Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 150

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 150

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John L. Wolcott reecived a common-school cdu- cation in his native town, which was principally ob- tained during the winter seasons while he worked on a farm during the summer until sixteen years old. He pursued his studies some three years later, and also worked in the cabinet shop with his father until he attained his majority. In the spring of

1829 lic went to Connecticut and engaged as a journeyman and housebuilder in Hotchkissville. lle pursued his trade for two or three years follow- ing, spending his winters mostly at home, and in the fall of 1831 came Westward as far as Gains- ville, N. Y., where he remained until the spring of 1832, then went to Gencseo, still working at his trade as carpenter and cabinet-maker. On the 2d of April of the year last named he was married and settled at Greigsville, where he remained until 1843, when he started for the Prairie State. After reaching McLean County he located at Blooming- ton, and engaged with the firm of Goodman & Ferre, wagon and furniture manufacturers. Hc soon became a partner in the business, the firm being Ferre, Wolcott & Co., and they operated together for six years following, when our subject withdrew and set up in business for himself as eabinet-maker and undertaker. He finally dropped the former, and conducted undertaking alone until 1884, when he passed the management of his business over to his son.

Mr. Wolcott purchased the property which he now owns and upon which he resided soon after coming into Bloomington. It is six aeres in ex- tent and he paid $50 an acre in trade. He laid the ground out in city lots, to which he made an addi- , tion, in 1852, and afterward purchased seventy acres south of Normal. He has been prospercd in his business transactions, and is considered one of Bloomington's best citizens, being always ready to contribute of his means to worthy and charitable objeets. His kindness to the poor 'has been pro- verbial, and he has been especially the friend of those in need.

The marriage of our subject took plaec in 1834, the lady of his choice being Miss Caroline L., daughter of James and Martha (Ellis) Baker, who were natives of Chester, Washington Co., N. Y. Mr. Baker was a shoemaker by trade, which he fol- lowed through life. His family ineluded thirteen children, of whom only three are living-Caroline, Malvina and Martha. The parents lived to be eighty-five and ninety-three years old respectively, and died in their native State.

Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott there have been born twelve children, seven now living,

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of whom the record is as follows: John H. mar- ried Miss Maggie Derryman, and they have one son-Albert; William 1I. married Miss Lydia Til- ton, who died in 1884, leaving four children-Lor- ens, Mamie, Maude and William; Ellen, Mrs. Baumgardner, has five children-Harry, Aliee, Til- lie, Minnie and Clara; Edwin M. married Miss Belle Butler, and they have four children-Jessie, Arthur, Eddic and Ethel; Oliver E. is unmarried ; Charles C. married Miss Ettie Burdick, and they have one daughter-Allie; Alice C., Mrs. S. Il. Vanscoit, has become the mother of three children -Iloward, Edna and Charles W. Mr. Wolcott is Republican in politics, belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity, and is an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. W. is a consistent and devoted member.

RANCIS J. FITZWILLIAM, an old and well-known resident of, Bloomington, hav- ing eomc here in 1866, is proprietor of one of the largest wholesale and retail dry-goods houses in the city. It is located at No. 107 West Jefferson street, and its operations extend throughout this State and the Northwest. The reputation of the lionse is only equaled by its prosperity, which has been phenomenal from the start, and has been ear- ried on in that straightforward and business-like manner which is the only truc basis upon which trade can properly be conducted.

The subject of this history is a native of Bain- bridge, Ohio, and was born July, 11, 1840. His parents were William M. and Hannah (Kelley) Fitzwilliam, natives respectively of Washington County, Pa., and Bainbridge, Ohio. The great- grandfather of William M. was James, the son of an Earl, Fitzwilliam, of England. James was sent to Ireland to superintend the linen mills that be- longed to the Earl's estate, and there married a beautiful Irish Quakcress, which so displeased his father that he cut him off with a dowry of £1,000 per year, which was to continue during his lifetime. He only lived to be about thirty-five years old, leaving a wife and five children, three daughters and two sons, the latter named John and William.

William Fitzwilliam, the grandfather of the sub- jeet of this sketeli, was reared in County Antrim, Ireland, and married Miss Jane MuCully, in 1787. After the death of James Fitzwilliam, his widow having no resourees left, emigrated with her eliil- dren to America, in about 1750, and settled in Washington County, Pa. Her son William mnoved to Ross County, Ohio, in 1817. He had a family of nine children, five daughters and four sons, of whom the youngest, named William, was the father of our snbjeet. William Fitzwilliam, Sr., died at Bainbridge, Ohio, in 1829, when sixty-eight years old. Ilis wife, returning to Pennsylvania, died there, at Washington, iu 1844, aged seventy-thrce years.

William M. Fitzwilliam, Jr., our subject's father, was born July 13, 1813. He was rearcd to farm- ing pursuits, but this not being quite to his taste, and possessing considerable mechanical skill, he en- gaged in the manufacture of fanning-mills at Bain- bridge, Ohio, and sent teams through the country selling them. He continued thus oeeupied for a number of ycars, then purchased a stoek of goods and engaged in merchandising at Bainbridge for twenty-five years, carrying on an extensive trade, and in connection with it operating a tannery. Ile afterward purchased a large extent of land and amassed a valuable property in that section. In 1870 he concluded to come to Illinois, whither his son, Francis J .. had preceded him, in 1866, and ae- cordingly sold out his store, tannery and farın, and journeying to the Prairie State made his location in Bloomington. Here he lived, honored and re- spected for a period of ten years, being an active member of the Second Presbyterian Church, and a citizen who was always interested in everything per- taining to the welfare of his community. He de- parted this life Jan. 10, 1880, and his name is held in kindly remembrance by a large eirele of friends and acquaintances. The mother is still living, and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. George W. Funk, of Bloomington. The parental family in- eluded nine children, of whom only two are now living (1887): Francis J., of this biography, and Rosealtha, now Mrs. George W. Funk.

Franeis J. Fitzwilliam pursued his primary studies in the schools of his native town in Ohio,

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and when fourteen years of age was sent to Wash- ington, Fayette County, to assist in a branch store of his father's. After one year he returned home, resumed his school studies and received instructions from a private tutor. He was a bright and studious boy, made the most of his opportunities, and in 1859 entered the Freshinan class in the Ohio Wes- leyan College, at Delaware, where he studied two years. Then the Rebellion broke out, and lie en- listed with many of his fellow students in the Un- ion service, and in company with Maj. B. F. Barger recruited a company, which was assigned to the 33d Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., with Col. Sill as Com- mander, and Francis J. Fitzwilliam, First Lieuten- ant. Our subjeet was soon afterward given a Cap- tain's commission, and remained in the service three years. He participated with his eomrades in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Lookout Moun- tain, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta, sev- enteen battles in all, besides many skirmishes. The first sickness of his life oeeurred while he was in the army. He was confined in the hospital three weeks at Louisville, and four weeks at Nashville. A part of the time he was on detail duty as aide- de-camp to Col. Len. A. Harris, and was on the staff of Col. Seribner, of Indiana, who commanded a brigade of the 1st Division of the 14th Army Corps. Of 100 men which comprised the company, only twenty-eight remained alive or unhurt. Our subject remained in the service until the fall of Atlanta, and then, his term of enlistment having expired, he was mustered out at Ackwortlı, Ga., in October, 1864. He then returned home to Ohio, where he remained one year, planning his removal to Bloomington, upon which he had before deter- mined.

Mr. Fitzwilliam was married on the 25th of Jan- uary, 1866, to Miss Lueretia M., daughter of Rob- ert and Margaret Read, of London, Ohio. Soon afterward he came to Bloomington, and imme- diately established his present business, which has now become the most prominent in the city. It was inaugurated under the firm name of Fitzwill- iam & Son. His father assisted him 'in furnishing the sinews of trade, and they located on Main street. The present property was purchased in 1873, the building being 105 feet deep and twenty-

five feet wide, with three stories and basement. The goods occupy six departments, in the handling of which there are employed twenty-four elerks. His stoek includes dress-goods and silks, laces, gloves and hosiery, linens, flannels and white goods, prints, muslins and domesties, carpets and rugs, cloaks, curtains and upholstery. The house is an important factor in the business interests of Bloom- ington, and has been the means of disbursing thou- sands of dollars where most needed.

The household eirele of our subject and his wife ineludes four children-William R., Anna, May and Franeis J. The elegant family residence is lo- eated at No. 402 West Jefferson street, where the inmates are surrounded by all the comforts and lux- uries of life. Mr. and Mrs. F., with all their children, belong to the First Methodist Episcopal Church, to the support of which our subjeet has contributed cheerfully and liberally, and been one of its chief pillars. He is President of the Board of Trustees, and has officiated as Superintendent of the Sabbatli- school for the last twelve years. There have been very few important measures connected with its prosperity and welfare in which he has not been the leader and earnest supporter, both by his means and influence.

Mr. Fitzwilliam politieally is a staneh Republican, and soeially is a member in good standing of the G. A. R.

W ILLIAM O. DAVIS, editor and proprietor of the Pantagraph, was born in Westches- ter, Pa., in August. 1837, his aneestors be- ing among the families who settled that part of Pennsylvania with William Penn. Mr. Davis passed his early life on a farm, receiving his edu- cation at the country schools and the academies. In 1858 he came West, loeating in Normal, where for a time he taught school. Subsequently he en- gaged in farming. In 1868, with Jesse . W. Fell and James P. Taylor, he purchased the Bloomning- ton Pantagraph, and two years later he bought out the interest of his partners and has since published this excellent and popular paper under his own name.

The Pantagraph is the ablest newspaper in Mc-

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Lean County, and ranks high among the leading journals of Illinois. In 1837, the Bloomington Observer was established by James Allin, Jesse W. Fell and A. Gridley, with William Hill as editor. Subsequently Mr. Fell took charge of the editorial department. In 1846, the name of the paper was changed to the Western Whig, and was conducted by Charles P. Merriman. In 1852 the name was again changed to the Intelligencer, the paper again passing under the management of Mr. Fell, who subsequently sold out to Charles P. Merriman, when the paper was reehristened, receiving the name of the Pantagraph. ,

In 1856, Mr. Merriman sold the paper to Will- iam E. Foute, who a few years later sold it to Messrs. Carpenter & Steele, and they sold to Messrs. Seibird & Waters. They held the paper until 1868, when it passed into the hands of Messrs. Davis, Fell & Taylor. The first number of the Daily Pantagraph was issued June 19, 1854.

The Pantagraph is one of the leading Repub- liean papers in the State, is ably conducted, has a largo circulation, and exerts a potent influence for the good of the community as well as for the pros- perity of its party.

W ASIIINGTON DAWSON, who is pleasantly located on seetion 29, Chenoa Township, is a native of MeLean County, having been born near Lexington, Money Creek Town- ship, July 3, 1834. His parents were James R. and Mary (Ogden) Dawson. James R. Dawson, who was a native of Kentucky, removed to this connty in 1832, and settled in Money Creek Town- ship. There he followed farming and passed the remainder of his life. The mother of our subject died at the old homestead in Money Creek Town- ship, when Washington was an infant of but eleven months old. She was a native of Ohio, and was a lady of English and Irish extraction, Washington was a twin ; his brother was James M.

After the death of his first wife Mr. D. was mar- ried again, and our subjeet remained with him un- til twelve years of age. Ile then went to live with his older brother, Albert, with whom he remained

until he was sixteen. Soon afterward he engaged to work on a farm by the month and was thus em- ployed for three years. Then, desirous of farming on his own account, he rented a tract of land and commeneed life in earnest. One of his first ar- rangements was to seeure a partner and helpmeet, and he was accordingly married on the 5th of No- vember, 1855, to Miss Mary R., the daughter of Thomas Fell, of MeLean Connty. The young people went to housekeeping with high hopes for the future, and in due time became the parents of two children-Emma, now deecased, and Charles HI. Mr. Dawson was married the second time to Mrs. Martha (Durham) Berlin, widow of Thomas J. Berlin, who died in Andersonville Prison during the late war. Of this union there have been born five children, one now deeeased-Frank J. Those surviving are: William S., James R., Howard U. and Oliver D. Of the first marriage of Mrs. Daw- son there was born one son.

The splendid homestead of Washington Dawson includes 140 acres of finely enltivated land, which, however, is only half of what he formerly owned. Not caring for such a wide extent he disposed of a part. He erected a fine residence in 1886, which is two stories in height, finished and furnished in modern style. The premises in all respects denotes the supervision of the intelligent and progressive farmer, which is very clearly shown in the view given in this ALBUM.

Soon after he had commenced his farming opera- tions there eame the first call for troops to defend the threatened Union. He at onee laid aside his personal plans and interests and proffered his serv- iees as a soldier, enlisting in Co. C, 94th Ill. Vol. Inf., in August, 1862. His regiment was assigned to the 13th Army Corps, and our subjeet and his comrades participated in the engagement at Prairie Grove, Ark., and were at the siege of Vicksburg, where Mr. Dawson with others lay in the rifle pits for a period of twenty-one days. Ile escaped, however, from the confliet uninjured, and was present at the attack on Ft. Hudson, near Browns- ville, Tex., and all the other engagements and skirmishes which the regiment enconntered until the elose of the war. Ile was remarkably fortunate. never having been obliged to report illness, and

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hever evaded any duty which he was called upon to perform. At the elose of the war he received his honorable discharge in Angust, 1865, at Gal- veston, Tex., and was paid off at Springfield, Ill. He then returned home and resumed his farming operations in which he lias sinee been engaged. Mr. D. served as Assessor of Chenoa Township one year and was Road Commissioner in 1881. Both Mr. and Mrs. D. are members in good standing of the United Brethren Church, attending religious serviees at Lexington. Politically Mr. Dawson is Republican and greatly interested in the success of the temperanee movement.

The "present wife of Mr. Dawson was born in Morgan County, Va., March 21, 1842, and was the fourth of a family of six children. She is a distant relative" of"Gen. Zachary "Taylor. She removed with her mother to this county in 1865, her father having died when she was four years old. Her father was George and her mother Rosanna (Am- brose) Durham, the former a native of Virginia, and of Seoteh and English ancestry. Her grand- father, Joseph Durham, was born in England and emigrated to this country in the colonial days. Her maternal grandfather, Matthew Ambrose, was a Captain during the Revolutionary War in the Colonial Army. The father of Mrs. Dawson died in Virginia. The mother afterward emigrated to this State and died at the home of her daughter in this county in 1866.

HOMAS J. WARREN, of Belleflower Town- ship, was born in Ross County, Ohio, March 18, 1844. His father, Lemuel Warren, was a native of North Carolina, and his grandfather, Henry Warren, of Maryland. The latter removed from his native State to North Carolina when a young man and was there married. In about 1815 he removed to Ohio, the journey being made over- land, the grandmother of our subjeet riding on horsebaek and carrying a child in her arıns. They located ou a traet of timber land in Ross County, being among the earliest settlers. There Henry Warren opened up a farm, upon which he remained until his death, which occurred in about 1854. ITis

wife survived him for a period of eighteen years. her deathi oeeurring in Logan County, Olio, in 1882.

Their household ineluded eight children, of whom Lemuel, the father of our subjeet, was the eldest. Ile was a inere ehild when his parents emi- grated from his native State to Ohio, and as soon as large enough was put to work and kept at it steadily until he started out to do for himself. He inherited the substantial traits of his parents and at the time of his marriage had already enough means to purchase a traet of land, mostly timber, near his father's farm. Ile erected a log house to which he afterward put a frame addition, and this remained his home until 1859, when he came to Illinois. He located in Sheridan Township. Taze- well County, upon a traet of 240 acres of prairie land, only part of which was improved.

With characteristie energy and industry, Lemuel Warren set about the cultivation of the soil and erected a good set of frame buildings, residing upon the homestead thus established until his death, in September, 1873. His wife was Miss Elizabeth Wendel, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, and the daughter of William Wendel, of Virginia, who emigrated from his native State at an early day and was numbered among the earliest settlers of Guernsey County, Ohio. The journey from Vir- ginia to Ohio was inade after the fashion of travel- ers in those days with ox-teams.

Lemuel Warren remained a resident of Guern- sey County, Ohio, until about 1847, when he removed to Ross County, and in about 1856 started for the Prairie State. He purchased a farm in Sheridan Township, Tazewell County, which he oe- eupied with his family until his death, in 1876. His wife, who was Miss Effie Delong, also a native of Virginia, died a few hours later and was buried the saine day as her husband. The family con- sisted of ten children.

The subject of this history was the third child of his parents and was fifteen years old when they removed to Illinois. He was reared to farming pursuits, received a common-school education and remained under the home roof until his marriage with Miss Mary A. Lucas, which occurred Dee. 11. 1867. Mrs. Warren was born in Corwin Town- ship, Logan Co., Ill., and was the daughter of

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George M. P. Lueas, a native of Tazewell County, Ill., whose father was among the earliest pioneers of that region. Her father, who was left an or- phan at an early age, grew to manhood in Taze- well County. He learned the trade of a earpenter and joiner and settled soon after his marriage in Corwin Township, Logan County, where he still lives. Ilis wife, the mother of Mrs. Warren, for- merly Miss Elizabeth Penee, was born near Dayton, Ohio. Her parents were Joseph and Sarah (Reeter) Penec, natives of Kentucky, whenee they removed in 1828, to Illinois. They loeated first in Peoria but soon afterward removed to Springfield, and in the fall of 1830, to Logan County, where the father made a elaim and built a log cabin. Mr. Penee, the grandfather of Mrs. Warren, departed this life in 1872. . The grandmother still lives in this County, having arrived at the advanced age of ninety years, and is drawing a pension on aeeount of her husband's serviee in the War of 1812.

Soon after the marriage of Mr. Warren he rented land in Sheridan Township, Logan County, one year, then purchased 110 aeres in that vieinity, which he cultivated, improved and oeeupied until 1883, then sold out and purchased the farm which constitutes the present homestead of himself and family. This is situated on seetion 31, in Belleflower Township. Our subject and his wife are the par- ents of eight children, five living as follows: Sarah, Allie, Elmer D., Lulo and Katie. Mrs. Warren is a member of the Regular Baptist Church. and our" subjeet, politically, is a Demoerat.

2 ELSON JONES. One of the pioneers of Towanda Township, and now one of the largest land-owners of the county, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, April 5, 1826, and was there reared to farmi labor. He is the son of A·bra- liam R. and Matilda (Noel) Jones, the former a native of Cayuga County, N. Y., and the latter born in Kentucky. The parents of Mrs. Jones moved to Maryland, and when she was seven years of age they moved baek to Ohio, where they died. The parents of Nelson Jones lived in Ohio until 1856, when they came to this county and made a

settlement at Smith's Grove, Towanda Township, where the father engaged in farming, and where his demise oeeurred Feb. 11, 1865; the mother af- terward removed to Towanda Village, where she died March 7, 1880. The parents had a family of ten ehildren, and Nelson was the seventh in order of birth.

Nelson Jones was reared to manhood on his father's farm, receiving his primary education in the common sehools, and afterward supplementing the same by an academiehl course of five months at Springfield. Ohio. Remaining with the old folk until he attained the age of manhood he started out to do for himself. He came to this eounty in the spring of 1848, and located at Smith's Grove, and iu 1849 he and his brother A. R. purchased 600 aeres of land in Towanda Township. In 1850, Cyrus Jones purchased a one-third interest, and the three brothers continued farming and stoek- raising in partnership until 1854, sinee which time our subject has been operating by himself. His eapital upon arriving in the county consisted of $342 in cash and one horse and saddle. During the year 1854 he entered some 200 aeres of land, and is now the owner of 927 aeres of good and prodnetive, as well as valuable land. upon which he has three sets of good farm buildings. His large briek residence was ereeted in 1869, at an expense of upward of $12,000; his main barn wasbuilt in 1873, and cost about $4,500.

On first coming to the county, our subjeet worked out herding eattle, and was thus ocenpied for about two years, and afterward engaged in herding and feeding eattle by himself, and in part- nership with his two brothers, as stated. Subse- quently he settled on his purchase on seetion 15, Towanda Township, and there lived until 1870, when he moved into the fine briek residenee on seetion 16, and where he has continued to reside until the present time. Mr. Jones is one of the prominent men of Towanda Township, and has taken a deep interest in its welfare sinee its organ- ization, and is now the 'seeond oldest settler and voter of the township. Aside from farming he is largely engaged in raising and feeding stoek, mak- ing a specialty of blooded Short-horn eattle. He keeps about 35 head of horses; 150 head of eattie,

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and fattens from 100 to 150 head of hogs annually.

Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Eliza A. White, March 4, 1857. She is the daughter of George and Julia (Noel) White, natives of New York and Ohio respectively, and the vocation of the father was that of a farmer. IIer parents after marriage settled in Clarke County, Ohio, whenee they removed to Tippecanoe County, Ind., and from there came to MeLean County in 1850, and made settlement in Towanda Township, where the good mother died Marelı 25, 1865. The father is yet living, and is now a resident of Lawndale Township. Their family of children were twelve in number, and Mrs. Jones was the third in order of birth. She first saw light in what is now Lafay- ette, Ind., Nov. 20, 1830, and of her union with our subjeet five children have been born: Ward B., June 17, 1858; Lattie Grant, April 5, 1863; Julia A., Sept. 7, 1867 ; Elmetta M., June 21, 1869, and Mark C., Sept. 24, 1871. Ward was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Stover, and they are res- idents of Towanda Township.

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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 150

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