Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 108

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 108

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Thomas B. Kilgore was born in Franklin County, Ohio, March 23, 1840. His cducation was re- ceived mostly in the common schools, although he attended Wesleyan University one term. He was rcared to farming pursuits, and remained at home until the spring of 1861, when, the late Civil War being in progress, he enlisted in the 1st Ohio Cav- alry, and served three years, in the meantime be- ing promoted Sergeant. At the battle of Chieka- mauga he had a elose eall, barely eseaping being shot down by the enemy, the horse he was riding having been killed. After leaving the army he re- turned to Franklin County, Ohio, where he rc- inained two years, and then started for the West, with the results we have stated. After purchasing his land he immediately entered upon its cultiva- tion and improvement. Mr. Kilgore has now a fine farm dwelling, a good barn and all the aeees- sories of a first-class agrieulturist. Everything about the premises indicates the supervision of an intelligent and enterprising inind. Mr. Kilgore has been rarely prospered in his farming and busi- ness operations, and has added to his first purehase so that he now has 480 aeres, all' of which is im- proved and in a fine and fertile condition. The whole estate presents one of the most attractive spots in the landscape of MeLean County.

The marriage of Thomas B. Kilgore with Miss Mary E. Batterton was celebrated in Lawudalc Township, April 11, 1867. Mrs. Kilgore is the daughter of Martin Batterton, a sketeh of whom appears on another page of this volume. She was born in Lawndale Township, July 18, 1840, and by her union with our subjeet has become the inother of four children-John M., Lizzic M., Maud B. and Thomas Beaeh.

: Mr. Kilgore has been Supervisor of Lawndale Township nine terms, and still holds the office. He served as Road Commissioner three years, and has occupied other minor offiees in the township, including that of School Director. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of Col-

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fax Post, G. A. R. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kilgore are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is Republican in politics, and greatly interested in the success of the temperance move- inent, with which he has prominently identified himself.

G EORGE J. ARNOLD, Supervisor of Yates Township, owns and occupies a comfortable homestead on section 15, and is numbered among the prominent farmers of the county. He is the son of John C. and Caroline (Tritenhaeh) Arnold, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. His father at an early age, in formning his plans for the future, indieated the energy and enterprise of his character. Ile was not satisfied with his condition or his prospeets in his native country, and deter- inined to cmigrate to the United States. This scheme was violently opposed by his friends, some of whom gathered around himn and told him that America was a heathen land, where the people were all thieves, and thus persuaded him to remain for a time, at least, very much against his inclination and his better judgment. After his marriage, however, and children began to gather around the fireside, he became greatly anxious for their sakes to provide something better for them than what he could probably obtain in Germany. Accordingly, in 1853, accompanied by his wife and four children, he left the place of his birth and set sail for the New World.

After a tedious voyage of forty days, as steerage passengers in a sailing-vessel, they arrived in the eity of New York, whence they proceeded hy rail to Dunkirk, that State, and then by way of Lake Erie to Cleveland. Thenec they erossed the State of Ohio to Cineinnati, and settled on a tract of land in Clermont County, that State. They resided there four years, and then decided to push further Westward to the Prairie State. Coming to Ilinois he located in McLean County, in 1857. Hc fol- lowed farming near Bloomington and in Normal Township for the following ten years, in the incan- time having purchased the southwest quarter of section 21, Yates Township, to which he removed with his family and established a comfortable

home, where he spent the remainder of his life. He always attended closely to his business, was indus- trious and economical, and at the time of his death had accumulated a fine property, consisting of 400 acres of good land, all of which he had properly improved. His death was the result of an aceident on the 2d of July, 1881, when he was thrown fromn a huggy and reecived an injury which caused his death on the 13th of that month. The wife and mother had passed to the better land five years be- fore, on the 24th of Oetoher, 1876. Of the seven children born to them, five are yet living-Maggic, William, Minnie, Osear, and George J., our subjeet, who is the eldest of those now living.

George J. Arnold first opened his cyes to light in the little kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, Aug. 20, 1848, and was thus in the fifth ycar of his age when the family emigrated to the United States. His parents heing in limited circumstances he early in life began to assist in the work on the farm, and was permitted only a few weeks' sehool- ing in each year. He possessed much natural ahil- ity, however, and a genuine love for learning, and through his own efforts gained a good practical and business education. In 1871 he went to Cher- okee County, Kan., where with his brother he fol- lowed farming and stock-raising for three years. Then, returning to Illinois he resumed the old life at home and assisted his father in earrying on the farm until July, 1881. On the 7th of that month he was united in marriage with Miss Cornelia Bell, daughter of John and Anna Grizzella (Kelly) Me- Cune.

Mrs. Arnold was born in Chenoa Township, this county, Sept. 9, 1857, and by her marriage with our subject bceame the mother of two children: Minnie Grizzella, born May 15, 1882, and Mary Belle, May 13, 1886. Our subjeet and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in their pleasant and comfortable home are surrounded hy all the comforts and many of the luxurics of life. The farm cstate of Mr. Arnold consists of 160 acres of valuable land, with a fine modern residenec, good harns and all necessary out-buildings. Since becoming a resident of this county, Mr. Arnold las identified himself with its interests and welfare, and has been honored hy various township offices,

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having been three times Collector, and is now serving his third term as Supervisor. He is a staneh supporter of the principles of the Repub- liean party, and in all respects has built up for him- self a reputation as an honest man and a good eit- izen.

OHIN P. MESSER, proprietor of 200 acres of valuable land in Gridley Township, is one of the prominent and progressive farm- ers of this seetion, who by his energy and industry has aided materially in its development and progress. He is a native of this county, born near Colfax, March 11, 1836. He received a good common-school education, the best afforded in those days, and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-two years old. Mr. Messer was reared to farming pursuits and to habits of in- dustry and honesty, and has followed agriculture the whole of his life.

The parents of our subject, John B. and Susan (Estey) Messer, were natives respectively of Penn- sylvania and Kentucky, and became residents of Illinois in 1836. They first located in Lexington Township, this county, whence they removed to Gridley and located on seetion 34. Upon the homestead there established the father died in No- vember, 1879. The mother then went to live with her daughter in Moultrie County, this State, and there died Sept. 5, 1880. The parental family in- eluded ten children-Maria J., Sydney A., John P., Margaret E., Isaac, Mary, Elizabeth E., James . T., Elizabeth E. (2d) and Rebecca A. Maria, Eliza- beth (1st) and James are deceased.

When John P. Messer started out for himself in life he located in Gridley Township, which he has sinee made his home. He has been twice married, the first time in this township, Sept. 22. 1857, to Miss Mary S. Weakley, who was born in Ohio, Feb. 21, 1842. She became the mother of seven ehil- dren, of whom the record is as follows: Dora be- came the wife of Samuel J. Pfillis, and resides in Kansas: Benjamin is at home; Ira died in infancy ; the next, an infant, died unnamed; John B. dicd when less than one year old; Maria J. resides in Kansas, and William in Gridley 'Township. The

mother of these children died at the home of her husband in Gridley Township, Dec. 27, 1867. She was a lady greatly respected, and an earnest mem- ber of the Christian Church.'

The second wife of Mr. Messer, to whom he was married in Moultrie County, Ill., Sept. 30, 1869, was Elizabeth J. Dawson, daughter of Canon and Eliza A. (Riggin) Dawson, natives of Delaware. The parental family comprised five children, of whom Mrs. Messer was the third. She was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Nov. 7, 1838. Of this marriage there were born six children-Henry B., Arthur E., Francis D., an infant who died unnamed, Isaac I. and John L. Mr. and Mrs. M. are worthy members of the Christian Church, and politically our subject belongs to the Democratie party. He held the office of Highway Commissioner four years, and has been School Director. Socially he is a member of Cœur de Leon Commandery No. 43, of El Paso.

E LISHA R. SMITH, one of the self-made men and well-to-do farmers of Belleflower Township, is pleasantly located on section 12, where he is following agricultural pursuits and fulfilling the obligations of a good eitizen. Mr. Smith was born in Fulton County, this State, March 10, 1844, being the son of William Smith, who was a native of New Jersey and of Welsh de- scent. The latter was but a boy when his parents moved to Ohio, and there grew to manhood and married in Richland County. In 1838 he came to Illinois, making the journey overland with two horses and a wagon, accompanied by his wife and eight children. Upon his arrival in Illinois he had but $1.30 in eash. He worked around by the day for six or seven years, farming during the summer season and in the meantime saving his earnings, in which he was assisted materially by his excellent helpmeet. In due time he contracted to buy a farm for which he was to pay $1,000, and of this sum he had but $50. The farm was two and one- half miles from Cuba, and Liverpool and Peoria were the nearest markets. Mr. Smith was a very industrious man and was soon enabled to make the

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last payment on the farm. He also erceted a good set of frame buildings and lived there until 1862. Hle then sold out and purchased another farm near by, which he oceupied, however, but a few months. He soon thereafter retired from aetive labor and spent the last years of his life in Cuba, dying Sept. 3, 1877, when seventy-eight years of age. The mother of our subjeet, who was formerly Miss Sa- rah Cline, died near Cuba, Marel 26, 1881, having arrived at the advanced age of eighty-eight years.

The subject of this history was the youngest of eleven children born to his parents. He was reared to manliood on his father's farm in Fulton County, Ill., and received a good common-school educa- tion. During the progress of the late war he en- listed in Co. G, 11th Ill. Vol. Cav., and served un- til the close of the war, receiving his discharge . in July, 1865. After returning from the army he operated on rented land in Fulton County until 1867, then eanie to Belleflower Township and pur- chased tlie farm which he now owns and oceupies. It was then wild prairie and the nearest railroad station was at Champaign, twenty-two miles dis- tant. Mahomet was twelve miles and was the nearest post-office; now the railroad passes through his farm, with the station and post-office forty rods distant from his residence. He has added to liis first purchase until he is now the owner of 236 aeres, all enclosed and improved, and forming one of the finest country estates of this seetion.

Mr. Smith was married, Dcc. 24, 1863, to Miss Elizabetlı, the daughter of Solomon and Martha (McKinney) Murphy, and who was born in Licking County, Ohio. Of this union there are nine ehildren -Annie, William P., Belle A., M. Ross, Clyde S., Nellie, Clarence, Ethel and J. Clarence. Mr. and Mrs. Smith and four of their children are members of the Christian Church, and our subject politically votes the Demoeratie ticket.

AMES WHITE, JR., one of the best known residents of the township of Padua, has a fine homestead on sections 17 and 18, the handsome and substantial family residence being on the former. He may be classed among the pioneers of the Prairie State. After coming to

this county in 1838, he purchased eighty acres of land in IIndson Township, but later removed to Bloomington for the purpose of contraeting and building, and lived there for ten years following. He came to Padua Township in the fall of 1855, and is now the owner of 280 acres of valuable land, finely improved, furnished with a shapely and sub- stantial set of farm buildings. It has taken many years, but Mr. White has now the best drained farms in McLean County, having about 660 rods of tiling from three to eight inehes in diameter. The land was formerly low bottom, and very often covered with water, but now produces about one- third more than before the drain was put in. His agricultural implements and machinery are of first- class deseription, and his stock includes the best grades of horses and cattle.

Mr. White was born on Brooklyn Heights, Nov. 4, 1819. During a period of sixty-seven years the place of his birth has greatly changed from what it was then, being now the resort of some of the most aristocratic people of this continent, who reside in palatial mansions, and are surrounded by all the luxuries of life. The father of our subjeet, James White, Sr., was the son of Samuel White, who was the son of Peter White. The latter emigrated from England with a brother at an early period in the history of this country, and settled in Norfolk, Conn., where he followed the trade of a blacksmithi all his life, and died in the town where he first set- tled when little more than a boy. His son Samuel, the grandfather of our subject, learned the trade of a silversmith when young, which he followed all his life in his native town, and died on the homestead left him by his father. He was said to be a Tory dur-, ing the Revolutionary War, and his property was saved thereby when the town was burned by the British.

James White, the father of our subjcet, was born and reared at Norfolk, Conn., and when a young man learned the trade of a carpenter in New York City. From there he removed to Brooklyn, and some time later was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Vanvoris, who was of German and English parents. After his marriage James White continued in Brooklyn, where he followed his trade snecess- fully for a period of fifteen years. He then went

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to Delaware County, N. Y., where he purchased a farm npon which the children were reared. The father died when fifty-eight years old in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., and the mother lived to be sixty- five years old.

The subject of this history was the fourth of a family of four sons and three daughters, of whom one of the latter is now deceased; the others are married and settled in comfortable homes of their own. James White, Jr., accompanied his parents to Delaware County, N. Y., being then nine years of age. He there completed his education, and re- mained at home for ten years following. At the age of nineteen he started for the West, and com- ing into the Prairie State located in this county, where he followed the earpenter trade, which he had learned of his father in his youth. He was married at Sinith Grove, Towanda Township, this county, April 4, 1841, to Miss Lavina Smith, who was born in North Carolina, Aug. 19, 1814. When an infant she was carried across the Alleghany Mountains by her parents, who afterward located in Kentucky for three years, and thenee removed to White Water, Ind. From there, in about 1830, they came to this State and county. settling in a grove near what is now Towanda Township, and which was afterward ealled Smith Grove. Here Mrs. W. lived with her parents until her marriage. Her father, David Smith, died in Indiana after liv- ing some years in Illinois; the mother died in Iowa.

Of the marriage of our subject and his wife there were born seven children, three only of whom are living : Mary K. is the widow of James Keeney, and is living in Cedar Vale, Kan .; James R. is a builder and contractor of Bloomington; Asa E. married Miss Betty Long, and lives in Bloomington. Those deceased are Sarah R., George H. and two infants who died unnamed.

Mr. White opened the first lumber-yard in Bloomington, which proved a sueeess and was largely patronized; he was closely identified with the building interests of the city for ten years. He was living in Bloomington when the college project was set on foot by Rev. Mr. McKee, who had al- most despaired of success in his efforts to found an institution of learning there. In this our subject was greatly interested, being the firm friend of cd-

ueation, and believing it to be the best basis for a young man starting out in life. Although then worth only about $1,000 all told he subscribed $400, which he paid up like a man, although as it may be inferred, this large sum taken from his limited cap- ital quite seriously embarrassed him for the time. Mr. White was the first subseriber to the building and says he never paid a subseription before or since with more pleasure. It was with great difficulty that the enterprise was made successful, and many at the time thought that Mr. White had been duped into subseribing so large an amount, but he affirms that he had given the subject careful consideration and has ever felt justified in the steps taken, which resulted as he anticipated. Ilis judgment in this as well as many other enterprises is most commend- able. This, however, proved an incentive to other and wealthier citizens, who opened their hearts and purses and made liberal contributions by which a college building was ereeted which is now an honor to the eity. Mr. White in other respeets has materially contributed to the growth and prosper- ity of his adopted county, and is reckoned among its most valuable and reliable eitizens.

R REDERICK W. KOCH, a retired merchant of Bloomington and the founder of Koch- ville, also laid out an addition to Bloom- ington bearing that name, and has been otherwise closely identified with the material interests and the growth of the city. He is now retired from active business and resides in a beautiful home on the eor- ner of Morris and Koeh avenues, enjoying the es- teem of his neighbors and acquaintances and pass- ing his declining years in the eonseiousness of hav - ing aeted well his part in life.

Our subject is a fine representative of that na- - tionality which has assisted so greatly in develop- ing the resources of the Great West. The German Empire, without doubt, has contributed more of the stability and genuine honesty which have been the secret and success of this Republie than any other country. Mr. Koeh is a native of Prussia and was born on the 4th of September, 1829. His

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parents were Henry R. and Louise (Gravey) Koch, natives of the same kingdom, and engaged in farm- ing pursuits. Of the eight children born to his parents five are still living, the record being as fol- lows: Wilhelmina, now Mrs. Meas, is a resident of Bloomington, and has one son, Rudolph S .; Freder- iek W. is our subject; Carl L. is a resident of his native Prussia, as also are Fredriea and Charlotte. The father of our subject was Mayor of Fabben- stadt for a number of years and always a prominent man, respected and beloved by all who knew him. He was a devoted member of the Old Lutheran Church and a Trustee of the same. He served in the army for two years and always took a deep interest in the affairs of the kingdom. He gave to his children the advantages of a fine education, reared thein in the fear of the Lord, and taught them that honesty was the best policy. The faith- ful and affectionate mother departed this life in her native country in 1862, and the father still lives there.

The subject of this biography remained at home . with his parents until fifteen years old. He enlisted when twenty-one years old as a soldier and served two years, during which time he was treated with great respect and consideration in consequence of the high position which his father held under the Government, and was allowed many privileges not accorded to the common soldier. Upon leaving , his native country to come to America he was dressed in such uniform that many took him for a policeman, and by a little money and considerable strategy he got away without a passport and landed in New Orleans on the 1st of December, 1853. Young Koel, however, remained only a short time in the Crescent City, and soon proceeded to St. Louis, where he remained for the next three years engaged in the employ of the Pacific Railroad. In 1856 Mr. Koch came to Bloomington and conducted a boarding-house and saloon until the following year when, not liking the business, he closed out. He then engaged in the manufacture of mattresses and in upholstery, with carpet laying, for five years following, at the end of which time he had accu- mulated quite a little sumn of money. After this he became a clerk in a hardware store for twelve years, and at the end of this time purchased eight-

een aeres of land adjoining the city of Blooming- ton on the southwest, laying it out in town lots in 1867. During the time he was in the store he was considerably engaged in the purchase and sale of real estate.

Mr. Koch was married on the 4th of December, 1854, to Miss Wilhelmina Wellenburg, a native of Hanover, who came to this country in 1854. Of this union there were born five children, three now living, and they have adopted a little girl named Bertha. Emilie married John Teske, and they have -two children-Dora and Hannah; Helena became the wife of Herman Loufer, and they have three children-Laura, Wilhelmina and Ilerman ; Hannah married George Shuitz, and they have one child, a daughter-Stella. Mr. K. put up his present beauti- ful residence in 1882, at a cost of $4.000. He has near Koehville, 200 acres of land, eighty-two acres in Dry Grove Township, and a store and two houses in the city. The rents of these latter yield him a handsome income. Mr. K. with his family, is con- nected with the Lutheran Church. In polities he is Democratic, and is considered by all as one of the solid men of the city.

C HARLES A. SCHUREMAŃ, a member of the banking firm of Means, Sehureman & Co., at Saybrook, this county, is a native of Morristown, N. J., and was born Sept. 8, 1860. He is the son of Leonard and Fannie (Howell) Schureman, also natives of New Jersey, and who spent their lives in their native State. The father was born Feb. 17, 1825, and departed this life, Dee. 17, 1885. The mother was born in 1827, and still survives, making her home in New Jersey. Both pa- rents were prominently connected with the Method- dist Episcopal Church. Their three children were all boys: Frank, who married Miss Isodene Han- cock; Elwood S. and Charles A.

Mr. Sehureman became a resident of Illinois in 1879. Ile was married, Sept. 26, 1882, to Miss Katie Ballard, who was born in Say brook, Cheney's Grove Township, this county, Jan. 7, 1864, and is the daughter of Dr. J. L. and Catherine (Hogan) Ballard, natives of Kentucky, and who are still

Id: Stubblefield

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living. Their children were Love, Lizzie, William, Luey, John, Katie, Charlie and Mildred. Mr. and Mrs. Sehureman have one ehild, a daughter, Fannie B., who was born July 21, 1885.

Mr. Sehureman was educated in the common sehools of Norristown, N. J., and developed more than ordinary business qualities while still a youth. He is now connected with the leading bank of Say- brook, which was established as a private institution in 1878. His partners are gentlemen of culture and refinement, prominent in business and good eitizens and members of society. Mr. Schurcman is Democratic in politics. He is a member in good standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one of its Board of Trustees. Besides his fine resi- denee he owns other residence property, an interest in the bank building and a fine briek store at Say- brook. He has by careful and constant attention to the banking business during the past eight years, accumulated considerable wealth, and is one of Say- brook's most enterprising eitizens. The estimated worth of the banking firm is $125,000, with a well paid up capital stock.

E DWARD STUBBLEFIELD, a well-known member of one of the most prominent fam- ilies of this seetion of Illinois, is an exten- sive farmer and an intelligent fine stock breeder. He was born in Funk's Grove Township, McLean County, on the 15th of August, 1834, and is the sixth ehild of Robert and Doretha (Funk) Stubble- field. A sketch of the former appears on another page of this volume.

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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 108

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