Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 145

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 145

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Mr. Young was born in Darke County, Ohio,

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Jan. 10, 1843, being the son of Isaae Young, a na- tive of the same State and deseended from ex- eellent German aneestry. Onr subjeet was the see- ond eliild of a family of four sons, two of whom are deeeased. Anderson, the eldest, is a sneeessful far- iner and stoek-raiser of Arrowsmith Township, this eounty, and married Miss Rachel Wampler; William was but a young child when, in June, 1851. his parents started for Illinois. They lived one year in Bloomington Township, this eounty, and thenee removed to l'adua, Township, where the father purchased 200 aeres of land on seetion 21, which was the seene of his labors and is now the homestead of his son. Isaae Young was a man of great energy and foree of character, and after eom- ing to the West opened up a fine farm and estab- lished a comfortable home for his family. He de- parted this life in November, 1856. The mother was afterward married to William Harrison and lives in Padua Township. Her maiden name was Barbara Naggle, and she was born in Darke Coun- ty, Ohio.

William Young lived at home until his father's death. He completed his edneation in Wesleyan University at Bloomington, having taken a three years' course of study. He afterward engaged in teaching sehool, and after the outbreak of the late war responded with thousands of others to the see- ond eall for troops and enlisted in Co. H, 68th Illi- nois Infantry. He was in the service nine months without being in any aetive engagement with the enemy. After the expiration of his first term of enlistment, lie again entered the ranks, becoming a . member of Co. G, 145th Illinois Infantry, serving with the 100-day men, returning home after. receiving his honorable diseharge. He then went to Denver, Col., where he was engaged in prospeet- ing. He then returned home, and was married, Jan. 27, 1867, to Miss Adelaide, daughter of Will- iam and Mary J. (Dawson) Harrison. The parents of Mrs. Y. were natives respectively of Ohio and Illinois, the mother being born and reared in Me- Lean County. She died in Padua Township in 1864, when about forty years of age. Mr. Harri- son was then married to Mrs. Barbara Young, the mother of our subjeet. Mrs. Young of this sketeh, the second daughter of her parents, was born in

Padua Township, Dec. 19, 1845, and after the death of her mother, offieiated as her father's house- keeper until her marriage. Of her union with our subjeet there were born seven children, of whom one. Mary E., died when about three years of age. Those living are Charles E., who is preparing him- self for a teacher; Dora, Etta A., Frank W., Grace J. and Mattie L.

Politieally Mr. Young is a solid Demoerat, and a more than ordinarily intelligent eitizen, who has always taken a deep interest in the establish- ment and maintenance of the sehool system. He has held some of the minor offiees of his township, and is regarded with genuine esteem and eon- fidenee.

ATRICK W. COLEMAN, of Bloomington Township, is one of the rising young far- mers of this seetion, and is the owner of forty aeres of land on seetion 15, which is all under a good state of eultivation and yields its proprietor a handsome ineome.

Mr. Coleman was born in the eity of Blooming- ton, July 31, 1858, and is the son of Jolin Coleman, who was of Irish deseent and parentage, and born in the city of Cork, June 24, 1810. He emigrated to the United States while a young man, in 1846, before his marriage, and settled in Tarrytown, N. Y., where he became eonneeted with the Hudson River and New York & Erie Railroads, as foreman. He 'afterward beeame a foreman of the C. & A., and in the interest of that company came to Illi- nois. For sixteen years he oeeupied the position of foreman, and was held in great favor by the offi- eials of the road. After coming to this part of Illinois he established a home for himself and fam- ily in Bloomington, where he departed this life on the 6th of June, 1886. He was a remarkably strong man physically, and retained his eyesight perfeetly until within a few weeks of his death, having been able to read without glasses. He was well informed, and possessed a good knowledge of the eurrent affairs of his country, both generally and politically. He remained a staneh adherent of the Catholie faith of his fathers, and in politics was an active Democrat. It may be said that in

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every respect John Coleman was esteemed as one of the best citizens of his eominunity. Ile was kind and generous in his disposition, always ready to lend a helping hand to those who needed, and was strietly upright and honorable in his business transactions. His wife, the mother of our subjeet. before her marriage, was Miss Mary Jones, born in Ireland in the same eity as her husband, and eame to the United States when a young woman. She was married to John Coleman in the State of New York, and eamne West with him in 1851. She is now living with her son, our subject, and is about sixty-seven years of age. She also, with her ehil- dren, is a consistent member of the Roman Catho- lie Church. She became the mother of three chil- dren, one of whom, John, died when eighteen months old; Mary A. resides with her brother, our subject.

Patrick W. Coleman is considered one of the representative citizens of this locality, and none are held in higher respect. He seems to have in- herited the excellent qualities of his father before him, whose memory he holds in that reverence which is due to so good a man and parent. In both religion and polities he follows in the foot- steps of his sire, being connected with the Cath- olic Chureli and the Democratic party.

G EORGE W. PAYNE, who is widely and fa- vorably known throughout McLean County, and now one of the prominent citizens and business men of Delana, was born in Bloomington, Monroe Co., Ind., Dee. 28, 1851. His father, James Franklin Payne, a native of the same town and . county, was the son of Jacob Payne, of Vir- ginia. who emigrated from the Old Dominion to Indiana, and was among the earliest pioneers of Monroe County. He took up a traet of timber land adjacent to the present eity of Bloomington, and besides attending to the cultivation and im- provement of his farm, officiated as a local preacher - of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a man of rare intelligence, great foree of character, and represented his district in the State Senate.

Hle only lived to be fifty-one years of age, dying at his home near Bloomington about 1853.

His son James, the father of our subjeet, was reared to farming pursuits, and remained a resi- cent of his native county until 1854. He then re- moved with the family to Illinois, the journey be- ing made overland with wagons. He purchased a traet of wild land at $2.50 per acre in Arrowsmith Township, this county, upon which he built a log house, in which he lived four or five years, then removed to Iowa, remaining a resident of Warren County for two years. He then reerossed the Fa- ther of Waters, and returning to Arrowsmith Township, purchased the farm where he established a permanent homestead and has since lived.

The mother of our subjeet, who before her mar- riage was Miss Martha A. Gray, was also born in Bloomington, Ind., and by her union with James Franklin became the mother of seven children, of whom George W., our subjeet, was the eldest. He was but three years old when the family came to this county, and was reared on the farm, receiving a fair education in the district schools. He lived at home with his parents until twenty-one years of age, and then engaged as clerk for J. R. Krum, grain dealer at Arrowsmith, with whom he re- mained six and one-half years, when he started in business for himself as a general dealer in grain and merchandise, and there formed the nucleus of his present extensive and luerative trade. He be- came associated in partnership with Thomas Clarey under the firm name of Clarey & Payne, and they commeneed operations with a capital of $1,500. The business of the firm now represents $30,000. They own large tracts of land in Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, their farm near Hastings being splen- didly improved and stoeked with fine cattle. This is managed by a brother of Mr. Payne, John W. In 1882 they started a branch at Delana, having bought out Mr. Snooks who had established the business at that place. Mr. Clarey manages the business at Arrowsmith, and Mr. Payne at Delana. In 1884 they disposed of the mercantile depart- ment, and have since confined their operations to grain and coal.

Mr. Payne was married, Jan. 5, 1873, to Miss Marie E. Clarey, who was born in Lincolnshire,

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England, and is the daughter of Thomas N. and Elizabeth Clarey. Of this union there have been born two children-Stella E. and Rinnie C. Mr. Payne is Republican in polities, and has served as a member of the Board of Supervisors from West Township, also as Assessor. He'is a member of Undine Lodge No. 570,.1. O. O. F., of Arrowsmith. In this he has filled the various offices, and for_two years represented the lodge in the Grand Convo- eation at Chieago and Springfield.

AVID H. MCFARLAND, physician and surgeon, is one of the oldest and best- known practitioners in the southern 'part of MeLean County, and has followed his profession sinee 1862. He eame, to this eounty from Indiana, and at onee seeured the good will of the, community by his elose attention to business, his studious habits and his evident knowledge of his professional duties.

Dr. MeFarland is a native; of Pennsylvania, be- ing born in the village of Mereersburg, in what was then Bedford, but now Fulton County, Oet. 16, 1831. _ His father, Josephi _MeFarland, was a native of, the same State, and occupied in both farn- ing and_ merchandising. _ Joseph; MeFarland de- seended from excellent Seottish aneestry, and in early life was married to Miss Naney Humphreys, also born in Pennsylvania, and whose aneestors were likewise from Seotland. _ The parents of our subjeet remained in Pennsylvania, until after the birth of all their children, jremovingito Indiana in 1848. There the father died, in Clinton"County, and the mother in Jefferson County. _ Their five children are all living, three of them in Illinois, one in Pennsylvania, and all married. Mary J., after the death of her first liusband, married Milton Me- Corkel, who is also deceased; she lives in Hey- worth; James C., also of that village, was Clerk of the Circuit Court for eight years; Rowanna beeame the wife of Moses Seott, of Monongahela City, Pa. ; Martha, the widow of John Dunn, resides in Han- over, Jefferson Co., Ind.

The subject of this history attended the common Schools of his native State and afterward graduated

from the preparatory department of Marshall Col- lege. He was eighteen years of age when his par- ents removed to Indiana, and soon afterward eom- meneed the study of medieine under the instruction of Drs. Dunn, Carter & Byers, of Frankford. He afterward turned liis attention to a collegiate edu- eation in surgery and medicine at Rush Medieal College, Chicago, whenee he graduated in 1869. He had, however, been engaged in practice. '

Dr. McFarland eame to Ileyworth and opened an office in 1862. Shortly afterward he began to make purehases of land, and is now the owner of 325 acres on seetions 9 and 11, in Randolph Town- ship, the cultivation of which he superintends and from which he derives a handsome ineome.

Dr. MeFarland was married in Clinton County, Ind., June 22, 1859, to Miss M. E. Dunn, who was born in the county named, and was a popular teacher of musie there, both before and since her marriage. She is the daughter of J. H. Dunn, for- merly a prominent farmer of Indiana, but now de- eeased. They have no children. Both our sub- jeet and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in polities the Doetor easts his vote in support of the principles of the Republican party. He has been a elose student and an extensive read- er, and not only has an exeellent knowledge of his professional duties and agricultural pursuits, but possesses a fund of general information which eon- stitutes him a fine conversationalist and a useful member of the community.

AVID W. STANGER. The subject of the following sketeh is one of the enter- prising citizens of Arrowsmith Township, and occupies a fine homestead on seetion 14. He became a resident of the Prairie State in 1849, locating at onee in MeLean County, where he was employed as a farm laborer at $12 per month. After seven months thus oeeupied lie en- gaged in feeding eattle by the month, which he varied [by splitting rails, for which he received all the way from 37} to 75 eents per hundred. After- ward he was engaged in a sawmill. Ile lived eeo- nomieally and saved his earnings, and in due time

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established a business for himself, and was the first inan who shipped cattle from this locality to Cli- eago. This " shipping " was first done by driving the animals, and one hierd he transported in this manner, in 1852, to Cadiz, Ohio, making the return trip on horseback. The following year he pur- eliased 160 aeres of land, which constitutes his present homestead. He is now considered one of the best swine growers in this township. To this department of farming he has given inueh atten- tion, and from it has realized quite a little fortune.

In 1859, having become infected with the Cali- fornia gold fever, he started for the Pacifie Slope, and remained a resident of that region for a period of sixteen years, engaged alternately in farming and mining, which yielded him a handsome income which, however, went as easy as it came. He made the trip there by a steamer via Panama, but in 1875 returned by rail. He speaks of the elimate of California as charming, but all things taken to- gether thinks Illinois is about as good a State as one can find. While in the farther West, Mr. Stanger went into Oregon and remained three months hunting among the Caseade Mountains, and afterward making a short stay at the city of Salen.

Mr. Stanger was born in Monroe County, Ind., Oet. 13, 1828, and is the son of John and Katie (Brownlow) Stanger-his mother having been a full cousin of Parson Brownlow, of Tennessee, the famous Union man, editor, orator, and preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The parents of our subjeet were natives of Virginia. John Stan- ger was born in April, 1799, and removed to Indi- ana in early manhood, where he first carried on the trade of a tanner, but afterward engaged in farm- ing. He departed this life Oet. 14, 1884. The mother of our subject died in early life, in 1828. Of this first marriage there were born-Mary, Syl- vester and Strother (twins), John E., James H., and David, of our sketch. The second wife of John Stanger was formerly Miss Aun Thomas, and of their marriage there were born nine ehildreu, namely, Catherine, Lorenzo D., Jacob, Margaret, Tillma, Dorothy A., Ephraim, Thomas and Withe.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Naney M. Duke occurred Feb. 18, 1877, at Mr. Stanger's res- idenee. Mrs. S. was born in Clark County, Ky.,

Sept. 16, 1840, and was the daughter of Joel and Mary (Trowbridge) Duke, both natives of the Blue Grass State, and descended from excellent Duteli and Welsh ancestry. Joel Duke was born in 1789, followed the occupation of a blacksmith the greater part of his life, and died in 1849, in Owen County, Ky. His wife, Mary, was born in 1799, and sur- vived her husband about sixteen years, her death oeeurring in 1865. Of their ten children, two died in infaney. The remainder were William M., Silas P., James II., Martha A., Amanda, Nannie, Sarah E. and Julia F., all now deceased except the four youngest. The parents of these children were con- neeted with the Christian Church for over twenty years, and their offspring have religiously followed in their footsteps, all, including Mrs. Stanger, be- ing members of that church. Joel Duke with sev- eral of his sons became connected with the Masonie fraternity many years ago, the latter of whom at their death were buried with the honors of that order. Mr. Stanger in early life was a Democrat, but later considered that he had reason to ehange his political views, and he is now a staneh support- er of Republican principles. A fine view of his residence is shown elsewhere in this volume.

W ILLIAM H. HOSELTON, one of the prominent and enterprising farmers of All- chor Township, has been a resident of this State sinee a boy of fourteen years old. He was born in Holmes County, Ohio, May 1, 1843, and is the son of John Hoselton, of Virginia. His mother, formerly Miss Naney Dalbey, was a native of Penn- sylvania. The parents were married in Ohio and resided in that State until 1857, when they came to this county, and are now living on a farm in Normal Township. Of their five sons and two daughters, William H. was the oldest. Much of the land was uncultivated and at that time prairie fires were numerous, and our subjeet relates a thrill- ing ineident of his own experience, when the fire threatened his father's property, and he used up all his clothes excepting his underwear to fight it with. In so doing he caught a severe cold. The next morning he mounted a horse which was kept

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in the stable, for the purpose of going after those that were turned out to graze at night, and in driv- ing them home the horse he was riding got into a fight with one that he was driving, and in the alter- eation he was kicked on the heel. This, together with the excitement he had undergone, caused in- flammation to such an extent that the doctor decided to amputate his foot. Ilis father, however, was decidedly opposed to this and it was not done, but for several years our subjeet was obliged to walk on erutehes. He gradually recovered the use of his foot, however, and is now enabled to get around like other men.

William Hoselton was reared on his father's farm, pursued his first studies in the district schools and later attended the Illinois State University at Nor- mal two years. During this time and subsequently he taught school for nine winters successively, as- sisting his father in the farin work during the sum- iner. Aug. 19, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Hutchison, who was born in Belmont County, Ohio, July 10, 1856, and was the daughter of James and Bathsheba (Foreman) Hutchison. The day after their marriage the young couple lo- eated upon the farm which they now occupy, and which Mr. H. had previously purchased. This was in almost its original condition when he took pos- session of it, but he entered industriously upon its cultivation and improvement, and has now a snug farm homestead of eighty acres, very fertile, and adapted to the growth of grain and all other prod- nets common to this section. The farm buildings are tasteful and substantial and Mr. and Mrs. H. are greatly enjoying the home which they . have built up by years of industrious toil and economy. Their possessions are the result of their own efforts, and their homestead is unincumbered.

Mr. Hoselton has given much attention to stock- raising of late years, and Mrs. H. presides over a fine dairy. In the space of fourteen years . they have opened up and improved their snug little farm, which is all well drained and enclosed with good feneing. They became the parents of two children, one of whom died in infancy: Ada Ella, born Sept. 7, 1879, is a bright and interesting child and the light of the household. Mr. Hoselton is Re- publican in polities and although repeatedly so-

lieited by his friends to become a candidate for some local office, has no aspiration in that direction, but simply contents himself by casting his vote in support of that body. Unsolicited Mr. II. was elected to the office of School Trustee at the last spring election, which office he is filling to the satis- faetion of all. He has never been connected with any secret or religious society, but is a strong friend of temperanee and interested in the success of the Prohibition party.

A lithographie view of Mr. Iloselton's handsome residenee is shown on another page. -

W ILLIAM BEELER, of Dale Township, is a native of the Blue Grass 'State, having been born in Elkhorn County, Ky., Feb. 8, 1822. IIe is the son of William Beeler, born Sept. 6, 1796, in the same county. The grandfather of our subject, Samuel Beeler, was a native of Vir- ginia, and of German deseent. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. After the close of the war he removed to Kentucky, being a pio- neer settler of that region. He was a great hunter and possessed rare skill in the use of the rifle. At one time, during the Indian troubles, himself and two companions went on a hunting expedition after buffalo and deer. Mr. Beeler killed a buffalo and three doe deer. While engaged in skinning one of them he heard a disturbance in the bushes and upon looking up saw a man who proved to be an Indian looking from behind the tree. Mr. B. seized his gun and started, and after him also started six In- dians, who fired at him as they ran. IIe stubbed his toe and fell and the Indians gave a whoop of triumph. They did not rejoice very long in their victory, however, for he sprung up and being very fleet of foot soon distanced his pursuers with the exception of one, whom he shot dead as he turned around. After some difficulty he found the camp of his companions and after all the party had come iu they "pulled up stakes" and returned home.

In 1806 Samuel Beeler removed with his family to Hamilton County, Ohio. Six years later the War of 1812 was in progress, and Samuel Beeler, shouldering his musket, once more started out for

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the scene of conflict. He was as brave a soldier as he was a pioneer settler and after the battle of Tippecanoe, during which he had distinguished himself, he was promoted Colonel of the regiment. When peace had been declared Mr. Beeler returned to his home, and subsequently eame to Illinois and spent the last years of his life in this county.

William Becler, the father of our subject, was but ten years old when his father removed from Virginia to Kentucky. He grew to manhood in Hamilton County, Va., and after going to Ken- tucky was united in marriage with Miss Mary Hall, who died in the latter State in 1824. Shortly after- ward Mr. B. went to Ohio, and was there subse- quently married to Miss Elizabeth Sheley. In the fall of 1830 he started for Illinois with his family, making the trip overland with an outfit of three . yoke of oxen and one wagon. His father, Col. Beeler, accompanied him with a horse and carriage and he had two or three men to look after the teams. Mr. Beeler had previously visited the State and purchased a claim on seetion 3, Dale Township, where he lived until his death. He was a man of many excellent traits of character. straightforward and upright in his dealings.

William Beeler was but two years old when he was deprived, by death, of the tender and affee- tionate care of his mother. Shortly after this sad event his father removed to Ohio, where he resided until 1830, and then came to McLcan County, III. When William Beeler was eightcen years of age he . went with his Uncle IIenry to Chicago, each hav- ing charge of a team of horses and a wagon loaded with apples to sell. After they had disposed of their produce they purchased a quantity of fine salt at $2.50 per barrel, and taking it home, sold it at 100 per cent profit. After this young Beeler made several trips to the great city.

William Beeler remained an inmate of his father's home.until his marriage. In 1850 he commeneed the improvements on his present farm, which is lo- eated on sections 9, 10 and 13, of Dale Township. His first marriage occurred on the 25th of July, 1844, the maiden of his choice being Miss Catha- rine Layton, who died the 8th of April, 1862. Their children were as follows: William H. died in in- faney ; Harriett A., now Mrs. Westmoreland; Sarah

J., Mrs. Frye; Mary E., Mrs. Banner; John D., and Alfaretta, who also married a Mr. Frye; Daniel E., Stephen A. and Juliet, deceased.

The sceond marriage of Mr. Beeler ocenrred Jan. 11, 1868, and he was then married to Miss Mary A. II. O'Neall, who was born in Greene County, Ind., in 1835. She was the daughter of Cary and Louisa (Boyd) O'Neall. Her paternal grandfather. John ()'Neall, was a native of South Carolina; and her maternal grandfather was Hon. Drury Boyd, of Georgia, who removed thence to Kentucky and later to Indiana, and became a pioneer settler of Greene County. He was prominently connected with publie affairs, and served two terins as a Mem- ber of Congress.

The second marriage of Mr. Beeler has been blest by the birth of six children: Arthur, born Oet. 11, 1868, died July 27, 1875, and an infant unnamed; Elzada F., born April 30, 1871 ; Silas C., Jan. 12, 1873; George Samuel, born Aug. 14, 1874, died Sept. 5, 1875, and Walter C., born March 23, 1876. The subject of our sketeh, with his family, occupies a comfortable homestead comprising 200 acres. The family are well and favorably known throughout McLean County, and are held in the highest respect by their, friends and associates. They attend the Christian Church, and in politics Mr. Beeler is a Democrat.

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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 145

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