USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 49
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Ill., for four and one-half years, after which he was located at Dwight, Ill., as boilermaker for the Chicago & Alton Railroad. Since 1910 he has been located in Bloomington with the same company as pipefitter.
Mr. McElvaney was married to Miss Susan V. Leckie, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, the daughter of Philip and Margaret Leckie, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Scotland. The Leckie family came to Massachusetts in 1889. Mr. Leckie is deceased, and his widow lives at Lawrence, Mass. To Mr. and Mrs. McElvaney the following children were born: Violet, born March 29, 1903; Lucille, born Jan. 29, 1906; Robert, deceased; Edward, born June 6, 1910; William, born July 30, 1912; Ber- nard, born May 30, 1915; John, deceased; Margaret, born May 5, 1918; Mary Frances, born Oct. 5, 1920.
Mr. McElvaney and his family are members of the Catholic Church, and are highly esteemed in their community.
H. M. Salch, contractor, is a member of one of Bloomington's promi- nent pioneer families. He was born there, June 3, 1875, and is the son of M. G. and Anna (Lowentrout) Salch.
M. G. Salch was born in Germany, May 9, 1835, and came to the United States in 1842. His wife, also a native of Germany, was born Feb. 11, 1835. The Salch family settled in Bloomington in 1845, where Mr. Salch became a brick manufacturer. During the early days brick was made by hand and he was one of the first three brick manufacturers of Bloomington, and built the Holy Trinity Church there, which required two years. Mr. and Mrs. Salch, deceased, were the parents of the following children: George C., lives in California; Frank, lives in Bloomington; H. M., the subject of this sketch; G. A., lives in Bloomington; T. J., lives in Bloomington ; Oscar J., deceased ; F. G., lives in Iowa ; Mrs. Mary Schneider, deceased ; Margaret Schultz, lives near Bloomington; Anna, lives at Nor- mal, Ill .; and Mrs. Clara Callahan, lives in Minneapolis, Minn.
H. M. Salch has spent his entire life in Bloomington. He was edu- cated in the public schools and learned his profession there, which he has followed continuously. Mr. Salch has been unusually successful in his work and is widely and favorably known throughout McLean County.
On May 1, 1901, Mr. Salch was united in marriage with Miss Hen- ietta Kremer, who died March 21, 1919. He was later married to Miss
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Bertha Phillips, a native of Iowa, born Jan. 13, 1888, and the daughter of James O. and Sarah (Durfee) Phillips. Mr. Saleh has two children: Herman G., born July 14, 1907; and Carlton K., born Feb. 5, 1912. He has one step-daughter, Mary Margaret Beits, who was born June 24, 1916.
In politics Mr. Salch is identified with the Republican party and has served as alderman and county supervisor. He is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church and belongs to the Masonic lodge, being a 32nd degree Mason. He is also a member of the Shrine and Mohammed Temple, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, the Red Men, and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Salch is a progressive citizen, who merits the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens.
John A. Trautman, a well known merchant of Bloomington, was born in Germany, May 10, 1856, and is a son of John P. and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Trautman.
John P. Trautman, a native of Germany, was born April 17, 1816, and died in 1907. His wife died at the age of 75 years. They spent their entire lives at Hessendarstadt, Germany, where Mr. Trautman owned and operated a general store. He held many public offices, being mayor of his city for several terms. John A. Trautman was one of a family of seven children born to his parents.
John A. Trautman was educated in the schools of Germany and came to the United States on Sept. 29, 1873. After coming to this country he engaged in the wagon making business at Portsmouth, Ohio, later going to St. Louis. In 1885 Mr. Trautman removed to Bloomington where he engaged in the cigar manufacturing business. He has been engaged in the grocery business since 1887, and is among the pioneer business men of Bloomington. His business is located at 1205 South Bunn Street.
On Oct. 27, 1885, Mr. Trautman was married to Miss Johanna Kolpka. Mrs. Trautman died Dec. 13, 1896. Two years later Mr. Trautman was married to Miss Sarah Fowler, who died March 22, 1916. There were no children by this marriage. The following childen were born to Mr. Traut- man's first marriage: Lewis E., has been with the Portable Elevator Company for 15 years, a machinist; Frank F., has been with the Panta- graph Printing Company for nine years; George M., was with Dodge &
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Dickenson for a number of years; and Minnie, married Otis C. Jones, a machinist employed in the Chicago & Alton shops in Bloomington.
Mr. Trautman is a Democrat and has served on the election board as clerk for 16 years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Eagles.
Edward J. Carroll, traveling accountant for the Chicago & Alton Rail- road, is a native of Bloomington. He was born Nov. 25, 1859, and is a son of Patrick and Johanna (Maloney) Carroll. His parents were born in Ireland and emigrated to the United States in 1848, landing at New Orleans, and in the early fifties settled in Bloomington, where Mr. Carroll entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. They were the par- ents of the following children: Thomas; Edward J., the subject of this sketch; Anna McDonald; Patrick F .; and Mary Donahue.
Edward J. Carroll was reared and educated in Bloomington, attending the public schools, and entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Rail- road when he was 17 years of age. During his 47 years of service with this company he started as water boy on section between Bloomington and Corel, and then as oil room attendant. He then entered the office of master mechanic as clerk, and after filling every desk in that department, in 1908 was appointed division accountant, having charge of accounts in the departments for the entire system. In 1915 the position of division accountant being abolished, he was assigned his present position. In point of continuous service with the company, he is the oldest employe on the clerical roster on the system.
On Sept. 29, 1885, Mr. Carroll was married to Miss Mary E. O'Neil, a native of Bloomington, born Sept. 29, 1864, and the daughter of Michael and Mary (Cotter) O'Neil. They are the parents of the following children : Edna, teacher in the public schools; Thomas F., in the import and export business New York City; Madalon, wife of Will F. Costigan; Mae, an accountant with the Chicago & Alton Railroad; Josephine, wife of James A. Ryan; Richard A., a student at University of Illinois.
Mr. Carroll is a Democrat and when the election law was adopted in this city, was appointed as the Democratic representative on the board of election commissioners, holding the position for seven years. He is a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, a member of the advisory board
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and auditing committee, belongs to the Knights of Columbus, National Union and Modern Woodmen. He has been secretary of the Chicago & Alton Library Association for the past 25 years and director in the Union Building and Loan Association since its organization.
David R. Stubblefield, a pioneer farmer and stockman of McLean County, now living retired in Bloomington, is a native of Funk's Grove Township. He was born in a log cabin, April 13, 1846, the son of John and Ellisannah (Houser) Stubblefield.
John Stubblefield was born in Fayette County, Ohio, and was the son of Robert Stubblefield, one of the earliest settlers of McLean County. Ellisannah (Houser) Stubblefield was a native of Indiana. She died in 1895 and Mr. Stubblefield died in 1911. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: Sara, married William Rayburn; David R., the sub- ject of this sketch; George W., lives in Bloomington; P. M., married Martha Willerton, both deceased; Mary F., married Marcus Crum, both deceased ; Henry, married Sue Lain, deceased; Simon P., married Lillian Hull, lives in Bloomington ; Eddie L., deceased; and John W., married first to Minnie Munsell, second to Addie Rogers, and third to Mrs. Young.
David R. Stubblefield was educated in the common schools of his native township and at the Illinois Wesleyan University. He was pro- gressive in the movements of this section of the state, whether agricul- tural, business, education or religious. As an agriculturist he was a thorough general farmer and for many years was one of the largest stock raisers in the county, his operations being conducted on 600 acres of scien- tifically improved land. Mr. Stubblefield's standing as one of the leading agriculturists and citizens of McLean County has been a recognized fact for many years. He was prominent in the grange movement of some years ago, being one of the charter members of the Covell organization and later joining the Stanford Grange. Altogether he was connected with the order for 24 years. He is a stockholder in the Patrons Fire & Lightning Company of Stanford, of which he served as a director for more than 30 years and as treasurer for 30 years. In 1899 he was elected to the presidency of the McLean County Farmers Institute. In 1886 Mr. Stubblefield drilled the first deep well in his township, since which many have followed his example, and he secured one of the most valuable assets of a homestead, clear, cool and pure drinking water.
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MRS. D. R. STUBBLEFIELD
D. R. STUBBLEFIELD
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On Dec. 8, 1870, Mr. Stubblefield was married to Miss Matilda Bower, the daughter of Henry T. and Rebecca (Shade) Bower, natives of Penn- sylvania. Mrs. Stubblefield was born in 1843 and in 1856, her family came to McLean County, settling on a farm near Shirley. Subsequently they removed to Brown's Grove in Dale Township and bought a farm of 280 acres on which they passed the remainder of their days. Mr. Bower died April 3, 1887, and his wife died Nov. 29, 1902. Mr. Bower was quite a prominent Democrat locally and was honored with a number of offices. Both he and his wife were identified with the German Evangelical Church. They were the parents of eight children. To David R. and Matilda (Bower) Stubblefield seven children have been born, as follows: Nellie M., mar- ried first to Cary Brant, deceased, now the wife of J. W. Huffman, lives in Montana; Lawrence, married Sue Hougham, they have two children Elizabeth Leota and Matilda Louise; Cora, married Walter C. Rogers, lives at Covell, Ill., and they have two children, Gladys F. and Mildred; Howard, married Essyl Jones, lives on the home place in Dale Township and they have two children, Nine and Price J .; Lulu F., who lives with her father; and the first two children died in infancy. Mrs. Stubblefield died in Bloomington, June 19, 1919.
Mr. Stubblefield has served as school director of Dale Township for 12 years, school trustee six years, and as assessor and township super- visor two years. He is a member of the Methodist Church of Covell and was Sunday school superintendent for 25 years. Mr. Stubblefield kept a complete record of the church's finances for 40 years, and by so doing the church was able to get a clear title to its property. In 1919 he gave $1,000 to the Methodist Episcopal Mission and gave $10,000 to Illinois Wesleyan University. Mr. Stubblefield is a Republican and is one of the interesting pioneers of the county.
Harry Butler is a well known and substantial business man of Bloom- ington. He was born there March 19, 1868, and is a son of John Q. A. and Julia A. (Gardner) Butler.
John Q. A. Butler was born in Covington, Ky., Oct. 23, 1840, and his wife was born in Scott County, Ky., in 1842. In 1850 they removed to Bloomington, where Mr. Butler worked in a tin shop at 319 South Main Street. Mr. and Mrs. Butler, now deceased, were the parents of the fol- lowing children: Harry, the subject of this sketch; Bert A., with his
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brother in the tin ship; and Nettie, the wife of Phillip Wolrab, living in Bloomington.
Harry Butler was reared and educated in Bloomington and when a boy learned the trade of tinsmith, which he has followed successfully for many years. His shop is located at 319 South Main Street.
In 1889 Mr. Butler was married to Miss Myrtle L. Geneva, a native of Bloomington and a daughter of W. H. and Lydia (Bradley) Geneva. Mr. and Mrs. Butler have one daughter, Marie L., the wife of Fred E. Murray.
Mr. Butler is esteemed throughout his community as a reliable man.
Hannah McBarnes Summerland, now residing at 1216 East Washing- ton Street, Bloomington, is a member of one of the prominent pioneer families of McLean County. She was born in Old Town Township, June 18, 1855, and is a daughter of Dennis and Mary Jane (Dickey) McBarnes.
Dennis McBarnes and his wife were natives of Ohio. He was born Oct. 3, 1821, and she was born on March 4, 1826. The McBarnes family is of Scotch origin. Dennis McBarnes came to McLean County in 1853 with his family and settled on a farm in Old Town Township, where he was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising for many years. At the time of his death he was the owner of 620 acres of land besides other property in the city of Bloomington. Mr. McBarnes died Nov. 19, 1902, and his wife died Aug. 28, 1909.
To Dennis and Mary Jane (Dickey) McBarnes were born seven chil- dren, as follows: Sarah Jane, married E. Chandler Brewer, both of whom are deceased; Margaret, was first married to M. Brookbanks and later to John Cowell; John, the donor of the McBarnes Memorial Building in Bloomington, is now deceased; Lizzie, married J. Merrick; Hannah, whose name introduces this review; Edward; and Agnes, who married Timothy Benjamin of Bloomington.
Hannah MeBarnes Summerland was reared in McLean County, re- ceived her preliminary education in the public schools, and later attended Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, where she was graduated. She taught school in McLean County for a number of years prior to her marriage, teaching her first school when she was only 15 years old. She was recognized as one of the successful teachers of McLean County.
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On Oct. 18, 1882, Hannah McBarnes was married to Samuel E. Sum- merland, who is now deceased. One daughter, Wanda, was born to this marriage, died Dec. 13, 1897.
Mrs. Summerland is a Republican and a member of the Christian Church. She belongs to the Rebecca lodge and the Eastern Star. Mrs. Summerland is esteemed throughout the community as a woman of high ideals.
Col. Jonathan H. Kirkpatrick .- One man who stands out unique in the history of McLean County as having had personal acquaintance with more people in this and surrounding counties than another man, was Col. Jonathan H. Kirkpatrick, who lived a long and useful life and then passed on on Feb. 9, 1919. He followed the business of an auctioneer, and as such was best known throughout the county, although he also established and built up one of the largest furniture houses in Central Illinois. The auctioneering business was in fact the foundation of the merchandising business, and even after his stores had become large and profitable, Col. Kirkpatrick still followed his early calling, up to within two years of his death. Col. Kirkpatrick was a native of Ohio, being born at North Liberty, Adams County, on Dec. 23, 1844. He was the son of John and Mary (Postlewait) Kirkpatrick. The father died when Jonathan was eight years old, leaving his widow and eight children, of whom Col. Kirkpatrick was the youngest. The mother migrated westward with an Ohio colony in 1852 and settled at Oak Grove, in McLean County. Here Col. Kirkpatrick took much of the responsibility of supporting the family, earning the livelihood by work with the family team in helping build the Illinois Central Railroad through this section. In 1861 he moved to Iowa with his mother, and the latter died in Washington County. The young man bought a farm near Brighton and ran it until the year 1873, when he returned to Bloomington and started on the career which he followed ever afterward.
With practical knowledge of land and stock which he had gained while farming in Iowa, Col. Kirkpatrick quickly became the best informed and leading auctioneer of the vicinity. His business grew steadily for the next 40 years, and at the end of that time he had a record which probably has no parallel in Illinois. During his career as auctioneer he cried about
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6,000 land and stock sales, sold approximately 150,000 head of horses, 200,000 head of cattle, 240,000 head of hogs, and probably 65,000 sheep. It was estimated at the time of his retirement that the total value of property auctioneed by Col. Kirkpatrick would reach $16,000,000. But farm sales were not the sole kind which he engaged in, for he also auctioned off scores of city residences, and business properties.
Col. Kirkpatrick necessarily became a great traveler, for during the years of his activity he was constantly on the go. It was estimated that he traveled a total of 160,000 miles, and that if the farm machinery which he sold were placed side by side it would reach sixty miles. His travels during most of his career was by buggy or on horseback. He owned what was known as a gig, and along in the '80's this vehicle became well known in all parts of Central Illinois. During the '80's there was an exodus of farmers from Illinois to the western states, and Col. Kirkpatrick was auctioneer at hundreds of the closing out sales of these people who were moving westward. He also later went to Missouri or Nebraska and con- ducted the auctions when they sold out there to return to Illinois or move farther west. At one time he conducted a sale every day except Sunday for 75 successive days. The largest single sale he ever conducted was a horse auction by Dillon Bros. in Normal, when he sold off 300 head of imported draft horses from France.
Because he was sometimes left with articles of furniture on his hands unsold after he had held an auction, Col. Kirkpatrick found it necessary to find a room for storing them. In this way, he found in time that he had enough second-hand goods to start a small store, which he did. By careful management this grew steadily, until he found that he was possessed of a large and valuable patronage. The second-hand feature was finally relegated to a minor position, and the Kirkpatrick furniture house took its place as among the leaders in new and latest styles of house furnishings of all kinds. The business was, in its earlier years, known as Howard & Kirkpatrick, being a partnership of Col. Kirkpatrick and his son-in-law, Louis W. Howard. In 1908 it was incorporated under the name of the Kirkpatrick Housefurnishing Company, Col. Kirkpatrick then be- coming associated with his sons, Edward R. and Charles S. in this business. The furniture house is located at 522-24 North Main Street, and the second-hand department at 108-114 West Market Street. The firm also has another store at 502 North Main Street.
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When Col. Kirkpatrick was a young man living in Iowa, he was mar- ried to Miss Sylvia B. Sperry, who still survives. There were five children, three of whom are living in Bloomington, they being Edward B., Charles S. and Ora Kirkpatrick. Two daughters are deceased, they being Mary, . wife of Louis W. Howard, and Ida, wife of W. A. Humphrey.
During many years, Col. Kirkpatrick was one of the active leaders of the Republican party in Bloomington and McLean County, was elected alderman from the Second Ward for several terms, and was at one time candidate for the legislature, but through a political combine he was defeated.
The personal side of Col. Kirkpatrick made him a man above the average in every way. He was a large man physically, and when clothed in fur coat, with cap and leggings, he was a figure of distinction in any crowd of people. His jovial disposition, never-ending fund of humor and his innate consideration of and love for his fellowman, made him a person to attract and hold friendships. Perhaps no other man in McLean County had so many personal friends who sorrowed for his death, which occurred in 1919. For two years prior to his death, he retired from active work as auctioneer and lived in his suburban home, where he had built a modest bungalow just west of Bloomington. Fraternally, Col. Kirkpatrick was a member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and he was also a member of the Second Presbyterian Church.
The passing of Col. Kirkpatrick took away one of the strong, vigorous, well-rounded and robust men who helped build up the great, rich county of McLean, and he left to his posterity and to the community at large a rich heritage in his exemplary life as citizen, patriot and friend.
Oscar E. Seibel, engaged in the wholesale and retail millinery business in Bloomington, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 2, 1865, and is a son of H. P. and Catherine (Hoffman) Seibel.
The Seibel family originally came from Germany, where H. P. was born June 1, 1831. His wife was born June 21st of the same year. In 1848 they came to this country and located at Cincinnati, Ohio, where Mr. Seibel planned to follow his profession as teacher of music. Finding there were only about six pianos in the city of Cincinnati, he entered the employ . of a large wholesale dry goods concern, of which business he became
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financial manager. After 18 years of service he resigned to open a piano manufactory, which he sold out upon removing to Bloomington in 1871, where he was actively engaged in business until the time of his death in 1908. His wife died at the age of 86 years.
Oscar F. Seibel received his education in the public and high schools of Bloomington, and in 1882 entered the millinery business. His place of business is located at 110 North Main Street.
Mr. Seibel was twice married and has two sons: Harry, lives in Pittsburgh, Pa .; and Walter, at home.
Mr. Seibel is a Republican and a member of the Second Presbyterian Church.
Elmer Keeran, yardmaster for the Nickel Plate Railroad in Blooming- ton, is a reliable citizen of his community. He was born in Bloomington, Aug. 27, 1883, and is the son of James W. and Florence (Fry) Keeran.
James W. Keeran, who now lives retired in Bloomington, was born in Virginia, April 5, 1852, and came to Bloomington in 1866. His wife was born Sept. 10, 1857. After coming to Bloomington Mr. Keeran was em- ployed in a photo gallery for a few years and in 1890 entered the employ of the government as a mail carrier. He is now retired and lives at 802 Mason Street, Bloomington. To Mr. and Mrs. Keeran the following chil- dren were born: James A., born July 29, 1881, died in 1915, was the husband of Emma Frederickson, and they had four children, James, Helen, Arthur and Albert Lee; Elmer, the subject of this sketch; E. B., born Sept. 2, 1885, lives in Bloomington, married Elva Johnson, and they have four children, Milton, Walter, Marie Catherine and Virginia; C. R., born Dec. 25, 1887, married Lyda Teskey, and they have one child, Betty Lulu; and Harley, born Aug. 16, 1895, lives in Bloomington.
Elmer Keeran was reared and educated in Bloomington and started life on a farm. However, in 1900 he learned the printer's trade at the offices of the Pantagraph in Bloomington, where he remained for two years. He then entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad as brakeman. For the past few years Mr. Keeran has been connected with the Nickel Plate Railroad as yardmaster.
On April 22, 1909, Mr. Keeran was united in marriage with Miss Lulu Gearson, a native of Illinois and the daughter of W. H. and Sarah (Burton)
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Gearson. Mr. Gearson was born in 1831 and died July 20, 1906. His wife is also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Keeran have no children.
In politics Mr. Keeran is identified with the Democratic party and he is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors No. 87 and the Railway Trainmen No. 126. He and his wife are well and favorably known in Bloomington.
J. H. Claudon, owner and proprietor of the Claudon Grain & Coal Com- pany, at Gridley, is among the successful young business men of McLean County. He was born in Waldo Township, Livingston Co., April 17, 1903, and is a son of David N. and Kathleen (Egly) Claudon.
David N. Claudon is a prominent citizen of McLean County and presi- dent of the Bank of Meadows. He was born in Livingston County, Ill., in April, 1867, the son of Joseph and Mary (Masiman) Claudon, the former a native of Alsace Lorraine and the latter of Peoria, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. David N. Claudon are the parents of seven children: J. H., the subject of this sketch; Esther, born in 1895, married O. D. Lugbill, a farmer, lives near Gridley, Ill .; Ruth, born in 1897, married C. D. Diller, a banker, lives at Pandora, Ohio; Naomi, born in 1899, was assistant cashier in the Bank of Meadows for six years before her marriage to E. A. Vercler, a director of the bank, and they live at Meadows; Jesse, born in 1903, cashier of the Bank of Meadows, a sketch of whom appears in this volume; Adia, born in 1905; and Louis, born in 1910, at home.
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