Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 140

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 140

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Samuel Hill, the father of our subject, was a Demoerat of the Jackson school. Ile was elected Justice of the Peace at the early age of twenty-twc, and served as such in Ohio about twenty years, and was also County Commissioner of Defianee Coun- ty, Ohio. He was also, during his residence in Heyworth, a Ruling Elder of the Presbyterian Church. He was likewise one of the organizers of the Heyworth school district, and at the time of his death President of the Board of Education.

After completing his education in this eounty, Mr. Hill, the subject of this sketeh, followed teaeli- ing for a period of elght years. He had attended Wesleyan University two years, and while teaching gave his leisure hours to the study of pharmacy. In this he was greatly interested and it seemed adapted to his tastes, and he has been sueeessful in his operations in connection therewith. The build- ing which he ereeted and in which is located his store and adjoining rooms, contains the Town Hall, which oeeupies the upper floor, and is 40x80 feet in area. Besides his village property, he also owns 160 aeres of land on section 4, in Randolph Towu- ship. Of this Mr. Hill is sole manager; superin- tends its improvements and has a general oversight of the operations eondueted thereon. As may be supposed his time is all oeeupied, but he is equal to the emergeney, being of that energetie and in- dustrious temperament which is able to accomplish mueh in a brief space of time.

Mr. Hill was married on the 5th of June, 1873,

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to Miss Maggie B., the daughter of J. E. Wake- field, of Randolph Township, the wedding taking place in Ileyworth. Mrs. Hill was born in Ran- dolph Township, July 6, 1853, and completed her education at Steubenville, Ohio. Of her union with our subject there have been born four children -Myrtle E., A.[ Fern, Raymond C., and one who died in infaney. Mr. Hill is Demoeratie in poli- ties, and with his wife is a member in good stand- ing of the Presbyterian Church.

AMUEL STRAWN, who has been an hon- ored eitizen of MeLean County for a per- iod of over seventeen years, owns and oc- eupies a valuable farm estate in Blooming- ton Township, on seetion 21, where he is sueeess- fully engaged in general farming. His homestead consists of 107 aeres, and besides this he operates 249₺ acres in another part of the county.

Mr. Strawn was born in Greene County, Pa., on the 14th of November, 1839, and remained in his native State until he was fifteen years old. Then, in the fall of 1854, his parents' family emigrated to the State of Illinois, and locating in La Salle County, established a comfortable home where the old folk still live, the possessors of a fine property. The parents of our subject were John R. aud Ade- line (Danee) Strawn, natives of the same county and State as their son, and engaged there in farm- ing pursuits. John Strawn was born in 1812, and his wife, Adeline, two years later. Samuel Strawn was the eldest of his parents' children, and re- mained with them until he was about thirty years old. He then came to this county, and since that time has been elosely identified with its industrial and business interests.

The marriage of Samuel Strawn and Miss Hester J. Knapp took place in Fulton County, Ill., on the 27th of December, 1874. Mrs. Strawn was born in Logan County, Ill., Dee. 11, 1850, and was the daughter of Porter and Martha (Brittenhaur) Knapp, natives respectively of New York and Ohio. They were married in Madison County, the latter State, whence they removed to Fulton County, Ill., in 1851, where the father died eleven years

later, in the city of Canton. Ile was a shoemaker by trade, an honest, industrious and highly re- spected citizen. The mother is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Strawn, and is sixty-nine years old.

Of the union of Samuel Strawn and his wife there were born five children, one of whom, John, is deceased. Those living are: Fred L., Mattie A., Speneer N. and Alice L., the latter twins. Mr. and Mrs. Strawn have "pulled together" in their efforts to secure a permanent and comfortable home and are now reaping the reward of their self-saeri- fiee and industry. They have an attractive farm residence, good barns and out-buildings, and all the appliances of a first-class country estate. Mr. Strawn, politically, is an uneompromising Demoerat and a loyal citizen, actively interested in every- thing that pertains to the welfare of his community.

W ALTER W. ROGERS, a wealthy and enter- prising farmer of Normal Township, is a fine illustration of the industrions business man, who has improved his opportunities, kept his eyes open to what was going on around him and has profited thereby. As a citizen he is held in high esteem, on account of his courteous demeanor toward all, and his excellent traits of character. He has occupied his present homestead only about five years, but in that time has made $10,000 worth of improvements, and it is now one of the most at- tractive spots in the landscape of MeLean County. IIe has a beautiful residence, good barns and out- buildings, and all the appliances for the shelter of stoek, the storing of grain and the carrying on of agriculture in a first-class manner. The homestead invariably attraets the eye of the traveler passing through this section, and reflects great eredit upon its proprietor as being a model home in every re- speet. 4

Mr. Rogers is a native of Kinderhook, Columbia Co., N. Y., and was born April 4, 1841. His fa- ther, John Rogers, was a native of the same county, and in early life engaged in the manufacture of prints. He then became oeeupied in general iner-

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chandising, which yielded him a handsome compe- tency, and now, although having attained the ad- vaneed age of eighty-eight years, is engaged in banking in his native county. The mother of our subject, Eliza (Shipman) Rogers, was born in the same county and State as her husband and son and is still living, being seventy-eight years of age. Of , this household there were but two children-Martha, who married Edmund S. Best, and resides on the homestead with her parents, and the subject of our sketch, who was the elder.

Mr. Rogers entered upon his primary studies in the common schools of his native town and after- ward attended the old Hadley Academy of New Amherst, Mass. He also took a course at Claverack Institute in Columbia County, being the first student to occupy a room in the building, and later studied in Kinderhook Academy. Finally, on ac- count of failing health, he was obliged to leave school, weighing only 115 pounds when seventeen years of age. It was then thought that a change of elimate would be beneficial and young Rogers accordingly came West. After a few months spent in Bloomington, he weighed 152 pounds and once more experienced the delights of perfeet health. Ile returned home and spent the winter and came back in the spring to Bloomington, where for nearly three years afterward he was book-keeper for Mr. E. S. Benjamin, engaged in general merchandising.

In 1863, Walter W. Rogers was united in mar- riage with Miss Caroline, daughter of William H. Allen of Bloomington, and a native of this eity. After marriage the young people went to New York, where our subject engaged in farming near his native place for the following five years. He then removed into the village of Valatie in the same county, where he resided fourteen years, after which he was engaged in looking after the landed interests of his father in the Western States and Territories. In 1882 he returned to Illinois and settled upon the farm which he now owns and oc- eupies. IFere he has 200 acres of valuable land, the cultivation of which he superintends, and also still continues as the agent of his father. His stock con- sists of Hambletonian and Norman horses and Jer- sey and Holstein cattle. Of this business he has a thorough understanding and exhibits some of the

finest animals to be found along the Mississippi Valley.

Mr. Rogers in early life took a great interest in polities but has now practically abandoned it, al- though he uniformly casts his vote in support of the principles of the Democratic party. Religiously he was reared a Quaker and adheres to the faith which was taught him from his earliest childhood. He is in all respects fulfilling the obligations of a good citizen and numbers hosts of warın friends in this part of MeLean County.

C HIARLES E. HAYWARD, M. D., represents the medical profession at Cropsey, where he has been located since the spring of 1881. He is a native of the Prairie State and was born in Brimfield, Peoria County, Feb. 10, 1853. Ilis parents, Charles and Harriett Hayward, were na- tives of England, aud emigrated to the United States in 1851, settling in Peoria County, where the father engaged in mercantile business at Brim- field. From there, in 1857, they removed to Wood- ford County, and located on a farm near El Paso. There Charles Hayward, Sr., became the owner of a farın, but only applied himself to agricultural pur- suits for a few years. After selling his land he re- moved to Minonk, and pursued his former business of a merchant, which he continued until 1876, when having arrived at an advanced age, he retired from active labor. He now resides at El Paso in the en- joyment of the competency which he accumulated during his earlier years of active enterprise and in- dustry. His first wife, the mother of our subject, died in November, 1853, leaving five children : Stephen K .; Elizabeth, now the wife of William Edwards; Edward; Annette, now Mrs. William Renord, and our subjeet, who at the time was not a year old. The father was again married, in 1854, to Miss Cordelia Gilbert. The result of this union was one child, a daughter, Jessie, now the wife of S. W. Smith of Cropsey.

The subject of this history received a good com- mon-school and literary education, and when nine- teen years of age, commenced reading medicine in the office of Drs. Wilcox & Blanchard, of Minonk.

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He took his first course of leetures in the winter of 1875, at Rush Medieal College, Chieago, from which he graduated in the spring of 1877. After receiving his diploma, he located in Morton, Taze- well County, whenee, in 1881, he removed to Crop- sey, which has sinee been his home and where he has built up a flattering patronage.

Dr. Hayward was married at Morton, Tazewell County, in 1880, to Miss Sylvia C., daughter of Joseph L. and Mary (Seeley ) Ilay ward. Mrs. H. was born at Morton, and by her marriage with our sub- jeet, has beeome the mother of two children- Louise and Eugenia. Aside from the ineome de- rived from his praetiee Dr. Hayward is a member of the firm of Loar & Hayward, who are carrying on a thriving drug business at Cropsey. The Doetor oeeupies a high position among his professional brethren in this locality, and socially enjoys the confidenee and esteem of a large eirele of friends and aequaintanees.

W >ILLIAM BROWN. On section 15, in Downs Township, lies a snug farm of eighty acres, finely improved and in a good state of eultivation, and which invariably attraets the eye of the passing traveler as being the home of thrift and prosperity, and under the supervision of an intelligent and enterprising proprietor. This pretty and comfortable homestead -is the property of the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketeh. He has been a resident of this eounty and township sinee the spring of 1853, and sinee taking possession of his present homestead has brought about many improvements, among them a tasteful and substantial dwelling, handsomely fin- ished after the most approved style.

Mr. Brown studied his first lessons in the schools of his native township, and completed his education in Wesleyan University at Bloomington, He afterward engaged in the hardware and grocery trade at Le Roy. In this he was very successful. Being of an inventive turn of mind, in 1873 he patented the well-known Brown Hog Ring and Ringer. He obtained his first patent the following year, subsequently improved and repatented it,

and after still further improvement started manufactory in Le Roy and controlled the whole business until 1875. He then received what he considered a good priee for his patent and sold it, but afterward found that he had parted with it for far less than its real valne, and had allowed a small fortune to slip out of his hands. This eontrivanee has sinee been manufactured and sold at great profit. After disposing of this Mr. Brown also sold out his hardware business and going to La Fayette, Ind., engaged as a traveling salesman for the firm of Harding, Barber & Co., manufacturers of ornamental feneing, ete. He was thus engaged two years, then returned to Le Roy and began business on his own aeeount in the grocery trade, which he carried on for some years and until lie purchased his present farm, in the fall of 1885. This he_has sinee operated successfully and is bringing it to the condition of a first-class modern farm estate.

Mr. Brown was only thirteen years of age when his mother died and sinee that time he has been battling for himself. Ile eame to Le Roy in 1869. His father, Elijah Brown, earried on the hardware trade in Zanesville, Ohio, for some years and at the same time was engaged in farming. He finally re- moved to Kingman, Kan., and died there in 1881. The parents of our subjeet were natives of Ohio, but of German deseent and parentage. The mother before her marriage was Miss Rebecca Peck. Our subjeet was the youngest but two of a family of three sons and four daughters, one of the latter be- ing now deceased. Those living are married and settled in comfortable homes. Two brothers, John W. and George P., served as soldiers of the Union, enlisting in an Illinois company. One was in the Army of the Potomac, the other in the Army of the West. George P. was wounded, being shot through both knees. He was in the last battle of the war and present at the time of Lee's surrender. He is now a traveling salesman for Marshall Field of Chicago.

William D. Brown was united in marriage with Miss Laura Barnett on the 21st of January, 1873, in the village of Le Roy. Mrs. B. was born and reared in MeLean County, of which her parents were among the earliest settlers. Her father opened

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one of the first stores at Le Roy, keeping a stoek of general merchandise, suited to all the needs of the pioneers both for the houseliold and farm. The name of her father was Thomas J. Barnett and her mother before her marriage was Miss Emeline Gibb. The latter was a graduate of Oberlin College, Ohio, and is now living in Le Roy, being sixty- nine years of age. Thomas Barnett departed this life at Le Roy, Sept. 1, 1882, and the latter part of his life lived in retirement.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown have one eliild only, a son, Orrin. Both our subjeet and his wife are members in good standing of the Baptist Church, and politi- eally Mr. Brown is a solid Republican.

W ILLIAM PFITZENMEYER, a well-to-do and an enterprising German citizen of Empire Township, was born in the village of GroszAspaeh, in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 14, 1827. He is the son of Joshua and Catherine l'fitzenmeyer, who spent their entire lives upon a farm in their native land. In accordance with the laws and customs of his native country, our sub- . jeet eommeneed attending school at a very early age, and continued his studies until fourteen years old. He then served two years at briek-making, after which he worked as a journeyman at a salary of $30 per year. Not being satisfied with his eon- dition or his prospeets in his native land, he de- eided to emigrate to the United States, and in May, 1848, set sail from the city of Antwerp. After a voyage of forty-two days he landed in New York, whenee he eame directly to Illinois, loeating first at Pulaski. The trip from New York was made via the Hudson River to Albany, by rail to Buffalo, and by the lakes to Cleveland. Thenee he proceeded to the Ohio River, by that and the Illi- nois to Pekin. He worked at his trade in Pulaski, and was soon enabled to pay the debt which he had eontraeted in order to come to America. After four or five years he became a resident of Bloom- ington, and in 1854 returned to the old eountry to

visit among his old friends and acquaintances. He also attended to some important business while there, namely, the taking unto himself a partner and helpmeet, in the person of Miss Sophia C. II. Ruter, to whom he was married on the 27th of March, 1855. The young couple soon set sail for the new home, which the husband had prepared in Le Roy, this county, where they remained, how- ever, only one year and a half. Mr. P. then pur- eliased five aeres of wild land, which was the be- ginning of his present homestead. This land was covered with hazel brush and stumps. lle ereeted a small frame house in accordance with his means, and commeneed the manufacture of brick, which he has continued sueeessfully sinee that time. By adhering to his first purpose of living within his ineome, he soon found himself with quite a little capital at his disposal. This he invested in real estate, and from time to time purchased small tracts of land until he is now the possessor of 210 aeres, upon which he lias ereeted a fine briek dwelling and frame barn. These and other improve- ments rank with the best in the county, and while still carrying on his briek manufactory he has en- gaged sueeessfully in general agriculture and stock- raising. A view of his place is shown in this vol- ume.

The wife of our subjeet was born in Eibensbaeh, Wurtemberg, Germany, Jan. 18, 1827, and is the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Beilhartz) Ruter, both natives of the same Provinee. Her father was a teacher in the publie sehools for a period of sixteen years, and a member of the Teachers' Association there, from whichi his widow now draws a pension. Mr. and Mrs. P. became the parents of two children, of whom only one is now living, a son, Hugo G. Their first-born, a daugh- ter, whose birth occurred April 9, 1857, met her death by falling into a well and drowning, on the 10th of July, 1862. Our subject and his wife were reared in the doetrines of the Lutheran Church. Mr. P., politieally, is a staneh supporter of the Demoeratie party.

Four sisters of our subjeet emigrated to America after his arrival here. A brother of Mrs. P. came in about 1854, and after a brief residenee in Mon- treal eame to Bloomington, where at the eommenee-,

RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH JENNINGS , SEC. 4., PADUA TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF WM PFITZENMEYER , SEC. 28., EMPIRE TOWNSHIP.

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ment of the war he joined the engineer corps of Col. Bissel, and died in the United States service at Vicksburg.

OSEPH JENNINGS, one of the most suc- "cessful farmers and stock-raisers of Padua Township, has for many years given special attention to the breeding of Short-horn cattle, in which business he has made for himself an enviable reputation. He is a gentleman of great energy and industry and nothing pleases him more than to see everything about him in a thriving and prosperous condition, whether it pertains to his ,own premises or to his community and county at large. He has been a resident of MeLean County since the spring of 1865, and is now the owner of 560 broad acres of the best land in Padua Town- ship. This is all improved and supplied with a shapely and substantial set of farm buildings. The residence is a handsome and convenient modern structure, finely located, and invariably attracts the attention of the passing traveler. This ALBUM is embellished with a view of this dwelling and its surroundings. The farm with its appurtenances constitutes one of the prettiest spots in the land- scape of MeLean County and indicates in all respects the supervision of the intelligent and pro- gressive farmer.

Mr. Jennings is a descendant of excellent En- glish and Irish ancestry and is the son of Jolin Jennings, who was born in the Empire State, of which our subject is also a native, having been born in Niagara County, May 17, 1818. When about five years of age the parents removed from Niagara to Erie County, locating on a farm where the mother died a few years later. The father then came to Illinois and settled in Tazewell County, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the home of his son, our subject, in the fall of 1864. The mother before her marriage was Miss Polly Sherman.

Joseph Jennings grew to manhood in Erie County, N. Y., receiving a fair education in the common schools. He was married Jan. 12, 1845, to Miss Polly, daughter of John and Lucinda (Dewey) Arnold, natives of Hartford, Washing-

ton Co., N. Y. There they were both reared and after marriage removed to the southern part of Erie County, N. Y., settling on a farm in Collins Township, where all their children were born. Of these Mrs. J. was the third child and second daugh- ter, in a family of four sons and three daughters. The parents late in life removed to Illinois, where the mother died in Tazewell County, Aug. 20, 1865. The father afterward removed to Peoria, where he departed this life in about 1866.

Our subject and his wife first located upon a farm in Erie County, N. Y., where five of their children 'were born. In 1857 they came to this State, locating on a new farm of 160 acres in Taze- well County, which remained their home until they came to this county. Here three children were added to the home circle; one is deceased.

Their family record is as follows: Malinda be- came the wife of George Wells, a farmer of Pax- ton, Ford Co., Ill .; Josephine married William Murphy, a farmer of Woodbury County, Iowa; Emeline married Howard Larue, a lumber dealer of Corning, lowa; Rebecca, Mrs. Oliver Story, resides with her husband on a farm in Blue Mound Town- ship; Lucinda, Willis and James are all living on farms in Martin Township; Sarah, who married John Dickey, a farmer, lives in Belleflower Town- ship; Wilford remains with his parents and assists his father in conducting the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically our subject is identified with the Republican party ..

G EORGE KIRK, one of the most highly re- spected citizens and successful farmers of Belleflower Township, is a native of Mason County, Ky., and was born Aug. 24, 1843. His father, Benedict Kirk, was a native of Maryland, and descended from excellent Scotch-Irish anees- try. Benedict was but one year old when his par- ents removed from Maryland to Kentucky, where they were among the earliest pioneers, and there his father died. His widow, the grandmother of our subject, afterward removed to Rush County. Ind., where she spent the remainder of her life. lIer

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sou Benedict grew to manhood in Mason County, Ky., where he married, purchased a farm and es- tablished a permanent homestead, and where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring Jan. 25, 1887. Benedict Kirk was up to the time of the, war one of the most prominent farmers and stockmen in Mason County, Ky. Being an un- compromising Union man he lost heavily in con- sequence of the war. The mother of our subject before her marriage was Miss Ellen Curtis, who was born and spent her entire life in Mason County, Ky. Her death occurred over thirty years before her husband, on the 20th of March, 1855. Their seven children were named James N., John, Maggie, George, Rochester B., Robert and Charles. Mag- gie became Mrs. Joseph Wood, and lives in Mason County. Ky .; Robert C. is a resident of Maysville, Mason Co., Ky., and in fact all the family are resi- dents of the latter-named county except our sub- ject.

George Kirk remained under the home roof un- til 1861. The Civil War being then in progress lie enlisted in November of that year in Company L, 2d Kentucky Cavalry, and was in active service three years and three months. IIe was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and was at Chicka- mauga, and was taken prisoner just prior to the battle of Murfreesboro. Ile performed his duties as a soldier in a brave and faithful manner, and was honorably discharged in February, 1865. His com- pany served as escort to Gen. Nelson for some time, and later for Phil Sheridan. Our subject was present at various minor engagements, but escaped unharmed.

After his return from the army Mr. Kirk resumed farming in his native county, in the Blue Grass regions, of which he remained a resident until 1868. Ile then went to a point near Louisville, where he engaged in agriculture and also dealt in fancy horses. In 1874 he came to this county, first rent- ing a farın in Mt. Hope Township, and in the fall of the year purchased 100 acres of land in Belle- flower Township, which constitutes his present homestead. He has brought about a great change from its original condition, the land being now all improved, and he has erected a good set of frame buildings. In 1882 he purchased the northeast quar-

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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 140

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