USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 40
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Illinois; William H., the subject of this review; Lee R., deceased; and Mary M., the wife of R. N. Draper, of Stewardson.
William H. Belles was reared in Fountain county, Indiana, and educated in the country schools, continuing to live at the parental home until he was eighteen years of age. Upon leaving home he went to Shelby county, Illinois, where he spent six months at the Windsor school. He came to Vermilion county in 1875 and has since lived in this county, except during a period of four years which he spent in Shelby county. He has all his life been identified with farm- ing interests and applied himself with such diligence that he now owns a valu- able tract of twenty-five acres of land adjoining the corporation of Potomac. This land has been much improved and upon it stands a fine brick residence, which is one of the attractive features of the landscape. He is also the owner of a residence in Potomac and several houses in Veedersburg, Indiana.
On July 21, 1875, Mr. Belles was married to Miss Mary I. Randall, of Moultrie county, Illinois. He was married a second time, October 7, 1886, the lady of his choice being Mary E. Young.
Mr. Belles is a man of more than one talent and he has not devoted his en- tire time to agriculture and investments. He was endowed with an inquiring mind and all his life has been a close observer and student. As a writer his name is favorably known and he has received many notices commending his literary productions. A book written by him, entitled "Cain's Sin," while it has been received with some criticism, is recognized as an exceptionally fine literary work and gives evidence of extensive Biblical research on the part of the author. Mr. Belles is held in high regard by those who know him and by his many warm friends in Vermilion county.
HENRY BOONE DOWNS, M. D.
Dr. Henry Boone Downs is a prominent and successful member of the medical profession now engaged in general practice in Danville. He is also taking a prominent part in public affairs, advocating, supporting and cooperat- ing in all measures for the upbuilding and development of this section of the state along the lines of material, intellectual and moral progress.
A native of Illinois, he was born in Jasper county, November 15, 1859, and on the paternal side is of Scotch ancestry, though the family was founded in the new world at an early date. His parents were William Albert and Mary Jane (Thompson) Downs, who came to this state during its pioneer epoch. The birth of the father occurred in Virginia and it was about 1830 that he be- came a resident of southern Illinois, where he was residing when the Civil war broke out. Entering the service, he remained at the front for three years and a few weeks before the expiration of his term of enlistment he was taken ill and died. The Doctor's mother is still living at the ripe old age of eighty years.
Dr. Downs' earliest recollections are of a typical log cabin in which the family made their home. He was only five years of age when his father died
DR. HENRY B. DOWNS
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and early in life he was dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood. His primary education was obtained in the district schools of Coles county, Illinois, where he pursued his studies during the winter months and worked on the farm through the summer season. Later he was given the advantage of a course at Lee's Academy and at the age of seventeen commenced teaching school, following that professsion during the winter months for several years. Having decided to enter the medical profession he matriculated in the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons at St. Louis, Missouri, and on the completion of the pre- scribed course was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1898. He at once embarked in general practice and is today one of the leading and successful physi- cians of Danville.
In 1882, Dr. Downs was united in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Fox, who died in 1885, and on the 25th of December, 1888, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Maggie Yelton, a daughter of Captain Yelton, of New- ton, Jasper county, Illinois. He now has five children, namely : Ernest B., now twenty years of age, who completed his apprenticeship to the painter's trade, but having decided to make the medical profession his life work, is now attend- ing the College of Physicians and Surgeons at St. Louis, Missouri; Erminie, eighteen years old; McCabe, nine years of age; William Albert, four; and Lois, three years old.
Dr. Downs is an active and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal church, being a local elder in same. He is also prominently identified with the Vermilion County Medical Association and stands high in the esteem of his pro- fessional brethren. As a republican he has taken quite a prominent part in pub- lic affairs and was candidate for representative from the eighth congressional district. He is a strong temperance man and his public and private life are alike above reproach.
ISAAC CHRISTMAN.
Isaac Christman of Rossville is the oldest resident in his part of the county. He was born in Preble county, Ohio, near Eaton, on the 27th of January, 1823, and has therefore passed the eighty-seventh milestone on life's journey. That his life has been an active one is indicated in the fact that through his own ef- forts he at one time owned sixteen or eighteen hundred acres of rich farming land in Vermilion county, Illinois, and Warren county, Indiana. His parents were Peter and Sarah (Stout) Christman, who have long since passed away. The father was a farmer by occupation and became one of the early settlers of Ohio, where he continued his residence until the fall of 1828, when he re- moved with his family to Tippecanoe county, Indiana. There were then no railroads in that part of the country and they journeyed by team to their desti- nation, where they arrived on the 28th of October. After living in that locality for about two years they removed to Warren county, Indiana.
Isaac Christman was reared in those two counties and was married in War- ren county, where he continued to make his home until 1848, when he came to.
-
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Vermilion county, Illinois, settling about six miles east of Rossville. He turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits here and for six years carried on the work of the farm, after which he returned to Warren county, where his father died about 1859. In 1879 he again came to Vermilion county and was closely associated with agricultural interests until 1893, when he took up his abode in the town of Rossville, where he has since made his home, enjoying the fruits of a well spent and honorable life. Up to the time of his retirement there were few idle hours. He applied himself closely and diligently to the tasks that devolved upon him in connection with the cultivation of his land and his labors brought him a good revenue.
In 1843 Mr. Christman was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Gundy, who died about 1884. They were the parents of the following children: Sarah Jane; Susan G., who became the wife of William Lincoln and has three children ; Mary Ann, who married H. C. Swisher and has four children; Eliza Ellen, deceased; Joseph; Catharine, who is the wife of W. A. Hunter and has six children; Thomas Francis, who married Anna Brody and has one child; Lavina, at home; and Mahala Lurilla, deceased.
Most of the members of the family attend the Christian church. Isaac Christman, the reverend patriarch of the community, has throughout his life made a creditable record in connection with his business interests which, capably managed, have brought to him substantial success. He has been straight- forward and honorable in all his dealings, has manifested public spirit in mat- ters of citizenship and has been loyal to the ties of home and of friendship. These qualities, therefore, have made his record one of honorable manhood well worthy of emulation.
EDWARD J. HILLMAN.
Edward J. Hillman is engaged in the cultivation of a good farm of fifty- seven acres which he owns in Oakwood township and which is devoted to the raising of stock as well as the cultivation of grain. He was born in this town- ship August 23, 1868, and is a son of Charles and Sarah (Hillery) Hillman, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. He is the eldest of their four children, the others being: Bertha, at home; George, who is married and lives in Muskogee, Oklahoma; and Mary, the wife of James Gutteridge, of Danville township.
The youthful days of Edward J. Hillman were spent in his parents' home and after acquiring his education in the public schools he continued to assist his father in the improvement of the farm until twenty-two years of age, when he started out in life for himself by renting land. He was thus engaged for twelve years, at the end of which time he purchased fifty-seven acres and has since improved his farm. In addition he cultivates some land which he leases. He has made a specialty of raising and feeding stock as well as cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and he now has a nicely improved place adjoining the village limits of Oakwood.
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On the 3d of September, 1890, Mr. Hillman was united in marriage to Miss Emma Cloe, who was born February 7, 1871, and is a daughter of William and Lydia A. (Lefler) Cloe, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio. Their family numbered six children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hillman have been born three children: Donald, who was born in October, 1893, and died at the age of seventeen months; Florence E., born February 17, 1897; and Charles W., December 23, 1900. Mrs. Hillman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Hillman's membership relations are with Mission Camp, No. 1727, M. W. A., of Oakwood. His political views are in accord with the prin- ciples of the republican party. His support is given to all progressive measures and his aid can always be counted upon to further those interests which are of genuine worth in the community.
S. T. MAKEMSON.
The Makemson family is of good pioneer stock and its early members were men and women who braved the perils of the wilderness to establish a home where now may be seen well cultivated fields, handsome modern dwellings and all the evidences of comfort and independence. Could the pioneers rise from their graves and view again with mortal eyes the transformation that has been wrought on the prairies and in the valleys of Illinois they would hardly accept the evidence of their senses. All this, however, did they make possible and had they preferred a life of ease in the long settled east or south this history would not be written.
Among the sons of pioneers who deserves mention in a work pertaining to the development of Vermilion county is S. T. Makemson, whose name stands at the head of this review. He was born in Newell township, this county, in 1864, and is a son of Hiram and Prudence (Campbell) Makemson, the former having been born in Kentucky, April 2, 1826, and the latter in Ohio. Both families arrived in this region in 1827 and may be truly said to have been among the builders of this county. Our subject's grandfather, Andrew Makemson, settled upon a part of the land now owned by his descendants. He was born in Kentucky, November 6, 1797, and was one of the first settlers of his part of the county. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Martin, was born in Kentucky, June 26, 1795. The mother of our subject was called to her reward in 1890, but the father is still living on the old homestead. During his active life he accumulated eight hundred and sixteen acres of land, about four hundred of which are timber, but the remainder has been brought to a high state of cultivation.
S. T. Makemson lived with his parents and performed his share in clear- ing away the trees, draining the soil and making the land productive. In the course of his work, although it was severe labor for a young and growing lad, he gained the lessons of application that have since been of great benefit in his life. He attended school in the winter, where he acquired the foundation of an education which he has widened by reading and observation and by contact
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with others, the last of which is by no means to be despised as a method of de- veloping the mental horizon. After arriving at twenty-one years of age he took charge of one hundred and eighty acres of the old homestead, which he still superintends, and also assists his father in directing operations upon three hundred acres. He is one of a family of five children, the other four being: Almira, now Mrs. Charles Lucky, of Danville; Mamie, the wife of W. W. Currant, of Danville; Bertha Byrd, who died in 1894; and Joseph C., who died in 1908.
On November 6, 1887, Mr. Makemson was happily married, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah E. Byrd, a daughter of Mason and Mary (Cooper) Byrd, of Indiana. In the Byrd family were thirteen children, of whom eight are still living: Eliza, deceased; Amanda and Martha, both living; Mary, Geor- gia and William, all three deceased; Malissa; Morton; O. P .; Sarah; Edward; Charles R. and Minnie.
Mr. Makemson gives his hearty political support to the republican party and as a patriotic citizen has performed such public duties as have naturally devolved upon him. He served as commissioner of highways for the township for three years and as member of the school board for eighteen years and evinced the same interest in discharging these responsibilities as in his own private af- fairs. He is a member of the lodge of Eagles at Danville and his wife is an active worker in Asbury Methodist Episcopal church, Newell township. Mr. Makemson has ably assisted in the agricultural progress of his community and as a representative of an honored and long established family has acquitted himself as behooves a man of cool judgment and worthy ideals.
PROFESSOR WILLIAM Y. LUDWIG.
Among the men of Danville whose activities have materially contributed to the public welfare is Professor William Y. Ludwig, who is now serving as county superintendent of schools of Vermilion county. He was born February 10, 1869, in Berks county, Pennsylvania, of which his parents, William V. R. and Mary Y. (Jones) Ludwig, were also natives. His parents first came to Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1868 and located in Pilot township, where his grandfather, Peter W. Ludwig, had purchased a farm a short time previous. The former, however, subsequently returned to Pennsylvania, where he was married and remained until a short time after the birth of our subject, when he brought his wife and child to this county and has since been a resident of Pilot township, where he now owns a well improved and highly cultivated farm, which he purchased in 1876. He has taken quite an active part in local affairs and has served as road commissioner for the long period of twenty-four years. He has also filled the office of school treasurer for more than fifteen years and is one of the representative men of his community. His first wife died in 1876, leaving three children, namely : William Y., of this review; Charles J. and Rosa I. The father subsequently married Martha Ludwick, by whom he has two children, Eva Ann, now the wife of Luther Fellows; and Margery.
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Being brought to this county during his infancy, Professor Ludwig has spent the greater part of his life within its borders, his boyhood being passed upon the farm. He began his education in the country schools and the knowledge there acquired was supplemented by a course in the Indiana Normal College at Covington, Indiana, from which he was graduated in 1891. He then began teaching in the rural and village schools and for two years was thus employed at Amherst, Nebraska.
In 1899 he was made assistant county superintendent of schools in Ver- milion county and in 1906 was elected to his present office as county superintend- ent, now serving his fourth year. He has in charge two hundred and fifteen districts. In the county there are now two hundred and thirty-six school buildings and under his control are four hundred and sixty-five teachers and sixteen thousand pupils. In the discharge of his duties he has given the ut- most satisfaction, being not only a well educated man, but is also an excellent manager who has perfect control of those working under him and is thus able to produce the best results. He has been able to secure a more perefct uni- formity of text-books and course of study, and the educational affairs of the county have been greatly advanced since he accepted his present position. He is an active member of the National Education Association and the Illinois State Teachers Association and through these organizations has gained much help- ful information that has aided him in the discharge of his official duties.
Professor Ludwig takes considerable interest in historical affairs and has gathered much valuable information concerning the genealogy of the Ludwig family and is the family historian for the reunions of this family held at Read- ing, Pennsylvania. He is a member of all the Masonic bodies, being a promi- nent Knight Templar, and has served as worshipful master of Olive Branch Lodge, No. 38, and thrice potentate of Danville Lodge of Perfection. He is, also a member of Damascus Lodge, Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has been secretary of the Lake View Hospital Association for ten years and as a public- spirited and progressive citizen takes a commendable interest in all enterprises which he deems calculated to promote the intellectual, moral and material wel- fare of his adopted county.
B. D. WISE.
It is impossible as long as the American republic survives for any patriotic citizen to forget the obligations we owe to the soldiers who fought under the stars and stripes to preserve the Union. From a distance of half a century it is seen that the Civil war was one of the greatest conflicts of the ages, and the questions then settled on many a hard-fought battlefield have perhaps done as much to advance the rights of men in the various countries of the world as all other agencies combined. The truth of the statement is witnessed in the move- ments for greater liberty in Europe and Asia, and there is hardly a doubt that the time will come when the dream of the federation of the world will be a
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reality and it is almost certain that a federation will be founded on the prin- ciples that now bind the states of the United States together.
Among the brave men who contributed to the preservation of the republic is B. D. Wise, an honorable and prosperous member of a farming community, who now lives at Potomac, Vermilion county. He was born in the south and, although he grew almost to manhood in his native state, he freely offered his- services in upholding the principles supported by hundreds of thousands of valiant men in the north as those upon which the republic was founded. Mr. Wise was born in Hardy county, West Virginia, December 3, 1844, and is a son of Zebulon and Indiana (Skidmore) Wise. The father was born on the old Virginia homestead of the family, but when he perceived the shadows of war about to darken the land, he left the south March 11, 1861, and came to Middlefork township, this county, where he rented land and farmed for two years. At the end of this time he returned to his old home, the ownership of which he had retained, and there he died about 1882. Mrs. Wise came to Ver- milion county to visit her son, the subject of this review, and here she departed this life in 1900. There were eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wise, six of whom are now living in Vermilion county.
B. D. Wise was educated in the public schools of his native state and when he became a resident of Vermilion county was sixteen years of age. At the be- ginning of the Civil war he was too young to be received as a soldier, but in 1863, having arrived at an age when his application would be considered, he enlisted as a member of Company E, Fifty-first Illinois Infantry, and served for three years or until the end of the war, participating in many important engagements, among which were the battles of Spring Hill, Peach Tree Creek, Buzzard's Roost, Kenesaw Mountain, the siege of Atlanta, the battle of Jones- boro, and many minor engagements. At the battle of Rocky Face, Georgia, he received a wound in the scalp which, however, did not prove serious. He was taken prisoner by the Confederates at Franklin, Tennessee, and for five months was confined in Andersonville prison. At the close of the war, having per- formed his duty at all times as a defender of the cause which he advocated with all his heart, he was honorably discharged and returned to Potomac, where he began working by the month upon a farm. With his savings he bought eighty acres of land north of East Lynne and later became the owner of a farm in Middlefork township. He now owns, in association with Hon. J. G. Cannon, five hundred and sixty acres of land in Oakwood township. Individually he owns three hundred and twenty acres in Barton county, Missouri, and he is a director and stockholder and was also one of the organizers of the National Bank of Potomac. Since 1889 he has been a director of the Building & Loan Association of Potomac and at all times he has shown a lively interest in move- ments tending toward the public welfare of the community.
On September 3, 1868, Mr. Wise was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Moss and four children have been born of the union: Laura B., now the wife of Perry Judy, of Middlefork township; one who died in infancy; Charles, de- ceased; and Elmer J., living at home.
In politics Mr. Wise has always been an ardent republican, believing that this party best represents the principles of our government. While he has not
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sought public office, he served for thirteen years as member of the county board of supervisors and for two years as president of the board. He is affil- iated with the Masonic lodge at Potomac, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Danville, Illinois, and has many warm friends in those or- ganizations. Mr. and Mrs. Wise are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church and by precept and example are worthy exemplars of its teachings. He has attained success in life because he earned it. He is truly a self-made man. He early learned the great lesson of self-dependence and by denying himself and carefully husbanding his resources as a young man, he now is enabled to live in ease and affluence. He was a good soldier and with equal fidelity has. he discharged his duties as head of a family and as an intelligent and progress- ive citizen. His life record is one of which his children may be proud and presents in a striking degree the possibilities under free institutions that are open to any boy educated in the public schools and willing to devote himself to that noblest undertaking in which any human being can engage-the develop- ment of an upright character.
R. A. LA MAR.
As superintendent of the Vermilion county farm, R. A. La Mar has gained the commendation of his fellow citizens, for his efforts in behalf of those who have come under his care during his incumbency in office have been of a charac- ter to awaken the public approval and regard. His birth occurred in this county on the 6th of May, 1863, his parents being James and Nancy (Read- nour) La Mar, both natives of Kentucky. They came with their parents to this county in 1852 and were here married. The father enlisted for service in the Civil war and was killed on the 27th of June, 1864, at the battle of Kenesaw. His widow still survives and makes her home in Terre Haute, Indiana, at the age of sixty-six years.
Their only child, R. A. La Mar, was but a year old when the father laid down his life on the altar of his country and was three years of age when he went to live with an uncle. He attended the common schools for a time and remained in his uncle's home until twelve years old, when he felt it was neces- sary for him to provide for his own livelihood. Thus early in life he crossed the threshold of the business world, earning his own living as a farm hand until seventeen years of age, and the years usually devoted by lads to the acquire- ment of an education were spent by him in hard work. In the meantime, how- ever, he had learned many lessons in the school of experience-lessons which taught him independence, self-reliance and integrity and well prepared him for more onerous and responsible duties to come.
When seventeen years of age Mr. La Mar left the farm and took up civil engineering and was busily and successfully engaged in that line of activity for about five years. His entire time and attention are now given, however, to the performance of his duties as superintendent of the Vermilion county farm, to which office he was elected in 1910. He is proving most competent in the
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