Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 17

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 17

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 sketchi was rcared on his

father's farm and received a common-school edu- cation. When seventeen years old he commenced work at wagon-making, serving an apprenticeship to this and the blacksmith's trade, and being em- ployed eight years with one man. In 1855 he came West, locating first in Tazewell County, this State, and following his trade in the town of Mor- ton until 1867. He then settled upon a farm in Livingston County, on section 13, in Belle Prairie Township, where he first purchased 160 acres. To this he subsequently added until he is now the owner of 240 acres, all under a good state of culti- vation. Mrs. Pratt is the owner, in her own right, of 332 acres.

Mr. Pratt, in the fall of 1882, began to drain his land, and for some time hauled tile from Fairbury, a distance of nine miles. He saw that it would be -

necessary to use a large amount, and concluded it would be the best economy to manufacture his own tile. Accordingly, in connection with George S. Cook and Frank Pratt, the former also an extensive farmer, he soon put up a steam factory and com- menced operations. He has now laid tile on all their land, the three farms being well drained by this means. Mr. Cook has since died, but his widow still continues an interest in the factory which our subject operates. They have three kilns constantly in operation, and besides that for their own use manufacture a large supply for other parties.

In the spring of 1883, Mr. Pratt left his son in charge of the farm and erected a handsome and commodious residence in Cropsey, which he now occupies, and a view of which may be seen on an- other page. This structure is considered one of the finest in this section of the country, and in its finishing and furnishing indicates cultivated tastes and ample means. Our subject and his family are held in the highest respect in this section, and en- joy the acquaintance and society of hosts of friends.

The marriage of Ira C. Pratt and Miss Ellen H. Hathaway was celebrated in 1854. This lady was a native of the same town as her husband, and de- parted this life in Livingston County, this State, in May, 1879, leaving three children-George W., Ida A., who died in 1880, and Henry. The second marriage of Mr. Pratt occurred in 1880. Thic

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present wife of our subject was formerly Miss Mary A. Landes. She was born in Tazewell County, being the daughter of Joseph and Jane (Mitchell) Landes, of Groveland, Tazewell Co., Ill.

In earlier years Mr. Pratt affiliated with the Whig party, later with the Republican, and is now identified with the Prohibitionists. IIe is a mein- ber in good standing of the Congregational Church, and has held the offices of Road Commissioner and Assessor, and was eight years Justice of the Peace in Livingston, wlicre he formerly lived, and has been President of the Belle Prairie agricultural fair for ten years.

n ICHOLAS DIEDRICH, JR., of Blooming- ton, is an extensive manufacturer of cast and wrought iron, shaftings, pulleys, mill- work and general machinery, also makes and re- pairs engines and boilers, and· executes all orders with promptness and dispatch. His shops occupy Nos. 407 and 409 South Center street and Nos. 404 and 406 Madison street.

Mr. Diedrich is a native of Bloomington, and was born in September, 1860. He is the son of Nicholas and Catharine (Clemen) Diedrich, who were of German birth and parentagc. The father of onr subject emigrated to America in 1852, and Miss Catharine Clemen came two years later. He first stopped in Albany, N. Y., where he remained two years, and then came to Chicago, arriving at Bloomington in 1856. In the meantime he had been married to Miss Clemen, in 1855, and to them were given three children: _ Louisa, at home; Bertha, now Mrs. Cloppenburg, of Springfield, Ill., and the subject of this sketch.

After coming to Bloomington, Nicholas Died- rich, Sr., was employed by the C. & A. R. R. Co. and remained for two years. He then had charge of the Flagg Foundry. In the winter of 1860-61, lie with two others started the Bloomington Foun- dry, but afterward sold their interest in it to Mr. Ollis, and in 1869 started the Union Foun- dry. His first shop was a frame building which was destroyed by fire in 1874. In 1876 he put up a brick building, the machine shop being 50x60

fcet, and a pattern-room in the second story, also two stores, a foundry 40x80, and a boiler-room 20 x40 fcet, all of brick, besides other necessary build- ings. Mr. Diedrich operated here until 1882, and then leased his building to his son, who has con- tinued the business since that time, and employs on an average twenty men.

Our subject is a graduate of the High School and Business College of Bloomington. He was em- ployed with his father in the foundry business when a young man, and is in every respect a practical machinist. He is a member of the firm of Diedrich & Hayes, practical heating engineers and manufact- urers of the Rattan tubular masonry-furnaces, ven- tilators, room-heaters, registers, etc., the office bc- ing located at Nos. 59 and 61 Lake strect, Chicago.

Our subject was married in 1883, to Miss Lizzie Lowentrout, also a native of Bloomington, and the daughter of F. W. Lowentrout. Of this union there have been born three children-Irenc, Ethiel, who died in infancy, and Lawrence.' 'The family is pleasantly located at No. 609 West Market strect. Mr. Diedrich is Republican in politics, and a useful factor in the business community.

K A. ELLSWORTH, a general farmer and stock-raiser of Downs Township, is com- fortably located on section 30, where he owns eighty acres of improved land under a good state of cultivation. He came to McLean County in 1859, and with the exception of four years spent in Heyworth, has made Downs Town- ship his home since that time. Mr. Ellsworth was born in St. Clair County, this State, Aug. 12, 1849. For parental history see sketch of William Ells- worth in another part of this ALBUM.

The early life of our subject was spent under the home roof, and his parents removed from St. Clair County when he was ten years of age, coming into this county and locating in Downs Township. Young Ellsworth was married in this township, when twenty-two years of age, Sept. 7, 1871, to Miss Mary, the daughter of George and Susanna Jane Bishop. She was born in Randolph Township, July 11, 1850, and remained with her parents until

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her marriage. Of this union there have been born seven children, two, Eura Z. and Nathan, being de- ceased. Those living and at home are Clyde. Lyda B., George W., Bertie A. and Ellis C.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth lo- eated upon the farm which they now occupy, where they have lived as peaceful and praiseworthy citizens, and enjoy the respeet and friendship of a large eirele of acquaintances. They attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics Mr. Ellsworth is strongly Republican.

R. WILLIAM E. GUTIIRIE, a rising young physician of Bloomington, is junior member of the firm of White & Guthrie, and is fast winning for himself a prominent and honorable name in the medieal profession of MeLean County. Dr. Guthrie was born in Abing- don, Knox 'Co., Ill., in 1857, and is the son of Peter and Caroline E. (Corsan) Guthrie, natives re- spectively of Bloomington, Ill., and Warren Coun- ty, Ohio.

Both Peter Guthrie and his wife were born in 1829; the former worked with his father at his trade of a plasterer and brick-mason, afterward en- gaging as a contractor and builder. He is now a resident of Normal, being Constable of that village, and in 1886 was candidate for Sheriff. The par- ental family consisted of two children, of whom only the subject of our sketch is living.

Our subject's grandfather, Robert Guthrie, was a native of Ohio, and came to Illinois in 1826, settling in Bloomington, where he cultivated a small farm and followed his trade of carpenter as opportunity . afforded. His family ineluded seven children -- John, Robert, Margaret, Adam, Peter, Kate and Lee-all of whom lived to be men and women, and were educated in Bloomington.

The younger days of our subject were spent in school, where he improved his opportunities, and commeneed teaching at the age of eighteen years. He was thus occupied for three years, in the mean- time pursuing his studies in a higher school, after his own winter term had closed. He attended Wes- leyan and Normal Universities. In the fall of

1876 there were thirty-three competitive candidates for entrance to the Military School at West Point, of which young Guthrie was successful, and was accordingly sent there, but remained, however, only a short time. He then returned home to Me- Lean County, and commeneed to read medieine with Drs. White and Worrell, of Bloomington. After a time he entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, from which he graduated in 1881, and was proffered a partnership with Dr. White, which he gladly ae- eepted. Ile has made rapid strides in his profes- sion sinee that time, and been intrusted with impor- tant business in connection with his practice. For two years he was Surgeon of the 4th Regiment, State Militia; has been County Physician four years, and is a member of the McLean County, the Central Illinois and the State Medieal Societies, and in June, 1887, was appointed Distriet Surgeon of - the Lake Erie & Western Railroad. His office at present is located in the Post Office Bloek.

The marriage of Dr. Guthrie and Miss Letta Smith was eclebrated in 1882, at the residence of the bride's parents. Mrs. G. is the daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth (Warren) Smith, of Wichita, Kan., and by her marriage with our subjeet has become the mother of two daughters-Lelia, born Jan. 1, 1883, and Bernardine, Oet. 25, 1886. The family are located in a pleasant home at No. 503 East Washington street, where they have gathered around them a cirele of warmn friends, and are happy in the prospects of a bright and prosperous future.

Dr. Guthrie is a member of the Republican party, and was the first Commander of the Sons of Veter- ans, with which order he is still connected.

AMUEL OGDEN has retired from active labor and is passing the sunset of life in peace and quiet and in the enjoyment of a well-earned competeney, making his resi- dence at Lexington. His father, Albert Ogden, was a native of New York, and the mother of our subjeet, Margaret (Riddle) Ogden, was born in Pennsylvania. Their first settlement after marriage was in Kentucky, whence they emigrated to Madi-

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son County, Ohio, and in 1831 came to McLean County and settled in Money Creck Township, where they lived for several years. They then moved to Livingston County, and taking up their residence in the neighborhood of Pontiae, mnade that their home for two or three years, then com- ing back to this county, again located in Money Creek Township, where they spent the latter years of their life. He died Aug. 15, 1845, and her de- mise occurred in 1850. Eight children were born to them, five sons and three daughters-Abner, Mary, Jonathan, Benjamin, Deborah, John, Susan and Samuel (twins).

Samuel Ogden is the youngest of his parents' children and was born in Madison County, Ohio, Aug. 24, 1809. Continuing to reside in his native State until 1833, he then came to McLean County, and has made this his home until the present time, engaged exclusively in agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of 785 acres of improved land, be- sides valuable property at Lexington.

Our subjeet was married in Fayette County, Ohio, to Naney Vandolah. She was born in Fay- ette County, Ohio, in May, 1810, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of ten children. The record is as follows: Obediah was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Wiley, and they are living at Lexington; Croghan died when seven years old; 'Sarah'became the wife of James Coon, and departed this life in Money Creck Town- ship; Mary A. died in Money Creek Township when fourteen years old; Albert is a resident of Money Creek Township, and has a biographical sketch in this work; John W. departed this life when in his third year; Angelia is the wife of James Pirtle, and they are living in Jasper County, Mo .; Alex was first married to Miss Alice Miller, and after her demise married Kate Lyons, and they are living in Ford County, Kan .; George W. and Louisa Flesher were, united in marriage and are living in Gridley Township, and Francis M. died when fourteen years old.

The faithful and loving companion of our sub- ject departed this life in Lexington, July 8, 1884. She was a member of the Christian Church and an earnest laborer in the cause of the Master, and be- loved by all who knew her. She is waiting for her

loved one on the other shore, and soon the time will come when his sorrows here on earth will be. over, and he will meet her in the home beyond, never again to be separated through the endless days of eternity. In polities Mr. Ogden is a staneh Jacksonian Democrat, and one of the foremost, as well as respected and honored citizens of MeLean County.

AMES MeMAHON, one of the self-made men of Downs Township, who by his own exertions has acquired a comfortable home with something laid up for a rainy day, came to this county in 1863, and purchased his present farm, which is located on seetion 9. It consists of 120 acres of good land, the greater part of which is under cultivation and upon which he has a good farm dwelling, a substantial barn and all necessary outhouses.

Mr. MeMahon is a native of Ireland, born in 1833, and was left an orphan while still an infant. He was at onee taken into the family of his unele, John Ryan, and when nine years of age emigrated with him to the United States. They located in St. Louis, Mo., where our subjeet lived until he was fifteen years old and then set out to "paddle his own eanoe." He first proceeded northeastward into Canada, going first to Quebce and thenee to Toronto, in the Province of Ontario. He did not, however, remain very long in the Dominion, but started Westward again, proceeding first to Fond du Lae County, Wis., where he worked as he had in Canada, as a laborer on a farm. From Wisconsin he came this State, locating first in Lineoln, Logan County, where he remained six years. He then came to MeLean County, was soon afterward ınar- ried, and engaged as a molder of ear wheels in the eity of Bloomington, which trade at that time was very profitable. After some ycars of hard work, during which he managed to lay up a little sum of money, he purchased the land which constitutes his present farm, and since that time has been success- fully engaged in agricultural pursuits. .

Mr. MeMahon was married, in Bloomington, in 1863, to Miss Salinda Allen, a native of Lafayette, Ind., who was born in 1836, and is the daughter of

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Thomas Allen, now deceased. The latter was farmer by oeeupation. Mrs. MeM. lived under the parental roof until her marriage, having eome to Illi- nois in 1863. Of her union with our subject there were born six children, one of whom, Aaron, is de- eeased. The others, all at home, arc Mary, John, Rosa E., James and Thomas. The parents and children are regular attendants and members of the Catholic Church, and our subject, politieally, is an uncompromising Democrat. Mr. MeMahon has fully proved the maxim that "Perseveranec will ensure sueeess." He eommeneed life a poor boy, without friends or influenec, but is now in posses- sion of a good home, and by his honesty and indus- try has gained the esteem of the worthiest class of citizens.

OSEPH TOWNSEND, general foreman of the C. & A. R. R. shops at Bloomington, is a native of England, and was born Nov. 14, 1825. He is the son of Henry and Mary (Fell) Townsend, of English ancestry and parent- age. The father, while in England, was engaged in the manufacture of earriages and other road vehicles, in which he carried on an extensive business. He was a man of large liberality, and was ruined finan- cially by signing notes for friends, which he, as usual, was obliged to pay, and on aeeount of which he was compelled to throw up his business. He then came to America in 1829, settling at Utica, N. Y., where he worked as a carpenter, and died five years later, in 1834. The mother of our sub- jeet survived her husband over forty years and de- parted this life in 1875. Of the parental family of twelve children only four arc now living: Ann, Mrs. Jones, of Attiea, N. Y .; Joseph, our subject ; Eli, of Hamilton, Mo., and Mary, Mrs. Shipman, of Chicago. The parents were members of the Church of England.

Joseph Townsend at the early age of ten years eommeneed to paddle his own eanoe. After leav- ing home le engaged to work upon a farm, and re- mained in that vicinity for seven years, attending school in winter and working the balance of the year. In 1842 he returned to Utica and com-

meneed learning the earpenter's trade, at which he served three years. He then went to Oneida Vil- lage and entered the employ of the Syraeuse & Utiea Railroad Co. as ear repairer, where he re- mained five years, after which he aceepted a posi- tion as foreman on the Lake Shore & Southern Railroad, at Adrian, Mich. In 1854 he visited Chieago, whenee after a short time he went to Ra- cine, Wis., where he was given a position as fore- man of the Raeine & Mississippi Railroad, which oceupied eight years. From there he went to Kan- sas to take a similar position in the ear department of the Union Pacifie. After five and one-half years in that position he became master ear-builder of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, with head- quarters at Sedalia, Mo., where he remained six years. Mr. Townsend then engaged with the Han- nibal & St. Joe as ear-builder, and was with that company four years. From there he went to the Union Pacific Central Braneh at Atchison, Kan., and the next year, 1880, accepted his present position, which he has since oeeupied. It is scarcely neces- sary to say, considering the positions which he has filled, that Mr. Townsend possesses more than or- dinary skill and ability as a meehanie, and is well qualified for his present responsible duties. IIc is well posted in railroad matters, and has aeeumu- lated a fine property, much of it consisting of Kansas lands. He is Republiean in politics. and as a eitizen is highly respected for his exeellent character and moral worth. .

Mr. Townsend was united in marriage with Miss . Amy Wralten, of Utiea, N. Y., in 1848. She is the daughter of Jaeob and Ann (Randall) Wralten, natives of England, and who cinigrated to America in 1829. Mr. Wralten was a contractor and builder, and after eoming to this eountry with his family, located at Utiea, N. Y., where the parents remained until their'dcath, the mother departing this life in 1832, and the fatlier in 1879. Their family in- cluded nine children, of whom Mrs. T. was the youngest but one. By her marriage with our sub- jeet she beeame the mother of five ehildren, four living, namely, James A .; Elizabeth J., Mrs Bar- nard; Frankic F., Mrs Dr. Harris; and Julia M., Mrs. MeGrew, all living in Kansas. Nellic de- parted this life in 1864.

TOUS CHALLANGER

, DUKE OF PRAIRIE GROVE

HICE

SCALES

RESIDENCE OF J. C. GREGORY, BREEDER OF SHORT HORN CATTLE AND OXFORD-DOWN SHEEP . SEC. 32., GRIDLEY TOWNSHIP.

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OIIN C. GREGORY, one of the most promi- nent and prosperous young farmers of Gridley Township, is proprietor of 520 acres of valuable land upon which is ereeted a fine farm dwelling, a good barn and all other buildings appertaining to a first-elass modern home- stead. The fields are finely laid off for the grow- ing of grain and for pasturage, the fenees are sub- stantially built and kept in good repair, while the farm implements are of the latest improved pattern and adapted in all respeets for the most expeditious work in the best manner. The larger portion of the land is devoted to grain and stoek-raising, in the latter of which Mr. Gregory takes great pride and pleasure, and usually keeps on the farm about 130 head of fine cattle and twenty-five head of horses, some of which are thoroughbred and all of choice grades. He also fattens about seventy-five head of hogs annually which bring the best price the market affords. On all sides in eonneetion with the homestead there is an air of ample comfort, sug- gestive of eultivated tastes and abundant means, and no roof is more hospitable than that of our sub- jeet, who is the center of a large eirele of friends and acquaintances. As a business man his eourse has been one worthy of imitation. He is prompt to meet his obligations, generous in his eontribu- tions to the enterprises which will ad vanee the pros- perity of his community, and always the friend of education and morality, eneouraging thrift and in- dustry by the most potent means at his hands, namely, his own example.

The subject of this history was born and reared among the people of Gridley Township, first open- ing his eyes to the light on the 8th of June, 1859. He is the offspring of an exeellent family, being the son of John and Mary Gregory, of Normal, a sketeh of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. His studies, begun in the common sehool of Normal, were completed in the Evergreen Business College, at Bloomington, where he graduated in 1880. He was bright and studious, made the most of his op- portunities, and thus beeame well fitted for the du- ties of life, in which he has met with sueh uniform sueeess. Ifis home training naturally tended to make him self-reliant, and when twenty years of age he eommeneed tilling upon his own aeeount a part

of the land which he now owns and oeeupies. After perfeeting his plans for the establishment of a eom- fortable home and having already become greatly attraeted by the womanly and lovable qualities of Miss Arnettie, daughter of John and Mary (Ab- bott) Ogden, of Money Creek Township, he led this lady to the altar on the 3d of May, 1882. Soon after marriage the young people eommeneed house- keeping, and on the 18th of November, 1883, there was added to the family a little daughter, who they named Pearl, and who is now (1887) an interesting child of about three and one-half years old.

John Ogden, the father of Mrs. Gregory, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, and his wife, in Newark, same State. After their removal to Illi- nois they located in Money Creek Township, where the death of the father took place quite suddenly on the 8th of March, 1879. On that day he came to Gridley on business and fell dead on the street. The mother is still living, and now a resident of Towanda. They had only two children, both daughters, Arnettie, the wife of our subject, and Hattie E. The latter died when six years of age. The birth of Mrs. Gregory took place in Money Creek Township July 21, 1862. Our subjeet and his wife are members in good standing of the Christian Church, and politically Mr. G. affiliates with the Democratie party. He has served as School Direetor in the township and starts out in his community as one of its most promising mem- bers, taking an interest in its moral and financial welfare, and is in all respeets an important faetor in its business and agricultural interests. Each year witnesses some new addition to his , premises, enhaneing their beauty and value, and the view given on an adjacent page, presents a pieture which is viewed with admiration by the passing traveler and which forms one of the finest features in the landseape of this seetion.

M RS. NANCY CLARK, a highly respected resident of West Township, is a native of Ohio, and was born in Perry County, Aug. 21, 1831. Her father, Thomas Hammond, was born in Pennsylvania, and her grandfather, John Hammond, an Englishman by birth, emi-

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grated to the United States when a young man, lo- cating in Pennsylvania. He was there married to Miss Rebecca Reynolds. a native of the Keystone State, and soon afterward they removed to Ohio, and located in Perry County at an early period in the history of that section. There John Hammond purchased a traet of prairie land, and for a teue- ment set up four forked stieks and split clap-boards to cover them, and by this means constructed a dwelling in which lic lived with his family until he could ereet a log house. He cleared a farm from the wilderness and lived to see that and the land around him settled up and finely improved. He departed this life at the age of seventy-eight years, having made a good record as an industrions and intelligent citizen, and contributed his full share toward the development of Perry County.

Thomas Hammond, father of the subject of our sketch, was but an infant when his parents moved to Ohio and located in the wilderness. He grew to manhood in Perry County and was married to Miss Olive Spencer. She was born in Pennsylvania, Jan. 14, 1800, and was the daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Armstrong) Spencer. After mar- riage the young couple settled upon a tract of timber land, where Thomas Hammond, like his father before him, constructed a rude dwelling, in which he and his wife commenced housekeeping. HIe, then commeneed clearing his land and eulti- vating the soil, remaining a resident of that locality nutil 1866. He then sold his farm and starting for the farther West, eamc to this State and county, set- tling first in West Township. He purchased 260 aercs of land on sections 30 and 31, where he carried on farming nutil 1877, and in February of that year removed to Bloomington, where he died in June following. His widow still survives and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Clark.

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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 17

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