Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 35

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 35

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).

Mr. Mitehell settled upon the place which he now owns and occupies in 1880. It is comprised of 225 aeres, being partly located on seetions 22 and 23. His land is all enelosed, under a good state of cultivation, and is supplied with a substantial set of frame buildings, which Mr. Mitehell ereeted after taking possession of the property. In addition to

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the ordinary pursuits of agriculture he is giving considerable attention to stock-raising, and has a herd of grade cattle.

The marriage of John J. Mitchell and Miss Char- lotte English was celebrated in Clinton, DeWitt Co., Ill., on the 12th of February, 1861. Mrs. M. is a native of Erie County, Pa., and the daughter of John and Eliza (Harris) English, the date of her birth being Feb. 1, 1843. The family circle of our subject and his wife has been completed by the birth of nine children, all living, and named as fol- lows: Isaac P., Mary E., John D., Jeanette S., Jessie C., Robert A., Elisha M., Edna J. and Nel- lie D. Isaac married Miss Nettie Rogers, and lives at Covell, this county; Mary E. became the wife of Frank Fonger, and lives in Iland County, Dak. Mrs. Mitchell is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics Mr. M. uniformly casts his vote with the Republican party.

The comfortable home of Mr. Mitchell exhibits the evidences of- cultivated tastes and ample means; his children are being carefully traincd and educated, and as successful, energetic and valued citizens he and his family are held in the highest respect by their community.

NTONE MEYER, deceased, a late member of the brewery firm of Meyer & Wochner, was a native of Baden, Germany, and born on the River Rhine, in April, 1832. IIe was educated in his native country, and when six- teen years of age sailed for America, landing at New York City. There he learned the hrewing business, and then proceeded to St. Louis, Mo., af- terward to Muscatine, Iowa, and thence to Spring- field, Ill., remaining in the latter city two years. In July, 1862, he came to Bloomington and pur- chased a small brewery on the site of where the present large one is now located. He formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Francis X. Wochner, which continued until the death of our subjeet, in April, 1883. They were prospered in their undertaking, and in due time erected a large building where they operated an extensive and profitable business.

Mr. Meyer was married in 1862, to Miss Sophia M. Woclmer, second daughter of Francis X. and Elizabeth (Maurer) Wochner. She was born in Sangamon County, Ill., and by her marriage with our subject became the mother of six children- Henry, Sophia, Antone, William, Edward and Os- car Joseph. Mrs. Meyer and all her children are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Since the death of the husband and father, there has been no change in the name of the firm, the widow repre- senting her husband in the business in a creditable and efficient manner.

D R. GEORGE W. MASON, a leading physi- cian and surgeon of Bloomington, has been a resident of the city since the spring of 1880, and has built up an extensive and lucrative practice. Dr. Mason was born in Polo, Ogle Co., Ill., Aug. 8, 1850, and is the son of Al- len C. and Nancy A. (Wilcoxson) Mason, natives respectively of Rhode Island and Portsmouth, Ohio.

Allen C. Mason left his native State in child- hood and removed with - his parents to Cayuga County, N. Y., where they located upon a farm, and he was there reared to manhood and received a practical education. In 1834 he set his facc westward, and coming into Ogle County, Ill., en- tered a traet of land, and also engaged in carpen- ter work. On the 21st of August, 1849, he was married to the mother of our subject, and they lo- cated at Polo, Ogle County, until 1865, when Mr. Mason removed to Normal, where he engaged in mercantile business and spent the remainder of his life, his decease occurring April 17, 1870. He was a prominent man in the community, a member of the first official board at the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Normal, and Super- intendent of the Sabbath-school for a number of years. Politically he was a strong Republican, greatly interested in educational matters, his chief reason for removing to Normal being that it af- forded better facilities for the education of his chil- dren. Ile was a member in good standing of the A. F. & A. M., and highly respected by all who

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knew him. The mother is still living, and a resi- dent of Normal. Of the four children which eom- pleted their household eirele, three are now living: Dr. George W., our subjeet; Lettie A., Mrs. Dr. William E. Quine, of Chicago, and Allen C., a resi- dent of Taeoma, W. T., the latter being engaged as an attorney, and in the real-estate business, and until reeently was editor of the Taeoma News.

The subject of this biography eommeneed attend- ing sehool when four and one-half years old, which he continued in the winter seasons until fourteen. He was a bright and studious boy, and at this early age entered the model department of the State Normal University. At the end of two years he went into the Normal Department of the same institution, from which he graduated in 1869. The course of study and training in this department admirably fitted him for the profession of a teacher, and he was chosen as Prineipal of the High School of Paris, Edgar County, where, however, he re- mained bnt a short time, leaving this to take a similar position in the High School at Charleston, Coles County. At the expiration of his term here he was placed in charge of the Kramer School at Little Roek, Ark., and after a year in the South went to Pekin, Tazewell County, and graduated in the first elass from that institution in 1873. He then went to Hannibal, Marion Co., Mo., and eon- dueted the High School there for three years. In the meantime he was married to Miss S. Jennie Rudd, of Little Roek, Ark., and the daughter of Henry and Mary Rudd, residents of that State.

Dr. Mason and his young wife located at Little Roek in the fall of 1876, and our subjeet com- meneed the study of medicine with Dr. James A. Dibrell, Jr., being at the same time engaged as Principal of sehools. Dr. Mason, after a thorough course of study in the Medical College at Chieago, graduated with high honors in 1880, and delivered the Valedietory address. He served a term as Interne of Merey Hospital. The following spring he came to Bloomington, and entered aetively upon the practice of his profession, whiel he has fol- lowed continuously since that time. He was the first President of the Bloomington Mieroseopieal Society, and is a Staff Surgeon and Secretary of St. Joseph's Hospital.

Dr. Mason has won for himself a high position in the profession here, and belongs to the American Medical Association, the Illinois State, the Central Illinois and the MeLean County Medieal Societies, and the Physicians' Club of Bloomington. He is Republican in polities, and socially is identified with the Masonie Lodge, Wade Barney No. 512, also Remembranee Lodge No. 77, of the I. O. O. F., is Past Regent of E. O. Haven Conneil of the Royal Areanum, and is Past Grand of the Odd Fellows. He was a ehiarter member of the Y. M. C. A., of Bloomington, and with his wife is a mem- ber in good standing of the First Methodist Episeo- pal Chureh.

Dr. and Mrs. Mason became the parents of two children, of whom only one is . living-Mary C. Their residence is located at No. 201 North Main street, the Doetor having his office at his residenee. He is a gentleman of fine edneation, aside from his proficiency in his profession, and numbers among his friends and associates the most eultured people of the eity. He is an extensive reader, a elose student, and bids fair to become one of the lead- ing lights of the profession in the Prairie State.

W ILLIAM T. M. MILLER, a farmer, and at present making his home in Bloomington, was born in Christian County, Ky., Ang. 17, 1831. His parents were James and Isabella (Moore) Miller, natives of Rockingham and Roek- bridge Counties, Va., who became. residents of Kentucky in 1808. In the spring of 1835 they removed to McLean County, Ill., settling in Bloom- ington, where James Miller engaged in both mer- ehandising and farming, also having a braneh store in DeWitt County. He became prominent in pub- lie matters and was State Treasurer from 1856 to 1858. The latter year he was elected to the same position, but was obliged to resign soon afterward on aeeount of failing health. IIe donated the lot and contributed muel of the money to build the first Methodist Episcopal Church in Bloomington, in about 1837. He was Class-Leader and Steward for many years, and indeed, one of the pillars of the ehurel until his decease. He withdrew from

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active business in 1854, and spent the remainder of his life in the enjoyment of the society of his friends and in doing good as he liad opportunity. Of the five children born to James and Isabella Miller, only three are living-Robert A., William T. M. and James E. The father departed this life Sept. 23, 1872, and the mother Dec. 29, 1885.

The subject of this biography remained at home until he was twenty-four years old, and eommeneed dealing in real estate in 1852. He was thus oeeu- pied a number of years in Bloomington, when he purchased 400 aeres of land in Randolph Town- ship, and although he never lived there, was busily occupied in its care and cultivation. In 1857, in company with Col. Hogg, he purchased fourtecn acres within the city limits and laid out his portion in lots, which he disposed of at a fair price and which enabled many a mechanic witlı humble means to seeure a good home. He built his present home in 1867, and in 1868 engaged in partnership with George D. MeElhiney in the real estate busi- ness, which relationship continued until the death of his partner in 1871, when the business was eon- ducted by himself until 1878. He is the owner of valuable eity property aside from his home resi- dence.

Mr. Miller was married in 1856, to Miss Belle Lce, the daughter of Robert McCart, of Kentucky, and they became the parents of nine ehildren, all living-Ida B., Cleon, Juliet, Marcus A., Wave, Estella, Homer, Maude and Lola. Mr. Miller is an independent Democrat and one of the solid and substantial men of McLean County. He was Assist- ant Supervisor of Bloomington Township from 1878 to 1884, and in other respects has been identified with its growth and prosperity.

R. F. H. McINTOSH, D. D. S., a highly esteemed member of the dental profession in the city of Bloomington, has a finely appointed office, located on the corner of Main and Jefferson streets, and has built up a prof- itable and luerative business. Our subjeet is a native of Bureau County, Ill., and was born on the 12th of March, 1856. His parents were John C.

and Lydia A. (Hoyt) McIntosh, both natives of New York State, and his father was engaged in farming pursuits and railroading. They settled in Bureau County in 1849, where the father died in 1881, and where the mother still resides. Of their family of eight children, four only are living : Albert E. mar- ried Miss Annie Gettings, and is engaged in farming near Lamoille, Ill .; George married Miss Luey R. Randall, and is engaged in farming near Dover, Ill .; Fred H. is the subject of our sketch; Marga- ret B. resides in Bureau County, Ill. John C. McIntosh was essentially a self-made man and pos- sessed of considerable ability. He obtained a fair education through his own persistent efforts, and was beloved and respected by all for his genial sympathies and his liberal and hospitable traits of character. The poor and needy always found in him a friend ready to aid. Both parents were inembers in good standing of the Congregational Church.

.The subject of this history passed his youthful summers in the manner common to most farmers' boys, and attended school during the winter seasons until he was nineteen years old. He then assumed the duties of a teacher, his first school being near Arlington, in Bureau County. After one year thus employed he engaged with the I. M. B. So- eiety of Prineeton as Assessment Clerk, which position he oceupied for two years, and then eom- meneed the study of dentistry under the instruction of Dr. G. T. Smith, of Princeton. Four years later he completed his course of study in the Phila- delphia Dental College, from which he graduated in the elass of 1881. He then came to Blooming- ton, and formed a partnership with Dr. Will X. Sudduth. After a few months Dr. S. left to finish his studies, and our subjcet, purehasing his interest in the business, has sinee that time practiecd alone. It is safe to say that he rauks among the best dental surgeons in the State, as his large practice fully in- dicates.

Dr. MeIntosh is a valucd member of the pro- fession, being a member of the Illinois State and the Central Illinois Dental Societies. Notwith- standing the arduous duties of a pressing business he has found time to identify himself with the social amenities of life where he believed he would

yours

Elliannah Stubblefield

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be the means of doing good. He is now President of the Y. M. C. A., is Superintendent of the First Congregational Sabbath-sehool, also Treasurer of the church, and a member of the Board of Trustees. Socially Dr. MeIntosh is a member of the Royal Areanum, and in politics easts his vote in support of the principles of the Republican party. He has recently invested in real estate in the eity.by pur- chasing a house and lot at No. 408 East North street. Whether this is indicative of any further interesting event, remains to be seen.

OHN STUBBLEFIELD, son of the late lam- ented Robert Stubblefield, one of the best known men of MeLean County, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, June 4, 1820, and eame to Illinois with his parents when four and one-half years old. Robert Stubblefield was born in Halifax County, Va., and was the son of Edward Stubblefield, Sr., who was the son of John Stubble- field. The latter, with two brothers, Edward and William, came from England. Edward Stubble- field, Sr., married Miss Mary (Lightfoot) Munford, daughter of William Green and Ann (Stanhope) Muniord. She was of English birth and ancestry, and aeted as a private secretary to her father dur- ing the Revolutionary War, in which Mr. Munford served as Colonel. He not only devoted his per- sonal energies, but loaned the Government a large amount of money to assist it in freeing his adopted country from the British yoke. An extended history of Robert Stubblefield, the father of our subjeet, will be found in another part of this work.

John Stubblefield was reared to manhood in MeLean County, and remained under the parental roof until 1842. His father then gave him the use of twenty aeres of land, and he rented a log eabin of Isaae Funk, and in it commeneed house- keeping with his young wife. He had already en- tered forty aeres on seetion 5, of what is now Funk's Grove Township, and during the latter part of the time he lived with his father, had made some improvements on his own land. Ile subse- quently erected a frame house 16x18 feet, into

which he moved his family in December, 1846. IIe was prospered in his labors, and from a compara- tively modest beginning is now the owner of 2,000 aeres of land in MeLean County.

The marriage of John Stubblefield and Miss Elli- sannah Houser took place in December, 1842. Mrs. S. was born in Harrison County, Ind., and is the daughter of David and Elizabeth (Dillman) Houser. Of her union with our subjeet there were born the following children: Sarah E., Mrs. Ray- burn, lives in Funk's Grove; David R., in Dale Township; George W., in Bloomington; Phineas, in Funk's Grove Township; Mary Frances, Mrs. Crum, lives in Cass County ; Henry B., in Dale Township; Simon Peter, at Funk's Grove, and John W., at home. The family homestead is one of the finest in MeLean County, and Mr. Stubblefield, with his household, is widely and favorably known throughout this section of the State. He has held the various offices of trust in his township, and has always taken great interest in educational and relig- ious matters. He was Trustee for several years, and a member of the Board of Supervisors. Mr. and Mrs. S. are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which our subjeet has been connected for nearly fifty years. He has been among its most liberal supporters and held its most important offices. He ranks among the best men of an old and honorable raee, and will be remem- bered by the citizens of this locality long years after he shall have been gathered to his fathers.

David R. Stubblefield, the eldest son of our sub- jeet, was born in the pioneer log cabin of his par- ents in Funk's Grove on the 13th of April, 1846. .He first attended school a distance of three miles from his home, and pursued his studies in winter until seventeen years of age. His summers were mostly employed in herding his father's cattle on the prairies, which are now occupied by beautiful homesteads and all the indications of prosperity and thrift. In those early days wolves and deer were abundant, but David, imbued with the courage of his forefathers, felt little fear of any living ereature, and he pursued the even tenor of his way until called to other duties. In polities Mr. S. is Republican ; prior to the formation of the Republican he affiliated with the Whig party.

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Among those represented in the portrait depart- ment of this volume, none are more worthy than Mr. and Mrs. John Stubblefield.

ACOB MAURER, a prosperous and intelli- gent German farmer of Montgomery Town- ship, Woodford Co., Ill., owns and oe- eupies a good homestead on section 26, where his industry and energy have eaused him to become sueeessful in his business transactions and established him in the esteem and confidenee of his fellow-eitizens. Mr. Maurer was born in the little Kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, Nov. 1, 1834. He is the son of Samuel and Magdalena (Schwart- zentruber) Maurer, natives of Germany, the father born in 1795, and the mother in 1800. Samuel Maurer was a farmer by occupation and emigrated from his native country with his family in 1860. They landed in New York City, and immediately eame westward to the Prairie State and to McLean County. Here Mr. M. purchased eighty-five acres of land and erected a small dwelling, which he oe- cupied with his family until his death, which oc- eurred in 1863. The wife and mother departed this life Nov. 3, 1884. Their eight children were, Phebe, the wife of 'Frederick Heidenfelter; Chris- tian; Peter; Elizabeth, Mrs. Eckhart Wendrath; Jacob of our sketeh; John, who married Mrs. Bar- bara Imhoff; Daniel, who married Miss Helen Otto, and Catharine, who became the wife of Earnest Linneman.

Jacob Maurer preceded his parents to this eoun- try five years, his arrival being in 1855. He first located in Pennsylvania and engaged as a farm la- borer by the month for two years following. He then went into Butler County, Ohio, where he was similarly occupied, and thence journeyed westward · to this county, where he first located in Dry Grove Township, and worked by the month. He was mar- ried in 1859, to Miss Catharine Maurer, and in 1872 purchased 160 aeres in Woodford County, which constitutes his present homestead. The wife of our subject is the daughter of Peter and Mary Maurer, natives of Franee, the former being born March 24, 1787, and the latter, Dec. 3, 1795. They

were married in France in 1825, and in 1830 came to the United States and located in Butler County, Ohio. They remained there eight years, and thenee removed to Woodford County, Ill., where Mr. M. purchased 160 acres of land and where both parents resided until his death. Their nine children were, Joseph, Barbara, Mary, Anna, Magdalena, Peter, Christian, John and Catharine.

Jacob Maurer and his wife have beeome the par- ents of nine children-Magdalena E., Daniel E., Mary I., Emiel J., Erwin J., Feodor W., Emma C., Elma A. and Etta D. Our subjeet is a Democrat in politics, and both he and his wife are worthy and valued members of the Mennonite Church.

S ILAS HUBBARD, M. D., a skillful and popular physician of Hudson, this eounty, has been a resident of the Prairie State sinee 1855, at which time he located in McLean County, and during a period of over thirty years has been widely and favorably known as a conscientious practitioner and a good eitizen. Dr. Hubbard was born near Maysville, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., on the 9thi of May, 1821. His parents were Solomon and Hannah (Willard) Hubbard, also natives of the Empire State. ITis earlier days were passed on the farm, and at the age of ten years the family removed to Buffalo, N. Y. Here, eight years later, our subjeet commeneed the study of medieine, and at the age of twenty-one, in 1842, graduated from Casselton Medieal College of Ver- mont. He éommeneed the praetiee of his ehosen profession at Buffalo, continuing there until 1855, and then came to Illinois. For three years he was located at Bloomington, whence he came to Hudson, and is now the oldest physician in this place. He has been a close student, an extensive reader, and a valu- able contributor to the prominent medical journals. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, but finds little time in an extensive practice to de- vote to politieal matters. Religiously lie has been connected with the Baptist Church for a period of thirty-two years, working actively in its mainten- ance and support and to advance generally the cause of religion.

Dr. Silas IIubbard was united in marriage with

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Miss Julia Franees Read in New York City, in 1849. Mrs. H. is the daughter of William and May (Hoye) Read, natives of Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia, and by her union with our sub- ject lias become the mother of five children, of whom the record is as follows: Hannah Frances, the wife of John D. Larkin, resides in Buffalo, N. Y .; Albert G. is also a resident of that city ; Daisy M., Mrs. Alvin W. Carloek, lives in Hudson, this county ; Mary E. and Honor A. are at home. The family are widely and favorably known throughout this section and are valued as among the most intelligent and useful members of the community.

UDGE J. E. McCLUN, a highly respected resident of Bloomington, now living in peace and comfort, retired from the active duties of life, is a native of Frederick County, Va., where he was born in 1812. He is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Bailey) McClun, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and moved when children to the Shenandoalı Valley with their parents. The ancestral MeClans came from the North of Ireland, and were of Seotcli-Irish descent. The first members of the family in this country set- tled in Pennsylvania at an early period in the his- tory of that State, and located in Lancaster and Chester Counties. The grandfather of our subject, Thomas McClun, was there born, and reared a Quaker, and became prominent in the affairs of that locality. He moved to the Shenandoah Val- ley in about 1770, settled upon a farm, and reared his family in those principles by which his fore- fathers had distinguished themselves.

The maternal grandfather of Judge McClun, Will- iam Bailey, was a Revolutionary soldier, and died in the service of the colonies. He was of English ancestry and parentage, and one of the early pio- neers of Chester County, Pa. Thomas McClun, the father of onr subject, was the parent of seven . sons, of whom the Judge was the youngest born. Thomas McClun died at the old homestead in Vir- ginia, in 1820. The mother survived her husband for a period of twenty-three years, spending lier last days with her son, in Bloomington, her death

occurring on the 1st of June, 1843. She was reared an Episcopalian, but in the latter years of her life was identified with the Methodist Church.

Judge MeClun, of our sketch, distinetly remem- bers many of the incidents connected with his childhood, and other matters whichi he noticed with the interest of a bright and intelligent boy, among which was the election of Jolin Quiney Adams, in 1824, and the contest whichi occurred between Adams and Jackson. He witnessed the inauguration of Gen. Jackson, who received the oath of office from John Marshall, and he well re- members hearing a sermon by old Bishop Asbury, who preached at a camp-meeting near his mother's house when our subject was only three and one- half years old. His education was begun in the old cabin school-house, nearly two miles from his home, with puncheon floor and slabs for seats and desks, and where he taught school when he became a young man, for a period of three years. Hc had forty pupils under his charge, who ranged all the way from six to twenty-two years old.

Some two years after he had attained his major- ity young McClun removed from his native State to Springfield, Ill., whenee he came to MeLean County, in 1836, and located in Bloomington. He was greatly impressed by the scenes then surround- ing the spot, the deer roaming over the prairie, the howling of wolves at night, and the abundance of all kinds of wild game, with thousands of prairie chickens flying over and amidst the tall grass. At Springfield he became acquainted with Abraham Lincoln, and also Stephen A. Douglas, who was just commencing the practice of law at Jacksonville, Ill. Mr. MeClun, during his first years in Bloomington, was engaged in mercantile pursuits, and also estab- lislied a stage-line, running from Danville to Peo- ria. He was energetic and industrions, and at an early day gave indications of his ability to become a leader in his community. After filling various minor positions, in 1849 he was elected Judge of the Probate Court, and afterward a representative to the General Assembly of Illinois. These posi- tions le held with great credit to himself and satis- faetion to his constituents. Afterward, in eon- neetion with a few other gentlemen, he established the Home Bank, which for many years transaetcd

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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 35

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