USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 67
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erecting buildings as far south at Atlanta, Georgia. He is not only thoroughly familiar with his work but is a man of good business and executive ability and the buildings he has erected stand as monuments to his architectural skill and good workmanship.
Mr. Shields was married in Danville on the 27th of November, 1895, to Miss Grace Gertrude Lockhart, who was born in Newell township, October 28, 1869, a daughter of John R. and Mary A. (Leonard) Lockhart. She is a representa- tive of an old and honored family of Vermilion county, her great-grandfather, Valentine Leonard, having come to this region from Harrison county, Ken- tucky, at a very early day, in company with three other gentlemen, one of whom was Jehu Chandler. They located in Newell township. Philip Leonard, Mrs. Shields' maternal grandfather, served as justice of the peace in that township for over a quarter of a century. He is now deceased. Her father, John R. Lock- hart, was born in Newell township, January 19, 1836, and is today the oldest native citizen of that part of the county. He was a soldier of the Civil war, having enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try. On the Ist of November, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Leonard, who was born in this county, February 6, 1842, and they have now traveled life's journey together for fifty-three years. He is a retired farmer liv- ing in Danville. Mr. and Mrs. Shields have three children, namely : J. Russell Lockhart, born Setpember 11, 1896; Wade Harlan and Kirk Holman, twins, born on the 20th of October, 1901.
Mr. Shields early became identified with the Illinois National Guard and is now a member of Battery A., Illinois Infantry. He is independent in politics but as a public spirited and progressive citizen takes a deep interest in public affairs and does all in his power to advance the general welfare. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Presbyterian church and socially he belongs to the Danville Industrial Club. He is a Thirty-second degree Mason, having taken the degrees of both the York and Scottish Rite and is also an hon- ored member of the Improved Order of Red Men and the Mystic Workers of the World. He is a progressive, up-to-date business man of strict integrity and enjoys in large measure the confidence and regard of those with whom he is brought in contact.
LOUIS B. WOLF.
Louis B. Wolf, a well known and honored resident of Danville, claims Ohio as his native state, his birth occurring in Upper Sandusky, April 17, 1855, and on both the paternal and maternal sides he is of Pennsylvania German extraction. His parents were Christian and Sarah (Darr) Wolf, who came with their family to Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1862. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, died on the 29th of January, 1869, and the mother passed away February 29, 1892. Our subject had five brothers, namely, John Jerome, Henry, Jefferson and Charles, all of whom are now deceased.
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Louis B. Wolf was a lad of only seven years when he accompanied the family on their removal to this county, and he is indebted to the public schools of Danville for the early educational privileges he enjoyed. On leaving school he began his business career and for a time was engaged in the retail grocery trade at the corner of Pine and Madison streets, where he carried on business for a period of five years. At the end of that time, having an opportunity to sell advantageously, he disposed of his stock and entered the employ of J. A. Daniels, a retail furniture dealer, with whom he remained for a number of years. He next accepted a position with C. H. Gones, who was engaged in the same line, and remained with that gentleman for five years. His next step was to engage in the retail furniture business on his own account at No. 30 Jackson street, where he conducted an up-to-date establishment and succeeded in building up a large and profitable trade, but again found it to his advantage to sell out. He has since been connected with the Danville Lounge & Mattress Company.
On the 29th of January, 1879, in Danville, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wolf and Miss Alice Hart, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Richard and Emma (Leah) Hart, who were old residents of this county. Her parents removed to Danville in 1872 and both are now deceased. There were three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wolf, namely: Willis W., now a resident of Indianapolis, Indiana; Emma Leah, the wife of Ernest Balsley, of Danville; and Herbert H., who also makes his home in Danville. The parents are both earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and, being a strong temperance man, Mr. Wolf casts his ballot with the prohibition party. Fraternaly he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is a man highly esteemed by all who know him.
THOMAS A. TAYLOR.
One of the most successful men of Vermilion county is Thomas A. Taylor, who though pratically living retired in the village of Catlin is the owner of ex- tensive landed interests in this part of the state. His prosperity is attributable to his own labors. Through the improvement of opportunity and through un- faltering diligence he has worked his way upward until he now occupies a posi- tion among the men of affluence in eastern Illinois. His birth occurred in In- diana on the 25th of April, 1847, his parents being Thomas A. and Iva E. (Allen) Taylor, natives of Shelby and Hartford counties, Kentucky, respectively. In early life they removed to Indiana and came to Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1853. The father purchased land in Catlin township and there made his home until his death, giving his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits. He passed away in 1876 and his wife Iva E. Taylor, who long survived him, died in 1889. In their family were seven children: Alvin, a resident of this county ; Elizabeth, the wife of John W. Newlan of Danville; Thomas A., Cynthia E., the wife of R. Smith of New Mexico; and three who are now deceased.
MR. AND MRS. THOMAS A. TAYLOR
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Thomas A. Taylor remained at home until he had attained his majority. He was a lad of only six summers when the family came to Illinois and his youthful days were spent in the usual manner of most farm lads who divide their time between the duties of the schoolroom and the work of the fields. After at- taining his majority he rented a farm for a year and at the end of that time made his first investment in property, becoming the owner of eighty acres in Catlin township, upon which he resided for two years. He then traded that property for one hundred and twenty acres elsewhere in the same township and occupied the farm continuously until 1893. From time to time he extended its boundaries and continued purchasing land until his holdings now embrace eight hundred and twenty acres all in this county. Illinois has no richer soil than can be found in this part of the state, and Mr. Taylor is the owner of some of the best farming land here. He had supplemented his early education by study in Mount Zion Academy and Lincoln University and was thus well equipped by preliminary mental training for the cares and responsibilities of life. Making good use of his opportunities, he has steadily progressed toward the goal of success and is today one of the most extensive landowners of the county. Moreover, he is a stockholder and one of the directors of the First National Bank of Catlin and is financially interested in the Oakwood Bank, which he also represents as a director. In business matters his judgment is sound, his insight keen and his energy unflagging. Having retired from the active operation of his farm land he now makes his home in Catlin, where he has erected a fine residence on Vermilion street. While upon the farm he made a specialty of feeding cattle and hogs and his stock-raising interests constituted an important and profitable branch of his business.
In 1869 Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Acree, who was born in this county and is a daughter of Joel and Elvessa (Yount) Acree, both of whom were natives of Alabama. They came to Vermilion county in 1832 and here resided until their death, rearing their family of two children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have been born thirteen children: Clemer, the wife of Charles C. Andrews of this country; Gale H. and Joel, also residents of this county ; Elvessa, a graduate of Lincoln University; Benjamin; Robert; Mar- garet, the wife of Willis Wherry of Vermilion county; Louis, a graduate of the high school; Whittier, residing upon the home farm; Catherine, who attended the Millikin University at Decatur, Illinois; Harriet, at home; and two who are now deceased.
Mr. Taylor has always been recognized as a public-spirited citizen, and his labors have been an effective element in promoting the general growth and pros- perity of this part of the state. He was a director and president of the Fair Association of Catlin and in this connection did effective service to stimulate the interest of the public in the fair and to secure exhibits which were a credit- able representation of what is produced in this section. He was also a member of the Farmers Institute, recognizing the fact that it could be made a most valuable factor in the work of development along agricultural lines. It was organized twenty years ago and for ten years Mr. Taylor served as its presi- dent. He likewise became one of the charter members of Lakeview Hospital at Danville and was its president for a decade. He has been a member of
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the Old Settlers' Society since it was organized and is now its chief executive officer. He also had the honor of being appointed by the governor to attend the Farmers State Congress on several different occassions. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, in which he has been an elder from the time he attained his majority. His entire life has been guided by his faith in the teachings of the church, and his has ever been an honorable and upright career. In politics he is a republican, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. The cause of education, however, finds in him a warm friend and he has served most of his life as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, attaining the eighteenth degree in the Scottish Rite. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge of Cat- lin and to the Modern Woodmen Camp. There is in him a strong initiative spirit which has made him a leader of public thought and action and a molder of public opinion. His labors have in large measure been directly beneficial to the community and at all times he has stood for progress and improvement. What he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents and there has never been an esoteric phase in his entire career.
ELIJAH A. MORRISON.
Elijah A. Morrison, owning and operating an excellent farm of two hun- dred and seventy acres on sections 2 and 35, Vance township, was born in that township on the 10th of March, 1852, his parents being James P. and Harriet A. (Stearns) Morrison. The father's birth occurred in Fayette county, Ohio, in 1818, while the mother, likewise a native of the Buckeye state, was born on the Ist of November, 1828. James P. Morrison was reared and married in his native county, his first wife being a Miss Allen, by whom he had one daughter, now deceased. The mother passed away in Fayette county and about 1850 James P. Morrison came to Vermilion county, Illinois, pur- chasing and locating upon a farm in Vance township. Subsequently he wedded Miss Harriet A. Stearns, a daughter of Harvey Stearns, who came to this county in 1832, taking up his abode in Vance township. More extended men- tion of him is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of his son, Alvin Stearns.
James P. Morrison prospered in his undertakings as an agriculturist, ac- cumulating more than seven hundred acres of valuable land. At the time of his demise, however, his holdings embraced only about four hundred acres, for he had divided the remainder of the property among his children and as- sisted them in making a start in life. He passed away in this county on the 18th of September, 1888, and thus the community lost one of its most sub- stantial, respected and representative citizens. His death was the result of an accident, a saw log rolling over him and killing him while he was attempting to load it on a wagon. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party and, though not an office seeker, ably served his fellow townsmen in several minor township positions. For many years he acted as a deacon in the Cum-
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berland Presbyterian church, of which his wife was also a devoted and con- sistent member and in the faith of which she passed away on the 4th of Decem- ber, 1893. Their children were six in number, four of whom are yet living, as follows: Elijah A., of this review; Alonzo O., who is a resident of Homer, Illinois ; Florence E., the wife of John Boggess, of Homer; and Harlan P., who also lives in Homer.
Elijah A. Morrison attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage. It was on the 3Ist of December, 1873, that he wedded Miss Flora J. Foreman, a daughter of John Foreman, of Vance township, who came to this county from Ohio at an early day. In the spring of 1874 Mr. Morrison started out as an agriculturist on his own account, renting a tract of land belonging to his father. About five years later he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres from his father in what is now Vance township but was then included within the boundaries of Sidell township. After operating the place for ten years he disposed of the property and bought a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Vance township, residing thereon for fourteen years. In 1899 he sold the farm and purchased his present place on sections 2 and 35, Vance township. The property embraces two hundred and seventy acres of valuable and pro- ductive land and in the careful conduct of his agricutural interests, he has won a most gratifying and well merited measure of success.
Unto Mr. Morrison and his first wife were born two children, one of whom is deceased. The other is Daisy, the wife of Charles Wiggins, of Homer, Illinois. The mother's demise occurred in 1878 and two years later Mr. Mor- rison was again married, his second union being with Miss Amy O. Goodrich, of De Witt county. Unto them have likewise been born two children, Carl and Helen, both at home.
In politics Mr. Morrison in a stanch republican but the honors and emolu- ments of office have never had any attraction for him. Fraternally he is identi .. fied with Homer Lodge, No. 199, A. F. & A. M., and Homer Chapter, No. 94. R. A. M. His wife is a faithful member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He has resided in Vermilion county from his birth to the present time and has ever enjoyed in the fullest degree the respect and confidence of his fellowmen, his worth as a man and citizen being widely acknowledged.
ALBERT LEINS.
Albert Leins, for twenty-eight years a resident of Danville and proprietor of a well conducted bakery, was born in Chicago, July 14, 1873. He is a son of John and Fredericka (Roos) Leins, both of whom came from Germany to America about 1870 and located in Chicago. There they were married and in 1876 Mr. Leins established a bakery, continuing in that business until 1882, when he came to Danville. After arriving in this city Mr. Leins found the field already occupied in his special line and he therefore for a time engaged in the butcher business, later, however, establishing a bakery on the south side,
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where he continued until his death, May 4, 1898. His wife is still living at the age of sixty-three years and resides at No. 118 West Main street. Seven children were born to them, four of whom are now living: Albert, the sub- ject of this review, Christ, Elizabeth and Robert.
Albert Leins was given the advantages of a good common-school education. later attending the college at Berea, Ohio. He was a young man of good ideals and worthy character and at the age of nineteen he entered business with his father at Danville and since the death of the latter has had entire charge of the bakery, and by industry and thoughtful attention to this duties he has attained considerable success.
On September 4, 1901, Mr. Leins was united in marriage to Miss Anna Blankenburg, a daughter of Frederick and Caroline Blankenburg, who came from Germany to this country. Mr. Leins is in sympathy with the principles of the republican party and as a patriotic citizen he casts his ballot for those measures and candidates that he believes will best advance the interests of the state and nation. Some years ago he became a member of the Masonic order in Danville and has advanced to the Lodge of Perfection in that organi- zation. He is also affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and has many friends in these orders. He has always been enterprising and industrious and has built up a good trade in the community where he is well known and which recognizes in him many of the qualities that assist so greatly in the attainment of prosperity in any line of business that is honorably conducted. He has a laudable ambition which has found expression along lines that have not only added to his financial status but have been of practical benefit to the city where he makes his home.
HON. JOSEPH G. CANNON.
With mentality as keen as it was a quarter of a century ago, Hon. Joseph G. Cannon is still a leader in republican national politics. Few men have been so long in public service and the record of none has been more faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation. Leadership always evokes oppo- sition and such has been the case with Mr. Cannon. He has been bitterly at- tacked but, serene in the belief of the policy which he pursues, he continues on his way and with the wisdom of age he recognizes the fact that ultimately the right will triumph and sound judgment will prevail. No higher testimonial of popular favor and support could be given than in the fact of Mr. Cannon's recent reelec- tion to congress.
He was born at Guilford, North Carolina, May 7, 1836, a son of Dr. Horace F. and Gulielma (Hollingsworth) Cannon. Both were representatives of old Quaker families dating back through Revolutionary times to the days of George Fox. When Joseph John Gurney, a celebrated preacher of the Friends faith, came from England as a missionary he was accompanied by Dr. Cannon on his tour through America and, when the subject of this review was born, Dr. Can- non named his little son Joseph Gurney in honor of his missionary friend. One
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of his biographers has said in this connection: "Hence Mr. Cannon had a birth- right in that church and from his youth up was trained in its simple, honest, noble principles, which have been, and are today, the solid foundation of his moral life and of his stanch republicanism." The days of his youth were passed in a manner similar to that of most farm boys and when he had mastered the studies taught in the district schools he had the benefit of instruction in an acad- emy at Annapolis, Parke county, Indiana, conducted by Professor Barnabas Hobbs. This with a year in Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, ended his school training, yet it would be difficult today to find a man in public life who has read more broadly or has a wider store of wisdom concerning the multitudin- ous questions which is one phase or another affect the political situation of the country.
He was only fourteen years of age when his father, in attempting to ford Sugar creek in order to attend a patient, was drowned. His son Joseph was early thrown upon his own resources and to provide for his support secured a clerkship in a store at Annapolis at a salary of two hundred dollars per year. He was thus employed for five years and managed to save half of his earnings, so that with a capital of five hundred dollars he went to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he entered upon the study of law under the direction of John P. Usher, one of the distinguished attorneys of the middle west. He supplemented his preliminary reading by a course of study in the Cincinnati Law School. Economy was a part of his training during that period but he was actuated by strong am- bition and determination to succeed and he overlooked present hardships with a view to enjoying success in the future. When his law course was finished he entered upon active practice in Shelbyville, Illinois, and there formed the acquaintance of distinguished and able representatives of the bar. Later he began practice in Tuscola, Illinois, going there to join his mother and his brother, William P. Cannon, who had removed to that place. Advancement at the bar is proverbially slow and, like many others, Mr. Cannon had to await the time when his practice should be large and profitable. His leisure hours, however, were by no means wasted. He improved them by study, so that when cases did come to him he had a mind well stored with legal knowledge and was able to cope with the intricate and involved problems of the law. He relates that on one occasion when he had a case at Urbana he walked from Tuscola to the former place, carrying his coat upon his arm, in order to save the cost of transportation.
While in Tuscola Mr. Cannon formed the acquaintance of Miss Mary Pamela Reed, whom he made his wife and whose counsel and keen intellect assisted him greatly in his career. A contemporary biographer has said of her: "Mrs. Cannon was a magnificent lady, elegantly educated, strong common sense, lofty ideals, and gave her husband a steady and powerful support during those days of struggle and after he became successful in life. She died in Danville in December, 1889, deeply mourned by a wide circle of friends and especially by Mr. Cannon and his two daughters, Miss Helen Cannon and Mrs. Mabel Cannon LeSeure. Miss Helen, a noble and gifted lady, has been his constant companion and helper since the death of her mother."
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Mr. Cannon first actively entered politics in 1861, when he decided to become a candidate for states attorney against Ward H. Lamon, brother of Judge J. B. Lamon, the latter being at one time a local law partner of Abraham Lincoln and afterward marshal of the District of Columbia and an officer of Lincoln's bodyguard. Judge Lamon was widely known and very popular, while Mr. Cannon had a much less extensive acquaintance. His friends advised him not to enter the race but with the same keen insight into the situation that has since characterized his efforts in politics, he announced himself as a candidate, believ- ing that he could win. While living in Indiana he had attended the big yearly Quaker meetings in Vermilion Grove, Illinois, with his parents, traveling across the rough country in a farm wagon. He knew every Quaker family of consequence in the region of Georgetown and Vermilion Grove, Illinois. The mud was very deep, the streams were high and without bridges, but he swam his horse across, went into the Quaker settlement, made a house to house can- vass, stating who he was and what he wanted. On various occasions the good old people listened gravely and said, "Yes, Joseph, we know thy good mother and father and will vote for thee." They kept their promise and the result was that Mr. Cannon was elected. He served as states attorney until 1868 and during that period not only proved his ability as a lawyer but also became so well known that he determined upon another step in the political field. He first became a candidate for congress in 1872, at which time the eleventh Illinois district was composed of Champaign, Coles, Douglas, Macon, Piatt and Ver- milion counties. The convention met at Tolona and the other candidates for the nomination were Colonel J. W. Langley of Champaign, Colonel Lyman Guin- nip of Vermilion and General Jesse H. Moore, then serving in congress. The first ballot showed that Mr. Cannon had but the four votes from Douglas. There was little change as the balloting proceeded until the thirty-eighth, when Mr. Cannon received the support of Vermilion's eight votes. Coles and Macon fol- lowed and Mr. Cannon was given twenty-six votes against four for Moore and seven for Langley. His nomination was made unanimous with thundering applause. In response to the call he made a modest speech, in which he spoke so kindly of his opponents that he won them over. At the ensuing election a large majority placed him in congress. By acclamation at each succeeding con- vention since 1872 he has been renominated and each time has been reelected by substantial majorities save in 1890, when there was a landslide throughout the country, the democratic party gaining the ascendency. The ablest men in the opposition have been his opponents and yet the people have chosen Mr. Cannon again and again, proving their faith and confidence in him.
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