USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 84
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Mr. Williams was married in Chicago on the 24th of April, 1897, to Miss Catherine Musgrove, a daughter of Thomas and Lucy Musgrove, who are of Pennsylvania Dutch extraction and are old residents of Danville, where they still make their home. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have two children, both born
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in Danville : Joseph Richard, whose birth occurred November 22, 1905, and Mar- tha Elizabeth, born December 14, 1908.
Mr. Williams' religious faith is indicated in his membership in Trinity Epis- copal church, in which he is now holding the office of treasurer, and he has ever taken an active and prominent part in church work. At the polls he gives sup- port to the republican party and is at all times interested in public affairs, but the honors and emoluments of public office have no attraction for him, pre- ferring as he does to direct his entire energy to the conduct of his personal af- fairs. He has at all times realized the value of perseverance and industry and throughout his entire business career these elements have been the salient char- acteristics. Having passed almost his entire life in Danville, he has gained an extensive circle of friends who entertain for him high regard, while he enjoys the respect, confidence and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.
WIILIAM BOND.
There is nothing so encouraging to those who have to start out in life empty handed as the history of success of a self-made man such as was William Bond. His life record proves that prosperity and an honored name may be won simul- taneously. From the age of sixteen years he was dependent upon his own re- sources and his industry and the utilization of the opportunities that came to him enabled him in the later years of his life to live retired.
His birth occurred in Baltimore county, Maryland, on the 18th of July, 1818, and he pursued his education in the schools of that city to the age of sixteen years, when he put aside his text-books and made his initial step in the business world. Going to New Market, a small village near Baltimore, he there learned the wood- worker's trade with his brother and became very proficient in his efforts along that line. In 1837 he made his way to Jefferson county, Ohio, in company with his brother, the journey being made overland by wagon. There he assisted his brother in the manufacture and sale of threshing machines and subsquently re- moved to Harrison county, Ohio, settling near Cadiz. There he continued in the manufacture of threshing machines and general farm machinery until 1878, building a business of large and profitable proportions. He then came to Hoopes- ton after selling his farm in Ohio at a very gratifying figure. Following his arrival in Vermilion county he purchased a farm near Hoopeston and became a well known agriculturist and stock-raiser, carrying on the business here for many years but retiring in the latter part of his life. He brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, using the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work, and he also kept upon this place high grades of stock for which he found a ready sale on the market. In all of his business methods he was practical as well as determined and perserving and the results of his activity were measured in the tangible terms of success.
Mr. Bond was married twice. On the 25th of February, 1846, he wedded Elizabeth Williams, of Harrison county. Ohio, and they traveled life's journey
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together for forty-seven years. Mrs. Bond passed away in 1893. Of their five children, three died of fever in 1860. The twin sons are John and Nathan, the former a farmer of Minnesota and the latter connected with a publishing com- pany in Chicago. On the 29th of August, 1901, Mr. Bond was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Amanda C. Bilbo, a daughter of Thomas and Ann (Newman) Butt, who were well known farming people of the Antioch neighborhood. Mrs. Bond still resides in Hoopeston, where she is well known.
In the death of Mr. Bond the community lost a citizen whose worth was widely acknowledged. His political support was given to the republican party and he was not slow to assist any worthy project which promised for the benefit and upbuilding of the community. He preferred home life to office holding, how- ever, enjoyed the companionship of his friends and was ever loyal in all of his social relations. In business affairs his integrity was above question and thus by a well spent and honorable life he gained the respect and esteem of all with whom he was brought in contact.
HOMER MOORE ..
Homer Moore is a representative of one of the oldest families of Vermilion county. Eighty-seven years have passed since his grandparents, Nelson R. and Ann (Milligan) Moore, came to this section of the state, arriving in 1823. The former was a son of Carroll Moore. In 1764 there were seven brothers who sailed from Ireland and made their way to Raleigh, North Carolina, Carroll be- ing among this number. At the time of the Revolutionary war he espoused the cause of the colonists and aided in the attainment of American independence. One of his brothers, however, remained loyal to the English cause and was killed at the battle of Brandywine.
Elijah Moore, the father of Homer Moore, was born in Georgetown, Ver- milion county, Illinois, in 1825, upon the same farm where the birth of his son Homer occurred. What a picture of pioneer life the country then presented! Its lands were undeveloped, its forests uncut and its streams unbridged. There were a few settlers who had recognized the richness of the soil and the oppor- tunities here offered and had, therefore, taken up their abode in this district. Elijah Moore turned his attention to farming and spent all of his life upon the old homestead, where he died when seventy-two years of age. His remains were interred in this county. In early manhood he had married Rena Cham- bers, who came from Indiana to Illinois. On the 7th of September, 1910, at the age of eighty-one years, she passed away at the old homestead where she had lived since 1848. The farm was originally five hundred acres in extent, embracing what is now the southwestern portion of the city of Georgetown. It was one of the early developed properties of this part of the state and the rich- ncss of the soil made ready response to the care and labor which were bestowed upon the fields.
Homer Moore was educated in the schools of Vermilion county, where his birth occurred June 6, 1851. Throughout his youth he worked upon the farm
HOMER MOORE
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and attended school, his thorough mental training well qualifying him for the duties which afterward devolved upon him. He continued on the old home- stead until twenty-one years of age, when he went to Colusa county, California, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land. His nearest neighbor at that time was eight miles away and thus isolated he remained upon the ranch for two years. At the end of that time he went to Los Angeles, California, where he engaged in the transfer business, but, becoming convinced that the oppor- tunities of the middle west were superior to those of the district in which he had located, he came back to the old homestead and turned his attention to the poultry business in 1878. He maintained an office in Georgetown for a time, but afterward, owing to better freight facilities, removed his business to Dan- ville in 1889, securing quarters on West Main street. He continued to deal in poultry for thirty years and at the end of that time turned the business over to his two sons, Paul F. and Homer, Jr. In the intervening three decades he had built up a large trade, becoming one of the extensive poultry handlers of this part of the state. The city has offered him an excellent market and his ability in making purchases and sales brought to him the success that now numbers among Vermilion county's men of affluence.
On the 12th of October, 1881, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Emma Fisher, and unto them have been born three children: Grace, who is now the wife of Harry Kay and has one son, Harold; Paul F., who married Ruth Jones ; and Homer, Jr., who wedded May Houck and has one child, Paul Homer. On the 23d of November, 1892, Mr. Moore was again married, his second union being with Miss Emma Clark, and unto them has been born a son, Clark, who is now a freshman in the high school of Danville. Mr. Moore is a member of the Tribe of Ben Hur and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. The members of the family through four generations have been con- nected with the vital interests of Vermilion county-with its upbuilding along material, intellectual, social and moral lines. They have ever stood for progress and Homer Moore, like his father and grandfather, has ever been recognized as one of the representative citizens of this part of the state. While he has not sought to figure prominently in public affairs, he belongs to that class whose stable manhood constitutes the source of real strength in the community.
ALLEN W. BAILEY.
Allen W. Bailey, a well known butcher and representative business man of Danville, was born in Hillsboro, Indiana, February 3, 1871. He is the second in order of birth in a family of seven children, whose parents are Sanford and Sarah Jane (Riston) Bailey, who are now residents of Danville, the father carrying on business here as a grocery merchant. In the family were the following children: Lena, now the wife of Hugh McDermott, a resident of Chicago; Allen W .; Hattie, deceased; William H., a resident of Danville; Callie, the wife of Logan Sloan, of Danville, who is a tinner by trade; and Frances, deceased.
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Allen W. Bailey obtained his education in the public schools of Danville and later learned the butcher's trade. Becoming a thorough, practical work- man, he embarked in business on his own account in 1898, his first shop being at 308 South street, but in 1901 he removed to 403 South street.
Mr. Bailey was married in Covington, Indiana, October 10, 1890, to Miss Anna Meyers, a daughter of John Meyers, one of the early residents of Dan- ville, and they have become the parents of six children, namely : Leon F .; Don- ald A., deceased; Bernard E .; Russell Sanford; Anna Margaret, and Mary Ellen.
The wife and mother is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church, while Mr. Bailey holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and in politics is identi- fied with the republican party, though he takes no active part in its work and has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He is a good, re- liable business man and prefers to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests.
SAMUEL CAMPBELL.
Samuel Campbell, deceased, was the owner of an excellent farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in Oakwood township, which paid tribute to the care and labor which he bestowed upon it. He was born in Newell township, Vermilion county, in 1847, a son of Joseph and Eliza (Makemson) Campbell, natives of New York and of Kentucky respectively. The parents were married in Illinois and became farming people of Newell township, Mr. Campbell carefully and successfully conducting his agricultural interests, so that his financial resources increased and he made further investment in real estate until at the time of his death he owned six hundred acres of valuable farm land. He died at the age of forty-one years and his widow, long surviving him, passed away at the age of eighty-nine. They were among the worthy pioneer people of this section of the state and enjoyed the warm regard of all who knew them. Their family numbered five children: J. D., of Newell township; Jane, who is a resident of St. Louis; Andrew, living in Vermilion county ; Mary, whose demise occurred in 1905 ; and Samuel, of this review.
As an Illinois farm boy of the latter part of the nineteenth century Samuel Campbell was reared, his time being divided between the duties of the school- room, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. On attaining his majority he started out for himself, beginning with the cultivation of the old homestead. He followed farming in Newell township for a few years and then removed to Oakwood township, where he purchased the farm upon which he con- tinued to reside throughout the remainder of his life. He brought the fields un- der a high state of cultivation and everything about the farm presented a neat and thrifty appearance, indicating his careful supervision and progressive methods.
In 1879 Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Angie Lynch, a native of this county, and unto them was born a son, William, who died in infancy. The
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death of Mrs. Campbell occurred in 1881 and about three years later Mr. Camp- bell wedded Miss Phebe Bradbury, a native of Pennsylvania. They became the parents of two children : Bessie E., who died August 12, 1889, at the age of two years ; and Russell J., at home. The son was provided with a college education. In 1906 Mr. Campbell was called upon to mourn the loss of his second wife, who died on the 12th of May of that year. In 1909 he married Miss Mary E. Huber, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Reuben and Eunice (Simpson) Huber, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. Their family numbered three children but the firstborn died unnamed in infancy and Josephine died at the age of two years, leaving Mrs. Campbell as the only surviving member of the family.
A stalwart republican yet not an office seeker, Mr. Campbell kept well in- formed on the questions and issues of the day. He belonged to Collison Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and to the Odd Fellows lodge of Danville. He was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs, and their many sterling traits of character gained for them the warm and enduring regard of a large circle of friends. After a useful and well spent life Mr. Camp- bell passed away on the 6th of October, 1910. He had long been a resident of Vermilion county and his history was well known to a large circle of friends, and there was naught in his life but what commanded high regard and esteem.
HENRY SILL FORBES.
Along the highway of usefulness and activity Henry Sill Forbes traveled to the goal of success. His start in the business world was a comparatively humble one but gradually he advanced until he became well known as a repre- sentative of the real-estate and brokerage business in Danville. He was a native of Middletown, Connecticut, born October 21, 1829, but being brought to Illinois in early manhood he pursued his education in the Danville schools. He then entered the employ of local business men, under whose direction he received thorough training, and there awakened in him the ambition and desire to one day engage in business on his own account. Toward that end therefore he con- tinually worked and when he felt that his experience and capital were sufficient he embarked in the real-estate and brokerage business, in which he secured a large clientage. He handled much property and also commercial paper and was well informed concerning the value of both.
In 1858, in Danville, Mr. Forbes was united in marriage to Miss Lucy H. Wright, who died in 1862, leaving two sons, Chester W. and Frederick A., but the latter died in infancy. For his second wife Mr. Forbes chose Miss Geor- giana Dann, of Avon, New York, whom he wedded in 1865. She died in 1867, leaving a daughter, Georgia. In 1871 Mr. Forbes was again married to Kathe- rine G. Harris, who survives him. His son Chester married Eva Snapp, and his daughter, Georgia D., is the wife of Alpheus Cruzan, a general contractor.
Mr. Forbes gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and was al- ways interested in matters of progressive citizenship but never sought or de- sired office. He held membership in Holy Trinity church and a well spent life
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made his death greatly regretted by all who knew him. He passed away in 1886, and his memory is yet cherished by many friends, for he has spent almost his en- tire life in Danville and his many good traits of character gained him the confi- dence and esteem of those who knew him.
L. A. CHESLEY.
The manufacturing interests of Danville find a worthy representative in L. A. Chesley, who is now secretary and treasurer of the Danville Foundry and Ma- chine Company. He was born in this city March 2, 1863, and is a son of Robert V. Chesley, who in his day was one of Vermilion county's most prominent and brilliant lawyers. The father was born on the 9th of May, 1832, in Vir- ginia, his father being Alexander P. Chesley, who at one time served as post- master of Danville. Robert Chesley attended school in Columbus, Ohio, and on leaving that city came to Vermilion county, Illinois, where he learned the harnessmaker's trade, at which he worked for a number of years, and later en- gaged in clerking in a drug store and dry-goods store. He next conducted a harness and saddlery shop of his own but later resumed clerking, following that occupation until September, 1861. The Civil war having broken out, he then enlisted in Company C, Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under the com- mand of Captain McArthur and General U. S. Grant. He participated in a num- ber of engagements, including the battle of, Fort Donelson, where he was wounded in the leg, and was then sent to a hospital. On his recovery he took up the study of law, to which he had previously devoted some time while working at his trade. He was at length admitted to the bar and opened an office in Danville, eventually becoming one of the leading attorneys of this section of the state. He was often employed on the same cases with Lincoln and Douglas and was regarded as one of the most brilliant orators of his time. In politics he was an ardent republican, while fraternally he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and religiously was a member of the Presbyterian church.
On the 21st of October, 1852, Robert V. Chesley was married in Danville to Miss Helen M. Russel, who was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, August 16, 1830, a daughter of William F. and Emeline (Bradley) Russel, also natives of that state. Her father brought his family to Vermilion county in 1833 and became one of the leading business men of Danville, taking a prominent part in public affairs. He was a supporter of the democratic party and a member of the Universalist church, the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He died in March, 1856, and his wife passed away November 7, 1866. There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Chesley : Charles E., proprietor of the Chesley Boiler Works of Danville; Frederick H., also a resident of Dan- ville ; John L. and L. A., who make their home in the same city ; and Helen May, the wife of W. S. Rowlson, of Danville.
L. A. Chesley attended the public schools of this city until he entered the high school, when he was obliged to put aside his text-books and enter upon his business career, as his father had died and it was necessary for him to provide
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for his own support. At the age of fourteen he entered upon an apprentice- ship to his uncle, William Reynolds, who was engaged in the jewelry business, but, finding that work too confining, a year later he sought employment in the general store of Villars Brothers, where he worked as office boy and bookkeeper for some time. He was next in the employ of Owens & Pixley, clothiers, with whom he remained for three years and then for a year and a half was with the firm of Carson, Pirie, Scott & Company of Chicago. On his return to Danville at the end of that time Mr. Chesley became connected with the Danville Machine Works as bookkeeper, which establishment was organized by William Stewart in 1872 and incorporated in 1891 as the Danville Foundry & Machine Company, and was conducted by him until his death May 29, 1901. Mr. Chesley was elected secretary and treasurer, in which capacity he has since served. They do an extensive and profitable business and much of the success of the enterprise is due to the untiring and well directed efforts of our subject.
On the 9th of January, 1882, Mr. Chesley married Miss Helen Stewart, a daughter of William Stewart, the founder of the company, and they became the parents of three children: Frederick Goulding, born May 13, 1883, is now de- ceased. He was married September 29, 1908, to Mary Winifred Hess, of Dan- ville. William Stewart, born November 20, 1885, is the next of the family. Helen D., born February 14, 1888, was married January 20, 1909, to J. Gilman Oswalt, and they have one child, Fred Chesley, born October 15, 1909.
In his political affiliations Mr. Chesley is a republican and, although he has never taken a very active or prominent part in politics, he is deeply interested in public affairs and served three terms as alderman of the fourth ward. In his fraternal relations he is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Arcanum. Such in general outline is the history of L. A. Chesley, a man whose activities have wrought for good not only to his own benefit but also to the welfare of the public, He has been a champion of progressive measures which have been the motive force of Danville's industrial and business development, and in social and busi- ness circles he occupies an enviable position.
HARPER DANIELS.
The history of Harper Daniels is one which indicates clearly that success is ambition's answer; that it is the logical sequence of industry, intelligently di- rected. For long years he was connected with agriculture and with mercantile interests and is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest.
He was born at Beverly, West Virginia, October 23, 1841, and is descended from ancestry represented in the colonial army in the Revolutionary war. He is also a distant relative of Senator Daniels of Virginia. His father, Madison Daniels, was born in West Virgina, in 1808, and was a farmer by occupation. He wedded Ellen Skidmore, who was born in 1812. Their family numbered nine children, six sons and three daughters. The mother had been previously married and by her first husband, William Moore, had one son, David, who is
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now deceased. The children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Daniels were: George H., who married Martha Stemple; Harper, of this review; William P., who married Mattie McClain, but both are now deceased; John Allen, deceased, who married Marcia Hobart, now conducting the Danville Furniture Company ; B. W., who is married and resides in Wichita, Kansas; Samuel, who is married and lives in San Bernardino, California; Elizabeth, the deceased wife of Alpheus Buckey; Mary E., the wife of Aiken Harper, of Davis, West Virginia; and Christina, the wife of George E. Elborn, living in Elkins, West Virginia.
Harper Daniels pursued his early education in the schools of his native state and also attended the Old Red Seminary on Pine street in Danville, the highest school of the county at that time. He spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his native city and was twenty-one years of age when, in response to the call of the Confederacy, he joined the First Virginia Battery in the year 1862. He was with the Army of the Potomac throughout the period which he spent at the front and in Virginia was taken prisoner on the retreat from Gettysburg. He was incarcerated from July until Christmas, when he was paroled.
It was subsequent to this time that Mr. Daniels worked in order to earn money with which to come to Illinois and in 1865 he arrived in Vermilion county. For six months thereafter he was employed as a farm hand and it was subse- quent to that time that he completed his education by attending the seminary here. In the year 1866 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Chenoweth, who was born April 25, 1843, a daughter of William Chenoweth, a farmer. She has two brothers who are yet living and has lost three brothers and three sisters.
Following his marriage Harper Daniels took up the occupation of farming as a life work, purchasing three hundred and twenty acres of land, which he cul- tivated and improved, making his home thereon for twelve years. In 1878 he rented his farm and removed to Danville. The first three years after taking up his abode in the city he bought and shipped stock and then turned his atten- tion to the furniture and undertaking business. He continued in that line for twenty-three years and was one of the leading merchants of the city, having a well appointed store. Knowing that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement, he put forth every effort to please his customers and his reasonable prices and straightforward dealing won him substantial and well merited success. His ef- forts, too, were of a character that contributed to the commercial activity and consequent prosperity of the city.
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