USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 4
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Mr. Hamilton is a republican in politics and on his party ticket was elected to the forty-fifth general assembly of the legislature on the 6th of November, 1906. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the degrees of the lodge, chapter and commandery. He is also president of the Iroquois Club and as chairman of the building committee has taken a most active part in the erection of the new club house, which is now in course of construction and will be ready for occupancy about the Ist of February, 1907. The cost of the building and furnishings is fifteen thousand dollars. Mr. Ilamilton is a man in whom nature and culture have vied in making an interesting and entertain- ing gentleman, while the development of his latent powers and energies, combined with close application, have gained him a goodly measure of success in his professional life and financial interests.
BARTON BISHOPP.
Among the earnest men whose depth of char- acter and strict adherence to principle excite the admiration of his contemporaries is Barton Bishopp. who, moreover, figures prominently in the business life of Sheldon in connection with the establishment and conduct of an important industrial enterprise, for the Bishopp Hominy Company is a factor in the business activity and prosperity of the city, furnishing employment to
a number of workmen, while at the same time bringing success to the individual stockholders.
Mr. Bishopp was born in Kent county, Eng- land, November 28, 1838, a son of Edward B. and Matilda Elizabeth Bishopp. The father's birth occurred in England in 1811 and in 1853 lie emigrated with his family to America. The year after his arrival in this country he settled in Iroquois county, Illinois, where he spent his remaining days, and in his death. which occurred in February, 1883. the community lost one of its valued and most respected citizens.
Barton Bishopp is the eldest of a family of nine children. The first fifteen years of his life were passed in his native country and he then crossed the briny deep with his parents, remain- ing at the family home in Sheldon township for fifteen years, during which time he learned and followed the carpenter's trade. Since a lad of sixteen years he has resided in this community and has therefore witnessed almost the entire growth and development of the county. He has assisted in many ways in its progress and ad- vancement and most particularly through the conduct of his business interests, for the growth and prosperity of any community depends upon its active and prosperous business men.
On the 4th of September, 1867. Mr. Bishopp was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Moore, a native of Iroquois county and a daugh- ter of John B. and Sarah M. ( Fleming ) Moore, both of whom were natives of Ohio. In the spring of 1831 they emigrated to Illinois, set- tling in what is now Belmont township. Iroquois county. The father entered a quarter section of land from the government and through his industrious efforts the wild tract of prairie was converted into rich and fertile fields. He added to the property as his financial resources would permit until he owned four hundred acres, thus becoming one of the substantial residents of the county. His death occurred November 20, 1870. Eight children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Moore, six of whom are yet living: Joseph B .: Micajah S., who died in May, 1865: Flem- ing R .: Mrs. Martha A. Bishopp; William F .: Nancy J .. who died in infancy; Z. V .; and John . 1.
Following his marriage Mr. Bishopp removed to Stockland township, where he resided for four
BARTON BISHOPP.
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years and then took up his abode in Sheldon. where he became connected with the lumber trade. He also took contracts for the erection of buildings for a number of years but eventually sold out that business and became interested in the grain trade, with which he has since been connected. In 1801 he organized the Bishopp Ilominy Company, of Sheldon, of which he is now manager. This company is doing a very extensive and constantly increasing business and has a most excellent trade. In 1905 another large mill four stories in height, adjoining the old one, was erected in order to meet the in- creasing demands of the trade. In the year 1888 Mr. Bishopp was made president of the Building and Loan Association of Sheldon, in which capacity he has continued for several years. Hle is a man of resourceful ability, who in the recognition and utilization of his opportu- nities has made steady advancement in the com- mercial world. AAlthough his life has been a very busy one he has yet found time to devote to pub- lic interests and in 1868 was elected supervisor of Sheldon township, which position he filled until 1886. He has been a member of the town council for a number of years and was a member of the board of education from 1882 until 1800. doing effective service in the interests of the schools. Politically he is a republican, greatly interested in politics affecting both national and local conditions.
Mr. Bishopp and his wife have a family of eight children: Edward Barton, deceased; W. Frank, who is now a stockholder and secretary of the Bishopp Hominy Company : Virginia Mi- nerva : Harry B. : John D .: Arthur .A. : Martha : and Benjamin. The family are pleasantly sit- nated in a comfortable home and the members of the household occupy an enviable position in the social circles in which they move. That they are enabled to enjoy the comforts and some of the luxuries of life is due to the fact that Mr. Bishopp has been very active in business since attaining his majority, utilizing his time and talents to the best advantage. In manner he is courteous and pleasant, winning friend- by his genial disposition and honorable character, which commands the respect of all. Through the years of his residence in Iroquois county he has given his support to whatever is calculated
to promote the general welfare and in all the re- lations of life he has been faithful and true, while over his life work there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil doing to darken has honored pathway.
JOHN WILLIAM ZE.1.
John William Zea has contributed in large and substantial measure to the upbuilding of La Ilogue and the improvement of this portion of the county. His mind bears the impress of the carly historie annals of this part of the state and since pioneer times he has borne his full share in the work of progress and improvement that has converted th's locality into a rich agricultural and commercial district. He was born October 18, 1835, in Cazenovia, Madison county, New York, and is descended from one of three broth- ers of the name of Zea who were natives of Ger- many and crossed the Atlantic to Manhattan Island during the colonial period in the history of this country. Two of the number afterward returned to the fatherland, but the great-grand- father of our subject remained on Manhattan Island. William Zea, father of John William Zea of his review, was born in Schoharie county, New York, and became a resident of Madison county, that state, where he met and married Miss Laura Blackman, who was born in Connecticut and was descended from Puritan ancestry. Mr. Zca followed the occupation of farming, which was the life work of his ancestors, and in 1846 he sought a home in Illinois, carrying on general agricultural pursuits for many years in La Salle county. The journey westward was made by way of the lakes to Chicago and thence by wagon to hi- destination. His carly political support was given the whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new republican party. Both he and his wife held membership in the Methodist church and he passed away in that faith when about seventy years of age, while his wife departed th's life at the age of about eighty years. Their fam'dy numbered six sens and three daughters, of whom John W. was the second in order of birth.
In the usual manner of farm lads Mr. Zea of this review spent the days of his boyhood and
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youth. He was but eleven years of age when the family came to Illinois and after that time was never able to attend school for more than three months in a year. From the age of eleven years he has practically been dependent upon his own resources in life, so that whatever success he has achieved is entirely the reward of his labor and industry. He was first employed as a farm hand at five dollars per month and remained on one farm until nineteen years of age. He was then married and established a home of his own.
It was on the 17th of March, 1855, that Mr. Zea wedded Mary E. Arris, at Ottawa, La Salle county. She is a native of Maine and a daughter of James and Hannah Arris, who came to Illi- nois in 1850. Soon after their marriage the young couple removed to Brenton township, Ford coun- ty, where Mr. Zea engaged in the hay business. The first land which he ever owned was a tract of twenty acres in La Salle county, but he sold that in 1868 and removed to Ford county, where he purchased eighty acres, improving it and mak- ing his home thereon until 1872. When the To- ledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad was built through Iroquois county he was made station agent at La Hogue, but at that time there was only a railroad switch there. He built the first dwelling in the town and continued to act as station agent until he was succeeded by his son Sherman. He likewise extended his efforts into other fields of activity, for in the fall of 1872 he began dealing in grain and hay and has since continued in that line. For the first five years he was in partner- ship with James O. Barnard and for twenty-nine years he has represented the firm of P. B. and C. C. Miles, of Peoria, in the grain and coal busi- ness, in which he has secured a liberal patron- age. He has moreover promoted the growth and improvement of Ia Hogue through the building of several houses and in addition to this property he owns a farm just outside the corporation lim- its.
As the years passed the family of Mr. and Mrs. Zea numbered nine children : John C., who is engaged in merchandising at Manchester. Kan- sas ; Clara E., the wife of Adam laub, of La Hogue ; Charles E., who is living in Minnesota ; Mary Alice, the wife of George Hill. of La Hogue ; Frank E. ; Harry E., who died January 17, 1897, at the age of twenty-eight years, four
months and eleven days; James A., a resident farmer of Rilgeland township; Sherman L., who is a graduate of the Onarga Commercial College and is connected with his father in business and is station agent at La Hogue; and Lester MI., who completes the family. On the 17th of March, 1905. the parents celebrated their golden wedding. It was a most enjoyable occasion, at which all of their living children were present save their son Charles.
Since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont Mr. Zea has been continuously a stal- wart advocate of republican principles and has frequently attended the conventions of his party. He is interested in the growth and success of the political policy that he endorses, yet he has never sought or desired office for himself. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and a Mason, having at- tained the Royal Arch degree in the craft. Both he and his wife are active and helpful members of the Methodist church, in which he has served as steward and trustees. He is well known in the business life of the community and La Hogue numbers him among its founders and promoters, his efforts being of great benefit in the improve- ment of this section of the county. In all of his dealings he has been straightforward and reliable and his life has been one of continuous activity. in which has been accorded due recognition of labor, so that he is numbered among the substan- tial citizens of the community.
J. M. SIBBITT.
J. M. Sibbitt, a veteran of the Civil war, who dates his residence in Iroquois county since 1871, owns and operates a well improved farm of two hundred and forty acres situated on section 17. Prairie Green township, his postoffice being Wel- lington. He was born in Carroll county, In- diana. November 22. 1848, a son of Benjamin Sibbitt, a native of Ohio, where he was reared and married to Miss Melinda Schofield, also a native of the Buckeye state. The father then re- moved to Carroll county. Indiana, where he be- came one of the early settlers and followed farm- ing until about the year 1850, when he removed to Jasper county, that state, where he bought a
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large farm of eight hundred acres, and there reared his family, his death occurring in the latter county in 180%). His wife had preceded him several years before, her death occurring in 1852. Three of their sons served in the Civil war, one of the number, Oliver Perry, having lost his life in the battle of Fair Oaks. The eldest son, Joseph, passed away in Indiana. Ben- jamin died at the age of sixteen years, and the only daughter of the family, Nancy, died after she had reached mature years. The second son, Richard, and J. M. of this review are the only surviving members of the father's family.
J. M. Sibbitt was but two years of age when taken by his parents from Carroll county to Jasper county, Indiana, so that he was reared and educated in the latter place. He was early trained to the duties of the fields, and when not thus engaged, pursued his studies in the common schools, wherein he was afforded good advant- ages. lle remained with his father, giving him the benefit of his services until he had reached the age of twenty-three years, when in 1871, he came to Iroquois county, where he was first employed in breaking land for others, breaking in all five hundred and sixty acres. He then rented that property and made many improvements thereon. building five and a half miles of fence, erected good outbuildings and otherwise improved the place, making his home thereon for fifteen years. llaving prospered in his work, he then felt justi- fied in making purchase of land, and accordingly. in 1878, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, a portion of which had been cleared. He soon had the entire tract cleared and cultivated. drained the land by the use of tiling, and thus owing to practical methods which he followed in his farm labor he annually harvested good crops. He further improved the place by the erection of a good residence and outbuildings necessary for the shelter of grain and stock. Ile divided his land into fields of convenient size by the use of both hedge and wire fencing, and altogether has made it a valuable property. He later added an additional tract of eighty acres to his original purchase, so that he now owns two hundred and forty acres in his home place, and here he is carrying on general farming and also raises high grades of stock, this branch of his business prov- ing a gratifying source of income to him.
Choosing a companion and helpmate for hie- journey, Mr. Sibbitt was married in Carroll county, Indiana. December 16, 1875, to Aliss Flora Stretch, who was born and reared in that county, a danghter of Jonathan Stretch, an okl settler of that state. Their marriage has been blessed with three sons and one daughter : Ben- jamin J., who is married and is a mail clerk on the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad, making his home in Peoria, Illinois ; J. Arthur, a farmer residing near loopeston, in Vermilion county ; Jessie, who is a successful teacher in the schools of Iroquois county; and James H., who assists his father in the operation of the home place.
Mr. Sibbitt gives his political support to the republican party, and cast his first presidential ballot in support of General U. S. Grant, in 1872. and has supported each candidate of that party since that time. He has taken an active and helpful part in local political ranks, and is popu- lar with his fellow townsmen, having been called to fill a number of positions of public honor and trust. He has served as town clerk, as assessor for two terms, was school trustee for several years, and in Igot was elected supervisor of his township, to which office he was re-elected, so that he has now served for five years in that office. He is an honorary member of the county board of supervisors and has served on a num- ber of important committees, having been on the committee on building of roads and bridges, and has acted as chairman of the committee on print- ing. Ile has also been a delegate to county and state conventions, and in many ways has given excellent service in the various offices, the duties of which he has ever discharged with prompt- ness and fidelity. Not the least important of his public service, however, was that given in defense of the Union at the time of the Civil war, when, in 1804. he joined Company K, One Hundred and Thirty -fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, and partici- pated in the important engagement at Nashville He served until the close of the war, being mus- tered out in the spring of 1865, returning home with a most honorable military record, and in the discharge of his publie duties since that tim. he has been equally loyal to the best interests o. the community at large.
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Both Mr. and Mrs. Sibbitt are devoted and loyal members of the Presbyterian church at Hoopeston, and he holds membership with the Knights of Pythias at that place. He has made his home in Iroquois county for the past thirty- five years, and therefore enjoys a large acquaint- ance, and during that period has witnessed the many changes that have here been wrought, for when he came to this county few settlements had been made, and much of the land was still wild and unimproved, but in the years that have since come and gone the land has all been set- tled, fine homes have been erected, thriving towns and villages have sprung into existence, and altogether this is one of the most prosper- .ous sections in the great state of Illinois.
ORLANDO BUSH, M. D.
Dr. Orlando Bush, who during the years of his residence in Iroquois county occupied a prom- inent position in business circles and won the ·entire respect and confidence of his fellowmen by reason of an upright life, honorable business practices and fidelity to high principles, passed away February 20, 1889, when in the sixtieth year of his age. Hle was born in Tippecanoe .county, Indiana. November 28, 1829, and was a son of William Bush, whose birth occurred in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and who re- moved to Tippecanoe county at a very carly epoch in the development of that part of the state. Hle was a son of Captain Daniel Bush, who fought with the American army in the battle of Bunker Hill and was a valiant defender of the .cause of liberty in the Revolutionary war.
Dr. Bush, reared after the manner of the fron- tier at his home in Indiana, supplemented his more specifically literary education by a course of study in St. Louis Medical College at St. Louis, Missouri, then one of the leading medical col- leges of this country, having a high reputation for the proficiency and ability of its alumni. Following his graduation he located at Dayton, Indiana, where he practiced his profession for twenty-five years near his boyhood home. He kept abreast with modern thought and progress in connection with the practice of medicine and
surgery and his ability was widely acknowledged and indicated in the liberal patronage which was extended him. . As he prospered he began to in- vest money in western lands in Indiana and Illi- nois and in 1871 he removed to Sheldon in order to more directly supervise his business interests in this part of the state. He then spent his remaining days in Sheldon, one of its most hon- ored and respected citizens. He never resumed the practice of medicine after coming to Illi- nois but devoted his entire time and attention to his landed interests, which were very exten- sive, for he had made many investments in prop- erty in this part of the state. His farms were purchased with the intention of devoting them to stock-raising and he always saw that they were well supplied with living water. He purchased his first tract of land in Iroquois county in 1859. In later years he bred Hereford cattle to a great extent and became well known in that connection. His judgment was rarely, if ever, at fault in any matter of business. He formed his plans readily and was determined in their execution. He seemed to solve intricate business problems with ease and facility and his investments were so judiciously made that they brought to him a splendid financial return.
In 1867 Dr. Bush was united in marriage to Miss Ada Davis, who was born in Butler county. Ohio, but was taken in early girlhood to Tip- pecanoe county, Indiana, by her parents. Samuel and Abigail ( Lindley) Davis, both natives of Vermont. The father removed from the Green Mountain state to Ohio at a very early day and subsequently went with his family to Indiana, settling near Dayton, where he became the owner of a fine and well improved farm. He had two children : Mrs. Bush ; and Mrs. Julius Hull. who was a resident of Lafayette, Indiana, until her death. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Bush were born two daughters. Clara B. became the wife of Dr. Horace Gibson, of Sheldon, and died in Novem- ber, 1905. leaving one child, Genevra. Rosa- mond B. is the wife of H. Clayton Dowell, a re- tired attorney of Sheldon, and they reside with Mrs. Bush.
In his political views Dr. Bush was a stalwart democrat but never held or sought office, as he believed in every man having an equal chance. He was a broad-minded gentleman, of wide in-
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OBush
Mas Ada. D. Bush.
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telligence, who kept thoroughly informed on the questions of the day, political and otherwise. Moreover he possessed a kind and sympathetic nature that responded readily to any tale of dis tres or of need. His benevolence was one of the strong elements in his nature and in its display he was entirely free from ostentation. A high type of manhood, he stood for all that is honor- able and upright in man's relations with his fel- lowmen and in his home displayed those traits of character which constituted him largely an ideal husband and father. The breadth of his mind and his intellectual resources were such as to render him a cherished companion of many of the leading thinkers of the age. Robert G. Ingersoll, who was a long-time friend, wrote to Mrs. Bush shortly after her husband's death : "Dr. Bush was one of my best and truest friends and 1 held him in the highest esteem. His head was clear and his heart was on the right side. No one had greater courage. lle said what he thought was true, and he did what he thought was right." Mrs. Bush was left by her husband large tracts of land, which she has managed with care and good judgment. She also owns a beau- tiful residence in Sheklon, where she resides, it being one of the most attractive homes of the town. She spends the winter seasons in Florida and the summer months in Illinois. Of kind and loving disposition, she has a host of friends in the community in which she lives and de- served and receives the respect and esteem of all.
JOHN E. McMAHON.
Jolm E. McMahon, whose position in financial and political circles in Chebanse is one of leader- ship, is the president of the State Bank of Che- banse and has continuously served as mayor of the city since 1897. One of Illinois' native sons, he was born January 24. 1864. at Kankakee, he- ing the eldest in a family of four children born unto Michael and Elizabeth ( Maloney ) Mc- Malon, who were natives of Ireland and came to the U'nited States in 1848. The brothers of our subject are : T. J. McMahon, assistant cashier of the State Bank of Chebanse and a real- . estate dealer, and W. H., who is engaged in the
grain and elevator business at tit, Ilhosts. The sister is Mrs. H. A. Elin, of Chebane township.
Brought to Chehause in his boyhood days. Mr. McMahon completed his education In gradu- ation from the public schools here and afterward engaged in teaching school in Chebanse town- ship. Mert and enterprising, he has figured prominently in business circles here for a num- ber of years, is a director and manager of the firm of R. F. Cummings Grain Company, incor- porated, owners of an elevator at Chebanse. Is president of the State Bank of Chebanse he is associated in the enterprise with H. C. Burns, vice president : Thomas Ferris, second vice president ; William M. Hickey, cashier : and T. J. McMahon, assistant cashier. These gentlemen are all members of the board of directors to- gether with A. Wlen, J. C. Beardsley, 11. F. Nordinyer, Frank Peters, J. C. Kerin, W. F. Ader. H. J. Legris, Thomas Hickey, D. Iloran and William Murphy. The State Bank of Che- banse was established September 12, 1900, with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars and at present has seventy-four stockholders. It was organized by T. J. McMahon, now assistant cashier. The company own the building in which the business is carried on and it is valued at seven thousand dollars. They conduct a gen- eral banking and loan business and success has attended the new enterprise, a liberal patronage having already been secured.
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