USA > Illinois > Piatt County > Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens > Part 52
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AUGUST OHLER.
Since his return to Piatt county Mr. August Ohler, who is now so efficiently serving as supervisor of Unity towship, was born on the 28th of August, 1858, in Fred- erick county, Maryland, his parents being Jacob and Emeline (Forney) Ohler, both now Stevenson has taken an active part in poli- tics. In 1900 he was nominated by the De- mocracy as a candidate for state senator, but was defeated after a vigorous campaign. In 1902, however, he was elected to the lower . deceased. In the county. of his nativity he
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grew to manhood, and is indebted to its com- mon schools for the educational privileges he enjoyed during his boyhood and youth. He remained on the home farm, assisting in its operation until the spring of 1880, when he went to Decatur, Illinois, and was there engaged in the manufacture of tile for four years. At the end of that time he came to Piatt county and rented a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 23, Unity township, belonging to Charles S. Traver, of Decatur. This place he has since successfully operated, being engaged in gen- eral farming. He is a very industrious and energetic man, and is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him.
On the 7th of December, 1882, Mr. OhI- er was united in marriage to Miss Christina Winn, of Decatur, who was born in Arkan- sas, and they have become the parents of five children, two of whom died when about sev- en years of age. Those living are Florence, now the wife of Morris Broyles, of Ham- mond; and Clarence and Roy, both at home. The family is one of prominence in the com- munity where they reside. Mr. Ohler is one of the leading Republicans of Unity town- ship, and on his party ticket was elected supervisor, which office he is now so accept- ably filling.
ERNEST L. CRONINGER.
The gentleman whose name is here pre- sented belongs to one of the oldest families of the county, Mr. Croninger's grandfather, Peter Croninger, having settled on the farm upon which the grandson now resides in about 1840. With his wife, Cynthia, he had come from the Buckeye state, and they were of German descent. They built the usual
log cabin and started in to subdue nature's wilds. With the patience characteristic of the pioneer, they cleared their land, and year by year saw the result of their efforts in the attempt at home building most splendidly realized. In 1868 they had so prospered as to erect one of the best homes in the coun- ty, which still stands a monument to their energy. It is of brick, burned on the farm by the aid of neighbors, and stands in a no- ble grove of shade trees well back from the road. Grandfather Croninger was a man of remarkable mold, and - was instrumental in settling the high standard of morals which early characterized the citizens of Piatt county. He died at the age of seventy- seven years. He reared but one son, Mahlon Croninger, who was born in this county. In 1868 he married a daughter of James Rhine- hart and to them four children were born, as follows: Ernest L., who constitutes the subject of this review; Charles L., of Deca- tur; Nellie G., wife of Dr. M. Pategale, of Cisco, Illinois; Braley F., still residing on the old homestead, which he helps to culti- vạte.
Ernest L. Croninger, eldest son of the family, was born on the old homestead, March 8, 1870. He received a good common- school education in Langley school, and later attended Brown's Business College. He aided his father in his large farming inter- ests until 1897, when he became interested with his father and others in a banking busi- ness at Cisco, he acting as cashier of the in- stitution. The confinement attendant on such employment, however, threatened to un- dermine his health, and while he is yet cash- ier of the bank and assistant attends to the more arduous duties. At his father's death our subject succeeded to his interest in the bank. In addition to his banking interests
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Mr. Croninger, together with other mem- bers of the family, is interested in a large grain elevator, and the business attendant to it, under the firm name of Croninger & Weilepp. This firm carries on an extensive business, handling nearly all the grain raised in Piatt county. After the original pur- chase of land by the grandfather, different members of the family have at various times added to the domain, until at the present time the farm. consists of two thousand two hundred and twenty-five acres, all of which save two hundred acres of wood land, is un- der cultivation.
Mr. Croninger' is a gentleman of genial temperament and fine social qualities, and it is not strange that the fraternal idea ap- peals to him with such force. He has taken the third degree in the noble lodge of Ma- sons, is a Knight of Pythias, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Politically, Mr. Croninger supports the principles of the great Jefferson, and is now serving his second term as supervi- sor of Willow Branch township, to which he was elected on the Democratic ticket. Though still in the hey-day of youth, our subject has fully demonstated his fitness to handle any trust imposed on him by society, and may look forward with confidence to a career of great usefulness.
JOHN GARDINER.
John Gardiner, living on section 20, Blue Ridge township, was born in Ireland in 1844, the place of his birth being County Antrim. His parents, John and Mary Ann (McKnight) Gardiner, were also natives of County Antrim, where the mother died ..
Crossing the Atlantic to the new world, the father spent his last years in America. He died at the age of eighty-five years and the mother reached the very advanced age of nine- ty-two years. In their family were seven children, who attained adult age, but the sub- ject of this review is the only one now resid- ing in Piatt county. It was in 1867 that the father came to America with Andrew and John, and located in Piatt county, where he remained until called to the home beyond.
John Gardiner spent the first twenty- three years of his life on the Emerald Isle, no event of special importance occuring to vary the routine of life for him in his youth. Work and play fell to his lot, and it also be- came his duty to master the branches of learning taught in the common schools. Aft- er reaching years of maturity, however, he sailed for the new world, taking passage at Londonderry, Ireland, upon an old-time steamer, which was upon the water for some days. At length, however, he landed at Portland, Maine, and by way of the Grand Trunk Railroad went to Chicago, and after- ward proceeded to Pittsfield, Pike county, Illinois, where he spent a few months. He then removed to Logan county, this state, where he remained for two years, during which time he was employed by the month as a farm hand. In 1869 he arrived in Piatt county where he worked for William John- son, whose daughter he afterward married. Later he rented a farm and for three years he was in the employ of A. J. Langley. Sub- sequently he purchased a tract of land of eighty acres and locating thereon, at once be- gan its improvement. He broke the prairie and after turning the sod planted crops which in due course of time yielded good harvests. He also built a house and im- proved that property in many ways. After
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a time he sold it and purchased another tract of eighty acres, which he later disposed of. He then bought the one-hundred-and sixty-acre farm upon which he now resides, paying for this thirty-seven and a half dol- lars per acre. He has since added to its boundaries to the amount of two hundred and forty acres, so that he now has in one farm a valuable tract of four hundred acres. His attention has been more largely given to the raising of grain and in his work he has met with very creditable and gratifying success.
In 1874 Mr. Gardiner was united in marriage to Miss Teresa Emily Johnson, a daughter of William and Julia Ann John- son. Her father passed away many years ago, but was survived for some time by his wife. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner have been born eight children: William E .; An- drew ; Mary Ann; one who died in infancy ; Walter; Addie; Ida and John.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner hold men- bership in the Presbyterian church of Mans- field, of which he formerly served as a trus- tee, and at the present time he is an elder. He takes a deep interest in church work, do- ing all in his power to promote the growth of the church and extend its influence. His first presidential ballot was cast for General Grant, and he has since voted with the Ré- publican party, having firm faith in its prin- ciples. He has also served as school director for five years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart friend. Landing in this country without capital, he has, through his persistency of purpose and untiring ef- forts, steadily worked his way upward until he is now one of the prosperous agricultur- ists of Piatt county. His manner is genial and entirely free from ostentation. Without pretense or display he commands the respect
of his fellow men and is regarded by them as one who has been true and faithful in ev- ery relation of life in which he has been placed.
TIMOTHY F. DEVENY.
Among those who valiantly fought for the Union when the South endeavored to se- cede was Timothy F. Deveny, who to-day is one of the leading citizens of Goose Creek township. He is engaged in farming and the dairy business, supplying the people of De- Land with milk of the finest quality. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, August . 8, 1841, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Dewitt) Deveny. The father was a native of the town of Little York, York county, Pennsylvania, and of German descent, while the mother was born in Ulster county, New York, and belonged to an old Holland fam- ily. In early life John Deveny learned the tailor's trade, and for over thirty years con- ducted a shop in Plymouth, Ohio, where he was making his home at the time of his death in 1855. His wife died at the same place in 1890. This worthy couple were married in Plymouth and became the parents of seven children, namely : Benjamin F., a resident farmer of Plymouth; Timothy F., of this review; Jennie, wife of John Wilson, a molder of Plymouth; Elizabeth, deceased wife of James Moore; Henry, who died when quite young; Henrietta, wife of Frank Sable, a plasterer and mason of Plymouth, Ohio; and Martha, who died at that place in 1892.
The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in Plymouth, Ohio, and he is in- debted to its common schools for his early educational advantages. He learned the
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trade of a stationary engineer at that place, and later was employed as a locomotive engi- neer on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad for about ten years. At the end of that time he removed to Columbus, Ohio, where he ran a stationary engine for five years, and then, in 1884, went to Le Roy, Illinois, where he ran the engine in the flouring mill of Bar- num & Kenun for the same length of time. On the expiration of that period he came to DeLand and rented a farm of eighty acres near the village, which he has since operated. There is a fine orchard upon the place, the fields are well tilled and everything is in first- class condition. The home is a pleasant resi- dence of nine rooms, surrounded by beautiful shade trees, and is known as the old Marquiss homestead. Mr. Deveny raises the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, and keeps a number of milch cows for dairy pur- poses, having a good milk route in DeLand.
Soon after passing his twentieth birth- day, Mr. Deveny entered the army, enlist- ing on the 15th of August, 1861, in an Ohio regiment of volunteer infantry, which was assigned to the Seventeenth Army Corps. On the expiration of his term of enlistment he was discharged at Chattanooga, Tennes- see, September 1, 1864, but afterward re- enlisted, this time becoming a member of Company G, One Hundred and Ninety-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. When hostilities ceased he was again discharged on the 27th of August, 1865, by order of the govern- ment, as his services were no longer needed. He was in the siege of Vicksburg and in the battles of Greenbrier, Crosskeys, Winches- ter, Kenesaw Mountain and Peach Tree Creek, and finally returned to his home with a war record of which he may be justly proud.
Deveny was united in marriage to Miss Hat- tie Smith, a daughter of Wesley and Mary Ann Smith, of that place, and to them has been born one son, Justus Neal, who is at home with his parents. All three are mem- bers of the Christian church, and Mr. De- veny is also connected with the Masonic Lodge, No. 812, of DeLand, in which he is now serving as senior warden. By his bal- lot he supports the men and measures of the Republican party and is as true to his duties of citizenship in days of peace as he was when following the old flag to victory on southern, battlefields.
OSCAR D. NOE, M. D.
The life history of Dr. Oscar D. Noe touthes upon many fields of activity. His , efforts have covered a wide range and have been of practical benefit to his fellow citizens as well as to himself. He is now successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at Hammond, where he also conducts a drug store. He is the vice president of the State Bank of Hammond. A typical American citizen realizing the force of industry, per- severance and integrity in the affairs of life he has so directed his efforts that he seems to have realized at any one point of progress his possibilities for accomplishment at that point. At the same time he has been a co- operant factor in many measures for the gen- eral good, and we express the public senti- ment when we speak of him as one of the representative, valued and honored residents of Piatt county.
Dr. Noe came to Hammond in 1875, and is now one of the oldest physicians in years
At Newark, Ohio, October 9, 1879, Mr. of connection with this part of the county.
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
He was born in Columbia, Boone county, Missouri, on the 16th of October, 1849, and is a son of Joseph and Matilda Noe, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, and were there reared and married. They afterward . removed to Boone county, Missouri, where the father engaged in merchandising until the last five years of his life. During that period his attention was devoted to agricul- tural pursuits, which he carried on success- fully until his death in 1879. The mother of our subject died when the Doctor was but six years of age, and the father afterward married Miss Elizabeth Angel, who now re- sides in Columbia, Missouri. There were five children of the first union : James, a res- ident of California; Amon, who is living in the same state; George, who makes his home in Woodland, California; Oscar D., and Newton, who became a physician, having graduated from the Missouri Homeopathic Medical College, of St. Louis, and who died · at the age of thirty-five years. The three children born of the father's second marriage are R. B., who is a practicing physician at Thorntown, Indiana; Issathar, who makes his home in Columbia, Missouri; and Amanda, the wife of W. B. Holmes, of Kan- sas City, Missouri.
Dr. Noe, whose name introduces thìis record, acquired his early education in the public schools of his native city, and after- ward attended Columbia college, of Colum- bia, Missouri. With broad general learning to serve as an excellent basis for profession- al knowledge, he began preparation for the practice of medicine as a student in the St. Louis Allopathic Medical College, in which he was graduated in the class of 1872. He then received his certificate for practice and came direct to Hammond, where he opened an office and entered upon his professional work. Soon afterward, however, he returned
to St. Louis, where he pursued a course in the Homeopathic Medical College, being grad- uated therein with the class of 1877. Again coming to Hammond he once more resumed practice here and also established his drug store, which he has since conducted in con- nection with the prosecution of his chosen calling. Dr. Noe continued in active prac- tice here until 1898, when he was elected professor of senior obstetrics in the National Medical College and Hospital of . Chicago. He occupied that chair until the Ist of March, 1899, when he returned to Ham- mond and again took up the practice of med- icine, giving especial attention to the diseases of women and children, and to surgical prac- tice. He has, moreover, a large general practice as well as an extensive patronage along the line of his specialties, his business making constant demands upon his time and energies. In his store he keeps a general line of drugs, stationery and wall paper, and has a liberal patronage there.
Dr. Noe, unlike many professional men, possesses marked business ability and execu- tive force as well as broad scientific learning, and his counsel and aid have therefore been important factors in the successful control many interests. He is the vice president of the State Bank of Hammond, and is the president of the Hammond Telephone Com- pany-both enterprises of importance in the town. He is also the owner of over five hundred and twenty acres of valuable farm- ing land, two hundred acres of which lie in Moultrie county, while the remainder is sit- uated in Cerro Gordo township. The Doctor is thoroughly progressive along all lines, and is the owner of the only automobile in Ham- mond, finding his machine of value to him in· his profession as it enables him to reach his patrons with very little loss of time.
The Doctor was united in marriage in
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Hammond to Miss Clara Van Hook, a native of Kentucky, as was her father, Lawrence Van Hook, who at an early day brought his family to Piatt county, Illinois. He engaged in farming in Unity township and afterward removed to the village of Hammond, where he engaged in the drug business until his death, which occurred in 1890. His wife also died here. Unto the Doctor and his wife has been born a daughter, Dr. Estella V. Noe, whose birth occurred September 19, 1881. After acquiring her preliminary edu- cation in the public schools she attended the Bloomington University at Bloomington, Il- linois, and subsequently the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, in which she was graduated with the class of 1901. She then returned to Hammond where she began practice with her father, and now she has a large patronage, having demonstrated her skill by the successful handling of a num- ber of important cases. The family occupy one of the finest residences in this part of the county, and in social circles are prominent while the hospitality of their own beautiful and attractive home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
Both the Doctor and his wife hold mem- bership in the Christian church of Ham- mond, and he belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge here, and also to the Odd Fel- lows lodge. In politics he usually gives his support to the Democracy, but at local elec- tions frequently casts his ballot for the men whom he thinks best qualified for office, re- gardless of party affiliations. The Doctor is a man of scholarly attainments and of broad general learning, as well as compre- hensive scientific knowledge. He is a man of keen forsight and marked executive abil- ity in business affairs, and at all times and in all relations of life he is found reliable, his
life being in conformity to the strictest pro- fessional, commercial and social ethics. He came to Hammond a young man with lit- tle capital, but his personal worth and profes- sional ability proved the foundation upon which he has builded creditable and gratify- ing success, and to-day he is one of the most prosperous and respected residents of this portion of the state.
NELS LARSON.
It is astonishing to witness the success of young men who have emigrated to Amer- ica without capital and from a humble posi- tion have worked their way upward to one of affluence. The readiness with which they adapt themselves to circumstances and take advantage of opportunities offered brings to them success and wins them a place among the leading men of the community in which they reside. To this class belongs Mr. Lar- son, who now makes his home in Voorhies, where he has a most beautiful residence.
A native of Sweden, he was born Jan- uary 29, 1841, and is a son of Lars and Elma (Wrensen) Johnson, both of whom are now deceased. In their family were four children, two of whoin, a son and daughter, still re- side in Sweden, while our subject and his sister, Mrs. Johnson, are now living in Piatt county, Illinois.
Mr. Larson was reared to manhood up- on a farm in his native land, and was twenty- six years of age when he crossed the Atlantic to America, landing in New York city, whence he made his way at once to Gales- burg, Illinois. For one year he worked on a farm in Knox county, and then came to Piatt county, where during the ensuing
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eighteen months he was employed on the farm of William Burgess in Bement town- ship. On his arrival in this country he was entirely unfamiliar with the English lan- guage, and had that difficulty to encounter as well as many others, but he soon overcame these and is to-day a well-informed man keep- ing abreast with the times in all particulars. In 1870 he entered the employ of William Voorhies, for whom he worked a year and a half and afterward operated rented land in Unity and Cerro Gordo townships. Sub- sequently he purchased an eighty-acre tract in the former township and began life in earnest as a general farmer. He has since added to his property from time to time until he now owns four hundred and eighty acres of as well improved and valuable land as is to be found in that part of the county. With the 'assistance of hired help he operates two hundred and forty acres of this, raising prin- cipally corn, which yields on an average of from fifty to sixty bushels per acre. Mr. Larson is also interested in the grain trade, having erected an elevator at Voorhies, where he is engaged in buying and selling grain, handling about three hundred thou- sand bushels a year through J. M. Camp, of Bement. His son George W. now has charge of the business and attends to the of- fice work for his father.
At Bement, Illinois, March 16, 1872, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Jo- hanna Nelson, who was also born in Sweden, April 14, 1842, and came to America when twenty-six years of age. Two children have been born to them, namely: George W., who was graduated at the Bement high school in 1893, and received a diploma from Brown's Business College of Decatur, the following year ; and Eleanora, who is also a graduate of the Bement high school. The
home of this family is a model one, being complete in all its appointments and elegantly furnished. It was built in 1901 by James Howard, a contractor of Bement from plans made by a Chicago architect, and without an exception is the finest home in Piatt coun- ty, having cost about eight thousand dollars. It contains fifteen rooms lighted and venti- lated by a large number of windows, is heated by hot water, and supplied with hot and cold water. The grounds are beautifully laid off and adorned with flower beds, and the walks are all of cement. In addition to his own private residence Mr. Larson owns all of the houses at Voorhies and much other property.
He was reared in the Lutheran faith, but he and his family now attend the Christian church. Politically, he is a stanch Republican and has been a delegate to various county conventions of his party. For five years he served as postmaster of Voorhies under the first administration of President Cleveland, and also under President Harrison, and his son, George, is now filling that office. He is a man of exceptionally good business and executive ability, and to his own untiring efforts and good management is due his wonderful success in life.
MISS LYDA COLEMAN.
Miss Lyda Coleman, the well-known li- brarian of the Allerton Public Library of Monticello, is a native of that city and a daughter of Dr. J. W. and Carrie R. (King) Coleman.' The mother is now deceased and with the exception of Lyda, all of the six children of the family have also passed away. Dr. Coleman has been engaged in the prac-
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tice of medicine in Monticello since 1860, and is one of the leading physicians and promi- nent citizens of that place. He was one of the organizers of the Monticello Cemetery Association in 1873, and has been its secre- tary ever since. He also assisted in organ- izing the Monticello high school and was . president of the board in 1865, 1866, 1867, 1868 and 1899. For a number of years he has been a member of the United States board of pension examiners, and has served for some time as commander of Franklin Post, No. 256, G. A. R. His daughter ob- tained her preliminary education in the pub- lic schools of Monticello and later entered Farmer's College at College Hill, Ohio, where she continued her studies until the close of the junior year. In June, 1897, she assumed the duties of librarian in the Aller- ton Public Library, and has since filled that position in a most creditable and satisfactory manner.
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