USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 70
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Lemuel Cannon grew up at home and acquired his education in the common schools, later attending the Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana. He early became acquainted with the operations upon the farm but removed with his father to Fairmount and there for a short time engaged in the restaurant busi- ness. His father had established a boot, shoe and men's furnishing business at Fairmount and the management was turned over to the son, he conducting the business in such a way as to produce very satisfactory results. However, on June 23, 1883, the business was traded for a farm and in the following spring our subject, having in the meantime taken unto himself a partner for life, lo- cated on the farm of his boyhood days and there he has since resided. As a farmer Mr. Cannon ranks among the best in Vermilion county and he now owns four hundred and twenty-four acres of land, including the home place of two hundred and forty acres and a farm of one hundred and eighty-four acres in Catlin township. He is enterprising and progressive and in addition to his success in the field of agriculture he has attained a reputation as a stock-raiser. He was for about two years identified with the grain elevator business in Jamaica, where with O. C. Benson he built the elevator now owned and operated by R. T. Barton and then sold his interests to Mr. Benson and erected an elevator on the site of the one now owned by W. I. Baird. This building was destroyed by fire about eight months after its erection and he retired from the grain business.
On November 30, 1883, Mr. Cannon was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Jester, of Potomac, and three children have blessed the union : Lola Edith, now the wife of Dr. H. A. Greer, of Danville, Illinois; Walter Everett, who is oper- ating his father's farm; and Opal, who is living at home. Mrs. Cannon has been
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to her husband a loving and helpful companion and their commodious home is always open to their many friends.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Cannon has been a supporter of the republi- can party, and although he has never sought political preferment he has served in various positions of public trust and responsibility. For seventeen years continuously he acted as a member of the school board and assisted in organ- izing Jamaica township. Socially he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Court of Honor, whose principles of helpfulness have al- ways found in him a sincere advocate. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he was one of the leaders in the erection of the handsome new church of that denomination at Jamaica. Mr. Cannon is one of the influential men of his community and has a host of friends whose confidence and respect is a tribute to his sterling worth. By a life of activity and useful- ness he has fairly earned the honorable position accorded him.
WILLIAM E. VLIET.
William E. Vliet is a representative farmer of Ross township living about two miles west of the town of Rossville. His place is an excellent tract of three hundred and twenty acres, of arable and productive land and the labor that he bestows upon the farm is rewarded by rich and abundant harvests. He was born in Peoria county on the 13th of September, 1857, and is a son of An- drew Jackson and Elizabeth (Fleming) Vliet. The father came from New Jersey to the middle west, being brought to Illinois in early life. He was an orphan and dependent upon strangers until he reached an age when his own labor could provide for his support. In his youth and early manhood he followed mechanical pursuits but later turned his attention to farming and purchased land in Iroquois county-a tract of one hundred and sixty acres-which be- came the Vliet homestead.
William E. Vliet became a pupil in the schools of Peoria county, Illinois, in 1865, and after acquiring a common-school education he turned his attention to farm work, which had also claimed his energies during the vacation periods. He early learned the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and since attaining his majority has given his attention to the work of the farm. His labors in this direction have been practical and have brought him substan- tial returns. As the years have gone by he has prospered and has owned two different farms in Vermilion county, which he sold in order to purchase his present property, which is located in Ross township. This is a fine farm cover- ing a half section and the land is very productive. He has placed upon it sub- stantial improvements and it is lacking in none of the accessories and equip- ments.of a model farm of the twentieth century.
Mr. Vliet was married on Christmas day of 1883 to Miss Texanna Wilson, a daughter of George and Sarah J. Wilson. The father was a son of Alexander Wilson, who came to Illinois in 1833, settling in Iroquois county upon a farm that is still occupied by his descendants. He was a tanner by trade but here
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turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and continued his residence in Illinois until his death, save for a short period spent in Texas. He returned to this state, however, after an absence of five years. His son, George Wilson, has always lived in Iroquois county, where he was born on Christmas day of 1837. Reared to the occupation of farming, he has always followed that pur- suit and is today one of the widely known and highly respected agriculturists of his community.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vliet has been born eight children: Mamie Evelyn is the wife of John E. Hackman and has two children, Lester and Franklin; Macie Ethel became the wife of Ralph Winning and died December 14, 1906; Alva A. married Mack Beckett; Wilda Edna married Thomas Cornell of Ross- ville; William Eddie died October 24, 1910; Mabel Grace and Porter Wilson and Pauline Wilsie, twins, are attending school.
At one time Mr. Vliet was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows but is not connected with the organization at the present time. He and his family are prominent in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they hold membership, finding the guiding spirit of their lives in the teachings of the church. Mr. and Mrs. Vliet have always lived in this section of the state and have a wide acquaintance here, while their salient character- istics and attractive social qualities have gained them a large circle of warm friends.
WILLIAM H. GOODWIN, M. D.
Dr. William H. Goodwin, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Fairmount, is numbered among the native sons of Vermilion county, his birth having occurred near Georgetown on the 31st of March, 1876, a son of Henderson and Angerena (Davenport) Goodwin. The father came to this county in an early day and for several years lived near Georgetown upon a farm which he owned and operated. The Civil war found him a loyal advo- cate of the Union cause. He served throughout the period of hostilities as a member of Company C, Seventy-third Illinois Regiment, and lost an arm at the battle of Chickamauga. For the past twenty years he has lived in Indianola and for several years filled the position of postmaster of that place. At the present writing he is serving as special pension attorney, having been appointed to the position by President Taft.
Dr. Goodwin spent his youthful days in his parents' home and after master- ing the early branches of learning taught in the common schools continued his education in the Indianola high school and in Greer College at Hoopeston. graduating with the literary degree from that institution in the class of 1893. He then taught in the district schools for two years and learned in that valuable experience self-control and understanding of others which have constituted pot- ent elements in his professional success in other directions. In the spring of 1895 he took up the study of medicine, reading for a short time under Dr. Od- bert of Indianola. In the fall of that year he entered Rush Medical College
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at Chicago, pursuing a four years' course in that institution from which he was graduated with the class of 1899. He afterward became physician for the French Lick Hotel Company at French Lick Springs. Indiana, remaining there from June until December, 1899, and in the spring of 1900 he came to Fair- mount, where he has since remained. During the ten years of his residence here he has built up an extensive and lucrative practice and that his diagnosis is correct and careful, his judgment sound and his application of remedial agen- cies effective is shown in the excellent results which have attended his efforts. He is a member of the Vermilion County Medical Society and in his practice con- forms to the highest standard of professional ethics.
In 1900 Dr. Goodwin was married to Miss Mabel E. Nash of Fairmount. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are prominent socially. Dr. Goodwin is a republican in his political views and for the past four years has been president of the village, during which period he has man- aged the interests of the public as carefully, systematically and wisely as he has attended to his personal affairs. He belongs to Fairmount Lodge, No. 590, A. F. & A. M .; Homer Chapter, No. 94, R. A. M .; Peoria Consistory A. & A. S. R .; Mohammed Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is likewise connected with Fairmount Lodge, No. 973, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He enjoys in large measure the regard of his brethren of these organizations, while in his professional and social relations his standing is equally high.
JOHN N. CHENEY.
John N. Cheney, now living in Sidell, has for a long period been closely as- sociated with agricultural interests in Vermilion county and derives his income today from a valuable farm, which he has brought under a high state of culti- vation and which is well equipped with modern improvements. A native of Ohio, Mr. Cheney was born in Coshocton county, on the 20th of September, 1857, a son of Nathan and Martha J. (Smith) Cheney, both of whom were natives of Maryland, where they were married. In his boyhood days, however, the father went to Coshocton county, Ohio, with his parents, but in 1855 re- turned to Maryland for his bride and took her with him to his home in the Buckeye state. They continued to reside in Coshocton county until October, 1861, when they came west to Illinois, settling on a farm in Carroll township, Vermilion county, two miles northwest of Indianola. Nathan Cheney and his brother Moses had made a trip here prior to that time and were so well pleased with the country that they determined to return. Early in the '50s they had made the journey on foot, carrying with them their carpenter tools, for they had previously learned the carpenter's trade. In due course of time they ar- rived in Vermilion county and soon afterward each entered forty acres of land. They later made another trip and Nathan Cheney entered an additional eighty- acre tract. On permanently taking up his abode in the county in 1861 he traded his original entry of forty acres for a team of horses, a wagon and a set of chain harness. This with his eighty-acre tract and one hundred and twenty-five dollars
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in money comprised his wealth and possessions at that period. In the early '50s he helped to build one of the oldest houses now standing in Indianola, it be- ing the residence of Samuel Sconce, the grandfather of H. J. Sconce, now liv- ing in Sidell township. Mr. Cheney, however, worked but little at the carpen- ter's trade, for after coming to Illinois he devoted his time and energies to farming. He did not live on his eighty-acre tract of land, however, for about four or five years but rented a farm. Soon after his removal to the farm his wife died and two years later, in 1867, he sold the farm and with the money thus received made investment in one hundred and sixty acres of land three miles farther west but also in Carroll township, paying ten dollars per acre for the same. To that place he removed in 1868, and made it his home up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 19th of September, 1892, when he was in his seventieth year. Throughout the period of his residence here he had main- tained a place among the highly respected and worthy citizens of the com- munity. In politics he was a republican and in his fraternal relations was a Mason, being connected with the craft for more than forty years. He lived an upright, honorable life, gave generously to charity and was ever ready to help those who needed assistance. John N. Cheney now has in his possession a fifty cent piece which was the first money his father ever received in payment for a day's work as a man, this being paid him for cradling grain.
When a little lad John N. Cheney accompanied his parents on their removal from Ohio to Illinois and spent his youthful days upon the home farm, ac- quiring his education in the public schools, supplemented by six months' study in the Vermilion Academy. He was early trained to habits of industry and perseverance and these qualities have proven substantial factors in his success in later life. On reaching his twenty-first year he purchased a team of horses and began cultivating a portion of his father's farm. He inherited the farm upon his father's death, as he was an only child, and continued to make it his place of residence until his removal to Sidell in 1899 that he might educate his children in the schools of that town. He is now the owner of three hundred and sixty-five acres of valuable land, for he has purchased various tracts from time to time as the occasion offered, and from his property he derives a sub- stantial annual income.
On the 7th of January, 1883, John N. Cheney was married to Miss Cera G. Sconce, a daughter of William H. Sconce, now deceased and a native of Ken- tucky, whence he came to Vermilion county in pioneer times. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cheney have been born four children, of whom three are yet living; Lester G., who was married April 7, 1909, to Miss Lola McKee and is now liv- ing on the home farm; Treva D., who is a graduate of the high school of the class of 1907 and is now teaching in Sidell; and Celia Imo, who was graduated from the Sidell high school in 1910 and is now teaching her first school.
In his political views Mr. Cheney has ever been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. For fifteen years he served as a member of the school board and for four years was a member of the town council of Sidell, in which connection he exercised his official prerogatives in support of many measures and movements for the public good. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Cheney
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is serving as trustee, and he also belongs to Sidell Camp, No. 405, M. W. A. His life has been one of industry and his unfaltering labor and intelligent man- agement of his business affairs have brought him substantial and well merited success. Moreover his personal qualities insure him the high regard and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.
JOHN HIGGINS HARRISON.
Among the wide-awake newspaper men of Illinois John Higgins Harrison, editor of the Commercial-News of Danville, occupies a prominent position. Having been thoroughly educated and trained for the work to which he is de- voting his life, he is well prepared for its responsibilities, and the esteem in which he is held by his brethren of the press and the public generally indicates that he worthily occupies a high place in the journalism of the state.
He was born at Lebanon, Indiana, November 30, 1867, and is a son of Thomas H. and Araminta (Higgins) Harrison. The father was a newspaper man of Indiana and at the time of the Civil war served as surgeon of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was quite promi- nent in politics in the state and served as president of the Indiana State Benevo- lent Boards for six years. The Harrison family has been traced back to the time of Oliver Cromwell in England, members of the family supporting Crom- well, and on the Restoration coming to this country, where the name has been known for about two hundred and fifty years, and representatives of the family are found in all the principal states of the Union.
The subject of this review received his early education in the common schools and was graduated from De Pauw University in 1890. He took a literary course and specialized in history, literature and political sciences with the view of devoting his attention to newspaper work. He learned the printer's trade during vacations and after his sophomore year in college acted as reporter on an Indianapolis paper. His first assignment in this capacity was to interview Benjamin Harrison, who was at that time a candidate for president of the United States. While our subject was still pursuing his studies his father sold the Lebanon (Ind.) Pioneer and bought the Michigan City (Ind.) Dispatch, giving his son a half-interest in the paper. The father having departed this life in 1890, our subject took charge of the paper, which he sold in 1891. He then went to Galena, Kansas, and was identified with lead and zinc mining for a short time. Returning to Chicago, he began working on newspapers there in 1891, continuing for three years and in the summer seasons acting as press agent for the race tracks. He made quite a success in the press agency busi- ness and in 1895-6 acted in that capacity for one of the big circuses, traveling all over the United States and Canada. He then became press agent for a theater in Indianapolis but resigned in December, 1897, and located in Dan- ville, where he bought a half-interest in the Danville Commercial and became its business manager. Later he acquired a controlling interest and was editor of the paper until 1904, when he brought about the consolidation of the Com-
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mercial and the News, since which time he has acted as editor of the Com- mercial-News. Having had an extensive experience both in contact with men and in various classes of newspaper work, Mr. Harrison has learned a great deal not found in books. He belongs to that class of editors who aim to build up instead of tearing down, and his interest is always in the direction of develop- ing the resources of the region where the influence of his paper extends. As a writer he is clear, concise and convincing, never sacrificing truth for the sake of making an impression. It is hardly necessary to say that the influence of the paper over which he presides is constantly widening.
Reared a democrat, Mr. Harrison became a republican in 1896 and has since been a stanch adherent of that party. In December, 1904, he was ap- pointed by Governor Yates as commissioner of the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet, and still holds that position. He has made a special study of prison reform and management, and lectures upon those subjects. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order, of which he is a thirty-second degree Scot- tish Rite member, is a Knight Templar, and a Shriner. He has for a number of years taken an active interest in the organization and was twice elected emi- nent commander of the Knights Templar, being at present sovereign prince of Princes of Jerusalem, in the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks. He belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal church of Danville. His favorite study is history, and his greatest pleasure is found in travel. He has already been on four continents, in eighteen coun- tries and among the people of ten languages. He declares his purpose, if allowed to live and to prosper, to visit every land on the globe, that he may supplement his reading with personal observation. Known as a scholarly gentlemen and a thorough business man, Mr. Harrison has won success through years of earn- est and conscientious endeavor and clearly belongs to that class of men who make a permanent impress for all that is most desirable on American life.
JOHN H. BOWEN.
John H. Bowen is busily engaged in the operation of his fine farm of two hundred and forty acres in Vance township, constituting one of the valuable farms of Vermilion county. His birth occurred in London, Madison county, Ohio, on the 23d of August, 1861, his parents being George and Eliza (Harri- son) Bowen, who were likewise natives of the Buckeye state. In 1864 the father brought his family to this county, locating on a farm in Vance town- ship on the Champaign county line. Later he removed to another farm but continued to reside in Vance township until called to his final rest in 1897 when in the seventy-fifth year of his age. He prospered in his undertakings as an agriculturist and accumulated two hundred and thirty acres of rich and produc- tive land. The period of his residence here covered a third of a century and he was widely recognized as a most substantial and respected citizen. His widow, who yet survives, lives in Homer.
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John H. Bowen was reared under the parental roof and acquired his educa- tion in the common schools. He remained at home, assisting his father in the work of the fields, until twenty-six years of age, when he went west to Nebraska, there residing for one year. Returning to Vermilion county, he was here married in February, 1889, and then located on the farm which has remained his place of abode continuously since. He first operated the place as a renter for four years and on the expiration of that period bought the farm, which comprises two hundred and forty acres of land in Vance township. Progressive in his ideas and employing modern methods in the cultivation of his fields, he has attained marked success and finds his efforts rewarded by a handsome income.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Bowen chose Miss Florence Salladay, of Vance township, a daughter of John Salladay, who is now deceased. Their children are four in number, namely: Grace, Alford, Harrison and Ralph, all at home.
Since age conferred upon the right of franchise Mr. Bowen has supported the men and measures of the republican party. The cause of education has ever found in him a stanch champion and he is now acting as a trustee of the school board. He is likewise a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. He has resided in this county throughout almost his entire life, and the fact that those who esteem him most are those who have known him from boyhood is an indication that his life record has ever been in harmony with the principles of honorable and upright manhood.
JOHN P. STOKES.
Among the successful men of the agricultural community in Vermilion county who have been called from earthly scenes but whose memory is fondly retained by those with whom they were associated was John P. Stokes, of Love township. He was a native of Ohio, where he was born January 25, 1823. He was the son of William and Anna Stokes, who were members of responsible pioneer families and who departed this life years ago. He grew up on the farm and received his education at the log schoolhouse, becoming acquainted with all the operations that were familiar to the farmers of those days and remain- ing in Ohio until he was thirty-two years of age.
Believing that more favorable opportunities were to be found in this state, Mr. Stokes came to Vermilion county in 1855 and in 1857 was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Jane Long, who was born in this county, July 8, 1836, and is a daughter of James B. and Sallie B. (Fulton) Long. Her parents were natives of Kentucky and came to Vermilion county in 1830 and were identified with its farming interests for many years. After his marriage Mr. Stokes located on a farm in Love township, consisting of sixty-one and one-half acres, which he developed and brought to a high state of cultivation. He became known as one of the energetic and progressive farmers of this region and was recognized as a man of high character and one whose life reflected. credit not only upon his family but upon the entire community.
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On March 8, 1882, Mr. Stokes was called from earthly cares, having then arrived at the age of fifty-nine years, one month and thirteen days. He was a resident of this county for twenty-seven years, and to him and his wife ten children were born, only one of whom is now living, Joseph C., who resides with his mother. Mrs. Stokes lives at the old homestead, and although she has been called upon to pass through many sorrows in the loss of her husband and nine children, she has nine grandchildren to brighten her life, and is sus- tained by a faith that sees through the mist of the present and rests on the en- during foundation of divine promise. She is a loyal and consistent member of the Presbyterian church and was for many years, in earlier life, an active worker in that organization. As one of the well known residents of this region, she has many friends and well wishers who admire her for her many noble quali- ties of mind and heart-qualities that always command respect and are a true index of the character of their possessor.
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