Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 26

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 26

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with them until they sold out their business. He then eommeneed business on his own account, and has been deservedly prosperous. Besides the man- nfaeture of guns and pistols he makes a specialty of repairing these and loeks of all kinds. He carries a full stoek of the best American and English man- ufaetures in his line, as well as knives, ammunition, ete. He owns his business house and adjoining lot. The house is two stories in height and 25x50 feet in area. IIe also has a good residence on the eor- ner of Madison and Market streets.

The marriage of Charles H. Gmehlin and Miss Henrietta Sehlegel, of Bloomington, was celebrated in 1859. Mrs. G. is also a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and by her union with our subject be- eame the mother of four children, one now de- eeased. Those living are three daughters: Ida is a teacher in the High School of Bloomington; Mary and Amelia are at home. Mr. Gmehlin is a repre- sentative eitizen and has taken an intelligent inter- est in the growth and prosperity of his adopted eity. He is a member of the Council, having rep- resented the Second Ward for the past two years. He belongs to the Turner Society, and in all re- speets is fulfilling his obligations as a useful mem- ber of the community.

UGHI K. VICKROY, a highly respected resi- dent of Normal Township, is engaged in the growing of small fruits, and as a breeder of Holstein-Friesian cattle. He has been a resident of the Prairie State since 1856, eoming here when a boy fourteen years old from his native State of Pennsylvania, where he was born in West- moreland County, on the 24th of October, 1841. His parents were Isaac and Martha (Kennedy) Viekroy, whose family consisted of four children : Nathan is a fruit-grower at Amboy, this State; our subjeet was the second in order of birth; John P. is a resident of Normal; Margaret is the wife of C. F. Lee, of Johnson County, Neb.

Mr. Viekroy was reared to farming pursuits in Pennsylvania, and received a common-school edu- eation. Upon coming to Illinois with his unele, Hugh MeLanghlin, he located in Bureau County,

and was variously occupied at whatever he eould find to do for two years afterward. He then engaged with Samuel Edwards of Lamoille to learn the nur- sery business, and remained with him six years. Then, wishing to still further advance his education, he entered Mt. Carroll Seminary, and applied himself closely to study for two years following. The Civil War then being in progress he enlisted as a private in Co. K, 93d Ill. Vol. Inf., and served until the close. He was present at the battles of Jackson, Miss., and Champion Hills, at which latter place nearly one-half of his regiment was eut down. Later he participated in the siege of Vieksburg and numerons skirmishes, the only injury which he re- ecived being on account of a railroad accident by which he suffered the fracture of his leg. He re- ceived his honorable discharge at Chicago, and, re- turning to Burean County, Ill., received the ap- pointment of Inspector of Spirits, and remained at Peoria during the winter of 1865-66. IIe after- ward took a course of study at Eastman Commer- cial College in Chicago, whence he graduated in 1867, and after this resumed work for Mr. Edwards, with whom he remained a year, and afterward en- gaged with his brother-in-law, at Minonk, in the nursery business for some length of time.

The marriage of Mr. Viekroy took place in 1868, at Lamoille, Bureau County, the maiden of his choiee being Miss Mary P. Graves, who was born in Massachusetts, but at the time of her mar- riage resided in Bureau County. Soon afterward our subject and his wife located at Champaign, where Mr. V. was placed in charge of the gardens and orchards of what is now the University of Illi- nois, and was thus employed until 1874. He then eame to Normal and settled upon the place which he now occupies. He at first purchased ten aeres, located in the north part of the city, for which he paid $4,500, and has since embellished the same with a fine residence, erected at a cost of $5,000, be- sides other improvements which have added greatly to its beauty and value. Mr. Vickroy subsequently added to his aereage, and now has in all seventy aeres, which is mainly devoted to the growing of sınall fruits, and to which he gives his entire atten- tion. Every dollar he possesses he aeenmulated by his own industrious efforts and good judgment.

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He lived economically, was careful to meet his ob- ligations promptly, and by this means has gained the reputation of an honest man and a good citizen. In politics he uniformly casts his vote with the Re- publican party, although otherwise taking no active part. Socially he is a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity.

Mr. and Mrs. Vickroy have become the parents of two children, a son and daughter-II. Edwards and M. E. Louise. Mrs. V. is a earcful and praise- worthy wife and mother, and an earnest member of the Baptist Church.

SHAM GILEAD LAIN, a gentleman highly respected in the community, and an intelligent and skillful farmer, owns a large tract of finely cultivated land, and has one of the finest residences in this section. He possesses fine natural abilities, great energy of character, and his possessions are . the result of his own industry, economy and per- severance.

Mr. Lain is a native of Madison County, Ky., and was born on the 11th of September, 1829. His parents were John and Sallie (Baker) Lain, and he was their second son. He was reared in his native county, received his early education in the sub- scription schools, and as soon as he became of suit- able age commenced the duties of life in assisting his parents around the homestead. When he had attained his majority his father gave him a horse and a saddle, and this was his start in life. He went from home and engaged in the buying and selling of cattle, and general trading. In the spring of 1855, with a capital of $400 he purchased a stock of goods, and being still further assisted by his father, obtained additions to this on credit, and conducted a very successful trade until the fall of 1857, when he sold out and -came to McLean County.

Upon arriving here Mr. Lain purchased a tract of land on section 19, in Dale Township. It was entirely unimproved, and he industriously sct about breaking the sod and cultivating the soil, and erected a good set of frame buildings. He was also obliged to fence his land, and he was thus industri-

ously occupied until the fall of 1865, when he sold out and purchased land in Allen Township. The following spring he removed to Shirley, and in company with his brother, W. B. Lain, purchased 200 acres of land on section 36, which constitutes his present homestead. At the same time the brothers opened a store of general merchandise in Shirley and conducted that business and farming together for the following two years, when our sub- ject traded his interest in the store for his brother's interest in the farm, and has since devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. He subsequently added to his landed possessions and is now the owner of 532 acres, the home farm including 200 acres and the balance of. his land lying in Randolph Township., It is all improved and in a good state of cultivation, and Mr. Lain ranks among- the first and substantial farmers of this locality.

The subject of our sketch was united in marriage with Miss May J. Boulware on the 28th of July, 1857. Mrs. L. was also born in Madison County, Ky., and is the daughter of Hardin and Ruth J. (Mc Williams) Boulware, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of five children, all living: Susan P. became the wife of Henry B. Stubblefield, and lives in Dale Township; Robert, Albert G., Wellie B. and Ira D. are at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. L. are prominently con- nected with the Christian Church of Shirley, and in politics Mr. Lain, formerly a Whig, now affil- iates with the Democratic party.

ACOB EYER, one of the self-made men and successful merchants of McLean, deals ex- tensively in dry-goods and ready-made clothing, and established business here in March, 1883. He is of that energetic and resolute character which admits of no such word as fail, and has maintained the position which he first took in the front ranks among the business men of this lo- cality.

Mr. Eyer was born in Butler County, Ohio, Jan. 1, 1848. His father, Rudolph Eyer, was a native of Germany, and was edueated and grew to man- hood in his native Empire. After attaining his

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majority he emigrated to America, first locating in Butler County, Ohio, where he was married. In 1843 he removed to Fulton County, the same State, and purchased a farm, npon which he lived for thirteen years, and then selling out came to McLean County, Ill. He first located in White Oak Township, engaged in farming pursuits, and afterward removed to Dry Grove Township, where he spent the remainder of his days, departing this life in 1877.

The wife of Rudolph Eyer was formerly Miss Barbara Gunden, who was a native of the same country as her husband, and to whom he was mar- ried in Ohio. She accompanied him to the West, and now lives with her children in Dry Grove Township. Of these there were ten in number, seven of whom grew to mature years, the record being as follows: Mary, the wife of John Barrett, lives in Humboldt County, Iowa; Sophronia mar- ried Edward Patton, and lives in Dry Grove Township; Jacob, our subjeet, was the third child; Mattie, Mrs. Albert Wright, resides in Linn County, Kan .; Lizzie married Jacob Patton, and lives in Dry Grove Township; Christian and. Daniel are in Humboldt County, Iowa.

The subject of this history was the eldest son of his parents. He attended the distriet school in winters, and assisted his father on the farm during the milder seasons. He remained under the home roof until twenty-two years of age, then farmed on rented land on his own account and purchased an interest in a corn-sheller and thrashing machine, which he operated profitably in White Oak and Dry Grove Townships. In 1874 he abandoned farming to engage in mercantile pursuits, having a capital of $600, the result of his own earnings. With this he purchased a half-interest in a store in White Oak Township, and put in a general stock of merchandise, operating there until 1882. He then sold out, and after a vacation of a few months came to the little city of MeLean, as before stated. He has been successful since his first establishment here, is doing a good business and carrying. an av- erage stoek of $7,000.

Mr. Eyer was married on the 6th of July, 1884, to Miss Laura, the daughter of Edward and Maria (Griest) Cadwallader, who were natives of Indiana.

Mrs. Eyer was born in that State, in Darlington, Montgomery County, in 1863. They have one child, Lloyd E., born Dee. 14, 1885. Both are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and our subjeet, in politics, affiliates with the Republican party.

H. ANDERSON, of Bloomington, is en- gaged with Tillotson & Fell in the abstract and loan business, and possesses a good un- derstanding of business matters in general. He was born in Greenfield, Highland Co., Ohio, Nov. 20, 1826, being the son of John and Sarah (Brooks) Anderson, of York County, Pa. John Anderson was a manufacturer of furniture, and was also an undertaker, besides being engaged in farming pursuits. He removed from his native State to Ohio in 1820, located in Greenfield, and remained .there until his death in 1866. The mother died in Lawrence, Kan., in 1873, at the home of her son, Dr. S. B. Anderson. Both parents were members of the Presbyterian Church for many, years. They had three sons, two now living, our subjeet and his brother, the latter being a graduate of the Medical College at Cincinnati.

Young Anderson remained with his parents un- til he was twenty-two years of age, and then went to Piekaway County, where he remained three years engaged in farming. From there he went to Frankfort, Ross Co., Ohio, and engaged in general merchandising for two years, and soon afterward entered the Commercial College of Columbus, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1856. He after- ward remained at the college one year, during which he had charge of its office affairs.

After leaving the college Mr. Anderson engaged in farming in Piekaway County, Ohio, until Sep- tember, 1860, when he came to Illinois and engaged in the dry-goods business at Bloomington, at which he continued three years. He then purchased a farm of 420 aeres in Will County, which he oecu- pied and cultivated for seven years, and then sold eighty acres of it, having now 340 aeres. Upon retiring from his farm Mr. Anderson returned to Bloomington, and engaged in the abstraet and loan business on North Main street. In 1873 he moved

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into the court-house, where he has been since that time.

In 1851 our subjeet married Miss Naney F. Baker, who was born March 5, 1831, and is the daughter of Solomon MI. and Elizabeth (Horsey) Baker, na- tives of New York and Ohio. Her father was an extensive farmer and stock-raiser, owning from 6,000 to 8,000 acres of land, and shipping large numbers of animals to market annually. Six only of their ten children are now living: Naney F., Mrs. Anderson; Lizzie, Mrs. J. N. Larimore, of Bloom- ington; John, of St. Louis; Minnie, Mrs. Baker, of Bloomington ; Florence, Mrs. J. J. Hiddelston, of Eudora, Kan. ; Phillip F., of North Carolina.

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson became the parents of six children-Sallie B., William M., Harry A., Adelbert, Samuel and Florenee M. Politically our subjeet is Demoeratie, and with his wife is a mem- ber of the Independent Church of Bloomington. Their handsome and attractive residence is located at the corner of Douglas and McLean streets, and they are held in high esteem by a large number of friends.

W ESLEY T. CRAIN, a prominent and sue- cessful farmer of Mt. Hope Township, is pleasantly located on section 8, and carry- ing on agriculture and stock-raising in a first-class manner. He is a native of Logan County, Ky., and was born July 20, 1841. His father, William Crain, was born in the same county, and his grand- father, Armisted Crain, was a native of Virginia, and removed to Kentucky in an early period in the settlement of that State. He was the friend and as- sociate of Daniel Boone, and located near the Boone settlement when first becoming a resident of Kentucky. He purchased a tract of timber land and cleared a farm from the wilderness, where he established a comfortable home and passed the re- mainder of his days. His son William, the father of our subject, was reared in his native county and assisted his father in elearing the farm, remaining with his parents until his marriage. He then pur- chased a traet of heavy timber land, twelve miles from his father's place, and cleared nearly 1,000 .

aeres. Upon this he engaged extensively in stock- raising, and bred horses, mules and sheep, which he drove to Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi for sale. He was a thorough Union man, and at the breaking out of the war joined the Union forces and became Lieutenant of the 8th Kentucky Cav- alry. He died in the service at Hopkinsville, Ky., on the 7th of March, 1863. His wife, before her marriage, was Miss Amanda McMillan, a native of the same county and State as her husband, and the daughter of Bloomer MeMillan, a pioneer settler of Logan County. They became the parents of nine children, all of whom, with one exception, lived to become men and women: Lemuel, the second son, served in the war in the same company with his father, and also died while in the service at Elkton, Ky., Dee. 31, 1862. The mother is still living, and a resident of Atlanta, Ill.

The subject of our sketch was the eldest child of his parents' family. He remained with his parents and assisted his father in the duties around the homestead until he was fifteen years of age, and then made annual trips to the South with horses and mules to sell, usually spending his winters in that warmer elime. In the spring of 1860 he was united in marriage with Miss Jane E. Porter, a na- tive of Butler County, Ky., and born Dee. 11, 184I. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Naney (IIutehinson) Porter, of Butler County, Ky., and remained with her parents until her mar- riage with the subject of our sketch.

After his marriage Mr. Crain purchased a tract of timber land in Butler County, Ky., where he built a log house and commeneed the improvement of a farm. After five years he sold out and pro- eceded north into MeLean County, Ill., and pur- ehased in Mt. Hope Township sixty aeres of land lying on seetion 5. Two years afterward he traded. this for a traet of eighty acres on seetion 8, which he now owns and occupies. and where he has resided sinee that time. He subsequently added to this last purchase and now has a fine farm of 160 acres, all in one body and all improved. Upon this he ereeted a comfortable farm residencee. He has good barns and out-buildings, and all the necessary machinery and implements for carrying on agriculture after the most modern and approved methods. The

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homestead bears evidenee on every hand of eulti- vated taste and ample means.

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Crain there were born five children, who are recorded as follows: William B. is a resident of Mt. Hope Township; Rurie M. is a student at Bloomington, Ill .; Virgil U., Ira L. and Elon P. are at home.

Mr. Crain is Republican in polities, and oeen- pies a prominent position in the Masonie fraternity. IIe has always taken a great interest in the success of the order, having become a Mason in Kentucky as early as 1863, as a member of Gasper River Lodge No. 247. After coming to Illinois he as- sisted in the organization of McLean Lodge No. 469, in the fall of 1865. He also assisted in organ- izing Stanford Allen Lodge No. 605, and still holds membership- in that lodge, having been Worship- ful Master for several years. He is a great admirer of the doetrines of the fraternity, and has given liberally of his time and means to promote the in- terests of Masonry.

EREMIAH WELCH. one of the leading farmers of Bloomington Township, is also largely interested in stock-raising, turning his attention principally to the breeding of fine horses. He makes a specialty of roadsters, and has in his stables several of the offspring of the celebrated Hero of Thorndale, the famous Ralston and the Clay stoek, comprising in all about forty lead, seven of these being from the Hero of Thorn- dale, and remarkably fine animals. He also has ani- mals of a speedy family on both sides. For beauty and symmetry the animals exhibited on the farmn of Mr. Weleh will compare favorably with any others in the State.

The home farm of Mr. Weleh is located on see- tions 27, 34, 35 and 36, the residence being located on the first named. His landed possessions in Bloomington Township aggregate about 400 aeres, besides about 100 in Vermilion County. His dwelling, barns and outhouses are finely built and correspond with each other, being models of taste and convenience, and the whole estate presents one of the prettiest spots in the landscape of MeLean

County. Mr. Weleh beeame a resident of this lo- cality in 1834, making his first settlement in Downs Township. IIe has been successfully engaged in his present business sinee a boy fourteen years of age, exhibiting at an early period of his life a pe- euliar adaptability for his chosen field of operations. Of this he makes a science, and has studied the habits and needs of animals in more than an ordi- nary degree. IIe possesses the faculty of develop- ing their finest qualities, and in return is rewarded by a handsome ineome from his operations in this department of business.

The subject of our sketeh was born in Vigo County, Ind., July 10, 1827. ITis father, Solomon Weleh, was a native of Pennsylvania and of stanch Irish aneestry. He was reared to manhood in his native State and was there married, in Northamp- ton County, to Miss Susan Jacoby, a native of the same State and of German deseent and parentage. After: marriage they removed to Central Ohio, where several of their children were born, and sub- sequently removed to Vigo Connty, Ind. The family eirele ineluded ten children, only three of whom are living, two sons and one daughter: Jeremialı, of our sketeh; Albert, and a sister, Elisa J.

Our subject was the ninth ehild of the family, and his father died at Ft. Harrison Prairie, Ind., when his son Jeremiah was only six years old. Two years later the mother and her children eame to Illinois, and locating in MeLean County made their final home in Downs Township, where the children grew to mature years and where the inother elosed her eyes to the seenes of earth in the fall of 1867.

The subject of our sketeh was reared and edu- eated in Downs Township, and while still a young boy began to earn his own livelihood, working at whatever his hands could find to do and being em- ployed by the month for one or two years. After becoming of age he began to operate a farm on his own account and met with success. Five years later he took unto himself a partner and helpmeet in the person of Miss Sarah J. Myers, their mar- riage occurring Feb. 17, 1853. Mrs. Weleh was born in Kentucky, and at the age of six years came with her parents to Illinois, and they settled in Bloomington Township. She remained with them un til her marriage, in the meantime receiving a fair

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education in the common sehools, and assisting lier inother in household duties. Her parents are both now deceased, but their names are held in kindly remembrance by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintanees. They were most worthy and excel- lent people, and trained their children in those principles of honor and honesty which they had made the rule of their own lives, and the good in- finence which. they shed around them will live for years to come. They were natives of the South and of English and German aneestry.

Mr. and Mrs.' Weleh have become the parents of five children, one of whom is deceased : Mary S., the wife of L. K. Calhoun, resides on a farm in Vermilion County, Ill .; Minerva married Charles Wagner, a farmer of Gillum, this eounty; John is carrying on agricultural operations on a farm in Bloomington Township, and is married; Lizzie C. Kershaw resides on section 35; William Henry is attending sehool at Bloomington, Ill. These ehil- dren form a bright and interesting family, and are the joy and comfort of their parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Welch settled in this township soon after their marriage and began life at the foot of the ladder. They were poor in purse but united in their efforts to establish a permanent and comforta- ble home, and this they have accomplished to their abundant satisfaction. They are now possessed of a good share of this world's goods, and in their later years are reaping the rich reward of earlier toil and self-denial. They are highly esteemed among their neighbors and fellow-townsmen, and are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. W. has been prominently connected with the affairs of his township since eoming here, has been a member of the Board of Trustees, Township Supervisor, Commissioner of Highways, ctc. Politieally he is a solid Republican.

In connection with the present business of Mr. Weleh it is only just to say that his reputation as a breeder of fine horses is by no means confined to the limits of his township. Some of his roadsters are familiarly known on the streets of Chicago and New York City, being driven by some of the finest horsemen and wealthiest citizens of these eities. IIe has earried off laurels at the local and State fairs, and his favorite stallion Lamplighter has won the

first premium at various fairs for the last fourteen years. The eolts of this animal are sold at 'high priees. The stock farm of Mr. Welch is complete in all its appointments and has already become one of the notable features of this seetion.

R EV. GEORGE W. BURNS, deceased, was late a prominent member of the Cen- tral Illinois Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died while in attend- anee at this conference, of malarial fever, at Ke- wanee, Oet. 14, 1884. He was born in Wheeling, W. Va., June 2, 1835, being the second ehild and eldest son of Rev. John Burns, a prominent minis- ter of the same church, belonging to the Muskingum Conference. John Burns was the son of a Seotch gentleman whom it is supposed was a native of Ayrshire, where he was reared and received a fine education. IIe eame to the United States when a young man, and followed the vocation of a teacher in Virginia and Ohio. He was a man of influence and greatly respected wherever known. IIis son, Jolın Burns, inherited much of his father's talent, and during the early days was appointed General Superintendent of the Methodist Protestant Church in the United States, and also served as President of the Conference for many years. HIc labored in the ministry during a period of fifty years, preach- ing in the States of Ohio, Virginia and Pennsylva- nia. He was celebrated for his elear and logieal reasoning powers, and was considered one of the first pulpit orators of his day. He was a elose stu- dent, an extensive reader, and distinguished him- self by that unobtrusive and modest bearing which rendered him an object of respect and affection wherever known.

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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 26

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