Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 142

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 142

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Mrs. Ellsworth remained under the home roof until her marriage, assisting her parents in the la- bors of the farm and household duties. By her marriage with our subjeet she became the mother of eight children, of whom the record is as follows :

Kineheon, who married Miss Mary J. Bishop, and they live on a farm in Downs Township; William S. married the adopted daughter of William Elders, and is engaged in butchering in Ileyworth ; James M., deceased; Emily became the wife C. I. Me- Combs, a farmer and blacksmith of Downs Town- ship; C. Walter married Miss Minnie Candle, and is carrying on a real-estate business at Wiehita, Kan .; E. W. is unmarried, and does business with his brother, C. W., in Kansas, and Mary B. is the wife of John Crookshank, and resides with her fa -. ther on the old homestead.

After marriage Mr. Ellsworth staid in St. Clair County until the fall of 1859, when he removed with his family to MeLean County, and located in Downs Township, where he has sinee lived. He at one time owned considerable land. The homestead embraces 170 aeres, in a good state of cultivation, with a handsome and convenient residence and all necessary out-buildings. He is considered one of the representative men of this eounty, being enter- prising and industrious, prompt to meet his obli- gations, and in all respeets is fulfilling the duties of a good citizen. Mrs. Ellsworth is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Chureli, and our subjeet, po- litically, affiliates with the Republican party.

P ETER R. NAFFZINGER owns and oeeu- pies a fine homestead in Montgomery Township, Woodford County, where he lives retired from active labor, the farm being managed by his son. The subject of our sketeh is a native of Germany, born Oet. 11, 1824. His parents were Peter and Barbara (Beek) Naff- zinger, natives of Germany, the father born Feb. 23, 1789, and the mother in 1796. They were married March 8, 1812, and ten years later emi- grated to the United States. They landed in New York City, whenee they proceeded to Canada, where they remained three years, then returned to the States and located in Butler County, Ohio. There Mr. N. purchased forty aeres of land, which he cultivated and upon which he lived until 1843. He then removed to Woodford County, Ill., where his death oeeurred in September, 1885. The fol-

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lowing children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Naffzinger: Elizabeth, who married Michael Kist- ler; Jacob, who married Magdalena Rokie; Mag- dalena, who became the wife of Michael Kinzinger; Barbara, who became Mrs. Daniel Otto; Phebe, Mrs. Christian Seheattler; Peter R., of our sketch; Catherine, who married Michael Zimmerman; Val- entine married Miss Elizabeth Stiger. The parents were connected with the Mennonite Church.

The subject of this history was but two years of age when his parents came to America. He was reared at home; educated in the common schools, and remained under the parental' roof until his marriage, which occurred in Woodford County, Ill., Jan. 26, 1851. The lady of his choice was Miss Magdalena, the daughter of Joseph and Bar- bara (Rokie) Ingle, natives of Germany, where they were married in 1816. Joseph and Barbara Ingle became the parents of eight children-Jos- eph, Catherine, Barbara, Magdalena, Mary, Chris- tian, and two who died in infancy unnamed. They also are members of the Mennonite Church.

After his marriage, Mr. Naffzinger purchased 100 acres of good land, upon which he erected a handsome and substantial farm dwelling, which he still occupies. He subsequently added to his orig- inal purchase and now has 200 acres of good and productive land.

Mr. and Mrs. N. became the parents of ten cliil- dren, of whom Barbara and Mary are deceased; Catherine became the wife of Samuel Garber; Val- entine married Miss Susan Knapple; Joseph is de- ceased; Benjamin married Miss Florence MeLach- lin; Phebe is deceased; Samuel, Rosa and Anna are at home. Our subject and his wife belong to the Menuonite Church, and politically Mr. Naff- zinger is a staneh Democrat. During the late war he was drafted into the army, but seeured a sub- stitute and returned home.

G EORGE McNAUGHT, deceased, was one of the most substantial business men of Lex- ington, where he was engaged for a number 1 of years. He was a native of Owen County, Ind., born near Indianapolis, Jan. 17, 1812, his parents

being Thomas and Catherine (Bartholomew) Mc- Naught, the former a native of the North of Seot- land, and the latter the daughter of Gen. Bartholo- mew who fought under Gen. Harrison in the battle of Tippecanoe.

Thomas MeNaught, the father of our subject, emigrated to America when a young man, before his marriage. George was the first born son and one of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daugh- ters, twelve of whom lived to become men and women who married and had families of their own. Of these seven still survive. The father removed to Indiana at an early period in the history of the State. Our subject only enjoyed the advantages of a nine months' edneation in school, but he was fond of reading and through his own exertions be- came a fair scholar and well informed upon all mat- ters of general interest. He remained under the home roof until he attained to y'ears of manhood and in August, 1839, was united in marriage with Miss Naney, the daughter of Col. John and Mary Franklin. In the fall of 1840 our subject made his first trip to MeLean County, and purchased from Gen. Bartholomew a traet of land three miles west of Lexington. He then returned to Indiana after his family and the following spring took pos- session of his purchase, where he became success- fully engaged as an agriculturist and stock-trader. This was before the time of railroads, and during the first year he drove his animals to Chicago- which was then a small town. [He continued in this business, shipping later by railroad, until his death, which occurred May 25, 1864.

Mr. and Mrs. MeNaught had become the parents of six sons, all of whom were living at the time of his death. John T. is now deceased; James, who has become prominent as a law practitioner, is attorney for the Northern Pacific Railroad and re- sides at Seattle, the Queen City of Washington Territory, where he has accumulated a fine prop- erty ; M. Frank is in the grain and stock business in Southwestern Kansas; George W. is engaged in mercantile pursuits in the northern part of Iowa ; William N., of Lexington, is engaged in the hard- ware trade and also conducts the business of his farm; Joseph F. is the partner of his brother James in Washington Territory ; John T., deccased, left a

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wife and son, Elza, the latter being an importer of and dealer in Norman horses at Normal.

After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Mc- Naughit was married to Dr. J. L. Brook, an old physician and druggist, who departed this life in September, 1867. Mrs. B. was then married in 1870 to Rev. Butler, who was a pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty-five years, and who died Oct. 16, 1886. He was a most efficient minister and highly esteemed by all who knew him.

E DIAS, one of the prominent cigar manufact- urers of Bloomington, established his present business in 1875, and is located in the Royce Block at No. 103 East Front street, and also No: 103 North Main street. Mr. Dias was born in England in 1842, and is the son of Elisha and Rachel (Noble) Dias, who were of English birth and ancestry and emigrated to the United States in 1856, landing on the 4th of January, and soon afterward settled in Boston, Mass. Elisha Dias was an appraiser and auctioneer and died in Cam- bridgeport in 1865. The mother departed this life in Boston the year of their arrival here. Of their family of nine children, only three are living: Priseilla and Rebecca, the latter of whom is married, and both are residents of Detroit, Mich., and our subject. '

Young Dias received his early education in the schools of his native country and soon after com- ing to the United States commeneed to do for liim- self. He was first employed by S. & J. Myers of Boston and then engaged to learn cigar-making, serving an apprenticeship of three years. The war then coming on, he enlisted as a soldier in the 3d Massachusetts Infantry, serving a three months' term and then re-enlisted in the 38th Massachusetts and served for two and one-half years. He partici- pated in several battles and skirmislies and was slightly wounded at Winchester. Soon after enter- ing the army he was promoted Corporal and served bravely and faithfully until the close of the war.

After his retirement from the army Mr. Dias went to St. John's, N. B., and was foreman of a cigar manufactory there for four years. Thence

he went to Detroit and engaged in business for himself until 1872. Selling out he proceeded to South Bend, Ind., and engaged in the manufacture of cigars from 1870 to 1875. Ile then came to Bloomington and established his present business. From a modest beginning he has made good pro- gress and now employs sixteen men, keeping one on the road continuously.

Our subject was married in 1870 to Miss Estlier, daughter of Daniel J. and Amelia (Solomon) Holland, natives of England. Mrs. D. was born in New York City and of her marriage with our subject there have been born four children-Alex- ander E., Amelia R. Henry N., and Rachel, deceased. Their pleasant and comfortable home is located at No. 601 East Jackson street, and they enjoy the friendship and association of some of the best people in the city. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Moses Montefiore (Hebrew) Congregation, and in politics our subject uniformly casts liis vote with the Republican party. Socially he belongs to the Order of Red Men and to the B'nai B'ritli.

AMES H. SCOTT, a resident of this county since the spring of 1880, and a prosperous and well-to-do farmer living on section 7, Towanda Township, is an offspring of Sain- uel and Nancy (Biggs) Seott. The father was born in Virginia, in 1777, and the mother, in 1787, in what is now Monroe County, III. James Scott, grandfather of our subject, emigrated from Ken- tueky to Illinois and settled in St. Clair County. There Samuel Scott was reared to manhood on his father's farm. It was during this time that Will- iam Biggs, father of our subject's mother, came to this State from Georgia and settled in Monroe County. While acting as Sheriff of that county Mr. Biggs, while on his way to Kaskaskia, Ill., with a load of furs, was attacked and taken prisoner by the Indians and held as such at what is now Vin- cennes, Ind., for about nine months. During his absence the mother of our subject was born, the year being 1787.

Our subject's parents were married in St. Clair County, Ill., and there reared a family of eleven

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children, all of whom are deecased exeept two: John M., Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois, and the other, James H., subjeet of this notice. Samuel Seott departed this life in 1837, and his good wife survived him until 1861, when she erossed the river to meet him on the other shore.

The subject of this notice was born near Turkey Hill, St. Clair Co., Ill., Oet. 20, 1821. He was reared to manhood on his father's farm, and re- ceived a good education in the common schools. Living with the old folk until 1849, engaged the while in agricultural pursuits, he then made an overland trip to California, for the purpose of re- plenishing an almost empty exehequer, by mining. On the route they were attacked onee or twice by Indians, but eseaped without loss of life, and his party were among the first trains to arrive in Cali- fornia from the States after the discovery of gold. They arrived at Sacramento City, July 23, 1849, having been eighty-seven days on the route from St. Joseph, Mo. Our subjeet remained in Califor- nia for about two years, meeting with moderate sueeess, and then returned via the Isthmus to New Orleans, thenee to St. Louis, and from there baek to St. Clair County. Again lie engaged in farming, and was thus oceupied in that eounty until the spring of 1880, when he eame to this county. He was the owner of quite an extensive farm in St. Clair County, together with considerable stoek, farm implements, ete., and disposing of them, he on his arrival here purchased 272 aeres of good land in Towanda Township, the same being known as the " Dunean farm," where he at present resides, and is extensively engaged in farming and stoek- raising.

Mr. Seott was married in St. Clair County, Ill., April 27, 1853, to Miss Eliza C., daughter of Will- iam and Barbara (Teter) Rutherford, natives of Kentucky and Virginia respectively, and both of whom departed this life in St. Clair County, his de- mise oeeurring in 1849, and hers in 1864. They had six sons and seven daughters. Mrs. Seott was born in St. Clair County, Ill., Jan. 4, 1830, and by her union with our subjeet two children have been born-Millard and Anne E. Millard married Miss Belle Begole, a relative of ex-Governor Begole, of

Michigan, and they are living in Towanda Town- ship, having become the parents of one child, Har- riett. Anne is the wife of J. H. Falkingham, and they are also living in Towanda Township. Mr. Seott, while a resident of St. Clair County, held the office of Justice of the Peace for sixteen years. Sinee coming to this eounty he has served one term as Supervisor of Towanda Township. He and 'his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially our subjeet belongs to the Masonie fraternity. In politics he was a Demoerat until the birth of the Prohibition, party, sinee which time he has voted for its suceess, and believes it a sin against God, and humanity to vote a man the right to sell liquor by lieense.

W ILLIAM HANNA. On seetion 21, Yates Township, may be found the pleasant homestead of the subject of this sketelı, which he established in 1874, and where he lias lived for many years in the enjoyment of the fruits of industry, and the respeet and confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances. Mr. Hanna was born in County Antrim, in the North of Ireland, in 1836. His parents, James and Naney Hanna, both died in that country. The parental family eonsisted of fifteen ehildren, ten of whom eame to the United States, namely : Isabella, John, James, Mary, Catherine, Jane, Naney, Eliza, Samuel and William. All of these are living, seven residing in Illinois, one in Pennsylvania and two in Nebraska.

William Hanna was born and reared on a farm in his native country, where he resided until about twenty years of age. He emigrated alone to the United States, his first stopping-place being at Phoenixville, Laneaster Co., Pa., where his brother James had preceded him. Young Hanna first engaged in a rolling-mill at that place, where he worked four years. He then started westward, and coming into Illinois, located first in Putnam County, where he worked a few years as a farm laborer. Thenee he went to Winona, in Marshall County, where he rented land for about nine years, meeting with fair sueeess. He then began looking about for a permanent homestead, and coming into

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this county purchased eiglity aeres of land in Che- noa Township, where he made his home for tlie fol- lowing six years, and then selling out he purchased his present farm, in Yates Township. This consists of 160 acres of finely improved land furnished with a good set of farm buildings. His possessions have been the result of liis own industry and per- severauce, and he can look back upon the past with a clear conscience and the satisfaction derived from steady habits and a well-spent life.

The marriage of Mr. Hanna took place in the fall of 1863, the maiden of his choiee being Miss Anna Burns, a native of his own county, and who emi- grated to the United States with her parents, Rob- ert and Mattie Burns, when a young girl. Of this union there were seven children, as follows: Mary, born in Putnam County, Ill., became the wife of Samuel MeAllister, and resides in Marshall County, Ill .; Naney was born in Winona, Ill. ; Matilda, born near Chenoa; Cassie, James, William and Isabella, were born in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Hanna are connected with the Presbyterian Church, and po- litically. our subject uniformly casts his vote with the Republican party.

P RANK OBERKOETTER, one of the relia. ble and substantial business men of Bloom- ington, is senior member of the well-known wholesale grocery firm of Oberkoetter & Co. of Bloomington. He came to this vicinity in Septem- ber, 1857, and during his residence of thirty years in this county has contributed his full share in building up its industrial and mercantile interests.

Mr. Oberkoetter is a representative of that na- tionality which has done more, perhaps, than any other in assisting to develop the resources of the Prairie State and the great West. His birthplace was in the Empire of Germany, where he was born on the 25th of January, 1828. His parents, Henry and Katie (Lemme) Oberkoetter, were natives of the same country, and came of excellent German ancestry, who illustrated in a marked degree the reliable characteristics of their race. Their son Frank was placed in seliool wlien seven years of age, where lie pursued his studies until fourteen.

After serving a brief apprenticeship at the earpen- ter's trade and agricultural pursuits he, in 1850, boarded a vessel bound for the United States, and after a safe voyage landed in the city of New Or- leans. After four months spent there lie went up the river to St. Louis, Mo., where he passed one summer, returning in the fall to the Crescent City. The following spring he went back to St. Louis, which remained his home for five years following.

In September, 1857, Mr. Oberkoetter started North, aud coming into Bloomington, this State, opened a small retail grocery store, which he oper- ated successfully until 1871. That same year he formed a partnership with Jacob Jacoby, and they are operating together profitably. The business has been merged into the wholesale trade, and un- der the new regime, as before, it has steadily grown, and their trade extends throughout this and adjoining counties where they have built up a fine patronage. Both partners are practical busi- ness men, and well and favorably known in busi- ness cireles. Their present building on Main street was put up in 1875. It is 54x105 feet in area and three stories in height, besides a good basement, and the whole is devoted to their extensive opera- tions. They employ three traveling salesmen be- sides five men at the store. Mr. Oberkoetter be- gan life at the foot of the ladder, and has climbed up to his present position solely by his own indus- try and energy. He started in business with 8900, $600 of which he made after coming to the United States, and during the financial crash of 1857 he lost about half of this. He was not of the spirit to be dismayed, however, but applied himself closely to business and ,in due time recovered his losses. Besides his interest in the building occupied by the firm he has another on South Main street, equal to this in dimensions, and a good residence in the same locality. Although now beyond his prime he still possesses the energy and resolution of his ear- lier years, and is a fine illustration of the well-pre- served man, both physically and mentally, who has been temperate iu his habits and pursued that lion- est and upright life which enables him to look the whole world in the face.

The marriage of our subject took place at St. Louis, Mo., in February, 1857, the lady of his

RESIDENCE OF G. J. MURPHY, SEC . 18. MT HOPE TP.

RESIDENCE OF F. W. LOWENTROUT, 603 MARKET 5T ., BLOOMINGTON, ILL .

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choice being Miss Mary Schroeder, of that city, but who was a native of his own country. Of this un- ion there were born nine children, seven of whom still survive, four boys and three girls: Frank, Jr., is a partner in the business of his father; llenry is a traveling salesman ; Harmon a shipping clerk, and William the bill clerk of the firmn; Anna, Rose and May are at home. The parents and children are members and regular attendants of the German Catholic Church of Bloomington ..

P W. LOWENTROUT, one of Bloomington's highly respected citizens, now retired from active business, occupies a pleasant and commodious residence at No. 603 West Market street. Ile is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- many, and was born April 15, 1830, and is the son of Peter and Anna M. (Maus) Lowentrout, natives of the same Province. Peter Lowentrout entered the German army at the age of sixteen years, and was in the military service for the following twelve years and cleven months, all this time being actively engaged. He captured a Richmond flag of the English troops in Spain, being at that time Fort Master, and having a horse and sword. He at one time captured five men with their flag, and the fol- lowing day was presented a Captain's commission, which was signed by Napoleon Bonaparte. After- ward, in battle with the Spaniards, he was taken prisoner and held by the enemy for two years. - After being released he was transferred to the 1st Regiment of Infantry. He remained in the service until the close of the war, and was then given the position of Harbor Master at Germersheim, which he held until his death, in 1847. The parental family consisted of seven children, six of whom are now living: Barbara, Mrs. Licandecker, is a resident of New York City; our subject is the next in order; Peter lives in Newark, N. J .; Lizzie, Mrs. Bort, Charles, and Anna, Mrs. Salch, are in Bloomington. The mother came to Bloomington' with her son Charles, and remained an inmate of his home until her death, in 1863.

F. W. Lowentrout received a common-school education and during his earlier years worked upon

a farm. In the fall of 1846 he commenced to deal in grain on commission, and the following year es- tablished a business on his own account. The first year he was successful and made considerable money. In 1849, while with a party of friends, he made some remarks derogatory to the Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt, and upon this account was soon afterward obliged to leave the country. He came to America in 1851, landing in New York on Christmas Day. He was there variously occupied for two years, and then learned the trade of japanning, which he followed until 1854. He after- ward, in company with his brother, engaged in that business and they operated until December, 1859, when their shop and machinery were de- stroyed by fire, involving a loss of $150,000, and throwing their 200 men out of employment. IIc was then penniless and obliged to employ himself at whatever he could find to do. He engaged with T. P. Howell in the patent-leather business, and re- mained with him until 1861, and then with his family came to Bloomington.

For eight years after his arrival in this county, Mr. Lowentrout was in the employ of the C. & A. R. R. Co., during which time he was enabled to considerably repair his shattered fortunes. He then purchased ground on the corner of Market and Oak streets, and started a saloon in the basement of a building. He operated this until 1872, and then, by reason of a broken limb, lay on his back for ten months, and in the meantime lost money. After being sufliciently recovered for business he began the purchase and sale of city property, and was soon once more upon his feet. Ile now owns the front half of the block at the corner of Oak and Market streets, besides five dwellings and several other buildings. In addition to this he has a farm of 176 acres in Old Town Township, which is all , improved and under a fine state of cultivation. He was one of the projectors and a charter member of the Third National Bank, and in all respects is a solid and prominent member of the business com- munity.

Mr. Lowentrout was married in 1852, to Miss Lessate Hoffman, a native of his own country, and the daughter of Freidrich Hoffman. Of this union there were born seven children, six now living:

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Margaret, Lewis, John, a twin brother 'of Lewis, who died Dee. 16, 1885, at the age of twenty-seven years; Lizzie, Mrs. Diedrich; Otto, Clara and Oscar. The residence of our subject and his family, a handsome and commodions structure, and a view of which is given in this volume, was built in 1885, at a cost of $6,000. lIere they enjoy all the com- forts and many of the luxuries of life. Politically our subject, on local matters, is :independent, vot- ing for those he considers the best men, but in National affairs he votes the Democratic ticket.

G EORGE .W. STUBBLEFIELD, importer and breeder of Percheron and Norman horses, with his father, John Stubblefield, has been engaged for thirteen years in the importation of French horses, of which they have brought 300 head of valuable animals across the ocean and to this State. With the exception of the summer of .1882, during which they suffered terrible losses by fires and otherwise, they have been remarkably sue- cessful, and it is universally conceded that to their enterprise and excellent judgment in selecting draft stock, there is due not a little eredit for the high standard to which the stock of Central Illinois has been raised. Mr. Stubblefield is President of the Seenrity Live Stock Insurance Company of Bloomington, the office being located on the cor- ner of Madison and Grove streets, and is connected with every measure of importance which is set on foot and has for its object the advancement of this branch of industry in the State.

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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 142

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