USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 75
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Being but fifteen years of age on the removal of the family to Danville, John Torrance here grew to manhood and completed his education in the common schools. Being fond of horses, he was employed to ride in races and became well known on all local tracks. At one time he learned the watchmaker's and jeweler's trade at which he worked and from the 16th of September, 1880, to the IIth of September, 1900, he served as agent for the American Express Com- pany at Danville, his long connection with that concern indicating his efficiency and the satisfactory manner in which he discharged his duties.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Torrance is associated with the Eagles, the Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the National Union, and is also a member of the Industrial Club. In his religious faith he is a Methodist and in politics is an ardent republican, taking a prominent and influential part in public affairs. Since the Ist of September, 1902, he has filled the office of city clerk to the entire
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satisfaction of all concerned. He received the office by appointment, his fellow citizens soon recognizing his capability, and he has since been retained in that position. He is very conscientious and prompt in the discharge of all of his duties, working for the welfare of the community. In manner he is pleasant and genial, of an agreeable temperament, and makes many friends. He is a great lover of outdoor sports, being particularly interested in baseball and is an ardent rooter for the success of the home league.
JOHN W. JOHNSTON.
John W. Johnston, a leading farmer of Oakwood township, Vermilion county, was born in that township, January 23, 1856, a son of David and Mary A. E. (Brittingham) Johnston. The father was born in Kentucky, February 6, 1826, and the mother in Oakwood township, November 8, 1833. They were married in that township, November II, 1852, and began housekeeping at once on a rented farm, where they continued for five years. Mr. Johnston was an industrious and intelligent farmer and soon accumulated capital with which he purchased land in Oakwood township, which was partly improved and upon which he and his wife took up their residence in 1857. There they continued for many years and at the time of his retirement Mr. Johnston was the owner of a beautiful farm of two hundred and eighteen acres. He and his wife con- tinued upon the place after giving up active duties, the former being called away June 13, 1905. Mrs. Johnston survived her companion for five years and de- parted this life April 11, 1910, her remains being placed beside those of her husband in Pleasant Grove cemetery, one and three-fourths miles north of Oak- wood. Both were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church and sin- cere believers in the gospel promulgated by the great Teacher. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnston. Matilda J., the wife of David M. Young, of Danville, Illinois, was born December 20, 1853, and is the mother of one child, Mary E., now Mrs. W. E. Van Allen, living on a part of the old home- stead. The second child is the subject of this review.
John W. Johnston was educated in the common schools and grew up under the influences of kind parents. He early was made acquainted with all the work connected with the farm and continued with his father until the age of forty- four years, when he was married and moved on his own farm of two hundred and eighteen and one-half acres, which he had previously acquired and to which has been added his wife's interest in her family estate and one hundred and eight and one-half acres of the old Johnston homestead. The farm now includes five hundred and two acres of well improved land, of which all but forty acres are under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Johnston is a thorough and practical farmer and in addition to the raising of crops has taken great interest in raising and feeding live stock, bringing to this branch of the business an ability which would command success anywhere, and today he is known as one of the most enterprising and prosperous farmers of his township. He has been identified with various other interests and is at the present time a stockholder and director of the First National Bank of Oakwood.
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On December 19, 1900, Mr. Johnston was united in marriage to Miss Estella Oakwood, who was born in Oakwood township, August 24, 1874, and is a daughter of Henry J. and Priscilla (Sailor) Oakwood. Her parents were both natives of Ohio and were pioneer settlers of this county, Mr. Oakwood oper- ating a farm here until his death in 1901. Mrs. Oakwood survives her husband and is making her home with one of her children in Oakwood township. She is the mother of eight children: William, living on a farm near Oakwood; Morgan, deceased; Thomas, also living near Oakwood; Emma, who died at the age of forty-four years and was the wife of Charles C. Smith, of Fithian, Oak- wood township; Mattie, who died in 1898, at the age of thirty-two years, and was the wife of T. J. Allison, of Danville, Illinois; Harvey J., a farmer of Oak- wood township; Charles, now living on the old homestead; and Estella, the wife of our subject. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. John- ston : Mary Oletha, born December II, 1901; Martha Frances, born July 15, 1904; and Henry David, born April 19, 1908.
Mr. Johnston has devoted his attention principally to his own private affairs but has for many years been politically allied with the republican party as that organization whose principles are most in accordance with those of a popular government. While he has not been an active seeker for office, he has held sev- eral positions of trust and for thirteen years acted as school trustee of his dis- trict and for nine years past has served as township treasurer. He is a valued member of Freewill Lodge, No. 782, A. F. & A. M., of Oakwood, and has ac- ceptably filled all of the chairs of the blue lodge. He and his wife hold mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Oakwood, of which he has served for twenty-five years as recording steward, while she has been actively inter- ested in various committees engaged in church work. They have always shown great interest not only in works relating to the church but in all movements that tend to promote the general welfare of their fellowmen.
, J. EDWARD WAMSLEY.
J. Edward Wamsley is a well known photographer of Danville whose skill and ability in his chosen profession are widely recognized. A native of Illinois, he was born in Douglas county, on the 12th of July, 1882, his parents being W. F. and Julia A. (Campbell) Wamsley. His father is a native of Ohio and from that state came to Illinois when a young man and located in Douglas county where throughout the years of his active business life he followed farm- ing, but is now living retired at Arthur, Illinois. His wife is a native of Doug- las county and a representative of a prominent and wealthy pioneer family of that region.
J. Edward Wamsley pursued his education in the public schools of Arthur and early evinced a taste for photography, opening a studio there at the age of thirteen years while yet attending school. Subsequently he studied and was graduated from the Illinois College of Photography in 1901 and two years later went to Chicago where he remained until 1908. During that period he was a
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J. EDWARD WAMSLEY
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pupil of John T. Mccutcheon, the noted cartoonist. This association grew very helpful to him and he gained much valuable experience during his residence in Chicago, attaining to a high profession in his art. Coming to Danville in 1908, he purchased an interest in the business of S. A. Watson and opened a fine studio which he has since conducted with marked and growing success. Pro- gressive and up-to-date in his methods, understanding the scientific principles of his work and artistic in his tastes, he has been able to attain to a high place in his profession and now ranks among the leading photographers of Illinois. He has won several medals on his work, including a gold medal given at the State Photographers' Convention, open to all the photographers of the state.
In November, 1907, Mr. Wamsley was married at Tuscola to Miss Jessie Robertson, a native of Illinois, and they now have a little daughter, Juanita, born March 14, 1909.
H. L. BROWN.
Among the successful business men of Humrick, Vermilion county, H. L. Brown occupies a responsible position. For eight years past he has been iden- tified with the community and today he ranks as one of the substantial factors in its growth. He was born in Highland county, Ohio, August 16, 1876, and is a son of Dr. Robert A. and Nancy F. (Hopkins) Brown, both natives of Ohio. The father is a son of John and Elizabeth Brown, who were also natives of Ohio. His mother is still living at the old home in the Buckeye state and has attained the advanced age of eighty-three years. In her family were four chil- dren and three of them are now living. Dr. Brown early showed marked ability in his studies. He was attracted to the medical profession and in 1884 was graduated from the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati, later taking a post- graduate course at the Bellevue Hospital in New York city and preparing for a work in which he has attained a high standing. Immediately upon the com- pletion of his course he began the practice of his profession and in 1891 located at Humrick, where he has since remained. By conscientious attention to his duties and by keeping thoroughly informed upon all subjects pertaining to the art of healing he has made steady progress in this county and is recognized as one of the leading physicians in eastern Illinois.
In 1874 Dr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Flora Hopkins and to them one child was born, Herbert L., the subject of this review. Mrs. Brown departed this life in 1887 and in 1890 the Doctor was married to Miss Nellie F. Ammerman, a daughter of Peter and 'Anna M. Ammerman, of Indiana, the former of whom is deceased. Mrs. Brown is one of six children born to her parents. She holds membership in the Presbyterian church of Bethel, Illinois, and Dr. Brown is a valued member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Court of Honor and the Tribe of Ben Hur. He is identified with the repub- lican party and, while he has not sought official preferment, the duties of his profession making heavy demands upon his time, he has served two terms as
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coroner. Dr. and Mrs. Brown occupy one of the handsome residences in Hum- rick and are highly esteemed for their genial social qualities.
From the time he was eleven until he arrived at the age of sixteen H. L. Brown, our subject, made his home with his grandfather and during the last two years of this period was actively engaged in operating the farm. He was an ambitious lad and, desiring to advance as rapidly as possible, he came west- ward to Illinois and worked by the month for about five years. Although he had received the advantages of the common schools in Ohio, he felt the import- ance of a wider education and accordingly he left the farm and went to Dixon, Illinois, where he attended school for one year, showing such proficiency that he was granted a teacher's certificate and for two years taught in the public schools. The three years following were passed by him at Kankakee, where he graduated as a nurse. In 1902 he came to Humrick and became identified with the general mercantile and implement business, in which he still continues with a success that is highly gratifying.
On August 16, 1903, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Lula Pearl Marshall, a native of Parke county, Indiana, and a daughter of Thomas and Dora M. (Barnes) Marshall. One son, born January 4, 1908, has blessed this union. The parents are both affiliated with the Presbyterian church, of which they are valued members. Mr. Brown casts his vote for the candidates of the republican party and for three years past has filled the position of postmaster at Humrick. His success in life is a striking illustration of the effect of per- severance, inspired by an ambition which had for its object noble aims. It should give great encouragement to any young man who desires to attain some- thing worth while and has only his own personal efforts upon which he may depend to carry him through. The road to success, as has often been said, is open to all who have the necessary courage, patience and energy and are willing to deny themselves in early life in order to be sure of abundance in old age.
J. E. SMITH.
J. E. Smith, owning and operating a well improved farm of eighty-one acres on section 22, Love township, was born in that township on the 29th of May, 1886, his parents being I. D. and Malissa (Glick) Smith. The father is a native of Illinois while the mother's birth occurred in Indiana.
J. E. Smith supplemented his preliminary education by a course of study in an academy. When not busy with his text-books he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage, when he took up his abode on his present farm of eighty-one acres on section 22, Love township. In connection with the tilling of the soil he makes a specialty of raising Poland China hogs and both branches of his business are proving profitable.
On the 19th of January, 1910, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Grace Baldwin, a native of Kansas and a daughter of J. R. and Laura (Golden)
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Baldwin, who are now residents of Dana, Indiana. Mrs. Smith was one of a family of five children born unto her parents.
In politics Mr. Smith is a stanch prohibitionist, believing that the liquor traffic is the worst evil with which our country has to contend. He has already won a gratifying measure of success for one of his years and is widely recog- nized as one of the representative and popular young citizens of his native county.
CHARLES E. BAINBRIDGE.
Charles E. Bainbridge is prominent among the enterprising, progressive and prosperous business men of Danville and his efforts have contributed to the business interests of the community as well as to his individual success. He is a native of the neighboring state of Indiana, born in Fountain county, March I, 1865, and on the paternal side is of German and English ancestry, while his mother's people were of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, William Bainbridge, made farming his life occupation and died in March, 1878. In early manhood he married Miss Sarah Glover, who died in February, 1898. The remains of both parents were interred in a cemetery in Fountain county, Indiana. It was in that county that our subject was mainly reared and there began his education in the district schools. Moving west, he attended high school at Santa Cruz, California, and was graduated therefrom in 1891. At the expiration of that time he studied law for four years under the direction of Judge Webb at Salinas, California, and on coming to this state was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1896. For about six years he was engaged in general practice but not caring for the profession, he discontinued practice at the end of that time. Previously he had been en- gaged in the brokerage business to some extent and after giving up the law again devoted his attention to that business, being now engaged in dealing in stocks, bonds and real estate. He handles his own property exclusively and in his speculations has met with remarkable success.
Mr. Bainbridge was married in St. Louis, Missouri, November 12, 1904, to Miss Grace M. Hasty, a daughter of Henry and Mary Hasty of Danville, who are old residents of this county. Mr. Bainbridge's political endorsement has been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he has become an active and influential factor in its ranks. 'At the last election he was defeated for the office of state representative by only seventeen votes, but not discouraged by this, it is his intention to become a can- didate of the republican party at the next election. In 1896 he was appointed city attorney of Rossville, Illinois, to fill out an unexpired term. During his residence in Salinas, California, he was a member of the state militia but was never called into active service. He is now president of the Greenwood Ceme- tery Association of Danville and is an honored member of the Eagles and the Modern Woodmen of America.
Born in a log cabin with meager advantages during his boyhood, as his people were in limited circumstances, Mr. Bainbridge is a self-made man who has
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experienced many difficulties and privations. His education as well as his suc- cess in business is due entirely to his own personal efforts, for since an early age he has been entirely dependent upon his own resources. He has sought his suc- cess in legitimate lines of trade wherein he has given evidence of sound judgment, keen sagacity and unfaltering diligence. Moreover, his business integrity has ever been above question and he has proved himself a wise and successful busi- ness man as well as a genial, honorable and highly respected citizen. Broad and liberal in his views, he has become very popular during his residence in Dan- ville and there is probably no man in Vermilion county who has more friends than has Charles E. Bainbridge.
JOSEPH W. MILLER.
Among the active business men of Vermilion county whose talents are not limited to the field of merchandise but also find expression in agriculture, may be named Joseph W. Miller, of Armstrong, Middle Fork township. He was born near Oxford, Indiana, August 2, 1871, and is a son of Robert and Martha Elizabeth (Smalley) Miller. Robert Miller was a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Indiana at an early day and there lived principally until he was forty- nine years of age, when he located in Vermilion county as a stock-raiser. He departed this life in 1908. His wife was born in Kentucky but removed with her parents to Indiana, where she was married, and is now living at Armstrong, Illinois. Seven children were born to them, five of whom are living: Joseph W., the subject of this review; Anna, now Mrs. Cordell, of Ivinsville, Wiscon- sin ; R. P., a farmer of Middle Fork township; Thomas, also engaged in farm- ing in Middle Fork township; and Ross, a farmer of Brown county, South Dakota.
Joseph W. Miller was reared upon the farm and received his education in the district schools. At twenty-one years of age he entered the mercantile business at Armstrong and conducted it with such success that it became one of the lead- ing general merchandise establishments in this region. Two years ago the store was destroyed by fire but was rebuilt and Mr. Miller now carries the largest stock of general merchandise in Armstrong. An idea of the extent of his busi- ness may be gained when it is stated that last year his sales, in a country town, amounted to forty-two thousand dollars. He is sole owner of the building and its contents and also of a stock of goods at Thawville, Illinois, and of a farm of four hundred and eighty acres in Hyde county, South Dakota. He is one of the owners of a tract of ten hundred and eighty acres in Baxter county, Ar- kansas, and has a one-fifth interest in four hundred and twenty acres in Middle Fork township. His home in Armstrong is one of the attractive residences of the place.
In 1892 Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Knox, who was called to her rest in 1902. Two years later he was married to Miss Pearl Gil- breth, and two children have been born to them: Josephine Guelda and Leota Mabra.
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Mr. Miller is a stanch supporter of the republican party and while he has not sought office, he served as assistant postmaster of Armstrong for two years and as postmaster for two years. He is identified with the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors, finding in these organiations principles of helpfulness and brotherhood which have always met his earnest approval. He holds member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church and is a liberal supporter of that organi- zation. As is readily to be seen, Mr. Miller is a busy man and one who has made a success not only as a merchant but as a farmer. Although he has many duties in his private affairs which require prompt attention, he never neglects his obligations as a citizen and is foremost in all works that aim to promote the general welfare. He belongs to the type of modern man who, by the aid of trained judgment, decides quickly and fearlessly, not trusting to his own in- stincts. It is such men that direct the great enterprises and makes it possible to meet the demands of an advanced civilization.
JAMES A. JONES.
James A. Jones, owning and operating a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres on section 36, Danville township, has won a well merited and gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests. His birth occurred in Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1860, his parents being Rees and Mary J. Jones, both of whom were natives of Wales, the former born in 1832 and the latter in 1836. When sixteen years of age Rees Jones crossed the At- lantic to the United States, settling in Vermilion county, Indiana, where he later celebrated his marriage. He and his wife took up their abode among the early residents of this county and here made their home until 1905, when they returned to Vermilion county, Indiana.
James A. Jones, who was one of a family of eight children, attended the district schools of this county in the acquirement of an education. General agri- cultural pursuits have claimed his attention during his entire business career and he is now the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and seventy- five acres in Danville township. The land is all under a high state of cultiva- tion and everything about the place indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner.
In 1894 Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Bertha M. Stevenson, who was born in 1871 and obtained her education in the district schools of this county. They now have two children, Glen S. and Gordon A.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Jones has sup- ported the men and measures of the republican party and his interest in every- thing pertaining to the public welfare is deep and sincere. The cause of educa- iton has ever found in him a stanch champion and for nine years he served as.
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a school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen and the Court of Honor, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Brethren church, of which he acted as trustee for fourteen years. He has many friends in the county where his entire life has been spent and well merits the regard and esteem which is uniformly accorded him.
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CHARLES SMITH.
A professor of renown, who has devoted his life largely to a study of the economic conditions and natural resources of the country, has made the state- ment that there is no better investment in all America than Illinois farm land. Moreover it is a well known fact that agriculture is the basis of all success in other lines, and the man, therefore, whose capabilities quality him for success- ful farming is particularly fortunate. A prominent representative of the agri- cultural classes in Eastern Illinois is Charles Smith, who is the owner of ten hundred and eighty acres upon the south side of the Attica road about three miles from Rossville in Vermilion county.
His entire life has been spent in this locality, his birth occurring upon the old homestead farm March 13, 1864. He is a son of Thomas Smith, one of the early settlers of the county. His youthful days were spent in the usual manner of farm lads. The work of the fields engaged his attention from the time of early spring planting until crops were gathered in the autumn. The instruction of the public school developed his mental powers, and thus school and home training qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. Wisely choos- ing as a life work the occupation to which he had been reared, he has become one of the extensive land owners of the county, making further investment from time to time as his financial resources have increased, until now ten hun- dred and eighty acres annually yield to him a good revenue. His home farm upon which he resides comprises two hundred and seventy acres adjoining the corporation limits of Rossville, and is a valuable and well informed tract equipped with all of the conveniences and accessories of a model farm. He owns other land in Grant township and all is in good condition, the work of improvement and development keeping his fields continuously under a high state of cultivation. He likewise owns land in Kansas. The farm upon which he resides is known as the old Henderson place. In addition to its cultivation he raises some stock and also buys and ships stock. His sound judgment in this, as in other branches of his business is bringing to him well merited success.
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