USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 23
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At the usual age Milton McNeill entered the public schools of his native city and in due course of time continued his education in the Asbury (now De Pauw) University at Greencastle, Indiana, where he was a student for two years. It was his intention to become a druggist and to this end he made a special study of pharmacy and chemistry. When his course was completed he began business along that line in his father's store at Perrysville, but on his
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removal to Danville, Illinois, in 1880, he turned his attention to the lumber trade and has since made a specialty of house furnishing and cabinet lumber, such as walnut, ash, etc., handling hard woods exclusively. From the begin- ning of his residence in Danville he has enjoyed a good trade, his business methods being thoroughly reliable while his business policy is such as never seeks nor requires disguise.
Mr. McNeill was united in marriage to Miss Ruhamah R. Bell, a daughter of William M. Bell, of Perrysville, Indiana, who was one of the leading mer- chants of the Wabash valley. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McNeill were born the fol- lowing named: Marie L., the wife of James R. Martin, of Attica, Indiana, who is engaged in the lumber and grain business; Rebecca B., who married Frank Hannum and makes her home with her parents; George, engaged in the whole- sale grocery business in Danville; Ruhamah R., the wife of Frank D. Bushnell, of Danville; Helen M., now Mrs. Headley, of Danville; and Nadine, at home. The wife and mother passed away September 21, 1905. Among the attractive homes of Danville the McNeill residence is numbered. It is situated on North Walnut street and is the abode of a generous and kindly hospitality which is greatly enjoyed by the many friends of the family.
In his political views Mr. McNeill is an earnest republican and has always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument. He belongs to both the subordinate lodge and the encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has filled all of the chairs in both organizations. He is likewise a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church and was treasurer of the Kimber Methodist church at the time of its erection, serving on the building committee. His long resi- dence in Danville has made him widely known and his many sterling traits of character have gained for him the high regard which is uniformly tendered him. He is a public-spirited citizen, who seeks the benefit of the community along the lines of progress, reform and improvement, and his cooperation can always be counted upon to further any movement for the general good.
CHARLES TROUP.
Charles Troup, engaged in the practice of law in Danville, where he is again and again giving proof of his ability by the careful and systematic manner in which he conducts his cases and marshals the points in evidence, was born in Edgar county, Illinois, on the 6th of January, 1879. His parents were Palestine and Amanda (Neely) Troup. The father was a native of Lawrence county, Kentucky, who came to Illinois in 1856 with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Young Troup. Palestine Troup was reared to the occupation of farming and has made that pursuit his life work. He was a soldier of the Civil war, serv- ing with the Fortieth Indiana Infantry for eighteen months, or until the close of hostilities, when he returned home with a creditable military record. He then again took up the occupation of farming which he has followed with success.
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RESIDENCE OF THEODORE E. ANDERSON
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Charles Troup spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and early be- came familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In the attainment of his education he attended the public schools near his father's home, and also the high school in Paris, Illinois. He afterward took up the study of law in Paris and later went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he entered the State University, there pursuing a special course. He was admitted to the bar December 22, 1903, and at once began practice. He located in Dan- ville on the Ist of May, 1904, and followed his profession independently until 1905, when he became associated with the firm of Buckingham & Dysert, with whom he continued until March, 1906, when the firm of Buckingham & Troup was formed. This association was maintained until 1908, when Mr. Bucking- ham removed to Chicago, and since that time Mr. Troup has been alone. He has conducted his cases with masterly skill and has won many verdicts favorable to the interests of his clients. He is careful in the preparation of his cases and in his presentation of his cause never loses sight of the salient points upon which the decision finally turns. His arguments are strong and he is clear in expression, while in the application of legal principles he is seldom, if ever, at fault.
On the 25th of December, 1906, Mr. Troup was united in marriage at Homer, Illinois, to Miss Mary A. Helm, of that place, a daughter of George and Alice (Babb) Helm. They are well known socially in Danville where they have many friends and their home is a most hospitable one. Mr. Troup belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a republican in his political views and his position upon any vital ques- tion is never an equivocal one. He does not seek nor desire public office, pre- ferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and in the profes- sion which he has chosen as his life work he is making steady progress.
GODFREY BURKHART.
Godfrey Burkhart, who has been identified with Vermilion county since 1876 and has been actively engaged in farming since he was sixteen years of age, was born in Oberhausen, Germany, April 26, 1850, and is a son of John George and Mary Agnes (Strobble) Burkhart, also natives of Oberhausen. In 1854 the father left his wife and children at home and came to the United States with the hope of establishing his family in this country under more fav- orable auspices than could be expected in the fatherland. He was a carpenter by trade but, after landing in New York, his meager funds soon became ex- hausted in a vain attempt to secure employment and he started to walk through the country. He arrived in Cleveland, Ohio, in the dead of winter among strangers and unable to speak a word of the English language. However, he succeeded in finding a brother-in-law near Cleveland, who was also a carpenter and who assisted in securing for him employment. After working for a year in the city he continued for another year upon a farm and, still being disap- pointed in securing funds necessary to send for his family, started once more
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upon a journey through the country and came to Concord, now Danvers, Mc- Lean county, Illinois, where he found a German settlement and a welcome greet- ing. Fortune began to smile upon him and in 1856 he sent for his wife and children, who started in an old sailing vessel called the St. Joseph, a three- masted schooner, from the port of Havre, France, bound for New York. The vessel was upon the water for thirty-seven days and after landing at New York the little party proceeded to Chicago, where they were obliged to remain for three weeks before they were found by the father. Mr. Burkhart lived for eight years near Danvers, Illinois, and then bought eighty acres of swamp land three miles north and east of Danvers, where he took up his residence for a time. He finally settled in Danvers, where his death occurred in 1907. The mother departed this life two days before her husband, and they were buried side by side on the same day. Nine children were born to them: John, now a re- tired farmer living at Logansport, Indiana; Lizzie, now Mrs. Gottlieb Rommel, of Chetopa, Kansas; Godfrey, the subject of this review; Mary, now deceased; Christian, a farmer of Hull, Illinois; Lena, the wife of Otto Doenitz, of Holder, Illinois; Fred, deceased; Katie, now Mrs. August Rahn, of Florence, Kansas; and Lucy, the wife of Charles Kaufman, a farmer of Bloomington, Illinois.
At the age of sixteen Godfrey Burkhart began his active career on the home farm and when twenty-seven years old started upon his own account and came to Vermilion county, where he bought land in Butler township, near Rankin. This land he developed from its wild state, going back and forth from his father's house until 1877, when he came to Vermilion county to remain per- manently. He began to farm with one team and a plow and did not at that time own a wagon. For seven years he lived in a rudely built house of two rooms but at the end of that time he bought eighty acres of land six miles south of his first location and moved to his new farm, which he proceeded energetically to develop. At the end of seven years he sold this farm and bought eighty acres adjoining his former home. After four years, during which his energy never flagged, he sold his farm of one hundred and sixty acres and bought the B. D. Wise farm in Middlefork township, where he lived until 1905, since which time he has resided in Potomac. As the result of persistent economy in early years, well directed labor and successful operations in farming pursuits, Mr. Burkhart is now the owner of a highly improved farm of two hundred and seventy-two acres in Middlefork township and a farm of one hundred and twenty-one and a half acres in Whitley county, Indiana.
In 1877 Mr. Burkhart was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Rahn, who was born near Sheboygan, Wisconsin, October 7, 1858, and is a daughter of Christopher and Elenora (Hoegrain) Rahn. Her father was a native of Prussia and her mother of Hanover, Germany. Mrs. Rahn departed this life in 1902, but Mr. Rahn is now living in Fort Collins, Colorado. Six children were born to them: Anna M., mention of whom is made herein; Minnie, now Mrs. Gahart Mathiesen, of Fort Collins, Colorado; August, of Florence, Kansas; Sophia, now Mrs. Emiel Doering, of the island of Cuba ; Amelia, deceased; and Charles, a farmer of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Burkhart: Edward F., who is now engaged in the hardware busi- ness at Bismarck, Illinois; Amelia, the wife of Elmer Lance, of Columbus City,
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Indiana; Henry, living upon the home place; and Agnes Marie, the wife of Ernest Blackfort, living on the farm of Mr. Burkhart near Armstrong, Illinois.
In political faith Mr. Burkhart has for the past sixteen years adhered to the republican party although previously he voted the democratic ticket. He has served as school director and, while he is not a member of any church, he is in hearty sympathy with all efforts that tend to ameliorate the ills of human- ity and to improve the race physically, mentally or morally. In his life he has displayed the characteristics of industry and persistence, which are such promi- nent traits in the Teutonic race and have made it one of the most powerful agencies in the promotion of civilization to be met with in the world. He is a man of sturdy characteristics and in all his dealings has been governed by a sense of justice that marks the upright citizen. No man is more highly respected by those who know him than the subject of this review.
J. H. YOUNG.
The Civil war was a dreadful ordeal for young men and many returned home at its close without having learned those lessons of self-denial, application and persistence which are so necessary in the attainment of permanent success in the great battle of life. The war, however, developed in many brave soldiers the qualities here named and thousands of stout-hearted men who wore the blue and the gray have demonstrated in the field of business those qualities which always command respect and lead to ultimate recognition. Among this number may be named J. H. Young, a business man of Oakwood, who for nearly forty years has been identified with the interests of Vermilion county and is today one of its most honored citizens.
He was born in Fountain county, Indiana, February 18, 1844, and is a son of Thomas H. and Eliza (Moffatt) Young, both natives of Kentucky. The father removed to Indiana in the '20s and entered land there which he improved by building a house and various other improvements of logs. There he lived until his death. Two children were born to the parents, the subject of this review being the only survivor.
J. H. Young received such education as the early schools of the neighbor- hood afforded and continued upon the home farm until 1862, when he enlisted in the Civil war as a member of the Seventy-second Regiment of Indiana. He saw some hard fighting and among the battles in which he engaged was Stone River and the great battle of Chickamauga, in the latter of which his left leg and left arm were both broken in two places. On account of his severe in- juries he was mustered out of service at Franklin, Tennessee, and as soon as he was able to do so he returned home. He began his business career as a clerk in a drug store, but in 1869, being then twenty-five years of age, he came to Vermilion county and located on a farm in Newell township, where he lived for two years. The next three years he spent on a farm in Nebraska, but in 1874 he returned to Vermilion county and resumed farming. In 1876 he took up his residence in Danville, becoming a clerk in a drug store conducted by E. E.
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Boudinot. Here he showed such ability that in 1880 he was admitted to a part- nership with Mr. Boudinot and they started a general store, of which he be- came the sole owner ten years later. The store and its contents were destroyed by fire in 1897 and, unfortunately for the owner, there was very little insur- ance upon the property. However, he soon embarked in the drug business and is now the owner of a fine store and building besides a handsome residence which occupies two lots.
In 1868 Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Sarah L. Lockhart, who was born in Vermilion county and is a daughter of Joseph and Louisa (Chand- ler) Lockhart. Her parents were both natives of Kentucky and came to this county in 1827, being among its early settlers. She is one of a family of five children now living. To Mr. and Mrs. Young five children were born: Nellie, who was born December 28, 1868, and died September 15, 1895; John H., who was born in 1869 and died nine months later; Myrta A., now Mrs. R. F. Pine- gar, of Oakwood; Charles C., serving as postmaster of Oakwood; and Vera L., at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Young are identified with the Disciples of Christ and are willing assistants in forwarding all good causes. He is an upholder of the prin- ciples of the republican party and is at present assistant postmaster of Oakwood. He is a member of Kenesaw Post, G. A. R., and, having himself stood on the firing line, he fully appreciates the tales of adventure and suffering which he hears from his old comrades at their gatherings. His life has been one of many vicissitudes, but his faith in ultimate triumph has never wavered, and as he was a soldier "good and true," so he has conducted himself in his various duties as a private citizen.
FRANK L. STEWART.
Frank L. Stewart, who is engaged in dealing in ice in Rossville and also has farming interests in Vermilion county, was born in Logan, Ohio, January 31, 1857, and is a son of James McLoughlin and Rebecca L. (Smith) Stewart. The mother, who was born in 1819, died on the 16th of June, 1857, while the father was born April 5, 1824, in Logan county, Ohio, and died in 1907. The founder of the Stewart family in this country came from Ireland and was one of the early colonists of the new world. Unto James M. and Rebecca L. Stewart there were born six children: Willis; Mary, deceased; Charles; twins who died in infancy; and Frank L., who is the youngest child of that marriage. After losing his first wife the father married Miss Nancy Hannah, of Knox- ville, Tennessee, and their children were: Edna; Lucy, deceased; Jesse; and Dessie.
Being only a few months old at the time of his mother's death, Frank L. Stewart was taken by his aunt and uncle, Miss Martha Jane and G. W. Smith, who have always stood to him in the relation of parents. Leaving Ohio, they removed to Tolono, Illinois, when the subject of this review was about two years of age and there established their home, living in that locality until 1883, when they came to Vermilion county, settling in Grant township. G. W. Smith
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then secured land in that locality and has continued to make his home there, being closely, actively and honorably identified with agricultural pursuits.
Frank L. Stewart acquired his education in the schools of Tolono while spending his youthful days in the home of his aunt and uncle. He was trained to the work of the farm which claimed his attention for six years after his school days were over. At the end of that time he removed to Rossville, tak- ing up his abode in this town on the Ist of August, 1889. Thinking to find commercial pursuits more congenial and profitable than the work of the fields, he turned his attention to general merchandising and was associated in that business with a partner for about three years. He afterward resumed farm- ing and also engaged in the ice business, in which he actively continues. He has secured many patrons in that locality, making the business a profitable one, his trade constantly increasing in volume and importance as the years have gone by. He also has farming interests, being engaged in the cultivation of six hundred and forty acres of land situated in Grant township.
On the 14th of November, 1889, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Bell C. Smith and they have three children: Martha, who is a graduate of Lake Forest Academy at Lake Forrest, Illlinois; Horace, who is still in school; and Grace, who is a pupil in the high school of Rossville.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Stewart and his wife are active and earnest members. He was chairman of the board of trustees, also of the building committee of the church, has served on the building committee of the Masonic lodge and on the building committee of the new high school. He was a member of the school board for nine years, and is deeply interested in all that pertains to the intellectual and moral progress of the community. He is also prominent in Masonry, in which he has taken the de- grees of the lodge and chapter. He belongs to the Tribe of Ben Hur and has filled all of the offices in the local lodge of Knights of Pythias, which he has likewise represented in the state conventions. For the past twelve years he has been its minister of finance, and at all times he is loyal to the teachings and to the purposes of these orders. His life has been one of continuous activity in which has come due recognition of labor. Progress and patriotism might well be termed the keynote of his character for these qualities have been potent forces in his life throughout the period of his manhood and have gained him a place with the leading and representative citizens of his adopted county.
J. B. HUNDLEY, M. D.
Recognizing fully the possibilities for attainment, Dr. J. B. Hundley in all of his professional service has been actuated by laudable ambition to reach a high place in his profession not only that his services shall be renumerative but that they shall be of signal benefit to his fellowmen. He has already attained success and is recognized as one of the leading physicians of Danville. He was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, on the 9th of May, 1880, his parents being T. W. and Alice (Calhoun) Hundley, also natives of Kentucky, where the family was
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established at an early day. On the paternal side it is of Irish origin and on the maternal of English descent. Throughout his active business life the father has followed farming but is now living retired in Owensboro.
Dr. Hundley acquired his primary education in a female college at Owens- boro and later pursued his studies in the public schools of that city. Deciding to enter the medical profession, he became a student in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1904. In the fall of the same year he opened an office in Danville and has since engaged in general practice in this city, meeting with marked success. He is a member of the county, state and national medical societies and stands high in the esteem of his professional brethren.
On the 24th of May, 1910, Dr. Hundley was married in Terre Haute, In- diana, to Miss Elenore Allison, a native of Illinois.
J. H. DAVIS.
J. H. Davis, whose business enterprise and initiative spirit are manifest in the excellent results which he achieves, is now well known as the president of the Vermilion County Telephone Company. He has a wide acquaintance in this county where his entire life has been passed. His birth occurred at Ridge Farm on the 19th of March, 1867. His father, Rufus H. Davis, was a native of North Carolina and the year 1853 witnessed his arrival in Illinois, after which he engaged in teaching school. He later carried on farming and also be- came a successful merchant but is now living retired, making his home at Knightstown, Indiana. He was very active in the affairs of the county, con- tributing to many measures of public benefit to the community and serving on the county board as township supervisor and in other local offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. In his politial views he is an earnest republican, and his religious faith is manifest in his member- ship with the Society of Friends. In early manhood he married Lydia Hornada, a native of Xenia, Ohio, who died in 1883.
J. H. Davis pursued his early education in the schools of Ridge Farm and afterward attended Earlham College of Indiana. He was reared to the occupation of farming and after attaining his majority devoted his time and attention to general agricultural pursuits for a number of years but in 1897 became interested in the telephone business and has since given his attention to its development. In that year he became one of the organizers of the South Vermilion Telephone Company and in 1900 came to Danville and organized the Vermilion County Telephone Company, of which he became the president and general manager. The other organizers associated with Mr. Davis in this enterprise were C. W. Hayworth, William Henderson, John Fletcher and Will- iam F. Banta. In 1905 they bought out the Central Union Telephone Com- pany of Danville and consolidated the two interests. Among the directors of the company are George Hughes of Hume, Illinois; H. F. Hill and John Uprichard, of Indianapolis, Indiana; and C. H. Rottger, of Springfield, Illinois.
J. H. DAVIS
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Mr. Davis is interested in everything that bears upon the subject of telephony and is constantly studying how to improve the system and the service which he gives to the public. In this connection he has built up a large and growing business, the number of subscribers constantly increasing.
In 1885 Mr. Davis was united in marriage at Ridge Farm to Miss Lillie A. Amkrum, a native of that place and a daughter of G. W. and Sarah (Can- ady) Amkrum. In his boyhood days her father became a resident of Elwood township, arriving here with his father, David Amkrum, who was one of the early settlers of the township, so that the family has been identified with the development and progress of the county from pioneer days. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have two children, William H. and Frederick A.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Davis is a Mason, belonging to Ridge Farm Lodge, No. 632, A. F. & A. M .; Vermilion Chapter, No. 82, R. A. M .; and Athel- stan Commandery, No. 45, K. T., all of Danville; Oriental Consistory, S. P. R. S .; and Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Chicago. His political allegiance is a factor in the support of the republican party and his loyalty thereto is never called into question for he is a firm believer in the efficacy of the party principles as factors in good government. He is recognized as a business man of marked energy and of laudable ambition, who seldom fails to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
GEORGE F. REARICK.
George F. Rearick, who is successfully engaged in the practice of law in Dan- ville, was born on the 31st of March, 1863, in Beardstown, Illinois, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Kuhl) Rearick, the latter also a native of Beards- town. The father, however, was born in Germany and came to this country during boyhood. Later in life he was engaged in business as a hardware mer- chant at Beardstown for many years and became one of the prominent and influential citizens of that section of the state, serving as county judge of Cass county for one term. Both parents are now deceased.
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