USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 86
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93
William D. Darley spent his youthful days in his father's home. His edu- cational privileges were very meager, being limited to two months' attendance at the common schools in the winter seasons. The necessity of providing for his own support forced him to start out in life at an early age, and after being employed as a farm hand for a considerable period, he began farming on his own account by renting land in Morgan county in 1875. The following year he came to Vermilion county and for twenty years cultivated rented land here. During that period he carefully saved his earnings until his economical ex- penditure and industry brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase
831
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
one hundred and fifty-seven acres of land in Sidell township. He became the owner of this property in 1894 and two years later took up his abode thereon and has since made it his home. His labors are greatly advancing the work of improvement here. He carries on diversified farming and is very successful in his work. He is also a stockholder in the Allerton Creamery.
On the 6th of October, 1874, Mr. Darley was united in marriage to Miss Mary Walters of Morgan county, Illinois, a daughter of William and Hannah (Cooper) Walters, both of whom were natives of Yorkshire, England. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Darley have been born four children: Edwin D., living at Aller- ton, this county; Albert L., at home; Ralph W., who follows farming in Edgar county, and Bessie, deceased.
In his political views Mr. Darley is a republican and as every American citizen should do, keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but has never sought office as a reward for party fealty. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and during the years of their residence in this county both Mr. and Mrs. Darley have gained the warm regard of many friends.
PHINEAS T. REMSTER.
Phineas T. Remster, of Hoopeston, Vermilion county, who owns a well im- proved farm of two hundred and forty acres, and is known as a competent business man who generally succeeds in what he undertakes, was born in Fountain county, Indiana, in November, 1862, a son of Phineas T. and Mary (Brown) Remster. The father was a native of New Jersey and removed to Indiana when a young man and enlisted in the Federal army at Covington, be- ing enrolled in the Sixty-third Indiana Volunteer Regiment. Shortly after his enlistment he died leaving a widow who was the mother of one child, the sub- ject of this review.
Phineas T. Remster, at the age of one year was received into the household of his aunt on his mother's side, Mrs. Sarah Brown, the wife of Elias Brown, continuing with them until he was twenty-eight years of age. He was educated in the public schools, and as he grew up became familiar with farming opera- tions, beginning for himself on a farm at twenty-eight years of age. He located on section 23, Grant township, in 1891, and for nineteen years vigorously con- ducted operations and attained the success that usually attends effort when it is rightly directed. His farm is one of the valuable properties of the neighbor- hood, and he also owns two hundred acres of land in Prairie county, Arkansas, which gives promise of a handsome advance in value as time passes.
On January 15, 1891, Mr. Remster was united in marriage to Miss Sarah S. Rusk, a daughter of Josiah Rusk, a native of this state. She proved a faith- ful and loving companion and presided over one of the happy households in the county, but the unwelcome visitor, death, called her from the family circle May 12, 1910, leaving three children: Robert, Pearl and Ora.
A few months later Mr. Remster rented his farm and took up his residence at Hoopeston, where he now lives. At the present time he is acting as presi-
832
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
dent of the Farmers' Grain Company of Hoopeston, the president having re- cently died. This company was organized in 1908 by the farmers of this region and has a capital stock of ten thousand dollars, the following officers being chosen at the time of its organization: N. E. Ross, president ; P. T. Remster, vice president; and O. M. Ross, secretary.
Mr. Remster, ever since arriving at voting age, has been an adherent of the republican party and takes the interest of a patriotic citizen in the election of men whom he considers most competent to administer the laws. That he has the confidence of the farming community is evidenced in the office he holds in the Farmers' Grain Company, and during many years of active operations on the farm his dealings were always characterized by integrity and fairness which were an index of his character. All the property that he has was acquired by his industry and good management, and it is hardly necessary to add that he is one of the most highly esteemed citizens in this part of Vermilion county.
J. H. ELLIOTT.
J. H. Elliott, successfully engaged in the lumber business at Oakwood, is a young man of enterprise and good ability, who by his well directed efforts is steadily working his way upward. His birth occurred in Vermilion county, June 2, 1876, his parents being Richard and Jane E. (Jackson) Elliott, who were natives of Indiana and Kentucky, respectively. On coming from Illinois in 1863 they settled on a farm in Vermilion county and the father continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits until 1898, when he retired, and now the farm is being operated by his sons, while the father makes his home in Jamaica. At the present time he is the owner of two hundred and twelve acres of finely improved land and derives therefrom a substantial income. His family numbered seven children: William H., who is married and lives in this county ; Grant H., who is married and makes his home in Vermilion county ; Nancy A., the wife of O. P. Sullivan, of Urbana, Illinois; Emma, the wife of Archibald Corington, of this county; J. H .; Josephus, who died in August, 1888; and Charles C., who is married and lives in Vermilion county.
J. H. Elliott was reared upon the home farm, remaining there with his parents until twenty-three years of age. In the meantime he completed his education in the Northern Indiana Normal School and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1895. The following year he completed the surveyor's course and he took special work in pedagogy at the University of Illinois under Dr. Arnold Tompkins, in 1899. He has done excellent work as an educator, teaching in the country schools for six years and for five years in the city schools, acting as principal of the Oakwood school for four years. He studied each pupil from the standpoint of the individual and adapted his method of instruction to the particular need so that his work was entirely satisfactory. After retiring from the teacher's profession he became a bookkeeper for the Trent Brothers Lumber Company of Oakwood, and still has charge of the books. In the meantime he has been admitted to a partnership and is now in
833
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
full control of the business which under his careful direction is constantly grow- ing, returning to the owners a gratifying annual income.
On the 22d of March, 1900, Mr. Elliott was married to Miss Verna Vil- lars, a native of Vermilion county, and a daughter of George H. and Martha (Brewer) Villars, who were also natives of this county, their parents having been pioneer settlers of Illinois. Mrs. Elliott is one of five children, the others being: Victor V., who is married and lives in Champaign county; May, the wife of Edgar Darr, of Vermilion county; Clara, the wife of Alfred Waters, of Vermilion county ; and Charlotte, at home. Of these, May, Victor and Mrs. Elliott have all been successful school teachers. The only child born unto Mr. and Mrs. Elliott died at the age of four months. In his fraternal relations Mr. Elliott is a Mason, belonging to Oakwood Lodge, No. 872, F. & A. M., and is also connected with Damascus Lodge, K. P., of Danville, and the Modern Woodmen camp at Oakwood. Both he and his wife are members of the Chris- tian church and their many good qualities have gained them a large circle of warm friends.
Mr. Elliott is yet a young man, but has made steady progress in business and closely following such maxims as "honesty is the best policy" and "there is no excellence without labor," he has made steady progress and is now num- bered among the leading as well as prosperous merchants of Oakwood.
VAN C. DAVIS.
Van C. Davis, a well known farmer and stockman of Catlin township, is the owner of one hundred and fifty-six acres of rich and arable land, and has met with excellent success in its cultivation. His birth occurred on the farm where he now resides, his natal day being November 7, 1861. His parents, Cessie and Milving E. (Hyatt) Davis, were natives of Illinois and Kentucky, respectively. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents of our subject were pioneer settlers of this state, the father's parents coming here in 1826 and the mother's parents in 1834. Cessie Davis wedded Miss Milving E. Hyatt in 1859 and established his home on a farm which he had purchased, devoting his at- tention to its cultivation and improvement throughout the remainder of his life. He prospered in his undertakings and at the time of his death, which occurred on the 4th of May, 1890, he owned four hundred and thirty-five acres of val- uable land. His widow still survives and now resides in Catlin at the age of seventy-seven years. Unto this worthy couple were born four children, all all of whom are yet living.
Van C. Davis remained under the parental roof until he was married at the age of thirty-two years and then established a home of his own. Through- out his entire business career he has given his time and energies to the opera- tion of the farm on which he now resides, and at present owns one hundred and fifty-six acres of land in Catlin township. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he makes a specialty of the raising of
834
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
stock and both branches of his business return to him a gratifying annual in- come.
On the Ist of June, 1893, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Maggie May Tanner, who was born in Danville on the 20th of November, 1876. Her parents, Vanmeter and Mary E. Tanner, are natives of Illinois and still re- side in Catlin. Their children are five in number. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Davis have been born four children, as follows: Laurel J., whose natal day was July 19, 1895; Minnie E., whose birth occurred May 13, 1899; Forest V., born December 23, 1902; and Clarence, who died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Davis is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. The honors and emoluments of office have never had any attrac- tion for him, but he is a stanch friend of the cause of education and has been a member of the school board for twenty-eight years. Fraternally he is identi- fied with the Masons, belonging to Lodge No. 285 at Catlin. He is likewise a devoted and faithful member of the United Brethren church. Mr. and Mrs. Davis enjoy a wide and favorable acquaintance in the county where they have always resided and the hospitality of the best homes is cordially extended to them.
ALVA C. LEONARD.
Alva C. Leonard, publishing the Potomac Record, is the youngest newspaper editor of Vermilion county and undoubtedly one of the youngest in the state. A spirit of progress actuates him in his connection with journalism and enter- prising methods are manifest in his conduct of the paper. He was born Jan- uary 4, 1889, on a farm about three and a half miles north and three-fourths of a mile east of Potomac. This was the home of his parents, Berry Franklin and Emma Jane (Swisher) Leonard, with whom he remained until after he had completed his education. He attended the district schools until about twelve years of age and afterward pursued his studies in the Potomac schools until 1907, when he entered the Brown Business College at Danville. During the vacation periods he worked with his father in the fields and after com- pleting his business course in Danville he spent a short time in travel. Enter- ing the field of business, he was employed for a brief period in the shops of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad at Danville, after which he returned to Potomac. The following summer he became bookkeeper and general yard- man in connection with a lumber business, and on the Ist of March, 1910, he purchased the Potomac Record from E. A. and C. R. Barnes. He is sole owner of the paper and, although the youngest editor of the county, has instituted progressive methods which are already manifest in increased circulation and advertising patronage. Following the lead of the city newspapers, he has given away a number of prizes, among these being a fine piano. Such a gift is very unusual for a newspaper in a town the size of Potomac. Already the circula- tion list has been increased by two hundred names and the able manner in which the paper is edited insures it a continued patronage. He has a modern
835
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
plant and is publishing a paper that is thoroughly up-to-date in every particular. While the Record is published as an independent paper, it takes a firm stand against the liquor traffic and in favor of reform and advancement along all those lines relating to the welfare of the individual and the community.
On the 4th of May, 1910, Mr. Leonard was married to Miss Charlotte Alma French, who was born February 1, 1891, a daughter of Henry S. and Sarah (Endicott) French, who were among the early settlers. of this county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Leonard are members of the Church of Christ and are active in its work. Mr. Leonard is serving as one of the teachers of the Sun- day school and also as choir leader and is very prominent in the musical circles of this section. He belongs to the Potomac Band, of which he was at one time leader, and is now manager. He is also a member of the Vermilion County Press Association. His wife is a member of the Eastern Star. In the social life of the town they are prominent and their home is a most hos- . pitable one, whose good cheer is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
ALBERT R. GOODWIN.
The commercial history of Hoopeston would be incomplete were there fail- ure to make reference to the mercantile interests of Albert R. Goodwin, who is one of the proprietors of the only exclusive men's furnishing goods estab- lishment in the city, being the junior partner of the firm of Decker & Goodwin, proprietors of the Young Men's Clothing Store, as the establishment is usually termed. He is a native of Norton Center, Norton county, Kansas, and a son of Albert R. and Lucinda (Wright) Goodwin, the former a farmer by occu- pation. The grandfather on the paternal side was a native of Pennsylvania and was a soldier of the Civil war. He served for three years and participated in many notable engagements, including the battles of Missionary Ridge, Pea Ridge, Lookout Mountain and Rocky Face Gap. In the maternal line Albert R. Goodwin is descended from an old Kentucky family. He began his educa- tion in the schools of Hoopeston and later attended the Northern Indiana Nor- mal School at Valparaiso, completing the commercial course there by gradua- tion in 1896. He has been a resident of Hoopeston since 1890. Soon after leaving school, or early in the year 1898, he responded to the country's call for military aid and enlisted for active service in the Spanish-American war as a member of Company B, Third Missouri Volunteer Infantry. He was sta- tioned at Chickamauga for several months and continued in the army until late in the fall of 1898.
Returning to Vermilion county, Mr. Goodwin was engaged in farming in Ross township, carrying on agricultural pursuits in his own interest for about three years. He then went to Chicago where he accepted a position with a complete outfitting company, remaining with that firm for about six months. He was afterward with the United States Express Company in Chicago for about four years, and in 1907 he returned to Hoopeston, where he joined Joseph H. Decker in organizing the firm of Decker & Goodwin, dealers in men's fur-
836
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
nishing goods. Their increasing trade forced them to seek more commodious quarters and they are now located at No. 210 East Main street, where they have a well appointed store, carrying a large and carefully selected line of men's furnishing goods. Their patronage is well merited, for they follow mod- ern and progressive business methods that are bringing them substantial re- turns.
Mr. Goodwin is still interested in military affairs and is now a corporal of his company in the Illinois National Guard. In politics he is a republican and belongs to the Christian church. His manly qualities, his earnest purpose and his honorable conduct have given him a position in public regard that is most enviable, and his enterprise in business is also winning him satisfactory ad- vancement in commercial circles.
GEORGE W. CUNNINGHAM.
George W. Cunningham, who was a volunteer soldier of the Civil war and was for many years actively identified with the farming interests of Ver- milion county but is now living retired, was born in Newell township, May 18, 1838, a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Cunningham, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. They were married in that state and came to Illinois in 1829. The father entered land in Newell township and there he and his wife lived in a log house, according to the primitive style of the early days. Mr. Cunningham redeemed his land from the wilderness. His wife was called from earthly cares in 1844. She was the mother of six children, three of whom are now living: George W., the subject of this review; Sarah, now Mrs. Philo Knapp, of Vermilion county; and Emily, the wife of Michael Furay, also of Vermil- ion county. A few years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Cunningham married a Miss French, a native of Illinois, who became the mother of three children, all of whom are living: Humphrey, Thomas and Samantha, now Mrs. T. J. Allison, all of whom are residents of Vermilion county. After a long and useful career Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham were both called to their final rest in 1908.
George W. Cunningham grew up upon the home farm, attended the dis- tract school in winter and assisted his father at the other seasons of the year. Just as he had fairly begun farming on his own account, the Civil war threw a shadow over the land, and with tens of thousands of patriotic young men he offered himself as a volunteer for the cause of the Union. He served in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, under Captain Steward, for two years, four months and ten days, and many times was he found upon the firing line. He participated in many engagements, among them the battles of Perryville, Missionary Ridge, Tunnel Hill and Snake Gap, and at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, one of the fiercest engagements of the war, he was desperately wounded, his right arm being shot off above the elbow. After a partial recovery from his wound, he was honorably discharged from service December 10, 1864. Returning to his home, he again took up farming,
837
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
continuing in business until 1887, when he retired to Danville, Illinois, but has made his home at Bismarck since 1894. He is the owner of a farm of one hundred and eighty-three acres, which under his care was finely improved and is now one of the productive farms of Newell township.
On November 17, 1859, Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage to Miss Hallie A. Taylor, who was born in Illinois, February 8, 1837, her parents be- ing among the early settlers of this state. Mrs. Cunningham departed this life January 5, 1874, leaving the following children: George H., a resident of Newell township, who was born April 5, 1861; John W., who was born Feb- ruary 10, 1863, and is now deceased; Etta A., born August 9, 1865, who mar- ried C. Biteler, of Iowa, and died in 1910; Monroe S., a resident of Iowa, born in 1868; and Emarilla M., now Mrs. Thomas Tape, of Iowa, born March 24, 1870. Mr. Cunningham was again married July 30, 1874, to Mrs. Mary Lesher, who was called away in October, 1891. There were no children by that union. On July 27, 1892, Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage to a Miss Bates, who was born in Vermont, February 19, 1848, and was one of two children, having a brother, Myron Bates, still living in Vermont.
Since arriving at his majority Mr. Cunningham has been identified with the republican party, although he has not permitted party lines to interfere in local elections with the selection of a worthy candidate. He has been honored by his fellow citizens in being elected to several public offices, among them that of tax collector, which he held for nine years, commissioner of highways for three years and also served as a member of the school board. He holds membership in the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Danville and in re- ligious views is in sympathy with the doctrines of the Christian church, being a contributor to that denomination. Mr. Cunningham was a true soldier and his honorable discharge entitles him to the confidence and respect of every lover of liberty. As a citizen he has always been conscientious in the discharge of his duties and is recognized by those who long have known him as a man whose example is worthy of imitation by the generation which is now arriving upon the scene and upon whose shoulders the responsibilities of the state and nation will soon be placed.
EDWIN T. JONES.
Edwin T. Jones, an enterprising and up-to-date agriculturist of Catlin town- ship, was born on the farm where he now resides, his natal day being December 13, 1871. His parents, Thomas J. and Alice (Williams) Jones, were both na- tives of Wales. The latter, who was but seven years of age when brought to the United States by her parents in 1850, lost her mother the same year and twelve months later was left an orphan by the death of her father. Thomas J. Jones emigrated to the United States in 1854 and in the year 1869 wedded Miss Alice Williams, the ceremony taking place in Summit county, Ohio. In 1870 he took up his permanent abode in Vermilion county, Illinois, and began work- ing as a coal miner. Subsequently he bought forty acres of land in Catlin
838
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
township and later extended the boundaries of the farm by an additional pur- chase of twenty acres, making his home thereon until called to his final rest on the 27th of January, 1903. He won a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests and was widely recognized as a substantial- and respected citizen of the community. His remains were interred in the Oak Ridge cemetery. His widow, who still survives, belongs to the Congregational church and is well known and highly esteemed in the locality where she makes her home. Her children are three in number, namely: Margaret J., the widow of James Ramsey, of Tilton, Illinois; Edwin T., of this review; and Ruth, the wife of George Holcomb, of Catlin.
In his youthful years Edwin T. Jones attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education. He has always remained on the farm where he was born and reared and the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist early became familiar to him through the assistance which he rendered his father in the work of the fields. He now manages and operates the old homestead farm for his widowed mother and annually gathers rich crops which find a ready sale on the market. His political allegiance is given to the repub- lican party, but he has never sought nor desired office. Fraternally he is identi- fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 538 at Catlin. His life is upright and honorable, his many good qualities winning for him the high regard of all who know him.
SANFORD B. BRATTON.
Sanford B. Bratton has for the past six years served as chief of the Dan- ville fire department and as a public official has made for himself an honorable record. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 29, 1859, and is a son of Sanford and Amanda (Ballard) Bratton, both of whom were of Scotch-Irish descent. The father was also a native of the Buckeye state, but the birth of the mother occurred in Kentucky. It was in 1865 that the former brought his family from Cincinnati to Danville and here he was engaged in the retail grocery business for some time. For twenty years he was also a member of the police force of this city, serving under its first mayor, Dr. Winslow.
Sanford B. Bratton was a lad of six years when brought by his parents to Danville and he is indebted to the public schools of this city for the early educa- tional advantages he enjoyed. Later he attended the high school at Indian- apolis, Indiana, and on the completion of his education served an apprentice- ship to the plumber's trade, which he followed for a period of eighteen years. During twelve years of this time, however, he was engaged in the plumbing business on his own account and when he sold out at the end of that time turned his attention to contracting, in the line of laying water and gas mains in Danville and other towns. During his long residence in this city he has become actively and prominently identified with public affairs and for ten years served as a member of the city council, during which time he gave his support to all worthy measures which he believed calculated to advance the general interests.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.