Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 122

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 122

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Mr, Malian was first married in 1849, to Miss Ann E. Brown, the daughter of Robert Brown, for- merly of Money Creek Township, and they have become the parents of seven children, six living, three sons and three daughters: Charles K. died when fourteen years old; George S. is a resident

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of Florida; William R. is manager of his father's store; Franeis E. is farming in Money Creek Town- ship; Ella G. married N. K. Jones, of Lexington; Permelia C. is a teacher in the publie schools; Maude P. lives with her father and assists in the store. The mother of these children departed this life at the home of her husband in Lexington, in 1872.

The second wife of our subjeet was Miss Susie F. Poore, to whom he was married in 1873. Mrs. Mahan was the daughter of Prof. Daniel J. Poore, now deceased, and by her union with our subjeet beeame the mother of three children, of whom only one, Angie F., is living. The others died when quite young. Mr. Mahan has been a member of the Sehool Board in Lexington for ten successive years, and also served as Couneilman. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Mahan being a Trustee and Ruling Elder. He was the first Supervisor of Lexington Township, and has been Justiee of the Peace and Police Mag- istrate, which latter position he has held sinee 1884. He has in all respeets been a useful and valued eit- izen, and has contributed his full share toward the development and prosperity of this seetion.

OIIN POPEJOY, a retired farmer, now liv- ing in peace and quiet at his home in Lex- ington, settled in MeLean County in the 'pioneer days, and has contributedi his full quota toward its development and progress. He is a native of Fayette County, Ohio, and was born nine miles east of Washington, the county seat, on the 9th of November, 1825. His father, who was a farmer by oeeupation, was by birth a Virginian, and first opened his eyes to light in Roekinghain County, in January, 1795. He served in the War of 1812 about six months, and for his wife ehose Miss Naney Wiley, a maiden of sixteen summers, and who was born in 1801, being the daughter of William Wiley of Virginia.

The great-grandfather of our subjeet, John Pope- joy, Sr., was of English birth and parentage, and married an Irish lady. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War after coming to this coun-

try. His son, William Wiley, the grandfather of our subjeet, also served in the Revolutionary War, and the name of his wife was Margaret. The families were widely and favorably known in many sections of the Old Dominion, being represented by a numer- ous following. The father of our subjeet, after his marriage, settled on a farm in Fayette County, Ohio, and remained there until the fall of 1834, when he removed his family to MeLean County, Ill. The household ineluded seven children, and they loea- ted upon a elaini in Lexington Township, two miles south of the first town site. Upon it stood a small round log house with a mud and stiek chim - ney, and in this they spent the winter. The fol- lowing season this was repaired and otherwise im- proved, and the father engaged in general farming. The nearest mill was then at Ottawa, and when short of flour they pounded eorn on a bloek, with whiel to make bread. After several years spent on the farm Mr. Popejoy removed to Lexington with his family, where he died on the 29th of August, 1861. The parental household included the following ehil- dren : Elizabeth, who became the wife of Rev. Robert Baker; William, who lives in Nebraska; Margaret, who married Isaae Haner, of Harrison County, Iowa; John, our subjeet; Henry is a resi- dent of Warren County, Iowa; Harrison, of Lex- ington Township, this eounty; Sarah married Allen MeMullen, now of Wilson County, Kan .; George lives in this county; Commodore Perry is in Lex- ingtou; Edward is deceased, and one died in in- faney.

John Popejoy of this sketch was a little less than nine years old when he came to MeLean County. His childhood and youth were passed on his fa- ther's farm, and he attended the subseription sehools two months in each year. He remained with his parents until twenty years old, and was then married to Miss Margaret-Hefner, sister of Peter Hefner, and daughter of Michael Hefner, who eame with the deep snow of 1830, and were styled the " snow birds." After marriage Mr. Popejoy and his bride settled on a farm of 140 aeres near his father, which he had purchased and to which he afterward added 300 aeres, making a fine and val- uable traet of land. He then began trading in stoek, eattle and hogs, which he fed and disposed

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of on the farm, and the proceeds of which yielded him a handsome income, especially during the war, Mr. Popejoy occupied this homestead with his family until in June, 1886, when he and his wife moved into Lexington, the children all being grown. Of these there were seven in number, three daughters and four sons, five of whom still survive: Ella B. is the wife of George Hiser, and lives in Lexington ; Manford P. died in 1876, aged twenty- eight years; Peter L. is in Lexington Township; Frances A. became the wife of William Hefner, of Lexington Township; Ida J. married Robert W. Ambrose, of Lexington Township; Edward G. married Miss Emma McGilvra, and lives on the homestead; Michael W. died in infaney.

Mr. Popejoy served as School Director in Lex- ington Township for a period of thirty years. Both he and his excellent wife are active members of the United Brethren Church, of which Mr. P. has · served as Trustee sinee its organization forty-four years ago. He has also been a Class-Leader for many years, and one of the pillars whom it will be hard to replace when he shall have been gathered to his fathers.

2 OAH FRANKLIN, a prominent and highly respected resident of Lexington Township, and one of its most extensive farmers and stoek-growers, owns and oceupies a beautiful home- stead. He is cstecmed as one of the most valued members of the farming and business community of that section. He was born in Owen County, Ind., near Spencer, the county seat, in June, 1831. His father. Col. John Franklin, was of English anees- try, and his grandfather, John Franklin, Jr., a na- tive of England, emigrated to this country and lo- eated in North Carolina.

John Franklin, Jr., the father of our subjeet, was born in North Carolina, whenee he emigrated to Indiana at an early day. He was married to Miss Mary Puette, a native of his own State, and they became the parents of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, all of whom, exeept the youngest ehild, a son who died when two years old, lived to maturity, and seven still survive. The father of

our subjeet left Owen County, Ind., in May, 1855, and coming into this county settled on a farm near the village of Lexington where he died two years later. After the death of his father, the son Nel- son remained with his mother, assisting her in the labors of the farin until attaining manhood.

The education of Noah Franklin, begun in Indi- ana, was completed in the publie schools of Lexing- ton. In 1854, when twenty-three years of age, he was married to Miss Sarah, the daughter of Jacob Spawr, who was among the first settlers on the Mackinaw River. Her mother was formerly a Miss Trimmer, and her father died shortly after his re- moval to McLean County. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Franklin settled on a new farm whieli our subjeet had entercd from the Goverment and began making improvements and feeding and ship- ping stoek to Chicago. He dealt in hogs and eat- tle and met with sueeess, and as his means increased extended liis operations until he became one of the largest eattle feeders of Lexington Township. He has now a farm of 1,200 acres in a high state of cultivation, with a fine extent of blue grass pasture .. He feeds annually about 300 head of eattle, and on the farm are three fine barns, also three dwelling- houses. The land is well feneed and all the build- ings neat and tasteful and kept in good repair. He raises about fifty calves every year. His home, however, since 1877, has been within the limits of Lexington, where lie oceupies an elegant briek res- idence which he purchased from the Trimmer heirs at a good round sum. He still superintends the operations of his farm and for many years has been elassed among the leading breeders of Short- horn eattle in this part of the State. He now breeds altogether for full blood males, believing that a good ealf will not eat any more than a poor one, and the gain in meat and milk will more than counterbalance the first cost of the introduction of the high gradc.

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin there were bore five children, three daughters and two sons: Ida M. is the wife of C. D. Bush, a native of Roehes- ter, N. Y .; Lola died at the age of four years; Minnie was married to Harry L. Fell of St. Louis, Mo., who was formerly of Normal; the sons are, Noah E. and Bertram A., living at home. Mr.

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Franklin was Supervisor of Money Creck Town- ship two terms before locating in Lexington. His aged mother still lives on the homestead thierc, be- ing now ninety-two years of age. Our subject and his family are members in good standing of the ' Christian Church of Lexington; and number their friends and associates among the best residents of the township.

OHN SPAWR, known throughout the county as " Uncle John," is one of the "snow birds" of this county, he having located here some three years before the big suow, in 1827. Uncle John Spawr was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, April 15, 1812. His father, Valentine Spawr, was born in Pennsylvania, and was of German ex- traction. Valentine Spawr was united in marriage with Margaret Richy, who was born in Germany. "She was brought to this country by her parents when three years old, and on the voyage the good mother died and her remains were consigned to a watery grave. The father with his little children arrived at New York City, whence they went to Pennsylvania and settled iu that State. Valentine Spawr emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio in about 1806, and inade settlement in Fairfield County. Later he re- moved to Pickaway County, where our subject was born, and made that his home until the fall of 1827. During that year he came to this county and took up his residence in Money Creek Town- ship. Living there three years he moved to Lex- ington Township and located on section 25. The children of our subject were ten in number, four brothers and six sisters. They are as follows: Margaret, wife of Francis Lucas of Ohio; Catherine, wife of Robert Guthrie; Susan A., wife of Zacha- riah MeLcan of Ohio; Elizabeth, wife of William Robbins of Ohio; Mary, wife of Charles Beers of Ohio; Sarah, wife of Harrison Flesher of this county ; Jacob, living at Lexington; George, who was united in marriage with Rhoda Waldon; Peter married Elizabeth Messer, moved to Iowa and then

to Kansas, where he died, and John, our subject, is the remaining child. Valentine Spawr died on the old home farm in this county, Fcb. 5, 1855, aged eighty-five years. His good wife died March 1, 1852, aged eighty-one years.

Jolin Spawr was fifteen years of age when . he came to this county with his parents. He received what education he aequired in schools in Pickaway County, Ohio. Coming to this county with his parents he worked on the farm and until he was twenty-two years old, when he was married to Miss Rachel Higgs, daughter of John Higgs. After his marriage Mr. Spawr continued, to remain on the old homestead and cared for the old folk as long as they lived. His occupation has always been that of a farmer and he has carried it on in all its different branches, adding to the cultivation of the cercals that of the raising of hogs and.cattle. Hc has fed large numbers of steers on his farm and getting them in good condition for the market, drove them to Chicago where he sold them. All of the improvements on his fine place he has placed there himself. He became the head of a family of thirteen children, ten of whom lived to attain the age of man and womanhood. The record is as follows: Catherine, wife of James. R. Moon; Rebecca married Lewis Whittaker of Indiana; Mary is the wife of James Golden; Thomas J. was a soldier in the late war, in Co. C, 94th Ill. Vol. Iuf., and died in Missouri in 1862; John M. mar- ricd Emily Golden, and they are living in Kansas; Martin V. married Elizabeth Hedrick and they are also living in Kansas; William P. was married to Charity Larkey, and they are residents of this connty : Isabella is the wife of Charles Smith, also a resident of this county; Joanna was united in marriage with Simon Wonerlin, a farmer of this county. The three last mentioned children arc by the second marriage of our subject. Mr. Spawr's first wife died May 7, 1845, and in 1846 he was again married, Mary A. Pickering being the other contracting party. She is a daughter of John L. Pickering and has borne our subject three children as named. Mr. Spawr hield the office of Justice of the Peace in his township for eight years. He was School Trustee for some fourteen years and School Director about twenty years. Mr. Spawr was for

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John Shaws

Henry Moats.

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many years a member of the United Brethren Church and his wife, who was born and reared a Quaker, still holds fellowship with that scct.

ENRY MOATS. The wealth and magnifi- cence of this county to the carly pioneers grew from its beautiful groves as much as from any other one thing. These goodly forests in their primeval beauty drew the pioneer as the magnet does the necdle. No other consider- ation . overbore the generous shelter which thesc islands of shade and cool streams gave-about the only comfort these carly settlers found in their new home; all others were surroundings of discomfort. The cramped cabins, the absence of schools and markets, sickness-always the attendant of new lo- cations-severe storms, depredations of wild beasts, fires, snakes, poorly paid toil and the uncertainty of the future-all gave way to the supporting shelter of the grove. Our subject, who is one of, the oldest pioncers in this county, can more fully appreciate this statement than those who see the fertile prairies of to-day so well settled and carefully tilled.

Henry Moats is a progressive farmer and resid- ing on section 31, Money Creek Township. He is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Hinthorn) Moats, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of West Vir- ginia, and early pioneers of this county. After their marriage they settled in Licking County, Ohio, whence they came to this county in the fall of 1829, and in February, 1830, took up their resi- dence in Money Creek Township, where they con- tinued to live and labor until their death.'

Henry Moats was the eldest of his parents' nine children and was born in Licking County, Ohio, Nov. 26, 1810. He was nineteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to this county and has been a resident of it since that time. Mr. Moats was reared to manhood at farm labor and while a young man employed his time during the spring seasons in splitting rails. Thus growing up into man- hood and passing onward in the rugged pathway of time, disciplined in the stern school of experi-, ence, lic was prepared to meet any emergency with

a steady and ready hand. All his years thus far in life have been devoted to agricultural pursuits and he is at present the owner of 293 acres of land, 100 of which is in timber. Hc has held the office of Justice of the Peace for four years and also that of Road Commissioner for several years, and has been the incumbent of the office of School Director of his township. In politics he is a Jacksonian Demo- crat and cast his first presidential vote for Old Hickory. He is a good farmer and has succeeded in that calling.

Mr. Moats was married in Money Creek Town- ship, Nov. 2, 1837, to Elsie, daughter of Thomas and Ruth (Haincs) Van Buskirk. Her father was a native of Maryland and her mother of Virginia, and after they were married they settled in Licking County, Ohio, whence they removed to Pickaway County, that State, and in 1829, came here and lo- cated in Money Creek Township, where they died at an advanced age. Eleven children were born to them, four sons and seven daughters, namely : Isaac, Mary, Sarah, Thomas, Elsie, Jesse, William, Eliza, Susanna, Lucinda and Mahala. Mrs. Moats was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, July 26, 1816, and lived in that county until she came here with her parents. Four children have been born of her union with our subject-William J., Francis M., Mary J. and Thomas B. William J. died in in- fancy; F. M. married Miss Rebecca Arbuckle and they are living in Money Creek Township; Mary is the wife of John Rankin, also of Money Creek Township; Thomas died when two years old. Mr. and Mrs. Moats are members of the United Brethren Church and much respected for their kindness of heart by all who know them.

As one of the venerable and respected pioneers of this county we present the portrait of Henry Moats in this ALBUM.

OHN FULWILER, an old resident and mer- chant of Lexington, first visited McLean County in 1842, having made the trip from Cumberland County, Pa., where he was born in December, 1810. His father, Abraham Fulwiler, was also a native of the Keystone State 4

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and a man prominent in the affairs of his county, being one of those who assisted in its division when a part of Cumberland County was laid off into Perry County, of which he became the first Regis- ter and Reeorder. He also engaged in mercantile pursuits, and at one time eondneted three stores in Perry County.

The Fulwilers were of German anecstry, and the mother of our subjeet was formerly Miss Mary, the daughter of James Black, whose family originated in Seotland. The parents of our subjeet both died in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Fulwiler remained with his parents during his boyhood and youth, receiving a common-school edneation. When eleven years of age he entered his father's store, in which he remained for about three years, and was then placed upon the farm where he lived four years, and then returning to the store was there occupied until he became of age. Then, desiring out-door pursuits, he took a contraet for grading and laying ties and rails on . the Cumberland Valley Railroad, which occupied him about three years. He then went into part- nership with McGowen & MeKeehan, and opcrated what was then known as the Juniata Furnace until 1842. He then sold out and made his western trip to McLean County. Upon returning to Cumber- land County, Pa., he engaged in mercantile pur- suits in Shippensburg, where he lost heavily by in- dorsing for some iron men. In 1853 he returned to the West and made his arrangements to engage in the dry-goods business at Lexington. The fol- lowing year he removed his family here, and has since been engaged in general merehandising with fair success.

Mr. Fulwiler was married in Shippensburg, Cum- berland Co., Pa., on the 15th of January, 1834, to Miss Mary, the danghter of David Mahon, of Cum- berland County, Pa. The sons and daughters of Mr. and Mrs. F. are recorded as follows : William is engaged in building railroads in Arizona, and the Arizona Canal on Salt River; Anna became the wife of IIenry Robinson, and the mother of three children, two sons and one daughter; she is now deceased: Laura J. is the wife of William J. Murphy, President of the Arizona Canal and Land Company ; David is a graduate of the State Nor-

mal School at Normal, and now resides in Lexing- ington; John A. is a lawyer in Bloomington; J. Alvin is a resident of Lexington; Julia, the young- est daughter, resides at home with her parents.

In 1856, Mr. Fulwiler was elected Justice of the Peace of Lexington, which offiee he held four ycars. He has served as Supervisor of the Townl- ship, and was one of the delegates to the Bloom- ington Convention at the time of the organization of the Republican party in this State. Mr. and Mrs. F. are members in good standing of the Pres- byterian Church, with which they both became connected before their marriage. Our subjeet is seventy-seven years of age, and his wife a few months older, and they have lived happily to- gether for over fifty-three years. They are great- ly respected in this community on account of the excellence of their character and the genuine good- ness of heart which has enabled them to sympa- thise with the afflicted and distressed, and to exert their influence whenever possible in the cause of truth and justiee.

OHN A. HEFNER, a resident of Money Creek Township, is a farmer by occupation and also Justice of the Peace, and the son of Peter and Betsey (Flesher) Hefner, the for- iner of whom has a sketch elsewhere in this work. John A. Hefner was born in the township in which he is at present residing, Sept. 16, 1844. He was brought up on a farm, attended the common sehools, and has known no other vocation in life than that in which he is at present engaged. He remained an inmate of the parental household until twenty-two years of his life had passed, when he settled on a place of his own in Money Creek Township and be- gan to do for himself.

Mr. Hefner is now the owner of 272 aeres of valuable and productive land and is meeting with far more than ordinary suecess in the prosecution of his calling. We give a view of his residenee and surroundings in another part of this work. He was married in Money Creek Township, Feb. 14, 1867, to Miss Mary E., daughter of William and Elizabeth (Shook) Stewart, the former of Seotch

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and the latter of German ancestry. After their mar- riage they lived in Monroe County, Ind., where the father followed farming until 1852, when they came to this county and settled in Lexington Township. They are at present residing at Lexing- ton, where they are passing the sunset of life in peace and quiet and enjoying the accumulations of years of labor and economy. Nine children have been born of tlicir union, five sons and four daugh- ters, and Mrs. Hefner was the eighth in order of birth. She was born in Monroe County, Ind., April 7, 1850, and was about two years old when her parents came to this county. Her union with our subject has been blest by the birth of four children-Joseph H., Ida, Andrew P., and one who died in infancy. Ida is the wife of J. B. McNaught and they are living. in Gridley Township. Mr. Hefner has held the office of Justice of the Peace for several terms and in politics is a stanch Republican. In May, 1864, he enlisted in the 145th Illinois Infantry and served for something over three months, when he was honorably dis- charged and returned home and again entered upon the peaceful pursuits of life in Money Creek Township, which he has since made his home. Religiously he and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church.

S AMUEL F. BARNARD. Among the well- to-do farmers of Money Creek Township, and who are successful in the prosecution of their calling, we take pleasure in men- tioning the name of Samuel F. Barnard, who is living on section 21. He is the son of Milman N. and Linias (Philpot) Barnard, natives of North Carolina and Virginia respectively, and the former of Scotch-Irish descent. The parents were married in Tennessee, and soon thereafter removed to this county, making the journey overland with an ox- team. The date of their arrival in the county was 1826, and they consequently were among the very early settlers. Their first location was in Dry Grove Township, but they made that their home only a short time, when they removed to Money Creek Township and located on the same section

on which our subject now lives. She died there in the fall of 1874, and his demise took place on the same farm, Sept. 24, 1877.

Milman and Linias Barnard had eleven children -Frances J., Martha E., Adelphia, James O., Cath- erine; Samuel F. and Elizabeth M., twins; William I., Austin Y., and Ely and Levi, twins. Frances J. is the wife of S. S. Scott, a resident of Lexing- ton; Martha married Arthur A. Busick, who died in Money Creek Township about 1875; Adelphia is the wife of William Gilmore, and they are living at Lexington; James O. is engaged in the real-es- tate business in Kausas; he married Miss Phebe A. Weakley. Catherine became the wife of John Flesher, and died while a resident of Money Creek Township, about 1874; Elizabeth is the wife of E. S. Busick, and they are living in Money Creek Township; William I. married Miss Ellen McMul- len, and they are residents of Lexington; Austin Y. and Miss Tobitha Trimmer became man and wife and live at Normal; Ely married Miss Cerilda Shaw, and they are living in Money Creek Town- ship; Levi was united in marriage with Miss Caro- line Morris, and is also a resident of Moncy Creck Township.

Samuel F. Barnard was born in the township in which he is at present residing, May 31, 1837. He was reared on a farm and obtained his education in the common schools, and has known no other occu- pation than that of a farmer since childhood. He is now the owner of 151 acres of land, all of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. Mr. Barnard was married, in Lexington, this county, Nov. 28, 1859, to Miss Nancy Paulson, a native of Ohio. She bore him four children-Dora A., John M., Sherman E. and Ethel. Miss Paulson's parents were John and Mary A. (Stumpff) Paulson, natives of Ohio. Mrs. Barnard departed this life in Money Creck Township, Feb. 28, 1871. Dora A., eldest child of our subject and wife, died when two years old; John M., second in birth, married Miss Susan Mathias, and is living in Money Creck Township; Sherman E. married Miss Della Z. Hey- worth, and Ethel is living at home.

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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 122

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