Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 135

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 135

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The life and death of Litta made such an im- pression on the people of Bloomington that a fine granite monument was erected to her memory in the cemetery, which was dedicated July 4, 1885, on which occasion the Hon. David Davis delivered a brief address, in which he voiced the sentiments of the world at large in regard to the accomplished singer and the beautiful and lovely woman. Hc was followed by the Hon. James S. Ewing, who de- livercd a very appropriate eulogy. In speaking of Litta personally he made use of these words, which may very properly close this sketch :

"Any analysis of her character which ignored her loving and kindly nature, would be like taking away the rich coloring from a beautiful picture. She was generous, and charitable, and kind. She shared everything she had with those she loved. The first fruits of the harvest she laid with thanks- giving upon the altar of filial affection. Even the praise and admiration she won she songht to divide with those who were dear to her. She spoke kindly of all. She was mindful of favors and grateful.

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for kindnesses. She had no false pride. When the noon had more than fulfilled the promise of the morning, she was the same gentle, modest and winsome woman. And so we have written on this monument : 'She was loved most for her pure and gentle life, and loving lands weave roses with the laurel in the chaplet of her fame.'"

OHN R. WILLIAMS, Postmaster of Delana, is also earrying on a trade in general mer- ehandise, and is one of the valuable mem- bers of that community. He was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Feb. 2, 1834. His fa- thier, John Williams, was born in the same county, and his grandfather, Thomas Williams, was one of the pioneers of Muskingum County, Ohio, and eleared a farm from the wilderness, and there spent the remainder of his life, dying about 1840. His property lay on the national turnpike, three miles west of Zanesville, and there John Williams, Sr., the father of our subjeet, was reared to manhood. He was also married there, the maiden of his ehoiee being Miss Caroline Rodman, daughter of Joseph Rodman, and granddaughter of Gen. Rodman, of Revolutionary fame. At the time of his marriage, John, Sr., was engaged in mercantile pursuits near Zanesville. He lived but two years after his mar- riage, his death oceurring in November, 1833, be- fore the birth of his son, our subjeet. , His widow subsequently married John Brown, and they re- moved to Bloomington, where she spent the re- mainder of her life.

John R. Williams was the only son of his parents, and was reared by his maternal grandparents. He attended school during the winter seasons, and the balance of the year assisted in the labors of the farm. His grandfather died when onr subjeet was twenty years of age, and the latter was given charge of the farin until 1856. On the 14th of February, that year, he set out overland for the West with three horses and a wagon loaded with household goods, accompanied by his wife and an- other family. After twenty-one days' travel, they arrived at Bloomington, and Mr. Williams pur- chased forty aeres of land in Old Town Township,

upon which lie located and eommeneed its improve- ment and cultivation. After a few years he sold out and purchased another small farm in the same township, which he oeeupied until 1861, then sold again and removed to Bloomington. IIere he was employed in a flouring-mill for a year following, and was also engaged in the purchase and shipping of grain for five years. He afterward became an employe in the hardware store of Harwood Bros., where he officiated as elerk for ten years. Subse- quently he served in the same capacity for J. Thompson, groeer, six years. In November, 1884, he came to Delana, and in company with Mr. Thompson, purchased a stoek of goods, and has managed the business here sinee that time. This consists of almost everything required for the farm and household, excepting, of course, the larger machinery.

Mr. Williams was married in Ohio, five miles from Zanesville, Sept. 15, 1853, to Miss Mary A. Fogle, who was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, and is the daughter of George and Maria (John- son) Fogle, natives of Maryland. Of this union there were born two children-Julia E., now living at home, and Laura, who died at the age of eight years. Mr. Williams is Republiean in polities, and both he and his wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

W ILLIAM HIETT, leading representative of the saddle and harness trade in Saybrook, also earries an excellent stoek of carriage supplies, trunks, and other manufactured artieles in leather. Our subject came to the Prairie State in 1858, and purchased 135 aeres of land near Say- brook, upon which he farmed for a number of years and then sold out. He next purchased 115 acres still nearer town, of which he still holds pos- session. His present business was established in August, 1883. His establishment is the leading one of the eity and he gives employment to two men.

Mr. Hiett was born in Brown County, Ohio, Dee. 13, 1830, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Hawk) Hiett, natives of Ohio. They were married

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in 1829. John Hiett was born in 1808, and is still living. The mother of our subjeet died in 1833. Their four children were Mary, James and Philip (twins) who died in infaney. and William of our sketch, who was left motherless when three years old. The second marriage of John Hiett was with Miss Sarah A. Odell, and of this quion there were born four children-John W., Frank, Susan and Samnel. This lady died in Indiana and the father of our subject was then married to Miss Mary F. Davison, by whom he had eight children, two dying in infaney. Albert C. died when twenty-one years ' of age. The remainder were, Edward, George W., Luella, Sarah A. and Charles F. John Hiett is Re- publican in polities and a member in good stand- ing of the Masonie fraternity.

Our subjeet remained under his father's roof during his childhood and youth, and in 1877 was married to Miss Ortha Nelson, who was born in In- diana in 1862. They have no children. Mr. H. is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and politically affiliates with the Republican party. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, be- ing a member of Cheney's Grove Lodge No. 468, of Saybrook. During the late war he was a sutler in the Wilder Brigade, 98th Illinois Infantry.

W ILLIAM E. HENRY, JR., who is a native of this county, owns a good farm of 160 acres in Anchor Township, on section 20, and is devoting much of his time to stock-raising. His land is in a good state of eultivation, and sup- plied with a substantial set of frame buildings. As a citizen and a business inan he is contributing his full share toward the growth and prosperity of his township, and is held in universal respeet for his excellent traits of character and straightforward business methods.

Mr. Henry is the eldest son of William E. and Mary (Snell) Henry, who were among the earliest pioneers of Dry Grove Township, this county, where they are still residing. William E. was born in Dry Grove Township, Oct. 14, 1841, and there grew to manhood. His edueation was begnn in the district sehools of his native township, and he

also attended the public sehools of Bloomington, in which eity his parents resided for about three years. He remained under the home roof until his marriage, which oceurred Feb. 18, 1875. The maiden of his ehoiee was Miss Caroline, daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Boyer) Fantz. She was born in Somerset County, Pa., Oet. 8, 1850. After their marriage the young people settled in Danvers Township, where Mr. Henry followed farming un- til the fall of 1878. He then removed to his pres- ent homestead in Anchor Township.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry have beeome the parents of three children, as follows: Harvey, who was born March 18, 1877; Mary E., Feb. 26, 1881, and Car- oline D., Jan. 24, 1883. Mr. Henry uniformly casts his vote with the Republican party, and in all respeets is a citizen deeply interested in the welfare of his county and community.

OHN B. GEARHART, favorably known in Belleflower Township as an industrions and prosperons farmer, is a native of the wealthy and populous State of Ohio, born in Miami County, Oct. 7, 1833. His father, Daniel Gear- hart, was a native of Virginia, and our subject's grandfather, it is believed, was born in Maryland, and was of German parentage and aneestry. The grandfather removed from Maryland to Virginia, thenec to Ohio, and located in Miami County as early as 1803. There he purchased a tract of land, a small portion of which was eleared, and the bal- ance was heavy timber. There was a log-cabin upon the place, which the family occupied for a time. Subsequently he eleared 160 acres and ereeted a substantial briek house and large frame barn. Upon the homestead thus established he spent the remainder of his days, dying in 1866, having reached the advanced age of ninety-seven years.

The father of our subject was but three or four years of age when his parents removed to Ohio and settled in the wilderness. He there grew to man- hood, assisted his father in elearing the farm and remained under the parental roof until his mar-

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riage. He then purchased 160 aeres of land about eight miles from the old homestead, only five of which was eleared .. In due time he placed 120 aeres more under a good state of cultivation. In 1863 he returned to Winchester, Va., to visit his son, who was a soldier and at the time eonfined in the hospital. While there nursing his son, the rebels captured the town and made them both prisoners, Daniel Gearhart being confined twenty- two months in a rebel stronghold at Salisbury, N. C. He was released about the time of the elose of the war, and returning home died three weeks after- ward. The mother of our subjeet before her mar- riage was Miss Mary Beatty, a native of Virginia. Of her marriage with Daniel Gearhart there were. born eight children, of whom our subjeet was the third ehild and eldest son.

Jolın B. Gearhart, of this notice, assisted his father in opening up the farm, and made his home with his parents until he was twenty-two years old. He then married and eomineneed his new life upon a rented farm in Clarke County, Ohio. He con- tinued a resident of the Buekeye State until 1858, when he set his face toward the great West, and eoming into Illinois located first in Tazewell Coun- ty. There he rented land one year, and then pur- ehased sixty aeres in Logan County, where he re- moved, remaining until 1868. Ile then sold out and purchased the place which he now owns and oeeupies on seetion 20, Belleflower Township, and which consists of 160 aeres. This was wild prairie at the time of his purehase, but he now has the en- tire traet enelosed and brought to a good state of eultivation. Upon it is a comfortable and substan- tial frame dwelling, with fruit and shade trees and all the other aequirements of a first-elass agrieult- urist.

Mr. Gearhart was married in August, 1856, to Miss Minerva Fuller, who was born in Clarke County, Ohio, March 11, 1835. She is the daugh- ter of Robert and Margaret (Thompson) Fuller, natives of Virginia, whenee they removed to Ohio, and were among the earliest settlers of Clarke County. Mr. Fuller purchased a traet of timber land from which he eleared a farm, built up a eom- fortable home, and there both parents spent the re- mainder of their lives. At one time they were the

possessors of 640 aeres of fine land in Clarke County.

Our subjeet and his wife have three children, a daughter Flora, now the wife of W. Il. Harrison, and they live near Farmer City; the other two ehildren, Franklin and Eliner, are both at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in polities our subjeet is an earnest Republiean. He has been Sehool Trustee several terms, and in 1886 was Township Assessor. Hle has also served as Road Commissioner.

Le OUIS A. BURK, a prominent and skillful artist of Bloomington, is a native of Davis County, Ky., born in 1845, and the son of Edward A. and Naney (King) Burk, who were also born in the Blue Grass State. The father of our subjeet was engaged in farming, and eame to Illi- nois in 1848, settling in Mt. Hope Township, this eounty. Here he oeeupied his farm until 1851, then removed to Logan County and engaged in farming near Atlanta, for a period of fifteen years; thenee he moved to Missouri, where his life ter- minated in 1874. The mother is still living in Lathrop, Clinton Co., Mo. Of a family of ten children, three only are now living: James A., re- siding in Lathrop, Mo .; Louis A., and Naney M., Mrs. Waers, of Iowa.

The subject of this biography remained at home until seventeen years old, and then, the late Civil War being in progress, he enlisted in the three montlis' serviee. At the expiration of this time, lie re-enlisted in Co. E, 7th Ill. Vol. Inf., serving until July, 1865. At the battle of Altoona, Ga., he was wounded in the right shoulder. When the war was ended, he returned home and remained six months. He was soon afterward married, and lived for a brief season at Spring Hill, Mo., spent two years at Lathrop, then eame to Bloomington and engaged in earpenter work for five years. He then eommeneed sketehing for publishing houses, and was thus oeeupied for seven years, when he took up stoek sketching and painting, in which he is at present engaged. He receives orders from

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both Eastern and Western States, to sketch and paint the eattle and other animals of the leading stoekmen, and has proved himself an adept in the art.

Mr. Burk was married, in 1865, to Miss Maria E. Platt, a native of Bloomington, and the daugh- ter of Ephraim and Sarah Platt, natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively. Their seven children were named as follows: Lucy, Kittie, William, Minnie, Nettie, Birdie and Louis. Mr. Burk is Republican in politics, and belongs to the G. A. R. Ile purchased his present home in 1879, where he and his family are surrounded by all the com- forts of life and many evidenees of his art. He ranks second to no one in his line in the western country, and in a few years will doubtless be able to retire upon a competeney.

G I. DOOLEY, a retired farmer of Downs Township, living at ease on his elegant homestead one and one-half miles from Downs Village, is widely and favorably known throughout this seetion as a man who has been identified with its business and agricultural inter- ests, and has contributed his full share toward the progress and prosperity of MeLean County. The family residence is finely located in the midst of beautiful surroundings, and everything about the premises denotes eultivated tastes and ample means. The life of our subjeet has been marked by indus- try and enterprise, and he lias evaded no duty, either socially or in a business way, when the per- formance would tend to the welfare of his neigh- borhood and his township at large.

Mr. Dooley is a descendant of excellent Scottish ancestry. His grandfather, Obediah Dooley, of Virginia, was the son of one of the early represent- atives of the family in this country and was mar- ried in the Old Dominion to Miss Anna Irvin, who was also of Seoteh deseent but born and reared in Virginia. A few years after their marriage they removed into Kentucky, settling in what is now Clark County. One of their acquaintances was Daniel Boone, the famous Kentucky pioneer and hunter. There they built up a home in the wilder-

ness, clearing a traet of timber land, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They became the parents of a large family, of which William Dooley, the father of our subjeet, was about the fifth ehild. IIe was reared to manhood near Boonsboro and there met and was married to Miss Minerva Morris, who was born in Kentucky but whose parents were from Virginia. She was the youngest daughter of Samuel and Martha Morris.

After their marriage William Dooley and his wife located on a part of the old Obediah Dooley farm and became the parents of thirteen children, of whom our subjeet was the eldest. He was carefully reared under the parental roof and remained at home until twenty-two years of age. On the 27th of December, 1849, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Seobee, in Montgomery County, Ky. Mrs. D. is the daughter of William and Jane (Bur- roughs) Seobee, natives of Kentucky. Her grand- father was Robert and her grandmother Elizabeth (Crawford) Seobee, of Virginia. Robert Seobee was a farmer by occupation, spending his early manhood in his native State. Later in life he re- moved to Clark County, Ky., where he carried on agricultural pursuits successfully and died there in about. 1838. The mother of Mrs. Dooley died at her home in Montgomery County, Ky., and there her father yet lives, having arrived at the advanced age of eighty-five years.

Mrs. Dooley was the eldest eliild of her parents, with whom she lived until her marriage. By her union with our subjeet she became the mother of four children, as follows: James W., a farmer of Downs Township, married Miss Elizabeth G. Cow- den, of Old Town Township; Jennie B. became the wife of Rev. T. D. Fyffe, a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Rossville, Ind .; George G. married Miss Lou G. Baremore, and they live on the farm of our subjeet; Anna is at home with her parents.

Two years after the marriage of Mr. Dooley lie and his wife and his father's family all came to Illi- nois, first loeating in Bloomington, and inereasing the population of that eity by thirteen souls. One ehild was born to the father and mother of our subjeet after their removal to this State. The mother died in Bloomington when seventy-four

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years of age. Thic father subsequently located in Old Town Township, whence he removed later to Padua Township, and there died on the 7th of June, 1870, aged sixty-six years.

After coming to this State our subject was a resi- dent of Old Town Township until 1855, and then removed to Putnam County, Ind. After residing thicre sixteen years, during which time he had been engaged in farming, he returned to Illinois and lo- cated in Downs Township, this county. Here hc now has a farm of 257 acres, the greater part of which is in a finc state of cultivation. In 1881 lic began dealing in coal, grain and lumber in Downs Village, in which commodities he operated four years and then practically retired from active busi- ness. He is now living in ease and comfort upon the competency which he has richly earned. Po- litically he is a sound Democrat, and the wife -of our subject is a member in good standing of the Christian Church.

L EICESTER S. RUPERT, a prominent citizen of Normal Township, is successfully en- gaged as a breeder of road horses, in which he is experienced, and exhibits some of the finest ani- mals in MeLcan County. Mr. Rupert was born in Louisville, Ky., on the 10th of December, 1855, being the son of Elon W. Rupert, of Virginia. The latter, during the greater portion of his life, was en- gaged in the wholesale drug business in Louisville, but retired upon a competency twenty years before his deatlı, whichi occurred in 1874, aged sixty-five years. The mother of our subject, Lucy B. (Sar- gent) Rupert, was born in Massachussetts, is still living, and resides in Philadelphia, Pa. The paren- tal family comprised three children only : Elon S. is a practicing physician of Philadelphia; Minnie B. is the wife of Dr. J. W. Holland, Dean of the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia; and Leicester.

The subject of our sketch pursued his primary studies in the public schools of Louisville, which were supplemented by attendance at the grammar schools of New Haven, Conn., from which he grad- uated in 1875. He then returned to Louisville and

engaged in the breeding of trotting horses until 1882, when he came to Illinois, locating first in Woodford and subsequently in Tazewell Coun- ty, in which latter placc le sold his interest to his brother-in-law, A. G. Danforth, and removed to Normal. His stables now include forty head of Hambletonian and Mambrino horses, and include specimens of some of the finest animals to be found in this section. He exhibited several years at St. Louis and Chicago fairs but has now become so well known that he no longer incurs this expense, his stock always being in demand. Mr. Rupert has a fine farm estate of 500 acres, besides his town property in Normal, and has fully established a reputation as one of the leading horsemen of the State. He is Secretary and Treasurer of the Illi- nois Association of Trotting-horse Breeders, and his judgment and opinions in regard to this industry are held in great value.

The marriage of Leicester S. Rupert and Miss Katic May Danforth was celebrated at Washington, Ill., on the 5th of November, 1879. Mrs. R. was born in Washington, and by her union with our sub- ject has become the mother of one child- Emily Bush.

W ILLIAM L. DRYBREAD, formerly an ex- tensive farmer and stock-raiser of West Township, is now a resident of Santa Anna, De Witt County, but is entitled to a prominent place among the worthy citizens of McLean County, as having by his enterprise and intelligence greatly assisted in the development of the business and agricultural interests of this section. Mr. B. was born in Bartholomew County, Ind., near the little city of Edinburg, Aug. 28, 1821. His father, Jolın Drybread, was a native` of Butler County, Ohio, and his grandfather, who was born in Germany, emigrated to the United States when a young man, locating in Butler County, Ohio, and being among the earliest settlers of that region. He opened up a farm in the wilderness, which he cultivated and improved, and where he spent the last years of his life. There also his son Jolin, the father of our subject, grew to manhood, married, and resided

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there until about 1816, then removed to Bartholo- mew County, Ind. being among the first settlers who went into that Territory. He purchased a tract of timber land and worked as his father had done in Ohio, in clearing a farmn from the wilderness, and there made his home until his death, which oc- eurred about 1833. His wife, the mother of our subject, formerly Miss Naney Lewis, was born in Wales, and eainc with her parents to America when a young child, receiving her early education in Ohio. She accompanied her husband to Indiana, remained his faithful and affectionate companion during his lifetime, surviving him several years, and died on the old homestead. Of their eight children seven grew to become inen and women, as follows: Margaret, Mrs. Ball, died .in Fulton County, Ind .; William L., of our sketch, was the second child; Joseph, and Rebecca, Mrs. Cox, died in Bartholomew County, Ind. : George is a resident of Kansas; Henry lives in Bartholomew County, Ind., and Eliza A., Mrs. Durbin, in Piatt County, Ill.

William L. Drybread was the eldest son of his parents, and was but twelve years old when his fa- ther died. Being the eldest ehild he assisted his mother until he was old enough to manage the farm alone, then took charge of it and remained there until 1849. In the meantime he had been married, and in the fall of that year started for Illi- nois, accompanied by his wife. Their outfit eon- sisted of two yoke of oxen and two wagons, in which were packed their honsehold goods, and they camped and cooked by the wayside. After ten days' travel they landed in De Witt County and moved into a house occupied by Phineas Page, where they remained until our subject could erect a dwelling on his own land, which he had purchased in Santa Anna Township. This eost' him ninety eents per acre, he having obtaned it on a land war- rant. In 1848 he rented an improved farm, and during the summer following broke the first sod on his own land. By an unfortunate train of circum- stanees he lost his land, and for a time decided to abandon farming. Removing to Farmer City he engaged in the drug business for one year, then opened a grocery store and bakery. At that time many people were emigrating to Iowa, and much of his patronage eaine from the traveling publie

who then journeyed inostly by wagon, the Pullman palace cars not then being put on the road, and in fact the railroads were not even graded.

Mr. Drybread continued in business until 1862, and then, the war being in progress, enlisted as a Union soldier August 2 of that year, in Co. I, 107th Ill. Vol. Inf., in which he served until the close of the confliet. For more than a year he par- ticipated actively with the movements of his regi- ment, and then on account of ill-health was trans- ferred to the invalid corps. To this move, how- ever, he greatly objected, and was subsequently made driver of an ambulance. In July, 1865, he received his honorable disellarge with his comrades at Springfield, Ill. In the spring of 1866 he set- tled on a tract of land which he had previously pur- ehased in West Township, and thereafter gave his entire attention to the pursuit of agriculture and the breeding of fine cattle. This land, which was partially improved when he purchased it, is now under a good state of cultivation, tile drained, and supplied with a set of first-class farm buildings. The whole premises indicates the supervision of an intelligent and progressive mind, and invariably attraets the attention of the traveler to that region. In. 1884 Mr. D. purchased eighty acres across the road from the main farm, and which lie in De Witt County. His live stock ineludes a herd of sev- enty head of graded cattle of the Holstein breed, and he has some of the finest animals in this part of McLean County.

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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 135

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