Portrait and bigraphical album of Livingston County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies , Part 63

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago) publisher
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 1208

USA > Illinois > Livingston County > Portrait and bigraphical album of Livingston County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies > Part 63

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Mr. Hill received a common-school education and was reared to farming pursuits. He was united in marriage July 4, 1863, with Miss Emeline, daughter of Philip Rollins, a pioneer of Liv- ingston County, whose biography appears elsewhere

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in this volume. Of this union there were four chil- dren : Carey W., born Feb. 16, 1864, was married to Miss Elizabeth Smith, Jan. 23, 1887: Nettie was born Feb. 10, 1866; Tillie L., Nov. 7, 1875, and Harry L., Ang. 8, 1878.

Mr. and Mrs. Hill after their marriage located on a tract of land which constitutes the present home of the widow, and which now includes a comforta- ble farm residence with good barns and out-build- ings. Mr. Ilill labored industriously and built up a worthy record as a member of society, the head of a family, and a man interested in everything that pertained to the welfare of his community. Ile departed this life at the homestead Aug. tt, 1881, when in the prime of life, forty-six years of age. He left to his family a comfortable property, 120 acres of land under good cultivation with the improvements already mentioned. The farm is now carried on by Carey W. Mrs. Hill is a lady greatly respected among her neighbors, and a de- voted member of the Christian Church. Her chil- dren are being carefully reared and well educated, and the family rank among the worthy and sub- stantial residents of Pontiac Township.

OSEPH M. PORTER. The gentleman whose name heads this biography, and who is a representative farmer and stock-raiser, occu- pies a fine homestead on section 19, Owego Township, where he is comfortably situated, and is in the possession of all the comforts of life and many of its luxuries. The worldly goods of which he is possessed have been accumulated solely by the exercise of his own industry, as he never re- ceived any legacy to assist him on the high road to prosperity. He has been a resident of the Prairie State for a period of twenty-seven years, and dur- ing that time has established for himself a reputation as a fair and honest man and a good citizen.

The subject of this biographical sketch is a na- tive of Licking County, Chio, and was born on the 19th of June, 1837. He is the son of David

and Elizabeth Porter, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively, who were the parents of twelve children, of whom the following survive: John, of Livingston County ; Joseph ; Jane, wife of William Priest, of Licking County, Ohio; Martha, wife of Morgan Willey, of Licking County; Ezra N., of Lieking County; Matthew T., of Ohio; Perry, of Pontiac, Ill .; Francis M., who was a soldier in the late Civil War; and Minerva, wife of Garrett Gifford, of Linn County, Kan.

Until after attaining his majority Mr. Porter re- mained in his native State, devoting his time to work upon the farm, and when it was possible for him to do so, attended the common schools in his section of the State, and succeeded in securing a fair common-school education. Preceding his re- moval to Illinois, which event occurred in 1860, he engaged in school-teaching for four terms. Upon his arrival in Illinois he went directly to Livingston County, where he procured employ- ment in Owego Township, and in 1874 settled upon his present farm, where he has since continuously resided.

Mr. Porter was married, on the 9th of October, 1861, to Elizabeth M. Porter, daughter of Luther Porter, of Vermont, and she had also been en- gaged in the occupation of teaching for several years. To Mr. and Mrs. Porter have been born six children, two of whom, John W. and Eva J., are living, the four deceased being as follows: Rosa B., David L., Frank E. and Milo. Mr. Por- ter and his wife are both zealous members of the Baptist Church, as is also their daughter, and at the present time he is serving as Trustee of the church, both being respected members of society. and on account of their amiability are much be- loved by their neighbors. Mr. P. is now otliciating as President of the Owego Township Sabbath- School Association, in which he takes a great in- terest, and also devotes much time to the cause of temperance and his church. So far as politics go he has use for no other party than the one which will prohibit the manufacture and sale of ardent and malt liquors. Mr. Porter has served as Clerk of Owego Township, as Tax Collector for one year, and Trustee of the Owego Township schools for over twenty years. In the discharge of the duties

RESIDENCE OF J. H . FUNK , SEC. 4. UNION TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF PETER SOMERS , SEC. 32. FOREST TOWNSHIP.

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of these various offices his sound judgment and practical knowledge of affairs have stood him well in hand.

R ICHARD HANNA, a resident of the Prai- rie State for the last thirty-seven years, has spent the most of his time since coming here in this county. Ile is now pleasantly located on section 27, Indian Grove Township, where he has 120 acres of valuable land under a high state of cultivation, with a neat and commod- ious dwelling, a good barn and all the other farm buildings required by the progressive agricultur- ist. He has been prominent in the affairs of this and Belle Prairie Townships, having held the offices of Collector, Commissioner of High ways, School Treas- urer and Director, and while in Belle Prairie Town- ship, adjoining, was a member of the County Board of Supervisors four terms, and Chairman of the Finance Committee. He has discharged the duties of the offices to which he has been called in a highly creditable manner, and comprises no unim- portant factor of an intelligent community.

Mr. Hanna is the scion of an excellent old fam- ily of Welsh and Irish descent, whose ancestors settled in Pennsylvania more than a century ago. He was born in Fayette County, that State, Nov. 26, 1825, and is the son of Jesse and Sineah (Will- iams) Hanna, also natives of the Keystone State. Jesse Ilanna was born in Fayette County in 1801, and departed this life at his home in Belle Prairie Township, in the fall of 1868. In addition to general farming he was also a stock-trader of con- siderable note, and at the time of his death had been a resident of Illinois for a period of eighteen years, having come here in 1850. He located first in Woodford County, whence he removed five years later to Belle Prairie, which remained his per- manent home. He also was Supervisor of Belle Prairie Township and served as Assessor and Treasurer, besides holding the other oflices. The Baptist Church recognized in him one of its chief pillars, and he was ever a liberal and cheerful con- tributor to those enterprises calculated for the good of the community.

The parents of our subject were married Feb. 25, 1824. The mother was born in February, 1801, and survived her husband six years, her death tak- ing place in 1875. She was a lady who enjoyed the highest esteem of all who knew her, being re- markably kind and gentle in disposition, and ful- filling in all respects her duties as a wife and mother, rearing her children carefully, and instill- ing in them those principles which are the basis of all good citizenship. The household included eight sons and four daughters, namely : Richard; Thomas, now deceased; Johanna, who became the wife of Richard Crouch, died June 4, 1887; Will- iam, deceased; Mary, David, Robert; Margaret, the wife of George R. Conn; Alpheus, Nancy, James and John M. The paternal grandfather of our subject was of Irish birth and parentage, and emigrated to this country in 1774, in time to serve as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He mar- ried a Welsh lady, and they spent their last years in Pennsylvania,

Our subject was reared to farm pursuits and re- ceived his education in the common schools. He came to Illinois with his parents in 1850. Five years before, however, he had left the farm and engaged at boiler-making at Pittsburgh three years, and for two years afterward was with the firm of Lippincott & Co., shovel manufacturers in the same city. He was first married in Erie County, Pa., to Miss Eliza J. Miller, a native of Crawford County, and they became the parents of two chil- dren-Leslie P. and Jessie F. the latter died in infancy. Leslie, who is a youth of more than or- dinary intelligence, is pursuing his studies in Wes- leyan University at Bloomington, in the Sopho- more class, and seems naturally adapted for the legal profession. The mother of these children died at her home, Sept. 18, 1865. Mr. Hanna was subsequently married, in 1872, to Miss Phebe A., the daughter of Owen D. and Ann (Thompson) Hanna. She was born in Butler County, Ohio, Jan. 16, 1849. Her parents were natives of Penn- sylvania and Ohio respectively, the father born Oct. 5, 1819, and the mother Dec. 14, 1822. They were married Feb. 20, 1844. They reside in Piatt County. The parental household included eight children, of whom one died in infancy unnamed.

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The others were named respectively, Mary E., Al- bert J .. Phebe A., Sarah E., Samuel L., Benjamin F. and Stephen A.

Mr. and Mrs. Hanna are the parents of four children-Orestes D .. Edna H., Harold A. and Liz- zie E. Mr. H. is a member of the Missionary Bap- tist Church, and was one of the five who organ- ized the society at Fairbury in 1858. He was at that time appointed Clerk, and has since been one of the most liberal and cheerful contributors to the support of the cause.

S PRINGER DIXON came to Livingston County in 1866, and has since been a resi- dent of Forest Township. Since coming to the West he has resided in Iowa and several localities in Illinois, but was not quite satis- fied with any of them until he stopped in Forest Township, where he will probably spend the bal- ance of his days. He owns and occupies one of the most ample farms of the county, which consists of 400 acres, and every aere of it is rich, product- ive ground. Mr. Dixon is a native of Fayette County, Pa., and was born March 1, 1833. The paternal grandfather, James Dixon, was a native of the North of Ireland, and came to the United States when a young man and married Miss Montgomery. Of six children, the third also bore the name of James, and he was the father of the subject of this sketch.

Mr. James Dixon in early life engaged in a woolen factory, and afterward became a merchant, in which line of business he obtained success. The later years of his life were spent in farming, and he died in Pennsylvania at the age of about sixty- six years. The mother of our subject was Lucy Ann Springer, who was also born in Fayette County, l'a. She was of Dutch ancestry, but the Springers settled in Delaware previous to the Revolutionary War. She was the mother of four children.

Mr. Springer Dixon was educated in the common schools of his day, and during his boyhood and young manhood assisted his father in conducting the affairs of the store. In the spring of 1854 he was married to Mary Sampey. a daughter of James

and Rebecca Sampey, who was born in Fayette County, Pa. In the spring of 1855 Mr. Dixon, accompanied by his wife, emigrated to Davenport, Iowa, where he worked in a sawmill and gristmill for about two years. He then removed to Putnam County. Ill., where he rented land and engaged in farming for a time. He afterward removed to La- Salle County, and from there came to Livingston County in 1866, and settled in Forest Township, locating on his present farm four years later. He now owns 400 acres of land, and engages exelus- ively in raising grain. To Mr. and Mrs. Dixon have been born six children-Charles, Lincoln, George, Ellen, James and Adeline. In their relig- ious beliefs Mr. and Mrs. Dixon are adherents of the doctrines taught by the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they are active members. Polit- ically, Mr. Dixon is a Republican, and gives to the men and measures of that party a hearty support. In all their conditions Mr. and Mrs. Dixon are hap- pily situated. Their large and productive farm affords them remunerative crops. With a large circle of friends, and with loving children, verily their lines are cast in pleasant places.

E DWARD BUNTING, who is successfully engaged in farming in Dwight Township, this State, comes of a family of English origin. He was born in Stanfield, Norfolk Co., England, in 1827. Ile is the son of Robert and Hannah (Belcham) Bunting, who spent their lives in England, where they were engaged in farming. HIis father held the position of steward of the same farm for a period of forty years. Young Edward spent the principal part of his time at work upon the farm until he was twenty-six years of age, and during that time became skilled in all the details of practical farming. His parents afforded him such facilities as were possible for acquiring a com- mon-school education, and by hard study and close application he made considerable advancement.

In 1853 Mr. Bunting was married to Miss Ilar- riet Place, daughter of William and Hannah (Ilol- den) Place, of Norfolk County, England. In a short time after their marriage they left England

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for this country, in company with three brothers of Mr. Bunting. His brother Jolm and himself were married on the same day, and together with their wives took passage on the same vessel. After a pleasant and safe voyage they arrived at the city of New York, where they remained a short time. Edward and his wife came West, first stopping in Ohio, where they remained for nine months, during which time Mr. Bunting was engaged at work upon a farm. In 1854 he moved to Illinois, and settled on a farm in DuPage County, where he remained until 1865, and then moved to Dwight Township, Livingston County, and rented a farm. In 1880 Mr. Bunting bought 160 acres of land in this town- ship, where his son Robert now resides.

Mr. and Mrs. Bunting have had three children, all of whom are living-William J., Robert E. and Frank A. J. Frank resides at home with his par- ents; Robert E. occupies the farm above named, and William J. is living on a farm in Dwight Town- ship. The boys partake largely of the characteris- ties of the father, particularly in matters of enter- prise, economy and good management. They are all succeeding in the enterprises in which they are engaged, and are substantial and estimable citizens.

LFRED DES VOIGNE, dealer in harness, sewing-machines and organs in Odell, this county, was born in Switzerland on the 9th of February, 1845, and was the only child of John Peter and Elizabeth (Colon) Des Voigne, who were natives of Switzerland, although the mother was of French blood. The father was a cabinet-maker by trade, and followed that occupa- tion in his native country until 1845, when he sailed from Havre to America and landed in New York, where he engaged at his trade and remained until his death, with the exception of a few years spent in the West.

The subject of this sketch was born in New York City, where he attended school one year, when his parents removed to Ottawa, Ill., and he had no for- ther opportunities for education. He was engaged for four years on the telegraph line for the million- aire Caton, and then came to Odell, where he en-

gaged at harness-making, while his father followed his trade, until, at the age of sixteen years, he left home and set out in life for himself. He went to Peoria, and there followed his trade nearly a year. The Civil War was then in progress, and in the month of May, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, 68th Illinois Infantry, and was mustered into the service at Springfield. This regiment was uniformed and drilled as a Zouave regiment, and was composed exclusively of young men, most of whom were reared in or near Bloomington. They were first sent to the Shenandoah Valley, and the first engagement in which they participated was the second battle of Bull Run, where the regiment was under the com- mand of Col. Stewart, and the company to which the subject of this sketch belonged was under the command of Capt. Moore. The regiment was mus- tered in for three months, but served in the Shen- andoah Valley, skirmishing and doing guard duty, for five months, and was then ordered to Spring- field and discharged.

Mr. Des Voigne returned to his work at his trade in Peoria, but six months later he went to St. Louis and enlisted in Company F, ist Missouri Light Ar- tillery, which was commanded by Capt. Morse. The company was mustered in at St. Louis, and sent by boat down the Mississippi River to Memphis, thence to ITelena, Ark., and on to Duvall's Bluff, to the interior of Arkansas on White River, where they remained a short time on guard duty. They then went to Little Rock, where there was a light en- gagement with the rebels under Gen. Marmaduke, a detachment of Gen. Price's command. Here they made their headquarters for a considerable time, de- fending the city. All the troops which had been concentrated here were called off to accompany Sherman on his famous march to the sea, excepting twelve artillery companies left to guard the city. The rebel General, Price, endeavored to checkmate Sherman by threatening the city, but the artillery companies impeded his progress so much by felling trees and destroying roads that he was unable to ac- complish his purpose. The remainder of Mr. Des Voigne's service was with these companies, guarding the city of Little Rock and skirmishing in the sur- rounding country until Lee and Johnson surren- dered their armies. Five months later they were

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ealled to St. Lonis, where they were discharged, and he was given transportation home to Odell.

At the elose of the service our subject found himself the possessor of $500, and the first six months after his return he went to school. At the close of this school term he opened a shop, which he sold in 1873 and went to Canton, Ohio, where he again opened a shop, but remained only one year. He invested some money in land in this county on his return, which proved to be a very profitable transaction. He then erected the first brick build- ing in the town of Odell, and he now owns one- fourth of the block in which his business is conducted. For one year he engaged in business in Bloomington. but never gave up his interest in Odell. Besides the business he conducts here he is largely interested in western lands, and now owns more than 1,000 acres in Nebraska and Kansas.

Mr. Des Voigne was married, on the 26th of De- cember, 1868, to Adele Chenot, who was born in France, and is the daughter of George and Kat- rina Chenot, who were natives of France, but he- came residents of the United States about the time of the war. Our subject and wife are the parents of two children, named Ida and George, both of whom are at school. Mr. and Mrs. Des Voigne are supporters of the Congregational faith, and are act- ive in all matters that pertain to the welfare of the community. Mr. Des Voigne is not very active in politics. He is a genial man in his social intercourse, and has a good and kind word for every one. In busines- affairs he is shrewd and enterprising, and has been very successful.

E DWARD A. BANGS, banker and merchant at Chatsworth, is the oldest business man of the place, having located here in 1861, when the present thriving village was an unimportant hamlet. Ile spent his younger years upon his fa- ther's farm in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where his birth took place Dec. 15, 1835. He has made good use of his time and opportunities and possesses those manly traits of character which have made him dignified and pleasing in manner, and indicate a gentleman born and bred. He is also of that se-

date and thoughtful mien which at once commands respect, while the kindly undercurrent of his char- acter is evident here and there as he walks in and ont among his fellow-citizens, by whom he is held in high esteen.

The Bangs family is of pure English ancestry, of whom the first representatives in this country crossed the Atlantic probably 200 years ago. They located in New England and formed a large proportion of the substantial and reliable element of Massachu- setts and Vermont. Heman Bangs, the grand- father of our subject, for a long period carried on farming and stock-raising in the Green Mountain State, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. He reared a fine family of sons and daughters, among them being Heman A., the father of our subject, who was born in 1779, and followed farm- ing principally, though for a time he conducted a hotel. Ile migrated to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., while still a young man, and was there united in marriage with Miss Almira A. Phillips, a native of his own State. They resided in New York State until 1848, then removed to Sheboygan County, Wis., and thence to Illinois in 1851, and for a pe- riod of nearly twenty years were engaged in farm- ing in Lake County. The labors of Heman Bangs were rewarded, and he became the possessor of a fine property. From Lake County he removed to Chatsworth, where he passed his declining years, retired from active labor. Ile folded his hands for his final rest in March, 1884. The mother is still living and has passed her eightieth birthday. She resides with her son in Wymore, Neb.

Hleman Bangs, when first becoming a voter, identified himself with the Democratic party, but upon the organization of the Republicans, in 1856, wheeled over into the ranks of the latter, with whom he afterward remained. He was a man of fine business capacities, and possessed all the ele- ments of good citizenship. While a resident of the Empire State he served as Sheriff of Jefferson County, and wherever he made his abiding-place was recognized as a valued factor in the commu- nity.

The parental household of our subject included six children, of whom the record is as follows: Charles G., a skilled mechanic, is at Waukegan, Ill. ;

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his sister, Susan C., now Mrs. Whitmore, also re- sides there; Edward A., our subject, was the third in order of birth; Ann C. is the wife of A. W. Thompson, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; George is a resident of Wymore, Neb., and Milton, of Chats- worth, this county.

The early educational advantages of Mr. Bangs were somewhat limited, but his sound common sense, and naturally keen observation, provided him with a good education for business and society. Ile was a youth of thirteen years when the family removed from New York to Wisconsin, and he re- mained under the home roof during their success- ive removals, and until after becoming residents of Chatsworth. During the winter of 1859 he was engaged in the lumber regions of Wisconsin, and after coming to Chatsworth followed for a few months the trade of a carpenter. In the fall of 1861 he became associated with W. E. Esty, and under the firm name of Esty & Bangs, they estab- lislied a store of general merchandise, with which Mr. B. has since been connected. Mr. Esty re- tired from the firm in 1868, and after that time George A. Bangs filled his place. Our subject established a private bank in 1877, and considering the fact that he enjoys the entire confidence of his community and the people of Livingston County, there is no question but that it will continue in the successful manner which is marking the first year of its operations.

Mr. Bangs was first married in 1863, to Miss Ilarriet E., daughter of Moses Esty, and formerly of Lake County, Il). Of this union there were born two children, Frank H. and Gay, who are now twenty-one and thirteen years of age. The mother of these sons departed this life at her home in Chats- worth in 1871. Seven years later Mr. Bangs was married to Miss Ann M. Crumpton, daughter of William and Nancy Crumpton. Mrs. Bangs was born in Maine, in 1842, and has become the mother of one son, Ilal C., who was born in 1878. The family residence is pleasantly located, and is a neat and shapely structure, fully in keeping with the character of its proprietor, and the head of the family. Mr. Bangs gives his attention mainly to his business concerns. although he has held various local offices, and is warmly interested in the estab-

lishment and maintenance of schools, and is now School Treasurer. Ile votes the straight Repub- lican ticket, is identified with the Masons, and in matters of religion is a Spiritualist and a Free- thinker.

OHN R. BIGHAM, a thrifty farmer and fruit-grower, located in the southeastern part of Livingston County, has a town residence in Chatsworth, and has been in this vicinity since the spring of 1867. His first recollections are of a country home near Ilamilton, Butler Co .. Ohio, where his birth took place Oct. 27, 1831. Since coming to this State lie has engaged mostly in ag- ricultural pursuits, making a specialty of fruit- growing, and industriously engaging in the im- provement of his land, which comprises eighty acres on section 4.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, William Bigham, Sr., was born in Williamsburg, Va., Nov. 1, 1750, and when a young man removed to Lan- caster County, Pa., where he married Miss Mary Reed, Nov. 25, 1779. This union resulted in the birth of thirteen children, of whom the youngest, William, born April 12, 1802, became the father of our subject. William Bigham, Jr., in due time re- moved with his parents to Butler County, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood and married, first, Miss Jane Clark, of Hamilton County. This lady died soon after her marriage. His second wife and the mother of our subject was, in her girlhood, Miss Martha C. Ross, who was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, Jan. 16, 1807.

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Portrait and bigraphical album of Livingston County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies , Part 63

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago) publisher Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 1208

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago) publisher
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 1208