Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 25

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 25

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).

Charles A. Barley and Miss Matilda Dempsey were united in marriage in Ohio in October, 1868. Mrs. Barley is the daughter of Jefferson and Jane (Bailey) Dempsey, natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to Ohio at an early period in the settle- inent of Champaign County, being among the pio- neers of that seetion. Of this union there have been born five children-Inez, Frank' C., Jessie, Camby A. and Lloyd B.

L YMAN W. BETTS, a pioneer settler of Bloomington Township, is now comfort- ably located on section 12, where he has spent the greater part of forty years, and been act- ively and successfully engaged in general farming. Mr. Betts was born in Cecil County, Md., Aug. 5, 1825. His father, Franklin Betts, was a native of Richmond, Mass., born March 28, 1789, and was

the son of Zebulon Betts, who was a farmer of New England, and died in Massachusetts. Franklin Betts, when a young man left his native town for the city of Baltimore, where he engaged in the boot and shoe business, and where, in due time, he was married to Mrs. Ann Davis, a native of his own county. After the birth of three children, among whom was the subject of our sketch, the -family removed to Brooklyn, N. Y., where two inore children were born, both daughters. The three eldest were sons-Franklin M., Robert C. and our subject, Lyman W. The sisters, Mary A. and Louisa A., are now both living in Iowa.

Mr. Betts spent the greater part of his boyhood and youth in the city of Brooklyn and afterward went to New York City. Then, when nineteen years of age, he removed with his parents to Ot- sego County, N. Y., where both the latter died a few years later. Lyman W. then set out for the West, and coming into MeLean County, Ill., lo- eated near Bloomington, where he engaged in the cattle trade with the late Judge Davis, his half- brother. His good education and some previous experience in mercantile business, had given him a good insight into methods of doing business, and he was quite successful in his trading operations. His connection with Judge Davis continned for a score of years. In 1876 Mr. Betts removed to the farm which he now occupies, and engaged in the breeding of standard horses-Hambletonians. His two stallions are Bright Ratler and Roseoe Thorn- dale, magnificent animals which promise great things for the future. Mr. Betts has already at- tained a fine reputation as one of the most success- ful breeders of this section. The dam of these horses is "Roxy " from Alexander's " Norman " of Kentucky.

After coming into this county Mr. Betts spent some years in " single blessedness," but finally con- cluded that his condition would be greatly im- proved by the acquisition of a helpmeet and part- ner. He was consequently united in marriage, on the 19th of September, 1853, with Miss S. R. Da- vis, the daughter of Dr. David Davis, and second cousin of Judge Davis. Their wedding took place in Cecil County, Md. The mother of Mrs. Betts, before her marriage, was Miss Emeline Wicks, and

264

McLEAN COUNTY.

she is yet living in Ceeil County, Md., where she was born, and is now arrived at the advanced age of eighty years. Dr. David Davis, the father of Mrs. Betts, died in Maryland in 1844. He was a sneeessful physician, and praetieed in his native State from the time he became of age until his death. Mrs. Betts has still in her possession some rare old pieces of china, and the silver buekles worn by her great-grandmother on her wedding day. -

Mrs. Betts was born in Kent County, Md., Feb. 24, 1831. After the death of her father, her mother, with a family of eight children, removed to Ceeil County, where Mrs. Betts was reared and educated, and remained until her marriage with our subjeet. Of this union there were born four children, one of whom, Willian, died in 1876, at the age of twenty-two years; Emma became the wife of J. A. Jordan, trainmaster at Roodhouse, Ill .; Fannie married E. B. Mitchell, Jr., a farmer near Danvers, this eounty; Anna, Mrs. J. V. Nieh- ols, is living with her husband on a farm near Cov- ell, Ill. All the members of the family are eon- neeted with the Protestant Episcopal Church, and Mr. Betts, politieally, is a solid Republiean.

R. J. L. WHITE, of the firm of White & Guthrie, Bloomington,"is one of the lead- ing physicians of the city, and comes from a prominent New England family, widely and favorably known in that region. Our subjeet was born in Westminster, Mass., on the 5th of De- cember, 1832, and is the son of Dr. John and Luey (Howe) White, also natives of the Bay State. His grandfather, James White, was born in Massa- ehusetts, and in his younger days learned the trade of a blacksmith, but soon afterward engaged in farming pursuits, in which he became very sueeess- ful and aeeumulated a handsome property. The great-grandfather of our subjeet, Josiah White, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The first representatives of the family in this country eame from England in the vessel which followed the Mayflower, and settled in Watertown, Mass. From one of these deseended the present family. On his mother's side Dr. White is the eighth generation

from John Alden, who is celebrated in verse by the poet Longfellow in eonneetion with Miles Standish.

Dr. John White, the father of our subjeet, re- ecived careful home training and pursued his early studies in the common sehools. In later years he entered the medieal department of Brown's Uni- versity, at Providence, R. I., from which he gradu- ated with honors, and commeneed the practice of his profession in Westminster, Mass., following it there for a period of twenty-six years. In 1851 he removed to Watertown, N. Y., where he eon- tinued his praetice and spent the remainder of his days, his deeease oeeurring in 1868. The mother survived until 1874. Their family consisted of five children, all of whom grew to matnrity. Dr. J. L., our subjeet, was the eldest of the family; Ellen became the wife of Dr. J. 'I. Seollard, of Clinton, Oneida Co., N. Y .; she was highly edn- eated, and beeame Principal of the White Seminary, at Clinton, which position she oeeupied about seven years; the institution was named after her. Josiah is a resident of California and the proprietor of an extensive eattle raneh in Sonoma County; he is also interested in silver mines in Arizona. Charles ,is engaged in the drug business at Ithaea, N. Y .; Abbie married John J. Stephens, book-keeper in the Treasury Department at Washington. The father of our subjeet was a member of the State Legislature of Massachusetts and of the State Medieal and loeal societies. He was a prominent and useful eitizen, and greatly respected for his natural talents and sterling worth of eharaeter.

The subject of this biography spent his younger days in school, eommeneing his medieal stndies at an early age and graduating in 1854, from the Medieal Department of Harvard College, Massa- chusetts. He also obtained valuable experience in the general hospital of the State in 1853. He sub- sequently went to Europe, spent several months among the hospitals of Paris, and after returning to the United States, eame to Illinois in the fall of 1854. His first location was in Jerseyville, Jersey County, where he remained until 1859. He then went to Memphis, Tenn., practiced there two years, and returning to Jerseyville, beeame surgeon of the Board of Enrollment, which position he oeell- pied until the elose of the war.

265

MCLEAN COUNTY.

Dr. White became a resident of Bloomington in 1870, since which time he has practiced continuously and taken a leading position in the profession along thic Mississippi Valley. The following year, 1871, hc became surgeon of the C. & A. R. R., which position he holds, together with the same on the Illinois Central and in the Soldiers' Orphans' Ilone.

Dr. J. L. White and Miss Harriet Hawley, of Jerseyville, were united in marriage on the 10th of February, 1857. Mrs. White is the daughter of Samnel and Hannah Hawley, and of her union with our subject she has become the mother of four chil= dren-Leila, Charles H., Lucy B., and one who died in infancy. The Doctor and his family are in pos- session of a handsome home at No. 509 West Washington street, and enjoy the friendship and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances. He has built up an extensive practice in this vicinity and accumulated a competency. Hle is stockholder and Director in the Third National Bank of Blooming- ton, and a stockholder in the Plow Works and Gas Company. In politics he is a stanch Republican; socially he belongs to the A. F. & A. M., and in 1886 was Grand Commander of the K. T. of Illi- nois; he is a 32d degree Mason.

ESSE HILL, one of the honored pioneers of McLean County, settled in Dale Township as early as 1830, and during a residence of fifty-seven years has fully established lim- self in the respect and esteem of his associates and fellow-citizens. Since coming to this section of Illinois Mr. Hill has closely identified himself with the industrial and agricultural interests of his adopted county, and whenever an opportunity pre- sented itself has been one of the foremost to con- tribute of his time and means to promote its devel- opment and prosperity. As the oldest settler of Dale Township he is held in peculiar veneration and respect, and accorded that tacit ackuowledge- ment to the worth and enterprise which have been his chief characteristics.

The subject of our sketch is a native of the Blue Grass State, having been born five miles from Lexington, Fayette Co., Ky. His birth occurred

on the 24th of March, 1809, and his father was James Hill, a native of Pennsylvania, who, when a young man removed to Kentucky, before his mar- riage, and settled in the county where his son was subsequently born. He was a carpenter and mill- wright by trade, a skilled workman, and followed his trade in Kentucky until 1820. In the meall- time lic had married, and now resolved to remove to the North. He accordingly started out with his wife and nine children for the State of Indiana. They proposed to make the trip overland, and their outfit consisted of eleven horses and threc wagons. After crossing the Ohio River they sct- tled in Jefferson County, Ind., where the elder Hill followed his trade and became prominent in the business affairs of that section. He built two or three gristmills, of which he superintended the op- erations for some years, and also carried on the business of cabinet-making. He passed the balance of his life in Jefferson County, and after a long and busy career departed from the scenes of his earthly labors in about 1860, at the ripe old age of eighty- four years. The partner of his early manhood and the mother of our subject was Miss Mary C. Cope, to whom he was married about 1794. She was a native of Maryland, and after her marriage to James Hill accompanied him to Jefferson County, Ind., and died in that county two years after the death of her husband, in 1862. They became the parents of twelve children, whom they carefully trained to habits of industry and principles of honor and honesty, and of whom five are surviv- ing, and are living worthy and honorable lives in accordance with the precepts handed down to them by their worthy and excellent parents.

Jesse Hill of our sketchi was the fifth child of his parents' family. He received only a limited education, but being naturally fond of books has always kept himself well posted in regard to all matters worthy of attention. As soon as large enough to work he assisted his father in the mill and distillery, and remained with his parents until after lic had attained his majority. He then de- termined to sce something of the world beyond the bounds of his native Statc, and packing a knap- sack started on foot for the prairies of Illinois. Ile walked from Madison to McLean County,

266

MCLEAN COUNTY.

and upon his arrival here had $3.37₺ in his pocket. This was in 1830. He first obtained work aniong farmers, digging wells, splitting rails, or whatever his hands could find to do. He made his home for the first twelve months with Col. Beeler, of Twin Grove, whose daughter, Miss Naney, beeame liis wife in August of the following year.

After spending one season in MeLean County, Ill., Mr. Hill went to Indiana, procured a pair of horses, a wagon and some leather; he then traded one horse, the wagon and leather for forty aeres of land in Twin Grove, MeLean County, and also purchased a claim on section 2, of Dale Town- shlp. Upon this there was a' log cabin partly finished, and into it he removed with his young wife and commenced housekeeping. He had no money with which to enter land, and it was entered for him, and he then traded his land in Twin Grove for the eighty aeres which he now owns and occupies. He ereeted a small, round log house, chinked and daubed it with mud, and built a chimney of stieks and dirt. He took possession of this place in 1833, which he has continuously owned and oeenpied since that time. The log eabin, however, has been replaced by a handsome and comfortable farın residenee; and the diminu- tive pig-pen by a good barn and all necessary out- buildings. Mr. Hill has added to his first pur- chase as his means permitted, and is now the pos- sessor of 220 aeres, all in a good state of cultiva- tion. He lias also erected a good set of buildings on two other farms. His life has been one of en- ergy and industry, and in his later days he feels richly rewarded for the toils and difficulties of liis early manhood.

Miss Naney Beeler, the first wife of our subject, became the mother of three children, and departed this life in Dale Township, in October, 1840. She was born in Butler County, Ohio, in April, 1808, and was the daughter of Samuel and . Mary (Graves) Beeler, who removed from Ohio to Illi- nois in 1830. The children of Jesse Hill by his first marriage were: John W., who lives in Dale Township; Jane, wife of Samuel Morgan, also of this township; and Martha E., Mrs. Sackett, who lives in Bloomington.

For his second wife Mr. Hill, in 1843, married

Miss Phobe Munsell, who was born in Vermont and died in Dale Township, this county, in 1860. Of this marriage there were also three eliildren : Naney A., the wife of James Rogers, of Dale Town- ship; Zerah Munsell, of Kansas, and James, also a resident of Dale.

The third marriage of Mr. Hill took place in 1862, his wife having been Miss Matilda Hancock, of Ohio, and of this marriage there are two sons living-Charles F. and William A.

Politically Mr. Hill is a staneh adherent of the Demoeratie party. His life has included a rich ex- perienee, and he has witnessed with unabated in- terest the remarkable changes which have occurred along the Mississippi Valley since his removal from the Blue Grass State of his nativity to the prairies of Illinois. The stirring seenes he. has witnessed during the course of a long and busy life would make an interesting volume, and we cannot by any means do justice to them within the brief details of a biographical sketch. Suffice it to say that Mr. Hill has aeted well his part, and has his abundant reward in the position which he holds in the eom- munity.

W ILLIAM H. DOOLEY, a prosperous and progressive fariner of Empire Township, is one of its most intelligent citizens, an ex- tensive reader, well edueated and well informed, and a gentleman who has materially assisted in the advancement and prosperity of this section. He is a native of Clark County, Ky., and was born Aug. 15; 1834. His father, William Dooley, a na- tive of the same eounty and State, was born March 1, 1804, and his grandfather, Obadiah Dooley, of Virginia, removed from the Old Dominion to Clark County, Ky., soon after his marriage, and was among the pioneer settlers of that region. lle cleared a farm from the wilderness and made it lis home until his death, at an advanced age, in about 1844.

The father of our subjeet was reared in his native eonnty, and after his marriage purchased a traet of timber land ten miles from Winchester, the county seat. He there eleared a farm and lived until 1851, then disposed of his possessions in the Blue

267

MCLEAN COUNTY.

Grass country and started with his family, consist- ing of his wife and twelve children, on an overland journey to Illinois. They began their journey on the 11th of November, their outfit consisting of twelve horses and four wagons, with a carriage, and arrived in Bloomington in just one month from the day they started. There William Dooley, Sr., rented a house for a short time, then purchased thie Rogers farm in Old Town Township. This he oc- eupied until 1858. being successful in his business and agricultural operations, and then abandoning the active labors of life, removed to Bloomington, whence he removed to a farm in Padua Township, where he spent his last days, dying on the 7th of June, 1869. The mother of our subjeet before her marriage was Miss Minerva Morris, a native of the same county and State as her husband. She was born in 1810, being the daughter of Samuel Mor- ris. of Virginia, whence he removed to Clark County, Ky., at an early day, where he cleared a farm and occupied it until his death in 1859. Mrs. Minerva Dooley departed this life in Bloomington, in August, 1884.

William H. Dooley was the fifth ehild of his par- ents' family, and was a youth of seventeen years when his parents removed from Kentucky to Illi- nois and located in this county. He had obtained a good education in the subscription schools of his native State and afterward assisted his father in carrying on the farm until his marriage. He then settled on a small traet of land which had been given him by his father, and after occupying it one season sold it and purchased sixty acres adjacent, where he lived one ycar, then sold again and pur- ehascd 120 acres. This he also sold, after oeeupy- ing it one season, and after a short residence in Bloomington, rented for one year a farm'in Nor- mal Township, then purchased cighty aeres in Old Town Township. After several more changes of location he selected his present site, which he re- moved to on the 1st of May, 1876. This farm contains 1,185 acres, all improved, much of it being devoted to pasture, and the shapely and substantial set of frame buildings is unexcelled in this sec- tion. His eattle are graded Durhams, and among them arc to be found some of the finest animals in the county. Everything about the premises denotes

the supervision of an intelligent and enterprising man, who is keeping full pace with the progress and improvement of the day.

The marriage of William H. Dooley aud Miss Eliza Naggle took place at the home of the bride's parents in Old Town Township, on the 12th of October, 1854. Mrs. Dooley was born in Darke County, Ohio, May 7, 1835. Her father, Samuel Naggle, and her mother, formerly Miss Mary (Slechty) Naggle, were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they came to MeLean County in 1850, settling first in Bloomington Township, and later in Old Town Township, where the mother died in 1871. The father died in Vermilion County in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Dooley became the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are living-Lillie May, Milton H., George E., Damaris, Obadiah M., Hattie and Lida B. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and our subject in politics is an uncompromising Democrat. He cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan, and since that time has uniformly voted in support of the principles of his party. He has filled various offices of trust in Old Town Township; has been Collector of Taxes, and served on the Board of Supervisors several terms in Em- pire Township, being also a member of the School Board. To such men as Mr. Dooley is McLean County indebted for its prosperous and prominent position as one of the wealthiest and most progress- ive counties of the State.

S. CRAWFORD, a prominent citizen of McLean County, is now passing his days in case and retirement at his pleasant home in Bloomington, and as one of the prominent, substantial and useful members of the business community, is held in the highest respect, which is increased by the knowledge of his personal worth. Our subject is a native of Center County, Pa., and was born on the 25th of May, 1823. He is the son of Rev. James and Appalonia (Helpher) Crawford, natives respectively of Lancaster and Center Coun- tics. They were jointly engaged in merchandising and farming, and moved to Maryland in 1849,

268

McLEAN COUNTY.

where they spent the remainder of their days, the father dying in 1856, and the mother in 1862. Their family consisted of eight children, only two now living-D. F., a resident of Odell, this eounty, and our subjeet.

Young Crawford was reared to farming pursuits and received a practical edneation. Ile remained under the parental roof until he had grown to man's estate, and had the care of his parents until their death. In April, 1865, he disposed of his interest in the estate, and coming to Ottawa, La Salle County, engaged in the manufacture of buggies and wag- ons, which he followed for nine years. He then removed to Normal in order to educate his ehil- dren, and after nine years came to Bloomington in 1883.

Mr. Crawford was married in 1851, to Miss Eliza- beth Hinkle, a native of Maryland, and the daughter of Jesse and Mary A. (Falek) Hinkle, natives of Maryland and Virginia, respectively. They were the parents of ten children, of whom the following are living: Rebeeea, Mrs. Bowden, resides in Stark County, Ohio; John F. is in Maryland; the next was Leonard; Elizabeth is the wife of our subjeet; Rev. George, her twin brother, is on the Pacific coast ; Rev. Richard is in Pennsylvania; Ellen J., Mrs. Elbin, lives in Maryland, and Mary F., Mrs. Pratt, in Missouri. The father of Mrs. C. was an exten- sive farmer and the owner of 700 aeres of land. He died in 1871, aged seventy-three years. The mother died in 1881, and was eighty-four years old. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Crawford became the parents of seven children, six now living, as follows: Asbury M. is an attorney of Montana; Amanda M. lives at home; William A. married Miss Elonise Smith, and they have one child, Erastus E., of Chicago; George S. operates a ranch in Montana; Bertha C. married E. G. Hubbard, and they have two children, Elbert G. and Ralph, the latter of whom is in Buf- falo, N. Y .; Elmer E. is on a ranch in Montana.

Mr. Crawford is Republican in politics, and with · his wife a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been Class-Leader and Superin- tendent of the Sabbath-school, and was Trustee most of the time while living in Ottawa. Mr.

Crawford purchased his residenee in 1883, and sinee retiring from farm labor ha's 'engaged eon- siderably in life insurance. He is considered a rep- resentative citizen of MeLean County, and has ful- filled all his obligations as a business man, thie father of a family, a neighbor and friend.

C IIARLES II. GMEHLIN, dealer in and manufacturer of guns, rifles, pistols, and carrying on general repairing in this line, is thus worthily adding his mite to the industrial interests of Bloomington, where he is held in high esteem'as an honest man and a good eitizen. Mr. G. is a skilled meehanie and possesses a thorough acquaintance with his business, having had many years' experience, and can turn out in a ereditable manner almost anything in the line of fire-arms.

Mr. Gmehlin was born in Stuttgart, Wurtem- berg, Germany, Feb. 22, 1834, and in accordance with the laws and customs of his native eoun- try entered sehool when six years of age, where he remained until fourteen. He then went to learn tlie trade of a gunsmith to the King of Wurtem- berg, and after serving an apprenticeship of three years packed his "kit" and removed into Switzer- land, where he pursued his trade one year, and thenee to Paris, France, and five months later to London, England. In the latter eity he spent two years, during which time he aequired an intimate knowl- edge of fire-arms and became an expert in their use and manufacture.

The subject of this sketeh set sail for America in the spring of 1854, first landing in New York City. He proceeded soon afterward to Hartford, Conn., where he seeured a job in the shops of Samuel Colt, manufacturer of the celebrated Colt's re- volver. After one year spent there he eame West to Milwaukee, Wis., where he spent twelve months. Thenee he went to Chicago, Ill., where he formed a partnership with George Brown, and they for a short time engaged in the manufacture of guns. The firm was soon dissolved, and Mr. Gmehlin soon afterward eame to Bloomington, in 1857. IIe en- gaged with the firm of Howlett & Clary, hardware merehants, as elerk and repairer, and continued

RESIDENCE OF JOS. A. PITTS, SEC. 33, MT. HOPE TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF A.H. CARLOCK , SEC. 20., OAK GROVE TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF THOS. TYSON, SEC. 22, MT. HOPE TOWNSHIP.

271

MCLEAN COUNTY.

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 25

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