Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 105

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 105

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).

In June, 1885, the movement for another new building was formally inaugurated by the selection of the building committee, which consisted of Rev. Hilary Hoelsehier, Henry W. Ulbrich, G. A. Ensen- berger, Frank Oberkoetter, Jr., Edward Wochner, Michael Glaser and J. M. Kirsten. There was

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raised by subscription $7,200, and a fair given for the benefit of the building netted $3,150, placing in the hands of the projectors a total of $10,350, available for beginning the work. The plans con- templated an expenditure of $20,017, exclusive of the pews, windows and frescoing, and the entire building when completed to cost about $30,000.

The edifice occupies an area of 55x125 feet. The material used in its construction is of the best quality. The distance from the water tables to the caves is thirty-two feet, the height of the steeple 170, and the whole upon a massive founda- tion presents an imposing appearance. The spire will be slated and eneased with galvanized iron sheeting and surmounted by a gilded copper ball thirty inches in diameter. The globe supports a eross twelve feet high. The building is of the Gothic style of architecture and the groined ceiling will rest on twenty capitals elaborately carved. The walls will be handsomely frescoed, and the church . within and without is highly ereditable to the en- terprise of the congregation. The view presented in connection with this sketch will give an excellent idea of the grandeur and surroundings of the edi- fiee.

EREMIAII T. STARKEY, of Lawndale Township, has been a resident of the Prairie State for over a quarter of a century, hav- ing come to this vicinity with his wife in the spring of 1861. He was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, being the son of Stephen D. and Ilelen (Hanks) Starkey, the latter a second cousin of Abraham Lincoln. Stephen D. Starkey was a native of Virginia, and the mother is supposed to have been born in Ohio. After marriage the par- ents of our subject settled in Muskingum County, Ohio, where the father still resides. He was en- gaged in milling until married, and has farmed since that time. The mother died there in 1852. Their seven children included three sons and four daughters, of whom the subject of our sketch was the second child.

Jeremiah T. Starkey was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Nov. 1, 1838. IIe attended the common schools and was reared on his father's farm. During his younger days he was very fond of horses, and in his later years has not lost any of his admiration for that noblest of animals. Ile lived at home until he was twenty-two years old, and in the spring of 1861, having already assumed marital and domestie ties, he set his face toward the farther West. His outfit consisted of a fonr-horse wagon, and the journey occupied about four weeks. On his arrival in this county he first settled in Cropsey Township, where he rented land for one season, and in March following moved to Lawn- dale Township, where he rented a farm, and in September of the same year purchased eighty aeres, which he held two years. In 1864 he purchased 160 acres on section 21, and established the home- stead which he still occupies. He disposed of eighty acres of this and his present homestead consists of the other eighty, which under his skillful manage- ment has become productive and valuable. Upon it he has erected a set of shapely and substantial frame buildings, and has otherwise brought about first-class improvements, and his snug and well- kept farm is one of the most attractive spots in Lawndale Township.

Our subject was first married in Cosehoeton County, Ohio, Dce. 27, 1860, to Miss Charity Bridgway, who was a native of that county. Of this union there were born three children, as fol- . lows : Basil D., who married Miss Fannie Grimsley, and resides in Lawndale Township; Estella, who is the wife of John Dameron, and also lives in Lawn- dale Township, and Franeis R., who is at home. Mrs. Charity Starkey departed this life at the home of her husband in Lawndale Township, May 11, 1869. Seven years later, on the 10th of December, 1876, Mr. Starkey was the second time married, to Miss A. Bridgway, who was born in Behnout County, Ohio, Feb. 1, 1827, and who was a sister of his first wife. Their parents were Basil and Mary E. (Boran) Bridgway, natives of Maryland, and both sisters were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Starkey has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Assessor and Collector. Ile is a member in

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good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in polities is a stanehi supporter of the prin- eiples of the Republican party.

D FRANK SILL. Prominent among the well-to-do farmers for which MeLean County is noted is D. Frank Sill. He oeeupies a good homestead on seetion 23 of Belieflower Township, where he is industriously tilling the soil and distinguishing himself by those reliable and substantial traits of eharaeter which he has inherited from excellent German aneestry. Mr. Sill was born in Bedford County, Pa., Aug. 20, 1847, being the son of Mieliael Sill, a native of the same eounty, who was born Jan. 15, 1824. Daniel Sill, the grandfather of our subjeet, was also born in that eounty, Feb. 5, 1778, and George Sill, great-grandfather of D. Frank and a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, was born in 1733. The latter lived in his native country until he was twenty-seven years of age, then emigrated to Ameriea, being sold for his passage after his arrival here, in consequence of which he gave his services to liis ereditor for six years following, in Pennsyl- vania. He was an industrious and energetie man, however, and after lie began to work for himself, in due time beeame the owner of 300 acres of land in tlie loeality known as Duteh Corner, Bedford Co., Pa. He afterward married a German lady by the name of Dolly Helsman and became sueeessful as a farmer and business man, aeeumulating a fine property. He was a member of the Lutheran Chureli and very striet, in religions matters. His death oeeurred on the 18th of July, 1813, and his wife, surviving him nearly four years, died in June, 1817.

Daniel Sill, the grandfather of the subject of this sketeh, inherited a traet of land from his father's estate, to which he added by a later purchase. He also was very sueeessful and became the owner of a fine property, giving to each of his children a niee farm. He died in Bedford County, Pa., June 6, 1850. Ilis wife before her marriage was Miss Catherine Stiffier, of German aneestry, who also died on the old homestead in Bedford County.

Their son Michael, the father of our subjeet, was reared to farmning pursuits and lived with his par- ents until his marriage, which took place Aug. 9, 1846. The mother of our subjeet, formerly Miss Elizabeth Speeee, was born in Bedford County, Pa., June 20, 1831. Her father, Michael Speeee, was a native of Bedford County, and her paternal grandfather was of German parentage and aneestry. Michael Speeee followed agricultural pursuits and spent his entire life in his native county. The mother of Mrs. Sill, who was formerly Miss Rebeeea Ernest, also a native of Bedford County, was the daugliter of George Ernest.

After his marriage Mieliael Sill continued farm- ing in Bedford County until 1852, then removed to Gettysburg and was employed as steward of the eollege there for two years. Then returning to Bedford County, he operated a eroekery and stone- ware manufactory until 1858. That year, not being quite satisfied with his prospeets in the Key- stone State, he started for the West, and eoming into Illinois, located for a time on rented land near the eity of Bloomington. Being pleased with this loeality, he made a purchase of 222 aeres in Blue Mound Township, which he improved and upon which he erected a good set of farm buildings. He took great pains to make his home attraetive by the planting of a large variety of ornamental trees and shrubs, which in due time made it one of the most attractive spots in the township. He oeeu- pied this, with his family, until 1876, and then, de- sirous of giving his children better educational advantages, sold out and removed to Normal, where he remained until the objeet for which he removed there was aeeomplislied. He afterward pur- ehased a farm in Neweomb Township, Champaign County, where he spent the remainder of his days, his death oeeurring Nov. 19, 1886. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, but during his later years identified himself with the Method- ists. Mrs. Sill still survives her husband, making her home with her son, our subjeet. The parental household ineluded six children, of whom D. Frank was the eldest. George II. is a resident of Denver, Col .; William B. of Marion, Kan .; Maurice W. and Eddie L. in another part of that State; Austin Grant lives in Marion, Kan.

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Mr. Sill of this sketch attended the district school during his boyhood, and later assisted his father on the farm, remaining under the home roof until he was twenty-five years of age. He then com- menced farming for himself on rented land, and operated in this manner until 1878, then purchased a farm in Champaign County, which he occupied for five years, soon afterward removing to his present homestead. A part of this was inherited by his wife and Mr. Sill purchased the interest of the other heirs. It comprises 160 aeres of good land, all enclosed, well stocked and improved, and furnished with good buildings and the necessary appliances of a good farmer. The marriage of D. Frank Sill and Miss Nettie Isadore Wheeler took place on the 14th of February, 1883. Mrs. Sill was born on the homestead which she now occupies with her husband, Aug. 19, 1860, being the daugli- ter of George W. and Helen M. Wheeler, who are mentioned in the sketch of John N. Wheeler, else- where in this volume. Of this union there was born one child, a daughter, Nellie. Mrs. Sill is a member in good standing of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and Mr. Sill, politically, is a stanchi adherent of the Republican party.

UGH MCINTYRE. This gentleman may properly be classed among the self-made men of the Prairie State. Hc started ont in life with little save his own energy and resolution to get on in the world, and by his indus- try and moral worth, has attained to a good posi- tion in society, and ranks among the thrifty farmers and property owners of McLean County. He is pleasantly located in Belleflower Township, on section 33, where he has 240 acres of finely culti- vated land, a handsome and substantial dwelling, and all the appurtenances of a model farm estate.

Mr. McIntyre comes of excellent Scottish ances- try, and was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, Oet. 16, 1832. Ile is the son of Allen MeIntyre, a native of Argyleshire, of the Highland Clan. The latter learned the trade of a shoemaker, which he followed in Glasgow until 1842. In April of that year, accompanied by his wife and four children,

he set sail from Glasgow, bound for the New World. After a safe voyage they landed in Que- bec, whence they proceeded directly to llamil- ton, Ontario, and thence to Dundas, Wentworth County. The father of our subject remained in Canada working at his trade, three years in Dundas, and thenee removed to Wellington County, Ontario, where he made a claim. When the land came into market he perfected his title and pro- eceded to eut down the timber and carry on the necessary improvements which should constitute a comfortable home. He also built a log house, into which he removed his family and spent the balance of his life, cultivating his land and adding to it all necessary improvements. There his death oc- curred about 1878. He was married early in life to Miss Euphemia Monroe, also a native of Scot- land, who was born in Edinburgh, and was the daughter of a soldier in the King's army, being one of the Highlanders of whom so much has been read and said. The McIntyre family included ten ehil- dren, eight of whom became men and women, as follows: Allin lives near the old homestead in Canada; John is a resident of Belleflower Town- ship, this county ; Euphemia married William Pat- terson and died in Belleflower about 1869; Mary became the wife of John Halliday ; Carment lives in London, Canada, and Peter in Nebraska; Har- riett married John Fritz of Morristown, Canada.

Hugh MeIntyre was a lad ten years old when his parents emigrated from Scotland to America. İle remembers well his old home in his native land and the sea voyage which occupied seven weeks and three days. He remained with his parents, and when cighteen years of age learned the plasterers' trade, which he followed in Canada nntil 1865. He then came over into the States, making his first location in this county, where he worked one sum- mer and spent the winter following with his par- ents. In the spring he came back to Illinois and employed himself at his trade in various places in this State, Lexington, Chatsworth and Fairbury. He then determined to change his occupation, and in the fall of 1866 purchased eighty aeres of land in Belleflower Township, and since that time has been mostly engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has been greatly prospered in his farming and busi-

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ness transactions and added to his original purehase from time to time until he is now the possessor of 240 acres, the greater part of which is well im- proved and nuder a good state of cultivation. His homestead ineludes a tasteful and substantial set of frame buildings, one and one-half miles south of the village of Belleflower. His farm is well stocked with graded eattle, and in all departments indieates the supervision of the intelligent and progressive agriculturist.

Mr. MeIntyre was married, Feb. 11. 1869, to Miss Catharine Stewart, a native of Wellington County, Canada, and the daughter of Robert and Mary (Gillespie) Stewart. Of this union there have been born six children-Allen, Robert, Hugh, Enl- phemia, May S. and Catharine. Our subjeet and his wife are prominently connected with the United Presbyterian Church, and Mr. McIntyre, politi- cally, is a stanch Republiean.

OHN WAGNER, a well-known druggist of McLean, is a self-made man who has kept pace with the growth and progress of this county, and has materially assisted in de- veloping its resources, making it one of the most desirable places for residenee and business in the State. Onr subjeet was born in the Empire of Germany, Aug. 26, 1850, and eomes of excellent aneestry. His father, Peter. Wagner, was a native of the same country, where he was reared to man- hood and married. In 1854 Peter Wagner, with his wife and children, emigrated to America. They stopped a few months in Buffalo, N. Y., whenee they removed to Chicago, where the elder Wagner purchased property. This was lowland, and in the spring of the year covered with water, Mr. Wagner, finally thinking it of little valne, negleetcd to pay the taxes and thus forfeited his title to it. Those onee despised lots are now covered with fine buildings and worth many dollars to the square foot. It is hardly necessary to say that Peter Wagner was only one of many who had a similar experience in regard to Chicago 'property in the early days. He remained in Chicago until 1860, and then proceeded to Atlanta, Logan Co., Ill.

The following year, upon the outbreak of the Rebellion, Mr. Wagner enlisted as a Union soldier in the 44th Illinois Infantry, and served three years and three months. He was in the eampaign with Sherman, and participated in the principal battles from Chattanooga to Atlanta, receiving a gunshot wound in the arm at the latter place. The bullet cutered above the elbow and came out at the back under the shoulder-blade. He was rc- ported in the Chicago papers as the first man killed in the siege of Atlanta. He survived, how- ever, and returned home a few days later on a furlough, and in the course of a few months was enabled to rejoin his regiment, with which he soon afterward proceeded to Washington and received his honorable discharge at the expiration of his term of service.

After his retirement from military life, the father of our subject accepted a situation with the C. & . A. R. R. as baggage-master at Atlanta, and re- mained in the service of the company for twenty years following, making for himself a good record as a faithful and valuable employe. He then re- signed his position and now lives in Atlanta, re- tired from active labor. The mother of our sub- jeet, formerly Miss Mary Keifer, of Germany, died in 1857, leaving three children, of whom John of this sketch was the eldest; Mathias was the next; the youngest child died in infancy. The second wife of Peter Wagner was Miss Anna Viek, also a native of Germany, and who became the mother of three children -- Annie, Peter and Lizzie.

"John Wagner was but three years old when his parents came to the United States. He first at- tended a German sehool in Chicago, and later was a pupil in the publie schools. After the family removed to Atlanta he pursued his studies there until twelve years old, and then engaged upon a farm for Obadiah Arnold, at a salary of twenty- five eents a day. His father being in the army he gave all his earnings to his mother to assist in supporting the family. He worked upon a farm in summer and attended school in winter until nineteen years of age, when his father purchased a dray line in Atlanta, which our subject operated for him one ycar, then bought the business of his father, condueted it for one year more, then sold

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out and engaged in the hedge department of the C. & A. R. R. Co., distributing plants along their line of traek. After one season thus engaged, he returned to farm pursuits, which he continued un- til 1875. Ile then purchased a half interest in a stoek of drugs and the trade of D. N. Longworth, and in company with D. G. Palmer condueted a trade in these commodities for two months, when he purchased the interest of his partner and has been sole proprietor sinee that time. His straight- forward methods of doing business and his prompt- ness in meeting his obligations at onee seeured him the respeet and esteem of the citizens of MeLean and he soon found himself on the high road to prosperity. In due time he built the handsome residenee which he now occupies, and in 1879 put up the handsome briek block in which is located his thriving and constantly increasing business.

The marriage of John Wagner and Miss Char- lotte Palmer was celebrated in MeLean, in March; 1877. Mrs. Wagner is the daughter of James Palmer, who was born in Brandon, Rutland Co., N. Y., Jan. 16, 1829, and was the son of George and Freelove (Olin) Palmer, both natives of the same State. Judge Olin, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Wagner, was Member of Congress from Ver- mont, and her grandfather, George Palmer, re- moved from his native State of New York to Illi- nois in 1844, being among the earliest pioneers of Tazewell County, but only lived a short time after settling there, his death occurring in 1846. James Palmer was in the Civil Service eleven years, being appointed Goverment Storekeeper for the 8th Illi- nois Distriet in 1874. He is still living and a resi- dent of Mt.'Hope Township. The mother of Mrs. Wagner, formerly Miss Jane Ewing, was born in Butler County, N. Y., Aug. 3, 1839, being the daughter of Nathaniel and Naney (Young) Ewing.

Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have one child only, a daughter, Inez Imogene. Mr. W. is Republican in polities, and a member of the Masonie frater- nity, belonging to MeLean Lodge No. 469, and Bloomington Chapter No. 26. His present pos- sessions are the result of his own industry and per- severanee. He is essentially a self-made man, who has improved his opportunities and kept his eyes open to what was going on around him. His ex-

perienees have resulted in a fund of useful knowl. edge, a keen insight into human nature, and the judgment and diseretion which have enabled him to seeure the respeet of his fellow-citizens and to attain to an enviable position in the community.

ATHAN HUNTING, a well-to-do and pros- perous farmer, residing on section 13, Grid- ley Township, is a son of Nathan and Ma- linda (Smith) Ilunting. The parents were natives of Massachusetts; were there married and settled in Boston, whenee they removed to Shutesbury, that State, where the mother died in 1876. The father is still living and resides in Shutesbury. He was for a time engaged in the grocery business, but later in life turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He became the head of a family of five children, four sons and one daughter.

The subject of this biographieal notice was the eldest of his parents' children, and was born in Shutesbury, Mass., Sept. 12, 1833. He received a good common-school education, and has followed agricultural pursuits thus far in life. Until he was twenty-one years old, he worked out by the month at his chosen vocation, and sinee than has eontin- ued to do for himself. Our subjeet remained in Massachusetts until 1857, when, hoping to better his finaneial condition, he started for the then un- developed West. Coming to Dixon, this State, he remained a short time, and then came to this county, but purchased a farm in Livingston County, Ill., on which he located and lived for about five years. Disposing of his farm in that county, he, about three years later, returned to this county, and settled on seetion 13, Gridley Township, where he had pnrehased eighty aeres of land, and where, with the exception of about three months spent in Dakota, he has continued to reside until the pres- ent tine. Mr. Hunting has made good and valua- ble improvements upon his farm, and is now the proprietor of 240 aeres of good, tillable land.

Nathan Hunting was married in Gridley Town- ship, Dee. 8, 1867, to Miss Rebeeea H., daughter of David and Elizabeth Wald. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Gridley

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Township in the spring of 1864. There the father died July 27, 1877, and the mother is yet living. Their children were seven in number, and Mrs. Hunting was the sixth in order of birth. She was born in McConnellsburg, Pa., June 19, 1845, and has borne her husband four children, namely, Mary R., Susie M., Olive and Laura L. Susic died when nine months old.

Mr. Hunting has held some of the minor offiees of his township, and is one of the respected citizens . of the county. He and his wife are members in good standing of the Congregational Church, and in polities he is a stanch supporter of the prinei- ples of the Republican party.

W ILLIAM TYSON, a highly respected resi- dent of Mt. Hope Township, came to Illi- nois in 1850, and during a residenee of thirty-seven years in this locality has thoroughly established himself in the confidenee and esteem of his fellow-eitizens. He is a native of the British Empire, having been born in Northumberlandshire, England, on the 30th of January, 1832. His father, William Tyson, was also a native of England, where he grew to manhood, was married, and lived there until 1832, when he emigrated to the United States. He made his first loeation in Niagara County, N. Y., and worked in the town of Loek- port as a tanner and at whatever other business he eould find to engage in. Two years after coming here he purchased a farm near Loekport, and while moving with his family, met with an aeeident by which lie was incapacitated for further labor, and died two years subsequently.

The maiden name of the inother of our subjeet was Jane Tyson, and after the death of her first husband she was married to William Day, and eame with him to Illinois in 1851. They loeated at Delavan, Tazewell County, where she died. By the first marriage there were born three children -- William, Mathew and Thomas, two only of whom are living; the second brother, Mathew, eame to Illinois in 1850, and died two years later; Thomas lives on the farm adjoining that of our

subject. Of the second marriage there were two ehildren -- Samuel and Reason.

Williamn Tyson was a child of four years when his father died. IIc remained with his mother un- til seven years of age, and then went to live with Mr. Stenthorpe, in Niagara County. He remained ·with him three and one-half years, working for his board and elothes. Ile then went into the family of Nathan Rogers, in the same eounty, where he re- eeived the same wages and remained until he was fourteen years of age. From that time until 1850 he was employed as a laborer at $5 a month, and in due time found himself the proud possessor of $116 in eash, saved from his earnings. With this he started for the West, via the Erie Canal to Buf- falo, and thence on the lakes to Chieago. From there he went by eanal to La Salle, and thenee by the Illinois River to Pekin. He had then expended $16 and had just $100 left. He had been accompanied on his journey by his brother Mathew, who had just money enough to bring him here, as he was but fifteen years old. William divided his money, which was all gold, with his brother, and they quilted it into. their shirts for safe keeping. At Pe- kin they met with friends who went with them to Delavan. There William Tyson worked at threshing for two weeks, and then engaged with Allen Perrin at $10 a month until spring, when he rented land of Ira B. Hall, and commeneed farming on his own account. He operated thus for the following three years with suceess, and was then enabled to pur- chase on time eighty aeres lying west of Delavan. The land was wild and uneultivated, and he set himself industriously to work to improve and eul- tivate it. He broke and fenced the entire area, and erected a frame house upon it the first year, at a eost of $200, which he borrowed of Mr. Clark, the man whom he bought the land of. The following year he purehased 160 acres additional, also hroke and feneed this, and built a house upon it. His brother Thomas was a partner in this last purchase, and they operated together until 1855, when they purchased 320 aeres on seetion 32 of Mt. Hope Township, upon which they settled, and farmed to- gether for several years.

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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 105

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