USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 49
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Mr. Abbott has been married twice. In Newark, New York, on the 4th of March, 1874, he wedded Miss Hannah Jane Bronk, who died at New Hartford, New York, in 1882, leaving three children. Minnie Ella, born in Oneida county. New York, October 18, 1878, is the wife of Walter S. Kennedy, a resident of Aberdeen, Washington; Nellie May, born at East Newark, New York, August 18, 1880, is the wife of Kenneth Yeoman, a resident of Rossville, Illinois, where he is employed as a freight conductor on the Chicago & Eastern Illi- nois Railroad; Alfred Willard, born in New Hartford, New York, May 8, 1882, is a resident of Barrington, Illinois, and is employed by the Chicago, North- western Railroad in the accounting department. He married Myrtle Comstock, a native of Barrington. The mother of these children died when her younger son was only three months old. On the 24th of March, 1883, in New Hart-
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ford, New York, Mr. Abbott wedded Miss Jessie R. Patterson, a native of that place, and they have one daughter, Elizabeth Mabel, who was born at Delhi, Ontario, October 13, 1886, and has recently graduated from the Champaign University.
Mr. Abbott votes with the republican party and takes an active interest in local affairs although not a politician. He holds membership in the Masonic fraternity, being connected with Star Lodge, No. 709 A. F. & A. M. He also belongs to the Woodmen Camp, No. 257, of Hoopeston, and to the Odd Fellows society, in which he has filled all of the chairs. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Presbyterian church. He served for two years as one of its trustees and then after an interval was again called to that office, which he has filled for three years. He is preeminently a business man, energetic, determined and progressive, and an alert, enterprising spirit has kept him in touch with all that pertains to the line of business in which he has so long en- gaged. The success which has come to him is well merited, being the fitting crown of his perseverance and his labors.
DAVID M. BYERLY.
David M. Byerly is one of the progressive and prosperous farmers of Cat- lin township, whose present success has come as the logical result of industry, energy and perseverance and is due entirely to his own well directed efforts. A native of Indiana, he was born in Putnam county on the 4th of November, 1852, a son of K. F. and Rebecca Byerly. No event of special importance came to vary the routine of life for him during the period of his boyhood and youth, which was spent in the home of his parents. The winter months were devoted to acquiring an education in the common schools, while during the summer va- cations he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. At first his tasks were light but as the years passed and he gained in strength and expe- rience, he assumed larger and more responsible duties, becoming familiar with all the various branches of agriculture.
Mr. Byerly remained upon the homestead until twenty-seven years of age when, desiring to engage independently in business, he rented a farm which he operated for about eight years. At the expiration of that period he felt that the capital which he had been able to accumulate through constant exer- tion and strict economy was sufficient to warrant his purchasing a farm, and he consequently became the owner of a tract of eighty acres on section 15, Cat- lin township, taking up his abode thereupon. Later he added forty acres to his original purchase and his farm today comprises one hundred and twenty acres of rich and valuable land which, by wise management, has been brought under a high state of cultivation. Many of the improvements upon the place are the result of his thrift and industry, and everything about the farm indi- cates that he has kept in close touch with the modern spirit of progress which is now manifest in agricultural circles. He practices rotation of crops, culti- vates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and uses modern machinery
MR. AND MRS. DAVID M. BYERLY
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to facilitate farm labor, and the results which he has attained have been most gratifying. In connection with his general farming he engages to some extent in the raising and feeding of stock, and this branch of his business, also carefully managed, is proving both successful and remunerative.
On the 22d of February, 1880, Mr. Byerly was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Goff, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Gardner) Goff, of that state. Their family consisted of eleven children, of whom eight are still living, this number including Mrs. Byerly. Mr. and Mrs. Byerly have no children of their own but have adopted a boy, Theodore By- erly, who was born on the 22d of November, 1903, and are bestowing upon him all the advantages and comforts of a good home.
They hold membership in the Christian church of Catlin, and in their daily lives exemplify the teachings of that denomination. They are earnest, Christian people, whose many excellent traits of character have won for them the high regard and esteem of all with whom they come in contact, and since their resi- dence in Catlin township have acquired a large circle of warm friends. The principles of the republican party have ever found in Mr. Byerly a stanch sup- porter, although the honors and emoluments of office have never proved an at- traction. He prefers rather to concentrate his energies upon the conduct of his personal affairs, in which he has been most successful, and much credit is due him for the position which he has attained among the substantial and rep- resentative agriculturists of Catlin township.
WILLIAM F. BAUM.
William F. Baum needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for he has long been one of Danville's prominent citizens, having been known for many years as a leading druggist. Moreover, the high and upright principles of his life have commended him to the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact. He was born on the 5th of February, 1848, in Covington, Indiana, his parents being Abner and Louisa (Hull) Baum, both natives of Ohio. As the name indicates, the family is of German origin and the first representative in America was John Baum, the great-grandfather of our subject. The grandfather was Jonas Baum, who fought for American independence during the Revolutionary war and died at the age of seventy-five years. During his active business life the father followed farming, but spent his last days in retirement in Nebraska. At the age of six years he accompanied his parents on their removal from Fayette county, Ohio, to Covington, Indiana, where he was reared upon a farm amid pioneer surroundings. He witnessed the building of the canal there and saw many other improvements made that led to the substantial development and progress of the city. In his family were the following children, namely: William F. of this review; O. S., a minister of the Presbyterian church, now located in Colorado; James A., who is engaged in the drug business in Lee, Nebraska; Emma, the wife of Frank Scott, a druggist of Rising City, Nebraska, and two who are deceased.
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William F. Baum obtained a good practical education during his boyhood and youth and later successfully engaged in teaching school for a time, but believing that he could better his financial condition by embarking in some other business, in 1870 he accepted a position in a drug store at Covington, In- diana, where for the first year he received only fifteen dollars per month. The following year his wages were raised to thirty dollars per month and the third year he received forty dollars. The firm then established a branch store at Marshfield, that state, and made Mr. Baum its manager. A year later he pur- chased the store and subsequently opened another at Gibson City, Illinois. On the Ist of November, 1874, he came to Danville and embarked in the drug business here, bringing his stock with him from Gibson City. His Marshfield store he had previously sold and on coming to Vermilion county he first located near the Aetna House in Danville where he carried on business for four years. He next conducted a store on the public square until 1889, when he removed to No. 41 North Vermilion street, opening one of the most modern and up-to- date establishments of the kind in this section of the west. He has now for forty years been identified with the drug business and is today the oldest drug- gist in Danville. As time has passed he has steadily prospered and is today one of the most successful men of the city, owning a large amount of real estate. In 1882 he built the Baum block at the corner of East Main and Jackson streets, which at that time many considered a great mistake, believing it to be a bad location. But Mr. Baum's judgment in this respect proved sound and it has developed into one of the leading business centers of the city. In 1907 he be- gan the erection of a magnificent building seven stories in height, which was completed in April, 1908. It is the highest building in the city and one of the best appointed and most handsome structures in this section of the state. Here he is now conducting a finely equipped drug store on the ground floor, it be- ing up-to-date in every respect and supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories.
Mr. Baum was married on the 10th of September, 1874, to Miss Louisa A. Johnson, whose birth occurred in New Marshfield, Warren county, Indiana, in November, 1851. She completed her education in St. Mary's Seminary, Terre Haute, Indiana. Her parents were Henry and Amanda (Davis) Johnson, pioneer settlers of Warren county. After a happy married life of over thirty years she passed away on the 21st of March, 1905, leaving her husband and one son to mourn her loss. The latter is Clarence H. Baum, who was born September 6, 1875, in Danville and after completing the high-school course here, entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1894, completing the course in pharmacy and chemistry by graduation in 1896. Two years later the degree of Bachelor of Science was conferred upon him and in July, 1900, he started on a trip around the world, visiting every country of any importance, and had many interesting experiences.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Baum has affiliated with the republican party and has taken a very active and influential part in local politics, serving as a member of the city council for four years, from 1904 to 1908. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church and is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, also belonging to the Vermilion county and Illinois Pharmaceutical
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Associations. He served for one year as vice president and also as treasurer for the same length of time for the state association and has been a delegate to the National Association of Retail Druggists a number of times. As a busi- ness man he has always kept in touch with the trend of modern progress and through well defined lines of management has contributed in no small degree to the commercial development of the city. He is a man of sterling and force- ful personality, his mental vision is clear, and he readily recognizes the possi- bilities of any situation whether of a public or private character. Moreover, his position is never an equivocal one, for he stands as a stalwart champion of whatever he believes to be right. In his business career he has made steady progress, but is no less esteemed for the traits he displays in the relations of social life and of citizenship.
ISAAC NEWTON HEATON.
Isaac Newton Heaton, well known as a prosperous farmer of Grant town- ship, Vermilion county, who has been identified with the agricultural interests of the region since his boyhood, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, Septem- ber 6, 1851. He comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry and is the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Deviny) Heaton. His father was born in Coshocton county in 1824. He grew up as a farmer and, desiring to improve his condition, came to Vermilion county in 1865, bringing with him his wife and three children. He purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, which he increased until he became the owner of a well improved farm provided with modern dwell- ings and appliances and embracing two hundred acres. He was called away in 1891, his death being deeply mourned by the community. He was for many years a useful citizen and an active worker in the Christian church. His faith- ful companion was a daughter of Samuel Deviny, of Pennsylvania, and she became the mother of three children.
Isaac Newton Heaton was educated in the district schools, after which he pursued the higher branches under the favorable auspices of the Rossville high school. He has from his earliest recollection been connected with farming, remaining with his father until twenty-seven years of age and working in- dustriously on the home farm, as he has always believed in doing the work at hand cheerfully and well. After beginning operations independently. he made rapid progress and is now the owner of sixteen hundred and seventy-five acres of land and is one of the substantial farmers of Vermilion county. He is also a stockholder in the Hoopeston National Bank, the Farmers Grain Company of Heaton, and the Carlyle Canning Company, of Carlyle, Arkansas. By his business ability and good judgment in all undertakings, Mr. Heaton has gained a high standing and his advice is often sought in business affairs by friends and acquaintances who are desirous of proceeding along well approved lines.
In 1900 Mr. Heaton was happily united in marriage to Miss Olive Good- wine, a daughter of Abner Goodwine, who for many years was one of the
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largest landowners in Warren county, Indiana, and was known as a man of unusual personal worth. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Heaton : Newton Bland, Edna E, and Raymond Lester.
Mr. Heaton is an active worker in the Christian church and has for some time occupied the responsible position of deacon. He was one of the liberal contributors toward the new church building at Heaton and is identified with the republican party, although he has devoted his attention to his business in- terests rather than to politics. He is recognized as one of the most prominent men in the Antioch settlement-an honor which he has earned by many years of rightly directed effort.
RALPH J. PARK.
There is no limit to business opportunities and the man who will cultivate a spirit of determination and will employ energy and intelligence to the work that falls to his lot can without fail secure advancement and ultimately win success. This statement finds proof in the life of Ralph J. Park, now at the head of ex- tensive laundry interests in this part of the state, in which line he has operated since organizing a steam laundry at Hoopeston in 1899. He was born in Jeffer- son county, Indiana, April 26, 1873, and following the removal of the family to Hoopeston, pursued his education in the schools of this city, completing two years' work in the high school. After putting aside his text-books he worked with his father and when he had attained his majority started out to learn the machinist's trade, which he followed for about twenty-seven months. The knowledge that he acquired in that connection has been of marked value to him in the conduct of later interests.
In August, 1899, he joined Kenneth Hooker in organizing and establishing a steam laundry, which, during the first three years of its existence was located three doors south of the postoffice. On account of a fire, however, a removal was made to the present location at No. 201 North Market street. The firm continued business for a short time, after which Mr. Park purchased his part- ner's interest and has since been sole owner of the only steam laundry in Hoopeston. He also does business at many points outside of Hoopeston, hav- ing no less than eight agencies established in neighboring towns and employ- ing on an average ten people, in the conduct of a business which has constantly grown in volume since its inception. The plant is equipped in the most mod- ern manner and the work is done thoroughly and carefully. Mr. Park has ever recognized the fact that satisfied customers are the best advertisement and moreover, his business integrity prompts him to give a service that is adequate to the highest demands and needs of the business.
In Hoopeston, on June 7, 1900, Mr. Park was married to Miss Georgia Hooker, a daughter of David M. Hooker, and a representative of one of the old and well known families of the county. They now have two children: Graham E., born in Hoopeston, September 17, 1904; and Helen F., born October 19, 1905.
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The parents are members of the United Presbyterian church and are well known in Hoopeston, where they gained many friends. Mr. Park be- longs to the Modern Woodmen camp and his political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party. His success is the direct outcome of earnest labor and capable management and his life work proves what an be accomplished by the possession and exercise of those qualities.
J. P. TUBBS.
J. P. Tubbs, proprietor of a meat market at Rossville, was born in Francis- ville, Indiana, September 22, 1855, his parents being Daniel and Elizabeth (Van Gundy) Tubbs. The father died when only thirty-three years of age and was laid to rest in Fountain county, Indiana. His widow married the second time and died in 1868.
Reared upon the home farm in Fountain county, Indiana, J. P. Tubbs pur- sued his education in the country schools and so became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. The periods of vaca- tion were devoted to work in the fields and he was early trained to habits of in- dustry, economy and integrity. He has been engaged in the meat business in Rossville for many years and conducts a well appointed market, while his treat- ment of his patrons and his reasonable prices have secured him a good patronage.
In 1877 Mr. Tubbs was united in marriage to Miss Florence Redden, a daughter of John and Cassie (Anderson) Redden, the former now living, while the latter is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Tubbs have become the parents of three children but lost their first born, Lona. Arthur married Miss Fannie Smith and has one child, Gealia, four years of age. Motive the youngest of the family, is at home.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Tubbs is a Woodman and also belongs to the Tribe of Ben Hur. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Christian church. Both he and his wife are well known in Rossville and have many warm friends whose high regard they have gained by reason of their ster- ling worth.
HON. E. R. E. KIMBROUGH.
Hon. E. R. E. Kimbrough, judge of the Fifth circuit court, is one of the most distinguished jurists of this section of the state and is a man prominent in both professional and business circles. For over a third of a century he has been engaged in the practice of law in Danville and his practice has always been of an extensive and important character. He is recognized as a man of evenly balanced mind and of splendid intellectual attainments, and he is thoroughly alive to the vital questions and interests of the day, while his sound judgment is manifest in his clear and logical opinions concerning points of law
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and questions of business expediency or matters which touch the general in- terests of society.
A native of Illinois, Judge Kimbrough was born near Paris in Edgar county on the 28th of March, 1851, his parents being Andrew Hansford and Sarah (Ashmore) Kimbrough, the former a native of Hardin county, Kentucky, and the latter of Clark county, Illinois. On the paternal side he is of Scotch descent, though his ancestors came to this country nearly three hundred years ago and first settled in Virginia. Some of them participated in Bacon's Rebellion, in- cluding Thomas Hansford, who was executed for his participation in that struggle in 1676. Fisk in his book speaks of him as being the first martyr to American liberty. It was for this gentleman that our subject's father was named. The Judge's grandfather, Goldman Kimbrough, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Richard Calvin Kimbrough was the first and only repre- sentative of the family to come to Illinois, he having removed to this state from the south on account of his opposition to slavery. He taught the first school in Edgar county, where he settled on his removal from North Carolina to this state in 1825. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was twice wounded, once at Horseshoe Bend and later at New Orleans.
Dr. Andrew H. Kimbrough, the father of our subject, was a physician by profession and a graduate of Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, com- pleting the course there about 1857. He accompanied his parents on their removal to this state and after receiving his degree began practice in Paris but the following year located in Georgetown, Illinois, where he remained until 1873, which year witnessed his arrival in Danville. Here he made his home until his death, in 1903. He was prominent in his profession and was known throughout this entire section of the state. Prior to his death he was stricken with paralysis while at work in his office and he was helpless during many of his later years. He was a powerful man physically and was in his eighty- second year when called to his final rest. His wife died August 4, 1904, in her eighty-fifth year. She became a resident of Georgetown, Vermilion county, in 1858, and in 1873 located in Danville, where she continued to make her home until her death. To the Doctor and his wife were born three children, namely : Laura, Dill and E. R. E.
The Judge's mother could relate many interesting incidents of pioneer life in this section of the state and well remembered on her seventh birthday that her father attended a sale of lots in Danville, this being April 10, 1827. At the time the property on which the Daniel building now stands was sold for twenty-five dollars and the first schoolhouse in the county stood on that site. This building was first used as a school and afterward as a place for storing venison, but was set on fire and burned by some one in order to get the meat it contained. William H. Price, one of the pioneers of Pilot township, who died recently, told Judge Kimbrough that the first work he ever did was to keep the deer and wild turkeys out of the clearing where corn had been planted on the site of what is now the residences of the Judge and Captain Winter. He said he had a horn which he would blow to scare them away, but deer and wild turkeys were so numerous that they paid no attention to him and in order
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to frighten them more he beat his horn against a tree, thus breaking it, for which he caught a good "tanning."
The early education which Judge Kimbrough acquired, in the public schools, was supplemented by a course of study at the Illinois State Normal School at Normal, where he was graduated in 1873. He was then employed as superin- tendent of the Golconda school for one year, accepting that position in order to earn a little spending money while he was studying law. At the end of that time he entered the law office of Hon. Elias S. Terry of Danville and pursued his studies under the direction of the latter until admitted to the bar on the 8th of January, 1876. He then opened an office in the First National Bank Building in this city and was engaged in practice under the firm name of Lind- sey & Kimbrough until December, 1882, his partner being W. D. Lindsey. After severing that connection he was alone in practice for some years and next formed a partnership with James A. Meeks in July, 1893. He continued a member of that firm until his elevation to the bench in 1903 and so capably did he fill the position that he was reelected in 1909, his present term expiring in June, 1915. At both elections he received the highest majority of any man running on either ticket, although the district is strongly republican, Vermilion county having a republican majority of about six thousand, but the judge received over five hundred votes more than his opponent, being high man in the dis- trict and third in the county. At the second election he received a majority of fifteen hundred and forty-seven, which was the largest received by any man, either in the district or county. Upon the bench he has given the utmost satis- faction, his rulings being fair and impartial, and his excellent knowledge of the law makes his decisions worthy of note, so that he has been called upon to try more cases than any other judge in this part of the state.
He has not confined his attention wholly to his professional duties but has become largely interested in business enterprises of magnitude and is now serving as vice president of the First National Bank, as a director of the Dan- ville Building Association and the Home Building Association. He is also connected with the Emery Dry Goods Company and was formerly identified with the Electric Light & Gas Company. He is one of the owners of the Tem- ple building and was a member of the firm that erected the Danville building.
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