USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 36
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tion he became vice-president, which office he has since held. Mr. Sweeting has made many investments in business property in Bloomington, as well as in Streater, Ill., where he owns one-half block in the business section.
In 1895 Mr. Sweeting was married to Miss Martha Harvey, a native of Bloomington, and to this union one child was born, Lelia. She is the wife of Marvin D. Adams and lives at 806 East Washington Street.
Mr. Sweeting is a member of the Masonic lodge and belongs to the Shrine, Consistory and Knights Templar of both the York and Scottish Rites. Mr. Sweeting is a man of progressive ideas in his business and a citizen of whom the community is proud.
Arthur L. Burdette, the capable and well-known postmaster at Dan- vers, is a veteran of the World War. He was born at Danvers, May 27, 1899, the son of Martin Luther and Lydia Susan (Roach) Burdette.
Martin Luther Burdette and his wife are natives of West Virginia. They came to McLean County in the eighties and settled at Danvers, where Mr. Burdette worked at his trade as painter and paperhanger. Sev- eral years ago he and his wife went to Detroit, Mich., where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Burdette have five children, as follows: Calvin, married Gertrude Campbell, and lives in Chicago; Alice Faye, married E. A. Mason, and lives at Jackson, Mo .; Hortense Elizabeth, married Lyle S. Stuckey, lives at Danvers; Ida, unmarried, registered nurse; and Arthur L., the subject of this sketch.
Arthur L. Burdette received his education in the public schools of Danvers and Chicago and then engaged in the decorating business at Danvers. He enlisted for service in the World War in April, 1917, and served with the 6th Regiment of Marines. His training was received at Paris Island, S. C., and he sailed for France in October, 1917. Mr. Bur- dette took part in many important battles of the war and was discharged from service in August, 1919. He then returned to Danvers and later went to Chicago, where he was assistant manager of a department in the Marshall Field store. After eight months he returned to Danvers, and on Jan. 1, 1922, was appointed postmaster of Danvers, which office he has since filled in a very efficient manner.
Mr. Burdette was married in 1921 to Miss Mildred E. Chapman, a native of Carlock, Ill., and the daughter of Dr. A. L. and Lydia (Bram-
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well) Chapman, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Illinois. Dr. Chapman was a prominent physician for a number of years and is now living retired in Bloomington. To Arthur L. and Mildred E. (Chapman) Burdette one child has been born, Margaret Louise.
In politics Mr. Burdette is a Republican and he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a commander of the American Legion and is second vice-president of the National League of District Postmasters. Mr. Burdette is a progressive young man and well liked throughout the community.
Fred Stoppenbeck, an extensive farmer and stockman of Allin Town- ship, and the owner of 120 acres of good farm land, was born on a farm in Dry Grove Township, McLean County, Sept. 4, 1878, the son of A. W. and Minnie (Liestman) Stoppenbeck.
A. W. Stoppenbeck was born in Germany, June 3, 1850, and came to the United States with his mother and step-father. He engaged in gen- eral farming in Dry Grove Township in 1871 and owned 61 acres of land. Before engaging in farming, Mr. Stoppenbeck was employed by the Big Four Railroad and worked at Bloomington. His wife, also a native of Germany, came to this country at the age of seven years and lived at Bloomington with a sister. She died in 1916 and Mr. Stoppenbeck now lives retired at Danvers. They were the parents of five children, as follows: W. H., died in 1921, was the husband of Amelia Alwes; Fred, the subject of this sketch; Anna, married Julius Alwes, lives in Illinois ; Lizzie, died in 1910, was the wife of William Schweiman; and Emma, married William Alwes, lives at Bloomington.
Fred Stoppenbeck was educated in the public schools of Dry Grove Township and has always lived on a farm. He began farming on the present place in 1903 and has made extensive improvements. Mr. Stop- penbeck raises good stock and is well known throughout the township as a successful farmer.
In 1903 Mr. Stoppenbeck was married to Miss Nellie Hilton, a native of Peabody, Kans., and a daughter of J. N. and Louisa (Bohrer) Hilton, both natives of Ohio. Mr. Hilton followed farming for many years and now lives retired at Bloomington, and his wife died Sept. 23, 1922. They were the parents of the following children: A. W., married Mae Massey,
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lives at Normal, Ill .; Edna, married Elmer Gerber, lives in Dry Grove Township; C. W., married Minnie Wangler, lives in Chicago; Mrs. Stoppen- beck; Guy, married Lena Mercier, lives in Dry Grove Township; R. N., married Freda Krentel, lives at Bloomington; and Gladys, married Leslie Ernst. Mr. and Mrs. Stoppenbeck have four children: Guy, Gail, Grace, and Glennor.
Mr. Stoppenbeck is identified with the Democratic party in politics and he is a director of the First National Bank at Danvers. He is a mem- ber of the First Presbyterian Church of Danvers and is one of the pro- gressive and enterprising citizens of Allin Township.
A. P. Benjamin, a substantial farmer and stockman of Dale Town- ship, five miles southwest of Bloomington, was born on the farm one- quarter of a mile from where he now lives, Feb. 20, 1850, the son of Alvah D. and Sarah Ellen (Stiger) Benjamin.
The Benjamin family dates back to John Benjamin, who arrived in Boston harbor from England, on Sept. 16, 1632; he was born in 1598. Abraham Stiger, grandfather on the maternal side, was a native of Bed- ford County, Pa., and an early settler of Dry Grove Township, having come here Oct. 22, 1836, with his family in a "schooner" wagon. Alvah D. Benjamin came to McLean County in 1846 from Massachusetts and entered 200 acres of land from the government, which with other pur- chase he farmed until the time of his death in 1878. To Mr. and Mrs. Alvah D. Benjamin, five children were born, as follows: A. P., the subject of this sketch; A. D., Jr., married Esther Darrow, lives in Bloomington, Ill .; Alden C., married Josie Lovenguth, lives at Bloomington, Ill .; Nancy, married William Aldrich, who is deceased; and Laura, was the wife of R. N. Inhofe, who is deceased.
Alvah D. Benjamin and Sarah Ellen Stigner were married June 11, 1848, in a school house, also used for a church. This building stood on the same spot where they are now buried.
A. P. Benjamin has always farmed in Dale Township, where he owns 2311/2 acres of good farm land. He specializes in the breeding of Aber- deen Angus cattle. Mr. Benjamin has a pair of valuable silver black fox which he received from Ontario, Canada.
On Dec. 31, 1872, Mr. Benjamin was married to Miss Margaret Carothers, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of Moses and Margaret
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(Charles) Carothers. Mrs. Benjamin died, May 5, 1912, leaving three children, as follows: Charles, lives in Michigan; Frank, married Luella Bevan, lives in Dale Township, a couple of miles west of Bloomington on Washington Street road, and Ella, married Leslie Bicknell, and they re- side with Mr. Benjamin.
Mr. Benjamin is a Democrat and has served as township supervisor. He is a member of the Masonic lodge of Shirley. Mr. Benjamin is a de- pendable citizen and is well known in McLean County.
Alexander Halsey, now living retired at Heyworth, is a native of McLean County, and a member of a well known pioneer family. He was born on a farm near Heyworth, Nov. 5, 1842, the son of Eli and Nancy (Scott) Halsey.
Eli Halsey was a native of Virginia, born April 15, 1815, the son of Moses Halsey. After his marriage in Virginia Eli Halsey came to Illinois and settled on a farm in Funks Grove Township, McLean County, where he died Jan. 19, 1871. His wife was born May 20, 1819, and was a daughter of Alexander Scott, a native of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Eli Halsey were the parents of 13 children, as follows: Sarah McAllister, deceased; Alexander, the subject of this sketch; Pheobe McAllister, de- ceased; John, deceased; Ruth Owens, deceased; Jane Marshall lives at Bloomington, Ill .; George, deceased; Ira, lives in Dewitt County, Ill .; Robert, lives in Lee Center, Ill .; Amy F. Gaddis, lives at Clinton, Ill .; Martha Winkle, deceased; Eli and Wealthy H., deceased.
Alexander Halsey was educated in the district schools of Illinois and attended school in a log cabin. He has always been a farmer and was for many years a leading stockman of McLean County, specializing in the breeding of Shorthorn and Pole Angus Aberdeen cattle. Mr. Halsey owns 209 acres of well improved land and since 1917 has lived retired at Heyworth.
On October 8, 1864, Mr. Halsey was married to Miss Mary Jane Davis, a native of Switzerland County, Ind., born Aug. 31, 1846, the daughter of James L. and Tabitha (Maples) Davis. Mr. Davis was born in Indiana, July 19, 1819 and died Jan. 6, 1891. His wife was born April 16, 1823 and died June 30, 1894. They came to Illinois in 1851 and located on a farm near Heyworth. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were the parents of seven children, as follows: Isabel, born Sept. 13, 1843, died Aug. 3, 1865;
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MR. AND MRS. ALEX. HALSEY
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Rhesylva McCauliff, born Dec. 9, 1844, died May 10, 1861; Mrs. Halsey ; Benjamin F., born Dec. 11, 1848, died Sept. 5, 1871; Charles R., born Feb. 27, 1852, died March 12, 1864; Olive M. Smock, born Jan. 18, 1854, lives in Louisiana and Lottie, born Dec. 11, 1861, died in 1862.
To Alexander and Mary Jane (Davis) Halsey nine children have been born as follows: John C., born Aug. 25, 1865, lives in Chicago and has one child, Nellie, wife of E. T. Grambrel; Minnie A., born Jan. 28, 1867, at home; Arthur, born April 4, 1869, lives at Greenfield, Iowa; Arda, born Dec. 17, 1872, died Jan. 16, 1899; Robert Oscar, born Jan. 27, 1875, lives in DeWitt County, Ill .; Martin L., born July 28, 1887, died April 19, 1892; Owen A., born Oct. 17, 1880, lives in McLean County, Ill .; Anna J., born Oct. 17, 1883, at home and Olive Etta, widow of John J. Cruse, born June 28, 1886, lives at home. She has one child, Nava Mary.
Arthur Halsey has the following children: Elmer, Andrew, Earl, Beulah, Ruth, Loren, Clair, Glenn, Donnell, Coreta and Chester.
Robert Oscar Halsey has the following children: Daisy, Pearl, Jay, Dean, Fannie and Morris, the latter deceased.
Owen Halsey has the following children: Irvin, Paul, Reva, Avis, Helen, Melvolia and Caroline, the latter deceased.
Alexander Halsey is a Democrat and has served as school director and road overseer of Funks Grove Township.
Eugene D. Funk is a member of one of McLean County's oldest and most prominent pioneer families. He was born in Funks Grove Township, Sept. 3, 1867, and is a son of Lafayette and Elizabeth (Paullin) Funk.
Lafayette Funk was born in Funks Grove Township, which takes its name from the Funk family, Jan. 20, 1834. He was a son of Isaac and Casandre (Sharpe) Funk, natives of Kentucky and Maryland respectively. Isaac Funk was a conspicuous figure in connection with the agricultural development of Illinois from the initial stages, and his name was familiar to a great majority of the settlers of the central portion of the state. He was a typical representative of the sturdy and vigorous pioneer element, resolute, sagacious, progressive and strong in character and mental re- sources. He died Jan. 29, 1865. His wife passed away a few hours later. They reared a family of nine children.
Lafayette Funk's birth occurred in the second log cabin which his father had built, the first one having been destroyed by fire. He grew up
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on his father's vast estate, reared in the midst of all the surroundings of a huge cattle ranch, herding cattle many days in boyhood, and receiving his rudimentary education in the old log school house in the neighborhood of his home. He was graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University on June 10, 1858, after which he assisted in the active management of his father's property. Mr. Funk inherited 2000 acres of the paternal estate, and he devoted special attention to cattle raising, marketing from 300 to 400 head annually. He was long recognized as one of the most enterprising and extensive stockraisers in this section of the state. On Jan. 12, 1864, Mr. Funk was married to Miss Elizabeth Paullin, a native of Clark County, Ohio, and the daughter of Newcomb and Mary Ann (Harpole) Paullin, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Funk became the parents of three chil- dren: Eugene D., the subject of this sketch; Edgar Paullin, who died in infancy ; and Deloss, who after attending the Illinois State Normal Uni- versity and the University of Illinois, engaged in farming. He married Miss Anna Belle Read. Mr. Lafayette Funk died Sept. 6, 1919. Mrs. Funk lives at the old residence with her son, Delos, near Shirley.
Eugene D. Funk attended the district schools of Funks Grove Town- ship, the Wyman Institute at Alton, Ill., Andover Academy in Massachu- setts, and Yale University. He then went to Europe, where he took a course in agriculture. Since 1890 Mr. Funk has been engaged in farming and has been among the leading and successful stockmen of Illinois. He is the owner of 1200 acres of well improved land. The pure bred Short- horn cattle on the Funk estate is in a direct line from the stock of 1865.
In 1894, Mr. Funk was united in marriage with Miss Mary Anderson, a native of Oregon, born Feb. 14, 1874, and the daughter of A. D. and Alta (Bryant) Anderson. Mrs. Funk's grandparents went from New York to Oregon by ox team in 1853. Her father is deceased and Mrs. Anderson lives in Portland, Ore. To Eugene D. and Mary (Anderson) Funk eight children have been born: Gladys, married C. A. Rethmeyer, lives in Chicago and they have four children, Betty, Robert, Josephine and Calvert; Lafayette, married Cleota Otto, lives across the road from the Funk homestead, and they have one child, Lafayette, Jr .; Elizabeth, married Robert McCormick, a farmer, lives at Gibson City, Ill .; Eugene D., Jr., a graduate of the University of Illinois, in February, 1924; Paul Allen and Theodore, students in the University of Illinois; and Ruth and Mary, students at the Benjamin Funk school.
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One of the most interesting and important war relief activities was that relating to food production and conservation. Mr. Funk was hon- ored by appointment as a member of the General War Conference Food Committee and made chairman of the National Seed Corn Administration. He was summoned to Washington, D. C., in May, 1917, by Herbert Hoover, national food administrator, and was appointed a member of the committee of twelve to fix the price of wheat by President Wilson. At the suggestion of Mr. Hoover he was also placed upon the Agricultural Advisory Committee of the Food Administration and the U. S. Depart- ment of Agriculture by President Wilson. The facts that Mr. Funk had served as president of the National Corn Association since it was first organized in 1908; was a member of the Agricultural Committee of the United States Chamber of Commerce; treasurer of the State Live Stock Association of Illinois and chairman of the Illinois State Seed Corn Ad- ministration, gave him special prominence and had a tendency to secure his appointment upon the important war boards. He put in 18 strenuous months in Washington.
The disastrous frost of 1917 left the striking lesson that farmers should create a sufficient reserve of seed corn at harvest time for the following spring's planting. In September, 1918, a campaign was launched under the direction of Mr. Funk urging the farmers of Illinois to select the best seed corn early and arrange for proper storage facilities. Seed corn weeks were arranged by districts and 250,000 copies of posters were distributed. The campaign brought satisfactory results and reports indi- cated that more farmers than usual were performing this task. The message that farmers should use care in selecting their seed corn and in testing it before planting, was visualized at a seed corn show and demon- stration held under the auspices of the State Council of Defense at the International Live Stock Exposition during the week beginning Nov. 30, 1918, in Chicago. A comprehensive seed corn exhibit portraying this message was installed and competent authorities were present to talk with the visitors. This demonstration was a gratifying success and it was the general opinion that good work was being registered. The seed corn needs of the state were well taken care of. Over 250,000 bushels of tested seed were sold to Illinois farmers and only six complaints were registered against it. The sale of seed corn of doubtful germination from seed men of questionable reputation was stopped in many instances. The adminis-
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tration not only supplied seed to the state but also protected farmers from many unscrupulous seedmen. Mr. Funk and other members of the Seed Corn Administration deserve the highest commendation for their partici- pation in this work. It was a great sacrifice because they necessarily were forced to neglect their own interests to be of service in the larger work of supplying the state with seed. Their efforts will be of lasting benefit to Illinois agriculture as the gospel of seed testing was emphasized as it never was before. During this work in Washington, and in connec- tion with the State Council of Defence, Mr. Funk had $1,500,000 at his disposal, which was used in the purchase of seed corn.
Mr. Funk is the originator and president of the Funk Bros. Seed Co., which was organized in 1901, with Delos Funk, vice-president, and H. H. Miller, manager. He is a Republican and a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Edward Ryburn, now living retired at Heyworth, Ill., is the owner of 400 acres of land in McLean County. He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1839, and is the son of James R. and Mary Ann (Bigley) Ryburn.
James R. Ryburn was a native of Pennsylvania, born June 9, 1793. He was married on June 23, 1825, to Miss Mary Ann Bigley, a native of Washington County, Pa., born March 28, 1808. She died May 2, 1881 and Mr. Ryburn died Nov. 2, 1857. In 1853 the Ryburn family came to Illinois and settled on a farm in Randolph Township, where Mr. Ryburn farmed until the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. James R. Ryburn were the parents of 10 children, as follows: James, Joseph, John, David, Eliza- beth, all deceased; Edward, the subject of this sketch; Margaret Flagg, lives in California; Samuel, deceased and Jack, deceased.
Edward Ryburn was reared on the farm and received his education in the district schools of McLean County. David and Samuel Ryburn enlisted for service during the Civil War and served with Company B, 94th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In 1866 Edward Ryburn began farming and for many years was a leading stockman of the county and now owns 400 acres of well improved land. He and his brothers, David and Joseph were successful as breeders of pure bred Shorthorn cattle and won many premiums with their stock at various fairs.
On Dec. 19, 1865, Edward Ryburn was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Passwaters, a native of McLean County, born April 27, 1845,
EDWARD RYBURN.
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and the daughter of Richard and Sina (Mizner) Passwaters. Mr. Pass- waters was born in Virginia, Nov. 3, 1812, and his wife was born in 1816 at Hamilton, Ohio. He came to Illinois in 1829, locating on land near Hey- worth. He owned 100 acres of land, which he improved, and for many years Mr. Passwaters was a well known farmer. He died Aug. 27, 1898. His wife died February, 1897.
To Edward and Amanda (Passwaters) Ryburn six children have been born, as follows: Anna, the widow of S. H. Hayes, lives with her parents. She has two children, Ethel M. and Jessie now the wife of Chester Van Horn, Funks Grove Township, born May 6, 1866; Iris was wife of Dr. F. L. Wakefield, born Oct. 6, 1868, died Aug. 11, 1907; William E., born Jan. 2, 1871, Breckenridge, Missouri; John R., born Feb. 23, 1873, lives on the home place; James D., born June 13, 1875, lives in Heyworth and one child died in infancy.
Mr. Ryburn is a Republican and his wife is a member of the Presby- terian church. Mr. Ryburn is a substantial citizen, esteemed throughout his community as a man of integrity and uprightness of character.
W. C. Johnson Family-In the early '50's, many families left their homes in the east and came to the prairies of Illinois, making the long journey in wagons and carriages. The Johnsons came from Johnson's Cross Roads, in Monroe County, Virginia. There were three brothers, Jacob, Samuel and Caleb, with their wives and children. Like most of the early settlers, they made their new homes in the edge of the woods. Jacob Johnson bought the old brick house at the top of the hill near Sugar Creek about five miles west of Bloomington, on the Washington Street road. It is still in the possession of the Johnson family. There was a large family of young people, and the home became a gay social center. One of the daughters married a Presbyterian minister from southern Kentucky named Harris. The next year his niece, Amanda Jane Harris, came to visit her uncle and was a guest in the Johnson home. A romance ensued, and on Nov. 1, 1859, William C. Johnson and Amanda Harris were married in her Kentucky home.
The next year they bought the home on the West Washington Street road where the family has ever since lived. In 1909, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson celebrated their golden wedding, which was a great social event
(66)
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in the community. Mr. Johnson died Feb. 10, 1912, and Mrs. Johnson died Jan. 18, 1920. Eight children were born in the home, six girls and two boys. The oldest daughter died in infancy, and Emma when she was 18, a student at the Wesleyan University. Ella married R. P. Haldeman, and died in St. Louis in 1915. Ida, the wife of W. B. Read, lives in Bloom- ington and the other four, Belle, Will, Amos and Jeannette, live at the Johnson home. Amos Johnson farms and manages the Johnson land.
Louie Forman, a prosperous farmer and stockman of McLean County, living in Bloomington, was born there, Jan. 3, 1881. He is the son of Louis and Rosalie (McCord) Forman.
Lewis Forman was born in New Jersey, Feb. 21, 1832, the son of William A. Forman, who brought his family to Illinois in 1856, locating in McLean County. The following year the Forman family removed to Livingston County, but after one year there returned to McLean County, where William A. Forman died, Dec. 27, 1861. Lewis and David G. For- man, brothers, located in Dale Township and became successful farmers, the former retired in 1903. His wife, Rosalie A. McCord, was born in Pike County, Ill., Aug. 12, 1853, and she died June 19, 1911. Louie For- man, the subject of this sketch, is their only child.
Louie Forman received his education in the public schools and is a graduate of Michigan Military Academy. He also studied agriculture at the University of Illinois for two years. Since finishing his schooling Mr. Forman has engaged in farming and now owns 800 acres of well improved land. He is widely known as a breeder of pure bred Hereford cattle. He and his family live in the home of the late Judge Welty, at 1508 East Washington street.
In 1906, Mr. Forman was married to Elizabeth Welty, a native of Bloomington and a daughter of Judge Sain and Gertrude (Ball) Welty.
Judge Sain Welty was born in Marshall County, Ill., Jan. 19, 1853. After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1881, he entered Yale University, finishing there in 1883. Judge Welty came to Bloom- ington in 1883 and entered the law offices of Fifer & Phillips. Later he was a member of the firm of Welty, Sterling & Whitmore. He was elected judge in 1915 of the Circuit court, which office he held until the time of his death on April 14, 1920. Judge Welty was Master in Chancery from
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1897 to 1901, and served as city attorney of Bloomington from 1889 to 1892. In 1879, he was married to Miss Gertrude Ball, who was born in Illinois, Oct. 16, 1858. To this union one child was born, Mrs. Forman. Mrs. Welty lives with her daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Forman have one son, Lewis Welty, who was born March 12, 1911.
Mr. Forman is a Republican. He is a member of the board of super- visors and for eight years has been Past Exalted Ruler of the Elks. Mr. and Mrs. Forman are well known and are among McLean County's repre- sentative citizens.
John S. Percy, now living retired at Bloomington, has been a well known farmer and stockman of Old Town Township for many years. He was born in Greene County, N. Y., on a farm 25 miles from Albany, Nov. 28, 1858, the son of James and Elizabeth (Stark) Percy.
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