Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 27

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 27

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George W. Burns, following in the footsteps of his honored father, beeame in early life a hard stu- dent, and entered upon his ministerial duties when twenty-two years of age, being licensed in Steu- benville, Ohio. He entered upon his first charge at Brownsville, that State, in 1857, when twenty-three years of age, being then a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, with which he remained eon- nected for the following sixteen years. After with-

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drawing from this he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and thereafter, during the re- mainder of his life, devoted his time and attention to the eause of religion, in the ministry. Ilis edu- eation was begun in Steubenville, Ohio, whenee later he went to Uniontown, Pa., and took a clas- sical course in the college there, from winch he graduated after three years. Becoming also desirous of gaining an insight into the methods of general business transactions, he took a thorough course in Dnff's Business College .at Pittsburgh, Pa., which proved of great advantage to him in his supervision of the finances of the churches over which he aft- erward had charge.

Rev. George W. Burns was united in marriage with Miss Emma H. Mouser, Sept. 2, 1863. Mrs. B. was born in Marion, Ohio, Sept. 10, 1840, being the daughter of Isaae and Anna (Strawbridge) Mouser, natives respectively of Virginia and Penn- sylvania. They became residents of Ohio in early youth, and were married in Marion, that State, in February, 1835. There they located, and the father beeame one of the most successful cattle deal- ers of that section. He died there upon the home- stead which he had established in 1864. Later the mother removed to Shelbyville, Ill., where she de- parted this life in 1874. Mrs. Burns, after a course in the High School of Marion, completed her edu- eation in the Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. After her marriage with Mr. Burns they located at Ridgeville, Md., whenee they removed to Liverpool, Ohio, where, in addition to his minis- terial labors, Mr. B. became Superintendent of the public schools, and where he labored with sueli per- sistenee and faithfulness that his health was seriously impaired. He was connected with the Methodist Protestant Church for some time after coming to Illinois, but was admitted to the Central Confer- ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1873, at Galesburg. His first appointment was at Gil- man, Ill., where after two years he was removed to Carthage Cirenit, and afterward was engaged for some time in different parts of Illinois: Finally, in 1883, he was assigned to Chenoa, but in the mean- time made his home in Bloomington, where his death occurred. Although ent down in the prime of life the result of his good works and his influenee

will be apparent for many years to come. Ilis earn- est and devoted life sccured him the affection and confidence of a large cirele of friends and acquaint- anees, by whom his name will ever be cherished in tender remembrance. He left a widow with a family of five children: Anna E. completed her edneation at Wesleyan University, and is now a teacher in the Second Ward of Bloomington; John W. operates the farm of his mother, which eon- sists of 160 acres of good land, in Padua Township. He also has received a good education, which was completed at Wesleyan University, of which Carrie E. was also a student, and is now a teacher in the publie schools of Padna; George P., living at home, is pursuing his studies in the High School of Bloomington, and Katie W., the youngest, attends the public schools. The home of Mrs. Burns in Bloomington is pleasantly located at No. 1404 North Main strect, where she has a good residence, which is the resort of the cultured people of the city. Mr. Burns was a strong anti-slavery man, and was greatly interested in the success of the temperance movement, arraying himself on the side of the Prohibition party.

W ILLIAM B. LAIN, of Dale Township, this county, a prominent and successful farmer and stock-feeder and shipper, is operating sueeessfully on his fine farm located on section 36. He is in all respeets a representative man of one of the leading counties of the Prairie State, full of en- terprise and energy, and presenting an example worthy of imitation by the rising generation.

Mr. Lain is a native of the Blue Grass State, having been born in Madison County, May 28, 1827. His father, Jolın Lain, of Virginia, was born in Albemarle County, and his grandfather, Isham Lain, was also born in Virginia, and de- scended from English ancestry, his father, the great-grandfather of our subject, having been a na- tive of England, and emigrated to America in the colonial days, settling in Virginia. This latter gentleman was twiee married, and the two families amounted to sixteen sons, seven of whom served in the Revolutionary War. The grandfather of

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our subject, one of the seven, served under Gen. Washington, and received a pension during the last years of his life. He emigrated from Virginia to Tennessee before the days of carriage roads, making the removal with paek horses. Ile spent two years at the north fork of Holston River and then removed to Kentucky, following Boone's trail, and settling in that part of the State now in- cluded in Madison County. There he purchased a tract of timberland, cleared a farm in the midst of the forest, and established a home where he re- mained the balance of his life. He departed from the scenes of his earthly labors in 1851, after hav- ing arrived at the advanced age of over ninety-six years. The maiden name of his wife was Nancy Lamb. She was a native of Virginia, followed her husband in all his wanderings, and died in Madison County, Ky., at the age of eighty years. Their son, the father of our subject, was born in 1795, and was about nine years old when his parents moved to Kentucky. He there grew to manhood and married Miss Sallie Baker, of Maryland. He purchased land in Madison County, Ky., near his father's homestead, engaged in farming and stoek- raising, and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1867. His wife died in the same county, Nov. 15, 1885, at the age of eighty-two years. They were most excellent and worthy people and devoted members of the Christian Church.

The parents of our subject had a family of eight children, seven of whom grew to years of maturity. William B., our subject, was the eldest born; Isham G. is a resident of Dale Township; Isaiah lives in Blue Mound Township; Shelton H. and Burgess W. are in Madison County, Ky .; Elizabeth mar- ried Thomas R. Todd and died in St. Clair County, Mo .; Nellie B. became the wife of Y. J. Garrett, and died in Madison County, Ky.'

William B. Lain was reared in his native county before the day of frec schools. His father was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and fully realized the advantages of education. Hè aceord- ingly contributed his full share toward the main- tenance of a subscription school, and provided for all his children the means of an ordinarily fair ed- ucation. William B. remained with his parents

until he was twenty years old, employing his time alternately in work and study, and then entered a boarding-school in the same county to receive a still further course of instruction. Seven years later he was married and moved to Missouri, set- tling in St. Clair County, being among the carliest pioneers of that region. He entered a tract of Government land and purchased another traet ad- joining, and pursued farming and school teaching in that section until 1857. He then returned to Kentucky and settled in Rockcastle County, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1864, when he sold out and came into McLean County, Ill. He purchased 160 aeres of land in Dale Township, which he operated for one year, then went to Shir- ley in this county with his brother, and purchased a tract of land lying on section 36 in Dale Town- ship. He then located in the town and engaged in trade as before, carrying on a general merchandise business for the following twelve years. In the meantime he purchased the farm which he now owns and occupies, and in 1875 settled upon it and has since made it his home. He has greatly im- proved the condition of the premises since he first took possession and has brought the land to a fine state of cultivation. He has been greatly pros- pered in his farming and stock operations and ships annually large numbers of stock to Chicago.

Mr. Lain was married in Rockcastle County, Ky., Sept. 27, 1849, to Miss Ziporah Todd, who was born in that county, Aug. 12, 1832. She comes from an excellent and prominent family, and was the daughter of John and Mary (Heaton) Todd. Her grandfather, William Todd, a native of Mary- land, was one of the earliest settlers of Kentucky, and owned the first ox-cart ever brought into Mad- ison County.

G EORGE CHURCH, a resident of McLean, Mt. Hope Township, is one of the old set- tlers of this county. Mr. Church was born at Rome, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, Feb. 18, 1822. His father, Calvin Church, was born in East Had- dam, Middlesex Co., Conn., and the paternal grandfather of our subject, Joseph Church, was

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Jacob Junk

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likewise a native of Connecticut and of English ancestry. The grandfather spent his entire life in the State of liis nativity, and died on his farm near East Haddam, where he had lived all his life. The father of our subjeet was reared on the latter farın, and when a young man went to Ashtabula County, Ohio, where he was united in marriage with Miss Susan Crowell. She was born in the Nutmeg State, and removed with her parents to Ohio when three years old. Her father, William Crowell, was one of the first settlers in Rome, Ohio. He bought timber land and improved a farm in the neighbor- hood of that place, and there spent the latter years of his life. Our subjeet's father also bought tim- ber land near the same place, which he occupied until 1833, when he sold it and removed to Geauga County, Ohio, and located at Thompson. He bought a house, acted in the capacity of " mine host," and also engaged in merchandising at that place, making it his home until his death, in 1857. His wife died at the residenee of her son in Akron, Ohio.

The subject of this notice was the eldest son born to his parents, and assisted his father in the store. and about the hotel, making his home with his par- ents until 1844. He then went to Leesville, Conn., and engaged in a cotton-mill, to learn eotton dressing. He worked in this place for a year and a half, when he embarked in the cotton business in Battenville, N. Y., and was thus occupied for two years. Returning to Ohio he operated his father's hotel for a time and then served as Postmaster at Thompson. In 1856 he came to Shipman, Ma- eoupin Co., Ill., and in the fall of that year located on a farm and was there occupied for a little more than a year. At the expiration of that time he moved to Bloomington, and leasing a hotel kept publie liouse for a year and a half, after which time hc rented a farm in Mt. Hope Township, and for some years thereafter was occupied in farming on rented land. In 1860 our subjeet removed to the village of McLean, where he has continued to re- side until the present time. From 1876 to 1883 he clerked in the mercantile establishment of F. A. Wheeloek, and previous to that time lie had been engaged in the fire insurance business. He also served eight years as Deputy Sheriff, and has held

the positions of Constable, City Justice and Town- ship and Town Clerk.

Mr. Church was married to Miss Margarette Hall in 1851. She was born in Rhode Island, and las borne our subject four children : Susan T., the wife of William T. Gibbs; William G. and Clara E. are residents of McLean; the latter is the wife of William M. King, Postmaster of McLean; Liz- zie died in infancy. Mr. Chureh is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and holds fellowship with Lodge No. 469 of McLean. In polities he is a staneh Republican.

ACOB FUNK, a highly csteemed farmer, and one of the most extensive stoek-raisers of MeLean County, is a native of this coun- ty, and was born in Funk's Grove Town- ship. The date of his birth was April 7, 1830, and he is the third son of Isaae and Cassandra (Sharpe) Funk, a sketch of whom appears in another part of this work ..

As soon as old enough, young Jacob commenced to assist his father in all the various kinds of farm work, and herdcd eattle during the summer season on the wild prairies of his native township. At the age of twelve years he went to Chicago and lived with an unele there, also following his old oe- eupation of herding cattle and sheep, outside the city limits. Chieago was then a small town, with probably 5,000 inhabitants. The greater part of the land now oceupied by the city was wild prairie, and Jacob Funk frequently herded a flock of sheep on the ground which is now occupied by the Grand Pacifie Hotel. He remained with his unele ten months, and then returned home to his father in McLean County, where he lived until fourteen years of age, and then again started for Chicago and the liome of his uncle with whom he had lived before. He was accompanied by his father, and together they pursucd their way overland to Indi- ana where they intended making a short visit. Jacob was there taken sick, and after an illness of

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three weeks, his father, who had gone home in the meantime, returned for him and removed him home on a bed. After this he remained with his father until his marriage, when he settled on the farm which he now owns and oeeupies, and a part of which was given him by his father. Only a few aeres were then improved, but he set himself industriously about its eultivation, and by degrees inereased his possessions until now he may be ranked among the large landed proprietors of the State, owning 2,600 aeres, and all under a good state of cultivation. This land is divided up into several farms which are furnished with suitable buildings and oeeupied by tenants. Mr. Funk manages his extensive possessions, and upon his land are raised in large numbers, horses, eattle and hogs. He grazes from 400 to 600 head of eattle annually, and also operates as a shipper, sending his animals to Chicago. As we might expeet, the ineome from these enterprises yields him a hand- some sum annually.

Jacob Funk was married to Miss Mary A. Walt- man, Nov. 18, 1858. Mrs. Funk is a native of Bedford County, Pa., and was born June 15, 1838. She is the daughter of Michael and Julia Ann (Wil- son) Waltman, and of her marriage with our sub- jeet there have been born three children-Charles A., Clara May and Dean N. They are all now at home with their parents. The two eldest were educated at Wesleyan University, Bloomington ; the youngest son received his preparatory eourse at Peekskill, N. Y., and is now a student at Yale Col- lege. .

The farm residenee of our subjeet and his fam- ily is a handsome briek structure, one of the most elegant in the Prairie State, and both within 'and without is indieative of eultivated tastes and am- ple means. Its inmates are surrounded by all the comforts of life, and enjoy the confidenee and es- teem of a large eirele of friends and acquaintances. In polities Mr. Funk is strongly Republiean, and as a business man is straightforward and system- atie in his operations, meeting his obligations promptly, and in all respeets conforming to the duties of a good eitizen whose influence is widely felt, and whose transactions largely affeet the wel- fare of his community. He is known far and wide,

and his portrait, which we give in connection with this sketeh, will be welcomed by his many friends throughout the county.

ESTER GREEN, one of the leading busi- ness men of Bloomington, and an extensive dealer in hard and soft coal, has his yards at the corner of Howard and Mulberry streets, and his eity offiee at No. 314 North Center street. Mr. Green is a native of England, was born in 1846, and is the son of John and Martha (Fox) Green, who also were natives of England. John Green carried on draying and transportation business, and the grandfather of our subjeet was a woolen inan- ufaeturer .. After his deeease his son John eontin- ued the business until his death, which oceurred July 15, 1850. Six years after the death of her husband, the mother of our subjeet eame with her family of three children to the United States and at onee proceeded westward to Illinois, settling first at Jerseyville, Jersey County, where they re- mained until 1858. They then came to Blooming- ton, where the mother lias sinee lived. Lester, of our sketeh, was the eldest ehild; Anna, Mrs. Rag- land, lives in Chicago, and has four children-Wal- ter, John, Rosa and Violet. John is a locomotive engineer and makes his home at Bloomington.

Lester Green received a good education, his younger days being mostly spent in school, and he pursued his studies three years after the family be- eame residents of Bloomington. He was then em- ployed by the month at farming, and continued at this and other work until 1867, when he started a dray line and operated it for about four years; then at the same headquarters he opened his pres- ent offiee and has now built up an extensive and luerative trade in eoal. He gives employment to · four men and uses four double teams in the de- livery of orders. Besides this business he has also dealt considerably in real estate. He purehased his present property, which ineludes his home and offiee, in 1871. He is now one of the leaders in city affairs, having hield the office of Alderman in the Seeond Ward and is Vice-President of the Bloom- ington Co-operative Coal Company. He always

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takes an active interest in the welfare of his eity and county, aud contributes liberally of his means to the support of every worthy enterprise. Ilis lateh string always hangs out to the poor and needy, and he is in all respeets one of the useful faetors in the social and business elements of the eity.

Mr. Green was united in marriage with' Miss Ellen Steele in 1870, and they have three children -Gertrude, Flora and Ida. Mrs. Green is the daughter of Alexander and Sivillia (MeGowen) Steele, who were natives of Ohio. The little household is surrounded by all the comforts of life, and enjoys the esteem of a large eircle of ae- quaintanees.

ACOB FLEMING, general merchant at Holder, Old Town Township, and also Su- pervisor of the township, was born in Hunt- ingdon County, Pa., June 2, 1841. The father of our subject, John Fleming, was born on the Emerald Isle in 1810, and emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1820, settling in Fulton County, Ill., in 1849. Our subjeet's mother, Elizabeth (Kitt) Fleming, was born in Pennsylva- nia. After the parents' marriage they settled in Huntingdon County, Pa., and there lived for about ten years, when they removed to Fulton County, Ill., where their demise oeeurred. The father died in July, 1882, and the mother Jan. 11, 1868. The parental family consisted of twelve ehildren, nine of whom lived to attain the age of man and woman- hood, as follows: James, Jacob, William, Samuel, Frederick, Joseplı, B. E., John P. and Maggie J. Three died in infaney, and only six are living at this writing.

Jacob Fleming was the second son and ehild born to his parents, and was but eight years of age when they removed to Fulton County, Ill., and there in the common sehools he received his edu- eation. Our subjeet continued to live with the old folk until he was twenty years of age, when he en- listed in Co. G, 50th Ill. Vol. Inf., as a private. Soon, however, he was promoted Corporal for mer- itorious conduet, then First Sergeant, then First Lieutenant, and subsequently commissioned Cap-

tain. Ile was in the service nearly four years, and during that time received no serious wound or in- jury. He aeeompanied Sherman in his mareh to the sea, and participated in the battles of Ft. Henry, Donelson, Corinth, Miss., Altona Pass, and others, besides many skirmishes.

After his discharge from the serviee Mr. Flem- ing returned to Fulton County, and at onee en- -tered upon the duties of a pedagogue, which he followed for a little more than a year, and then, in February, 1867, came to this eounty and settled in Old Town Township. There he engaged in farm- ing and has continued to make that township his home until the present time. Ile carried on his farming operations until 1874, and then embarked in mereantile pursuits at Holder, in company with his brother William, under the firm name of Flem- ing Bros. This relationship continued until 1884, when our subjeet bought out his brother's interest, and at present earries on the business alone. He has a general stoek of merehandise, sufficient to meet the wants of all his eustomers, and in addi- tion to his mereantile business is largely engaged in. buying and shipping grain and stoek. Mr. Fleming is the owner of 420 aeres of land, all of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. He has a fine residenee in the village of Holder, and has met and is meeting with signal sueeess in the condueting of his different branches of business.

Mr. Fleming and Miss Susan D. Hughes, daugh- ter of Robert E. and Ollie (Harlan) Hughes, were united in marriage in Fulton County, Ill., Jan. 28, 1863. Her father was a native of Ireland and her mother of English aneestry. After their marriage they settled in Indiana, whenee they moved to Ful- ton County, where they resided until their death; his demise occurred in 1862, and hers in 1850. They had three children-Sarah A., Martha and Susan D. Susan was born in Fulton County, Ill., Jan. 3, 1843, and remained an inmate of the par- ental household until her marriage with our sub- jeet. By this union eleven children were born- Ollie E., Fred E., Joseph B., Mary E., Ida H., Charlie A., John R., Maggie, Robert II., Jessie G. and Bernie E. Ollie E. and Charlie A. are de- ecased.

Mr. Fleming has held the office of Commissioner

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of Highways for nine years. He was elected Su- pervisor of Old Town Township in the spring of 1884, and still holds that office. He was appointed Postmaster at Holder under the Grant administra- tion, and has held that offiee continuously until the present time, with the exception of two years when his brother was the ineumbent of the office. Mr. Fleming was one of the organizers of the Third National Bank of Bloomington, and is yet a stoek- holder of the same. Mrs. Fleming is a member of the Christian Church, and in politics our subjeet is a Republican.

OHN W. ARROWSMITH, JR., a highly re- speeted resident of Padua Township, is sue- eessfully operating the farm of his mother. which is pleasantly located on seetion 32. From this he derives a handsome ineome, and is also the owner of sixty aeres of good land on seetion 5, Empire Township. The father of our subjeet was John W. Arrowsmith, Sr., a native of Ross County, Ohio, where he passed his childhood and youth, and developing into manhood engaged at farming pur- suits. There also he was married to Miss Naney Oliver, a lady of Irish parentage and deseent, but a native of Maryland. After marriage the young people settled on a farm in Green Township, Ross Co., Ohio, whenee in 1854 they emigrated to Illi- nois, making the journey overland with teams. They settled in Padua Township, on seetion 32, where the father of our subjeet purchased 160 acres of land, and ninety aeres in Empire Township, on seetion 5. He was born Oet 31, 1805, and de- parted this life Jan. 11, 1885, on the homestead which he had established in this eounty. The wife and mother is yet living, making her home with her younger daughter, Naney M., at Leroy.

The subject of this history was born in Green Township, Ross Co., Ohio, June 13, 1849, being the youngest but one of a family of eight ehil- dren, two of whom are deceased. He was five years of age when his parents removed from the Buekeye State to Illinois, and received his eduea- tion mostly in Padua Township. He remained an inmate of the parental home until 1873, then going

into Seward County, Neb., engaged in farming, being also married there on the 2d of September, 1875, at the liome of the bride's parents, to Miss May M. Davis. Mrs. A. was born in Lee County, Iowa, in the vieinity of Keokuk, Dee; 27, 1855. She was the daughter of James T. and Amanda E. (Collins) Davis, natives respectively of Pennsylva- nia and Ohio. They removed West while young, and were married in Lee County, Iowa. After marriage they went to Nebraska, settling on a farm in Seward County. Later the father returned East to Butler County, Neb., where he died July 27, 1882. The mother married again and is now a resident of Lineoln, Neb.

Mrs. Arrowsmith was the elder of her mother's two children, and went with the latter to Nebraska, remaining with lier until her marriage. Of her union with our subjeet there have been born five ehildren -Preston D., Maudalena, Rose O., John W. and Alvin R.

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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 27

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