Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 112

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 112

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).

Mr. Spradling remained under the parental roof in Indiana until 1852, when he became a resident

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of Illinois, loeating first in Mission Township, La- Salle County, where he made his home abont seven- teen years. He removed to Champaign County in 1868, whenee he came to this connty in 1876. On the 12th of October, 1886, he met with a severe loss in the destruction of his house by fire, to- gether with most of its contents. He soon after- ward commenced re-building, and has now nearly completed a fine two-story structure with basement, covering an area of 24x24 fect. The basement is 14x16 fcet.

Mr. Spradling was married, June 4, 1844, to Miss Amy J. Peterson. She was born July 18, 1827, in Franklin County, Ind., and is the daughter of John and Editlı (Clifton) Peterson, both natives of New Jersey. The mother was born in Salem County, Aug. 21, 1796, and married John Peterson, Jan. 12, 1812. After a Christian life of nearly sixty- seven years, during which period she had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, she departed this life near Philo, Ill., in September, 1877. John Peterson was born in 1794, became a man of note in his eounty and community, and was possessed of considerable means. He held tlic office of Trustee in the church, was a farmer by occupation, and died in Champaign County, Ill., in 1873. Their fourteen children were, Mary A., Samuel, Benjamin, Henry, Sarah A., Elizabeth, John, Catherine, Emma J., Ruth, Charlotte, Clara, Annie M. and Hannah.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Spradling are as follows: Elizabeth E., born Sept. 4, 1845; Sarah A., Jan. 7, 1847; Ilartley K., May 7, 1848; Emory, Aug. 29, 1849; Alpheus, May 18, 1851 ; Albert L., Sept. 30, 1854; Ami N., May 10, 1856; Stephen II., Sept. 18, 1857; George S., May 10, 1859; Kate S., July 25, 1861 ; Frank P., Nov. 30, 1866. Hart- ley Spradling, the eldest son of our subject, mar- ried Miss Mary E. Baker, Jan. 31, 1869, and they have six children-Willie HI., Lillie L., Emily, Claude E., John H. and Archie. Hartley is engaged in farming. Emma married Francis L. Harrington, Jan. 28, 1872, and both are now deceased; they left one child, Claude L. Alphens married Miss Emma Turner, Dee. 25, 1872, and is now deceased ; he left two children-Emmet T. and Etta M. Sarah A. married Harvey Cunningham, March 25, 1877,

and they have two children-Emma J. and Fred- dic A .; Albert L., born Sept. 30, 1854, married Miss Hannah Owens, Sept. 14, 1880, and lives in Belleflower Township; Ami N. was born May 10, 1856, and married Mrs. Almeda Wimer, July 3, 1882; they have two children-Jessie M. and Pearl. Stephen H., born Sept. 18, 1857, was married to Miss Ella L. Phares, Feb. 21, 1882; Kate S. mar- ried Frank B. Phares, in 1884; Frank P., born Nov. 30, 1866, married Miss Bettie J. Taylor, Dce. 27,1886.

Mr. Spradling owns 241} aeres of valuable land, which is under a fine state of cultivation. He has been connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church for a period of forty-six years, and the various members of his family belong to the same. Politically he is a straight Republican. and uni- formly casts his vote in support of the principles of his party.

ETER SCHERTZ, a representative Ger- man farmer and business man of Cheney's Grove Township, was formerly a wagon- maker by trade, but of late years has turned his attention exclusively to agrienltnral pursuits. Ile was born in the Province of Alsace, on the River Rhine, Aug. 18, 1833, and is the son of Joseph and Mary (Laman) Sehertz, natives of the same Provinee as their son. The father of our subject followed farming all his life. He emigrat- ed to America in 1842, and at onee located in Butler County, Ohio. He died in Tazewell Coun- ty, this State, in 1886, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. The mother departed this life in Butler County, Ohio, in 1842, when but little over thirty years of age. The seven children in the parental family were Joseph, Christian, John, Peter, Andrew, deceased, Andrew [2d] and Nieh- olas.

The subject of this history was bnt nine years old when he emigrated with his parents to the United States. He came to Tazewell County, this State, in 1853, where he remained two years and then came to MeLean County. After arriving at years of manhood he was nnited in marriage with

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Miss Catherine Springer, on the 20th of February, 1862, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Christian Gingerich, of the Mennonite Church. Mrs. S. was born in Butler County, Ohio, Aug. 10, 1839, and is the daughter of Christian and Magda- lena (Ingle) Springer, natives of France. They emigrated to America and located in Butler County, Ohio, whence they removed ten years later to Illinois. They took up their abode in the town of Danvers, this county, where they lived. about twenty years. Of their nine children, one died in infancy. Those living are Joseph, Peter, Christian, John, Andy, Melinda, Catherine and Mary. Our subject and his wife became the par- ents of the following named children : Emma E., Mary A., George C., Joseph, William, John E., Peter A., Daniel D. and Albert E.

The homestead of Mr. Schertz includes 200 acres of fincly cultivated land, with a handsome and sub- stantial set of frame buildings and all the appli- ances required by the modern farmer and stock- raiser. Of late he has been giving much attention to the breeding of Norman horses. His stallion, Lewis, is six years old, weighs 1,800 pounds, is a bright bay in color, and of magnificent proportions. Bob, a three-ycar-old colt, is a remarkably fine ani- mal, of a jetty black, and a model of beauty and symmetry. The mare is half-Norman blood. Mr. Schertz is in all respects a representative farmer and business man of one of the wealthiest counties in the State, and has contributed his full share to- ward the agricultural interests of his section. He is a member of the Mennonite Church at Danvers, and contributed generously toward the erection of the fine church building there. Politically he is an earnest supporter of the Democratic party.

UGH HENNING. The subject of this his- tory has been a resident of McLean County since the 1st of March, 1864, and during a residence of over twenty-three years has identified himself with its agricultural and indus- trial interests. He is pleasantly located on section 22, Yates Township, where he carries on general

farming, and is giving some attention to the rais- ing of fine stock.

When our subject came to McLean County he purchased the southeast quarter of section 22, in Yates Township, which constitutes a part of his present homestead. , At the time of purchase his land was but slightly improved. To this he after- ward added and industriously carried on its eulti- vation, meeting with success in his labors. He now owns 240 acres of land, eighty acres of which lie on section 25. The farm residence and all other out- buildings about the premises are put up in a sub- stantial manner and fulfill all the requirements of a first-class agriculturist. The buildings and fences are kept in good repair and his farm machinery is after the latest and most improved style.

Mr. Henning was married on the 6th of April, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth MeKay. Of this union five children have been born-William, Robert and Nettie (twins), Edith and James Elmer (twins). The residence of our subject and his family is finely finished and well furnished, and its inmates enjoy all the comforts of life. Mr. H. is Repub- lican in politics and is highly esteemed both as a business man and a citizen.

P ETER S. GERBER, formerly an esteemed resident of Oak Grove Village, this county, in March, 1887, removed to Woodford County, this State. He was born in Mont- gomery Township, Woodford County, Nov. 15, 1846, and is the son of Joseph and Magdalena (Sommers) Gerber, the former born May 6, 1806, in France.

On the 10th of November, 1830, Joseph Gerber sailed for America, landing in New York City on the 10th of February following. From therc he proceeded to Canada to visit a friend, Christian Farney by name, and ten days later started for Stark County, Ohio, where he worked as a wagon- maker. There also he met his future wife, Miss Magdalena Sommers, and they were united in mar- riage on the 11th of January, 1835. ' Mrs. G. was born on what was called the Sommers' Farm, in

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France, Aug. 2, 1815. After their marriage the young people moved into Tusearawas County, Ohio, where Mr. G., in partnership with his brother- in-law, C. Singeriek, purchased a farm which they conducted together until 1838. In May of the fol- lowing year Joseph Gerber eame to Woodford Connty, this State, and purchased 240 acres of land in Montgomery Township, which he was occupied in enltivating and improving until his death, which event occurred Feb. 21, 1881. He was a man of great force of character, became thoroughly Ameri- eanized, and was a stanch Republiean in politics. Both parents were members of the Mennonite Church. The mother is still living on the old homestead in Woodford County. They were among the earliest pioneers of that section and the father of our subjeet contributed materially to its growth and development, witnessing with keen in- terest the many and great changes whieh oe- curred during a period of over half a century. The ten children of the parental family were named as follows: Christian, Jacob, John, Anna, Joseph, Peter, Eli, Samuel, Elizabeth and Daniel.

The subject of our sketch was reared on his father's farm in Woodford County, Ill., and re- eeived his edueation in the pioneer sehools. He re- mained with his parents until attaining his majority, and on the 19th of January, 1869, was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Habeeker. Soon after- ward the young couple eame to this eomity and lo- cated on the farm given our subject by his father, which they occupied until November, 1879. They then sold it and removed to the village of Oak Grove, where they lived until March, 1887, and from there returned to the Woodford County farm of 160 aeres, which Mr. G. reparehased at $48.50 per aere. The Oak Grove farm property was ex- changed for a house and lot in town. While a resident of Oak Grove Township, Mr. Gerber interested himself in its local affairs and was elected to the office of Road Commissioner for three years, In his late removal the eitizens of Oak Grove have lost a valued member of the community and Woodford County has been the gainer.

The wife of our subjeet, also a native of Wood- ford County, this State, was born June 8, 1848. Her parents were John and Magdalena Habecker.

The former was born in the old Provinee of Pfalz, Germany, in October, 1824. He emigrated to Ameriea in 1832, landing in the eity of New Or- leans, and from there migrated to Butler County, Ohio, and was there married. His wife, Magdalena Habecker, was born in France, in February, 1823, and emigrated to the United States when a young girl seventeen years old, landing, as did her hns- band, first in New Orleans, and thence going into Butler County, Ohio. After their marriage the young couple proceeded westward, stopping first in Peoria, Ill., and going from there into Wood- ford County whenee, after a brief residence; they rc- moved to Tazewell County, and not long afterward purchased a farm in McLean County. There the old folk lived until the death of the father, which took place in the fall of 1878. ' The mother after- ward married Mr. J. Stnekey, and is still living.

The six children of the parental household were named Barbara, Catharine, John, Christian, Joseph and Magdalena. Mr. and Mrs. Gerber of this notice, have one child only, a daughter, Erbina.

b UGH ROBB, local editor of the Hey worth Standard, has been connected with the paper in that eapaeity since January, 1882. The Standard is a weekly, the meehanical work of which is done in the city of Bloomington. Mr. Robb has eondueted his department of this journal with ability and sueeess. He is a smooth and easy writer and is especially suecessful in eol- leeting interesting loeal items. The Standard has a circulation of about 500, and has beeome qnite indispensable to its readers.

Mr. Robb was born in Waynesville, De Witt Co., Ill., Sept. 3, 1846. He remained in his native eonnty until July, 1871, when he became a resident of Heyworth, which has sinee been his home. He received his edueation in the public sehools of his native town, where he aeqnitted himself creditably, being a studious youth, fond of his books, and tak- ing pride in the aeqnirement of nseful knowledge. He first engaged in the groeery trade in Hey worth for about four years, afterward becoming drug elerk for Mr. Shelton, whose biography appears else-

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where in this work, and still holds that position, his editorial duties occupying only a part of his time.

Mr. Robb was married in Ileyworth, Feb. 26, 1881, to Miss N. J. Seroggy, who was born in Indiana. She came West to Illinois when a young woman, and by her marriage with our subjeet has become the mother of two children-Earle A. and J. II. L. Mr. and Mrs. Robb are members of the Presbyterian Church, and have been members of the choir sinee 1878.

Politically our subjeet is a solid Republican and takes an active interest in the success of his party. Socially he belongs to the I. O. O. F., Heyworth Lodge No. 483, of which he is permanent Secretary, and at present represents the Grand Lodge.

Le UKE CARNELL, of Blue Mound Township, has been a resident of MeLean County since 1854, and is now comfortably located on section 33. Here he has a snug farm of eighty acres, under a high state of cultivation, with hand- some and substantial buildings, and all the aeees- sories of a first-class agrieulturist. His premises in all respects indieates the supervision of a thorough farmer and business man, and is one of the spots which attracts the attention of the traveler passing through the county.

The subject of our sketch was born in Hamp- shire County, W. Va., Sept. 25, 1825, being the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Parker) Carnell, na- tives respectively of Maryland and Virginia. They settled in Hampshire County, in what is now West Virginia, and in 1839 removed to Ohio, locating in Fayette County. Thence in 1854 they came to the Prairie State and took up their abode in Ar- rowsmith Township, where they spent the remain- der of their lives. Of their ten children, the sub- jeet of our sketeh was the fourth in order of birth, and was about twelve years old when his parents removed from his native State to Ohio. He eamne with them to this county and remained under the home roof until he was thirty-six years old. He then married and located in Arrowsmith Township, where he engaged in farming for a time, removing

from there to Martin Township, where he operated the "Harpole farm " three years. He came into Blue Mound Township in the spring of 1873; here he soon creeted a good house, which was destroyed . by fire March 26, 1879, together with the furniture and elothing of the family. Mr. Carnell, however, did not suffer this disaster to overcome him, but the following spring ereeted another and finer one, which is universally admired by everyone passing through that seetion. His main barn and other out-buildings correspond with the dwelling, and the entire homestead forms an attractive spot which is at onee a delight to the eye, and a testimonial to the thrift and taste of its proprietor. A view of the place is shown on another page of this work.

Mr. Carnell was married in Arrowsmith Town- ship, May 23, 1861, to Miss Harriet O'Neal, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, July 1, 1839. She was the youngest of eight children of Samuel and Martha (Cogel) O'Ncal, who emigrated from Ohio to Illinois in 1857, settling in West Township, this county, where they died, the father about 1865 and the mother about- 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Car- nell have become the parents of seven children, namely. Ellen, Armilda, Daniel. Mary E., Frank, Willic and Clara B. Daniel and Willie arc de- ecased; Ellen is the wife of Smith Bane, and re- sides in Arrowsmith Township; Armilda is the wife of David Merwin, and lives in Padua Town- ship. Mr. Carnell is Republican in polities, and has been Sehool Director in his township for many years.

R. HALDEMAN, manufacturer of granite and marble monuments, also all kinds of mantels and grates, occupies Nos. 301 and 303 South Main street, Bloomington, where he is carrying on a sueeessful and luerative busi- ness. Our subject is a native of the Buckeye State and was born July 10, 1830. Ilis parents were John and Mary (Jones) Haldeman, his father of Pennsylvania and his mother of Ohio, the former of staneh German ancestry and the latter of Seotch- Irish. In his younger days John Haldeman was engaged in general teaming over the mountains from Pittsburgh to Baltimore, transporting all

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kinds of merchandise. He went to Ohio before his marriage and located upon a farm near Zanes- ville. Selling out in 1831, in the meantime hav- ing been married, he started out with a six-horse " prairie sehooner," accompanied by his wife and six children, for the prairies of Illinois. He made his first location in La Salle County, purchasing about 1,000 aeres of land, near the town of Streator, where he established a permanent home, and en- gaged in general farming until his death, whieli took place in 1837. The mother is still living, and at present resides in Missouri. The parental fam- ily ineluded six ehildren, only three of whom are now living: James, of Kansas City ; Marietta, Mrs. Johnson, of Vernon County, Mo., and our subjeet.

Mr. Haldeman of our sketeh remained with liis parents until he was twenty-six years old, and dur- ing the latter part of the time assumed the man- agement of his father's farm. In 1848 he com- ineneed to learn the business of a marble eutter, and three years later, in company with two broth- ers, came to Bloomington and established the pres- ent business. They operated in company for the following eight years, when one of the brothers withdrew, and the following year the other sold out his interest. In June, 1873, having now sold out the remaining interest, our subjeet removed to the southern part of the State, and for two years was engaged in making plows, after which he re- turned to Bloomington, and has since been en- ' gaged in his present business. He employs from five to fifteen men, and the produets of his manu- facture are shipped to all parts of the State. In addition to his marble business, Mr. Haldeman is the proprietor of a snug farm of fifty-five aeres, two miles from the city limits, which he now oeeu- pies.

The marriage of our subjeet to Miss Margaret A. Morsman, took place in 1856. Mrs. Haldeman was born in Massachusetts and is the daughter of Charles S. and Elmira (Lincoln) Morsman, the mother being a second cousin of the late President Lineoln. Mr. and Mrs. Haldeman became the par- ents of three children: Ida M .; Revillo P., who, although only nineteen years old, is a book-keeper in his father's office, and a graduate of Butler Uni- versity and the High School; Mamie M., the

eldest daughter, also graduated at the same time as her brother. The residence of the family is one of the most attractive suburban homes in this locality. Mr. Haldeman is a strong Prohibitionist, and with his wife is prominently connected with the Chris- tian Church. Ile is a straightforward business man, and highly esteemed as a neighbor and eitizen.

R EV. ROBERT CONOVER, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Lexington, Ill., has been a resident of MeLean County thirty- one years, sinee the spring of 1856, when he located in Bloomington. He was born July 3, 1823, in " Jersey Settlement," now Carlyle Station, Franklin Township, Warren Co., Ohio.

His parents, George and Mary (Dubois) Cono- ver, were among the early settlers of that part of the Miami Valley. They were of Huguenot ances- try, who came to America and first settled at King- ston, Ulster Co., N. Y., about the year 1660, having fled from France to escape the religious persecution waged against the Protestants by the Roman Cath- olies. The family, as it inereased, spread out over Eastern New York and New Jersey, and finally one branch immigrated from New Jersey and formed what has ever since been known as the "Jersey Settlement " in the Miami Valley, where many of their descendants still remain.

Our subjeet was bereaved of his father when fif- teen months old, and of his mother when eight years of age. From the death of his mother until twenty-one years of age, he lived in the families of his unele and a cousin. He united with the Pres- byterian Church of Franklin, Ohio, in his nine- teenth year, and at the age of twenty-one eom- meneed studying for the ministry at Centre College, Danville, Ky., where he graduated June 28, 1849. He studied theology two years at Princeton, N. J., and one year with Dr. Nathan L. Riee, in Cineinnati, Ohio, and was licensed to preach the Gospel April 26, 1851, by the Presby- tery of Transylvania, Ky. His first ministerial charge was a mission ehureh in Cineinnati, Ohio, while he was a student with Dr. Riee. He then es- tablislied a sehool and organized a church at North

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Salem, Ind., where he labored for three years, and then returned to Cineinnati on aeconnt of an afflic- tion from which his wife was suffering. There he labored fifteen months, a part of the time as tem- porary supply of the Seventh or Broadway Church, and the remainder as State supply of the newly organized Presbyterian Church of Cumminsville, a suburb of the city.

Mr. Conover, in June, 1856, came to Blooming- ton, Ill., established a female seminary, and also organized a Presbyterian Church at Towanda, which he supplied while carrying on the school. He continued the sehool eighteen years, until 1875, then removed to Towanda, where he remained un- til February, 1878, having served that churchi as stated supply for nearly twenty-two years. Sinee February, 1878, now over nine years, he lias con- tinued in the pastorate work with the church at Lexington.

On the 30th of March, 1852, Rev. Robert Cono- ver was married to Miss Harriet Hilts, daughter of William D. Hilts, of Springdale, Hamilton Co., Ohio. Mr. Hilts also located at Bloomington, Ill., in the spring of 1857, and improved a farm at To- wanda, where four of his sons still reside.

Mr. Conover and wife have been highly favored in being permitted to share their labors together without interruption for a period of over thirty- five years, and still have health and strength for active work. He is now the only minister in con- nection with the Presbytery of Bloomington [which ineludes the counties of McLean, De Witt, Piatt, Champaign, Vermilion, Iroquois, Livingston and a part of Woodford] who has been continuously in this same field for over thirty-one years.

W ILLIAM LEMKE, a substantial German citizen of Blue Mound Township, owns and occupies a snug homestead of eighty acres on section 24, where he has made his home since 1866. He was born in Germany, in April, 1831, his parents being Charles and Mary Lemke, also natives of the " fatherland," where they passed their entire lives, and where their remains are in- terred.

Mr. Lemke lived in his native country until he

was twenty-nine years of age, and then emigrated to America. After landing in New York he pro- ceeded directly westward and worked about three years in Du Page County, then came to MeLean, which has since been his home. Ile first rented land in Old Town Township five years, then pur- chased eighty acres in Blue Mound. Hc has brought his land to a good state of cultivation and erected a convenient and substantial set of frame buildings, and in all respeets bears a fair eompari- son with the other industrious and enterprising agriculturists of this scetion.

Mr. Lemke was married in Bloomington, Ill., in 1860, to Mrs. Rosa (Wolford) Ziegler, widow of John Ziegler. She was born in Germany, July 6, 1828, and came to America when about twenty- four years of age. Of this union there were born · three children, all of whom died in infaney. Mrs. L. is an adherent of the Catholic faith, and our subjeet is a Lutheran. Mr. Lemke is Republican in politics, and greatly respected for his sterling honesty, and the habit he has of attending strictly to his own coneerns. A view of Mr. Lemke's resi- dence is shown on another page.

P ETER FLESHER, a pioneer settler of Mc- Lean County, is now a resident of Lexing- ton. He was born in Pendleton County, Va., on the farm of his father near Frank- lin, on the 7th of December, 1809, and is the son of John and Mary (Seibert) Flesher. His father was also a native of the Old Dominion. His grand- father, Henry Flesher, of German aneestry, emi- grated to this country at an early day, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

John Flesher, the father of our subject, emigrated from Virginia to Fayette County, Ohio, with his family, in 1835, and resided in the Buekcye State for the following six years. Then, in 1841, he concluded to move on further westward and, com- ing into this county, settled on a farm in Money Creek Township. There he passed the remainder of his days, departing this life in 1862, leaving a wife and nine children. Of the latter, eight arc still living, and all residents of this county with the

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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 112

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