USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 82
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In 1894 Mr. Eagleton was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Pierce, a daughter of the Rev. B. R. Pierce, a Methodist Episcopal minister, who for twelve years was a presiding elder in southern Illinois and is now deceased. The four children of this marriage are Benjamin Pierce, William, Lee and Clifford Eagleton.
In his political views Judge Eagleton has always been an earnest democrat and a stanch supporter of the principles of the party. However, he was elected and served as supervisor from Richwood township from 1900 until 1902, but with this exception he has never held political office outside the strict path of his profession. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mystic Workers of the World. He has filled all of the chairs in the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias and is a member of the grand lodge of the state. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Arcadia Presbyterian church. Wherever known he is held in high regard and most of all where he is best known. He is a broad and liberal-minded man of high purposes and principles and his innate ability of character has gained for him the honor and respect of all with whom he has come in contact, while his ability has won for him distinction as a member of the bar.
H. L. LEIBROCK.
Among the prosperous farmers of Rosefield township is numbered H. L. Leibrock, who was born in Ohio, July 12, 1868. He was fifth in order of birth in a family of eleven children of Daniel and Christina (Guenowine) Leibrock. When only eleven years of age H. L. Leibrock left home and was employed on a farm until he was fifteen years of age. He then learned the plastering trade, which he followed for seventeen years after his removal to Illinois. In 1901 he rented eighty acres in Limestone township and engaged for one year in farming the same. In 1902 he rented in Logan township one hundred and sixty acres, which he farmed for five years and then, in 1907, he purchased his present farm of one hundred acres, which is located on section 33 of Rose- field township. He engages extensively in raising grain and stock, making a
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specialty of full-blooded Duroc Jersey hogs. Ile has been dealing in this breed of stock for the past two years and now has on hand one hundred and ten of the same.
On the Ist of March, 1900, Mr. Leibrock was united in marriage with Miss Lydia McElroy, who was a daughter of Daniel and Jane MeElroy, of Lime- stone township. In politics Mr. Leibrock gives his allegiance to the republican party, and fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a zealous member of the Presbyterian church and follows faithfully its teachings. Being greatly interested in all measures that tend to educational advancement, he is now efficiently serving as school director. He is energetic and progressive, considerate of his associates, and is esteemed and honored by all who know him.
FREDERICK L. REITZ.
Frederick L. Reitz is vice president and general manager of the firm of C. E. Wheelock & Company, wholesale and retail dealers in crockery, glassware, queensware and the accessories commonly handled with this line. This is the largest concern of its kind in Peoria. Mr. Reitz is also vice president of the Best Manufacturing Company of Peoria, who specialize in stairs and indoor woodwork. He is likewise vice president of the firm of Sprouse & Company, Inc., of Tacoma, Washington, importers of specialties, and is a stockholder in the Illinois National Bank of Peoria. Mr. Reitz was born in Germany, Janu- ary 6, 1869, a son of Nicholas and Emma Reitz, and his education was studiously gained in the schools of the city of Berlin. By close application to work, which has since characterized his business pursuits, he completed the prescribed studies in those excellent schools when little more than twelve years of age and then came with his parents to the United States, the family home being established in Peoria, Illinois. Mr. Reitz has been a resident of this city since 1882. Arriv- ing in the new world, he at once entered the employ of Peoria's pioneer crockery firm, P. F. Schelly & Son. When he had been three years with that firm the concern went out of business and he accepted a position as salesman for the Miller Brothers' crockery house, a wholesale and retail establishment on Main street, Peoria. The year after Mr. Reitz began working for Miller Brothers, he purchased the entire business and for one year conducted it along former lines under his own name. One year later, however, in order to meet the growing demands created by Mr. Reitz' business ability and successful commercial meth- ods, the business was enlarged and incorporated, our subject becoming the vice president of the company. Upon the death of C. E. Wheelock, whose name the present corporation now retains, Mr. Reitz became active manager of the wholesale department, a position which his early training and careful attention to all details of the business fitted him to occupy most successfully and which he has since filled with much credit to himself and profit to his company. In his present capacity as buyer and manager he makes frequent trips to Europe, searching the markets of the old world and selecting and buying carefully in order to meet the exacting demands made upon the company by a large number of dealers throughout the country. His cooperation has been sought in the management of other important enterprises and at the present time he acts as vice president of both the Best Manufacturing Company of Peoria and the firm of Sprouse & Company in Tacoma, Washington.
Mr. Reitz was married to Miss Maggie Bachelet, of Louisville, Kentucky. To them was born a daughter, Marguerite, who is the wife of Charles Torthat, of Peoria. Mr. Reitz is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to all the various departments of that ancient and honorable order. He is also a
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member of the Creve Coeur Club of Peoria and has always taken great interest in the Turn Verein of this city. The life, business and social achievements of Mr. Reitz comprise a long chapter of successes, he being a living exemplifica- tion of what intelligence, application and economy will do for a young man who is dependent upon his own resources in the building up of a name and fortune. His achievements came not by chance but were earned by brain and the sweat of brow in the hard school of life and experience, and his present enviable station in life may be profitably emulated by any of the present gen- eration.
ELOF E. OLSON.
Elof E. Olson who, since October, 1909, has been engaged in the general merchandise business in Hanna City, was born in Sweden, March 28, 1871. His parents were Ola and Hannah (Anders) Eskelson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, the father dying there November 20, 1878. The mother ac- companied her son, Elof E. of this review, to America in 1888 and located in Elmwood township where she died December 23, 1899, at the age of seventy- two. In her family were nine children of whom Elof E. is the youngest.
Elof E. Olson was reared and educated in Sweden, and upon coming to America in 1888 he located in Elmwood township where he purchased in 1896 a tract of five acres of land, and the following year bought an adjoining five acres, the next year, forty acres and in 1909, ten acres. He resided on the farm until 1905 when selling it he purchased in Trivoli township eighty acres which in 1908 he sold and then bought one hundred and sixty acres in Elm- wood township three miles north of Trivoli. In October, 1909, he removed to Hanna City where he engaged in the general merchandise business and is now successfully conducting the same. He still owns his farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Elmwood township besides having some interest in property in Hanna City. On the 16th of August, 1911, Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Tracy Molchin of Hanna City.
Mr. Olson is thrifty, energetic, and has been very successful in the country he has chosen to make his home. While directly connected with the farming interests he steadily advanced in a financial way, and upon turning his attention to the general merchandise business he is meeting with equal success.
GEORGE ASAHEL WILSON, M. D.
In all of his life history Dr. George Asahel Wilson's position was never an equivocal one and he probably never weighed an act of his life in the scale of policy ; with him it was a question of right and principle and his support of any public or private measure indicated his belief in the value and righteous- ness of the case. As a physician, as a lawyer and as a public official he there- fore made a most creditable record and among the veterans of the Civil war residing in this part of the state none were held in higher regard than Dr. George A. Wilson. The birth of Mr. Wilson occurred upon the old home farm in Tazewell county, Illinois, on December 9, 1840. He was a repre- sentative of one of the honored pioneer families in this state. His parents, Jacob and Emily (Donahoe) Wilson, were among the earliest settlers of this part of the state, having about 1823 or 1824 become residents of what is now Fond du Lac township, Tazewell county. For a considerable period, however, that district was embraced within the borders of Peoria county, but when the
DR. GEORGE A. WILSON
RESIDENCE OF MRS. GEORGE A. WILSON
1 7
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UnARY
18, LENOX AND TILO FOUNDATIONS. 1
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new county of Peoria was organized Jacob Wilson was appointed by Governor Coles one of the first justices of the peace, and on the 22d of March, 1825, he performed the first marriage ceremony in the new county, the participating parties being William Blanchard and Betsey Donahoe, the latter a sister of Emily Donahoe, who in December of the same year became the wife of Jacob Wilson. The young couple began their domestic life on a farm at the foot of the bluff just opposite the site of the present village of Averyville. For forty-four years they resided there and with the agricultural development of the county Mr. Wilson was closely and prominently identified. Success at- tended his efforts and he and his father-in-law, Major Donahoe, were for many years numbered with those who paid the largest amount of taxes in their part of the county. They were zealous in the upbuilding and development of their success, and prosperity attended them. As soon as the public lands were placed upon the market Mr. Wilson had secured a half section which with the increase in population grew rapidly in value, his holdings being also greatly pro- moted in value by the many substantial improvements placed thereon. With the further division of the state into counties the district in which the Wilson family lived became a part of Tazewell county, but because of their proximity to the village of Peoria they continued to maintain a very close relation with its people. They were known as prominent and devoted members of the Meth- odist church and services at their home were frequently attended by Peoria residents of the same denominational faith. They always entertained the min- isters who visited this section and at times several of them would meet in Mr. Wilson's home. He built the first church in that settlement located at what is now the intersection of the Pekin and Spring Bay road with that leading to Metamora. He also furnished and hauled the rafters for the first Methodist church erected in Peoria. In fact he did everything in his power to advance the work of the chruch and promote the spiritual development of the com- munity in which he lived. His labors were indeed an essential and valuable element in the early upbuilding of the county and no pioneer settler is more worthy of praise than this man who, reared upon the frontier, was always loyal to the interests of his home locality and did everything in his power to promote the higher civilization here. His long, useful and honorable life was closed in death on the 15th of September, 1869, while his widow long survived him, dying on the 25th of November, 1888. They reared a large family and two of their sons, Joseph F. and George A., became soldiers of the Union army in the Civil war, while a third son, Robert T., became a sutler and was killed in an attack by guerrillas near Helena, Arkansas, on the Mississippi river. In the engagement of Fort Donelson Joseph Wilson was severely wounded, causing the loss of nearly the whole of his lower jaw bone. It was only through the heroic efforts of his brother, George, that he was rescued form the perilous condition and brought to his home, where through skillful treatment his life was saved. Joseph F. Wilson was a lawyer by profession but by reason of the injury he sustained was totally disabled from continuing in practice and was therefore given important positions in the government service at Washington, which he creditably filled to the time of his death, on the 4th of January, 1898.
Farm life early became familiar to George A. Wilson, whose youthful days were spent on the old homestead while his early education was acquired in the local schools. With a desire to enter upon a professional career he subsequently became a student in the senior preparatory department of Eureka College in September, 1856, there pursuing his studies for two years. He was a mem- ber of the same class as the Rev. B. J. Radford, D. D., now president of the college : Hon .. Jonathan H. Rowell, late member of congress, and Charles P. Taggart, at one time county superintendent of schools of Peoria county. Dr. Wilson did not graduate from that institution but left there in June, 1858,
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to enter upon the study of medicine in the office of Drs. John D. Arnold and Clark D. Rankin, of Peoria. He afterward matriculated in Rush Medical Col- lege of Chicago, attending lectures there until about the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, when, within a short period of his expected graduation, he abandoned his studies and joined the Union forces. On the 25th of May, 1861, he became a private of Company G, Seventeenth Regiment, Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, under the command of Colonel Leonard F. Ross. The com- pany in which he enlisted was made up largely of volunteers from Woodford and Tazewell counties, with many of whom he had become acquainted at or near Eureka, including Captain Otis A. Burgess and the first lieutenant, Jona- than H. Rowell, who were his intimate friends.
Dr. Wilson was soon thereafter assigned to duty in the regimental hospital where he gained much valuable experience. After more than a year's service in that capacity he was appointed first assistant surgeon in the Fourteenth Regiment of Illinois Cavalry, then recruiting at Peoria, under the command of Colonel Horace Capron. Dr. Wilson was mustered in with that regiment January 7, 1863. He was with the Seventeenth Regiment in the hotly con- tested engagement at Fredericktown, Missouri, on October 21, 1861, his com- mand being in the lead there. He was also at Fort Donelson where his brother . was so desperately wounded, and in the battle of Shiloh, where the regiment did much to save Grant's army from disaster on the first day of that memorable contest. While with the Fourteenth Cavalry he accompanied his regiment in all of its weary marches and raids until August 3, 1864, when, during Stone- man's raid in the vicinity of Macon, Georgia, he was made prisoner and was confined at Macon and Charleston, South Carolina, until the last day of October, when he was exchanged. He remained at the front until it was an assured fact that victory would crown the Union arms and then resigned his office on the 7th of April, 1865. his regiment, however, remaining at the front until the 3Ist of July, following.
After his return from the war Dr. Wilson entered again upon the study of medicine and completed a course in Rush Medical College by graduation with the class of 1866. He opened an office in Peoria and was not long in secur- ing a liberal practice, but political activity interfered with his service in the line of his profession. In 1868 he accepted the nomination of the democratic party for the office of circuit clerk of Peoria county and his election came in recognition of his ability and his character as a citizen and his patriotic devo- tion to his country, for the republican party was then in the ascendency in Peoria county and elected Judge Isaac Taylor, John D. McClure and John C. Yates, who were candidates for the offices of county treasurer, county clerk and judge of the county court, respectively. His comrades in the Civil war, however, rallied to the support of Dr. Wilson and gave him a handsome majority. He made a capable incumbent in the office, his record being such that he had no difficulty in winning a reelection at the close of his first term. Had he desired he might have had the nomination for a third term but the holding of office for more than two terms being then a vital question in politics, upon which the democratic party had taken the negative side, he declined to again seek the nomination. He was a strong advocate of democratic principles. In this connection a contemporary biographer has written: "While taking the side of the war-democrats in support of the government in its efforts to suppress the rebellion, and having for four years rendered his personal services in the army, he never yielded up those principles of Jeffersonian democracy which he con- sidered essential to good government. He was in favor of maintaining state sovereignty so far as compatible with the preservation of the Union and against every tendency to centralization of power in the general government; he was opposed to all class legislation which would tend to build up one class of inter- ests to the detriment of another ; he was opposed to the concentration of wealth
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in the hands of banks and other corporations and in favor of a currency issued directly by the government and having a gold and silver basis; in short, he was an earnest advocate of all those measures which had, in former times, distin- guished the democrats from the old line whigs. He therefore earnestly sup- ported his party and endeavored by every means in his power to promote its success. When Grover Cleveland came to the front as a political factor, and long before he was nominated to the presidency Dr. Wilson was his ardent admirer."
While filling the office of circuit clerk Dr. Wilson embraced his opportunity of studying law and in 1876 won admission to the bar. lle entered upon prac- tice following his retirement from office and made a most creditable record as a capable, efficient and painstaking lawyer. He had become well established in practice when in 1885 President Cleveland appointed him to the responsi- ble position of collector of interal revenue for the fifth district of Illinois. This position he filled with great ability for four years, when the republican party came into power and he resigned, to be succeeded by one of the opposing party. He was practically too earnest and devoted a democrat for his own good, for he was twice induced to accept the nomination for congress when he knew that election was an impossibility. Notwithstanding, he was opposed on each occasion by popular candidates of the republican party he succeeded in mater- ially reducing their majorities, thus showing his political strength and his popu- larity.
When he withdrew from the office of collector of internal revenue Dr. Wil- son again took up the practice of law, forming a partnership with Dan F. Raum. He afterward practiced in connection with the Hon. Sabin D. Puterbaugh, for- merly circuit judge. He was later, however, made deputy collector of internal reventie under James W. Hunter, following the reelection of Grover Cleve- land to the presidency. He continued in that position until impaired health forced his retirement. For several years prior to his demise his health gradually failed under the insidious ravages of a spinal complaint that was brought about through exposure and injury during the war.
On the 21st of February, 1876. Dr. Wilson was married to Miss Helen Marr Hoskinson, a daughter of John L. Hoskinson, an influential citizen of Macomb, Illinois. Dr. Wilson was most devoted to his family, finding his greatest delight in supplying them with all that could contribute to their welfare and happiness. Mrs. Wilson still remains a well known and prominent resident of Peoria. She is the secretary of the Peoria Historical Society, belongs to the Peoria Woman's Club and at her own beautiful home at No. 405 North Monroe street dispenses a gracious and generous hospitality.
Dr. Wilson became one of the organizers of Bryner Post, No. 67. G. A. R., and was its commander in 1882. Since his death the George A. Wilson circle of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic have honored him in thuis naming their organization. When death called Dr. Wilson on the 6th of April, 1900, his remains were carried to their last resting place by comrades of Bry- ner Post. Of him it was written at the time of his death: "Probably no man ever lived who more fully exhibited the true spirit of democracy in his daily life and conversation. At all times and in all places he was the same frank, courag- eous, open-handed gentleman. He recognized neither caste nor creed, age or condition. He saw only the man created free and equal with himself and entitled to the same consideration. The same kind consideration for his fellowmen which characterized his every-day life led him to discard the rigid doctrines held by the so-called orthodox churches and to unite with the Universalists. His life, public and private, political and domestic, was pure in an eminent degree and, although sometimes seemingly engulfed in the maelstrom of party politics he in- variably came out triumphant and without a smirch upon his character." Out of the struggle with small opportunities he had come finally into a field of broad
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activity and usefulness. The beauty of his better self lives on in the lives of those who came under his influence. He reached a ripe old age but although the frost of winter was on his head the flowers of spring were in his heart.
DAVID HENRY PROCTOR.
Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to lose, men whose ability, strength of character and high purpose place them in a prominent and honorable position as leaders in the work of the community in which they live. Such was the record of David H. Proctor, and called from this life when but forty years of age, his death was the occasion of most deep and widespread regret. He had endeared himself to all who knew him by his attractive social qualities, by his business ability and integrity and by an up- right life that was actuated at all times by most honorable purposes. He was born in Peoria, September 23, 1865, and passed away on the 10th of February, 1906. He was a son of Ezekiel Allen and Emily (Powell) Proctor, and a rep- resentative of one of Peoria's leading families. His paternal grandparents were John and Edna (Dean) Proctor, who carefully guided the education of their son, Ezekiel Allen, who was born in Henniker, New Hampshire, October 5, 1819, and supplemented his public-school education by an academic training. He started westward in 1840, about the time he attained his majority, and after residing for brief periods in Cincinnati, Louisville and St. Louis proceeded by boat up the Illinois river to Lewiston, Illinois, where for one term he engaged in teach- ing school. He then continued his journey to Peoria where he was joined by his brother, I. Francis Proctor, and made permanent settlement. At that day the city contained a population of about seven or eight hundred, was with- out railroad, and stage coach and river transportation afforded the only con- nection with the outside world. The work of development and improvement seemed scarcely begun in this region. The wolves often made the night hid- eous with their howling, and it was no unusual sight to see deer upon the open prairie. Mr. Proctor, however, bravely faced the difficulties and dangers of pioneer life and gradually worked his way upward in business circles. In 1843 he began the manufacture of agricultural implements, and the following year was joined by his brother, John C. Proctor, in a partnership which con- tinued until 1859. Success attended their efforts, and in later years Ezekiel Allen Proctor figured prominently in financial circles as one of the directors, and afterward as president of the Mechanics' & Merchants Bank of Peoria. He, later in life, retired from active business management except for the super- vision he gave to his farming and stock-raising interests. He won success at the cost of earnest, self-denying labor and never at the sacrifice of others' inter- ests or opportunities. On the 18th of January. 1850, he wedded Miss Emily Powell of Long Ridge, Marshall county, Illinois, and they became the parents of five sons, two dying in infancy, and three who reached middle age and died while in the prime of life with a brilliant future before them.
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