Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 113

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 113

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).

921

McLEAN COUNTY.

exception of a daughter, Alcinda, who married her cousin, Perry Flesher, and now resides in Warren County, Iowa.

Peter Flesher came to McLean County with his father's family. in 1841. 1Ic was married in Vir- ginia, May 18, 1834, to Miss Hannah, the daughter of James Campbell, also of the Old Dominion. This lady died in 1842, one year after their re- moval to MeLcan County, leaving two children, a son and daughter-James and Mary J.

The second wife of our subject was Miss Julinda, the daughter of James Blake, of this county, to whom he was married Aug. 13, 1843. After his second marriage Mr. Flesher settled in Gridley Township, where he was engaged in farming pur- suits until the spring of 1884, when he abandoned farming, and removing to Lexington is now living retired from active labor. He still owns the farm, which consists of 235 acres well fenced and under fine cultivation, with thirty-five acres of valuable timber. During his later years on the farm, he cn- gaged quite extensively in the stock business.

Mr. and Mrs. Flesher have three children : Susan C., the wife of 'Charles Drury; Sarah L., Mrs. George W. Ogden, and Jennie, at home with her parents. Our subject and his wife are members in good standing of the United Brethren Church and are numbered among the most worthy and highly esteemed residents of Lexington.

SAIAH DILLON, importer and breeder of French draft horses, at Normal, is the son of Aaron and Melinda (Hodgson) Dillon, and a native of Illinois, being born in Tazewell County, on the 25th of May, 1834. Two years later his parents dicd, leaving two children, himself and his younger brother, Levi. Our subjeet was reared in the family of his unele, James Fuller, of Tazewell County, until thirteen years of age and then he- eamc the inmate of the family of another unele, Ellis Dillon. He received a common-school edu- cation, assisted in tilling the soil, and 'as he had the care of a large number of horses, became not only a lover of that noble animal, but a good judge of it as well.

Our subject remained an inmate of the home of

Mr. Ellis Dillon until he was twenty years of age, . and the following year was united in marriage with Miss Mary Fisher, like himself a native of Taze- well County. Mrs. Dillon is the daughter of Jesse and Achsah Fisher, who made that county their home for a number of years, and with whom the daughter remained until lier marriage with our sub- ject. They located upon 160 acres of land which young Dillon had previously purchased, and en- gaged in farming pursuits. Three years later, in company with his brother, he purchased a half in- terest in " Old Louis Napoleon," the first Norman horse brought into the United States from France, imported in 1851, by Fullington & Martin, of Union County, Ohio. He was sold by Fullington & Martin to A. P. Cushman, of De Witt County, Ill., from whom he was purchased by the Dillon Bros. He was sixteen hands high, and his average weight was 1,650 pounds. He was awarded many premiums and was last exhibited at the Illinois State Fair in 1861, together with 112 of his colts and grandcolts. When, in 1858, Mr. Dillon and his brother invested $1,000 for a half interest in the horse, their friends were unanimous in declaring it a great mistake, which would surely lead them on to ruin; but it was only a few years before others desired to be " ruined" in a like manner. Mr. Dillon subsequently purchased the other half inter- est, and then allowed his uncle, Ellis Dillon, an in- terest also, and thus the firm of E. Dillon & Co. sprang into existence, although they little suspected how extensive and profitable would become their enterprise. " Old Louis Napoleon " died Aug. 13, 1871, at the age of twenty-three years.

In 1863 Isaiah Dillon sold his farm in Tazewell County, and the following January purchased 160 aeres of land near the city limits of Normal, on which he resided until 1883, since which time he has made his home within the city. He was a member of the firm of E. Dillon & Co. during its entire existence, and as such made nine trips to France after horses. In 1882 he associated with him in business his three sons, Melvin F., Leo A. and Alpheus A., as partners, but the business is being condueted under the name and style of Dil- lon Bros. They now have forty-nine full-blooded mares, and will, iu the future, breed their own

922

McLEAN COUNTY.

stock. Mr. Dillon is also largely interested in the Northwest Texas Norman Horse Company, of Al- bany, Tex., where the company own 13,000 aeres of land. and have their ranch stocked with over 4,500 head of horses. Mr. Dillon has been.remark- ably sueeessful in business and now enjoys a eom- peteney. He has been an upright, useful member of society, was formerly a Republican in politics, but is now a Prohibitionist. In religious matters he gives his principal support and encouragement to the Christian Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Dillon became the parents of six children, as follows: Melvin F., Leo A., Alpheus A .; Carrie A., now Mrs. Oris Milliken; Jessie M. and Roy H. The family residence is beautifully - loeated, and both within and without is indieative of eultivated tastes and ample means. The family are highly esteemed in the community, and enjoy the friendship of the first people of MeLean County.

G EORGE W. KNOTTS, one of the oldest merehants of Lexington, has continued the longest in this business of any gentleman now in the place. He is a native of West Vir- ginia, his birthplace being near Clarksburg, Harri- son County, and the date thereof March 21, 1814. Ifis father, Levi Knotts, a native of Maryland, was of English aneestry, and engaged in mereantile pur- suits the greater part of his life. In early manhood he was married to Miss Rebecca Fling, a native of the Old Dominion, and they located there and passed the remainder of their lives. They became the parents of twelve ehildren, ten daughters and two sons, all of whom lived to be men and women, married, and had families of their own, and seat- tered among different States and Territories.

George W. Knotts was the youngest of his par- ents' family, and spent his childhood and youth under the home roof, receiving a fair education in the subseription sehools. When twelve years old he began to serve his apprenticeship at the tailor's trade in Clarksburg, which occupation he followed for twenty-five years. He worked for a time in his native State as journeyman, and while a young man removed to Ohio in 1838, stopping in Mt.

Sterling, Madison County. Ile was there married in 1840 to Miss Annis Gregory, and continued at his trade until the fall of 1844, when he removed with his family to MeLean County, 111. Here he located in Bloomington, and was employed by D). D. Ilaggard in the clothing business. He continued in Bloomington about seven years and in the spring of 1852 removed with his family to Lexington, where he opened a store and has carried on a trade in general merchandise sinee that time.

Mr. Knotts, since coming to Lexington, has thoroughly identified himself with its business in- terests and has taken an interest in everything per- taining to the welfare of the community. IIe was appointed Postmaster by President Lineoln in 1862, serving three years and then resigning the position. In 1884 he was again appointed under Arthur's administration and held the office until the 1st of July, 1886. Ile has also served as Justice of the Peace and in other respects has been prominently identified with public affairs. In former years he was an old-line Whig but now uniformly easts his vote with the Republican party.

Mrs. Annis G. Knotts was the daughter of Jehial Gregory of Mt. Sterling, Ohio, and by her marriage with our subjeet became the mother of nine ehil- dren, all of whom are deceased but two daughters: IIelen M. is the wife of F. M. Smith of Lexington, and Emma G. remains with her parents at home. Mr. Knotts belongs to Lexington Lodge No. 482, A. F. & A. M. He cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Harrison and has voted for every Whig and Republican candidate for President since that time.

S AMUEL A. STOOPS is Supervisor of Blue Mound Township, and owns a comfortable homestead on seetion 32. He is the son of John Stoops, who was born in Westmore- land County, Pa., and in early manhood married Miss Rosanna Kephart, of Maryland. After this event they settled in Fayette County, Ky., near Blue Liek Springs, where they lived a few years and then removed to Marion County, Ind., settling just east of Indianapolis, where the father followed agricultural pursuits and where both parents passed

923

McLEAN COUNTY.

the remainder of their days. John Stoops departed this life in 1854, the mother surviving until Febru- ary, 1881. Their eleven children consisted of six sons and five daughters.

The subject of this history, the third child of his parents, was born in Fayette County, Ky., April 22, 1831, and was but two years old when his par- ents removed to Marion County, Ind., where, after becoming of suitable age, he attended the common schools, receiving a limited edneation. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty years old, then set out to " paddle his own canoe." His first journey landed him in Fulton County, Ill., where he located, and remained twelve months, then re- turned home and commenced to learn the trade of wagon-making. After gaining a good insight into the business he established a shop of his own in Ipava, Ill., which he carried on for twelve years, then, wishing to change his ocexpation, he pur- chased a farm in Fulton County, whichi, however, he sold after a year, and in the spring of 1867 made his advent into McLean County. Here he purchased 120 aeres of land, to which he has since added forty aeres, and which constitutes his present homestead. This he has greatly improved with good feneing and an excellent set of farm buildings, and has also brought the land under a good state of enltivation. A view of the place is presented on another page.

After going into Fulton County, Ill., our subject mnade the acquaintance of Miss Eleanor Clanin, which ripened into mutual esteem and affection, and their marriage' was celebrated on the 21st of September, 1854. Mrs. S. was born April 9, 1834, in Hamilton County, Ohio, being the daughter of Alford and Edith Clanin, and the eldest of a family . of five children. Her parents were also natives of that county. Of the five children born to our sub- jeet and his wife the record is as follows: Artha A., born June 22, 1856, is the wife of Henry Ellington, and lives in Colfax, Ill .; La Salle, born Sept. 19, 1858, married Miss Libbie Brown, who died in Colfax in October, 1886; Elma, born Aug. 31, 1862, is the wife of Frederick Boston, and they are residents of Old Town Township; Theodore, born Sept. 17, 1867, and Amy J., July 5, 1871, are at home with their parents. Our subject and his

wife are worthy members and liberal supporters of the Methodist Church. Politically Mr. S. belongs to the Republican party. He was elected to his present office in the spring of 1882, and has held it continuously since that time. He has also served as School Director, Trustee and Assessor.

ONES BROS. Cyrus II. and Lewis Jones, prominent grain-dealers, living at Belle- flower, and Percival G., who is located at Le Roy, are the sons of Isaae W. Jones, one of the pioneers of De Witt County, this State. The father was born in Clarke County, Ohio, Nov. 2. 1811, being the son of Stephen and Jemima Jones, who descended from Welsh and English ancestry. The Jones family were early settlers of Clarke County, Ohio, whence they removed, in 1821, to Indiana, remaining in that State ten years. In the spring of 1831 they started overland for Illinois. They first settled four miles west of the present site of Waynesville, which was then inelnded in MeLean County. There Stephen Jones purchased a traet of land, and established a comfortable farm homestead, where he spent the remainder of his days. He lived to see the wilderness transformed into smiling homes, and took a deep interest in the growth of his adopted State. His death occurred in 1855.

Isaac W. Jones was ten years of age when his parents removed to Indiana. He followed them when they came to this State, and remained under the parental roof until his marriage, in 1834, when he located with his young wife three and one-half iniles northeast of Waynesville, De Witt County. There lie entered 120 acres of wild land, which, however, he did not take possession of at onee, but hired twelve aeres broken, and spent the first sum- mer after his marriage on the old homestead of his father. In the fall he raised a tent on his land, which the young couple occupied while the hus- band erected a log cabin. They lived in this hum- ble dwelling three years, and then Isaae Jones erected a frame house, the second one in that local- ity. His nearest grain market for a number of ' years was Pekin, which involved a journey of three

924

McLEAN COUNTY.

and one-half days in making the round trip. Wild game was plenty, dcer roamed in sight of the house, and the wolves chased their chickens to the door. Isaac Joncs lived there with his family until 1857, when he sold out and removed to Funk's Grove Township. He had been prosperous in his farm labors, and now purchased about 400 acres of land in the latter-named place, which he made his permanent home, his death occurring Sept. 18, 1868.

The wife of Isaac W. Jones, who still survives him, was formerly Miss Elmira MeLaughlin. She was born in Champaign County, Ohio, Aug. 12, 1817, and was the daughter of James W. McLaugh- lin, a native of Scotland, who came to America with his father, Duncan MeLaughliu, when a small boy. They located first in Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Ohio, and the father served in the War of 1812. James W. Mclaughlin was reared to manhood in the Buckeye State, and was there married to Miss Jemima Stretch, a native of Ken- tucky. She died in 1827, and Mrs. Jones, wife of Isaac W., then went to live with an older sister, who afterward married James Cantrill, and with them came to Illinois in 1833. Of her marriage with Isaac Joncs there are the following-named children living: Ann Eliza, the wife of Enoch Passwaters, lives in Randolph Township; Cyrus H. is a resident of Belleflower Township; Sylvira is the wife of Peter M. Vreeland, and they live near Gibson, Ill .; Lewis lives in Belleflower; Isaac A. is a practicing physician at Bellevuc, Idaho; William W. lives in Ford County, Ill .; Elmira, Mrs. Stephen Cunningham, lives at Wichita, Kan. Mrs. Jones lived on the old homestead in Funk's Grove Township until 1881, then removed to Belleflower and thencc, in January, 1887, removed to Le Roy, of which she is now a resident. She has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since a young girl sixteen years of age. Her husband in his political views was strongly Democratic.

Cyrus HI. Jones, the eldest of the three sons of Isaac and Elmira Jones, was born in De Witt County, Ill., on the 7th of March, 1841, and was sixteen years of age when his parents removed to Funk's Grove Township. Ile attended the pioneer schools of De Witt County, and later entered Wes-

leyan University at Bloomington. IIc remained an inmate of the parental home until 1865, then pur- chased a farm one mile from his father's homestead, which he operated until 1871. Then, selling out, he purchased a farm in De Witt County, which he cultivated and occupied until 1882, then formed a partnership with his brother, Lewis, and taking up his abode in Belleflower Township, engaged as a dealer in grain and stock. He was married in 1885, to Miss Tillie Green, of Ohio. He is an active and enterprising citizen, highly respected, and with his wife is prominently connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Lewis Jones was born in Waynesville, De Witt Co., Ill., Sept. 1, 1845, and was twelve years old when his parents removed to this county. He was reared on the farm, and commenced his education in the district schools, completing his studies in a select school at Heyworth. During the progress of the late war he enlisted, in March, 1864, in Co. D, 145th Ill. Vol. Inf., with the 100 days' mnen, receiv- ing his honorable discharge with his comrades in the fall of that year. He commenced business when twenty-one years of age, as a live-stock dealer, be- ing successful from the start. In 1869 hc purchased a good farm on section 16, Belleflower Township, but remained a resident of Funk's Grove Town- ship until 1871, then removed to his farm, which . he still owns and operates. In addition to general agriculture he is engaged largely in feeding and shipping stock, the proceeds of which furnish him a fine income. In 1882 he removed to the village of Belleflower, having formed a partnership with his brother Cyrus, and since that time the firm has operated extensively in both grain and stock.

The marriage of Lewis Jones and Miss Ellen Moore was celebrated in Mt. Hope Township, this county, on the 5th of September, 1871. Mrs. J. was born in that township, and is the daughter of Jacob and Bethial Moore, who came to this locality in the pioneer days. Of this union there have been born four children-Grace B., Percival W., Lulu F. and Sarah Edith. Lewis J. is also noted for his enterprising industry, and is contributing his full share to the industrial interests of this section. Ile

is Democratic in politics.

Percival G. Jones, the youngest member of the

925

McLEAN COUNTY.

firm, was born in Funk's Grove Township, this county, Aug. 11, 1858. Like his, brothers he was reared on the family homestead, pursued his first studies in the district schools, and completed them in Normal University. He followed farming on the old homestead until 1881, then removing to Belle- flower, engaged in merchandising with his brother- in-law, Mr. Cunningham. He operated thus until the fall of 1885, during which time. he also served as Postmaster. Then, on account of failing health, he sold out his interest in the business, and in January, 1887, removed to Le Roy, becoming associated. with his brothers in the grain business, and is con- tributing his full share toward sustaining the repu- tation of the firm. He was married, Oct. 10, 1882, to Miss Anna E. Loveless, who was born in Dela- warc County, Ohio, Sept. 2, 1865, and is the daugh- ter of Daniel and Mary J. (Warford) Loveless. They have one child, a daughter, Ethel Elmira, who was born in Belleflower, in 1885.

OHN H. MARSH, a young and enterprising farmer of Belleflower Township, is pleas- antly located on section 8, town 21, and has already identified himself among the repre- sentative and progressive citizens of this locality. He is a native of Lawrenceburg Township, Dear- born Co., Ind., and was born about one mile from the town of that name, April 27, 1853. His father, J. Huron Marsh, was a native of the same town- ship and county, and his grandfather, David Marsh, emigrated to Indiana in an early day, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Dearborn County. He purchased a tract of uncultivated land, improved the same,' and made it his home until his death, in 1841. Upon this farm J. Huron, the father of our subject, was rcared, and remained un- der the parental roof until he attained his majority. He was married in early manhood and inherited a part of the homestead, the whole of which finally became his by purchase. Herc he spent his entire life, his decease occurring Nov. 21, 1869.

The mother of our subject, before her marriage, was Miss Sallic A. Blasdel, a native of the same

county as her husband and the daughter of Elijah Blasdel. Her great-grandfather, Jacob Blasdel, a na- tive of Massachusetts, removed to Ohio in 1799, set- tling near Cincinnati, then an embryo town, whence he removed to the Territory of Indiana in 1805. He became prominent among the earlier settlers of that region, and it is believed built the first saw and grist mill in that State. He soon afterward put up a rude school-house, and in 1811, with other. settlers, built a fort for protection against the savages. Before the admission of Indiana into tlie Union Mr. B. was one of the first to circulate a pc- tition that it be admitted as a free State, which was donc by one majority. He improved a farm and lived there until his death. His wife, formerly Miss Ruth Morse, was a native of New Hampshire, where they first settled after marriage. Here thic grandfather of our subject, Elijah Blasdel, was born, and was quite young when his parents removed to Indiana. He was rcared in the latter State, en- gaged in farming pursuits and there spent the re- mainder of his days. The mother survived her husband several years and died at the home of hier son, Elijah B., in McPherson County, Kan., Oct. 5, 1882. Their five children were all sons, of whom three only grew to manhood. David W. lives in Bloomington, Ill., and the youngest, Elijah B., in McPherson County, Kan.

John H. Marsh was rcared on his father's farm in Indiana, and received a fair education in the com- mon schools. He remained on the homestead after the death of his father, until 1875, then coming to McLean County, Ill., purchased 160 acres of land on thic northwest quarter of section 8, Belleflower Township. His purchase included no buildings or trees, and he has brought about a great change since he took possession of it. He now has a good farın residence, with barn and out-buildings, and has planted fruit and shade trees. The premises in all respects is desirable and comfortable, and indicates the enterprise and industry of the proprietor.

Mr. Marsh was married, Feb. 25, 1874, to Miss Lida Leming, who was born in Miller Township, Dearborn Co., Ind., April 6, 1857, and they have one child, Archie L., born Oct. 20, 1877. IIcr father, Hiram J. Leming, was a native also of Dear- born County, and her grandfather, John Leming,

926

McLEAN COUNTY.

one of the pioneers of that eounty, located in Mil- ler Township, where he spent the last years of his life. There the father of Mrs. M. grew to man- hood, married and settled, and has always lived in his native township. He married Miss Pamelia Foster, who was a native of Virginia, and both par- ents are yet living. Mrs. Marsh is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and our subjeet, politieally, is a stanch Republiean.

HOMAS HATFIELD is one of the most thrifty farmers to be found in Towanda Township, and has a fine place of 235 aeres of valuable land on seetion 7, where he makes his home. His parents were Samuel and Salina (Harris) Ilatfield, natives of Ohio. Settling in Montgomery County, that State, after marriage, they there eon- tinued to reside until their death, having reared a family of three children.

Thomas Ilatfield was the eldest of his parents' children, and was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Aug. 4, 1827. Ile received a common-sehool education in his native county and lived with the old folk, assisting in the labors on the farm until he was twenty-three years of age. Ile was then married, and continued farming in his native eounty for about three years, or until 1853. During that year he came to MeLean County, accompanied by his wife and one ehild, and settled in Randolph Township, on a farm which he purchased. Ile was engaged in agricultural pursuits at that place for eleven years, when he disposed of it by sale and purchased another, located in Dry Grove Town- ship. On that place he lived and labored for six- teen years, and then bought the farm on which he is at present residing in Towanda Township, and a view of which is shown on another page of this work. The land is under an advanced state of cultivation and he is meeting with financial sueeess.

Mr. Hatfield was married in Montgomery County, Ohio, Nov. 7, 1850, to Johanna, the daughter of David N. and Hannah (Moek) Gaff, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Greene County, Ohio. The father died in 1831 in the lat- ter named county, where they had settled after

marriage. She subsequently married John Calhoun, and they emigrated to this State and took up their residenee at Deeatur, where he died. After his death she came to MeLean County, where she is at present residing, having attained to the advaneed age of eighty-one years. Mrs. Hatfield was the young- est of her parents' three children and was born in Greene County, Ohio, June 3, 1830. Of her union with our subjeet four children-Didemna, Jose- phine, Charles S. and James E .- have been born. Didema is the wife of Charles Strimple, and they are living in Dry Grove Township; Josephine be- came the wife of L. II. Munsell, and they are living at Sedalia, Mo .; Charles S. and Miss Hattie Webb were nnited in marriage, and they reside at Bloom- ington, Ill. ; James married Miss Abbie Jones, and is a farmer of Towanda Township. Mr. Hatfield has held the office of School Director, and relig- iously is a member of the United Brethren Church, while his wife holds fellowship with the Methodist Episcopal. In polities Mr. Hatfield is a staneh Republican.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 113

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