USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 43
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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
On June 1, 1919, the Bellflower Exchange Bank became a state bank and J. E. Smith was elected president, with H. L. Helmick, vice-president; G. M. Carson, cashier, and Helen Helmick, assistant cashier. The present directors are: J. E. Smith, H. J. Flint, M. O. Flanagan, C. A. Flint, J. H. Copenhaver, and A. G. Althouse. The Bellflower Exchange Bank is one of the leading banking institutions of the county.
W. S. Bingham, a well known and highly respected citizen of Bell- flower, Ill., now living retired, was born in Fayette County, Pa., Dec. 24, 1850, the son of James A. and Nancy Jane (Steele) Bingham.
James A. Bingham was born in Pennsylvania, as also was his wife. They moved to Illinois in 1854, locating on a farm near Bloomington, and later lived near Holder, Ill. Mr. Bingham also farmed in Will County, Ill., for three years, then returned to McLean County, and at the time of his retirement moved to Ohio. He and his wife died at Alliance, Ohio. They were the parents of seven children, two of whom are now living: Char- lotte Carlos, lives at Portland, Ore .; and W. S., the subject of this sketch.
W. S. Bingham was educated in the district schools of Ohio and Illinois and attended Mt. Union College in Ohio for one year. He engaged in farming for himself in 1876 in Bellflower Township, McLean County, where he owns 245 acres of good farm land. For many years Mr. Bingham was widely known as a successful stockman and grain farmer. In June, 1923, he moved to Bellflower where he now resides.
On Feb. 4, 1885, Mr. Bingham was married to Miss Ida M. Halsey, a native of Columbia County, N. Y., born Feb. 6, 1864, and the daughter of William Henry and Ellen E. (Tobey) Halsey. William Henry Halsey was a native of New York City, born Sept. 1, 1838. He died in 1906, and his wife, a native of West Stockbridge, Mass., was born Dec. 2, 1843. She now lives in New York City with her daughter, Sarah Woodbridge. Mr. and Mrs. Halsey were the parents of seven children, as follows: Elizabeth M. Wentworth, lives at Pasadena, Cal .; Mrs. Bingham; Mary Burgess, lives at Cleveland, Ohio; William Edward, died in 1922; Franklin C., lives at Cleveland, Ohio; Sarah Woodbridge, lives in New York City ; and Edith, died in infancy.
To W. S. and Ida M. (Halsey) Bingham five children have been born, as follows: Nelie Maud, wife of W. A. Paullin, lives near Bellflower, Ill.,
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born Nov. 12, 1886; Halsey Lyle, further mention of whom is made below; Charles Russell, born Feb. 23, 1893, lives at Detroit, Mich .; Wayne Caswell, born Sept. 10, 1897, a farmer, lives in Bellflower Township; and Delmar Steele, born June 22, 1902, at home.
Halsey Lyle Bingham was born Nov. 25, 1889, and was graduated from Bellflower High School in 1908. He then attended Illinois Wesleyan University, graduating in the law department in 1914. Mr. Bingham engaged in the practice of law at Peoria, Ill., until the outbreak of the World War. He was stationed at Fort Sheridan, Ill., as a second lieutenant, and later sent to the flying school at Austin, Texas. From there he was transferred to Rockwell Field, San Diego, Cal., as an instructor in aviation. The armistice was signed before Lieutenant Bingham was sent overseas. He remained in the service and was made first lieutenant. On July 17, 1922, he lost his life in a storm while trying to land in his aeroplane at Leadville, Colo. A subscription was made to have a landing field and this was named and then dedicated in honor of Halsey Lyle Bingham and is now known as Bingham Field.
W. S. Bingham is a Republican and has served as road commissioner for seven years, and as school director for six years, and for past 25 years has been township school trustee. He is a member of the Masonic lodge and a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Bingham family are members of the Methodist Church and stand high in the community.
Wesley Yarrington, a well known retired farmer and stockman of Bell- flower, Ill., is a veteran of the Civil War and a prominent citizen of McLean County. He was born in Carroll County, Ohio, Oct. 4, 1841, the son of John and Rebecca (McConnell) Yarrington.
John Yarrington was a native of Virginia and an early settler of Carroll County, Ohio, where he followed farming for many years. He died at the age of 68 years and his wife, a native of Ohio, died at the age of 47 years. They were the parents of 11 children, three of whom are now living, as follows: John, lives at Kansas City, Mo .; Charles Milton, lives in Centralia, Mo .; and Wesley, the subject of this sketch.
Wesley Yarrington attended the district schools of Ohio and spent his boyhood on his father's farm there. During the Civil War he enlisted
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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
in Company G, 91st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After taking part in sev- eral important battles of the war, Mr. Yarrington was severely wounded and sent to a hospital, where he remained for several months. He was again called back into service, although still incapacitated, and after several months again entered service, performing light duties. After the close of the war, he engaged in general farming and stock raising in Bellflower Township, McLean County, where he owned a farm of 51 acres.
On July 18, 1868, Mr. Yarrington was married to Miss Belle Hamilton, a native of Ohio, born July 17, 1840. She died in 1913 and is buried in the Bellflower Cemetery. To Wesley and Belle (Hamilton) Yarrington three children were born, as follows: Viola Edwards, lives in Washington, D. C .; James A., lives in Iowa ; and Allie Halliday, lives at Bellflower. Mr. Yarrington was married on Dec. 25, 1914, to Mrs. Mollie Moore, who had two children by a former marriage: Earl Moore, lives at Columbus, Ohio; and Myrtle Brown, lives near Waverly, Ohio.
Mr. Yarrington is a Republican and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He ranks as one of the dependable citizens of his com- munity.
Charles A. Flint, retired, is a highly respected citizen of Bellflower Township. He was born at Hillsboro, N. H., Sept. 13, 1851, the son of Luther and Sarah (Richardson) Flint.
The Flint family originally came from Massachusetts where Daniel Flint, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born March 27, 1767. On June 28, 1795, he was married to Miss Lydia Shattuck, and to this union five children were born, as follows: Lydia, born July 17, 1797; Daniel, born in 1799, died March 17, 1814; Amos, born June 27, 1801; William, born April 15, 1803, died Sept. 13, 1804; and Luther, father of the subject of this sketch.
Luther Flint was married to Sarah Richardson, a native of New Hampshire, born March 7, 1816, and the daughter of Stephen and Sallie (Minnotte) Richardson. To Luther and Sarah (Richardson) Flint seven children were born, as follows: Sullivan M., born Aug. 18, 1838, died Dec. 14, 1912; Seth G., born Jan. 3, 1840, died in infancy ; Ellen Maria, born May 16, 1843, died Nov. 15, 1897; George H., born Oct. 26, 1845, died June 25, 1915; Sarah Frances, born Sept. 9, 1848, died July 10, 1903;
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Charles A., the subject of this sketch; and Fred W., born Nov. 4, 1853, died June 7, 1894.
Charles A. Flint received his education in New Hampshire and came to Illinois in 1873, locating on a farm in Bellflower Township, McLean County. He and his brother George carried on farming together for 18 years. Mr. Flint is now living retired. .
On Feb. 2, 1887, Mr. Flint was married to Miss May Skidmore, a native of Bellflower Township, McLean County, born in June, 1864. She died Nov. 7, 1894. Mrs. Flint was the daughter of George W. and Mar- garet (Kinsley) Skidmore, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Illinois. To Charles A. and May (Skidmore) ) Flint one child was born, Lawrence Lincoln, born Nov. 15, 1889. He lives at home with his father. On Dec. 10, 1914, Mr. Lawrence Flint was married to Miss Emma Polk, and to this union one child has been born, Margaret May, born Sept. 10, 1919.
Mr. Flint is a 32nd degree Mason. He is a capable, industrious and progressive man, and is known as a substantial member of his community.
David V. Springer, one of the well known farmers of Bellflower Town- ship, is a native of Tazewell County, Ill., born Feb. 24, 1875, and the son of John and Elizabeth (Nafziger) Springer.
John Springer was a native of Germany and came to this country when he was 13 years of age, settling near Tremont, Ill. He became a successful farmer of Hopedale Township, McLean County, where he owned 280 acres of good farm land. Mr. Springer died May 13, 1896, and his wife, also a native of Germany, died Feb. 1, 1908. She came to this country with her parents when she was nine years old. Mr. and Mrs. Springer were the parents of the following children: Christian, deceased; 'Eliza- beth Birkey, lives in Illinois; Mary ; Barbara; Lydia; Lena; Fannie; John A .; and David V., the subject of this sketch.
David V. Springer grew up on his father's farm in Hopedale Township, Tazewell County, and attended the public schools. He began farming for himself at the age of 21 years and now owns a well improved farm of 234 acres in Belleflower Township, McLean County, and 168 acres in Champaign County, Ill. Mr. Springer specializes in the raising of grain, but has a few cows on his farm.
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On Feb. 4, 1900, Mr. Springer was united in marriage with Miss Lena A. Birkey, a native of Woodford County, Ill., born Dec. 26, 1877, and the daughter of John G. and Catherine (Schrock) Birkey. Mr. and Mrs. Birkey were the parents of the following children: Andrew, lives in Iowa; Jo- seph, lives in Michigan; John, lives in Iowa; Levi, lives in Iowa; William, lives in Iowa ; Mrs. Springer ; and Katie Zher, lives in Iowa.
To David V. and Lena A. (Birkey) Springer six children have been born, as follows: John D., Lizzie D., Aaron D., Katie D., Roy D., and Mel- vin D., all living at home.
Mr. Springer is a member of the Mennonite Church, and he is a de- pendable and reliable citizen of McLean County.
Dr. Albert W. Meyer, a leading physician and surgeon of Bloomington, was born there Sept. 13, 1869, the son of Frederick and Dorothea (Pagels) Meyer, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.
Dr. Meyer was reared in Bloomington and educated in the public schools and was graduated from high school in 1888. He attended the Louisville Medical College at Louisville, Ky., from 1893 to 1894, paying his way through himself. In 1897 he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine from Rush Medical College in Chicago and then entered into partnership with Dr. James Whitney Hall, now of Chicago. This part- nership lasted three years, after which Dr. Meyer took offices in the Griesheim Bldg., where he was burned out in June, 1900, when Bloom- ington had its great fire. He lost his entire medical library with the ex- ception of one book. He then took offices in what is now known as the Miller block, formerly known as the Hanna Building. Dr. Meyer started with little capital after his offices were burned out in 1900, and went in debt for his instruments, office furniture, etc. He now has one of the best equipped offices in the city and is widely known. He served as city physi- cian and health officer for eight years and served on the U. S. Board of Pension Examiners for just 25 years, having resigned in 1924. He was appointed by U. S. Pension Commissioner Vespasian Warner of Illinois. Dr. Meyer has taken an active interest in medical legislature. He follows general practice. During the influenza epidemic of 1918 he averaged 68 visits a day for three weeks, and during that period had but three hours sleep daily.
DR. A. W. MEYER.
29 ก สุกมร.คา
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Dr. Meyer is a Knights Templar and 32nd degree Mason and belongs to the Shrine of Peoria and the Elks Lodge. He was president of St. Joseph's Hospital staff advisory board since its organization and since the organization of the St. Joseph's Hospital staff has been president of the same. Dr. Meyer is a Republican. He is a member of the McLean County Medical Society, the Tri-State Association, and has been a delegate to the state medical conventions a number of times. He also belongs to the Catholic Hospital Association. Dr. Meyer is one of Bloomington's broad-minded and public spirited citizens and has well earned the respect and esteem of his many friends.
Frederick Meyer, deceased, was a pioneer business man of Bloom- ington. He was born in Germany, March 17, 1840, the son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Tide) Meyer.
Christopher Meyer brought his family to the United States in 1862 and located in Bloomington. There were four children in the family, as follows: Christopher, deceased, was a Civil War veteran; Henry, deceased ; Frederick, the subject of this sketch; and Wilhelm, also deceased. Mr. Meyer was among the first nurserymen of Bloomington, where he was en- gaged in business until the time of his death.
Frederick Meyer was educated in Germany and after coming to Bloom- ington engaged in the tailoring business, in which he was successful. He died Nov. 29, 1914, and is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Blooming- ton.
On April 22, 1865, Mr. Meyer was married to Miss Dorothea Pagels, a native of Germany, born July 31, 1845, and the daughter of Henry and Dorothea (Moldenhaur) Pagels, natives of Germany and early settlers of Bloomington. Mr. Pagels died Sept. 22, 1867, and his wife died Jan. 4, 1891. They were the parents of four children: Elizabeth, the widow of Joseph Rudolph ; Fredericka, married Charles Luth, lives retired in Bloom- ington ; Mrs. Meyer; and Marie, deceased, was the wife of Charles Virgie. To Frederick and Dorothea (Pagels) Meyer three children were born, as follows: Edward F., born Sept. 23, 1865, lives in Chicago where he is engaged in the grain business; Otto C., born Sept. 13, 1867, died July 8, 1913; and Dr. A. W. Meyer whose sketch appears in this volume, born Dec. 13, 1869, a physician, lives in Bloomington, where he has practiced
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his profession for the past 27 years. Mrs. Meyer has one grandchild, Dorothea Meyer, born July 18, 1894, and one great-grandchild, Dorothy Frances, born April 15, 1923.
Mrs. Meyer owns business property in Bloomington, as well as her home. She is a Republican and a member of the Eastern Star Lodge. The Meyer family is among the highly respected pioneer families of Bloom- ington and is favorably known.
DeWitt R. Gooch, a well known retired farmer and veteran of the Civil war, is a native of New York City, born Sept. 17, 1841, and the son of Thomas and Lydia (Roulstone) Gooch.
Thomas Gooch was born in Massachusetts, March, 1807. He was a son of Thomas Gooch, who enlisted during the War of 1812, and was never heard of after the close of the war. Thomas Gooch, father of the subject of this sketch, was reared by an aunt and lived in Boston until 1832. On Dec. 25, 1835, he was married to Miss Lydia C. Roulstone, a daughter of John and Hannah (Capen) Roulstone. Mrs. Gooch died at the age of 62 years, leaving four children, as follows: Thomas R., dead; John R., dead; DeWitt R., the subject of this sketch; and Caroline Frances, deceased.
DeWitt R. Gooch received his education in a private school at Brook- lyn, N. Y. He came to Illinois when he was 16 years of age, settling in Tazewell County. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Com- pany B, 73rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until November, 1863. In March, 1863, after engaging in a few battles, Mr. Gooch contracted typhoid fever at Murfreesboro and was sent to a hospital in Murfreesboro. He was there until May, 1863, when he was transferred to a hospital at Nashville, Tenn. In August, 1863, he was transferred to the invalid corps and was discharged Nov. 23, 1863, at Elmira, N. Y. After being discharged from service Mr. Gooch returned to his farm in Illinois, and in 1885 moved to Bellflower Township, McLean County, where he owned a well improved farm. He retired in 1892 and moved to Bellflower where he now resides. Mr. Gooch served as postmaster of Bellflower from 1904 until 1909.
On Feb. 14, 1864, Mr. Gooch was married to Miss Rosetta Rathmell, a native of Hopedale Township, Tazewell County, born in 1846, and the daughter of James and Mary (Moseley) Rathmell, the former a native
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of Pennsylvania and the latter of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Rathmell had three children, as follows: Mrs. Gooch; Adeline, born Feb. 10, 1848, de- ceased; and John L., born Jan. 6, 1850, deceased. To DeWitt R. and Rosetta (Rathmell) Gooch four children have been born, as follows: Ar- thur F., born Nov. 27, 1864, lives in Bellflower, Ill .; DeWitt R., born Oct. 22, 1866, Belleflower, Ill .; Oliver C., born Aug. 17, 1868, died March 9, 1897 ; and Maud C. Phillips, born March 14, 1871, lives in Lawrence, Kans. Arthur F. Gooch has one child, Arthur G. Gooch. Oliver C. Gooch had one child, Oliver C. Gooch, deceased. DeWitt R. Gooch has three chil- dren, Olive M., Gretchen Louise, and DeWitt R., Jr. 3rd. Olive is married to Fred Beidleman and they have one child, Richard G. Gretchen Louise mar- ried Col. O. J. Troster and they have one child, John G. Maud C. Phillips has seven children, as follows: Rose E. Grant, who has three children, Betty, Wilton and Arthur; Lillian M. Carlyle; John DeWitt; Alonzo; Fan- nie; Oliver; and Lydia Elizabeth.
Mr. Gooch is a Republican and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he also belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution. He has always been a progressive citizen with high standards of civic pride, and he stands high in his community. Mr. Gooch has served as secretary of his regimental association for the past 20 years.
Charles C. Vansickle, owner of 367 acres of well improved land in Bell- flower Township, is one of the well known farmers of McLean County. He was born on the farm where he now resides, Aug. 22, 1874, the son of Edward and Ursula (Helmick) Vansickle.
Edward Vansickle was a native of New Jersey, born Nov. 22, 1833. In 1855 he came to McLean County, Illinois, and engaged in farming until the time of the Civil War. He enlisted in Company D, Third Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, and served during the entire war. Mr. Vansickle was maried on Oct. 9, 1866, to Miss Mary Whitaker, and to this union four children were born. After the death of his first wife in 1872, Mr. Van- sickle was married the following year to Miss Ursula Helmick, a native of Clinton, Ill. To this union three sons were born, as follows: Charles C., the subject of this sketch; Nathaniel, deceased; and John, lives at Fisher, Ill. Mr. Vansickle died July 29, 1909, and his wife died Sept. 9, 1919. She was born Oct. 27, 1840.
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Charles C. Vansickle attended the public schools of Bellflower and has always lived on the same farm. He has made extensive improvements on the place, does general farming and is interested in stock raising.
On Dec. 24, 1907, Mr. Vansickle was married to Miss Mae Campbell, a native of Rantoul, Ill., born April 22, 1880, and a daughter of G. W. and Clara (Morris) Campbell. Mr. Campbell was born in Ohio, Oct. 29, 1852, and when he was three years old his parents located at Champaign, Ill. He later moved to Bellflower where he operated a harness shop for 25 years. Mr. Campbell retired in 1917 and now lives with his daughter, Mrs. Vansickle. To G. W. and Clara (Morris) Campbell, two children were born: Lola B. Burnett, lives at Roberts, Ill .; and Mrs. Vansickle. Mrs. Campbell died Dec. 25, 1890, and Mr. Campbell was later married to Miss Nettie Engle, deceased.
To Charles C. and May (Campbell) Vansickle four children have been born as follows: Edward G., born July 28, 1908, died June 13, 1912; Lola Harriet, born July 21, 1911; Charles F., born May 1, 1913, died Sept. 25, 1913; and Ada Mae, born July 16, 1915.
Mr. Vansickle is a Republican. He is a man esteemed for his reliabil- ity and industry.
Allan McIntyre, an enterprising and well known farmer of Bellflower Township, was born on the farm where he now lives, Sept. 21, 1870, the son of Hugh and Katherine (Stewart) McIntyre.
Hugh McIntyre was born in Glasgow, Scotland, Oct. 6, 1832, and came to Canada with his parents when he was nine years of age. He was a son of Allan McIntyre. Hugh McIntyre came to Illinois in 1865 and at the time of his marriage, four years later, moved to the present farm in Bell- flower Township. Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre were the parents of six chil- dren, as follows: Allan, the subject of this sketch; Robert and Hugh, live at Bellflower, Ill. ; Fame, lives at Streator, Ill. ; Mary Beggs, lives at Bloom- ington, Ill .; and Katherine, lives at Streator, Ill.
Allan McIntyre was educated in the public schools of Bellflower and has always followed farming and stock raising. He owns 160 acres of well improved land and is a breeder of purebred Chester White hogs, and is a member of the Chester White Hog Association.
On Feb. 21, 1896, Mr. McIntyre was married to Miss Minnie B. Kee- fer, a native of Tazewell County, Ill., born Oct. 29, 1873, and the daughter
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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
of David and Evelyn Keefer. To Mr. and Mrs. Keefer five children were born, as follows : Minnie B., deceased; David, deceased ; Louella Demming- berg, lives at Kansas City, Mo .; Stella Fullerton, lives at Cooper, Texas ; and Carl, lives in Montana. The following children were born to Mr. Allen McIntyre's first marriage: Zelia, born May 24, 1898, now the wife of Edgar Frazier, Foosland, Ill .; Stewart, born Dec. 19, 1900, Chicago; Keefer, born Dec. 2, 1906. Mr. McIntyre was married the second time to Miss Ida Francisco, a native of Tennessee, and to this union three children were born, as follows: Clyde, born Aug. 30, 1908; Wilbur, born Aug. 12, 1909; and Harry, born Nov. 24, 1910. Mr. McIntyre was married the third time to Miss Verna E. Fletcher, a native of Marion County, Ill., born Oct. 8, 1880, and the daughter of N. B. and Jennie (Purky) Fletcher. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher were the parents of the following children: Herbert, born Aug. 4, 1878, lives at St. Elmo, Ill .; Mrs. McIntyre; Nellie Walker, born March 4, 1886, lives at Clinton, Ill .; Florence Walker, born June 7, 1890, lives in Montana : and Clara and Clarence, twins, born July 28, 1904. To Allan and Verna E. (Fletcher) McIntyre one child has been born, Willis Delmer, born Oct. 22, 1914.
Allan McIntyre is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is an industrious, energetic man, who is held in high esteem by all who know him.
J. C. Sommer, an extensive farmer and stockman of Bellflower Town- ship, was born in Pagny-Sur-Meuse, France, Dec. 9, 1871, the son of Christian and Barbara (Claudon) Sommer.
Christian Sommer was born in Pagny-Sur-Meuse, France, Dec. 25, 1846, and his wife was also a native of France, born Dec. 7, 1849. They were married March 16, 1869. Mrs. Sommer was the daughter of Nicholas and Barbara (Bachler) Claudon. Mr. and Mrs. Claudon were the parents of the following children: Christian, Joseph, Andrew, Mary, Barbara, Peter, and Nicholas Sommer. To Christian and Barbara (Claudon) Som- mer five children were born as follows: Joseph, J. C., the subject of this sketch; Marie, Eliza and Rene.
J. C. Sommer was educated in France and when he was a young man went to Germany, where he studied the German language. His father was
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a miller and he worked in the flour mills until he was 20 years old, and on July 4, 1889, with his uncle and grandfather, they came to. the United States, where Mr. Sommer made a visit for three months, then returned to France and Feb. 28, 1891, he again returned to the United States and bought his present farm in Bellflower Township for his parents, who came here in 1892. Nicholas Claudon, Mr. Sommer's grandfather, made the voyage with them and was 89 years of age at that time. He died five years later. Mr. Sommer owns 600 acres of well improved land in Bell- flower Township and he is an extensive grain farmer. His place is well improved with a good residence and farm buildings.
On Jan. 7, 1900, Mr. Sommer was married to Miss Fannie Springer, a native of Tazewell County, Ill., born March 16, 1872, and the daughter of John and Elizabeth Springer. To J. C. and Fannie (Springer) Sommer three children have been born, as follows: Nelson C., born March 9, 1901, a student at Bellflower High School; Raymond J., born June 26, 1904, also a student at high school ; and Chester J., born July 18, 1910.
J. C. Sommer is a Republican and is serving as school director of Bell- flower Township, District No. 62. He is a member of the Mennonite Church, and a highly respected and substantial citizen of McLean County.
H. C. Struebing, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Bellflower Township, and now farming 390 acres of well improved land, was born in Germany, Nov. 18, 1865, the son of Carl Struebing, who was born in Ger- many, March 4, 1836.
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