USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 65
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gained an intimate knowledge of the law whereby he is enabled to try in a capable manner any case that is liable to be brought before the courts of the district.
On the 25th of December, 1905, Mr. Harroun married Miss Ann Elizabeth McClellan of Monona, Iowa, a daughter of Percival W. McClellan of that place. Religiously Mr. Harroun is a Presbyterian and in his social relations is identified with the Delta Upsilon and Delta Phi societies and also with the Modern Wood- men of America. His political support is ever given to the men and measures of the democratic party but he finds no time to enter actively in politics, as his professional duties claim his entire attention. His devotion to his clients' in- terests is proverbial and at the bar he has made a record which places him among the ablest lawyers of Vermilion county.
AARON DALBEY.
Aaron Dalbey, a venerable and highly esteemed citizen of Vance township, is numbered among the few remaining old settlers here and has resided on his present farm of seventy-two and a half acres for more than forty years. His birth occurred in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 25th of April, 1831, his parents being James and Sarah (Sewell) Dalbey, who came to Vermilion county in 1843, locating on the old state road in Vance township. The father was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, however, his demise occurring in Octo- ber of the same year. The mother subsequently gave her hand in marriage to James Elliott and passed away about 1885. Our subject is the only surviv- ing child of his parents and as he has no children of his own, he is now the only living representative of the family.
Aaron Dalbey was but twelve years old at the time of his father's death and was thus thrown upon his own resources at an early age. He worked for William Davis for two years and then spent three years in the employ of Alvin Stearns. On the expiration of that period he returned to Clinton county, Ohio, but at the end of a year again came to Vermilion county and for some time worked at various occupations. He split rails, chopped cord wood and herded and drove cattle, making seven trips with cattle and driving them through to eastern Ohio. He took one drove of cattle to Lexington, Kentucky, during the winter of 1863-4 and his experiences in those troublous times were such that he has often asserted that he would not have undertaken another such trip for the whole state of Illinois. In 1854 he wedded Miss Martha E. Custer, a daughter of Jacob Custer, of Vance' township, the former owner of Mr. Dalbey's present home farm. Following his marriage our subject took up general agri- cultural pursuits and has been identified therewith continuously since. In Au- gust, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company E, Seventy-third Illinois Regiment. On the 8th of October, 1862, he was shot through the body at the battle of Chapman Heights at Perryville, Kentucky, the minnie ball entering his bowels and passing out at the back. He was confined in the hospital at Perrysville from the 10th of October until the Ist of November, when he was transferred to the hospital at New Albany, Indiana, from which
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he was discharged on the 25th of January and sent home. On the 18th of Oc- tober, while in the hospital at Perryville he requested the surgeons to write a letter telling the folks at home that they would see him in two months and was told that he had only from five to fifteen minutes longer to live. His wound was such that it incapacitated him for work and he has never been able to do any arduous labor since. He also had two brothers who loyally defended the interests of the Union at the time of the Civil war. Albert, who was a member of Company C. Twenty-fifth Illinois Regiment, was severely wounded in the battle of Stone River. William H., who belonged to the Sixty-third Regiment was killed at Columbia, South Carolina, while accompanying Sherman on his march to the sea. His death was a very tragic one. He was assisting in empty- ing barrels of captured Confederate powder into the river when an exploding shell ignited the powder, throwing him many feet in the air and landing him in the middle of the river with two barrel staves blown entirely through his body. In this condition he swam to shore and then expired.
As before stated, the home farm of Aaron Dalbey embraces seventy-two and a half acres and has been his place of abode for more than forty years. For the past fourteen years he has suffered from partial blindness and is un- able to read. He had no children of his own but reared a cousin of his wife, Mary Jane Custer, whom they took into their home at the age of eleven months. She remained with them until called to her final rest at the age of forty-four years. Mrs. Dalbey died on the 14th of April, 1907, passing away in the faith of the Presbyterian church, of which she had been a lifelong member.
Mr. Dalbey is a stanch republican in politics, having ever supported the party which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. He still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Homer Post, No. 63, G. A. R. He is now in the seventy- ninth year of his age and well merits the respect and esteem which are uniformly accorded him.
T. J. HOLLINGSWORTH.
The name of T. J. Hollingsworth appears an the list of Vermilion county's honored dead. He was for a long period identified with mercantile interests in Bismarck and while his enterprise contributed to his success, his honorable methods also gained for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. His birth occurred south of Newport in Vermilion county, Indiana, September 26, 1840. His parents, Hezekiah and Elizabeth (Aldridge) Hollingsworth, were both natives of Ohio, and unto them were born four chil- dren, but all are now deceased.
T. J. Hollingsworth was reared in his parents' home, his youthful days be- ing spent upon the farm, while his early experiences made him familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He was only nine- teen years of age when he was first married, Miss Elizabeth Smith becoming his wife. She died four years later, leaving two children: Alice, now the wife
MR. AND MRS. T. J. HOLLINGSWORTH
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of Lincoln Rogers; and Otis, who died when ten months old. On the 28th of October, 1888, Mr. Hollingsworth was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary C. Lowe, who was born in Vermilion county, Indiana, December 8, 1846. Her parents were Richard and Hannah Jane (Moody) Lowe, who were natives of Ohio, whence they came to Indiana, where they lived for some time, and then removed to Vermilion county, Illinois, where their remaining days were passed. Their family numbered four children: Mary C., now Mrs. Hollingsworth; Edmond, a resident of Montana; Isaac, deceased; and P. M. now living in Bismarck, Illinois.
Mrs. Lowe was one of the first settlers of Danville, taking up her abode here when there were only two small stores in the town. She was employed in the home of Dr. Lemon, who was then the only physician in Danville.
Following his second marriage Mr. Hollingsworth engaged in farming for six years and then removed to Bismarck, where he turned his attention to general merchandising, becoming the proprietor of the store which his widow is now conducting with the assistance of her brother, Peter Lowe. She also owns a good residence and a brick store building, which is twenty-six by fifty feet. In addition to this property she has likewise five lots in the city.
Mr. Hollingsworth manifested good business ability and keen discernment in the control of his commercial interests. He was watchful of every indication pointing to success and his enterprising spirit and persistency of purpose enabled him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles in his path. Moreover, in all of his business dealings he was honorable and straightforward, and in every relation of life commanded the good will and trust of those who knew him. He died August 5, 1908, and was laid to rest in Rose cemetery.
In assuming charge of the business left by her husband, Mrs. Hollingsworth has displayed excellent ability and executive force. She holds membership in the Christian church and is a lady of many admirable qualities, whose friends in this part of the county are almost as numerous as her acquaintances.
RUFUS G. HENDERSON.
Rufus G. Henderson, conducting a boarding stable in Danville, was born in Elwood township, Vermilion county, in 1877. His father, Richard Henderson, was born in Vermilion county in 1837, and made farming his life work. He wedded Martha Milholland, who was born in 1835, and they became the parents of seven children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being: John F., who married Emma E. Lynch and has three children, their home being in Humrick, Illinois ; Charles A., a farmer living near Ridge Farm, who married Belle Turner and has three children; Almina, at home; and Loretta, deceased.
Rufus G. Henderson, the other member of the family, is indebted to the public-school system for the early educational privileges which he enjoyed. Later he pursued a course in Brown's Business College. He worked upon a farm until about five years ago, his father owning a good tract of land in Love township. On leaving the farm he came to Danville and was employed in the livery stable
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of Joe Massing for two years. He afterward spent a year in the service of the American Express Company as driver and two years in the office and on the expiration of that period he purchased the livery barn of Joe Massing. He conducts the only exclusive boarding barn in the town and, on a limited scale, he also rents out horses and buggies.
In his political views Mr. Henderson is a republican and finds in the party platform the principles of government which he deems most essential for the progress and welfare of the country at large. He is connected with the Tribe of Ben Hur, holding his membership in Humrick, and his family are members of the Presbyterian church. He is not afraid to work and the energy which he is displaying in the conduct of his business affairs is bringing to him substantial success.
EDWARD BUY.
The mercantile interests of Danville find an enterprising and successful representative in Edward Buy, the proprietor of a well equipped grocery es- tablishment at No. 1301 East Main street. His birth occurred in Danville on the 17th of July, 1868, his parents being Fred and Mary (Stuebe) Buy, both natives of Germany. The father emigrated to the new world in 1857 and made his way direct to Danville, here securing employment as clerk in a store. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted for service as a Union soldier and after peace had been declared he again worked as clerk in a store. In the late '6os he embarked in business on his own account as a grocer, his store being located on the present site of the office of the traction company. At the present time he lives retired on a tract of land northwest of Danville, enjoying in well earned ease the fruits of his former industry. The period of his residence in Vermilion county covers more than a half century and he is well known within its borders as a most respected and substantial citizen. Mr. Buy of this review is one of a family of four sons and four daughters, the other children being as fol- lows: Jennie, now the wife of Robert Koch; Karl; William; Lula, the wife of Carl Walker; Harry; Mamie, who gave her hand in marriage to Edward At- wood; and Alice.
In his youthful years Edward Buy received the advantages of a public school education, attending the old Washington school in Danville. After putting aside his text-books he lived on a farm for three years and on attaining his majority came to Danville, here securing employment in the general store of Robert Koch. Subsequently he became a partner of that gentleman and they conducted business successfully for a period of seven years. At the end of that time he became the sole proprietor of a store on Fairchild street and in 1905 changed his location to East Main street and Bowman avenue. He next erected his present fine quarters at No. 1301 East Main street, where he has conducted business since 1908. He carries a large assortment of staple and fancy grocer- ies, fresh meats, fish and poultry, and enjoys an extensive trade by reason of his straightforward business methods and earnest desire to please his customers.
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Mr. Buy has been married twice. In 1892 he wedded Miss Lulu White, by whom he had three children: Fred, Louis and Howard. The wife and mother passed away on the 28th of October, 1905, and on the Ist of August, 1906, Mr. Buy was again married, his second union being with Miss Veerah Kable, by whom he has a daughter, Geraldine.
Politically Mr. Buy is a stanch advocate and supporter of the principles of the prohibition party, taking an active part in the fight against the liquor traffic. He was at one time candidate for assessor on the prohibition ticket. His fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Bethany Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as elder and trustee. He enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance in the county where his entire life has been spent and is entitled to a foremost place among its upright, respected and representative citizens.
CARL CHRIS BLANKENBURG.
Carl Chris Blankenburg is one of the younger representatives of the Dan- ville bar. He was born in this city, June 20, 1888, a son of Christian L. and Emma (Decker) Blankenburg. The paternal grandfather, Wilhelm Blanken- burg, was born at Lichterfelde, Germany, on the 24th of June, 1824, and in his native land was married to Miss Dorothea Torgah, who was born in the same place, on the 12th of September, 1812. He was the youngest of three brothers, the others being Gottlieb and Friederich Blankenburg. The family had settled in Lichterfelde, near Eberswalde, in the latter part of the seventeenth century and the descendants of the two brothers of the grandfather are still living in that part of the country.
Christian L. Blankenburg, the father of Carl C. Blankenburg, was born in Eberswalde, Germany, in 1850, and was one of a family of eight sons and one daughter, as follows: Wilhelm and Frederick, now deceased; Gottlieb, who is living in Danville; Ernest and August, who are also residents of this city; Louisa, the widow of George Rust, a resident of the state of Washington; Christian L., Louis and Ferdinand, all three of whom are deceased. Of these Christian L. Blankenburg came to the United States in 1869, when a young man of about nineteen years. He was married in 1877 to Miss Emma Decker, who was born in Ohio in 1854, a daughter of Jeremiah and Amanda (Wey- gandt) Decker, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The latter was one of a family of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, namely: Isaiah, now deceased; Amanda, who has also passed away; Russell Bigelow; Hymenius ; George, who is deceased; Richard Tecumseh, Amy and William, who have all departed this life; Louis; Zibah, deceased; and Lavinia. Of these children Rus- sell Bigelow Weygandt served for three years in the Civil war, participating in the battle of Gettysburg. Hymenius was also a soldier, became ill and was sent home. Of this family Amanda Weygandt became the wife of Jeremiah Decker. As stated, their daughter Emma Decker was married in 1877 to Christian L. Blank-
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enburg. His death occurred January 10, 1891, and in 1904 his widow be- came the wife of George Allen, of Danville.
Carl C. Blankenburg pursued his education in the public schools of Danville, passing through consecutive grades until he became a high-school student. Turning upon the practice of law for his life work, he was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1909, at the age of twenty-one years, and the same year was admitted to the bar both in Michigan and in Illinois. In March, 1910, he began practicing in Danville, having an office in the second National Bank building, and has made a good start in his chosen calling. He is recognized as a young man of strong men- tality and undoubtedly will win success in a profession which calls for close analytical reasoning. He belongs to the Methodist church and his friends speak of him only in terms of high regard.
A. J. LEITZBACH, M. D.
Dr. A. J. Leitzbach, a well known and successful physician and surgeon of Fairmount, has here practiced his profession continuously for the past twenty- three years. His birth occurred in Robertsville, Connecticut, on the 3d of Au- gust, 1862, his parents being Nicholas and Elizabeth (Esslinger) Leitzbach, both natives of Germany. The father came to this country in early manhood, while the mother was but a girl when brought to the United States by her parents. Their marriage took place at Winsted, Connecticut. Nicholas Leitzbach was a cabinetmaker by trade and for a number of years worked at that occupation in the employ of the Camp Manufacturing Company, furniture manufacturers of Robertsville, Connecticut. During that period he acquired a farm in Kansas and in 1885 sent his son, Edward H., to look after his property interests there. Being well pleased with the country, the later remained in the Sunflower state and this fact largely influenced Nicholas Leitzbach to likewise establish his home in the west. Moreover, he had a daughter in Michigan and his son, A. J., had also located in this part of the country. At Humboldt, Kansas, in asso- ciation with his son, E. H., he was successfully engaged in the furniture manu- facturing business for several years or until the time of his retirement. E. H. Leitzbach then abandoned manufacturing interests and is now conducting an extensive mercantile enterprise, carrying a general line of furniture, pianos, boots, shoes, etc. He is one of the leading merchants of Humboldt; where his father is still living in honorable retirement. His mother was called to her final rest December 19, 1891.
A. J. Leitzbach was reared under the parental roof and obtained his early education in the Robertsville schools and in the graded schools of Riverton. Subsequently he entered the State Normal College at New Britain, Connecticut, being graduated from that institution with the class of 1882. He was then offered and accepted the principalship of the Riverton schools and for two years acceptably filled that responsible position. During the period of his connection with educational interests he took up the study of medicine, reading under the
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preceptorship of Dr. John W. Bidwell, of Winsted. Dr. Bidwell was the old Leitzbach family physician and it was largely through his instrumentality that our subject became identified with the medical profession. In the fall of 1884 Dr. Leitzbach entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York city, completing the prescribed course in 1887. Following his graduation he rode with his preceptor for a few months and subsequently traveled through Virginia, Michigan, Ohio and other states in search of a favorable location. In the early fall of 1887 he settled in Fairmount, Vermilion county, Illinois, and this town has since remained the scene of his professional labors. His practice is now of an extensive and important character, having continually grown as he has demonstrated his skill and ability in the line of his chosen vocation. Through his membership in the Vermilion County Medical Society and the Illinois State Medical Society he keeps in close touch with the progress made by the profession.
In 1893 Dr. Leitzbach was united in marriage to Miss Clara K. Daugherty, the youngest daughter of James A. Daugherty, now deceased, who was formerly one of the well known farmers of Vance township. They now have two chil- dren, Elizabeth L. and Maude Louise.
Dr. Leitzbach was one of the organizers of Fairmount Lodge, No. 1863; M. W. A., and has acted as medical examiner since the time of its organization. He is possibly the only man who is identified therewith under like conditions, neither paying dues nor carrying insurance. He acts as elder and trustee of the Presbyterian church, of which his wife is likewise a devoted member. In pro- fessional circles he enjoys an enviable reputation, while the salient character- istics of his manhood are such as have brought him the warm regard of those with whom he has been otherwise associated. .
ROBERT CLEMENTS, M. D.
The medical fraternity finds a worthy representative in Dr. Robert Clements, who for the past five years has successfully engaged in practice in Danville. A native of Illinois, he was born in Carbondale, September 12, 1877, and is a son of Isaac Clements, who was born in Indiana and came to this state in the early '60s. Being admitted to the bar, the father engaged in practice in Carbondale for many years and became one of the most prominent and influential men in that part of the state, being called upon to serve two terms as a congressman from his district. In June, 1899, he was made governor of the Danville branch of the Soldiers Home and most creditably filled that position until his death, which occurred on the 3Ist of May, 1909, when he was seventy-three years of age. He was an honored veteran of the Civil war, having served in the Ninth Illinois Regiment, and while fighting for the preservation of the Union was wounded several times. In early manhood he married Miss Josephine Nutt, a native of Centerville, Indiana. More extended mention is made of this worthy couple on another page of this volume.
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Reared in this state, Dr. Clements attended the public schools and also the Southern Illinois Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1898. The following two years he was a student at the Northwestern University and then entered upon the study of medicine, graduating from the medical department of that institution in 1905. Having received his degree and license to practice, he located in Danville and has since been regarded as one of the leading representa- tives of his profession in Vermilion county. His fraternal brothers recognize his ability and he is today an honored member of the Physicians Club and the County, State and National Medical Societies. He is also a prominent Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and council.
In November, 1906, Dr. Clements was united in marriage to Miss Carolyn Prest, a native of Chicago, and they now have a little daughter, Virginia Jose- phine, who was born September 26, 1907. During their residence in Danville the couple have made a large circle of friends and the hospitality of many of its best homes is extended to them.
HIRAM W. ROSS.
Hiram W. Ross is now largely living retired, although he gives personal supervision to his property interests. He was born near Rossville, in this county, on the 8th of November, 1843, and is a son of Joseph T. and Minerva (Ticknor) Ross. His paternal grandfather was John Ross, who was born in Pennsylvania and at an early day removed to Kentucky, whence he came to Illinois in 1830, locating on Stony creek in Vermilion county, a mile and a half from what is now Danville and near the present site of the Soldiers Home in Danville township. From that time to the present representatives of the name have taken an active and helpful part in the work of progress and improvement here.
Joseph T. Ross, the father of our subject, was born in Mason county, Ken- tucky, May 31, 1810, and when a young man came to Vermilion county looking over the country. On his return to his native state he persuaded the family to settle here. On the 8th of September, 1833, he married Miss Minerva Ticknor, a daughter of James Ticknor, who came to this county in 1824 or 1825 and located two and a half miles from what is now the public square in Danville. Her father taught the first school in the county at what was called Butler's Point, just north of where the town of Catlin now stands. 'After the death of his first wife Joseph T. Ross was again married May 24, 1849, his second union being with Amanda Jane Black. His third wife was Olive Ann Morton, to whom he was married April 12, 1857. He purchased the old Ticknor homestead and became one of the wealthiest farmers of the county, being the second largest sheep-raiser within its borders. His death occurred on the 18th of June, 1887.
Hiram W. Ross was educated in the schools of this county and through the period of his youth also aided in the work of the fields, devoting the summer months to such tasks as were required of him in the cultivation of the old home farm. After attaining his majority he purchased the old homestead comprising
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