USA > Illinois > Piatt County > Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens > Part 21
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Mr. Lumsden has spent his entire life in Illinois and doubtless early became im- bued with the spirit of enterprise and ad- vancement which have been so potent in the wonderful development of this section of the country. He was born in Morgan county, Illinois, near Jacksonville, on the 14th of June, 1842, and on the paternal side comes of Scotch ancestry, while in the maternal line he is of German and Irish extraction. His father, William G. Lumsden, was a native of Virginia, born in 1807, and in Kentucky he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Keeling, a native of Virginia, who was born in 1804. Her girlhood days, however, were largely passed in Todd county, Kentucky, and there she gave her hand in marriage to William G. Lumsden. In 1828 they re- moved to Morgan county, Illinois, set- tling near Jacksonville in pioneer times- only ten years after the admission of the state into the Union. Mr. Lumsden be- came the owner of a wild tract of land, upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made, and with char- acteristic energy he began the develop- ment of a farm. He broke and improved his land and added to the property until he has two hundred and twenty acres, highly improved and constituting one of the fine farms of the locality. When he came to Illinois he brought with him one child, born in Kentucky, Susie E., who is now living in Iowa. Later other children
were added to the family, as follows: James W., who makes his home in Macoupin coun- ty, Illinois; Martha N., a resident of Can- ada; Francis M., who lives in Morgan coun- ty, Illinois; John T., a resident of Cham- paign, Illinois; Mary J., of Jacksonville ; Ed- mond W .; Nancy F., who resides in Blake- poole, England; and Annie, who is living in Morgan county, Illinois. The father of these children died in 1892, and the mother passed away in 1894.
Edmond W. Lumsden was reared in the usual manner of farmer boys, having, perhaps, more privileges than some, and less than others. He received ample training at farm labor, and in the district schools near his home he acquired his education, leaving school when in his fifteenth year. He then continued to work upon the home farm, and when in his twenty-second year he was united in marriage to Miss Parthenia Ayer, who was born in England, a daughter of Jonas and Annie (Towers) Ayer. Mr. Lumsden took his bride to the old homestead farm, and for five years was engaged in agricul- tural pursuits there. On the expiration of that period he left his native county and removed to Champaign county, Illinois, where he was engaged in general farm- ing for four years.
In August, 1873, Mr. Lumsden arrived in Monticello, where he has since made his home, and for a number of years was ac- tively connected with business interests here. He first formed a partnership, with R. T. Ayer, under the firm name of Ayer & Lumsden, and for five years they con- ducted a meat market, meeting with a high degree of success, for they secured a large patronage. Selling out this busi- ness Mr. Lumsden then purchased the hardware stock of Dr. Ward, and succeed-
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ed to the business, which he operated suc- cessfully for some time. He had a well- appointed store, carrying a large and se- lected stock of general merchandise, and for eleven years he did a profitable busi- ness, which brought to him the compe- tence which now enables him to live re- tired. He then sold out to McMillen & Company, and since that time has engaged in no active business save the supervision of his farming interests. He is the owner of two farms, both being choice land. One comprises two hundred and forty acres and the other is three hundred and twenty acres in extent, and is situated in Moultrie county. The rental from these properties brings to him a very desirable income, and his landed interests show that his money has been carefully invested.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lumsden was blessed with seven children: Walter K., who is living in Monticello; Jonas A., a resident of Moultrie county; James R., who follows farming in this county; An- nie E., a student in the Woman's College, of Jacksonville, Illinois ; Olive E., graduate of the Monticello high school; Ethel May, who is a student in the high school; and Albert, who completes the family.
Mr. Lumsden votes with the Republi- can party, believes firmly in its principles, and is often found in its councils. He was. near Springfield, Ohio, April 3, 1821, his for three years one of the aldermen of the city, and for a similar period was a member of the school board. An intelli- gent and public-spirited citizen, he gives an active and earnest support to many progressive measures, and since coming to Monticello he has been numbered among her representative men. His has been a busy and useful life, largely devoted to business interests, and through the exer-
cise of diligence and unabating energy he has won a creditable position among the substantial citizens of his adopted county.
ROBERT H. BENSON.
No history of Piatt county would be complete without extensive mention of Rob -. ert Harvey Benson. There is no man in this section of the state who has done more for agricultural interests. For many years he was one of the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers of this portion of Illinois and by improving the grade of stock and thereby advancing prices he did much for his fellow men who were connected with the same line of activity. Having now reached the advanced age of eighty-two years, he is practically living retired, an honored and re- spected citizen and venerable gentleman who is revered as one of the patriarchs of the community and as one whose mind bears the impress of the early historic annals of Piatt county. He located here in pioneer times and down to the present he has taken a deep and helpful interest in matters per- taining to public progress.
Mr. Benson, who now lives on section 25, Sangamon township, was born on a farm parents being Andrew and Sarah (Renick) Benson. His paternal grandfather, William Benson, was born in Virginia and there spent his entire life. Andrew Benson was born on the south bank of the Potomac riv- er in Virginia, in 1781, and obtained his ed- ucation in the public schools of his native state. 'In 1808 he left the Old Dominion for Clark county, Ohio, where he took up his abode and there in 1812 he was united in
R. H. BENSON
MRS. R. H. BENSON
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
marriage to Miss Sarah Renick, whose birth occurred in Greenbrier county, Virginia, December 20, 1795. Andrew Benson en- tered a large tract of land from the govern- ment, cleared and broke it and successfully carried on farming up to the time of his death, which occurred very suddenly in 1826. Returning to his home, he lay down on the lounge and went to sleep. . At nine o'clock his wife requested their son, Robert, to awaken Mr. Benson, which he attempted to do. Failing in this he called his mother and they found that the husband and father had passed away, dying of heart failure. He had never been ill a day in his life nor had he complained of illness on the day of his death.
Mr. Benson of this review resided in one of the pioneer log cabins of Ohio during his youth and attended school for about three months in the winter. The little "temple of learning" was a log structure on one side of which there was a log removed and the aperture covered with greased paper through which the light was admitted to the room. In one end of the room was an old- fashioned fireplace eight by ten feet capable of accommodating an immense back log. This school was situated about four and a half miles from Springfield and its methods of instruction were also somewhat primi- tive-in keeping with the crude furnishings. Later Mr. Benson attended a select school for a time. Through broad experience, ob- servation and reading, however, he added. largely to his knowledge as the years passed and gained an excellent practical education.
ter of 1833-34 he engaged in sawing wood for twenty-five cents per cord, and when fif- teen years of age he began farming on a tract of land of one hundred acres left by his father. He supported his mother, being the eldest of her children. His life through many years was one of earnest toil. In 1841 he started for Missouri on horseback, but `the horse died on the road and he was obliged to go to work in order to make the money with which to pay for the animal which he had borrowed for the purpose of making the trip. Mr. Benson remained in Missouri until 1844 and while he was in the west his mother died. Returning to Ohio he there hired out to drive cattle for four dollars per month. That fall he bor- rowed one hundred dollars and purchased twenty-five head of cattle. This was the be- ginning of his stock dealing which in years grew to be most extensive and important. A year later he borrowed four hundred dol- lars, which he also invested in cattle in In- diana, forming a partnership with another man in this enterprise. Nearly every deal · of this character which he made proved profitable and thus he added continually to his income. Wisely he invested his money in real estate and in 1862 he became the owner of six hundred acres of land in Piatt county, Illinois. He continued to reside on the old homestead in Clark county, Ohio, however, until the fall of 1864, when he came to the west.
Piatt county was then largely .an unim- proved region, being a tract of wild prairie land, much of which still belonged to the government. Mr. Benson took a very ini -. portant part in reclaiming this district for purposes of civilization. He assisted in breaking the prairie, in building roads and
When twelve years of age he began working in a brickyard for four dollars per month, but in this way he injured his back, the work being too heavy for him and he has never fully recovered. During the win- . in laying the foundation for the present
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prosperity of this section of the state. He endured all of the hardships and trials inci- dent to frontier life, but his energy and de- termination enabled him to overcome all of the obstacles and difficulties that barred his advance toward the goal of success. He worked almost night and day in these early years in an attempt to gain a good start in business and his unremitting diligence was at length rewarded. For many years he was one of the most extensive, successful and prominent stock-dealers and breeders of this section of Illinois. In 1876 he pur- chased several imported Norman horses and began breeding, his efforts resulting largely in the improvement of the grade of horses raised in Piatt county. In 1882 he went to France, where he purchased nine head of Norman horses which he brought to Ameri- ca. In 1883 he again crossed the Atlantic and returned with twelve head of horses, paying as high prices for some of them as was ever given by an American for French horses. He has also been an extensive deal- er in cattle and hogs, which he has raised upon his own farm, having large pastures in which his stock has grazed in the summer months, while during the winter seasons it has been sheltered in his extensive barns. From time to time Mr. Benson added to his landed possessions until he had at one time over two thousand acres in Piatt county, but he has in recent years disposed of much of this, not caring to be burdened by its su- pervision. To-day he retains only one hun- dred and sixty acres of his farm and he has also put aside business cares in other direc- tions. In the last year he sold but two car loads of stock. His rest is well merited for his life has been one of untiring industry and should be crowned with a period in which to enjoy the fruits of his former toil.
On the 17th of December, 1877, Mr. Benson was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary A. Piatt, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and died May 9, 1880. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal church and by her first marriage to Jacob Piatt she became the mother of six children, three of whom are still living.
There are few, if any, residents more. widely known in Piatt county than Robert Harvey Benson. His extensive and valu- able farming and stock-dealing interests made him a leading and representative agri- culturist of this section of Illinois. In all his business dealings he was honorable and straightforward and his word is as good as any bond. He certainly has just reason to feel proud of the success he has achieved and he well deserves the proud American title of a self-made man. His youth spent upon a farm in Ohio, living in a log cabin, he is to-day one of the most prosperous cit- izens of Piatt county, Illinois, and at one time was one of the largest landowners here. His capital is now invested, however, in other ways, releasing him from much of the care incident to the control of extensive property interests. Widely known and honored, it is with pleasure that we present this record of his life to our readers.
JOHN MOERY.
This well known and successful farmer living on section 24, Bement township, was born on the 4th of November, 1853, in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, and was but six years of age when he came to the United States in company with his parents, Rudolph and Mary (Goodman) Moery, who were
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
also natives of that country. By occupation the father was a farmer and also a school teacher, following both pursuits inSwitzer- land. On his arrival in America, he located near New Philadelphia, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming for about three years, and then removed to Crawford county, In- diana, where he was similarly employed for some years. In connection with general farming he also engaged in .stock-raising to some extent. Politically, he was identified with the Democratic party, and religiously was a member of the German Reform church. He died in Crawford county, Indi- ana, at the age of seventy-one years, honored . and respected by all who knew him, and his wife passed away about sixteen years pre- viously. They were the parents of seven children, but one died in infancy, and God- fred, Mary and Alice are also now de- ceased. Those living are Lina, wife of Fred Feller, a resident of Missouri; Ernest, a farmer of Oklahoma; and John, of this re- vięw.
The early education John Moery acquired was largely obtained from his father, and during his younger years he assisted in the operation of the home farm. He remained in Indiana until twenty-six years of age, whence he removed to Sangamon county, Illinois, and two years later came to Piatt county, where he worked in different town- ships. The first land owned by him was in Moultrie county, where he purchased one hundred and seventy-five acres, to the cul- tivation and improvement of which he de- voted his time and energies for four years. At the end of that time he bought eighty acres near his present home in Bement town- ship, Piatt county, and subsequently traded his Moultrie county property for his home place of three hundred and twenty acres.
Here he has erected a large and substantial dwelling and other buildings and has made many other improvements which stand as monuments to his thrift and industry. In the spring of 1902 he bought another eighty- acre tract, and to-day has one of the best and most desirable farms of its size in the county. He follows general farming and stock-raising with marked success and to- day is numbered among the prosperous citi- zens of the community in which he lives.
In 1879 Mr. Moery married Miss Ellen Loveless, a native of Macoupin county, Illi- nois, where her father, Thomas Loveless, still resides, his occupation being that of farming. Six children were born to our subject and his wife, namely: Lina, who is a graduate of the Bement high school and is at home with her parents; John, who as- sists his father in the operation of the home farm; Ralph, also at home; Ernest and Wil- liam, who both died in infancy; and Hel- venia, who died in childhood. All of the children were born in Bement township.
Mr. Moery is a member of the Court of Honor and attends and supports the Metho- dist church. He votes with the Republican party, but has never cared for office, pre- ferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. He is widely and fa- vorably known throughout the county of his adoption, and is held in high regard by all with whom he comes in contact either in business or social life.
. NELSON W. ZOOK.
Nelson W. Zook, who is one of the most enterprising and energetic farmers of Monticello township, his home being on
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section I, was born at Bethany, Illinois, October 14, 1872, and is a son of William and Mary (Kutch) Zook. His paternal grandmother is still living at the extreme old age of ninety-six years, and is now a resident of Kansas. His father was born in Indiana, on the 3d of October, 1845, and was a lad of ten years when he accom- panied his parents on their removal to Illi- nois, his education being acquired in the schools of Fayette county, this state. Dur- ing his boyhood and youth he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm, remaining under the parental roof until eighteen years of age, when he entered the Union army, enlisting in 1863 in the One Hundred and Forty-third Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry. After serving one year he was honorably discharged on account of blood-poisoning caused by vaccination. He then returned to Moultrie county, Illi- nois, and rented a farm near Bethany, con- sisting of one hundred and sixty acres, which he subsequently purchased, and which he still continues to operate. He is a man of influence in his community and is now serving as justice of the peace in Bethany. In early life he wedded Miss Mary Kutch, who was born January 26, 1845, in Moultrie county, where her par- ents had located in 1830, being pioneers in that portion of the state. They were of German and Irish descent. Nelson W. Zook is the oldest in a family of three chil- dren, the others being Thomas M., a resi- dent of Bethany; and Margaretta, who is at home with her parents.
The subject of this biography was edu- cated in the common schools of Bethany. and at the age of eighteen years started out in life for himself by working at the carpenter's trade, but he has mainly en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits, and since 1900 has operated the Dighton farm on section 1, Monticello township, Piatt coun- ty. He owns all of the machinery used in the cultivaton of the land, and also the stock upon the place, being quite exten- sively engaged in the fattening of stock for market.
On the IIth of September, 1891, Mr. Zook was united in marriage to Miss Nan- nie Duke, a resident of Bloomfield, In- cliana, and a daughter of Richard and Han- nah (McDonald) Duke. On the maternal side her ancestors were related to Daniel Boone. Her father served for four years in the Union army during the Civil war, and died in 1898 of heart trouble at his home in Bloomfield, Indiana. He was largely in- terested in the raising of pure blooded Percheron horses and Hereford cattle, and was an extensive and prosperous farmer, owning and operating six hundred acres of land which was supplied with the latest and best facilities for doing his work. He also operated coal mines on his own land, and in all his undertakings met with excel- lent success, so that he was able to leave his family in most comfortable circum- stances. His widow and four children now derive a good income from the proceeds of the farm and mine, the estate being still undivided. Mr. Duke was widely and fa- vorably known and was a man of promi- nence in the locality where he resided.
Mr. and Mrs. Zook have one child, Harold, now nineteen months old. They are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which our subject's parents also belong, and have a large cir- cle of friends and acquaintances in their adopted county. Fraternally, Mr. Zook is connected with Todds Point Camp, No.
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550, M. W. A., of Todds Point, and Thomas Strayhorn Camp, No. 227, Sons of Veterans at Bethany, Illinois. In politics he is a stanch Republican, but he does not care for official honors, preferring to de- vote his entire time and attention to his business interests.
JOHN H. BURNS.
John H. Burns, deceased, was a lead- ing farmer and respected citizen of Piatt county, and when he passed away he left many friends who will be glad to see this mention of his life work in our history. His birth occurred in Carroll county, Maryland, on the 19th of January, 1848, his parents being Daniel and Mary (Knip- ple) Burns, who were residents of Mary- land at the time of his birth, but had for- merly made their home in Pennsylvania. John H. Burns was one of a family of five children, being the third in order of birth. His father was a saddler by trade, follow- ing that pursuit in the years of his early manhood, while later he engaged in farm- ing.
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The son received his education in the common schools of Maryland and became a well-informed man. In 1873 he removed to the west, locating first in Tazewell coun- ty, Illinois, where he remained for eight months. He then removed to McLean county, where he rented land for six years, and on the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Blue Ridge township, Piatt county, where he purchased two hundred and twelve and a half acres of land that is still in possession of his family. Aft- erward he added to his farm, extending
its boundaries until it comprised two hun- dred and thirty-eight acres, lying within a mile and a half of Mansfield. There Mr. Burns carried on agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death. He thoroughly understood farm work in all of its depart- ments, was progressive in his labors and his place, always neat and thrifty in ap- pearance, indicated his careful supervision.
On the 21st of December, 1870, Mr. Burns was united in marriage to Miss Re- becca. A. Petry, of Carroll county, Mary- land, a daughter of Jacob and Ann Re- becca (Roop) Petry. The father was born in Pennsylvania and the mother in Mary- land and both came of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. Mrs. Burns was one of a family of eight children and was the third in order of birth. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Burns were born seven children: Anna May, now the wife of David P. Smith, a resident of Manson, Calhoun county, Iowa, by whom she has two chil- dren, Harold Burns and Everett; William, who is now the efficient and popular cash- ier of the State Bank of Mansfield and who married Miss Allie Speer, by whom he has one child, Wayne Emerson; Corda Irene, Amy R., Ida Blanche, Catherine R. and Charles L., all of whom are still at home.
In his political views Mr. Burns was a stalwart Republican and while living in McLean county he served as county com- missioner. He also held many other of- ficcs of trust and responsibility and was al- ways loyal in these, progress and fidelity characterizing his entire .official service. He belonged to the German Baptist church in Blue Ridge township and died in that faith April 25, 1887, his remains be- ing then interred in the cemetery adjoining
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the Brethren church. The strong char- acteristics of Mr. Burns were such as com- mended him to the confidence and regard of his fellow men and many delighted in his friendship and in his companionship.
After her husband's death Mrs. Burns left with a large family commenced - to carry on the home farm. There was quite a large sum owing upon it at that time, which she has succeeded by her capable business management and execu- tive force to discharge and is now renting the place, having removed to Mansfield in 1892. She has since made her home in the city and is a well-known and most highly esteemed lady there. She belongs to the German Baptist church and takes an active and helpful interest in its work.
ELI DRUM.
The value of the local newspapers in the upbuilding of the best interests of any com- munity is universally conceded. The rule is that good papers are found in good towns, inferior journals in towns of stunted growth and uncertain future. It is not so much a matter of size as of excellence and of adapt- ability to the needs of its locality. These conditions given, in an appreciative and pro- gressive community, the size of the paper will take care of itself in a way mutually sat- isfactory to publishers and patrons. Mr. Drum as editor and proprietor of the Star of Cerro Gordo, is a worthy representative of the journalistic interests of Piatt county.
A native of Ohio, he was born in Picka- way county on the 2Ist of April, 1843, his parents being Benjamin and Lydia Drum. The father was a farmer by occupation and
died about 1848, while his wife passed away in 1893, having long survived her hus- band. In the country schools of Ohio and of Illinois the subject of this review pur- sued his education. It was in October, 1856, that he removed from the place of his birth to Piatt county, Illinois, where he has since lived. He remained upon the home farm until nineteen years of age, when he enlisted in the Union army in response to the need for soldiers to aid in the preservation of the Union. On the IIth of August, 1862, he became a private of Company K, One Hun- dred and Seventh Illinois Infantry and was discharged in July, 1865, after about three years of faithful and valorous service. He served in eastern Tennessee, took part in the Atlanta campaign and then returned to Nashville, where he aided in the movements which resulted in the victories for General Thomas and his army.
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