History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II, Part 53

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


USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 53


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Samuel Umbanhowar pursued his education in the common schools and under the able direction of his father he gained an excellent knowledge of agri- cultural pursuits during his boyhood and youth. When a young man of twenty- three he took charge of the old homestead farm, operating it for some years. Subsequently he came to Vermilion county, first purchasing and locating upon a tract of eighty acres on section 20, Grant township. After improving the property he bought an additional tract of similar size on section 19, so that his holdings now embrace a quarter section of land. He has brought the place under a high state of cultivation, and his neat premises, good buildings and well tilled fields testify to his executive ability and knowledge of farming.


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On the 26th of February, 1874, Mr. Umbanhowar was united in marriage to Miss Elnora Williams, who was born in McLean county, Illinois, on the 18th of October, 1856, her parents being William and Abigail (Dean) Williams. The father's birth occurred in McLean county in 1832, while the mother is a native of Knox county, Ohio. William Williams was called to his final rest in September, 1903, but his widow still survives at the age of seventy-seven years and makes her home at Hoopeston. They had six children, three of whom are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Umbanhowar are the parents of six children, as follows: Nellie, who is the wife of R. J. Canady and lives in Missouri; J. G., living on a farm in Grant township; and Charles A., May, William S. and Frank O., all at home.


In politics Mr. Umbanhowar is a stanch republican and his fellow towns- men, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to positions of public trust. He ably served as commissioner for ten years and has been school direc- tor for a period of fifteen years. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an active and help- ful interest. Mr. Umbanhowar has spent his entire life in this part of the state and the circle of his friends is therefore a wide one.


JOHN O. TALBERT.


Among the brave soldiers of the Civil war who freely offered their lives to uphold the stars and stripes and are yet living to enjoy the blessings for which they fought may be named John O. Talbert, a well known farmer of Danville township, Vermilion county. He was born at Waterloo, Indiana, April 30, 1842, and is a son of Henry and Mary Ann (Gouty) Talbert. His father was a farmer of Vermilion county, Indiana, where he owned two hundred and thirty acres of land and he also became the owner of one hundred acres in this county, where our subject now lives.


John O. Talbert was educated in the public schools and was early inducted into the operations of the farm, for which he has always shown a natural adapt- ability. After arriving at nineteen years of age, the great Rebellion having stirred the nation to its depths, he enlisted in Company H, Twentieth Indiana Volunteers, in July, 1861, and after having been drilled for a short time was sent with the regiment to the front where he participated in a number of en- gagements, among them Old Point Comfort, Fortress Monroe, and in other en- gagements, and in the flood at Cape Hatteras. At the end of seven months he was discharged on account of disability and stayed home one summer. In August, 1863, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Fifthteenth Indiana Volunteers, and continued in the service until the close of the war.


After receiving his honorable discharge Mr. Talbert returned home and on February 27, 1867, he located in Vermilion county upon a rented farm and here began operations upon his own account. There were very few improvements upon the land and it required a large amount of labor in those days to produce any satisfactory returns. Later he bought eighty-eight acres of land that was


MR. AND MRS. JOHN O. TALBERT


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partly broken and has increased the area of his farm and developed it upon a scale that has made it one of the valuable farming properties of this region. He has also devoted some attention to stock-raising and in his various undertakings has displayed a judgment which is highly creditable and evidences of which may be seen in the comfortable family residence and the well planned surround- ings and also in the general appearance of the entire farm. As an autioneer he was well known throughout this section of the state for many years, but has now turned over that business to his son-in-law, Robert Price.


On the 27th of February, 1867, Mr. Talbert was united in marriage to Miss Harriett B. Dennis, a native of this county, whose father at one time owned the land on which our subject now lives. Ten children have been born to them, seven of whom are still living: Rachel, now Mrs. Nolan; Minnie, who married Ervin Macomson and they died leaving two children now living with Mr. and Mrs. Talbert; David, a farmer of Danville township; Mrs. Maude M. Price, Mrs. Lottie Jumps, Robert L., and Josephine. Mr. Talbert was made guardian of the seven children of T. J. Welsh, a relative of the family, and they were reared by him until they were married and started out in life for themselves. The seven children of George Sapt, a relative of Mrs. Talbert, were also under his guardianship until grown and he also had charge of their estate.


Mr. Talbert is an earnest supporter of the republican party and, while he has not sought political honor, he has served as school trustee for many years and for twelve years acted as commissioner of highways, discharg- ing his duties with a fidelity that met the general approval of the people. Mr. and Mrs. Talbert have reared a large family and their lives have been governed by principles of industry and justice, that are recognized the world over as en- during and of most worth. Mr. Talbert was a valiant soldier under the Civil war and in his business and private affairs he has maintained the same standard that carried him successfully through his early career and has always been to him an encouragement and support.


ARMOUR E. HEATON.


It is a pleasure to meet a successful man. He conveys an idea of confidence and energy and it is by contact with such men that we receive new strength and go forth to meet the world with new courage and resolution, leading in many instances to an entire revolution in character. It is also a pleasure to write of a successful man and there is no doubt that the records contained in this work will be of lasting benefit to many who read them, thereby gaining new inspiration for the great battle, in which no substitute is accepted, and each is required to fight it out on his own account. Among the successful men of Grant township, Vermilion county, may be named Armour E. Heaton, who was born March 1, 1862, in Coshocton county, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Deviny) Heaton, the former born in Coshocton county in 1824, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. The father came to Vermilion county in 1865 and bought a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, which he


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increased to two hundred acres, becoming one of the prosperous farmers of the county. He departed this life in 1891, after an active and useful career in which he exemplified the teachings of the Christian church and became univer- sally respected wherever he was known.


The subject of this review grew up as a farmer boy and was educated in the district schools. Under his father he became thoroughly acquainted with the various operations of agriculture and stock-raising and, desiring to carry on business independently, he purchased forty acres of land in 1892, which he proceeded diligently to develop. Later he added forty acres to his original holding and when a favorable opportunity presented itself sold his farm and bought one hundred acres in section 32, Grant township. After holding this land for a time he disposed of it, purchasing one hundred and fifty-three acres on section 3, the same township, and here he has since resided, making it one of the attractive spots in the region.


On February 9, 1892, Mr. Heaton was united in marriage to Miss Ella Jane Cronkhite, a daughter of Stephen Cronkhite, of this county. Mrs. Heaton has proven to her husband a faithful and sympathetic companion, and five children have been born to them, four of whom are living, Joseph, Carroll, Alma and Nellie.


Mr. and Mrs. Heaton are actively identified with the Christian church and are earnest believers in the teachings upon which the church is founded. Since arriving at maturity he has affiliated with the republican party and votes for the men and measures that he believes are best adapted to advance the wel- fare of the state and nation. In all his acts Mr. Heaton is governed by a high sense of duty and by his integrity and worth he has gained the friendship of the best people in this region.


CHARLES ADAM JACKSON.


Charles Adam Jackson, the owner of ninety-eight acres of rich and productive land on section 17, Sidell township, is an agriculturist of recognized ability. His birth occurred on the farm where he now resides, his natal day being April 5, 1861. His parents, Adam and Alicia (Hutt) Jackson, were natives of Kentucky and Virginia respectively. Their marriage was celebrated in the Old Dominion, where Adam Jackson had gone as a young man. Soon afterward, in the early '40s, they came to Vermilion county, Illinois, and located in Sidell township, their nearest neighbor being some five miles distant. Here Adam Jackson con- tinued to reside throughout the remainder of his life, accumulating two hun- dred and forty acres of land. His demise occurred in 1864, when our subject was but three years of age. The widowed mother kept the family together,. rearing her children to manhood and womanhood.


Charles Adam Jackson undertook the management of the home farm when but fourteen years of age, his older brothers having left the parental roof. He continued the operation of the home place until the time of his marriage, be- ing joined in wedlock on the 28th of August, 1901, to Miss Addie Belle Price,


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of Fairmount, Vermilion county. The following spring he erected his present residence and continued farming on the tract of seventy-one acres on section 17, Sidell township, which he had purchased prior to his marriage. He has since bought twenty-seven acres more, so that his farm now embraces ninety- eight acres. The neat and attractive appearance of the place indicates his care- ful supervision and practical and progressive methods, and his labors in the fields are annually rewarded by bounteous harvests of golden grain.


Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jackson was born one child, Eugene, who is deceased. Mr. Jackson is a democrat in politics, but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. However, he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and at the present time acts as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is identified with Sidell Lodge, No. 798, A. F. & A. M., while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. His entire life has been spent within the borders of Vermilion county and he enjoys the respect and confidence of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.


JASPER NEWTON SMITH.


Among the well known citizens of Grant township is Jasper Newton Smith, the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and forty-three acres which he accumulated through his energy and good judgment in agricultural operations. It required years of well directed labor for Mr. Smith to establish himself in- dependently, but after the foundations of success are laid, the superstructure is; built with comparative ease when the builder continues wide-awake, taking due advantage of opportunities for further advancement as they arise.


Born in Center county, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1851, he is the son of Daniel Monroe and Caroline Jane (Gardner) Smith. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, born November 17, 1817. He was a farmer by occupation and came to Illinois in 1867, locating in Kendall county, where he bought a: farm and lived to the time of his death. There were eight children in the family, seven of whom are now living, our subject being fourth in order of birth.


Jasper N. Smith was educated in the public schools of Kendall county and reared under the care of his father and mother, becoming early acquainted with farming operations, for which he seemed from boyhood to have special aptitude. After arriving at man's estate, desirous of improving his condition and believing that favorable advantages were to be found in Vermilion county, he here rented land, which he successfully cultivated for six years. At the end of this time he- bought eighty acres of land on section 28, Grant township, which he improved and made his home place, increasing his holdings as time passed until now he- has one of the highly productive farms of the township. He is also a stock- holder of the Independent Harvester Works and the Farmers Elevator Com- pany and is a zealous worker in any movement that aims to assist the farmers of his community.


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On the 7th of March, 1881, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Charity Ann Gallup, a daughter of Daniel W. and Charity W. Gallup, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Ohio. Mr. Gallup was of good Revolutionary stock and the family has in its possession a gold-headed cane with a snuffbox in the head, which, according to records, was brought to America in the May- flower by John W. Gallup, an ancestor of this family. Daniel W. Gallup was a soldier of the Civil war and served in the Union army, enlisting at Pontiac, Illi- nois, and continuing until 1865. He was mustered out as sergeant of his com- pany. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gallup: Charity Ann, now Mrs. Smith; Mary, the wife of Wesley Drew; Lizzie H., now Mrs. George Lithgow; D. W., deceased; Grace W., the wife of Louis E. Alkire ; and Ruth L., now Mrs. William' Kite.


Mr. and Mrs. Smith had one son, Ernest Monroe, who was an unusually promising boy but was called to the unseen world when eleven years of age. Although he passed away eleven years ago, his memory has been kept green not only in the minds of his parents but in the minds of many who knew him and were acquainted with his estimable qualities. Though dead, yet he speaketh. After the departure of their beloved son their attention was attracted to the wants of orphan children and up to the present time they have reared five orphans, giving them a good start in the world. They are also paying for the support and education of an orphan girl in India, who lost her parents in the famine which visited that country, causing great devastation among the population. The benev- olence of Mr. and Mrs. Smith finds many ways of expression and the passing stranger who stops at their door, if he is less fortunate than themselves, is never turned away unassisted. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are both active members of the Methodist Episcopal church and the high esteem in which they are held through- out the region is the effect of their upright lives and their efforts at all times to assist in advancing the permanent welfare of those with whom they are asso- ciated.


MARION FRANCIS DICKERSON.


Marion Francis Dickerson, a well known farmer and stockman residing on section 29, Sidell township, was born in Carroll township, Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 4th of January, 1863. His parents, Francis M. and Priscilla (Ramsey) Dickerson, were natives of Kentucky and Miami county, Ohio, re- spectively. They came to Vermilion county with their respective parents in early life and following their marriage settled on a farm near Georgetown, this county. Francis M. Dickerson enlisted for service in the Union army as a mem- ber of Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, and died as the result of an attack of the measles, passing away at Nashville, Tennessee, in December, 1862, prior to the birth of our subject. His widow afterward mar- ried L. A. Ashby, with whom she removed to Kansas. They returned to this county in 1880 and it was here that the mother of our subject passed away in 1894.


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Marion F. Dickerson was reared by an uncle, Joseph Ramsey, of Sidell town- ship, this county, of whose household he became a member when a little lad of six years. At the early age of fourteen or fifteen years, however, he left his uncle's roof and began providing for his own support by working for neighbor- ing farmers. His time was thus busily occupied during the summer seasons, while in the winter months he attended school, continuing his studies until about eighteen years of age. Since putting aside his text-books he has devoted his entire attention to general agricultural pursuits.


In 1888, when twenty-five years of age, Mr. Dickerson was united in marriage to Miss Nettie M. Gray, of Champaign, Illinois. During that summer he worked for a cattle man and in the spring of 1890 started out as an agriculturist on his own account, renting the farm of Mrs. Alice Tincher and residing thereon con- tinuously for sixteen years. During that period he cultivated as high as four hundred acres of land. In 1902 he purchased his present farm, operating it in connection with the Tincher place until 1906. In that year he removed to his own home in Sidell township and has since given his time and energies to the further cultivation and improvement of his farm-a tract of land comprising eighty acres. He is also successfully identified with live-stock interests, raising shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs and breeding horses on quite an ex- tensive scale. He is likewise a stockholder in the Allerton Creamery and well deserves recognition among the prosperous and representative citizens of his native county.


Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dickerson have been born two children, namely: Guy H., who has been educated in the public and high schools and is at home; and Francis Marion, who is likewise still under the parental roof.


Mr. Dickerson is a stalwart democrat in politics but the honors and emolu- ments of office have no attraction for him. His fraternal relations are with Sidell Lodge, No. 225, I. O. O. F., at Sidell; Sidell Lodge, No. 798, A. F. & A. M .; and the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and take a deep and helpful interest in its work. Mr. Dickerson is a self-made man, dependent upon his own resources from an early age, working earnestly for the success which he has achieved, realizing ever that "there is no excellence without labor." He is a man of good business ability, of exemplary habits and upright character, is worthy the trust of his fellowmen and fully merits the good will which is uniformly extended him.


FRANK S. GOODWINE.


Among the family names well known in Illinois and Indiana on account of the high character of its members and their success as agriculturists and live-stock raisers is that of Goodwine. Frank S. Woodwine, whose name stands at the head of this review, belongs to this family and was born in Warren county, Indiana, January 16, 1863. He is the son of Abner and Barbara (Pence) Goodwine, both of whom were born in Bartholomew county, Indiana. The father spent his early years in that county and then moved to Warren county,


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where he became a leading farmer, accumulating four thousand acres of land, part of which he has given to his children. He and his daughter Leola are now living at the old homestead, enjoying the fruits of many years of diligence and good management. In the family were twelve children, nine of whom are now living.


Frank S. Goodwine was reared by kind and loving parents, possessing the advantages of a peaceful home, which are of much greater importance in de- termining one's career in after life than anything else that could be named. He attended the district school and became thoroughly inducted under his father into all the operations of the farm, so that when he arrived at manhood he was one of the best posted young farmers in the region. He remained in Warren county until he was thirty-one years of age. In 1894 he came to Ver- milion county, Illinois, and by applying the same principles that he had been taught by his father he attained great success in his adopted state, at the present time being owner of a farm of five hundred and twenty acres, which is known as one of the most completely equipped farms in the county. Being systematic and thorough in his operations, Mr. Goodwine has met with the reward that is usually the result of industry and well directed ability and in the course of sixteen years he has developed a farming property of which he may justly be proud and which is a monument to his energy and progressive spirit.


In 1895 Mr. Goodwine was happily united in marriage to Miss Alice Dice, and five children have blessed their union, Abner, Dice, Mildred, Harry and George J. Although Mr. Goodwine has contributed his part toward the up- building of the farming interests of this region, he has not been attracted to politics, preferring to devote his energy to his private affairs. He is known as a man of the strictest integrity, always giving patient attention to arguments on the opposite side of any cause in which he is concerned and willing to be convinced by a reasonable presentation-a man of open, generous nature, thoroughly honest in all business dealings, clear sighted, fearless and true.


WALTER H. SMITH.


Walter H. Smith, now serving as general manager for Morris & Company at Danville, is one of the leading young business men of this city. He was born in North Bloomfield, Ohio, on the 23d of October, 1880, his parents be- ing John W. and Alice Mary (Flower) Smith. His father is engaged in rail- roading. On the paternal side Mr. Smith is of Scotch descent, while his mater- nal ancestors came to America on the Mayflower. His grandmother, who bore the maiden name of Clara Bushnell, was a first cousin of Mark Hanna, the well known statesman of Ohio.


At the usual age Walter H. Smith entered the public schools of Bellevue, Ohio, and until his eighteenth year continued to devote his attention principally to the acquirement of an education. After leaving school he served four years' apprenticeship to the candymaking trade and in 1900 embarked in that busi- ness at Lorain, Ohio, where he continued in the manufacture of candy for


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about two years. Then having an opportunity to sell at an advantage, he dis- posed of his business there and accepted a position with the Elyria Candy Company of Elyria, Ohio, being traveling salesman for that concern for about four years. He was next with the Ware Candy Company of Akron, Ohio, for two years and at the end of that time went to Chicago, where he entered the service of Morris & Company, packers, as bookkeeper. A year later, how- ever, he was offered the position of general manager of their plant at Dan- ville. Accepting the position, he removed to this city where he has since had charge of their affairs, conducting the same in a most able and satisfactory manner. He is a man of good business and executive ability and is prompt and faithful in the discharge of any duty devolving upon him.


At Memphis, Tennessee, May 17, 1908, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Smith to Miss Eleanore Hope Iseman, a native of Chicago and a daughter of Samuel Iseman, and they now have a little daughter, Alice, born in Danville, March 13, 1910. Politically Mr. Smith is affiliated with the republican party and religiously holds membership in the Church of Christ. He is a great lover of baseball and all outdoor sports and in these finds his chief source of recreation.


THOMAS B. WILLIAMS.


Thomas B. Williams, a well known and leading resident of Sidell, now holds the officer of postmaster and is likewise the editor of the Sidell Journal. His birth occurred in Highland county, Ohio, on the 14th of August, 1857, his parents being John and Nancy (Corby) Williams. The father was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1812, while the mother first opened her eyes to the light of day in Pocahontas county, West Virginia, in 1826. The paternal grandfather of our subject, who was of Scotch origin, participated in the war of 1812. In 1864 John Williams removed westward with his family, locating on a farm in Edgar county, Illinois. Following his arrival in this state he resided in Edgar and Coles counties until the time of his wife's death, after which he made his home with a daughter in Bloomington, there passing away at the age of seventy-five years.


Thomas B. Williams received but a limited education in his youthful years and after attaining his majority he determined to continue his studies in order that he might be better equipped for the practical and responsible duties of life. Therefore he worked at farm labor during the summer months and in the winter seasons attended the Tuscola high school, his classmates being children of twelve years of age. Subsequently he took up the profession of teaching, thus obtain- ing the funds that made it possible for him to pursue a course in the State Nor- mal School at Bloomington. He attended that institution for four terms, doing odd jobs in order to help defray his expenses. For twenty years he was actively identified with educational interests as an instructor, acting as principal of the Broadwell schools for two years, as principal of the New Holland schools for nine years and as grammar room teacher of the Sidell schools for four years. During a period of five years he taught in the district schools. In 1900 he pur-




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