USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 9
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Erie & Western Railroad through Vermilion county. As the years have passed his efforts have been extended into other fields and he is now one of the directors of the H. O. Company of Buffalo, New York; of the Federal Life Insurance Company, of Chicago; and of the Gibson Canning Company, of Gibson City, Illinois. His activities have been of constantly broadening scope and he has never feared to venture where favoring opportunity has led the way.
Mr. Moore has been married twice. In Coshocton county, Ohio, on the 26th of February, 1865, he wedded Louisa J. Miller, a daughter of Robert and Susanna Miller. On the 2d of March, 1892, in Chicago, he married Miss Anna Hamilton, a daughter of Ephraim and Celia D. Hamilton. Her father was a prominent merchant at Ash Grove, Illinois, in the early days, and her brother Isaac Miller Hamilton is now president of the Federal Life Insurance Com- pany of Chicago. The children of Mr. Moore are: Winfield S., who married Jennie Jones and is living at Hoopeston, Illinois; Claude H., who married Hattie Marsh and resides at Memphis, Tennessee; and Cora M., the wife of Dr. E. E. Haines, of Memphis. The Moore residence is one of the palatial homes of Hoopeston.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore belong to the Methodist church and he is a Knight Templar Mason, in thorough sympathy with the beneficent spirit of the craft. He served as the first high priest of Hoopeston Chapter, R. A. M., in 1877. He is now president of the Commercial Club of Hoopeston and during his con- nection with the organization has cooperated in its various projects for the im- provement and upbuilding of the city. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has consented to serve in some municipal offices, so that the city has had the benefit of his sound judgment and broad experience in the conduct of municipal business. He has ever displayed an aptitude for suc- cessful management of affairs of great magnitude and possesses marked ability in coordinating forces and combining seemingly diverse elements into a harmonious whole. Moreover, his business activities have ever balanced up with the prin- ciples of truth and honor. His methods have ever been of a constructive char- acter and his business interests have never sacrificed the rights and privileges of others. He has built along legitimate lines and the various extensive enter- prises which he has fostered and promoted have constituted an element of worth in the communities where they are located.
HENRY M. BLAIR.
Henry M. Blair, for twenty-eight years past a merchant of West Newell and well known as a representative citizen of Vermilion county, was born in Newell township, November 10, 1861, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Cossi- art) Blair, also natives of this county, who are still living at the old home- stead in Newell township. The subject of this review is the eldest of six children born to his parents, the names of the other members of the family being: Robert E. Lee, of Salem, Illinois; Clara, now Mrs. Irvin Cunningham, of Newell township; and Flora A., Franklin and Arthur, all three of whom are deceased.
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Henry M. Blair remained upon the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He received his education in the district schools but after ar- riving at his majority decided that he preferred mercantile life to farming and became connected with general merchandising at West Newell in 1882. By application and good judgment he has been successful in his chosen vocation and has met with the reward that is the result of properly applied industry. He also operates the grain elevator at West Newell and is recognized by his as- sociates as a substantial and competent business man, whose word is as good as his bond and whose record has been untarnished.
In November, 1889, Mr. Blair was happily united in marriage to Miss Katie Campbell, of Vermilion county, a daughter of Horace and Elizabeth (Delay) Campbell, who were both born in Illinois and died in this state. Mrs. Blair was born in 1860 and has always proved to her husband a faithful and de- voted wife. Three children have blessed their union: Lucile, now a student of the high school; Mabel and Helen.
Mr. Blair is identified with the democratic party and has always shown the interest of a patriotic citizen in voting for the measures which he considers of most vital importance to the state and the Union. While not an office-seeker, he has served as township clerk, commissioner of highways and as member of the school board. He is a member of the United Brethren church and is in hearty sympathy with all movements, moral or religious, that aim to improve the character of the individual or to elevate the standard of society. The head of a happy family, Mr. Blair has been fortunate in his life work and is a good example of an American citizen, actuated by worthy ideals which he has success- fully applied in the practical duties of life.
JOHN McVEY.
John McVey, who was a gallant soldier in the Civil war and is now living retired at Tilton, Vermilion county, after a long and useful career, first saw the light of day in County Longford, Ireland, in 1837. He is a son of John McVey who, seeking better opportunities than the Emerald isle afforded, came with his family to America in 1852. He had received a fair education in the old country and was fifteen years of age when he landed under the stars and stripes. The father was a minor and the first year after arriving in this coun- try he spent in the mines in Pennsylvania. Just as he was beginning to ex- perience the blessings of liberty in a republic, the head of the family was taken with a fatal illness and died, leaving his son to shift for himself.
At sixteen years of age, among strangers, John McVey began the battle of life. He was blessed with strong arms and a brave heart and in the coal mines of Pennsylvania he found employment until 1857, when he came west and be- gan working in the mines of Vermilion county. Here he continued until Presi- dent Lincoln's call for soldiers to prevent the dissolution of the Union aroused the patriotism of young men all over the country and our subject enlisted in Company C, Twelfth Illinois Volunteers, serving from April to July, when
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he was sent home sick. After recuperating for about a year he reenlisted, his name being found this time upon the rolls of Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry. In this regiment he manfully served until the close of the war and participated in many of the great battles by which the Confederacy was finally overthrown. At the battle of Jonesboro he was wounded but soon recovered and rejoined his command. Having received an honorable discharge, he returned to Tilton and resumed work in the mines, also engaging in the mercantile business. In 1884 he erected a large store building con- taining ten bedrooms used by train men, as this place was a terminal of the Wabash Railway, and in this building conducted both a store and boarding house. At different times he invested in farm land which he sold at a good profit and some years ago owned one hundred and forty acres of land north- west of Tilton. He now owns twenty-six acres of valuable property near the town and in his various financial operations has shown a sagacity that produced profitable returns.
On July 2, 1870, Mr. McVey was happily united in marriage to Mrs. Julia Mullhattan, who has been to him a true wife and valued assistant. In the earlier years she ran the store while he worked in the mines and she also as- sisted in managing the boarding house.
Mr. McVey has always been identified with the democratic party and in 188I a petition was circulated for his appointment as postmaster of Tilton. This position he held for twenty-six years, through various national adminis- trations, retiring after appointing an assistant to whom he also turned over his general store in 1907. He has served with credit to himself and his party in various local positions, among them as commissioner of highways and also as a member of the county board of supervisors. He was reared in the faith of the Catholic church and through life has been governed in an important de- gree by its teachings. He holds membership in the Knights of Columbus and the Grand Army of the Republic and for many years has been recognized as a public-spirited and enterprising citizen who, having made his own way in the world, recognizes the difficulties that others must overcome and is always ready and willing to assist those less fortunate than himself. He is a man of sterling qualities who is universally respected in this part of the county because he de- serves it.
JAMES CHANDLER WOODBURY.
James Chandler Woodbury, an attorney at law of Danville, is now enjoying an extensive and lucrative practice, which has come to him as the reward of earnest endeavor and recognized ability. He was born in this city on the 31st of January, 1870, and is a son of James Hazard and Sarah Jane (Chandler) Woodbury, both of whom are now deceased. The father, who was born in Rip- ley county, Indiana, June 8, 1832, passed away January 28, 1885. During the latter part of his life he was actively engaged in the general insurance business. The mother of our subject died on the 7th of February, 1870.
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Reared in the city of his birth, James Chandler Woodbury obtained his ele- mentary education in the public schools and later attended the Rose Polytechnic Institute at Terra Haute, Indiana. He afterward studied law under the direction of Judge Kimbrough and was admitted to the bar in 1895. He at once opened an office in Danville and has since engaged in practice in this city. His logical grasp of facts and principles of the law applicable to them has been a potent element in his success and a remarkable clearness of expression, an adequate and pre- cise diction, which enables him to make others understand not only the salient points of his argument but his fine gradation of meaning, may be accounted one of his most conspicuous gifts and accomplishments.
Mr.Woodbury was married in Lovington, Illinois, March 18, 1891, to Miss Mertie L. Foster, a daughter of John A. and Adelia (Bicknell) Foster, honored early settlers of Moultrie county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury have one son, Bicknell J., now fourteen years of age, attending the high school of Dan- ville.
Mr. Woodbury votes independently but has taken quite an active interest in public affairs. He is today an honored member of the Vermilion County Bar Association and is also identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the First Presbyterian church. He has attained an enviable position in the ranks of the legal fraternity in this part of the state and in professional and social circles alike has won a host of warm friends.
W. H. STARR, M. D.
Dr. W. H. Starr is the proprietor of the Starr Sanitarium, a private insti- tution, which is the only one of the kind in Danville. It fills a long-felt need here and its splendid modern equipment is an excellent supplement to the ability which is displayed in the care of the patients. Dr. Starr is a substantial repre- sentative of the medical fraternity here and his wide reading is constantly broadening his knowledge and promoting his efficiency.
He was born in Vermilion county, May 26, 1876, and his parents, Jared R. and Mary (Potter) Starr, were also natives of this county. The former was a son of Solomon P. Starr, a native of New York, who came to Vermilion county in pioneer times and aided in the early development and progress of this part of the state. Several of his sons served as soldiers in the Civil war and both Barney and Philip died on the field of battle, thus giving their lives as a ransom to their country. Solomon P. Starr followed the occupation of farming and the same pursuit claimed the attention of Jared R. Starr. The latter has devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits and is now living about eight miles from Danville. His wife was a daughter of William Potter, who came to Vermilion county in early days, so that Dr. Starr of this review is descended from two of the old pioneer families of Illinois.
In the public schools Dr. Starr began his education and afterward attended the Green College at Hoopeston. He later took up the study of medicine and was graduated from the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons in June,
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1904. He afterward spent one year in Jefferson Hospital in St. Louis and the broad and practical training which he there received splendidly qualified him for the onerous duties which have devolved upon him in the private prac- tice of his profession. In 1905 he came to Danville, where he has since been located, and was engaged in general practice here until the spring of 1908, when he opened a private hospital, which he called the Starr Sanitarium. For this purpose he first rented the old Wilkins residence on Hazel street and as suc- cess attended him and the future looked bright, he built the present sanitarium which is a modern structure, containing twenty-two rooms, which are fitted up with all the conveniences that promote medical and surgical practice and aid in the success of the work. It is the only institution of the kind in the city and has proved a valuable addition to the community. The utmost care is given to all cases and the constantly increasing ability of Dr. Starr enables the institution to do good service for its patrons.
In December, 1899, Dr. Starr was married to Miss Bertha Justus, a native of Vermilion county and a daughter of George Justus, who for many years was a merchant of Danville, after which he removed to Potomac, where he remained in business until his death. His wife bore the maiden name of Hannah Swisher and was a native of Vermilion county. The Starr family consists of two sons, Byron Justus and Jared R. Dr. Starr belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Country Club. He has those personal qualities which make for popularity and has gained many friends outside of professional circles. He keeps in close touch with profession through comprehensive reading and re- search, and his ability in his chosen calling is pronounced.
AMOS SEYMOUR.
Amos Seymour, owner of a fine farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres in Oakwood township, and now living retired in the village of Oakwood, was born near Crawfordsville, Indiana, February 3, 1846. He is a son of Hutton and Eveline (Allen) Seymour, his father a native of Virginia and his mother of Kentucky. When the subject of our review was ten years of age his parents removed to Vermilion county, Illinois, and located upon a farm, the father at the time of his death, February 25, 1882, being the owner of one hundred and twenty acres, which he had acquired by years of industry. The mother departed this life in 1898. Nine children were born to them: Susan and William, who are deceased; Anna; Amos; Frances, now living at Rossville, Iowa; America, also living at Rossville; Mary L., living in southern Illinois; Phoebe E., of Ver- milion county ; and Richard, who also lives in Vermilion county.
Amos Seymour was reared upon the home farm and educated in the district schools. As a boy he showed a strong inclination for farming pursuits and under his father he became one of the capable and enterprising agriculturists of the region. He continued upon the home place and after the death of his parents came into possession of the homestead, which he has in many respects improved by the application of up-to-date methods, and the farm now comprises one hun-
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dred and thirty-five acres under a high state of cultivation. In 1907 he retired to Oakwood, where he owns one of the finest residences in the town.
On the 4th of March, 1900, Mr. Seymour was united in marriage to Mrs. Sarah I. (Hewitt) Bannatta, and four children resulted from the union: Mary A., the wife of Fred Biggs; Taylor C., a resident of Vermilion county ; and Charles and Harley, twins, who dide in infancyff. Mrs. Seymour is a daughter of Eli M. and Artinetia (Holston) Hewitt, natives of Ohio and Indiana, re- spectively. Mr. Hewitt was an early settler of Illinois and was a soldier in the Union army at the time of the Civil war, receiving a wound which caused his death. His widow is now living in Oakwood township at the age of seventy- five years. She is the mother of three children, Sarah I., Charles Wesley and Eli F. Mrs. Seymour is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has proven to her husband a loving and helpful companion.
Mr. Seymour gives his support to the democratic party and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, whose principles of helpfulness have always found in his heart a cordial response. He is now living in the enjoyment of the results of many years of patient industry and on account of his high character and faithful discharge of his obligations he has earned the respect of the community where he has been known for more than half a century and where he has contributed his share toward the permanent welfare of those with whom he has been associated.
LAFAYETTE GOODWINE.
Lafayette Goodwine is one of the extensive landowners of Vermilion county who in the spring of 1910 retired from active farming and now has leisure to engage in those activities which are merely a source of pleasure and interest. The creditable position to which he has attained as one of the men of affluence in Vermilion county is attributable to his own labors, the careful direction of his business affairs and to judicious investment.
He is a native of the neighboring state of Indiana, his birth having oc- curred at Jordan township, Warren county, on the 27th of February, 1846. He is a son of Harrison and Isabelle (Charlton) Goodwine, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ireland. Settling in Warren county, Indiana, they became well known residents of that district, the father devoting his life to farming and stock-raising.
Lafayette Goodwine pursued his education in the district schools of his na- tive county and through the periods of vacation assisted his father to the age of eighteen years. In 1863 he enlisted as a member of Company K, Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, for his patriotic nature was aroused by the continued attempt of the south to overthrow the Union. He continued in active service for two years and was engaged in a number of important battles, being mustered out on the 15th of September, 1865, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. When the war was over and the country no longer needed his military aid, he returned to his home in Indiana, where he remained for about two years. His father then
Lafayette Goodwin.
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offered to give him one hundred and sixty acres of land in Vermilion county but Mr. Goodwine did not care to engage in farming then. Finally, however- he compromised by purchasing the land from his father and in 1867 came to Vermilion county, settling four miles southeast of Hoopeston. During the first few years in which he carried on agricultural pursuits here he barely made ex- penses but never gave up, displaying the strong determination which is one of his marked characteristics and which has enabled him to attain success where many a man of less resolute spirit would have failed. Gradually his farm be- came more and more productive and his finanical returns proportionately greater. Thus from time to time he added to his land until he had eight hun- dred and forty acres of as fine farm property as is to be found in Illinois. He continued in active farming until the spring of 1910, when he leased four hun- dred acres of his land to a canning company and also rented the remainder, the rental therefrom bringing him a most gratifying annual income. He is now living retired save for the supervision which he gives to his property interests. This land, which he purchased in the early days, has increased tenfold in value and is now worth at least one hundred and seventy-five dollars per acre.
On the 12th of November, 1866, Mr. Goodwine was married to Miss Ann Wagoner, a daughter of Steven and Julia Ann Wagoner, who resided in Iroquois and Vermilion counties; but both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwine have one daughter, Julia Ann, the wife of Edward Norton, of Hoopeston.
The family are prominent socially, the hospitality of the best homes of Hoopeston and the county being cordially extended them. Mr. Goodwine main- tains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and manifests the same loyalty to the old flag that he did when following it upon southern battlefields. Since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise he has voted with the republican party and regards its principles as essential elements in good government. While now one of the prosperous men of Vermilion county, his enviable financial position is attributable entirely to his own efforts. In America "labor is king," and he found that diligence and determination would overcome obstacles and difficulties and bring substantial returns. His life work is measured in tangible terms of success, and his position also represents effort of a most honorable character, his prosperity never being gained at the sacrifice of another's interests.
O. P. CLARK.
O. P. Clark, cashier of the First National Bank of Georgetown and well known in financial circles in Vermilion county, was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, on the 17th of February, 1867, and is a son of J. G. Clark, president of the bank, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume The family removed to Vermilion county in 1871, when O. P. Clark was a little lad of four years. He was reared upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He first at- tended the country schools but ambitious for further education entered the Ver- milion Academy, from which he was graduated in 1884. He was afterward a
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student in Earlham College at Richmond, Indiana, for four years, and was gradu- ated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1889. In 1910 he was appointed a member of the board of trustees of that school. After leaving school he en- gaged in teaching in Vermilion county for a year and for two years followed the 'same profession in Bartholomew county, Indiana.
In April, 1892, Mr. Clark came to Georgetown and entered a private bank, which was reorganized as the First National Bank in 1900, he becoming cashier at that time. He has remained in that position for ten years and has established himself firmly in public regard as one of the leading and reliable finan- ciers of the county. He is also president of the First National Bank of West- ville, which he purchased in December, 1905, while A. L. Somers is filling the position of cashier, and J. Frank Heyworth that of vice president. Mr. Clark has also operated in real estate, owning and controlling property in Georgetown and in Westville. He has laid out additions in both towns and in all matters of business displays sound judgment and unremitting industry. These qualities have carried him forward to success and made him one of the leading citizens of the part of the county in which he operates.
In 1893 Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Ada E. Elliott, a native of Elwood township, this county, and a daughter of John .M. Elliott, who was prominent in county affairs, being very active in political circles. His occupa- tion was that of farming. He married Sarah M. Mendenhall, whose father, John Mendenhall, was one of the early residents of this part of the state. Seven children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark, namely; Ruth, Elma, Zola, 'John, Mary, Orren and Iola.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the Society of Friends and come of ancestry connected with the sect. His fraternal relations are with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, and he is loyal to the teachings of all these different organizations. He is active in politics, serving for years as chairman of the township committee, and for a long period has been a delegate to nearly every state convention. He has firm faith in the principles of the party and their ultimate triumph and does all in his power to secure their adoption. He is recognized as a prominent factor in Georgetown, his influence being felt along many lines which affect the public welfare.
HENRY B. JONES.
Henry B. Jones, who spent his last days in Danville and enjoyed the respect and good-will of all who knew him, was a representative of one of the old pioneer families that settled in the district now included in western Indiana and eastern Illinois. The maternal grandfather was Wright Taylor, a soldier of the war of :1812. Our subject's father was Hiram Jones, a native of North Carolina, who, after arriving at years of maturity, wedded Sarah Taylor, a native of Kentucky. They were married in the Blue Grass state in 1819 and soon afterward crossed the Ohio river into Indiana and took up their abode on Otter creek in (Vigo county. The following winter they removed to Fountain county, Indiana,
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