USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 42
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dency of Greer College, which position he filled until the summer of 1900. In all of his educational work he held to high standards and his labors were most effective in promoting the interest of the schools with which he was connected.
Thinking, however, to find a more congenial and profitable field in the practice of law, he took up a course of study which he deemed essential to progress in that field, spending four years in the State University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in the literary department and in the study of political economy and law. He then returned to Hoopeston in June, 1904, and has since con- tinued in the general practice of law, which he finds much more to his liking than school teaching, and in which he is making substantial advancement. His devotion to his client's interests is proverbial, yet he never forgets that he owes a higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. He served as city attorney of Hoopeston from 1905 until 1907 and he is a member of the County Bar Asso- ciation.
On the 16th of July, 1892, Mr. McClure was married at Ovid, Michigan, to Miss Mina Squires, a daughter of Uri Squires, and a native of Michigan. They have one child, Anna Eliza, born at Ann Arbor, July 12, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. McClure hold membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. McClure belongs to the Masonic lodge, in which he served as secretary for one term. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and at times he has been an active worker in its ranks. He has won high regard dur- ing his residence in Hoopeston and has a circle of friends which is constantly increasing.
ANDREW WOOD.
Although more than a third of a century has passed since Andrew Wood was called to his final rest, he is still remembered by many of Vermilion county's older residents as one of its most substantial and respected agriculturists. He won a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his farming interests and at the time of his death owned five hundred acres of valuable land here. His birth occurred in Ohio on the 9th of December, 1824, his parents being Henry and Nancy (Hoover) Wood. Their children were sixteen in number, three of whom still survive, namely: Susan, Ellen and Owen.
Andrew Wood came to Vermilion county in 1827, taking up his abode among the pioneer settlers here. He located on the farm which is now in posses- sion of his widow and as the years passed by brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and improvement, annually gathering rich crops. In con- nection with the tilling of the soil he also made a specialty of raising stock, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income. At the time of his death, which occurred on the 8th of January, 1875, he owned five hundred acres of rich and productive land.
Mrs. Wood was married twice. By his first wife, who bore the maiden name of Cynthia A. Wolf, he had two sons: Leonard H., who is married and lives in St. Joseph, Illinois; and John C., who is married and makes his home
MR. AND MRS. ANDREW WOOD
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at Kankakee, Illinois. On the 27th of February, 1853, Mr. Wood was again married, his second union being with Miss Sarah White, a native of Blount township. Her parents reared a family of eleven children, five of whom are yet living, as follows : Rachel, Mrs. Wood, Harriet, Jane and Elizabeth. By his second wife Mr. Wood had the following children: Anna R., the deceased wife of John Franklin, of Oregon; Emma B., the deceased wife of Alfred Holliway ; Casper W .; Ethan A., who is married and lives in Blount township; Rosina M., the wife of George Lane, of Missouri; and Nancy N. and Andrew P., both of whom are at home with their mother. Mrs. Wood has also reared the child of a daughter, Walter Franklin, whose natal day was October 25, 1892, and who lives with our subject.
Politically Mr. Wood was a stanch republican but never sought nor desired office. His widow still resides on the old homestead farm in Blount township and retains one hundred and eighty acres thereof, the remainder having been divided among her children. She is a devoted and consistent member of the Christian church and her many good traits of heart and mind have endeared her to all with whom she has come in contact.
J. W. YOUNG.
J. W. Young, as a member of the firm of Young & Wood, is engaged in the grain and live-stock business at Bismarck, where they own a large and thoroughly modern elevator. He was born in this town, February 17, 1875, his parents being Noah and Mary (Cunningham) Young, both of whom are natives of Newell township, Vermilion county, and now make their home in Bismarck.
J. W. Young remained under the parental roof through the period of his minority and acquired his education in the public schools and also in the State Normal School, which he attended for three years. At the age of eighteen years he began teaching, following that profession through the winter months, while in the summer seasons he worked for his father. He taught altogether for eight years, when, thinking that broader and more remunerative opportunities were offered in other directions, he turned his attention to the grain and live-stock business at Bismarck and has continued in that field. In this undertaking he is associated with R. L. Wood, under the firm name of Young & Wood, and they have the most up-to-date elevator in the county. Situated in the midst of a splendid grain producing region, they now handle over three hundred thou- sand bushels annually, and also conduct an extensive and profitable business in live stock, buying all kinds of cattle, hogs and horses. They are the largest stock buyers in the county, their business having reached extensive propor- tions. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Young is connected with the Farm- ers & Merchants Bank of Bismarck, nor has he retired altogether from agricul- tural interests, for he still manages and carries on a farm of over four hun- dred acres of rich and valuable land adjoining the town.
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On the 10th of May, 1900, Mr. Young was married to Miss Clara Grace Gundy, who was born in Newell township, and is a daughter of F. M. and Mary (Smith) Gundy. Mrs. Young pursued her education in Knox College at Gales- burg, Illinois. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children: Beatrice M., born March 17, 1903; Francis J., born November 26, 1906; and Grace Catherine, December 6, 1908. Both Mr. and Mrs. Young are faithful members and earnest workers in the Christian church, being always interested in its welfare and growth.
Mr. Young is prominent in Masonry, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. The craft recognizes in him an exemplary member and one who is most loyal to its teachings. His wife in connected with the ladies' aux- iliary, the Eastern Star, and is one of its helpful and interested members. Mr. Young also holds membership in the Modern Woodmen camp of Bismarck, in which he has filled all of the chairs. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and while he has never sought nor desired political office, he has served as school treasurer for six years. He cooperates in all movements for the material, intellectual and moral progress of the community and is recog- nized as one of the foremost business men of the county, his extensive and well managed interests placing him in a prominent position in trade circles.
GEORGE M. WILSON.
George M. Wilson is a prosperous farmer of Middlefork township, who owns a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 16, and has been a resident of the township for ten years and of the county forty-eight years, during which time he has made many friends here. He is a native of Pick- away county, Ohio, where he was born August 18, 1854, and is the son of John H. and Bolivia H. (McClary) Wilson, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio, where she was born September 22, 1827. The father was born in 1802 and lived in his native state a great part of his life, but in 1835, like many other southerners who were dissatisfied with the institution of slavery, he removed to Ohio, and in 1862 he came to Vermilion county, Illinois. Here he bought a farm upon which he lived until his death in 1877. Mrs. Wilson survived her husband many years and was called to her final rest in February, 1905, at the age of seventy-eight years. Five children were born to them: Re- becca, the wife of Lankford Wiles, of Jasper county, Illinois; George M., the subject of this review; Andrew D., a resident of Spokane, Washington; Fred- erick C. and Otis L., both of this county.
George M. Wilson came to Vermilion county with his parents when he was eight years of age. He was educated in the district schools and reared upon the farm where he continued until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he purchased a farm in Blount township, paying twenty dollars an acre. After improving and cultivating the same for four years, he sold the place and pur- chased another which he developed for five years. By industry and persever- ance he increased the value of this farm so that upon disposing of it he was
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able to purchase one hundred acres in Ross township, where he lived for nine years. Once more he sold out and purchased one hundred and sixty acres on sec- tion 16, Middlefork township, to which he has added a tract of eighty acres, mak- ing a fine and valuable property. A commodious residence and ample barns and outbuildings indicate that Mr. Wilson has up-to-date ideas as to the comforts and conveniences which may be enjoyed by the farmer. He has not confined his activities to agriculture entirely, but has paid considerable attention to the raising of live stock, and in this as in all departments of the farm he has shown a judgment and skill that have steadily increased the annual income of the place and added to its value.
In 1881 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Smith, who is a native of this county, born December 17, 1852. She is a daughter of George G. and Eliza (Fairchild) Smith, her father being a native of Ohio and her mother of Vermilion county. Both of the parents are now living in Blount township. Three children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson : Everett W., a farmer of Vermilion county; Homer H., also engaged in farming in this county ; and Annie E., living with her parents at home. All three attended Potomac high school.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Potomac, and he is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, and has filled several offices in that organization. In the various responsibilities as head of the family and as a citizen Mr. Wilson has discharged his obligations so as to merit and receive the respect of all who know him.
LEMUEL BAXLEY RUSSELL, M. D.
Lemuel Baxley Russell, physician and surgeon, who since 1896 has practiced continuously and ably in Hoopeston, was born December 31, 1868, in Iroquois county, Illinois, and is a son of L. B. Russell, Sr. Spending his youthful days in his parents' home, Dr. Russell pursued his education in the public schools, also at Goodwine, Illinois, and in Grand Prairie Seminary at Onarga, from which he was graduated with the class of 1891, when twenty-two years of age. Following his graduation he carried out his plans of becoming a member of the medical profession by entering Rush Medical College, of Chicago, completing the latter course with the class of 1894. He then practiced for a year at Pine Village, Indiana, and promoted his efficiency by several months' study in the Post Graduate College of Chicago.
Dr. Russell located at Hoopeston on the Ist of January, 1896, for general practice, and has since remained, becoming recognized as one of the ablest, most efficient and most conscientious members of the profession in this city, while reading and research keep him in touch with the advancement of the times and he is recognized as one who is most careful in the diagnosis of a case and whose application of scientific principles is judiciously applied. As a member of the board of health, the Doctor recently has been instrumental in discovering the source of infection that has been causing almost an epidemic of typhoid
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fever in Hoopeston, which will, in all probability, prevent the spread of the disease. Aside from his practice he has extensive landed interests in Iroquois county, Illinois, and Hamilton county, Indiana, controlling about six hundred and sixty acres. In the management of his farming interests he displays good business discernment and his interests are so controlled that a most gratifying annual return is secured.
Dr. Russell was married in Hoopeston on the 30th of July, 1902, to Miss Irma St. Clair Wallace. Her parents were among the oldest residents of this city, where Mr. Wallace was for many years editor of the Chronicle, and one of the most prominent and respected business men of the town. Dr. and Mrs. Russell now have two children: Elizabeth Webb, born in Hoopeston, June 4, 1904 ; and Irma, born May 20, 1907. Mrs. Russell is a member of the Universal- ist church.
The Doctor's political allegiance is given to the democracy and at times he has taken an active part in its support but without ambition for office. The only public position he has ever held has been in the strict path of his profession-a mem- ber of the board of health of Hoopeston for a number of years. He is a Royal Arch Mason and is a past master of the blue lodge. He belongs to the Com- mercial Club and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of his adopted city, cooperating in the projects of the Commercial Club for its upbuilding and in all the movements which are put forth for its welfare. In strictly professional lines, he is connected with the Hoopeston Medical Society, the Vermilion County Medical Society, the State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and was honored by election as the first president of the Hoopeston Society, a fact which indicates his standing among his brethren of the profession in this city. He has throughout his life made wise use of his time and talents ; and his ability, natural and acquired, has placed him in a leading position among the physicians of eastern Illinois.
A. E. MILEMORE.
The steps of progress are noted quite as much in agricultural lines today as in other fields of business activity, and prominent among those farmers of Ver- milion county who are carrying on their agricultural pursuits according to modern and up-to-date methods is A. E. Milemore. Born across the waters, his birth occurred in England on the 15th of March, 1849, his parents being James and Ann (Kitchner) Milemore, both natives of that country. They came to America in 1852, first locating in Danville, Illinois, and for a time the father operated a rented farm in Catlin township. Later, however, he purchased the old home- stead of one hundred acres upon which their only son, the subject of this re- view, now makes his home. The parents are now dead, the mother passing away in March, 1878, while the father survived her only six months. They were laid to rest in the Danville cemetery.
A. E. Milemore was a little lad of three years when he made the long voy- age across the Atlantic in company with his parents. Consequently the greater
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part of his childhood was passed in this country, and in the schools of Illinois he acquired his education. Reared to farm work, he was early trained to habits of industry, economy and integrity, and these qualities have proven salient elements throughout his entire business career. He remained under the parental roof until 1872, in which year he laid the foundation for a happy home life of his own by his marriage to Miss Mary Swindall, a native of Kentucky. She was one of three children born unto Jacob and Eliza Swindall, both now deceased.
After his marriage Mr. Milemore located upon a rented farm, which he continued to operate for about two years, or until the death of his father, when he came into possession of the old homestead and upon which he has since con- tinued to reside. He has devoted his entire time and attention to its further development and improvement, and that his efforts were effective forces in the acquirement of substantial results is indicated by the fact that his place is now one of the well improved and valuable properties in the locality. He has con- ducted his affairs according to modern and up-to-date methods, has been care- ful and systematic in the management of his interests, and today is numbered among the successful and progressive farmers of Catlin township.
With the passing of the years, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Milemore was blessed with four children, as follows: Anna, who was killed by a horse when twenty-two years of age; Charles, also deceased; Homer, who was graduated from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and is now a practicing attorney of Danville; and Laura, a graduate of the Hazel Grove School, who has for four years been engaged in teaching at Oak Lawn.
Mr. and Mrs. Milemore are active and faithful members of the Congregational church at Catlin, while in his political belief Mr. Milemore is a republican. The honors and emoluments of office hold no attraction for him, however, for he has preferred to concentrate his time and energies upon the conduct of his priv- ate business affairs which, carefully managed, have brought him a most sub- stantial degree of prosperity. He early learned the lesson that success must be purchased at the price of earnest, well defined labor, and as the years have gone by his record has been one of indefatigable effort and close application to business.
JOHN UNGER.
John Unger, for thirty years past a farmer of the state of Illinois and now the owner of a valuable place of four hundred and eighty acres near Hoopeston, Vermilion county, which he acquired mainly through his own perseverance and industry, was born near Milford, Iroquois county, Illinois, November 18, 1855. He is a son of Samuel and Margaret (Metz) Unger, the former a na- tive of Morgan county, Virginia, now West Virginia, where he was born July 26, 1829. The father came to Iroquois county, February I, 1854, and on Feb- ' ruary 22, 1855, he was married. His faithful companion departed this life at Hoopeston, April 8, 1901. Six years earlier, on April 8, 1895, the father of the family was called to his reward. Mrs. Unger was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent and was a woman of many noble characteristics. The great-great-
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grandfather of our subject emigrated from Germany in the latter part of the seventeenth century and the grandfather was not able to speak English until he was fifteen years of age.
John Unger was reared on the farm, where his father conducted agricul- tural and stock-raising operations upon a flourishing scale, and was educated in the common schools. From his earliest recollection he has been interested in farming. He assisted his father until 1877, then beginning for himself upon rented land northeast of Milford. After acquiring some practical experience and a moderate amount of capital his father gave him forty acres of land which it was necessary to drain by means of a ditch before it was capable of cultivation. In 1887 he purchased forty acres more adjoining his farm although at the same time he continued operating rented land in the neighborhood. In 1888 he disposed of his landed interests and invested in one hundred and sixty acres in the southern part of Iroquois county, four miles northeast of Hoopeston. Here for the first time he lived in his own house, but he sold this farm in 1894 and purchased one hundred and sixty acres six miles southwest of Hoopeston, where he now lives. In 1901 he bought eighty acres adjoining and has since acquired other land so that at present he is the owner of a farm covering three- quarters of a section, which is worth from one hundred and twenty-five to one hundred and seventy-five dollars per acre, and he is known as one of the most flourishing farmers in this part of the county.
On December 24, 1879, Mr. Unger was united in marriage to Miss Eliza E. Hickman, at her country home near Sheldon, Iroquois county. Of this union one child, Inez, was born December 9, 1880, the mother being called away Sep- tember 9, 1881, leaving a daughter nine months old. On August 20, 1885, Mr. Unger was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Abigail Peters, whose parents were living near Milford. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Unger has been blessed by eight children: George E., born June 30, 1886; an infant, born October 9, 1889, who died October 15, 1889; Maudie Ann, born April 8, 1891; Samuel O., who was born March 27, 1893 and died November 22, 1893; John W., who was born February 25, 1895, and died February 20, 1906; Lovey Elma, born September 9, 1896; Parker Gerald and Sheridan Harold, twins, born October 3, 1902. Inez C. is now the wife of George H. Umbanhowar, a farmer of Grant township, and George E. was married to Eva L. Gladding and is engaged in farming in Grant township.
Mr. Unger has been identified with the republican party ever since he cast his first ballot, but he has never been ambitious to fill public office although, since April 14, 1899, he has served to the general satisfaction of the people as school director in his district, his present term expiring in April, 1911. He is a member of the Detective Association, No. 44, of Hoopeston,-otherwise known as the Horse Company. In his religious belief Mr. Unger is an earnest Protest- tant. At nineteen years of age he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and ever since that time has remained in full connection with the church and for many years has held the office of trustee. In the opinion of Mr. Unger pure, undefiled religion should stand before everything else in the world. He has always been an earnest worker for the cause of religion and he has made many sacrifices in advancing the interests of the church of his choice. From the
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time of starting out in life upon his own account the subject of our review has never made a practice of accumulating a fortune at the expense of others. His ambition from the start has been to retain his own self-respect and to be worthy of the respect of friends and neighbors, and at the same time to make his family comfortable. He has often put the welfare of others before his own and he still maintains this position. The golden rule, "Do unto others as you would that others should do unto you," has been the standard of his life and in arriv- ing at a settlement of differences between himself and others, his aim has been to put himself in the other man's place before giving a final decision. He is a man who shakes hands with his neighbors when he meets them and is con- sidered a man of good judgment, as many come to him for advice. During the course of his entire life he has never engaged in a lawsuit and he is a firm be- liever in obedience to the divine law as set down in the New Testament and also in obedience to the laws of the country. He believes that the statutes of the American republic are among the best to be found in the world and that they will continue to be improved as long as the republic stands. He also be- lieves that an upright character is of vastly more worth than great wealth and in acquiring character such as is indicated, he has also attained success finan- cially in an unusual degree. Mr. Unger is a striking example of a man who has applied in his life the principles enunciated by the great Master and has found that they are entirely practical, leading not only to worldly fortune but to that condition described as "the peace that passeth understanding."
JESSE BUTZ.
Among the citizens of Vermilion county who attained an honorable place in the community through their acknowledged ability and personal worth may be named Jesse Butz, whose sudden death less than a year ago will ever call forth expressions of profound regret. He was a native of this county and here he lived for fifty years, by his example inspiring many others to the pursuit of ideals that seldom fail of beneficent results. He will be remembered as one of the most popular and successful farmers of his part of the county and as a man who always controlled by principles of brotherliness and a sincere desire to seek for nothing but what would redound to the advantage of all. He was born in Pilot township, September 30, 1859, and was a son of Samuel and Mary Butz, whose family history is mentioned in the sketch of Dr. J. E. P. Butz.
Having received his education in the common schools, Mr. Butz became con- nected with the Goldsmith Mercantile Company at Danville, where he continued for seven years and gained many practical ideas of business that were of great benefit to him in his after life. From early years he was attracted to agricultural pursuits and as soon as opportunity offered he devoted himself to farming in- terests, developing as years passed a remarkable talent in a line to which he was eminently adapted, and he became the owner of a farm of five hundred acres in Middlefork and Pilot townships, which was recognized as one of the best conducted and most productive farms of the county. On March 28, 1910,
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