USA > Illinois > Stark County > History of Stark County, Illinois, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
the number are now living, Walter N. and Henry, the latter located near Modena, Illinois.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Walter N. Champion became a public school pupil and his practical business training was received under the direction of his father. He early began work in the fields and upon the death of his parents he took over the old home property, comprising one hundred and sixty aeres of excellent farming land. This he now carefully cultivates, its further development occupying his time and energies together with the cul- tivation of an eighty-acre traet which belongs to his two children.
In the year 1900 Mr. Champion was married to Miss Clara N. Imes and they had four children: Isla, now deceased; one who died in infaney; Nolan Arnold and Verna Marie, both at home. The parents attend the Methodist Episcopal church and guide their lives according to its teachings. In polities Mr. Champion is an earnest republican and fraternally is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are hospitable people and their home is ever open for the reception of the many friends that they have in their section of the county. Mr. Champion has been a lifelong resident of Osceola township and has therefore witnessed much of its growth and development as the work of improvement has been carried for- ward, bringing about a notable transformation.
WILLIAM E. NIXON.
William E. Nixon has been clerk of Stark county for fourteen years, his continued return to that office indicating his satisfactory services. He was formerly actively engaged in newspaper publica- tion and during the eighteen years that he owned and edited the Post- Herald at Wyoming, Illinois, he made it one of the leading weekly papers in this part of the state.
Mr. Nixon was born in Toulon on the 14th of November, 1859, a son of Edward and Margaret ( Kenney) Nixon, both natives of Romney, Hampshire county, West Virginia. In early life they removed to Peoria county, Illinois, where their marriage occurred on the 22d of December, 1853. Three years later they located in Toulon, which remained their home until they were called by death. The father's demise occurred on the 8th of May, 1883, when he was fifty- nine years old, and the mother's on the 21st of January, 1909, when seventy-seven years old. They became the parents of four children: Vol. II-13
260
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY
Charles E., now living in Peoria, Illinois; Enma M., who married Manning A. Hall on the 29th of December, 1880, and died in New Salem, Kansas, on the 9th of June, 1889, at the age of thirty-two years, leaving three children, Maurice, Edward and Maude; William E .; and Frank C., who died in Peoria on the 26th of March, 1902, when thirty-eight years old. The paternal grandparents of our sub- jeet, William and Mary (Cheshire) Nixon, were among the pioneers of Peoria county, Illinois, removing there from West Virginia in September, 1831.
William E. Nixon received a high school education in Toulon and when only fifteen years old began his newspaper career in the office of the Stark County News at Toulon. He applied himself diligently to learning everything possible connected with the printing and pub- lishing business and in October, 1880, with a partner founded the Stark County Sentinel, also at Toulon. After conducting that paper for two years he disposed of his interest therein to J. Knox Hall in May, 1882, but on the Ist of Jannary, 1889. he again became one of the newspaper publishers of the county, purchasing the Post-Herald at Wyoming, Illinois. For eighteen years he devoted the greater part of his time to its publication and it gained recognition as one of the most influential and best known weeklies in central Illinois. He built up an efficient news service which enabled him to give his readers com- plete and reliable accounts of local events, and through his editorial page he worked constantly and effectively for the advancement of Wyoming and Stark county. In September, 1907, he sold the paper and has since given practically his entire time to his official duties.
It was in November, 1902. that Mr. Nixon was elected clerk of Stark county and on taking office he removed to Toulon. He was re- elected in 1906. 1910 and 1914, receiving at each election the highest vote of any candidate on the county ticket. an unusual tribute, which speaks nmch for his personal popularity and the confidence which his fellow citizens repose in his ability. Since taking up his residence in Toulon he has held other official positions. as for seven years he has been a member of the school board and for five years has served on the city council. He was chairman of the board of local improvements, which devised and installed the present splendid system of water- works, and his duties in that connection made heavy demands upon his time and attention. While living in Wyoming he was for five terms city clerk and for five years a member of the school board.
Mr. Nixon was married in Toulon on the 30th of November. 1882, to Miss Lottie R. Brace, who was born in Elmira, Illinois, on the 15th of January, 1862. Her father. Orlando Brace. was born in
261
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY
Elmira on the 8th of August, 1838, a son of Myrtle G. and Phebe (Munson) Brace, pioneers of Stark county. On the 10th of Sep- tember, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining Company A. One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was at the front for three years. He saw much active service and in the battle of Spanish Fort, Alabama, on the 2d of April, 1865, was severely wounded. After the close of hostilities he returned to Illinois and in November, 1873, was elected treasurer of Stark county and removed to Toulon. He made an excellent record in that office, which he held until December, 1886. His demise occurred on the 12th of December, 1909, when he was seventy-one years old. He was married on the 13th of February, 1861, to Lucy A. Hudson, who was a daughter of Daniel and Mary ( Mayhew) Hudson, natives of Ohio, who settled in Stark county, Illinois, in 1855. She passed away on the 14th of December, 1910, when seventy years old. To Mr. and Mrs. Brace were born seven children: Mrs. Nixon; Luella M., who was married on the 25th of December, 1882, to Frank S. Rosseter, now deceased, and who died on the 8th of December, 1902, in California, in her fortieth year, leaving two daughters, Myrtle, the wife of Benja- min R. Saunders, and Ethel L .: Frank B .; Florence B., the widow of Frank L. Kinney; Harry W .; George M .; and Edith L., the wife of George C. Christ. Mr. and Mrs. Nixon have three children, as fol- lows: Edward B., who is engaged in newspaper work in Peoria, Illinois, was married on the 12th of December, 1906. to Adeline L. Bradley, a daughter of Henry C. and Alberta ( Edwards) Bradley, of Toulon, and they have two sons, Bradley and Paul. Grace F. was married on the 15th of June, 1915, to Dr. Martin R. Chase, a son of Joseph and Sarah ( Rist) Chase, of Toulon. She and her husband now live in Chicago. Paul O., who is assistant cashier in the State Bank of Toulon, is living at home.
Mr. Nixon has been a lifelong republican and has done much efficient work in behalf of that party. In religious faith he is a Con- gregationalist, and he is also identified with the Masonic order. He was raised a Master Mason in Toulon lodge, No. 93, in December, 1881, and when he became a resident of Wyoming transferred his membership to Wyoming Lodge, No. 479, of which he served as worshipful master in 1891, 1892, 1894, 1895, 1901 and 1902. In 1909 he was master of the Toulon lodge, with which he is again identified. In 1901 he was high priest of Wyoming Chapter, No. 133, R. A. M. He is likewise identified with the Order of the Eastern Star and with the Modern Woodmen of America. In addition to attending to his private business interests and his official duties, he has been active in
.
262
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY
all matters pertaining to the promotion of the social and material wel- fare of the community in which he lives, and his public spirit is generally recognized. Mrs. Nixon received her education in the Tou- lon schools, and is a member of the Congregational church and of the Order of the Eastern Star, and in the last named order served as worthy matron of Wyoming Chapter in 1897 and of Toulon Chapter in 1913.
JOHN W. WALTERS.
John W. Walters, who since 1895 has been a partner in the bank- ing house now conducted under the name of Scott. Walters & Rake- straw at Wyoming, was born July 26, 1854, at Ashbourne, Derby- shire. England. His father, the Rev. William Walters, was born at Mayfield. Staffordshire, England, and wedded Sarah Neal, whose birth occurred in Derby, England. Following the birth of their five children they came to the new world, making their way to Wyoming. Illinois, in November, 1870. The father became the first pastor of the Congregational church of Wyoming, which he aided in founding in 1873. He continued to fill that pastorate for a decade and then again from 1893 until 1900. Between those two periods he was pas- tor of the Congregational churches at Lacon, Illinois, and at ITastings and Long Pine, Nebraska. He passed away in Wyoming in 1900, greatly esteemed and beloved by all. His life had been of marked influence for good in the community, his teachings being of far-reach- ing and beneficial effect and leaving their impress upon the lives of many with whom he came in contact. His wife died in 1872.
John W. Walters pursued his education in St. John's Academy in his native city to the age of sixteen years. when he came with his parents to the new world. He embarked in the mercantile business in Wyoming in 1878 as a partner of A. G. Hammond and was thus actively identified with commercial affairs of the city until 1893, when he became a factor in financial circles, entering into partnership with the banking firm of Scott, Wrigley & Hammond, which is now Scott, Walters & Rakestraw. In this connection he is bending his efforts to administrative direction and executive control, and during the past twenty-one years he has contributed in no small measure to the suc- cess of the institution. He is also a director of the Stark County Telephone Company and owns considerable real estate in Illinois and other sections of the country ..
263
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY
On the 13th of June, 1877, at Wyoming, Mr. Walters was married to Miss Alice B. Wrigley, a daughter of John Wrigley, who was born at Haywood, Lancashire, England, and was associated with George W. Scott in founding the bank of Scott & Wrigley at Wyoming in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Walters have become the parents of seven chil- dren: Arthur John; Sarah Anne, now the wife of Herbert L. Miller, of Danville, Illinois: Florence Louise, the wife of John R. Dexter, of Ardmore, Oklahoma; William Alfred, of Leroy, Illinois, who married Miss Hilda White, of St. Joseph, Missouri; and Edith Alice, Helen Mary and Harold Wrigley Scott, all at home.
Mr. Walters has adhered to the religious faith of his father and has long been a very active and prominent member of the Congrega- tional church, in which he has served as trustee and treasurer for many years. That he is interested in the intellectual progress of the com- munity is shown by the fact that he has served for nineteen years as a member of the board of education of Wyoming. His political al- legiance is given to the republican party, and fraternally he is eon- neeted with the Masons, belonging to the lodge, chapter and Eastern Star. A resident of Wyoming from the age of sixteen years, he is well known here as one of the prominent, representative and honored citizens. his life having ever measured up to the highest standards of manhood and citizenship.
G. W. MERNA.
An excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres, situated on ser- tion 28. Penn township, is the property of G. W. Merna, who Joeated thereon about six years ago and here in addition to general farming he is engaged in the raising of Clydesdale horses, becoming well known as a leading dealer of his community. He was born in the township in which he still makes his home on the 13th of Septem- ber, 1874, his parents being George and Mary F. (Bateman) Merna, the former a native of England and the latter of Ohio. On coming to the United States the father settled first at Fall River, Massachu- setts, but afterward made his way into the interior of the country and became a resident of Stark county, where he passed away in the fall of 1912 after having devoted many years to general agricultural pur- suits in this locality. His widow still survives and yet occupies the old home farm in Penn township.
No special event occurred to vary the routine of farm life for G.
264
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY
W. Merna in his boyhood and youth. He worked upon the old home place from early boyhood when not busy with his textbooks and after leaving school concentrated his entire attention upon the farm work until he reached the age of twenty-seven years. IIe then began farming on his own account on a traet of land south of his present home and came to this farm in 1910. In the intervening period he has erected a large, substantial barn and other outbuildings and has lighted the place with electricity brought from Wyoming. This land is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences and within the boundaries of the place are comprised one hundred and sixty aeres of land. Stock raising has to some extent been followed by him, his attention being now given to Clydesdale horses, and he has also engaged in feeding stock.
In 1901 Mr. Merna was united in marriage to Miss Emma Taylor, a native of Rock Island. Illinois, by whom he has two children, Ber- nice and Gladys. The parents attend the Methodist Protestant church, of which Mr. Merna is one of the trustees. His political allegiance is given the republican party but he has never sought or desired office. He has, however, served as school trustee. Fraternally he is well known as a Mason, belonging to the lodge and chapter at Wyoming. He has also filled all of the offices in the Odd Fellows lodge at Castleton and he is widely known and popular among the members of those organizations, who recognize his sterling worth and know that his life is molded along lines that have their root in honor- able principles. Having always lived in Penn township, his life his- tory is as an open book and many who know him speak of him in terms of warm regard.
EDWARD C. CAVERLY.
Progressive agriculture in Stark county finds a worthy represen- tative in Edward C. Caverly, who resides on section 16. Toulon town- ship. There he is successfully engaged in tilling the soil and also in the breeding and raising of Poland China hogs. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land constituting a neat and well improved farm, and the enterprise which he displays in its manage- ment results in the attainment of gratifying success. He has always lived in Stark county, his birth having here occurred September 21, 1868.
His father, William P. Caverly, was born in Ireland and was
265
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY
there reared to mature years. When a young man he came with a sis- ter to the new world and for a time resided in New York city, where he learned the carpenter's trade. He afterward removed west- ward to Toulon, where he followed his trade and also did contract work. He erected the first Board of Trade building in Peoria and other important structures of that period stand as monuments to his skill and handiwork. Purchasing land, he established his home upon a farm in Toulon township and thereon reared his family. He was for years one of the publie-spirited citizens of Stark county, where he served as supervisor and in other positions of honor and trust. He started out in life a poor boy among strangers, but he accumulated wealth quite rapidly and was long numbered among the prosperous and substantial citizens and men of affluence in Stark county. His prosperity resulted from his sound judgment, his close application and his indefatigable industry. He spent his last years in Toulon, where he passed away about 1912, and his widow, who still survives him, makes her home in Toulon.
Edward C. Caverly was reared on the old homestead, remaining with his father until he reached the age of twenty-five years, during which period he assisted in the active work of the fields. In March, 1893, he was united in marriage to Miss Sierra Nevada Ward, who was born in Illinois and was reared and educated in Toulon.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Caverly took up their abode on the place where they still make their home. With characteristic energy he began to till the soil and further improved the place and today his farm is one of the attractive features of the landscape. There is a large and pleasant residence built in modern style of architecture, lighted with gas and supplied with hot and cold water throughout the house. In fact this is one of the finest farm resi- dences in Toulon township and is an evidence of the progressive spirit of the owner. In the rear of the dwelling stands a substantial barn and other outbuildings that furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. He uses the latest improved farm machinery in carrying on the work of the fields and all of his land is tillable. For years he has been quite extensively engaged in breeding and selling pure blooded Poland China hogs and is now one of the foremost representatives of the business in Stark county. For some years he has held two public sales annually and he also sells at private sale. In addition he has filled orders from distant points, shipping some fine animals to various states.
Mr. and Mrs. Caverly have become parents of a son, Charles, who is now a student in the township high school at Toulon. The
266
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY
family is well known in their part of the county and warm regard is entertained for them by all with whom they have come in contact. Politically Mr. Caverly is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party. His entire attention has been concentrated upon his business affairs and his persisteney of purpose has brought to him substantial and gratifying success.
JAMES T. ROGERS.
James T. Rogers, who owns and operates a half section of fine land in Penn township, is giving the greater part of his attention to the raising of Clydesdale horses and shorthorn cattle. His birth occurred in Peoria county, Illinois, on the 22d of August, 1851, and he is a son of Henry M. and Emily ( Evans) Rogers. The father was born in the vicinity of New York city and the mother, Winchester, Virginia. In 1838 Henry M. Rogers migrated westward and took up a claim near Princeville, Peoria county, Illinois, which he improved until 1857. In that year he came to Valley township, Stark county, and took up his residence upon a tract of good land on section 4. He was a successful agriculturist and at the time of his death was in excellent circumstances. He was held in high esteem by his fellow citizens and for about thirteen years served as supervisor. His death occurred in 1878, and his wife died in 1897.
James T. Rogers attended the schools of Galva and Peoria and after completing the work of the public schools took a commercial course. IIe then returned to the farm and assisted his father in its management until the latter's death, when he took charge of its opera- tion. Later he bought land a mile south of the homestead in Valley township and lived there for three years. He next purchased a farm in Penn township, and for twenty-five years has resided upon that place. He has erected all of the buildings, which are modern and substantial, and also planted a fine grove, which adds not a little to the attractiveness and value of the farm. His plaee eomprises three hundred and twenty acres on section 33, Penn township, and is one of the best improved farms in the neighborhood. For ten years he has raised Clydesdale horses, and he also breeds shorthorn cattle. ITis stock is of high grade and commands a good price on the market.
In 1886 Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Emma Jar- man, who passed away in 1912, leaving three children: Clarence Alvin. Ethel and Vira, all at home.
JAMES T. ROGERS AND FAMILY
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
269
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY
Mr. Rogers supports the democratic party at the polls and for seven or eight years held the office of commissioner of Valley town- ship, and he has also filled other positions of trust. He holds member- ship in the Pleasant Valley church, and fraternally is connected with the Masonic blue lodge and chapter at Wyoming, the Modern Wood- men of America at Wyoming, and the Maccabees also of that place. His life has been characterized by energy and business acumen, and these qualities, together with his willingness to adopt new methods when their value has been shown, insure his continued prosperity.
CIIRISTIE SORENSON.
Christie Sorenson is the owner of Springdale Farm, a property of one hundred and ten aeres situated a mile west of Toulon, on the Logan Lee highway. Forty-five years have come and gone since he arrived in Illinois, for he is a native of Denmark. He was born Sep- tember 6, 1849, and in his childhood accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, the family home being established in Winnebago, Wisconsin. When he was a youth of fifteen he left home and went to Muskegon county, Michigan, where he was employed in the timber woods and sawmills and in fact worked at any employment that he could secure which would yield him an honest living and gain him a start in life. In time he beeame an expert sawyer and com- manded high wages.
In Muskegon county, in 1869, when a young man of twenty years, Mr. Sorenson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Walling, who was born in Stark county, Illinois. In 1871 they came to this state. settling in Toulon, where Mr. Sorenson was employed in various ways He afterward rented land for several years and during that period carefully saved his earnings until he was able to purchase a traet of one hundred and eighty aeres on section 25. He took up his abode upon that place and with characteristic energy began its development, residing there for fifteen years, during which his labors wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of the place. Hc erected a good frame residence, also barns and sheds and in the work of the fields displayed unfaltering energy as well as practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil. In 1908 he rented the farm and removed to Toulon, where he spent the suceeeding five years, there purchasing a residence lot and erecting thereon a pleasant home which he still owns.
270
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY
In 1898 Mr. Sorenson lost his wife, who passed away leaving two children: William H., a resident of Toulon; and Charles H1., of Colo- rado. Both are married. On the 4th of March, 1891, in Toulon, Mr. Sorenson was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Levina Claybaugh. nee Kineade, a widow, who was born in Missouri. By this marriage there were three children, of whom two are living: Clara. the wife of William Goodwin, of Toulon: and Mary Leona, who is a student in the Toulon high school.
In 1915 Mr. Sorenson settled upon his present farm on section 23. Goshen township, and has already begun to make substantial improvements there. In polities he is identified with the republican party. and. while never an office seeker, has served as road eommis- sioner. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Toulon, in which he has filled all of the chairs and is now a past grand. He is likewise identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and both he and his wife are members of the Toulon Baptist church, in the work of which he is deeply and helpfully interested. He is now serving as one of the officers of the church and he also has a Sunday school elass of twenty-one boys. so that he is taking aetive part in promoting the moral progress of the community. Those who know him speak of him in terms of high regard, for his entire career has been guided by lofty principles and over his life reeord there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
1. F. STEWARD.
1. F. Steward, who is devoting his attention to farming on seetion 4, Penn township, is a native of Stark county, his birth occurring in Osceola township on the 23d of February. 1866. He is a son of Nathan D. and Julia C. (Kinyan) Steward. natives respectively of Maine and Pennsylvania. They were married. however, in Stark county, Illinois, and the father engaged in farming land in Oseeola township for many years. He still resides upon his land although he has now given the operation of his farm over to others.
1. F. Steward was reared under the parental roof and received his edueation in the common sehools. He assisted his father until he was twenty-seven years old, when he removed to Penn township and rented land. At length he was able to buy one hundred and seven- teen aeres in that township, which he subsequently sold, however, buying his present farm, which ad joins his original holdings. He has
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.