USA > Illinois > Piatt County > Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens > Part 33
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accompanied their parents on their removal to Dayton, Ohio, in 1832, and thence came to Sangamon county, Illinois, in the autumn of 1833. The family first settled in what is now Cartwright township, and two years later re- moved to what is now gardner township. One child was added to the family in Sangamon county. Eliza, L., the oldest, was born in New Jersey, May 13, 1820, and on the 22d of June, 1837, in Sangamon county, gave her hand in marriage to F. Ewing Berry, who died four months later. A daughter, Fran- ces E. Berry, was born of this union in San- gamon county, June 4, 1838, and was mar- ried August 27, 1857, to Henry F. Lyon. His death occurred April 25, 1858, and their only child, Ida, born September 14, 1858, died in infancy. Mr. Lyon was engaged in the shipping of stock at Mechanicsburg, Illi- nois, and was only twenty-nine years of age at the time of his death. Constantine Foster died in Sangamon county, September 29, 1865, his wife April 9, 1867, and both were laid to rest in the Pleasant Plains cemetery. Their other children besides Mrs. Berry were Catherine, who married John C., Bone, and both are now deceased; John S .; Jacob ; Jo- seph R. ; and Mary J.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lodge were born nine children, of whom Benjamin F., Julia, Wil- liam and Elmer are all now deceased. Those living are as follows : Charles' Albert, now a contractor and builder of Lincoln, Nebras- ka, married Miss Emma Hyder, of Bement, Illinois, a daughter of Mrs. Martha Flynn, and to them were born five children: Clar- ence, who died in Oklahoma at the age of eleven years; Ethel, who died near Monticel-
ten years of age; Hazel Marie, aged eight ; and Charles Norman, aged six. Frank, the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Lodge, is a rail-
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road man and resides at home with his moth- er. Fannie May is the wife of H. . C. Body, of Bement, and has three children : Alta May, William Neville and Harriet L. Howard F. manages the farm for his mother, and Daisy K. is also at home. All were born in Piatt county with exception of Benjamin F., whose birth occurred at Windsor, Illinois; and Wil- liam, whose birth occurred in Edgar county. The family reside on the old home place on section I, Bement township, and are people of prominence in that community.
Mr. Lodge departed this life July 6, 1902, and in life's span of almost seventy year's he accomplished much, leaving behind him an honorable record well worthy of perpetua- tion. He was devoted to the work of the church even after leaving the ministry, and always took a deep interest in religious af- fairs. Domestic in his tastes he displayed a great fondness for his home, and was a most exemplary husband and father. He was also much attached to children, and was especially the young man's friend, aiding him by his wise counsel and advance as well as by more material assistance. His death occa- sioned the deepest regret throughout the com- munity, and Piatt county thereby lost one of its most valued citizens and an earnest Chris- tian gentleman. His remains were interred in the Monticello cemetery.
JAMES P. RAY.
James P. Ray, deceased, through the years of his identification with Piatt coun- ty, enjoyed the highest respect of his fel- low citizens by reason of his strict in- tegrity and sterling worth. Almost his entire life was passed in Illinois, for he was
born in Marion county, this state, on the Ist of May, 1848, and lived at the place of his birth until twenty-six years of age. His parents were Alfred and Mary (Mor- gan) Ray, the former of whom was born and reared in North Carolina and the lat- ter in Tennessee. At an early day they came to Illinois and settled in the southern part of the state. By occupation the father was a merchant and farmer and in religious belief was a Methodist, while his wife held membership in the Christian church. Both died in Marion county at an advanced age.
Reared in the county of. his nativity, James P. Ray was indebted to its public schools for his early educational advan- tages. When a young man he assisted in the work of the home farm and on leaving the parental roof went to Kansas, where he engaged in farming for three years. On his return to Illinois, he took up 'his residence in Unity township, Piatt county, where he continued to follow the same pursuit for some years. He next removed to Bement township, where he continued to engage in farming and stock-raising until his death. He operated three hun- dred and twenty acres of well improved and valuable land here and also had a good farm of ninety acres in Marion county, Illinois. His life was one of thrift and industry and the success that came to him was due to his well directed efforts, keen discrimination and sound judgment.
On the 19th of March, 1874, Mr. Ray was united in marriage to Miss Electa B. Wooters, also a native of Marion county and a daughter of E. J. and Elizabeth ` (Richardson) Wooters, both of whom are now deceased. Her father was born in North Carolina and her mother in Ten-
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nessee. Both were faithful members of the Methodist church and people of the high- est respectability. During his active business life Mr. Wooters engaged in merchandising and for some time served as postmaster of Raccoon, Marion coun- ty. Mrs. Ray now makes her home upon a farm in Bement township and with her reside three children of her sister, the boys having charge of the farm.
In politics Mr. Ray was a Democrat and for a time he held the office of school director. He was a member of the Ma- sonic Order and his life was in harmony with its teachings. He died in Bement township, March 31, 1896, honored and respected by all who knew him. Like her husband Mrs. Ray is also held in the high- est esteem and has a host of warm friends in the community where she has long made her home.
JAMES FISHER.
One of the most energetic and successful agriculturists of Piatt county is James Fisher, who now resides on section 14, Be- ment township, where he is operating a half section of rich farming land. He was born . upon that place September 9, 1860, and is a son of Elihu Fisher, who was also a native of Illinois, born in one of the pioneer homes in Greene county, at Roodhouse, November 29, 1825. Elihu Fisher was left fatherless at the age of ten years, but his mother lived to an advanced age and died in Macoupin county, this state. He grew to manhood on a farm in the county of his nativity, and on leaving there in 1857 he came to Piatt coun- ty, taking up his residence in Bement town-
ship, where for many years he was actively engaged in farming. In course of time he accumulated a valuable property and was enabled to retire, passing his declining years free from the care and labor that beset his early life. His farm, which was one of the finest in that part of the county, comprised five hundred and sixty acres of well im- proved land of surpassing fertility and its improvements. were of the best. Besides this, he owned other valuable property in the village of Bement. His life record was an honorable one, alike to himself and to the community in which he so long resided, and where he was always held in high es- teem of his fellow men. He always dis- played a zealous interest in the welfare of adopted township, and aided in carrying on its public affairs in the several township of- fices that he at various times held. To his zeal while holding the office of highway commissioner his section of the county is greatly indebted for the . improvements made in its roads and byways. He was also interested in advancing educational matters and made many improvements in that re- gard while holding various school offices. He was a man of force, and had decided opinions and a fine appreciation of what was right and what wrong, and was a strong advocate of any measure that he be- lieved would tend to improve the district in which he lived. He served throughout the Mexican war and took part in the battle of Buena Vista and other important engage- ments. Shortly before his death he united with the Presbyterian church and died in that faith in Bement township at the age of seventy-one years. He was a member of the Masonic order for many years. At the time of his death he owned five hundred and twenty acres of land in Piatt county, be-
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sides his village property and a valuable farm in Lee county, Illinois.
In Greene county, Illinois, Elihu Fisher ' married Miss Lydia J. Rawlins, who was a native of that county and survived him until a year ago, when she died on the home farm at the age of seventy years, She was also a member of the Presbyterian church and was a most estimable lady. In their family were ten children, namely : Sarah E., wife of Robert Lamb; Cordelia A., wife of Joseph Zorger; William Bur- gess; James; Effie, wife of Daniel Hall : Charles; Kate; Mary and Fred.
James Fisher received his early educa- tion in the district schools near his boyhood home, and for one year attended the uni- versity at Bloomington. After completing his education ne assisted his father upon the home farm and also operated a farm near the-village of Cerro Gordo, which he then owned. Throughout his active busi- ness life he has engaged in farming and stock-raising and to-day has one of the model farms of the county. In addition to his interest in his father's estate he has recently purchased thirteen hundred and sixty acres of bottom land in Missouri. He is quite extensively engaged in the raising of high grade road horses and in all his un- dertakings has met with ·well-deserved suc- cess for he is energetic, enterprising and pro- gressive and thoroughly understands the vocation which he follows.
In July, 1895, Mr. Fisher was united in marriage to Miss Sarah N. Creighton, a daughter of Matthew and Maria (Groves) Creighton. Her father was a native of Delaware, and from that state removed to Ohio in 1840, and in 1852 came to Illinois, locating in Cerro Gordo township, Piatt county, where he became the owner of a fine farm of five hundred and sixty acres on
which he made all the improvements. His residence was built in 1860. In 1849 he married Maria Groves, and to them were born eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have six children : Grover F., Mamie Etta, Ollie May, Orville, Ralph and Lydia J., all born in Bement township with the exception of Grover, who was born in Cerro Gordo township.
Mr. Fisher is a member of the Presbyte- rian church and for many years has been connected with the Masonic fraternity. Po- litically, he is identified with the Demo- cratic party and takes a deep interest in public affairs. He is widely and favorably known in the community where he resides, and those who know him best are numbered among his warmest friends, a fact which plainly indicates an upright and honorable career.
JOHN N. DARST.
John N. Darst is a well-known contrac- tor and builder residing in Mansfield. He stands to-day prominent in business cir- cles, and his life record proves what can be accomplished through the force of energy, determination and honorable dealing. He was born in Circleville, Pickaway county, Ohio, on the 14th of October, 1855, and is a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Evans) Darst. The father was a shoemaker by trade and followed that pursuit for thirty years, but later in life, however, engaged in farming. In 1861 he removed from Ohio to Marshall, Clark county, Illinois, and after a few years residence in that locality came to Piatt county. He died June 4, 1896, and the mother of our subject passed away Sep- . tember 4, 1871.
John N. Darst pursued his studies in the
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Argo schoolhouse in Sangamon township, Piatt county, but in early youth he started out upon his business career. When about thirteen years of age he began to earn his own living, working as a farm hand at eight dollars per month. At the age of eighteen years he began farming for him- self and was thus engaged during the years of 1873-4-5. He then commenced to learn the builder's art, and in 1876 he took up his abode in Mansfield, where he has since resided. Becoming an expert workman in the line of building he turned his attention to contracting, and has erected the majority of the best buildings in Mansfield during the past twenty-five years, including the Sisson department store, First National Bank building, the State Bank building, Hotel Monroe, the high school building, a fine structure erected in 1895, and many others of a public and private character. In the first part of the year 1903 he erected eight buildings. He employs his own ma- sons, painters and workmen of all kinds, and he takes contracts all over this part of the state, also doing work in Chicago. He thoroughly understands the builder's art in every particular, and his labors have brought to him very gratifying success as the years have gone by. Mr. Darst is also one of the directors and was one of the or- organizers of the First National Bank in Mansfield. He owns five houses and lots in this city, and his property interests are the visible evidence of his life of industry and thrift.
On the 21st of February, 1881, occurred the marriage of Mr. Darst and Miss Jennie Bateman, a daughter of Thomas Bateman, of whom more extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Darst has been blessed with three
children : Mabel Elizabeth, who was born December 8, 1888; Nellie Bernice, born on the 29th of May, 1890; and Mary Isabel, born February 6, 1900. They have an at- tractive home in Mansfield and Mr. and Mrs. Darst occupy an enviable position in social circles. In politics he is a Republican and while he gives a firm support to the principles of the party, he has never sought or desired office, desiring rather that his time and energies shall be devoted to his business affairs which have already brought him creditable success. A' life of unswerving integrity and honor, of unfal- tering diligence and of straightforward dealing has gained and retained for him the confidence and respect of his fellow men and he is distinctively one of the leading citizens of the thriving town of Mansfield, with whose interests he has been identified for a quarter of a century.
JOHN R. HOWELL.
Prominent among the energetic, far- seeing and successful business men of Piatt county is the subject of this sketch, who is interested in a number of different enterprises and is also serving as post- master of the village of Burrowsville. En- ergy, close application, perseverance and good management, these are the elements which have entered into his business ca- reer and crowned his efforts with pros- perity.
Mr. Howell was born in Moultrie county, Illinois, October 28, 1865, his par- ents being John T. and Susan (Harris) Howell, both natives of Shelby county, Kentucky, and early settlers of Moultrie
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county, where they located in 1864. At that time there was only one house be- tween his place and Bement and most of the land was wild and covered with sloughs and ponds. His farm had pre- viously been improved though he subse- quently broke many acres of prairie with oxen and materially assisted in the de- velopment and improvement of this sec- tion of the state. He continued to live in Lovington township, Moultrie county, for some years, his time being devoted to agricultural pursuits, but he is now living retired in Decatur, Illinois. Although seventy-two years of age he is still hale and hearty and his wife is in her sixty- eighth year. The children born to them are as follows: H. T., now a resident of Missouri; S. W., of Holly, Colorado; John R., of this review; Molly, wife of Rev. B. C. Dewey, a Methodist Episcopal minister now located at Pana, Illinois; James, who is living in Denver; and three deceased.
In the district schools of his native county John R. Howell obtained a good practical education and on laying aside his text books took up farming, to which occupation he still gives considerable at- tention in the supervision of his fine farm of two hundred and forty acres on sec- tions 33 and 34, Cerro Gordo township. In the fall of 1890 he embarked in the grain business and in general merchandis- ing at Burrowsville and on the Ist of the following year was appointed postmaster at that place, which office he has since filled to the satisfaction of all concerned. His elevator has a capacity of thirty thou- sand bushels and he handles on an aver- age one hundred and fifty thousand bush- els annually and also deals quite exten- sively in stock. Although he buys and
sells sheep and cattle, he makes a spec- ialty of horses and is very much interested in the same. In addition to his other duties he also acts as station agent for the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad at Burrowsville.
In 1894 Mr. Howell married Miss Grace Toney, of La Place, who was born in Indiana on the Ist of January, 1877, but was' reared and educated in Macon county, Illinois, whither she removed with her parents, J. W. and Marie (Nesbott). Toney, when about five years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Toney came originally from Bedford, Indiana, and are now residents. of La. Place, Illinois. Mrs. Howell is the. youngest in a family of six children and is. the mother of a little son, Roland J., now seven years old. She had two other chil- dren: Virgil, who died at the age of fourteen months; and Marie, who died at the age of twenty-two months.
Politically Mr. Howell affiliates with the Democracy and has served as a · dele- gate to the conventions of his party. Within his remembrance land in this sec- tion of the state has risen in value from twenty to one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre and he has seen much of the upbuilding and development of this region. He is one of the most energetic: and progressive citizens of his locality and gives an earnest. support to all enter- prises which he believes will prove of pub- lic benefit. Fraternally he is a member of Ben Hur Lodge, and religiously both he and his wife are members of the Christian church. His genial, pleasant manner has made him quite popular in business and social circles and as a public- spirited, enterprising man he is recog- nized as a valued citizen of Piatt county .. .
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DR. J. H. WOOD.
. Dr. J. H. Wood, who is engaged in the drug business in De Land, was born in Fulton county, Illinois, on the 15th of April, 1843, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Dyckes) Wood, the former a na- tive of Pennsylvania and the latter of Maryland. Both the Dyckes and Wood fam- ilies were of English extraction. William Dyckes, the maternal grandfather of our sub- ject, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was wounded in the battle of Fort McHenry. The parents of the Doctor were married in Cleveland, Ohio, where the father was engaged in blacksmithing. In the year 1837 he and his wife came to the west, crossing the lakes to Chicago, which was then a frontier village, giving little prom- ise of the marvelous development which was soon to make it the metropolitan city of the west. They proceeded by stage to LaSalle, Illinois, and thence by boat to Havana. Mr. Wood took up his abode in Farmers township, Fulton county, where he erected a blacksmith shop upon a tract of land which he secured from the government. This he improved, carrying on agricultural pursuits in connection with the blacksmithing which he did for the early settlers. He was one of the pioneer residents of this part of the state and took an active and helpful part in the early development of the county and was widely known among the pioneer settlers who esteemed him highly for his genuine worth. He died at the age of sixty-nine years and his widow is now living in Denver, Colorado, at the age of eighty-five years with her son J. D. Wood. They became the parents of seven chil- dren, of whom the subject of this review
was the third in order of birth. Those still living are the daughter Alice, who is the widow of James Sperry, and resides with his brother ; and J. D., who is with his mother in Denver, Colorado.
Dr. Wood obtained his early educa- tion in the public schools of Farmers township and for several years he engaged in teaching school. Desirous to become a member of the medical profession he be- gan studying privately and when he had earned enough money to meet the ex- penses of a college course he matricu- lated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Keokuk, Iowa, in which he was graduated with the class of 1878. Im- mediately upon his graduation he came to DeLand and here began practice. In his work he met with creditable and grati- fying success and remained an active prac- titioner here until 1894, when he removed to Champaign. For six years he was a member of the medical fraternity at that place and in 1900 he removed to Ham- mond, Louisiana, where he was located for a year and a half. He then returned to De Land and purchased the drug store of William Downey, since which time he has been conducting the business, having now a liberal patronage which is accorded him in recognition of the good stock which he carries, his reasonable prices and his honorable and courteous treatment of his patrons.
In December, 1875, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Wood and Miss Sarah Peirsol, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Sampson Peirsol, of Lee township, Ful- ton county, Illinois. Her parents died during her early girlhood and she made her home with her uncle Dr. Peirsol. She is a member of the Presbyterian church
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and is a most estimable lady. Fraternally the Doctor is connected with De Land Lodge, No. 812, F. & A. M., with Monti- cello Chapter, No. 48, R. A. M., and with Champaign Commandery, K. T. In his political views he is a stalwart Democrat and for a number of terms served as supervisor of his township. He has also been town clerk and in public office he has been found most loyal and faithful to his duties. In 1864 he enlisted in Com- pany I. Sixth Regular Cavalry under Captain, now General A. R. Chaffee and served three years, being mustered out as first sergeant. He was stationed on the Texas frontier after the close of hos- tility, Fort Belknap being their head- quarters the greater part of the time. During a long residence in this section of the state Dr. Wood has become widely and favorably known and well deserves mention in this volume as one of the representative men of Piatt county.
JOHN HENRY WARREN.
John Henry Warren, who carries on gen- eral farming in Piatt county, his home being on section 17, Blue Ridge township, was born on the 7th of July, 1859, in the city of New York, and is a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Clary) Warren, both natives of Sussex county, England. The father was born Jan- uary 2, 1824, and is still living, but the moth- er, whose birth occurred February 14, 1828, died on the 30th of May, 1897. It was in 1855 that they came to the United States, and during the first six years of their resi- dence in this country, lived near Albany, New York, where the father worked on a farm for
one man all of that time. They then came to Piatt county, Illinois, and for eight years Mr. Warren operated a rented farm near his pres- ent place, and then purchased the latter. Since becoming a naturalized citizen he has always supported the Republican party. His children are William Howard, now a farmer of Iowa; Alfred, a carpenter of Champaign, Illinois; John Henry, of this review; and Arthur, also a resident of Blue Ridge town- ship. The first two were born in England, the third in New York, and the youngest in Piatt county.
John H. Warren spent the days of his boy- hood and youth in his parents' home, and in the public schools acquired his education. When twenty-one years of age he began working for himself, and for two years was employed by the month as a farm hand. He afterward took up his abode on his father's farm in Blue Ridge township, Piatt county, where he is now living. He pays his father six hundred and forty dollars per year as rent for the farm, and he also takes care of this aged parent. As an agriculturist Mr. War- ren is practical and progressive and every- thing he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion. His place is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating his careful supervision and annually his labors return to him a good income.
On the 30th of May, 1879, Mr. Warren was united in marriage to Miss Flora Trus- ler. who was born in Indiana, October I, 1860, and is a daughter of James and Nancy Jane Trusler. Her parents were farming people and made their home in Blue Ridge township, this county, for about twenty years after coming from Indiana. The father died February 2, 1899. and the mother passed away August 13, 1901. Their other children were Daniel, a resident of Ford county, Illi-
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J. H. WARREN
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MRS. J. H. WARREN
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nois ; Mrs. Martha Bishop, of Ohio ; William, a farmer of Ford county ; Elijah, a painter of Indiana; Charles, a resident of Ford county, Illinois ; and Emma, of Blue Ridge township, Piatt county. Mr. and Mrs. Warren have eight children : Golda Belle, Frances Paulina, Grace Alma, Sarah Hazel, James Henry Ed- ward. Susie May, Laddie Elizabeth and Ru- fus George Franklin, all of whom are still under the parental roof.
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