Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 149

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 149

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The subject of this history in early life learned the printer's trade, but this not being suited to his tastes he took up stove-molding and briekmak- ing, at which he served a thorough apprenticeship and became an expert. When twenty-three years of age he established himself at Richmond, Ind., and engaged at his trade, turning ont the largest amount of work in the molding of sand briek that has ever been known. At one time in the space of thirteen hours he finished off 14,369 briek. After this day's work he was carried on the shoulders of his men and the students two miles to and fro through the eity. An account of this was pub- lished throughout the United States and Canada, and young VanSehoiek was eoneeded the eham- pion briekmaker of the country.

From his early youth, Mr. VanSehoiek was al- ways ambitious to progress. He was never content with medioerity, but in whatever he undertook it seemed the most natural thing in the world that he should aim to exeel. After becoming thoroughly proficient in the manufacture of briek, he began to engage as a builder and contractor, and snperin- tended the ereetion of many important buildings in and around Richmond, Ind., among them the Friends' College, a handsome and substantial strne- ture, reared by the Quakers, and devoted to the higher branches of study.

Mr. VanSehoiek eame to Bloomington in 1858, and continued as a builder and contraetor, meeting with the same sueeess here which had signalized his efforts elsewhere. Among the important build- ings in this eity which bear the mark of his perse-

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veranec and genius are the Wesleyan College, the People's Bank building, and the Bloomington Stove Works. He possesses more than ordinary executive ability, and has had at times 175 men in his employ. Ile was one of the organizers of the Bloomington Stove Works, has been a stockholder and Dircetor from the beginning, and was elected President in 1885. The company commenced bus- iness with six members, and a capital stock of $40,- 000. The capital has since been increased and the products of their manufacture are sent into most of the Western and Southern States. Mr. VanSchoick is also identified with the plow works of the city, and is a stockholder in the Third National Bank.

One of the most important interests of the city is the Bloomington Pork Packing Company, which is transacting a large and profitable business, and lying in close proximity to the tracks of the I., B. & W. and the L., B. & M. R. R., has fine facilitics for shipping, and transports annually many car- loads of this almost indispensable commodity to different parts of the East and South. A man who has had the faculty of successfully engineering so many important interests, has naturally become an important factor in the building up of the city, which now largely depends upon him to assist in sustaining the reputation to which it has attained. Mr. VanSchoick has steadily declined to become an office-holder, feeling that his business affairs claimed his entire attention, but in 1860 the citizens elected hin Alderman, the duties of which office he filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. Hc is a man who can never be any- thing in a half-way manner, and during his ineum- beney of this office introduced many measures which were of great benefit to the city. He is largely interested in property here, and no man has taken greater satisfaction in noting the march of progress and civilization throughout the Prairie State, and in devising methods which shall result in the best good of its people. The measures which have had the tendency to encourage them in their efforts at building up homes and becoming worthy and permanent citizens have originated and been upheld by such men as the subject of this sketch.

The portrait of Mr. VanSchoick which we pre-

sent in connection with this sketch, forins one of the interesting features in a work of this kind, and takes the rightful place among the pioneers, to whose first efforts the city is indebted for being placed upon its feet, and thus enabled to effect the rapid progress which long ago relegated it to a po- sition among the important citics of the West.

E PHRAIM HESTER. MeLean County is dot- ted over with many well-improved farins, and a goodly number of them are owned by men who began life poor in pocket, but with an abundance of energy and pluck, and have made life a success. Ainong this class of citizens is Mr. Hester, of Cheney's Grove Township. He has bcen variously engaged as fariner, carpenter and school teacher, but is at present comfortably lo- cated on section 11. He was born in Northamp- ton County, Pa., whence he removed with his par- ents to Northumberland County and thereafter to Illinois, in 1867. He is the son of Christian and Elizabeth (Mensch) Hester, who spent their last years in Pennsylvania. The mother died in 1851, and the father surviving her nearly thirty years, departed this life in 1880, having arrived at the advanced age of nearly eighty-four years. Their eleven children were Phillip, Sylvester, Catherine, Caroline, Abraham, Lucy A., Christian, Ephraim, Williamn, Henry and Daniel.

Mr. Hester after coming to this county em- ployed himself at whatever he could find to do, some of the time in the cornfield, but most of the time teaching. He followed the latter profession for a period of twelve years with marked success. He has a natural love of learning and was finely educated. During the progress of the late War he enlisted in 1863, in Co. E, 131st Pa. Vol. Inf., as Corporal. He served nine months in the Army of the Potomnae, was held with his company as a re- serve in the battle of Fredericksburg, and partici- pated in the engagement at Chancellorsville. He was never wounded but suffered greatly in health from hardship and privation. He received an hon- orable discharge in 1864, and going into the State of Michigan resumed teaching, which he followed

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for two years, although scarcely able to do so. In 1872 he purchased 120 acres of land in this county, to which he subsequently added until he is now the owner of two finc farms including 240 acres. Upon this he has a handsome and substantial residence, good barns and out-buildings, and all the appli- ances of a modern agriculturist. He has given some attention of late years to the breeding of Norman horses and high-grade Short-horn cattle. He takes a genuine interest in the affairs of his connty and township, especially in the establishment and maintenance of schools. He has filled various township offices, and is a man of sound judgment, whose opinion is uniformly consulted upon all im- portant occasions. Politieally he is independent, and religiously was carefully reared by his parents in the doctrincs of the German Reformned Church.

The marriage of Ephraim Hester and Miss Arey A. Crigler took place on Christmas Eve, 1868. Mrs. II. was born in MeLean County, Ill., Feb. 2, 1850, and is the daughter of Thomas B. and Sarah R. (Deal) Crigler, both of whom are living. Their eight children are William H., C. F., C. E., John M. B., Arey A., Julius W., Martha S. and Maggie E. Mr. and Mrs. Hester sare the parents of six children. all of whom are living-Arthur, Eugene E., Eunice R., June, John T. and Incy E. Mr. Hester is a member of the Knights of Honor, at Gibson, Ill. Mrs. Hester is a member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church, of Gibson, Ford Co., Ill. A handsome lithographic view of Mr. Hester's place is shown.

0 WEN A. MEANS, a prominent fariner and stock+raiser of Cheney's Grove Township, is the owner of a fine farm estate on section 15. He is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Lewis County, Sept. 21, 1831, and is the son of Robert and Sarah (Rumsey) Means, natives of Pennsyl- vania, where the father was born in 1785. Robert Means emigrated to Illinois in 1829, locating in this county, of which he remained thereafter a resi- dent, and departed this life Aug. 15, 1835. He was an old-line Whig politically, and religiously, a firm believer in the doctrines of the Methodist Church,

of which his wife was also a member. She was born Nov. 10, 1795, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. James McMackin, March 1, 1875. Their ten children are recorded as follows : America, who became the wife of Snowden Ball, died in Cheney's Grove Township in 1885: Katurah mar- ried James MeMackin, and lives in the same town- ship; Jemima and John were twins, the former be- came the wife of A. G. Stansberry of Kansas, and the latter died when fifteen years old; James R. married Miss Nancy Stansberry; David D. first married Miss Mary Cline, who died after a few years, and he then married her sister Rebecca; Joseph K. married Miss Matilda Rankin ; he served as a soldier in the Union army during the late war, being a member of the 116th Illinois Infantry, and died at Vicksburg in 1863; his widow was left with four children; Owen A., our subject, was the eightlı child; Elizabeth, Mrs. Green, lives in Lynn County, Kan .; Margaret became the wife of James Vanscoyoc, and lives on the old home place where the parents settled in 1829.

'The subject of this history remained under the home roof during his childhood and youth, receiv- ing eareful home training and a good common- school education. After reaching manhood he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Pitts, Oct. 4, 1855. Mrs. M. is the daughter of William and Naney (Armstrong) Pitts, who were natives of Kentucky and removed to this State in 1855. Both are now deceased. The father died June 6, 1857, and the mother, Sept. 6, 1863. William Pitts was a farmer and carpenter, an industrious and en- terprising man and a good citizen. Politically he was a firm adherent of the Whig party, but after the abandonment of the old party inelined to Democratic principles. Both parents were inem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The record of their ten children is as follows: John first married Miss Mary J. Zook, who died soon afterward; his second wife was Miss Mary Means; Lydia. the wife of our subjeet, was the second child; William died in infancy ; Lucinda, who became the wife of Granville Rayburn, is a resident of San Jose, Cal .; Justina, Mrs. Frazier, is now deceased; Thomas married Miss Jane Stansberry and lives in California; Charlie died when six years of age; the

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next. an infant, died nnnamed; Naney J., ummar- ried, is a resident of California; Owen died when two years old.

Mr. and Mrs. Owen Means became the parents of ten children : William died when two years of age; Alvira, Mrs. Woodruff, is a resident of Dakota; Bell, Mrs. Thornton, lives at Cullom, Ill .; Charlie was the fourth child; Matic, Mrs. John Williams, lives at Colfax, Ill .; Luther died when seventeen months old; Amos B., who was born Aug. 17, 1870, is attending the High School at Saybrook, and is a youth of more than ordinary ability, being well advaneed in his studies and fond of learning ; Joseph K., born Mareh 9, 1873, attended the com- mon sehools until 1887, and on the 3d day of March following, started for Hyde County, Dak., . to assist his brother. Charles, in opening up a farm. This consists of a traet of 1,220 aeres, and these en- terprising young men will doubtless in time become worthy and valued citizens. Joseph is a great favorite with all who know him, full of life and spirits but of excellent habits. Daisy, the youngest daughter, was born March 6, 1876, and Jay, the. youngest son, Sept. 17, 1880. The latter is now a bright boy of nearly seven years, the pet and sun- shine of the home eirele.

The homestead of Mr. Means comprises 250 aeres of fine farming land. Of late years he has made a specialty of stock breeding and bears the reputation of being one of the best breeders in this part of the State. His herd of cattle comprises some of the finest animals to be found in the West. Two years ago he shipped to the Chicago market two carloads of the heaviest fat steers that ever left the township. He also has some fine English - draft horses and has operated largely in Poland- China swine.

Mr. Means has a fine dwelling built of briek, two stories in height, with handsome veranda in front and a porch around the L. The house is finely finished and furnished. A view of the residence is given in this work. The barns and other out- buildings are adapted in every respect to the re- quirements of a first-class farmer and stock-raiser. Mr. Means is now building one of the finest barns in this community, its dimensions being 36x48 feet, and capable of holding fifty tons of hay and shelter-

ing about forty head of stoek. The grounds are finely laid out and the whole estate presents one of the most attractive spots in MeLean County. Mr. Means, politically, easts his vote in support of the Democratie party and all the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

LINT BROS. George H. and Charles A. Flint are widely and favorably known among the farmers and stoek-raisers of Belleflower Township, as being especially worthy representatives of the latter department of farm- ing. They were born among the New Hampshire Hills, and descended from a family who were among the earliest settlers of New England, its first representatives having crossed the waters about the time of the settlement of the Plymouth colon- ists. The paternal grandfather of the Flint Broth- ers, who was a native of Andover, Mass., removed to New Hampshire about 1790, and was among the first settlers of Hillsboro County, that State. He purchased a traet of Government land, eleared a farm from the wilderness, and established a com- fortable home, where he remained until the elose of his life. For many years Boston was the nearest market for the settlers, who usually made the jonr- ney with ox-teams. The Indians lingered there for some years afterward, and wild game was plenty.

Luther Flint, father of Flint Brothers, of onr sketch, was born in Hillsboro, N. H., and is living on the farm which his father cleared there. Ile is ·now eighty years of age, and although not in ro- bust health, still possesses his vigorous and active mind, and keeps himself well posted upon current events. . His wife was Miss Sarah D. Richardson, also a native of Hillsboro. She departed this life in 1884. The record of their six children is as fol- lows : Sullivan lives on the old homestead and takes care of his father; Ellen M. became the wife of Giles Brown, and lives in Deering, N. H .; Sarah F. lives with her father; Fred W. is a resident of Hillsboro; the remaining two brothers are the sub- jeets of our sketch.

George II. Flint was born in Ilillsboro, N. H.,

RESIDENCE OF GEO. H. FLINT, SEC. 32., BELLE FLOWER TOWNSHIP.

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Oct. 26, 1844. He was educated in the district schools of his native town, and in the school at Henniker. When not in school he assisted his fa- ther on the farm, and remained with his parents until he attained his majority, in 1865. He then came to Illinois, first locating in Madison County, where he was employed as a farm laborer thrce ycars. While there he made the acquaintance of Mr. O. M. Hatch, who owned a large tract of wild land in Belleflower Township, McLean County, and made arrangements to move upon and im- prove a part of the land. He located on the south- west quarter of section 32, where he has worked 500 acres on shares since that time. This he has brought to a good state of cultivation, has it well stocked, and supplied with a good sct of farm buildings. His cattle are all high-grade animals, and the horses, sheep and hogs are of the best qual- ity, and well cared for.

Mr. Flint was married to Miss Belle Skidmore on the 11th of April, 1877. Mrs. Flint was born in Bloomington Township, this county, in Decem- ber, 1856, and is the danghter of George W. and Margaret (Kinsel) Skidmore. Of this union there are two children-George Hatch and Arthur L. Mr. and Mrs. Flint are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Charles A. Flint was born in Hillsboro, N. H., Sept. 13, 1851. He pursued his primary studies in the district schools, his cducation being advanced by an attendance of two terms at Francistown Academy. Being naturally studious and fond of learning, he occupied himself as a teacher for a short time, and in 1872 set his face toward the great West. After coming into Illinois he located in Belleflower and engaged as a farm- laborer, the greater part of the time for his brother, until 1883. In that year he was taken into partnership, and the brothers have operated together since that time. They soon afterward purchased the farm located on section 29, which contains 160 acres, and which they have brought to a good state of cultivation, making all needful improvements.

The marriage of Charles A. Flint and Miss May Skidmore took place on the 2d of February, 1887. This lady was born in Belleflower Township, June 10, 1864, and is the danghter of George W. and

Margaret (Kinsel) Skidmore, natives respectively of Ohio and Virginia. A view of the beautiful residence of George W. Flint appears elsewhere in this volume.

OSES C. JOIINSTON. Few counties can boast of so many fine farm estates as Mc- Lean. One of them is occupied by the gentleman of whom we now write. It is situated on section 27, Downs Township, and in- cludes 320 acres of valuable land, with a handsome and substantial set of frame buildings. The stock and farm machinery are kept in the best condition, and everything about the premises denotes tlc in- telligence and thrift of Mr. Johnston. Our subject has been in possession of his present farm for about twenty years.

He comes of excellent Irish ancestry and parent- age. His father, John Johnston, was born in the North of Ireland, and when nine years of age emi- grated with his mother to the United States. They stopped for a brief time in New York, then re- moved to Ohio, and located in Harrison County, where the father of our subject grew to manhood. He was a boatman on the Ohio River for a period of ten years, engaged in the transportation of coal and other merchandise. He became pilot of a river steamer, and was noted for his skill and intimate knowledge of the course of the river. In company with his brother he became part owner of different boats. He frequently went to New Orleans with a cargo of goods and returned on foot to his home in Wheeling.

After retiring from the river business, John Johnston located in Bloomington, Ill., where he now lives in case and comfort, having reached the advanced age of seventy-two years. He was mar- ried in Ohio to Miss Elcanor Cairns, who was also a native of the North of Ireland, and of Scotch descent. She came to the United States with her parents when a child, and received a good educa- tion. She was born in 1823, and is still living with her husband in Bloomington.

Moses C. Johnston was the second son and child of a family of ten, seven sons and three daughters. Of these a son and daughter are now deceased, and

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four of the living are married. Our subjeet was born on the 3d of July, 1846; spent his childhood and youth under the parental roof, and received a good edneation in the common sehools. He was married at Normal, this eounty, March 16, 1871, to Miss Urie Hersey, who was a native of Gra- tiot, Ohio, and born July 9, 1844. Her par- ents were Adam and Mary (Meliek) Hersey, na- tives of Virginia and Ohio. They were married in the latter State, and located there upon a farm, whenee they came West with their family in about 1857. The father carried on farming in De Witt County, this State, until about 1866, and then re- moved to Normal, where the parents now live. Mrs. Johnston was the fourth of eight children born to her parents, and completed her education in the State University at Normal. When seventeen years of age she began teaching in the publie schools, which profession she followed until her marriage with our subjeet.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are the parents of eight children-Charles C., Edward W., Robert C., Maude G., Carrie E., Roseoe H., Burley C. and Urie May. Our subject and wife take especial pride in their blooming young family, who are all children of more than ordinary intelligence, healthy, hearty, and full of life. Mr. Johnston is a repre- sentative business man, and politically an active Republican.

ALMER STORY, one of the honored pio- meers, and a retired farmer of MeLean County, is passing his deelining years in the city of Bloomington, enjoying the fruits of his early labors with a good conscience, and at peace with all men. Ilis pleasant and taste- ful residenee is located at the corner of Longworth and Denver streets, and with his faithful wife he is surrounded by affectionate friends and the eitizens who long years ago learned to revere him for his personal worth and upright course in life.

Mr. Story was born in Shawnee Flats, Pa., on the 5th of Mareli, 1805, and is the son of John and Naney (Jones) Story, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania respectively. John Story was a sol-

dier of the Revolutionary War, and possessed in a marked degree the characteristics of a sturdy and honorable ancestry. The parental family consisted of four children, the subject of our sketeh being the only one living. The latter, after five years of age, was reared on a farm in Ohio, and was mar- ried in 1824, to Miss Mary A. Morris, a native of England, and the daughter of Joseph and Hester (Perry) Morris, also of English birth and aneestry.

In 1835 Mr. Story removed from Ohio to Illi- nois, settling in MeLean County, eighteen miles southwest of Bloomington. He purchased 240 aeres of land npon which was a small eabin, and eommeneed its improvement by building fenees, - planting orchards, and providing those comforts and conveniences necessary to the farm and house- hold. He occupied this with his family until 1852, then sold out and removed to Bloomington, where, in company with three other gentlemen, he pur- chased eighty aeres of land east of the eity, and laid off his share in town lot's. These, while pro- viding comfortable homes at a reasonable price, as- sisted to enlarge the boundaries of the city, and yielded our subjeet a handsome income.

Mr. Story at. different times has purchased about 400 aeres of land in McLean County, part of which he has given to his children. These were seven in number: Luey, Mrs. Graves, is a resident of Col- orado, and the mother of five children-William, John, Mary, Edward and Harry; Mary, Mrs. Proe- tor, of Missouri, has nine children-Eveline, Palmer, HIester, Eva, Amy, Speneer, John, Carrie and Willie; William married Eliza Pharis, of De Witt Connty, Ill., and has seven children-Palmer, Mary, Cynthia, Luey, Sarah, Jolin and Dell; Hester mar- ried William Alexander in 1855, becoming the mother of one daughter, Lue M., and died of ap- oplexy March 20, 1887, in Bloomington; Hannah married James R. Murphy, and has four children- William, Mary, Riley and Della; Mr. Murphy died Mareh 28. 1863. During the late war he was Cap- tain of the 33d Missouri Volunteers. Cynthia, Mrs. Enoeh, of Colorado, has beeome the mother of five ehildren-Frank, Gertrude (deceased), Will- iam, Jennie and Mary; Mattie, Mrs. Arnold, of Illinois, has six ehildren-Lewis, Ilester, Oliver, Alpha, Kate and Mattie; Oliver married Rebecca

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Jennings, of McLean County, and has two children -Nellie and Maude.

Mr. Story has of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, over 130. He has been mar- ried sixty-two years. He was converted when fif- teen years old, and joined the United Brethren Church, with which he remained five years; since that time he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his wife and children also being connected with the same. Of this he has been Steward and Class-Leader for many years, and now, with his companion, is waiting on the shore of time to cross over the river to the mansions prepared for them on the other side.

L. WOLCOTT, engaged in the undertaking business, is located at No. 203 South Main street, Bloomington, and is contributing his full share as a useful factor in the business interests of the city, being honest and upright in his business transactions, prompt to mect his obliga- tions, and a useful member of society. Mr. Woleott is a native of the Bay State, having been born in Sandisfield, Berkshire Co., Mass., Aug. 30, 1808. He is the son of William and Huldah (Denning) Wolcott, also natives of Massachusetts, whose an- eestry came from England. .

The parents of our subject were married April 12, 1834, and became the parents of seven children, five now living-Nelson, Honor, John L., Homer and Mary. William Wolcott was a builder and contractor, and during the last years of his life was principally occupied as a cabinet-maker. Both par- ents died in Sandisfield. The father was born June 12, 1774, and departed this life Oct. 25, 1843. The mother, born in 1776, died Nov. 27, 1841.

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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 149

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