USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, together with historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources > Part 72
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1864, to Martha Dicken, who was born in this county on the 14th of December, 1848. They had by this union four children, one living : Charles ; and the names of the deceased are Richard, Marion II. and Mary H. Mr. Brady's father was a native of South Carolina, and his mother, of Indiana. His political views are republican, and in his religions views he is liberal.
Uriah Folger, Ridge Farm, farmer and minister, section 30, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 23d of April, 1834, and spent his early days on a farm. His father was a tanner by trade, and one of the pioneers of this county, having come here in 1829. Hence, he helped to change it from a wilderness to its present prosperous condition. The subject of this sketch was married on the 10th of De- cember, 1858, to Edith C. Dillen, who, too, was born in this county. He is a man well respected by all who know him. They are both members of the Friends church. His political views are republican.
Johnathan Larrance, Ridge Farm, farmer, section 35, was born in this county on the 7th of June, 1834. His father died when he was but three years of age, and he was left to the care of his mother. Mr. Larrance was married on the 5th of December, 1862, to Hannah A. McGee, who was born in Ohio in 1837. They had seven children by this union, six living: Perry M., John C., Alice, Laura, Mark and Martha. The name of the deceased is Marion. Mr. Larrance had no property when he first married ; but, by good management and hard · labor, he now owns two hundred and ninety-five acres of good land. He belongs to the Freemasons ; is a republican, and a member of the Friends church.
Adam M. Mills, Ridge Farm, lumber dealer, was born in this county, on the 7th of December, 1834, and was raised on a farm until twenty- three, years of age, at which time he commenced clerking in a store one year; then commenced buying and shipping cattle, which he continued at intervals until 1868, at which time he went into the mill business. This he continued until he went into the huuber trade, in 1873. His father was one of the pioneers of the county, coming here in an early day. Mr. Mills was married on the 22d of March, 1876, to Cynthelia Wall, who was born in this county in 1840. They have by this union one child : Frank, born on the 10th of August, 1877. Mr. Mills has held the office of village trustee. He is a republican, and a member of the Friends church.
William F. Dubre, Ridge Farm, farmer, section 26, was born in Clark county, Illinois, on the 3d of March, 1836, and raised on a farn. He has followed that occupation through life. Mr. Dubre came to this county in 1854, and settled in Pilot Grove, where he has since resided.
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
He was married in this state, on the 12th of September, 1861, to Sarah Folger, who was born in this county on the 19th of January, 1836. They are the parents of eight children, four of whom are living: Rosetta, Oscar, Allen and Hattie; deceased: Nelson R., Harry, Elisa- beth, and one infant. The parents of Mr. Dubre were natives of Ohio and Illinois, and those of his wife, of North Carolina and the island of Nantucket. He is a republican, and belongs to the Friends church.
John Fletcher, Ridge Farm, farmer and stock-dealer, section 33, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 20th of May, 1815, and was raised to the ocenpation of a farmer, which he has followed successfully through life. He moved with his father to this state in 1836, and set- tled near Vermilion Grove, where he remained until 1839, and then moved to Pilot Grove. Mr. Fletcher was one of the pioneers of this county, hence he knows something of the hardships of a pioneer life. He is considered one of the better citizens of Vermilion, is straight in all his dealings, and well respected by all. Mr. Fletcher has been twice married : first to Rachel Ruth, on the 19th of October, 1835, who was born in Ohio in 1815, and died on the 15th of September, 1862. They had by this union seven children, six of whom are living: Sarah, Henry, Mary A., J. W. F., Armanda, and James P. The deceased was William. He was then married, in 1864, to Lydia Haworth, who was born in Tennessee. Mr. Fletcher's father came to America in 1793, from Ireland. He had no property when he first moved, but by in- dustry, hard labor and economy has acquired a good property of two hundred and thirty acres of fine land. He has given considerable prop- erty to his children. He held at one time five hundred and forty acres of land. He is a republican, and belongs to the Friends church.
Levi F. Long, Long, farmer, section 31, was born in this county, on the 6th of August, 1838. His father was one of the pioneers of this county, having come here in 1833. He cast his first vote for General Jackson, and his last for George B. McClellan. The subject of this sketch had but little with which to commence life, but, by industry, economy and hard labor, he has acquired a good property of three linn- dred and sixty-seven acres of land. He carries on farming quite exten- sively, and raises some horses, cattle and hogs. Mr. Long was married on the 7th of May, 1864, to Martha Keen, who was born in Parke county, Indiana, on the 28th of Angust, 1840. They are the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living: James B., Sallie B., Will- iam F., John L., Mattie L., Eva M. and Josephus. The deceased were Flora E. and Gracy. Mr. Long has held the office of school director ten years, and overseer of roads five years. In politics he is a democrat, and a Presbyterian in religion. His parents were natives of Kentucky.
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Robert Mills, Ridge Farm, butcher and grocer, was born in England, in April, 1824. He left there when twelve years of age, and followed the sea thirteen years. He sailed on the Mediterranean sea six years, then went to China, and after a time returned to England. Afterward he took a trip to the Rio Grande, and then went to Constantinople, the capital of Turkey ; from there to Rasida, then to Liverpool, and then to Greenland, whale-fishing, for seven years. After this he went back to England, thence to the Spanish Main, thence to Scotland, and after- ward to Canada, where he stayed three years, working on a farm. He came to this county in 1838, and settled in Ridge Farm, where he has resided since, being one of its first settlers. He is the oldest settler now living in Ridge Farm. He was married in 1858 to Rachel Nuckles, who was born in Indiana in 1833. They have had six children by this union, three of whom are living: Anna, now wife of J. Harrold, Mary and Linnie. The deceased were John and two infants. He enlisted in the late war, in 1865, in the 150th Ill. Vol. Inf., Co. E, and served one year as private, and was mustered ont at the close of the war.
Henry F. Canaday, Ridge Farm, farmer, was born in this county on the 12th of December, 1839, and is a son of Frederick Canaday, one of the first settlers, and a man closely identified with the early history of this county, and one who has done much to promote the interest and welfare of the same. The subject of this sketch enlisted in the late war in Co. A, 25th Ill. Vol. Inf., and was in the battles of Murfrees- boro, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Buzzard's Roost, and several other engagements. He served three years. On the 26th of Septem- ber, 1875, he was married to Maggie S. Canaday. Mr. Canaday is an industrious business man, well respected by all who know him. In polities he is republican. He owns 120 acres of land worth $50 per acre.
Jacob Kendall, Long, farmer and stock-dealer, section 35, was born in Greene county, Ohio, on the 17th of May, 1825, and was raised to the occupation of a farmer. He came to this state in 1839, settling in this township. He had but little property with which to commence life, but by industry, economy and fair dealing he has acquired a good property. Mr. Kendall has been twice married : first, on the 23d of January, 1848, to Elisabeth Hall, who was born in Pennsylvania, and died in 1852. They became by this marriage the parents of two chil- dren, now deceased. Mr. Kendall was then married, on the 21st of June, 1853, to Catharine Patterson, who was born in Tennessee in 1829.' They have six children by this union, four of whom are living. The names of the living are Enos, John, Joseph and Jacob ; of the deceased, Ivy and Jennie. Mr. Kendall has held the office of road
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
commissioner one term, and he is considered one of the solid men of Vermilion. His political views are democratic. He is a Freemason and a Presbyterian.
Adam Nier, Ridge Farm, inn-keeper, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on the 23d of November, 1826, and was raised on a farm. He was one of the early settlers of this county, coming here in 1840, and settling near Georgetown. He came one half mile north of Ridge Farm, and then to the Ridge in 1876, and engaged in his present busi- ness. Mr. Nier was married in 1852 to Mary Padget, who was born in Kentucky in 1830, and died in 1864. They had by this union six children, four of whom are living: Alfred, Lillie, William and Addie. He was then married to Nancy Morton in 1867. She was born in Ken- tucky in 1831.
Richard Mills, Vermilion Grove, farmer and stock-dealer, is a native of this county, and was born on the 21st of November, 1841. His father was one of the early settlers of this county, having settled here in 1822; hence he learned some of the realities of pioneer life. He remained here until his death in 1852. The subject of this sketch being the oldest son, the responsibility rested upon him. He has engineered the farm well in partnership with his brother, W. H. They handle about one hundred head of cattle a year. They are young men of good business tact, well respected in the neighborhood in which they reside. Mr. Mills is a republican in politics and a member of the Friends church.
A. H. Thompson, Ridge Farm, farmer, section 22, was born in this county on the 9th of May, 1842. He has been married four times: first, in 1860, to Sarah M. French, who was born in Indiana on the 23d of July, 1841, and died in 1860. He was then married, in 1861, to Emily Wright, who was born on the 9th of October, 1839, and died on the 3d of August, 1867. They had by this marriage three children, two of whom are living: James A. and Sarah M .; deceased, Charley. He was then married to Miss B. C. Underwood, in 1868. She was born in Vermilion county, this state, in 1843, and died in 1870. They had by this nnion one child : John A. Mr. Thompson was then, in 1871, united to Emma MeMasters, who was born in Vermilion county, Indi- ana, in 1847. They have by this union two children, Nellie C. and Mary O. He is a republican, a member of the Presbyterian church, and also of the I.O.O.F.
Samnel V. Long, Long, farmer, section 25, was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, on the 11th of September, 1819, and was raised a farmer, and this occupation he has followed through life. Soon after becoming of age he drove a four-horse team to Missouri, and came to
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this state in 1843, settling where he now lives. Mr. Long had but forty acres of land when he first married, but by industry, economy and perseverance he has acquired a good property of one hundred and forty-nine acres. He has been twice married : first, on the 14th of October, 1845, to Margaret Kendall, who was born in Ohio. They had by this union eight children, four living: Jemima, James W., Charley and Jacob. The deceased were: Lacon, Mary J., Lena, and one infant. Mr. Long was then married, in May. 1869, to Barbara Prine, who was born in 1841. They have one child by this union : John C. Mr. Long's parents were natives of Maryland, and those of his wife, of Ohio. He is a republican and a Methodist.
Milo H. Waterman, Georgetown, farmer and stock-dealer, section 16, was born in Vermilion county, Indiana, on the 4th of March, 1844, and lived in Engene, Indiana, until thirteen years of age, going to school most of the time. He enlisted in the late war, first in Co. E, 115th Ind. Vol. Inf., and went forward to defend his country. He served six months, and reenlisted in 1865 in Co. E, 149th Ind. Inf., and served seven months as first surgeon. He was married in 1874 to Mary E. Case, who was born in Vermilion connty, Indiana, on the 22d of June, 1848. They have one child by this union, Jane C., born on the 7th of September, 1875. In politics he is a republican. He owns three hundred and thirty-seven acres, worth fifty dollars per acre.
Jonah M. Davis, Ridge Farm, dealer in general merchandise, was born in North Carolina on the 2d of March, 1824. He attended board- ing-school at Gilford one year, and then went to the Bloomingdale Academy one year. He has taught about twenty-three schools. He came to this state in 1851, and settled near Vermilion Grove, taking charge of the new seminary of that place. He had charge of this for five years, and came to the Ridge, where he commenced the mercantile business in 1856, and now carries about six thousand dollars' worth of stock, and is doing a good business. Mr. Davis is one of the best citizens of Vermilion. He was married in 1875 to Ella Jenkins, who was born in Indiana on the 26th of March, 1848. Politically, Mr. Davis is a republican. His parents were natives of North Carolina. He belongs to the Friends church.
Alexander B. Whinrey, Ridge Farm, grain dealer and general mer- chandise, was born in Tennessee on the 13th of September, 1829, and was raised to the occupation of a farmer until eighteen years of age, at which time he learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed for several years. He came to this state in 1852, and settled in George- town, where he remained one year, and then came to Ridge Farm in 1853, where he has resided since. Mr. Whinrey commenced general
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
merchandising in 1863, and now carries a $5,000 stock of goods. He does a good business, and has been actively engaged in buying grain since 1873. Mr. Whinrey has been twice married in this county : first, in 1855. to Elisabeth Rice, who was born in this state, and died in 1861. They had one child, now deceased. He was then married, in 1863, to Emily P. Weeks, who, too, was born in this state. They had by this union six children, three living : James M., Ada A. and Henry J. Mr. Whinrey has held the office of road commissioner one term. He is a republican in politics, and a member of the Friends church.
Henry J. Cole, Ridge Farm, farmer and stock-dealer, is a native of this county, and was born on the 3d of January, 1853, and is a son of John and Nancy Cole. His chances for an early education were good, having attended Hungerford College, New York, for six years, and was for a time a surveyor. His father was one of the pioneers of this county, having come to this state in 1833, settling on what is now known as the Draper farm, three miles south of Danville. He re- mained there till 1852, at which time he moved one mile west of Ridge Farm, where the subject of this sketch now lives. John Cole had but little property with which to begin life; but he accumulated until, at one time, he had $100,000 worth of property. The subject of this sketch learned the art of painting. He has given a good manifestation of his skill in that line by painting four fine large pictures, which adorn his parlor, a very beautiful one representing autumn in the Catskill mountains. Mr. Cole was married on the 7th of October, 1875, to Anna A. Healy, who was born in New York on the 1st of October, 1853. They have one child, Florence, born on the 1st of August, 1877. Mr. Cole owns six hundred and fifty-eight acres of land in this county, and a dwelling which cost over $10,000.
John P. Stokes, Long, farmer, section 24, was born in Ohio on the 25th of January, 1823, and commenced in his younger days to learn the blacksmith trade, at which he worked three years, but quit on ac- connt of sore eyes. He then learned the trade of a carpenter, and afterward clerked in store for three years. He came to state in 1855, settling four miles east of Ridge Farm. Of late years he has followed farming. He owns one hundred and twenty-four acres of land worth forty dollars per aere. Mr. Stokes was married to Nancy Long on the 1st of August, 1857. She was born in this county on the 8th of July, 1836. They are the parents of ten children, seven living: Sallie A., Jodie C., Charley B., Lewis H., Mary E., Mattie B. and Eddy. The deceased were James W., Samuel V. and Anna D. Mr. Stokes had but little property when he was married, but has, by hard labor, indus- try. economy and good management, got a good home. He is a man
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well respected by all who know him. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania.
William Brown, Ridge Farm, farmer and stock-dealer, was born in Butler county, Ohio, on the 4th of January, 1813, and was raised to the occupation of farmer and handling stock. He moved with his father to Indiana when he was but twelve years of age, and came to this state in 1856, settling where he now resides, in Pilot Grove. He claims that he has made the most of his money by handling sheep, in which he has engaged quite extensively - he having at times as many as two thousand. Mr. Brown is regarded as one of the solid men of Vermilion county. He was married on the 20th of August, 1848, to Elyddia Lusk, who was born in Parke county, Indiana. They are the parents of eight children, six living: Solomon L., Commodore, John, William, Dick, Benjamin. The names of the deceased are Samuel and Adam. Commodore is practicing medicine in Walnut Grove, Edgar connty. Mr. Brown's parents were natives of Pennsylvania. He is liberal, both in his political and religious views. He owns two thou- sand acres of land,- one thousand acres in the home place in Pilot Grove, three miles southeast of Ridge Farm.
I. C. Mendenhall, Ridge Farm, farmer and minister of the gospel, seetion 35, was born in Green county, Ohio, on the 25th of April, 1834. He was raised a farmer, and this occupation has followed through life. He came to this state with father in 1857. The subject of this sketch was married in 1855 to Margaret Bond. She was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1831. They are the parents of eight children, seven living : Mary, Ward, Ahneda, J., Charles, James, Maggie. The name of the deceased was Albert. Mr. Mendenhall is an ordained minister of the Christian or Newlight Church. He is well respected in his com- munity - practicing what he preaches. He has charge of the church at Georgetown, and also Church No. 11. He is Republican in politics. Mr. Mendenhall owns eighty acres worth $45 per acre.
Jesse Gibson, Vermilion Grove, general merchandise and tile fac- tory, was born in Washington county, Tennessee, on the 9th of De- cember, 1835, and was brought up a farmer, which occupation he has followed through life until the last three years, since which time he has been engaged in general merchandising in Vermilion Grove. He car- ries three thousand dollars' worth of goods and does a good business. He owns five acres of ground with store-house and dwelling-house ; also one and a half acres with tile factory. He carries on tile-making extensively, keeping a good stock of tiling constantly on hand. IIe has held the office of post-master at Vermilion Grove, three years ; commissioner of highways, two terms. Mr. Gibson was married in this
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
state on the 12th of September, 1859, to Mary Brown, who was born in this county on the 27th of April, 1839. They are the parents of six children, five living: Clarenda, Allen, Sylvanus, Miles and Ada ; deceased, Juletta. He is a republican, and a member of the Friends church.
M. A. Harrold, Ridge Farm, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Green county, Tennessee, on the 26th of April, 1836, and learned the blacksmith trade when young, under his father, who fol- lowed that trade. He followed smithing until four years ago, when he came to this place and commenced mercantile business, and now car- ries three thousand dollars' worth of stock and is doing a good business. He came to this state in 1861, and settled in Ridge Farm, where he car- ried on blacksmithing. Mr. Harrold is dealing in grain to some extent. He was married on the 15th of November, 1865, to Mary L. McFar- lane, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio. They are the parents of five children, two living: Charley and Franklin. The deceased were Mary, Harrison and James. His parents were natives of Tennessee.
Rufus H. Davis, Ridge Farm, farmer and . stock-dealer, was born in Carteret county. North Carolina, and moved with his parents to Indiana when five years of age, settling near Knightstown. He fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer at intervals through life. His chances for an education were good. He attended Earlham College two years, and at Greencastle, Indiana, for the same length of time. He attended the Quaker boarding-school at Richmond, Indiana, one year, and has taught school abont ten years. Mr. Davis taught different languages and all the different branches. He has held the office of justice of the peace four years; school trustee four years; school director several years, and supervisor of township six years. He is not only a classical scholar, but is well known as one of the leading and prominent men of Elwood township. Mr. Davis was married in April, 1866, to Lydia Hornaday, who was born in Clinton, Ohio, on the 25th of December, 1835. They are the parents of seven children, four living: Sherman, John, Alice and Ella; the deceased were in- fants. Mr. Davis is a republican and belongs to the Friends church. He owns four hundred and thirty-five acres of good land adjoining Ridge Farm, one lot with store-house, and ten other lots in Ridge Farm.
A. J. Darnall, Ridge Farm, dealer in general merchandise, a son of Aaron Darnall, of Edgar county, a Baptist minister of considerable note, was born in Edgar county, this state, on the Sth of November, 1833. and was raised on a farm. He followed the occupation of a farmer until twenty-three years of age, at which time he commenced
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clerking in a store in Bloomfield, Edgar county. He followed this four years and bought his employer out, and continued there two years. He came to Ridge Farm in 1863 and opened a general mer- chandise store, which he still continues. He carries a stock of about ten thousand dollars' worth of goods, and by honesty and fair dealing he has established a reputation that has given him a large trade. He also owns two hundred acres of good land, a half interest in the flouring mill in Ridge Farm, one lot with a dwelling house, and a lot on which is a store. Mr. Darnall was married on the 4th of August, 1864, to Mary E. Fair. They are the parents of five children, three living : Minnie B., Harley and Manford. The deceased were Frank and one infant. Mr. Darnall is a democrat and his religious views are liberal. He belongs to the A.F. & A.M.
J. C. Pierce, Ridge Farm, dealer in groceries and agricultural im- plements, was born in Vermilion county, Indiana, on the 1st of Janu- ary, 1840, and was raised on a farm. He enlisted in the late war in 1861, in Co. A, 25th Ill. Vol. Inf., as private, and was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Chickamauga, Atlanta and Peachtree Creek. He reën- listed on the 3d of February, 1865, in Co. E, 150th Ill. Vol. Inf., as quartermaster. He served until the 1st of February, 1866, and then came to Ridge Farm and commenced the grocery business. He started with abont eight hundred dollars' worth of groceries. He commenced selling agricultural implements in 1869. Mr. Pieree has held the office of supervisor of township four years, and justice of the peace, which office he still holds. He was married on the 1st of November, 1864, to Lydia B. Smith, who was born in this county. They are the parents of five children : Frank, Mark, Mary, Charley and Terrence. Mr. Pierce is a mason and a republican. His parents were natives of Penn- sylvania.
John Guffin, Ridge Farm, practicing physician, was born in Indiana on the 5th of June, 1833, and was raised on a farm. When eighteen years of age he attended college at Antioch one year, the North- western University at Indianapolis two years, and the Rush Medical College one term, also the Medical College in Chicago one term, at the expiration of which he received a diploma for the practice of medicine. Mr. Guffin first commenced practice in Claysville, Indiana, and there continued two years. He was assistant surgeon in the army of the late war. He came to Ridge Farm and commenced the practice of medieine in 1867, where he has been following his profession ever since, gaining quite an extensive practice. Mr. Guffin was married on the 26th of April, 1867, to Addie Ward, who was born in Fayette county, Indiana. They have no children. The doctor is a Mason.
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
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