History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II, Part 4

Author: Jones, Lottie E. 4n
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 940

USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 4

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When twenty-two years of age Dr. Williams joined the Masonic fraternity and he has since passed through all the grades from the blue lodge to the thirty-second degree, being a Knight Templar and Scottish Rite Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He and his family are members of the First Church of Christ at Danville, in the work of which they take a deep and help- ful interest. Loyal in friendship, devoted to the ties of home and family and maintaining a high standard of conduct in all the relations of life, Dr. Williams is well worthy the esteem in which he is uniformly held.

W. J. PARRETT ..

W. J. Parrett, the well known business manager of the Commercial News of Danville, has throughout his entire business career been identified with newspaper interests. A native of Illinois, he was born in Ottawa in 1873 and is a son of John and Emily Parrett. He is indebted to the public schools of his native city for the educational privileges he enjoyed and after leaving the high school turned his attention to newspaper work, at the age of seven- teen, and learned the printer's trade. For a time he was employed as reporter on the Des Moines (Iowa) Daily News and was next business manager of the La Crosse (Wis.) Republican-Leader and on his return to Ottawa be-

HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY

came business manager of the Ottawa Journal. He next held a similar position with the Aurora (Il1.) News and on leaving that city came to Danville about twelve years ago and has since been engaged with the Commercial News. He is part owner and is now serving as business manager, much of the success of the enterprise being due to his well directed efforts. In business affairs he has steadily prospered and is today the owner of several pieces of property in Danville and a farm in northern Illinois and also one in Florida.

Mr. Parrett was married in Danville in 1904 to Miss Margaret Conner, a daughter of John Conner. He is well known in business and social circles and is regarded as one of the leading newspaper men in this section of the state. His genial manner, unfailing courtesy and deference for the opinions of others have made him prominent and have gained for him the high place which he holds in Danville.

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F. M. HORNOR.

F. M. Hornor, owning and operating a fine farm of one hundred and thirty- five acres in Blount township, has won a gratifying measure of prosperity through the careful conduct of his agricultural interests. His birth occurred in Blount township, Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 13th of December, 1851, his parents being James and Leann (Wiles) Hornor, who were natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. Both came to Illinois at an early day and took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Blount township, this county. The father worked in a flour mill prior to his marriage, which was celebrated in 1845. Following that important event in his life he purchased and settled on a farm of about one hundred and twenty acres, in the operation of which he was actively engaged until called to his final rest. At that time he owned two hundred acres of rich and productive land, having added a tract of forty acres to his original purchase. When he passed away on the 18th of December, 1871, the community mourned the loss of one of its most respected and sub- stantial pioneer residents. His widow remained on the old homestead until she, too, was called to the home beyond, her demise occurring on the 24th of October, 1907. She had become the mother of five children, namely: Luke and Hannah, both of whom are deceased; John; F. M., of this review; and Martha.

F. M. Hornor was reared under the parental roof and remained at home until he was married at the age of thirty-eight years. He then began farm- ing on some land which he had purchased in association with his brother a short time prior to his marriage, cultivating the same for several years, when they divided the property. Our subject subsequently bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Blount township and has resided thereon con- tinuously since, having brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and improvement. He has thoroughly drained the land and thus greatly enhanced its productiveness. The place is lacking in none of the accessories and con- veniences of a model farm of the twentieth century and in its neat'and thrifty appearance indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner.

HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY

On the 27th of February, 1889, Mr. Hornor was united in marriage to Miss Ruth A. Claypool, a daughter of David and Nancy (Delay) Claypool, who were natives of Kentucky and Illinois, respectively. At the time of the outbreak of the Civil war David Claypool enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company B, Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which command he participated in many hotly contested engagements. At the battle of Chickamauga he was wounded and taken prisoner and for seventeen months and seven days was incarcerated in the Andersonville, Libby and Florence prisons. On being released he was honorably discharged and a few months after his return home wedded Miss Nancy Delay, a native of Illinois. He was engaged in the cultivation of rented land for many years but eventually purchased a tract of fifty-six acres, operating the same until the time of his retirement in 1903. His remaining days were spent in Bis- marck, where he passed away on the 25th of September, 1903. The demise of his wife occurred on the 12th of November, 1896. Their children were seven in number, namely: Mary B., Mrs. Hornor, William F., Sarah E., Emma A., who died on the 18th of May, 1906; and two who died in infancy.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hornor have been born six children, as follows: Jessie C., whose natal day was June 16, 1890, and who has received a business college education; Flora B., whose birth occurred March 21, 1893, and who has already displayed considerable talent in music; Fanny, who was born November 26, 1894, and passed away on the 9th of August, 1896; Harry H., who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 19th of March, 1897; one who died in infancy; and James D., whose birth occurred October 28, 1899.

In politics Mr. Hornor is a republican but the honors and emoluments of office have never had any attraction for him. Both he and his wife belong to the Christian church and take a deep and helpful interest in its work. A man of high worth and sterling integrity, he is widely respected and honored in the community where his entire life has been spent.

THEO REAGAN, M. D.

Dr. Theo Reagan, a general medical practitioner of Danville, has followed his profession in this city for the past five years and has been accorded a liberal patronage in recognition of his skill and ability. His birth occurred in In- diana on the 13th of August, 1865, his parents being E. M. and Lucinda (Hardesty) Reagan, who were natives of Indiana and Ohio respectively. The father, who was an educator in the Hoosier state for a half century, passed away in 1908 when seventy-seven years of age. His wife was called to her final rest in 1901 at the age of seventy-one years.

Dr. Theo Reagan obtained his more specifically literary education in the public schools of his native state and in 1890 took up the study of medicine, being graduated from Rush Medical College in 1893. The same year he lo- cated for practice at State Line, Indiana, which town remained the scene of his professional labors until 1905, when he came to Danville. Since the open-

HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY

ing of the Adams building in 1906 he has maintained his offices in that structure. He belongs to the Vermilion County Medical Society, the Illinois State Med- ical Society, and the American Medical Association. Research, investigation and experience are constantly broadening his knowledge and promoting his efficiency as a practitioner and public endorsement is given him in an ex- tensive patronage.

In 1891, at Frankfort, Indiana, Dr. Reagan was united in marriage to Miss Ella Allen, a native of that state. Fraternally he is a Mason, belong- ing to Mound Lodge at State Line, Indiana, and the Lodge of Perfection in Danville. He is likewise a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Dr. Reagan is appreciative of the social amenities of life and his genial qualities have won him many friends but his attention is preeminently given to his professional duties.

PLEASANT WEST.

Pleasant West, who has lived retired in Georgetown for the past fifteen years, was long prominently and successfully identified with the business in- terests of Vermilion county. His birth occurred in Georgetown on the 10th of March, 1844, his parents being Owen and Lorener (Douglass) West. The father was born near Hillsboro, Ohio, while the mother was a native of the state of Indiana. Their marriage was celebrated at Georgetown in 1837, Owen West having come to this place seven years before. He devoted his attention to the cultivation and improvement of a tract of two hundred and forty acres of land on the present site of Georgetown and successfully carried on his agricultural interests until called to his final rest on the 7th of August, 1855. He held the office of county surveyor for sixteen years and was widely recog- nized as a substantial and respected citizen. His wife passed away on Decem- ber 28, 1864.

Pleasant West obtained his early education in the Georgetown grammar school and after returning from the Civil war continued his studies in the Danville high school under Professor Spillman. In September, 1861, in response to the first call of President Lincoln for three hundred thousand soldiers to serve for three years, he joined Company A, Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri. After one year's service as a private he was promoted to the rank of corporal, but on account of injuries which he received, the third year of his enlistment was largely spent in hospitals. He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Ar- kansas, Stone River, Tennessee, the siege of Corinth, Mississippi, and numer- ous other engagements. At the battle of Chickamauga, 19th of September, 1863, he was wounded, sustaining such a serious injury that he was placed first in a Nashville hospital and subsequently in the Jeffersonville hospital. Later, at his request, he was sent to the Quincy, Illinois, hospital and in 1864 was honorably discharged at Springfield. He has never fully recovered from his wound, however, and it was on account of impaired health that he eventually retired from business.

HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY

His marriage took place November 8, 1866, after he had completed his education, and for two years thereafter he gave his attention to the operation of the home farm. The land which his father bought for as low a price as thir- teen dollars an acre brought from two hundred to two hundred and twenty-five dollars an acre when disposed of later, while the property that had been improved was sold for two hundred and fifty dollars per acre. In 1868 Mr. West of this review traded a portion of his land for a stock of hardware and tinware, and conducted an enterprise of that character in association with his father-in-law, Jacob Yapp, until 1883. In that year they sold out and em- barked in business as dealers in lumber and building material, there being an increased demand for those commodities. Mr. West was thus connected with commercial interests for twelve years or until 1895, when he sold out and since that time has lived practically retired.

On the 8th of November,. 1866, Mr. West was united in marriage to Miss Helen A. Yapp, a daughter of Jacob Yapp, one of the oldest settlers in Ver- milion county. The ceremony took place at the home of the bride in George- town. Unto Mr. and Mrs. West were born two children, a son and daughter. Derelle W., whose natal day was August 7, 1867, is the wife of Charles Porter Johnson, a native of Vermilion county and now a practicing lawyer of St. Louis, Missouri. Roy O. West, whose birth occurred October 27, 1868, is a prominent member of the legal fraternity in Chicago. He has been city at- torney of Chicago, is now assistant state's attorney and for about nine years has been a member of the Board of Reviews of Cook county.

In politics Mr. West is a republican and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him into several positions of public trust. He capably served as school treasurer for six or eight years, also acted as town- ship clerk and for several years was a school director. He likewise served as a notary public. Fraternally he is a charter member of Nyger Post, G. A. R., of Georgetown. In the community where his entire life has been spent he is well known and highly esteemed as a prominent and representative citizen, and it is therefore with pleasure that we present this record of his career to our readers.

HENRY R. SPICER.

Henry R. Spicer, who since 1898 has lived practically retired in Georgetown, is one of Vermilion county's well known and representative citizens. His birth occurred one mile southwest of Georgetown on the 22d of December, 1858, his parents being A. F. and Eliza (Martin) Spicer. Rawser Spicer, the pater- nal grandfather, was an officer in the war of 1812 and came originally from Kentucky. Our subject still has the sword which his grandfather used in that conflict.

A. F. Spicer, the father of H. R. Spicer, was born near Louisville, Ken- tucky, and came to Georgetown, Illinois, at the age of eleven years. This county was his place of residence throughout the remainder of his life and he

HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY

devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits during his active business career, becoming widely recognized as a prosperous and esteemed citizen. At the time of his death his farm was divided among his children. He had a fam- ily of four sons and two daughters, and lived to attain the ripe old age of eighty- four years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Martin, was the second girl baby born in Vermilion county, her birth occurring on a farm near George- town. At that time the Indians were still numerous in this district and fre- quently visited the little white baby. Wild animals also were plentiful and on more than one occasion the mother of Mrs. Spicer drove wolves away from the house with the aid of her dogs.

In his youthful years Henry R. Spicer attended the district schools near Georgetown and subsequently worked on the home farm with his father until he had attained his majority. When twenty-one years of age he went to Colo- rado and there resided for three years, on the expiration of which period he removed to California, living in the latter state for seven years. He next spent three years in Washington as a miner and carpenter. On returning to Georgetown in 1894 he took up general agricultural pursuits and was busily engaged in the work of the fields until 1898. Since that time he has lived re- tired save for the supervision which he gives to his real-estate interests.

On the 13th of May, 1895, at Kenosha, Wisconsin, Mr. Spicer was united in marriage to Miss Kate Graves, of Georgetown. Unto them were born three children, one of whom has passed away.

Politically Mr. Spicer is a stanch advocate of the republican party and for about four years he served as town councilman, being elected three times. He is a third degree Mason and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a worthy exemplar of those or- ders. He is a deacon of the Christian church and his wife is likewise a de- voted member thereof. They are highly esteemed throughout the community in which they reside, having ever displayed those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard.

F. A. BAUMGART, M. D.

Dr. F. A. Baumgart, who in the six years of his connection with the medi- cal profession of Danville has made steady and creditable progress, establish- ing himself in an enviable position in the regard of the public by reason of his personal worth as well as his skill and ability in his chosen calling, was born January 27, 1874, in the city which is still his home. His father, Tillmann Baumgart, was a native of Germany and, coming to America, resided in La- fayette, Indiana, during the period of the Civil war. He removed to Danville in the late '6os and began merchandising here. He was thus identified with business interests in the city for a considerable period but is now living re- tired, enjoying rest which he has surely earned and richly deserves. He mar- ried Philipina Theurer, also a native of Germany, and they became parents of nine children, eight of whom were born in Danville.

HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY

Dr. Baumgart began his education in the parochial schools of this city and afterward attended the high school, from which he was in due time graduated. He entered business life in connection with the drug trade and for eleven years was associated with Louis F. Steube. He then took up the study of medicine and was graduated from the College of Physicians & Surgeons in Chicago with the class of 1904. He had already become widely known in his native city through his business connection and was not long in establishing himself in the public regard as a medical practitioner. During the six years in which he has engaged in practice he has made rapid progress and he keeps in close touch with the onward march of the profession through his membership in the county, state and national medical societies and the Aesculapian Society of the Wabash Valley. He reads broadly and thinks deeply, and the results of his investigation and research are seen in the excellent service which he renders his patrons.

In 1905 Dr. Baumgart was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hoehen, a native of Nebraska, and to them has been born a daughter, Frances Louise, whose natal day was June 15, 1908. The Doctor is well known in military cir- cles as a member of the Illinois National Guard, which he joined on the 4th of January, 1894, as a private of Battery A. He served as second lieutenant of the battery in 1898, during the Spanish American war, and in 1905 was elected captain of Company I of the Fifth Infantry. In November, 1909, he was elected major of the Fifth Infantry and has thus been promoted from grade to grade during his connection with the military organization of the state. His long residence in Danville has brought him a wide acquaintance and his sterling personal qualities have gained him popularity and high regard. His skill and ability is winning for him success, and he has reason to feel that his lines have been cast in pleasant places. A laudable ambition, however, will prompt him to put forth further effort, and undoubtedly his entire life will be marked by continuous progress.

JOHN W. GOODWINE.

John W. Goodwine, now deceased, will be remembered as one of the lead- ing farmers of Vermilion county who, starting in life without capital or personal influence, won his way without assistance from others to a postion as one of the prominent landowners of the county. He was a man of great determination, clear perception and a good judge of human nature, possessing also the rare faculty of determining values almost instinctively. In him the constructive facul- ties were largely developed and as a business manager it is doubtful whether he has had his superior in Vermilion county. Such men do not need capital as a necessity in starting their career, for they possess within them the power to attract anything they may desire. They are the geniuses of the business world, the natural leaders, and it would be difficult to imagine any condition from which they would not rise.

Mr. Goodwine was born in Bartholomew, Indiana, and early in his career came to Vermilion county, locating in Blount township and later in Pilot town-

MRS JOHN. W. GOODWINE

JOHN W.GOODWINE. SR

HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY

ship. After many years of successful identification with farming interests, he retired to Potomac in 1899 and on July 29, 1908, was called from earthly cares. During his active career he accumulated in Blount and Pilot townships six thou- sand eight hundred acres of land and became widely known as one of the most successful farmers in this section of the state.

In 1845 Mr. Goodwine was united in marriage to Miss Jane Charlton, and five children were born of the union: Marion, who was born August 26, 1846, and is now living upon a farm in Middlefork township; John, who was born December 21, 1848, and is a farmer of this county and a bank president ; James, who was born May 19, 1851, and is a farmer of La Crede, Missouri ; Mary Jane, whose was born December 17, 1853, and died January 30, 1892; Fremont, who was born December 16, 1858, and died December 1, 1862. On July 26, 1871, Mrs. Goodwine departed this life and on the 23d of July, 1872, Mr. Goodwine again married, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Arminda (Sperry) Dare, a native of Blount township, born December 24, 1842. She is a daughter of Erastus and Ruth (Reese) Sperry, the former of whom was a native of Ohio and came to Vermilion county with his parents, who settled in Blount town- ship. Mr. Sperry was a man of fine intellectual faculties and unusual promise, but he was called from his family and friends at the early age of thirty-two years, May 14, 1852. Mrs. Sperry was a native of Indiana and was married to Miss Sperry in 1840. She was the mother of five children, three of whom are now living: Wallace, a merchant of Muncie, Illinois; Arminda, now Mrs. Goodwine; and Amanda, the wife of Samuel B. Deamude, of Potomac, this county, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. In his wife Mr. Goodwine found a worthy helpmate who at all times has proven a blessing to the household and in an important degree, by her counsel and wise manage- ment, has forwarded the best interests of the family.

Mrs. Arminda Goodwine was first married in 1859 to Henry Dare, who was a native of England and came to this country with his parents when he was seven years of age. He was reared near Chicago and learned the trade of wagon-making, but at the time of the Civil war enlisted in Company I, One Hun- dred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served as regimental wagon-master. He came home at the close of the war and died in 1867 from disease contracted in the service of his country. As a result of the second marriage of Mrs. Goodwine four children were born: Martha, born September 6, 1873, now the wife of Edward Juvenall, of Vermilion county; Helen, born October 16, 1874, the wife of Demarcus Juvenall, of Potomac; Dora, who was born March 3, 1877, and died December 12, 1898; Grant W., who was born August 7, 1879, and is now living in Potomac. Mrs. Goodwine and her son Grant are together the owners of nine hundred acres of land in this county, upon which is one of the finest country residences in this region. She has for many years been recognized as a leader in the community and is a woman of unusual intelligence and public-spirit. She has a host of warm friends in the county where she has spent her life and where she has always willingly con- tributed toward every cause that had for its object the permanent welfare of the community.

HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY

Mr. Goodwine was a man of broad views and a firm believer in the final salvation of the entire human race, hence he was a prominent member of the Universalist church, accepting its principles of brotherhood as one of the funda- mental beliefs of his life and upon these principles were his actions founded. He was a republican in politics, believing the platform of that party more nearly in accord with the principles of popular government than those of any other party. Mr. Goodwine was greatly respected by his friends and associates and being a man who never betrayed a trust, he expected others to adhere conscien- tiously to their obligations. He was one of the pioneer farmers of Vermilion county, but he could see farther than most of his associates and his wider grasp of business affairs and greater mental endowments gave him advantages which the ordinary man does not possess. Had he been born in the latter half of the nineteenth century, he would have been known as one of the great captains of industry. Having been born earlier, he became a farmer, the like of which is not often seen in this or any other country. He always had great faith in him- self and it has often been pointed out that the difference between men is faith in themselves. This is constantly being exemplified and is the universal lesson of biography. The leaders in every department are self-reliant men and fear not to make a decision and to stick to it. Self-confidence is half the battle; the other half is cool judgment and good staying qualities. This combination marks the successful man and to this class belongs John W. Goodwine.

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History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II, Part 4

Author: Jones, Lottie E. 4n Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 940

Author: Jones, Lottie E. 4n
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 940