USA > Illinois > Menard County > Past and present of Menard County, Illinois > Part 57
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On the 26th of October. 1826. at the home of the bride's mother, two miles north of P's- tersburg. occurred the marriage of William H. Honghton and Miss Agnes Park. Her parents were dames and Rebecca ( Pardon) Park, who were born, reared and married in Scotland and continued to make their home in that country until after the birth of all of their children. I: 1863 they brought their family to America and settled near Petersburg in Menard county. where the father at first rented land, but after- ward bought a farm which he continued to op- rate up to the time of his death in Is;3. llis wile long survived him and passed away in 1893. They were Presbyterians in religions Iliet and he was a Republican in politics, but always refused public office. In their family were nine children. of whom five are still liv- ing. namely: Rebecca. now the widow of Wil- liam Finley and a resident of Menard county : Anna, wife of Anthony Clark, of Bement, Ilt- nois : Andrew. who lives two miles north of Petersburg: Margaret, widow of George Holli- and a resident of Menard county : and Agnes. wife of our subject.
Six children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Houghton: Kate Ann. born March 26. 1828. was married December 30, 1897. to Al-
520
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
un Miller, who travels for a hardware firm a life work. he entered the dental department and makes his home in Centralia. Illinois: of the Northwestern University, where he con- pleted a full course by graduation in the class of 1900. James William, born November 21. 1880, was married October 11. 1902. to Hattie Juhl. a daughter of Andrew Juhl, and resides on the first farm east of his father's home. the land belonging to his father: Frank Leslie, born March 2. 155%, was married January 1. 1904. to Gail Campbell, a daughter of John Camp- bell. and is now living in Sangamon county near Pleasant Plains, where he follows the occupation of farming in connection with his father-in-law : Charles, born November 1, 1883. i- attending school at Farmers Point: Mary Verneena, born August 23. 1881, has complet- ed the common school course in the home dis- triet and is now a student in Millikin Uni- versity at Decatur, Illinois: and Helen, born February S. 1895, is attending the district school near her father's home.
Mr. Houghton exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has served as highway commissioner and as school director. He does not belong to any church. but attends the services of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. His entire life has been passed in the vicinity of Petersburg and he has a wide acquaintance in the county seat and throughout the surrounding district where his genuine worth has won recognition in the high regard that is uniformly extended him by his many friends.
1 .. E. BLANE. D. D. S.
Dr. 1. E. Blane, one of the successful dentists of Menard county, having a large and growing practice in Greenview, was born in this county, on the 11th of March, INGS, his parent- being John P. and Mary A. (Bracken ) Blanc. Dr. Blane began his education in the public school of Greenview and completed the logh school course by graduation with the class of 1-96. Hle afterward entered the Highland Military Academy at Worcester. Massachu- soft-, where he was graduated in 189; and then. determining upon the practice of dentistry as
He located at once for practice in Green- view, where he has continuously remained and the business has constantly grown until it has reached large and profitable proportions. He has an office well supplied with the latest im- proved equipments known to dentistry and he likewise possesses the mechanical skill and financial ability which are so necessary to sile- eres in his profession. He has suffered some reverses. for on the 22d of June. 1900, his office was wrecked by a eyelone, and on the 30th of November, 1901. a disastrous fire of- curred. burning all of his supplies, but with characteristic energy he has persevered and he is to-day recognized as one of the most capable dentists of Menard county.
On the 23d of October, 1901, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Blane and Miss Clara .1. Propst. a daughter of E. A. and Amanda ( Kincaid) Propst, who were carly settlers of this county. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Blano has been born one son. John P., Jr. The parents are members of the Christian church and Dr. Blane is also identified with the Masonic fra- ternity. belonging to both the blue lodge and chapter. He is likewise a member of Loyally lodge, No. 181. K. P .. and Greenview lodge. No. 123. 1. 0. 0. F. Ilis political allegiance is given to the Republican party and as every true American citizen should do he keeps well informed on the issues of the day and gives firm allegiance to the principles which he he- lives contain the best elements of good gos- ernment. Int he has never sought ur desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his profession, in which he has already gained for himself an enviable name and won creditalle success.
1. R. TERRY.
One of the more active and enterprising Isiness men in Menard county is A. R. Terry. who is now sheets-fully controlling an even- Give lumber business, thus contributing to the
DR. L. E. BLANE.
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
commercial upbuilding of the community a- well as to his individual prosperity. Hi- en- tire life has been passed in Menard county. where he was born on the Ad of February. ING. the family home being situated on township Is. range 6. He is a representative of an old Virginia family that was established in the Old Dominion when it formed a part of the colonial possessions of Great Britain. The grandfather. Thomas Terry, who was born in Virginia. re- moved to Kentucky and there spent his re- maining days. He was a blacksmith by trade but during the greater part of his life he gave his attention to the raising of tobacco. He had an extensive plantation and carried on a large business in the production of that com- modity.
James L. Terry, father of A. R. Terry, was also born in Virginia. but when very young was taken to Kentucky and in early manhood came to Illinois, locating first in Mason coun- tv: where he made his home until 1856, when he came to Illinois, settling near the present town of Tice. He secured a traet of land there and engaged in farming. devoting his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. He mar- ried Mary A. Scott, a native of this state, and they became the parents of seven children, of whom A. R. Terry was the sixth in order of birth. The father died in October. 1881. and his wife is still living.
In taking up the personal history of A. R. Terry we present to our readers the record of one who is widely and favorably known in Mo- nard county by reason of the fact that his entire life has been passed here and also he- cause his business interests have been of an important character. At the usual age he en- tered the district schools, and through the pe- riod of vacation he was trained to the work of the farm. He still continues on the old hom stead and has always carried on general farming and stock-raising, meeting with good suecoss. His fiells are well tilled and promise rich harvest- and in his pastures and food lot- are seen good grades of stock In addition to agricultural pursuits he has extended his la- bor into another field of activity, ling now connected with the operation of a sawmill and
the sale of lumber. He makes a specialty of hardwood lumber and is also extensively en- gaged in furnishing the timbers used by rail- roads and coal mining companies. His trade has become extensive and therefore profitalde and makes heavy demands upon his time.
On the 4th of December. 1901. Mr. Terry was united in marriage to Miss Mary Rood. a native of Kansas, whose parents. James I. and Helen Rood. came to Illinois in ISSs. The mother is now living in Kendall county, but the father is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Terry have one daughter. Zuffa Eloise. They have a pleasant home, noted for its generous and al- tractive hospitality, and they occupy an en- viable position in social circles where intelli- gence and true worth are received as the pass- ports into good society. In his fraternal rela- tions Mr. Terry is connected with the capable and prosperous business men of the county. and his advancement is largely due to his roe- ognition and improvement of business opper- tunities. There is no deplorable lack of en- ergy or perseverance in his make-up: on the contrary those qualities are numbered among his salient characteristics and have made his business career one of signal sheets.
W. J. CHEANEY. M. D.
Dr. W. .. Cheaney, general medical practi- toner of Petersburg, now serving as county physician of Menard county, was born October 18. 1sto. in the city which is still his home. his parents being James W. and Sarah (. ( Houghton) Cheaney. the former born near Lexington. Kentucky, and the latter in Me- nard county. Illinois. The paternal grand- father removed from New England to Kon- theky at an early day and there reared ls family. His son James remained at home un- til eighteen years of age. when he went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he learned the car- Inter- trade. after which he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where he followed that pur- -Hit for some time. Subsequently he came to Petersburg. where he carried on carpentering and huibling for a number of years, being thu- actively associated with the industrial interests
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
and with the improvement of the city. In 1992 I was chosen In his fellow townsmen to the office of county treasurer, in which he served for two years, and upon his retirement from that position he went upon the road as a traveling salesman. He was very successful in that work and was therefore enabled to command a large salary. He continued upon the road until 1890, when he turned his attention to the lum- Ter business, admitting his son Ed to a part- nership under the firm name of E. S. Cheaney & Company, and the lumberyard is still con- ducted by the son. Mr. Cheaney was a lead- ing contractor and builder of his time and took an active part in the improvement of the city. He possessed keen foresight, business enterprise and sound judgment and in trade circles and i social life commanded the respect and good will of all with whom he came in contact. Ile died February 21. 1901. and his wife is vet living.
Dr. Cheaney, the youngest of their three chil- dren. began his education at the usual age in the primary schools of Petersburg and passed Successively through the different grades all- ul he had completed the high school course. Desiring to direct his energies into a field call- ing for intellectual activity and offering good opportunities for success, he took up the study of medicine and surgery in the office and un- der the direction of Dr. Whitley, of Peter- ling, who is still a successful practicing phy- rian of this city and who is represented eher- where in this volume. Dr. Whitley remained 2- bis preceptor for four years and he then entered the Rush Medical College. where he completed the full course. being graduated in March. 1892. Dr. Cheaney, having won the Doctor of Medicine degree, then returned to Petersburg, where he has since engaged in the - moral practice of medicine and surgery with .ellent snores, bis labors for the alleviation of suffering being attended. in the large ma- jonty of cases, with the desired result. He is a member of the Menard Counts Medical So- dos and the Himois State Medical Society. , also belongs to the Numm Association of Buch Medier College.
Dr Cimanes was married. Jamary 26, 1594. Miss Latella Ayres, of Athens. Ilino -. .
daughter of W. B. Ayres, who is a successful tarmer of Menard county. Their children are Donald Ayres. Harold and William James. The parents have a wide and favorable acquain- tance in this county, and Dr. Chaney is prom- inent in Masonry. having attained the Knight Templar degree, He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Petersburg. The interest of the community tending toward pub- lic advancement and improvement receive hi- hearty endorsement and active co-operation, and in no duty of citizenship is he remiss. His attention. however, is most largely concen- trated upon his professional duties and in a calling where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit. he has gained for him- « l' an excellent name.
JOIN D. LOWNSBERY.
Holm D. Lownsvery, who is extensively and -nece -- fully engaged in the raising of stock, was born April 12. 1851. in Oakford. Hlinoi -. and represents one of the old families of this state. his paternal grandfather having come to Illinois in company with his four sons and two daughters. This number included Mat- they Lownsbery, the father of our subject. who was born in New York. After arriving at years of maturity he welded Namey Over- street, who represented an old West Virginia family. This worthy couple became the pa- rents of eight children, namely : Mary wedded James Hadspeth and they resided at Concord. Illinois, and afterward in Missouri. Both are now deceased. however, and they left tive chil- dren. John D. is the second in order of birth. Christopher married Mollie Caldwell and is a farmer residing near Holyoke, Colorado. They have live children. Newton married Bula Whig. by whom he has three children and he carries on farming in Sandridge precinct. Leander died at The age of four wear -. Morris died at the age of two years. One died in infancy. Mattie did at the age of ten years. John D. Lownsbery acquired his education in the common schools of Oakford and through- out his entire life he has carried on general farming and stock-raising. gaining practical
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
knowledge of the business in his early boyhood days through the assistance which he rendered his father. He first began farming on his own account on a tract of land cast of Oak: find that belonged to his father and he after- ward purchased the interest of the other hetrs in that property. He there had rights-three deres which he subsequently sold and bought one hundred and fifty-five acres five miles west of Petersburg that is now the property of Samuel Watkin-, L'pon that farm he lived for twenty two years, making it a well developed property, but he sold in 190% and purchased one hundred and sixty acres known as the Elijah Armstrong Farm. which is pleasantly and conveniently located a mile and a half southwest of Oakford. Th has the farm near- Is ali cleared and his fields are highly culti- vated. the golden harvests being annually gar- noreal as the result of his laimes. He also rises Stock, making a specialty of cattle and bog- and through this means adds materially to hi- income.
On the 26th of December, 1812, Mr. Lowns- lors was married to Miss Melissa M. King, a daughter of Marshall and Eliza (Caldwell) King. Her father was a native of Maysville. Kentucky, and the Caldwells were from Ohio. The same to Illinois when he was but twenty- five years of age and was interested in farming pursuit- in Menard county. His daughter Me- Ps: was Born in Oakford. November 1, 183. and pursued her education in the school- there. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lownshery have been born three children. Hardin A., born September 16. 1513. married Lillie Johnson, a resident of Macon county. Missouri, living near Ethel. ller a farmer and stock-raiser. owning a gond tract of land and they have two children. Or- ville .L. and Harold. Etta married John Hol- Is, a farmer residing about two and a half miles northeast of Atterberry, and they had three children. Harway, five years of age: Paul HI .. deceased : and Lonise, now but a year old. Marshall M. Lowndery, born January 2. 1855. is attending the high school at Oakford and re- side with his parents.
Mr. Lownabert is a Republican in his polit- wal views, having erven stanch support to the party since attaining hi- majority. He be-
longs to the Methodist church and his daugh- ter and son are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He has met with a fair measure of sheep such as comes in return for carnest and well defined labor. His cu- tire life has been passed in Oakfond town- -hip and he is known as a reliable and sub- -tantial citizen.
JAMES MILES
James Miles was born in White county. Illi- mois, on the 25th of November, 1822. and is son of George Uriah and Jane (Me(os ) Miles. His father was born March 20. 1196. in St. Mary county. Maryland. and on coming In Illinois in 1515 be settled in White collet- 1. where he was married on the 15th of No- Tomber. 1821. In Mis- Jane Motos. She was born in Greenbrier county. West Virginia. No- wembley 11. 1996. In November, 1525, George [. Miles removed to Sangamon county. Illi- nois, and settled on a farm si miles north of Springfield, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising for a number of years. Ile often drove stock to Chicago, that being hi- nearest market. On one of these trips to ('hi- cago, he was offered eighty acres of land 'n the swamp there for a horse, that tract being now in the very heart of the latsiness part of the city. His wife died December 15. 10. and he passed away at the home of his soul James near Petersburg on the 19th of March. 1882, lacking one day of being eighty -is war- vi ago.
Having removed with his parents to Sanga- mm county. James Miles lived in that county until he was grown. and later removed 10 Menard county. where on the 5th of January. I>15, he was joined in marriage to Miss Anna Smith, who was born in the state of New York. December 3, 1523. To this union were born -ix children, namely: Mrs. Mary Jane Hurd : Mrs. Lizzie V. Wood: a som who died in mi- Ianes : George Uriah. Jr. James S. who married Nellie Porkapile; and Mrs. Katie .1. Gray. Mrs. Hard has one living daughter. Mrs. Tona A. Peterson, where two year old son. Myron Dale, is Mr. Miles only great-grand-
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENAARD COUNTY
child. Mrs. Wood has two daughters and one son, and James S. Miles has a son and daugh- ter, these constituting the grandchildren of our
James Miles continues to reside on the old homestead one mile from Petersburg, where he has lived for forty-eight years. He and his wife, at the age of eighty-two and eighty-one war- respectively, are both hale and hearty. and m a few months they will have traveled the road of life together for sixty years. An in- dustrion- and temperate life has borne its fruit ir a healthy and happy old age for both of them. Having acquired a competency in car- lier life. they are spending a quiet and serene old age, enjoying the love and gratitude of their children and the respect and confidence of all who know them.
JOSEPH IL. MYERS.
Joseph I. Myers is one of the active factor- in Imsinuss circles in Menard county, where he has extensive farming and stock-raising in- tereste, and is also engaged in the grain trade as proprietor of an elevator at Croft and in merchandising as owner of a store there. Hle was born in Wayne county. Indiana, October ·1. 1550. His father. Henry Myers, born in 1>2%. removed from Indiana to Menard county in the spring of 1851. and here died of cholera in August of the same year. His wife. whose maiden name was Rosa (. Murray, and who was born November 12. 1530. remained in this county until 1863 and then married again, becoming the wife of J. W. C. Gray. of Piatt county, Illinois, where she still makes her home.
The father of our subject died when the son was but ten months old. and he then he- came a member of the house hold of his ma- ternal grandparents. James and Margaret ( Dos ) Murray, with whom he lived until twenty-four years of age, enjoying the ad- vantage- usually afforded farmer lad- of the period. Ile was married February 16. 1$25. 10 Mi -- Martha A. Sfred, a daughter of David ind B& bwerea Steel. Her father, who was born September 22 1515, died July 0. 1826. 11.
was a native of Perry county, Pennsylvania. a- was hi- wife, who was born June 2. 1818. and died August 1B. 1881. In 1865 they be- came residents of Menard county, where they spom their remaining days. In their family were the following children: Jacob D., born December 5, 1811. is now living in Newark. Ohio. Sarah E. born April 29. 1813, die March 10. 1828. Margaret J., born November 1. 1811. died January 2. 1895. John Jones. born June 12. 1816, is living in Barton county, Missouri. Isaac C., born June 26. 1515. died March 25. 1852. William A., born July 15. 1850. died in 1902 in Missouri. Martha A .. born March 21. 1852. is the wife of our sub- jeet. Hester A .. born November 1. 1855, died in February. 1888. Joseph C. born August 21. 1851. is living in this state. R. Emma. born February 22. 1859, married George Stov- en- and died February 5. IsSt. James H .. born hme 22. 1860, died August 1. 1865. Of this family all died in Illinois with the excep- tion of Isaac C .. who died in Pennsylvania. and one who died in Nebraska.
Into Mr. and Mrs. Myers have been born -en children: Rosa M., who was born De- cember 31. 18;5. and died February 16. 1826: J. Homer, born May 10. 1881 : Floyd C .. who was born April 26. 1883, and died April 18. 1×89: Clarence E .. born December 26. 1881 : Benjamin Curtis, born November 11. 1888 : Mattie Foy. born July 26. 1801: and Vina Violet, born July 30. 1895. J. Homer Myers was married February 18, 1903, to Miss Ele 1 .. Patterson. a daughter of Leland and Emma Patterson, of Mason county. Illinois, and to them was born a son, Joseph Patterson, on the 18th of January. 1904.
After his marriage Joseph I. Myers super- intended his grandfather's farming and stock- raising interests for a time, and in the fall of 183 he purchased his present farm, to which he removed the following February. He built a line house and two barns, has made many other substantial modern improvements, and as his financial resources have increased ha- ex- tended the boundaries of his farm until he now owns six hundred and ninety acres of fine land. all under a high state of cultivation. As before mentioned. he is also the owner of an
MR. AND MRS. J. H. MYERS.
MR. AND MRS. HENRY MYERS.
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
elevator and store at Croft. having been on- gaged in the operation of the elevator in con- nection with the grain trade for four years. while for three years he has conducted the Store. For thirty years he likewise raised and fel cattle and horses on quite an extensive scale, but in the fall of 1903 he practically retired from the stock business and now de- votes his attention principally to the cultiva- tion of his land and to the grain trade. He is active and enterprising. reliable and energetic. and his business affairs have been carried for- ward to success. His possession- indicate the force of industry in the active affairs of life. and his life record should well serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others.
In his political allegiance Mr. Myers is a Democrat, and for twelve or fifteen years he has been a member of the school board. His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyte- rian church and both enjoy the warm regard of many with whom they have come in contact.
RYAL ARMSTRONG.
Dependent upon his own resources and busi- ress ability from early manhood Royal Army- strong has steadily worked his way upward and is to-day the owner of a valuable farming property near Oakford. Many of the repre- sentative business men of Menard county are numbered among its native con- and to this ola -- Byal AArmstrong belongs. His birth of- curred September 13. 1861. on the farm where lived his parents, Elijah .. and Susanna ( Wal- kins) Armstrong. The father was born in Jas- per county, Missouri, July Is. 1811. while the mother's birth ocenrred in Menard county. Illi- mis. December 11. 1810. They were married in December. 1860, Elijah J. Armstrong had been reared on the old family homestead and lived with his mother until her second mar- riage. when he began earning his own living In working as a farm hand and was thus em- poved until has marriage, when he started to farm on his own account. He removed to his farm in 1861 and Thereon ho engaged in the cultivation of the fields and in the raising of stock. He has been feeding and shipping
Stock for forty years and is now actively on- gaged in the breeding of coach hopes. Ile is interested in the ownership of a line stallion. Amandus. No. 1282. It is standard bred and is of the best Oldenburg German coach stock. Mr. Armstrong has conducted a successful bi- ness as an agricultureist and stock-raiser and i- How one of the representative farmers of the community in which he has so long made his home, conducting his business affairs so As to win snecess and also gain an enviable reputation for reliability. His wife died in Menard county. December 28. 1898. They were the parents of nine children. sis sons and three daughters: Matilda, who died in infancy : Samuel 11 .. who died at the age of twenty years : Mary, who died in infancy : Ryal. of this review : John D., who died at the age of twenty-two years: Catherine R. who was fifteen years of age at the time of her demise: George K., who married Miss Elsie Davis, and i. living on the old homestead : James S. who wedded Miss Mande Maltby and resides near the old homestead: and Will ( .. who married! Fannie Bocker and is living on a part of the old home place. Mr. Armstrong is well known. because of his advocacy of measures for the general good and has promoted social. intel- lectual and moral interests as well as business activity in his neighborhood. He has served as a member of the school board for about twenty years, gives his political support to the Democracy and is a member of the Concord Presbyterian church.
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