Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 125

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 125

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Henry O. Hoffman was the third child of his parents and passed his youth in Montgomery County, Ind., where his father owned a farm. With his brothers, he was reared to agricultural pursuits

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and received his primary education in the eominon sehools, after which he entered Thorntown Academy, where he pursued a thorough course of study for two years. Then, in 1855, he entered the ministry, his first experience being on Lebanon Cireuit, in Boone County, Ind. He was next sent to the Nor- thern part of the State, and after making several removals, was appointed Chaplain of the 17th In- diana Infantry.

At the elose of the war he was sent South to assist in the reconstruction of the Methodist Epis- eopal Church and was thus oeenpied for three years, being afterward appointed general agent of the Freedinan's Aid Society, which duties led him over a large traet of territory. He was then trans- ferred to the Illinois Conference and stationed at Stapps Chapel, in Deeatur, whenee, after two years, he was appointed to Rushville, and the following year to Quiney, next to Hillsboro, and finally to Bloomington, his present eharge.

In early manhood Mr. Hoffman was married to Miss Anna Perry, a descendant of Commodore Perry. This lady died in 1882, leaving two sons- H. H., who is one of the staff of the Evening Jour- nal of Detroit, and H. R., at home.

Mr. Hoffman was married to his present wife, Mrs. Jeannette Raymond, on the 4th of January, 1886. She is the daughter of E. Burdette of Liteh- field, Ill., and the widow of George M. Raymond.

IMOTHIY KRAFT is another of those thrifty German citizens who have done so much toward the progress and advancement, not only of this county, but of the different States of the Union. Coming to this county poor in poeket and homeless, as a rule their aim has always been to proeure a home for themselves- and fami- lies, and in a majority of eases they have sue- eeeded. Our subjeet is a self-made man in every respeet the word implies, and what he has of this world's goods has been acquired through his own indomitable energy and perseveranee. He is pleas- antly located on his large, produetive and valua- ble farm on seetion 3, Towanda Township, where he is surrounded by everything necessary for the

carrying on of his voeation, and where he also has a pleasant home. His parents, Joseph and Mary (Fordenbareh) Kraft, were natives of Germany. The father was a weaver by trade, and in aceord- anee with the laws of his country, served six years in the army, as a cavalryman. Both heads of the family died in their native land. They had four children who lived to attain the age of maturity, of which number our subjeet was the youngest.

Timothy Kraft was born in Attenan, Baden, Ger- many, July 2, 1832. He lived in his native land until twenty-two years of age, and there learned the potter's trade, working at the same for about five years. In 1854 our subjeet, hoping to better his finaneial condition emigrated' to the United States, and for five years thereafter was a resident of Montgomery County, Ohio. The first year of his residence there he worked out by the month, but the second year rented a small farm, and eon- tinued farming in that county until the fall of 1860. During the fall of that year he came to MeLean County, and buying eighty aeres of land on seetion 3, Towanda Township, settled upon it and has sinee made it his home. Sinee his first set- tlement in Towanda Township he has labored hard and economized, and in consequence thereof was enabled to add to his original purchase until he owned 600 aeres, of which he still retains 440, hav- ing recently sold 160 aeres to his son. He is one of the most progressive farmers, not only of To- wanda Township, but of MeLean County. He keeps about fifteen head of horses and eighty head of cattle on his place, and fattens some forty head of hogs annually for the market. He also raises about 7,000 bushels of eorn besides several thous- and bushels of oats on liis place every year, and is ineeting with signal sueeess in the prosecution of a vocation he lias followed thus far in life. A view of his residenee and surroundings is shown in this work.

Mr. Kraft was married, Mareh 5, 1856, in Mont- gomery County, Ohio, to Miss Walburg, daughter of Cornelius and Noteburg (Sehneider) Hurley, na- tives of Baden, Germany, in which country the fa- ther was engaged in the lumber business, and where both died. The parents had four children, and Mrs. Kraft was the third in order of birth. She

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first saw light in Germany Nov. 28, 1835, and her union with our subject has been blest by the birth of seven children-Saralı A., Charles, Daniel W., Cornelius, Frank, William and Lula M. Frank died when three years old; Saralı is the wife of Lee Hase, and they are residents of Towanda Township. Mr. Kraft has held the office of School Director, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Churchi, of which he has been Trustee for many years. In politics he is a stanch Repub- lican.

R OBERT M. HOPKINS, a prominent and successful farmer of Lexington Township, is pleasantly located on section 32, where )he is following his peaceful calling in a satisfactory and advantageous manner. Mr. Hop- kins was born in Owen County, Ind., Feb. 6, 1830, on the farm of his father, Patrick Hopkins. The latter was a native of Sussex County, Del., born June 7, 1799, being the son of Robert Hop- kins, Sr., who was of Welsh descent and married Miss Nancy Spence, a lady of Scottish ancestry, and they were among the carly settlers of Dela- ware. The mother of our subject, formerly Miss Mary Bartholomew, of Clark County, Ind., and the daughter of Joseph Bartholemew, was married to Patrick Hopkins in 1820. She departed this life when her son Robert, of our sketch, was but 'nine years of age. The grandfather of our subject was a General, under Wayne in the Black Hawk War and being well versed in Indian warfare was given a responsible position on the frontier, where most of his life was spent and where he obtained an intimate knowledge of Indian customs, trickery and cunning.

Patrick Hopkins, the father of our subject, re- moved from his native State to Kentucky with his parents when but seven years of age. When fifteen years old, he went to Indiana, where he remained , for three years, and then returned to Kentucky, where he engaged as a brick-inason until 1820. He. then returned to Indiana, where he married as be- fore stated and remained in Owen County for ten years following. Then, in 1830, he pushed further

westward into Illinois and settled on the Mackinaw River in this county, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1874. During his resi- dence here he had engaged in farming and working at his trade alternately. His first wife had preceded him to the better land thirty-five years, her deatlı occurring in 1839. Of this marriage there were born five children, two sons and three daughters: Joseph H., who was married three times, died in 1878 in Missouri; Nancy A. married William M. Smith of Lexington; Elizabeth became the wife of Henry Hefner and they live in Seattle, Wash. Ter .; Robert, of our sketch, was the fourth child; Mary E. married F. M. Bowers, and died in Febru- ary, 1885.

The subject of this history was an infant of six months old when he was brought by his parents to McLean County. He was reared on his father's farm and attended the pioncer schools, and when twenty-six years of age was united in marriage with Miss Mary L., the daughter of John W. and May (Harper) Smith, a niece of Milton Smith, Esq.

The father and mother of Mrs. Hopkins were na- tives of Ohio. The father was born in Madison County in 1815 and the mother in Fairfield County, in 1821. They came to MeLean County in 1856, locating first in Bloomington, thence to Livingston, where they departed this life, the father dying in 1883 and the mother in February, 1885. The maiden name of the mother was May Smith, daughter of Benjamin and Rachel (Thistlewood) Smith. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. II. set- tled upon the present homestead of our subject. Mrs. Hopkins died in 1863, leaving two children, one of whom, William G., died in infancy ; Charles C. married Miss Effie Lily, and lives in Lexington Township.

Mr. Hopkins was a second time married, to Miss Letetia Lily, in December, 1865. She is the daugh- ter of John and Mary Lily, with whom she came to MeLean County when a maiden of sixteen years. She was born in Madison County, Ohio, in 1847. Of this marriage there have been born five chil- dren-Orange J., Mary E., Ann E., Theodocia E. and Bertha. The homestead of Mr. Ilopkins and his family is finely located, with good farm build- ings which are kept in fine repair. The farm is

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well stocked with the good grades of domestie animals and Mr. H. of late has turned his attention to the breeding, purchase and sale of Norman and Clydesdale horses, keeping an average of about six- teen lead.

Mr. and Mrs. H. are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which our subjeet is a Steward. Politieally Mr. H. affiliates with the Republican party, having been formerly an old-line Whig. He is a strong temperanee man and casts the weight of his influenee against the sale and manufacture of spirituous liquors.

Mr. Hopkins is worthy to be elassed among the representative men of MeLean County, notwith- standing that no distriet in this State contains a better social and business element than it does, Being a man of such character and reputation, we take pleasure in presenting his portrait in this volume.

W P. BROPHY, Treasurer and General Super- intendent of the Bloomington Stove Com- pany, is not only an important factor of the business . of that eoneern, but is recognized a's one of the most enterprising men of the eity. The company over which he presides was established in 1870, and is located on the "Y" of the C. & A. R. R .; it manufactures all kinds of cooking, heat- ing and parlor stoves.

Mr. Brophy is a native of East Dorset, Benning- ton Co., Vt., and was born April 9, 1827. He is the son of Patriek and Lydia (Albee) Brophy, na- tives respectively of Ireland and Vermont. The father of our subjeet was sent as a soldier to Canada, and ordered baek after a service of one or two years. He remained in the army five years alto- gether, being then only eighteen years old. After leaving the service he returned to America as a private eitizen, in about 1816, and settled in Ben- nington County, Vt., where he engaged in farming pursuits until his death in 1862, and there the mother died six years later. Their family ineluded seven children, six of whom are still living: John M., of West Troy, N. Y .; Alonzo and Harvey A., of East Dorset, Vt .; Mary, Mrs. William H.

Lampher, of Land Grove, Vt .; Rhoda E., Mrs. James E. Frazier, of Londonderry, and W. P., of our sketeh.

The time of our subjeet up to the age of four- teen years was spent on the farmn and in attendance at the distriet sehool. He then went to Troy, N. Y., and learned the stove-foundry business, after whieli he worked a short time as journeyman, and in 1859 aeeepted a position as Superintendent, where he remained until' the spring of 1867. He then went to Salen, Ohio, and established a stove foundry, which he operated for three years. He then sold out there and eame to Bloomington, where he was instrumental in organizing and estab- lishing the present company, and has contributed materially to the subsequent suecess of the under- taking. The works employ about forty men. The original building, which was built of briek, was 68x48 feet in area, and three stories in height; the foundry, 40x120 feet. To this was afterward added a building 40x60 feet, and for the offices and ware- house they put up another 48x60, with three sto- ries. The pattern storeroom is 25x50 feet, also of briek. All the buildings are good and substan- tial structures and finely adapted to the business.

Mr. Brophy was married in 1850, to Miss Mary E. Brower, of Troy, N. Y., and they became the parents of two children-Dora and Isabel. The former, Mrs. Harvey Butts, of Green Bay, Wis., is the mother of one ehild, Willie; Isabel is the wife of George Ijams, of Dodge City, Kan. The pleas- ant home of our subjeet and his family is located on Division street, where he owns six lots with good improvements. He is prominently connected with the business affairs of this community, and the encourager of every enterprise ealeulated to advanee its importance and prosperity. In July, 1886, he was elected as a Director of the Building, Saving and Loan Association. He was one of the original organizers of the same in 1882, and a stoek- holder. Socially he belongs to the Masonie fre- ternity, politieally a Republican, and religiously is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is one of its most worthy members.

An excellent type of the business man of to-day is found in the person of Mr. Brophy. He is known to be a man of undoubted integrity and substan-

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tial business ability, and we take pleasure in pre- senting his portrait in this volume, which is made from a recent photograph.

DOLPHUS DILLON, of the firm of Dillon & Bright, importers and breeders of French draft horses, is a prominent mem- ber of that well-known family. The firm are widely and favorably known as being skillful in their business, and furnish to this and various other States soinc of the finest horses bred in the United States.

The subject of this history is the son of Elias and Martha (Fisher) Dillon, and was born in Taze- well County, Ill., Oct. 28, 1849. His boyhood and youth were passed upon the farm, and he attended the common schools until 1864. Then, when a youth of fifteen years, the family removed to Bloomington, where onr subject for a timne at- tended the city schools, and began to turn his at- tention to business matters. In 1872 he became a member of the firm of E. Dillon & Co., who were engaged in importing French draft horses, and this partnership continued for ten years, after which our subjeet continued alone, although ostensibly operating as Dillon & Bright.

Mr. Dillon in 1873 took a trip to France, where lie obtained a valuable acquisition to his store of knowledge concerning the treatment and develop- ment of the noblest animal which treads the face of the earth. He takes pride in his achievements as connected with his particular branch of business, and is ambitious to excel. Aside from his prop- erty in Normal, with its convenient stables and other appliances necessary to his business, he owns a fine stoek farm of 130 aeres, his landed area in all embracing 500 acres. Of this 160 acres lie in Logan County, 210 in McLean, and a quarter sec- tion in the State of Nebraska.

The subject of our sketch was married in No- vember, 1873, to Miss Paulina, daughter of Will- iam S. Britt, Esq., of Logan County, Ill., in which county Mrs. Dillon was born, in 1850. Of this union there are three children-Harlen, Myrtie and Bessie. Mr. D. and his family occupy a beautiful

residence, and are surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. They are regu- lar attendants of the Christian Church, and politi- cally our subject simply goes to the polls and easts his vote for the men who, in his judgment, pos- sess the qualities best fitted to make them honest and conscientious office-holders. Mr. D. quietly observes that his own business keeps him constantly employed, and he has little time to attend to that of others.

ENIS MULCAHY, deceased, was a pros- perons and prominent farmer of Bloom- ington Township, of which he had been a resident for a period of thirty-five years. He was a man of great energy and industry, lionest and upright in his transactions, and possessed in a marked degree the impulsive and generous character which is a characteristic of the Celtic race. Besides the homestead which he had established by the ex- ercise of his native energy and industry, he was also the owner of valuable property one mile from the city limits of Bloomington.

The subject of this history was born in Water- ford County, Ircland, and departed this life in Bloomington Township on the 9th of March, 1876, at about the age of seventy-three years. He was reared in his native county, received a limited edu- cation in the common schools, and after attaining to years of manhood was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Fitzpatrick, of Tipperary County, and of pure Irish ancestry. After the birth of several children Mr. Muleahy, not being satisfied with his condition or prospeets in his native Ireland, actermined to seek his fortunes in the New World, and accordingly set sail for the United States, ac- companied by his wife and children. They made their first location in Ohio, about sixteen miles from Cincinnati, where they remained for four years and then moved to Illinois, locating at onee in Bloomington Township, this county, and herc the mother is yet living with her children.

The household cirele of Mr. and Mrs. Mulcahy included four children, one of whom is deceased. Bridget, the wife of M. Donohue, is a resident of Bloomington, her husband having been connected

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with the Illinois Central Railroad but is now re- tired from active labor; Michael M. married Miss Ellen M. Welch, a native of the South of Ireland, and they have become the parents of two children- Katie and Denis; this son was born in Tipperary County, Ireland, March 6, 1849, and was but a ehild when his father and mother eame to the United States. Denis A. is engaged in farmning and lives on the old homestead with his brother; he was born in McLean County, April 10, 1858, and on Christmas Day, 1882, was married in Bloom- ington to Miss Anna Farrel, a native of Westmeath County, Ircland. She was twenty years old when she came to the United States with her unele. They have become the parents of one child, a daughter-Agnes. The family are all adherents to the Catholie faith of their fathers. In polities Michael M. is Republican, and Denis A. affiliates with the Demoeraey.

The mother of the family by her first marriage, with Joseph Maxey, became the mother of four children, two of whom, Bridget and Joseph, are living; the former was married to P. B. Welch, who is carrying on the grocery trade in Blooming- ton; Joseph married Miss Cathrena Lahey, and is employed in the shops of the Chicago & Alton Railroad.

RA MUNSON, a prominent and influential resi- C dent of Randolph Township, has been elosely identified with its history for a period of fifty years, and has fully established himself in the con- fidence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen. The Munson family came from England, first settling in Connecticut, and from a few descendants the ' family became one of the largest and most promi- nent in New England. They came over to the New World many years before the breaking out of the Revolutionary War. The great-grandfather of our subject, whose name is believed to have been Stephen, went from Connecticut to New Jersey in company with another brother.

Stephen Muuson was the father of a large family, who were mostly boys, and when the war was de- clared between the Colonies and England he and his sons, five or six in number, were among the

first to culist in the cause of liberty. Stephen Munson was given a Captain's commission, and with his sons remained in service until the suecess of the Colonies was assured. They all escaped un- harmed and lived to return to their home. Capt. Munson afterward engaged in farming pursuits, and remained in New Jersey until his death. One of these sons, Solomon, was the grandfather of our subject. He located in Morris County, N. J., near his father's old homestead, and died about the age of fifty-five. His wife, formerly Miss Lucy Ball, was of New England birth and parentage, and by her union with Solomon Munson became the mother of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. John, the second child, was the father of our sub- ject. He was reared and married in his native county. His wife, formerly Miss Susan Hopping, was born of parents who were natives of Long Isl- and, as were her grandparents. They all after- ward removed to Morris County, N. J., being among its early settlers, and there their lives ter- minated.

The father of our subject, John Munson, was a plasterer, stonemason and bricklayer, and followed his trade in New York City some time before his marriage. He removed from the eity, however, on account of yellow fever, and returning to his native eounty in New Jersey was there soon after- ward married. In Morris County, also, six chil- dren were born, our subject being the second, and luis birth occurring Feb. 15, 1808. The family emigrated from New Jersey to Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1818. This section of country was then mostly in its original condition, and their journey lay over rough and muddy roads, with sometimes no road at all. The father was poor in purse but possessed a resolute and determined disposition, and by following his trade and keeping a house open to travelers, provided a comfortable home for his family and saved up something for a rainy day. There he passed the remainder of his life and died in White Water Township in. 1840, aged about fifty-five years. The faithful wife and mother, who had cheerfully shared the labors and anxieties of her husband, removed after his death to Illinois, and died in Blomington in October, 1862, at the age of seventy-seven years. In addition to the six

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children born in New Jersey three daughters were added to the household eirele after they removed to Hamilton County, Ohio. There are yet living : Ira, our subjeet; Malinda, who lived with her brother and sister several years, being unmarried; Ludisa, the wife of Aaron Kitehell, of Blooming- ton, and Ann is married to Thomas J. Lucas, of Lawrenceburg, Ind. The average age of these is seventy-two years.

The subject of this history was a lad ten years of age when his father removed from New Jersey , to Ohio. He remained under the parental roof un- til twenty-nine years old and learned the trade of his father while yet a youth. On the 1st of March, 1837, he left his home and eame to Illinois, locat- ing in Randolph Township, and on the 10th of De- eember, 1847, was united in marriage near Hey- worth, to Miss Sarah J. Noble, who was a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, and born Feb 11, 1820. She eame to Illinois with her parents, David and Rebecea (Karr) Noble, in 1831. Her father was one of the first white ehildren born in Cineinnati, Ohio. Her mother was a native of New Jersey, of New England aneestry. After eoming to this State they settled on a farm in Randolph Township, and passed the remainder of their days near Heyworth.

Mrs. Munson was the second child of a family of four sons and three daughters, all of whom are yet living except one who died in infaney. By her union with our subjeet she became the mother of eight children, the record of whom is as follows: John died at the age of twenty-six years: the next was an infant who died unnamed; William married Miss Amanda J. Seogin (see sketeh) ; Henry died at the age of twenty-two years; Charles married Miss Anna MeCarty, and they live in this town - ship; an infant girl also died unnamed; Ann be- eame the wife of Isaae Stround, who is now de- eeased, and she lives with her parents; George is unmarried.

The homestead of our subjeet and his family is one of the best in Randolph Township. It is beau- tifully located and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. The farm estate consists of 403₺ aeres, finely improved and eultivated, em- bellished with a good dwelling, and compact and tasteful out-buildings. In politics Mr. Munson" is

a Republican, strong and steadfast in the principles of the party. Mrs. Munson is a member of the Christian Church.

The grandmother of our subjeet was formerly Mrs. Betty (Looker) Hoppin, whose brother, Otho Neal, was elected Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, and became Governor by the death of the reg- ular Executive.

M OSES COCHRAN, a well-to-do and sue- eessful farmer, living on seetion 10, Lex- ington Township, is a son of George and Catherine (Hoe) Cochran, both natives of Pennsylvania. The parents were married and set- tled in Shippensburg, Pa., whenee in December, 1828, they removed to Clarke County, Ohio, where they continued to reside until their death. The fa- ther was a farmer by oeeupation and followed his ealling during life. He and his good wife were the parents of four children-Aaron, Moses, Samuel and George. . Aaron is a farmer and resides in Cedar, Mo .; Samuel is an attorney at law and engaged in the practice of his profession at Chicago; George died in Ohio when in his twenty-third year; his demise was caused by an aeeident while gath- ering apples, he falling from the tree and receiving sueh serious injuries as to eause his death.

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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 125

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