Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II, Part 9

Author: Rice, James Montgomery, 1842-1912; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 930


USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 9


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In 1876 Mr. Camp was united in marriage to Miss Mary Cowles who was then a teacher in the school of Brimfield. She was born and reared in this county, a daughter of Lieutenant W. W. Cowles, who won his rank by service in the Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry in the Civil war. Both he and his wife who, in her maidenhood bore the name of Adelia Woods, are still living at the age of more than eighty years, making their home with their daughter, Mrs. Camp, in a pleasant and attractive home at 1005 Knoxville avenue.


It has been well said that "There is no royal road to wealth," but again and again there is found verification of the fact that the road of opportunity is open to all and that the rewards of labor are sure and certain. Earnest, persistent effort, well defined purpose and intelligent direction of his investments have been the prominent features in the business career of Mr. Camp, making him one of the successful and widely known land dealers of Peoria and Illinois.


M. A. WASSON.


M. A. Wasson, who is a prosperous and enterprising farmer of Rosefield township, was born in Stark county, February 15, 1869. He was the son of Jacob D. and Louisa (Bohanon) Wasson, the former born in Cayuga county, New York, December 3, 1843, and the latter in Peoria county, Illinois, March 31. 1845. In 1868 the parents located in Stark county, where they purchased eighty acres of land and engaged in farming for ten years. In 1878 they removed


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to Peoria county, where they resided on an excellent farm of two hundred and sixty acres until 1894 when they retired and moved to Elmwood where they now reside. The father, Jacob D. Wasson, deserves special mention as an honored veteran of the Civil war, in which he was actively engaged and during the whole time of which he was never sick, wounded or taken prisoner. He was in many of the important battles, among which are Chickasaw Bluff, Ar- kansas Post, Magnolia Hills, Champion's Hill, Black River Bridge, the battle of Vicksburg, the siege of Vicksburg, the siege of Jackson, and the battles of Mansfield, Kane River, Marksville, Yellow Bayou, Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort, Blakely, and Whistler Station. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob D. Wasson were the parents of three children, of whom M. A., of this review, was the eld- est. The others are: Sarah E., who was born January 8, 1871, and is now the wife of C. A. Bartholomew, who is engaged in the automobile business in Elm- wood; and Esther C., who was born December 13, 1874, and is the wife of Henry B. Mack, who is engaged in the wholesale hardware business in New York city.


M. A. Wasson was educated in the public schools of his native state and remained at home with his parents until 1892, when he rented one hundred and sixty acres of land from his father and began farming for himself. In 1905 he purchased an adjoining eighty acres, making in all two hundred and forty acres in the farm which he now operates, and he engages in raising grain and live stock. He is a very progressive and successful farmer and stock-raiser.


On the 28th of January, 1892, Mr. Wasson was united in marriage to Miss Nellie S. Walchli, who is a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Housier ) Walchli, who reside in Hollis township, Peoria county. To Mr. and Mrs. Wasson have been born two children, one of whom died in infancy, the other being Max D. G., who was born December 30, 1897. Mr. Wasson is a republican in politics and has served as road commissioner. He is greatly interested in the cause of education and has been an efficient member of the school board for the past twelve years. Both he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian church. He is an energetic, prosperous man and has a great number of friends in Peoria county, including many who have known him from his boyhood days.


CHARLES L. DUNGAN.


One of the highly enterprising and progressive citizens of Brimfield is Charles L. Dungan, president of the Exchange Bank and proprietor of the local lumber- yard. He was born in the vicinity of the town where he now resides on the 30th of September, 1862, and is a son of John M. Dungan, one of the pioneer settlers of Peoria county. The father is a native of Pennsylvania, whence he came to Illinois during the early days, locating on a farm in Brimfield town- ship. He was a man of untiring energy, great sagacity and determination of purpose, and ultimately became one of the extensive property owners and pros- perous agriculturists of the county. In connection with farming he also en- gaged in the grain business, making a financial success of both and at the time of his death was one of the influential citizens of the township. The mother, whose maiden name was Miss Ellen A. Burt is still living at an advanced age and con- tinues to make her home in Brimfield. She is a native of Vermont but accom- panied her parents on their removal to Illinois during the early pioneer days and has ever since made her home in Peoria county.


The education of Charles L. Dungan was pursued in the district schools until he was twelve years of age and continued in those of Brimfield until he was eighteen. After leaving high school he assisted his father on the farm for four years, thus acquiring a thorough, practical knowledge of agricultural methods


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that has been of inestimable value to him all through life. In 1887 he became associated with his father in the grain business and three years later he extended the scope of his activities by buying an interest in the lumberyard of which he is now the sole proprietor. His entire attention was devoted to these two activities until 1899, when he purchased a half interest in the Exchange Bank. This institution was founded in the early 'Sos by David Herrier, who later dis- posed of it to H. O. Peters, who in turn sold it to Walter L. Wiley. The latter took Mr. Dungan in partnership with him and they were associated together for seven years. In March, 1906, Mr. Dungan bought out his partner's interest and together with his mother, Mrs. Ellen A. Dungan, owns all of the stock. Two years prior to this, in 1904, Mr. Dungan sold his interest in the grain business and now is devoting practically his entire attention to his bank and lumberyard.


In Peoria county on the 16th of March, 1887, Mr. Dungan was united in marriage to Miss Carrie M. Tucker, a daughter of Homer C. and Emily Tucker of Brimfield township. Homer C. Tucker came to this county from Buffalo, New York, in 1845. locating on some land that had been purchased from the government by his father, who settled here in 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker are now deceased. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dungan, as fol- lows: Alma, who was born on the 15th of May, 1895: Helen L., whose birth oc- curred on May 20, 1897: John, whose natal day was the 29th of November, 1899; Charles F., who was born on July 13, 1901 ; and Ruth, born on the 12th of January, 1905.


The family affiliate with the local Protestant churches and Mr. Dungan votes the republican ticket. For six years he served on the board of supervisors for Brimfield township, and four years of that time he was chairman of the finance committee. He is one of the foremost citizens of the town, in the upbuilding and development of which both he and his father have been prominent factors, through their successful promotion of various enterprises that have added to the commercial activity of the community. He is a man who takes an en- thusiastic interest in every progressive public movement and champions every cause that he feels will advance the welfare of the municipality either morally, intellectually, socially or financially.


OSCAR HEINRICH.


For eleven years Oscar Heinrich has been connected with the county clerk's office in Peoria county, serving first as deputy while later he was elected to the office of county clerk and is now in his second term. He is accounted one of the leaders of the republican party and as an official his record is one which has brought to him high commendation owing to the prompt and faithful man- ner in which he has discharged the duties which have devolved upon him.


Illinois claims Mr. Heinrich as one of her native sons, his birth having oc- curred in Peru, January 4, 1856. His parents were Julius and Henrietta Hein- rich, who became residents of LaSalle county in pioneer times. The father was for thirty-five years an attorney, justice of the peace and notary public of Peru, and was classed with its leading and influential citizens.


It was in that town that Oscar Heinrich spent his boyhood days and in the public schools pursued his education although he has since learned many valu- able lessons in the school of experience. He was early apprenticed to the mould- er's trade in an iron foundry and worked at that for many years, but always found clerical work congenial and at various times temporarily withdrew from active connection with his trade to occupy a clerkship in some office. In 1875 he removed to Nebraska and spent two years upon a farm there. He then re- moved to Illinois, and in 1877 became a resident of Peoria, here entering the


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employ of Hart & Hitchcock, foundrymen, and later working at his trade of moulder in several different foundries. He afterward served as shipping clerk at the starch works in Peoria for seven years and left that position to enter the employ of the Avery Planter Company, with whom he remained for several years or until he entered the office of the county clerk as deputy. He is now county clerk, having been twice elected on the republican ticket, and on both occasions he led the ticket, a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him. That this trust has never been be- trayed in the slightest degree is manifest in the fact that he has twice been the choice of the public for the position, the duties of which he discharges in a most careful and systematic manner. His corps of assistants is efficient, hav- ing been carefully selected and he attempts to minimize time and labor in the discharge of the duties of the office.


In 1879, in Peoria, Mr. Heinrich was united in marriage to Miss Kate Trom- peter, of Peoria, and unto them have been born seven children, namely: Oscar, Jr., Minnie, who is now the wife of Herbert Crowl; Annie, who married Robert Koch; Frederick, who is deputy county clerk; Henrietta, Caroline and George.


Fraternally Mr. Heinrich is a Mason and is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Maccabees. In the early 'zos he joined the Moulder's Union and is now one of its honorary members. His posi- tion in the lodges to which he belongs is a creditable one owing to his fidelity to the principles and tenets which constitute the basic elements of those organi- zations. A cordial, genial manner wins him friends wherever he goes, and he well merits the political honors which have come to him.


ELMER M. ECKARD, M. D.


Dr. Elmer M. Eckard, a practicing physician and surgeon of Peoria, maintain- ing his offices at No. 510 Main street, has been a prominent and successful repre- sentative of the medical profession here for the past sixteen years. His birth occurred in Mason county, Illinois, on the 2d of March, 1872, his parents being W. H. and Amelia Eckard. The father acted as station agent at Topeka, Illinois, where he also conducted business as a coal and grain merchant. At the present time he resides at San Jose, Texas, in a health resort. His wife passed away at Topeka, Illinois, in 1906, and was buried in Pekin cemetery.


Elmer M. Eckard obtained his early education at Jacksonville and was gradu- ated from Whipple Academy in 1892. Subsequently he spent three years as a student in Illinois College at Jacksonville and then entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, winning the degree of M. D. in 1896. Peoria has since remained the scene of his professional labors, and the success which has attended him is ample evidence of his skill and ability in the field of his chosen life work. At the end of the first year of his professional career he was appointed assistant super- intendent of the Alma Sanitarium at Alma, Michigan, and while serving in that capacity attended and was graduated from Alma College, which institution con- ferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1898. He now acts as chief surgeon for the Toledo, Peoria & Western and the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroads. Through his membership in the Peoria County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association he keeps in close touch with the progress that is being continually made by the fraternity. He is a director of the American Association of Railway Surgeons, is a member of the staff of the Proctor Hospital in Peoria and holds the rank of lieutenant in the medical corps of the Illinois National Guard, and also holds a commission as Lieutenant of the U. S. Army Medical Reserve Corps.


On the 20th of October, 1895, Dr. Eckard was united in marriage to Miss


DR. E. M. ECKARD


THENEW


TILDE TO


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Agnes Lillian Dessot Sears, a daughter of Alexander Sears and a representative of an old Jacksonville family. The wedding ceremony was performed at Kenosha, Wisconsin. Dr. and Mrs. Eckard have one son, Frederick, who is attending school. The family residence, which the Doctor built in 1905, is a beautiful mod- ern home at No. 615 Indiana avenue. Our subject likewise erected seven other houses.


Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Dr. Eckard has supported the men and measures of the democratic party. From 1905 until 1907 he served in the capacity of health commissioner. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to the commandery and the shrine. He is also an esteemed member of the Creve Coeur Club. His professional labor is regarded as of value by the general community and he enjoys the respect of his brethren of the medical fraternity by reason of his strict conformity to a high standard of profesional ethics.


DAVID H. MORTON, M. D.


David H. Morton, who is a rising young physician and surgeon of Elm- wood, was born at Edgington, Rock Island county, Illinois, December 19, 1880. He is the son of Dr. Archibald J. Morton, who formerly was a practicing phy- sician in this city. Dr. Archibald J. Morton was born in Scotland in 1855 and when six months old was brought by his parents to America, locating in Rock Island county. Later his parents removed to Colchester, where their son Archi- bald J. received his early education in the common schools. He then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1889. Subsequently he located for practice in Wil- liamsfield but after five years removed to Elmwood, where he purchased the interests of Dr. W. T. Sloan and entered into partnership with Dr. J. D. C. Hoit. Unfortunately Dr. Morton had practiced in this city only four years when he passed away, July 1, 1898. He was a man who was true in every rela- tion of life, faithful to every trust and devoted to his profession. He was a member of the American Medical Association and the Illinois State Medical Society, and fraternally he was identified with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife, Sidona ( Holmes) Morton, the mother of our subject, was born in 1860 and now resides in Elmwood. In their family were five children, four of whom are now living.


Dr. David H. Morton received his education in the public schools of Elm- wood, graduating from the high school at that place. He then entered the medical department of the State University of Illinois, which is the same insti- tution his father attended, and was graduated in the class of 1904. Subse- quently he located for practice in Elmwood, entering into partnership with Dr. J. D. C. Hoit, who formerly was his father's partner. Dr. Hoit was one of the well known physicians in this section of the country. He practiced at Yates City for more than twenty-five years and in 1891 moved to Elmwood, where he entered into partnership with Dr. W. T. Sloan and later was in partnership with the father of the subject of this sketch. He was an extremely successful practitioner and was for many years one of the most prominent physicians in this part of the country. He belonged to the county, state and national medical societies, and fraternally was a Mason, belonging to the Knights Templar, and was a Master Mason for about seven years. The partnership of Dr. David H. Morton with Dr. Hoit lasted only about two and one-half years and since then Dr. Morton has practiced alone. He has worked up an extensive practice, which includes not only Elmwood, but a radius of about twelve miles in the surrounding country. Fraternally he belongs to Arcanus Lodge, No. 103, I. O. O. F., and in politics he is an independent.


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Although yet a young man in the medical world Dr. Morton by his labors, his high professional attainments and his sterling characteristics has gained the respect and confidence of all with whom he has been associated in his profes- sional work. He is a busy and successful practitioner and is rapidly gaining a leading place among the physicians in this section of the country.


ROBERT P. JACK.


Robert P. Jack is a member of the well known and prominent law firm of Jack, Irvin, Jack & Miles, of Peoria, where he has practiced continuously since 1898. He is comparatively one of the younger members of the bar of this city and has made substantial progress which has brought him to a prominent posi- tion and placed his work on a par with that of many older representatives of the profession.


Mr. Jack is one of Peoria's native sons, his birth having here occurred Sep- tember 30, 1872. His father is William Jack, a distinguished and prominent citizen of Peoria. While spending his youthful days in his parents' home Robert P. Jack mastered the branches of learning taught in the public schools until graduated from the high school with the class of 1889. He then went east for his college course and entered Princeton University, which conferred upon him the Bachelor of Arts degree upon his graduation with the class of 1894. He took up the study of law in the office and under the direction of the firm of Jack & Tichenor, of which his father was the senior partner, and after thorough preliminary reading was admitted to the bar in 1898. He has since followed his profession in Peoria and is engaged in general practice. In the fourteen years which have since elapsed he has done good work, carefully preparing and presenting his cases, his logical deductions indicating his thorough understand- ing of the points in controversy while his correct application of principle or precedent shows his comprehensive knowledge of the law. He is well known socially in this city and is now a member of the Creve Coeur Club and the Ivy Club, while of the Peoria Country Club he was formerly president.


HALLER E. CHARLES.


Haller E. Charles, deputy collector of internal revenue at Peoria, was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1848, a son of John E. and Mar- garet (Oliver) Charles. He was a pupil in the public schools and the academy at Princeville, Illinois, and completed the work of the freshman and sophomore years in Hillsdale College of Michigan. In early manhood he taught school in the vicinity of Princeville and later took up the study of law, being admitted to the bar upon examination in Peoria in 1871 and to the bar of Arkansas upon examination in 1875. While official duties now claim his time and attention, he is still a member of the legal profession in good standing and entitled to prac- tice in both Illinois and Arkansas.


Mr. Charles' first active work in behalf of his country followed his enlist- ment as a soldier of the Civil war, on the 4th of January, 1864, when he still lacked a few days of being sixteen years of age. He joined Battery A of the Second Illinois Light Artillery and was continuously on active duty until dis- charged July 27, 1865. He again entered the active service of his country when appointed gauger in the internal revenue department at Peoria, Illinois, in 1878. Seven years were passed in that position and from 1890 until 1894 he was deputy United States marshal at Chicago. In 1898 he was appointed deputy collector


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of internal revenue in Peoria and has since been thus identified with the fifth United States internal revenue district. He has made an excellent record in all public connections, being systematic and methodical in the discharge of his duties and loyal at all times to the trusts reposed in himl.


On the 21st of January, 1880. Mr. Charles was married to Miss Margaret Raymond, a daughter of Charles Raymond. They now have one living child, Alice, born in 1881, and they lost a son, Raymond, who was born in 1885 and died in 1906. Mr. Charles has held membership in the Grand Army of the Republic since its organization and was post commander of Bryner Post during 1903. He is regarded by his friends as a steady, substantial citizen, who has served Peoria well in every capacity and in every position to which he has been called.


EDWARD C. SPANGLER.


Edward C. Spangler, who resides on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section thirty-six of Elmwood township, was born in that township in 1853. His parents were Henry B. and Cynthia A. ( Lawhead ) Spangler, who came from Zanesville, Ohio, to Peoria county, Illinois, in 1848, and located on a farm in Elmwood township. In their family were four children of whom Edward C. of this review is the second in order of birth.


Edward C. Spangler was reared under the parental roof, remaining at home until about twenty years of age, when he began working out as a farm hand in which occupation he was employed for about six years. He was on the plains of Texas and later Wyoming and then in Colorado, where he had some very in- teresting experiences in the hunting of buffalo. In 1877 he purchased eighty acres of improved land in Rosefield township and resided there for seventeen years, after which he rented his farm and was engaged for eight years in the real-estate business in Elmwood township. In 1894 he sold his farm of eighty acres and in 1895 his wife inherited one hundred and ninety-five acres which he also sold the same year, and then puchased a farm of two hundred and seven acres on section six of Logan township. In the spring of 1912 he sold that and bought his present farm, on which he engages in general farming.


In 1883 Mr. Spangler wedded Miss Maggie M. Kershaw. They have four children: Eva M., the wife of Hayes Corbett, of Elmwood; Clarence H., at home; Harold L., who is in business at Bowen, Illinois; and Cecil V., who is working for his brother in Bowen. Mr. Spangler is a republican in politics and fraternally he is a member of the Court of Honor. He has been very successful in his farming interests and in all his business relations, and is one of the prosperous men of his township.


ROSCOE J. MORGAN.


A successful real estate man, well known in Oklahoma and Illinois. is Roscoe J. Morgan, secretary of the Mexican Agricultural Land Company, with offices at Nos. 16-19, Mayer building Peoria. Mr. Morgan has been prominently iden- tified with this company since its incorporation in 1904. He was born in Gallia county, Ohio, November 27. 1862, a son of Joseph A. and Nancy E. Morgan. The father during the earlier period of his business career followed agricultural pursuits but later in life became a miller. He was a volunteer in the Federal army during the Civil war, serving for about a year. He passed away in June, 1890, at the age of fifty-five years. His wife is also deceased and both are buried


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in a cemetery at Valley Falls, Kansas, where they had resided during the latter part of their lives.


Roscoe J. Morgan was educated in the public schools of Ohio. At the age of fifteen years he put aside his text-books and, leaving the parental roof, went to Iowa, where for about two years he worked as a farm laborer. At the end of that period he settled in Kansas and while employed at various occupations during the day, began studying telegraphy at night. Having become sufficiently proficient in the art of telegraphy to enable him to qualify for employment, he secured a position with the Santa Fe Railroad Company and for nineteen years was in the employ of that company. At the time of his retirement from railroad work he resigned his position as agent at Norman, Oklahoma, to engage in the real estate business. He was very successful in this line of work and remained a resident of Norman until 1908, during which period he organized the Oklahoma State Investment Company, with headquarters in Norman, of which company he was president from the time of its organization until three years ago, when he came to Peoria.




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