USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 48
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
George Crookshank was a native of New York, born Feb. 4, 1816. When he was a boy he went to Ohio with his parents and lived in Hamilton County, where he grew to manhood. Mr. Crookshank then came to Illinois in 1843 and located on the present site of Randolph in McLean County. He was among the first settlers of that section and purchased the Ward home and 120 acres of land. Mr. Crookshank was also a plasterer and followed that trade. He died April 6, 1902, and his wife, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, died March 21, 1902. She was born Nov. 29, 1822. Mr. and Mrs. Crookshank had three children, as follows: John A., the subject of this sketch; Silas H., lives on the home place; and Edith, also lives on the home place with her brother.
John A. Crookshank was reared on his father's farm and was edu- cated in the district schools. He enlisted for service during the Civil War and served with Company B, 94th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Crook- shank took part in many important battles and skirmishes of the war and was discharged at Springfield, Ill., March 21, 1866. Mr. Crookshank then returned to his farm and engaged in the breeding of pure bred stock. He and a brother and sister own 285 acres of good farm land and is among the enterprising farmers of the county.
On Sept. 21, 1871, Mr. Crookshank was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Keiser, a native of Fayette County, Pa., born March 2, 1848, and the daughter of John and Esther Keiser. Mrs. Crookshank died Oct. 20, 1920, and is buried at Heyworth. She was a member of the Christian Church.
To John A. and Sarah (Keiser) Crookshank four children were born, as follows: Frank E., born Sept. 27, 1873, lives at Chicago, Ill .; J. F., born March 26, 1876, lives at Oak Park, Ill .; Caroline Orndorff, born Dec. 5, 1879, lives at home with her father ; and G. C., born April 5, 1883, also at home.
Mr. Crookshank is a Republican, a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and belongs to the Methodist Church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Crookshank has in his possession many valuable old books, including text books written in 1833 and an
1195
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
almanac of the year 1828. He still has his old knapsack which he used during the Civil War. Mr. Crookshank is recognized as one of the repre- sentative and substantial citizens of this county, and the Crookshank family are highly respected citizens of the community.
C. C. Brown, who is successfully engaged in the real estate business in Heyworth, was born in Logan County, Ohio, Jan. 9, 1865, the son of Ed G. and Jane (Fowler) Brown.
Ed G. Brown was a native of Ohio and died while in service during the Civil War, in April, 1865. His wife was also a native of Ohio, born June 7, 1829, the daughter of William and Mary Fowler. In Sept., 1865, Mrs. Brown brought her large family to Illinois and settled at Heyworth, where she died Aug. 2, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Ed G. Brown were the parents of eight children, as follows: Mary Potts, lives at Heyworth; William; Jo- seph; Ada Andrews; Maggie Brock; Etta Brock, deceased; Carrie Green- lee; Sarah, deceased; and C. C., the subject of this sketch. All the mem- bers of the Brown family reside at Heyworth.
C. C. Brown received his education in the district school and attended Illinois State Normal University for two years. He taught school for sixteen years, his first appointment being at Columbia, DeWitt County, Ill. After he gave up teaching Mr. Brown engaged in the drug business at Heyworth for a number of years and since 1900 has been identified with the real estate and insurance business at Heyworth. Mr. Brown has been successful in his work and is widely known throughout the county.
On March 7, 1895, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Miss Leona Gorders, a native of Wapella, DeWitt County, Ill. Mrs. Brown was born Sept. 16, 1875, and is a daughter of Joseph and Ruth (Harold) Gorders. She has four brothers and sisters, as follows: Charles W., lives at Wapella, Ill .; Lola, lives at Wapella ; Harold, lives at Wapella ; and Euphia, lives at Marion, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Brown have one child, Opal M. Fielder, born June 21, 1898, lives at Decatur, Ill.
In politics Mr. Brown is identified with the Republican party and he has served as police magistrate clerk and secretary and has served in this capacity for 22 years. He is a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the United Woodmen of America. Mr. Brown is a reliable citizen who is highly esteemed in his community.
1196
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
D. W. Thompson, a leading farmer and stockman of Randolph Town- ship, and the owner of 120 acres of land, was born at Ontario, Iowa, Nov. 29, 1867, the son of William and Mary (Jones) Thompson.
Mr. and Mrs. William Jones, now deceased, were the parents of the following children: Austin, lives at Normal, Ill .; Mary J. Wakefield, de- ceased; Martha E. Pumphrey, deceased; George K., lives on the home place in Randolph Township; D. W., the subject of this sketch; Edith, died Jan. 10, 1922; and Nellie, was married in 1907 to R. D. Graham, and they have one son, Wilfred.
D. W. Thompson was reared on a farm and received his education in the district schools. He was graduated from Illinois Normal State Uni- versity in 1894, where he studied law, and two years later from Illinois Wesleyan University. After teaching school in Pike County, Ill., four years, Mr. Thompson engaged in the practice of law for six years, after which, owing to ill health, he gave up and engaged in farming. Mr. Thompson carries on general farming and is successful in his work.
On June 5, 1900, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Ella Dillon, a native of Illinois, born March 4, 1874, and the daughter of Edgar and Julia (Harland) Dillion. To D. W. and Ella (Dillion) Thompson one child was born, Julia M., born May 13, 1901. Miss Thompson is a college graduate and is now teaching English and Latin in the Irwin High School at Irwin, Ill.
Mr. Thompson is president of the Co-Operative Elevator Company at Heyworth. He is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic order.
Wayne Walden, who is successfully engaged in farming and stock raising in Downs Township, was born on the farm where he now resides, Nov. 26, 1880, the son of David H. and Edda (Davis) Walden.
David H. Walden was born in Wilson Township, DeWitt County, June 22, 1854. He came to McLean County in 1876, locating on the present Walden farm in Downs Township. Mr. Walden engaged in general farming and stock raising and was successful. He died June 21, 1921. His widow lives at LeRoy. She was born in 1858, the daughter of Jerry Davis. Mr. and Mrs. David H. Walden had 10 children, as follows: James, lives in Minnesota; Smith, deceased; Ollie, lives in Michigan; Wayne, the subject of this sketch; Homer, lives at LeRoy: Ella, lives in
1197
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
Oklahoma; Frances Smalley, lives at LeRoy ; Benjamin, lives at LeRoy ; George, lives at LeRoy ; and Effie Jensin, lives at Bloomington.
Wayne Walden received his education in the district schools and has always lived on the same farm in Downs Township. He has made exten- sive improvements on the place and is a breeder of good stock.
On Jan. 22, 1908, Mr. Walden was married to Miss Osie Gossard, a native of Fisher, Ill., born Jan. 31, 1882, and the daughter of Marion Lewis and Sarah (Wren) Gossard. Mr. Gossard was a native of Cham- paign County, Ill., born in 1851, and his wife was born in 1861. They were the parents of the following children: Bessie, at home; Mrs. Wal- den; Edna Westfall, lives at Bloomington; Ford, lives at home; James Robert, deceased; Ella, lives in Chicago; Dick, lives at Urbana, Ill .; and Elbou, lives at home. To Wayne and Osie (Gossard) Walden four children have been born, as follows: Lyle W., born Dec. 30, 1909; Ona, born May 19, 1912; Verda, born Aug. 2, 1921 ; and one child died in infancy.
Wayne Walden is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. He is a competent and reliable and an excellent farmer.
John W. Spaid, deceased, was a well known and successful farmer and stockman of. Randolph Township; is one of the men who, by hard work, good management, and unceasing perseverance, achieved success in life. He was born in West Virginia, on Oct. 18, 1838, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Spaid.
Joseph Spaid was a native of West Virginia, born Dec. 7, 1812, and his wife was born in April, 1818. They were the parents of four children, as follows: John W., the subject of this sketch; Hannah Pennington, deceased; Nicholas, lives on the old home place in West Virginia, and Charles also lives in West Virginia.
John W. Spaid was reared on his father's farm and received his edu- cation in the district schools of West Virginia. In 1860 he went to Springfield, Ohio, where he remained for one year, when he came to Illinois and settled on his present farm in Randolph Township. Mr. Spaid was a successful breeder of Hereford cattle and Chester White hogs, and was one of the leading live stock shippers of the county for many years.
On Nov. 15, 1863, Mr. Spaid was united in marriage with Miss Rhoda French, who was born near the present Spaid farm, on Dec. 26, 1848, the
1198
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
daughter of William and Anna (Stubblefield) French. Mr. and Mrs. Spaid were the parents of the following children: Henry, lives in Utah; Charles, lives in Iowa; John, lives in Iowa; Merle, lives in Rhode Island ; James T., lives in Randolph Township, McLean County; Belle, lives at Bloomington; Anna and Alice, who live at home; Jessie, lives at Heyworth, Ill .; and Mattie, lives at home. Mr. and Mrs. Spaid have eighteen grand- children.
Mr. and Mrs. Spaid were Republicans. The Spaid family are progress- ive and enterprising citizens and are well and favorably known in McLean County.
John W. Spaid passed away at his home two miles north of Heyworth, April 14, 1924. Funeral services were held in the home April 16th; burial in Stewarts Cemetery.
W. E. Mortland, a well known and successful farmer of West Town- ship, was born in Logan County, Ill., March 21, 1869, a son of Harvey and Catherine (Lundy) Mortland.
Harvey Mortland was a native of Butler County, Pa., born Dec. 17, 1833. He came to Illinois in 1854, making the trip by horse and wagon, and he located on land in Livingston County. Later, however, he went to Logan County, and from there to McLean County, settling on the present Mortland farm. Mr. Mortland died Feb. 10, 1910, and his widow is now living in Florida, having gone there in 1912. She was born in Livingston County, Ill., April 3, 1843, the daughter of Enoch and Delphia (Houchin) Lundy.
W. E. Mortland spent his boyhood on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools, and attended business college at Bloomington. He engaged in farming in 1892 in West Township and now owns 205 acres of well improved land. Mr. Mortland is a successful breeder of stock and is also an extensive grain farmer.
On Feb. 25, 1892, Mr. Mortland was married to Miss Lilly D. Williams, a native of Madison County, Ky., born Jan. 21, 1872, the daughter of Taylor and Anna (Dozier) Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Williams now live retired at LeRoy. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Nina, deceased; Mrs. Mortland; L. K., lives in Iowa; Wallace E., lives in Illinois ; Celia Baker, lives at LeRoy, Ill. ; and J. O., lives at Seattle, Wash.
1199
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
To W. E. and Lilly (Williams) Mortland three children have been born, as follows: Nina, deceased; Errol M., born June 2, 1894, lives on the home place; and Helen G., at home, born Feb. 10, 1904. Erroll M. Mort- land has three children, as follows: George William, born Feb. 14, 1918; Harvey, born Feb. 4, 1921; and Virgil E., born Sept. 15, 1923.
W. E. Mortland has served as school director for 16 years. He is a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Mortland is progressive and public spirited and one of the substantial men of McLean County.
Matthew B. Wells, a well known merchant of Bloomington, Ill., en- gaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business, is a native of Illinois. He was born on a farm near Salem, in Marion County, Dec. 24, 1864, and is a son of Matthew C. and Louisa (Branson) Wells.
Matthew C. Wells, son of Barney E. Wells, whose ancestors were of the first families of Virginia, was married in 1863 to Louisa E. Branson. He was a successful stockman, feeding and shipping extensively until the Civil War broke out. He then answered his country's call and gave his life in the service of his country. Falling mortally wounded on the battle- field, he was captured and carried to Andersonville prison, where he died. Matthew B. Wells, the subject of this sketch, was the only child and inherited the business ability and sterling qualities of his father and grandfather.
Matthew B. Wells was reared in Salem and attended the public and high schools there. In early life he engaged in farming and stock raising, dealing in cattle, sheep, hogs, horses, mules and real estate, owning great tracts of farm lands. In 1905 Mr. Wells came to Livingston County where he was for a number of years engaged in the banking business, being the president of a chain of banks at Fairbury, Weston and Forrest. Later he came to Bloomington and engaged in the real estate business dealing extensively in city property. He owned the Unity Building, which is located at the corner of Main and Washington Streets. His residence is 517 East Washington Street.
His two sons, V. Hugh and W. Ray Wells, are engaged in the mercan - tile business as Wells Bros. & Co., located at 116 East Front Street.
1200
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
On Aug. 1, 1882, Mr. Wells was married at Salem, Ill., to Miss Mary E. Bond, a native of Jefferson County, Ill., and the daughter of Allen and Viola Bond, natives of Jefferson County, Ill., now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wells had eight children, six of whom are living, as follows: Lilly, mar- ried Marvin Bryant, lives at Salem, Ill .; Ida, married Thomas W. Scott, lives in Chicago; Eva, married John W. White, lives at Salem, Ill .; Victor Hugh, married Miss Wilma Codlin, of Fairbury, Ill., and they have one son, Victor Hugh, Jr .; Ethel Rose, married A. C. Jensen, state's attorney of Kankakee, Ill .; and William Ray, lives at home. Belle, deceased, was the wife of Omar J. MeMackin, of Salem, Ill .; and Jessie Lee, deceased, was the wife of Richard Howard, of Jamestown, N. Y.
Mr. Wells is a Republican. He served as township supervisor and at the age of 30 years was elected sheriff of Marion County, Ill. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are highly esteemed citizens of Bloomington.
George M. Sellers, a retired farmer and stockman of LeRoy, was born in Knox County, Ohio, Sept. 8, 1837, the son of John and Nancy (Mitchell) Sellers.
John Sellers was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1794. He came to Knox County, Ohio, in 1823 and died in that county in 1891. Mr. Sellers owned 250 acres of land and during the big Burlington storm in 1825 all the timber on the place was blown down. The Sellers family were among the first pioneer families of Knox County, Ohio, and endured all the hardships of those early days. John Sellers was an ardent Demo- crat of the Jacksonian school and was very active in politics for years. In 1850 he was elected to the constitutional convention of Ohio, where he served with distinction. Mr. Sellers was a Universalist in his religious views. By his first marriage there were 12 children, of whom George M., the subject of this sketch, is the only surviving member. He was married three times.
George M. Sellers spent his boyhood on his father's farm and his edu- cation was received in the district schools. In 1859 he went to New Orleans and from there took a vessel to Galveston, Texas, and later to Austin, Texas. Mr. Sellers remained in Texas for almost a year and then returned to Knox County, Ohio, and in 1861 he came to McLean County
GEORGE M. SELLERS
0
1201
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
where he purchased a farm east of LeRoy. He has lived retired in LeRoy since 1889 and rents his farm of 86 acres.
In 1863 Mr. Sellers married Miss Sarah C. Bonnett, a daughter of John and Susan Bonnett. She died July 31, 1887, and on April 21, 1901, Mr. Sellers married Mary Belle Rutledge, a native of McLean County, born in 1859, and the daughter of Robert Rutledge. Mr. and Mrs. Sellers have no children.
To Mr. Sellers' first marriage was born two children as follows: Lizzie R., died in 1900, was the wife of William Keyes; and Mary, died when two years old.
In politics Mr. Sellers is an independent voter. He is a member of the Christian Church at LeRoy and has been an elder for a number of years. Mr. Sellers is known as an upright and honorable citizen of McLean County.
J. R. Ward, who operates 720 acres of well improved land in Bell- flower 'Township, is a leading stockman of McLean County. He was born in Arkansas, Aug. 20, 1857, and is a son of Robert and Sarah (Daniels) Ward. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ward were the parents of four children, as follows: Julia Berry, deceased; J. R., the subject of this sketch; Coleman and Manuel, both deceased.
J. R. Ward was educated in the district schools of Cairo, Ill., and has operated a farm since he was 20 years of age. Since 1883 the Ward family have resided in Bellflower Township. Mr. Ward specializes in the breeding of Aberdeen Angus cattle and Poland China hogs, and is also an extensive grain farmer.
On Feb. 12, 1877, Mr. Ward.was married to Miss Mary Moore, a native of Bowling Green, Ky., born May 31, 1860, and the daughter of Lewis and Susan (Wakefield) Moore. The Moore family came to Illinois in 1870, locating near Cairo. Mr. and Mrs. Moore had four children: Sallie Hooper, deceased; Katie, died in infancy ; Mrs. Ward; and John, who lives at Champaign, Ill. To Mr. and Mrs. Ward 13 children have been born, as follows: Willie, born Nov. 21, 1877, died May 6, 1884; Henry B., born April 9, 1879, lives at home; Susie, born Dec. 12, 1880; Amanda, born Jan. 28, 1883; Cora M., born Oct. 1, 1884; Robert D., born March 31, 1886, lives at Gibson City, Ill .; William, born Aug. 20, 1887; Frederick A., born (74)
1202
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
Oct. 13, 1889, further mention of whom is made below; Emma Alice, born March 16, 1891; Luther G., born March 5, 1893; Jessie C., born Feb. 13, 1895, lives in Champaign County, Ill .; Joseph R., born Oct. 23, 1897; and Leonard H., born Feb. 17, 1900.
Frederick A. Ward is a veteran of the World War, having served with the 366th Infantry, 92nd Division. He enlisted in 1917 and served over- seas until the close of the war.
J. R. Ward is a Republican and served as postmaster of Bellflower Township for two years. He and his family are members of the Episcopal Church of Osman. He and his wife and family are held in high regard by a large acquaintance.
John Kollman, deceased, was a substantial farmer of Arrowsmith Township for many years. He was born in Germany and came to this country when he was a young man, locating at Bloomington, Ill. Ten years later he removed to Arrowsmith Township and engaged in general farming and stock raising.
In 1869 Mr. Kollman was married to Miss Catherine Meyers, a native of Germany, who died in 1896, leaving one child. In 1898 Mr. Kollman was married to Miss Minnie Plouse, also a native of Germany, and to this union one child was born, Catherine, the wife of Russell Curtis.
Mr. Kollman retired from farming in 1904 and moved to Arrowsmith, where he died May 26, 1922. His wife lives in Bloomington.
Catherine Kollman was born on the home place in Arrowsmith Town- ship, June 10, 1899. She was married on June 10, 1919, to Russell Curtis, a native of Arrowsmith Township, born Aug. 3, 1898, and the son of W. I. and Julia (Myers) Curtis, natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have three children: Gertha, married Roy Bone; Russell; and Irwin, lives at home. To Mr. and Mrs. Russell Curtis one child has been born, Willis C., born Nov. 24, 1920. Mrs. Curtis has two nephews, Raymond and Homer Kollman.
John Kollman was a Republican and a highly esteemed citizen of his community.
Russell Curtis is a Republican, a member of the Christian Church, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are widely and favorably known.
1203
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
R. L. Hougham, one of the prominent farmers and stockmen of Arrow- smith Township, was born in this township, March 28, 1887, and is a son of W. R. and Ellen S. (Pemberton) Hougham.
W. R. Hougham was born at Funks Grove, Ill., Aug. 30, 1844. When he was 20 years old he settled in Arrowsmith Township where he became a successful farmer. Later he engaged in the grocery and implement business at Arrowsmith. He died Jan. 6, 1913, and his wife now lives with a granddaughter, Emma Cleo Bone. Mr. and Mrs. Hougham had two chil- dren: C. D., born Nov. 30, 1870, and R. L., the subject of this sketch.
R. L. Hougham attended school in Arrowsmith. He went to Des Moines, Iowa, in 1900, but returned to McLean County the following year. He has lived on his present farm 15 years, which contains 445 acres of good farm land. Mr. Houghan is well known as a feeder of stock and is also a grain farmer. Two hundred acres of his land are planted in corn
On June 17, 1905, Mr. Hougham was married to Miss Ella Virginia Reynolds, a native of Virginia, born April 13, 1884, and the daughter of Martin Luther and Dicia (Lipes) Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds lives at Arrow- smith; his wife died Aug. 6, 1918. They were the parents of seven children: M. P., lives at Milford, Iowa; Ressie, lives in Virginia; Sarah B., deceased; W. L., lives at Lisbon, Iowa; Mrs. Hougham; Charles B., lives at Milford, Iowa; and Harry, lives at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Hougham four children have been born, as follows: Lawrence L., born May 10, 1907; Merwin Eugene, born March 25, 1909; Mary Arlene, born Dec. 12, 1910; and Ruth Lillian, born July 28, 1912.
Mr. Hougham's brother, C. D. Hougham, is a Christian minister at El Dorado, Mo. Mrs. R. L. Hougham is a member of the Methodist Church.
Scott Arnold, manager of the Beck's Livery, is a progressive young business man of Bloomington. He was born at Fletcher, Ill., Feb. 4, 1891, and is the son of W. L. and Mattie (Higgins) Arnold.
W. L. Arnold was a leading farmer of Fletcher for many years, and since 1916 has lived retired in Bloomington. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have four children: Scott, the subject of this sketch; Robert, a high school student; Celia Hallsted, lives at 618 South Lee Street, Bloomington; and Alice Meiner, lives in Faithorn, Mich.
1204
HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
Scott Arnold received his education in the public school of Fletcher, Ill., and attended Brown's Business College. He followed farming on the home place until he was 24 years of age. His first position was with the People's Bus Line, where he was employed two years. He then was a member of the Bloomington police force for eight months and since 1918 has been associated with the Beck's Livery as manager.
On Oct. 15, 1913, Mr. Arnold was married in Bloomington to Miss Mae Williams, a native of South Dakota, and the daughter of Perry B. and Didama (Powell) Williams. Mr. Williams is deceased. His wife lives at Cooksville, Ill. To Mr. and Mrs. Arnold one daughter has been born, Celia Mae Arnold.
Mr. Arnold is a Republican and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church of Cooksville, Ill.
Robert B. McElvaney, a substantial citizen of Bloomington, was born in that city, March 4, 1873, and is the son of Bernard and Susan (Lynch) McElvaney.
Bernard McElvaney was born July 12, 1828, and his wife was born in 1838. In 1852 Mr. McElvaney came to Bloomington and entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad as baggage master. He later re- moved to Minnesota, and he farmed there for several years. In 1856 he returned to Bloomington and became a contractor, engaging in the sand business. He had an extensive business and furnished practically all the sand used in the construction business in Bloomington at that time. In 1906 Mr. McElvaney purchased property at 905 North Allen Street, where he lived retired until the time of his death, Nov. 12, 1911. Susan (Lynch) McElvaney, mother of the subject of this sketch, died May 27, 1876, and Mr. McElvaney was later married to Miss Susan Leckie, who died in 1911. There were four children in the McElvaney family: Anna, died Nov. 15, 1922; Rose, born June 11, 1864, lives in Bloomington; Mary, died May 13, 1909; and R. B., the subject of this sketch.
R. B. McElvaney received his education in the public schools of Bloom- ington and then entered the employ of the McLean Coal Company, remain- ing with that company for 12 years. The following nine years were spent with the Chicago & Alton Railroad, where has was employed as boiler- maker. Mr. McElvaney then was employed by a coal company at Macomb,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.