USA > Illinois > McLean County > History of McLean County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 56
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of years, and in 1892 bought an interest in the Union Foundry, which was founded by Nicholas Diedrich, who died about that time. The foun- dry was then operated under the name of MaGirl & Diedrich, and in 1896 Mr. MaGirl bought his partner's interest and was sole owner to the time of his death.
The old foundry was located at the foot of Center Street, across from the Big Four railroad depot. The business had developed to such an extent that in 1904 Mr. MaGirl required a larger plant. He accordingly bought property and built the present well equipped plant on the corner of Oak- land Avenue and McLean Street. It was operated under the name of P. H. MaGirl Foundry & Furnace Works until his death, April 21, 1922. They manufacture heating and ventilating apparatus, specializing in school and church heating. They also manufacture residence heating apparatus and their products are sold throughout the United States. They employ about 50 men and the plant is recognized as one of the substantial and important industrial institutions of Bloomington.
P. H. MaGirl was married in 1872 to Miss Elizabeth Marley, of Bloom- ington. She died in 1881, leaving three children: James D., the manager and one of the owners of the P. H. MaGirl Foundry & Furnace Company ; Ida, married Frank Dalton, lives in Bloomington; and Gertrude, married William Johnston, lives in Bloomington.
Mr. MaGirl was a member of the Elks and Red Men. He belonged to the Catholic Church. His home was at 1402 South Main Street, Normal, from the time of his marriage until his death. He was a very successful business man. Starting life a poor boy, by his own unaided efforts, he made good, making a place for himself among the builders of Bloom- ington.
Frank W. Aldrich, president of the McLean State Bank, at McLean, Ill., is among the successful and widely known business men of McLean County. He was born at McLean, June 8, 1873, and is a son of Carlton C. and Lydia Amanda (Willson) Aldrich.
Carlton C. Aldrich, deceased, was a leading citizen of Bloomington for many years. He was born at Swanzey, N. H., Oct. 2, 1829, the son of Amasa and Candice (Cook) Aldrich. A complete sketch of the life of Carlton C. Aldrich and his family appears elsewhere in this volume.
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Frank W. Aldrich attended the public schools of McLean and was later graduated from Lawrenceville school at Lawrenceville, N. J. Mr. Aldrich is also a graduate of Yale University. Besides his banking activities he is also interested in the grain business.
On Oct. 12, 1897, Mr. Aldrich was married to Miss Frances M. Scroggs, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Scroggs of Champaign, Ill. To this union two daughters were born: Dorothy Frances, born Sept. 1, 1898, married Dec. 29, 1923, to Shannon Meriwether and they live at 4344 Rock- hill Road, Kansas City, Mo .; and Virginia Osborne, born April 3, 1902, lives at home. Mr. Aldrich was married the second time on Nov. 6, 1912, to Gertrude Tyler Harwood, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Barton S. Tyler, of Decatur, Ill.
Mr. Aldrich is a Republican. He is a member of the Yale Club of New York, the University Club of Chicago, the Bloomington Club, and the Bloomington Country Club.
Carlon Cook Aldrich, deceased, was a prominent citizen of Blooming- ton and McLean County. He was born at Swanzey, N. H., Oct. 2, 1829, and was a son of Amasa and Candice (Cook) Aldrich.
Carlon Cook Aldrich remained in New Hampshire until he was 21 years of age and attended the city schools and Mount Caeser Seminary, and later taught school for two years. After his marriage he went to Scio, N. Y., where he entered business, but the next year went west, settling first for a few years at Dubuque, Ia. In 1860 he moved to McLean County, where he established a grain business. Mr. Aldrich was a large landowner and was also greatly interested in banking, having owned a private bank at Bloomington for a time. He retired from active business in 1902 and died in 1917. His widow maintained her residence in Bloom- ington after the death of her husband and she died Nov. 17, 1923, at the age of 88 years.
On Nov. 6, 1854, Mr. Aldrich was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Amanda Willson, a native of Swanzey, N. H., born Aug. 29, 1835, and the daughter of Charles and Levina (Collins) Willson, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of New Hampshire. Mrs. Aldrich was known as a woman of strong character and good works. She was one of the founders of the Congregational Church in McLean and was a char- (79)
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ter member of the Girls Industrial Home of Bloomington. For a time she was a member of the school board of McLean. Mrs. Aldrich's early educa- tion was in the district schools a mile and three-quarters from her home. For several years she attended Mt. Ceasar's Seminary at Swanzey and also spent a year at a seminary at Chester, Vt.
To Carlon Cook and Lydia Amanda (Willson) Aldrich four children were born, as follows: Carrie, married Dr. A. Ten Brook, lives at McLean, Ill .; Agnes L., married Harry Palmer, lives at McLean, Ill .; Frank W., lives in Bloomington ; and Bertie, born in 1866, died at the age of three years.
Frank W. Aldrich, president of the McLean State Bank at McLean, is a prominent citizen of McLean County. He has been a large land owner and is one of the pioneer bankers of the community. Since 1903 he has lived in Bloomington. Mr. Aldrich was married to Miss Frances Scroogs and they have two daughters, Dorothy and Virginia. Miss Virginia Aldrich has spent nine years in Paris, France, and now teaches French in Vir- ginia. Miss Dorothy Aldrich is now visiting in Europe. There are three other grandchildren in the Aldrich family: Dr. Carl Ten Brook of Pekin, China; Drew Ten Brook of Hinsdale, Ill .; and Mrs. Thomas Moffett of Oakland, Ill.
Carlon Cook Aldrich was a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was highly respected and the Aldrich family are representative of the best citizenship of McLean County.
Daniel D. Leary, president of the Martens-Leary Company, is a prom- inent business man of Bloomington. He was born at Wapella, Ill., Feb. 9, 1859, and is a son of Patrick A. and Catherine (Fogarty) Leary.
Patrick A. Leary and his wife, both now deceased, were natives of Ireland. They settled at Wapella, Ill., where Mr. Leary was first section foreman of the Illinois Central Railroad. He was in the employ of this company until the time of his death. His wife died in Bloomington in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Leary were the parents of two children, as follows: Daniel D., the subject of this sketch; and Michael A., born May 1, 1860, lives at 512 East Monroe Street, Bloomington.
Daniel D. Leary spent his boyhood at Wapella and Aurora, Ill. In 1868 he came to Bloomington and attended the fourth ward school, now known as Emerson school. After finishing school in 1873 he was engaged
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as carriage trimmer with L. Marten on West Front Street. He worked as a journeyman at the bench for 15 years and as a partner in the firm of McKee, Schade & Leary for fifteen years. On November 29, 1901, Mr. Leary organized the Martens-Leary Company, and served as secretary and treasurer of the company for ten years. He has been president since 1911. The Martens-Leary Company is located at 1002 North Main Street and are dealers in vehicles, implements and harness.
On Jan. 19, 1887, Mr. Leary was married at Logansport, Ind., to Miss Mary A. McHale, a native of the latter place, and the daughter of Martin and Catherine (Fogarty) McHale. Mr. and Mrs. McHale were natives of County Mayo, Ireland, and immigrated to this country on Feb. 2, 1854, locating at Laporte, Ind. Mr. McHale died in 1868 and his wife died four years later. To Daniel D. and Mary A. (McHale) Leary two children have been born as follows: Richard M., born Jan. 2, 1890, a graduate of Bloom- ington High School and a veteran of the World war, having served 18 months with the 210th Squadron of the Air Service, now associated in business with the Studebaker Automobile Company at Bloomington; and Charles Earl, born May 1, 1893, a graduate of Bloomington High School, Illinois Wesleyan University, and the Medical School of Northwestern University, from which he was graduated in June, 1920. He is at present assistant medical director of the Cook County Infirmary at Oak Forest, Ill.
Mr. Leary is a Republican, a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church and a 4th degree Knight of Columbus. He also belongs to the Modern Woodman of the World and the National Union. Mr. Leary has always taken an active interest in civic affairs and is a public spirited citizen. He is president of the Illinois State Implement Dealers Associa- tion, and during the World war was active on several committees in the Red Cross and Liberty Loan drives.
George Preston, a well known general merchant of Ellsworth, is a native of McLean County. He was born Feb. 6, 1884, and is a son of Alonzo J. and Margaret (Alsbery) Preston.
Alonzo J. Preston, who now lives retired at Arrowsmith, was born in Wisconsin, Feb. 17, 1843. His wife was born in Illinois, Nov. 22, 1851. He was a well known contractor of McLean County for a number of years but has lived retired since 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Preston are the parents of the
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following children: Charles, lives near Ellsworth; William, lives in Ne- braska; C. W., lives at Sterling, Ill .; A. J., lives at Arrowsmith; George, the subject of this sketch ; Belle, married James Bowen, lives at Saybrook, Ill .; and Florence, married Edwin Bowen, also lives at Saybrook. The Preston sisters married brothers.
George Preston was reared and educated in McLean County and has lived at Ellsworth since Oct. 25, 1906. In 1916 he organized the Preston Company, a general store.
On Oct. 1, 1906, Mr. Preston was married to Miss Mildred A. Moore, and to this union one child has been born, Thelma Fern, born July 16, 1907.
Mr. Preston is a Republican and belongs to the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family are members of the Christian Church and are favorably known.
C. W. Welch, owner and manager of the Funks Grove Grain Company in Mount Hope Township, is a successful business man of McLean County. He was born in McLean County, in 1865, and is the son of William and Catherine (Snedeker) Welch.
William Welch was born in England and after. coming to America lived in Canada for several years. He came to McLean County in 1854 and engaged in general farming and stock raising in Funks Grove Town- ship, where he lived until the time of his death in 1902. His wife, a native of West Virginia, died in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Welch were the parents of four children, as follows: William, lives on the home place in Funks Grove Township; Jennie, also lives on the home place; C. W., the subject of this sketch; and Evelyn, married W. F. Brock, lives at Shreves- port, La.
C. W. Welch was educated in the district schools of McLean County and farmed on his father's farm until 1901, at which time he was appointed manager of the McLean Telephone Company, and after having held that position for 10 years he purchased the grain elevator at Funks Grove. In 1918 he bought the grain elevator at McLean, which was for- merly owned by the Aldrich estate. It was incorporated with Mr. Welch as manager and treasurer, which offices he still holds. The grain elevators at both Funks Grove and McLean are the largest elevators in the com- munity and both do a large volume of business.
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Mr. Welch was married in 1891 to Miss Augusta Wood, a daughter of Harrison W. and Kate (Walker) Wood, the former a native of Massa- chusetts and the latter of Missouri. Mr. Wood was a wagonmaker by trade and owned a shop at McLean until his death in 1882. His wife died in 1903, and Mrs. Welch died June 15, 1919. To C. W. and Augusta (Wood) Welch one daughter was born, Lena, married Lyle Canfield, and they live on a farm three miles southwest of McLean. They have two children, Edwin and Leo Canfield.
In politics Mr. Welch is a Republican and he is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is one of Mc- Lean County's progressive and leading citizens.
George Youle, deceased, was for many years identified with Bellflower Township as a successful farmer. He was born in Yorkshire, England, July 6, 1832, and came to the United States with his parents in 1852. Mr. Youle was the son of George and Ann (Stone) ) Youle, early settlers of Illinois. George Youle, Sr., was born in 1792 and died in 1870. There were five children in the Youle family, as follows: Ann Parkin; William ; Sarah; Elizabeth Phillips; and George, the subject of this sketch.
George Youle, Jr.,'lived in Tazewell County, Ill., with his parents until 1870, when he located on the present Youle farm in Bellflower Township, now owned by his son, Clarence. Mr. Youle followed farming and stock- raising for many years and met with success. He moved to Saybrook, Ill., in 1889, and died Feb. 9, 1913, after having been an invalid for several years.
Mr. Youle was married to Miss Elizabeth Seely, a native of Ohio, born May 20, 1840, and the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Whitford) Seely. Mrs. Youle died May 7, 1907, at Saybrook. To George and Eliza- beth (Seely) Youle twelve children were born, as follows: Elizabeth, mar- ried Charles A. Tracy, further mention of whom is made below; George E., deceased; Frank B., lives at Saybrook; Mary Corbley, lives at Cham- paign, Ill .; Jessie, further mention of whom is made below; John W., lives at Hannibal, Mo .; Charles A., lives at Saybrook, Ill .; Clarence, further mention of whom is made below; Wallace, lives at Saybrook, Ill .; Claude, lives at Seattle, Wash .; Floyd, also lives at Seattle, Wash .; A. T., lives at Saybrook.
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Elizabeth Tracy was married in 1896 to Charles A. Tracy, a native of Illinois, born Oct. 2, 1861, and he died April 1, 1913. Mrs. Tracy has one son, Donald, who operates the home place with her. She owns 320 acres of land and is a successful breeder of white Orpington chickens. Mrs. Tracy's farm is located near Omaha, Neb.
Miss Jessie Youle, who resides on the home place in Bellflower Town- ship, is a graduate of Illinois State Normal University. She taught school for a number of years at Saybrook and was also assistant principal of the schools at Bellflower, Ill.
Clarence Youle lives on part of the home place in Bellflower Township, McLean County, and is a successful farmer. He was married on March 11, 1897, to Miss Edna Wright, a native of Illinois, born Sept. 1, 1880, the daughter of Edward and Lydia (Smith) Wright. Mr. Wright served throughout the Civil War and now lives retired at Mound City, Ill. His wife was born Nov. 15, 1833, and died in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Wright were the parents of the following children: Charles E., lives in Canada; Ira W., lives at Saybrook, Ill .; Maud, Rosabel, and Pearl, all living in Missouri; Marie, lives in California; Mrs. Youle.
To Clarence and Edna (Wright) Youle three children have been born, as follows: Gordon E., born March 7, 1898; Donald, born March 11, 1909; and.Jack, born June 24, 1913.
Clarence Youle is a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. The Youle family is widely known in McLean County.
C. B. Burke, a well known and successful farmer, of Bellflower Town- ship, is a native of Illinois. He was born at Colfax, July 26, 1873, the son of C. H. and Nancy E. (Wiley) Burke.
C. H. Burke was born at Georgetown, Ky., April 3, 1843, and when he was a young man went to Indiana. In 1870 he came to Illinois and located on a farm of 40 acres in Martin Township, McLean County. After a number of years Mr. Burke retired from his farm and moved to Say- brook, Ill., where he died, Dec. 10, 1919. He was a member of the Chris- tian Church at Saybrook. Mrs. Burke, who was born in Indiana, April 6, 1848, is also deceased. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Rhoda Bodwell, lives at Saybrook, Ill .; W. T., lives at Saybrook, Ill .; Lytle, deceased; C. D., the subject of this sketch; Hannah E. Stine,
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lives in Cass County, N. D .; Mary J. Stine, lives at Saybrook, Ill .; and Josephine Carlston, lives at Saybrook, Ill.
C. B. Burke was reared on the farm and attended the public schools and began life as a farmer and stockman. He has been located on his present farm since the time of his marriage in 1894. Mr. Burke carries on general farming and stockraising and is meeting with success. Many of the largest stock sales in the township are held on the Burke farm.
On Jan. 11, 1894, Mr. Burke was united in marriage with Miss Ida Lappin, a native of LeRoy, Ill., born Nov. 8, 1874, and the daughter of James and Phoebe (Walters) Lappin. Mr. and Mrs. Burke have one child, Paul L., born Nov. 17, 1902, lives at home.
Mr. Burke is a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church at Saybrook. He is recognized as one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of Bellflower Township.
Charles Edwin Trimble, of Bloomington, who was a veteran engineer of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, died May 4, 1924. He was born at Washington, Ill., Jan. 27, 1850, and the son of James and Mary (Maris) Trimble.
The Trimble family came to Illinois in 1834 from Ohio and settled on a farm two miles north of Washington. James Trimble followed his trade as wagonmaker for many years and later engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. James Trimble were the parents of four children, as follows: Charles Edwin ; William; Henry ; and Elizabeth, all of whom are deceased.
Charles Edwin Trimble grew to manhood in Washington, Ill., and attended the public schools there. His first railway experience was with the Toledo, Peoria & Western. He was given employment as fireman in 1869 and then came to the Chicago & Alton as fireman on Jan. 11, 1873, being promoted a few years later and being assigned to work train service when the Western division was being constructed. The last spike was driven and the road completed into Kansas City in 1879. Trimble then returned to the Illinois lines and has been employed out of Bloomington since, fifty-five years in railway service and fifty years as engineer. Of the men who were employed in train and engine service when he first came to the Alton, none are left. All have either died or retired from active duty. While employed on many divisions, Engineer Trimble has been on
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the north end for many years, and of late has handled what is known as the 70 and 15 or Denver run. He recently computed that in his 55 years of railway service, he had ridden more than 2,000,000 miles or more than eighty times around the globe. Although 55 years in the cab of a loco- motive to his credit, he has the remarkable distinction of never losing a day because of injuries due to accident. It is believed that this record is without parallel.
When he went to work as a fireman, most of the locomotives burned wood and carried huge smoke stacks, known as the diamond, and which were thought necessary to furnish a draft. When coal replaced wood, the stacks were reduced in size.
Trimble has been in many accidents, but miracuously escaped injury. His worst wreck was at Joliet when a switch engine darted upon the track just ahead of him, coming from a siding. His engine was overturned and he was dug out of the wreckage. It was supposed that he had been killed but he resumed his run as usual the next day. He had another close call at Bloomington. As he was rolling through the yards, a box car of a freight train moving upon an adjacent track, was derailed just ahead of Trimble's engine and the latter was lifted bodily on to another track and turned completely around. Again, they dug Trimble out of the wreckage, presuming that he had been killed. Again, he was found un- injured.
He had another hairbreadth escape going through the Chicago yards. A negligent switchman left a main line switch open and Trimble's engine ploughed through a number of box cars. He remained at the throttle and watched a procession of car roofs shoot over his cab. Again, they lifted him out of the wreckage without a scratch. Of the many accidents in which Trimble has been involved, none were charged to his carelessness or neglect of the rules. He has long been famed for his reliability and strict observance of orders.
Engineer Trimble had the distinction of being the oldest member of Division 19, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and wore a veteran badge in recognition of his long membership. He was also a member of the Bloomington Lodge No. 43, A. F. & A. M. and of Bloomington Consis- tory. He was an attendant of the Methodist Church. His career was honorable; his record clean; and his service to the company was of the highest possible order.
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Mr. Trimble was married May 16, 1883, to Luella Burr, a daughter of L. C. and Rebecca Dell (Thrasher) Burr. Mrs. Trimble was one of the following children born to her parents: Mrs. Trimble, born March 25, 1859; Dr. L. A. Burr, born Oct. 26, 1862, was a physician and surgeon, died in Chicago, Ill., March 20, 1910; Dr. Logan Cushing Burr, born Oct. 8, 1864, was a graduate of St. Louis Medical College, died June 27, 1892.
L. C. Burr went to California in 1851, making the trip overland with ox teams. He did not find gold mining profitable, however, but worked at his trade, receiving from $10 to $20 per day. He remained in California about three years when he returned by Isthmus of Panama and by boat to New York. He lived in Champaign County, Ill. He was prominent in public affairs and served as mayor of Tolane several years, was a member of the board of county commissioners and was president of the board for nine years. He was a member of the Masonic and Odd Felow lodges. He died Aug. 13, 1895, and his widow lives with Mrs. Trimble at Bloomington. She is 83 years old and relates many interesting incidents of the early days. She lived in Cole County during the Civil War and when a young girl ren- dered considerable assistance to the cause of the Union.
To Mr. and Mrs. Trimble was born one daughter, Alma Burr Trimble, who married Dr. Reynolds, of Chicago, and they have one daughter, Theodosia Burr Reynolds.
Mrs. Trimble is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
L. W. Sholtey, now living retired on his farm in Anchor Township, is a prominent and highly esteemed citizen of McLean County. He was born in Selma, Delaware County, Ind., Sept. 7, 1844, and is the son of Jacob and Mary (Kauffman) Sholtey.
Jacob Sholtey was a son of William Sholtey, who emigrated from the Netherlands to the United States when he was a young man. Jacob was born in Pennsylvania in 1805 and was married in that state to Mary Kauffman, a daughter of Michael and Annie (Funk) Kauffman. In 1837 the Sholtey family made their way westward, sojourning for a few months in Dayton, Ohio, and later arrived in Delaware County, Ind., where they remained 14 years. In 1848 they located on a farm of 125 acres in Dale Township, McLean County. To this Jacob Sholtey added 375 acres before his death, which occurred in October, 1880. His wife died in 1893. Mr.
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and Mrs. Sholtey were the parents of nine children: Christopher, Henry, Susanna, Samuel, Benjamin, Sophia, Levi W., the subject of this sketch; John, and Anna N.
L. W. Sholtey attended the district schools and began farming for himself at the age of 21 years. He has lived on his present farm since 1869, which is known as Cottage Grove Farm. Mr. Sholtey owns 280 acres of land and has been successful as a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Poland Angus cattle.
On Oct. 21, 1866, Mr. Sholtey was married to Miss Hannah Jane Guyer, a native of Ohio, born Nov. 10, 1844, and the daughter of Amaziah and Sarah Jane Guyer. Mrs. Sholtey died Feb. 23, 1886, and is buried at Saybrook. There were nine children in the Sholtey family, as follows: William Elmer, Mary Elizabeth, Julia Belle, Effie Viola, Laura Dell and Alice May, all deceased; Oliver N., lives in Nebraska; Lawrence V., at home; and Sarah Jane Lappin, also at home. Mr. Sholtey has six grand- children and three great-grandchildren.
In politics Mr. Sholtey is identified with the Republican party. He has served as road commissioner and school director for a number of years. Mr. Sholtey is a member of the United Brethren Church and is a substantial citizen of his community.
Warren C. Darnall. Measured by the hourglass of time, the space of 100 years is a mighty small link in the chain connecting the eternity of the past with the eternity of the future, yet within just that space of time McLean County has been transformed from a wild and boundless expanse of primative nature into fertile fields and gardens, separated by man-made barriers and ornamented with beautiful farm homes and drives reflecting every convenience of modern ingenuity for convenience, attract- iveness and comfort.
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