Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 32

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 32

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).

James Q. Bishop was reared on his father's farm and attended the district school, receiving a fair education. He remained under the home roof until his marriage, and then purchased land in West Township, where he located and lived until 1877. Then, after his father's death, which oc- curred in 1877, he returned to the old homestcad upon which he has since resided. It includes now about 700 acres of land, and upon it is a fine set of farm buildings, all kept in good repair. The farm is well stocked with high grade cattle, horses and hogs, and the farm implements and machinery are of the most valuable and efficient character. The Bishop farm is familiarly known throughout Mc- Lean County, and forms one of the most attractive homesteads within its limits.

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The subject of this history was married, Feb. 16, 1873, to Miss Martha J. Powell, of Pennsylvania. The young wife died within less than a year of her marriage. For his second wife Mr. Bishop married Miss Margaret V. Powell, the sister of his first wife, Nov. 11, 1875. This lady was also born in Pennsylvania, and by her marriage with our subject became the mother of four children- Minor, Clinton M., James Q. and Margaret E. Our subject and his family in their home life en- joy all the comforts and luxuries which wealth af- fords. Mr. Bishop manages the pasture land of his farm, and looks after the stock, while the bal- ance is leased to tenants.

A LEXANDER MODEL, a manufacturer of wagons, and who is also engaged in black- smithing, ocenpies Nos. 208 and 210 West Grove street, Bloomington, and is a worthy factor of the industry of the community. Mr. Model is a native of Baden, and was born in the village of Steisslingen by the Stockaclı, Oct. 14, 1828. Ilis parents were John and Barbara (Shu- maker) Model, natives of the same country as their son, and the father followed the trade of a weaver through life. Of the parental family of six chil- dren only three are living-Solomon, John and Alexander.

The subject of this history, in accordance with the customs and laws of his native country, was placed in school when six years of age, and pur- sued his studies until fourteen. He then served two and one-half years at the wagon trade, follow- ing this until twenty years of age, when he en- tered the German army and served as a soldier three years, traveling all over the Empire, being detailed as wagon-maker. Thinking that he had given sufficient of his years to the service of his conntry, he emigrated to America and settled in Hamilton, Canada, in March, 1856. Three years later he came to Madison County, Ill., and in Oc- tober, 1860, became a resident of Bloomington. Here he worked at his trade until the outbreak of the late war, and in 1862 enlisted in Co. E, 82d Ill. Vol. Inf., serving two years, and receiving his

honorable discharge. After being mustered out of service Mr. Model returned to Bloomington and worked at his trade nntil 1880. He then purchased his present shops for §2,200, where he has since continued business, and in brisk seasons gives em- ployment to eight men.

Mr. Model was married in 1856, in Hamilton, Canada, to Miss Mary N. Saueraisan, a native of his own country, and they became the parents of four children, two of whom survive: John A., and Louisa, who is the wife of Goodwin Ford, Assist- ant Superintendent of the Dominion Express Com- pany, in Canada. Our subject is a Republican in polities, and with his wife a member in good stand- ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their res- idence is located at No. 703 South Lee street, where they are enjoying all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

CAMON RODMAN, a resident of Old Town Township since 1856, is at present residing on section 23, where he owns a fine and productive farm, and where he is engaged in the raising of stock and the cereals. The par- ents of Mr. Rodman, Joseph and Mary (Street) Rodman, were natives of Bucks County, Pa. In 1821 the parents removed from Bucks County, Pa., to Muskingum County, Ohio, and there the father died in April, 1853. The mother departed this life at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, at the home of her young- est daughter in 1876, having attained to the ven- erable age of ninety years. The parental family of our subject consisted of eleven children, six sons and five danghters, and Scamon was the third in' order of birth.

Seamon Rodman first saw light in Bucks County, Pa., Ang. 7, 1810, and was about eleven years of age when his parents removed to Muskingum County, Ohio. His education was received prin- cipally in the common schools of Pennsylvania, and he continued an inmate of the parental household nntil he was about twenty-two years of age, when he started out to do for himself. He first worked a farm, owned by his father, on shares. Continu- ing his agricultural pursuits for a tinie, he was soon

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enabled to buy a place of his own, which was lo- eated in Muskingum County. Continuing to re- side in that eounty until 1853, he emigrated to this county, and spent the first winter two and a half miles north of Danvers. He thien rented a farmn in Bloomington Township, and for two years was oc- cupied in farming in this manner. In the spring of 1855 he bought 120 aeres of land on sections 23 and 28, Old Town Township, and immediately moved upon the same, and lias made that his home until the present time. He is now the owner of 200 acres of valuable and productive land, and has met and is meeting with suecess in the prosecution of his voeation.

Mr. Rodman and Miss Eliza Wolf were united in marriage in Muskingum County, Ohio, Feb. 17, 1833. She was born in Virginia, May 18, 1811, and has borne our subject ten children-William, Joseph H., Franeis A., James M., Samuel A., Eliz- abeth A., Scamon C., Julius N., Winfield S. and Oscar. Josephi died July 3, 1855, when in his twentieth year; William married Miss Applegate, and they are living in Old Town Township; Fran- cis A. married Miss Angeline Matthew; she died, and he was united in marriage with Miss Amanda King, and they are at present living in Old Town Township. James M. and Eliza Linton beeame man and wife, and live in Piatt County, this State; Samuel A. is married and a resident of Vermilion County, Ill .; Elizabeth is the wife of William H. Porter, a farmer of Old Town Township; Scamon C. and Emma Flemming beeame man and wife, and they are living in Butler County, Kan. ; Julius N. married Miss Clara Colvin, and they are living in Piatt County ; Winfield S. and Miss Josephine E. Badley were united in marriage, and are at present residing in Bloomington; Osear O. seleeted as his life companion Miss Kate B. Schultz, and they are living in Old Town Township.

Mr. Rodman was the first Supervisor of Old Town Township, and held that office for five years. He was also Justice of the Peace twelve years, School Director, and held other minor offices in the township. Ile is and has been a member of the Methodist Protestant Church for fifty-six years. His wife was a member of the same ehureh for up- ward of forty years, and departed this life Jan. 28,

1880, in Old Town Township. In politics Mr. Rodman votes the Republican ticket, and in 1862 was a delegate to the State Convention and like- wise was elected to the same honor in 1880, 1884 and 1886. Abraham Lincoln was the first lawyer to whom Mr. Rodman ever paid a fee.

When our subjeet first eame to Old Town Town- ship wild game prevailed in abundance, and being exceedingly fond of hunting, he engaged in the sport, and during the winter of 1856-57 killed twelve deer in Old Town Township. In 1881 he obtained a position in the office of Secretary of State, in the shipping department, and held thic sanie for four years. He has been an active fae- tor in the development of Old Town Township, and has contributed his quota toward its progress. He lias also taken eonsiderable interest in church affairs, and in 1846, prior to his settlement liere, was a delegate to the General Conference at Cin- einnati, Ohio, and in 1866 was a delegate to tlie General Convention at Cineinnati, Ohio. Mr. Rodman has in his possession a genealogy of the Rodman family from the original Rodman of Bar- badoes-1620 to 1886.

OHN MARSHALL HITCHCOCK, deceased, formerly a resident of this eounty, was born in York County, Pa., Sept. 3, 1820, and was the son of Caleb and Elizabeth (Marshall) Hitchcock, and grandson of Isaac Hiteheock, a na- tive of England. The grandfather came to this country during the Revolution and was a pedagogue by profession. Caleb Hitehcoek was born and reared to manhood in Maryland. He first saw light in Hartford County, near Baltimore, that State, Jan. 18, 1797. He there learned the trade of a miller, and followed the same in Maryland for some time, and then in Ohio, whither he liad re- moved. Later in life he was engaged in merean- tile pursuits and also carried on a large farm in Harrison Township, Perry Co., Ohio. He spent the last years of his life on the farm in that eounty, dying there in 1875. The mother of our subjeet was born in Baltimore, and died at the home of her daughter in Morgan County, this State, in 1879. Eleven children were born to the parents.

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Our subject attended the publie sehools in his younger years, and when he was of sufficient age assisted in the labors on the farm. IIe lived at home with his parents until his marriage, and then engaged in trade at Oakfield, Perry Co., Ohio. Ile was thus occupied for two years and then bought a farm in that county, where the city of Corning is now situated, and carried on farmning. He sold his place in September, 1851, and bought another near the home of his father, and located upon it. In 1852 he went to California, via the Isthmus, and was absent from home until August, 1856, his wife in the meantime residing with his and her parents. While living in California he engaged in mining, mnecting with partial suceess. Returning home he continued his farming operations until the breaking out of the late war and then, Sept. 20, 1861, en- listed in Co. A, 62d Volunteer Infantry, and served his country faithfully and well until Sept. 24, 1862, when he was discharged on account of disability. He was in the Army of the Potomae and participated in several important battles. May 20, 1864, he again enlisted, this time for 100 days, and joined Co. G, 161st Ohio National Guards. He was mus- tered in as Sergcant, and continued to serve until the elosc of the war. He participated in all the engagements in which his regiment fought, which were numerous and bloody, and escaped from the field of conflict without serions injury. Returning from the war he, in 1865, sold his farm in Ohio and that year came to this State, and bought a place in Mt. Hope Township, this county. He farmed this place for nine years, then rented it, and purchasing the McLean Hotel, filled the position of "mine host" until Sept. 20, 1876, the date of his demise.

Mr. Hitchcock was married to Miss Mary J. Rink, May 12, 1850. She was born in Baltimore County, Md., March 3, 1832. Her father, John Rink, was a native of Germany. He came to Ameriea with an uncle when one year old, his mother having died in the old country. He was reared to manhood in Pennsylvania. There he learned the trade of a tailor, and moving to Baltimore, Md., worked at his trade until 1845. He then went to Perry County, Ohio, and continued working at his trade until 1872, when he moved to Armstrong, Tazewell Co., Ill., and continued laboring at his

vocation until a short time before his death, which oceurred in November, 1880. The maiden name of the mother of Mrs. Hitcheock was Belinda II. Marshall, a native of Baltimore County, Md. She dicd in Ohio in Junc, 1868.

After the death of our subject Mrs. Hiteheoek continued to manage the hotel until 1880. July 14 of that year the building was destroyed by fire, and Mrs. Iliteheoek then went to Atlanta, and rented a hotel which she eondueted on her own ac- count. She then returned to this county, and in 1882 had the present hotel erected. It is com- modious and conveniently arranged and is well kept. Mrs. Hitchcock is the mother of two children by our subject, Addis and Mazilla. She and her daughter Addis are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

C HARLES C. MAYER, an enterprising Ger- man citizen of Leroy, was born in Sehwen- ningen, in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, Nov. 19, 1847. He is the son of Law- rence and Anna Maria (Haller) Mayer, who were also natives of the same Province, the father being a eooper by trade, which he followed in his native country until 1863. Ile then started for the United States, embarking at Havre, France, in June, and landing in New York City in August. From therc he procccded to Buffalo, and engaged in a sash and blind factory. Hc then journeycd West to Michi- gan, and loeating in Ann Arbor spent the last years of his life there with his son. The mother had died in Schwenningen, in 1859. Four of their children accompanied the father to America: George lives in Avoea, Iowa, and is a jeweler by trade; John is a cabinet-maker, and lives in Ann Arbor, Mich .; our subjeet was the next oldest; Kate died in Wis- eonsin; Jacob, the eldest son of the family, served in the German army, and died there from the effeets of wounds received in battle.

The subject of this history attended school in his native country until he was fourteen years old, and was then apprentieed to watch and clock mak- ing, serving at this until his departure for the United States. After reaching Buffalo he learned

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the barber's trade, at which he afterward worked in Cincinnati, St. Louis and Bloomington. . In 1867 he came to Leroy, and opening a barber-shop con- tinued his former occupation until 1881. In the meantinie he added to it the jewelry business, and in 1881 disposed of the barber-shop, since then having devoted his entire attention to his trade in jewelry and the repairing of watches and clocks. His is the only establishment of the kind in the city, and yields him a handsome income.

Mr. Mayer was married in Leroy, on the 10th of July, 1871, to Miss Nannie J. Gibbs, who was born in Leroy, and is the daughter of John and Mary Gibbs. Mr. and Mrs. M. have become the parents of six children-Edith, George, John L., Charles, Bertha and Frank. The family attend the Lutheran Church, and our subject in politics uniformly casts his vote with the Democratic party. He is a mem- ber of the City Council and Collector of Taxes, and socially belongs to Leroy Lodge No. 221, A. F. & A. M.

2 ELSON O. LACOCK, a successful and pros- perous farmer residing on section 1, Old Town Township, is the son of Rezin and Eliza (Oliver) Lacock, natives of Washington County, Pa., where they were married and settled, and where they continued to live until called to a better home. The father was a farmer, and fol- lowed his calling in his native county until his de- mise. He became the head of a family of three children, of whom Elisha and Nelson lived to at- tain the age of manhood.

Nelson Lacock was born in Washington County, Pa., July 4, 1817. When he was five days old his mother died, and young Lacock was placed, in the home of his grandparents, with whom he lived until he had attained the age of manhood, engaged the while in attending the common schools and in working on a farm. April 6, 1842, our subject was married to Sarah Williams, daughter of Abra- ham and Sarah (Hannah) Williams, natives of West- moreland County, Pa. After their marriage her par- ents went to Greene County, Pa., whence they re- moved to Washington County. that State, and from there came to this county, arriving here in 1856,

and settling near White Oak Grove, where the fa- ther continued to labor at his calling, that of a farmer, until his death, and where his good wife also died. Abraham Williams became the father of eight children-Elizabeth, Rhoda, Rebecca, Richard, Mary, Abraham, Sarah and Robert E.

Sarah, Mrs. Lacock, was born in Greene County, Pa., March 22, 1823. She lived with her parents until her marriage with our subject, which union has been blest by the birth of eight children, the record of whom is as follows: Elizabeth is the wife of Joseph M. Smith, and lives in Bloomington, Ill. ; Luzettee died of diphtheria when eighteen years old ; Abraham died when sixteen years old; Timandria died when fourteen years of age, of diphtheria ; Rob- ert R. was united in marriage with Miss Grace .Ma- son, and they are living in Padua Township; Sarah A. is the wife of E. D. Benjamin, and they are living in Old Town Township; Oliver N. is married to Minnie Young, and they live in Padua Township; Cromwell lives at home.

Mr. Lacock has held some of the minor offices of his township, and he and his wife are active mem- bers of the Christian Church, to which denomina- tion they have belonged for many years. He was Elder in a congregation of that denomination. In political principle he is a Republican, but since the birth of the Prohibition party has voted for its sulc- cess. Mrs. Lacock is one of those kind-hearted Christian women found in every portion of our land, who sympathise with the poor, and has never turned the hungry from her door, believing as she .does that "It is more blessed to give than to re- ccive, and inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my disciples, ye have done it unto me."

AMES S. GEORGE, a highly respected farmer and carpenter of Danvers Township, pleasantly located on section 36, is a native of Pendleton County, Va., and was born on the 24th of March, 1824. His parents were Will- iam and Mary A. (Hawkins) George, both natives of Virginia, and the inother of German ancestry. William George was a carpenter by trade; he was born in 1796, and removed to Champaign County,

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Ill., where he died in April, 1875. The parents were married in Hampshire County, Va., in 1816, the mother being eighteen years old. She removed with her husband to Illinois, and died of cholera in Danvers Township in 1854, at the age of fifty-four years. The parental household ineluded the follow- ing children: Samuel inarried Miss Rebecca Idle- man, in Virginia; John died of cholera, in 1854; Thomas married Miss Collins Betts; James S. is the subject of our sketeh; Catharine, Mrs. Simons, lives in Harrison County, W. Va .; Elsie, the wife of Elijah White, resides in Randolph County, W. Va .; Mary became the wife of William Brown, of Vir- gina; Sarah married Silas Smith, of Tazewell" County, Ill .; Rebecca married William Emmett, of 'Tazewell County, Ill., and William married Miss E. Demming, of MeLean County; Abraham and Isaac were twins, the first married Miss Goram, and Isaac married Miss R. Cook, of McLean County, Ill.

James S. George became a resident of the Prai- rie State in 1852, and for two years followed the trade of a carpenter. Not being quite satisfied with the results in this direction he took up farming pursuits, locating on the traet of land which he now owns and ocenpies. He is making a specialty of stock-raising, and deals in high grade Short-horn cattle.

After coming to Illinois the subject of our sketch was married to Miss Elizabeth Bennett, on the 12th of September, 1853, in Tazewell County. Mrs. George was born in Virginia, on the 12th of September, 1829, and is the daughter of John and Catharine (Grapes) Bennett, natives of the same State, the father born in 1797. He emigrated to Iowa after his marriage, and died there in 1873. The mother died in Tazewell County, this State, in 1836, leaving four children, two boys and two girls. Eliza married Jolin Roarbeck; Elizabeth, of our sketch, is the second ehild; David married Miss Salina Green; William was killed by lightning when sixteen years old. The education of our sub- jeet and his wife was necessarily somewhat limited, their parents being pioneers of a new country, and schooling facilities very meager. Realizing the ad- vantages of mental eulture they have given their children the best advantages which the schools of

the present day afford. Of these children John died of cholera, in 1854; David B. married Miss Charity Perry ; James W., Ida and Eliner are at home. While Mr. and Mrs. George have not identified themselves with any church organization they are firm believers in the Scriptures, and en- deavor to follow the precepts of the Golden Rule. Mr. George is Democratic in politics, and in all re- spects is a worthy eitizen and a valued member of society.

OIIN GAY, an enterprising and intelligent farmer of Empire Township, owns and oe- cupies a comfortable homestead of 200 acres on section 3. Ile is a native of Piek- away County, Ohio, and was born in 1842, being the son of James Gay, deceased. The latter was also a native of Ohio, his birth occurring in Pick- away County on the 1st of April, 1809. The father of the latter, John Gay, Sr., removed from his native State of Pennsylvania to Pickaway County, Ohio, being among the earliest settlers of that region. He purchased a tract of timber land, eleared a farm from the wilderness, and established a comfortable home, where he passed the remainder of his days. There James Gay, the father of our subjeet, grew to manhood, and was married to Miss Permelia Ross, a native of New Jersey. He in- herited a part of the old homestead in Pickaway County and lived upon it until the fall of 1852. Then, accompanied by his wife and ten children, he started overland to Illinois. After twelve days' travel they landed in Piatt County, where James Gay cultivated a traet of rented land for two years and then coming into MeLean County, purchased the northeast quarter of section 3, in what is now Empire Township. Thirty acres of this was broken and feneed, and there was upon it a frame lionse and log stable. Ilere, the father of our subjeet settled with his family, and here his life terminated on the 6th of July, 1881. He had been prosperons in his farming and business operations, and at the time of his death his land was finely improved, well feneed and under a good state of cultivation. The wife and mother departed this life Feb. 17, 1871. One ehild was born to them after coming into this

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State, and of the cleven born to them the record is as follows: David dicd in Empire Township; Mary was married and her husband died in the army, and she now lives at Weedman Station; Mar- garet, the widow of Abner Brown, lives with her brother on the old homestead; Martha became the wife of Chamber Dynes, and died on the homestead in 1870; our subject was the next in order of birth ; Elizabeth married F. M. Rutledge, and lives in Em- pire Township; Eliza, Mrs. C. H. Best, lives in Shelby County, Iowa; Reason R. lives in Hancock County, Iowa; William, in Farmer City; Sarah, Mrs. Frank Mcfarland, in Nobles County, Minn. ; Mary F., Mrs. Jacob Williams, in Empire Town- ship. -

John Gay was a lad of twelve years old when he came to this county with his parents. His youth and childhood were spent in attendance at the dis- trict school and assisting his father, on the farm, and he lived with his parents until one year before his marriage. He then engaged with his brother David in operating a rented farm for about five years, and afterward rented a farm by himself . west of Le Roy, upon which he remained until after the death of his wife. Hc then returned to the old homestead for a year, and with the ex- ception of the time that he was engaged with his brother William, has been a resident there since. His marriage with Miss Mary L. Buckles occurred in 1867, at the liome of the bride's parents in Downs Township. Mrs. Gay was born in Empire Township, and is the daughter of Peter Buckles, one of the early pioneers of this county. Our sub- ject is Democratic in politics, and in all respects is fulfilling the obligations of a good citizen.

AVID II. ROUNDS, formerly a prominent contractor and builder of Bloomington Township, is now one of the most success- ful brecders of fine horses in McLean County. He was formerly associated in business with a partner, and they engaged in building oper- ations for about ten years under the firm name of Vanschoick & Rounds. The firm is now dissolved, and Mr. Rounds devotes nearly the whole of his time and attention to developing the qualities of

that noble animal, the horse. He is making a spec- ialty of roadsters, and is the only man in McLean County who has raised a horse that has made a record by his training, coming within 2:30, and the only man in the county who has developed the speed of a horse to a record of 2:24}, which is the record of the chief of his stables, which is known as Rounds Sprague, and is registered as No. 4194. This animal is the son of Governor Sprague, his dam being Davis Maid., Mr. Rounds purchased him at the age of twenty months, and has made him what he is. There is also attached to his sta- bles, Belmont Sprague No. 4527, which, although young, gives indications of something beyond the ordinary, which will soon place him upon an equal- ity with his sire, Rounds Sprague, and dam, Lady Rodman, by Belmont No. 64, and grand-dam, Patty Rodman, by Alcalde No. 103. Mr. Rounds also owns the fine colt Brownell, No. 6064, which possesses the most style of any in his stables. He was sired by Lumps, whose record is 2:21, his dam being Mambrunello, and the second dam by Pilot, Jr. His coach stallion, Abdallah Bruce, and which possesses particularly graceful movements for a large horse, is on record, and when upon exhibi- tion received the highest praise from Judge Ar- thur Caton, whose knowledge of a good horse, and success in developing, proves him to be a man of no ordinary judgment. With these horses Mr. Rounds has built for himself an enviable repu- tation as a breeder and developer. He has fol- lowed his present business for nearly thirty years, although a part of the time he was engaged as a builder and contractor. He lives near the city limits of Bloomington, and is well and favorably known throughout this scetion, as much for his per- sonal traits of character as for his success in his chosen calling.

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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 32

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