USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 55
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Roush in the wholesale grocery business. Humphreys sold out to Roush and entered into partnership with Mark H. Newton, operating a wholesale grocery in the 300 block, North Main Street. R. F. Evans and Howard Humphreys purchased the interests of Newton in 1884 and the firm removed to 110 East Front Street, the firm name of Humphreys, Evans & Co., being retained until 1889, when J. F. Humphreys Company was in- corporated, Mr. Humphreys being president. In 1895 the company pur- chased the property at the northwest corner of Grove and East Street, and erected the building where the business was located until 1924, when they moved to their new quarters on South Main Street.
As he approached the sunset of life, Mr. Humphreys turned over the care of his business interests to his son, Edward, the elder, who died in 1895. Howard, the surviving son, then took charge of the business.
In 1891 Mr. Humphreys and his wife went to Riverside, Calif., where they remained until the death of Mrs. Humphreys in 1910. He then re- turned to Bloomington and remained with his son two or three years, when he returned to California and resided in Los Angeles for six years prior to his death. He enjoyed travel and in 1905 toured Alaska with his son Howard, and the following year went through Yosemite Valley with his son and grandson, Rogers.
Mr. Humphreys was a member of the Masonic lodge, being affiliated with Bloomington Lodge No. 43. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Los Angeles.
It was the privilege of Mr. Humphreys to hear the famous "Lost Speech" of Lincoln, delivered in Major's Hall in 1856, and he frequently heard Lincoln's arguments in trials in the old court house in Bloomington. He knew Lincoln well and was one of the few who were in close touch with the Great Emancipator during antebellum days when Illinois was young.
Howard Humphreys, president of J. F. Humphreys & Co., was born in Bloomington, Oct. 31, 1859, the son of J. F. Humphreys. He was reared in Bloomington and educated in Howard University, in the law department, specializing in mining law. He then went to Arizona where he was engaged in mining business for some time. His purpose was to make that his life's work but he was called to Bloomington to take charge of the business on account of his father's ill health. He then devoted himself
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to the wholesale business until 1917, when he ceased to take an active part in the management of the business, although he continues as presi- dent of the company and acts in an advisory capacity.
During the World War Mr. Humphreys was called into the food admin- istration in 1917 and served until November, 1918, as district food admin- istrator.
Mr. Humphreys spends the winters at his winter home at Pass Chris- tian, Miss., and the summers at his old home in Bloomington. He travels extensively.
In 1889, Mr. Humphreys was married to Clara Funk, a daughter of the late Jacob Funk and granddaughter of Isaac Funk. One son, Rogers, was born to this union. Mr .Humphreys is a 32nd degree Mason, Knights Templar, and a member of the Shrine.
Rogers Humphreys, secretary and treasurer of J. F. Humphreys & Co., was born in Bloomington, Feb. 16, 1892, and is the son of Howard Humphreys, a sketch of whom appears here. He was reared in Bloom- ington and educated in the public schools. He had been identified with the business since 1909 until 1918, when he entered the service of the Marine Corps in the aviation section as flying instructor. He had had considerable experience in flying prior to the war and was not a stranger to this novel and dangerous mode of transportation. He was discharged from the army in April, 1919. and has been in his present capacity since that time.
Mr. Humphreys was married on June 15, 1911, to Miss Martha Triebel, of Peoria, Ill., and they have three children, Mary Elise, Martha and Howard II, all attending school in Bloomington. Mr. Humphreys is a 32nd degree Mason, being a Knights Templar and a member of the Shrine. He belongs to the American Legion.
J. H. Humphreys & Company, of Bloomington, is one of the oldest wholesale houses in Central Illinois. They are now extensive coffee roast- ers and importers and manufacturers of food products. The business was founded in 1854 by J. F. Humphreys.
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The company is incorporated with an authorized capital stock of $800,000. The present officers are: Howard Humphreys, president ; R. O. Ahlenirs, vice-president; and Roger Humphreys, secretary and treasurer.
In 1924, on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the business, the company removed from their old location on the northwest corner of Olive and South East Streets to their new five-story building at 407-411 South Main Street, where they have one of the best equipped plants of the kind in this section of the state, with all modern facilities, including cold storage for handling this vast business.
This company has 25 salesmen on the road and about 75 employes at the home office. Its products are distributed over a wide area, including Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and neighboring states.
William Arthur Paullin, an enterprising farmer and stockman of Bell- flower Township, is a member of a prominent pioneer family in McLean County. He was born at Normal, Oct. 4, 1886, and is the son of Thomas Lee and Nannie J. (Constant) Paullin.
Thomas Lee Paullin was a native of Green County, Ohio, born Sept. 8, 1849, the son of Jacob H. and Martha Ann (Calvin) Paullin. Jacob Paullin brought his family to Illinois in 1851, which consisted of the fol- lowing children: Thomas Lee, Charles E., David C., John M., Laura E., Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington. Thomas Lee Paullin was two years old when his parents removed to Illinois. He followed farming dur- ing his entire life in McLean County and the present Paullin farm in Bellflower Township was operated by him, as well as by his father. He was married to Miss Nannie J. Constant, a native of McLean County, born March 21, 1854, and the daughter of William Nelson and Elizabeth (Walker) Constant, natives of France. There were seven children in the Constant family, as follows: Hiram, born July 25, 1840; Sarah L., born August 28, 1842; Jessie, born Feb. 14, 1845; Edward, born March 15, 1850; Johnathan, died in infancy; Nannie Paullin; and William, born July 5, 1860. Thomas Lee Paullin died May 7, 1903, and his wife died Dec. 8, 1920. They were the parents of six children: Ernest, born April 30, 1872, died in infancy ; Lelia Edna Guest, born Nov. 21, 1875, lives at De- catur, Ill .; John Walker, born Jan. 20, 1879, died March 7, 1909; Wilbert J., born June 26, 1883, lives at Springfield, Ill .; William Arthur, the subject
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of this sketch; and Ray E., born Oct. 16, 1890, lives at San Francisco, Cal. He served in the World War with the 89th Division and was over- seas 18 months.
William Arthur Paullin attended the district schools of Bellflower Township, and later attended school in Springfield, Ill. He has always lived on the same farm in McLean County and he is widely known as a breeder of Percheron horses. Mr. Paullin lived at Mexico, Mo., from 1909 until 1919, during which time he rented his farm.
On Dec. 7, 1909, Mr. Paullin was married to Miss Maude Bingham, a native of Osman, Ill., born Nov. 12, 1886, and the daughter of W. S. and Ida Bingham, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history. To Mr. and Mrs. Paullin have been born two children: Margaret Ida, born Feb. 11, 1911; and William Lee, born Sept. 26, 1914.
Mr. Paullin is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. He is a capable and reliable member of his community.
Thomas W. Maurice, deceased, was a resident of McLean County for more than 40 years. He was born in Cumberland County, Pa., Oct. 14, 1827, the son of John and Jane (Bradley) Maurice, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Pennsylvania. In 1851 John Maurice settled in Peoria County, Ill. He was born March 2, 1788, and died in Marshall County, Ill., Oct. 19, 1878.
Thomas W. Maurice was educated in the schools of Cumberland County, Pa., and taught school for eight years in Pennsylvania and, after coming to Peoria County, Ill., he taught eight years. In 1866 he located in McLean County and bought 160 acres of land in Arrowsmith Township. At the time of his death, Feb. 10, 1907, he was among the leading stockmen of the county. In politics he was a Republican and served several terms as township supervisor of Arrowsmith Township. Mr. Maurice was a member of the Christian Church, and the Masonic lodge.
Mr. Maurice was twice married. His first wife was Maria Bear, a native of Cumberland County, Pa., born Nov. 5, 1827. She died May 21, 1864. She was the daughter of Michael and Hannah (Wax) Bear. Mr. Bear was born in 1705, and died in 1770. His wife was born Aug. 29, 1795, and died Oct. 30, 1836. To Thomas W. and Maria (Bear) Maurice
THOMAS W. MAURICE
1
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seven children were born, as follows: Margaret J., born Aug. 6, 1851, lives in Arrowsmith; Mary, born March 10, 1853, died July 17, 1903; Jonas B., born in September, 1854, died Sept. 6, 1891; Henry B., born March 6, 1856; Maria B., born July 4, 1858, died March 4, 1918; Thomas W., died in infancy; and Flora, also died in infancy. On Sept. 7, 1865, Mr. Thomas W. Maurice was married to Miss Sarah A. Moyer, who was born in Dauphin County, Pa., and who died Nov. 28, 1897. No children born to the last union.
Miss Margaret J. Maurice and her brother, Henry B., live on the old Maurice home place in Arrowsmith Township. Henry B. Maurice came to McLean County with his parents in 1866. He was educated in the district school and engaged in general farming and stock raising and has met with success. He now has pure bred Percheron horses. Mr. Maurice and his sister now rent their farm of 160 acres. In politics Mr. Maurice is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Christian Church and belongs to the Masonic lodge at Arrowsmith.
Sam E. Davis, the well known and capable postmaster of Anchor, was born at Billingsville, in Union County, Ind., Dec. 25, 1863, and is the son of Walter S. and Sarah E. (Hayward) Davis.
Walter S. Davis was a native of Indiana, as also was his wife. They were married in 1862 and came to Illinois in 1878, locating in McLean County, where Mr. Davis engaged in general farming. He died Oct. 19, 1908, and his wife died Dec. 5, 1923. They were the parents of the following children: Sam E., the subject of this sketch ; Mollie, deceased ; Joseph, lives at Anchor, Ill .; Dorcas, died in 1916; Ella Kerr, deceased ; and Taylor, died in infancy.
Sam E. Davis received his education in the public schools, Eureka College and Illinois State Normal University. After teaching school for two years he went to Oregon, where he remained three and one-half years. From there he went to California, later returning to McLean County. He engaged in the general merchandise business at Anchor for four years and then enlisted in service during the Spanish-American War, serving in Company D, 5th Illinois Infantry, for six months. Mr. Davis saw active service with the 30th U. S. Vol. Infantry in the Philippine Insurrection, taking part in the battle of San Diego, Jan. 29, 1900, and the engage-
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ments at Alaminos, Jan. 18, 1900; Tayabas Road, Jan. 28, 1900, and ten skirmishes. His service in the Philippine Insurrection dates from Oct. 7, 1899, to April 3, 1901, and in the Spanish-American War from April 26th to Oct. 16, 1898. After his return to Anchor he resumed his business interests, which were continued until 1913. In 1911 he was appointed postmaster of Anchor, which office he has filled continuously since.
On Oct. 18, 1902, Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Berry, a native of Illinois, born Oct. 15, 1858, and the daughter of James and Nancy Berry. Mrs. Davis has two sisters, Mrs. Belle Walker and Mrs. Sallie Henline. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have no children.
In politics Mr. Davis has always been a Republican. He is a member of the United Brethren Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is also a member of the Spanish War Veterans. Mr. Davis and his wife stand high in the community and have many friends and acquaint- ances.
S. Edgar Thomas, retired, has been a successful and well known farmer of McLean County for many years. He was born in Vermont, July 24, 1872, and is the son of S. E. and L. R. (Warren) Thomas.
S. E. Thomas came to Illinois from Vermont in 1883. He was born May 14, 1831, and was a prosperous farmer. After coming to McLean County he purchased 160 acres of the former George Thomas farm, and later owned 220 acres. Mr. Thomas died Aug. 12, 1917, and his wife, who was born June 22, 1832, died Nov. 2, 1896. They were the parents of five children : A. E., deceased; Ida Bixby, lives at Wichita, Kan .; Clark B., deceased; Frank, lives at Fairbury, Ill .; and S. Edgar, the subject of this sketch.
S. Edgar Thomas attended the district schools of Vermont and com- pleted his education after coming to Cropsey. He operated the home place for a number of years before the death of his father, and later became the owner. Mr. Thomas now owns 580 acres of good farm land and for many years was an extensive stockman. He was also a feeder of stock.
On March 21, 1893, Mr. Thomas was united in marriage with Miss Nellie May Meeker, a native of Cropsey, Ill., born Nov. 27, 1877, and the daughter of Daniel B. and Sarah Jane (Zumault) Meeker, natives of Illi-
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nois. Mr. Meeker was born Oct. 8, 1845, and died March 14, 1885. His wife was born May 4, 1853, and lives in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have one son, Clarence Edgar, who was born May 26, 1894.
Clarence Edgar Thomas lives near the home place in Cropsey Town- ship. On Sept. 23, 1915, he was married to Miss Louise Mikel, and they have two children: Herbert Elliott, born Jan. 31, 1917; and Vera L., born Dec. 19, 1920.
S. Edgar Thomas is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He has been Sunday school teacher in his church for 20 years and has also served as school director. He is now serving his second term as supervisor of Cropsey Township. Mr. Thomas is a substantial citizen and deservedly stands high in the estimation of his many friends and acquaintances.
Bennie Jones, a successful farmer and stockman of Bellflower Town- ship, McLean County, and the owner of 160 acres of well improved land, is a member of one of Illinois prominent pioneer families. He was born in Tazewell County, Oct. 13, 1872, and is the son of Benjamin J. and Mary (Ashton) Jones.
Benjamin J. Jones was born in Pennsylvania, Aug. 22, 1826, the son of David E. Jones, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, born March 13, 1793. The Jones family originally came from Wales. At the age of 22 years, Benjamin J. Jones came to Illinois, locating at Delavan, where he worked in a wagon shop five years. He then drove to California with a party and remained there 18 years. Upon his return to Delevan he again entered the employ of Joshua Sawyer. His wife, Mary Ashton, was an orphan and was reared by Mrs. Sawyer. She was born March 15, 1838. In 1873 the Jones family settled in Bellflower Township and Mr. Jones followed farming the rest of his life. He died April 12, 1917, and his wife died in January, 1923. They were the parents of three children, as follows: Bennie, the subject of this sketch; Ada May, born Jan. 20, 1877, died Feb. 1, 1879; and Willie, born Feb. 22, 1882, died March 8, 1882.
Bennie Jones was reared on his father's farm and attended the schools of Osman. He began farming for himself at the age of 21 years and has become one of the leading stockmen of Bellflower Township. Mr. Jones is a breeder of pure bred Shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs.
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On May 29, 1912, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Ella Fugh, who was born in Virginia, March 25, 1883, and the daughter of Samuel and Anna Elizabeth (Niswender) Fugh. Mr. Fugh was born in Virginia in 1845 and was a veteran of the Civil War. He died in 1907 and his wife died, Oct. 22, 1922. They were the parents of the following chil- dren: Edna Bradford, lives at Lexington, Ill .; Gertrude, lives at Lawrence, Kan .; Katie, lives at Lexington, Ill .; Maggie, deceased; James, lives in Nebraska ; Alta Ashton, lives in Arizona ; Mrs. Jones ; John, died in infancy ; Ethel, born Dec. 23, 1887, died Feb. 6, 1919; Dorothy Hawkins, born May 11, 1890, lives at Raleigh, N. C .; and Earl, lives at Hammond, Ind.
Mr. Jones is a Democrat and is a reliable citizen, industrious and en- terprising.
Eldo M. Moore, one of the owners and proprietors of the United Photo Shop, is a successful business man of Bloomington. He was born in Macon County, Ill., March 25, 1882, and is the son of Frank and Laura B. (Wentz) Moore.
Both Frank Moore and his wife were natives of Illinois. In 1888 they went to Arkansas, where Mr. Moore died. His wife returned to Bloomington with her family and died there in 1918. They were the parents of six children.
Eldo M. Moore was six years old when his family moved to Arkansas, and he lived there until he was 14 years of age. With the exception of the time spent in Arkansas he lived in Macon County and received his education in the public schools there. He started life as a newsboy in Decatur and in 1903 learned photography at Springfield, Ill., where he remained three years. He then followed his profession at Decatur, Ill., Wellington, Kan., Waco, Texas, and Mattoon, Ill. In August, 1911, Mr. Moore returned to Bloomington and he has since operated a studio. The United Photo Shop is located at 5011/2 North Main Street and has a front- age of 15 feet and a depth of 38. They employ five people and carry a complete line of amateur photograph supplies. Delmer D. Darrow is associated with Mr. Moore in the business. He is extensively engaged in kodak and commercial photography as well as portrait work, and has built his business up from a humble shop to one of the leading photo businesses in Central Illinois. Mr. Moore is a photographer for the Su-
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preme Council A. A. S. R; The Bloomington Consistory A. A. S. R .; and the Grand Commander., Knights Templar of Illinois.
In 1903 Mr. Moore was married to Miss Jessie Hyde, who died in 1914, leaving one son, Edward, now a senior in Bloomington High School. On Nov. 5, 1919, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Esta Toucht, of Rutland, Ill., and to this union one child has been born, Laurraine Esta, born Oct. 16, 1921.
Mr. Moore is a member of the Arts and Crafts Lodge, A. F. and A. M., of Bloomington, the DeMolay Commandery of Bloomington, the Consistory and Mahomet Shrine of Peoria, the Woodmen of the World, the Rotary Club and McLean County Club. Mrs. Moore is a member of the Methodist Church and Eastern Star. They are highly esteemed and widely known.
Mrs. Grace Sealey Smith, 601 South Fell Avenue, Normal, Ill., is a daughter of the late Mrs. E. A. Sealey, of Normal, and granddaughter of the late Alfred S. Weeks, of Hudson, has been active in civic work in the community.
Mrs. Smith is a graduate of Normal University and of the University of Chicago.
In 1921 she was united in marriage to Rev. F. M. Smith, who was formerly a resident of this county for many years when pastor of the First Baptist Church of Hudson.
Alfred S. Weeks .- Closely identified with the history of Hudson Town- ship was Alfred S. Weeks, who, with his wife, Phebe E. (Burtis) Weeks, and their little daughter, E. Arabella, came from Brooklyn, N. Y., to reside north of Hudson in the year 1850. Mr. Week's father, Richard Weeks, of Long Island, N. Y., was a member of the Hudson colony and it was the Weeks' land, in section 10, that Alfred S. Weeks came to improve. He and Mrs. Weeks shared in the pioneer experiences of the time. The homestead which they made has remained in the Weeks family continu- ously, now being owned by the granddaughter, Mrs. Grace Sealey Smith. .
Mrs. Alfred S. Weeks' father, Jacob H. Burtis, Long Island, N. Y., was also a member of the Hudson colony, and owning the quarter section just south of the Weeks' farm.
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Alfred S. Weeks had received a good education in his youth on Long Island and had also read law in his leisure time. Thus he was fitted to assume positions of trust in the new community. He was the first collector to be elected after the township was organized. He served as justice of the peace. He was supervisor from the township some fourteen years. Mr. Weeks was instrumental in bringing about a resurvey of Hudson Township, the government survey having been imperfectly done, few, if any, corners being regularly located. In politics Mr. Weeks was a staunch Democrat and a leader in the councils of his party.
Among many relics his granddaughter has in her possession is a schedule made out by Mr. Weeks in the year 1851 when he was teacher of the "Havens Grove" school, west of Hudson. The names of the pupils are representative of the older families who had come to make their homes in this new community.
Miles K. Young, a well known and successful attorney who is engaged in the practice of his profession at Bloomington, is a native of McLean County, and a member of one of the pioneer families of this part of the state. He was born in Downs Township, Jan. 21, 1861, and is a son of Otto and Susan (Mannen) Young.
Otto Young was born near Zanesville, Ohio, in 1839, and was the son of Joseph and Sarah (Thomas) Young, natives of Ohio. When Otto Young was 11 years old his parents came to McLean County. He became a suc- cessful farmer and owned 120 acres of land in Downs Township. He died March 22, 1914. Susan (Mannen) Young was born in McLean County in 1840, a daughter of Henry B. and Susan Mannen. The Mannen family came to McLean County from Kentucky in 1835 and settled in Old Town Township. Mrs. Young died Sept. 2, 1914.
Mr. and Mrs. Otto Young were the parents of five children, as follows: Miles K., the subject of this sketch; Charles J., lives at Bloomington; Dr. William M., a physician, lives at Bloomington; Belle, deceased; and Harry L., lives on the home place in Downs Township.
Miles K. Young received his elementary education in the district schools and attended Illinois Wesleyan University. In 1886 he was grad- uated from Lincoln College at Lincoln, Ill., and two years later from the law department of Illinois Wesleyan University. Mr. Young was then
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engaged as a traveling salesman for C. Aultman & Co., of Canton, Ohio, manufacturers of threshers and engines. He had charge of their collec- tions in Illinois for five years and in November, 1894, he was appointed receiver for The Illinois Building & Loan Association by Judge Alfred Sample. After winding up its affairs in 1898 Mr. Young began the practice of his profession at Bloomington with Ralph S. Potter, and the firm was known as Young & Potter. This partnership continued until the Bloom- ington fire in 1900, after which Mr. Potter went to Chicago. The follow- ing year Mr. Young was elected city attorney, which office he held for two years. In 1907 he became a member of the firm of Young, Brackin & Peirce. Four years later the firm was changed to Brackin & Young, which continued until 1921. Since that time Mr. Young has practiced alone and has offices in the First National Bank Building. In 1912 he was elected state attorney from McLean County and re-elected in 1916, holding the office until 1920.
On May 1, 1895, Mr. Young was married to Miss Susie Ingalls, a native of Kankakee County, Ill., and the daughter of Homer and Martha (Peck) Ingalls. Mrs. Young was born in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Young have no children of their own but have reared four as follows: Russell K. Young, interior decorator, lives in Chicago; Pauline, married R. Kenneth Turner, garage owner of Normal, lives at Bloomington ; Magnus May, at home, and Martha Maxine, at home.
Mr. Young is a Republican and belongs to the Association of Com- merce and the Bloomington Club. He is a member of the First Methodist Church and belongs to the Masonic lodge, the Knights of Pythias, the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Elks and the Red Men.
P. H. MaGirl, now deceased, was during his lifetime an important factor in the industrial development of Bloomington and one of the suc- cessful business men of this section of the state. He was born in Ireland, April 14, 1850, and came to America with his mother when about four years old. His father was a sea captain and was lost at sea. The mother settled in Bloomington and here is where P. H. MaGirl, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated. When he was 14 years old he started to learn the moulder's trade at the old Ollis Foundry, at which he became an expert mechanic. He worked at his trade in Bloomington for a number
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