USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement and progress for nearly a century, Volume I > Part 20
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Henry G. Boyce came to Vermilion County with his father from Ohio, being a native of New York state. He began working as a carpenter in the then small town of Danville for Mr. Beckwith and Gov. Leander Rutledge. Mr. Boyce was married to Eliza J. Potter in March, 1833, and lived on Wal- nut street, where their oldest child was born. In 1833 Mr. Boyce went to Chicago, where he was soon joined by the father, brother and brother-in-law of Mrs. Boyce, who all together dug the cellar for the first brick house ever built in Chicago. When he went there, there were but two houses between Danville and Chicago. He remained in Chicago that summer that he might earn money to pay his taxes, and then returned to Danville where he bought land along Walnut street. Mr. Boyce was kept busy putting up houses in Danville and worked faithfully at his trade until 1850, and in 1856 he was ap- pointed postmaster at Danville. He served until the incoming of President Lincoln, and then later during President Johnson's term. He was an active mem- ber of the Methodist church. He died in 1873.
Henry Oakwood was the founder of a family in Vermilion County which is at the same time large and well esteemed. He came to the county in 1833. He was a man of very genial temperament; was strong, athletic and kept himself well posted in the affairs of the times. He had a family of six sons and three daughters. Rev. Michael Oakwood was the son of Henry Oakwood and was a well known preacher in the Methodist church in an early day. As a young man of twenty-seven Samuel Frazier came to Vermilion County, in 1833. He located on the tract of land two miles northwest of what is now Catlin, but then was a lonely prairie. He was born in Ohio, but spent his years of growth in Dearborn County, Indiana. When he was eighteen years of age he started out for himself, trying flat-boating and steam-boating, and in 1824 was in Natchez about the time of the visit made the United States by Gen. LaFayette. Mr. Frazier married Miss Beulah Ann Finley, and spent two years or more in In- diana. In the fall of 1833 he bought 200 acres of land in Vermilion County,
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Illinois, and set to work to improve this property. When Mr. Frazier reached this county, Danville was a little town of only 400 or 500, but it was the county seat, and a courthouse was built. Mr. Frazier worked on the farm improve- ments, and after remaining there two years he sold out for $1,000, but after- ward raised another crop on the same land. He then moved into Danville, settling on Vermilion street, between Main and North streets, where he lived until he bought land on Main street. He conducted a hotel one year, then bought property on Main street, where he built a large brick block, extending from the courthouse to Hazel street, and known as the Frazier block. He lived there for 25 years, keeping his hotel for five years of that time. He was elected sheriff of Vermilion County in 1840 and held the office for eight years, being the third man elected to that office. Upon retiring from this office he began buying cattle and made many a trip driving them through to Chicago, when the country was all open prairie.
Mr. Frazier was one of the early merchants, being the senior member of the firm of Frazier, Lamm & Company for two years, at which time Mr. Lamm withdrew and the firm name became Frazier & Gessie, (the latter his son-in- law.) Another two years and he assumed the entire charge of the business, and no further change was made for about ten years. At that time the war of the rebellion broke out and Mr. Frazier, who was fully imbued with the Union sentiments, raised the first company of men in the county. Capt. Frazier and his company, which was assigned to the 12th Infantry, went to Cairo and served three months, after which they were sent home. Capt. Frazier there- after attended to his business interests. He was a large land owner and was one of the first directors of the First National Bank, and he was interested in most the enterprises tending to build up the town. Capt. Frazier was the father of twelve children, but of these only five lived to maturity. The eldest son, Edward, entered the army, was taken ill and coming home, died ten days afterward, at which time he was but nineteen years old; Angeline, became the wife of Jas. H. Phillips; Mary F. became the wife of M. A. Lapham; Florence, be- came the wife of W. W. Phillips, and De Witt C. the youngest child. Mr. Frazier died in September 26, 1891.
William E. Russell was a native of Middletown, Connecticut. He was a mer- chant in the east and when he came to Vermilion County in 1833 he engaged in the same business in Danville. He also was in the loan and land business to a limited extent. He was a democrat and prominent in public affairs. Alex- ander P. Chesley came to Vermilion County about this time. After coming to Danville he was at one time appointed postmaster. James Duncan came to Vermilion County with his family of boys and located near the state line. After his son Darius went to work for himself, he bought and fed, and afterward sold cattle and other stock, until he became a man of wealth. His operations in the line of dealer in stock became enlarged to the extent that he was recog- nized as one of the most extensive buyers in Illinois. He bought cattle and hogs and horses and sheep and shipped them to Chicago and the eastern markets. He invested his money in land and constantly increased his wealth until he became burdened with responsibilities. In 1865 he sold one farm for fifteen thousand dollars, and moved to Danville. Later he sold another farm for
SOLOMON GILBERT
SAMUEL FRAZIER
WILLIAM I. ALLEN
THOMAS C. FORBES
LEVIN T. PALMER
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twelve thousand dollars. He invested this money in property in Danville. Here he continued shipping stock for some time, but at last he was no longer able for the exertion and lived a retired life. Mr. Duncan was twice married, his first wife was the daughter of James Newell, the man for whom Newell township was named. He had several children by this marriage, and after the death of his wife he married Mrs. Caldwell from near Potomac. They had two sons. Mr. Duncan died in 1893 and left a good property for his widow. She survived him seventeen years, during which time everything was lost. Mrs. Duncan died in 1910.
It was in 1833 that Abner Frazier came to Georgetown, where he located and became a merchant. His business was continued through his life and his son carried it on after his father died. Abner Frazier was the father of eight children. There were Perry, Mrs. James Snapp, Mrs. Sophia Newlin, John, Mrs. John Rogers, Mrs. Dr. Mendenhall, and Mrs. W. E. Moore. One died very young.
Dr. W. W. R. Woodbury was a well known name all through the century which began with the thirties. Coming to Danville in 1832, he went into Dr. Fithian's family and in the course of time studied medicine under his guidance. He graduated from Rush Medical College in 1830, but never practiced his pro- fession to any great extent, because he became interested in the drug trade with Dr. J. A. Sconce and finally made it a permanent business. He began in the drug business in 1850, and in 1910 his successors, of whom the most of the ones interested in the stock are his children, held their fiftieth year celebration. In company with John W. Myers, he built the Lincoln Opera House. At that time this enterprise was the wonder of the community. The proprietors were laughed at for their monument of folly, as it was called, but fortunately real estate took an upward turn at this time and the venture was a success. Dr. Woodbury filled several public offices, one of which was that of mayor. He built a number of houses in the city and has added four or more additions to the city plat. In 1853 Mr. Sconce sold out to John W. and Steven Myers and in 1857 Steven died and Dr. Woodbury bought out their interest and after- wards run the business by himself. For more than fifty years the Woodbury drug store has been on the same lot. Dr. Woodbury died in -. Dr. Wood- bury was married three times. His first wife was a daughter of James Newell, his second wife was a Miss Myers, and his other wife was the daughter of Amos Williams. Dr. Woodbury left six children, three sons and three daughters.
Henry Oakwood opened his farm in 1833 and the beginning of the village of Oakwood was made. Henry Oakwood remained there the rest of his life.
Jesse Davis came with his parents in 1833 to Catlin. He located on section 36. Mr. Davis died in 1834 and his wife survived her husband thirty-six years.
David Finley came to near Catlin in 1833 with his grown family. Among them were the son, Watts, a daughter Nancy (who afterward became the wife of Samuel Frazier), and son Miller. His other daughter was the wife of Samuel Frazier at the time they all came from Ohio. Mr. Finley's son Miller went to the Mexican war and there lost his life. After the death of their father, Watts, Miller, and Nancy settled on a farm of twenty acres in section 25 and
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24, town 23, range 12. Later Nancy became the wife of Samuel Frazier and Watts married Miss Margaret Davis.
Hon. Jacob Oakwood was three years old when his parents brought him to Vermilion County. They settled, as has been stated on another page, near the present day village of Oakwood until Mr. Oakwood, the father, died in 1855. He was buried in the Mount Vernon cemetery. The children of this well known pioneer family were named as follows: Henry, Michael (a Methodist preacher), Mrs. Margaret (George A.) Fox, Jacob, Mrs. Amanda (Rev. Eli) Helmick, Samuel, Mrs. Matilda (Henry) Sallie, Martin R. and Morgan H. These children were all well taught, better than the average, and they have been a strong factor in the development of the county. Jacob Oakwood, in particular, was very prominent in the affairs of the county. He was always chosen an au- thority in agricultural matters. He was chosen as president of the Vermilion County Agricultural Society, because he could best fill the place. His influence was always on the side of improved farming. He was as intelligently interested in all political issues of the times. In 1872 he was sent to represent the county in the legislature. While there he was helpful in securing legislation that was of value. He served on important committees and took the greatest pains to inform himself regarding all things he had to decide upon. Jacob Oakwood married Miss Mary I. Caraway, daughter of Charles Caraway, one of the early settlers.
These years of 1834 and 1835 were the dates when many of the citizens of Vermilion County sold out their farms and went to Wisconsin in the search of wealth. Probably twenty-five families went from Blount township and as many from other parts of the county. The lead mines of Wisconsin were beginning to attract attention and the people thought they saw a chance to get rich quick. Among those who went at this time were Mr. Blount, the man after whom the township was named, Mr. William Lane, John Snyder, and the Magees,
Of the newcomers into the county a few may be mentioned. There were R. T. Leverich, William I. Moore, L. T. Palmer, G. W. Holloway, J. H. Lockett, C. E. Loring, Dr. Theodore Lemon, and many others. William McMillen was one of these newcomers and he brought his family with him, settling in Blount township, on section 30. Daniel Loring came from Coal Creek, Indiana, whither he had gone from Utica, New York. Mr. Loring stayed in Indiana only a short time, only perhaps a dozen years, the wagon which brought them from the east had not been destroyed and carried them to Vermilion County when the time came that they were decided to go on west. This wagon was a wonder and was said to be the most solid wagon ever brought to this county, and the only one of its kind. It was a covered wagon built of sawed logs fitted on axles. C. E. Loring, the only son of Daniel Loring, was a man of twenty-five when he came with them from Indiana. Before this he came into his inheritance from his mother. The amount was $150.00, but to get it he had to go back east. To get there he hired out to be a hand on a flat-boat and in that way went down the Wabash river, the Ohio, the Mississippi, thence on the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, and he reached his destination at Boston. With one hundred dollars of his money he bought eighty acres of land. There was not even a rail fence on the entire place. Nothing daunted, Mr. Loring began to break the
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land, with the yoke of oxen the other fifty dollars of his inheritance had pro- vided. Mr. Loring's friends were all the people who knew him, so that when in the seventies he lost his eyesight, all the community grieved over his affliction. He was the more afflicted because he was a man who loved to read and it was hard to give this up. Mr. Loring, however, lived many years after this afflic- tion came. Mr. Loring died in 1899. When Zachariah Robertson was twelve years old his father's family came to Verinilion County from Kentucky. They settled on section 36, Newell township. His father was married the second time and was the father of nineteen children all told. He was a revolutionary X soldier. When the family came it was in a covered wagon, camping out by the wayside at night. When they came to the Wabash river the son, twelve years old, waded, driving the stock before him. There was much wild game and hunt- ing and fishing could be had to one's desire. Mr. Robertson entered forty acres of land and built his pioneer home. Here he spent the remaining years of his life. He lived to be ninety-four years old? and died in Newell township at where Bismarck now is built.
Edward Rouse came to Vermilion County in 1834. He had been here the year previous, but returned to Ohio and did not locate until at this time. He located in Danville township and in 1849 moved to Newell township. His father and mother, Reason and Martha (Olehy) Rouse, had made all arrangements to come to Vermilion County some years before this time, when just as they were almost ready to start, the father sickened and died. With a courage strong and a rare resolution, the mother braved the new country and came with her family of little children. However, she did not live to make them a home in Illinois, but died within six months and the children found homes with relatives.
William I. Moore came to Vermilion County in 1834 and located in Pilot township. He developed the now well known farm owned by Mr. Wiley Fowler. who has made it famous. Mr. Moore was born in New Jersey and came west he was about thirty years old, buying cheap land, and also selling goods to great profit. He used to buy large quantities of pork, flour and other produce and store it in large warerooms at Perrysville, Indiana, and when he had secured the amount he desired shipped it down the Wabash river to New Orleans. He did this shipping by the flat-boat, the method of the time. In 1844-45, Mr. Moore served Vermilion County in the State Legislature.
Richard T. Leverich and his brother were men of affairs in the county, coming in 1835. He went into Dr. Fithian's store right away, having made such an ar- rangement before leaving home. Mr. Leverich was born in Queens County, New York, and lived there during his boyhood. When he came west, he came as far as Dayton, Ohio, where he rode Dr. Fithian's horse to Indianapolis, and thence came in the stage coach to Perrysville and from there to Danville. It took him about two weeks to make the trip. Mr. Leverich clerked for Dr. Fithian for three years and then went into partnership with L. T. Palmer, in the general store business, where he remained for fourteen years, after which he and his brother were partners for some five years. This partnership concluded and Mr. Leverich continued the business alone for five years more, when he went on his farm, where he remained until his death. Mr. Leverich married Lydia
wally
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Gilbert, the daughter of Solomon Gilbert, one of the most prominent of the earlier settlers.
John Vinson was born in Bourbon County in 1823, and came with his par- ents to Fountain County, Indiana, in 1834, where he lived for a short time. They soon came to Vermilion County and settled on a farm near Newton. In 1843 he married Elizabeth Trimbell, a daughter of William Trimbell, Sr., and made his home near to the parents of his wife. After a time Mr. Trimbell in- duced his son-in-law and his wife to purchase a farm of him out on the prairie, so that they might better care for the cattle which he was raising. This farm proved to be a fine one and at the time of his death, in 1893, he was possessed of as fine a farm of 400 acres as was in Pilot township. Mr. and Mrs. Vinson were the parents of nine children, all but one of whom survived him. He was converted in the Methodist church at the age of 17, and lived a consistent life, being licensed to exhort by the Illinois Conference in 1853, and in 1855 was ordained as minister of the gospel. He never took a charge, but was a local preacher all the rest of his life. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1853, and held that office for twenty-four years. He was a volunteer in the Civil War, being made First Lieutenant of Company I, One Hundred and Twenty- fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but after the battle of Perryville, he came home on account of ill health. He afterwards helped raise a company, and was made First Lieutenant of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment, and served with honor until the term of his enlistment was over. After he returned home, he lived a quiet life in the same part of Vermilion County that had been his home since he came from Kentucky. He died September 26, 1893, and was buried in the cemetery adjoining the Emberry chapel. He was the son of Abigail Vinson, who was very well known and loved and who survived her son, although she was at the time more than one hundred years old at the time of his death. Abigail Vinson, the mother of the Rev. John Vinson, came to Ver- milion County in about 1877 and was one of the best known people who ever lived in what is now known as Pilot township. Her life was one of useful- ness and self-sacrifice. She served humanity through a long period of years, and it has proudly been said of her, that she was at the bedside of more sick people than any physician of the neighborhood. The night was never too dark, nor the weather so inclement, that she would refuse a call of distress. Often she would find her patient, illy prepared to meet the coming little one and "Grandma Vinson" as she was called in loving terms, would take of her own garments to keep the little stranger from the cold. Her son often said that she would ride twenty miles to beg a garment and then ride ten more in the other direction to deliver it and think it no hardship. A generation arose to revere her name and to hand it down to succeeding generations in loving memory. Mrs. Abigail Vinson was born in Maryland, in 1793. Her maiden name was Abbie McDowell. She moved with her parents to Bourbon County, Kentucky, where she lived for several years, and was there married to Hen- son Vinson; together they moved to Indiana and lived there a short time, after which they moved to Vermilion County, Illinois. She was ever called generous and kind hearted, always encouraging and never discouraging those with whom she came in contact. She was the best substitute for a doctor in that part of
JOHN G. LEVERICH
L. M. THOMPSON
WATTS FINLEY
EDWARD ROUSE
W. II. PRICE
ABNER FRAZIER
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the county, and has ridden many a mile in all kinds of weatlier to attend the sick. She was the mother of nine children and was always in the best of health. She died January 30, at the advanced age of 102 years. She was buried in the Glen- burn cemetery.
Theodore Lemon, M. D., came to Vermilion County from Bunker Hill, Vir- ginia. He made up his mind to settle in Danville, Illinois, upon his finishing his studies in medicine, because of the fact that his brother had come here in the previous year. He came in company with his uncle, the Rev. James Cheno- weth. Dr. Lemon taught school in the Presbyterian church for a year after he came, before he attempted to practice to any great extent. Soon, however, he established a lucrative practice, and it extended for many miles in every direction. He was one of a large family of children, and they came to Dan- ville and marrying into the families of the pioneers, made a large relationship an connection, in the community. One sister married I. R. Moores and one married John H. Murphy, and went to Oregon. His sister married W. T. Cunningham, the brother of Mrs. O. L. Davis, and died in Danville. A brother of Dr. Lemon was a practicing physician in Fairmount for some time. Dr. Lemon married Lavinia Sconce, who was born in Kentucky, but whose parents came to Vermilion County when she was but a child of one year. Dr. and Mrs. Lemon were the parents of eleven children, three of whom died in infancy, and the others all grew up and spent their lives in Danville. Dr. Lemon was the cousin of Hon. Ward A. Lemon, the Danville law partner of Abraham Lincoln. Dr. Lemon died in Danville in December, 1885, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. He was buried in Spring Hill cemetery.
Capt. G. W. Holloway was a man well known and well liked, who came to Georgetown township in 1835, a lad of twelve years. His father settled in the township, and after he grew to the time of starting for himself, he went to Georgetown and entered into partnership with Henderson, Dicken & Company. This firm name soon changed to Henderson & Holloway, which continued until the spring of 1874, at which time Mr. Holloway took sole charge of the business. In 1862 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Regiment, and was made captain of Company D. He remained in the service until the close of the war. Mr. Holloway married Miss Sophia Lyons, who was from Mas- sachusetts. They were a family of influence in the county, socially as well as in other ways. While Capt. Holloway was on the field with his regiment his brother Jesse, together with Mr. Henderson, conducted the business. After his return, the firm bought a mill and Mr. Holloway turned his attention to the management of that.
Levin T. Palmer came to Danville in 1835 and continued to reside here until his death in the year 1900. He was for many years a leading merchant, but during the later years of his active business life he was engaged as agent and trustee in loaning money for eastern capitalists. He was a man of sterling in- tegrity, his word being considered as being as good as his bond. His acts of charity were extensive in number and amount though unostentatious. The appeal of the needy never met with refusal. One who knew him well and long when asked what he considered the most prominent services which had been ren-
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dered to the public, replied, "he stood for many years as a terror and obstacle to all those who sought by dishonest or unlawful means to take money from the public treasury. It was understood that such attempts would be met by Mr. Palmer backed by his courage and money. It is impossible to estimate the sums saved to the public by the mere fact that Mr. Palmer was known to be on guard. In 1866 and 67 an attempt was made to build a bridge at public expense on the site now occupied by the Mill Street or Woolen Mill bridge. The means used were illegal and Mr. Palmer fought the case in the courts and prevented payment for the bridge from the public funds. As characteristic of Mr. Palmer's honesty, he refused to use the bridge and always crossed the stream at the ford."
James Cook came to locate on section 10, Georgetown township in 1835. He lived here until his death in 1871, when he left an improved farm which he found a wild piece of ground. John Ray came west in the early thirties and located in what is now Will County, but the Indian uprising of 1832 sent him further south, and he went to Vermilion County, Indiana, whence he came to Ver- milion County, Illinois, in a few years. He located on sections 29 and 30, in Ross township in 1835. He entered three hundred acres of land and developed a good farm. In 1835 the Davis family came to Vermilion County and the father entered the largest tract of land that ever was recorded in the land office in Danville. This entry was not made until the year after they first came, however. Mr. Davis left his sons to put in a crop and returned to Ohio, and entered 3000 acres of land in Vance township upon his coming back the next season. Charles Rice was one of the newcomers to Vermilion County in 1835. He settled in Vermilion Grove and was a prominent farmer, and when he died had a fine property to give his heirs. William R. Richards is another 1809 prominent farmer of Vermilion County who came in 1835. He was a young man of twenty-six when he came. His father and mother came at the same time, but they did not live for many years. Mr. Richards made a fine farm, to which he added more land, and lived on it the remainder of his days. His farm was in Georgetown township. William Sheets came in 1835 to Danville township, where he and his brother-in-law built a mill, afterward known as the Kyger mill. They carried on this mill for nine years. He sold the mill and went on his farm, where he remained for seven years, when he bought an in- terest in the mill again and went back to the same, living there for two years. During his two years at the mill, he together with Thos. S. Morgan and Henry and Daniel Kyger, built the steam mill at Georgetown. However, he sold out his interest in the mill before it was run at all. Having no interest in the Kyger, nor the Georgetown mills, he went back to the farm and there remained until his death in August 1879. Mr. Sheets married Miss Elizabeth Kyger and they were the parents of six children.
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