Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 144

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 144

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The business office of Dr. Worrell is in the Royee Block, at the intersection of Main and Front streets. Ile is now in his sixty-seventh year, and still re- tains his physieial and mental powers unimpaired, except a recent affliction which will soon terminate. The Doctor is a friend of every human being of his acquaintance and is not aware of a living enemy.

G EORGE W. PARKE, a retired merchant of Bloomington, owns and oeeupies a hand- some residenee at the corner of North and Lee streets, where he is enjoying his later days in ease and comfort, surrounded by the friends whom his life of virtue and reetitude long ago attached to him. Mr. Parke has been a native of the Prairie State sinee 1837. He was born near Parkesburg, Chester Co., Pa., on the 29th of April, 1815, his parents being George W., Sr., and Mary (Fleming) Parke, natives of the same county and State as their son.

Our subjeet's paternal grandfather was Joseph Parke and his grandfather on his mother's side was John Fleming, also of Chester County, Pa. Both families descended from the Seotch-Irish, and were among the early pioneers of Pennsylvania, the town where our subjeet was born taking its name from the first representatives of the Parke family in that State. This town was then the terminus of the Pennsylvania State Railroad, which afterward extended to Harrisburg. This road ran

out from Philadelphia to Petrolia, twenty miles distant, the ears to this point being propelled by horse power and afterward supplied with steam.

The Parke family were mostly agrieulturists and all well-to-do. They raised large families and trained their children to hahits of industry, and to principles of honor and striet integrity. The par- ental household of our suhjeet ineluded seven children, three only now living. The families on both sides were Presbyterians, and almost without exception spent their entire lives in Pennsylvania.

George W. Parke spent his ehildhood and youth upon the farm and when sixteen years of age en- gaged as elerk in a store at Coatesville. Hle then attended Moseow Academy for two years. In 1836 he left his native town and went to Pittsburgh and soon afterward to Cineinnati, where he became em- ployed as freight elerk on a steamer bound for New Orleans. After one winter thus occupied he returned to the old homestead, where he remained until the following year and then came to the Prairie State. He first stopped at Metamora, Wood- ford County, and in company with friends laid out a town which was first ealled Hanover, but subse- quently changed to Metamora and there the county seat was established. He remained there until 1840, and then returned with his brother, John F., to Pennsylvania. There he entered into partnership with Joseph Stott and was oeeupied in general merchandising for one year. He then went to Philadelphia, where he engaged as elerk in a whole- sale dry-goods store for a year, then purchasing a general stoek of goods he shipped them to Illinois and set up a store in Metamora, which he operated for two years. Part of his goods were sold on eredit, but he was successful in making his eollee- tions and enjoyed a good profit from his trade.

In 1845 Mr. Parke sold out in Metamora and went to Bloomington in company with two brothers, John F. and Samuel S., and they put up a three- story briek huilding on North Center street for the purpose of manufacturing furniture, and two years later the huilding was destroyed hy fire. The brothers partially rebuilt and continued their busi- ness, and soon afterward creeted the first three- story briek building in the eity pn Center street, on the west side of the square, and in this carried

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on the grocery trade, their store being the first of its kind in Bloomington. In about 1848 they dis- solved partnership. George W. took the store and his brothers continued the manufactory until they sold to its present proprietors, Hayes and Evans. Our subject continued his grocery trade for nearly four years, then sold out and purchased the north- west corner of the block now occupied by H. H. Green as a drug and jewelry store. After Mr. Parke abandoned merchandising hé engaged in real-estate business and purchased the forty-acre addition laid out by Perry in 1865, and west of the C. & A. R. R. shops. Hc also laid out thirty acres cast of the cemetery which is called the G. W. Parke Addition.

It will thus be seen that Mr. Parkc, froin the' time of his arrival here, has been intimately identi- fied with the business and industrial interests of Bloomington. He was one of the projectors of the People's Bank, was its first President and held the of- fice until failing health compelled him to abandon it. Ife was Alderman of the Second Ward for .a num -- ber of years and always took an active interest in every measure calculated to advance the interests of his adopted county and city." ..

Mr. Parke built his present residence. in 1870, and has within the last three years put up two tenement houses adjoining. He still remains con- nected with the People's Bank as a stockholder. He has been the cheerful and liberal supporter of everything tending toward the 'intellectual and moral advancement of the city, and a law-abiding. and peaceable citizen who has performed all his obligations in a faithful and creditable manner.

Our subject was married on New Year's Day, 1857, to Miss Rebecca A., daughter of John and - Rebecca (Hilyard) Rodgers, natives of Pennsyl- vania and New Jersey, respectively. Mrs. Parke was born at Valley Forge, Pa., in 1828, and was the youngest of her parents' family, there having been seven children, five now living. Mr. and Mrs. Parke have only one child, a daughter, and now the wife of Theodore Braley, one of the, edi- tors of the Bulletin.

Mr. Parke politically affiliates with the Demo- cratie party and uniformly casts his vote in sup- port of its principles.

P ETER WHITMER, President of the Peo- ple's Bank of Bloomington, and a citizen held in the highest esteem by the people of MeLean County, is a native of Franklin County, Pa., and was born Feb. 22, 1828. He is the son of Peter and Mary (Hess) Whitmer, also natives of the Keystone State. His father was cx- tensively engaged in farming pursuits. The latter was born in 1777, and died in the same house which witnessed his birth, his decease taking place in 1852. The mother, who was born in 1785, had preceded her husband to the better land, she dying in 1844. They had a family of nine children, only four of whom are living, viz: Catharinc, Mrs. George Grove, of Sterling, Ill .; Mary, Mrs. Chris- tian 'Royer, of Franklin County, Pa .; Peter, our subject, and Rev. A. C., a minister of the Reforincd Church, of Lancaster, Pa.

The father of our subject occupied the farm of · his father, also Peter Whitmer, who purchased it of John, Thomas and Richard Penn, the sons of William Penn. 'Originally, the Whitmers werc of German birth and parentage, the early ancestors of our subject settling in . Lancaster County, Pa., and all engaging in agricultural pursuits.

Peter Whitmer spent the most of his time on his father's farm until he was sixteen years old, re- ceiving his education in the district school. Hc then left the parental roof and went to Chambers- burg, where he served an apprenticeship of five years at saddlery and harness-making. In 1849 lic set out on a tour through the Western States, con- tinning his travels until the spring of 1852. Hc then located at Bloomington, and formed a part- nership with M. L. Moore, with whom he continued in the saddlery and harness business for two years following, when he sold out to his partner and en- gaged in the grocery trade on Center strect, in company with Messrs. Parke and Hoopes, under the firm name of Parke, Whitmer & Hoopes. They operated together for three years and then our sub- jeet disposed of his interest in the business and en- gaged in the lumber trade, having one office on the East and one on the West Side.

Mr. Whitmer continued his successful operations in this line for a period of seventeen years, when he practically abandoned it. During this time,

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however, he had distinguished himself as a man of the strictest integrity, and the people who had known him so long and well singled him out as one of the few who could be depended upon to look after their concerns and preserve their interests. In 1875 he was elected President of the People's Bank, which position he has held since that time. He was also elected President of the Chair Factory, which position he retained from its commencement in 1873 until its abandonment in 1885, when it was merged into the Walton Plow Factory. Mr. Whitmer is a stockholder and Director of that company, and also has an interest in the Stove Works. He has been prominently identified with the affairs of his city and township for many years, and materially assisted in building up a community noted for its intelligence and progress. He was Alderman of the Second Ward in 1867-68, Super- visor of Bloomington Township for ten years, and has been President of the Northwestern Benevo- lent Aid Society for the past four years. He has been a member of the. I. O. O. F. since 1849. Re- publican principles reccive his heartiest support, and the Christian Church, of which he is a valued inember, represents his religious belief.

The marriage of Peter Whitmer and Miss Lucy McDonald took place in 1855, in Bloomington, Ill. . Mrs. W. is the daughter of John and Lucy (McCoy) MeDonald, of Kentucky, and was born in Win- chester, that State. Her parents' family consisted of seven children, five now living: Harriet, Mrs. Rodgers, resides in Boone County, Mo .; Mary, Mrs. Harding, of Westchester, Ky .; Margaret, Mrs. Patten, is in Illinois, and Mildred is Mrs. Brigham ; the wife of our subject was the third child of the family. John McDonald removed from Kentucky to McLean County in 1852, and engaged in farm- ing pursuits, which he continued until his decease in 1881; the mother died in Kentucky.

Mr. and Mrs. Whitmer have a family of six chil- dren: Mary became the wife of Dr. Hooper, and resides in Hutchinson, Kan .; they have three chil- dren-Bertha, Lucy and Elsie; Olie married J. O. Wilson, teller in the People's Bank at Bloomington ; the next were Charles, Ida, Ira S. and LeRoy G. The latter two have been students of Eureka Col- lege, Eureka, Ill. The residence of our subjeet is

located at No. 924 West Front street, where Mr. Whitmer and his family are enjoying all the com- forts of life and many of its luxuries.

As a man, citizen, husband, father and friend, the life of Peter Whitmer has rounded into perfeet manhood. Whether in private or public life he is . the same courteous, Christian gentleman, with the air and manner which at once impress the stran- ger with his true character. When, in connection with his daily walk in life, there is voluntarily given the testimony of those who have been inti- mately associated with him for ycars, there is little for the biographer to add, and in placing his por- trait among those of other honored inen of McLean County, we are preserving to posterity the features of one of the best men of this generation.

h ON. ISAAC FUNK, deceased, and the first representative of that well-known family in this locality, was born November 17, 1797, in Clark County, Ky. His grandfather, Adam Funk, immigrated from Germany at an early day and became the father of a family among whom was Adam, the father of our subject. 'He was reared in Virginia, was married to Miss Sarah Moore, also of German extraction, and became one of the prominent men of the Old Dominion. He moved 'to Kentucky, and in 1807 to Fayette County, Ohio. The family included nine children, six sons and three daughters. Isaac received a cominon-school education; was reared to habits of industry and worked as a farm hand after he be- came of age. In 1823 he started with his brother, Absalom, to visit the Prairie State. They were attracted to a spot which is now Funk's Grove, where they entered a tract of land, and soon com- menced to break the soil and to buy and sell cattle. In due time the father joined his children, but lived only a few years afterward, his death occur- ring in 1832. The mother had died in Ohio, in about 1822.

Isaac and Absalom Funk entered claims to a large extent of land, and set themselves industri- onsly to work to earn money to pay for it when it should come into market. They operated in har-

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mony, and continued buying and selling stock of all kinds until 1840, when they dissolved. They had praetieed thie strictest economy and each work- ing moment was employed at something useful. The people of the present day, who enjoy the use of modern inventions and conveniences, can in no manner realize the hardships to which the early settlers were subjeeted. For the first seven years after his arrival here, Isaae Funk did not own a wagon, but carried his corn to mill to Springfield, fifty miles away, on the backs of horses. When a plow required sharpening or repairing, he loaded it on the back of a horse to have it conveyed to and from the blacksmith-shop, and one time conveyed a barrel for sauer kraut in the same manner ten miles to his home. Nothing seemed too great for him to undertake, and he was in the main remark- ably successful, seldom having to abandon a proj- ect which he had in view.

When he found that the means would justify the step, Mr. Funk took unto himself a partner and helpmeet in the person of Miss Cassandra Sharp, of Peoria, their wedding occurring in June, 1826. Mrs. F. was born in Baltimore, Md., and was well fitted by disposition and training to be the eom- panion of such a man as our subject. She was possessed of practical good sense and sterling worth of character, and was the faithful encourager and assistant of Isaac Funk during those days when the struggle was to " keep his head above water." The father of Mrs. F. emigrated to Ohio when she was a child three years old. They remained there thirteen years, then came to Illinois, and her mar- riage oceurred when she was twenty-four. Of this union there were born ten children, and those now living are numbered among the substantial people of MeLean County.

The industry, energy and intelligence of Isaae Funk soon received a suitable recognition, and he beeame prominent in his community, and in 1840, he was elected to the Legislature on the Whig ticket, and in 1862 to the Senate to fill the unex- pired term of Gen. Oglesby, who had taken his sword and placed himself at the head of an Illinois regiment. Mr. Funk was re-elected, and remained a member of the General Assembly until his death. He was an uneompromising Union man, and a ter-

ror to traitors and seeessionists. His whole course through life was one amply worthy of imitation by those who can but peruse his history with thoughit- fulness and admiration.

Isaae Funk departed this life in Bloomington, Sunday morning, Jan. 29, 1865, and four hours later, Mrs. Funk elosed her eyes to earthly seenes. The funeral services of this honored pioneer and his devoted wife were perhaps the most impressive ever held in this county.

Mr. Funk at his death was worth about $2,000,- 000, which ineluded 20,000 acres of land. All this was left to his children without will, and the family settled up the estate without the aid of an admin- istrator, but all within themselves by quit-claiming to each other.

AMES H. TILGIIMAN, deceased, was the husband of Mrs. Caroline Tilghman, who is comfortably located on a good farm of 120 acres in Randolph Township, on section 14. The property of Mrs. T. is well improved with a good set of frame buildings, and she has occupied it since 1849. She has conducted the affairs of her homestead for the last nine years in a creditable and successful manner and is a lady of more than ordinary business ability. She was born in Monroe County, Va., Dec. 7, 1826, being the daughter of William and Nancy (Goar) McDaniel, both also natives of the Old Dominion. Her father was of Seotch-Irish aud her mother of German descent. After marriage they located upon a farm in West Virginia where they remained until after the birth of all their children, Mrs. T. being the youngest in the family. She was only, nine years old when her par- ents removed to Boone County, Ind., where they improved a farm, established a comfortable home and remained until the close of their lives. Both lived to an advanced age. The father, in politics, was strongly Democratie and both were members of the Christian Church. Mr. McDaniel has been Probate Judge and Justice of the Peace for many years in Virginia and advanced the freedom of the slaves by purchase from their owners. He had a presentiment that the existence of the peculiar in- stitution was of short duration, as has since been

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proved. William MeDaniel was a soldier in the War of 1812, and held a Captain's commission.

Mrs. Tilghman remained with her parents, assist- ing in the duties around the home and obtaining ber education in the publie sehools. On the 12th of August, 1847, she was united in marriage with William Tolbert of Boone County, Ind., where he was born in 1829, and reared of American parents. Ilis father, Elias Tolbert, was born in New Jersey and was of New England aneestry and parentage. Hle eame West, and locating in Boone County, Ind., died there at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He married Miss Sarah Robinson, who is yet living near Thornton, Ind., and is about seventy-six years old. Mr. and Mrs. Tolbert located in Indiana after their marriage and remained tberc until after tbe birth of their second child. They then re- moved to MeLean County, Ill., and located in Ran- dolph Township, where Mr. Tolbert departed tbis life April 20, 1858. He was successful in his busi- ness pursuits, a Democrat in polities, and religiously. adhered to the doctrines of the Methodist Episeo- pal Church. Of this marriage there were born six children, of whom four are deceased, viz .. Nancy, Benjamin F., William and Newton J. The latter married Miss Sallie Marker, now also deceased; they left two ebildren. Those surviving are: Mil- ton, who married Miss Alice Cook, of Downs Town- ship, and is engaged in farming; and Henry, who married Miss Minerva Thompson, and is carrying on agriculture successfully in Dickinson County, Kan.

Mrs. Tolbert was married to James H. Tilghinan May 20, 1863, and they became the parents of two children, Ar:bur L. and Charles N., who are both on the homestead with their mother.

W ILLIAM W. HAMMOND, of West Town- ship. came to this county in the spring of 1855, and seven years later commeneed farming on his own account. In 1867 he removed to the homestead which he now occupies and which comprises a quarter section of land, finely eulti- vated and improved. He has a good farm resi- denee with barns to correspond, and all other nee-

essary appurtenances of the intelligent and pro gressive agrieulturist.

Mr. Hammond was born in Staleybridge, Lanca- shire, England, April 2, 1839. His father, William Ilammond, was a native of the same shire, where he was reared and learned the trade of a black- sınitb. He followed tbis in his native country un- til 1841, and then, accompanied by his wife and six children, started for the United States. After ar- riving liere he first located in Trenton, N. J., where he followed his trade until 1857, then came Westward to Illinois, and purchasing a traet of land in Empire Township, this eounty, engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1863 he sold this prop- erty, and returning to 'Trenton, N. J., spent the remainder of his life there, dying on the 13th of October, 1867. His wife, the mother of our sub- jeet, was formerly Miss Elizabeth Shaw, also a na- tive of Lancashire. She survived her husband until Oct. 12, 1875, her death also occurring in Trenton, N. J. Of their children the record is ¿as follows: Thomas served as a soldier during the late war, in Co. G, 94tb Ill. Vol. Inf., and after returning from the army located in Trenton, N. J., where he died in January, 1885; Martha married .George W. Lanning, and Sarah A. beeaine the wife of Joseph Y. Lanning, both living in Trenton ; John died there when four years of age; William W., of our sketch, was the fifth child; James II. lives in Trenton; James and Henry (twins) died in' infaney.

The subject of this history was but two years old when he accompanied his parents to America. He lived with them in 'Trenton until sixteen years of age, in the meantime securing a good common- school education. After coming to tbis county he labored industriously and honestly, and soon gained the confidenec and esteem of all who knew him. His present possessions are the result of his own energy and industry, and he is numbered among the substantial and reliable citizens of West Town- ship.

Mr. Hammond was married, Dec. 9, 1861, to Miss Catherine Bishop, who was born in Empire Township, this county, April 4, 1842, being the daughter of Mahlon and Catherine Bishop [see sketch]. Of this union there have been six ehil-

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dren : Ida married Thomas J. Rutledge, and lives in West Township; James Walter, Charles B., Eliz- abeth C. and Oral Mildred are at home with their parents; William Malon, the fifth ehild, died when seven months old. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond are consistent members of Mt. Olive Methodist Epis- copal Chureli, and our subject, politically, is an uneompromising Demoerat. He has held the vari- ous offices of his township, and is a gentleman highly respected for his sterling worth, and takes an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his county and community.

G EORGE STEPHENSON. The subject of this brief history is a carpenter and joiner, and a skilled mechanie, whose work attests the thoroughness with which he has learned his trade. Ile is at present a resident of Normal and has been in MeLean County sinee the spring of 1866. He was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Nov. 8, 1838. His father, John Stephenson, lived and died in Bowling Green, Jefferson Co., Ohio, and was also a skillful earpenter. The family is of Irish aneestry, and represented by many descend- ants in the United States. The mother of our sub- jeet, formerly Miss Julia Anderson, was for many years a resident of Bowling Green, and died there in 1866, several years before the death of her hus- band.

The boyhood and youth of our subjeet were passed under the parental roof, and he learned the carpenter's trade under the instruction of his fa- ther. When twenty-one years of age he set out on his own aecount as a journeyman, and followed his trade in his native State for several years. He afterward went to Pennsylvania, and during the latter part of the war, with others set, out for the . West, finally landing in the Hawkeye State. Ile visited some of its principal cities and worked at his trade there until 1866, when he reerossed the Father of Waters, and came back East as far as MeLean County, loeating in Ileyworth and follow- ing his trade. That same year he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Maria Vanordstrand, who was a native of Washington County, Pa., born

Sept. 12, 1848. (For parental history see sketelı of Isaae Vanordstrand.)

Mrs. Stephenson was reared in her native county until seventeen years of age, attending the com- mon schools. She then came to Illinois with her parents, and afterward attended a select school at Heyworth, and was engaged in teaching for a short time previous to her marriage. They located at Hey worth after marriage, and resided there until the latter part of 1886, Mr. Stephenson pursuing his trade, and his wife faithfully devoting her time and energies to the duties of the household, and

the rearing of their five children. Of these the record is as follows: Nannie J. is attending the Normal University, and preparing herself for a teacher; she is a bright, independent and spirited young lady, and great things are expected of her in the future. Oakley V., Charles A., Anna M. and William M. commeneed their 'education in the schools of Heyworth, but will probably finish them at Normal.

Mr. and Mrs. S. have greatly interested them- selves in the education of their children, and in training them to lives of honor and virtue. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church, ' and greatly esteemed in the community. Our subjeet is a man of strong views, and politically easts his vote in support of the principles of the Democratie party.

ILLIAM YOUNG. Much attention is given to stoek-raising by the farmers of MeLean County, and a gentleman who is eminently successful in this industry, as well as an influential and prosperous farmer, is William Young, of Padua Township. He owns and oc- eupies a beautiful homestead of 375 aeres, upon which is erected a modern farm residence, good barns and other out-buildings, which we take pleas- ure in showing. in a view given in this volume. Mr. Young has brought his land to a high state of cultivation, all the buildings are kept in good re- pair, and altogether the homestead presents one of the most attractive spots within the boundary of MeLean County.

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Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 144

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