Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 151

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 151

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).

Mr. Jones is a member of the Masonie fraternity, and in polities is Republican.

G EORGE T. MURPHY. The home of this worthy resident of Mt. Hope Township is pleasantly located on seetions 7 and 18, where he has 200 acres of land, and devotes the greater part of his time and attention to stoek- raising. He is a gentleman of excellent education, having attended the Bloomington Commercial Col- lege and the Wesleyan University, and this, to- ·gether with his acknowledged business talents, has seeured for him a good position in the farming community and the business world generally.

Our subjeet is the second child of William J. and Franees (Stubblefield) Murphy, and was born on his father's farm in Mt. Hope Township, Dee. 3, 1858. His boyhood and youth were spent after the manner of most farmers' sons, and while his con- stitution was being healthfully built up in the pure air of the rural districts, his mind and his inorals likewise received more than ordinary atten- tion from his excellent parents. After the eom-

pletion of his ecollege course, he remained upon the farm of his parents two years, assisting his father on the homestead. Then wishing to establish a home and domestie ties of his own, he was married, Nov. 17, 1881, to Miss Naney J., daughter of William and Lueinda (Gardner) Hieronymus. Mrs. Murphy was born in Ilittle Township, Taze- well County, Jan. 22, 1860. Her father was a na- tive of Kentucky and descended from old German stoek. Of this marriage there are two children, bright little girls, who are the joy and pride of their parents' hearts, viz., Lena Rose, born Sept. 23, 1882, and Joy Dell, May 9, 1884.

The farm of Mr. Murphy is finely located, and everything about the premises neatly kept and in the best of order. His stoek consists of about thirty-five head of eattle and horses. Our subjeet and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Murphy, politically, like the balance of the male members of his father's family, affiliates with the Republican party.

C HARLES B. LAWRENCE, a native of De Witt County, Ill., was born Nov. 7, 1845, and is the son of Samuel Lawrence, a na- tive of Pennsylvania, who removed to Indiana with his father's family. There he grew to manhood and married, and later became a resident of De Witt County during its early settlement. Thenee he removed, in 1850, to Tazewell County, purehas- ing land in Mackinaw Township, where he opened up a farm which he occupied a number of years, then sold out and eame to this county, where liis death oeeurred not long afterward.

The mother of our subject was formerly Miss Magdalene Bergen, a native of New York, and now deceased, her death taking place at the home- stead in Tazewell County. The parental family ineluded eleven children, eight of whom grew to mature years. Of these Charles B. remained un- der the liome roof until eighteen years old, and soon afterward, the Civil War being in progress, enlisted in Co. I, 3d Ill. Vol. Cav., in which he served two years, and until the elose. Ile was in the battle at Nashville, and was at Memphis dur-

1192

McLEAN COUNTY.

ing the raid of the rebel General Forrest, besides participating in various minor engagements with the enemy. At the close of the struggle he re- turned to his father's farm, which he worked on shares by the year, and after a brief residence in McLean and Piatt Counties returned finally in 1874, and took possession of eighty acres of land in Belleflower Township, which he had previously purchased and which is included in his present farm.

The homestead of Mr. Lawrence is most credita- ble to the industry and skill of the proprietor. His land is thoroughly drained with 520 rods of tile, and the buildings thereon bear fair comparison with those of his neighbors. The lady who has presided over his household for the last sixteen year was formerly Miss Sarah Wilson, who be- came his wife in October, 1869. She was born in Bloomington Township, March 20, 1854, and is the, daughter of John Wilson, a native of Tennessee, and one of the carly pioneers of this county. . He still lives on his farm near Bloomington. His wife was Miss Jane Abel, of Indiana.

R. JOIIN M. CRIGLER, of Saybrook, a large property-holder and a prominent cit- izen, is a native of Rockingham County, Va., where his birth took place Dec. 13, 1847. Ilis parents were Thomas B. and Sarah R. (Deal) Crigler, both natives of the Old Dominion, the former born in 1816, and the latter in 1820. The parents of Dr. Crigler came to this county in 1849, and the father, formerly a saddler by trade, took up farming, which he still continues: He. is a worthy citizen, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Democratic in politics.

Our subject, the fifth of ten children born to his parents, after reaching manhood was married Dec. 21, 1871, to Miss Love E., daughter of Dr. James L. Ballard, and born in Jessamine County, Ky., April 7, 1849. Her father, one of the pioneers of Saybrook, is still practicing after the principles of the Old School. Dr. and Mrs. C. are the parents of four children, namely, Maude F., Katie B., John M. and Essie R. The Doctor is a Master Mason,

Democratic in polities, and takes an interest in matters affecting the welfare of his community. IIe is well educated and stands high in his profession as a dental surgeon, in which he perfected himself under the best tutors and established his first office in this city Dee. 14, 1868. During his nearly twenty years' residence here he has built up a large and lucrative practice, and while in no wise negleet- iug his profession, deals extensively in city prop- crty and farm lands. Ile has one of the finest homes in his township, and commands the respeet of all who know him.

C APT. JAMES KENNEDY, one of the old- est and most highly respected citizens of Martin Township, has followed farming pur- suits the greater part of his life, in which he has been eminently successful. IIe is a native of Ken- tucky and was born on a farm in Jessamine County, Nov. 3, 1803. His grandfather on his mother's side was Richard Crews, who was a native of Vir- ginia, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War at three different times and was regularly dis- charged three times, his papers being now in the possession of Capt. Kennedy of our sketch, and are valued as old and curious relies. He married in carly manhood Miss Esther Puckett, and they raised a family of five children, one son and four daugh- ters. The paternal grandfather of our subject was James Kennedy, a native of Ireland. who married in his own country and soon afterward emigrated to America, settling in Chester County, Pa. Their family also consisted of five children, four daugh- ters and one son, the son, James, being the father of our subject.

James Kennedy, Sr., after reaching his majority was married to Miss Esther, daughter of Richard Crews, and they became the parents of three sons: Eleazer, Thomas S., and James, our subject. The latter was the youngest of the family and passed his boyhood in Jessamine and Madison Counties, Ky., receiving a limited education in a private school, his entire school days probably not exceed- ing one year. The father of young James had been educated for the priesthood but turned his at-

1193

MCLEAN COUNTY.

tention to farming, and died when our subjeet was but a few weeks old. Young Kennedy then went to live with his grandfather, Richard Crews, with whom he remained until he was nineteen years of age. At that early period in his life he was mar- ried to Miss Louisa Freeman, and remained upon the old homestead of his grandfather, taking care of the latter until his death, which oeeurred when he was eighty-seven years old. The grandmother also lived to an advanced age, being eighty-four at the time of her death.

After the death of his grandparents James Ken- nedy purehased a farm seven miles from Winehes- ter in Clark County, Ky., which he occupied with his family until the spring of 1851. He then came North to Illinois and rented 1,000 aeres of land in MeLean County from Samnel Lander. The following spring he removed his family hither, and for seven years following was extensively engaged in raising wheat, eorn and oats, meeting with remarkable sue- eess. He also raised large numbers of thorough- bred cattle and mules. In the meantime he pur- ehased a farm in Blue Mound Township, and be- sides this also bought the farm on which he now lives. After removing from the rented land he located in Blue Mound Township on seetion 21, where he continued to reside until 1874, then took up his abode on seetion 21, in Martin Township, which is his present homestead. The Bhie Mound farm was purchased by his son-in-law, James A. Doyle.

The homestead of Capt. Kennedy comprises 160 aeres of choice land, enelosed with beautiful hedge fenees and em bellished with a handsome and substan- tial set of farm buildings. He has one of the best fruit orehards in the township and the entire farm is in a fine state of eultivation. The residenee is a model of beauty and comfort and everything per- taining to the premises indieates the supervision of a gentleman of cultivated tastes and ample means.

Mrs. Louisa Kennedy became the mother of two ehildren, a son and daughter: . George F., now de- eeased, and Leanner, who became the wife of Mr. A. Eubanks. The second wife of our subjeet was Miss Asenath Gentry, of Madison County, Ky. This lady died in Martin Township, this eounty, leaving four children: Thomas, now de-

eeased; Eusebia M., who became the wife of James A. Doyle, of Nebraska; William Lee, a resident of Iowa, and Martha, who married John Stanger, of Boulder, Col.

The present wife of our subjeet, to whom he was married in 1874, was Mrs. Maggie Elkin, widow of Henry Elkin, by whom she became the mother of one son, who died when a year old. Of this union there has been no children. Mrs. K. is a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and differs materi- ally in polities from her husband, she being an ear- nest Republican and the Captain a staneh adherent of the Demoeratie party. Both are prominently eonneeted with the Christian Church. The father of Mrs. K. is Gideon D. Crumbaugh, who has been Postmaster of Le Roy for a period of seven- teen years, and Police Magistrate twenty-nine years. Mrs. K. is about forty-six years of age, and the Captain eighty-four. He is still hale and hearty, in the enjoyment of all his faculties, and still in pos- session of that remarkable intelligence which has eharaeterized him sinee he began to make his mark among men and in the business world. He has al- ways taken an active interest in publie and political affairs and during his early life identified himself with the Whig party. During the Mexican War he . assisted in raising and equipping a company of soldiers at his own expense, but did not sueeeed in having them ordered to the front. He has a natural taste for military taeties and has been Captain of militia for many years.

G EORGE BISHOP, general farmer and stoek- raiser, is the possessor of a well-eultivated farm of 110 aeres, part of whiel lies on see- tion 21, in Randolph, and the balance in Downs Township. He has been elosely identified with the interests of this seetion for many years, and is numbered among its representative men and most highly respected citizens.

Mr. Bishop, a native of Perry County, Ohio, was born near Janesville, April 22, 1823, and is the son of Jacob Bishop, who was born in Pennsylvania, and was of German parentage. The history of the family in the United States dates back prior to the

1194

McLEAN COUNTY.

Revolutionary War. From the record possessed by the later deseendants it appears that Jacob Bishop in early life beeame with his parents a res- ident of Perry County, Ohio, where he remained during his boyhood and youth, and where he took upon himself the responsibilities of manhood. He ehose for his wife among the maidens of that re- gion, Miss Mary A. Weedman, who was a native of the Buekeye State and of German ancestry. IIer family also removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio during its early history, and from there eame to Illinois in the fall of 1830. They located in Ran- dolph Township on section 34, where the father be- eame the owner of a large tract of land, most of which was wild prairie and a larger part of which he redeemed from its original condition. He is still living on the old homestead, having now ar- rived at the ripe age of ninety years. The mother passed to her final rest in February, 1873, aged seventy-two. Both became members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church early in life.

George Bishop was the eldest but one of a fam- ily of thirteen ehildren, six sons and seven daugh- ters, which present the remarkable record of a eir- ele still unbroken by death. With one exeeption, all are married and have families of their own. The youngest of this remarkable family is forty- six years of age, and the eldest, a daughter, sixty- five. George, of our sketeh, spent his ehildhood and youth witli his parents, and was eight years of age when they eame to this county. After reaeh- ing manhood he was married, in 1844, to Miss Susanna Wright, who was born, reared and edueat- ed in the eounty. She only remained the eompan- ion of her husband eleven years, departing this life June 17, 1855, leaving three children: John - T. married Miss Mary Passwater, and is a resident of Heyworth; Mary J. is the wife of K. Ellsworth, who is farming in Downs Township; Joseph Will- iam is deeeased.

The second wife of Mr. Bishop, to whom he was married in Le Roy Township, Nov. 20, 1856, was formerly Miss Mary, daughter of Ashby and Cath- erine (Waters) Neal, who were natives of Ken- tueky, of Irish and English deseent. Mr. Neal was a skilled meehanie, and same to Illinois after his marriage, loeating in Vermilion County, where

the wife of our subject was born Nov. 15, 1836. She was but a child when her parents came to this county. Her father, in 1850, went to California, and died ten years later in the city of Sacramento. Mrs. Neal died at her home in Le Roy, in July, 1880.

Our subjeet and his wife are the parents of five children, namely, David, who married Miss Ida Turner, and is farming in Downs Township. and Emma B., Grant H., Ada C. and Martha at home. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the former is Steward and Trustee.

G EORGE T. GLENN. The principal events in the life of this highly respected eitizen of Cheney's Grove Township, are as fol- lows: He began life in Center County, Pa., March 19, 1846, under the roof of his, parents. William F. and Sarah J. (Thompson) Glenn, natives of the same State, wheuee they removed to La Salle County, Ili., in 1855. The father died that same year. The mother is still living, and is sixty-six years of age. Both beeame members of the Pres- byterian Church early in life, and commanded the respeet and esteem of all who knew them.

Our subjeet, who was the eldest of his parents' four elrildren, remained under the home roof until after the outbreak of the late war, and although but a youth, determined to fight for the Union. Ile enlisted in Co. C, 7th Ill. Vol. Cav., and par- tieipated in many important battles, going throngh the States of Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama, and experieneing the hardships and sufferings in- eident to army life. Ile was never wounded, but was eonfined in the hospital two months with ill- ness. After the elose of the war he returned to the farm, and in 1879, purchased 102 aeres on see- tion 35, in Cheney's Grove Township, which is in- eluded in his present homestead, and where he has been successfully engaged in farming and stoek- raising.' The farm is in a fine condition and well eondueted, and everything about the premises is indieative of energy and enterprise.

One of the most important events in the life of

1195

McLEAN COUNTY.

our subjeet was his marriage, Feb. 22, 1870, with Miss Carrie M., only child of Jacob and Anzina (Wood) Lewis, who was born Dec. 4, 1851, in Rhode Island. Her parents were also natives of that State. The father died in 1863. The mother is still living, and a resident of New Bedford, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn have one child only, a daugh- ter, Cora A., born Sept. 25, 1872, and still at home with her parents.

Mr. Glenn is a stanch supporter of the Repub- l'ean party, and has been quite prominently iden- tified with local affairs. Ile was one of the three Commissioners appointed to superintend the eree- tion of roads and bridges in the township, and after serving three years was re-elected in the spring of 1886. His clear head and cool judgment have rendered him a useful official, and in thus disbnrs- ing the funds of the township, he has acquitted · himself with great credit, and to the satisfaction of the people.

W ILLIAM BARRY is senior member of the firm of Barry & Weishaar, contractors and builders, and dealers in stoves and hardware at No. 723 West Chestnut street, Bloomington, Ill. He is the son of James aud Margaret (Meade) Barry, and was born in Canada, of which Dominion both his parents were natives. They had been ex- tensively engaged in stoek and grain raising for many years.

Mr. James Barry passed through the terrible fire of March, 1825, when the flames swept with great velocity over 100 miles of territory, eonsum- ing everything before them. In the dead of night he fled with his mother to the river, seeking refuge from the advancing fire. They stood in the river for many hours with the water up to their necks, and on coming ont were obliged to wrap them- selves in wet blankets for protection from the burn- ing atmosphere. His father is still living on the old homestead in Canada, and has reached the age of seventy-four.

Ilis mother died in 1869. Their family consisted of eight children, seven of whom are now living. Their names are, Thomas, a resi- dent of Nebraska; William, the subject of this biography; Margaret A., a resident of Canada;

Richard and Michael arc residents of Canada; Jo- seph A., a resident of Boston, Mass., and Alexander, a resident of Canada.

William Barry was engaged in business three years in Maine, and from there he went to Boston, Mass., where he snceessfully carried on the busi- ness of contractor and builder for four years. In 1878 he eame to Bloomington, and has since made this place his permanent home. Hle formed his present partnership with Mr. Weishaar in 1881, and in 1886 engaged in the hardware business.

William Barry was married, in 1875, to Miss Helen Keenan, a native of Canada, and daughter of Patrick Keenan. Mr. Barry's family is of Irish extraction. Hisancestors came from Ireland about the year 1760, and settled in Canada, where they were engaged in farmning. In later years the Barry family have made their home in the States. . Will- iam Barry learned the trade of contractor and builder in Canada, and at fifteen years of age went to Calais, Me., where he first engaged in business.

Mr. Barry, with his wife and family, belong to the Catholic Church. They have a family of six children-James E., Thomas M., Margaret A., Jo- seph A., Richard M. and Alexander. Mr. Barry purchased his place of business and his residenee, No. 1207 West Chestnut street, in July, 1886.

L EWIS C. BLAKE, a resident of Arrowsmith Village, is a product of the Buekeye State, his birth taking place in Guernsey County, Aug. 25, 1817. His parents, John B. and Cather- ine Blake, were natives respectively of' Massaeliu- setts and Maryland, the former born July 25, 1787, and the latter June 6, 1790. They were married, Oct. 10, 1813, after becoming residents of Ohio, and remained residents of that State until 1818, when they removed to Virginia, where the elder Blake followed millwrighting, and where his death took place April 12, 1855. The mother died in 1869. The parental family consisted of ten children.

Our subject remained with his parents until reaching his majority, receiving a common-school cducation. He followed shoemaking for a number of years, and was considered an expert at his

1196

McLEAN COUNTY.

trade. Ile was married in Virginia in 1839, to Miss Elizabeth Ann Datson, and remained in the Old Dominion two years, whenee be removed to Maryland on account of the failing health of his wife. This removal, however, was in vain, as her death took place on the 21st of March, 1848, when she was but twenty-seven years of age. Of this marriage there were born four children. After the death of his wife, Mr. Blake .returned to Hardy County, now in West Virginia, and engaged in wagonınaking and blacksmithing for five years fol- lowing. He was married the second time in 1850, and with his wife eame to MeLean County in October, 1852, stopping first in Lexing- ton, where he followed blacksmithing, and to which be eame with a cash capital of fifty eents. Ile eon- dueted a shop there one year, and in the spring of 1854 rented an old sawmill, which became the famn- ily residence nntil he eould do better. His indus- try and perseveranee have been richly rewarded. He is now the owner of 240 aeres of finely in- proved land besides valuable property in the vil- lage. In the meantime be bas also been promi- nently eonneeted with the local affairs, serving as Justiee of the Peace, and as School Director for twenty-one years. He is a member of the Metbod- ist Episcopal Church, being ebairman of its build- ing committee, and besides contributing mueh to- ward its prosperity bas been greatly interested in eliaritable objeets, and further extended his benev- olenee by rearing several orphan children, baving been bereaved of his own. the offspring of his last marriage, a son and daughter, John B. and Eliza- betli, who died of scarlet fever. Mr. Blake is a staneh Demoerat, politically, and Treasurer in the Masonie lodge.

C. JOHNSON. The family of Johnsons in the United States of whieb our subjeet is a (leseendant eame. to this country prior to the Revolutionary War, the first represent ? tive being William Johnson, our subject's grandfa- ther. This gentleman was a native of Germany, and was there married to Miss Catherine Tartar;

after emigrating to America they located upon a farmn ten miles north of Philadelphia, Pa. Soon afterward William JJohnson enlisted as a soldier in the Revolutionary army, where he distinguished himself for his bravery and fidelity, and was hon- ored with a Captain's commission early in the struggle. After the independence of the Colonies had been established he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and departed this life at his home near Philadelphia, his wife following him some years later. Their family ineluded thirteen ehildren, among thein Nicholas, the father of our subject. He was reared and married in his native State, his first wife, Mary, dying after the birth of one child, a daughter, Mary, now the wife of George Cress, de- eeased. Mrs. C. is living near the Quaker City.

After the death of the mother the father, leaving the infant daugbter with a sister, eame to Indiana, settling in Dearborn County. There he was mar- ried to Miss Malinda Cloud, a native of that county. There were born to thein thirteen ehil- dren, three sons and ten daughters, four of the lat- ter now deceased. Of these our subjeet, J. C., was the second born. His birth oeeurred Sept. 13, 1823, in Dearborn County, Ind. Nicholas Johnson was greatly respected wherever known, and beeame prominent in the affairs of his adopted eounty. He was a Captain of Militia for many years, and hav- ing been finely edueated held with mueh dig- nity and credit the office of County Commis- sioner and other positions of trust. Both parents were active members of the Baptist Church. The mother died while still a comparatively young woman, from eancer in the breast. ' Nicholas John- son attained the age of seventy-four years, and was carried away suddenly by disease of the heart. The family are now seattered in different States, all married and settled in comfortable homes of their own.

The subject of this history received a fair edil- eation, and worked on a farm with bis father until twenty-three years of age. He was then married, Sept. 13, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth, the daughter of Rev. Thomas and Ann (Sutton) Hargitt, who were natives of England. Rev. Hargitt was born April 20, 1798, at Bagby, Yorkshire, England, and eame to the United States with his parents when twenty-

1197

McLEAN COUNTY.

two years of age, and was married in Dearborn County, Ind., to the widow of Charles Sutton, Anna Mason being her maiden name. They lived there until the death of Mr. II. at the advanced age of eighty nine-years, Nov 17, 1886. The mother died in 1858, when sixty-three years of age. Mr. Hargitt was a-local minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, having been ordained in 1830, while in England. As a minister, he was earnest and efficient, the possessor of an eloquenee which was strong and fervid. Ile was a zealous temperance advocate, teaching by precept and ex- ample. Asa citizen he took an active interest in all public affairs, contributing liberally to enterprises of public utility and always warmly loyal to his adopted country. The family of which Mrs. J. was a member consisted of seven children, of whom she was the fifth in order of birth, and was born March 3, 1828. She was reared and educated in Dear- born County, and by her marriage with J. G. John- son has become the mother of twelve children, one, Adda, deceased; Melinda became the wife of George Niekerson, a farmer of Downs Township; Thomas N. married Miss Sarah A. Lawler, and is farming in Anderson County, Kan .; Mary E. be- eame, first, the wife of Jesse Passwaters, who died; and she then married his brother John, and they live in Anderson County, Kan .; George S. married Miss Ilester Peasely, and is farming in Hamilton County Kan. ; Richard married Miss Alice Cabness, of Cass County, Mo., and is farming in Downs Township, this county ; William married Miss Hat- tie MeComb, and is farming in Randolph Town- ship; Jennie, the wife of Dr. J. F. Myers, resides in Saybrook, this county; Charles W., Alfred E. and Albert W., the two latter. twins, and James A. are at home. They were all educated in the public schools, and are children of whom any par- ent may be proud.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 151

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