Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 109

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 109

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).

Our subjeet received careful training at the hands of his parents, and pursued his primary studies in the schools of his native township, spend- ing the intervening time between school terms in assisting in the labors of the farm. He made his home with his parents until his marriage and then located on the farm which he now owns and oceu- pies. It was an unimproved prairie at the time it eame into his possession, but he has industriously cultivated the soil sinee that time and now has one of the finest farms in this section. A great part of it is tile drained, and the farm buildings and ma-

chinery are of first-class deseription. In 1869 Mr. Stubblefield erected a commodious frame house, and seven years later a large barn, and besides he has all necessary and suitable out-buildings for the shelter of stock and the storage of grain. He is a thorough business man and a skilled farmer, and the evidenees of his industry and enterprise are to be seen on every hand. His farm now comprises, ineluding timber, a little over 700 acres. The main feature of Mr. Stubblefield's farming op- erations is directed to the raising and feeding of cattle. He also makes a specialty of breeding thoroughbred Belgian horses. He owns several splendid specimens of this breed which have been imported.

Mr. Stubblefield's shrewd business qualifiea- tions are illustrated in public enterprises as well as those he has so successfully carried out for him- self. For six years he was associated with the At- lanta Agricultural Union Fair, held at Atlanta, Ill., as Director, and for the past six years has been President of the Assveiation. Its success is largely due to the enterprise and energy he has displayed in- its behalf. It is reeognized by all that this as- soeiation holds the best fairs held anywhere in Central Illinois. The distriet embraced by it in- · cludes the counties of McLean, Logan, Tazewell and De Witt.

Edward Stubblefield was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Fosset on the 17th of September, 1856. Mrs. S. is a native of Madison County, Ohio, where she was born Jan. 22, 1839. She is the daughter of Lewis and Ann (Shough) Fosset, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The first residenee of the young couple was an humble dwelling fifteen feet square, quite a contrast to that they now occupy. They have become the parents of four children, who are recorded as fol- lows: Doretha Ann is the wife of S. R. Sterling, of Mt. Hope Township; Marion Lec married Miss May Young, and lives in Mt. Hope Township; Emma J. beeamne the wife of David Alexander; they reside on their farm near McLean, also in Mt. Hope Township; Wayne is at home.

In politics Mr. Stubblefield affiliates with the Re- publican party, and as a business man and citizen he carries out the principles which were instilled

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in him during his early youth by his excellent and honored parents. As one of the leading and rep- resentative men of this county we present his por- trait.

M ILTON HENLINE, one of MeLean Coun- ty's progressive and exceedingly prosper- ous farmers, residing on section 1, To- wanda Township, is a son of Jaines J. and Sarah (Smith) Henline, the former a native of Boone County, Ky. He came to McLean County with his parents, John and Polly (Darnell) Hen- line, when he was thirteen years old, in 1828. His wife, Sarah Smith, came to the county about six years later, in 1834. The parents were married in this county, and lived in Lexington Township until the death of the mother, which took place Feb. 12, 1883. The father survives, and is yet living in Lexington Township. Eleven children were born of this union, seven sons and four daughters, the subject of this notice being the second in order of birth.

Milton HIenlinc was born in Lexington Town- ship, Feb. 13, 1843. He received a common-school education and supplemented the same by a course of study at Wesleyan Academy, Bloomington, Ill., for six months. He then went back on the old homestead and lived there, engaged the while in as- sisting his father in the cultivation of the farm nn- til 1866. During that year he settled in Towanda Township, where he purchased 160 acres of valua- ble land, located on section 1. On this tract he settled, and at once engaged in its improvement and cultivation, and is now the owner of 320 aeres of good land in that township, all in the same seetion. A view of the residence and sur- roundings will be found on another page.

Mr. HIenline was married at Bloomington, Ill., March 22, 1866, to Irene R. Willhoite, daughter of Alex and Sarah (Gossett) Willhoite, natives of Owen County, Ky. Her parents came to this county in 1850, whenee they removed to Missouri in 1868, and thenee to Kansas, where the father died the same year of their location in that State. The mother is yet living and now resides in Cass

County, Mo. They had twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, and Mrs. Henline was the fifth in order of birth. She was born in Owen County, Ky., Oct. 30, 1845, and by her union with Mr. Henline eleven children have been born-Car- . rie I., James I., Claude, Alvin, Buell, Ellis, Ada, Garfield, Alma, Mabel and Milton C. Mr. Henline has held several of the minor offices of his town- ship. He and his wife are members of the Chris- ·tian Church, and in polities he is Republican.

AMES A. GILBERT, of Gridley Township, is pleasantly located on section 3, and fol- lowing the peaceful occupation of a farmer's life. He is the son of James and Luey (Joquith) Gilbert, and was born in Manchester, Ind., April 1, 1839. His parents were natives re- spectively of Vermont and Indiana, and after their marriage. settled in Lancaster, the latter State, whencc they removed to Iowa, remaining in the Hawkeye State, however, only one year. They then recrossed the Father of Waters, and subse- quently settled at Brimfield, Peoria Co., Ill., where the mother died. The father is still a resident of that place. Their twelve children consisted of seven boys and five girls, of whom the subject of our sketch was the third in order of birth.

Mr. Gilbert was five years old when his parents removed from Indiana and he remained an inmate of the parental household until he was twenty-eight years of age. He then located on a farm in Wood- ford County, Ill., where he carried on agriculture for himself two years, and whenec he came to Gridley Township, this county. of which he has since been a resident. His homestead ineludes 160 aeres of valuable land, on which he has inade good improvements and erected a good set of farm buildings. In addition to his MeLean County property he owns 640 aeres in Cheyenne County, Neb., which is unimproved.

The marriage of our subject took place in Elm- wood, Ill., Dec. 20, 1867, the maiden of his choiee being Miss Mary C., daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Stewart) Baker, who were of excellent German and Irish ancestry. Stephen Baker de-

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parted this life in Virginia, and the mother died in Mereer County, Ill. They had only two children, a son and daughter, of whom Mrs. Gilbert was the youngest. She was born in Elizabeth, W. Va., Sept. 17, 1843. Of her marriage with our subjeet there were horn six children, as follows : Charles J., Minnie A., Bertis S., Blanche E., Luey E. and Nellie.

During the late war Mr. Gilbert served as a soldier of the Union, with the 47th Illinois Infantry, in which he enlisted in the spring of 1865, serving a little less than one year. He retired from the army unharmed by wounds or siekness and returned to his farm, where he has sinee remained, following the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. Mrs. Gilbert is connected with the Presbyterian Church, and our subjeet, politieally, is an earnest adherent of the Republican party. He is also a member of El Paso Post No. 532, G. A. R.

W ILLIAM C. JONES, who is favorably known throughout Cheney's Grove Town- ship and MeLean County, is the son of Newton and Mary Ann (Brown) Jones, and was born in Preble County, Ohio, Nov. 5, 1844. When William C. was thirteen years of age the family re- moved to IIuntington, Ind., and in 1869 to Illinois, their residenee in the Prairie State dating from Marel 17 of that year. Our subjeet commeneed a good business edueation in the common sehools of the Buekeye State and in Indiana, which was eom- pleted by attendance at the academies of Hunting- ton. He was reared to habits of industry and economy hy his excellent parents, and remained under the home roof until he attained to years of manhood. He was then united in marriage with Miss Emma, daughter of William and Martha Dunean, the wedding oeeurring on the 24th of De- eember, 1868. Mrs. J. was horn in Wabash, Ind., whenee she removed with her parents in early life to Huntington, that State, and from there to Illi- nois about 1869.

On coming to this eounty our suhjeet, who had ehosen farming for his occupation, purchased land in Arrowsmith Township where he lahored until

1881. He then sold out, removed to Farmer City, De Witt County, this State, and for one year oper- ated as a dealer in live stock, also earrying on a meat-market. This business he afterward merged into agricultural implements. We next find him in Ford County, Ill., where he purehased a farm of eiglity aeres in Drummond Grove Township, which he occupied about eighteen months, and which he still owns.

Mrs. Emma Jones departed this life Nov. 20, 1885, leaving two children-Lillian and Lerton B. Mr. Jones then abandoned the farm and removed to Saybrook, where he became the assignee of a dry-goods firm and elosed out the stoek. In 1886 he dealt in agricultural implements for a few months, and later traveled in the interest of the Hamilton Plant Company. He is now a salesman in the drug-store of Dr. J. F. Myers. In polities Mr. Jones is a staneh Republiean, and while a resident of Arrowsmith Township served three years as Commissioner of Highways. He is a member of Hope Lodge No. 140, K. of. P., and also.helongs to the A. F. & A. M., Cheney's Grove Lodge No. 468.

Newton Jones, father of the above, has been a resident of MeLean County sinee the 17th of March, 1869. He also was born in Prehle County, Ohio, Jan. 22, 1814. His parents, Newton and Ann (Mote) Jones, were, natives of Columbia County, Ga., in which State they were reared and united in marriage. In 1805 they removed to Ohio, erossing the Ohio River on the 12th of June of that year, and first settled in Prehle County on a farm. The father only lived to be thirty-six years of age. The mother thereafter remaining a widow survived him more than half a century, liv- ing to heeome nearly ninety-three years of age. Their six ehildren all lived to mature years, and with one exeeption still survive. They were Henry, Jonathan, Sarah, John, Joseph, deceased, and Newton.

Newton Jones was the youngest of his parents' family, was reared to farming pursuits and re- eeived a fair edueation in the pioneer schools. In 1839 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Brown, a native of Gloucester County, N. J., born Aug. 18, 1817. They made their home in Prehle

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County, Ohio, until 1857, and then removed to Hun- tington, Ind., where they were residents nntil 1869. They then came to Illinois and the father pur- chased land in Old Town Township, this county. This he sold in 1873 and secured possession of his present homestcad. The latter comprises 150 acres of good land, which he has brought to a fine state of cultivation and supplied with handsome hedges and a substantial set of farm buildings. The pres- ent possessions of Mr. Jones are the result of his own industry and energy, as he commenced life at the foot of the ladder and built up his valuable homestead almost from the original prairie. He possesses great force of character and is well in- formed upon all matters of general interest. Po- litically he is a strong Republican and expresscs his opinions intelligently and forcibly when oeca- sion arises. The children of himself and wife are William C., born Nov. 5, 1844, and Lerton D., Dec. 8, 1852.

RANCIS XAVER WOCHNER, joint pro- prietor of the well-known Gambrinus Brew- ery, is senior member of the firm of Meyer . & Wochner, of Bloomington. In the biography here presented we find that of a gentleman who began life without other resources than his resolute will, his natural industry and his uncommon good sense. He entered upon the struggle with the world in accordance with his means and position, and adopted the surest method to advance. He was fortunate in the selection of his helpmeet, wise in the investment of the funds which gradually ac- eumnlated, and now, surrounded by a blooming family and a wide circle of friends, is enabled to view his career with satisfaction, and the result of . his labors with pardonable pride.

Mr. Wochner is a native of Baden, Germany, and was born on the River Rhine, Jan. 13, 1832. When eight years of age he started with his par- ents, Francis and Elizabeth (Maurrer) Wochner, to America. They landed at New Orleans in January, 1840, whence they proceeded to St. Louis, Mo., and from there to Sangamon County, this State, by . wagon. The parents settled on a farm four miles west of Springfield, where they remained the bal-

ance of their lives. The father departed this life on the 18th of May, 1871, and the mother, July 4, 1876. Their children, five in number, included one son and four daughters, two of whom were born in Germany and three in this country. Three only of the family are now living.

The subject of our sketeh remained with his parents on the farm three years after reaching lis majority, and until his marriage, which took place Sept. 30, 1856., The maiden of his choice was Miss Amelia Phillips, of Sangamon County, Ill., who was a native of his own country, born April 1, 1839. The parents of Mrs. W. were Joseph Antone and Rosa (Stahlen) Phillips. The mother died in Ger- many. The father emigrated to America and de- parted this life in Chicago, Ill. Mrs. Wochner came with her sister to the United States, and finally settled in Springfield, Ill., where she met her future husband, our subject, and where they were married.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wochner lived upon a farm about six years and then, in 1862, re- moved to Bloomington. Mr. W., in partnership with his brother-in-law, Antone Meyer, purchased a small brewery, which they operated together un- til the death of the latter, in 1882, since which time Mr. Wochner has had principal charge of the busi- ness. The present building of the firm was put up in 1875, is built of brick, three stories in height, and covers an area of 80x100 feet. It is equipped with the latest improved machinery, and all other modern appliances for the manufacture of beer, of which they turn out between 8,000 and 9,000 bar- rels per year, a first-class article, which is shipped to different parts of the State.

Besides his interest in the brewery Mr. Wochner is proprietor of a good farm of 110 aeres adjacent to the city limits, with a two-story brick residence, a substantial barn, and other excellent improve- ments. He also has valuable city property in Bloomington, consisting principally of business houses.

The family of our subject and his excellent lady includes nine children, six sons and three daugh- ters, namely : Emma, Frank Z., Ed. A., Pauline R., Albert, Adolph, Hermann. Leonard C. and Olga' F. Mr. W. and the various members of his family

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are connected. with St. Mary's Catholic Church. He is a gentleman decided in his opinions, and heartily cudorses the principles of the Demoeratie party. He has always taken an active interest in eurrent events, and nothing pleases him better than to note the educational and moral welfare of his community. In the various enterprises which have been set on foot, and having for their objeet the general good, he lias been a ready and cheerful contributor, and has thus elosely identified himself with the interests of the city and its people.

R. JAMES LOAR, one of the prominent and popular physicians and surgeons of Bloomington, is a member in good stand- ing of the profession in this vicinity, and enjoys the confidence and patronage of a large proportion of the best residents of the eity and adjacent country: The subject of this biography was born in Greene County, Pa., Feb. 5, 1830, and is the son of John and Hettie (Stephen) Loar, the father of Maryland and the mother of Pennsyl- vania.

John Loar removed from his native State to Pennsylvania when about thirty years of age and purchased 160 aeres of land, which he oecupicd for a period of thirty years, and then sold this and purchased 250 acres in the same county, where he passed the remainder of liis days, dying in 1872 at the age of eighty-three years. Ilis wife, the mother of our subjeet, survived her husband eight years and departed this life in 1880, aged eighty-five years. They were descendants respectively of hon- ored German and English ancestry and became the parents of fourteen children, eleven of whom grew to mature years and ten are still living.

Dr. Loar was the seventh child of his parents and spent his younger years in a manner common to most farmers' boys, attending school and assisting in the duties around the homestead. At the age of nineteen he went to Westmoreland County, Pa., and began reading medicine with his brother, Dr. A. Loar, with whom he commeneed praetiee in 1851, continuing seven years thereafter. In the meantime he had taken a course of study in,the

Physio Medical College of Cincinnati, from which he graduated in 1858 with honors and practiced his profession in Mt. Pleasant, Pa., until 1868. He then removed to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and engaged in practice there for the following four years. In November, 1871, he came to this county and lo- eated in Bloomington, where he has since resided and practiced with flattering suecess.

The marriage of Dr. James Loar and Miss Maria Stauffer was celebrated near Mt. Pleasant, Pa., in 1851. Mrs. L. is the daughter of Abraliam D. and Mary (Newcomer) Stauffer, both natives of Fayette County, Pa. They became the parents of six chil- dren, of whom four are living: Abraham D. mar- ricd Miss Belle Bonnett and is engaged as a drug- gist in Bloomington ; Hattie, Mrs. Bonnett, lives in Le Roy, this county, and is the mother of two chil- dren-James and Yauntz; Emma and Luey are at home; Sadie, Mrs. Dr. Sitherwood, of Bloomington, became the mother of three children, two now liv- ing-Grace and Boane; Mrs. Sitherwood died April 16, 1885.

Dr. and Mrs. L. are members of the Christian Church, in which our subject is an Elder. He is a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity and votes the Prohibition ticket. .

During the late war Dr. L. enlisted in the 100- days' service, July 1, 1863, in an independent Pennsylvania company, which received its orders from Gov. Curtin. Our subject received the com- mission of First Lieutenant, and in company with Capt. W. D. Dick assisted in raising the number of troops required in that vieinity. The family resi- dence is located at No. 602 East Front street, and the office of Dr. Loar is at No. 118 West Wash- ington street.

AVID M. MATTHEWS, one of the sub- stantial farmers of Cheney's Grove Town- ship, is a native of the Prairie State, born in Morgan County, March 9, 1843. He was, however, reared in Logan County, and there received his education. He is the son of Israel and Jane (Caudy) Matthews, natives of Virginia. The mother died when our subject was a child of

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only four years, and after this sad event he was reared in the home of his father. Both parents united with the Methodist Church in early life, and were worthy and devoted members. The father of our subjeet is still living in Logan County, and pursuing his oeeupation of a farmer. The parental family ineluded three children : John W., who mar- ried Miss Eliza Moore, lives in Logan County ; Zachariah T., who married Miss Theobald, and our subjeet.

After arriving at years of manhood, David Mat- thews was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Reed, the ceremony taking place on the 4th of November, 1869. Mrs. Matthews was born Nov. 17, 1847, in Pike County, Ohio, and was the daugh- ter of George W. and Mary (Nelson) Reed, natives of Virginia. The father, who was born 'Dee. 4, 1812, was a farmer by occupation, a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and departed this life in Ohio, on the 25th of February, 1859. The mother was born May 10, 1819, also eonneeted herself with the Methodist Episcopal · Church, and died in 1877. The parental house- hold consisted of eight children, of whom only two are living. John C. died in 1840; Sarah E. died in 1846; Mary E. died in 1854; George E. died in 1856; Hester M. died in November 1861; James W. married Miss Lucy Carr, and lives in Nebraska.

The farm estate of our subjeet consists of 160 aeres of finely cultivated land, upon which, in ad- dition to general farming, he is carrying on, suecess- fully, the breeding of fine stock, giving most of his attention to thoroughbred horses and Durham eattle. Of the latter he has a herd of thirty head, includ- ing some of the finest animals to be found in this seetion. His horses are the Norman and English coach, models of beauty and symmetry. Mr. Mat- thews took possession of his present homestead in 1874, and has seeured for himself an enviable repu- tation as a farmer and stoek-raiser. He has a beauti- ful homestead, which in all fespeets is eondueted with that system and good order which are the true seerets of sueeess. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Matthews there were born four children, of whom the eldest died in infaney; those living are Lucia L., Dessie B. and John W., all at home with their parents.

During the progress of the late war Mr. Matthews enlisted as a soldier of the Union, in Co. C, 106th Ill. Vol. Inf., and served three years, participating with his comrades on the march and in the field, and sharing uneomplainingly their dangers and hardships. ffe was present at the siege of Vicks- burg, the battle at Little Rock, Ark., and various 1 other engagements, and although he often felt the

wind from passing bullets, he was never wounded or made a prisoner. At the elose of the war he received his honorable discharge at Pine Bluff, Ark., on the 12th day of July, 1865, and return- ing to Illinois resumed his former oeeupation of a farmer. He is Democratie in polities but was al- ways a strong Union man, as he abundantly proved by his patriotie services as a soldier.

OHN A .. TAYLOR, M. D., a highly respected physician and resident of Gridley, is the son of John W. and Abigail C. (Sweet) Taylor, natives respectively of Virginia and the State of New York. After marriage they set- tled in Morgau County, Ill., whenee they removed in 1849, to Woodford County, and in 1851, to Marshall County, same State. There the father died Feb. 19, 1865. During the' earlier years of . his life he was engaged in milling but later took up the oeeupation of a farmer. The mother still survives and resides with her children.

The subject of this history was the third of seven children which composed the household eirele. He was born near Jacksonville, Morgan Co., Ill., upon ground which is now ineluded in the city limits, June 7, 1850. He received careful home training and attended school until eighteen years of age. He then took a two years' course of study in the High School at Chenoa, and after that en- gaged in teaching for several terms. In the mean- time he began the perusal of medical works and prepared himself for entering medieal college. His preceptor was W. E. Banta, M. D., of Chenoa, now deceased, with whom he studied from Sept. 1, 1871, until the fall of 1873, and in September of that year, entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, where he remained, and from which he graduated

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on the 1st of March, 1875. Returning West with his diploma he commenced the praetiee of his pro- fession in Gridley, May 3, 1875, which he has . since followed with more than ordinary sneeess. He made the discovery of the first eases of triehina in Livingston County. He is a elose student, an extensive reader, and has been very popular among the people of this loeality. Through his exertion the Gridley Library Association was established in January, 1886. It is now in a flourishing condition, having for its membership the most prominent and enterprising portion of the citizens of Gridley and Gridley Township. For two years tlie Doctor was its Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian, and by his efforts placed it on a safe basis, as a nueleus from which mueh may be expected.

The marriage of Dr. John A. Taylor and Miss M. Appa Dunham took place at Chenoa, Ill., Nov. 2, 1876. Mrs. T. is the daugliter of Samuel and Margaret Dunham, the former of whom died at Eurcka, Ill., Aug. 22, 1856. The mother died at Chenoa, Jan. 1, 1875. The parental family con- sisted of four children, of whom Mrs. T. was the youngest. She was born in Eureka, Ill., Dec. 25, 1856, and by her union with our subjeet has be- come the mother of three children-Graeie E., J. Earl and Lola A. Dr. Taylor has been a member of the Village Board for five years, three years of the time aeting as Clerk and two as President, in 1884-85. He was instrumental in having the vil- lage well drained, there being now over three miles of tile draining, which was laid through his arguments and solicitations. Politically he is a strong Republican and is a member in good stand- ing of the Baptist Church. Mrs. T. is a member and regular attendant of the Christian Church.

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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 109

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