USA > Illinois > Piatt County > Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens > Part 47
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Ohio he removed to Jackson county, Mis- souri, taking up his abode there after the Civil war. He continued his residence in that state until called to his final rest in the year 1887, at the age of seventy-five years, his birth having occurred in 1812. In the family were nine children, of whom five-are yet living.
John H. Reeves spent his early boyhood days under the parental roof and obtained his education in the old-time subscription schools of Ohio. Pickaway county during the period of his boyhood, was largely a fron- . tier district, in which the work of improve- ment and progress had scarcely been begun. His training at farm work, however, was not meager, and from an early day he began work in the fields, assisting his father in the task of plowing, planting and harvesting, un- til about twenty-one years of age. Thinking that the newer west, with its more rapid de- velopment, furnished better business oppor- tunities, he then resolved to establish his home in Illinois, and made his way westward to Champaign county, settling near Ma- homet, where he lived for about three years. In the spring of 1861 he came to Piatt coun- ty, and has since been a representative of its agricultural interests.
Mr. Reeves was married in Ohio to Miss Angeline Williams, and brought his bride with him to Illinois. They began their domes- tic life in Champaign county upon a tract of rented land, and after coming to Piatt county he again rented land until 1872, during which time his industry and economy enabled him to acquire sufficient capital to purchase forty acres of land. Thus becoming the owner of a home of his own, with renewed courage and determination he began its development and placed the land under cultivation. He then bought forty acres more, and traded this
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eighty acres for the one hundred and sixty acres.
As the years passed he gathered good harvests as the reward of his labors and de- velopment of a property which in its neat and thrifty condition indicates his careful su- pervision. To the original purchase he added forty acres, which he also placed under culti- vation, and ditching and tiling have made the fields very productive. He also placed ex- cellent improvements upon his property, and . as his financial resources have increased he has added to his realty holdings until his landed possessions now aggregate four hun- dred and forty acres, of which two hundred and eighty acres are in Piatt county and the balance in Macon county. He has also town property, including two residences and six lots in the village of Cisco. All that Mr. Reeves possesses has come to him through his own efforts, and while promoting his in- dividual prosperity he has also been an active factor in the development of Piatt county, co- operating in many measures for the general good along lines of substantial improvement and permanent development.
After the death of his first wife Mr. Reeves was united in marriage to Sarah P. Eva, a widow. By his first union he had six children : Turney, who is now deceased; Wil- liam: Edward; Orin C .; Corilda; and Alba, who is also deceased. Mr. Reeves has given his political support to the Democracy since casting his first presidential vote for John Bell in 1860, but while he has kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day and taken a deep interest in the success of his party, he has never sought political prefer- ment for himself. In 1893 he came to Cisco and purchased good residence property, since which time he has lived retired from Mr. Miner was married July 4, 1861, to the active work of the farm, enjoying the Mary Bruffett, a daughter of William and
fruits of his former toil. While there is nothing in his life history to attract the read- er in search of a sensational chapter, there are valuable lessons to be learned by those who have regard for the things of life which de- velop honorable character, upright manhood and which win success. He has ever guided his life by principles which will bear the clos- est and most rigid scrutiny, and in his deal- ings with his fellow men has ever been straightforward and honorable.
IRA F. MINER. ยท
Ira F. Miner is a son of James and Eme- .line (Fleming) Miner, and was born in Clarksburg, Ohio, April 5, 1840. His educa- tion was that of the common schools, and he remained with his parents until after his re- moval with them to Piatt county. He then began farming for himself, buying forty acres of what was known as the John Digh- ton farm. Holding this two years, he sold and bought eighty acres on Stringtown lane. He improved this farm, and at the end of six years again sold out and purchased eighty- five acres in Goose Creek township. After the death of his father, he sold this farm and removed to a tract of sixty-four acres, which he received from his father's estate, and where he has since resided. Mr. Miner is one of the successful farmers of the county, giving especial attention to the raising of thoroughbred horses, some of which have at- tracted more than a local notice. His home is modern in every respect, and is surrounded with every convenience and necessity which go to make up country life.
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Amanda (Freeman) Bruffett. Her father was born in Madison county, Ohio, Feb- ruary 18, 1822, and her mother Novem- ber 15, 1820. They were married De- cember 18, 1843, and in the fall of 1851 came to Piatt county, Illinois, where they were leading farmers until their deaths, the father dying July 19, 1855, the mother surviving until June 24, 1871. Mrs. Miner is the eldest of their children. David Bruf- fett, a brother, is in the marble business at Urbana, Illinois. Rachel, a sister, died at the tender age of seven years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Miner have been born nine children : Emma, widow of Frank Rob- inson, resides in Monticello; Amanda is the wife of Edward Aterson, a farmer residing near Cisco, Illinois. They have three chil- dren : Warren, Willard and Gladys. Fannie married William Robinson and resides north of Bement, Illinois, with their children, Nel- lie and Lynn. Tallie is the wife of William McCartney, and resides on a farm near Cisco with their children: Ward, Wayne and Ira. Mary died at eleven years. James E. is a farmer of Goose Creek township. He mar- ried Olive Warner, to whom has been born Harold and Ruth. Nellie is the wife of Roy Jones, principal of schools at Foosland, Illi- nois. Her two children are Helen and Hazel. Roy D. is still a young man at home. Pearl, the youngest of the family, is a successful school-teacher, her last school being at Gales- ville, Illinois.
Few families of the county stand better in all that makes up good citizenship than the one here treated. Strong, manly sons and home-loving, womanly daughters speak with no uncertain tone of the splendid train- ing received in the home of our subject and his good wife, and they constitute the crown- ing glory of well-spent lives. The family is
one of the most esteemed in the county and is well worthy of representation in a volume devoted to the representative citizens of Piatt county.
HERBERT D. PETERS.
The many avenues of activity in which Mr. Peters has sought an outlet for his abili- ties and aspirations have invariably profited by his common-sense methods, his sterling worth and sound judgment. A prominent representative of industrial interests and well known in political circles, he certainly de- serves mention in this history of his adopted county. His name figures conspicuously in connection with the Republican party in cen- tral Illinois, and his business interests have now assumed an importance which makes him one of the leading men of Monticello. He is now engaged in the manufacture of cig- ars, also writing tablets, does a printing busi- ness and is also a jobber of stationery, school supplies and tobacco articles, and his enter- prise has reached extensive proportions.
Herbert D. Peters was born upon a farm in Steuben county, Indiana, November I, 1849. His paternal grandfather was Rich- ard Peters, a native of New York, who, when a young man, became a pioneer of Summer- field township, Monroe county, Michigan, and the village of Petersburg, that state, was named in his honor. He was quite an exten- sive farmer and stock-raiser, and owned a large amount of land in that. locality. He was twice married, and died in 1862. Of his three sons Charles Peters was. the father of our subject. He was born in 1827 in Monroe county, Michigan, not far from the city of Detroit. Reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, he aided in the improvement of
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his father's farm, and after attaining his ma- jority he was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Burnham, a native of Massachusetts and a daughter of Calvin Burnham. Unto them were born three children, who are still living.
Spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, Herbert D. Peters began his education in the public schools of Michigan, later became a student in the high school of Monroe, and afterward entered the State University, at Ann Arbor, in which institu- tion he was graduated in the class of 1873. He entered upon his business career thor- oughly equipped with broad mental training. For a time he was connected with journalistic work in Detroit, being employed on one of the papers of that city, and in 1874 he came to Monticello, Illinois, where he established the Piatt County Herald under the firm name of Scroggs & Peters. A year and a half later he became sole proprietor and continued the publication of the Herald as a Republican paper for eighteen years. At length he sold his interest to its present editor, Mr. Burgess, who now publishes it under the name of the Piatt County Republican.
On disposing of his newspaper Mr. Peters continued in the printing business along other lines, and also became a jobber in stationary and school supplies. Later he added another department to his business- the manufacture of tablets-and to-day he does a large business and carries an extensive stock, being represented on the road by sev- eral traveling salesmen, covering the greater part of Illinois and portions of Indiana. Later he began the manufacture of cigars and tobacco, thus adding another department to his business, and the upper story of his large brick building is now being utilized in this way. He has a building twenty-nine by nine- able to support his position by intelligent ar-
ty feet and two stories and a basement in height, and all devoted to Mr. Peters' busi- ness. In 1884 he also erected a brick business block that is now occupied by the Hott drug store, and thus he has added to the improvement of the central section of the city. In 1894 he erected his present building, which is twenty-nine by ninety-five feet and two stories in heigh with basement, and in this he conducts a part of his business. He employs a force of from twenty-five to thirty people, and is conducting an enterprise of importance to the city as well as to him- self. The prosperity of any town or city depends upon its business activity and the promotion of its industrial and commercial interests, and Mr. Peters has done much in this direction.
In 1879 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Peters and Miss Anna Huston, of Mon- ticello, who was for several years a teacher in the Monticello schools and a daughter of John and Mary E. (Prichard) Huston. They traveled life's journey happily together for about fifteen years, and then Mrs. Peters was called to her final rest in January, 1894, leav- ing a son and two daughters : Grant, who is a graduate of the Monticello high school of the class of 1903; Mary and Julia, who are at- tending school.
In his political affiliations Mr. Peters has always been a Republican, unfaltering in sup- port of the principles of the party, and for several years he was connected with the Re- publican central committee of Piatt county as is secretary, and in other capacities. He has also been a delegate to the state conven- tions of his party and his efforts in behalf of the organization have been effective and bene- ficial. He has made a close study of the is- sues and questions of the day, and is thus
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
gument, and he has also left the impress of his opinions upon public thought and action. In local politics he has figured prominently, and he was for two years a member of the city council from the first ward. He has also been president of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. In 1880 he was nominated to represent Piatt county in the state legislature, was elected from the thirty-second district, and was an active working member of the body, serving on a number of important committees. He took an active part in the business that was transacted in the council chambers of the state, and his course was ever above suspi- cion. The good of the nation he places above partisanship and the welfare of his constit- uents before personal aggrandizement. He commands the respect of those with whom he comes in contact everywhere, but at home ---- in the county of his adoption -- where he is best known, he inspires personal friendship of unusal strength, and all who know. him have the highest admiration for his good qualities of heart and mind.
SAMUEL S. ARMSWORTH.
Samuel S. Armsworth is one of the lead- ing young farmers of Willow Branch town- ship, his home being on section 25, where he was born on the 13th of March, 1871, a son of James and Emma (Gulliford) Arms- worth. The birth of the father occurred on the same place, it being originally the home of our subject's paternal grandparents, Sam- tel and Celia Armsworth, who located there when the county was in its wildest state.
The father was educated in the common schools of this locality, and when a young
man began dealing in stock and also ran a ditching machine, which he owned in part- nership with his brother-in-law, Thomas Gulliford, and John Kirby, of Monticello. They ditched much of land of this county. After his marriage James Armsworth contin- ued to reside on the old homestead, and in connection with its operation he conducted a brick and tile factory, which was located on his land, having been established there by D. O. Loy, who had leased the land from James Armsworth. About 1880 the father purchased the plant and successfully carried on the factory throughout the remainder of his life, manufacturing much of the brick and tile used in this region. In 1883 he erected one of the finest brick houses in Wil- low Branch township, it being of the very best workmanship throughout and built for the convenience of himself and family. The brick was manufactured in his own factory and no pains were spared in the construction of the residence.
On the 9th of December, 1866, was cele- brated the marriage of James Armsworth and Miss Emma Gulliford, who was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1840, and is a daughter of William and Mary (Ashford) . Gulliford. Her paternal grandfather was William Gulliford, Sr., a property owner in England, while on the maternal side she is related to a Mr. Ashford, who has much wealth at his command in that country. In 1853 Mrs. Armsworth came with her par- ents to the new world and settled near Mil- mine. Piatt county, Illinois, when this section of the state was very wild and unimproved. Wolves and deer were then numerous and smaller game was also found in abundance. The homes of the early settlers were mostly built of logs, and were widely scattered. Mrs. Armsworth's father was a butcher by
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trade, but he also engaged in the bakery busi- ness to some extent, and was capable of do- ing almost any kind of work. . After com- ing to this country he turned his attention principally to farming, his home being near Milmine in this county.
Unto James and Emma (Gulliford) Armsworth were born the following chil- dren : William Edwin, now deceased; Sam- uel S., whose name introduces this sketch ;. Celia Lavina, Bertha Alma and Floyd Fred- erick, all three deceased ; Ernest Albion, who died at the age of two years, before the fa- ther's death; and Edith May, who is at home with her mother and brother. After a useful and well-spent life the father passed away in 1885. Most of the children were then quite small, but Mrs. Armsworth not only reared. her own family, but also three children belonging to her husband's brother, these being Sadie, now the wife of Samuel D. Parr, who is engaged in farming east of Monticello; Chattie, wife of John Mitchell, who lives near Ivesdale; and Scott, who is still with Mrs. Armsworth. At different times the family have resided in Monticello and Cerro Gordo, but they prefer the quiet of farm life and now occupy their beautiful country home.
Mrs. Armsworth is an active and prom- inent member of the Presbyterian church, to which her husband also belong's. He never cared for political preferment, but served as school director for many years, and always took a deep interest in all enterprises calcu- lated to promote the moral, educational or social welfare of the'community in which he lived. He was a very successful farmer and stock-raiser, and derived a good income from his business as a stock-dealer, buying and selling cattle on quite an extensive scale in early life. The old homestead had been rent-
ed for several years prior to his marriage, and when he took charge of the same it was in rather a dilapidated condition, but he tiled, fenced and improved the land, erected good and substantial buildings and made his farm one of the best in the county.
The property is now under the control of Samuel S. Armsworth, who is successfully operating about three hundred acres, raising corn, oats and fruit of all kinds, and he usual- ly ships a carload of hogs to market each year. He was reared on the farm, and since his father's death has remained with his mother, doing all in his power for her com- fort and pleasure. He raises a good grade of stock and has some very fine colts upon his place. On the 3d of November, 1892, he married Miss. Catharine Maier, a daughter of John and Catharine Maier, of.Monticello, but she died, April 25, 1895, and their daughter, Catharine, who was born January 14, 1895, died the following July. Bessie, born September 22, 1893, is still living.
Mr. Armsworth is now serving his sec- ond term as tax collector in Willow Branch township. Politically, he is a Democrat, and socially, he is a member of Arela Lodge, No. 599, I. O. O. F., and the Royal Circle of Cisco.
EDWARD ALLMAN.
After years of active labor, mostly de- voted to farming, Edward Allman is now liv- ing a retired life in the city of Decatur, en- joying a well earned rest and the fruits of his former toil. He is a native of County Kerry. Ireland, and a son of John Allman, who spent his entire life in that country. He still has one brother and a sister living, these be- ing James L., a prominent citizen of Monti-
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
,
cello, and Mrs. Edward S. Stout, also a res- after his capture in Ohio returned to Ken- ident of Piatt county.
Edward Allman spent the first thirteen years of his life in his native land, and then came to the United States, landing in New York City, whence he made his way to Ohio, where he spent two years. At the end of that time he proceeded westward and set- tled in Monticello, Illinois. In partnership with his brothers, James L. and John All- man, he took up a tract of wild prairie land in Monticello township, Piatt county, which at that time was covered with ponds and sloughs, but by draining and cultivation they converted the place into a well improved farm. At that early day deer, wild geese and other game was plentiful and furnished the early settlers with many a meal. The farm machinery then in use was very primitive, and the first corn Mr. Allman helped to culti- vate was with a single shovel plow, while he cut grain with a cradle. Upon their place the brothers erected a small frame house, which was later replaced by a more commo- dious and modern residence, and all of the improved machinery and conveniences were added to their farm.
When his adopted country became in- volved in Civil war. Edward Allman laid aside all personal interests and was one of the first to enlist from Piatt county, becom- ing a private of Company E, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was at first under the command of Colonel Snell, and when he resigned under the command of Colonel Lowery, who was killed in the battle of Franklin. The cap- tain of Company E was John W. Wood. Mr. Allman went into camp at Camp Butler, and from there was sent south with his reg- iment. The first engagement in which he par- ticipated was with Morgan in Kentucky, and
tucky our subject took part in the battles of Nashville and Campbell Station, the siege of Knoxville, the battle of Peach Tree Creek, the siege of Atlanta and the battles of Jonesboro and Newbern, North Carolina, besides several other engagements of less importance. After three years of val- iant and meritorious service on southern battle-fields, he was honorably discharged in 1865, and returned home to Piatt county.
After leaving the army Mr. Allman con- tinued to engage in general farming and stock-raising with his brother, James L., for some years. He worked by the month for 'some time after coming to Piatt county, but about 1868 started out in life for himself. His first purchase consisted of a tract of vir- gin soil, upon which he laid about seven miles of tiling, and also erected thereon a good set of farm buildings. He is still the owner of a good farm of two hundred and forty acres in Monticello township, where he was suc- cessfully engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years, and gave considerable attention to the stock business, which he found quite profitable. In 1892, on account of ill health, he rented his farm and has since lived retired. He has twice crossed the ocean to visit his native land, and also went west in the search of health, having traveled quite extensively over this country for that purpose. Since 1892 he has made his home in Decatur, and now has a beautiful residence at No. 1006 E. Lincoln avenue, surrounded by well . kept lawns. His housekeeper is his niece, Miss Maggie C. Allman, a daughter of John and Nora (Cronin) Allman, both now deceased.
By his ballot, Mr. Allman supports the men and measures of the Democratic party. He is a devout member of the Catholic church, and has helped to organize the
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churches at Tolono, Champaign, Ivesdale and Bement, but is now connected with St. Pat- rick's church of Decatur. He well remem- bers seeing the first Catholic missionary that ever came to Piatt county, and he has borne an active and prominent part in the moral and material development of this section of the state. He is one of the self-made men of the community, his success in life being due en- tirely to his own well directed efforts and good business ability, and he not only de- serves the prosperity that has come to him, but he has also gained the confidence and good will of those with whom he has been brought in contact either in business or so- cial life.
JOHN W. KINGSTON.
.
John W. Kingston is a member of one of the pioneer families of the state and has been a resident of Piatt county since 1867. He is now living a retired life on section 35, Goose Creek township. He is a native of Peoria county, Illinois, born April 5, 1827, the son of George and Susan (Miller) Kingston. George Kingston was born in County Cork, Ireland, and came to this country at the age of seventeen years. He later located in the middle west and purchased a tract of two hundred and eighty acres of government land in Woodford county, Illinois. He con- inued to cultivate this farm until the death of his wife, when he went to reside with the children. He was one of the early and re- spected settlers in Woodford county, and lived to the advanced age of eighty-seven years. He married Susan Miller in Morgan county and became the father of twelve chil- dren, six of whom are now living : John W .; George, who resides in Florida; Mary A., . Piatt county. Mrs. Hollis Thompson, of Bloomington, Il-
linis ; Charles W., a Nebraska farmer; Mil- ton, a Kansas farmer; and Julia, widow of Charles Fredericks, now residing in Wash- ington.
John W. Kingston is a product of west- ern institutions, having been educated in the pioneer schools of Woodford county, which he remembers as being of the old log-house, puncheon-floor variety. He, however, suc- ceeded in absorbing enough education to car- ry him through life, and has made a most useful and respected citizen. As he came to an age of responsibility, he worked by the month for adjacent farmers, and later learned the carpenter's trade. This trade he followed for a period of fifteen years, when he re- turned to the occupation of farming. He bought a tract of eighty acres in Woodford county, paying therefor two dollars and fifty cents per acre ; improving this for a period of ten years he sold at the splendid advance of forty-five dollars an acre. With the result of this sale he came to Piatt county in Sep- tember of 1867, and bought the farm of two hundred and eighty acres where he now re- sides. He continued in active cultivation of the soil until 1893, when his success was such as to warrant his retirement and the turning of his farms over to his boys. The original two hundred and eighty-acre farm is now one of the most highly improved in the county and is worth the highest price paid for farming land, though Mr. Kingston paid but seven dollars per acre for it at the time of purchase. It is thoroughly ditched and tiled, and there is a fine modern farm- house, together with a complete equipment of barns and outbuildings. Mr. Kingston formerly owned forty acres, but has since sold twenty acres to his sons. He is looked upon as one of the solid men, financially, of
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