USA > Illinois > Piatt County > Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens > Part 41
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and had found this a profitable source of in- come. For several years he was engaged in handling sheep, and during the last few years he has been interested in beef cattle, shipping to Chicago. His purchases and sales are extensive, and the annual financial return from this department of his business materially increases his income. Mr. James also has other business interests, and is a man of resourceful ability, alert and energetic. He is a director and the vice-president of the State Bank of Mansfield; is a stockholder in the old Citizens' National Bank of Zanesville, Ohio, and is a director of the Howard Grain Elevator. and Mercantile Company of How- ard, Illinois. Thus his interests are of a va- ried and important nature, and have been im- portant factors in promoting the prosperity of the communities in which they are located by advancing commercial activity.
On the 20th of December, 1882, Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss Mat- tie Webb, a native of Piatt county, and a daughter of Preston Webb, a retired farmer living in Mansfield. Unto him and his wife have been born five children: Birdie, Clar- ence, Phebe, and Sybil and Herbert, twins, but Herbert died on the 9th of August, 1902, at the age of five years. Mrs. James is a member of the Baptist church and Mr. James belongs to Mansfield Camp, M. W. A. In politics he is a Republican, and while he keeps well informed on the issues of the day, he has never sought or desired office, pre- ferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with signal success. Intricate business problems he readily masters, and his judgment is sel- dom, if ever, at fault in regard to business matters. There is, perhaps, no history in this volume which more clearly illustrates the force of industry and integrity in the affairs
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of life than does that of Mr. James. He is distinctively a self-made man, and has every reason to be proud of what he has accom- plished, and yet he has never allowed the ac- cumulation of wealth to in any way affect his actions to those less fortunate than himself. His is an honorable career of a successful man, and one who well deserves mention in this volume as a leading and representative citizen of Piatt county.
JOHN V. VAN SYCKEL.
John V. Van Syckel, who carries on gen- eral farming on section 21, Blue Ridge town- ship, was born on the 3d of August, 1836, in New Jersey, a son of William and Charity (Smith) Van Syckel. The maternal grand- father of our subject was Major Smith, a soldier of the war of 1812, serving as major- general during the war and afterward as drill master, as the American soldiers kept drilling in fear that the British would make another attempt to subdue the colonists. William Van Syckel resided in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, where he carried on the occupation of farming and also engaged in the operation of some mills. His last days were spent in Illinois, his death occurring in Fulton county, while his wife died in McLean county, this state. He had several brothers and sisters who lived in New York city, but are now deceased. A brother of our subject, Abraham S. Van Syckel, was a drill master in the Civil war. One night he relieved a friend who was to go on picket duty, and during that night while he was on the watch he was shot and killed.
John V. Van Syckel, of this review, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the east and started out in life for himself at the age
of twenty-one years. At an early day he acted as head distiller in a distillery owned by his father and uncle in New Jersey, who carried on a more extensive business than any other firm in that line in the locality. Our subject has himself never taken a glass of whiskey, simply for the sake of enjoying the drink. For two years during his residence in the east he worked upon his father's farm and was then given a team of horses in compen- sațion for his labors. He afterward rented land and engaged in farming for him- self, continuing the operation of the leased tract for six years. Coming to the west he lived for thirteen years in Fulton county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming on his own account for three years, and then pur- chased eighty acres of land in Piatt county, for thirty dollars per acre. Later he bought one hundred acres more and afterward he sold this and purchased land on which he now resides. His farm comprises a half section, and the land is as rich and valuable as any in Piatt county. Mr. Van Syckel has made all of the improvements there, and now has a well equipped farm. He has paid con- siderable attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of the raising of hogs, and he has always endeavored to keep a breed that he thought would make the most money for the farmer rather than a fancy breed. He sold thirty-three male hogs in one year at fifteen dollars each. Mr. Van Syckel is eminently practical in all he does, and thus his methods in the conduct of his farm as well as in the discharge of his duties of citizenship have been of the greatest benefit.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Van Syckel endeavored to join the army. He en- listed and went to Peoria for drill, but failed to pass examination there. In other ways, however, he gave his loyal support to the Union cause, and his efforts in behalf of the
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community have been far-reaching and help- ful. He and his father each gave one hun- dred dollars toward bounty for the One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry, which was the means of keeping the draft for sol- diers out of Fulton county.
In 1864 Mr. Van Syckel was united in marriage to Miss Emeline Hunt, a daughter of Richard Hunt, of Fulton county. This union has been blessed with one child, George Edmund, who married Lila DeGrofft and now resides upon his father's farm. They had three children. In his political views Mr. Van Syckel is a stalwart Repub- lican, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his entire time and atten- tion to his business affairs. He is energetic, wideawake and progressive, and has been the architect of his own fortunes, building wisely and well in this respect. He was school trustee for twelve years and refused to longer serve.
JAMES PONDER.
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With the agricultural interests of Piatt county James Ponder has been identified from boyhood, and in his chosen field of la- bor he has met with remarkable success, so that he is to-day numbered among the most prosperous farmers in his locality, as well as one of the prominent citizens of Unity town- ship. His home is on section 19. He was born in Washington county, Tennessee, June 5. 1852, and is a son of J. P. and Matilda (Radford) Ponder, both natives of North Carolina, from which state they removed to Tennessee and later to Kentucky. In 1864 they came to Illinois and took up their resi- dence in Piatt county, where the father pur-
chased a tract of raw prairie land. Wild game was then abundant and furnished many a meal to the early settlers, and most of the land was uncultivated and full of sloughs. Mr. Ponder drained his forty-acre tract in Unity township and soon had it under culti- vation. On his retirement from farm work he removed to Hammond, Illinois, where he died in 1882, at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife passed away near that place January 28, 1901, at the same age. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom are yet living, namely: Mrs. So- phrona Jane Franklin, a resident of Colo- rado; Valanchie K., the wife of J. T. Ed- mondson, of Pierson Station, Piatt county ; James, of this review; J. R., a resident of Hammond; Delitha, wife of J. R. Mitchell, whose home is near Hammond; and Cena, wife of J. B. Fisher, of Pierson Station.
James Ponder was about twelve years of age when he came with his parents to this county, and although his literary education was limited, he gained an excellent knowl- edge of all the pursuits which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. At the age of twenty- two years he started out in life for himself, operating rented land in Unity township for three years, but since that time he has been engaged in the cultivation of his own prop- erty. So successful has he been in his farm- ing operation that he is to-day the owner of some valuable property, comprising three hundred and twenty acres of land on section 18, Unity township; two hundred and forty acres on section 19; and one hundred and sixty acres on section 31, making seven hun- dred and twenty acres in Unity township, besides a twenty-acre tract in Moultrie coun- ty, Illinois.
In 1882 Mr. Ponder was united in mar- riage to Miss Lucretia Bryson, who was born
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in this county in 1856, her parents, Samuel and Mary Bryson, having located here in 1850 among the pioneers. Five children bless this union : Ethel M., Walter S., Leslie J., Eva B. and John. Mr. Ponder had the misfortune to meet with an accident Febru- ary 23, 1903, by his horse falling with him. As his foot was caught under the horse his leg was broken and his ankle sprained. Re- ligiously, he is a member of the Baptist church at Pierson Station, while his wife be- longs to the New Light church, and they re- ceive and merit the high regard of the entire community. Mr. Ponder is a man of recog- nized ability and sterling worth, and as a citizen ever stands ready to discharge any duty devolving upon him.
JAMES M. SMITH.
One of the most progressive and ener- getic farmers of Willow Branch township is James M. Smith, who is now succesfully operating the old homestead on section 16, where the greater part of his life has been passed. He was born, however, near Mid- dletown, Pennsylvania, April 24, 1855, a son of Colonel Jacob and Nancy L. (Shenk) Smith. The ancestral line of the Smith fam- ily in America can be traced back to a period antedating the Revolutionary war and the great-grandfathers of our subject on both sides took part in that struggle and were homesteaders in Dauphin county, Pennsyl- vania. Jacob Smith, the paternal great- grandfather, remained in the army for seven long years, fighting for the independence of the colonies. His son, Henry Smith, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Dau- phin county, Pennsylvania, and was of Eng- lish and German descent.
Colonel Jacob Smith, the father, was also a native of Dauphin county, born April 4, 1817, and died on the IIth of March, 1898. He was first married December 30, 1835, to Mary Nisley, who died April 25, 1847. Four children blessed that union, namely : Fannie; Martin N. ; Henry Augus- tus, who married Margaret Brightbill; and Catharine A., wife of John Diller, a resident of Nebraska. Colonel Smith was again mar- ried, his second union being with Maria Zimmerman, February 8, 1848, but she died June 22, 1849, and their only child, Fannie Maria, died in infancy. On the 22d of Oc- tober, 1850, the Colonel was united in mar- riage to Nancy L. Sherik, who was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1820, and is still living, making her home in Monticello, Illinois. Her father,Michael Shenk, was also a native of the Keystone state, and of German descent. By his third marriage, Colonel Smith had four children : John George Washington, who was born July 31,, 1851, and died May 20, 1887, after having engaged in teaching school for many years; James M., of this review; Mary Elizabeth, who was born December 15, 1856, and makes her home with her mother in Monticello; and William P., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.
In 1857 the father came with his family direct from Dauphin county, Pennsylvania to Piatt county, Illinois, having acquaint- ances here, and he became prominently iden- tified with the early development and im- provement of this section of the state. He purchased a farm in Willow Branch town- ship, for which he paid fifteen dollars per acre, that being considered a high price at that time, as the land was still in its primi- tive condition and for twenty-five miles to the northwest all was wild prairie. He is
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H. H. GILMORE
MRS. H. H. GILMORE
JAMES M. SMITH
JACOB SMITH
MRS. NANCY SMITH
PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
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believed to have owned the first sawmill ever erected in Piatt county, having shipped the machinery from Philadelphia, and he also purchased the first piano brought here, it be- ing of the Phelps & Wiley manufacture, and the first sewing machine, which was of the Grover & Baker make. All of his farm ma- chinery he bought in Chicago at that early day, and for his first clover seed he paid fif- teen dollars per bushel. Colonel Smith was a very progressive and public-spirited man, and headed the list with his signature for the right-of-way for the Champaign & Decatur branch of the Illinois Central Railroad. He was also one among the few who fought the signing of the bonds for railroad tax, which saved the township many thousand of dollars. He was a most pronounced Republican in politics and kept well informed on the issues of the day, being able to support his posi- tion by intelligent argument. In early life he commanded a regiment of state militia and served as colonel on the staff of Gov- ernor Pollock, of Pennsylvania. His life was busy, useful and honorable, and he com- manded respect wherever known. In 1882 he left the farm and removed to Monticello, where he spent his remaining days in retire- ment from active labor. His widow still makes her home in that city. She has a cov- erlet which she made herself in 1840, shear- ing the sheep, carding the wool, dyeing it and then sending it to Elizabethtown, Penn- sylvania, to be woven. Besides this highly prized relic of early days the family have a clock which is about two hundred years old and is seven feet in height.
It was during his infancy that James M. Smith was brought by his parents to Piatt county, and he has witnessed almost the en- tire growth and development of this region. He well remembers when there were but
few frame buildings throughout the county, the houses being built mainly of logs. Dur- ing his boyhood he received a good common- school education and became thoroughly fa- miliar with all kinds of farm work. Leaving home in 1878, he went to Nebraska, where he spent one year and then returned to the old homestead, but in 1881 he removed to Iowa, where the following two years were passed as clerk in a general store. He was next engaged in the music business with his brother at Monticello for three years, and later was employed as clerk in the clothing . store of N. E. Rhoades & Son, and also Sackriter & Ormsby, at that place. In 1890 he took charge of the home farm, being over- seer of the estate which is still undivided, and in 1895, he took up his residence there- on. He has since made many improvements on the place in the way of tiling, fencing, clearing and breaking the land, which is to- day 'under a high state of cultivation, owing to his untiring labors and excellent manage- ment. His principal crops are corn, oats, hay and rye, and he has made a specialty of the raising of potatoes, principally for seed. He has engaged in this business on quite an extensive scale, and thus solved the problem that has so long puzzled the people here- how to secure a good crop of potatoes.
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In February, 1896, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Keene, a daugh- ter of William and Louisa Keene, of Clay county, Illinois, and to them has been born one child, Wayne K., now three years old. Mr. Smith is insured in the Fraternal Order of America, and is also a member of Selah Lodge, No. 403, I. O. O. F. Politically, he is a strong Republican, and takes quite an active interest in local politics, usually serv- ing as delegate to all county conventions, and as a delegate to the state convention two
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years ago. He is a recognized leader of the party in his community, and is widely and favorably known.
JOSHUA O. BATEMAN.
Joshua O. Bateman, who is engaged in the raising of grain and stock on section 24, Blue Ridge township, was born on the 13th of June, 1851, in New London county, Can- ada, his parents being John S. and Elizabeth (Morgan) Bateman. The father was a na- tive of County Cork, Ireland, and after emi- grating to Canada carried on agricultural pursuits there. He rented a tract of land in that country upon his arrival there and through its cultivation provided for the needs and wants of his family. Joshua O. Bate- man, of this review, is the youngest of the six children of the family, the others being Samuel, John Wesley, Benjamin, Jane and Matilda. After living in Canada for a num- ber of years the father brought his family to Logan county, Illinois, arriving in the year 1866. He then again rented a tract of land, and in about four years removed to Piatt county.
Joshua O. Bateman accompanied his par- ents to the United States, and in 1872 lie be- gan farming on his own account. After his father's death he and his brothers took pos- session of the old home place, and together . they conducted the farm for about four years. On the expiration of that time the place was sold and the money divided equal- ly among the children.
After the partnership between the broth- ers was dissolved Joshua O. Bateman pur- chased a tract of land of eighty acres, about 1884. He then engaged in its cultivation
and improvement, and also rented a tract of land which he operated, while his sister acted as his housekeeper. Later, however, he was married, Miss Minnie, a daughter of Mar- cus and Mary Walker, becoming his wife. Their marriage was celebrated on the 4th of February, 1885, and they have become the parents of five children : Lora, who was born September 11, 1887; Roy, born March 23, 1889; Tessa, who was born April 22, 1891 ; one, who was born June 20, 1894, and died in infancy ; and. Elsie, born on the 23d of April, 1896.
Mr. Bateman sold his first eighty acres of land in Blue Ridge township and bought an- other farm in the same township. comprising one hundred and ninety acres, becoming owner of this tract on the Ist of September. 1890. He paid fifty dollars per acre for it, and, with characteristic energy, began its de- velopment and cultivation. On the Ist of January, 1903, he made another purchase, this time paying one hundred and twenty- eight dollars per acre for a tract of one hun- dred and fifty-six acres, making altogether three hundred and forty-six acres in Blue Ridge township which he owns. Of this, three hundred and twenty acres are on sec- tion 24, and the remainder on section 19.
Mr. Bateman obtained his early education in Logan county, Illinois, and some in Piatt county, and as the years have passed his knowledge has been broadened by practical experience, as well as observation and read- ing, and to-day he is a well-informed man, who is prospering in his business affairs and directing his efforts by intelligent judgment, so that his labors are bringing to him credit- able success. In his political views he is a stalwart Republican, and has been offered several offices, but he would not accept, pre- . ferring to devote his time and energies to his
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business affairs. He has engaged in the rais- ing of stock and grain with excellent success. He belongs to Camp No. 9089, M., W. A., of Galesville, in which he carries three thou- sand dollars' insurance. He believes insur- ance is a splendid investment and that every man should thus provide for his family. Mr. Bateman's interest has always centered in his home, and he has put forth every effort to secure for his wife and children advantages which will make life pleasant for them and will promote their best interests. His busi- ness career has been active and honorable, and during the long years of his residence in Piatt county he has steadily worked his way upward until he now occupies a posi- tion on the plane of affluence.
R. B. MOODY.
In an analyzation of the life record of R. B. Moody we find that he has well earned and justly deserves the proud American title of a self-made man. He is now engaged in the manufacture of brick and tile in DeLand, and is one of the substantial citizens of this locality who started out in life for himself in a very humble capacity, receiving only six and a quarter cents per day for his services. His history proves conclusively what may be accomplished through strong purpose, un- abating diligence and unfaltering persever- ance, and such a record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others.
Mr. Moody came to Illinois from Ohio. A number of the substantial citizens of this portion of the state are natives of Ohio, and Mr. Moody's birth occurred in Mahoning county about five miles from the city of
Youngstown, on the 30th of June, 1837. His parents, John and Martha (Hahn) Moody, were also natives of Ohio, and in their family were eight children, of whom the subject of this review is the third in order of birth.
In the common schools R. B. Moody ac- quired his education, but his privileges were . somewhat limited, as the family was in lim- ited financial circumstances, and it was neces- sary that he should aid in his own support. When he was very young he began driving a yoke of oxen to a plow, receiving six and a quarter cents per day for his labor, or the munificent salary of a quarter for four days' work. When fifteen years of age he was given only four dollars and a half per month, his duties being to milk fifteen cows night and morning and work in the fields the bal- ance of the time. His youth was largely a period of toil, and his entire life has been one of unusual activity, which, however, has been crowned with a high degree of success.
He arrived in the west in 1855, locating in DeWitt county, Illinois, east of Wapello. There he began working as a farm hand, re- ceiving seventeen dollars per month, and in this way he saved some money. When he had secured sufficient capital he began farm- ing for himself, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of land. In April, 1861, how- ever, he put aside all business and personal consideration in order that he might aid his country in her struggle to preserve the Union. He had been an interested witness of the progress of events which led up to the Civil war, had noted the threatening attitude of the south, and resolved that if an attempt. was made to overthrow the Union he would strike a blow in its defense. He, therefore, enlisted, April 20, 1861, as a member of Company E, Twentieth Illinois Infantry, un-
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der Colonel C. C. Marsh, and was attached to the Seventeenth Army Corps under General Grant. Going to the front, he participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and others. He was wounded at the last named battle, and dur- ing the remainder of his time in the army served on detached duty, continuing with the Union troops, however, until the war closed. From 1864 until 1865 he worked for the gov- ernment on special duty, and among all the soldiers who wore the blue uniform of the nation, none were more faithful to the old flag and the cause it represented. After the close of hostilities and his aid was no longer needed, Mr. Moody returned to DeWitt county, Illinois, where he began farming, there making his home until after his mar- riage.
On the 4th of March, 1868, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Rumina Hassinger, of Ohio. The young couple removed to Sanga- mon township, Piatt county, where Mr. Moody carried on general farming until 1869, at which time they took up their abode in Goose Creek township, there living until 1873. In. that year, in company with John Vail, Mr. Moody erected a store building, which was the first built in DeLand. For two years he engaged in merchandising there, and for some time followed the carpenter's trade in that place. He then built an elevator This worthy couple are consistent, loyal and active members of the Methodist Episco- pal church and their Christianity is certain- ly shown in their kind and generous treat- ment of the little ones whom they have brought to their home and cared for, prepar- ing them for life's practical and responsible duties. Mr. Moody has served as recording steward of his church for a number of years, is most generous in his contribution to its and was engaged in the grain business for fifteen years, during which time he annually handled many thousands of bushels of grain, carrying on a business that was of benefit to the locality, as well as a source of income to himself, for it furnished a market to the pro- ducers. In 1889 Mr. Moody sold out to the firm of Tyler & Company, of Chicago. In the meantime he had become interested in other business enterprises of this locality, support and is active in the various depart-
having in 1885 purchased a third interest in the tile factory. In 1887 he purchased an- other third interest, and in 1889, after closing out his grain business, he became sole proprietor, and his since engaged in the manufacture of brick and tile. He has a plant that is well equipped with the latest improved machinery, and the product of his factory is of such excellent quality that he finds for it a ready sale on the market, His identification with business interests also extends to the financial affairs of the county, for he is a stockholder in the First National Bank of DeLand.
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