Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 20

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 20

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UGH CAMPBELL, who is now living in ease and retirement at No. 904 Moulton street, Bloomington, is enjoying the results of an energetic and industrious life and the esteem and confidence of a large cirele of friends. Mr. Campbell has been a resident of Illinois sinee 1835. His birth occurred on the 14th of Jannary, 1812, his parents being James and Naney (Jamic- son) Campbell, natives of the same State as their son, and engaged in farming pursuits. Of their seven children four are now living-Hugh, John G., James and Emeline J. The parents removed to Missiouri in 1854, where they passed the remain- der of their days. Both were honored members of the Christian Church, and greatly esteemed by all , who knew them.

HIngh Campbell remained with his parents and received a common-school education. After at- taining his majority he left the parental roof, and worked on a farm for two and one-half years, then, in 1835, came to Morgan County, Ill. There . he pnrelased a farm of 290 acres, upon which he lived for fifteen years, when he sold out and came to Mc- Lean County. Here he purchased 120 aeres four and one-half miles southwest of Bloomington. where he remained from 1850 until 1886. He then moved into the city, and purchased the place where ' he now lives, consisting of a house and three lots, which forms a comfortable and attractive home.

In 1834 Mr. Campbell was united in marriag with Miss Catharine Frye, of Kentucky, and of their union there was born one child, a daughter, Adeline, now Mrs. Lawler, and the mother of two children-Hugh and Clarence Eugene. Mrs. Cath- arine Campbell departed this life in December, 1870, after being the companion of her husband for a period of thirty-six years.

The second wife of our subject was Mrs. Jane Simmons, a native of Montgomery County, Ill. She was born Jan. 9, 1828, and by her former husband, Hamilton Simmons, became the mother of eight children, of whom the record is as follows: . John T. married Miss Dora Shurtz, and they have three children-Ashley, Jolın M. and Nancy J .; Celestia married Oscar Shurtz, and they have two children -Alvin and Willliam D .; Charles married Rebecca Miller, and they have two daughters-Teresa and Annie; Rosella became the wife of George Little, and is the mother of two children-Orville and George; David married Miss Alice Pricer, and their two children are named Clyde and Calvin; Lillie became the wife of James Hitcheoek, and they have one son-Hugh O .; James Jefferson, born Aug. 11, 1863, was killed by lightning May 23, 1880, near Marengo, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are worthy members of the Christian Church, and in politics our subject easts his vote with the Republican party. Ile became Supervisor in 1862, held the office three years, and has also been Road Commissioner and Township Trustee.

R UBEN G. BRIGIIT, of the well-knownfirm of Dillon & Bright, importers and breeders of French horses at Normal, was born in Lin- coln County, Ky., Sept. 25, 1852. The par- ents of our subjeet were Ilenry and Maria (Gentry) Bright, also natives of Lincoln.County, where they lived until their death. The father was twice mar- ried, and by his first union had four children and by the second three.

Ruben G: Bright is the second child born of his father's first marriage. He was reared to manhood on a farm, and devoted his time to agriculture and

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stoek-raising, in the meantime receiving a common- school education, and supplemented by a course of study at Lexington College for two years. In 1870 our subject eame to this State, and loeating at Normal purehased a farm of ninety aeres two and a half miles northeast of that eity. On this place he loeated and engaged in its improvement and the raising of stoek, and there met with sue- eess.

In 1874 Mr. Bright was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of Ellis and Martha Dillon. Ile then began to deal in French draft horses, and in 1882 made his first trip to Franee, and on his re- turn brought with him ten head of horses of that breed. In 1884 he again went to Franee, and this time imported twenty head, six of them, however, being for other parties. In 1885 our subjeet formed a partnership with Adolphus Dillon, which relationship has continued until the present time, under the firm name of Dillon & Bright. Mr. Bright's wife departed this life April 28, 1881, leaving one daughter, Bernie. In polities Mr. Bright is a Demoerat, although an earnest worker in the eause of temperance. In religion he holds fellowship with the Christian Church, and is one of the prominent and foremost citizens of the eounty.

AMES K. ORENDORFF, deceased, was one of the oldest settlers of Bloomington Town- ship, and died at his home in this township Jan. 1, 1875. He was a native of Christian County, Ky., and was born Dee. 28, 1812, being the first child of William and Sarah Orendorff. William Orendorff became the father of fourteen children by four, different wives. (See sketch of Ohio H. P. Orendorff on another page in this work.)

The subject of our sketeh emigrated North to Illinois with his father when he was only about six years old, his mother having died in 'Kentucky about two years previously. He remained with his father until he had attained to years of manhood, and was married in Bloomington Township, this eounty, to Miss Lavina Sayles. The wedding took place at the residenee of the bride's mother, May 4, 1837. This lady was born in Howard County,

Mo., Jan. 23, 1821, and was the daughter of Elias and Sarah (Sayles) Sayles, natives of North Caro- lina, of Welsh and English aneestry, but of Ameri- ean parentage and Southern born. Elias Sayles was a farmer by occupation, and after his marriage in North Carolina removed first to Nashville, Tenn., thenee to Southern Illinois, afterward to Howard County, Mo., whenee they returned, in 1830, to the Prairie State and located in Sangamon County. The father subsequently went to the lead mines near Dubuque, lowa, and died there Jan. 20, 1835. The mother, with her children, eame into MeLean County, and settled in Bloomington Township. The parental family consisted of nine children, all of whom exeept Mrs. O. of this notice have been dead for more than twenty years. The mother, in about May, 1844, went to lowa, and died there in Angust, 1853.

After the marriage of our subjeet and his wife they went to Wiseonsin, loeating on Fox River, where they remained for four years, thenee eoming to MeLean County, Ill., and settling iu Blooming- ton Township, which remained their permanent home. In his earlier years Mr. Orendorff aeeumu- lated a handsome property, but by a series of mis- fortunes lost the greater part of it before he died. His widow is spending the sunset of her life on a part of the old homestead. She is a most excellent and worthy lady and has many warm friends in this eounty. Their family consisted of five ehil- dren, two of whom are deceased; Perry married Miss Elizabeth Belleville, and resides on a farm in Sumner County, Kan. ; James married Miss Barthana Quinn, and is farming on a part of the old home- stead; his wife died near Shirley in 1878. Mary F. is unmarried and lives with her mother. The de- ceased are William and Sarah A .; the former was married, and left a wife and family who are residents of this county.

Politically Mr. Orendorff was a Whig, but in 1866 joined the ranks of the Democratie party. His family were elosely eonneeted with the history of this township, and were people of rare intelli- gence, good business qualities and principles of honor and honesty. The family history is some- what remarkable and is of more than ordinary in- terest. They are widely represented in the United

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States, and in October, 1886, held a family reunion in the eity of Bloomington, at which were repre- sented large numbers of their descendants, there being about 250 in attendance. The reunion oe- eupied two days and evenings, and was a grand sueeess in all of its features. The exereises were interspersed with speeches, toasts and musie, and the various members of the family exhibited inany old and valuable relics which have been preserved for more than a hundred years.

The Orendorffs are of German deseent. In 1823, Christopher, William and Thomas eame to this State, and the first named settled in Logan County, on Sugar Creek. Thomas took up a elaim on what is now known as the Stephen Houghton place; he became the father of thirteen children. The Oren- dorffs of this locality are descendants of William and Thomas; those around Canton, of John Oren- dorff; , those around Springfield, of Joseph, and those around Hopedale 'and Delavan, of Aaron, Enoch and Esau, the latter being brothers of an- other branch of the family. The various male members of the family have been represented in the State Senate, in the army, and have oeeupied various other important positions connected with publie affairs. They are principally noted for own- ing mills of all kinds, and various members of the family have brought out several notable inventions. Capt. John Orendorff patented a reaping-machine similar to that of the McCormicks', but failed to reach the patent office before they had theirs en- tered. He patented a wool-carding machine, and spent twenty years trying to perfeet perpetual mo- tion.

The Orendorffs in Canton are connected with the famous plow company of that eity, and Hon. Alfred O., of Springfield, at one time received the Democratic nomination for State Treasurer, ,and is now Chairman of the State Democratie Central Committee. They have been intimately identified with the business and industrial interests of the Prairie State sinee it was admitted into the Union, and have contributed their full quota toward de- veloping its resources and building it up financially and otherwise. At the late reunion several mem- bers of the family eame from Rondo, Polk Co., Mo., traveling the entire distance of 450 miles in

a wagon drawn by a mule-team, being fourteen and one-half days on the road. This simply illus- trates a trait of the family, namely, that of sturdy perseverance and a determination to accomplish whatever they set about, and this has been the seeret of their suecess in life, and assisted them to the position which they occupy iu the history of the State of Illinois.

OHN W. COOK, A. M., ineumbent of the Chair of Mathematies, Illinois State Normal University, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., April 20, 1844, being the son of Harry D. and Joanna (Hall) Cook. In 1851 the family removed to Illinois, and settled in MeLean County, where the father beeame prominent both as a business man and a politician, not only in that vicinity but throughout the State; his death oc- eurred in 1873. The mother is still living, and re- sides at Normal.

The subject of this sketeh completed his eduea- tion in the Illinois State Normal University, whenee he graduated in 1865. He then taught one year in the schools of Brimfield, Peoria County, at the end of which time he was placed in charge of one of the departments of the Model Sehool, a position which he occupied for two years. During the seven years following he had charge of reading and elo- eution in the Illinois State Normal University, and sinee 1876 has been Professor of Mathematies. -

Prof. Cook is a very active, energetie man, and besides giving due attention to his duties as teacher has found time to assist in many worthy enterprises. For twenty-six months, associated with Dr. E. C. Hewitt, he edited and published the Illlinois School Master, and for three and one-half years the Illinois School Journal, being for two years assisted by Rudolph R. Reeder. He has, for fifteen years, given from four to ten weeks of his summer vacation to condueting institutes in differ- ent counties of the State. He has a genuine love for learning, which he has evineed by his numer- ous sacrifiees of ease and profit.

The degree of A. M. was eonferred upon Prof. Cook by Knox College in 1884. When Dr. Rich

McLEAN COUNTY.

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ard Edwards, former President of the Illinois State Normal University, was elected State Super- intendent of Public Instruction, he at once ten- dercd Prof. Cook the position of Chief Clerk in his office, and in fact not a ycar passes that the latter is not offered some important and enviable posi- tion. But he has thus far refused to accept any of them, preferring to remain and labor for the insti- tution which gave him his education.

Our subject is the author of " Cook's Methods of Written Arithmetic," which has passed through several editions. Like his father before him lie takes great interest in political matters. Relig- iously he is connected with the Unitarian Church, and has been leader of the choir for some time.

Prof. John W. Cook was united in marriage with Miss. Lydia F. Spofford, of North Andover, Mass., on the 26th of August, 1867. Mrs. Cook is the danghter of Farnham and Lydia Spofford, and was born in North Andover, Mass., in 1846, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of two children-Agnes S. and John L. Our subject and his family occupy a beautiful and tasteful home, and number among their warmest friends and associates the cultivated people of Normal.

R. N. B. COLE, physician and surgeon of Bloomington, Ill., and who has made for himself a good record in his profession, is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, where he was born Dec.1,28, 1837. His parents were Broad and Leah (Peters) Cole, the former born on the 23d of September, 1802, and the latter Nov. 19, 1806. They were natives respectively of Ohio and Maryland, and were married in Fairfield County, Ohio, on the 7th of January, 1827. The parents of Broad Cole were Thomas and Elizabeth (Stev- ens) Cole, the father born in Huntingdon County, Pa., March 15, 1757, and the mother in May, 1759. Thomas Cole was a soldier of the War of 1812. In carly life he removed with his parents to Ohio, they being among.the early settlers of that State, locating there in 1800, when it was pcopled chiefly by Indians. He built a log cabin iu the wilder-

ness, and in duc time became the proprietor of an extensive and valuable farm, which he had, by his own industry, eliminated from the forest. The family of Thomas and Elizabeth Cole included seven daughters and four sons, of whom all lived to years of maturity. The father passed the re- mnainder of his days upon the homestead which lie had established in the wilds of Ohio, and died Aug. 20, 1840, nine years after the death of his faithful partner, who had died Sept. 27, 1831.

The mother of our subject, Mrs. Leah (Peters) Cole, was the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Stephenson) Peters. They were of English ances- try, but American birth, both being natives of Bal- timore, Md. After marriage they removed to Ohio, settling in Fairfield County in 1812, and engaged. in farming pursuits. Samuel Peters was born Nov. 27,1772, and departed this life in Ohio, Sept. 10, 1829. His wife, Mary, was born Sept. 28, 1773, and died in Ohio, Feb. 15, 1861. They had a family of thirteen children, nine sons and fonr daughters, all living to maturity, the first death being that of one of the sons at the age of thirty-seven years. They all lived in Ohio, engaged in farming and stock-dealing, and all, with one exception, became wealthy. That one, however, was a man of fine talents, and became prominently identified with public affairs.

Broad Cole, the father of our subject, received a fair education in the common sehools, and was reared, lived and died on the farm where he was born. In the apportionment of property he re- ceived the homestead, and with that and other land in adjoining counties was the proprietor of 700 aeres, and was largely interested as a stock-dcaler He had a family of fourteen children, four of whom died in infancy, and ten lived to mature years. Of these seven are now living and recorded as follows: Thomas is engaged in farming in Fairfield County, Ohio; David is similarly engaged in Blackford County, Ind .; the next is Dr. N. B., of our sketch; Jonathan S. is Principal of the Minier School of this county; Joseph R., who is possessed of mnch literary ability, is a resident of Brooklyn, and en- gaged as a historian ; Lewis D. is engaged in farm-' ing in Fairfield County, Ohio; Henry is the young- est of the family, and occupies the old homestead.

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The father of our subject died on the 25th of June, 1882, at the advanced age of eighty years; the inother is still living on the old homestead, and is eighty years old.

The subject of this history eommeneed attending school at a very early age, and pursued his studies until he was twenty, in the meantime filling vaea- tions with farm work. He commeneed the study of medieine on the 4th of April, 1857. at Lancaster, Ohio, and subsequently took two courses of lectures in New York City, whenee he entered Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn, and graduated on the 19th of July, 1860, being a member of the first elass graduated from the institution. He returned to Lieking County, Ohio, and eommeneed the prae- tiee of his profession at Etna, where he remained until April, 1862. The war being then in progress he entered the army as Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A., for a term of three months, with the 19th Ohio, and was with the regiment at the siege of Corinth, and was placed in charge of the Field Hospital of the 2d division of the 3d Army Corps. He then re-en- tered as Assistant Surgeon in the 50th Ohio Volun- teers, of the 23d Army Corps, and remained in serviee until the elose of the war.

After his return from the army Dr. Cole was united in marriage with Miss Matilda C. Evans, a native of Licking County, Ohio, who was born Sept. 24, 1839, and was the daughter of John and Margaret (Montgomery) Evans, of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. Her parents were married in about 1828. They lived upon a farm, and her father was engaged in agriculture and stock-raising.

After their marriage Dr. and Mrs. Cole came to Bloomington, arriving here Nov. 1, 1865, and sinee that time our subjeet has followed his profession continuously and built up a large and luerative practice. He belongs to the County, State and Na- tional Medieal Associations, and has been a mem- ber of the United States Examining Pension Board for twelve years. Politieally he affiliates with the Republican party, and socially is a member in good standing of the G. A. R., and Union Veterans Union.

The Doctor and Mrs. C. have become the par- ents of three children-Carrie L., Evens N. and Leah M., all living. The family occupy a hand-

some and convenient residenee, which the Doctor built in 1866, and which is located at No. 1105 North Main street. The parents and one daughter are members of Grace Methodist Church, of which Dr. Cole has been a Steward for ten years. Ile has, in all respects, fulfilled the obligations of a good citizen, and as a physician has hosts of patrons and friends. His office is located at No. 106 West Washington street, Bloomington.

OHN CAMPBELL, D. D. S., residing at · Bloomington, is a native of West Virginia, born in 1833. He is the son of Archibald and Susan (Jones) Campbell, natives of West Virginia, where the father followed the eall- ing of a farmer. Nine children were born of the parental uuion, five of whom are now living. The subjeet of this notice was reared to the calling of a farmer, and lived with the old folk until he was twenty years old. His early education was received in the common schools, and supplemented by an academieal course at Union, Monroe Co., W. Va. His preceptor was Rev. Samuel Houston, a Presby- terian elergyman. After leaving school our sub- ject began the practice of dentistry, borrowing $50 wherewith to purchase his first ease of dental in- struments.

Our subjeet eontinned this profession until the breaking out of the late Civil War in 1861, when. he enlisted in Co. F., 22d West Virginia Volun- teers, as Lieutenant. He resigned his office during the first year of service, and while at home was elected Captain, and returning to the field of con- flict continued in the service until the close of the war. He participated in the battle of Fisher Hill, where he received two wounds, one in the left shoulder and one in the left hip. At the battle of New Market he received a flesh wound in the foot. Here he was ordered to charge the pits of the enemy, and starting on a run, our subject at the head of his men soon fell into the pit himself, and that, too, right on top of two of the enemy. He immediately demanded their surrender, aud they, doubtless thinking there were many more to assist him in their capture, there and then surrendered,

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although they were afraid to stick their heads out of the pit. Mr. Campbell told them to throw up their hats and get out, and they did so.

After returning from the war Mr. Campbell once more entered upon the peaceful pursuits of life and engaged in farming in West Virginia. This he continued for about one year, and March 18, 1866, we find him at Bloomington, Ill., with a cash eapi- tal of seventy-five eents in his pocket. He, how- ever, had a large amount of energy, and was de- termined to succeed in the practice of his profes- sion, and engaged in partnership with his cousin, Dr. J. M. Skaggs, at Danvers. This relationship continued for about eight months, at the expira- tion of which time Dr. Campbell opened an office at Leroy, and there practiced his profession until 1868. During this time, however, le praetieed three months of each year at Concord, Mo. Dur- ing the years 1869-70 he was a student in the Dental College at St. Louis, where he received his degree of D. D. S.

Coming to Bloomington in 1870 Dr. Campbell opened an office at No. 208 North Center street, and at once entered upon practice as Dental Surgeon and there remained for two years. He then changed his location to the corner of Center and Jefferson streets, where he is at present located, and where he is meeting with sueeess.

Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Katie Jar- rett, of West Virginia, in 1879. She is the daugh- ter of Ira and Eveline (Johnson) Jarrett, natives of West Virginia. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, one daughter, Nettie J., has been born. The Doetor is a member of the Illinois Dental, State Dental and the Central Illinois Dental Asso- eiations. He is Democratie in polities, and has been a member of the Masonie fraternity sinee 1863.

S. BAY, one of the old settlers of this county and now a retired farmer, is living at his comfortable home in Bloomington Township. He is pleasantly located on see- tion 15, and has at this place fifty-four aeres of land. He also has a small farin south of his home, in the same township. Mr. Bay became a resident

of MeLean County in 1837, at onee making his lo- eation in Bloomington Township, and with the ex- eeption of eight years has made this township his home sinee that time. During this interval he re- sided in Piatt County and carried on farming, but chose this locality for his final home.

The subject of our sketch was born near Mechan- iesburg, Champaign Co., Ohio, on the 30th . of March, 1816. His father, William Bay, was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and of Seoteh-Irish aneestry. He went to Champaign County, Ohio, in early manhood, and was there united in marriage with Miss Susanna Hudson, a native of Baltimore, Md., and descended from the same raees as her husband. They lived in Ohio for some years after their mar- riage, and until after the birth of five children. The elder Bay then decided to go westward for a per- manent location. Accordingly, with his family, he emigrated to Indiana in 1824, and they took up their first location in Indianapolis, where they re- mained for a period of fifteen years, during which time five more children were added to the house- hold eirele.

In 1836, with his wife and family, Mr. Bay re- moved to MeHenry County, Ill., and afterward eame to MeLean County and settled one and one- half miles west of the city of Bloomington. There they remained for ten years, and afterward re- moved within the city limits. While upon a visit at Galesburg, Knox County, the father was taken ill, and died there on the 30th of August, 1844. The mother survived him for a period of twenty- four years, and departed this life at her home in MeLean County in September, 1868. They were most excellent and worthy people and were highly respected in the community. William Bay was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and officiated as local minister the greater part of his life. He was not especially educated for this work, but possessed fine abilities as a speaker, and was more than ordinarily intelligent.

J. S. Bay commeneed doing business for himself when quite a youth, his first employment away from home being that of mail earrier between In- dianapolis and Madison, Ind. He held this impor- tant position for eight years, and after the first year was the general and special agent of the post-office

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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 20

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