USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 35
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On the 13th of October, 1864, Mr. Dickson was united in marriage to Miss Frances Foos, who came from Madison county, near London, Ohio. Unto them were born three children: Lena, the wife of Ed Cannon; Robert, a bachelor
SILAS DICKSON
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living on the old home farm; and Bert, who married Myrtle Goodman and has two children-Silas and Francis. Mr. Dickson has served on the school board and is a stalwart champion of the cause of education. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and his life record has been in harmony with its principles, for he has exemplified in his daily conduct the teachings of the craft concerning mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. In religious belief, Mr. Dickson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
EZRA HACKMAN.
Farm work when carefully directed brings excellent returns to those who engage therein and a larger percentage of farmers perhaps than any other class of men find it possible in the evening of life to retire from active business. Such has been the record of Ezra Hackman who is now living on Main street in Rossville. His home, the last one on the street, stands in the midst of a well kept tract of land of nine acres and the place altogether presents a most pleas- ing appearance.
Mr. Hackman was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, August 24, 1843, and is a son of Jacob and Rebecca (Stamm) Hackman. The father was a native of the Keystone state and after living there for many years removed westward with his family to Delaware county, Indiana, where he purchased land and engaged in farming. He became the owner of extensive holdings and was a very successful agriculturist as well as a prominent and influential citizen of the community. Both he and his wife passed away in Delaware county and were there laid to rest.
Ezra Hackman accompanied his parents to Indiana in his boyhood days, acquiring his education in the schools near his father's home, and when not busy with his text-books worked in the fields or engaged in the sports which claim the attention of most boys. Lessons of industry, perseverance and in- tegrity were early impressed upon his mind and have borne rich fruit in later years. He was but twelve years of age when he started out in life on his own account. Although his earnings were small he saved a portion of his money and this spirit of economy has characterized his life, bringing him at length a comfortable competence.
Mr. Hackman was but seventeen years of age when he responded to his country's call for troops, enlisting in the Nineteenth Indiana Infantry under Colonel Meredith. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and he was raised from the ranks to the position of corporal. He continued at the front for three years and seven months and proved a capable and valiant soldier, fearlessly defending the old flag and the cause it represented. With a creditable military record he returned to his old home at the close of the war and soon afterward left Indiana for Watseka, Illinois, where he began farm- ing on his own account. He purchased one hundred acres of land which he cultivated for three years and then went on a trip to Kansas. Finally, however, he located permanently in this county and for two years engaged in the cultiva-
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tion of rented land. At the end of that time he turned his attention to teaming and in this as in his other business interests he has been very successful, at length acquiring a capital sufficient to enable him to but aside business cares and spend the remainder of his days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.
On the IIth of February, 1864, Mr. Hackman was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Ann Childs, whose people came from Kentucky to this state. Unto them have been born eight children: Mary, who is the wife of Samuel Dietrick and has one child, John, now living in Delaware county, Indiana; Mrs. Elizabeth Rose Lemon, also of Delaware county, who has three children, Fred, Don and Ezra; Lulu, who is living at home; Emma, the wife of Oscar Thomas, a farmer living east of Rossville, by whom she has three children, Cecile, Hazel and Flossy; William, who is married and lives in this county; John, also a resident of this county; Abraham, at home; and Fannie, who is the wife of Roy Starr and has two children.
Mr. Hackman belongs to the Grand Army Post of Rossville, is recognized . as one of the leaders in the organization and is now serving as its commander. He also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, and his religious faith is indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. These associations indicates much of the interests and character of the man. His life has ever been in harmony with his professions and his good qualities have gained for him an honored name.
WILLIAM R. WILSON.
William R. Wilson, who since 1903 has lived retired in Catlin, was for many years actively and successfully identified with general agricultural pur- suits, owning an excellent farm in Newell township. His birth occurred in Guern- sey county, Ohio, on the 13th of December, 1834, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Rice) Wilson, who were born and married in the Buckeye state. The father there passed away in 1844, while the mother's demise occurred in Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1895. They reared a family of four children, two of whom are yet living.
William R. Wilson spent the first twenty-two years of his life in the state of his nativity, supplementing his preliminary education by a normal-school course. He followed the profession of teaching during the winter months for twenty years, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. On coming to Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1856 he located on a rented farm in Newell township and devoted his attention to its operation until the time of his enlistment in the Union army. It was in 1862 that he joined Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving with that command for more than two years. He participated in many hotly con- tested engagements, including those at Perryville, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. While at Atlanta, whither he had marched with Sherman, he became ill and was discharged. On returning to Illinois he once more became identified with general agricultural pursuits and later purchased a farm in Newell town-
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ship, giving his time and energies to its further cultivation and improvement until 1903. For the past seven years he has lived retired in Catlin, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned rest. In addition to his attractive resi- dence he still owns one hundred and forty-four acres of rich and productive land and is widely recognized as one of the substantial and representative citizens of the community.
Mr. Wilson has been married twice. In 1860 he wedded Miss Katherine Deck, a native of this county and a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Deck, both of whom were born in Indiana. They came to Vermilion county at an early day and here spent the remainder of their lives. Unto William R. and Katherine (Deck) Wilson were born six children, namely: John, who is deceased; Sher- man and Grant, both of whom reside in Vermilion county, Illinois; Cora E., the wife of E. W. Putman, of this county; Flora B., who is the wife of A. M. Battershell, of Vermilion county; and Edna, the wife of Clyde Goldman, of Danville, Illinois. The wife and mother passed away in July, 1887, and the following year Mr. Wilson was again married, his second union being with Miss Phoebe A. Elliott, a native of Morgan county, Ohio, and a daughter of Mathew and Anna (Wilson) Elliott, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Wilson was one of a family of seven children and by her marriage has become the mother of a son, Donald H., who is now attending normal school.
In his political views Mr. Wilson is a republican, being a stanch supporter of the party which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. He served as justice of the peace for several years and his fair and impartial decisions won him "golden opinions from all sorts of people." Frater- nally he is identified with Bismarck Lodge, No. 893, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled some of the chairs. He likewise maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the G. A. R. post at George- town. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church, to which his wife also belongs. The period of his residence in Vermilion county covers more than a half century and he enjoys an extensive and favorable ac- quaintance within its borders. He has now passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey and enjoys the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has at all times been upright and honorable.
E. A. PURNELL.
E. A. Purnell, who has charge of the warehouse of B. B. Miner at Mun- cie, was born in Fountain county, Indiana, August 24, 1864. His father, G. W. Purnell, was a native of Indiana and in that state wedded Nancy Henry, whose birth occurred in Kentucky. They remained residents of the Hoosier state until 1872, when they removed to Illinois, settling first upon a farm near Mun- cie, Vermilion county. Mr. Purnell purchased that land, continuing its cul- tivation until 1895. His wife died in 1893 and in 1895 he wedded Katherine Tenebaugh, of Muncie, where they established their home, there remaining
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until 1901. In that year they took up their abode in Danville, where Mr. Pur- nell died on the 13th of December, 1908. His widow still occupies the old home in that city. By the first marriage there were six children: Ella, now deceased; Joseph S., of this county; one who died in infancy; E. A., of this review; John E., of Danville; and William F., of Vedersburg.
In taking up the personal history of E. A. Purnell we present to our read- ers the record of one who is widely and favorably known in this part of the state. He remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age, when he began farming in Vernon county, Missouri. After a year, however, he re- turned to Vermilion county, Illinois, and for two years operated the old home- stead farm. Subsequently he rented land for a year and then took up his abode upon the farm that he owned and operated for three years. Turning his attention to the merchandising business, he established a drug store in Muncie but conducted it for only a short time. On the Ist of February, 1900. he took charge of the warehouse and elevator for B. B. Miner, of Indiana, and is still conducting this, displaying good business ability in its management.
On the 20th of November, 1887, Mr. Purnell was united in marriage to Miss Gertie Rankin, a daughter of F. M. and Elizabeth (Young) Rankin, both of whom were natives of Illinois. In their family were eleven children, of whom six are yet living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Purnell were born two chil- dren : Maud E., who was born in 1888 and has been educated in a business college; and Mabel, who died in infancy. The wife and mother passed away March 4, 1892, and a year later Mr. Purnell wedded Miss Emma M. Poin- dexter, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Giles) Poindexter, of Indiana and Virginia respectively. The father died in 1909 and the mother is now living on the old homestead north of Muncie. In their family were eight children of whom five survive, John, Annie, Sid, Emma and Hattie. Mr. and Mrs. Purnell have one child, Charles Clinton, who was born September 15, 1894, and is now attending business college. The family residence is a comfortable home in Muncie, which Mr. Purnell owns. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias lodge of Danville, and the Modern Woodmen Camp at Muncie, hav- ing filled all of the chairs in the latter. He and his wife attend the Christian church, of which they are faithful members, and their social qualities have gained them the warm and friendly regard of many with whom they have been brought in contact.
JOSEPH R. WINEGARDNER.
Success has attended Joseph R. Winegardner as he has traveled life's jour- ney, enabling him now to live retired, although for many years he was actively engaged in farming and stock-raising. He lives on what is known as the Wine- gardner road in Ross township, about seven miles east of Rossville, where he has two hundred and thirty-three acres of rich land extending to the state line. This is one of the well developed farm properties of the community and while
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not actively engaged in the work of the farm at the present time, the place returns to Mr. Winegardner a substantial annual income.
He is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred on the 18th of July, 1852, in Franklin county, near Columbus, his parents being Artillias and Hannah (Iden) Winegardner. The father went from Virginia to Ohio when a young man and there became a contractor. He prospered in his undertakings, be- coming a man of means, and about 1858 he brought his family to Illinois, tak- ing up land near Pontiac. There he resided until 1864. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in the Eighth Illi- nois Regiment, with which he served for about a year and a half under Colonel Kilpatrick, the regiment being attached to the Army of the Potomac. He was assigned to duty with Company H and shared in the long hard marches and the active field work while at the front. During the war his family went to Newark, Ohio, and after its close returned to Illinois. They left Pontiac in 1866, re- moving to Vermilion county, where Artillias Winegardner took up the business of contracting, making his home in the city of Danville. Later he removed to Berlin, Sangamon county, Illinois, where he was engaged in a patent churn business with a company until after the death of his wife, when he returned to Columbus, Ohio, and carried on business as a paving contractor until a few years prior to his own demise, which occurred in that city.
Joseph R. Winegardner was a pupil in the schools of Vandalia, Illinois, in early boyhood and later in Pontiac, following the removal of the family to that place. Subsequently he came with his parents to Danville and later went to West Lebanon, Indiana, where he completed his education. In his youth he was employed at different times and in different ways, providing at least in part for his own support. When his education was completed he came to Ross township and worked at farming. By untiring energy and determination he has brought his farm up to its present condition, it being one of the best im- proved farms of the locality. His methods of cultivation are at all times practical and he added the modern equipments and accessories so necessary and helpful in prosecuting the farm work.
On the 6th of April, 1879, Mr. Winegardner was married to Miss Sarah E. Goodwine, a daughter of Abner and Barbara (Pence) Goodwine, both representatives of old families in this part of the county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Winegardner have been born a daughter and three sons. Ida is the wife of George Knighton and they have one child, Russell. Abner married Susie Nor- ton and they have three children, Avie, Lewis and Claude. He resides upon the farm with his father and is operating the fields in connection with his brothers, Grant and Sherman, who are the younger members of the family. The younger brothers are both through school, Sherman having completed his course in 1909.
Mr. Winegardner is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Mrs. Winegardner has belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church since fifteen years old. His political support is given to the republican party and he has served as road commissioner for three years and as school trustee. He may truly be called a self-made man and deserves all the credit which the term
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implies, for he started out in life at an early age empty-handed and has worked his way steadily upward, this persistent energy and determination enabling him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles which confronted him. The pros- perity which he achieved has at length enabled him to live retired, his sons operating the farm.
R. L. WOOD.
R. L. Wood, making his home in the village of Bismarck, Illinois, was for many years closely associated with active farming and stock-raising interests and is still the owner of much valuable farm property. He was born in Blount township, Vermilion county, Illinois, December 10, 1878, and is a son of Henry and Marietta E. (Shockley) Wood. Marietta was born in Greenfield, Ohio. The father's birth occurred March 18, 1841, in this county, and on the 19th of Jan- uary, 1900, he was called to his final rest. His wife who was born in Sep- tember, 1851, in Greenfield, Ohio, is now living on Walnut street, Danville.
The Wood family has been identified with the history of Vermilion county for eight decades. The grandfather of our subject came from Ohio to Ver- milion county in 1830 and entered land in Blount township, the deed to his claim being signed by Andrew Jackson, then president of the United States. The pioneer home of the family was a most primitive structure, being little more than a rail pen, but at the end of a year a comfortable log cabin was built, covered with a clapboard roof, while the floor was made of puncheons. Amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life Henry Wood was reared, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist. He became a miller by trade and he and his brother built a mill in Blount township in 1861, Henry Wood continuing to operate the same for eight- een years. From time to time he added to his property and at his death owned over eight hundred acres of land all in Blount township. He thus became one of the extensive farmers of the community and was regarded as a most enter- prising as well as successful man. Unto him and his wife were born five chil- dren: Henrietta and Henry, both deceased; one who died in infancy; Helen E., who was graduated from the Danville high school in 1902 and was married the same year to Dr. G. M. French, of Peoria, Illinois; and R. L., of this review.
R. L. Wood spent the period of his minority upon the home farm and sup- plemented his public-school education by a course in a business college, from which he was graduated with the class of 1896. His training in the work of the farm was most thorough and he was thus well qualified to take charge of a farm of his own when on attaining his majority he purchased a tract of land of one hundred and sixty-eight acres. Later he bought more land and he now owns four hundred and twenty acres, situated on sections 31 and 36, Blount township, save for eighty acres which lie in Newell township. He has always made a specialty of raising and feeding stock and this branch of his business constitutes a source of gratifying profit. In all business matters his judgment is sound and his enterprise unfaltering, and what he has accomplished represents
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the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents. He left the farm in Jan- uary and spent one year with his family in Corpus Christi, Texas, after which he returned to this county and took up his abode in Bismarck, where he is en- gaged in the grain and live-stock business in company with J. W. Young.
On the 14th of September, 1899, Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Josie Deen Young, who was born in this township in 1879 and is a daughter of Noah Young. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wood have been born two children : Henry, whose birth occurred May 5, 1903; and Lee Morris, born March 17, 1905.
The parents are members of the Christian church and their many good qualities have endeared them to a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Wood has been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he is well known in Masonic circles, having taken the thirty-second degree in Oriental consistory, S. P. R. S., in Chicago in 1909. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Bismarck, and his social qualities and genuine personal worth make him popular in these organizations. In all the relations of life his has been a creditable record and he has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
T. W. BUCKINGHAM.
T. W. Buckingham, a highly respected resident of Vermilion county, now approaching four score years of age and still identified with the interests of the county, was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, April 23, 1833, a son of Joseph and Amelia (McCoy) Buckingham, the former a native of New York and the latter of New Jersey. Joseph Buckingham located in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1825 and remained there a few years, after which he removed to Fort Wayne, In- diana, where he became a contractor and where he died in 1840. Mrs. Bucking- ham survived her husband forty-five years, departing this life in 1885. There were five children born to them, the subject of this review being the only one living at the present time. He grew up under the care of the parental home and was educated in the public schools of Pittsburg, Indiana. At fifteen years of age he began working upon a farm, continuing in that occupation until eighteen years of age, when he became a clerk in a store and afterward owned a store. Coming to Vermilion county in 1870, he lived for six years at Fairmount and in 1876 came to Potomac, where he has since resided. During the first years of his residence here he clerked in a store but in 1888 he started in the mercantile business for himself and continued until 1900. Since 1882 he has acted as postmaster of the town and, notwithstanding his advanced years, is now filling that position with general acceptance to the public.
In 1856 Mr. Buckingham was united in marriage to Miss Helen A. Clark, who was born in New York, April 10, 1838. She is a daughter of William and Rhoda (Tillotson) Clark, the former of whom was a native of New York city and the latter of New York state. They removed to Evansville, Indiana, in 1840 and later to Carroll county, Indiana, and bought a farm where the father died. Mrs. Clark came to this county, where she departed this life in
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1876, at the age of seventy years. She was the mother of two children, but Mrs. Buckingham is the only survivor of the family. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Buckingham five children were born: Ella B. May, of Danville; Mabel B., now Mrs. Dr. J. E. P. Butz; George T., an attorney of Chicago; Myrtle B., now Mrs. R. P. Harrison, of Muskogee, Oklahoma; and Clyde C., the proprietor of two magazines and now living in Houston, Texas.
Mr. Buckingham is a lifelong republican and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont for president in 1856. He has served as a member of the village board and also as school trustee, and has always discharged his responsibilities with the greatest fidelity. For many years he has been identified with the Masonic order, in which he has advanced to the thirty-second degree and has filled all the chairs in the blue lodge. Mrs. Buckingham is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has through her life been an intelligent worker in its cause.
Mr. and Mrs. Buckingham are seventy-two and seventy-seven years of age respectively and four years ago they celebrated their golden wedding. In their long and useful lives they have witnessed many changes in the outer world, but within their own hearts has burned a steady flame which is known by the simple word "love," and which is one of the most enduring of all the attributes known to men. The tie that bound them together more than half a century ago when they were starting out upon life's responsibilities still continues and it is their faith that it will survive even the grave. Honored and respected by the entire community, it is the earnest wish of many friends that this venerable couple may live many years in the peace and quiet of a happy home.
W. H. LONG.
W. H. Long, a well known and representative agriculturist of Love town- ship, was born on the farm where he now resides and which has been in pos- session of the family for three-fourths of a century. His natal day was August II, 1880, and his parents were Levi and Martha J. (Keene) Long. The father, whose birth occurred on the same farm on the 6th of April, 1838, was a son of James B. and Sarah Long, who were born, reared and married in Kentucky and came to Vermilion county in 1835. The grandfather purchased the farm which is now in possession of our subject, erected thereon a log cabin with clap- board roof and puncheon floor and here carried on general agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest.
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