Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 101

Author: Chapman brothers, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 1222

USA > Illinois > McLean County > Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 101

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Peter Stuckey removed from his native Provinee to France when a small ehild, with his parents, who both shortly afterward departed this life. He was then adopted by his grandmother and remained with her until twelve years old, when he was eom- pelled to go among strangers and earn his own liv- ing. At the age of seventeen years he became

a member of the Mennonite Church, with which he remained connected until the elose of his life, his death oeeurring on the 22d of February, 1860. The educational advantages of Peter Stuekey were very limited, but he made the most of them and beeame a very intelligent man. He was the greater part of his life engaged in farming pursuits. In 1824 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Summers, who was a native of Alsace-Lorraine, where her parents had fled from Switzerland on account of religious persecution. The mother of our subjeet was born in 1802, and accompanied her husband to America in 1830. They arrived in the month of June and located in Butler County. Ohio, where they resided for twenty years. They came to Illi- nois in October, 1850, and located in Danvers Township, where the mother died in 1885. She was a good woman in all that the term implies and a devoted member of the Mennonite Church, and by the noble example of her pure life wielded a great influenee for good in the community. Of their family of six children, five are still living: Joseph of our sketeh was the eldest born; Chris- tian was eonsumptive and visited Enreka Springs in the hope of effeeting a cure, but in vain; he died there the 3d of September, 1885, at the age of fifty-six years, leaving a family, a widow and five children, to whom he was devotedly attached; the greater part of his life was devoted to farming pursuits. Elizabeth became the wife of Nicholas Hilde, and is now living in Livingston County, Ill .; John married Barbay Strupher, and resides in Danvers Township; Catharine married Peter Naffzinger, of Baden, Germany ; Peter married Miss Catharine Engle, and they are living in Taze- well County, this State; this brother is also a Men- nonite minister, having entered the ministry in 1875, and presides over a eongregation of 180 inembers.

The subject of our sketch when he came to this country landed at New Orleans, and thenee went with his parents to Butler Connty, Ohio. There he worked on his father's farm and received a limited education in the old log school-house. He was married on the 17th of December, 1844, to Miss Barbara Roth, a native of his own country, where she was born Marehr 1, 1821, and who came to

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Ameriea in 1842. Mrs. Stuekey was also a devoted member of the Mennonite Church and was the brave and devoted assistant and helpmeet of her husband in their earlier toils and struggles. After remaining his faithful and affectionate companion for a period of thirty-seven years, she departed this life on the 27th of April, 1881, aged sixty years, one month and twenty-seven days. Their two children were both daughters; Jacobina beeame the wife of Joseph S. Augspurger and is now liv- ing six miles north of Danvers. She became the mother of fourteen children, twelve of whom are now living and all members of the 'Mennonite Church. Christian R. married Miss Catherine Stru- pher, and is engaged in mercantile pursuits in Danvers.

The second wife of our subjeet was Mrs. Magda- lena (Roth) Habeeker, to whom he was married Dee. 11, 1881. Mrs. Stuckey is also eonneeted with the Mennonite Church. They occupy a pleas- ant and comfortable home' in the village of Dan- vers, and besides this property our subjeet owns 200 aeres of land in the township. He has devoted the last twenty-five years of his life to the ministry, and in pursuanee of the duties of his ealling has traveled over the States of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, em- ployed in the establishment of ehurehes, in lifting. up the discouraged and strengthening the weak, administering the Saerament and attending to all his duties with conscientious carc. He has officiated at 186 marriages and over 500 baptisms. He is a strong temperanee man and in politics affiliates with the Republican party. For the benefit of those who are unacquainted with the - Mennonite Church, of which he is an ordained and an able minister, a brief history of the church is appropri- ately given in connection with the biography of Mr. Stuekey.

The Mennonite Church derives its name from Menno Symons, who was born in Friesland in 1496. Menno was a Roman Catholic priest, and a man of studious character and great learning. He left his mother church and devoted himself to theo- logical study. His book of doctrine was published in 1539. The followers of his teachings are some- times called the latter school of Anabaptists.

After the taking of Muenster and the execution of the leaders of the Anabaptists, Menno Symons gave himself to the winning of the remnants of these deluded people from the lawless fanatieism into which they had fallen, or had been led, and with older and purer elements united them in the Netherlands and in North Germany; and these adherents of his views were known henceforth as Mennonites. While some of the earlier views of the Anabaptists were retained by this society, their fanatieal violenee was completely set aside. The Mennonites were carefully organized after what was regarded as the primitive congregational model. They had ministers and deaeons, and their discipline was very strict. They take the New Testament as their only rule of faith; that the terms Person and Trinity onght not to be applied to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost; that there is no original sin; that infants ought not to be bap- tized. They maintain also, that Christians should not bring law suits, demand interest, take oaths, or serve as soldiers. Some of them adopted feet- washing in preparation of the Lord's Supper. They dropped all the views subversive of eivil rule which had been held by the Anabaptists. Their ministry is unpaid, and for the most part uneducated. Yet latterly there has been some change in this respeet.

The Galenists established a seminary in 1735, and in this eonntry some effort has been made in theologieal education. Their simple lives, thrifty habits and fidelity to promises, made them many friends. They obtained toleration in the Nether- lands, then in Germany and in England. Diversity of views in regard to strietness in excommunication led to their division into the "Free" or "Strict" and "Coarse" or "Mild." The milder party di- vided on the question between Calvinism (the Apostolists) and Arminianism (the Galenists). In 1801 the parties united, the Galenists forming the major part. In Holland there are 120 congrega- tions; in Germania about 14,000 members. In Prussia they were relieved from the obligation to bear arms, and from the necessity of taking oaths, official or judicial. In 1867 the North-German federal constitution imposed on them the obligation of military service. Nearly a century before this, or in 1783, many emigrated from Prussia to Russia.

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In 1870 they had reached the number of 40,000. HIcrc they enjoyed many privileges, among which was freedom from military service. They became rich and were generally reckoned among the best subjects of the crown.

In 1871 they lost their privilege from military service, and the alternative was given them be- twcen conscription and cinigration, and they were allowed ten years to decide. They chose the lat- ter, and in 1873 their first body arrived in New York, and from there proceeded to Kansas, where they made a settlement. The exodus became so great that the Czar was compelled to withdraw his order to stop the movement. Before this time, however, many had emigrated to the United States, and thrifty societies had been established. Upon the invitation of William Penn in 1683, many came over and founded a settlement at German- town, near Philadelphia. In 1735 there were about 500 families settled iu Lancaster County.

The Mennonites number now about 200,000, of whom about 150,000 arc settled in the United States, and 25,000 in Canada. The Armist or Omish Mennonites, arc more rigid in discipline and dress, proscribing cven buttons as carnal vanities and luxuries. The reformed Mennonites arose in Lancaster, Pa., in 1811. Their aim is to restore the ancient faith and practice of their Church. There are other subdivisions of later origin.

There arc abont 2,800 Mennonites in Illinois, fifty - two ministers and nineteen bishops. The church government is under onc head, composcd' of the bishops of all the churches. Bishops and ministers arc taken from the ranks of the church. There arc three grades of officers-bishops, ministers and elders. Ministers are ordained by bishops, and bishops are ordained by two or more bishops. The system of government is congregational, and all the affairs of the church are settled by the congre- gation. They have no catechism and take the New Testament as a guide. The 'old Bible, to them. is inorc of a history.

They have three educational institutions in the United States, onc in Halstead, Kan., one in Elkhart, Ind., where they have a publishing house, and one in Wadsworth, Ohio. They also have a missionary in Indian nation, who is meeting with fair success

with the Indians. His devoted labor in bchalf of those wanderers is highly commendable.

The first church building crected in this section was in Woodford County, first across the line, in 1853. In 1872 they crected a new building in Danvers Township, where the old and the new congregation worship. The membership of this society numbers now about 400, and is presided over by Rev. Joseph Stuckey. No better citizens are to be found in any community than those con- nected with this devoted religious body. Fidelity to promises and obligations, coupled with ceascless industry, strict honesty, the quiet and gentle spirit and the highly commendable disposition to leave the business of others alonc, make them desirable neighbors, profitable and worthy citizens.

b ENRY J. FORNEY. This gentleman, who is closely identificd with the agricultural inter- csts of Chenoa Township, is pleasantly- lo- cated on section 34, where he settled in 1882. His farm includes 160 acres of choice land, a good house and barn, and everything pertaining to a first- class farm estate. It is well stocked with horses, cattle and hogs, and the fences and farm machinery are of the best description and kept in good rc- pair. Mr. F. is one of the most valucd men of his community, a member in good standing of the German Baptist Church, in which he officiates as the leading English preacher, and is widely aud favorably known both on account of his faithful- ness in his religious work, his straightforward deal- ings as a business man and his pleasing social qualities.

The subject of this biography was born on a farm near Davidsville, Somerset Co., Pa., Nov. 17, 1840. He is the son of Jacob and Magdalena (Landis) Forney, natives of the same county, as their son. The grandfather of our subject was John Forney, who was of German ancestry and parentage, and who, after cmigrating to the United States located in Pennsylvania, where he spent the last years of his life. His son Jacob, father of Henry J., of this sketch, became the father of six

4HtulIn

RESIDENCE OF JOHNG.GEIGER , SEC. 3, TOWANDA TOWNSHIP .

RESIDENCE OF JOHN HILPERT , 5EC, 15, MOUNT HOPE TP.

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children, all of whom lived to maturity. One is now deceascd.

Henry J. Forney, the youngest of his parents' - family, remained under the home roof and attended the district schools until he was nineteen years of age. He then went to Ohio and located in Aslı- land County, about the time of the outbreak of the late war. He then enlisted in 1861, in Co. C, 42d Ohio Vol. Inf., his regiment being assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. They marched southeastward, and young Forney, with his com- rades participated in the battles of Grand Gulf, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, the siege of Vicksburg, Jacksonville, Miss., and various minor engagements and skirmishes, twelve regular battles in all. He was wounded at the battle of Middle Creek, Ky. At the close of his term of enlistment he was mustered out, in September, 1864, and after a brief time spent in Ashland County, Ohio, returned to his old home in Pennsylvania. In 1865, he came to Illinois and purchased a farm in Hudson Township, this county, having in view the establishment of a permanent home and do- mestic ties. He then returned to Pennsylvania and was united in marriage with Miss Melissa Dull, of Berlin, Somerset County, and with his wife, Jan. 21, 1866, returned to his new farm, upon which they located and which Mr. Forney commenced to improve and cultivate. They occupied this until 1882, then removed to their present homestcad in Chenoa Township. Their family consists of three sons and one daughter-Albert D., Edgar E., Will- iam R. and Sadie E. In politics Mr. Forney is a Republican.

OHN HILPERT. This highly respected Ger- man citizen is a splendid representative of that solid and substantial element which has done so much toward the development of the resources of the New World, and has become so intimately identificd with its business and indus- trial interests. He was born in Baden on the 24th of June, 1825, and there grew to manhood. His parents were Mathias and Mary (Bruner) Hilpert. In accordance with the laws and customs of his

native land our subject entered school at an early age and pursued a continuous course of study until he was fourteen years old. He then worked on his father's farm for the following six years, when he joined the army, with which he remained six years, serving through the Revolution of 1848-49. He was in Denmark at the time that Germany acquired the Province of Sleswick-Holstein, and served in ninc regular engagements besides twelve skirmishes. During one of these battles he was wounded. A cannon ball struck a tree, breaking off a limb, which in falling struck him on the hip, inflicting a serious wound, of which he has carried the scar ever since. At one time a shell from the enemy's guns struck the ammunition wagon only eight feet from where our subject stood, which caused an explosion, kill- ing two men near by, but he escaped unharmed.

At the close of his military services Mr. Hilpert decided to emigrate to the New World. He ac- cordingly set sail from Havre in March and landed in New Orleans after a voyage of forty-two days. Three days afterward he started for this State, and on arriving was employed on a farm in Madison County, where he worked for one year at $7 per month, and then went to St. Louis and from there back to New Orleans, where he was engaged in an - engine factory until the following spring. 'He then returned to Illinois, stopping in Carlyle, Clinton County, where he spent the summer, and in the fall returned to St. Louis and engaged in a print- ing-office. He remained there until the following May, when he went to Pekin, Ill., and was cm- ployed upon a farm. During these years he had been industrious and economical and now found himself in a condition to commence farming on his own account. Hc rented a tract of land which he occupied and cultivated for the following six years and then, removing to Logan County, rented land there until 1866, when he purchased the homestead which he now occupies. There was then upon the unenclosed land a small house of two rooms, but no trecs; fences, or other improvements. His first purchase consisted of eighty acres. He set himself energetically to work, improved and cultivated his purchase, and in due time received the reward of his labors in smiling fields and growing grain.

As his means accumulated Mr. Hilpert added to

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his original purchase, and is now the owner of 420 aeres of some of the finest farming land to be found in McLean County. The diminutive frame dwelling has given place to a commodious farm residence, and his barns and out-buildings gen- erally are second to none in this section. The land is all enelosed and some of the boundaries are -

outlined with beautiful hedges, which are thrifty and well kept. In addition to the raising of grain and general farm produce Mr. Hilpert is giving considerable attention to the raising, feeding and shipping of stock, which business yields him a fine income.

The subject of our sketeh was united in marriage with Miss Anna Hoose March 24, 1856. Mrs. H. was born in Hesse, Germany, on the 16th of De- cember, 1827. Her parents were George and Martha (Rulinger) Hoose. Her union' with our subjeet has been blest by the birth of the follow- ing six children: John married Lizzie M. Hocrr, and is a resident of Mt. Hope Township; Lizzie is the wife of John Slaubaugh, also a resident of Mt. Ilope Township; Amelia, Edward, Ulysses and Emma are at home with their parents.

Sinee coming to this section of the country Mr. Hilpert has identified himself with its interests, and has proven himself a worthy and valued citizen. He is Republican in polities and in all respects has contributed his quota toward the building up of his adopted township and county. A lithographic view of the handsome residence and fine out-build- iugs of Mr. Hilpert is shown on another page.

OHN G. GEIGER. The following is a brief sketch of a representative of a elass of for- eign born citizens who brought the thrift and energy, which are their only heritage in their native land, to this country with its great possibilities, and have accomplished so much nnder the influence of the institutions of America. He is well and favorably known throughout Towanda Township. ITis fine homestead ,is on seetion 3, where in addition to the cultivation of the eereals, he is extensively engaged in stock-raising. His par- ents, Frank P. and Evc. (Wolf) Geiger, werc

natives of Bavaria, Germany. The father was a brick molder by trade and continued a resident of his native country until his death. His good wife also died there. John G., Tobias and Andrew Geiger were the only three children born of the marriage of Frank I'. Geiger and Eve Wolf.

John G. Geiger was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 9, 1833, and when nineteen years of age, hoping to better his financial conditiou in the United States, he emigrated here and made his way direet to Cineinnati, Ohio. He was there employed in gardening for about a year and a half when he found employment on a farm in Butler County, that State, on which lic labored for three years. In the spring of 1856 he came to this county and be- came an employe of Richard Rowell, who was liv- ing seven miles due west of Bloomington. He continued with that gentleman for about four years. By the fall of 1859 he had saved sufficient means to enable him to purchase eighty acres of land on section 4, Towanda Township. He moved upon this tract and lias there lived until the present time, and by industry and economy has been en- abled to add to his original purchase and is now the proprietor of 540 acres of valuable and pro- duetive land. Hc has ereeted a fine residence upon his farm, which is surrounded by good and sub- stantial out-buildings, and has brought his land to a high state of cultivation. He is also an extensive dealer in stock and keeps about seventy-five lead of cattle and twenty to twenty-five head of horses on his place and each year fattens about seventy- five head of hogs for the market.

Mr. Geiger was married at Bloomington, Ill., to Miss Anna Niese, Sept. 14, 1859. She is the daughter of Michael and Margaret (Eggert) Niese, natives of Germany, and who remained residents of their native country until their death. Michael Niese became the head of a family of twelve chil- dren, and Mrs. Geiger is the eleventh in order of birth. She was born in Germany, Oct. 11, 1834, and by her union with our subject ha's become the mother of seven children, namely, George A., Frank, Albert F., John N., Paul II., Magdalena and Minnie. Five died in infancy. Mr. Geiger has held the office of Ilighway Commissioner and in politics is a Republican. He is a self-made man,

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for at the time he landed in Cincinnati he had not a single penny in his pocket nor had he any prop- erty that could be converted into money. From his present possessions the reader ean readily see what has been accomplished by one possessed of a determination to get on in the world without de- pending on assistance from others. A fine litho- graphie view of the handsome residence and farm buildings of Mr. Geiger is shown elsewhere in this work.

Le AFAYETTE PROCTOR, a resident of Me- Lean County since 1878, 'and one of her most respected citizens and foremost agri- eulturists, resides on section 18, Towanda Town- ship. He is a son of William and Sarah (MeKee) Proetor, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Fleming County, Ky. After their marriage the parents settled in Kentucky, where the father engaged in farming and met with signal sueeess. They continued to reside in that State until their death, which occurred in Lewis County. Their children were eleven in number, six sons and five daughters, and our subject was the fifth in order of birth.

Lafayette Proetor was born in Fleming County, Ky., Dee. 25, 1827, and was there'reared to man- hood. Ilis sehool privileges were limited and he resided with the old folk, assisting in the labors on the farm until he had attained the age of man- hood. He then engaged in driving cattle from his native State to New York and Philadelphia, and followed that oeenpation as long as he was a eiti- zen of Kentucky. From that State he moved to Morgan County, Ill., and was there occupied in the same business for about two years, when he was married, and settling down on a farm fol- lowed that vocation in Menard County, Ill. Liv: ing there for five years he moved to De Witt County, Ill., and there purchased a farm, on which he lived until the spring of 1878. He then came to this county and bought 160 acres of land lo- eated on seetion 18, Towanda Township, and has made that his home until the present time, engaged the while in farming, and meeting with more than ordinary sueeess in the prosecution of his vocation.

Mr. Proetor was married at Springfield, Ill., Oet. 4, 1855, to Miss Eliza A. Walker, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Skinner) Walker. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, whenee they emi- grated to Sangamon County, Ill., in 1849, and lived there until their death. They had eight ehil- dren, and Mrs. Proetor was the fifth in order of birth. She first saw light in Franklin County, Pa., May 25, 1827, and has borne onr subjeet six chil- dren-Sarah E., William F., John W., Carrie B., Charles A."and Amanda A. Sarah was united in marriage with Laden Berry, and departed this life at Towanda June 6, 1882; William F. married Miss Silvia Malthy, and they are living in Ne- braska; John and Miss Sarah A. Proetor became man and wife, and are residing in Towanda Township, and Carrie B. and Charles A. are yet inmates of the parental household; Amanda died in De Witt Connty, while in infancy. Mrs. Proetor is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, and in polities our subject votes for the success of the Republican party.

SAB3

G EOGE D. SITHERWOOD, M. D., a skillfu and intelligent dental surgeon of Bloom- ington, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Fayette County, March 8, 1846, beiug the son of William and Margaret Sitherwood. His father was a farmer by occupation, and carried on his op- erations in the little valley of Jacob's Creek, at the foot of Chestnut Ridge. George D. spent his boy- hood assisting in the duties of the homestead in the summer, and attending school at Laurelville during the winter season. He also took a course in the Normal School at Millsboro, on the Monongahela River, in Washington County, Pa., from which he graduated in 1862, and immediately began teaching at Moccasin Hollow, Westmoreland County, that State. IIe was thus employed uutil after the out- break of the late Rebellion, and in 1863 enlisted as a Union soldier, in a regiment of Pennsylvania cavalry, as bugler, and remained in the service, in Southern Pennsylvania, until the expiration of his term of enlistment. He received his honorable dis- charge at Pittsburgh, in October of that same

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year, and returning home resumed his foriner oe- eupation as a teacher, and was thus occupied until January, 1864. He then enlisted in the regular army, and went on duty in the United States Sig- nal Corps. Himself and Doane B. Coleord were chief buglers of the Signal Camp of Instruction, which was situated on Georgetown Heights. It was also a part of the duty of our subject to give instruction to cavalry buglers for the Army of the Potomae. He was a member of the Signal Corps Band, playing E (flat) eornet. Ile was in the skirmish and battle of Ft. Stephens when Gen. Early eame down through Maryland and attempted to capture Washington City.

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Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 101

Author: Chapman brothers, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 1222

Author: Chapman brothers, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 1222