Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 143

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 143

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The subject of this history is a native of this State, having been born in this county in 1849. His father, John Stubblefield, was a native of Ohio, boru in Marion County in 1820, and came to Illi- nois with his father, Robert S., when a child of four years old. The family settled in Funk's Grove at an early period in the history of this county, and purchased a large tract of land. There Robert Stubblefield remained until his death, in 1876. Of his family of thirteen children, twelve are still liv- ing, John being the fourth of the family. He was reared to farming pursuits, received a common- school education and at the age of twenty-two

years, settled upon a claim of 160 acres one mile north of Funk's Grove, eighty acres of which he improved and upon which he built a frame house and set out an orchard. To this tract he subse- quently added and is now the possessor of 2,000 aeres in this county. IIe married Miss Ellisannah Howser, danghter of David and Elizabeth Howser, natives of Fayetteville, Ohio. Of this marriage there were born nine children, eight now living, as [follows: Sarah E., Mrs. Rayburn, lives in Shirley, this county ; David R., in Covell; George W. of our sketch; Phineas M., also living in this county ; Mary F., Mrs. Crumb of Virginia, Cass County; Henry B., of Shirley ; Simon P., of MeLean, and John W., at home.

The subject of this history spent his earlier years upon his father's farm, and after pursuing his pri- mary studies in the common schools, entered Wesleyan College, where he completed his studies in 1872. He had already indicated unusnal busi- ness talent and commenced purchasing and feeding stock. Two years later he made his first importa- 'tion, which included Percheron, English draft and French coach horses. He was joined in this .busi- ness by his father, John Stubblefield, in 1875, and has been successful from the start. In pursuance of this he has crossed the ocean fifteen times, bring- ing over at one time thirty-seven fine blooded ani- mals. They operated with remarkable success and profit until the night of Sept. 1, 1882, when the barn and twelve noble steeds, valued at $18,000, were destroyed by fire. The same summer they had lost six horses valued at $8,000. With the excep- tion of that summer they have lost only three horses in all the time they have been importing. In 1886, their importations consisted of twenty head, which is abont the average of the number they annually import and keep on hand in their stables. Mr. Stubblefield spent one summer in Oregon and California in connection with his business and their horses are now sent all through the Western States.

Mr. Stubblefield, besides his large investment in the business which occupies the most of his time and attention, is the possessor of 620 acres of valuable land in Missouri, and has an interest in the jewelry firm of Walker & Stubblefield of Bloomington. He

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ranks among the leading business men of MeLean County and in all respects is a fair representative of the family which is so widely and favorably known thoughout the State. Politically our sub- ject affiliates with the Republican party, and socially belongs to the I. O. O. F., the Modern Woodman of America and the Improved Order of Red Men.

AMES B. RUTLEDGE, dealer in groceries on Main and Colman streets, Heyworth, is the son of Thomas O. and Cynthia A. Rut- ledge, a sketcli of whom is also given in this work, and was born on his father's old homestead in Randolph Township, Aug. 5, 1845. He remained on the farm until he was twenty-three years old, pursuing his studies in the common schools and at the Normal University. IIe was married in Wood- ford County, Dee. 30, 1868, to Miss Willie Sma- ding, daughter of Frederick and Christina Smading, natives of Germany, who descended from pure German ancestry. Her parents were reared and mar- ried in their native land and there six children were born to them, Mrs. Rutledge of this notice be- ing one of twins. She was eighteen months old when her parents with their family cmigrated to the United States and settled near Eureka, Wood- ford County, where the father successfully engaged in farming and where he now lives at the advanced age of ninety-three years. The mother died there in September, 1873. There also Mrs. R. grew to womanhood and was educated.

After his marriage in 1868 Mr. Rutledge began to cultivate and improve a farm, which he had previously purchased on section 36, then compris- ing ninety-five acres. He has since added to the traet until he is now the owner of 170 acres of valuable land, which is supplied with good frame buildings. Mr. Rutledge was extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising there until he embarked in the grocery business in 1874. He first started in company with William W. Elder, and has since successfully represented this department of trade at Heyworth. They began business on the first Monday in January, 1874, under the firm name

of Elder & Rutledge. The partnership existed until 1878, when they dissolved, and the stock became the property of Mr. Robb. It was subsequently purchased by Mr. Rutledge and Mr. Battershell, who operated together until 1881 and then, owing to the death of Mr. B., Mr. Rutledge became sole proprietor, and has conducted the business alone since that time. Besides his finely improved farm, which is worked by a tenant, he is also the owner of some valuable town property.

Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge have one child, Lyman T., who was born April 5, 1872. Ile has an excel- lent education obtained by a thorough course of study in the schools of Heyworth. Mr. and Mrs. R. are connected with the' Presbyterian Chureli. In polities the former subscribes himself as a " thoroughbred Democrat."

M ARCELLUS SYPULT, an enterprising young farmer of West Township, is a na- tive of West Virginia, born in Monongalia County, March 3, 1855. His father, Jesse Sypult, a native of the same State and of French ancestry, was taken by his parents when a young child to Virginia, where he was reared, to manhood, and married Miss Amelia A. Rogers, a native of the Old Dominion. He purchased a tract of land in Monongalia County, and lived there until the fall of 1863. The mother had died July 28, 1859. In the year first mentioned, Jesse Sypult removed to Illinois, first' locating in Woodford County, and thence, in 1866, came to this county and purchased land on section 23, West Township. The journey from Woodford County was made overland with three wagons. At Bloomington he unloaded some of his goods, which he exchanged for lumber, and after arriving in West Township, put up a tempor- ary shanty in which the family lived until a more substantial dwelling could be creeted. They oc- cupied this place until 1876, when the father sold out and purchased 160 acres of land in Ford Coun- ty. After four years he sold that farm likewise and removed to Buena Vista County, Iowa, where he purchased a traet of land which he cultivated and improved until his death, which took place in March,

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1883. He had thus opened up four different farms in three States. The one in Virginia he cleared from the wilderness and erceted a log house where the young people first set up housekeeping.

Mr. Sypult was Republican in politics and a stanchi Union man during the war. Although not going into active service in the field he did what he could by his voice and influenec at home, and was Captain of a company of minute men in Virginia. Ile was strictly temperate in his habits, and although suffering for a long period from ill-health, was never heard to complain, but bore his affliction with man- ly fortitude. Religiously, he was connected for many years with the Methodist Episcopal Church. The parental family included six children by the first marriage and three by the second, our subjeet being the fifthi child of the first.

Mr. Sypult was but eight years old when he eame to Illinois with his parents, and three years later lo- cated in West Township, of which he has been a resident since that time. He was reared on a farmi until eigliteen years old, then bought his time and rented land of his father two years. He then pur- chased eighty aeres of the old homestead, which he has occupied sinec that time. He was married, Dec. 24, 1874, to Miss Anna Johnson, who was born in Clark County, Ind., Jan. 4, 1857. Mrs. S. is the daughter of Jacob Johnson, of Ohio, who removed after his marriage to Indiana and from there to this State in about 1860. Nine years later he returned to Indiana, and in 1871 eame baek to Illinois, set- thing in Brown County, where he remained until his removal to Fairbury, Livingston County, where he still lives. He was married in carly life to Miss Mary A. Neal, who was born in Ohio, and was the daughter of Rev. James Neal, a minister in the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Sypult have three children living-William Rolla, Clyde Delbert and Earnest Edward. Arthur B., twin brother of Ear- nest, died when seven months old. Our subjeet was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in polities is a straight Republiean.

When the parents of our subjeet first removed to Illinois, they found themselves in a wild country where but few settlers had made a elaim. Deer roamed at will over the prairie and other wild game was plenty. The father of our subjeet possessed

remarkable energy and resolution, and contributed his full share toward the development and progress of the different localities where he at times made his home. The son possesses in a marked degree those elements of character which have made all the family of that. name good citizens and worthy inembers of the community. He is yet a young man, but bids fair to take a prominent position in the business and agricultural community, because he is industrious, enterprising, and willing to do lis share in the busy world.

G EN. JOHN MCNULTY, senior member of the law firm of MeNulty & Weldon of Bloomington, is a native of New York City and was born Nov. 9, 1837. He remained under the home roof until reaching manhood, in the mean- time receiving his education at a private sehool in his native eity. In 1857 he drifted West to Bloomington, and subsequently eon- menced reading law with the firm of Sweet & Orine, prominent attorneys of the eity. £ About the time he had completed his studies the breaking out of the late Civil War materially altered his plans for the future.

In April, 1861, Gen. MeNulty enlisted in a New York cavalry company, of which he was made Captain, and served in that capacity, until July, 1862, under Gen. Grant, who was at that time Colonel of a regiment. After serving with distine- tion he was promoted, Aug. 20, 1862, Lieutenant Colonel of the 94th Infantry, and became Brigadier General in 1865. He suffered with his eommand bravely and faithfully the vicissitudes of war and at its close was mustered out, in the fall of 1865.

After his retirement from the army Gen. Mc- Nulty returned to Bloomington. He became prominent in the political affairs of this county, and in 1872 was elected State Senator. He served four years, which included five sessions of the Legisla- ture, and, still advancing on the road to honor, was made a member of the Forty-third Congress.

General MeNulty served as Master in Chancery in this eounty for a period of six years, which posi-

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tion he resigned in the summer of 1885, having been appointed Receiver of the Toledo & Cleveland Railroad. Ile is now President of the National Mutual Aeeident Association of Bloomington, serv- ing also as attorney for the same. Ile at present spends a goodly portion of his time in Chicago, hav- ing been appointed Receiver of the Wabash Rail- road Company, and having headquarters in that city. In the various positions of trust and re- sponsibility to which he has been ealled he has dis- tinguished himself as a man of more than ordinary ability, with a elear head for business and a keen sense of honor and principle. He has been eon- neeted with many important enterprises and always lends his influence and more substantial aid to what- ever projeet is ealeulated to advance the progress and prosperity of one of the most wealthy counties of the Prairie State.

· General MeNulty was married, July 15, 1862, to Miss Laura, daughter of Robert Felton, Esq., of Litehfield, Conn. Of this union there have been born three children-Herbert, Robert and Donald.

C HARLES S. JONES, of the firm of C. Wake- field & Co., of Bloomington, is engaged in the manufacture of the Wakefield Family Medieines, whieli have gained so wide a celebrity in the United States. Our subjeet ranks among the pio- neer settlers of the State, having eomne here when a boy ten years of age from Madison County, N. Y., where he was born May 30, 1833. He is the son of James and Julia (Dunham) Jones, natives of the samne county and State as above mentioned. James Jones, in early life, was a manufacturer of boots and shoes in Madison County, and removed thenee to Illinois and settled on a farm four miles west of Bloomington, in 1843. Subsequently he located in Twin Grove, and died the following year ; the mother had died in 1841, before the removal West, in . Madison, N. Y. Both parents were members of the Baptist Chureli, and James Jones in early man- hood served as a soldier in the War of 1812. The parental household ineluded four children: Will- iam B. resides at Excelsior, Minn., where he lo- eated in 1854, and is engaged in general merehan-

dising; Warren L. is a druggist of Atlanta, Ill .; Charles S., our subject, and Mary E., Mrs. Page, of Minneapolis, Minn.

The subject of this biography, after the death of his father, went to live with an uncle, Oliver Pease, at Twin Grove, and worked on the farm with him until he was fourteen years old. Then, preferring to go elsewhere, he started out to seek his fortune. The first day he walked twenty-five miles aeross the prairie, and the second day, after proceeding ten miles, he séeured work on a farm at $10 a month, which was the first money he ever received as wages. IIe was subsequently employed in the harvest field at $1 per day and the following win- ter he stopped with Jaeob Brining, in Logan Coun- ty, and worked for his board. He passed the fol- lowing summer at the same place and the next spring eommeneed breaking prairie with five yoke of oxen and was thus employed until he had turned over the sod on 125 aeres. In the fall of 1851 he returned to Twin Grove, where he attended school and worked nights and mornings for his board, and was similarly employed until 1853, when, in the spring of that year, he eame to Bloomington and engaged to learn the drug business with James E. Parke. Six months afterward Mr. Parke died, and the store being sold young Jones accepted a elerk- ship in the post-office where he was oeeupied for six months and then became mail agent between Bloomington and Chieago.

In the spring of 1854 Mr. Jones resumed his ex- perienee in the drug business under the instruction of Drs. Wakefield and Thompson, and on the 1st of January, 1857, purchased the interest of the for- mer and the firm beeame R. Thompson & Co. This relation continued until September, 1864, when Mr. Jones disposed of his interest to Dr. J. M. Major, and going to Chieago beeame traveling sales- man for the firm of Fuller, Fineh & Fuller, being promoted to head salesman, and continued in that position until March, 1871. Mr. Jones then, in company with a partner, engaged as a wholesale dealer in druggists' sundries, operating under the style of Jones & Torrey. This firm continued its transactions until the Chieago fire, in October of that year, when their entire stoek was destroyed, and from an insurance of $57,000 they only re-

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alized $11,000. Mr. Jones then left Chicago, and returning to Bloomington became associated with his old employer, C. Wakefield, and under the firm name of C. Wakefield & Co., has continued the manufacture of the medieines. The firm gives em- ployment to forty hands and keeps four men on the road.

Charles S. Jones and Miss Martha Richardson were united in marriage on the 6th of November, 1856, at the home of the bride's parents in Water- town, N. Y. Mrs. Jones was born on the 3d of March, 1835, in Watertown, and is the daughter of Josiah and Cynthia (Tolman) Richardson, na- tives respectively of Sterling, Mass., and Nelson, N. II. The marriage of Mrs. Jones' parents oe- eurred at Watertown, and they trace their anecs- tors to staneh old families of Scoteh and English origin. Josiah Richardson removed from Massa- chusetts to Watertown, N. Y., in 1803, when at the age of nineteen years, he having been born in 1784. His wife was his junior by one year. After removing to New York State he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1854. Mrs. Richardson survived her husband until 1870, when she too passed to the land of the hercafter. Of their ten children seven are now living; Charles, and Juliet, now Mrs. Dodge, are residents of Watertown, N. Y .; Harriet is the wife of Dr. Wakefield, the partner of our subjeet; Cyn- thia, now Mrs. Robert Thompson; Josiah, Mary, Mrs. Orrin Waters, and Martha, Mrs. Jones, all live in Bloomington. Mr. Jones is Republican in politics and socially is identified with the A. O. U. W. His pleasant and comfortable home is located at No. 514 East Douglas street, where, in 1872, he erected a fine residence at a cost of $7,000.

AMES HEAGLER. On scetion 29, Martin Township, is located one of the finest home- steads in this section of country. It is the home of the subject of this sketeh, and he has occupied it since 1857. He has made great improvements since taking possession of it and has built up for himself an enviable reputation as an

honest man and a good citizeu. James Heagler is a native of the wealthy and populous State of Ohio, born in the town of Washington Court House, Fayette County, on the 29th of February, 1827.

The grandfather of our subject, George Heagler, a native of Virginia, removed to Ohio in the pio- neer days, becoming a resident of Fayette County in 1814. His death oeeurred while on a visit to Lancaster, that State. Ilis son, Zebedee W., the father of our subject, married Miss Rosanna Grove, who was of Ilolland deseent but born in Pennsyl- vania, and reared principally 'in Hagerstown, Md. After their marriage the young people located at Washington Court House, Fayette Co., Ohio, where the mother died in 1863. The father is still living, having arrived at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Ile served as County Treasurer in Fayette County, first by appointment and then by election under a Whig administration, beginning in 1837 and serving continuously for a period of fourteen years. Subsequently he was elected Reeorder, and has been Justiee of the Peace for a long period, and Mayor of Washington when it was first incor- porated as a eity. Their family consisted of two sons and one daughter-James, Ellis H. and Elvira Rose. The latter beeame the wife of Mortimer Collier.

James Heagler was the eldest of his parents' children, and passed his childhood and youth in his native town, receiving a fair education in the eom- mon schools. Ile remained with his parents until his twenty-third year, when he was married to Miss Samantha J., daughter of James and Eliza Pope (Dawson) Henton. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. H. settled in Washington Court House, where they remained five years, whenee they re- moved in 1855 to this eounty, and took up their abode in Padua Township. From there they re- moved in the spring of 1857 to their present, farm in Martin Township. It was then but an unculti- vated prairie, but James Heagler was possessed of a good stoek of courage and resolution, and began his farmning operations with the intention to suceeed. In this he has realized his expectations and has now 120 aeres of valuable land under a fine state of culti- vation. Upon it he has crected a comfortable and substantial residence, a good barn and all other

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buildings required by the intelligent and progres- sive farmer. Ile has been a man of note in his township since coming here, and has distinguished himself as a Jeffersonian Democrat of the old sehrool.

Mr. and Mrs. Heagler, of this notice, have be- eamc the parents of seven children, five sons and two daugliters, of whom the record is as follows: Alphonso died when eighteen years of age; Frank II. and Charles A. arc residents of Martin Town- ship; Eliza R. became the wife of William MeClure, and is living in Nebraska: Alice L., Jane C., Rob- ert Lee and Harry are at home, the latter attending sehool. Our subject is not a member of any church, but lives a pure life and enjoys the friend- ship and soeicty of the best people of Martin Township.

R. T. F. WORRELL, one of the skillful and experienced physicians of Blooming- ton, and holding a high position both so- cially and professionally, is a native of North Carolina and son of Rev. Thomas and Susan (Ellis) Worrell, natives of Granville County, N. C. The father of our subjeet received a fine edu- cation at the Academy at Petersburg, Va., and in about 1810 entered the Methodist ministry, while at the same time being engaged as Principal of an academy for a number of years. The parents were married in 1807, and had a family of ten children, seven of whom lived to mature years, four being now deceased. Dr. T. F. of our sketch was born in 1821; Rev. Wesley W., in 1822, and is now a resident of Mayfield, Ky .; Susan J., born in 1823, married Thomas Hutchinson of Bloomington. Rev. Thomas Worrell departed this life in 1838; the mother had preceded him to the better land in 1825.

The subject of this biography pursued his pri- mary studies in the common schools. At the age of eighteen he entered Stewart College at Clarks- ville, Tenn., and pursued a course of instruction there for six months, and afterward attended a private elassieal academy in Christian County, Ky. In the meantime he had charge of a elassie

school for three years, during which time he im- proved the oportunity to read medicine, and after- ward entered the Medieal Department of the Uni- versity of Louisville, from which he graduated in the spring of 1845. Ile commenced thic practiec of medicine in Trigg County, Ky., whenec; in the fall of 1850, he eame to Bloomington, where he fol- lowed his praetiee continually until the present, but is now gradually withdrawing from its more active duties.

Dr. Worrell has built up for himself an enviable reputation for skill and fidelity to the interests of his patients, and is held in high esteem by the pro- fession as well as the citizens of this loeality. ' IIe belongs to the Illinois Medical Society, of which he has been President, and is connected with the National, and the MeLean County Medical Societies, of which latter he was President two years. Ile is also a member of the Illinois Central District So- eiety, and for several years has been Medieal Director of the Bloomington Mutual Life Associa- tion. ' Ile is connected with the Board of Pension Examiners of this district, and has been identified with all measures tending to the elevation of the profession in McLean County. He has also been largely connected with other interests in this portion of the State, having been one of the original stoek- holders of the McLean County Coal Company, its President for twelve years and since its organiza- tion one of its Directors. In 1854, he was elected Alderman and politically is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. Socially he belongs to Bloomington Lodge, A. F. & A. M., being one of the oldest members now living.

Dr. Worrell was married on the 8th, of Sep- tember, 1841, to Miss Catharine A. Ewing, a native of Christian County, Ky., and daughter of Nathaniel and Sophia (Wallace) Ewing, of Iredell County, N. C. They have no children of their own but several years ago adopted two, one of whom, William W. Stephenson, is a brother of the First Assistant Post- master General, A E. Stephenson, of Washington, D. C., and is Assistant Superintendent and a stoek- holder of the Bloomington Coal Mines. Ile became an inmate of the family of our subjeet at the age of ten years and was given the advantages of a fair education. After arriving at years of manhood lie

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married Miss Catharine Williams, a native of Christian County, Ky., and the daughter of M. D. Williams. They have beeome the parents of five children-Charles, James, William, Henry and Ida. The second child of adoption was Ida Harwood who, at the age of sixteen months, was taken into the household and received parental eare and train- ing.

Dr. Worrell lias accumulated a comfortable prop- erty, his present home being located at the eor- ner of Albert and Olive streets. He built the house in 1851, hauling the lumber from Pekin, Ill., forty-five miles, over the prairie. It is the abode of comfort and eultivated tastes and forms one of the landmarks in the development of the eity.

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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 143

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