USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 13
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In the meantime Benjamin F. Stites had located in the vicinity of the site of Paxton, settling there in the winter of 1853-4. He followed farming for a year and in 1855 established a store on the prairie, selling goods there for eighteen years. The opportunities of the southwest attracted him, however, and in the fall of 1856 he disposed of his stock of goods and went to Benton
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county, Arkansas, where he purchased six hundred acres of land and gave his attention to farming, carpentering and milling. He had become well estab- lished in business when forced to flee from that section by reason of the un- settled conditions that followed the presidential election of 1860. The "fire- eaters" of the south manifested a most open hostility and only by strategy did Mr. Stites manage to return unharmed to the north. He was forced to abandon his property, however, and suffered the loss of all that he had in- vested there.
Returning north, Mr. Stites purchased a housekeeping equipment in Chicago and found that he had only fifty dollars remaining. With this he bought furni- ture and returned to Paxton, where he opened a little store. At that time there was no furniture establishment nearer than Kankakee, and he soon disposed of his original stock, the proceeds therefrom being invested in more furniture. He continuously increased his stock to meet the growing demands of the trade until he was at the head of a profitable business. He had previously, learned the cabinet-maker's trade and his skill in that direction was employed in the manufacture of coffins for the neighborhood, and he also took the first ready- made casket into Ford county. He continued in business at Paxton until the autumn of 1871, when he removed to Hoopeston, where he carried on carpen- tering for two years, and then again engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, managing his store ably and successfully until his death.
The happy home life of Mr. Stites had its inception in his marriage on the 15th of June, 1859, to Miss Martha Dunn, a native of Clifton Springs, New York. Her father, George Dunn, was born in Ireland but in his boyhood came to America and on this side of the Atlantic wedded Miss Angeline Foster, a native of Rochester, New York. He followed the cooper's trade at Clifton Springs and at Scottsville, New York, and in the winter of 1856-7 sought a location in the middle west. He lived at Rock Island, Illinois, for a time, and during that period joined the Fifty-first Illinois Infantry for active service in the Civil war. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Corinth and was ill at the time. He was then sent to Jefferson Barracks at St. Louis, where he died in September, 1862. His wife died in Chicago in 1893 while visiting a daughter there and attending the World's Columbian Exposition. Mrs. Stites had four brothers who were soldiers in the Union army and one of these was killed in battle while serving with Company F, Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry. The family numbered twelve children, of whom ten are yet living. Mrs. Stites spent her girlhood days in the Empire state and was eleven years of age when her parents removed from Clifton Springs to Scottsville, New York. She was liberally educated, supplementing her early school training by study in the LeRoy Seminary and the Collegiate. Institute, a Baptist school of Rochester, New York. For several terms she engaged successfully in teaching in Monroe county, New York, after which she spent the winter of 1857-8 with relatives in St. Louis, Missouri. In March of the latter year she went to Arkansas and there became acquainted with Mr. Stites, who sought her hand in marriage. Unto them were born fourteen children, of whom ten are yet living: Frances, the wife of John Simpson, of Iowa; Charles, who married Mrs. Hicks and is engaged in blacksmithing in Hoopeston; Benjamin, who wedded May Misson
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and resides in Omaha, Nebraska; William, an electrical engineer living in New Orleans; Carrie Louise, the wife of William Mckeever of Francisville, In- diana; Samuel, a railroad agent at Beecher, Illinois; Susan, the wife of John Wagner, of Chicago; Kate, who is librarian of the Hoopeston library; Mattie, the wife of Frank Wallace, a machinist of Hoopeston; and Clara, a teacher of the Hoopeston schools.
Mr. Stites was drafted for service in the Civil war but was later rejected on account of physical disability. He was always public-spirited in citizenship and supported various projects to promote the welfare of Hoopeston and Ver- milion counties. He belonged to the Universalist church and to the Odd Fellows Society and was loyal to the teachings and principles of both organizations. His political allegiance was given to the democracy. His long residence in this part of the state, dating from 1837 until the time of his death, made him very widely known, and his sterling qualities gained him the good-will and con- fidence of all with whom he was associated in business or social relations. He left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name and an example that it well worthy of emulation when, on the 22d of October, 1889, he was called from this life.
Following the death of her husband Mrs. Stites assumed the management of the business, which she conducted for thirteen years. Success attended her labors, for she proved herself possessed of excellent business qualifications, while sound judgment directed all of her efforts. She took a course in em- balming and conducted an undertaking business in addition to the furniture trade, and both departments of her establishment were liberally patronized. In the early days of her residence here she was engaged in teaching in a select school in Hoopeston before the public school was organized. She is now the owner of considerable property in Hoopeston, which returns to her a very gratifying rental. She belongs to the Ladies' Auxiliary Association of both the Masons and the Odd Fellows lodge, and is also a member of the Woman's Relief Corps. She has also been prominent in the social life of Hoopeston and has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of her acquaintances.
JOHN E. GLICK.
If there is any person who doubts the possibility of attaining reasonable success in any worthy undertaking, even though he start without a dollar, he should take hope and courage by a perusal of the career of John E. Glick, of Ridge Farm, Vermilion county, now the happy proprietor of one of the best printing plants in this part of the state. Mr. Glick comes of good Teutonic ancestry and has inherited those worthy traits of energy and grit that go so far in any effort really worth while. He is a young man but has already achieved one of the leading ambitions of his life-and that is saying a great deal of a man who has not yet reached the thirty-third milestone in life's journey.
He was born in Edgar county, Illinois, May 18, 1878, and is a son of Z. T. and Mary Glick. The father was a farmer and the subject of this review
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grew up upon the farm and attended the district school, later becoming a student in the Chrisman high school and the Northern Indiana University at Valparaiso, Indiana. As a student he was earnest and conscientious in his duties, showing even in his earlier years those traits that have been distinguish- ing characteristics of his life.
Immediately upon leaving school Mr. Glick began learning the printer's trade at Chrisman, continuing in the same office for nine years. Having by appli- cation and economy acquired a capital of six hundred dollars, on July 6, 1903, he purchased the Ridge Farm Republican. At the time of his purchase the office of the Republican was supplied with a Washington hand press, an old Cincinnati nonpareil jobber and with type "worn off to the first nick." Hav- ing thoroughly mastered the art of job printing, the new proprietor was not content with the old-fashioned "faces" which had done service for two or three decades, so he began a systematic course of holding down expenses in order that he might acquire a surplus sufficient to equip the plant with up-to-date machinery. This meant a denial of many pleasures, but it was only by deny- ing himself that he could hope to attain his goal. Business came apparently by leaps and bounds, so to speak. His bank account increased surprisingly and in a few months he was able to purchase an old frame building, paying three hundred dollars down and carrying a mortgage encumbrance of five hundred dollars, upon which he paid seven per cent interest until the obligation was discharged. Having made this second step in his progress toward independence, Mr. Glick began looking about for a new press and he soon learned that the Illinois Printing Company of Danville possessed such a press as he desired, and this he purchased and in due time it was installed in the Republican office. Later he purchased an improved jobber and with the addition of new fonts of type he entered the field as a bidder for the higher class of printing. It is hardly necessary to say that his desire was gratified and that the best class of printing is still seeking expression at this office. Business increased at such a rate that it was necessary to find larger accommodations and Mr. Glick pur- chased a brick building in the heart of the business district on State street and into this building he moved September 1, 1908. On the morning of February 5, 1909, the building was reduced to ashes and the mailing list of the news- paper, books, records, etc., which were in the fire-proof safe constituted all the property that escaped destruction. After insurance adjustments Mr. Glick erected a fine brick building of modern design, purchased new equipment direct from the foundry and is now at the head of a strictly up-to-date printing plant, which is proving one of the best investments in this part of the country. He is also owner of the residence in which he lives and is recognized as one of the responsible and progressive citizens of the community.
In April, 1907, Mr. Glick was united in marriage to Miss Nettie L. Hall, the foster daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James R. Hartley, of Chrisman. The parents of Mrs. Glick were called from earthly ties when she was only a few years old and she was reared to womanhood under the kindly care of Mr. and Mrs. Hartley, who were then living in West Virginia but later located in Illi- nois. A daughter, Mary Jane, has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Glick. Mrs. Glick has proven to her husband a most helpful and inspiring companion.
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Mr. Glick is socially identified with a number of secret organizations, in whose teachings he has found many principles that have met his hearty ap- proval. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Chrisman and of the Masonic and Woodmen lodges of Ridge Farm. He also holds member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is affiliated with the republican party but has never listened to the alluring voice that calls many a young man from a growing business career to the uncertainties of official life. While he is a supporter of the candidates of his party and a firm believer that the interests of the state and nation are best subserved by the party which he represents and he ably sets forth these ideas in the newspaper of which he is the proprietor, he has devoted his attention up to the present time very largely to his business, and in his work and his family he has found a happiness which is known only to the one who faithfully tries to do his whole duty.
WILBERT G. GREEN.
Wilbert G. Green is a leading farmer of Oakwood, Vermilion county, the owner of three hundred acres including the family homestead, and a man who attained to his present position by well directed industry. He is a native of Ohio, born near Columbus, January 27, 1868, and is a son of David and Augusta (Haynes) Green, also natives of Ohio. The father came to Illinois in 1870 and settled on a farm near Gibson City, where he became the owner of two hundred acres of land, which he brought to a high state of cultivation. This farm he sold in 1894 and, coming to Oakwood, purchased a farm of two hun- dred acres near this place. He departed this life after a useful and success- ful career in 1897, and the mother is now living retired in Danville. Eight chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Green: Herbert, now of Gibson City and the owner of a farm of five hundred acres; John, who is in the service of the United States government in Cuba; Melvina, the widow of Jacob Carr, of Carthage, Missouri; Victoria, the wife of C. F. Baxter, of Winfield, Kansas; Lincoln H., who departed this life January 14, 1906; Emma, the wife of J. T. Carpenter, of Vermilion county ; Wilbert G., the subject of this sketch; and Emmett H., foreman in Kegan & Moore's addition to Danville.
Wilbert G. Green received his education in the district schools and remained at home until twenty-one years of age, assisting his father in the various duties of the farm. Starting out for himself, he rented land for three years. He then bought one hundred and twenty-five acres of Hon. Joseph G. Cannon, now member of congress and at that time a prominent landowner of the county, and has since operated this land, from time to time increasing his holdings until he now has a valuable farm of three hundred acres, fully provided with up-to- date improvements. The residence is located on the old homestead and Mr. Green has acquired by purchase the interests of the other heirs in this prop- erty. In 1899 he removed to Oakwood, where he has since lived.
On December 24, 1891, Mr. Green was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Cranston, a daughter of Julius and Artemissa (Atwood) Cranston. Mr. Cran-
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ston came from Ohio and Mrs. Cranston from Vermont and they were mar- ried in this state in 1858. They settled on a farm in Champaign county, where they lived until 1903, when they retired to Gibson City. The father was called to his final rest in 1905, but the mother is still living at her home in Gibson City. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cranston : Leslie, who is a lawyer and state's attorney of Ford county, Illinois; Clara, the widow of Stephen Waggoner, she and her husband having both taught for ten years in Indian schools which are conducted by the United States government; Mary, the widow of Lincoln Green, of Vermilion county; Lucy, the wife of our subject ; Stephen, of Vermilion county ; Grace, now Mrs. Robert Padee, of Ford county ; and Artie, the wife of Bert Minks, of Champaign county, living on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert G. Green are the parents of four daughters: Eulalie, who is a graduate of the Oakwood schools and the Dan- ville high school and is an accomplished musician, living at home; Gladys, also a graduate of the high school of Oakwood and a musician, living at home; and Winifred and Clara, both at home. Mrs. Green is a lady of fine education and rare accomplishments and before her marriage graduated from the business col- lege of Champaign, Illinois. She is a musician and for some years was engaged in teaching school, as was also Mr. Green.
The family is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church at Oakwood and politically Mr. Green is an earnest advocate of prohibition. Although he has never been a seeker for public office, he has served as mayor and trustee of Oakwood and as member of the school board. He is widely and favorably known in the county as an enterprising and progressive citizen, assisting to the extent of his ability any measure that may forward the interests of the com- munity, and he has many friends bound by ties of long association who recog- nize his lasting qualities of mind and heart.
CHARLES CUNNINGHAM.
In a review of the successful farmers of Newell township, Vermilion county, the name of Charles Cunningham is presented as one who is eminently worthy of record. He was born on the adjoining farm to the one which he now owns, February 23, 1865, and is the son of Frank and Mary (Lockhart), Cunningham, both of whom were born and reared in the neighborhood. The grandfather upon the paternal side was one of the early pioneers and settled in Illinois in 1830, two years previous to the Black Hawk war, at a time when there was quite a movement into Illinois from Kentucky and other southern states. Hence it will be seen that the subject of this review represents the second generation of his family in Illinois. The father began his operations as a farmer upon a tract of twenty acres which he increased from year to year as opportunity pre- sented, and at the time of his retirement from active labor, which took place in 1899, he was the owner of a farm of two hundred and fourteen acres, fully improved and provided with all the comforts and conveniences for which well established farms of this state are noted. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cunningham
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are now living at their ease in Danville, enjoying the rest that was earned by many years of labor. Mr. Cunningham is seventy-three years of age and his wife one year his junior and their home is the scene of happy reunions of relatives and friends who gather from far and wide. Nine children were born to them, of whom six are now living: Oscar; Charles, the subject of this re- view; Mattie, now Mrs. C. F. Conover, of Indiana; Ella, the wife of H. Scott Andrews, of Newell township; Morton, also of Newell township; and Rolla of Rochester, Indiana.
Charles Cunningham was educated in the public schools and remained upon the home farm assisting his parents until he was twenty-two years of age. He then became associated with one of his brothers in the purchase of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which they cultivated for four years, at the end of which time he sold his interest to his brother. The basis of the farm which he now owns was sixty-seven acres of land which he bought in 1892 and in- creased until his present farm includes two hundred acres of land which he has brought to a high degree of cultivation. He has also taken special interest in fine horses and has developed a well known herd of English Shire horses and a herd of shorthorn cattle, of which he is justly proud, and by exhibit- ing which on more than one occasion he has carried off the coveted ribbon at the annual fair.
Mr. Cunningham has never been married but has taken the greatest in- terest in movements pertaining to the welfare of the community. He is a mem- ber of the Christian church and is a liberal contributor to all causes that aim to ameliorate the ills of mankind and advance the permanent interests of all, regardless of age or condition. As a farmer and stock-raiser he stands very high with those who know him. His success has been largely due to the in- terest he takes in his calling and to a rightly directed ambition which seldom fails in accomplishing the desired ends.
PETER VOORHEES.
In pioneer times the Voorhees family was established in Vermilion county and through the many years which elapsed from that period up to the time of his death Peter Voorhees was an active and honored citizen of this locality. His business interests became extensive and yet he did not allow the accumula- tion of wealth to mar his kindly nature.
He was known as one of the wealthy farmers of the county-at one time the largest land owner in Newell township-but he was not interested in the ac- cumulation of wealth beyond what would bring the comforts of life. He was never known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any busi- ness transaction. He was always ready to make a bargain as much for "the other fellow" as for himself. Social and genial, he loved mankind. He had a quick and responsive sympathy for those in distress or trouble, and was often in his helpfulness more generous than wise. Possessed of an ever ready sense of humor and love of pleasure, he was an attractive man to his friends, whom he
PETER VOORHEES
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found in all classes. He saw people as they were aside from their belongings and place. The prince and the beggar were the same to him; the trappings of this world did not matter much to him, he had a philosophical indifference to the benefits that can come from worldly advancement, and deliberately chose the line of life he lived, and never tired of its rural compensations. Reared in the same household and the same environment as the brother who served for forty years in the house and senate of the United States, he preferred his own choice and regarded with affectionate commiseration that brother's arduous responsibilities and small reward.
Few lives in so large a degree exemplified the Golden Rule as did that of Peter Voorhees. He never let pass an opportunity to aid a friend in need, re- gardless of his own interest in so doing. His religion was the religion of love and mercy, believing that the Creator would eventually care for and save all his creatures. He was charitable in his judgment of others. "Judge not, lest ye be judged," was his favorite admonition. He was for many years the people's chosen "overseer of the poor" (an office now abolished), a place he filled with pleasure to himself and at times perhaps undeserved benefit to the indigent.
Peter Voorhees was born in Butler county, Ohio, June 28, 1825. Since the beginning of the world the laws of heredity have been held in respect by man- kind. Christ said to the young man who came seeking him, "Young man, whose son art thou?" and the same question is still being asked of any one in whom we are interested to-day. The Voorhees family were among the early Dutch settlers of New York. Peter Voorhees came of a long line of creditable ances- tors. The name may be found in places of trust and responsibility since the days when New York was called New Amsterdam.
The first representatives in America were Stevense and Peter Van Voorhees, emigrants from Holland, who crossed the Atlantic in the year 1660. The "coat- of-arms" or armorial bearings of the old Holland family, indicate (according to the St. James Heraldry office of London) considerable antiquity. The motto is "Virtus Castellum Meum." They brought with them land grants, patents or charters whereby they obtained real estate at Flatlands, Long Island, and in New Jersey. Although the spelling of the sirname has been changed by some of their descendants the original form is also retained by some who trace their lineage back to the same common ancestors. As the years passed and the tide of emigration began flowing from the Atlantic coast inland members of the Voor- hees family came to the west.
The grandfather of Peter Voorhees settled in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, when that place was but an Indian fort, Stephen Voorhees, the father of Peter, re- moved to Ohio and it was in the latter state that Peter Voorhees was born. He was but two years of age when his parents again removed westward, this time locating in Fountain county, Indiana, where he was reared amid the wild scenes of pioneer life. In 1848 he was married to Mary J. Button, who was born in Oldham county, Kentucky, November 25, 1828. She was also of Holland an- cestry. Her parents emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana, parting with their slaves because of their disbelief in slavery. The same year of their marriage they came to Vermilion county, Illinois, and settled at the Voorhees home-
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stead, which was purchased from a heritage from the grandfather, Peter Voorhees, of Kentucky. Mrs. Voorhees was as bright and beautiful as Ken- tucky's women are famed for being, and she was a woman of unusual char- acter. Philosophic, patient and enduring, as one of the local papers said at the time of her death: "She was one of the most lovable of women, being possessed of those womanly characteristics that attract and cement friend- ships in bonds that time cannot break or even lessen. That she was generous many can bear witness and that she was one of the most hospitable of the ma- trons of this city is known to every person who has been so fortunate as to pass the threshold of her door. She was of a most pleasing disposition and had ' that open-heartedness so characteristic of the early settlers of this county, of whom she was one. She was one of the most devoted of mothers and to her children she was the one whom there was none who could give better advice. Her words were the words of wisdom and many times they had proven to them that she knoweth best who doeth best.
"Coming to Illinois at an early day, her genial nature and well known hos- pitality soon made her acquainted with the early settlers of the county and the home of herself and husband was the mecca for all the pioneers of that day. They were sure of a hearty welcome whenever they visited their home and her cheerfulness and sunny disposition always gladdened and enriched those with whom she came in contact. It ever left its impress with them after they had gone away and caused her name to be mentioned time and again in the homes of the pioneers. She was generous to a fault and never missed an opportunity of extending help to those who in an early day had many trials and misfortunes. It was a pleasure to her to help lift the burdens of others and to make joy and gladness rest where sorrow had taken hold. She could feel for others and was not content unless by some manner she could show it in a substantial degree. She did it without show and in a way that it was appreciated by the recipients. She did not leave the impression that in her doing there was an indebtedness to be paid, but that it was a ministering such as would have been received from them had the conditions been reversed and she the receiver instead of the giver. She was a woman of splendid attainments in all the walks of life and in her social nature she was the embodiment of the best, treating all, whether high or low, rich or poor, with the same kindness and consideration that so surely marks the character of a good Christian woman and a consistent servant of the Master."
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