Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 106

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 106

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The brothers at this time divided up their prop- erty and afterward operated independently. The

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property of William Tyson lies on the northeast quarter seetion, and is all improved and in a good state of cultivation. He has a good residence and all necessary out-buildings, and has added to his original purehase until he is now the possessor of 250 aeres, which constitutes the home farm, and eighty aeres on seetion 16 of the same township. Hle also has a half seetion of land in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, which is improved, and is under the management of his son.

William Tyson was married to Miss May A. Kir- by, on the 5th of February, 1863. Mrs. Tyson was born in England, on the 26th of October, 1846, and by her union with our subjeet has beeome the mother of the following children: William J., who lives in Pottawattamie County, Iowa ; and Car- rie, Kate. Emma and Nellie, all at home with their parents. The family residenee is commodious and comfortable, and the family are held in high respeet by the community. Mr. Tyson is Republican in poli- ties, is skillful as a farmer{ and straightforward and upright as a business man and eitizen.

W ILLIAM GOODFELLOW, a prominent and highly esteemed eitizen of MeLean Coun- ty, is a native of the Buekeye State, hav- ing been born in Harmony, Clarke Co., Ohio, on the 29th of September, 1834. His father, William "Goodfellow, was a native of the same county as his son, and his grandfather, a native of North Ireland, was of excellent Scottish aneestry, and on emigrat- ing to America, located in Clarke County, Ohio, and was among the earliest settlers of that region. He purchased a traet of timber land, cleared a farm from the wilderness, established a good home, and remained there until his death. He was a man of energy and enterprise, sueeessful in his farming op- erations, and gave considerable attention to stoek- raising.

William Goodfellow, Sr., the father of our sub- jeet, grew to manhood in his native county, and was there married to Miss Catharine Casad, who was born in Greene County, Ohio. He purchased land adjoining his father's estate and built a log house, which he afterward weather-boarded, and to

which he added a frame, making a substantial and comfortable dwelling. He was prospered in his farming operations, and subsequently ereeted a handsome briek residence. In 1854 Mr. Goodfel- low sold. his farm and purchased another in the same township, where he lived until 1866. In the meantime, in. connection with his farming opera- tions, he had been considerably engaged as a grain dealer. In the year last named he disposed of his property in Ohio, erossed the State of Indiana, and coming into MeLean County, Ill., purchased a farm, which was located on seetions 12 and 13, in Dale and Bloomington Townships. The land on seetion 12 was partially improved, but that on sec- tion 13 was in its original condition. He estab- lished a comfortable home here, improved and eul- tivated his land for a number of years and then, removing to Bloomington, retired from the labors ineident to the life of an agriculturist, and became colleetor for his son-in-law in this eity. He de- parted this life on the 30th of April, 1884, after a useful and busy eareer, and having earned the re- speet and confidenee of all who knew him.

The parental family ineluded four children, the record of whom is as follows: Aaron died in Bloomington, in August, 1879; Harriet, the widow of Joseph King, lives in Clarke County, Ohio; William J., is the subject of our sketeh; Elnora, the wife of Samuel Bowman, lives in Padua Town- ship.

William Goodfellow of our sketeh, during his childhood and youth, attended the distriet school, and assisted his father in the duties around the homestead. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, and then took charge of his father's farm, while the latter was engaged as a grain dealer. In 1866 he came to MeLean County, Ill., and purchased a farm on seetions 12 and 18, of Dale Township, which he cultivated and occupied for a period of twelve years. He then sold out and purchased his present homestead, upon which his father had taken the first steps toward its improve- ment. He now has a finely improved estate and a handsome residence. The grounds around the lat- ter are laid out with great taste, and ornamented with beautiful shade trees, ehoiee shrubs and graceful paths winding through. Within are all the evi-

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David Henline

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denees of a refined taste and ample means. The barns and out-buildings correspond fully with the balance of the premises, and the farm machinery and implements are of the most valuable deserip- tion and patterned after the most approved plans. An arbor vitæ hedge is one of the chief attractions of this handsome homestead, which invariably at- tracts the eye of every traveler passing through this seetion. A lithographie view of the place will be found on another page.

Mr. Goodfellow was united in marriage with Miss Susan Layton, in 1860. Mrs. G. is a native of the same State and county as her husband, and is the daughter of Melyn and Harriet (Broughton) Layton. Of this union there have been born three children-Clara L., Earnest E. and Charles E. Mr. Goodfellow is a Republican in polities, and voted for Gen. Fremont for President the first time he exercised the right of suffrage.

.D AVID HENLINE, known throughout Me- Lean Connty, is especially well known in Lawndale Township as being the proprie- tor, with his brother William, of one of the largest stock farms in Central Illinois, embrae- ing 2,500 aeres of land, whereon they keep large herds of stoek of all kinds, give employment to seven tenants, and themselves oeeupy fine residenees on a portion of their land. David, like his brother,, is a native of Boone County, Ky., and first opened his eyes to the light on the 16th of March, 1822. The parents of our subjeet were John and Mary (Darnell) Henline, who were of German deseent. The former was born Nov. 7, 1787, 100 years ago, and departed this life on the 26th of July, 1869. His wife, Mary, was born Jan. 22, 1791, and died Nov. 28, 1865. John Henline was a sueeessful farmer, and was noted for the method and system with whieli he managed his business. The family came to the West in the fall of 1828, when David was'a lad six years of age. On the first day of the journey the father met with an accident, having his leg broken, which was improperly set, and he eon- sequently suffered severely with it for some time afterward. Hisresolution of character is illustrated

by the fact that he afterward ehopped in the tim- ber by kneeling down, not being able to stand. The family located near the present line of Tazewell and MeLean Counties, and the father built a cabin in the "Mackinaw timber, into which the family soon afterward moved. Many interesting incidents connected with their experience afterward will be found in the sketeh of William B. Henline, found elsewhere in this volume.

The Henline boys went to school, of course, when a school was taught in the neighborhood, and traveled through snow, rain and slush for the pur- pose of obtaining an education. During vacation they interspersed their labors on the farm by trapping turkeys, and sometimes would find a deer. Indians still lingered in the neighborhood, and the Henline boys had many a skirmish with their In- dian playmates; the latter were usually vietorious in the races, but the former showed more musele and came ont first best in their childish quarrels. This excited the anger' of the squaws, and they would chastise the little' pappooses, and lead up the little Henlines to their mother for them to be treated similarly. The latter would go through the motions of whipping her boys; the little Henlines would yell, the squaws would laugh, and all parties were satisfied. Our subjeet remained under the par- ental roof until the winter of 1855, and was then married to Miss Cassandra Wiley. The young wife only lived about one year. There was born one child, but it did not survive, and the mother died six days later.

The thrilling seenes through which the pioneer settlers passed in the opening up of this portion of the State must ever awaken emotions of warmest regard for them. To pave the way for those who followed they stemmed the flood-tide wave of eiv- ilization, endured all and suffered all. But few of these spirits now survive. They have passed away full of years and honors, leaving their children, their children's children, and strangers to succeed them and enjoy the fruits of their toil, the result of their privations, and the savings of their long and eventful lives. The career of John Henline as a pioneer citizen, was one eminently worthy and use- ful to the community in which he resided, and all who knew him bear testimony to his sterling worth

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and valuable services as a frontier citizen. The partner of his joys and sorrows, and the mother of his children, wa, eminently fitted to be the com- panion of such a man, and the virtues of these par- ents have descended to their children, who, now able to take advantage of the facilities of the pres- ent do them honor in the highest manner possible. The work accomplished by the Henline family will live long after the present generation has passed away, and no recorded annals of the Prairie State would be complete without a mention of them.

The Henline brothers, David and William, are about the same height, five feet and four or five inehes. Physically they are models of manhood, bearded and museular, and have within those sturdy frames hearts that are kind and hospitable, with a rare appreciation of humor. In the earlier days many a belated traveler found shelter under the parental roof, and the hospitality of the sons is pro- verbial as was that of the father and mother. The pictured face of David Henline, as supplemental to this sketch, takes its place among the representative men of Central Illinois, whose biographies will be found one after another seattered thiekly through this MeLean County ALBUM, and will be cherished among the priceless records of a eyele hastening to the past.

HOMAS MCCLURE, a retired farmer, is now making his home in the village of Stanford. He is a native of Posey County, Ind., and was born in June, 1824. His parents, John and Leah (Gannis) MeClure, were natives of Kentucky, the father born July 9, 1799, and the mother Jan. 20, 1804. John McClure was a farmer by oecu- pation, and after his marriage, which occurred in 1822, remained upon his farin of eighty aeres. His wife was the owner of 400 aeres, which Mr. McClure superintended and cultivated, and where they sub- sequently established their permanent homestead and on which place he died in 1851. The mother afterward removed to Pettis County, Mo., and died there Jan. 23, 1886, when eighty-three years old. Of their eight children the record is as follows: Eliza- · beth married Joseph Wilson ; Thomas of our sketch is the second ehild; Mary A. and Susan J. are twins;

the former married Rev. P. B. MeCormick, and Snsan J. became the wife of John Montgomery ; Nancy married Benjamin T. Poole; Joseph C. mar- ried Miss Cerena Tatun; Margaret married George W. Donnelly ; Permelia E. died when about thir- teen years old. Mr. and - Mrs. John McClure and six of their children were members of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church.

The subject of this history was reared on his father's farm and attended the common sehools until he reached his majority, and was united . in marriage with [Miss Jane W. Wilson, of Indiana, in 1845. After twelve ycars, in 1857, they re- moved to this county, where our subject purchased 120 acres of good land at $20 per aere. This he sold in 1883 at $70 per acre. After residing upon this farm for ten years he removed to Lineoln, Ill., for the purpose of securing for his children better educational advantages than those afforded near their home. His object being accomplished, in the course of five years he returned to the farm in MeLean County, and remained until his removal into Stanford. Here he has a fine homestead of eleven aeres of land with a handsome and com- modious two-story dwelling, which is finely located and an ornament to the town. During the 'later years of his life, Mr. MeClure made a specialty of raising fine eattle, but has now retired from active business.

· Our subject has been prominently identified with the affairs of this locality sinee eoming herc, having held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk and Township Trustee. He has also been Overseer of the Poor and Township Collector. During the existence of the Vigilanee Committee, he was its chairman and presided over its couneils with dignity and good judgment.

Mr. and Mrs. McClure have become the parents of two children-John T., who married Miss Addie Sebring and lives at Chicago, and Mary J., who . died of consumption when eighteen years of age. This daughter was a bright and interesting girl. Her remains werc laid to rest in the cemetery at Stout's Grove. The parents and children were all members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. John T. MeClure has taken a regular law course and received a good common-school education.

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He is now clerking in a lithographie establishment.

Mr. McClure made a profession of religion when in his eighteenth year, and about the same time joined the Old Washingtonian Temperanee So- ciety, and has never violated his pledge from that day to this. He lias held the office of Elder in his Church for several years, being elected four terms in suecession. He was Superintendent of the Sun-

day-sehool two years at Danvers and has served in the same capacity since removing to Stanford. He has always taken an active interest in public matters and in earlier years voted with the Democratic party, but the latter part of his life has identified himself with the temperance and prohibition move- ment.

OSEPH W. LABERTEW, of Anchor Town- ship, is a descendant of a French family, whose first representatives emigrated to the United States prior to the Revolutionary War. The name was then written LaBerton, but of late years has been written in the more simple manner. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketeh is Postmaster and Station Agent at Anchor and has been a resident of this State since 1875. He was born in Owen County, Ind., Oct. 27, 1856, and is the son of Dunham and Elizabeth (Baldwin) Labertew, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Kentucky. They removed after marriage to Indiana whence, in 1875, they eame to Illinois, settling first in Funk's Grove Township, this eounty, where they now reside, en- gaged in farming pursuits.

Joseph W. Labertew is the eldest of a family of six children. His childhood and youth were passed upon his father's farm and he rceeived his eduea- tion in the common schools. In 1873 he made his first visit to Illinois, stopping for a short time in Le Roy, where he was in the employ of J. V. Smith, a farmer and stoek dealer at that place. He returned to Indiana and spent the winter of 1873-74, but in the spring following eame baek to this county and resumed his work with his old employer, remaining with him until the fall of that year. He then visited his old home onee more and took another term in sehool. The following ycar he en-

gaged in farming in Funk's Grove Township, and in the fall again pursued his studies in Indiana. Afterward lie commeneed teaching, and also learned to operate the telegraph.

In the fall of 1883 Mr. Labertew entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad as Station Agent at Anchor, whieli position lie still retains. He was appointed Postmaster in 1886, and has per- formed the duties of both offices with eredit to himself and satisfaction to all eoncerned. Politieally lie is a supporter of the Demoeratie party, but takes no further interest'in politics than to deposit his ballot upon election day. He has also served as Township Clerk and is Agent for the American Express Company at Anchor.

Mr. Labertew was married in September, 1880, to Miss Viola B., daughter of S. T. L. and Lucinda (Buell) Miles. Mrs. L. is a native of Clay County, Ind., and of her union with our subject there is one ehild, Maek C., whose birth took place on the 26th of June, 1881.

C AMPBELL WAKEFIELD. The history of the Wakefield family began in the United States during the latter part of the last con- tury. As near as can be learned, the first member of the family who eame here was Andrew, who was born and reared to manhood in the town of An- trim, Ireland. It is supposed that he was of En- glislı deseent, as some years ago, during one of the rebellions in the East, a soldier by the name of ' Wakefield left England and went to the north of Ireland, and from that ancestor sprang the present descendants.

After coming to the United States, Andrew Wakefield located in Franklin County, Pa., and thencc, later, removed to Nelson County, Ky. In this latter place he commenced to establish a home amidst a timber tract, by putting up a small hut and preparing other eonvenienees as well as he was able, for his expected bride. He then returned to Franklin County, Pa., and was there married to Miss Martha Campbell, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania. Her parents were of Irish birth and parentage. A few days after the wedding the

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young couple set out for their new home. They lived there until after the birth of five children. These were, Hettie, William, Daniel, Andrew and John. They then removed to Hamilton County, Ohio, and there spent the remainder of their days. Andrew Wakefield was an honorable and upright man in all his dealings, and became prominent in both places where he made his home. He was sue- eessful in his business pursuits and aeeumulated a good property. He departed this life in June, 1828; his wife survived him until 1855, and died when eighty-three years old. After removing to Hamilton County, Ohio, the honsehold eirele was inereased by the birth of five more ehildren, viz., Campbell, our snbjeet; Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph. The ten children all lived to become men and women. All married and had families but two. Our subjeet now is the only surviving member of the parental household.

Campbell Wakefield was born in New Haven, Hamilton Co., Ohio, Feb. 11, 1804. His boyhood and yonth were spent upon his father's farm, and his education was obtained with difficulty in the pioneer schools. He was trained to habits of in- dustry and economy, and his temperate manner of living developed within him a healthy love for all- that was good, and strengthened his museles for the battle of life. After attaining to years of man- hood he was married in his native county, May 24, 1827, to Miss Margaret Elder. Mrs. Wakefield was born in Franklin County, Pa., Dee. 19, 1803, being the daughter of John and Mary (Leeper) Elder, natives of Pennsylvania and of Seoteh-Irish deseent. It is supposed they were engaged in ag- rieultural pursuits, and they removed from Penn- sylvania to Ohio a few years after their marriage. While the father was in Pennsylvania on business, he siekened and died, being in the prime of life, and only forty-one years of age. The mother sur- vived for a number of years, and died in Hamilton County, at the age of sixty-two.

The Elder, Leeper and Wakefield families were all eonneeted with the Presbyterian Church and noted for those high principles and worthy lives which constituted them among the most valued members of the community. Mrs. Wakefield re- mained with her parents until her marriage. Her

grandfather, David Elder, was one of the first set- tlers of Path Valley, Pa., and both her father and herself were born upon the farm which the grand- father opened up from a wild and unenltivated traet of land. Mrs. Margaret Wakefield beeame the mother of one ehild, a son, John E., who is now. a sneeessful farmer of Randolph Township. He was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Turner and they became the parents of twelve children, two of whom are deeeased.

Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield, of this notice, after marriage, lived in Ohio until 1835. He engaged in farming and merchandising and was prospered in his business and agricultural transactions. In the year mentioned, he disposed of his property in the Buckeye State, and resolved to try his fortune in the farther West. Getting together his family and their household effeets he started overland with ox-teams and one earriage. The latter was occupied by Mrs. Wakefield and their only .son, who was then eight years of age, and the mother drove the team. They came into MeLean County and located on a farm of 200 aeres in Randolph Township which had previously been seeured by our subjeet. After arriving in this seetion Mr. Wakefield pursued the same undeviating course of reetitnde and industry, and was prospered as be- fore. - In due time he added to his first pnrehase until he and his son Jolin became the possessors of 1,400 aeres of some of the finest land in MeLean County. This is still in their possession, and has been brought to a high state of eultivation. Upon it they ereeted a beautiful and substantial farm dwelling with a good barn and all the other appli- anees of a first-elass country home.

The present home of our subjeet and his amiable and exeellent wife is within the limits of Hey- worth. Here he has sixty aeres of land, and when so inelined, employs his time in the lighter dnties connected with its eare, and the production of the fruits and vegetables adapted to the needs of the family. In his prosperity he has kept steadily in view the needs of the church and school, giving to each a valuable piece of land; also a lot for a cemetery, and for the ereetion of a flourmill, which was subsequently burned. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield are among the original members of.

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the Presbyterian Church of Heyworth, our subject being the first Elder, and having occupied this office most of the time since its organization. He has always contributed liberally and cheerfully for the support of the church and Sabbath-school, be- ing made the first Superintendent of the latter and serving for a period of fifteen years. This Sunday- school was the first of its kind established in the southern part of McLean County.

Politically Mr. Wakefield, from the time he cast his 'first vote until the present, has vigorously up- held the principles of the Democratic party. In connection with his other labors and duties which have constituted a most busy and useful lifc, he served as Justice of the Peace for a period of thir- teen years, and occupied various other offices in his township. It is scarcely necessary to say that the duties of these were fulfilled with credit to him- self and satisfaction to all concerned. As one of the oldest and most honored pioneers of the Prai- rie Statc, Mr. Wakefield is amply entitled to the benediction of " Well done, good and faithful servant."

OHN E. WAKEFIELD. Among the active and energetic fariners of Randolph Town- ship, may be numbered the subject of this sketch, who, during a residence of many years, has secured the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens, both as a business man and a use- ful member of society.

Mr. Wakefield is the only son and child of Campbell and Margaret Wakefield, and was born in New Haven, Hamilton Co., Ohio, May 10, 1828. He was a lad of eight years when he came with his family to this county, and his education, com- menced in the district schools, was completed in Bloomington. He was rcared to farmning pursuits, and remained under the parental roof until his marriage. He then located on the homestead which he now owns and occupies. This consists of 500 acres of valuable land, finely improved and cultivated, with a handsome and substantial resi- dencc, and a good barn and all necessary out- buildings for the storage of grain and the shelter

of stock. To the latter he has given considerable attention, and among other of the domestic ani- mals has a fine flock of Merino sheep, comprising 1,000 hcad, in the breeding of which he has met with success, and the proceeds of which have yield- cd him a handsome income.

Mr. Wakefield was married at the home of the bride's parents in Clermont County, Ohio, Sept. 14, 1852, by the Rev. L. G. Gaines, to Miss Catherine, the daughter of James and Margaret (McKinncy) Turner. Mr. and Mrs. T. were natives respective- ly of Indiana and Franklin Counties, Pa. The father in early life was a carder and fuller by trade, but later engaged in farming pursuits. The par- ents were married in Indiana County, Pa., whence they removed in 1839, to Clermont County, Ohio. Mrs. W. was born in Indiana County, Pa., Fcb. 17, 1834. After removing to Ohio her parents located near Loveland, where they spent the remainder of their days. They were most excellent and worthy people, and the families `of each for a number of generations · had been reared in the Presbyterian faith, to which they adhered during their entire lives.

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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 106

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