USA > Illinois > Piatt County > Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens > Part 38
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The parents. of our subject were David and Delilah (Kerns) Moyer. The father was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in the year 1818 and, removing to Indiana, he spent four years in that state, after which he came to Illinois. Making his way to Piatt county, he here purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land in Willow Branch
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township. All was wild and unimproved and with characteristic energy he began the arduous task of developing a new farm. For many years he successfully carried on gen- eral agricultural pursuits and stock-raising and in his work he prospered. His land was richly cultivated and the well-tilled fields re- turned to him golden harvests, while because of the good grade of stock which he raised he found a ready sale for his horses and cattle on the market. As his financial resources in- creased he added to his property until he was the owner of three hundred and fifty acres. About twenty years ago he removed to the village of Bement, where he spent his re- maining days, his death occurring about 1892. In his political views Mr. Moyer was first a Democrat, but afterward became a Republican and in his later life was a Prohi- bitionist. He was fearless in his defense of what he believed to be right and never wav- ered in his allegiance to the political princi- ples which he thought contained the best ele- ments of good government .. For six years he served as supervisor of Willow Branch township and was most loyal and prompt in the discharge of his duties. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church and his fidelity to its teachings. His wife, who was born in Pick- away county, Ohio, there lived until her marriage and her parents died in that county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moyer were born six children-Mary E., who was the wife of Giles Clarke, and is now deceased ; Isabelle, the deceased wife of John LeFever ; John, who died at the age of four years ; Edward, of this review; Clara, who is the wife of R. E. Mckinney, of Decatur, and Ruth, the wife of William Cochran, of Bement town- ship.
Edward Moyer was only three years of
age when brought by his parents to Piatt county and was reared upon the home farm in Willow Branch township. He acquired his early education in the schools of this county and afterward became a student in the Jacksonville Business College, in which institution he was graduated. He then re- turned to the farm in Willow Branch town- ship, where he remained until the fall of 1883, carrying on general agricultural pur- suits. He also engaged in stock-raising quite extensively and successfully, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle and Norman horses. He devoted much attention to the breeding and raising of horses for six years. In 1883 he removed to Bement township, where he purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land on section 13, and upon this farm he still lives. He was for a number of years one of the representative agriculturists and stock-raisers of the community, but about two years ago he rented his land and is now living retired. His business affairs have been so capably conducted that as the years passed he won comfortable competence and is now largely resting in the enjoyment of what he previously earned.
In August, 1876, in Willow Branch township, Mr. Moyer was united in marriage to Miss Eva Heath, a daughter of John and Charity Heath. Her father was one of the early settlers of Willow Branch township, having come to Piatt county in 1854. Both he and his wife are now deceased. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Moyer was blessed with six children, all of whom were born in Piatt county. The three now living are: Charles A., who resides at home; Iona B., the wife of H. C. Cornelius, of Bement, by whom she has two children, Paul and Ruth ; and Lena, who is the wife of David Johnson, a painter of Urbana, Illinois, by whom she has one
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child-Edward D. The members of the fam- ily who have passed away are: Edward, who died when about eight years of age; Roy, who died of diphtheria at the age of four years ; and one that died in infancy un- named.
Mr. Moyer has held the office of assessor for five years and has been elected for an- other year. . He was also road commissioner for one term and no public trust reposed in him has been betrayed in the slightest de- gree. His political support is given to the
proves conclusively that success is not a mat- ter of genius, but may be won through per- sistent effort, laudable ambition and sound judgment. It is these qualities that have formed the basis of Mr. Rankin's prosperity and made him a substantial and respected citi- zen of his adopted county.
Mr. Rankin is a son of James and Ma- linda (Decker) Rankin, who were also na- tives of the Buckeye state. By occupation the father was a stone-mason and carpenter. Coming to Illinois in the fall of 1852, he set- Democracy, and he keeps well informed on . tled in DeWitt county, casting in his lot the issues of the day, thus being able to sup- port his position by intelligent argument. Mr. Moyer is a valued and popular repre- sentative of a number of fraternal and in- surance associations. He belongs to the Modern' Woodmen Camp, to the Masonic fraternity, to the Court of Honor, to the Tribe of Ben Hur, to the Fraternal Army. to the Loyal Americans and the North Amer- icans, and he has held official positions in all of these save the Tribe of Ben Hur. He has many excellent qualities which have made him esteemed by those with whom he has come into contact and gained for him the favor and friendship of many with whom he has been associated. ' There is in his life rec- . ord much that is commendable, for he has always been faithful to duty, progressive in citizenship and reliable in business. among the early settlers who laid the founda- tion for the present development and pros- perity of this section of the state. He pos- sessed natural mechanical genius and marked ingenuity along such lines and before coming to Illinois he had also mastered the trade of a millwright. After locating here he en- gaged in the operation of a mill for three or four years and also followed carpentering, carrying on the latter pursuit until his re- tirement from further business cares. His life for many years was one of unceasing in- dustry and unfaltering enterprise and there- by he won a comfortable competence which now enables him to live retired. He makes his home in Waverly, Morgan county, at the age of seventy-six years and is one of the respected citizens of the community. His wife died when the subject of this review was but six years of age and her remains were interred in Logan county near Atlanta. The children of this union were three in num- · JOSEPH H. RANKIN. ber, two sons and a daughter, all of whom are yet living, namely : John W., a resident of Oregon : J. H., of this review ; and Ma- linda, who is the wife of Clayton Newberry, a resident of Waverly, Morgan county.
Joseph H. Rankin, who is the well-known and capable manager for the Galesville Grain Company of Piatt county and a resident of DeLand, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 5th of April, 1848. His life record
J. H. Rankin acquired his early educa- tion in the common schools of DeWitt coun-
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ty and mastered the branches of learning therein taught which prepare one for the practical duties of life. He attended school until about fifteen years of age and then be- gan working for his father on the home farm, being thus connected with agricultural pur- suits until about twenty-four years of age. For some years thereafter he followed car- pentering and in this way was connected with the substantial upbuilding and improvement of the locality. He was actively connected with the builder's art for twelve years or un- til he turned his attention to the grain busi- ness as manager of the Galesville Grain Company. This is a farmers' co-operative in- stitution of which Mr. Rankin took charge on the 4th of August, 1902. The business is an incorporated concern capitalized for ten thousand dollars, the company dealing in grain, coal and salt. The present officers are J. T. Churchill, president, a resident of Goose Creek township; J. Z. Schwartz, of the same township, vice president; James Bert, secretary and treasurer, also of Goose Creek township ; and J. H. Rankin, manager. Mr. Rankin makes his home in DeLand, where he had been employed in the line of carpentering prior to coming here. He is a man of good business ability and executive force and is rarely, if ever, at fault in mat- ters of business judgment, so that he is well qualified for the important position which he is now filling.
In 1867 in Piatt county near DeLand Mr. Rankin was united in marriage to Miss Emma Brown, a daughter of James A. . Brown, who came here at an early day from Virginia. Two children graced the mar- riage of our subject and his wife: James Floyd and John W., but the latter died in in- fancy. In his political affiliation Mr. Rankin is a Democrat with firm faith in the princi-
ples of the party and he has been honored with a number of local offices. He served for four years as justice of the peace; was also town clerk for two years; was notary public and police magistrate for twelve years, and is still holding the last named office. He has ever been prompt and faithful in the dis- charge of the duties devolving upon him. Fraternally, he is connected with DeLand Lodge, No. 812, F. & A. M., of which he is a worthy and prominent representative, hav- ing served for three years as its 'secretary, prior to taking up his business at Galesville. He is likewise identified with some fraternal insurance orders. Mr. Rankin dates his resi- dence in this county from pioneer times and the red men were still numerous when the family came to this section of the state and there was wild game of all kinds, including deer and turkeys. There were also many prairie wolves and pioneer conditions existed on every hand. With the work of progress and improvement Mr. Rankin has been iden- tified and has taken a deep interest in what has been accomplished in this part of the state. He is the owner of one of the best homes in DeLand, which stands in visible evidence of his life of industry. His career has ever been honorable and straightforward and those who have known him entertain for him warm regard.
James Floyd Rankin, the son of J. H. Rankin, is now a bookkeeper in the First Na- tional Bank of Champaign. He acquired a liberal education, attending the common schools of this county and afterward becom- ing a student in Bryant & Stratton's Busi- ness College of Chicago, in which he pur- sued a commercial course. At the age of six- teen he began acquiring a practical educa- tion in the State Bank of DeLand and readily mastering the duties intrusted to him, he
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steadily and rapidly advanced. Going to 16, 1860; Adeline, December 20, 1861; Al- Kansas City he was assistant receiving teller meda Ellen, December 20, 1863 ; Charles WV., September 26, 1865; Alonzo L., August 12, 1867; Sarah Eveline, June 20, 1869; Mel- cena, June 31, 1871 ; Harry V., February 4, 1873, and Harvey, January 25, 1875. in the First National Bank of Commerce there, and later returning to DeLand, he en- tered upon his present position in connection with the financial interests of this place. He is a young man of exemplary habits, respect- ed in business circles because of his capabili- ty and trustworthiness. He married Miss Ermer Dresback, a resident of this county and a daughter of John P. Dresback, an old settler and retired farmer now living near DeLand. They have one child, Esther Burl, who was born on the 3rd of July, 1902, in Kansas City.
WELLINGTON EDWARDS.
On the 2d of December, 1895, Piatt coun- ty citizens were called on to mourn the de- mise of one of their number, Wellington Edwards, a gentleman of the old school, and who had been a resident of the county since 1854. Mr. Edwards was born near Buffalo, New York, February 14, 1831. At the age of five he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, where they settled at Bu- cyrus. He lost his mother at the age of ten and the family afterward became scattered, our subject becoming an inmate of the home of an uncle, with whom he lived until his marriage. This event occurred January II, 1852, the lady who now survives him being Sarah Jane McPheeters, daughter of Sam- uel McPheeters.
Thirteen children were born to this union as follows: Susan Janette, born March 24, 1853; Samuel Francis, December 3. 1854; Willis, November 12, 1855; Joseph C., April 20, 1858; Selah Ravenia, March
For. two years after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Edwards rented land in Ohio. They then concluded to come to the great west. . where land was cheaper and where they could secure a home with less outlay. They settled in Sangamon township. Piatt county, Illinois, where they purchased eighty acres at one dollar and a quarter per acre, which Mrs. Edwards still owns. Additions have been made at times to this original purchase -one hundred and sixty acres at one time and thirty-two at another. It is unnecessary to relate in detail the struggles and priva- tions endured by the family in their efforts to build up a home and rear and educate so large a number of children. Suffice it to say that these children are all living and occupy- ing respected positions in their different spheres of life. They are all married except- ing Alonzo and Almeda Ellen.
JOSEPH C. EDWARDS.
Joseph C. Edwards cultivates a farm in section 24, Blue Ridge township. He was born as stated and continued dutifully at home, aiding his father in the support of his large family until the year preceding his ma- jority. He then rented a farm from Thomas Bondurant, upon which he raised one crop and then rented his father's farm of eighty acres for a period of six years. By this time he was enabled to make a purchase of eighty acres, but with which he soon parted. An-
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other purchase of two hundred and forty acres was made by our subject, which he re- tained for a time and then sold at a good advance. In 1900 he purchased the farm on which he now resides. It contains two hun- dred and forty acres and our subject de- votes it to general farming-the raising of stock and grain.
Mr. Edwards consummated marriage December II, 1879, the other contracting party being Emma Jane, daughter of Wil- liam and Nancy Hall. Mrs. Edwards has become the mother of nine children as fol- lows: Lucinda, born September 5, 1878; Cora, July 3, 1880; Albert, August 15, 1882 ; Daisy, November 8, 1884; Roy, Janu- ary 28, 1887; Carl, February 7, 1889 ; Lillie, March 3. 1891 ; Pearl, March 1, 1893, and Lloyd, November 19, 1898.
Character is what we are, reputation what people think we are, at least so says the savant. Both, however, are really synony- mous. No man can have a good reputation with his associates in daily life whose char- acter is faulty, nor is the development of a good character possible without developing its consequent, a good reputation. These re- marks are made introductory to the asser- tion that no man in the county has either in better degree than our subject. With word as good as his bond and a social and genial temperament, Joseph Edwards is the peer of any citizen of Piatt county.
JOHN HENRY SHREVE.
John Henry Shreve is one of the self- made men of Piatt county now numbered among the farmers . of affluence. He has steadily worked his way upward to this po-
sition through persistency of purpose, over- coming all the obstacles and difficulties in his path by a strong determination and in- dustry. He was born April 26, 1844, in Fairfield county, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Gearhart) Shreve. The mother died in Ohio and the father after- ward came to Illinois, settling first in Cham- paign county, whence he later removed to Piatt county. After residing here for a time he went to Missouri, where his remaining days were passed. He was thrown from a wagon and never recovered from the in- jury received in this accident. In the fam- ily were two children, the younger brother of our subject being Oliver Shreve, who is- now a resident of Calhoun county, Iowa.
The educational privileges of John Henry Shreve were somewhat limited. He attend- ed school in Boone county, Indiana, conning- his lessons in a little log schoolhouse while sitting upon a slab bench. The remainder of his education was acquired in Champaign. county, Illinois, where he again attended a. district school. He has always kept well in- formed on the questions of the day and on topics of general interest, continually adding- to his knowledge through reading and ob- servation. When twenty years of age he- began earning his own living, working as a farm hand, and while thus employed he re -- ceived from twenty to forty dollars per month in compensation for his services. For eight years he was thus employed, and with the money which he was enabled to save from his earnings he then purchased his own farm, containing one hundred and fourteen· acres of land in Blue Ridge township. This he bought in the fall of 1885, and it has since been his home, covering a period of eighteen consecutive years. He raises stock and grain and his richly cultivated fields annually bring-
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to him good harvests, while the sales of his grain and stock add considerably to his bank account.
On the 26th of October, 1885, Mr. Shreve was united in marriage to Miss Mary Katharine Freeze, a daughter of Harvey and Josephine (Paulsel) Freeze. In 1898 Mr. Shreve was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 6th of De- cember of that year, her remains being in- terred in the Mansfield cemetery. Unto them had been born but one child, Roy Allen, who was born November 28, 1888, and is now living at home with his father. Mr. Shreve gives his political allegiance to the Democracy and while he keeps well informd on the issues of the day he has never sought or desired public office, preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs. He be- longs to the Baptist church, and his life is in consistent harmony with its teachings. He has long resided in Piatt county, and is known as a worthy and representative farm- er of this portion of the state.
JOHN T. CHURCHILL.
John T. Churchill, farmer, stock-raiser and splendid good citizen, residing on sec- tion 34, Sangamon township, was born at Mechanicsburg, Sangamon county, Illinois, September 29, 1853. His parents, Joe and Lucretia J. (Bondurant) Churchill, were natives of the Blue Grass state, from which they came to Piatt county in 1825, thus con- stituting them pioneers of the pioneers. They remained in the county until the close of the Civil war, and then removed to the new state of Kansas, where they settled near the famous town of Lawrence. After ten
years, however, they returned to their early love, where they continued to reside until their death.
John T. Churchill passed his early boy- hicod on the Kansas farm, receiving train- ing in the district school and later at Bald- win University. Upon leaving that institu- tion in 1874 he remained in Kansas, engaged in farming, but met with so little encourage- ment on account of the grasshoppers and drouth that he finally returned to Piatt coun- ty. Mr. Churchill retains vivid remembrances of those early days of his career and especially of the grasshoppers. He happened to be in a section particularly overrun with the pests and distinctly recalls one day on his return home from town seeing them piled in the road three feet deep, and having to drive out of his way on account of them. In Febru- ary, 1875, Mr. Churchill rented a farm in Piatt county and has since that time been a continuous resident here. In 1892 he made his first purchase of one hundred and sixteen acres in Sangamon township, but he later sold out and bought his present two-hundred and-forty-acre farm, which under his careful and intelligent management is without doubt one of the best farm properties in the county. He devotes it largely to the raising of grain, a crop which he understands as well as any man in the county, and from which he real- izes handsome profits.
Three years after his return from Kan- sas, June II, 1878, Mr. Churchill became a married man, leading to the altar Miss Florence Bell, daughter of William and Katherine Hatfield, of DeLand, now de- ceased. Three children have come to brighten their home, Fabian C., born Au- gust 1, 1879: Roscoe W., December 2, 1881 and Lloyd J., September 10, 1896.
Mr. Churchill votes with the Republican
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party, and carries insurance with the Modern Alvin Smothers of Mansfield; Mary, the Woodmen, holding membership in Mans- field Camp, No. 2919. He and his family are much esteemed and enter with zest into all movements looking to the elevation of their fellow citizens.
THOMAS BATEMAN, JR.
Thomas Bateman, Jr., is one of the well- known, successful and enterprising agricul- turists of Piatt county, his home being on section 19, Blue Ridge township. He was born in Ontario, Canada, on the 14th of November, 1866, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Brown) Bateman, who were natives of Ireland and Canada, respectively. The father crossed the Atlantic to the Do- minion in 1848 in company with his parents, and the grandfather there carried on farm- ing for some years. Subsequently, however, he removed to the United States, settling in Piatt county, Illinois, where his remaining days were passed.
In the year 1863 Thomas Bateman, Sr., was united in marriage to Elizabeth Brown, and in 1872 they arrived in Piatt county, where he had previously purchased the old William Johnson homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. To-day he is the owner of two hundred acres of valuable land, but at one time owned five hundred and sixty acres. This, however, he has divided among his children, giving to them more than one-half of the entire amount. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bateman were born eleven children and it is remarkable in that the family circle has never been broken by the hand of death. The chil- dren are as follows : Thomas, whose name in- troduces this record; Jane, who is the wife of
wife of Enoch Chase, of McLean county, Illinois; Samuel, who is also living in Mc- Lean county ; Charles, who is engaged in the grain business at Bellflour, Illinois ; John, a resident of Piatt county ; Elizabeth, the- wife of Latham Smith, of McLean county ; Etta and Nellie, both at home; Edna, the wife of Herbert Warren, of Mansfield; and Harry, who completes the family The father is now practically living retired upon. his home farm and is one of the respected and worthy citizens of the community whose- life record contains many lessons that might be profitably followed.
Thomas Bateman, Jr., was only about seven years of age when the family came to Piatt county, and in the public schools here- he became familiar with the branches of learning usually taught in such institutions. He also early became identified with farm life, receiving ample training in the work of field and meadow. He remained at home- until. his marriage, which was celebrated on the 16th of March, 1892, the lady of his- choice being Miss Cora Slater, a daughter of William and Mary Slater, of Champaign county. They now have one son, William. Slater, whose birth occurred January 28, 1893.
The home farm of Mr. Bateman is a. tract of two hundred acres of productive and fertile land on section 19, Blue Ridge town- ship, and to its cultivation and improvement he gives his personal supervision. The farm is adorned with one of the best country resi- dences to be found in this section of the- state. It was built by Mr. Bateman in 1899, . is a commodious structure erected in a mod- ern style of architecture, is supplied with hot and cold water, is heated by hot water and is equipped with all modern conveniences. It
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was erected at a cost of three thousand dol- lars. Other improvements Mr. Bateman has placed upon his farm which is indeed a model one. He gives his attention to the raising of grain and stock, making a specialty of fine cattle and hogs. He is an industrious and energetic business man and has met and is meeting with richly merited success. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church of Monticello.
WILLIAM H. LEACH.
William H. Leach, a retired farmer, is now living in Mansfield in a pleasant home which stands as a monument to his life of industry. For many years he was con- nected with agricultural pursuits and the rest which he is now enjoying is well mer- ited, because he has always been a most in- dustrious and energetic man, and has ever been honorable in his business relations. He was born on the 24th of March, 1827, near Wheeling, West Virginia, and is a son of Clement and Mary (Worley) Leach. In the family were the following named: Mor- decai M., born September 10, 1818; John, March 12, 1821; Rebecca, December 17, 1822; Rachel and Levina, twins, October 20, 1824; William, March 24, 1827; Clement, May 18, 1829; Martha, April 5, 1831 ; and Joseph, February 24, 1834. The last named served as a soldier of the Civil war, being commissioned lieutenant, and lost his health while in the army.
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