USA > Illinois > Piatt County > Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
After the close of the war Mr. Drum re- turned to the north and was engaged in the drug business for twelve years, being a well known merchant of Cerro Gordo. In 1881 he began his present work, and three years ago started the Cerro Gordo Star, and has made of this paper an interesting journal which has a large and growing patronage and which has returned to the proprietor a good income. He has made it an excel- lent advertising medium and at the same time it treats in a fair and interesting man- ner of the leading questions and issues of the day and disseminates local news.
On the 3d of February, 1868, at Cerro Gordo, Mr. Drum was united in marriage to Miss May E. Stuart. Their children are S. M., who married Adeline Van Ordstrand ; Flora Lillian, who was the wife of H. L. Lesley and died sixteen months after her marriage; Arthur J., who wedded Miss Er-
205
PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
ma Ater; Benjamin E .; W. Webb; Harry; and Mary. Mr. Drum is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Presbyterian church and gives his political support to the Republican party, furthering its interests through the columns of his paper and also in the same channel advancing the welfare and improvement of the community along many lines.
FRANK HETISHEE.
Frank Hetishee is assistant cashier of the Dighton-Dilatush Loan Company of Monticello and is thus actively connected with financial interests. The business with which he is so closely associated has become one of importance in Piatt county, and like the other members of the com- pany Mr. Hetishee is recognized as a man of reliability, of enterprise and of honor. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Ruff) Hetishee. His father was born in Berne, Switzerland, on the 16th of March, 1826, acquired his education in the schools of his native country and afterward learned the tailor's trade there. In 1848, when twenty-two years of age, he boarded a sailing vessel bound for the port of New York for he had heard much of the priv- ileges and opportunities offered in a busi- ness way in the. new world and had re- solved to try his fortune in America. Therefore, he came to the new world, ar- riving after fifty-one days spent upon the bosom of the broad Atlantic, the vessel dropping anchor in the harbor of Amer- ica's metropolis. Mr. Hetishee did not remain in New York, however, but pro- ceeded at once to Ohio, stopping first at
Dayton. In 1851 he began farming near that city and there carried on agricultural pursuits for two years. At the end of that time in 1853 he came to Monticello and soon afterward made choice of a location in Sangamon township, Piatt county, where he devoted his energies to general farming and stock-raising. For a number of years he was an active representative of that line of business and in 1870 he re- moved to Ivesdale, Piatt county, where he purchased a farm, continuing its further development and cultivation until 1891, when he took up his abode in the capital city. While upon the farm he prospered in his undertakings. becoming the owner of five hundred and fifty acres of valuable land, which he placed under a high state of cultivation. The im- provements which he made and the rise in land values, owing to the increase in pop- ulation in this section of the state, made his property a very desirable one and at the time of his death he was considered one of the wealthy men of his adopted county. Upon his farm he erected sub- stantial buildings and also placed modern equipments which would facilitate agri- cultural work and he was likewise suc- cessful in the raising of hogs and cattle and to this branch of his business in large measure can be attributed his prosperity. His business affairs were always con- ducted with energy, diligence and strong purpose and at the same time his methods were honorable and would bear the closest investigation. Both he and his wife held membership in the Lutheran church and lived lives in consistent har- mony with their religious faith and pro- fessions. Mr. Hetishee passed away in 1898 and his wife, surviving him for a
206
PAST AND PRESENT
few years, died in 1902. They were the Mrs. Hetishee hold membership in the parents of the following named : William, who is a farmer in Piatt county; Henry, who also carries an agricultural pursuits here; Carrie, the wife of Jacob Geoggle, who resides upon a farm in this county; and Frank, of this review.
It is a noticeable fact that the great per- centage of men who are successful and prom- inent in commercial, industrial and profes- sional circles are they who have spent their youth upon farms. Of this class Frank Het- ishee is a representative, his boyhood days being passed under the parental roof at the old family homestead, where in his early youth he was a student in the district schools. He showed much aptitude at his lessons, mastering the various branches of learning taught in the public schools and largely supplementing his knowledge by reading, experience and observation. On leaving the farm he accepted the posi- tion of assistant bookkeeper in the Na- tional Bank of Monticello, acting in that capacity for three years, after which he become connected with the Dighton-Dila- tush Loan Company of this city. He was one of its organizers, the company being formed in October, 1900, with a capital stock of thirty thousand dollars, all paid up. In the organization of the company Mr. Hetishee was made assistant cashier which position he still holds and in large measure to his efforts may the success of the institution be attributable.
.
First Presbyterian church of Monticello and are interested in its work and to its support contribute generously. Their pleasant home was erected in 1902 and is. the center of a cultured society circle. It is modern in all of its improvements and equipments and is tastefully furnished. It is also the abode of hospitality and is a. favorite resort with the many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Hetishee. In business af- fairs our subject stands prominent, pos- sessing excellent qualifications, strong de- termination and laudable ambition. He is a genial and affable gentleman and thereby wins the good will and friendship as well as the respect and confidence of those with whom he is brought in contact.
JAMES C. EVANS.
In the death of James C. Evans on the 5th of March, 1903, Bement and Piatt coun- ty lost one of their most prominent and highly esteemed citizens. His career was a long, busy and useful one, and although he was earnest and active in business, he never allowed the pursuit of wealth to warp his kindly nature, being to the end of his life a kindly, genial friend, one whom it was a pleasure to know and meet under any cir- cumstances. He attained the advanced age of seventy-eight years, retaining to the last those qualities of the mind and heart which had endeared him to every one throughout his life.
On the 12th of June, 1902, Mr. Hetishee was united in marriage to Miss Elsie B. Gleiser, of Monticello, Illinois, a daughter of the Rev. Henry G. Gleiser, No history of Piatt county would be complete without mention of James C. Ev- ans and it is a pleasure to the historian to who is pastor of the First Presbyterian church. Her mother bore the maiden name of Elsie F. Kratzer. Both Mr. and present his life record to our readers. His
-
JAMES C. EVANS
MRS. MARY E. EVANS
2II ·
PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
life span covered almost four score years and his career was so honorable that he wou the highest regard of all with whom he was associated. A native of Clark county, Ken- tucky, he was born in the year 1825, and on both the paternal and maternal sides was a member of early Kentucky families. His father was a second cousin of Daniel Boone, the noted pioneer explorer and hunt- er who led the way into the wilds of the Blue Grass state. Mr. Evans was one of a famı- ily of five sons and one daughter, all now deceased.
When about ten years of age our sub- ject accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Illinois, the family home being es- tablished in Scott county. There he resided until 1846, at which time his father entered the Mexican war as a lieutenant under Colonel John J. Hardin. Filled with the spirit of patriotism James C. Evans, who about that time attained his majority, also offered his services to the government and became a private in his father's company. He went to the south where he valiantly aided in the protection of his country's rights and after the cessation of hostilities he returned to Scott county, where he worked at the cooper's trade, which he had. learned previous to his enlistment. To this industry he gave his attention until after the discovery of gold in California. Men from all sections of the country flocked to the Pa- cific coast in the hope of rapidly acquiring. a fortune and Mr. Evans was among the number who made the long overland trip across the hot stretches of sand and through the mountain passes to the Golden state. In the trip he accompanied his father and broth- er and they spent two years at Hangtown Gulch, which was one of the early mining settlements of California and is now the city
of Placerville. Although he did not acquire a fortune as he hoped, he yet found some gold and brought back with him the precious met- al which was made into the wedding ring that signified through more than half a cen- tury his union with Miss Mary Elizabeth Hopkins. Upon his return to Scott county he embarked in merchandising with B. G. Hopkins in the town of Winchester and a year later he was united in marriage to his partner's daughter.
Mr. Evans' connection with mercantile interests in Scott county continued until 1856, when he removed to Piatt county and located on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Willow Branch township. This property continued in his possession up to the time of his death, although after a few years he left its cultivation to others, while he turned, his attention to commercial pur- suits. About 1863 he entered into partner- ship with D. Vaughan in the lumber busi- ness, but continued to reside upon his farm until 1870, when he took up his abode in the town. Through long years the partnership with Mr. Vaughan continued with mutual pleasure and profit, the firm enjoying a large and continually increasing patronage. A few years prior to his death, however, Mr. Evans purchased Mr. Vaughan's interest and the firm of Evans & Son was then formed and continued up to the time of the father's death.
The home life of Mr. Evans was ideal. They traveled life's journey together for more than fifty years, sharing with each oth- er in all the joys and sorrows, the adversities and prosperity which came to them, their mutual love and confidence increasing as the years went by. Mrs. Evans came of early New England ancestry of English lineage, the line being traced back to the early set-
10
212
1
PAST AND PRESENT
tlers of Connecticut, who located there in 1642. She is of the fifth generation in di- rect descent from General John Sedgwick, of Cornwall, Connecticut, and of the fourth from Benjamin Hopkins and Stephen Gold of her father's ancestors and of the fourth generations from Elijah Stanton and Joseph Hollister, who came to America in 1642, all of the above men being prominent in the country's early history. She is also of the eighth generation from Captain John Stan- ton, who came to America in 1646 as co- lonial interpreter for the six nations of Pe- quod Indians.
By the marriage of James C. and Mary . Elizabeth (Hopkins) Evans thirteen child- ren were born, of whom eight are still liv- ing. William G., who resides in the village of Bement, married Miss Viola Workman, and they have two children, Harold and Clar- ence. Charles E., who is a minister of the Christian church and resides at Weiser, Ida- ho, wedded Miss Jennie Miller, of Ohio .. They had four children: Lester, who died when about nineteen years of age; Mayo, a musician, residing in Oregon; Miller and Oliver S. Dora, the third member of the Evans family, is the wife of S. S. Jones, a minister of the Christian church, now lo- cated in Danville, Illinois. Ellen G. is the wife of George D. Mckay, of St. Joseph, Missouri, and they have two children. James O., who resides in Bement, Illinois, was born two miles west of the village on the home farm, April 23, 1870, and after pursuing the high school course in Bement continued his studies in Eureka College at Eureka, Woodford county, Illinois. He was gradu- ated on the completion of the business course and then returned to Bement, where he joined his father in the lumber business, the partnership continuing until the latter's
death, since which time the son has been alone in the conduct of this enterprise. He is well known in the commercial circles of the city, and is a leading and representative business man of this place. For three years he has been one of the trustees of the village and is now a stalwart Republican in his po- litical views. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church, and he is a member of the Masonic and Knight of Pythias fraternities at Bement, and has passed all of the chairs in the latter organization. Albert A., born "December 18, 1872, the sixth member of the father's family, is likewise a resident of Bement. He married Miss Grace L. Landis, a native of Owen county. Indiana, and they have one so11, Albert Canada. Albert A. Evans is now associated with his brother, James, in the lumber business. Darley, born Septem- ber 15, 1875, in Bement, is a clerk in the vil- lage of Mansfield, Piatt county. He married Miss Carrie Burns, a daughter of John Burns, of Bement, and they have one son, Eugene. Grace G. is the wife of H. A. De Vaux, of Mankato, Minnesota, where he is manager of the World's Stock Food Com- pany. The other children of the father's family died in infancy with the exception of Dollie, who died in Bement, when twenty-
one years of age. Mr. Evans was most devot- ed to his family and considered no personal sacrifice on his part too great if it would en- hance the welfare and promote the happi- ness of his wife and children. On Sunday, the 23d of March, 1902, Mr. and Mrs. Ev- ans celebrated their fiftieth wedding anni- versary, holding an "open house" reception between the hours of two and five in the af- ternoon. This worthy couple had traveled life's journey together for a half century and more than one hundred guests called to
213
PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
express their pleasure over this fact and wish for them happy returns of the day, but ere a year had passed Mr. Evans was called from this life. There was nothing, however, to indicate that his life's journey was so rap- idly nearing its close, and the occasion of the golden wedding anniversary was a most happy one. The guests were received in the parlor and later passed through the sitting room into the dining room, which was hand- somely decorated with cut flowers and yel- low ribbon, its beautiful golden tint being in harmony with the occasion. Refresh- ments were served and each guest was given a favor-heart-shaped cards tied with yel- low ribbon and bearing a design in gold with the number "50" in white in the center.
Mr. and :Mrs. Evans were long faithful and devoted members of the Christian church, with which the lady is still identified. He united with the church of this denomina- tion at Winchester, Illinois, about 1845, un- der the preaching of Alexander Campbell, and he connected himself with the church in Bement during the meeting held by Rev. A. B. Rice, who obeyed the gospel at the same time that Mr. Evans became one of the followers of that church. For long years Mr. Evans was very active in church work, and even in advanced years his interest there- in never abated in the slightest degree. He always contributed liberally of his means to its support, and his time and energies were freely given for its welfare and progress. Frequently he would perform the baptismal ceremony for the pastor in charge and his character was manifest in his daily life. He lived peaceably with all men, possessed a kindly, charitable spirit and was anxious for the moral welfare of the community. He was also very benevolent, and the poor and needy found in him a friend. During all
the long years in which he was able to per- sonally superintend his business it is safe to say that he never left his office on Saturday evening without having given at least five dollars in charity during the week. He passed away March 5, 1903, and thus closed a most honorable and useful career. The county lost one of its pioneers, the communi- ty a valued citizen and those with whom he was associated a faithful friend, while his wife and children mourned the loss of a de- voted, loving and tender husband and fath- er. His memory, however, is still enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him, and re- mains as a blessed benediction to those with whom he was associated in the daily walks of life.
1
JOHN R. PONDER.
The history of such a man as John R. Ponder is always of interest to the public, especially when it comes as a direct result of meritorious effect. Mr. Ponder has just- ly earned the title of a self-made man and his life history stands as an exemplifica- tion of what can be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do. He has con- trolled extensive farming interests in Piatt county and is now a director of the Bank of Hammond, and also the president of the village board. He likewise represents one of the pioneer families of Piatt county, having lived here since 1864. ,
Mr. Ponder was born in Washington county, Tennessee, on the 18th of December, 1855, and is a son of Joseph and Matilda (Radford) Ponder, both of whom are na- tives of Buncom county, North Carolina. the former born on the 23d of May, 1816, and the latter on the 8th of March, 1820.
.
214
PAST AND PRESENT
Joseph Ponder made his home in North Car- olina until after his marriage and then re- moved with his wife to Washington coun- ty, Tennessee, where he was engaged in farming for several years. He afterward took up his abode in Clay county, Kentucky, where he followed the same pursuit until the 17th of March, 1864, when he bade, adieu to home and friends in that locality and came to Illinois. He had a cousin living in Piatt county, and thereby was induced to settle in this section of the state, establishing his home in Unity township northeast of the village of Pierson. Resuming agricul- tural pursuits, he carried on farming for two years, and then went to Douglas coun- ty, Illinois, where he engaged in the tilling of the soil for a year. At the end of that time, however, he returned to Unity town- ship and purchased a farm here, devoting his energies to its further development and improvement until 1880. He then went to the home of his son, John R., where he lived for two years, and on the Ist of March, 1882, he removed to the village of Ham- · mond, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred on the 8th of December, 1892. His widow survived him for about ten years and passed away on the 27th of January, 1902. Both were respected and honored people, and they reared a family of six children who are now living and are residents of Piatt county.
Like the other members of the family John R. Ponder obtained his education in the common schools and through his youth he spent the summer months in working in the fields on the home farm. He continued to assist his father until the time of his mar- riage, which was celebrated in 1883, Miss Elizabeth E. Bolin becoming his wife. She is a native of Moultrie county, Illinois, and
a daughter of J. R. Bolin, who is now a re- tired farmer, making his home in Ham- mond. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ponder have been born three children: Ray B .; Wilbur H. and Wilma E., twins.
Mr. and Mrs. Ponder began their do- mestic life upon a farm in Unity township, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1890. He then removed to the village of Hammond, where he built his fine residence. It is situated in the south- eastern part of the town and is a most at- tractive and commodious home, celebrated for its gracious hospitality. The house stands in the midst of beautiful grounds and everything about the place indicates the cultured taste of the owner. In addition to this property Mr. Ponder owns seven hun- dred and forty acres of fine farming land, all under a high state of cultivation, and therefore returning to him a good tribute for the labor bestowed upon it. Of this twenty acres is located in Lovington town- ship, Moultrie county, but the remainder is situated in Unity township, Piatt county. Mr. Ponder gives his personal supervision to the operation of five hundred and sixty acres of the land, while the remainder he rents, and annually golden harvests are gathered in return for the labors bestowed upon the fields. He is also a stockholder and director in the State Bank of Hammond, and thus his activity has touched upon many lines, whereby he has won prosperity.
In matters pertaining to the general good Mr. Ponder is ever progressive and pub- lic spirited, and has given his co-operation to many measures for the welfare of town and county. In politics he is a Democrat, and in 1901 was elected mayor of Ham- mond, in which capacity he is still serving, having been re-elected for a second term.
215
PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
For eleven years he has been a member of the village board and since 1901 has been its president. He also served on the school board for several years and for one year was tax collector of Unity township. He belongs to the Baptist church, and his wife to the Church of Christ, and he is one of the most prominent, influential and prosperous resi- dents of this part of Piatt county. Over the record of his public career and private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspi- cion of evil, for his ,wealth has been obtained through honorable methods and he has ever been found faithful in friendship and in cit- izenship. Hammond owes much to his active efforts in her behalf, and no history of this part of Piatt county would be complete with- out mention of John R. Ponder.
GIDEON CHENOWETH.
Among the honored veterans of the Civil war now living retired in De Land is numbered Gideon Chenoweth, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, March 16, 1840, his parents being Jacob and Sarah (Foster) Chenoweth, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. On the paternal side he is of Welsh descent, while his ma- ternal ancestors came originally from Scotland. His father was born in the Old Dominion in 1798 and was educated in the subscription schools of that state, the tem- ple of learning being a rude log structure with greased paper windows, puncheon floor and huge fire-place. He was mar- ried in 1818 and settled in Darke county, Ohio, where he entered three hundred and twenty acres of timber land, which he developed into a fine farm. He gave con-
siderable attention to the raising of cattle, sheep and hogs and was considered one of the best and most successful farmers and stock-raisers of his locality. After his death, which occurred in 1853, the family remained upon the farm but a year, when the widowed mother sold the place and with her children removed to De Witt county, Illinois, where she made her home throughout the remainder of her life. She died very suddenly in 1867 while visiting friends and relatives in Iowa and was“ buried in the town of Bedford, that state. Her early. life was passed amid primitive surroundings and our subject well remem- bers hearing her relate of . turning the grindstone for Indians while they , shar- pened their scalping knives.
Gideon Chenoweth is one of a family of twelve children, the others being Abra- ham, who died in Kansas in 1891 ; Rebecca, who died in Clinton, Illinois, in 1899; Joseph, who died in Versailles, Illinois, in 1877; John, who died in Nebraska in 1890; Thomas, who died in 1856 or 1857; Mary Ann, who married Jacob Rarrick and is . now living in Portland, Oregon, at the age of seventy-five years: William, de- ceased; Martha, who is the wife of Jacob Harless and is living in Weldon, Iowa, at the age of seventy-one; Noah, who is living in Kansas, at the age of sixty-nine; Eliza, who died in 1874; and Cassandra, who died in infancy.
During his boyhood Gideon ,Cheno- weth attended school in Ohio for about three months during the winter season, the remainder of the time being devoted to the work of the home farm. In 1854 he accompanied his widowed mother on her removal to Clinton, De Witt county, where he continued his education until six-
216
PAST AND PRESENT
teen years of age. In 1857 he led to the mar- riage altar Miss Mary A. Bryant, a daughter of Cornelius and Agnes (Sims) Bryant, who were of Irish descent. By this union were born five children, as follows: George H., the eldest, died at Argenta, Illinois, Novem- ber 5, 1892. Francis H., the next of the fam- ily, was born in Clinton, Illinois, June 22, 1866, and is a druggist of Charleston, this state. Edward B., born January 4, 1869, is mentioned more fully below. Eliza A., · born August 22, 1872, died May 4, 1874. William C., born June 28, 1878, is a drug- gist of Charleston, Illinois.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.