Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 139

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 139

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

· In 1872 the Y. M. C. A., for railroad men was started at Cleveland, Ohio. The second one that was started was at Erie, Pa., and Mr. Bates was the instigator. In 1881 he started another at Rood- house, Ill., and in 1884 he started one at Blooming- ton, which had a membership at that time of only three. At the present time over 200 railroad men are members of the Y. M. C. A. at Bloomington. There are sixty-nine organizations of its kind in the United States. In polities Mr. Bates is a Re-

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publican and socially he is a member of the Masonie fraternity. He was married to Miss Franees F. Dutcher, daughter of Daniel R. and Rowcna (Wright) Duteher, residents of Loekport, N. Y., and of this nnion there are the following children : Charles T., born Jan. 10, 1864; Flora F., Nov. 18, 1865; Frank A., May 27, 1868; Blanche R., Dee. 7, 1875. The residenee of our subject is at No. 508 East Douglas street.

G EORGE M. STUBBLEFIELD, of Mt. Hope Township, is the son of Robert Stubblefield, so widely known throughout this section, and whose dceease in 1870 was so universally la- mented. Quite an interesting episode oeeurred to Robert Stubblefield, the father of our subject, in May, 1840. It will be remembered that at that early day the eonnty was new and unsettled and plenty of horse thieves infested the country. About the middle of May, 1840, two men came to Mr. Stubblefield's homc, then in Funk's Grove Township, being directed there by a citizen of Funk's Grove, for information eoneerning horse thieves. Purporting to be deteetives, they wanted to ascertain something about a family by the name of Reading. Mr. S. replied that he only knew them by reputation, which was not very good, and that they were supposed to be horse thieves. After talking some time, he proposed to go with them, and staid all night with a settler, 'Squire Robbs, about three miles from Mosquito Grove. Sunday morning they went to within one-half mile of the grove, and sent some spics in to scc if the Read- ings were at home. Whilst they were parleying, Jack Reading and a man named Holmes mounted horscs and tried to eseape. Mr. Stubblefield said to the detectives and other men, "Now is your time, if you wish to capture them." They ran about four miles in a southeast course, near where the iron bridge spans Sugar Creek, ncarly east of Stanford. When Mr. Stubblefield got there the only persons in sight were the two horse thieves. After crossing the ereek, they eontinned the raee and ran about four miles farther, when Mr. S. came up with the two men, and Reading recognized Mr.

S. and swore if he did not go baek he would kill him. They rode about twelve miles farther, to Hill's Grove, Tazewell County, where Mr. S. eame up with them again, and talked to them. Holmes remarked that he did not know him, bnt Reading replied that he knew him, and that he was Old Bob Stubblefield, a brother-in-law of Ike Funk. They followed them to ncar Delavan, where they eap- tured Holmes, and Reading escaped. Holmes was brought baek and tried and eonvieted, and sent to the penitentiary for five years. Two days after, the Readings were notified to leave the county by the 4th of July following, or they would hang them, and they left for parts unknown.

The subject of our sketeh was born in Fayette County, Ohio, Aug. 29, 1823, and was the eldest son of Robert and Dorothy (Funk) Stubblefield. He was but little over one year old when his par- ents removed from Ohio to Funk's Grove, McLean County, the date being Dec. 18, 1824, and this county has remained his home sinee that time, a period of sixty-three years.

Mr. Stubblefield received his early education in the snbseription schools of MeLean County, and as soon as large enough assisted his father on the farm. The first flourmill in the vieinity was at Waynesville, De Witt County, nine miles distant, and the nearest post-office for some time was Springfield, fifty miles distant, which also was the nearest trading-post. Later, a post-offiee was es- tablished at Mackinaw Town, eighteen miles dis- tant, and mneh time Was spent in going to and from these places. Our subjeet remained with his parents until he was twenty-seven years of age, and was then married and located with his wife on the farm which he managed for two years. Then, in 1853 he removed to the place which he now owns and occupies.

At the time Mr. Stubblefield took possession of his present homestead, the land was unimproved and without buildings. He put up a one-story and a half frame house, 20x30 feet in dimensions, and a stable, and then commeneed to improve and cul- tivate the land. In 1869, the first residenee be- coming insufficient for the needs of the family, he ereeted his present comfortable mansion, and sub- sequently built the fine barn and supplied other

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necessary out-buildings. He is now the possessor of 530 acres, all of which is improved with the ex- eeption of twenty aeres. This land is laid off into three separate farms, all enclosed and tile-drained. and all managed by Mr. S. and his sons.

The subject of this history was married on the 14th of March, 1850, to Miss Eliza J. Murphy. Mrs. S. is a native of MeLean. County, and was born July 30, 1832. Her father, Samuel Murphy, was a native of Virginia, and born Jan. 10, 1799, on the banks of the Potomae River. He removed with his parents to Ohio when a little lad of ten years old, and they settled in Muskingum County, being among the early pioneers of that region. In this loeality Mr. Murphy grew to manhood, and was there married to Miss Naney Goodwin, a na- tive of his own State, who was born March 29, 1808, and who removed to Ohio when she was a young lady. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. M., Sept. 8, 1829, they removed to Illinois, making the entire journey overland with teams. and set- tled in Funk's Grove, entering land in the township of the same name and opening up a farm. They remained there until 1856, and then Mr. Murphy sold out and moved into Caldwell County, Mo., where he purehased a farm upon which he remained until his death, which oeeurred in 1862. His wife, the mother of Mrs. S., survived her husband for twelve years, and also died there, in 1874.

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Stubblefield, there have been born seven children, six sons and one daughter, of whoin the record is as follows: Charles W., the eldest born, is single and engaged in farming and stoek-raising, and makes his home with his parents; Mary E. became the wife of Al- bert Longworth, and resides in Funk's Grove Township; Samuel M. married Miss Mary E. Still- well, and they live in Mt. Hope Township; Joseph W. married Miss Louie MeCormiek, and they are residents of Mt. Hope Township; Isaae and Thad- dens are at home and both single. Mr. and Mrs. S. and three of the children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In polities Mr. S. -was formerly a Whig, and east his first vote for Henry Clay, and is now a staneh Republiean.

. Mr. Stubblefield is in all respects a worthy repre- sentative of the family so well and widely known

in this seetion of the State. He has been a man of energy and enterprise, and has received the just reward of his labors in a handsome competeney, and a high position in his community. He has been the eneourager and supporter of everything ealeulated to promote the welfare of the county, morally, socially, educationally and religiously.

The homestead of our subjeet is finely located, and is the observed of all travelers throughout this seetion. The residenee eommands a fine loeation ; the grounds are commodious and tastefully ar- ranged, and within and without there are abundant indieations of eultivated tastes and ample means. Mr. Stubblefield has contributed his full quota to- ward the development of the resourees of the Prai- rie State, and is deserving of the esteem in which he is held as one of its most valued eitizens.

E DWARD M. BROWN, a goodly land-owner and sueeessful farmer of Money Creek Township, has his residenee on seetion 14 He is the son of Robert and Sheridan (MeGinnis) Brown, natives of Kentucky and Ireland respect- ively. After their marriage they settled at Frank- fort, Ky., whenee they removed to Morgan Coun- ty, Ill., and from there they eame to this eounty, in 1846. They located in Money Creek Township and there lived and labored until their death. 1Ie was a blacksmith by trade and followed the same until he was about thirty-seven years old, when he also engaged in farming and followed those two vo- eations eonneetedly during life. They had five ehildren, two of whom lived to attain the age of man and womanhood-Permelia and Edward M. Permelia departed this life in Money Creek Town- ship when in her twenty-first year.

Edward M. Brown was born in Morgan County, Ill., April 24, 1841, and was but five years old when his parents made their home in this eounty. He was reared upon his father's farm and received what education he possesses in the common sehools. Agriculture has been his voeation during life and Money Creek Township has been his home sinee 1846. He is now the owner of 272g aeres of land,

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all of which is inder an advanced state of cultiva- tion.

Mr. Brown was married in Bloomington, Ill., Aug. 8, 1851, to Laura D. S., daughter of Jolin S. and Sarah (Dunkle) Janes. Mrs. Brown was born in Fayette County, Ohio, Dee. 28, 1839, and by her union with our subjeet nine children have been born-Permelia A., Franeis E., Sarah S., Nellie, Charlie, Mary, John, Willie and Lillie. The last five children died in infancy and the others are liv- ing at home. Mr. Brown has never sought office, preferring to devote his time and attention to the cultivation and improvement of his land and to his own business. In polities he is Republican, and re- ligiously he and his wife are members of the Pres- byterian Church.

AMES STEELE, a prominent and influential eitizen of West Township, besides being an extensive farmer and stock-raiser, carries on general merchandising at Weedman, and is largely identified with the business and industrial interests of this section. He comes from excellent Scottish ancestry and is in all respeets a fine repre- sentative of the sturdy honesty and industry which is characteristic of his raee. He was born in Glas- gow, Scotland, Sept. 20, 1835, being the son of John Steele, and the grandson of John Steele, Sr., who were both natives of Scotland. The latter, who was born in Haddington, entered the English armny when young, in which he received an officer's com- mission. He participated in the principal battles of the Peninsula campaign, and was under Welling- ton at the battle of Waterloo, receiving an honora- ble wound. After the termination of that confliet he emigrated to America, in about 1841, and set- tled among friends near Louisville, Ky., where he departed this life in about 1851, at the advanced age of eighty-five years.

John Steele, Jr., the father of our subjeet, was reared to agricultural pursuits, and continued a resident of his native Isle until 1842. He then joined his father in America, making his first loca- tion with him near Louisville, Ky. Thenee he re- moved to Clark County, Ind., where he followed

farming until his death, which occurred ten years later, in 1852. He had married, in Scotland, Miss Margaret Weir, who was a native of Ayrshire. She accompanied him to the United States, and died in Louisville, Ky. Of their ten children, nine grew to mature years. The two youngest were born in America. -

James Steele, of our sketch, was the second child of his parents, and was seven years of age when they came to this country. He lived with his par- ents until eleven years of age, then went to Indi- ana and began to work out on a farm at $8 per month. In 1853 he came to Sangamon County, Ill., where he worked on a farm for three years. Although not receiving the educational advantages accorded to many boys, he possessed the love of learning, and pursued his studies unaided as well as he could, so that at the expiration of the time mentioned he was well fitted to teach, which he did for several years following. During the years of his farm work he had saved his earnings so that he might pursue his studies, and devoted his winters' mainly to attendance at the district schools, doing: chores for his board. In 1855 he made such good progress that he entered the Illinois State Univer-' sity at Springfield, where he was a classmate of Robert T. Lincoln, in the Preparatory and Fresh- man, and part of the time in the Sophomore class .. He attended this institution until the fall of 1860, with the exception of one term spent as a teacher' in the family of John T. Stewart, and then engaged in teaching elsewhere until he was called to can vass the Sixth Illinois Distriet in the interest of Abra- ham Lincoln and the Republican party. After dis- charging this obligation he continued teaching un- til the fall of 1862.

During the summer of 1862 Mr. Steele raised a company of soldiers, in Menard County, of which he was elected Captain, and which when or- ganized, was named Company K, and assigned to the 115th Illinois Infantry. In less than a year he resigned his commission and took up his former oe- eupation, as teacher in Athens and Sweet Water, Menard County, which he continued for thirteen . years following.

In 1876 Mr. Steele came to Weedman, this eoun- ty, having previously purchased a farm in West

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Township. That same year he purchased the south- east quarter of seetion 11, of what is now West Township, and soon afterward seeured a railroad station on this land. In 1878 he eommeneed buy- ing grain, the following year opened a grocery store, and two years later added a stoek of dry goods to his other inerehandise. He now conducts a large general store, ineluding almost everything required by the farmer and villager, while he still manages his farm intelligently and sueeessfully. He was appointed Postmaster at Weedman in 1879, which position he has held sinee that time. The marriage of James Steele and Miss Saralı Elizabeth Ham, a native of Sangamon County, Ill., took place on the 11th of April, 1861. Mrs. S. was the daughter of Hezekiah and Mary (Arnold) Ham, who were natives of Kentucky and pioneers of Sangamon Connty. Their four living children are John H., Albert H., Laura B. and Minnie. Mrs. Steele de- parted this life at the home of her husband, Jan. 6. 1883. The second marriage of our subjeet oe- eurred in May, 1884, to Miss Emma Hall, who is a native of Menard County, and the daugliter of James P. Ilall. Of this union there has been born one child, a danghter, Inez. Mr. Steele is Presby- terian in religious views, and politically a staneh supporter of the Republican party sinee its organi- zation, in 1856. He was Secretary of the Re- publican Club at Springfield, in 1858, which con- dueted the campaign between Lineoln and Donglas.

M. FUNK, a well-known resident of Bloomington, belongs to a family whose name has been familiar sinee the settlement of MeLean County. He was born in Funk's Grove, Aug. 13, 1836, being the son of Hon. Isaae Funk, and was raised on the home farm, remaining with his parents until twenty-four years of age. He was trained to habits of industry in early childhood, his first labors being on the farm, when at eight years of age he eommeneed to drop corn in the field. His early education commeneed when he six years old, in the log sehool-house with its pun- cheon floor, and seats and desks of slabs, and the huge fireplace which oeeupied nearly one end of the structure. Light was admitted through a square

hole sawed out of the logs, and the window-panes were made of greased paper. Here our subjeet pursued his studies during the winter season, and during the summer, when only nine years old was engaged in herding his father's eattle, whiel em- braeed a large drove, and with which he was often left alone for six weeks at a time. He eould then piek out any one of them from a drove of 1,000. In connection with this duty he always rode a pony and had many interesting and lively experienees in keeping the drove together. At the age of ten years he took his first trip to Chicago, assisting in driving a drove of eattle to that point. The fol- lowing spring he assisted in driving the last hogs to Chicago which were taken through overland from MeLean County, being accompanied by his father and a man named George Stokes. On ae- count of high water in the Kankakee River they could not cross at Kankakee, so they turned and erossed at Morris, swimming the animals and hav- ing only two drowned. They had a spring wagon, the box of which they removed, and took apart the other pieces, which they loaded on a skiff, rowing it aeross, then returned and eaused one horse to swimn besides, and after they had got him safely landed went baek for the other. They recovered the drowned hogs, loaded them into the wagons and took them to Chicago, and Mr. Stokes went on ahead with them as rapidly as possible, so that they would make good soap grease.

Our subjeet eontinned each fall to assist in driv- ing eattle to Chicago until about 1853-54, when they were enabled to ship by rail. When twenty- one years old our subjeet, wishing to add to his store of knowledge, entered the Illinois Wesleyan University , at Bloomington, where he spent three years in study. He returned to the farm, and in the fall of 1864 was married, and began to improve and eultivate the land which his father had set apart for him, and which then amounted to 160 aeres. This he feneed and built a comfortable house upon it.

By the death of his father Mr. Funk came into possession of about 2,000 aeres additional land, which adjoined the first, and he was occupied for ten or eleven years following in raising stoek and eorn and buying and selling. In the meantime he

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erected three tenement houses upon his land, and has given employment to from ten to fifteen men, including his tenants. Later he commeneed rais- ing high-grade cattle, and Berkshire and Poland- China hogs, the proceeds of which have added greatly to his fine ineome. He never plowed over 600 or 700 acres. He ships cattle and hogs to the Eastern market several times a year, and keeps in stock about 400 head of eattle, from 200 to 400 head of hogs and thirty head of horses. The last three years he has turned his attention principally to the breeding of Norman draft horscs.

In 1875 Mr. Funk left the farm and removed to Bloomington, having ereeted an elegant residenee at No. 317 Chestnut street, where he now lives, but still superintends the management of the farm. In connection with this he has been engaged in the drug business for the last six or seven years. Ile is a stoekholder in the First National Bank and in the Walton Plow Company, of Bloomington. He was Supervisor of Funk's Grove Township for four or five years, and at present is a member of the eity School Board. He has large interests in Kansas, with a ranch stoeked with 250 head of three-year- old eattle, which he employs a man to earc for.

Our subject was married, in 1864, to Miss Mary E. Houser, who was the fifth child of Jonathan and Susan (Mason) Houser, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. F. came to Illinois with her parents when a child six years old. They settled first at Randolph Grove, whenee they removed to Bloomington in 1878, and made their home with our subjeet and his wife. Here the father died in 1880 and the mother is still living. The parental household eon- sisted of seven children, five now living-Wilson, Anderson, Mary, John and Mrs. Isabell Reetor. Mr. and Mrs. F. have two children-Graee S. and Dwight J. Laura died in 1881, when eleven years of age. Mr. Funk is Republican in politics, and socially belongs to the A. F. & A. M., and the Royal Arcanum. He and his wife are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, of Bloom- ' ington, to the support of which they contribute liberally and cheerfully.

The changes which our subjeet has witnessed dur- ing a busy and eventful life would make au inter- esting volume. The family name is held in honor

far and wide, and will go down to sueecssive gen- erations long after the bodies of its founders have crumbled into dust. No more enduring monunient could be erected than a history of their deeds and virtues, which their descendants and others may read and profit by.

SAAC FUNK, one of the leading farmers and stock dealers of McLcan County, is widely and favorably known throughout this section, as senior member of a family who have distinguished themselves by their industry and energy of char- acter, their straightforward business methods, and excellence as citizens, neighbors and friends. The subject of this history was born on the 13th of May. 1844, in Funk's Grove Township. His par- ents were Isaae and Cassandra (Sharp) Funk, whose biographies appcar in another part of this work.

Isaac Funk was reared on his father's farm and began to assist in herding stoek, numbering all the way from one to 2,000 head, when a lad eight years old. Two years previously he commenced attending sehool, and pursued his studies winters, being engaged on the farm in the summer time until twenty years of age. The war being then in progress, he enlisted in the 146th Illinois Infantry, serving for one year, until the 20th of March, 1865. His father had dicd in January of that year, and our subject made a spceial application to President Lincoln for a discharge, which was granted. He then returned home and with the other brothers carried on the farm for three years. In the winter of 1866 he attended Wesleyan University, where he remained for a ycar, then returning to the farm he was occupied there until the fall of 1881. In the meantime, on the 28th of October, 1869, he was married to Miss Frances Correll, a native of Sangamon County, and the daughter of Thomas and Sarah (McDaniel) Correll, of Kentucky. They removed from the Blue Grass region to Illinois in 1832, and settled on a farm in Sangamon County. The family in- eluded eight children, of whom Mrs. Funk was the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Funk became the parents of four children, threc now living-Arthur C.,

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Lawrence P. and Helen F. The second ehild, Mabel, was born in 1873, and died when eight months old.

In the fall of the year 1881 Mr. Funk pur- ehased the fine residence on East Chestnut and Prairie streets, which he oeeupies winters and goes to the farm in summers. He owns 2,260 aeres of land in Funk's Grove Township, and is largely en- gaged as a dealer in live stock. He lias upon the farm 130 head of Norman and other fine horses, and also 400 head of eattle. He lias upon this vast extent of territory, four tenement houses which are occupied by the employes who look after the stoek and attend to the other necessary duties on the farm. The land which comprises this valuable es- tate, is highly improved and cultivated, the greater portion being enelosed with a board fenee. Mr. Funk gives his chief attention to the buying and selling of eattle and horses, and as a breeder, has attained an enviable reputation. Aside from his valuable farming and stoek-breeding interests, he is identified with various other important enter- prises calculated to advance the growthi and pros- perity of this seetion. Ile is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Bloomington. In polities he is a staneh Republican, socially belongs to the Masonie fraternity and the G. A. R., and aside from his duties as a citizen, is one of the most genial and kind-hearted of men, who has made many friends, and is held in the highest respeet by all classes of the community.

P HI. HILL, druggist of Heyworth, estab- lished his business there in 1879. He has since that time industriously devoted him- self to the requirements of his business, and has been successful in building up a lucrative and steadily inereasing trade. In 1885 he put up the largest briek building in the place, and has in all respeets a finely appointed store.

Mr. Hill was born in Holmes County, Ohio, Feb. 3, 1850. His father, Samuel Hill, was a native of Washington County, Pa., and came to Ohio when a young man, where he was married, in Holmes County, to Miss Permelia Edgar, a native of that

county. Both were of excellent Seottish aneestry, and the father engaged in farming pursuits. After the birth of four children, of whom our subject was the youngest, the family, in 1864, eame to Illi- nois, and loeating in Heyworth the father pur- chased a stoek of general merchandise and engaged in trade. He was thus oeeupied until 1871, at which time he retired from aetive business. Ile departed this life on the 4th of May. 1881; the mother's death had occurred previously, Nov. 26, 1870. Of their four children, three are living, as follows: Capt. J. E. Hill is a stock-dealer of Bea- triee, Neb., and was married to Miss Laura Stew- art; Annie M. is the wife of Nathan Low, and they reside in Heyworth; Alexander died when only three years of age.

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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 139

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