USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 73
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the crops. As he neared his majority he wisely chose, as a foundation for his success, the occupation to which he was reared and followed farming until about twenty years ago, when he turned his attention to the hardware and imple- ment business. He still has agricultural interests in both Vermilion county and in Indiana and derives therefrom a gratifying and substantial income, their management indicating his sound business judgment and enterprise.
In 1880 Mr. Duncan was united in marriage to Miss Alice N. Price, a daugh- ter of William H. Price, who was born in Pike county, Ohio, July 4, 1827. In December, 1830, he became a resident of Vermilion county, Illinois, and through many years remained one of its honored citizens as well as worthy pioneer settlers. Robert G. Price, the grandfather of Mrs. Duncan, was born in Kentucky, July 27, 1788, and espoused the American cause at the time of the second war with England, taking part in active military duty under Gen. William Henry Harrison. In early manhood he went to Pike county, Ohio, where he married Nancy How- ard, who was born in that state February 27, 1793. He followed farming in Pike county until 1830 and then brought his family to Vermilion county, Illi- nois, where he secured a claim of eighty acres of government land near Dan- ville. Cutting away the trees, he at length turned the furrows and developed the fields, which in due course of time brought him good harvests. He died in January, 1856, his wife having passed away about 1844.
William H. Price was the youngest of his five children. He was reared on the old home farm near Danville to the age of sixteen years and he began earn- ing his own living by working as a farm hand by the day and month. The first land which he ever owned he entered from the government about 1845, securing two hundred and forty acres in Pilot township. With characteristic energy he developed that property and resided thereon until 1891, when he changed his place of abode but did not sell the farm. Additional purchases from time to time had made him the owner of twelve hundred acres, all in one section of the county. He made substantial improvements upon the home place, which was lacking in none of the equipments and accessories of a model farm. He was married January 30, 1850, to Mary J. Cazott, who was born July 4, 1833, in Vermilion county, a daughter of Henry Cazott, formerly of Kentucky. She died in 1891, after which Mr. Price lived with a daughter in Danville for a year or two. He was married September 5, 1892, to Mrs. Sarah J. Ellsworth. By his first marriage Mr. Price had six children. Jerusha J., born in 1851, became the wife of Henry Helmick, who died in 1894 leaving two sons, Charles E. and William Helmick; Lloyd H., born December 2, 1852, wedded Mary Snyder in 1876 and is living at Nevada, Missouri; Emma B., born in 1854, died in infancy; Emily M., born March 2, 1855, was married in 1878 to Guy C. Howard, of Armstrong, Illinois; Charles R., born January 30, 1857, was married in 1884 to Della Hatfield, and with their three children, Everett L., Elsie and Lola Marian, they reside in Pilot township; Alice N., born May 2, 1859, is now Mrs. Duncan. By her marriage she became the mother of three children, but two died in infancy and the daughter, Lola, passed away in 1905, at the age of seventeen years.
In his political views Mr. Duncan has ever been a republican, never falter- ing in his allegiance to the party, for he believes that its principles are most con-
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ducive to good government. His fraternal relations are with the Odd Fellows and the Elks and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Meth- odist church. He continued actively in business until 1905, when he retired from merchandising. He is still financially interested in the American Bank & Trust Company and in farming properties, but otherwise has no business cares. His rest is well merited and his success is the visible evidence of his diligence and well directed energy in former years.
ISAAC ROWAND.
For thirty years Isaac Rowand has occupied his present home situated in the midst of an excellent form in Sidell township. He was born in Clark county, Ohio, January 12, 1855, and is a son of Edward and Margaret (Smith) Rowand, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ireland, whence she came to this country in her childhood days, being one of six children who made the voyage and settled in Clark county, Ohio, where she afterward gave her hand in marriage to Edward Rowand, becoming his second wife. When a young man he had removed from the Old Dominion to Clark county and had there married. There were six children born of his first marriage and following the death of the mother Mr. Rowand wedded Margaret Smith. They, too, had six children.
Removing to Illinois at an early period in the development of the state, Ed- ward Rowand first settled near Paris in Edgar county but afterward returned to Ohio. Once more he came to Illinois and again returned to Ohio, his death occurring in the latter state about 1862. It was in 1855 that he purchased the farm upon which his son Isaac now resides, becoming the owner at that time of between thirteen and fourteen hundred acres of land. He was also an exten- sive dealer in cattle which he drove from Illinois to the Ohio markets. He also drove mules to the St. Louis market and as a stock-dealer won substantial suc- cess. His investments in property made him the owner of twenty-three hun- dred acres of land in Vermilion and Edgar counties at the time of his demise and he had given to the children of his first marriage about one thousand acres of land in Ohio. Something of the splendid success which he attained may be understood from the fact that when he arrived in Ohio as a young man his possessions consisted of a horse, saddle and bridle and fifty dollars in money. In business matters his judgment was particularly sound. He was seldom if ever at fault in his opinions concerning the value of a business situation or propo- sition and he so directed his energies and placed his investments that his labors were crowned with splendid financial returns. His second wife died in 1904.
Isaac Rowand spent his youthful days in his parents' home and in the common schools acquired his education. Through the vacation periods he assisted in the work of the home farm, where he remained up to the time of his marriage in 1879. He then located on a portion of the home farm which had come to him through inheritance and two years later he erected his present residence, which he has occupied for the past thirty years. Laudable ambition has prompted
ISAAC ROWAND AND FAMILY
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him to extend his holdings and he is now the owner of seven hundred acres of very valuable land in Vermilion conuty. His patrimony comprised two hundred acres, since which time he has purchased five hundred acres additional and like his father he has been very successful in all of his business interests. His holdings include eighty acres adjoining Sidell, four hundred acres in the home place, three hundred acres just across the road from his home, eighty acres three miles south, and in connection with his wife he owns forty acres in Car- roll township.
In 1879 Mr. Rowand was united in marriage to Miss Ida J. Patterson of Carroll township and unto them have been born six children; Kile E., a resi- dent of Jamaica township; Minnie J., deceased; Isaac Wilbur, living in Sidell township; Anna M., Mary Corrinne and Elmo, all at home.
The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and are highly es- teemed in the community where they have long resided, their many good quali- ties of heart and mind gaining them the warm regard and friendship of those who know them. Mr. Rowand is a democrat in his political views, has served as road commissioner and is a member of the school board. His generous and helpful cooperation are given to many projects for the upbuilding and improve- ment of the community and thus he ranks among the valued and progressive citizens as well as the enterprising and prosperous farmers.
CHARLES LA GRANGE.
Charles La Grange, who was a soldier of the Civil war and has followed prin- cipally the carpenter's trade, was born in New York state, January 10, 1846. He is a son of John and Eliza (Elster) La Grange, also natives of New York. Several generations of the family have lived in this country, the great-grand- father of our subject coming from France about the year 1685 and locating in New Jersey, from which state members-of the family have gone forth to various parts of the Union. To John and Eliza La Grange eight children were born : Casper, who enlisted in Company G, Tenth New York Cavalry, and was last heard from at Bell Isle, Virginia; Cornelia, who died in Iowa; Mary, the wife of G. R. Eldridge, of New York state; Byron, of Kansas City, Kansas; Moses, who served in the Civil war as a member of the Fiftieth New York Engineers and is now living in New York state; Eliza, now Mrs. Charles Hurt, of Bing- hamton, New York; Charles, our subject ; and Emma, deceased.
Charles La Grange grew up upon his father's farm, which the head of the family had developed from its wild state, and was educated in,the common schools. As he was passing from boyhood the Civil war absorbed the interest of the en- tire country and no sooner had he arrived at an eligible age than he offered him- self for service and was accepted January 1, 1864. After having served in the construction department of the engineering corps he was enrolled in Company I, Fiftieth New York Engineers, in which company he continued until the close of the war, serving on detail at the rendezvous in Elmira, New York, under Gen- eral B. F. Tracy. On receiving his honorable discharge he returned to his old
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home and after a short visit went west to Humboldt county, Iowa, where he pur- chased a two-hundred acre farm, upon which he lived for two years. Selling his farm, he again visited his early home and then spent one year in Fountain county, Indiana. Not entirely satisfied with his location, he came to Vermilion county, Illinois, in the latter part of 1868, where he has since engaged princi- pally in carpenter work, although for five years he was in railway service, first as agent for a road and later as passenger conductor on the Cleveland & Mari- etta Railroad. However, for twenty-eight years past he has made his head- quarters at Potomac, where he owns a fine residence and one acre of ground. He is also the owner of five acres of land in the city of Danville.
In 1867 Mr. La Grange was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Layton, of New York state, and by this union one son, Frank, was born, but is now de- ceased. Having lost his wife in 1875, Mr. La Grange was married, in 1876, to Miss M. A. Copeland, of Vermilion county, a daughter of David and Mary (Ford) Copeland, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of this county. Mr. Copeland came to Vermilion county in 1840 and entered land here and built a log cabin, where he lived for several years. Both he and his wife are now deceased. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are still living. Mrs. La Grange is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. La Grange early in his career taught school for several years and has always been an intelligent reader of good literature and a close observer. He is affiliated with the republican party and has served with general acceptance in several township offices. For many years he has been a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. III, of Potomac, and has filled all of the chairs in the same. He is also a member of Stedman Post, G. A. R., and possesses the confidence of his comrades in a high degree, as is shown by the fact that for fourteen years he has been commander of the post. 'A's a result of many years of patient labor and close application Mr. La Grange now is able to live without the necessity of daily toil and to enjoy the well earned fruits of earlier effort. He has always been a man of exemplary habits and strict in- tegrity and in the course of a long life has performed his part in advancing the true welfare of the community.
JOSEPH W. MEITZLER.
Joseph W. Meitzler, who since 1900 has been successfully engaged in busi- ness as a cigar dealer of Danville, was born in Covington, Indiana, on the 16th of April, 1874, his parents being G. W. and Johanna M. (Mahon) Meitzler. The father passed away in 1880. Our subject obtained his early education in the public schools of his native town and afterward continued his studies in Danville, having come to this city with his mother in 1888. After putting aside his text-books he secured employment with the Illinois Printing Company and remained with that concern until he entered the postoffice as route clerk, serving in that capacity for seven years. In 1900 he embarked in business on his own account as a retail cigar dealer of Danville and in this connection has since built
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up a large and profitable trade. He likewise acts as president of the Wood Fibre & Already Box Company and is widely recognized as a substantial and representative citizen.
On the 25th of February, 1906, Mr. Meitzler was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Ashley, whose birth occurred in Homer, Illinois. They have one son, Joe, whose natal day was February 28, 1907. Mr. Meitzler holds membership relations with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus and also belongs to the Industrial Club, of which he is the president. A man of unfailing courtesy and unfeigned cordiality, he is popular with a large circle of friends and enjoys the regard and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.
EDWARD CONNELL ABDILL.
Among the men who, while active factors in the world's work, left their im- press upon the history of Danville, their labors proving a potential force for good in the upbuilding and development of the city, Edward Connell Abdill was numbered. His life record had its beginning in Perrysville, Indiana, May 14, 1840, his parents being Irad and Rebecca Ann (Watson) Abdill. The former was born in Cadiz, Ohio, in 1811, and the latter's birth occurred in Maryland in 1812. The father devoted his life to the conduct of a hardware business, being proprietor of a store for a number of years in Perrysville.
Edward Connell Abdill was one of a family of four sons to reach maturity. He spent his youthful days in his native city and largely acquired his educa- tion in the public schools there, although for a brief period he was a student in Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He celebrated the attainment of his majority only a short time prior to his enlistment for service in the Civil war. In August, 1861, his patriotic spirit being aroused by the continued at- tempt of the south to overthrow the Union, he joined Company B, Eleventh In- diana Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Lew Wallace (afterward General) then com- manding the regiment. He participated in a number of hotly contested battles, including two which resulted in the capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. He was afterward detailed for special mail service, having charge of the mails and dispatches at General Grant's headquarters. This service he rendered so efficiently that in December, 1863, after the fall of Vicksburg, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and adjutant of the One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana Infantry, and was designated by General Grant to bear to the north the official dispatches announcing the great victory. He was afterward made assistant adjutant general of the First Brigade, First Division, Twenty-third Army Corps. He took part in the battle of Vicksburg, was in the Atlanta campaign and in August, 1864, was honorably discharged because of physical disability. His record as a soldier was a most creditable one. He never faltered in the per- formance of any duty although he was often in most hazardous positions and his bravery and loyalty no one questioned.
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Mr. Abdill became a resident of Illinois following the close of the war in 1865 and opened a hardware store in Fairmount, where he carried on business for three years. Seeking a broader field of labor, he removed to Danville in 1868 and entered into partnership with his older brother under the firm name of Abdill Brothers, dealers in hardware. He continued in business to the time of his death and was numbered among the leading merchants of the city. Careful analyzation of the methods he followed displayed not a single esoteric phase. He was straightforward and honorable in all that he did and saw success in the legitimate lines of trade, gaining his patronage by reason of his progress- ive methods and his unquestioned business integrity.
While the Civil war was in progress Mr. Abdill was married on the 13th of August, 1863, to Miss Anna Peters, a daughter of Joseph Peters, one of Danville's oldest pioneer residents, who came to the city in 1833. A contem- porary biographer in writing of him said: "He made his way here an entire stranger. He had no capital and was without influential friends or acquaint- ances at this place and from an obscure position he rose to one of eminence, leaving the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few. Soon after his arrival he took up the study of law and in order to support himself while pursuing his law studies he engaged in driving a team and followed other oc- cupations that would yield him an honest living. During this time he devoted all his leisure to the mastery of jurisprudence and eventually was admitted to the bar. He then entered upon the practice of his profession and soon gave proof of his marked ability as a lawyer. He was strong in argument, logical in his deductions and prosecuted his cases with great clearness. His devotion to his clients' interests was proverbial, and he prepared his cases with great clearness. At an early age, such was his marked ability in his profession, he was elected county judge of Vermilion county and served two terms. Other public honors were conferred upon him, including election to the office of state senator, and he left the impress of his individuality upon the legislation en- acted during his membership in the upper house. While serving in the senate he contracted a cold which greatly undermined his health. He went to Den- ver, Colorado, hoping that he would be benefited by the change but it was of no avail and he died at the comparatively early age of forty-seven years. In his political affiliations he was a republican. He studied closely the questions and issues of the day and had a statesman's grasp of public affairs." During his association in Vermilion county he was known as the wit of the Vermilion county bar. He was serving as state senator from his district at the time of his death, which occurred on the 4th of July, 1866, when he was forty-seven years of age. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, con- tributing most generously to its support, and did all in his power to promote the growth and extend the influence of Christianity. He married Henrietta Blakely, a native of Kentucky, who died at Danville at the age of fifty-six years. Their family numbered four children including Mrs. Abdill who by her marriage be- came the mother of four children: Charles P., who married Flora Foster of Covington, Indiana, and is now in business in Chicago; Bertha W., who married Ernest English, now a resident of Memphis, Tennessee; Harry B., of Chicago; and Kate, who married Philip B. Voorhees, of Danville.
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In early days before the Civil war Mr. Abdill was a supporter of the demo- cratic party but when the republican party became the avowed advocate of the Union cause he joined its ranks and was ever afterward one of its stalwart champions. He was a most public-spirited man, and any movement tending to benefit the community received his endorsement and many times his substantial support. He was one of the founders of the Lake View Hospital and his efforts were an element in its substantial development. He was likewise one of the organizers of the Kimber Methodist Episcopal church and served as chairman of the building committee at the time of the erection of the present house of worship. Purchasing property, he rebuilt a residence thereon transforming it into a modern home, which he occupied for thirty-five years. He was officially connected with the Spring Hill Cemetery Association as its secretary and treas- urer, and he belonged to the Loyal Legion and was largely interested in locat- ing the soldiers monument at Danville. His support of any movement was al- ways sure to secure for it other followers for he was a man of influence in the community. It was recognized that his judgment was unusually sound and it was well known that no movement that was in any way detrimental to the best interests of the community would receive his endorsement. Any good work done in the name of charity or religion was sure to find him a cooperant factor. Kindness and geniality were among his strongly developed characteristics, and his life was a proof of the Emersonian philosophy, "The way to win a friend is to be one." It has been said, "Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success," and judging in this way the life record of Edward Connell Abdill, who passed away in Dan- ville, February 20, 1901, was a most successful one.
HERBERT C. CRAFT.
Herbert C. Craft, who stands for progress in all things and has become widely known as a merchandise broker of Danville, was born in this city on the 28th of October, 1882, his parents being William H. and Jennie (Westman) Craft. The mother is a native of Boston, Massachusetts, but the birth of the father occurred in Vallonia, Indiana, of which city our subject's paternal grand- father is now a resident. He is of German parentage and, although ninety-one years of age, still enjoys good health. It was about 1873 that William H. Craft came to Illinois and settled in Danville, where he was first engaged in the hide and fur business for several years. He then accepted a position as commercial traveler for H. Elkan & Company, importers of hides in Chicago, remaining with that concern for a period of thirty years. He has always been prominently identified with public affairs and for one year, under President Harrison's ad- ministration, served as enrolling clerk in the house of representatives, and for another year was appraiser of hides in the New York custom house. He is now, however, practically living retired, enjoying a well earned rest.
Herbert C. Craft received a good education in the public and high schools of Danville and after leaving school, at the age of nineteen years, entered the hide
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business with the firm for whom his father also worked. He subsequently be- came a traveling representative for that firm and continued to hold that position for about four years. In June, 1908, he returned to Danville and has since engaged in the merchandise brokerage business, with offices at 311/2 North Ver- milion street. During his connection with this enterprise he has built up an excellent trade and the success he has achieved is due to his own efforts.
Mr. Craft was married in Chicago, Illinois, December 5, 1908, to Miss Dor- othy Marble, a daughter of W. O. Marble, who has long been a resident of that city and is now living retired. In his political views Mr. Craft is an unfaltering republican, but, while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he does not seek office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his constantly increasing business cares, which are of a most onerous and important nature. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church and he is also identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the One Hundred Thousand Club. He has an extensive circle of friends throughout the county in which he has resided during the greater part of his life, and he is worthy of the confidence and trust which are uniformly given him.
ALBERT SANDERS.
Albert Sanders, a respected citizen and representative agriculturist of Love township, was born and still resides on a farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 10, which has been in possession of the family for more than six decades. His natal day was June 26, 1864, his parents being George F. and Nancy J. (Shirse) Sanders. The father's birth occurred in Virginia, while the mother was a native of Vermilion county, Illinois. The paternal grandparents came to this county in 1841 and thirteen years later purchased the farm which is now in possession of our subject, continuing to reside thereon throughout the remainder of their lives. The maternal grandparents of Albert Sanders came to Vermilion county from Ohio at an early day, entered a tract of land and made their home here until called to their final rest. Their children were six in number.
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