USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 51
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Lawrence Lester Cundiff was reared under the parental roof, attending the common schools in pursuit of an education. During the periods of vaca- tion he worked at farm labor, thus early becoming familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In 1898 he embarked upon an independent
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career and during the past twelve years has been numbered among the success- ful and enterprising agriculturists of Sidell township. He now cultivates two hundred and eighty acres of the Cathcart estate with excellent results and is widely recognized as one of the best farmers in the community. In connection with the tilling of the soil he rasises shorthorn cattle and his labors along this line have also been rewarded with success.
On the 10th of January, 1899, Mr. Cundiff was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Boyd, of Sidell township, by whom he has two children, Vernon B. and Mildred A.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Cundiff has sup- ported the men and measures of the republican party. The cause of education has ever found in him a stanch champion and he has served on the school board, Fraternally he is identified with the Mystic Workers of the World. He is well known throughout the community and his many friends esteem him highly for his personal worth.
DANIEL OAKS.
Among the men now living in Vermilion county who fought for the Union in the Civil war may be named Daniel Oaks, who has resided for more than forty years on the farm he now owns, in Vance township. He came to Illinois with his parents in his boyhood and has been a witness of the great changes by which many obstacles have been conquered and the state has been made a. pleasant abiding place for several millions of prosperous and happy people. He was born in Seneca county, Ohio, August 27, 1842, a son of Michael Oaks, by his second wife, who died during the childhood of our subject, and his father was married a third time. On emigrating to Illinois late in the '40s, he first located in Clark county near the town of Marshall, where he lived ten or twelve years, and then came to Vance township, Vermilion county, and bought a farm of forty acres. After the death of his third wife he took up his residence with his son and continued with him until 1881, when he was called away at the age of seventy-five years.
Daniel Oaks was reared on the home farm and educated in the public schools. Soon after the opening of the Civil war he offered his services to the government and in 1862 was enrolled in Company C, Seventy-first Illinois Regi- ment, in response to a call for one hundred day men. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he returned home and in January, 1864, enlisted in Com- pany F, Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry, serving until the close of the war and participating in many important engagements, among which were the battles of Scottsboro, Snake Creek Gap, Atlanta, Bentonville, Big Shanty, Burnt Hick- ory, Dallas, Davis Mill, Ezra Church, Goldsboro, Kingston, Kenesaw Mountain, Lovejoy Station, Little Salkahatchie, Lumpkins Mill and Nickajack. He parti- cipated in Sherman's march to the sea, being a member of the Fifteenth Army Corps, under command of General John A. Logan. At the battle of Atlanta, July 28, 1864, Mr. Oaks received a flesh wound which, however, did not prove
DANIEL OAKS
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serious and he soon recovered from the injury. He was a brave and vigilant soldier and was honorably discharged from the army in September, 1865, after having passed through many thrilling experiences which made a never-to-be- forgotten impression upon his life. Returning to Vermilion county and laying aside the uniform and accouterment of war, he resumed the occupations of peace and after renting a farm for two years, he purchased the homestead which he has since occupied and now owns a highly improved farm of one hun- dred and ten acres, which is provided with a comfortable residence, a commodious barn, good fences, and all the equipments of the up-to-date farming establishment.
In 1869 Mr. Oaks was united in marriage to Miss Melissa Morrison, of Vance township, and of this union four children were born, two of whom are living: Eva, the wife of Charles Hazelton, a farmer of Vance township; and Charles, of Homer, Illinois. Mrs. Oaks was called to her final rest about 1879 and on July 26, 1881, Mr. Oaks was married to Miss Margaret Hickman, of Vance township. She is a daughter of Maranda and Elizabeth Hickman, who came to Vermilion county in 1865 from Harrison county, Virginia. Our sub- ject and his wife have one child, William, now an employe of the Pullman Company of Chicago.
Mrs. Oaks holds membership in the Cumberland Presbyterian church and is one of the active supporters of that denomination. Mr. Oaks has been for many years a stanch advocate of the republican party but he has never aspired to official honors. He is a worthy member of Homer Post, No. 263, Grand Army of the Republic, and at the gatherings of his gray-haired comrades he again renews the associations of long years ago when great armies met on many a battlefield to decide the fate of the nation. He recognizes that the greatest honor of his life was his service under the stars and stripes. Mr. Oaks is respected as a patriotic and self-sacrificing citizen and as an energetic and cap- able man of business who has always contributed to the extent of his ability to the upbuilding of the region with which he has been identified during the greater part of his active career.
ISAAC SANDUSKY.
Ten years after the admission of the state into the Union Isaac Sandusky established his home in Vermilion county, Illinois. It is difficult for one at the present time to imagine the conditions of things which then existed. The state which today has more railroads than any other state in the Union, was then largely unsettled. All traveling was done by stage or private conveyance and comparatively few roads had been laid out. In the greater part of the state the timber was yet uncut and the prairies were uncultivated. In sum- mer they were studded with millions of wild flowers and in winter transformed into a dazzling and unbroken sheet of snow. Wild animals were frequently seen and wild game was to be had in abundance. It was into such a district that Isaac Sandusky made his way in 1828, taking up a claim on section 9, Catlin township. He had previously been a resident of Kentucky and at the
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outbreak of the second war with England had joined the American forces and had been taken prisoner at the time of Hull's surrender at Detroit. Managing to make his escape from his captors, he quietly started southward for Kentucky and while en route traveled through this region. He was pleased with the beauty and natural advantages of the country and, standing on a mound that is now within the limits of Catlin village, he looked abroad over the surround- ing districts and resolved that he would one day own a farm on that beautiful prairie. He had visions of a place of eighty acres, or at least of forty, and he never relinquished his desire to come to this district, although a number of years passed before his wish met fulfillment.
In 1828, however, Mr. Sandusky found opportunity to carry out the de- cision which he had formed fourteen years before. Traveling northward to Vermilion county, he located first at Brookpoint. He was a man of energy and thrift, made good use of all of his opportunities and was soon the owner of an excellent farm. It was his ambition, however, to acquire enough land to enable him to give homes to each of his seven children. He then left his son James on section 9, Catlin township, and went himself to the mound at Catlin. In connection with his sons, Harvey and Josiah, he purchased nearly all of the land around Brookpoint. At one time it became a question as to whether he or Henry Jones should own the township. As he prospered in his undertaking he added to his property and became the owner of much valuable land. As the years passed on he took an active and helpful part in the work of general development, especially along agricultural lines. He cooperated in every move- ment for the public good and when it became necessary to fight the red men who were living in this section of the state, he again participated in military service, taking part in the Black Hawk war.
In early manhood Mr. Sandusky was united in marriage to Miss Euphenie McDowell, also a native of Kentucky. His death occurred on the 6th of Au- gust, 1852, while his widow, surviving him for a number of years, passed away. on the 15th of August, 1864. They were the parents of six children but five are now deceased, namely: Jacob, Josiah, James, Harvey and Agnes. The only one now living is Mrs. Mary J. Hoyle, who in early womanhood was married in 1853 to Gail Guyman, a native of Vermilion county and a son of Isaac Guy- man, who was a pioneer settler of Catlin township. Gail Guyman was a farmer by occupation and only lived for a short time after his marriage, leaving a widow and one son, who now owns the farm in Catlin township and resides near there. Some time after the death of her first husband Mrs. Guyman gave her hand in marriage to George Hoyle, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and when a young man came to Vermilion county, Illinois. For a number of years they lived on Mrs. Hoyle's farm in Catlin township, Mr. Hoyle successfully conducting and improving the property. He also bought and shipped considerable stock and found this a profitable source of income. Later, however, they rented the farm and removed to Danville, there to enjoy a well earned rest from the arduous duties of farm life.
Since the death of her husband Mrs. Hoyle has continued to make her home in Danville, where she has a host of warm friends. She is numbered among the pioneer residents of the county and is a worthy representative of one of its
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oldest families. The Sandusky family were all members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Sandusky was a whig in his political views. He took a very active part in the affairs of the county, cooperating in all the movements which tended to promote its early progress. Mr. Hoyle, too, was also interested in the upbuilding of this section of the state and gave his cooperation and support to various projects whereby Vermilion county's best interests have been augmented.
THOMAS M. WOOLVERTON.
Thomas M. Woolverton, now one of the oldest dealers in farm machinery in the county in years of continuous connection with the business, has built up an excellent trade at Hoopeston in the face of difficulties and obstacles which would have utterly discouraged many a man of less resolute spirit. He also deals in paints, harness and sundry lines and has based his success upon the sure and stable foundation of honorable and persevering effort. He was born in Grant township, Vermilion county, September 30, 1851, and comes of a family of English origin, the name of Woolverton being derived from the old English name Wolverhampton, which was a county in England. Representa- tives of the name came to America at an early day and Abel Woolverton, father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania. He served as a colonel in the war of 1812 and on leaving Pennsylvania removed to Ohio, while about 1850 he became a resident of Vermilion county, Illinois, settling upon a farm, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits to the time of his death. His wife bore the maiden name of Ann English and was a daughter of Joseph English, a prominent early resident of Danville.
Thomas M. Woolverton was a pupil in the district schools of Vermilion county for only about a year. His educational privileges were extremely limited as far as school training was concerned but in the school of experience his lessons were broad and comprehensive and he has gained a practical knowledge that has made him a successful business man. He early learned the value of industry, perseverance and integrity and these have ever remained crowning points in his life. When he was but eight years of age he drove five yoke of oxen to a breaking plow and was employed at farm work to the age of fourteen, when he began herding cattle in and near Hoopeston, spending all the day in guarding the herd and also many nights. He remembers a time when deer were frequently seen in the neighborhood, while many kinds of wild fowls were to be had in abundance. There were also other wild animals that were a menance to the farm yard and to the settler and the evidences of frontier life could be seen on every hand. The years of his youth passed in earnest and unremitting toil and at length he came to manhood and resolved to establish a home of his own, which he did by his marriage in 1871 to Miss Eliza J. Fort- ner, a daughter of Elijah Fortner, a native of Indiana.
Following his marriage Mr. Woolverton began farming on his own account and followed that pursuit for about six years, when believing that commercial
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interests would prove more profitable he removed to Hoopeston and engaged in the hay trade and in the butchering business. He devoted about six years to that work and at the end of that time began selling farm machinery. His start in the latter business was a very humble one, for he had a capital of less than a thousand dollars, for in his previous business through going security for others he had suffered losses to the extent of twelve thousand dollars. He has continued to deal in farm machinery to the present time and has extended the scope of his activities, handling now a large line of implements, harness and kindred goods. In this connection he has built up a substantial trade that is accorded him in recognition of the fact that he handles a good line and that he is ever reasonable in prices and fair and honorable in his dealings. He has carried on this business with ever increasing success and he is now proprietor of the Hoopeston machine shops and does an extensive business in McCormick harvesters, the Deere plows, buggies, wagons and harness; in fact he carries everything needed upon a farm in connection with its cultivation. He has a machine shop and a general repair shop, forty by one hundred and twenty feet, and part of this is two stories in height. During the busy season he employs fifteen men in the shop and does all kinds of repair work from the repairing of a hammer to a threshing machine. His machine shop and implements are upon the west side of Bank street, the harness and buggy emporium on the east side, but these are near together so that he gives his personal supervision to all branches of his business. He engages in the manufacture as well as the repairing of harness and also repairs buggies. The shop on the east side of the street is fifty by sixty feet and he also has two stores which he rents. The business has constantly grown in volume and importance until it is now the leading industrial and commercial concern of the town and the owner has be- come one of the substantial residents of Hoopeston. Long since he has re- gained his lost possessions, pushing forward to continued success in the con- duct of the enterprise which has proved to him a profitable one. Moreover, he has proven his worth in many public connections and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his ability and loyalty in citizenship have frequently called him to public office. He served as justice of the peace of Hoopeston for nine years and at the present time is supervisor, having been the incumbent in the office for seventeen years as the result of eight different elections. He has certainly reason to feel a pride at this record as it indicates as nothing else can do the trust and confidence reposed in him by his fellowmen. He was also one of the first aldermen of Hoopeston and in every public position has discharged his duties with a promptness and fidelity that have been above question. He is an active worker in the ranks of the republican party, for he is a firm believer in the efficacy of its principles as factors in good government.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Woolverton were born four children, of whom one son, son, Charles, died in infancy; Nettie S., born in this county, is the wife of Ed- ward R. Knox, of Los Angeles, California; Mont G. Woolverton, born in this county, married Jossie Williams, also a native of this county, and with their three children, Howard, Thomas and Russell, they now reside in California; Ora, the youngest of the family, is deceased.
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Mrs. Woolverton is a member of the Christian church and Mr. Woolver- ton belongs to the Masonic lodge, the Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen Camp and the Improved Order of Foresters, in all of which he has held office. He is a man whom to know is to esteem and honor and his stanchest friends are those who have known him longest, a fact which indicates an honorable and upright life. His home is pleasantly situated at the corner of Bank and Penn streets and he likewise owns a half block in the center of the town, where he carries on business. He has witnessed marked changes since coming to this locality, in fact has seen almost the entire growth and upbuilding of Hoopes- ton and this part of the state. A contemporary biographer has said of him: "Mr. Woolverton possesses marked energy and keen perception. This enables him to form his plans readily, and he never wavers in carrying them to a success- ful completion. His close application to business and his excellent manage- ment have brought him the high degree of prosperity which is today his."
DAVID A. RICHARDSON.
There is no biographical history in this volume that perhaps indicates more clearly the value of persistent, earnest effort intelligently directed than does that of David A. Richardson, who from his boyhood days has resided in this section of the state and has been closely identified with business affairs that have not only contributed to his individual prosperity but have also been elements in the material growth and progress of the community.
He was born in Monroe county, Indiana, July 27, 1859, and his parents, Abraham and Elizabeth A. (Baultinghouse) Richardson, were also natives of the same county where they were reared and married. They began their domestic life upon a farm in that county, where they resided until 1868, and then came to Illinois, settling three miles south of Sidell, in Edgar county, where the father purchased a small farm, upon which he made his home until his death November 18, 1890. His widow is still living, in her seventy-sixth year and resides on the old homestead. Mr. Richardson was a democrat in his political views but never aspired to office, preferring to perform his public duties as a private citizen. He held membership in the Church of Christ, of which Mrs. Richardson is also a consistent member.
David A. Richardson was reared upon the home farm, coming with his par- ents to Illinois at the age of nine years. He acquired his education in the public schools and worked upon the farm for his father and also as a farm hand in the employ of others until his twenty-first year. In the spring prior to the attainment of his majority he secured a clerkship in a general store in the village of Palermo, Edgar county, occupying that position for five years, after which he went to Danville and began clerking in a clothing store.
A year later, the railroad having been built from Olney to Sidell, Mr. Rich- ardson went to Hildreth, where he engaged in the grain business, meeting with success in the undertaking from the beginning. He remained at that place for seventeen years, his business steadily increasing throughout the entire period.
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He then sold his business and after a residence in Danville of two years came to Sidell, where he organized the First National Bank, which three years later he sold to the private bank of Alexander & Cathcart. The new institution was incorporated under the name of the First National Bank. Since Mr. Richard- son disposed of his banking interests he has devoted his time and attention to the supervision of his property. He is today the owner of one thousand acres of land in Edgar county, just across the Vermilion county line, having made extensive and judicious investments in farm lands as his financial resources have increased, so that he receives a splendid income therefrom.
Mr. Richardson was married in 1887 to Miss Clara Loftin of Indianapolis and unto them were born three children, of whom one is yet living, Benjamin F., who is attending the University of Illinois at Urbana. Mrs. Richardson pur- sued an academic course in the Indianapolis high school and a classical course at the Sisters of Providence, graduating from the latter in 1886. She is a daughter of Dr. Sample and Margaret Jane (Patterson) Loftin, natives of North Carolina and Rush county, Indiana, respectively. The father was born June 19, 1823, and at a very early age removed to Indiana, where he was reared upon a farm and received a good common-school education. Later he entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, and after his graduation engaged in the practice of medicine in Marion county, Indiana. He was also interested in the pork-pack- ing business and in that way made his fortune. In 1876 he was elected treasurer of Marion county but would never accept any other office as his business oc- cupied his entire time. Mrs. Richardson is the youngest of his six children, the others being Mrs. Julia Hall, Melvin Loftin, Mrs. Martha Conderon, Mrs. Ada Jones and Mrs. Laura Mann.
In his political views Mr. Richardson is a stalwart republican but has never been an office seeker. He has served, however, as an alderman at various times and the duties of his position have been discharged with promptness and fidelity. He belongs to the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges, and he and his wife are members of the Christian church-associations which indicate much of the na- ture of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct.
L. V. GUNN.
L. V. Gunn, the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, Grant township, has been dependent upon his own resources from the early age of fourteen years and the success which he now enjoys has come as the merited reward of his well directed labors and untiring perseverance. His birth occurred in New York on the 20th of November, 1856, his parents being Luther and Lydia (Gage) Gunn, who were likewise natives of the Em- pire state. The father passed away in Michigan, while the mother was called to her final rest when still a resident of New York. Unto them were born two children, namely: Jennie M., who lives with our subject; and L. V., of this review.
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L. V. Gunn attended the common schools until fourteen years of age and then began providing for his own support. Going to La Salle county, Illinois, he there worked as a farm hand for seven years, on the expiration of which period he rented a tract of land, being actively engaged in its cultivation for two years. In 1880 he came to Vermilion county and purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres whereon he has resided to the present time. Owing to his enterprise and industry, the property is now lacking in none of the im- provements and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century, and the fields annually pay tribute to his labor in rich and bounteous crops.
In 1877 Mr. Gunn was united in marriage to Miss Alice Rogers, a native of La Salle county, Illinois, and a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Ferneigho) Rogers, both of whom were born in England. They emigrated to the United States at an early day, locating in La Salle county, Illinois, where Thomas Rogers passed away. His wife was called to her final rest while a resident of Vermilion county. Their children were three in number. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gunn have been born eight children, as follows: Walter T., a practicing at- torney of Danville, Illinois; Roger F., who follows farming in Indiana; Robert L. and Jennie, both at home; Letha A., who is a graduate of the Hoopeston high school and now follows the profession of teaching; Myra; Jessie, who is deceased; and one who died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Gunn is a republican and at the present time holds the office of school director. He has likewise served in the capacity of town- ship trustee. Both he and his wife belong to the Universalist church and are deeply interested in its work. Their earnest Christian lives have won them the respect of all who know them and they have a host of warm friends through- out the community in which they reside.
JOSEPH GIBSON ENGLISH.
Joseph Gibson English, who during the years of his connection with Dan- ville and its interests engaged in merchandising, banking and other business enterprises which contributed largely to the welfare and upbuilding of the city as well as to individual success, was born in Ohio county, Indiana, near the village of Rising Sun, December 17, 1820. His father, Charles English, was a native of New Haven, Connecticut, in which state the family had been represented for several generations. He wedded Miss Anne Wright, who was also of English lineage. The paternal grandfather removed to Nova Scotia but subsequently his children returned to the United States and settled in various localities. Following the time when he took up his abode in Ohio county, In- diana, Charles English engaged in blacksmithing and carpentering and was otherwise identified with industrial interestes. In 1829 he left that locality and became a resident of Perrysville in the Wabash valley.
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