USA > Illinois > Piatt County > Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens > Part 46
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Nathan E. Rhoades was a little lad of about eleven years when his parents came to Illinois, and amid the wild scenes of pioneer life in Piatt county he was reared, aiding in the arduous task of developing a new farm and sharing in the hardships and difficulties of life on the frontier. He had spent three months in school before coming to Illinois, and he continued his education in the district schools of Piatt county. Farm work became familiar. to him in its various departments, but in 1853, he left the farm and came to Monticello, where he engaged in clerking for a time in the employ of various mer- chants' of the city. In 1859 he was called from commercial life to public service, being elected on the Republican ticket to the office of treasurer of Piatt county. Only three years before the party had placed its first presidential candidate in the field, but the new organization had gained great strength in Piatt county and Mr. Rhoades was num- bered among its earnest endorsers. He has never faltered in his allegiance thereto throughout all the years which have come and gone since that time, and has done much toward securing its success in this locality. Entering upon the duties of the office of county treasurer he proved so faithful to the . and was long the finest house in the town.
trust reposed in him that he was re-elected and filled the position for eight consecutive years. He was also deputy circuit clerk for four years and deputy county clerk for a sim- ilar period. For several years he served as trustee of the Monticello school district, and the cause of education found in him a warm friend.
On his retirement from office Mr. Rhoades again became an active factor in mercantile circles-this time as a proprietor. He conducted his enterprise from 1877 until 1901, covering about twenty-four years.
During the latter part of his connection with mercantile interests, he was the senior member of the firm of N. E. Rhoades & Son. In 1895 he established the Cedar Hill stock . farm, and has since been engaged in the breeding of fine stock, often having as many as twenty head of fine horses in his stables. His stud Bernal has a record of 2:17, and was bred by Senator Stanford, of California, and after the Senator's death was sold in Kentucky. Later Mr. Rhoades purchased Bernal. He is sixteen hands high, weighs thirteen hundred pounds, is seal-brown in color and of a gentle disposition. Besides en- gaging in the breeding of horses Mr. Rhoades was at one time the owner of a very fine herd of shorthorn cattle.
In the way of building Mr. Rhoades has done much to improve Monticello. The Rhoades opera house block was erected in 1874 and with the exception of the room oc- cupied by the bank and the basement under- neath, and two offices, the entire building is owned by Mr. Rhoades. He also laid out an addition to the city known as the Rhoades ad- dition, and owns a nice park just north of the town. In 1868 he erected a palatial home of fourteen rooms. It is constructed of brick
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In 1857 was celebrated the marriage of was born on the 22d of April, 1844, near Zanesville, Ohio, and was educated in the common schools near Bloomington, Illinois, having come with his father to this state when nine years old. He was preparing to enter college when the Civil war broke out, and he laid aside his text-books to enter the service of his country, his patriotic spirit being aroused. He first enlisted in 1864 in Com- pany H, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served six months, and later being mustered out at Camp Butler he re-enlisted in the One Hun- dred and Fiftieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the engagements at Cleve- land, Tennessee; Dalton and Atlanta, Geor- gia ; and Jonesboro, North Carolina; and aft- er hostilities ceased he assisted in the estab- lishment of the civil government in the south during the reconstrucion period. A lengh he ·was mustered out at Griffin, Georgia, Jani- uary 16, 1866, and was discharged at Camp Butler. Mr. Rhoades and Miss Mary E. Ross, of Madison county, Ohio, in which place she was born and reared. By this marriage there are two sons : Charles N., now a prom- inent farmer and stock-raiser of Oklahoma; and Corwin E., at home. Mr. Rhoades is a member of the Independent.Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife have a wide acquaintance and large circle of friends in this part of the state. To him there has come the attainment of a distinguished posi- tion in connection with the various interests of the county, and his efforts have been so discerningly directed along well-defined lines of labor that he seems to have realized at any one point of progress the full measure of pos- sibilities for accomplishment at that point. A man of distinct and forceful individuality, of broad mentality and most mature judg- ment, he has left and is leaving his impress upon business activity in this community. For years he has been an important factor in the development of this part of the state, and On his return home Mr. Rodman re- mained with his father until his marriage. It was on the 6th of January, 1870, that he wedded Miss Emily Fleming, a daughter of A. M. and Sarah Fleming, and to them have have been born five children : Gertrude L., now the wife of G. W. Griffin, of Nevada, Missouri ; Roy S., who is in the employ of the Chicago Telephone Company of Chicago; has been a witness of its growth for nearly sixty years. Great changes have occurred during this long period, the wild prairie land being developed into some of the richest farms of Illinois, while in other ways the county has kept apace with the universal progress. Mr. Rhoades has done everything in his power to further its advancement, and is justly accounted one of its most valued and . Mabel F., Herbert G. and Earl C., all three at home.
respected citizens.
SCAMON C. RODMAN.
Scamon C. Rodman, who is now engaged in the grain business in DeLand, Illinois, and is also interested in lead mining in Missouri,
For four years after his marriage Mr. Rodman operated his father's farm, and then ' purchased a store and grain business at Padua, McLean county, Illinois, thirteen miles from Bloomington, conducting the same until 1877, when he removed to DeLand and opened a general store in partnership with his brother, but sold out to his brother
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a year later. He next embarked in the grain and stock business with R. B. Moody and built the first elevator in DeLand with a ca- pacity of seventy-five thousand bushels. That connection continued for ten years, and in 1888 he sold out to his brother, J. N. Rodman, on account of failing health. He then removed to southwestern Missouri and engaged in the real estate and mining busi- ness, under the firm name of Rodman & Mc- Clure, at Carthage, that state, the capital stock of the company being twenty thou- sand dollars. In 1889 Mr. Rodman also em- barked in the commission and farm imple- ment business, which he followed for eight years, and on the end of that time he went to Salem, Iowa, where he was engaged in the clothing and general merchandise business, conducting what was known as the Salem Clothing House. After six years spent at that place he sold out and returned to De Land in September, 1892, and took the man- agement of the J. N. Rodman elevator. He is still interested in a lead mine at Oronoga, Missouri, and has one hundred and sixty acres of land in that state, besides a nice home in DeLand, which he purchased of Ed- ward B. Chenoweth, in 1902.
The Republican party has always found in Mr. Rodman à stanch supporter of its principles, and he has taken quite an active and commendable interest in affairs, serving as town clerk in Goose Creek township, this county, justice of the peace while in Iowa, and as a member of the school board for six years. He is a charter member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at DeLand, and both he and his wife belong to the Congregational church. He is a man in whom the community places the utmost confidence, and he has always been found worthy of and true to every trust reposed in him.
GEORGE W. HOFFMAN.
One of the leading and representative cit- izens of Blue Ridge township is George W. Hoffman, who is successfully carrying on his chosen occupation on section 19, where he owns a valuable and well-improved farm of two hundred acres. A native of Illinois, he was born in Logan county on the 24th of July, 1856, and is a son of James M. and Mary (Barr) Hoffman, who are natives of West Virginia and Illinois, respectively. When the father was three years old he ac- companied his parents on their removal to Ohio and grew to manhood in Champaign county, that state. At the age of twenty he turned his face westward with the intention of making an overland trip to California, but on reaching Waynesville, DeWitt county, Il- linois, he stopped and remained there until the spring of 1869, when he removed to Mc- Lean county. He was there engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his ac- tive business life, and since 1897 he and his wife have lived retired in Farmer City, Illi- nois, enjoying a well-earned rest. Unto them were born six children, but only three are now living, these being George W., of. this review; Mrs. Della Cross, of Farmer City; and Mrs. Addie L. Orendorff, of Bloomington, Illinois.
George W. Hoffman received his early education in the common schools of McLean and Logan counties, and passed his boyhood and youth in much the manner of farmer boys, gaining an excellent knowledge of the duties which fall to the lot of the agricultur- ist. On the 2nd of April, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Ella Orendorff, of Mc- Lean county, a daughter of Lewis and Susan R. (Hoover) Orendorff. Her father was the first white male child born in McLean county.
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
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Of his four living children none are residents of Piatt county with exception of Mrs. Hoff- man. Our subject and his wife have nine children, namely: Myrtle, now the wife of Lincoln G. Heller, of McLean county, and the mother of one child, Bernice Evelyn; Daisy Pearl; Edith ; Elmer O .; Mary; Hazel Laverne; James Lewis ; George Arthur ; and Ruth Lucile.
sixty acres, to which he has since added a forty-acre tract, making two hundred acres in one body. This he has improved and placed under a high state of cultivation. He is engaged in general farming and stock-rais- ing, handling horses, mules, cattle, sheep and hogs, and gives considerable attention to that part of his business, which he has found quite profitable.
In 1886, on account of Mrs. Hoffman's health, the family removed to Tennessee, where they spent almost a year, and while there our subject engaged in buying and sell- ing stock. With that exception he has al- ways made his home in Illinois. He is an act- ive and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Weedman, of which he has been trustee for some years, and was also superintendent of the Sunday-school six or seven years. Fraternally, he is a member of Poplar Camp, No. 253, M. W. A., and po- litically, is identified with the Republican party. He has filled the office of tax collect- or, but has never cared for political prefer- ment, his time and attention being taken up
by his business interests. He is a man of sterling worth and commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he is brought in contact.
ELBERT G. KNIGHT.
After his marriage Mr. Hoffman began farming in West township, McLean county, on land which Mr. Orendorff had given him and his wife, and they continued to reside there until February, 1893, when they re- moved to the farm in Blue Ridge township, Piatt county, where they now live. Mr. Hoffman first purchased one hundred and · a native sagacity, a discriminating mind and
Since 1877 Elbert G. Knight has figured in business circles in Monticello, where he is now extensively engaged in dealing in grain, implements and coal, and also in the manu- facturing of harness. His achievements rep- resent the result of honest endeavor along lines where mature judgment has pointed the way. He possesses a weight of character, a fidelity of purpose that command the re- spect, if not the approval, of friends and foes alike. His is an honorable career, and he is recognized as one of the leading and repre- sentative citizens of Monticello.
His ancestral history is one of close con- nection with New England from an early day, although the family is of Scotch descent. Moses Knight, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, who fought valiantly for the cause of independence, and his son, Moses, the grand- father of our subject, again took up arms in behalf of his country in the second war with England, entering the service in 1812. Pa- triotism has always been one of the strong characteristics in the Knight family, and many incidents might be cited of the love of country of the different people who have . borne the name of Knight. Joshua Knight, the father of our subject, was born in New England, in 1802, and resided in that section of the country until after his marriage and the birth of his children. His last years, how- ever, were spent in Illinois, his death occur-
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ring in Monticello in 1881. In early man- hood he wedded Miss Elizabeth Gage, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Gage. She died in 1853. In the family were five chil- dren.
Elbert G. Knight, whose name intro- duces this record, was reared in New Eng- land, attending the public schools of Bath and later working at various pursuits until he was twenty years of age. His birth occurred in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on the 29th of September, 1836, and in 1856 he came to Monticello, Illinois, where he entered upon his business career in the humble capacity of a clerk in a general store owned and con- ducted by O. Bailey. That he proved a ca- pable and faithful employe is indicated by the fact that he remained in Mr. Bailey's service for five years. He was afterward in another store for ten years. In 1862 he vol- unteered his services for the Civil war, but not being accepted he returned to Monticello and was appointed deputy sheriff under E. P. Fischer for one year. On the expiration of that time he entered the employ of Piatt & Bryden, with whom he remained, sixteen years, and in 1877 started in business with L. B. Tinder, as dealers in grain. This con- nection continued until 1884, when he pur- chased his partner's interest in the business, and his son became a member of the firm in 1892. They handle all kinds of grain, and as they found opportunity they have extended the field of their labor until to-day they have several elevators on the Wabash & Illinois Central Railroads, having a capacity of six- ty thousand bushels, and owing to the close proximity of the railroads they have good facilities for the shipment of both grain and coal. They deal in the latter commodity on quite an extensive scale, and in the various branches of their business they have gained
success. Business was carried on under the firm style of E. G. Knight & Son until 1903, when it was incorporated under the name of the Knight Grain Company, Mr. Knight be- ing president, while H. N. Knight is vice president and treasurer, and W. K. Davidson is secretary. This is one of the best-known firms in the county, and its business methods are unassailable.
In July, 1858, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Knight and Miss Ann R. Cur- ran, a native of Towanda, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Daniel and Anna (Duggan) Curran. This marriage was blessed with four children : Anna E., the wife of J. W. Davi- son; Ella Y., who married Daniel Bohon, of Monticello; H. N., who is in business with his father; and Jessie F., wife of J. E. An- drews.
Mr. Knight is the owner of a good farm of forty-five acres about four miles distant from Monticello and situated on the banks of the Sangamon river. The place is skirted with of the finest springs in Piatt county Mr. Knight has erected suitable buildings, and has a little rustic house which he uses as a cottage in the summer months, the family. spending a part of the hot season of the year in this quiet, cool retreat. In his political views Mr. Knight is a pronounced Republic- an, taking a deep interest in the success of his party, for he earnestly desires the welfare of the county and the election of his friends. He has, however, never been an active poli- tician in the sense of office-seeking on his own account, although for eleven years he- served as a member of the city council of Monticello. Such, in brief, is the life record of one of the well-known citizens of this state, whose labors have closely touched the inter- ests of state and have contributed to the ad- vancement toward that perfection for which
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a majority of the world's people are striving. He is a man of firm convictions, and it is doubtful if he ever weighed a single act of his life in the scale of policy, his conduct be- ing prompted by the spirit of usefulness and conscientious obligation. Strong in his in- dividuality he never lacks the courage of his convictions, and this taken into consider- ation with the sterling integriy and honor of his character have naturally gained for him the respect and confidence of men.
Our subject's mother was born also in the fatherland, the date being February 24, 1814, and her death occurring in Logan county, May 15, 1903, her age being eighty-nine years, three months and one day. She was the mother of seven children, five of whom are living: Herman; Lowery, widow of Nanka Rademaker; Henry, retired farmer residing in Monticello; Ties, a Logan county farmer ; and Albert, who also resides in Lo- gan county.
Herman G. Meyer received a good educa- tion in the common schools of Germany, and came with the family to this country on the HERMAN G. MEYER. date above mentioned. He had for some time previous to this been the mainstay of the fam- A member of the Teutonic race, who has made a success of farming in Piatt county, is Herman G. Meyer, who resides on a farm on section 32, Goose Creek township. He is a native of Germany, having been born there on the Ioth of December, 1836, and is the son of George H. and Gertrude Frances (Hend- ricks) Meyer. The family is of German de- scent, tracing its origin far back into the mid- dle ages. The father of our subject was born in the town of Pilsun, Province of Hanover, March 9, 1807. He grew to manhood in the fatherland, and with his family came to this country in 1867. He settled in the city of Peoria, Illinois, where he followed his trade of weaver for a period of some six years. At the solicitation of our subject, he removed to Logan county, where they together rented a period of fifteen years. The father then re- moved to Piatt county, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Goose Creek town- ship. Here he resided some twenty years, at the end of which time he retired from active work and took up his residence in Monticello, where he died on the 9th of December, 1891. ily, and paid the passage of his parents to this country, he himself working his way as cook on the vessel. He was first employed in this country in the coal mines near Peoria, and, as stated, associated himself with his fa- ther in the cultivation of a farm in Logan county. He accompanied his father to Piatt county and in company with him purchased a farm of eighty acres in Goose creek town- ship. After the retirement of his father Mr. Meyer continued the operation of this farm, and in 1880 had accumulated sufficient to purchase a tract of three hundred and twenty acres near by, for which he paid thirty dol- lars an acre. Upon this farm he continued to reside until the death of his father, when he removed to Monticello, and for two years resided in the home which. he had bought for farm, which they continued to operate for a · his father upon his retirement from active du- ties. A long life of activity on the farm, however, has unfitted Mr. Meyer for the mo- notonous life in town, and he therefore again took up his residence on the home place, where he has since resided, but which he rents to tenants. Mr. Meyer has been quite a dealer in real estate, and has purchased and
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improved several valuable farms in the coun- ty, which he sold at a good price. His own farm is a model of the agriculturist's art, be- ing thoroughly tiled and ditched and one of the most productive farms in the county, Large barns and many convenient outbuild- ings have been erected, and orchards consist- ing of all kinds of the best fruit surround the home.
The married life of Mr. Meyer began in the fatherland June 22, 1860, when he was joined in marriage to Rincha, daughter of Lewis and Grace Frances (Stroman) Adams. To them have been born two children, George, who married Miss Belle Reynolds ; and Lewis, whose wife's maiden name-was Dina Lubbers. Both of the sons are culti- vating portions of the home farm, and reside near their parents. The mother of these boys was born in Germany, and is one of four children residing in this county, the others being Rinder, a brother, who is a retired farmer living in Ackley, Iowa; Wupke, the widow of H. Blacker and a resident of Pe- kin, Illinois; Tetge, the widow of Simon Up- hoff and also a resident of Pekin.
Mr. Myer is one of the substantial men of the county, and has a reputation for hon- esty and integrity of character. Politically, he supports the Democratic party, has been school director for a period of two years, and for the past five years has been one of the ditch commissioners of the county. He is a worthy member of the Masonic Fraternity. and holds a membership in lodge No. 58, of Monticello. He and his wife are active mem- bers of the Presbyterian church of Monti- cello, in this regard following in the footsteps of Mr. Meyer's father and mother, who were both lifelong members of that church.
Secure in the possession of the esteem and respect of their neighbors, and the love
of their children, Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are passing a happy and serene old age, conscious of duty well and faithfully performed. Hon- est toil and fair dealing have brought their sure reward, assuring a surcease from the heat and labor of the day for the remaining portion of their lives.
ROBERT HENRY ALLERTON.
One of the beautiful country homes of central Illinois is that owned by Robert H. Allerton about four miles west of Monticello, the artistic taste of the owner being shown in all its appointments. Mr. Allerton is a native of Illinois, born in Chicago, March 20, 1873, and is a son of Samuel Waters and Pamilla (Thompson) Allerton, of that city. The father is one of the most prominent farmers and bankers of this state, where he owns a large amount of land. ' The Allerton family was founded in America by Isaac Allerton, who came to this country in the Mayflower.
Robert H. Allerton began his education in the schools of Chicago, and later attended St. Paul's at Concord, New Hampshire. Af- ter leaving that institution he went abroad, where he spent five years in study and travel, giving special attention to art in Paris and Munich, and he was graduated at the Royal Academy art school at Munich in 1894. Since his return to America he has made his home principally in Piatt county as he is very fond of country life, and takes great delight in horses and dogs. He has made a scientific study of farming and practices the rotation of crops in the operation of his land, owning ten thousand acres in Piatt county, eight thousand in his own place and two thousand three miles the other side of Monticello. The
RESIDENCE OF ROBERT H. ALLERTON
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land is all under cultivation with the excep- tion of about one thousand acres of forest. His residence, which is a palatial structure, and also his stables and other buildings up- on the place are of Georgian architecture, and the former is elegantly furnished. The grounds are also in keeping with the home being laid out in a most artistic manner and under the supervision of expert landscape gardeners.
Mr. Allerton has become interested in a number of business enterprises which claim a portion of his attention, being president of the A. T. Ranch Company in Wheeler coun- ty, Nebraska; president of the First National Bank of Primrose, that state, and president of the Jersey City Stockyards of New York. In religious faith he is a Universalist and in pol- itics is a Republican. He is now serving as a trustee of the St. Charles Home for Boys. By their investments and improvements Mr. Allerton and his father have done much to promote the interests of central Illinois, and have become prominently identified with its welfare and advancement.
JOHN H. REEVES.
Although for many years John H. Reeves was connected with general farming in central Illinois, he is now living retired in Cisco, in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He was born on the 17th of June, 1837, in Picka- way county, Ohio, his parents being Josiah and Eliza (Mauser) Reeves, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. The fa- ther was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit throughout his entire life in or- der to provide for his family. On leaving
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