Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 126

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 126

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Moses Cochran was born in Clarke County, Ohio, April 15, 1829. He received his education there in the common sehools, and was there reared to manhood on a farm. On attaining his majority in 1850 he eame to this eounty, and for two years worked out by the month, at $12 per month. He then bought forty aeres of land in Lexington Township, on which he settled and where he has sinee lived. He is now the owner of 280 acres of valuable land which he has acquired through his own energy and good judgment. When he bought his first forty aeres, which cost him $400, he only had $300 with whieh to make a payment upon it, and he made the trip back to Columbus, Ohio, on horsebaek during the winter season to borrow the other $100 with which to finish paying for his land.

Mr. Cochran of this notice was married in Lex- ington Township, June 15, 1852, to Miss Margaret

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J., daughter of Perry and Saralı (Smalley) Liston, natives of England and Ohio respectively. Her parents died in Ohio, and Mrs. Cochran came to MeLean County with the late David Sinalley, hier unele. She was born in Adams County, Ohio, Feb. 6, 1831, and by her union with our subjeet has be- come the mother of nine children, seven of whom are living, namely, Martha J., Baseom, Kate, Sam- nel, John W., M. Grant and William. Martha is the wife of William Crum, and they are living in Lex- ington Township; Baseom was married in Dakota, and is a resident of that Territory; Kate is living at home; Samuel is a farmer in Nebraska, as likewise is John W .; M. Grant and William are living on the old homestead. Mrs. Cochran de- parted this life in Lexington Township, May 2, 1884. Our subjeet has held the office of School Director for nine years, and that of Road Commis- sioner for six years. Ile is Republican in polities. Religiously he holds fellowship with the Methodist Episcopal Church, as likewise did his good wife.

W ILLIAM H. SHEPHERD, editor and pro- prietor of the Lexington Review, which was established by himself and S. A. Stark in April, 1883, is condueting this journal with abil- ity and success, so that it has become an indispens- able factor in the business interests of the town. Onr subjeet purchased the interest of his partner at the end of the first year, and has since conducted the paper alone. It is a neat and handsomely printed folio of seven columns, has a good eireula- tion, and is high-toned and first-class in every re- speet. In connection with this he has one of the . best equipped country job offices in the State, and turns out annually a goodly amount of job print- ing. The paper is independent in polities and de- voted to the interests of the town and the seetion of country from which it receives its patronage.

At the time Mr. Shepherd began the publication of the Review he had no experience as a writer or publisher, and the newspaper business at Lexing- ton having met with failures heretofore, was at a

low ebb and regarded with little favor. It had been undertaken by parties who possessed both ex- perience and ability, and when the Review was es- tablished its early failure was predicted. Mr. Shep- herd, however, was possessed of great energy and resolution and determined to profit by the mistakes which had caused the failures of his predecessors. It must not be supposed that he met with no diffi- eulties and that all was plain sailing, but he de- serves great eredit for the determination which has led him to success. He has proven himself a writer of force and ability, and in the mechanical department has proven himself equal to most prae- tieal printers. His job department is equipped with all necessary material and machinery for the execution of plain and faney printing, and his patrons receive prompt service and courteous treatment. Socially he is one of those genial and whole-hearted men who make friends wherever they are, and in all respeets he occupies an enviable position in his community.

Mr. Shepherd was born in Sardinia, Brown Co., Ohio, April 6, 1855. Ilis parents were David D. and Margaret J. Shepherd, and the former died when William H. was but eight years of age, leav- ing the mother with three boys. The youthful days of our subject were passed partly upon the farm and partly in town. Two years after the death of his father he went to live with Mr. and Mrs. John MeNeely, near Sardinia, with whom he remained about three years and attended the com- mon school, and two years afterward he lived with a relative on the farm. In the spring of 1870 his mother with her three boys eame to Illinois, and settled in Lexington, where our subjeet resumed his school studies during the winter seasons and worked on a farm in summer. In 1872 he entered the law office of Isaae S. Mahan, where he was elerk for one year, and was then employed in the dry- goods store of Dement & Co. for the following year. He then returned to Mr. Mahan's office and began reading law, and was afterward taken into partnership with Mr. Mahan and engaged with him in the real-estate, loan and insurance business. They operated together for two years, and then Mr. Shepherd carried on business for himself in the same line for three years. IIe onee more returned

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to Mr. Mahan, with whom he remained until he decided to establish his newspaper.

Mr. Shepherd was married in December, 1883, to Miss Editli Mahan, who was formerly a resident of Lexington, but later of Kansas. They have a pleasant and attractive liome and enjoy the society and esteem of many friends.

HOMAS J. GRIMSLEY, one of the early set- tlers of Lexington Township, and yet a resi- dent of the same, where he is engaged in general farming and the raising of stoek, was born in Boone County, Ky., May 15, 1832. His father, John B. Grimsley, was born in Culpeper County, Va., May 16, 1800, and the paternal grandfather of our subjeet was James Grimsley. The Grimsley family are of Irish deseent, and were among the first settlers of Virginia. Our subjeet's father was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Johnson, of Boone County, Ky. Her father was Hezekiah Johnson, a native of Maryland, whenee he removed to Kentucky when a young man. The Johnson family were of French extraction, and after John B. Grimsley had married Miss Johnson he settled in Boone County Ky., and engaged in farming. He had, however, during his younger days been engaged as a pilot on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. He reared a family of six ehildren. two by his first wife and four by his second marriage.

Thomas J. Grimsley was one' of two children born to his father by his first marriage, Elizabeth J. being the other. Of the second marriage tliree of the children are living, namely, Russell R., Mary E. and William W., all of whom reside in Ken- . tueky. Our subjeet was educated in the common schools of Boone County, and was reared to man- hood on his father's farm. In September, 1852, he eame to this eounty yet a single man. The journey was made in company with his brother-in- law, William K. Smith, with whom he made his home until 1856. He was then married to Martha A. Fowler, the daughter of Washington and Marthia L. Fowler, whose mother had emigrated from Ken- tueky to this eounty in 1854, her father having died in the latter-named State. After our sub-

jeet's marriage he settled where he is at present liv - ing, on section 26, Lexington Township. At that tinie he had but a little improved land, but now has three forties, one on seetion 23, one on 25 and one on 26, all of it being in a body and under an advanced state of eultivation. After improving his farm he began buying hogs and eattle, and las been more. or less eonneeted. with that industry sinee he has resided here.

Mr. Grimsley and wife had nine children, six sons and three daughters, five of whom are living at this writing. Charles C. married Louie Wonderlin, 1 and they have a daughter, Iva; Mary E. died when thirteen months old : Richard W. married Laura J. Williams, and they have a son, Benona; Nathaniel died when about a year and eight months cld; Ben- jamin A. is deeeased ; Fannie L. is the wife of Bazil D. Starkey, and they have a daughter, Della; William I. is deeeased, and John B. and Nannie A. are living at home. Mr. Grimsley and wife are members of the Baptist Church, having joined that denomination some twenty-five years ago. In polities he is a . Demoerat.

LBERT OGDEN, a progressive fariner of 'MeLean County, and living on seetion 9, Money Creek Township, is the son of Samuel and Naney (Vandolah) Ogden, the former of whom has a sketeh elsewhere in this work. Albert Ogden is a native of this eounty and was born in Money Creek Township, Jan. 9, 1838. IIere he received his education and continued an inmate of the parental home, engaged the while in farming, until his marriage: His years thus far in life have been devoted to agricultural pursuits and he is at present the owner of 100 aeres of valuable and productive land where he is living. He has first-class improvements on his place, and as a tiller of the soil is meeting with that sueeess which ener- getie effort is sure to bring. A good view of his residenee is given in this work.

Mr. Ogden was married in Bloomington, Mareh 8, 1860, to Miss Sarah C., daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (MeNaught) Pirtle. Her parents settled in Money Creek Township at an early day and there lived until their death, his demise occurring

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Dec. 12, 1865, and hers Jan. 25, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Pirtle beeame the parents of the following children : Ezra S., Hariett A., John M., James B., Saralı C., Mary E. and Thomas M. Mrs. Ogden was born in Owen County, Ind., July 21, 1843, and by her union with our subjeet has become the mother of twelve children. They are named, Aura O., Ella E., Elmon.O., Dolly E., Mary J., Stella A., Nora E., Pearl A., Coral A., Verna, Earnest and Tressie C. Aura is the wife of Enos Trimmer, and they are living in Money Creek Township; Ella was united in marriage with Manford Trimmer, and they also reside in Money Creek Township; Mary J. and Verna are deceased. Mr. Ogden has been the incumbent of the office of Overseer of High- ways, Sehool Director and Highway Commissioner, and in politics is a Democrat. Socially he is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and in religion his good wife holds fellowship with the Christian Church.

TEPHEN B. HOUGHTON, a retired far- mer of MeLean County, is now a resident of Bloomington, occupying a handsome and commodious dwelling on East Front street, No. 609. He is one of the representative men of this locality who have worked their way up to an enviable position in the community and acquired a competency through their own merits and by the exercise of industry and perseverance. He has been a resident of the Prairie State since 1845, and has watched its prosperity with the greatest satisfaction while at the same time he lias contributed his share toward advaneing it to its present position among the commonwealths of the West.

Mr. Houghton is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, and was born May 12, 1827. His- parents were Richard and Sarah (Burkley) Houghton, na- tives of Virginia, where they were reared and mar- ried, and whence they moved to Ohio in about 1825. There the father engaged in farming, but twelve years later came with his family to Illinois, settling in Clark County, upon a farm which he had purchased. They lived there until 1860, and thenee removed to Bloomingtou, where they spent

their declining years, the father dying in 1875, and the mother in 1866. Of their family of fifteen children, cleven lived to become men and women and seven still survive. These are, Joseph, Stephen B., our subject; Samuel, Deba A., Elijah, Emily and Mahala.

Stephen B. Houghton was reared on a farm and when old enoughi went out to work. He made his home with his parents until he was nineteen years old and removed from Clark to McLean County in 1845. He was employed for a short time in a mill at Bloomington, then engaged as a farm laborer by the month for six months, when he came to Bloom- ington and was employed at whatever his hands could find to do. He was finally employed by Judge Davis to superintend the farm of the latter and was occupied four years. When he went there the Judge had one cow and one horse, and when our subject left the farm it was supplied with large numbers of cattle and between fifty and sixty mares.

Mr. Houghton soon afterward purchased a farm in Normal Township. This consisted of seventy aeres, which he cultivated for two years and then removed to Jefferson County, Iowa. He there purchased 160 aeres, and after remaining upon it eighteen months, returned to this county and pur- chased ten acres, one and one-half miles south of the court-house square in Bloomington. He after- ward added sixty acres and then traded his latter purchase for the Mason farm of 180 aeres. Six years later, in 1873, he purchased the Walker farm consisting of 100 aeres, and the following year two flats on South Main street in Bloomington, upon which he built a dwelling. He purchased his present home in 1885. Besides the above he owns the old home place of 160 acres, one and one-half miles south of the court-house.

Our subject was married in 1849 to Miss Vasliti O. Sumner, who was the daughter of Caleb and Rachel (Farmer) Sumner, natives respectively of New York and Virginia. They were married in' Indiana, to which State both had been taken by their parents when quite young. Mr. S. after mar- riage engaged in farming pursuits upon a traet of land which he had purchased in Coles County, Ill., and which contained 160 acres. He sold this in

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1849, and purchased another northeast of Bloom- ington, which he occupied two years and then re- moved into the city, where the mother died in 1861. Mr. Sumner then made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Houghton, until his death, in 1882. Three only of the seven 'children are now living- Alford, Mrs. Houghton and Horace. Our subjeet and his wife also became the parents of seven children, only three living. James married Miss Lorinda Gardner and lives on the old homestead; Richard married Miss Katie Harmon and they have two children, Grace and Mabel; Alice L., now Mrs. H. P. Hazel, has one son, Stephen B.

Mr. Houghton is Republican in polities and with his wife is a member of the First Methodist Epis- eopal Church. He gave $1,100 toward the ereetion of the church building and has always contributed liberally and cheerfully to the maintenance of the society.

C HARLES M. BEEBE. Perhaps no county in the United States of equal size with Me- Lean ean boast of so many enterprising and wealthy farmers. One of this number and who has displayed a proportionate degree of enterprise with his brother farmers is C. M. Beebe, who resides on seetion 32, Lexington Township. Mr. Beebe was born in Madison County, Ohio, near Pleasant Valley, Sept. 2, 1831. Charles Beebe, Sr., died when our subjeet was but four days old. He was "born in New York, Feb. 19, 1799, and his demise occurred near Pleasant Valley, Ohio, Sept. 6, 1831. The maiden name of our subjeet's mother was Eliza MeDowell. She was the daughter of Eber MeDowell, born in Montpelier, Vt., May 11, 1801, and of Seoteh-Irish extraction. Charles Beebe, Sr., after his marriage settled in Ohio, where he en- gaged in farming, and followed that occupation in Madison County until his death. He became the father of two children, a son, Sylvester, who died in infaney, and the subject of this notice. The mother subsequently married Henry MeCracken, and they removed to this county in 1852, and set- tled at Selma, where her demise took place in De- eember, 1859. One child was born of the latter union, who died in infancy.

Our subjeet on first coming to this State located in Henderson County in the spring of 1852, where he taught school one term and then returned to Franklin County, and then with teamns made his way to this county, coming with his mother in the fall of 1852. His means were limited, in fact, they were exceedingly so, and the first year he worked at whatever he could find to do.

He was married in April, 1859, to Miss Matilda B. Hayes, a daughter of Henry Hayes, a native of Virginia, and who removed from that State to Ken- tueky with his parents when a boy. Henry Hayes was married in Kentucky to Sarah B. Smith, sister of Milton Smith, one of the prominent early set- tlers of this eounty, who located at Selma. Henry Hayes came to this county in company with Mr. Smith in 1835, and Mrs. Beebe is the oldest daugh- ter of his family now living.

After his marriage our subjeet located in Lex- ington, where he lived one winter and then, dispos- ing of his interests there he, in 1863, moved on the farnı where he is now living. This farm was known as the Harrison Sowards Place, and was one of the first to be improved in that part of the neighborhood. It is located on seetion 32, aud contains 105 aeres. Since our subjeet has resided upon it-he has been engaged in general farming, and not long sinee turned his attention to the rais- ing of fine horses and other stoek.

Three children have been born of his union with Miss Matilda B. Hayes, two sons and one daughter. Luetta is the wife of Thomas P. Owens, and they reside in Blue Mound Township; Charles I. is re- siding in Harper County, Kan., and Rule O. Mr. and Mrs. Beebe are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in polities he is a stanel Republican.

B ENJAMIN C. S. OWENS, who is prosper- ous as a farmer and stock-raiser of Lexing- ton Township, is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born near Cireleville, Piekaway County, Sept. 25, 1825. His father, George T. Owens, was a cooper by trade and died in the prime of life when his son, our subjeet, was a child three years of age. The mother of Mr.

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Owens, who was formerly Miss Mary Town, was a native of Pennsylvania. Her parents were from Connecticut, whenee they removed to Pennsylvania and afterward to Ohio, settling on what was called the Darba Plains. After her marriage with Mr. Owens the young people settled in Pickaway County, where the mother remained for some years after the death of her husband, and later removed with her family to Clinton County, Ohio, whenee she came to MeLean County. She had six chil- dren, four of whom lived to mature years: IFar- riet became the wife of James Finley; Benjamin C. S., our subjeet, was the second child; Archibald is deceased, and Ruth A. married William Pendry. She died in Clinton County, Ohio. The grand- father of our subject was Archibald Owens, who followed through life the occupation of a farmer near Cireleville, Ohio, and there died.

Benjamin C. S. Owens grew to manhood in Ohio and obtained a fair education in the district schools. Being the eldest son many responsibilities fell upon him as the assistant of his widowed mother in pro- viding for her family and keeping them together, and he remained with her until twenty-two years of age. He was then married to Miss Elizabeth Pendry, who was born in Clinton County, Ohio, Aug. 7, 1825, her father being William Pendry, of that county. After marriage the young people settled in Clinton County, where our subjeet en- gaged in farming until the fall of 1855. He then decided to move further westward, and coming into Illinois reached MeLean County on the 1st of October.

Mr. Owens purchased his present farm of George A. Creamer. It includes 127 aeres and is located on seetions 28 and 33. There were very few im- provements on the place when he took possession, but he industriously set himself to work and in due time was rewarded with success. He now has a good residence, barn and out-buildings, and all the appliances of a first-class agriculturist. He raises large numbers of hogs and cattle annually, which he feeds and disposses of on the farm, having ready for shipment at the elose of each year one or two carloads. In later years he has given much atten- tion to the breeding of Norman and Clydesdale horses, of which he has some fine specimens. His

stables and outhouses are kept in first-class order and everything about the premises is indieative of cultivated tastes and ample means.

Mr. and Mrs. Owens became the parents of seven children, five now living, as follows: Mary J. is the wife of Squire Heller, and resides in Chester, Neb .; Susan B. married Herbert Bliss, and they live in Blue Mound Township; Thomas P. and John B. are also in Blue Mound Township; Ida May became the wife of A. J. Ramney, and they are living in Chester, Neb .; Sarah A. became the wife of John W. Davis. and died Nov. 24, 1886.

Mr. Owens has been prominent in the affairs of his township and served as Pathmaster and School Director for many years. He prides himself upon being an old-fashioned Jeffersonian Demoerat, and in all respeets has earned for himself the reputation of an honest man and a good citizen.

The mother of Mrs. Owens before her marriage was Miss Mary Sloeum, of Wilkesbarre, Pa., and departed this life in Logan County, Ill., in Septem- ber, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Owens take pride in the reflection that they are already the parents of eight grandchildren who are as hopeful specimens of Young America as can be produced in the State of Illinois.

OHN WALKER, deceased. Among the early and enterprising citizens of Lexington Town- ship, the subject of this history was widely and favorably known. A native of West- moreland County, Pa., he was born near MeCon- nellsville, on the 9th of March, 1804. IFis parents, John and Barbara (Riee) Walker, lived on a farın in Westmoreland County, Pa., and there their son was reared to manhood, remaining under the home roof until he was married. The Walker family was of Irish descent, and the parental household of our subject included five sons and two daughters, of whom John was the eldest. On the 29th of Sep- tember, 1836, he was married to Miss Catherine Rubey, a native of Bavaria, born June 11, 1817, and daughter of Michael and Catherine (Martyl) Rubey, who emigrated to America when Catherine was about nine years of age.

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. W. settled on a

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farm in Westmoreland County, Pa., whenec they removed, in 1852, to this State, and located on a farm near the city limits of Bloomington. From there, in 1855, they removed to the homestcad where Mrs. Walker now lives. It consists of cighty- seven aeres of finely improved land, located on sce- tion 2. Mr. Walker devoted his time and attention to the cultivation of his land, and the establishment of a permanent and comfortable home. He dc- parted this life on the 18th of February, 1886, leav- ing his wife and seven children to mourn the loss of a kind husband and father. The children, all of whom are living, arc recorded as follows: Mary, the eldest, became the wife of Joseph M. Hart, and they are residents of Minicr, Ill .; Nancy married J. B. Forbe's, of Kumler, Ill .; Thomas, Anna, John and Katic are at home with their mother; Jessie R. is the wife of R. G. Jones, of Lexington Township; John, who is an intelligent and industrious young man of more than ordinary ability. manages the farm, and is the chief assistant of his mother in the transaction of their business. In polities Mr. Walker was a staneh Republican. He was reared a Quaker, but the family now attend the Presbyterian Church.

n OAH N. WILSON, one of the prominent farmers, stock-raisers and feeders of Lex- ington Township, is also one of the self- inade men of this county. He was born ncar Brookville, county seat of Franklin County, Ind., Sept. 18, 1828, and is a son of John Wilson, a farmer, on a small seale, of Indiana. The father was born in South Carolina, and moved to Indiana, in 1812, with his parents. Our subject's paternal grandfather, William Wilson, married Patscy Charles, a native of South Carolina, and they reared a family of five sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to attain the age of man and woman- hood, and were married and had families of their own. John Wilson and Mary Jones, daughter of James Jones, were united in marriage in Indiana. She was born in West Virginia, and her father was a native of that State, and by his marriage became the head of a family of four children, two sons and two daughters. The children born to the parents

of our subjcet were seven in number, five sons and two daughters. They are Elizabeth, wife of Will- iam Warren; Noah N., our subject; Oliver, living ncar Brookville, Ind .; William, also a resident of Indiana; James, who died in 1857; George, wlio is living in Indiana, and Naney, dceeased.

Noah N. Wilson passed his boyhood days in his native county, where he worked on his father's farm and attended the common sehouls, and developed into manhood. On attaining his majority he was united in marriage with Susan P. Coalseott, a na- tive of Philadelphia, and daughter of Othniel Coal- seott. Ile was born in Maryland, and inarricd Rachel Booth, a native of Delaware, and whose parents moved from that State to Philadelphia, Pa.

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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 126

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