USA > Illinois > Piatt County > Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens > Part 15
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The mother of our subject bore the maid-
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en name of Julia A. Brooks, and was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In her early womanhood she gave her hand in marriage to Benjamin F. Lodge, and by this union she became the mother of eight children: Alex- ander A .; Samuel A .; George R .; Julia, who became the wife of W. H. Rudy; Benjamin F .; William E .; Charles V. and a daughter who died in infancy. Mrs. Lodge survived her husband for a number of years and · passed away at the home of her daughter in Edgar county, Illinois, in 1881.
William E. Lodge was a little lad of only two summers when his parents left Ohio and came to Illinois. He was reared in Edgar county amid the wild scenes of frontier life, and as there were no schools yet established in that locality his early education was ac- quired under the direction of his father, who was a man of broad learning. His training at farm labor, however, was not meager and almost as soon as old enough to reach the plow handles he began work in the fields, as- sisting from that time on in the task of plant- ing, plowing and harvesting throughout the summer and fall months. Every leisure moment which he had was devoted to study. While hauling rails he mastered grammar, and while herding cattle he also learned arithmetic. It was· in such disadvantages that he pursued his education, but he was ambitious to advance in that direction, and throughout his entire life he continually . added to the rich treasures which were in the storehouse of his mind. He read broadly, thought deeply and had the power to assim- ilate and utilize what he learned. His youth, however, was largely devoted to farm labor, and he remained with his parents until he was-twenty-two years of age.
Nature, however, evidently designed Mr. Lodge for the practice of law as he seemed
to have a natural predilection in that direc- tion, and won marked success in the calling. He began his preparation for the bar as a law student in the office and under the direc- tion of Green & Eades, of Paris, and when he felt that his knowledge justified his ad- mission to the bar he came to. Monticello, Piatt county, where a few days later he re- ceived his license to practice, having suc- cessfully passed an examination in Paris.
Mr. Lodge at once opened his office and gradually advanced as he demonstrated his power to successfully cope with the intricate problems of jurisprudence. He was re- markable among lawyers for the wide re- search and provident care with which he pre- pared his cases. His logical grasp of facts and principles and of the law applicable to them was another element in his success and a remarkable clearness of expression and ad- equate language which enabled him to make others understand not only the salient points of his arguments, but his every fine grada- tion of meaning, were account among his conspicuous gifts and accomplishments.
Mr. Lodge, however, did not confine his attention solely to his professional duties for he became extensively connected with farm- ing. He always maintained a deep interest in the occupation to which he had been reared and regarded it as the basis of all national prosperity. From time to time he made judi- cious investments in real estate, and ulti- mately became the owner of six hundred acres of land in Monticello and Sangamon townships of Piatt county. Upon his land he made many improvements, developing farms · modern in all their equipments and supplied with all accessories necessary to carry on ag- ricultural work. He was the first in the county to use tile in draining his land, and was the first to advocate surface cultivation.
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He was deeply interested in the Piatt County Agricultural Society, and in the accomplish- ment of the object for which it was estab- lished. He acted as its attorney and he did everything in his power to promote its growth and usefulness. He was a member of the board of directors of the Chicago & Paducah Railroad, now a part of the Wabashı system, and was its solicitor at the time of his death. He was also one of the promo- ters of the Monticello & Decatur Railroad, now a part of the Illinois Central and was its solicitor.
On the 30th of January, 1868, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Lodge and Miss Francis A. Piatt, a daughter of William and Clarinda (Marquiss) Piatt. was born in Goose Creek township, this county, and was a most estimable lady of broad culture and innate refinement, and shared with her husband in the high regard and friendship in which he was uniformly held. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lodge was blessed with five sons: William F., who is now a practitioner at the bar of Monticello; James P. and Charles V., twins, the former of whom is practicing law and looking after farming interests of the family, and the lat- ter also has charge of farming interests in Kansas and is engaged in the raising of thoroughbred Holstein cattle and draft horses ; Paul E. and Fred S. Realizing the value of education the parents gave their children excellent opportunities in that di- rection, at the same time rearing them amid the influence of a refined and cultured home, and instilling into their minds lessons tend- ing toward moral as well as mental develop- ment. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lodge held mem- bership in the Methodist church, of which they were most consistent representatives, and to the support of the organization they contributed liberally.
In his early manhood Mr. Lodge gave his political support to the Whig party and after the war became a Democrat. The honors and emolument of office, however, had no attraction for him as he preferred to devote his time and energies to his profes- sional duties and the supervision of his in- vested interests. In 1864 he established his home in Monticello upon a beautiful tract of land of thirty-five acres all within the cor- porate limits of the city. He passed away September 24, 1901, and his wife died on the 16th of September, 1895. Nature be- stowed upon him many of her rarest gifts. He possessed a mind of extraordinary com- pass and an industry that brought forth
Mrs. Lodge. every spark of talent with which nature had blessed him. He was in every way a most superior man. Faultless in honor, fearless in conduct, stainless in reputation-such was his life record. His scholarly attainments, his statesmanship, his reliable judgment and his charming powers of conversation would have enabled him to ably fill and grace any position, however exalted, and he was ·no less honored in public than loved in private life.
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JAMES C. LOCHER.
James C. Locher, who is the editor of the New Era, published at Cerro Gordo, and is also a dealer in stationery there, was born in Oroville, Butte county, California, on the 13th of March, 1860, his parents being James and Mary A. Locher. The father is a mechanical engineer and in 1873 he left California with his family, locating in De- catur, Illinois. Both he and his wife are still living.
At the usual age James C. Locher began his education and attended the schools of
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California and Illinois, putting aside his text books at the age of sixteen years in order to enter upon his business career. He worked in his father's sawmill and at other labor in connection with the operation of the mill, such as cutting and hauling logs, hauling lumber and chopping. He remained with his father until twenty-one years of age, at which time he left home to seek employment as a farm hand, devoting the evening hours to further study of the branches of learning, which he began in the schoolroom. He was variously employed until able to pass an examination, whereby he obtained a teacher's certificate in Macon county, Illi- nois, in 1885. He afterward engaged in teaching for one year in Macon county, and for six years in Piatt county. being a suc- cessful educator. He then accepted a posi- tion in the drug store, where he was em- ployed for several years, during which time he mastered the business, learning the use of the various drugs and remedial agencies which are found in such establishments. He then established a drug store of his own in Cerro Gordo in 1899, continuing its conduct until 1901, when he disposed of his store and purchased the New Era, since which time he has conducted the paper in a manner creditable to the town, and with financial re- sults satisfactory to himself. In 1902 he purchased the drug store in which he was first employed in Cerro Gordo, and is still carrying on this business, and also deals in stationery, carrying a large and well selected line in both departments. It was in the year 1883 that Mr. Locher removed from Decatur to Cerro Gordo, and here he has continuously made his home for twenty vears.
On the 15th of November, 1885, in Cerro Gordo, Mr. Locher was united in mar-
riage to Miss Capitola Hyett, and unto them have been born four children : Fred, Mabel Florence and Ralph. Mr. Locher has held no official offices save those of village trus- tee, village treasurer and a member of the school board, but has ever been deeply inter- ested in the welfare and progress of his com- munity, and has given generous and hearty aid to many movements for the general good. For two years he was secretary of the Cerro Gordo Building and Loan Asso- ciation. His political support is given to the Republican party, and he is quite prom- inent in the Masonic fraternity, having been a member of Cerro Gordo Lodge, No. 600, F. & A. M. since 1882. He has held all of the offices in the lodge save that of secretary and treasurer, and is the present senior dea- con. In 1902 he became a member of Be- ment Chapter, No. 65, R. A .. M., and the following year joined Beaumanior Com- mandery. K. T., while in 1901 he became a member of the Independant Order of Odd Fellows and since. 1884 he has been a mem- ber of the Christian church, and thus his in- terests are of a varied nature, which show him to be a broad-minded man, having due regard for the material, intellectual, social and moral development of his community.
HENRY V. MOORE.
Henry V. Moore is one of the oldest rep- resentatives of the banking business in Mon- ticello, having thus been connected with its financial interests since 1870. His success .in all his undertakings has been so marked that his methods are of interest to the com- mercial world. He has based his business principles and actions upon strict adherence
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to the rules which govern industry, economy and strict, unswerving integrity, and what he is to-day he has made himself, for he start- ed out upon his business career with nothing but his energy and willing hands to aid him. By constant exertion, associated with good judgment, he has raised himself to the prominent position he now holds, having the friendship of many and the respect of all who know him.
. A native of Illinois, Henry V. Moore was born in Farmington, Fulton county, on the Ist of December, 1837. His father was Dr. Henry Moore, who devoted his life to the practice of medicine and died in 1849. For some time he was a resident of New York, living upon a farm near Auburn. The year of his birth was 1809. Removing to the west he engaged in farming near Ellis- ville, Fulton county, Illinois, and was one of the pioneer settlers of that locality. He aided in its early development and improve- ment, and he carried on agricultural pursuits for many years, meeting with prosperity in his undertakings. He wedded Miss Mary Hand, a native of New Jersey, who, in her girlhood days, was taken by her parents to Ohio, the family home being there estab- · lished amid pioneer surroundings and en- vironments. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moore were born six children, four of whom reached adult age. The father passed away in Fulton county, Illinois, at the age of forty years, and the mother reached the advanced age of eighty-one years.
Henry V. Moore was reared as a farm boy and was sent to the district school in his early youth, thus acquiring his prelim- inary education, which was supplemented by a course in Lombard University, of Galesburg, Illinois, where he pursued his studies for three ycars. Thus he was well
prepared by liberal educational privileges for the practical and responsible duties of a business career. Upon the completion of his collegiate course he accepted a clerkship in a grocery store in Champaign, Illinois, and in 1864 he purchased the store and stock of his employer, continuing in the business on his own account for six years or until 1870, when he sold out. He had met with very gratifying success in that enterprise and his capable management, reasonable prices and fair dealing had secured to him a liberal pa- tronage whereby he annually obtained a good income on his investment. It was in 1870 that Mr. Moore came to Monticello, where he has since made his home. Here he formed a parnership with A. J. Dighton in a private banking business and the rela- tionship was continued until the death of Mr. Dighton, on the 25th of December, 1878. Mr. Moore then admitted William H. Plunk to an interest in the business under the firm style of H. V. Moore & Company, private bankers, and this name has since been re- tained. The institution is one of the strong financial enterprises of the county, and receives a liberal patronage from the best people of this locality. A general bank- ing business is carried on and the extensive reality holdings of Mr. Moore are a safe guarantee to the depositors. As his finan- cial resources have increased he has, from time to time invested in property, and he is now the owner of sixteen hundred acres of choice land in Piatt county, which can command the highest market price, and no district of this great country has more val- uable or productive land than is to be found in this county.
In 1866 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Moore and Miss Alzina W. Freeman, a native of Ohio. Five children have been
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born unto them: Mary H., who died in 1889; Allen F .; Arthur L., who is living in Chicago; and Dwight L. and George M., who are yet under the parental roof ..
For thirty-three years Henry V. Moore has been a resident of Monticello and his business record throughont this period has been such as any man might be proud to possess. He is energetic, prompt and nota- bly reliable, and while he has gained wealth, this has not been alone the goal for which he has striven, for he belongs to that class . of representative American citizens who pro- mote the general prosperity while advancing individual interests.
JAMES STEPHENSON.
P. Hull, a retired citizen of Washington; Nancy, wife of Elias Crumb, a farmer of Marion county, Illinois; James, of this re- view ; and Maria, widow of William Lang- ford and a farmer of Warrick county, Indi- ana.
To the common schools of his native county James Stephenson is · indebted for his early educational privileges, though he was only able to attend school for about three months during the winter season, and his lessons were conned in a log schoolhouse with puncheon floor and slab benches. Dur- ing the summer months he worked on the home farm, remaining, with his father until his marriage until 1844, when he led to the altar Miss Martha J. Meeks, a daughter of Benjamin and Jennie (Young) Meeks. Eight children blessed this union, namely : . Paulina Jane, widow of Samuel Howell and a resident of Missouri; Sarah, deceased ; Thomas, a farmer of Iowa ; Linzy, a resident of South Dakota ; Ida, wife of William Mill- er : James T., a resident of Jackson, Minne- sota; Minnie, wife of E. O. Delivou, a blacksmith of DeLand; and William T., a farmer of Minnesota.
James, Stephenson, who is now practi- cally living a retired life in the village of De- Land, was born in the neighboring state of Indiana, his birth having occurred at Boonville, . Warrick county, on the 18th of January, 1826. His father, Thomas Steph- enson, was a native of Logan county, Ken- tucky, in which state he passed his boyhood After his marriage Mr. Stephenson pur- chased a forty-acre farm, which he operated for one year, and on selling that place he re- moved to French Island, Indiana, where he spent three years. His next removal made him a resident of Macon county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm of forty acres and resided there for ten years. He then sold out and came to Piatt county, locating near Bement, `where he bought one hundred and sixty acres and farmed there for nine Goose Creek township, and while residing there he purchased two hundred and forty acres in the same locality, settling on his and youth, much of his time being devoted to farm work, and when a young man he went to Indiana, becoming one of the early settlers of Warrick county. It was there that he met and married Miss Sarah Phillips, who was born in South Carolina in 1801, and was a daughter of John and Agnes Phillips, who were of English descent and residents of Boonville, Indiana. Throughout life Thomas Stephenson continued to engage in farming. He died in 1859. and his wife. years. He next rented the Scott farm in passed away in 1872. They were the par- ents of nine children, four of whom are still living, namely: Mary, wife of George
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new place in 1872, and residing there until his removal to DeLand in January, 1903. Here he bought two lots and built a nice sev- en-room residence, also a barn and other buildings, making it a very neat and attract- ive place. Here he is practically living a re- tired life, though he still superintends his farm work, which is done by hired help, and he feeds a large amount of stock, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle. He has been quite an extensive stock-raiser, and has found this business a profitable source of income.
Mr. Stephenson's first wife died June 18, 1-882, and on the 26th of December, 1883, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Sarah Wilkinson, a daughter of William F. and Jane Wilkin- son. She is a member of the Christian church and a most estimable lady. In his political views Mr. Stephenson is a Demo- crat, and he held the office of justice of the . peace in Goose Creek township for four years, but has never cared for political pre- ferment, his time and attention being wholly occupied by his business affairs. Af- ter a useful and honorable career he can well afford to lay aside all business cares and live in ease and retirement, enjoying the fruits of former toil. He always made the most of his opportunities and he has the re- spect and confidence of all who know him.
GEORGE W. BUNYAN.
George W. Bunyan is widely and favor- ably known in Piatt county after long con- nection with its agricultural interests and is now living a retired life in the village of Hammond. He established his home in this county in 1867 when deer still roamed over
the prairie, and prairie wolves were seen in quite large numbers. He is a native of Herefordshire, England, his birth having there occurred on the 15th of April, 1831. His parents were Elijah and Sarah (Swaby) Bunyan, both of whom were na- tives of England, and in the year 1833 they . came to America, landing in New York in the month of February. They then made their way to Pennsylvania, settling near the Delaware river, where Mrs. Bunyan was taken ill and died only three weeks after landing in this country. Because of the great amount of sickness in that locality the husband and father determined to seek a home further west, and made his way to Ohio. He was a miller by trade and fol- lowed that pursuit for a number of years. He afterward removed to Allen county. In- diana, where he became connected with agri- cultural interests, following farming until his death, which occurred in 1837.
In 1866 a brother of our subject came to the west, settling on section 32. Bement township, Piatt county, and it was because of this that George W. Bunyan came to Pi- att county in 1867. He was less than two years of age when brought to America by his parents, and was reared in Ohio and Indiana. On coming to Illinois he purchased a tract of land in Bement township, and with characteristic energy be- gan its development and improvement. As the years passed this became a very valuable property, constituting one of the best›farms in this locality. Mr. Bunyan was very pro- gressive in his farming methods and was quick to adopt improvements that would fa- cilitate his work and render his labors more valuable in the acquirement of a handsome competence.
In Richland county, Ohio, was cele-
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brated the marriage of George W. Bunyan and Miss Eleanor Dratt, a lady of French descent, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on the Ioth of July, 1829, and is a daughter of Andrew and Eleanor (VanPelt) Dratt. Her father was a cooper and fol- lowed his trade in Ohio during the greater part of his life. Both he and his wife died in Ashland county, that state. Mr. and Mrs. Bunyan became the parents of five children : Sarah J., who is now the wife of John Mc- Cabe and resides upon a farm near Bement ; John W., who first married Janette Wal- lace, who died in 1885, after which he wedded Jane Dobson, with whom he is now living on the old Bunyan homestead in Unity township, Piatt county ; Charles An- drew, who, married Lilly Bernard and re- sides in Hammond, where he is engaged in the lumber business: Wilbert Willis, who married Ruth Shaw and resides upon the home farm in Unity township: and Marga- ret Elverta, the wife of Dayton M. Lincoln. They reside with Mr. and Mrs. Bunyan and have two children, George M. and ChesterA.
Mr. Bunyan continued to engage in farming upon the old homestead in Unity township until the 21st of February, 1895, when he removed to the village of Ham- mond, where he has since lived retired. He is now enjoying a rest which he has truly earned, for through many years he was an active factor in agricultural circles in Piatt county. He now owns eighty acres of land in one farm and another tract of one hun- dred and sixty acres, both being in Unity township. In addition to this he has a com- fortable home property in Hammond. His political support is given to the Republican party and he is entitled to membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, for while living in Ohio he enlisted in May, 1864, in
the National Guard of that state, becoming a member of Company D, One Hundred and Sixty-third Regiment under Colonel Hiram Miller. This regiment was called to active service, but Mr. Bunyan remained with the army for only a few months for he became ill and was sent to the hospital at Fort Po- cahontas, Virginia. Later he was trans- ferred to the hospital at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, where he received an honor- able discharge in September, 1864. His name has always been an honored one in business circles and a synonym for integrity and straightforward dealing. In matters of citizenship he has ever been loyal, and has withheld his co-operation from no move- ment calculated to benefit the community. He has witnessed many changes during his residence in the county for he has seen pio- neer conditions give way before advancing civilization and Piatt county has kept abreast with the general improvement along all lines which have advanced material, social, intellectual and moral interests.
GEORGE R. TRENCHARD.
Success is determined by one's ability to recognize opportunity and to pursue this with a resolute and unflagging energy. It results from continued effort, and the man who thus accomplishes his purpose usually becomes an important factor in business cir- cles of the community with which he is con- nected. Although comparatively a young man, Mr. Trenchard has already attained a leading place among the representative busi- ness men of his section of the county, be- ing the well-known and popular cashier of the First National Bank of DeLand.
G. R. TRENCHARD
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He was born on a farm just outside the corporation limits, February 14, 1867, and is a son of William O. and Nancy (Lyons) Trenchard. His father is a native of Eng- land, born in New Devonshire, on the 8th of August, 1828, and is a son of Joseph and Edna (Upjohn) Trenchard. The latter died in March, 1881. The father of our subject removed to Morgan county, this state, and for about thirteen years was engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits near Jacksonville. At the end of that period he came to Piatt county and purchased one hundred and seventy acres of land in Goose Creek township south of De Land, where he followed farming for over thirty years. Since then he has made his home in Champaign, Illinois.
While living in Morgan county, Wil- liam O. Trenchard was married July 25, 1852, to Miss Nancy Lyons, who was born in County Clare, Ireland, August 25, 1830. Her parents spent their entire lives in that country. Her father was a full-fledged Irishman, but her mother was of Scotch- Irish descent. Unto Mr, and Mrs. Trench- ard were born seven children, as follows: Mary, wife of John Tatman, a farmer of Iowa; Ellen, wife of Robert Bragg, who follows farming near DeLand; Joseph, a physician of Chicago, who married Emma Marquiss, but she died in January, 1892; . William H., a farmer and stock-raiser living near Carlton, Missouri; Frances, wife of William Sullivan, a real estate dealer of · Champaign; Sadie Edna, wife of G. M. Mor- ton, a grocer of Champaign; and George R., of this review.
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