USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 91
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erts) Dunn. The father was born in Geauga county, Ohio, April 1, 1834, and came of Irish lineage, although the family was established in America at an early day, Harvey Dunn, Sr., fa- ther of Dr. Harvey Dunn, being a native of New York. It was at a period antedating the Revolu- tion that the first representatives of the name in the new world took up their abode in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, and following the establish- ment of independence the family home was made in New York.
Harvey Dunn, Sr., however, was largely reared in Indiana, and after attaining his majority made his home in Ohio, where he followed carpenter- ing. In 1837 he became a resident of Meredosia, Morgan county, Illinois, and while there took a contract to build the grade for what is now known as the Wabash Railroad, his work covering the distance between Meredosia and the bluffs. In 1840 he cast in his lot with the pioneer residents of Pike county, and embarked in general merchan- dising at Chambersburg, while later he sold his store and turned his attention to farming in Cham- bersburg township, giving his time and energies to agricultural pursuits until his death, which oc- curred when he was sixty-two years of age. He was a prominent and influential citizen, and was a member of the constitutional convention of 1847, to which he was elected on the democratic ticket. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, as did his wife, who bore the maiden name name of Angeline Milligan. She was born in Massachusetts, and was descended from Puritan ancestry. In early womanhood she went with her parents to Ohio, and there gave her hand in mar- riage to Harvey Dunn, Sr.
Dr. Harvey Dunn. pursued his literary educa- tion in McKendree College, and while studying medicine also engaged in teaching. He pursued his preliminary reading under the direction of Dr. Carey, at one time a leading physician of Perry and, entering Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, he was graduated in 1856. Subse- quently he became a student in St. Louis Medical College, and is numbered among its alumni of 1867. For years he occupied a prominent posi- tion as a representative of the medical fraternity of Pike county, locating for practice in Perry in
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1856. A liberal patronage was accorded him, and from 1860 until 1885 he also conducted a drug store. He is now in very poor health, having sacrificed his own health to that of his patients. He has done much charity work in his profession for the poor, never making a charge to those who could not afford to pay, and never hesitating to give his service to those who were in need of pro- fessional'aid. Upon the request of the citizens of Pittsfield he removed to the county seat to become the successor of Dr. Ledlie, remaining there until 1897, when, because of failing health, he returned to Perry. In the early pioneer days he would frequently swim the creeks in order to visit a patient ; and he underwent many personal hard- ships in order to alleviate the suffering of his fellowmen. He was made a member of Perry lodge, A. F. & A. M., on the Ist of September, 1855, and is still affiliated with the organization. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church,
In politics he is a stalwart republican. Dr. Dunn was married January 12, 1859, to Miss Lucinda Matthews, who was a graduate of the Jacksonville Female College. She died, however, on the 2d of December of the same year, and on the 12th of December, 1861, Dr. Dunn was married to Miss Abigail Roberts, whose birth occurred in Barry, Pike county, April 8, 1838. By this mar- riage have been born seven children: Nellie, the wife of Frank D. Whitaker, of Perry ; Frede- rick, who married Della Bringhurst and is living in Springville, Utah; Charles H., who married Annie Boers and is living in Peoria ; Benton B .; Mary, the wife of R. Shoemaker, of Perry; Aileen, living at home; and Martha J., the wife of Gideon Armentrout.
Dr. Benton B. Dunn was a public-school stu- dent, and after acquiring a good education in that manner he devoted four years to the mas- tery of the principles of medicine and surgery as a student in Rush Medical College of Chi- cago. He was graduated therefrom in the class of 1891, and practiced with his father until the latter's health failed, and for the last two years has been alone in business. He is well equipped for his chosen life work, having broad and com- prehensive knowledge of the great underlying
principles which tend to promote man's efficiency in alleviating human suffering. A liberal patron- age is accorded him, and in addition he is medi- cal examiner for various life insurance companies at Perry. He belongs to the Pike County Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and he is deeply interested in all that tends to bring to man the key to that complex mystery which we call life. His reading has been broad and varied, and he has ever maintained a high standard of professional ethics.
Dr. Dunn was married, October 5, 1892, to Miss Bertha Clark, who was born August 2, 1869, and is a daughter of Job and Hester Clark. She is a member of. the Presbyterian church. Dr. Dunn belongs to Perry lodge, No. 95, A. F. & A. M., and also to Perry chapter, R. A. M. He was a delegate to the grand chapter, which held its meeting in Chicago; and he likewise belongs to Principle lodge, No. 76, I. O. O. F., and to the and is an honorary member of its official board. . Modern Woodmen camp. He is a worthy suc- cessor of his father, who for many years was classed with the leading and prominent physicians of the county. Ambitious, resolute and purpose- ful, he has thoroughly equipped himself for his chosen life work, and in his practice is continually demonstrating his ability to cope with the intri- cate problems that continually confront the physician.
DAVID FRANK.
David Frank, one of the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of Bedford, represents an early family of this county, his parents having located in this locality during the pioneer epoch in the history of this section of the state. Mr. Frank was born on the old farm homestead in Monte- zuma township, January 18, 1858, and is a son Levi J. and Sarah A. (Boyer) Frank. His paternal grandparents were Joseph and Reca (Freitlander) Frank, both natives of Hamburg, Germany, in which country they were reared and married. Crossing the Atlantic to the United States they became residents of South Carolina ; and the grandfather died in Charleston, that state, of yellow fever. His wife afterward came to
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Illinois, spending her last days in Carrollton. The maternal grandparents were John A. and Cath- erine Boyer, both of American birth, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. They were married in Greene county, Illinois, where Mr. Boyer followed the shoemaker's trade. His wife died in that county and was buried in Calvin cemetery, while John A. Boyer departed this life in Pike county, and was laid to rest in Bedford cemetery.
Levi Frank, father of our subject, was a na- tive of Hamburg, Germany, born on the 19th of January, 1825, and at an early age he.accom- panied his parents on their emigration to America. He went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he re- mained for several years and then came to Pike county, settling in Griggsville, where he was em- ployed as a clerk in a mercantile store for about two years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Winchester, Scott county, where he was also employed as a salesman for a short time, and later he accepted a similar position in Carrollton, Illinois, where he remained for several years. He next went to Callaway, Missouri, where he was engaged in clerking up to the time of his enlistment for service in the Mexican war in 1846. He served until the close of hostilities, acting as bugler in Company H, First Regiment of Missouri Mounted Volunteers. He was mus- tered out of service and discharged at Chihuahua, Mexico, in 1847, after which he returned to Mil- lersburg, Callaway county, Missouri. There on the 27th of December, 1847, he was married. to Miss Sarah A. Boyer, a daughter of John A. and Catherine (Calvin) Boyer. He later engaged in merchandising and in the grain business, in which he successfully continued until 1872, when he dis- posed of his store and gave his undivided atten- tion to the grain trade up to the time of his death. He had been connected in his mercantile interests with Charles E. Bolin and W. E. Butler, who or- ganized the Exchange Bank of Milton; and in this institution Mr. Frank continued a partner up to the time of his death, which occurred in Bed- ford, on the 2d of September, 1898. He was laid to rest in the Smith cemetery north of Mil- ton. His wife is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Frank at the advanced age of eighty-one years.
Mr. Frank was a prominent and influential citi- zen of the county for a long period and contrib- uted in substantial measure to its commercial and business prosperity. He enjoyed the respect and confidence of his contemporaries in business life and through well directed efforts won a credit- able measure of prosperity. Unto him and his wife were born six children: Latilla M., born December 6, 1848; Adolphus, who was born May 14, 1851, and died in infancy, his remains being interred in Calvin cemetery, Greene county, Illi- nois; Izora J., who was born January 2, 1853; Meneta B., born January 24, 1856; David, born January 8, 1858; and Laura S., born December 16, 1860.
David Frank was educated in the public schools of Bedford, and entering business life was as- sociated with his father up to his thirty-first year. He is now devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, and in the control of his business affairs displays keen sagacity, quick discernment and a thorough understanding of business problems. Moreover his methods are honorable and his entire business career has been actuated by principles which are worthy of emula- tion, and which have proven resultant factors in winning him a creditable measure of success.
Mr. Frank was united in marriage April 21, 1889, to Miss Elizabeth A. Lytle, a daughter of Thomas C. and Eliza Lytle. By this marriage have been born two children: Lloyd, whose birth occurred February 17, 1890; and Gladys, born May 8, 1893. Both were born in Bedford, where Mr. and Mrs. Frank have a pleasant and attrac- tive home, which is the center of a cultured so- ciety circle.
WILLIAM RUPERT.
Wililam Rupert, a representative of industrial interests in Rockport, where he is engaged in blacksmithing, was born in Pennsylvania on the 5th of March, 1827. He was reared upon the farm of his parents, David and Martha (Lynch) Rupert. The father was a blacksmith by trade and removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio, settling in Medina county, when his son William was but
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six years of age. There he remained for eight years, during which time he carried on black- smithing. On the expiration of that period the entire family came to Pike county, Illinois, where David Rupert continued to work at his trade until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-four years of age, his remains being then interred in the cemetery at Rockport. His wife survived him for about two years, passing away at the age of sixty-six years.
William Rupert of this review is numbered among the early settlers of Pike county, where he arrived in the early '40s. He has lived continu- ously in Rockport for sixty years; and, having learned the blacksmith's trade under his father, he has since followed that pursuit with the ex- ception of a period of three years, which he spent in California. He went to the Pacific coast in the fall of 1850, attracted by the discovery of gold in the far west, hoping that he might realize a fortune, as others were doing, in the mines; but his hopes were not destined for fulfillment in that direction, and he returned in 1853, a wiser, if not a richer man.
Mr. Rupert had been married in 1848 to Miss Phila Goble, and unto them were born five chil- dren, four sons and a daughter, namely : William, Harry, Orlando, Edgar and a daughter, who died at birth unnamed. All of the children are de- ceased and were laid to rest in Rockport ceme- tery. William died at the age of forty-two years, Harry died at the age of eighteen, Orlando when two years of age and Edgar when a babe of a year and a half. The wife and mother died in Rock- port, and was laid to rest by the side of her chil- dren. In 1866 Mr. Rupert was again married, his second union being with Elvira Chaney, who is still living, and they are residing in a pleasant home in Rockport.
Politically Mr. Rupert has always been a re- publican, interested in the growth and success of his party, yet without aspiration for office, as he has preferred to give his time and attention to his business interests. Although he is now well advanced in years, he still, follows his trade to some extent, and he has found in that work op- portunity for the acquirement of a comfortable competence. He has lived an honest, upright life
and few men are more widely or more favorably known in Rockport and the surrounding country than is William Rupert.
WILLIAM H. WALKER.
William H. Walker, living on section I, Atlas township, was born January 31, 1853, in Brown county, Ohio, and with his parents came to Pike county, Illinois, when but two and a half years of age. He is a son of Wilson and Margaret (Arthur) Walker, the former a native of Ken- tucky, and the latter of Ohio. The father fol- lowed the occupation of farming in his native state, and also in Pike county, continuing to repre- sent agricultural interests here up to the time of his death. His wife departed this life in August, 1895, and was buried in Prairie Mound cemetery, in Martinsburg township. He survived until March 10, 1905, when his grave was made by hers in the Prairie Mound cemetery. The fam- ily on coming to Pike county located on a farm of ninety acres on section II, Atlas township.
It was upon that place that William H. Walker was reared; and his education was largely ac- quired in the West Point district school, in Atlas township. During the periods of vacation he as- sisted in the labors of the fields, and early became familiar with the practical methods of tilling the soil and gathering the crops. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he rented a farm and began work on his own ac- count in Atlas township, cultivating that property for about two years. When twenty-three years of age, he purchased forty acres of land on sec- tion 12, Atlas township, tilling the soil for about three years, and then bought another tract of thirty acres in the same township. This, added to the forty acres which he had purchased on sec- tion 12 and forty acres also on section 12, Atlas township, which was deeded to him by his fa- ther, constitutes a good property, upon which he has made excellent improvements. The occu- pation to which he was reared he has made his life work, and his efforts have been attended with a gratifying measure of success.
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On the 20th of August, 1878, Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Theodosia Moore, a daughter of J. C. and Rachael Moore. Unto this union was born one son, Emmett Walker, whose birth occurred December 1, 1884, upon the old homestead farm in Atlas township. He attended the West Point district school, and continued his studies in the public schools of Pittsfield.
He was also reared to farm life, and is now as- sisting his father in the operation of his land and the care of his stock. In 1892 Mr. Walker was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 6th of March of that year .. She was a loving and devoted helpmate and companion to him on life's journey, and an affectionate mother. She passed away at the old home and was buried in the Prairie Mound cemetery in Martinsburg township.
Mr. Walker belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at New Hartford. He has not been very active in fraternal or political circles, however, but has confined his attention and energies largely to his business affairs. Receiving little assistance he has depended upon his own labors and earnest, persistent effort constitutes the real basis of his prosperity.
DAVID JOHNSON.
David Johnson, who owns and operates a farm on section 16, Pearl township, is a native of Madi- son county, Illinois, born December 28, 1830, and since the age of twelve years has been a resident of Pike county with the exception of a brief pe- riod spent in California. He is a son of William M. and Mary Caroline (Lumley) Johnson, in whose family were seven children, David being the fifth in order of birth. The father was a na- tive of South Carolina, and served as a soldier of the war of 1812, aiding. his country throughout the period of hostilities. At an early period in the development of this state he became a resident of Madison county, and in 1831 removed to Greène county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming and shoemaking. There his death occurred in the spring of 1835. His widow afterward removed to Calhoun county and thence came to Pike
county, where she spent her remaining days, her death occurring on the 17th of January, 1877.
David Johnson was only about a year old when his parents went to Greene county, where he re- sided until 1842, when, after a brief residence in Calhoun county, he came to Pike county. Here he has since remained with the exception of the period between 1850 and 1854, which was spent in California. His education was acquired in the public schools of Greene, Calhoun and Pike coun- ties ; and he was reared to farm life, early becom- ing familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist.
On the 14th of February, 1856, Mr. Johnson secured a companion and helpmate for life's jour- ney by his marriage to Miss Lydia A. Wheeler, who was born October 23, 1837, and was a daugh- ter of Cyrus and Elmira Wheeler. Her father was a native of Kentucky, while her mother was born in the Empire state, and was a daughter of John Little, who was a surgeon in the American army in the Revolutionary war. Joseph Wheeler, a paternal great-uncle of Mrs. Johnson, was also a Revolutionary officer, holding the rank of colo- nel. Her parents on coming to Illinois settled in Greene county, where they remained for two years and then took up their abode in Pearl township, Pike county, where their remaining days were passed, Mr. Wheeler departing this life in Au- gust, 1884, while his wife's death occurred in 1897.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born eleven children : Melissa B., the eldest, born October 4, 1856, became the wife of Joseph Garner, and they reside in Spring Creek township, Pike county. Clarissa, twin sister of Melissa, died November 26, 1856. William C., born September 7, 1858, married Mary Dawson, and is living in Newburg township. Ida M. born October 29, 1860, died January 6, 1861. Ina M., twin sister of Ida, died in August, 1872. Elmira Caroline, born Septem- ber 18, 1863, became the wife of Charles Renoud, December 25, 1887, and they now reside in New- burg township. Sarah E., born February 23, 1866, died August 4, 1867. Hattie E., born July 14, 1868, is the wife of Dr. B. P. Bradburn, a resident of Lincoln, Illinois. Albert Sydney, born March 19, 1871, married Josephine McKey, and
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resides in Pearl township, Pike county. Della R., born January 17, 1876, is the wife of Daily Garrison, of Pearl. Earl C., born June 4, 1880, married Jessie E. Keller and died June 8, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have twenty-six grand- children living while nine have passed away.
In his political views Mr. Johnson is inde- pendent. He takes no active part in political work but gives his support to the principles which he thinks will promote the best interests of the country. His entire life has been devoted to farming, and in the conduct of his agricultural interests he has achieved a gratifying measure of success. For about sixty years he has lived in Pike county, and has therefore been a witness of the greater part of its development and improve- ment as it has emerged from pioneer conditions and taken on the evidences of an advanced civili- zation. He has been interested in what has been accomplished and has given his co-operation to plans and movements for the public good.
CHARLES B. DUSTIN.
No history of Pike county would be a complete record of its development along agricultural lines that did not contain mention of Charles B. Dus- tin who is now practically retired, but who, for many years, was prominently identified with stock-raising interests; in fact, the extent and im- portance of his business affairs in this connection made him known far beyond the confines of the county. He is a representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of this part of the state, and was born in Atlas on the 29th of November, 1843. His parents were William and Sarah (Bentley) Dustin. The father, a native of New Hampshire, was a farmer by occupation, and came to Pike county about 1837. He was married in this county to Miss Bentley, a native of New York, who had come to Illinois with Dr. Whiting and his family, who were early settlers of Atlas township, mak- ing their home in Rockport. William Dustin engaged actively in farming for many years, suc- cessfully carrying on agricultural pursuits until
1865. He died upon the old homestead property, now owned by our subject, October 12, 1873, and his remains were interred in Adams and Dustin cemetery, at Atlas, Illinois. His widow survived him until January 4, 1891, and was then buried beside her husband. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dustin were born three children, Charles B. being the only son. The sisters are Jennie and Nettie Dus- tin. The former married Seth Robinson, an at- torney of Lincoln, Nebraska, who died in San Francisco, California. His wife returned to the home of her brother in January, 1877, and died on the 5th of that month, her remains being in- terred in the Adams and Dustin cemetery. Nettie Dustin became the wife of J. R. Sayers, of St. Louis, Missouri, and they now reside in San Francisco, California.
Charles B. Dustin acquired his preliminary edu- cation in the district schools of his native town- . ship, and later spent two winter seasons as a stu- dent in Jacksonville, Illinois. During the first winter he attended the west district public school, and also during a part of the second winter ; while later he became a student in the Illinois College. Upon leaving college he returned to Atlas and as- sisted his father in the operation of his farm until 1865, when he rented the old home place from his father. It comprised four hundred and eighty acres of land pleasantly and conveniently located about a mile southeast of Atlas. There he en- gaged in general farming until 1874, at which time he purchased the home property, buying the interest of his sisters in the farm. His farm to- day comprises two hundred and sixty-six acres of valuable land, which had been purchased by his father from the Brown estate, and upon which William Dustin erected a fine residence and also made other excellent improvements. Here Mr. Dus- tin of this review continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. He at first purchased a few head of thoroughbred short- horn cattle; and he continued to breed and raise cattle for many years, gradually adding to his herd. In 1880 he purchased four head of imported female shorthorn cattle. He attended sales and occasionally purchased some thoroughbred stock, and by 1891 had become the owner of quite a number of Scotch bred shorthorns. In August
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of that year he went abroad, going to Scotland, where he purchased ,four thoroughbred heifers and two bulls, and also five head of shorthorns for J. F. Prather, of Williamsville, Illinois. He then returned to the United States with the cat- tle, which were placed in quarantine in Garfield, New Jersey, and after ninety days were shipped from there to Springfield, Illinois, where Mr. Prather took his, while Mr. Duntin's were sent on to Pittsfield, and from that city they were driven to his farm. He then made a specialty of breeding Scotch shorthorns, giving his particular attention to this branch of his business. He raised nearly all of his cattle, and soon had a very fine herd. In 1893 he imported two other Scotch bulls, and in 1898 still another. By this time Mr. Dustin owned as fine specimens of imported thor- oughbred, selected stock as any one in the United States. In the spring of 1898, however, he held a sale of his thoroughbred stock on his home farm, which was attended by representatives from al- most every state in the Union. Forty-three head of cattle at this sale were catalogued, forty of which Mr. Dustin had himself bred ; and his stock sale had an average of three hundred and sixty- three dollars per head. He afterward sold many head of cattle at private sale, and in 1901 he sold in Chicago at public sale five head of cattle, all of his own breeding, averaging twelve hundred and sixteen dollars, being the highest average made throughout the United States and Canada during that year. Twelve months prior to selling his herd he disposed of many of his cattle, which brought him a financial return of twenty thou- sand and five hundred dollars. It was following the death of his younger son that Mr. Dustin disposed of his splendid herd of shorthorns en- tirely at private sale. There were thirty-six head in all, including an imported Scotch bull, consid- ered to be the best bull in the United States. He realized from this sale thirty thousand dollars. He then retired from active pursuits largely on account of the death of his two sons, William A. and Homer.
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