USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 28
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John U. Lyons was born in Kentucky, Oct. 22, 1830, and was the son of William and Catherine (Eddings) Lyons, the former a native of Kentucky, and a pioneer settler of Illinois, where he followed farming dur- ing his life. 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 Elija Wiley, both deceased; and Mahaley, married Collins Bradley, both deceased.
John U. Lyons came to Illinois during the early days and settled on land in Martin Township, McLean County. He became a prosperous
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farmer and owned 240 acres of land, and during the early days drove his stock to Bloomington and Lexington. Mr. Lyons held many township offices and was a Democrat. He is deceased and his wife now resides at Colfax and is 85 years of age. They were the parents of the following children: Thomas, deceased; Rhoda C., married O. S. Hatch, both de- ceased; John D., a retired farmer, lives with his mother at Colfax; Wil- liam, deceased; U. S., a farmer, lives on the old homestead, a sketch of whom appears in this history; Sarah C., married L. W. Baldwin, both deceased; Emma, married Franklin Batterton, deceased; Mary E., mar- ried Sheldon Powell, lives at Colfax, Ill .; Hannah M., the widow of Otis Hollingsworth, lives at Bloomington; E. S., the subject of this sketch; and one child died in infancy.
Mary J. (Wiley) Lyons, mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in Indiana 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 children: William Thomas, deceased; Lucinda, deceased; Sarah, deceased; Elijah, deceased ; Mrs. Lyons; Ruth, deceased; Americus, deceased; and Nancy, married Charles Burke, lives at Saybrook, Ill.
E. S. Lyons was reared on his father's farm and received his educa- tion in the district schools. He worked on the home place for a number of years and also rented land. Mr. Lyons now owns 845 acres of well improved land with his wife, and he is among the prosperous and suc- cessful farmers of the county. He is an extensive grain farmer and specializes in the breeding of pure bred Duroc Jersey hogs. Mr. Lyons was manager of the Colfax Grain Company at Colfax. He was also director and sold out his interest in October, 1919. He then engaged exclusively in farming. In January, 1924, he became manager of the Lyons Grain Company of Colfax. The Lyons farm is well improved and is among the fine stock farms of McLean County.
On March 24, 1897, E. S. Lyons was united in marriage with Miss Barbara E. Janes, a native of Money Creek Township, born Oct. 26, 1866, and the. daughter of Peter H. and Louisa (Crose) Janes. Mr. Janes was born in Ohio and was an early settler of Illinois, where he engaged in general farming. He owned 640 acres of well improved land and was a prominent stockman. Mr. Janes died March 31, 1909, and his wife died April 2, 1902. They were the parents of the following children: Annette I., married John W. Brown, both deceased; Laura Olive, deceased, was the
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wife of James Beasley ; Sarah Eliza, married U. S. Lyons, brother of the subject of this sketch; Alice, married B. Frances, deceased; Barbara Ellen Lyons; and Minnie, deceased, was the wife of C. H. Hall. To E. S. and Barbara E. (Janes) Lyons three children have been born, as follows: Homer H., born Jan. 30, 1898, an extensive farmer in Martin Township, McLean County; Beulah May, born Oct. 18, 1900, died May 8, 1907; and Roland A., born Dec. 12, 1906, attends school. Roland A. Lyons has one of the finest radio outfits in the community, which he built himself. Mr. and Mrs. Lyons have two grandchildren, Samuel H. Lyons, born Oct. 11, 1919, and Leon L. Lyons, born Aug. 8, 1923.
E. S. Lyons is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He served for two years as a member of the school board. Mr. Lyons is a citizen of material worth to his community.
William Wallis, dean of the College of Liberal Arts of Illinois Wesleyan University, is among the prominent and highly esteemed citizens of McLean county. He was born in Collinsville, Ill., the son of Rev. William and Eva (Hain) Wallis. Reverend Wallis was a Methodist minister and a member of the Southern Illinois Conference. He was a native of Ireland and his wife was born at Marion, Ohio. They are now deceased. There are five children in the Wallis family: William, the subject of this sketch; Mary, deceased ; Dr. Marshall, a physician, lives at Houston, Tex .; Robert, a den- tist, lives at Peoria, Ill. and Edward, also a dentist, lives at Chicago.
William Wallis was educated in the public schools and entered South- ern Illinois State Normal University at Carbondale, Ill., from which he was graduated. He then taught school at Herrin, Ill., afterward entering Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. He then was principal of the high school at Charleston, Ill., for a period of five years and from there went to Mattoon, Ill., where he was principal of the high school for three years. After acting as principal of the Urbana High School for one year, Mr. Wallis served in that capacity in Bloomington for 11 years and in 1918 went overseas with the Y. M .C. A., remaining there until June, 1919. He was stationed a short time at Plymouth, England, and after the Armistice was sent with the army of occupation to Andernach, Germany, 14 miles from Coblenz. He was later attached to the 32nd Division at
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Rengsdorf, Germany, east of the Rhine. In April, 1919, the division was sent home and Mr. Wallis was sent to Paris and detailed there for "Leave Area" work. He came home in June, 1919, and took a year's graduate work, receiving his Master's degree at the University of Illinois. He has since held his present positon at Illinois Wesleyan University, and resides in Bloomington.
In 1903 Mr. Wallis was married at Charleston, Ill., to Miss Mary Clark, of Charleston. Mr. Wallis is a 32nd degree Mason and belongs to the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and the Phi Kappa Phi honorary society. He is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Dr. Nelson K. McCormick, deceased, was a leading physician and surgeon of McLean county for many years. He was born in LeRoy town- ship, Boone county, Ill., Sept. 30, 1862, the son of Prof. Henry McCormick, vice-president and for many years prominent in the affairs of Illinois State Normal University.
At an early age Dr. Nelson K. McCormick came to Normal with his parents and attended the local schools, graduating from the Normal High School and the Normal University and later from the Wesleyan University. He then entered the Chicago Medical College, now known as Northwestern Medical, from which he was graduated in 1886. For a short time he was associated with Dr. Parke, one of the pioneer practictioners of Blooming- ton, and then he opened an office for himself at Normal, and was successful in his profession until he gave it up in 1907 to devote his entire time to his farming interests. Dr. McCormick had been in failing health for several years, his conditon being due to an accident years ago when he was injured in a runaway. He died suddenly, however, on July 26, 1919, at a hospital in Petoskey, Mich., where he had gone for treatment.
On Nov. 8, 1889, Dr. McCormick was united in marriage with Miss Mary Sudduth of Normal, and to this union three children were born, as follows: Ella, married Harry L. Diehl, lives at Detroit, Mich .; Grace, at home and Robert, married Miss Elizabeth Funk, and he is engaged in farming near Gibson City, Ill. Dr. McCormick was also survived by a sister, Mrs. O. R. Trowbridge, of Long Beach, Calif., and three brothers, as follows: Edmund, who holds a responsible position in the agricultural department of the government at San Francisco; Dr. Ferd C., the well
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known physician of Normal and Dr. Henry G., a prominent dentist of Normal.
Dr. Nelson K. McCormick was a member and supporter of the Metho- dist Church of Normal and was active in political and civic affairs, being an influence in the Republican party of McLean county. He was greatly interested in the welfare of Brokaw Hospital from the time it was started until his death and for a number of years he was president of the board of trustees. He was a director in The Peoples Bank of Bloomington, and his acquaintance in business and political affairs extended far beyond his home community.
C. W. Shade, deceased, of Lexington, Ill., was a substantial and highly respected citizen of McLean County. He was born in Franklin County, Pa., Sept. 9, 1854, the son of Lewis R. and Susan Frances (Maxwell) Shade.
Lewis R. Shade was born in Pennsylvania and was a wagon maker by trade. He died when he was quite young, leaving his wife with three sons, as follows: John, who was killed during the Civil War; W. P., lives at Decatur, Ill .; and C. W., the subject of this sketch. In 1862 Mrs. Shade brought her sons to Lexington and two years later she was mar- ried to Malcomb Magill. To that union two children were born: Gar- nette, married C. G. Henring, lives in California; and Dr. L. M. Magill, dentist of Lexington, a sketch of whom appears in this history. Susan Frances (Maxwell) Shade Magill was born in Hagerstown, Md., and died in 1892. Her husband died in 1894.
C. W. Shade grew up in Lexington and received his education in the public schools there. He was engaged at the blacksmith trade for a number of years and later entered the employ of the Chicago and Alton Railroad, where he remained for eight years. Mr. Shade later conducted a billiard and pool hall at Lexington for 15 years and also owned the first motion picture theater there. He was appointed postmaster of Lex- ington in 1914, which office he filled in a capable and efficient manner until June, 1923. He died Dec. 9, 1923, and is buried in the Lexing- ton Cemetery.
On Jan. 28, 1895, Mr. Shade was married to Miss Mary Josephine Callahan, a native of Lexington Township, and the daughter of Jere- miah and Joanna (Doyle) Callahan, further mention of whom is made
C. W. SHADE
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below. To Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Shade was born one daughter, Frances, who teaches school in Bloomington. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois and Illinois Wesleyan University.
Jeremiah Callahan was born in Cork County, Ireland, Aug. 15, 1831, and died June 4, 1906. He came to the United States in 1851 and lived in New York for two years, where he was employed as a stationary engineer. Later, he lived in Culpeper County, Va., and in Georgia, where he was employed as a brakeman on the railroad. Mr. Callahan returned to New York and was there during the anti-draft riots of the Civil War, and he was employed in the fire department while living in New York. His first wife was Mary Mack, deceased. Shortly after her death on June 24, 1867, Mr. Callahan was married to Miss Joanna Doyle, and to this union two children were born, as follows: Ella, married J. H. Dalton, lives at Merna, Ill .; and Mrs. Shade. Mrs. Callahan now lives with Mrs. Shade.
In politics Mr. Shade was a Democrat and he served as mayor of Lexington from 1897 until 1901. He served as president of the Com- mercial Club for three years and as bandmaster for six years. Mr. Shade erected the building occupied by the postoffice, which he sold in 1922. He was a representative and dependable citizen of McLean County. As a measure of esteem in which Mr. Shade was held by his fellow townsmen the following is quoted from an editorial which appeared in the Lex- ington Unit Journal at the time of his death:
"One of the most beautiful traits of human character is that of loyalty-loyalty to principle, loyalty to family and friends, loyalty to one's community. Lexington has this week lost a man who was in the fullest sense of the word an exponent of each of these priceless characteristics. Charles Wesley Shade was one of our most loyal citizens and in his pass- ing Lexington has lost a man who never swerved in his allegiance to principle, friend or home. His principles were as dear to him as life itself and he was never untrue to the tenets he professed. His fidelity to his friends was something upon which they could always rely and his love and devotion to his family were beautiful and sacred things.
But added to these loyalties was yet another, his faithful allegiance to his community. Lexington has had few citizens who have been so loyal to her best interests as was Mr. Shade. He was always eager to assist and often led in the projects which were for the advancement and progress of Lexington. Her civic improvement and culture, her business enterprises,
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her public institutions, had in him a faithful friend and one who always placed them before those of any other city or community. Lexington was his home and he loved her and was loyal to her. He will be missed here but he will long be remembered as one who loved and was ever faithful to his own."
Mrs. Shade is a member of the Catholic Church. She has been a very devoted wife and mother. Her work and interests have always been with that of her husband and home.
John W. Gray, a prominent pioneer business man of Bloomington, is a member of one of McLean county's oldest families. He was born in New York City, July 3, 1849, the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Whitten) Gray.
Robert Gray was born in County Armagh, Ireland, and his wife was also a native of Ireland. He was born in 1820 and came to the United States with his family in 1848, locating in Bloomington, in 1863, where he worked as a harnessmaker for many years. Mr. Gray died in 1904, and his wife also died the same year. She was struck by a street car at the corner of Miller and Main streets and died from injuries received. To Mr. and Mrs. Gray the following children were born: John W., the subject of this sketch; David, lives in Chicago; George T., engaged in business with his brother, John W .; DeWitt G., lives at 701 E. Washington St., Bloomington; Elizabeth, died Dec. 31, 1915, at the age of 56 years, was the wife of W. E. Bush; Anna, married G. R. Holden, lives in San Antonio, Texas; Eva, the widow of William Flynn, keeps house for her brother, George; and two children died in infancy.
John W. Gray received his education in the district schools and in 1875 entered into partnership with F. A. Brown, and they conducted a grocery business in Bloomington for nine years. Mr. Brown sold his interest to Dewitt G. Gray and went into business with his brother, John W. Gray, and in 1889 they opened another store, taking their brother, George, in as a partner. The three brothers conducted this business for 15 years, at the end of which time DeWitt G. Gray retired. In 1920 John W. and George Gray took as their partner, R. W. Batterton, their clerk, and the business is now conducted by them. The concern is located at 314 North Main Street, and is among the finest establishments of its kind in
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McLean county. It is incorporated for $10,000, and John W. Gray is one of Bloomington's leading business men.
On May 10, 1876, Mr. Gray was married to Miss Lavina Price, a native of Logan county, Ill., and the daughter of David Gambrel and Evelyn (Gambrel) Price, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Illinois. David Price was a successful farmer of McLean county for many years and now lives with his daughter, Mrs. Gray. He is 93 years of age. Mrs. Price is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Gray one child was born, Mabel, the wife of H. S. Merrick, a lieutenant colonel in the Iowa State Militia, and they live in Ottumwa, Iowa. They have one daughter, Lavina.
John W. Gray is a Republican, a member of the Methodist church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows No. 77 of Blooming- ton. In 1923 he received a badge of honor for 50 years membership in the lodge. Mr. Gray attributes his success in life to hard work and per- severance. At the time of his start in business he had but $600 and during the Civil war he worked for $1.50 per week from 5 a. m. until 10 p. m.
Ralph O. Edwards, county superintendent of highways, is among the representative citizens of McLean County. He was born on a farm near Elliott, Ill., in 1878, and is the son of John W. and Chrissie Louisa (Long) Edwards.
John W. Edwards was a native of Morganfield, Ky. He served throughout the Civil war with an Illinois regiment and was a well known citizen of Bellflower, Ill., for many years. Mr. Edwards was engaged in the hardware business at Elliott until 1889 and in 1889 he moved to Bell- flower, Ill. ; and engaged in the hardware and furniture business until April, 1921. He died July 29th of that year. His wife was born at Lacon, Ill. and died June 11, 1896. They were the parents of the following children: Percy M., lives at Nogales, Ariz .; Mary A. McDowell, married W. E. McDowell, lives at Normal, Ill .; Della May, died at the age of three years ; one child died in infancy and Ralph O., the subject of this sketch.
Ralph O. Edwards was born in Ford County and received his education tion in the public schools of Elliott and Bellflower and the high school of Gibson City. He also attended the University of Illinois. Mr. Edwards began life as a civil engineer with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road and was later connected with the Illinois Central Railroad, the Chi-
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cago & Northwestern Railroad and the Norfolk & Southern Railroad. He was formerly a funeral director, and still retains his license, later be- coming county superintendent of highways. Mr. Edwards is the first man to fill this position in the county.
In politics Mr. Edwards is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic lodge of Bellflower, the Consistory of Blooming- ton, and the Shrine of Peoria, and the Elks of Bloomington.
Mr. Edwards is a capable and popular official, and is intensely inter- ested in every movement for civic improvement.
Rev. Francis A. McCarty, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Bloomington, was born near Zanesville, Ohio, Dec. 16, 1867, and is the son of William and Martha (Brown) McCarty.
William McCarty was a native of Morgan county, Ohio and his wife was born in Londonderry, Ireland. He was a farmer and served through- out the Civil war with Company I, 97th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In 1868 he settled near McLean, Ill., where he remained until 1885, at which time he removed to McPherson, Kans., where he died in 1909. His dife died in 1903. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Effiie Rid- dell, lives at McPherson, Kan .; Mrs. Isla M. Hill, lives at Detroit, Mich .; Etta, lives at Bloomington and Rev. Francis A., the subject of this sketch.
Rev. Francis A. McCarty was educated at Southwestern College, Win- field, Kans., Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington and Boston Uni- versity at Boston, Mass. He taught school near McPherson, Kans., for two years and was student pastor at Bloomington circuit, Fremont, Ill. and Somerset, Mass. In 1901 he was ordained. After his student days Rev- erend McCarty served as pastor at San Jose, Mason City, Gibson City, Jacksonville, Ill., and for five years as superintendent of the Jacksonville district, later going to Quincy, Ill. In 1921 he came to Bloomington.
On Nov. 30, 1904, Reverend McCarty was united in marriage with Miss Alice M. Abbott, a native of Natrona, Ill., and the daughter of John B. and Mary Jane (Ainsworth) Abbott, natives of Illinois and of English descent. Mr. Abbott lives at Mason City, Ill. His wife died in 1915. To Reverend and Mrs. McCarty have been born three children: Mary Helen, Edith Louise and Alice Jeannette, all students.
In politics Reverend McCarty is a Republican. He was a member of the General Conference in 1916 and 1920 and for the past three years has
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been secretary of the Business Committee of the Illinois Bi-Conference Educational Movement. He has a degree of Doctor of Divinity from Illinois Wesleyan University and is a trustee of that university and the Woman's College at Jacksonville.
Dr. Algy F. Strange, a prominent and successful dentist of Blooming- ton, is a native of Illinois. He was born at Walshville, Ill., April 12, 1878, and is the son of Alexander T. and Jessie (Copeland) Strange.
Alexander T. Strange was born in Floyd county, Ga., July 6, 1850, and his wife is a native of Montgomery county, Ill., born in 1846. They were married on Aug. 22, 1872, and to this union the following children were born: Roy Alexas, born Dec. 30, 1873, died Jan. 6, 1874 and Eury Boone, twin brother of A. F., and also a very successful dentist of Hillsboro, Ill. In early life Mr. Strange taught school for about 15 years, after which he became engaged in general farming. He served for several years by gov- ernment appointment as a representative to the Farmers National Con- gress and organized and is at present secretary of the Hillsboro Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company and the Poas Cyclone Insurance Company.
Dr. A. F. Strange and his brother were reared on a farm in Mont- gomery county, Ill., and attended the district schools. They were both graduated from the dental department of the St. Louis University. Be- fore entering dental college he taught school for three terms. After com- pleting his education in 1901 Dr. Strange took charge of clinics and was demonstrator of operative dentistry in the college from which he was graduated. For two years he practiced his profession at Litchfield, Ill., and came to Bloomington in 1912, where he has since been located. Dr. Strange has built up a splendid practice and is a progressive man in his profession.
On Sept. 1, 1897, Dr. Strange was married to Miss Lula Mae Hope, a native of Hillsboro, Ill., and a daughter of James C. and Mary (Cham- berlain) Hope, natives of Illinois. Mr. Hope has been a prosperous farmer of Montgomery county for many years and lives on his farm four miles south of Hillsboro. His wife died several years ago. To Dr. and Mrs. Strange four children have been born as follows: Russell Hope, born June 6, 1899, a senior student of the Medical Department of Northwestern Uni- versity at Chicago, having previously attended Bloomington High School
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and received his pre-medic degree at Illinois Wesleyan University, married in 1923 to Miss Mary Cooper, and they live at 5054 Kenmore Avenue, Chicago; Artrude, born May 25, 1901, a graduate of Bloomington High School, and Lindenwood College for Girls, married in June, 1921, to Dr. William H. Barton, who has a very fine dental practice at Hampshire, Ill. ; Mildred, born Feb. 4, 1908, a student in Bloomington High School and Roberta, born July 14, 1916, a student at Franklin grade school.
Dr. Strange is a Republican but has never had any political aspirations. While living at Litchfield, Ill., he served as alderman. He has held various offices in the local and district dental societies of the state. Dr. Strange is a member of the Presbyterian church and a member of all bodies in both the York and Consistory branch of Masonry, as well as the Ancient Arabic Order Mystic Shrine, having been for several years a member of the Mohammed Shrine Brass Band.
John C. Talbert, deceased, was a leading business man of Bloomington for many years. He was born near Carlisle, Ky., Feb. 10, 1860, and was the son of William and Sarah J. Talbert, both natives of Kentucky and now deceased.
John C. Talbert spent his boyhood on his father's farm and received his education in the schools of Carlisle and Kentucky State Normal Uni- versity. When he was 27 years of age he came to Illinois and engaged in the lumber business at Bloomington with Parker Brothers. Later, he formed a partnership with Thomas Parker and they purchased the Trotter Lumber Company, which they conducted successfully for many years. Mr. Talbert died May 22, 1913.
On Jan. 7, 1897, Mr. Talbert was married to Miss Maude R. Benner, a daughter of Harry and Ella (Johnson) Benner, the former a native of Hagerstown, Md., and the latter of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Benner was a rail- road contractor and civil engineer for many years. Mrs. Talbert was reared by her grandmother. She resides in the family home at 717 West Monroe street, Bloomington. To Mr. and Mrs. Talbert one child was born, Sarah, who was educated at Bloomington and also attended Ward Belmont Academy.
Mr. Talbert was a member of the Christian church and belonged to the Masonic lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern
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Woodmen of America. He was a director of the Brokaw Hospital at Bloom- ington for many years. Mr. Talbert was an energetic man who stood well in the esteem of his many friends and acquaintances.
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