USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 5
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Mr. Hanna was a large land owner in Illinois and Kansas, his prin- cipal activity being the management of his farms. His model farm located near Holder is an example of Mr. Hanna's advanced method of farming. The farm has been of vast importance to many farmers as a great many experiments of note have been conducted there. With his cousin, Samuel C. Hanna, in Kansas, he has also been largely engaged in the importation of horses from France and the breeding of Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Hanna was a man of enterprise in matters pertaining to the city and it was largely through his efforts that the erection of the Illinois Hotel was made possible. He was one of the owners of that property and also owned several other pieces of business property, one of which is the Hanna building on Center Street.
Mr. Hanna was married on Oct. 31, 1895, to Miss Ida Spence, of Bloomington, a daughter of John Adams and Emily Ruth (Stevens) Spence. John Adams Spence was a successful lawyer of Bloomington and was engaged in the practice of his profession here for many years. He was born at Hamilton, Ohio, and died in Bloomington, Ill., Aug. 1, 1895. His wife was born at Ann Arbor, Mich., and died Jan. 7, 1916, and the remains of both rest in Evergreen Cemetery at Bloomington, Ill. They were the parents of four children, as follows: Laura Martha, married James Seymour Capen; Kitty, deceased; and Mabelle Ruth.
Mr. Hanna was a man of high standing in the community and had many friends. He was a Republican and a member of the Bloomington Country Club and the Bloomington Club. Mrs. Hanna is a Republican and attends the Second Presbyterian Church of Bloomington.
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J. M. Slown, a well known, retired teacher and farmer of Gridley, is a veteran of the Civil War and a prominent pioneer citizen of McLean County. He was born at Mackinaw, Ill., March 7, 1840, the son of John and Polly (Hearst) Slown.
John Slown was a native of Kentucky and was among the earliest set- tlers of the Mackinaw River section. He operated a general merchandise store at Gridley for many years in partnership with Frank George, and served as justice of the peace for 50 years. Mr. Slown volunteered for service during the Civil War and served with the 94th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. J. M. Slown, the subject of this sketch, had the following brothers and sisters: William H., deceased; Sarah, deceased; and Aba- gail, deceased. He has two half-brothers, Dr. John, who lives in Indian- apolis, Ind., and Albert, a druggist, in Indianapolis.
J. M. Slown attended his first school in a log cabin, and after his pre- liminary education attended normal school. He is one of the pioneer teachers of Livingston and McLean counties, having taught for 26 years. After his retirement he came to Gridley and worked at the carpenter trade for a number of years and also farmed. During the Civil War Mr. Slown served with Company C, 33d Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was in serv- ice four and one-half years. He was engaged in a number of the impor- tant battles of the war, including the Battle of Vicksburg, Champaign Hill, Black River Bridge, Jackson, Red River, and Spanish Fort. Mr. Slown's father and brother-in-law, D. D. Phinney, also engaged in the war.
After the close of the war Mr. Slown went to New Orleans, La., and served as overseer on a large plantation for two years.
On Aug. 27, 1870, Mr. Slown was married to Miss Clara H. Rollins, a native of Indiana, and the daughter of James and Polly (Miller) Rollins. Mr. Rollins died Dec. 12, 1898, and his wife died July 7, 1912. They were the parents of four children, as follows: Isabel, deceased; Emma, de- ceased; James, deceased; and Mrs. Slown. To J. W. and Clara (Rollins) . Slown three children have been born, as follows: Albert, died in infancy ; Jennie, born June 10, 1882, at home; and James, born April 24, 1885, mail carrier at Chatworth, Ill. Mrs. Slown died Dec. 29, 1923, and is buried in the Gridley cemetery.
In politics Mr. Slown is a Republican, and he has been a member of the Masonic Lodge since 1874. He is one of the interesting men of his community and a highly respected citizen of McLean County.
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Dr. R. J. Brady, a well known and successful dentist of Gridley, is a member of one of McLean County's prominent families. He was born at Chenoa, July 22, 1874, and is the son of James and Jane (Boyd) Brady.
James Brady, who died May 19, 1919, was a resident of Chenoa for more than fifty years and had an eventful career. He was born in County Dublin, Ireland, on Feb. 2, 1837. With an uncle he came to America in 1852, sailing from Dublin in the sailing vessel, New Brunswick, and land- ing at Quebec on June first of that year after a voyage of six weeks. The same year he came to Granville, Putnam County, Ill., and got employment on a farm, working for five dollars per month at the start. He was in the employ of the same man for six years. Then he opened a butcher shop which he operated for several years.
In the spring of 1863, Mr. Brady settled on 80 acres of land south of Weston. He went to Chicago and bought the lumber for his house. This is part of the farm now owned by Christian Schwager and occupied by H. H. Harms. While residing there Mr. Brady sold the place to John Rupp and purchased an adjoining section of land, where he spent the re- mainder of his life. In 1869 Mr. Brady built a barn, which was the first frame barn in Chenoa and Yates townships. It was built in a substantial manner and stands there yet.
Mr. Brady was married on Aug. 25, 1858, to Miss Jennie Boyd, and to this union eight children were born, as follows: Lawrence, lives at Chenoa ; Edwin, near Fairbury; Samuel, lives at Saunemin, Ill .; Louis, lives at Chicago; Mrs. Mary Murdy, lives at Chenoa; Mrs. Jennie Kuntz, lives at Streeter, Ill .; Dr. R. J., the subject of this sketch; and Mrs. Grace Hewitt, lives in Chicago. Mr. Brady's wife died Feb. 11, 1882, and on June 24, 1884, he was married to Mrs. Frances Bowman, of Livingston County, and to this union four children were born as follows: Earl, lives on the home place; Mrs. Frances Alice Mears, lives south of Chenoa ; Mrs. Myrtle McDonald and Mrs. Nina Bell McFarland of Chenoa. Mr. Brady was active not only as a farmer but also as a business man. He was a dealer in real estate, buying and selling a number of farms. Later he en- gaged in the live stock business, which he continued for many years. In spite of all his extensive business transactions Mr. Brady never had a law- suit. He said, "If we would all live as we ought to live, we could do with- out preachers, lawyers and doctors."
Dr. R. J. Brady was reared in Chenoa and received his education in the public schools. He practiced dentistry in the office of Dr. Gallhugh
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for six months and then attended the dental college at Keokuk, Iowa, from which he graduated April 24, 1904. He has practiced dentistry at Gridley since May 3, 1907, and has an extensive practice and is efficient in his work.
On July 3, 1905, Dr. Brady was married to Miss Irma Drum, a native of Gridley, and the daughter of Michael and Abbie (Martin) Drum, both now deceased. Mrs. Brady has the following brothers: Harry S., lives at Galesburg, Ill .; Ford, veterinary surgeon, lives at Saybrook, Ill .; and Lloyd, veterinary surgeon, Iowa Falls, Iowa. Dr. and Mrs. Brady have one daughter, Abagail Jane, born March 7, 1914.
Dr. Brady is a Republican and contributes to the Congregational Church.
Edwin V. Neuhauser, who is successfully engaged in the insurance business at Gridley, was born in Gridley Township, McLean County, Dec. 2, 1896, the son of Emil and Anna (Claudon) Neuhauser.
Emil Neuhauser was a native of Gridley and a leading farmer of Mc- Lean County during his entire life. He was a Republican and a member of the Mennonite Church. Mr. Neuhauser died Feb. 26, 1902, and his widow lives at Gridley. They were the parents of four children, as fol- lows: Ellen, died in infancy ; Edwin V., the subject of this sketch; Irene, a post-graduate of the Chicago Medical School, now teaching school; and Pearl, died in infancy.
Edwin V. Neuhauser was educated in the public and high schools of Gridley, graduated at Bradley Polytechnic Institute of Peoria, and also spent two years at the University of Illinois. He engaged in farming for two years and was also in the garage business. Mr. Neuhauser entered the insurance business in January, 1920. He owns an attractive home at Gridley, as well as 80 acres of well-improved land in Waldo Township, and six and one-quarter acres in Gridley Township.
On June 24, 1920, Mr. Neuhauser was married to Miss Lucille Lusher, a native of Gridley, born July 27, 1895, and the daughter of J. F. and Emma (Settle) Lusher. Mr. Lusher is a well known merchant of Normal, Ill., a Republican and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr and Mrs. Lusher have nine children, as follows: Charles, lives at Washburn, Ill .; Mrs. Neuhauser; Jessie, married Paul Kent, lives at Champaign, Ill .;
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Frank, lives at Normal; Herbert, Iona, Louis, and Russell, all at home; Ralph, deceased.
Mr. Neuhauser is a Republican, a member of the Congregational Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. He is an enterprising and well- known young business man of McLean County.
Elmer Kaufman, a well known citizen of Gridley, is the owner of an up-to-date men's furnishing store. He was born at Orrville, Ohio, Sept. 16, 1885, and is the son of Edward and Catherine (Augustine) Kaufman.
Edward Kaufman was born in Switzerland and came to America at the age of 17 years, settling in Wayne County, Ohio, where he conducted a tailoring establishment. Later Mr. Kaufman came to Illinois and en- gaged in farming in Livingston County. He died at the age of 36 years and his widow now lives with her only child, Elmer, the subject of this sketch.
Elmer Kaufman received his education in the public schools of Liv- ingston County, after which he engaged in farming for three years. He then entered the employ of Ruvenacht & Lusher, a general merchandise store, where he remained four years. In 1914 Mr. Kaufman established his present business, which was the first store to be operated on a cash basis. He does a large volume of business and carries a high class line of merchandise.
In 1912 Mr. Kaufman was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Dig- gle, a native of Gridley, born Feb. 28, 1888, and a daughter of John L. and Betty (Punke) Diggle. Mr. Diggle was born in Peoria County, Ill., in 1855, and for many years was a prosperous farmer and stockman of McLean County. He now lives retired at Gridley. His wife was born Dec. 2, 1866, and died July 31, 1903. They were the parents of three chil- dren, as follows: Mrs. Kaufman; Henry E., assistant cashier of the State Bank, Gridley; and Edith, married Freeman Beckwitz, a merchant, St. Joseph, Ill. To Elmer and Minnie (Diggle) Kaufman four children have been born, as follows: Alberta, born Dec. 3, 1912; Aldine, born Jan. 6, 1919; Maxine, born July 19, 1921, and Ruth Pauline, born Sept. 24, 1923.
Mr. Kaufman is a Republican, a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a keenly, observant business man, an excellent citizen, and an asset to his community.
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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
Charles Smith Rowley, deceased, was a successful and widely known newspaper man of McLean County, and at the time of his death was edi- tor of the Gridley Advance. He was born at Elmira, N. Y., Nov. 2, 1848, the son of William and Charlotte (Elmendorf) Rowley.
William Rowley was a native of New York and during his life was engaged in the hotel business at Elmira. He died in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. William Rowley had three sons, as follows: Henry W., deceased; John W., deceased; and Charles Smith, the subject of this sketch.
When he was a boy Charles Smith Rowley removed with his parents. to Watkins, N. Y., and from there to Havana, N. Y., where his boyhood was spent, and where he attended school and was a playmate of Senator David B. Hill, Senator Dolph, of Oregon, Prof. Halsey C. Ives, and many others who have since become eminent men and women. Both his broth- ers enlisted for service during the Civil War and on June 20, 1863, Mr. Rowley enlisted at the age of 14 years as a drummer boy, in Co. D, 14th Regiment, New York Heavy Artillery, under Capt. L. D. Jones. He left his widowed mother and joined the regiment at Rochester, N. Y., where he was mustered into service. From there they went to New York City and from this point the regiment was sent, part to Staten Island, and part to Fort Sandy Hook in New York harbor. Young Rowley's company was among those sent to Sandy Hook and here they remained until spring, when they were sent to Washington, D. C., and from there started on a great campaign that was destined to witness the close of the rebellion.
Mr. Rowley was transferred from Company D to Company I under Capt. Louis Faas. He was engaged in the following battles: Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, North and South Anna, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad and the great fight on the 25th of March and the evacuation of Petersburg, Va., April 3rd.
Returning from the war in 1865 Mr. Rowley took part in the grand review in Washington, D. C., and was mustered out on Aug. 26, 1865, at Rochester, N. Y. He then returned to Havana, N. Y., where his mother, who had remarried, was residing. For a short time he worked in a yeast cake factory, and then entered the office of the Havana Journal as appren- tice. After working here for about a year he accompanied his step-father to Illinois, coming to Bloomington, Oct. 23, 1866, where he finished up his trade in the Merchant's Advertiser office, then conducted in Washington Street by Messrs. Remington and Holmes. His health not being consid- ered good in a printing office, Mr. Rowley commenced work in the great
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Bloomington Nursery of F. K. Phoenix. In 1868 he went to Lacon, Ill., where he worked in the Lacon Nursery and finally began business for him- self as a grower of small fruit, in which he was quite successful.
After a few years Mr. Rowley was afflicted with asthma and suffered from it so severely that he was compelled to give up outdoor work and take up his old work of a printer, the love for which he had never lost. In company with E. R. Mckinney, he founded the Fruit Grower and Hor- ticulturist, a monthly magazine which was a success. He sold his inter- est in the business to George A. Bangs. After a time he bought out Mr. Bangs, who was then sole owner of the plant, and after getting out a few copies of the magazine, found it was not a paying proposition any more and it was discontinued.
In April, 1891, Mr. Rowley removed his plant to Washburn, Ill., and founded the Washburn Leader, a local newspaper. From the first the Leader was a success and was acknowledged to be one of the best in the county. After conducting the Leader until Sept. 20, 1892, he received a good offer for it from a German Evangelical preacher, named John Schultze, who paid $1,200.00 for the plant and good will of the paper. Mr. Rowley then cast about for a new location and in February, 1893, visited Gridley, and receiving every assurance of hearty support, decided to locate there. He did so and on the 17th of March, 1893, presented the people with the first number of the Gridley Advance, a bright and newsy six-column quarto which soon won the esteem of the people and became a success. Mr. Rowley remained editor of the Gridley Advance until the time of his death, Oct. 1, 1911.
On Sept. 30, 1885, Mr. Rowley was married to Miss Clara A. Culp, a native of Laporte, Ind., born March 23, 1866, and a daughter of Marcus and Martha (Lough) Culp. Mr. and Mrs. Culp came to Illinois in 1870 and settled at Lacon. He died Jan. 18, 1922, and his wife died Sept. 18, 1900. They were the parents of the following children: Carrie, died in infancy ; Mrs. Rowley; Everett, lives at Peoria, Ill .; Willard, civil engineer, lives at Peoria, Ill .; Richard, died in infancy ; Ada May, lives at Peoria, Ill .; John David, deceased; Frank, lives at Peoria, Ill .; and Ralph, died in infancy.
To Charles Smith and Clara (Culp) Rowley, six children were born as follows: Russell W., died in infancy; Ada, born Aug. 14, 1889, married James Coyle, restaurant owner, Princeville, Ill .; Evangeline, born April 7, 1891, married Charles Hughes, Jr., lives at Gridley, Ill .; Marcus D., born April 4, 1896, linotype operator, Chenoa Clipper-Times, is a veteran of
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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
the World War, having served with Company F, 112th Infantry, 31st Division, eight months of which were spent overseas; Charlotte, born Aug. 30, 1900, at home; and Charles Howard, born Feb. 4, 1904, a com- positor on the Chenoa Clipper-Times. Mrs. Rowley has six grandchildren, as follows: James Marcus, Margaret Shirley, and Mirian Lucille Coyle; Charles Randall Hughes; Marjorie Lucille Rowley, died in infancy ; and Charles Marcus Rowley.
Charles Smith Rowley was always a Republican in politics. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Grand Army of the Republic. He was also a member of the Methodist Church. During his residence of over 23 years in Lacon, Mr. Rowley was prominent in horticultural matters, and was one of the founders and for many years secretary of the Marshall County Horticultural Society. He was also a prominent contributor to the Inter-Ocean, Germantown Telegraph, Cincinnati Grain Bulletin, Chi- cago Tribune, and many other influential papers, on horticultural topics, and gained a great reputation as an authority of practical horticulture. Mrs. Rowley resides at Gridley. After the death of her husband she con- ducted the newspaper until 1918, when she sold out to the Clipper-Times.
Benoni S. Green, deceased, was à prominent pioneer business man of Bloomington. He was born in Columbia County, N. Y., March 19, 1846, and is a son of Gilbert and Lydia (Sherman) Green.
Benoni S. Green was reared to manhood in New York and received his education in the public schools there. When he was a young man he was employed by the Tilden family at New Lebanon, N. Y. Samuel J. Tilden, later candidate for president, was a member of that family. Mr. Green came to Bloomington in 1870, but shortly afterward returned to New York with his parents. He entered the employ of Risser & Wright, manufacturers and wholesalers of saddlery, and remained in their employ until he purchased the business in 1878. Mr. Green was identified with this business until the time of his death, Aug. 16, 1920. During the last few years of his life his son, Ralph M. Green, had active charge of the business. The business has been located in its present location since 1880, at the corner of East and Monroe Streets. The original building was destroyed by the fire of 1900, but was replaced by a six-story modern brick building. About 30 men are employed by the company, although formerly 100 men were employed there.
Lenonid Fury
LIF PY OF THE
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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY
Mr. Green was first married to Miss Betta Marquis, a sister of C. C. and F. D. Marquis. To them were born two children, as follows: Laura B., died in 1901 at the age of 19 years; and Ralph M., who conducts his father's business in Bloomington. Mrs. Green died in 1886, and he was later married to Miss Bernice Kidder, a native of Minonk, IlI. To this union two children were born: Bernice K., deceased; and Benoni S., lives in Pasadena, Cal.
Mr. Green was also interested in farming in McLean County and at one time owned and operated three farms. He was particularly interested in breeding standard bred trotting horses and was secretary of the McLean County Fair Association. He was a member of the Second Pres- byterian Church and served as president of the Board of Trustees for a number of years, taking an active interest in church work. Mr. Green was a man who gave generously to public improvements, a man of modest notion, and one of the substantial men of Bloomington. He was one of the directors of the McLean County Bank for several years. One of the finest residences in the city is the Green home which was built in 1895. It is located at 1102 North Main Street.
Andrew Oliver Rupp, the well known editor of The Gridley Advance News, was born in Tazewell County. He came to McLean County with his parents when he was a boy and attended the Chenoa schools, Illinois Wesleyan University, and was graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign, Ill. Mr. Rupp is the son of Joseph and Anna (Baechler) Rupp, natives of Alsace-Lorraine, and early settlers of Tazewell County. Mr. Joseph Rupp died when Andrew was six months of age, and his widow later married Christian Claudon, who was as devoted a father to Andrew and his sister, Mrs. P. S. Ropp, of Bloomington, as he was to his own daughters, Mrs. S. T. King and Martha H. Claudon, both of whom now live at Chenoa.
After finishing his school work, Andrew Oliver Rupp taught school for several years and was principal of Heyworth schools. However, Mr. Rupp was interested in newspaper work and gave up his position as prin- cipal to become editor of The El Paso Journal. He has served as editor of the Monmouth Atlas, the Monmouth Evening Journal, the Lena Star, the McHenry Plain Dealer, the McHenry Journal, and the Chenoa Times,
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and was a reporter for the Chenoa Clipper and the Chenoa-Clipper-Times. In March, 1920, Mr. Rupp became editor of The Gridley Advance, which position he has since filled in a capable and efficient manner.
Mr. Rupp has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his town and was instrumental in obtaining the water works for Gridley. He has held several positions of honor and trust, such as city clerk of Chenoa for three terms, village clerk of McHenry for two terms, justice of the peace of Chenoa for two terms, and he is now village clerk of Gridley. Mr. Rupp has always been one of the enterprising citizens of the town- ship and is widely and favorably known.
Henry Trohler, who has been in business at Gridley for 11 years, is a native of Yates Township, McLean County. He was born Dec. 3, 1881, and is a son of Philip and Rosa (Dennewitz) Trohler.
Philip Trohler, a native of Alsace-Lorraine, came to the United States with his parents in 1844 and settled on a farm near Chillicothe, Ohio, where Mr. Trohler spent his boyhood. He later went to Waverly, Ohio, and after his marriage there, came to Illinois and settled in Livingston County. In 1880 he moved to Yates Township, McLean County, where he operated a farm of 86 acres. Mr. Trohler was an extensive grain farmer and a breeder of good stock. He served during the Civil War for three years. He died Dec. 12, 1923, at the age of 82 years, 8 months, and 24 days. His wife is 74 years old. There are 14 children as follows: John, killed by accident in 1904; Elizabeth, married John Rusterhultz, lives at Fairbury ; Catherine, married Frank Young, lives at Fairbury ; Mary, married Amion Hendershot, deceased, and she lives at Pontiac; George, deceased; Anna, deceased; Rose, married Theodore Laidley, Chi- cago; William, lives in Ohio; Henry, the subject of this sketch; Emma, married John A. Smith, lives at Jackson, Ohio; Grover, lives at Fairbury ; Levi, lives at Fairbury ; Fred, lives at Fairbury ; and Martha, married Ed- ward Thomas, lives at Fairbury.
Henry Trohler spent his boyhood on the home place and attended the district schools. He then worked on his father's farm at $20 per month until he was 23 years of age, when he learned the barber trade. Mr. Trohler has conducted his business at Gridley for 18 years and has an up- to-date shop on Front Street, and has a large patronage.
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Mr. Trohler is a Democrat, a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a substantial cit- izen and stands high in the community and county.
Joseph S. Rich, a well known retired farmer of Gridley Township, is the owner of 400 acres of land and one of the finest residences in McLean County. He was born in Woodford County, Ill., June 7, 1865, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Sommers) Rich.
Jacob Rich was born in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 1838, and came to America with his parents when he was 10 years old. They settled on land near Gridley and Mr. Rich became the owner of 320 acres of land, which he improved from raw prairie. He was an extensive farmer and also a feeder of stock, and during the early days drove his stock two and one- half miles to Gridley to market, receiving only three cents per hundred- weight. Mr. Rich was a Republican and a member of the Christian Church. He died Jan. 19, 1907, and his widow now lives with her daugh- ter at Gridley and is 78 years of age. They were the parents of six chil- dren, as follows: Joseph S., the subject of this sketch; Peter, retired farmer, lives at Gridley ; Mary, married Gustave Bucker, a retired farmer, lives at Gridley ; Anna L., married Amiel Stoller, lives near Gridley ; Lizzie, married John Yergler, a retired farmer, lives at Gridley ; and Katie, mar- ried Christian Bucker, lives south of Gridley.
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