Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 102

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 102

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In January, 1865, young Sitherwood was sent with a small detachment of the Signal Corps to Hilton Head, S. C., doing duty at Braddoek's Point, formerly the home of John C. Calhoun, Ft. Pulaski, Savannah, Ga., and the Sea Islands of South Carolina. He was most of the time on duty at Ft. Pulaski. It was in this fort that many of the prin- eipal leaders of the Rebellion and Governors of the seeeding States were imprisoned, namely: Gov. MeGrath, South Carolina; Allison, of Florida; Senator R. M. Hunter, of Virginia ; James S. Seddons, Secretary of War; Judge Campbell, of Mississippi; Judge Clark, and various others. Our subjeet be- eame quite well acquainted with those mentioned, often bringing them vegetables from Savannah, and playing duets with Gov. Allison, who was a fine violinist, the Doctor playing the eornet. While on duty at Georgetown Heights as bugler, Dr. Sithier- wood always had a free pass to Washington City, and attended many of the Presidential reeeptions, so that the faees of Lineoln, Seward, Stanton, Chase, Johnson, Sumner, and the leading men on both sides beeame familiar to the bugler boy of the Signal Corps, who always regretted that he was not old enough to vote for "Father Abraham " when he was elected President for the second term, al- although he did assist in the serenade and grand hurrah that night in Washington, when it was known that he was elected. Our subjeet was mus- tered out Aug. 20, 1865, receiving his honorable discharge at Hilton Head, S. C. .

Dr. Sitherwood returned home from the war by way of New York, taking passage on the old steam-

ship " Aragon." Ile immediately resumed the study of medieine, which he had begun in the spring of 1863, with Dr. J. Loar, at Mt. Pleasant, in the meantime teaching music and leading a brass band, in order to get means to attend medieal lectures. For this purpose he went to Philadel- phia, during the winter of 1866-67, and spent some time in the University of Medicine and Sur- gery, and with Dr. Isaae Lukens, an eminent dentist, who leetured in the college. The summer of 1867 was spent in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, where he worked at his trade, making reeds and tuning organs in the factories of those eities, en- deavoring to earn money to pay for the second year in college. In the fall of 1867 he returned to Philadelphia on foot, a distance of 750 miles, tak- ing subseriptions for a medical journal on the way, and thus elearing about $75. The walking feat was notieed by a number of the city papers at the time. Hé pursued his studies elosely that winter, and in the spring of 1868 graduated from the University. In the fall of that year he eommeneed the praetiee of his profession at Riehfield Springs, N. Y., being successful from the start. In October, 1869, he left New York, and coming West as far as Mt. Vernon, Ohio, entered into partnership with Dr. Loar.'

Dr. Sitherwood was married, Dee. 14, 1870, to Miss Saddie A. Loar, the eldest daughter of his partner, a beautiful and aecomplished lady, who made him a charming and affectionate wife, and who became the true helpmeet and sympathizer of her husband in all his plans and undertakings. In April, 1871, he dissolved partnership with Dr. Loar, and accompanied by his wife, came to Lin- eoln, in this State, where he pursued his praetiee sueeessfully until August, 1872, and then, by a mutual agreement with his wife, gave up medieine, and removing to Bloomington resumed his trade of tuning organs and other duties connected therewith, in the establishment of Andrus Bros., who were then manufacturing these instruments, at the eor- ner of North and East streets. Dr. S. was thus em- ployed with this eompany until May, 1875, and then entered the dental office of Dr. J. Campbell, performing offlee and laboratory work until January, 1877, when he opened an office of his own for the praetice of dentistry, in which he has been emi-

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Mrs.J. B. lonigler

J. B. engler

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nently sueeessful. His mechanical skill, artistie taste and thorough knowledge of his business, at onee established him in the confidence of the peo- ple of this loeality, and he now holds an honorable position in the profession in this seetion. IIe be- longs to the Illinois, the Chicago, the Central Illi- nois and the American Dental Societies, and in each body has been called upon to fill responsible and honorable offiees.

The married life of Dr. Sitherwood was like a perfeet day in summer, all sunshine and flowers, but too happy to last. Three lovely ehildren came to bless their home, two girls and a boy. The eld- er girl died of scarlet fever when not quite four years old. April 16, 1885, after an attack of ma- larial fever of only five days his beloved eompan- ion elosed her eyes forever upon the seenes of earth. She was a devout and earnest Christian lady, greatly interested in Sunday-school work, and gave her time and strength as far as able to build- ing up the cause of religion among the young. IIer name is held in tender remembrance by a devoted husband and a large circle of friends and aequaint- anees.

The subject of this history descended from ex- eellent Seoteh-Irish ancestry, the MeMichaels, of Seotland, on his mother's side, while his grand- father Sitherwood came from Armagh, Ireland, and was religiously a Seceder. His maternal grand- mother lived to the advanced age of ninety-three years. Dr. Sitherwood is a member of the Chris- tian Church, and is Superintendent of the large and flourishing Sunday-school, over which he has pre- sided for eight years. He is strictly temperate in his habits, never using tobaeco. in any form, is op- posed to the use of aleoholic liquors, enjoys robust and perfeet health, and presents the picture of manly strength and vigor.

HOMAS B. CRIGLER. Upon the opposite page may be seen the portraits of a highly esteemed couple, who have lived in MeLean County for nearly forty years. During this long period their lives have been so exemplary that the esteem of the entire community has been wonl.

They emigrated from the Old Dominion in 1849, and sinee that time, with the exeeption of five years spent in Tazewell County, have been residents here, and interested in the growth and progress of this loeality. Mr. Crigler owus a farm of 126 acres on seetion 30, in Cheney's Grove Township, and is known as a thorough farmer and business man, well worthy of the confidence and esteem of liis fellow-townsmen.

The birth of our subjeet occurred in Culpeper County, 'Va., Dee. 2, 1815. His parents, James and Sarah (Triplett) Crigler, were both natives of the Old Dominion. James Crigler was born in 1773, and departed this life in Virginia in 1841, when sixty-eight years of age. The mother was born in 1795; and died in that State in 1847. Their family consisted of six sous and six daugh- ters, viz .: Catherine, who married Coleman B. Brown; William L., Thomas .B., Dr. James R., Franees S., Sarah J., Matilda, Daniel, Elliott M., Christopher C., Isabella and Mary. E. The subject of this biography was the third child of his parents and remained under the home roof until his mar- riage, on the 25th of July, 1839. The maiden of his ehoiee was Miss Sarahı R. Deal, who was born in Waynesboro, Va., Jan. 28, 1820, and is the daughter of John and Nellie (Invoden) Deal, both natives of Virginia, and the parents of twelve ehil- dren, eight daughters and four sons, as follows: George W., Catherine, Samuel C., Henry J., Sarah R., Mary, Ellen, Margaret, John A., Ida, Susan and Jane A. The parents of Mrs. Crigler were of Ger- man extraction. The first representatives of the family in this country settled in the South at an early day.

Onr subjeet and his wife became the parents of ten children, of whom the record is as follows: Dr. William H. H. first married Miss Nellie Thorp, who has been dead for six years; his second wife was Miss Maggie Sealy. This son during the late Re- bellion was Assistant Surgeon in the Union Army ; he died at Covington, Ind., in 1884. Clarissa F. became the wife of Winston Meeks, who died March 13, 1882; Crimmoral E. became the wife, first of William Marteen, who died in 1881, and afterward of M. A. Richardson, of Streeter, Ill .; Arey A. died at the age of four years and seven-

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teen days; Dr. John M. B. married Miss Love Bal- lard; James T. died when an infant of eleven days old; Dr. Julius W. married Miss Bell, the daugh- ter of Dr. Ballard, who died a few years later; he was then married to Miss Lou Clute. Mattie S. is the wife of A. J. Mace, Postmaster of Saybrook and proprietor of the Weekly Gazette; Maggie E., Mrs. Moore, lives in Sutton, Neb .; Arey, Mrs. E. Hester, lives in this township.

When Mr. Crigler came to this county, in 1849, he only spent one year, then moved to Tazewell County. After a residence there of five years, he returned and located in Danvers Township, of which he was a resident eleven years. Thenee he removed to the eastern part of the county where he located on section 1. in this township, and lived ten or twelve years; he afterward resided in Allin Township for four years, and then purchased his present farm.

Mr. Crigler and the various members of his fam- ily are prominently connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and our subjeet has been warmly interested in the success of the prohibition move- ment. He is a working member of the Sons of Temperance, and labored for many years in en- deavoring to make unpopular the manufacture and sale of spirituous liquors. He is the oldest Odd Fellow in MeLean County, his membership dating back to 1842. Ile has held the various offices within the gift of his townsmen, by whom he is universally respected, and who have the highest confidence in his ability as a business man and his loyalty as a citizen.

R. SELDEN M. PAYNE, physician and surgeon of Chenoa Township, has been located here since 1850 and has built up a successful practice. He is a native of Ohio, born in Marietta, Washington County, on the 25th of August, 1819. The first representatives of the Payne family in the United States, who were of En- glish birth and ancestry, were three brothers who came from England and settled respectively in Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Abra- ham Payne, the grandfather of our subjeet, was a

direet deseendant from the brother who settled in Connecticut. His son Rufus was the father of our subject, and in early life learned the trade of a shoe- maker, although he was fond of agricultural pur- suits and lived upon a farm. He married in early life Miss. Mary Perkins, of Washington County, Ohio, to which State he had emigrated. After mar- riage the young couple settled upon a tract of tim- ber land which Rufus Payne cleared and cultivated, and where he established a comfortable home. In the meantime, as opportunity afforded, he also worked at his trade. In 1848 they removed to Guernsey County, in the same State, thence to Portage County, and from there came West across the Mississippi and located in Appanoose County, Iowa, where his death occurred in about 1875. The wife and mother had departed this life in Washington County, Ohio. Their ten children in- cluded seven daughters and three sons, seven of, whom are still living. The father subsequently mar- ried again, and of this latter union there were born two children.

The subject of this history was the second child of the first marriage. He passed his boyhood days in Ohio, pursued his carly studies in the common schools and later attended Marietta College. He chose his profession early in life and taught school in order to obtain means to complete his medical studies. He read medicine with Dr. Sheldon of Garrettsville, Ohio, and attended lectures in the Eelectie Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in 1846. The year following he com- meneed the practice of his profession in Greene County, Ind.

The marriage of Dr. Payne and Miss Elizabeth Franklin was celebrated on the 15th of November, 1847. Mrs. P. is the daughter of Col. John Frank- lin, who came to this county in 1850. That same year Dr. Payne also came to this county and lo- eated on a farm near Lexington. Here he carried on agriculture in connection with his practice, hav- ing the same love of rural scenes and pursuits which had distinguished his honored father. After the war came on, he enlisted as Assistant Surgeon in the 94th Illinois Infantry and was assigned to duty at Springfield, Mo. Not long thereafter, on account of failing health, he tendered his resig-

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nation, and returning home settled on his present farm. This lies on section 31, and includes 240 acres of choice land. Here he has a tasteful and comfortable residence and all the accessories of an enjoyable country estatc.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Payne has been blest by the birth of five sons: Romeo died when six months old; Leland M. died in Newton County,' Mo., in January, 1887, when thirty-six years of age; he married Miss E. Johnson, and they had one daughter; Carmel !). died Oct. 30, 1881; Wilbur F. and Charles II., the only survivors, remain on the homestead with their parents, and their father has practically turned over to them the business and management of the farm. The former married IIuldah Harness.

Dr. Payne is a member of the G. A. R. and has practically retired from active business, only oc- casionally attending a call for his professional serv- ices in the case of an old friend or neighbor. In politics he is a Democrat. Mrs. Payne is a mem- ber of the Christian Church. The Doctor is liberal in his religious views.

UGUSTUS HILL, one of the reliable eiti- zens and successful farmers of Padua Town- ship, occupies a fine property located on section 19, where in addition to general agriculture, he is giving much attention to the rais- ing of stock. His snug homestead ineludes eighty- five acres of finely cultivated land, upon which he has erected a good set of farm buildings, the loca- tion being one of the finest in this section, and commanding an extended view of the beautiful sur- rounding country. Mr. Hill settled on his present homestead in February, 1884, having removed from another part of the township where he owned eighty acres, and which he sold before taking pos- session of his present purchasc.

Mr. Hill is a native of McLean County, and was born in Dry Grove Township, May 27, 1847. lle is the eldest but one of the family of Johnty Hill, one of the best citizens of Dry Grove Town- ship. Our subject was reared in his native town- ship and received a good common-school education.

When twenty-seven years old he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa W. Monlton, the niar- riage taking place in Forest, Livingston Co., Ill., Oct. 14, 1873. Mrs. Hill was born in the town of Lyman, Grafton Co., N. H., in sight of the White Mountains, Aug. 18, 1846, being the daughter of Gabriel G. Moulton. The latter was of New En- gland parentage and prided himself upon being a full-fledged Yankec. Ile was married in early man- hood to Miss Sophia P. Walker, of Lymantown, N. H. She died when her daughter, the wife of our subject, was a little child four years of age. Mr. Moulton is still living, being a resident of Little- ton, N. H., and seventy-six years of age. Mrs. Hill was the youngest of her mother's five children, two sons and three daughters. In due time her father contracted a second marriage, and she remained an inmate of the parental houschold until twenty-two years of age, in the meanwhile occupied as a teacher. She came to Illinois in 1868, and success- fully followed her profession in Dale Township about four years, until her marriage.

Mr. and Mrs. Hill became the parents of two children-Clara M., at home, and George M., de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hill lived for a time in Dale Township, whence after two and one-half years they removed to Ellsworth, Padua Township, and then removed to their present farm. Mr. Hill is Democratie in politics and is in all respects a valucd member of the community.

A lithographie view of Mr. Hill's handsome resi- dence is shown on another page of this work.

AVID L. WHITE, who has been a resident of the Prairie State for the past thirty years, has spent the greater part of his time since 1856 in MeLean County. He is now comfortably located in Bloomington Town- ship, where he owns a valuable homestead of 170 aeres on section 21, and thirteen on section 20. He first opened his eyes to the light among the Ohio hills, having been born in Montgomery County, that State, on the 25th of August, 1823. Ilis father, who was also a farmer by occupation, removed from Virginia to Ohio about 1800, at an

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MCLEAN COUNTY.

early period in the history of the State, and resided in Miami Township, Montgomery County, until his death, which occurred in 1844, when he was lit- the past the prime of life, being fifty-two years of age. The parents of our subjeet, John V. and Elizabeth (Delapp) White, were natives of Penn- sylvania, who first removed to Virginia and thenee to Ohio. Mrs. Elizabeth White survived the death of her husband twenty-four years, and died in Montgomery County, Ohio, at the age of sev- enty-eight. She reared a family of six sons, our subject being the fifth in order of birth.

David L. White remained with his parents until his marriage, which took place on the 15th of May, 1853, the maiden of his choiee being Miss Eliza- beth Lamme, who was born and reared on a farm in Montgomery County, Ohio, and was a neighbor of her husband all her younger days. She lived to come to Illinois and assist him in establishing a home in this county, and departed this life on the 7th of May, 1862, after being his affectionate eom- panion for nine years. Of the four children born to them, only one is now living, David L., Jr., who married Miss Mary Mann, and resides in this township, engaged in farming pursuits. Mary J. died at the age of eighteen years; Hattie died . when quite young, and an infant died unnamed. Mrs. White was an earnest and sineere Christian, a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church, and greatly beloved by her family and friends.

On the 18th of March, 1863, Mr. White was mar- ried the second time, in Bloomington, to Miss Louisa Foster, also a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and the daughter of George and Fredriea (Drexler) Foster, who were of German parentage and deseent. They came to the United States when quite young, and were married in Maryland. After the birth of two children, they removed to Montgomery County, Ohio, where five more little ones were added to the family eirele. They then eamne to Bloomington in 1858, and later, in' 1864, removed to Waupaca County, Wis., where the fa- ther died the following year. He was a weaver by trade, but after coming West, engaged in other pursuits. The mother is now with her daughter, Mrs. White of this sketch.

Of this marriage of our subject there have been

born nine children, eight living and three married : William married Miss Lydia Keckley, of Bloom- ington, and is farming in Bloomington Township; Edward is unmarried and lives in Kansas; Cynisea is the wife of John W. Keekley, a farmer of Bloom- ington Township; Ida M. is the wife of D. K. Lott, and resides in Farmer City; Grant, MeLean, Or- ville and Lillie, are at home; an infant is deceased.

The home of our subject and his family is a pleasant and attractive one. They are surrounded - by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, and possess in a marked degree the respeet and esteem of their neighbors. Mr. White politi -. eally is a solid Republiean, and has been Road Commissioner of the township for several years.

S AMUEL W. SMITH, of the firmn of Smith & Washburn, dealers in hardware, boots, shoes and groceries, at Cropsey, Ill., is, in company with his partner, carrying on a thriving and steadily inereasing trade. The busi- ness was established in the fall of 1881, and in eon- neetion with this Mr. Smith introduced hardware and agricultural implements and continued alone in business about eighteen months. lle then en- tered into partnership with Edward Washburn, and the firm have operated together sinee that time under the name and style of Smith & Washburn. They carry a large and well-selected stock, and re- eeive the patronage of the best people of this lo- eality.

Mr. Smith was born in Groveland, Tazewell Co., Ill., Ang. 12; 1856, being the son of Rev. Samuel B. and Jane Smith. He was only two and one-half years old when he was deprived of the tender and affeetionate care of his mother, who died in 1859, leaving three children: Elizabeth, now the wife of James Ilare, of Colfax; I. L. and Samuel W. After the death of his first wife, the father of our subjeet was again married. Ile offieiated as ininis- ter of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a period of thirty years, but is now superannuated, and re- sides in Selma.

Samuel W. Smith pursued his primary studies in the common sehools during his childhood, and

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McLEAN COUNTY.

when fifteen years of age, was thrown upon his own resources and engaged in the battle of life. He employed himself at whatever his hands eould find to do, his intelligence and industry seeuring for him friends from the start. ' He lived economieally, saved what he could of his earnings, and in due time commeneed farming on his own land, whiel consisted of a traet of eighty aeres near Lexington in this county, which had been left him by his mother. He cultivated this land until his removal to Cropsey, having sold it to engage in a business which better suited his tastes and inélinations.

The marriage of Mr. Smith occurred in 1878, the maiden of his choice being Miss Jessie G., the daughter of Charles and Cordelia Hayward. Mrs. Sınith was born in Peoria County, Ill., and they have two children-Ward S. and Reuie Madge. Mr. Smith is Republican in polities, and socially belongs to the Masonie fraternity.

ILTON. BOZARTH. No county in the great Prairie State ean boast of such an array of intelligent agriculturists as Me- Lean. Everywhere are evidences of thrift, wisdom and enterprise, and on seetion 26, of Allin Township, is comfortably located the farmi where one of MeLean's good farmers, Milton Bozarth, is . prosecuting his ehosen ealling with success. He has been a resident of this homestead sinee his mar- riage, April 20. 1859. It consists of 213 aeres of finely cultivated land with a tasteful and substantial farm dwelling, a good barn and all the accessories of the intelligent and progressive farmer. Here he spends his time as an industrious and law-abiding citizen, enjoying the respeet of his neighbors and fulfilling the obligations incident to his station, as a substantial member of the community.

Mr. Bozarth was born in Christian County, Ky., Jan. 15, 1832, being the son of John and Cynthia ('Taylor) Bozarth, who were natives of the same State. John Bozarth was born in 1799, and his wife in 1807. He was a farmer by occupation and the marriage of the parents took place in Christian County, Ky., in about 1827. They remained there until 1839, and then started for Illinois, arriving

in this county on the 10th of December following. Mr. B. purchased seventy aeres of land, which he proceeded to cultivate and improve and to which he subsequently added and established a permanent homestead, upon which he remained until his death, in 1859. He was remarkably successful in his farming and business transactions and before his death became the possessor of 2,200 aeres of land. Mrs. B. survived her husband for a period of twenty-eight years, her death oeenrring Jan. 6, 1887. Their remains lie side by side in the old homestead cemetery. Their twelve children were, Lavina, Addison, Milton, George, Isabella, John, Alfred, James, Josiah, William, Robert and Hettie.

Mr. and Mrs. Milton Bozartlı became the parents of five ehildren: Franklin, born May 11, 1869, died July 13, 1879. The other four died in in- faney, unnamed. Mrs. B. is the daughter of Jona- than and Sarah (Ritchie) Baker, both natives of Rockingham County, Va. They came to MeLean County, Ill., in 1854, and located upon a farın, where the mother died in April, 1857. Mr. Baker is still living and residing in Martin Township, where he owns a farm. Their family consisted of five children-Anna, Julia, Jacob, Addison and Martin.

Mr. Bozarth has held the office of Commissioner of Highways and was Supervisor for three years. Politically he is strongly Democratie. He is a member in good standing of the A. F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F., also the Patriotie Cirele and the order of Red Men. They are greatly respected by all who know them.

ETER V. WEIDNER, who is carrying , on general merchandising in the village of Padua, is well known throughout the county as an energetie and successful busi- ness man and one who has contributed his full share to the building up of his town and county. Besides carrying a stock of general merchandise, he buys and ships all kinds of grain and live stock, and since his establishment here, in 1882, has pushed steadily ahead and from the proceeds of his extensive business, enjoys a fine ineome. He

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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 102

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