USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 71
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RICHARD CLIPSON.
Among those born on the other side of the Atlantic, but who, in the new world have found opportunities for advancement in business, is numbered Rich- ard Clipson, whose birth occurred in London, England, on the 5th of December, 1852. He is a son of William and Matilda (Barker) Clipson, both natives of that country, who came to America in 1853 and here their remaining days were spent. The father purchased the farm in Vermilion county, Illinois, upon which his son Richard now resides, and here he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred on the 3d of July, 1861. His wife, however, survived until February 4, 1902, passing away at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. In their family were five children, of whom four are yet living. Of this num- ber the daughter, Hattie, makes her home with her brother Richard; another son, Albert Clipson, with whom Richard is connected in business, was married in 1890 to Miss Ethlen Sanford, who was born in Vermilion county, a daugh- ter of William H. and Rachel (Ogden) Sanford, both now deceased. She was one of a family of three children and by her marriage became the mother of four children, all of whom are yet at home. They are Homer, Lela, Russell and Pauline. The eldest son, Homer, is now attending high school.
Passing almost his entire life upon the farm which is yet his home, Richard Clipson is therefore indebted to the common schools of his district for the educational privileges enjoyed, and the period of his boyhood and youth was spent in the usual manner of farm lads of that time. When not occupied with his text-books he assisted in the work of the farm, and the success which he now enjoys is indicative of the thorough training and broad experience which he acquired under the direction of his father. Since entering business on his own account he has continued to reside upon the old homestead, in the operation of which he is associated with his brother Albert, and the excellent condition of the property is the result of their careful management and well directed efforts. They have made a close study of the subject of agriculture, have intro-
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duced all of the modern machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and have followed up-to-date and progressive methods in the carrying on of their enter- prise, and thus today are numbered among the most substantial farmers in Cat- lin township. An important feature of their farm is the raising and feeding of stock, in which they have engaged continuously since entering business together. They ship a large amount of stock annually, and this branch of their business is proving most remunerative. In fact, their prosperity during the intervening years has been such that they have been able to extend the boundaries of their realty holdings and are now the owners of twenty-three hundred and fifty acres of land, some of which is in Vermilion county but most of it is in In- diana. Thus they rank among the most extensive property owners in their section of the county. It is all rich and arable land and stands as a monument to their energy, industry and thrift.
Richard Clipson has never married but resides with his sister on the old homestead and like the other members of the family holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Catlin. He is identified with Catlin Lodge, No. 538, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled part of the chairs, and in politics gives his allegiance to the republican party. He has served as supervisor and also as school director, and in all matters of citizenship has ever been found loyal and public-spirited, his influence being cast upon the side of right, progress, reform and advancement. Aside from his agricultural interests he has become identi- fied with financial affairs as one of the directors of the Commercial Trust & Savings Bank of Danville, Illinois, and is well known in the business circles of that city. Coming to this county when but a year old, almost his entire life has therefore been spent within its borders, his interests ever being closely identified with those of the county. During his residence in this community he has gained the unqualified respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact, for in all the relations of life his dealings with his fellow- men have been governed by principles that have at all times conformed to a high standard of manhood. Although his personal history has no exciting chap- ters, it yet contains many lessons concerning the value of character and the worth of industry and perseverance in business affairs of life, and his is a splen- did example of the power and force of honorable manhood, of earnest effort and of high principle.
MARTIN HAYWARD.
Martin Hayward, the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Elwood township, has won and merited a gratify- ing measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests. His birth occurred in Clark county, Ohio, on the 5th of May, 1836, his parents being Charles and E. E. (Vickers) Hayward, who were natives of Maryland and Ohio respectively. Their marriage was celebrated on the 23d of April, 1834, in Clark county, Ohio, where they resided until 1838. During the next two years they made their home in Morgan county, Indiana, and then removed to
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MARTIN HAYWARD AND FAMILY
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Warren county, Indiana, there continuing to reside throughout the remainder of their lives. At that place Charles Hayward voted for James G. Birney, the presidential candidate of the Liberty party, while later he became a republican, being among the earliest supporters of that party. He had strong prohibition tendencies and ever advocated the suppression of the liquor traffic. He was a self-educated, self-made man and as regards intelligence was rather above the average man of that day. His demise occurred on the 8th of March, 1892, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 2d of February, 1900. Their children were four in number, two of whom still survive, namely: Martin, of this review; and Celia, who is the widow of Frank Kirkpatrick and lives in Indiana.
Martin Hayward remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age and then took up farming and teaching in Warren county, Indiana, de- voting his attention to general agricultural pursuits during the summer months and teaching school in the winter seasons. After having been thus busily en- gaged for a few years he abandoned educational interests and gave his time and energies exclusively to the work of the fields. In 1861 he left Warren county and came to Vermilion county, Illinois, here remaining for two years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Iroquois county, where he made his home for eight years. Returning to Vermilion county, he located on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Elwood township, the further culti- vation and improvement of which has claimed his attention continuously since. The property returns to him a substantial income, which enables him to enjoy many of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
On the 13th of February, 1860, Mr. Hayward was joined in wedlock to Miss Marietta Hollingsworth, a daughter of John and Sarah (Hayworth) Hollingsworth, who were natives of Ohio and Tennessee respectively. Re- moving to Indiana, they lived in that state until called to their final rest, the father passing away in October, 1893, and the mother on the 15th of June, 1897. Mrs. Hayward has three living brothers, as follows: Calvin R., who makes his home in this county; William P., of Indianapolis; and James C., who is a resident of Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Hayward are the parents of four children. Lillian, the wife of John G. Baird of Vermilion county, is a grad- uate of the Vermilion Academy of this county and taught school for a short time prior to her marriage. John H., who is married and lives in Vermilion county, Indiana, obtained his education in Vermilion Academy and Earlham College, attending the latter institution for two years. Charles S., who is mar- ried and makes his home in Coles county, Illinois, is a graduate of Vermilion Academy and likewise attended Earlham College for two years. He is also a graduate of a veterinary college in Toronto, Canada. William C., who is mar- ried and lives in this county, likewise supplemented his early education by a course of study in Vermilion Academy. Martin Hayward has been married for a half century and the family circle has remained unbroken by the hand of death. He now has fifteen grandchildren.
When exercising his right of franchise Mr. Hayward supports the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive
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to good government. The honors and emoluments of office, however, have never had any attraction for him. His wife is a devoted and consistent mem- ber of the Friends church. His life has been a busy, industrious and useful one, and his relative worth is widely recognized by his fellow townsmen.
MALISA PATTERSON.
No record of Vermilion county would be complete without mention of the Patterson family-a family that has been actively identified with this county since early pioneer times and that has assisted nobly in the great work by which the land was made habitable and the present condition of general prosperity at- tained. When these brave pioneers crossed the Ohio river in search of a per- manent home the region lying northward was largely virgin prairie or unbroken forest, the valleys along the streams being covered with trees and dense under- growth, the Indian still roaming at will over the territory which had for cent- uries been the undisputed home of his forefathers. The emigrants did not ar- rive at their new homes in Pullman coaches. They came on foot and the more prosperous ones on horseback or in wagons, drawn by oxen or horses. They carried little baggage, for they were generally poor in this world's goods, as it was only occasionally that a family arrived which could claim to be in com- fortable circumstances. The simple log houses were erected in the valleys or at the edge of the woods, as the early comers believed that the prairie would never be worth anything except for grazing. They labored assiduously, denied themselves many of the most common comforts of life and carefully saved the hard-earned dollars so as to pay for the land preempted from the government at one dollar and a quarter an acre, much of which is now worth one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty dollars per acre. As time passed the face of the country was changed and conditions improved and today Illinois is one of the wealthiest states of the Union and is the abiding place of several millions of people, as intelligent and prosperous as are to be found anywhere in the world.
Malisa Patterson, whose name appears at the head of this review, is a highly respected member of the Patterson family and is a daughter of Thomas and Jane (Canaday) Patterson, the former of whom came to Vermilion county from Tennessee with his parents in 1830, the latter being born in Vermilion county. Thomas Patterson was reared upon the pioneer farm where his father settled and as a boy assisted in clearing away the trees, planting the corn and caring for the live stock. He was educated in the log schoolhouse, which in many parts of the state was supplied with puncheon floor, clapboard roof, a great fireplace with stick and mud chimneys, the little group of pupils of both sexes ranging up to twenty years of age and presided over by a stern pedagogue whose prerogative to the position largely consisted of the ability to wield the hickory rod. However, the youthful mind could not be wholly suppressed even under such discouraging circumstances and many of the boys who began their training in the log schoolhouse under the most primitive conditions became leading men of the country and those who really showed the proper interest
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and applied themselves as in the case of Thomas Patterson secured in some mysterious way a good common-school education.
After laying aside his books Mr. Patterson returned to his toil upon the farm with new zeal and later became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 25 and 36, Love township. Here he lived for many years, be- ing known as one of the intelligent and successful agriculturists of the town- ship, a man of noble impulses, wide sympathies and one who at all times was willing to make any personal sacrifice to advance the interest or happiness of his family. He was called from earthly scenes September 18, 1909, at the age of eighty-four years, his beloved wife having preceded him, dying August 15, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson were both consistent members of the Presby- terian church and he was affiliated with the old line whig party and later with the republican party, of which he was a stanch supporter. Ten children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, four of whom are now living: Isaac and Malisa, both of Vermilion county; Lilly, now Mrs. Fellers of this state; and Golden, living in Madison county, Indiana.
Malisa Patterson was reared on the old homestead and educated in the district schools, growing up under the favoring influences of a quiet and peace- able home. Under her mother she became acquainted with the details of house- hold management, so that even before the departure of the mother the daughter assumed the place at the head of the domestic affairs, a position which she has since retained, her brother Isaac successfully managing the farm. He also operates one hundred and forty acres of land which he owns in Love and El- wood townships and thus conducts both farms. He has gained an enviable reputation as one of the ablest agriculturists in this part of the county and is growing more grain than any other man in Love township. The sister and brother are both unmarried and now in comfort and ease are enjoying the fruits of wisely directed effort. Miss Patterson is known in this region as a lady of many estimable qualities, a generous friend to those less fortunate than herself, gracious in her manners, kind, considerate and it is scarcely necessary to add that she is held in high regard by the entire community. In religious be- lief she and her brother accept the Bible as the inspired word. They are both members of the Presbyterian church, active in the promotion of any good work and always aim to be found on the side of right.
GEORGE WILLIAM FREDERICK CHURCH.
For twenty-three years George W. F. Church has made his home in Dan- ville and through six decades has been a resident of Vermilion county, so that its history is largely familiar to him. With the work of agricultural develop- ment he has been closely associated and in other ways has lent his aid and in- fluence for the progress of the county. He was born in London, England, April 19, 1830, but has resided in America since May, 1848, at which time he landed in New York. For a year and four months he worked upon a farm in the east and came to Vermilion county, where he has since made his home.
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His father, George Zephaniah Church, was born in England about the year 1800 and died there about thirty-four years ago. He was chief clerk in one of the branches of the Bank of England. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Lydia Draper. Since her son George W. F. Church came to America she has sent to him the coat of arms of the Draper family and also a miniature of his great-grandmother, painted on ivory. It was made between the years . 1760 and 1775 and represents a graceful lady, clothed after the fashion of that period. In the family of George Z. and Elizabeth L. (Draper) Church there were five sons and three daughters. Albert, who married Emily Jones and had ten children, died in Catlin, this county, two years ago. Adolphus Belling- ham wedded Fannie Bentley and is living in Catlin. Adeline is the widow of Francesco De Perura and lives in Brazil, South America. Emma Maria is the wife of Edward Beedel and Alice Augusta is living in England. The second and fourth members of the family are deceased and the other member of the father's household is the subject of this review.
George W. F. Church supplemented his early education by study in the East Islington Commercial College. He was eighteen years of age when he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, attracted by the broader business opportunities which he had heard were to be obtained on this side of the Atlantic. Upon coming to Vermilion county in 1849 he purchased a tract of prairie land and began farming.
In the same year he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Jones, a daughter of Henry Jones, and unto them were born eight children, two of whom passed away in infancy. Elizabeth Sarah, the oldest, is the wife of Rich- ard Puzey and has six children. Henry George married Lola Douglas and has four children. Minnie Louise is the wife of Payton Douglas and has one living child. Ernest Augustus married Anna Frazier and has one child. Maud Isabel is the wife of Marsh Brady and has four living children. Ethel Florence is the wife of Harry Walz and has one child. The mother of these children passed away in 1886 and in 1888 Mr. Church was married to Edwina M. Church, who though of the same name was not a relative. Her father, John A. Church, was a farmer and for many years served as assessor and col- lector of Catlin township, Vermilion county. Her mother bore the maiden name of Mary Love and by her marriage had two children: Edwina M., now the wife of our subejct; and Clara, the wife of N. Milton Payne. By the second marriage of Mr. Church there has been born one child, Edith Alice Mary, who was born June 28, 1889.
In his political views Mr. Church has long been a stalwart republican. He has been identified with the Masonic fraternity since 1858 and in his life ex- emplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. He is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres in Catlin township and has also made judicious investment in town property, owning several pieces of real estate in Danville, including the residence which he now occupies at No. 106 South Hazel street. He has lived here since 1887 and is one of the worthy residents of the city, having a large circle of warm friends here. He has never regretted his determination to seek his fortune on this side the Atlantic, for here he has
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found and improved good opportunities, successfully carrying on agricultural interests for many years and at length accumulating the property that now enables him to live retired and yet enjoy all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He has always been thoroughly loyal to the land of his adop- tion, his record proving that the accident of birth does not determine the value of citizenship.
J. F. COOKE.
J. F. Cooke, who was one of the leading farmers of Love township, and who departed this life nearly four years ago, will be remembered as an ener- getic and capable man of good appearance, the head of a large and promising family to which he was a loving guide and protector. He was also known as a citizen who contributed according to his ability in forwarding the best inter- ests of this region. He was a native of Vermilion county, Indiana, born Oc- tober 25, 1859, and was a son of Joseph C. and M. J. (Dallas) Cooke, both of whom were natives of Virginia and descendants of southern families. The father has passed to his reward but the mother still lives in Ridge Farm and is now the wife of Jacob L. Thomas. In the Cooke family were twelve children, four of whom are now living.
J. F. Cooke was reared upon a farm and educated in the public schools, being trained under his father in the various operations of agriculture and stock-raising. He proved a willing pupil and as a young man was ambitious and energetic and gave unusual promise of a useful career. It was in 1879 that he took up his residence in Vermilion county, Illinois. At nineteen years of age he was married and removed upon a farm of one hundred and sixty acres presented him by his father. There he lived for one year, at the end of which time he sold the farm and purchased another which embraces two hundred and forty-two acres and has since been in possession of the family. Mr. Cooke was very successful in his farming operations and by careful attention to his calling, increased the productiveness of the place and made it one of the valu- able properties in his part of the county. He was always an advocate of the principles of the democratic party and although he was never an aspirant for public office, he occupied several positions of responsibility as a township of- ficer, discharging his duties with the same honesty and efficiency that he dis- played in his own private affairs. He held membership in the Modern Wood- men of America; the Court of Honor; and the Tribe of Ben Hur, being greatly esteemed by his brethren of these organizations. On May 12, 1907, Mr. Cooke was called from earthly scenes, at the age of forty-seven years, six months and eighteen days, and his body was deposited by loving hands in its last resting place in Bethel cemetery. His departure in the height of a useful life was the occasion of sincere regret, as he had many friends who were acquainted with his noble qualities.
In 1878 Mr. Cooke was united in marriage to Miss Drusilla P. Campbell, a native of this county, who was born May 23, 1862. She is a daughter of
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James and Eglantine (Scott) Campbell, both natives of Vermilion county. The father was one of the well known farmers of eastern Illinois and in his later years he removed to Missouri, where he died in 1870. Mrs. Campbell is still living and has arrived at the venerable age of seventy-nine years and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Cooke, where she receives every attention that can be bestowed by those who love and respect her for her long life of unselfishness. She is the mother of nine children, six of whom are now liv- ing. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooke eight children were born: Nettie P., the wife of Arthur Jones, of Ridge Farm; Roy F., of Indianapolis; May D., the wife of Burke Hughes, of Missouri; Bertie C., of Vermilion county; Blanche C., who is living at home and is a music teacher; Harley D., of Indianapolis; and Laura B. and Glenn L., both at home.
Mrs. Cooke since the death of her husband has had charge of the farm, which is a large responsibility for a woman, and by her wise management has contributed to the comfort and welfare of her children, showing a business ability that is very much to her credit. She has for many years held member- ship in the Presbyterian church and has in a high degree the respect and confi- dence not only of many friends in this immediate region but of acquaintances throughout a wide district.
J. A. KENDALL.
J. A. Kendall, a well known farmer and business man and a respected citi- zen of Love township, was born in this county, June 16, 1869. He is a son of Jacob M. and Catherine (Campbell) Kendall, the former a native of Greene county. Ohio, and the latter of east Tennessee. The parents came to Vermilion county in the pioneer days and the father here engaged in farming and became quite an extensive landowner. He departed this life in 1901 and his estimable companion was called away in 1903. They were the parents of six children : John M. and Joseph C., both residents of Ridge Farm, this county; J. A .; the subject of our review; Enos C .; Iva M .; and Jennie, deceased.
Educated in the public schools and also in the high school, J. A. Kendall was reared in the parental home and early became acquainted with all of the duties of the farm. He continued at home until he was twenty-two years of age and then, having taken unto himself a life companion, he removed to Hum- rick, this county, and entered mercantile business. After some years he dis- posed of his interests there and went to Hume, Illinois, where for one year he conducted a general store. Selling out, he took up his residence at Dana, Indiana, where for five years he engaged in the grocery and queensware busi- ness, and was then associated with the Gilbert & Mattock Company in the grain business, in which he continued for four years. After two years' retirement from mercantile pursuits he became connected with the National Elevator Company and still continues with that organization. Although he has for many years engaged in various lines of business, he is the owner of a farm of one hundred and forty acres in Love township, which is improved with a well built residence and is provided with all the conveniences of a modern farm.
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In 1891 Mr. Kendall was married to Miss Zula Southern, who was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1869, a daughter of John H. and Eliza A. (Royce) South- ern. Her father was a native of England and the mother of Ohio. He was a brick-mason by trade and came to Vermilion county in 1872. Mrs. Southern was called away in 1892 and her husband departed this life three years later. The wife of our subject was their only child and she is the mother of three children : June R., who was born January 5, 1894, and is now a student of the high school at Ridge Farm; Herbert W., born October 24, 1899; and Graydon L., born June 13, 1905.
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