History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II, Part 6

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 6


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I. G. GUYMON.


I. G. Guymon, an enterprising and prosperous agriculturist of Catlin town- ship, owns and operates a rich and productive tract of land comprising one hundred and eighty-eight acres. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Vermilion county, his birth having occurred in Catlin township on the 24th of October, 1853. His parents, Gaylon and Mary J. (Sandusky) Guymon, were natives of Ohio and Vermilion county, Illinois, respectively. At an early day the father came to Illinois and took up his abode on a farm in this county but he was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, passing away in 1854. The mother still survives, however, and makes her home in Danville, where she has an extensive circle of friends.


I. G. Guymon attended the common schools in the acquirement of an edu- cation and remained at home until he was married at the age of thirty-four years. He then purchased a farm in Catlin township and has been engaged in its operation continuously since, now owning one hundred and eighty-eight acres of valuable land. His farm work is carried on in a manner that brings the best results and he has long been numbered among the substantial and repre- sentative citizens of the community.


As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Guymon chose Miss Ada B. Lemon, a daughter of William and Mary (Shetterly) Lemon, who were natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. The father passed away in Indiana, and in 1880 the mother came to Illinois, her demise here occurring in 1903. Unto them were born three children, of whom Mrs. Guymon is the only sur- vivor. Our subject and his wife have one child, Derral R., whose natal day was January 1, 1896.


Mr. Guymon is a stanch democrat in politics but has never sought nor de- sired office as a reward for his party fealty. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 538 at Cat-


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lin, in which he has filled all of the chairs. Both he and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church and take a deep and helpful interest in its work. Mr. Guymon is widely and favorably known throughout the county in which his entire life has been spent, the circle of his friends being almost coextensive with the circle of his acquantainces.


FRANK L. HILL.


Frank L. Hill, well known as one of the leading business men of Danville, where for several years he has been connected with the lumber interests, was born on the IIth of September, 1860, in Edgar county, Illinois, his parents being Jacob L. and Sarah Jane (Newkirk) Hill, both natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania. The father, who was born September 19, 1823, came to Illinois in 1858 with a number of relatives and settled in Edgar county, mak- ing his home there until the spring of 1866, which witnessed his arrival in Danville. On coming to this city he purchased the old parsonage of the First Methodist Episcopal church, then known as the North Street church, which stood opposite the Aetna House. He afterward moved this house to Logan avenue, where he lived for several years, but in 1870 located at what became the family residence on Franklin street. Having learned the carpenter's trade, he became a successful builder and contractor and was a man of great vigor and energy. In 1880 he gave up contracting and turned his attention to the jewelry business, buying out S. N. Monroe. He continued to carry on this store until his death in 1893. He was a man of many admirable characteristics and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. In his family were two sons and three daughters, namely: Clarissa J., Mrs. Laura A. Patterson, John P., Frank L. and Mrs. Ora Cowan.


Frank L. Hill began his education as a member of the infant class of the Kimber church and later attended the public schools of Danville, completing his education in the high school. He began his business career as an employe of A. L. Webster, a hardware dealer, with whom he remained for a few months, and when that gentleman sold out to the firm of Giddings & Patterson he con- tinued in their employ for nine years. In 1887 he entered the service of the G. W. Hooten Lumber Company and after a short time he and J. T. McMillan bought out Mr. Hooten, conducting the business until 1893, when Mr. Hooten again came into possession of the business. After selling out Mr. Hill engaged in the commission business for one year and then went to Cairo, where he and Mr. McMillan established the Cairo Planing Mill Company, but a year later his plant was destroyed by fire and he returned to Danville, buying an interest in the lumber business of Mr. Hooten. At the end of two years, however, he disposed of that and in partnership with J. T. McMillan conducted a lumber- yard at the corner of North and Hazel streets. In 1904 he purchased his part- ner's interest and three years later removed to his present location on Walnut street, near the Big Four Railroad. During his long connection with the lumber trade he has become thoroughly familiar with every department of the business


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and has met with most excellent success, being now regarded as one of the sub- stantial as well as one of the most progressive and reliable business men of Dan- ville.


In 1884 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hill and Miss Jennie E. Brooks, who was born in Albany, New York, of English parentage, and they have two children, Janette B. and Frank Russell. Mr. Hill affiliates with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and stands high in both business and social circles.


JOHN C. LESLEY.


John C. Lesley, president of the Danville Commission Company, which is today the largest concern of the kind in the city, has spent almost his entire life here, his birth occurring in Danville on the 2d of April, 1860. The family was founded in Vermilion county at an early day in its history and its represen- tatives have taken quite a prominent and influential part in business and politi- cal affairs. His paternal grandfather, Milton Lesley, served as sheriff of the county for a great many years and also held other offices of honor and trust. In the paternal line he is of Scotch descent, while his maternal ancestors were from Wales. His father, John M. Lesley, was a life-long resident of Danville, born here, November 5, 1832, and died in October, 1862, at the early age of thirty years. He was a lawyer by profession and was also a newspaper writer of note. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth R. Davis, was born in Ohio on the 25th of November, 1836, and long survived him, passing away in 1908.


John C. Lesley was the only child born of this union and as he passed his boyhood in Danville, he is indebted to its public and high schools for the edu- cational advantages he enjoyed. Being in limited circumstances, however, he was obliged to commence working at an early age and in this way earned the necessary funds with which to pay his own expenses while pursuing his edu- cation. Having saved some money, he purchased a news stand at No. 34 North Vermilion street, after leaving school and conducted it for a period of two years, after which he went to New Mexico. In 1883, however, he returned to Danville and became connected with the commission business, being in the employ of Admiral & Carnahan until they disposed of their establishment, after which he worked for various firms, including the Feldkamp Candy Com- pany, in whose employ he remained for twenty-three years. On the 30th of September, 1907, he became one of the incorporators of Danville Commission Company, of which George W. Bredehoft was president and our subject secre- tary and treasurer. Six months later, however, Mr. Lesley purchased his partner's interest and has since been alone in business, his store being at Nos. 312-314 East North street. Success has attended this enterprise from the start, and he is now in control of the largest commission establishment in the city.


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Mr. Lesley was married in 1886 to Miss Sadie E. Hulce, a daughter of Martin and Ellen Hulce, both of whom are now deceased. In 1874 her par- ents became residents of Danville and here her father was prominently identi- fied with the business interests of the city for many years, being engaged in the implement trade and president of the Danville Buggy Company. The chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Lesley are as follows: Eva; Lois, who died when two years old; Edwin; and Josephine.


During his younger years Mr. Lesley was a member of Battery A, Dan- ville National Guards for eight years, and although a republican in politics he has never sought office, his time and attention being wholly occupied by his business interests. He is a prominent member of the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias, having filled all of the chairs in the latter order. He also belongs to the Industrial Club, while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. At an early age he became dependent upon his own efforts for a livelihood, and the prosperity that has come to him is but the just reward of his own industry, perseverance and capable manage- ment. Success has attended his well directed efforts until he now occupies an enviable position in the business circles of Danville.


J. W. TURNER.


J. W. Turner, engaged in business as an undertaker of Danville, was born in Monroe county, Indiana, on the 27th of July, 1856, his parents being Will- iam H. and Margaret (Hight) Turner, who were natives of Kentucky and Monroe county, Indiana, respectively. The father removed to Indiana in early manhood and made his home in that state until 1877, when he came to Ridge Farm, Vermilion county, Illinois, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1899 at the age of eighty-one years. General agricultural pur- suits claimed his attention throughout his active business career and he was widely recognized as an upright, respected and substantial citizen. His wife was called to her final rest in 1885, when sixty-five years of age.


J. W. Turner obtained his education in the public schools of Bloomington, Indiana, and afterward gave his attention to the tilling of the soil, working on a farm in Ridge Farm until 1884. In that year he embarked in the furni- ture and undertaking business at Ridge Farm in association with his father conducting the enterprise for two years, while subsequently he was similarly engaged in business at Bloomington, Indiana, for two years. He came to Dan- ville in 1890 and for four years worked as an employe. In 1894 he once more began business for himself, forming a partnership with Albert Leonard and his son, J. P. Leonard, under the firm style of Turner, Leonard & Son. That relation was maintained until Mr. Turner bought the interest of his partners on the 23d of April, 1910, since which time he has been the sole proprietor of the business. He carries a fine line of caskets and funeral supplies and well merits the extensive patronage which is accorded him.


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On the Ist of June, 1884, Mr. Turner was united in marriage to Miss Lunda C. Harrold, a native of Ridge Farm, Illinois, and a daughter of John D. and Sarah (Sharpe) Harrold. Her father still resides there, but her mother is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Turner have two children, namely: Ethel, the wife of T. J. Thomas; and Hubert J.


Mr. Turner acts as treasurer of the Kimber Methodist Episcopal church and takes a prominent part in its work, doing everything in his power to pro- mote its growth and extend its influence. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Tribe of Ben Hur. He has ever enjoyed in the fullest degree the respect and confi- dence of his fellowmen and his worth as a man and citizen are widely acknowl- edged.


T. P. FRENCH, M. D.


Dr. T. P. French, a prominent and successful representative of the medical fraternity in Danville, was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, on the IIth of May, 1851. His parents were Ersom and Eliza (Bowling) French, the former's birth having occurred in Knox county, Indiana, on the 15th of April, 1811, while the latter first opened her eyes to the light of day in North Carolina in the year 1823. Ersom French, who was a farmer by occupation, wedded Miss Eliza Bowling in 1850, the marriage being celebrated in Indiana. In 1855, accom- panied by his wife and two children, he came to Middlefork township, Ver- milion county, Illinois, where he resided throughout the remainder of his life, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He passed away in 1894, having for a number of years survived his wife, who was called to her final rest in 1886. Unto this worthy couple were born three sons, namely: T. P., of this review; George W., who died in 1863 when eleven years of age; and Dr. A. D. French, who resides in Connecticut at the age of fifty-four.


Dr. T. P. French obtained his education in the public schools of this county and afterward followed the profession of teaching here for three years, prov- ing a most capable instructor. Subsequently he took up the study of medicine, attending Rush Medical College for one year in 1872-3. He located for prac- tice at Ogden, Champaign county, and later continued his professional educa- tion in the Indiana Medical College of Indianapolis, from which institution he was graduated on the 28th of February, 1878. The town of Ogden remained the scene of his professional labors until 1880, when he removed to Armstrong, Vermilion county, where he was continuously engaged in practice until 1891. During the following eight years he practiced medicine at David City, Nebraska, and in 1899 returned to Danville, where he has remained continuously since. His patronage has steadily grown as he has demonstrated his skill and ability in the line of his chosen vocation and he is widely recognized as one of the most progressive and able medical practitioners of the county. He keeps in touch with the onward march of the profession through his membership in the County, State and National Medical Societies.


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In 1877 Dr. French was united in marriage to Miss Eugenia I. Robinson, a native of Peoria county, Illinois, by whom he had five children, four of whom are yet living, as follows: George M., a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, who is now engaged in practice; Maurice, who is a graduate of the State University of Illinois and is now assistant chief engineer of the Oregon Short Line & Southern Pacific at Salt Lake City ; Lewis R., who is employed in the office of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad; and Ersom H. In fraternal circles Dr. French is a Knight Templar Mason, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Tribe of Ben Hur. In professional and social life he holds to high standards and enjoys in large measure the confidence and trust of those with whom he is brought in contact in every relation of life.


HON. JOHN H. LEWMAN.


John H. Lewman, now serving as states attorney, was born in this city on the 28th of December, 1866, and is a son of Hugh and Mary (Liggett) Lew- man, both of whom were also natives of Vermilion county. His grandfather, Jesse Liggett, was born in Virginia in 1805 and was only a year old when taken by his parents to Ohio, where he made his home until 1835, which year witnessed his arrival in Vermilion county, Illinois. He settled in what is known as Pilot township, where he entered a tract of land on which he lived until called to his final rest in 1898, at the age of ninety-three years. Our subject's paternal grandfather, James Lewman, was a native of Kentucky and was also an early settler of this county. By occupation he was a farmer, owning and operating a tract of land in this county, which he sold in 1875 on his removal to Kansas, in which state his death occurred. Hugh Lewman, the father of our subject, also engaged in agricultural pursuits and died when his son John was but three years of age.


John H. Lewman was reared upon the farm and received his early educa- tion in the country schools. Later he removed to Danville, where he attended the high school and was graduated in 1888. He then taught in the city schools for some time subsequently attended Cornell University for two years and the University of Michigan for a similar length of time, graduating from the law department of the latter institution in 1894. He was admitted to the bar in the same year and began practice in Danville, where he has continued to follow his chosen profession up to the present time.


Since attaining his majority Mr. Lewman has taken a very prominent and influential part in public affairs. In 1899 he was elected city attorney, to which position he was twice reelected, serving in all for six years. In 1905 he was elected mayor of Danville and so acceptably did he fill that office that in 1907 he was reelected, remaining in office for four years. In November, 1908, he was called upon to fill the position of states attorney and is the present in- cumbent of that office.


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In 1898, Mr. Lewman enlisted in Battery A, First Illinois Volunteers, for service in the Spanish-American war and was sent to Porto Rico. He remained in the service for several months and was at length mustered out at Danville in November of the same year. He was, however, an officer in the Illinois Na- tional Guard for ten years, one-half of that time being captain of his company, but in 1909 he resigned as his professional and official duties claimed his entire time and attention.


OLIVER P. BAUM.


Oliver P. Baum will be remembered as one of the most successful farmers that Vermilion county has known and as a man of remarkable ability whose judgment was seldom at fault and whose fidelity to trust and sincerity in any- thing he undertook were never questioned. For eighty years he was a resident of this county, arriving here in infancy, and here he grew to manhood and passed through the experiences of an active career which terminated with his death, December 29, 1909, at the age of eight-one years.


Mr. Baum was a native of Ohio, born in Clermont county in January, 1828, and was a son of Samuel and Sarah (Weaver) Baum and a descendant of Polish ancestry. The founder of the family in this country was banished from Poland and came to America, adopting this county as his home and displaying a patriotism in the war of the Revolution which established his reputation as a stanch and brave supporter of republican institutions. He was married to Bar- bara McDonald and settled for a time in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, but after the treaty of General Wayne with the Indians he floated down the Ohio river with his family and was one of the first settlers in Clermont county, Ohio. He took up his home near the mouth of Bull's Skin creek and here he died at an advanced age, having accomplished a noble work in pushing forward the fron- tier and assisting in subduing the wilderness.


Samuel Baum, the father of our subject, grew up in Ohio and was married in Clermont county, coming to Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1829 with a com- pany of settlers headed by Michael Weaver, the father-in-law of Mr. Baum, and one of the remarkable men of the day, who is worthy of more than the simple mention of his name. He was a native of Washington county, Mary- land, the son of German parents who came to America before the time of the Revolutionary war. At ten years of age he began making his own way in the world and after arriving at his majority he was happily married to Mary Eliza- beth Specard, of Hagerstown, Maryland. Being possessed with the spirit of the pioneer, Mr. Weaver moved to Kentucky and after a few years crossed the river to Clermont county, Ohio. In 1818 he settled in Brown county, Ohio, where he remained until 1828, at which time he started westward, his destina- tion being Sugar Creek, Indiana. However, he was not satisfied with that locality and continued traveling west until he arrived in what is now known as Carroll township, Vermilion county, Illinois, where he established himself per- manently. He was one of the very early settlers of the county and what was


Oliver P. Baum


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unusual in those days, possessed an abundance of this world's goods when he arrived in this state. He was a man who had his own ideas as to values and he would never accept more than six per cent. interest upon money, even though it commanded in war times as high as forty per cent. in other hands. He would never charge more than twenty-five cents per bushel for his corn and it was his practice to fix a price upon any commodity which he had for sale, based upon the actual cost of production. He was never known to charge a higher price than the one which he had in the first place named. He was very much opposed to anything bordering upon speculation and always refused to loan his money to speculators, although as a lifelong friend of the poor he assisted them many times by loaning money at low rates of interest. He was one of the best far- mers in Vermilion county and in 1875 erected one of the finest farm residences to be seen in the county. Here he passed his declining years, being called to his reward when he had almost reached the age of one hundred and one years. The mother of Oliver P. Baum departed this life when she was about forty years of age, leaving a family of eight children, and later the father was mar- ried to Mrs. Polly (Sandusky) Matkin, four children being born of this union.


The subject of this review grew to manhood in Carroll township, where he became thoroughly acquainted with all the details of farm work, and in his younger years possessed the advantages of education in the district schools. At the time of his father's departure he was thirty-three years of age and having received his portion of the estate, he began with renewed energy as an agricul- turist, devoting a large part of his time to cattle feeding and becoming one of the most extensive feeders in Vermilion county. He also engaged largely in the breeding of hogs and became a familiar figure in the markets at Chicago and Buffalo, to which places he made large shipments every year. Beginning in a position very close to the bottom of the ladder, Mr. Baum passed through the various stages that conduct to prosperity and affluence, and by his great busi- ness ability, his intimate knowledge of the farm and his interest in the develop- ment of higher grade animals for the market, he became a leader and an ac- knowledged authority upon various subjects pertaining to his work. At the time of his death he was the owner of fourteen hundred and fifty acres of land as valuable for farming purposes as any to be found in the state. In addition to this he made many highly lucrative investments so that it is believed he was the wealthiest farmer in the county.


In 1871 Mr. Baum was united in marriage to Miss Helen McClenathen, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of George S. and Sarah (Rem- ley) McClenathen, also natives of the Keystone State. She came to Vermilion county with her parents when she was five years of age and here grew to woman- hood. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McClenathen : James, William, Helen, Lucy, John, Belle, Anna, Emma, Owen, Ethel and George Vol- ney. Mr. and Mrs. Baum became the parents of one child, Herbert Loraine, a review of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Baum was called away March 18, 1908. She was a woman of high ideals and lovable character and for many years was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.


Mr. Baum gave his allegiance to the democratic party, but he never desired political honors, as his interest centered in his farming operations, which under


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his direction assumed proportions seldom known in thickly settled agricultural regions. Mr. Baum was a pioneer in earlier years, making use of the primitive methods, but he kept fully abreast of the times, always being thoroughly prac- tical and efficient in what he undertook. His great business capacity would have made him a success in any vocation that attracted his interest. He was a kind parent, a true friend and a firm upholder of the law - a citizen whose life and work made a lasting impression on those with whom he came into contact and upon the region where he was known.


HENRY A. FOSTER.


Henry A. Foster, who has resided within the borders of Vermilion county for the past half century, was for many years successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits here but is now living retired in Catlin. His birth oc- curred in Montgomery county, Indiana, on the 18th of September, 1836, his parents being Robert and Susan Ann (Jones) Foster, both of whom were na- tives of Kentucky. They removed to the Hoosier state at an early day, entered land from the government and erected thereon a log cabin characteristic of the times, the little structure having a clapboard roof, puncheon floor, stick chimney and string latch. They lived therein for several years and continued to reside on the old home farm in Indiana until called to their final rest. Their children were eight in number, four of whom still survive, as follows: Sarah, who is the wife of J. J. Caknine and resides in Indiana; Henry A., of this review; Thomas, who is likewise a resident of Indiana; and Robert, living in Pasadena, California.




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