USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 69
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Reared under the beneficient influences of a kindly home, Arthur H. Gun- der received his preliminary education in the common schools and the Fairmount high school, later attending the Dixon Business College, from which he grad- uated with the class of 1893. His father, who was an earnest advocate of education and assisted in every way possible to secure the best educational facili- ties for all of his children, offered to send him to the State University and to pay for a full course of four years' instruction in that celebrated institution, but the parents were growing old and the son relinquished the opportunity for a college education in order that he might be near his father and mother during their declining years. Accordingly, he accepted a position in the Fairmount postoffice under a brother, who was postmaster, and there he continued for two years. During this time he gained many practical ideas as to business manage- ment, which assisted him very materially after he assumed larger responsibili- ties. In the spring of 1896 he took charge of the home farm, which he has since operated. He purchased two hundred and eighteen acres of the estate and also other holdings. His farm is under a high state of cultivation and provided with every appliance necessary in conducting the operations of a strictly up-to- date establishment. He also owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres in the northern part of the township. Mr. Gunder has for many years engaged extensively in cattle feeding and in this, as in other farm operations, has dis- played a judgment that has yielded very satisfactory financial returns.
On January 27, 1897, Mr. Gunder was united in marriage to Miss Ollie Barker, of Catlin township, this county, a daughter of Amos B. Barker, a farmer now living retired at Danville. One child, Helen E., has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gunder. Mr. Gunder is a stanch believer in the principles of the democratic party but has never aspired to fill any public office, as his exten- sive farming interests have required his entire attention. He is a member of Fairmount Lodge, No. 590, A. F. & A. M., and also of the Court of Honor. In
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church relations he is identified with the Baptist denomination and as a deacon of the church he takes a great deal of interest in its welfare. He and his wife are earnest and efficient workers in forwarding every enterprise that has for its aim the permanent advancement of the community. Mr. Gunder is greatly respected wherever he is known and is recognized as one of the substantial and progressive citizens of one of the most enlightened and flourishing regions of Illinois.
HENRY CARYL HOLTON, M. D.
Many accord to the practice of medicine the highest place in an estimate of the value of different lines of business and it is a well known fact that no occupation or profession is so little commercialized, for the successful physician must be a man not only of wide scientific attainments and of laudable ambition for success, but must also possess that broad humanitarian spirit that prompts him to labor for the welfare of his fellowmen even when no pecuniary reward may be expected.
Ranking with the able physicians and surgeons of Sidell is Dr. Henry Caryl Holton, who was born in Indianola, Illinois, October 23, 1853, and is a son of Leonard C. and Helen (Dudley) Holton, both of whom were natives of Vermont. However, they were married in Kentucky, where Leonard C. Holton had gone to superintend a large plantation, while the lady of his choice had been engaged in teaching school in that state. Soon after their marriage they came to Illinois and about 1849 settled in Indianola, where the father engaged in merchandising, being one of the pioneers in that line of busi- ness. He continued in active connection with the business for a number of years and gained recognition as one of the leading citizens of the community. He died in 1870 at the age of fifty-eight years and in the spring of 1871 his widow went to Danville and again took up teaching, which she followed for seventeen consecutive years, being one of the able educators in the Danville city schools. She not only possessed the ability to impart clearly and readily the knowledge that she had acquired but also manifested that comprehension of the student as an individual without which the most successful work in the schoolroom can never be accomplished. Because of ill health she spent the last three years of her life in the home of her son, Dr. Holton, and passed away on the 21st of October, 1895, in her seventieth year.
Dr. Holton was reared at home, acquiring his education in the public schools of Indianola and in the State University of Champaign, Illinois, in which he spent one year. He then took up the profession of teaching and for ten years was identified with educational work. During the last four years of that period he devoted the time which is usually termed leisure to the study of medicine and in 1881 entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, from which he was graduated in the class of 1883. Following his grad- uation he came to Sidell and opened an office for practice. Here he has remained continuously for twenty-seven years and has built up an enviable reputation as
DR. HENRY C. HOLTON
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an able and skilled physician commanding a liberal patronage that is indicative of the confidence and trust reposed in him professionally.
In 1883 Dr. Holton was united in marriage to Miss Ura Ames, of Palermo, Illinois, and unto them were born six children, of whom three died in infancy, while three are still living: Max C., who was for a time engaged in prospect- ing in Montana, but is now engaged in mercantile business in Sidell; Wade A., assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Sidell; and Caryl A., who is attending the University of Illinois at Champaign. Dr. and Mrs. Holton have also reared three adopted daughters from infancy: Frankie Leo Holton ; Garnet Leo Dickinson and Ruth M. Dickinson, all of whom are still living with them. To these adopted daughters they are giving excellent educational privileges and all expect to enter the State University in the fall of 1910.
Mrs. Holton, her sons and daughters, are members of the Baptist church. Dr. Holton is prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to Sidell Lodge, No. 225, I. O. O. F; Sidell Encampment, No. 58; and Mae Lodge, No. 275, of the Order of Rebekah. He is likewise connected with Dell Lodge, No. 422, K. P .; Sidell Camp, No. 405, M. W. A .; the Court of Honor and the Loyal Americans. In more strictly professional lines his association is with the Illinois State Med- ical Society, the Vermilion County Medical Society and the American Asso- ciation of Railway Surgeons, being entitled to membership in the latter from the fact that he is local surgeon for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railway Company. Conscientious in the performance of his professional duties, con- stantly broadening his knowledge by reading and investigation, he has made for himself a creditable position among the able members of the medical fraternity of Vermilion county.
JOSEPH PUZEY.
Joseph Puzey, who is the owner of a highly improved farm of two hundred acres in Jamaica township, is a native son of Illinois and a member of one of the best known families of this region. Reared as a farmer, he has made a record in that vocation which is a credit to himself and to Vermilion county. He was born in Carroll township, now a part of Jamaica township, this county, Febru- ary 29, 1860, and is a son of Henry and Hannah (Rymer) Puzey, the father being of sturdy English ancestry and a prominent farmer, stock-raiser and horti- culturist of this county-an appropriate and interesting record of his remark- able success being set forth elsewhere in this work. There were five children in the family: Joseph, James R. and Thomas, all farming in Jamaica township; Frances E., the wife of Charles E. Nesbit, of Catlin township, this county, and Henry F., of Vance township.
Joseph Puzey was reared under the care of loving parents and thoroughly educated not only in the branches of the common schools but in everything per- taining to the farm, so that he had ample opportunity to become expert not only in all departments of agriculture and horticulture, in which his father gained a wide reputation, but also in the breeding and care of farm animals and in the
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business management of the farm. That he profited by his liberal course of edu- cation is shown by the success he has attained. Upon reaching manhood he asso- ciated with his father and brothers in cooperative farming until 1890, when he removed to a farm of forty acres which was given him by his father and to which he added forty acres acquired by purchase. About 1901 he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on which he makes his home, and he now possesses one of the most valuable properties of its area in this region. The home residence is a beautiful modern dwelling provided with all the con- veniences and comforts which may be desired, and the entire farm has an air of neatness and good order which is indicative of the thought and care bestowed upon it by its owner.
On November 13, 1890, Mr. Puzey was united in marriage to Miss Emma Jones of Catlin. Her father is Frederick Jones, a well known farmer now liv- ing retired, whose farm was the site of the Catlin coal shaft now owned by the A. C. Daniels Coal Company. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Puzey : Fay, Ralph and Lizzie, all of whom are living at home.
Mr. Puzey has been a lifelong democrat, and, while he has not sought public office, he has served for several years as a member of the school board and also as road commissioner and drainage commissioner of his district. While not affiliated with any church, he and his wife are regular attendants of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and are liberal supporters of all religious and chari- table causes, as well as of all movements aiming to advance the permanent in- terests of his part of the county. Mr. Puzey occupies an enviable position as the head of a happy family and as an intelligent, respected citizen in a com- munity where true merit receives its due recognition.
GOLDEN PATTERSON.
The pioneers will always be remembered as remarkable men. They were strong and fearless and they had the qualities of industry and perseverance. They left home and friends far behind and, in the midst of difficulties that would have daunted men of less self-reliance, they built rude cabins and es- tablished homes where previously had been the lair of wild beasts or the camp- ing place of the wily Indian. They were a resolute, determined class of men who having once made a decision seldom departed from it. While many of them did not possess much "book" education, they had an abundance of com- mon sense and in their knowledge of nature were far superior to the ordinary individual of today.
Many of these brave pioneers came from the southern states and found a home in Illinois. Among the number were Andrew and Amelia Patterson, who were both natives of the state of Tennessee, belonging to a hardy stock that feared not the terrors of the wilderness. They came to Illinois in 1830 and entered government land in what is now Love township, Vermilion county, where the family homestead is today to be seen. Here the head of the house felled the trees and erected a simple log cabin which he covered with a clap-
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board roof and, when he found opportunity, supplied with a puncheon floor, the principal means of ventilation and light in this, as in many other dwellings of the early settlers, being through the open door, although some of the primitive homes contained a window across which was stretched a piece of oiled paper. The young couple set up housekeeping and the good wife attended to the do- mestic duties, while her hubsand cleared away the forest, broke the prairie and in the course of years developed a productive farm. Six children came to the household of Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, three of whom are now living: William, of Ridge Farm; Elizabeth, the wife of Alexander Campbell, of Ridge Farm; and Golden, the subject of this review.
Golden Patterson was born July 17, 1833, and grew up under pioneer con- ditions. He was educated under such advantages as were available in the early district schools, which were generally in session about two months each winter and were conducted upon a subscription plan, the teacher boarding around among his patrons. Mr. Patterson continued on the home farm, where he has lived all his life, and he now owns six hundred and sixty acres of land. He also owns four hundred and forty-three acres of land in Madison county, In- diana. He has been for some years living retired, having passed to younger shoulders the responsibilities of the farm.
Mr. Patterson has never been identified with any religious denomination but is known as a man of charitable instincts and broad views, and one who has always assisted, as opportunity offered, in promoting the welfare of the neighborhood. In politics he is a republican, but he has never sought official honors or publicity of any kind. In the quiet walks of private life he has pur- sued his way, directing his attention to his own interests with an ability that long ago placed him financially beyong the fear of dependency. He is well known as a man of strict honesty and integrity, true to every cause he has ever espoused and he holds in a high degree the respect and confidence of his neighbors and friends.
CHARLES E. GERNAND.
Charles E. Gernand, who has always resided within the borders of Vermilion county and is widely recognized as one of its substantial and esteemed citizens, is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and ninety acres on sections 35 and 36, Grant township. His birth occurred in that township on the Ist of March, 1871, his parents being Abraham H. and Emma (Evans) Gernand, both of whom were natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania. In 1852 they journeyed westward to Illinois, first locating in Danville, Vermilion county. Here the father conducted a store for some time, while subsequently he turned his at- tention to general agricultural pursuits, purchasing a farm in Grant township and devoting his time and energies to its further cultivation and improvement until called to his final rest in 1903. The period of his residence in this county covered four decades and he enjoyed an extensive and favorable acquaintance here. His wife passed away in 1905. Their union was blessed with nine chil-
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dren, as follows: Anna and Laura, both of whom are residents of Rossville; Elmer, living in Grant township; Evans, who makes his home at Hull, Pike county, Illinois ; George, who is still on the old homestead; Charles E., of this review; William, of Washington, D. C .; Edna, the wife of Fred Barnes, of Rossville, Illinois; and one who died in infancy.
Charles E. Gernand supplemented his preliminary education by a college course and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. At that time he took up his abode on a farm of one hundred and ninety acres on sections 35 and 36, Grant township, where he has since carried on his agri- cultural interests with excellent success, annually gathering rich and bounteous harvests. The property is well improved in every particular and in its neat and thriftly appearance indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner.
In 1901 Mr. Gernand was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Winning, a native of Vermilion county and a daughter of Joseph and Lillian (Smith) Winning, who were likewise born in this county. The father passed away in 1908 but the mother still survives. Their children were eight in number, all of whom are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Gernand have two children, namely : Ruth W., whose birth occurred on the 18th of March, 1902; and Harold E., whose natal day was December 12, 1906.
In politics Mr. Gernand is a stanch republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, with which his wife is also identified. They are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community, having ever displayed those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard.
JAMES R. PETET.
James R. Petet, a prosperous farmer of Love township, who started out early in life upon his own account and through his industry and ability has attained an honorable place in the community, is a native of Indiana. He was born in Parke county, December 15, 1839, and is a son of Absalom and Rachel Petet, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Petet were early settlers in Indiana and the mother died in that state, but the father came to Vermilion county where he passed away. Six children were born of their union, three of whom are now living.
The subject of this review grew up a farmer boy and attended the district school where he received instruction in the fundamental branches, and caught his first glimpse of that education which begins in childhood and continues to the end of life. He assisted his father and other members of the family in the work upon the farm, but he was ambitious to advance and even as a boy he longed to see the great world that lay on the other side of the horizon. At seventeen years of age his muscles were well developed and he began testing his abilities by working as a farm hand along side of full grown men. After arriving at twenty-eight years of age he began renting land upon his own account
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and continued for thirty-five years. Having acquired sufficient capital by in- dustry and perseverance, in 1902 he purchased the farm of twenty-six and one- half acres in Love township where he has since lived and which he has made one of the attractive properties of this region. Mr. Petet is a good agriculturist and is also well versed in stock-raising, and usually manages to secure good prices for his livestock. His farm is supplied with modern machinery and he possesses all the facilities necessary for carrying on its operations in the most approved fashion.
In 1867 Mr. Petet was fortunate in securing as his wife Miss Ellen Garard, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, and has been to him through all these years a great blessing. To them five children have been born: Effie C., the wife of Thomas Stokes, of Indiana; Frederick A., of Indiana; Tarance M., of Ridge Farm; Bertie J., now living at home; and an infant, deceased.
Mr. Petet is a valued member of the Order of Ben Hur and he and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian church and have made many friends by their interest in all measures aiming to promote the general good of the public. Mr. Petet has since boyhood been self-reliant to an unusual degree. By practic- ing thrift and economy early in his career, he gained a fair start and he now has the gratification of knowing that sufficient means have accumulated to enable his wife and himself to pass the remainder of their lives in comfort and ease. Such is the reward of rightly directed effort.
MICHAEL PHALEN.
Michael Phalen, living in Sidell township, is extensively engaged in farm- ing, giving personal attention to the operation of six hundred and forty acres of land while he has personal supervision of four thousand acres constituting the Allerton property in Vermilion county. He was born in Yates county, New York, November 27, 1868.
J. W. FAGNER.
J. W. Fagner is a prominent representative of the farming interests of Ross township. His home is situated about three miles west of Rossville and com- prises a splendid tract of land of five hundred and twenty acres, upon which he has made his home for thirty-six years. He also owns three hundred and thirty acres besides his home place. He came to Illinois from Indiana and prior to his removal to that state was a resident of Pennsylvania, his birth having oc- curred in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1843. His parents were John and Margaret (Miley) Fagner, who came from Prussia to enjoy the better op- portunities afforded in the new world and established their home in the Keystone state. Both parents are now deceased, the mother's death having occurred in 1861, her grave being made in Fountain county, Indiana. The father passed away in 1887 in Indiana.
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J. W. Fagner began his education in the schools of Pennsylvania and after- ward attended school in Indiana, the family removing to the latter state during his boyhood days. At the age of eighteen he put aside his text-books and as- sumed the responsibilities of business life. He began farming as his father's assistant and was thus employed until twenty-two years of age, when he started out independently. His first farming venture was made in Warren county, Indiana, and for thirty-six years he has lived upon the place which is now his home. Here he is extensively engaged in general agricultural pursuits, owning five hundred and twenty acres of land, a part of which he purchased from Mar- tin Senate. He practices rotation of crops and utilizes every modern method to keep his land in good condition and upon his farm are found all of the ac- cessories and equipment of the best farming properties of the present day.
In 1868 Mr. Fagner was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Starr, who was reared in the vicinity of Bismarck, Illinois. She is a daughter of Solomon and Delia (Robertson) Starr, natives of Ohio and Kentucky respectively, who came to Illinois at an early day and settled in Vermilion county. The father died about 1888 and the mother in 1905. In their family were twelve children, of whom eight are still living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fagner have been born five children. James, the eldest, married Lulu Crane and they have two children living and have lost one. Solomon, the second son, married Miss Ora Pagdett and has one son. Jesse married Miss Maud Bohe, who died in March, 1908, leaving one son. Cora May and Forest, the younger members of the family, are at home.
Mr. Fagner has always been interested in the work of public progress and has cooperated in many measures which have been of value to the community. He has served as a member of the school board and as director. He has also been a member of the township board of trustees and road commissioner. His public duties have ever been discharged with promptness and fidelity and he is justly counted among the public-spirited citizens. The family are all members of the Presbyterian church and take a prominent part in its work. Such in brief is the history of Mr. Fagner, a man whose life at all times measures up to the highest standards and who, by his many splendid qualities, has gained the re- spect, confidence and good-will of all who know him.
LEMUEL CANNON.
One of the great pleasures of life is to meet with a man or woman who by years of devotion to high ideals has attained the greatest boon of human life- an upright and honorable character. To such persons the entire community yields recognition and it is such that are the very foundation of civilized society and the hope of this and every other nation. 'Accordingly as their number is increased, so will the world move forward in the direction of a universal brother- hood which has long been a dream but which is now recognized as an approaching realty. Vermilion county can claim among its citizens individuals who represent the standard briefly suggested above. Of this number is Lemuel Cannon of Jamaica township, the owner of one of the most beautiful farms
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in the region and a factor for progress and permanency, whose influence has for many years been felt in this part of the county.
Mr. Cannon was born on the farm where he now lives, December 30, 1858. He is the son of Sheldon and Mary (Woodbury) Cannon, the former a native of Maryland, who came with his parents to Ohio and later to Vermilion county, Indiana, when he was still a boy. Here he grew up and was married and lo- cated on a farm which has become the family homestead. He originally entered a tract of government land, which cost a dollar and a quarter an acre, and at that time he was the only settler in his immediate vicinity, the nearest neigh- bor living on the Frohman farm two miles or more eastward. Beginning at the very foundation, Mr. Cannon broke the prairie and cultivated the soil with such success that he acquired a farm of four hundred acres which was recognized as one of the most productive in this region. In 1870 he removed to Fairmount, where he engaged for a time in merchandising, but as he advanced in years he retired from active duties and departed this life November 16, 1892, at the age of seventy-two years, nine months and seven days. He was a man of excellent judgment and fine executive ability and one who possessed the confidence and esteem of the people of the entire region. He was for many years a consist- ent member of the Presbyterian church and his life was in an important de- gree controlled by the teachings of the great Master. Mrs. Cannon, the mother of our subject, was called away in 1861, when he was only three years of age. She was a member of the Methodist church and a woman of high character and good intellectual attainments.
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