter of Joseph and Jacobina (Stuckey) Augs- purger, natives of Ohio. Joseph Stuckey was the first Mennonite min- ister in Danvers Township. To U. G. and Bertha (Augspurger) Stutz- man four children have been born, as follows: Clara, married Charles C. King, lives on a farm in McLean County; Elmer, died at the age of 14 years; Verna, married Guy Meyer, lives two miles northwest of Carlock and they have three children, Elmo, Clara Marie, and Glen; and Russel L., married Pauline O'Dell, lives at Peoria, Ill. Mrs. Stutzman's father died in 1917 and her mother lives at Danvers.
Mr. Stutzman is a member of the Mennonite Church of Carlock, and is well known throughout McLean County.
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Henry N. Miller, who for many years was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising, is now living a retired life, after having accum- ulated a competence by industry and good management, which are al- ways the chief elements of a successful career. Mr. Miller was born in Germany, April 11, 1873, the son of J. J. and Annie (Boyer) Miller.
The Miller family came to the United States from Germany in 1874 and settled on a farm in Woodford County, Ill., near Congerville. J. J. Miller engaged in general farming and was successful. He died at St. Joseph's Hospital in Bloomington, and his wife is also deceased. They were the parents of the following children: Fred, married first to Sophia Beck and later to Nancy Henshaw, lives in Danvers Township; Dedclif, married first to Annie Slaubaugh and later to Ida Woolworth, lives in Iowa; Gustave, married Mary Bess, died in February, 1923, lives near Danvers; Emma, deceased ; Matilda, married Robert Lander, lives in Dan- vers Township; H. N., the subject of this sketch; Herman, married Ida Shoultz, lives near Danvers; Annie, married Jack Anderson; and one child died in infancy.
H. N. Miller was educated in the district schools of Danvers Town- ship and then worked on a farm. He later rented 320 acres of land, which he improved and farmed for 15 years. The farm was located three and one-half miles southeast of Danvers. In 1918 Mr. Miller purchased his present farm of 120 acres in Danvers Township, which is among the well improved farms of the township; he also owns 130 acres of well improved land in Danvers Township. He now lives retired and rents the farm.
In 1903 Mr. Miller married Miss Annie Lilienthal, a native of McLean County and the daughter of Henry and Christina (Benhoff) Lilienthal, natives of Germany. Mr. Lilienthal, for many years a leading farmer of McLean County, died in 1902 and his widow lives near the home of her daughter, Mrs. Miller. They had 13 children, as follows: Henry, unmarried, lives on the home place; William, married Annie Earps, lives east of Danvers; John, deceased; Lena, unmarried, lives in Bloomington ; Mary, died May 14, 1923, married Lester Steele, lives in Iowa ; Mrs. Miller ; Dora, married Will Lamb, lives at Downs, Ill .; Fred, married Emma Schooner, lives north of Danvers; Katie, widow of Frank Weber, who died November 18, 1923, lived in Bloomington; Emma, at home; Lizzie, at home; Charles, died in infancy; and Christian, died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have no children.
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Mr. Miller is identified with the Republican party in politics and he is a school director. He is a highly respected citizen of Danvers Town- ship, where he has a wide acquaintance and many friends.
Rev. Emmanuel Troyer, pastor of the East White Oak Mennonite Church at Carlock, is an influential and highly respected citizen of Mc- Lean County. He was born in Hudson Township, McLean County, Dec. 31, 1871, the son of Mannasses and Catherine (Salzman) Troyer.
Mannasses Troyer was a native of Holmes County, Ohio, and he lived there until he was 10 years old. He then came to Illinois with his parents and settled on a farm in Havens Grove, near Hudson, where he remained for two years. The Troyer family then moved to White Oak Township, where Mannasses Troyer became a successful farmer and veterinarian. He was the son of.Jonas Troyer, a native of Holmes County, Ohio. Jonas Troyer went to Chicago, Ill., from Ohio and from there to Peoria during the early days, making the trip on horseback. He sold his horse at Peoria, and walked from there to Bloomington, where he re- mained for one night in a log tavern. The following day he took the stage coach to Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Mannasses Troyer were the parents of 13 children, as follows: Anna, married John Troyer, lives in Normal Township, McLean County ; Lizzie, died at the age of 21 years; Lena, died at the age of 16 years; Ida, unmarried, lives with a sister; Ella, married George Shertz, lives on the home place; Rev. E., the subject of this sketch; Kate, married L. Augspurger, lives at Bloom- ington; Mary, married S. P. Hartzler, both deceased; one child died in infancy; Rosa, deceased; Daniel, deceased; Nellie, the widow of H. A. Patton, lives at Bloomington; and Ira, married Sadie Schantz, lives at Normal. Mannasses Troyer died Aug. 27, 1914, and his wife died April 20, 1921.
Rev. E. Troyer received his education in the district schools of Hud- son Township and Moody Bible College at Chicago, which he attended for six months. He began preaching in 1899 at the East White Oak Mennonite Church at Carlock, which was organized in 1892 by Rev. Peter Schantz. Rev. Troyer succeeded Rev. Schantz as pastor of the church.
The original membership of the East White Oak Mennonite Church was 60 and it now has a membership of 355 members. The original
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building committee of the church was: Jacob Schad, deceased; Joseph King, deceased ; Mannasses Troyer, deceased; Christ Miller, deceased ; and John Meyer, deceased. The building was remodeled in 1917 and it is modern throughout, being equipped with Edison lighting plant, water sys- tem, and vacuum cleaning system. Rev. Troyer built his residence in 1916, which is located next to the church. He also owns 160 acres of good farm land, which he rents. He followed general farming also until 1917.
On Jan. 23, 1895, Reverend Troyer was married to Miss Ida Horst, a native of Bloomington, and the daughter of Hiram and Amelia (Iba) Horst, natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers of McLean County. Mr. Horst was a butcher by trade and lived in Bloomington during the latter part of his life. He and his wife, now deceased, were the parents of the following children: Elizabeth, married J. B. Palmer, lives at Gib- son City, Ill .; Frank, died in infancy; Ann, married Emery Wood, who is deceased ; Amelia, died in infancy ; and Ida, the wife of Rev. Troyer. To them three children have been born, as follows: One died in infancy ; Beula, died April 18, 1915, at the age of 16 years; Maurice, born Aug. 24, 1903, a college graduate, now teaching school.
Reverend Troyer is a member of the board of Bluffton College and president of the board of directors of the Mennonite Sanctuary of Bloom- ington. He is also secretary of the Foreign Missionary Board. Reverend Troyer is well known and has many friends throughout McLean County.
Marcus Gerbrick, the well known postmaster and druggist at Stan- ford, in Allin Township, was born at Lebanon, Pa., Aug. 24, 1849, the son of David and Anna (Bender) Gerbrick.
David Gerbrick was a native of Pennsylvania, as also was his wife, and they moved to Bloomington in 1851. Mr. Gerbrick followed general farming and stock raising and was successful and widely known. He died in 1893 from the result of an accident, which had left him crippled, and his wife died in 1885. They were the parents of the following children: A. D., married Sarah Maulfair, later married Minnie Freitag; Nathaniel, died in California in 1868; Francie, died in 1920; Anna, died in 1858; Marcus, the subject of this sketch; and John C., married Mary Penner.
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Marcus Gerbrick was educated in the district schools of McLean County and taught school for eight years before he began the study of pharmacy. He has been engaged in the drug business at Stanford since 1883 and is among the leading and dependable pioneer merchants of the community. Mr. Gerbrick was appointed postmaster in November, 1914, which office he still fills in a capable and efficient manner.
Mr. Gerbrick's first wife was Lizzie Rockbold, who died in 1905, and he was later married to Mrs. Alice Morris, a daughter of A. Bozarth, a pioneer settler of McLean County from Ohio. Mr. Gerbrick has four stepchildren, as follows: Vera, married Oscar Roney, lives at Findlay, Ill .; John L., married Lola Otto, lives west of Bloomington, Ill .; Etta L., clerk in the Stanford postoffice; and George L., unmarried, is assistant postmaster of Stanford and township supervisor of Allin Township.
Mr. Gerbrick is a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Oriental Consis- tory of Chicago, the Mystic Shrine of Chicago, and the Knights of Pythias of Bloomington. He is an industrious and capable man, and has the esteem of his fellow citizens throughout the county.
George Swinehart, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War and a man whose name is connected with the pioneer days of McLean County. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, May 4, 1841, and died Nov. 20, 1916. Mr. Swinehart was a son of Samuel and Barbara (Snivley) Swine- hart.
Samuel Swinehart was born in Pennsylvania and when he was four years of age his parents moved to Ohio. In 1856 the Swinehart family moved to McLean County, settling in Funk's Grove Township, and later in Allin Township, where Mr. Swinehart became a successful farmer. He died Dec. 21, 1888, and his wife died March 5, 1879. They were the par- ents of ten children, as follows: George, the subject of this sketch; Eliza- beth, married James Waltman, both deceased; Samuel, deceased; Barbara, deceased, was the wife of John Bender; Emanuel, a retired farmer lives at Stanford, Ill .; Nancy, married Ambrose May, both deceased; Henry, a retired farmer, lives in the state of Washington; Susan, John, and Sarah, all deceased.
George Swinehart received his education in the district schools of Ohio and McLean County ; he spent his entire life on the farm. He owned
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE SWINEHART.
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480 acres of well-improved land in Blue Mound Township and for many years was a successful farmer and stockman.
On Aug. 7, 1862, George Swinehart enlisted in Company A, 117th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and with his command went to Helena, Ark. They routed Forrest and his forces from Western Tennessee and after- ward returned to Vicksburg. On March 4, 1863, the regiment took part in the Red River expedition, assisted in the battle and capture of Fort DeRussa; on March 14, 1863, in the battle of Pleasant Hill; from May 3d to May 7th in the battle of Bayou. After taking part in the battle of Vicksburg, the regiment arrived at Memphis, Tenn., on June 10, 1864, and on June 23d they began the Tupelo campaign which lasted until Au- gust 5th. On August 18th they took part in the battle of Hurricane Creek, afterwards returning to Memphis on August 30th. On September 18th the engagement of Franklin took place, and on October 1st the regi- ment returned to St. Louis; on November 19th the command next moved to Nashville, Tenn., and on December 1st, under the command of General Thomas and Major-General H. A. Smith, took part in the Battle of the Woods. On Jan. 4, 1865, the regiment embarked for New Orleans, arriv- ing there January 17th; on March 7th, moved to Daupin Island, from there to Fish River, with the 16th Army Corps; from March 27th until April 2d, under the command of Maj. Gen. H. A. Smith, they were in the engagement at Spanish Fort; on April 9th the engagement at Fort Blakely; on April 13th, they marched to Montgomery, Ala., and from there to Camp Butler, Springfield, Ill., where George Swinehart was mus- tered out of service, and honorably discharged on August 5, 1865. During his term of service Mr. Swinehart traveled 2,300 miles, mostly on foot, and participated in six important battles and 33 skirmishes, and was al- ways found at his post of duty bravely defending the flag and the cause it represents.
On Sept. 16, 1866, Mr. Swinehart was married to Miss Mary Maddocks, a native of Ohio, and to this union two children were born: William L., born Aug. 23, 1867, fruit grower, lives in Joplin, Mo., and Samuel E., born March 27, 1871, a farmer, lives in Blue Mound Township. Mrs. Swine- hart died Dec. 8, 1873, and on Feb. 21, 1875, Mr. Swinehart was married to Miss Elizabeth J. McConkie, a native of Richland County, Ohio, born April 16, 1846, and the daughter of William and Jane (McCurdy) Mc- Conkie. The McConkie family settled in Illinois in 1852, and Mr. Mc- Conkie was a leading farmer of McLean County. He died Jan. 28, 1880,
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and his wife died Oct. 12, 1874. They were the parents of six children, as follows: James, died during the Civil War; William, deceased ; Daniel, deceased; Robert, lives with his sister, Mrs. Swinehart; George, deceased; and Mrs. Swinehart.
To George and Elizabeth J. (McConkie) Swinehart four children were born as follows: Winnie May, born Sept. 20, 1877, married Charles Won- derland, insurance agent, lives at Bloomington ; Barbara Luella, born Sept. 21, 1878, married Richard Ward, a traveling salesman, lives at Blooming- ton; Dr. Bertram Oliver, born July 21, 1881, physician, at Aberdeen, Wash., is a veteran of the World War, having served as a first lieutenant; and George P., born April 7, 1886, undertaker, lives with his mother at Cooksville, and is also a veteran of the World War.
George Swinehart was a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. He was an energetic man who stood well in the esteem of his neighbors and fellow citizens.
William H. Springer, president of The Stanford State Bank, and man- ager of the Stanford Grain Company, is among the leading business men of McLean County. He was born in Allin Township, McLean County, July 12, 1868, the son of Peter D. and Eliza (Brenneman) Springer.
Peter D. Springer, a native of France, came to this country when he was a young man and settled on a farm in Butler County, Ohio. His wife was a native of Ohio and they were the parents of six children, three of whom died in infancy. The others were, as follows: Mary, married D. S. Otto, lives at Bloomington, Ill .; Emma, married John Schwartzen- truber, lives at Morton, Ill .; and William H., the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Peter D. Springer are now deceased.
William H. Springer was reared on a farm in Allin Township, McLean County, where his father had moved several years before the time of his birth. He attended the district schools and Baker Business College, after which he engaged in farming on the home place. After following farming for 15 years, Mr. Springer entered the grain business at Stan- ford in 1907. In 1917 a new elevator was built and he was made man- ager of the business, which office he still holds. The Stanford Grain Company is an enterprising business house of McLean County and does a large volume of business.
The Stanford State Bank was organized in 1891 and reorganized in 1915. The first president of the bank was William Paul and Mr. Springer
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has been connected with the institution since 1905 and has held the office of president since 1910. The Stanford State Bank now has a capital stock of $30,000, and is a thriving institution.
In 1892 William H. Springer was married to Miss Freida Nafziger, a native of McLean County, and the daughter of C. J. and Eliza Nafziger, natives of Germany and early settlers of McLean County. Mr. Nafziger, a well known farmer for many years, died in 1915 at the age of 90 years, and his wife died at the age of 87 years. To William H. and Freida (Naf- ziger) Springer five children have been born, as follows: Bessie, mar- ried Charles Kane, lives at Bloomington ; Laura, unmarried, teaches school at Milford, Ill .; Mildred, at home; Norris, at school; and Stanley, also attends school.
Mr. Springer has served as justice of the peace since 1914 and as School director since 1917. He is a member of the Danvers Mennonite Church and is one of the well known and highly respected citizens of McLean County.
Carey F. Kauffman is a prosperous farmer, stockman and thresher of Allin Township, and the omner of 320 acres of well improved land. He was born on a farm three-quarters of a mile from Stanford, Ill., Dec. 15, 1866, and is the son of John L. and Mary (Ebersole) Kauffman.
John L. Kauffman was a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler of Allin Township, where he farmed until the time of his retirement in 1907. He died in 1921 and is buried in the Brooks Grove Cemetery, and his wife died in 1888. They were the parents of four children, as fol- lows: William R., married Alice McReynolds, lives in Missouri; C. F., the subject of this sketch; Sarah, married John Skinner, lives at Water- town, Ill .; and Lilly, married Mr. Brown.
Carey F. Kauffman has always lived in McLean County and has been well known as a thresher for the past 34 years. He received his educa- tion in the district schools of Stanford and then farmed with his father until 1894, when he purchased land in Allin Township. In 1921, Mr. Kauffman built a beautiful concrete bungalow just on the edge of the town of Stanford, where he lives with his family. He operates 320 acres of well improved land and is an extensive stockman.
In October, 1891, Mr. Kauffman was married to Miss Mary Givens, a native of Shirley, Ill., born March 13, 1869, and the daughter of Henry and
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Julia (McCurdy) Givens. Mr. Givens was a native of Kentucky and his wife was born in Ohio. They were early settlers of McLean County and Mr. Givens was a substantial farmer. He died in 1872 and his wife died in 1921. To Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman five children have been born, as fol- lows: Bertha J., Robert Ivan, Arthur H., Jean H., and Elsie Blanche.
Mr. Kauffman is a Republican, the family attends the Christian Church, and Mr. Kauffman belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He has served on the school board, as township supervisor and highway commis- sioner. The Kauffmans are well known in McLean County and are highly regarded among their many friends and acquaintances.
Clarence M. Gravett, a substantial farmer and stockman of Dry Grove Township, is a native of Kentucky, having been born in Powell County, near Clay City, Feb. 10, 1879. He is a son of Melvin and Polly (Hiley) Gravett, who were the parents of 11 children, all living. Mr. Melvin Gravett carried on general farming and stock raising. The mother died in 1912, and the father died in 1915. They were members of the Christian Church. The children of this esteemed family were: Ida, wife of John Burghers; Molly, wife of William Wells; George, whose wife was Mahalia Clark; Kitty, wife of Jefferson Wright; Mary, wife of Bert Bar- nett; Nancy, wife of Chas. Bush; Fanny, wife of Joseph Shimfessel; Mack, whose wife was Nora Lyne; Ernest, whose wife was Ruth Davis; all liv- ing in Kentucky; John, whose wife was Bernice Watson, living in Iowa; and Clarence M., the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Gravett is the fifth member of the family in order of birth. He passed his youth on the home farm and attended the district school in that vicinity. He came to Illinois while a young man and worked on a farm near Carlock four years. He then went to Iowa for a year, but re- turned to Illinois and worked on a farm until he rented a farm near Car- lock. In 1914 he with his family moved to their own farm in Dry Grove Township, McLean County. This is among the large and well improved farms of the county."
Mr. Gravett also owns farm lands in Tazewell County. He carries on general farming and is well known as a breeder of Spotted Poland China hogs and also is an extensive feeder. Mr. Gravett is one of the farmers
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of McLean County who has utilized opportunity to the highest degree, having something to show for every day's exertion.
Mr. Gravett is identified with the Republican party and both he and his wife have served as school directors in their district. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Gravett was united in marriage Feb. 1, 1910, with Miss Mary J. Stephenson, the daughter of L. R. and Martha V. (Mordock) Stephen- son, natives of Knox County, Ohio, where the birth of her father occur- red, June 2, 1849, and that of her mother, Feb. 26, 1849. Mary J. was born near Danvers, McLean County, Ill., Sept. 13, 1877.
L. R. Stephenson came to Illinois with his parents, David and Eliza- beth Stephenson, in 1859, and settled on a farm southwest of Danvers. Martha V. Mordock came to Illinois with her parents, William and Mary Mordock, in the early 60's and located south of Minier in Tazewell County. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson were married March 19, 1873. They were the . parents of three children : LeRoy, whose wife was Alma Kauffman; Laura B., wife of Jesse N. Habecker; and Mary J. The death of L. R. Stephen- son occurred March 25, 1915, that of Martha V. Stephenson, July 22, 1923. At the time of the death of L. R. Stephenson he was owner of several hundred acres of farm land in McLean County, which is now owned by the three children. To Clarence and Mary (Stephenson) Gravett one child has been born, Howard L., Sept. 21, 1912.
Mr. Gravett and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Sidney B. Van Ness, vice-president of The McLean State Bank, is a successful and well known business man of McLean County. He was born near Mercerville, Pa., March 3, 1865, the son of George I. and Emily S. (Updike) Van Ness.
George I. Van Ness was a native of New Jersey and came to Mc- Lean County in 1858. He returned to his home in New Jersey, however, and served throughout the Civil War with the 21st New Jersey Volun- teer Infantry. Mr. Van Ness was married in 1864 to Miss Emily S. Up- dike, also a native of New Jersey, and in 1867 they moved to McLean County and settled on a farm in Mount Hope Township. Mr. Van Ness was a brick layer and stone mason by trade and helped build many of the first buildings at McLean, and his brothers, John D. and William H., were also early settlers of McLean. Mr. and Mrs. George I. Van Ness
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were the parents of 12 children, as follows: S. B., the subject of this sketch; Ida B., married William B. Fletcher, lives at Heyworth, Ill .; Jen- nie, the widow of John Wilcox, lives at Funks Grove, Ill .; Augustus L., married Nellie Stroud, lives at Bloomington, Ill .; George I., married Ada Comeley lives in Massachusetts, and he is in the United States Marine service; Joseph A., married Bertie Porter, lives in Wisconsin and he is vice-president of the Hardy Ryan Abstract and Brokerage Company ; J. Alfred, married Grace Coveney, lives at Heyworth, Ill., and he is su- perintendent of the Heyworth Telephone Company; Agnes L., unmarried, teaches school; Lucy Edith, married Charles Wagoner, lives in Nebraska ; Clifford R., married Carrie Spencer, lives on a farm in Logan County, Ill., and he is a World War veteran; Fern, married Dr. G. C. Bunton, a physician at Benton, Ill .; and L. D., married Avis Tudor, lives at Mc- Lean, Ill.
S. B. Van Ness received his education in the schools of McLean and then entered the employ of Darnell and Spence, grain dealers, and he re- mained with that firm for 18 years. Mr. Van Ness entered the McLean State Bank in December, 1914, as assistant cashier and three years later was made vice-president of the bank, which office he still holds. He is also a director.
In June, 1890, Mr. Van Ness was married to Miss Clara B. Jones, a native of Bloomington, born Sept. 11, 1871, and the daughter of George and Celia (Harley) Jones, natives of Illinois. Mr. Jones served through- out the Civil War with the 33d Illinois Volunteer Infantry and after the war settled in McLean County. He later went to Arkansas for a short time and died in McLean County. To S. B. and Clara B. (Jones) Van Ness three children have been born, as follows: Earl E., married Helene Dye, cashier of The Farmers State Bank at McLean, and they have two children, Russell Dye and Gerald Earl; Russell A., married Edith Brock, lives in Chicago, further mention of whom is made below; and Helen, taught school until 1922 and is now in the public library at McLean.
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