Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 42

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 42

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).

The ehildren of David Archer, and his wife, the parents of our subjeet, are recorded as follows: Emily became the wife of John L. Wilson, and died in Kansas; George W. served as a soldier in tlie 64th Illinois Regiment, known as Yates' Sharp- shooters, and now lives in Dakota; Lafayette was the third child; Peru and LaSalle (twins) also served with their brother George in the 64th Regi- ment; Peru died while in serviec at Iuka, Miss., in 1863; LaSalle lives at Joplin, Mo. ; Martin V. scrved in the 8th Missouri Infantry, and now lives at Rock Island, Ill .; Milton resides on the homestead ; Lewis C. served in the 146th Ill. Inf., and lives at Ft. Nio- brara, Neb .; Ellen became the wife of Edward Not- tingham. and occupies a part of the old liomestead. The maternal grandfather of our subjeet was a na- tive of New York and served in the War of 1812. He was of English and German ancestry.

Mr. Archer east his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and has voted for each Repub- lican candidate for that offiec sinec that time.

W ILLIAM D. HALLETT, of Bloomington, who is engaged in mercantile pursuits at the corner of Olive and Center streets, is a useful factor of the business community. He was born in England in April, 1841, being the son of James and Lydia Hallett, who are now living in re- tirement in Bloomington, and of whom a sketch is given in another part of this work.

William Hallett was cdueated in his native En- gland and cmigrated to America with his parents

when about twelve years of age. He was carly trained to habits of industry, and soon began to make himself useful, being variously employed un- til the outbreak of the Rebellion. He then en- listed in the 39th Illinois Infantry, and was in the service three years and two months. He fought with his comrades at the battles of Charleston Harbor, Drury's Bluff, and at Weirc Bottom Church was wounded in the hip. After remaining in the hospital for some time and his term of service hav- ing expired, he received his honorable discharge, and returning to Bloomington soon afterward en- gaged in the restaurant business, which he followed for fourteen years, and then engaged in the grocery trade, which he has pursucd since that time. Ile purchased the lot on which his store was built in 1883. This structure is of brick, 21x60 fect in area, and is finely fitted up for the transaction of business.

Mr. Hallett was married in 1865, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma R. Harley, and they have four children-Carrie M., William D., Harley J. and Ethel. The family residence is at No. 1008 South Lee street, where in 1866, Mr. Hallett pur- chased several lots. Here they have a convenient and comfortable home, and dispense to their many friends a gencrous hospitality. Mr. Hallett is Re- publican in politics, and a member of the I. O. O. F. He is a straightforward and methodical busi- ness man, and greatly respected by those who have dealings with him.

M. FORDICE, proprietor of the lumber- yards at the corner of Market and Howard strcets, Bloomington, also dcals extensively in sash, blinds and doors, besides hard and soft coal. He is one of the prominent business men of the city, always ready to assist in every good work and purpose, and is esteemed alike for his straightforward business methods and his kindly Christian character.

The subject of this history is a native of Bloom- ington, and was born March 14, 1840, his parents being James M. and Letitia (Saterfield) Fordiee, the former of New York and the latter of White-

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side County, Ill. The grandfather of our subject, Stanton Fordice, was one of the pioneer settlers of Illinois, coming into MeLean County in 1822, and taking up a traet of Government land in what is now Bloomington Grove. Upon the farm which he eliminated from the wilderness he ereeted a com- fortable dwelling, which constituted the permanent home of himself and family, and where he remained until his death. His four children were: Stanton, Daniel, John and James M. (the father of our sub- jeet). The latter learned the blacksmith's trade in Bloomington, whichi he followed.

The Fordiee family traec their ancestry back to the Mohawk Dutch, and on the mother's side from Scotland. Onr subjeet received his early educa- tion in the city schools of Bloomington, finishing with a term at the High School, and during the summer seasons worked out by the month farming. Ile handled his first lumber on the 4th of July, 1857, and has continued since that time with short intervals in the lumber business. On the 1st of January, 1867, he came into possession of a one- third interest in a Inmber-yard, and in 1875 pur- chased the entire interest, which he has conducted successfully and profitably to this time. His trans- actions now extend over a wide range of territory, and he is known throughout MeLean County as one of its most reliable and prosperous business men.

During the late war Mr. Fordice cnlisted in the service of his country, bceoming a member of Co. C, 33d Ill. Vol. Inf., and was mustered in in August, 1861, as Second Sergeant, and promoted Orderly Sergeant at the siege of Vieksburg, serving until October, 1864. With his comrades he was engaged in the battles of Frederickstown, Magnolia Hills, Raymond, Champion Hills, the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and the two battles at Jackson, Miss. He performed his part as a soldier in a brave and faithful manner, as he has performed all other du- ties in life.

The subject of this history was united in mar- riage with Miss Mattic Dixon, on the 10thi of Oe- tober, 1871. Mrs. F. is a native of Ripley, Brown Co., Ohio, and the daughter of William Dixon, a native of the same Statc. Of this nnion there was born one child, Lewis J., who died at the age of

seven years. Mrs. Mattie Fordice only remained the companion of her husband five short years, de- parting this life at their home in 1876. For his second wife Mr. Fordice married, in 1878, Miss Martha J. Henry, of Brown County, Ohio, and the daughter of J. W. Henry, also of Ohio. She be- eame the mother of two children, Ettie L. and Lena M., and passed from the scenes of earth in 1881.

The present and third wife of our subjeet was Miss Carrie Herman, to whom he was married in Bloomington in 1882, and who was born in this eity in 1860. The family residence is located at No. 605 North Madison street, and in all its appoint- ments denotes the abode of cultivated tastes and the refinements of life.

Mr. Fordiee, in his political views, warmly in- dorses the principles of the Republican party, with which he uniformly casts liis vote, and socially be- longs to the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R.

R EV. JAMES D. FRY, of Bloomington, a fine representative of the culture and education of the city, is a native of Chester County, )Pa., where he was born May 16, 1834. IIis parents, George and Anna (Sonder) Fry, removed from Pennsylvania to Richland County, Ohio, when their son, our subject, was a lad of eight years of age. From there, five years later, they removed to Lorain County, where James D. grew to manhood and completed a good English cdnea- tion. Later he attended Oberlin College, where he took a elassieal course through the Sophomore year and later became a member of the Ohio Con- ference during its session at Gallipolis. Hc preached for four years following, in the meantime having been ordained Deaeon and Elder. Desiring to still further perfeet himself in his ministerial studies, he entered upon a course in the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, whence he graduated in 1865, and entered upon the career in which lie afterward became distinguished as an eminent and devoted laborer in the Master's service.

James D. Fry was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Susanna, the daughter of James David-

JERRE 23

RESIDENCE OF JOHN ALLISON, SEC 15, DALE TOWNSHIP.

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RESIDENCE OF ALEX. BRYANT, 5EC. 6, BLOOMINGTON TP.

RESIDENCE OF A . J. WILSON, SEC. 11, DALE TOWNSHIP.

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son, on the 21st of June, 1868, in Lawrence County, Ohio. In 1872 he became Financial Agent for the Ohio Wesleyan University. He spent the year 1873-74 traveling through Europe, accompanied by his wife. He remained some months at Halle University, Germany, studying the German lan- guage and attending theologieal leetnres. In 1874, returning to the United States Mr. Fry resumed his labors in the ministry, and in the fall of the year following was elected to the chair of Moral Phil- osophy and German in the Illinois Wesleyan Uni- versity. Two years later he resigned this position and resumed his work in the ministry.

Mrs. Fry, wife of our subjeet, is finely educated. She was elected to the Chair of Belles Lettres in the Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Ill.,. in 1875, which position she still holds. At the age of eighteen years she graduated with honors fromn Oxford Seminary, at Oxford, Ohio. She received the degree of A. M. from the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity, Delaware, Ohio, in 1878, and the degree of Ph. D. by examination in 1881, from Syracuse University, Syraeuse, N. Y. She possesses literary ability of a high order, and has been an oeeasional contributor to the first-class periodicals.

W ILLIAM BALDRIDGE, a highly respected eitizen of Oak Grove Village, and formerly a farmer. of. White Oak Township, is a na- tive of the Buckeye State, having been born in Adams County, Jan. 7, 1805. He is the son of Samuel and Mary (MeGarral) Baldridge, natives of Westmoreland County, Pa. Samuel Baldridge remained on his father's farm and attended the common schools until reaching his majority, and then started out to do for himself. He first went into Adams County, Ohio, and was employed on a farın for several years. He was industrious and economieal, and saved his earnings, and in due

· time found himself able to purchase 160 acres of land near Manchester, Ohio. He had been married in his native county in Pennsylvania and removed with his wife to the new farm, upon which they remained the balance of their lives. The father of our subjeet died in about 1847, in the sixty-ninth

year of his age. The mother survived her husband many years, living to the advanced age of ninety. They were members of what is known as the Re- form Presbyterian Church, and in polities Samuel Baldridge was a stanch supporter of the old Whig party. The household eirele was completed by the birth of ten children-Mary, William, James W., Martha, Sarah, Elizabeth, Samuel, Robert, Cather- ine, and one who died in infancy unnamed.

William Baldridge remained on the homestead of his parents during his childhood and youth, and received a common-school education. When twenty- two years of age he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Kane, Aug. 29, 1827. The young couple remained on the father's farm until the spring of 1852, when our subjeet eame to Illinois and purchased eighty aeres of fine farming land on seetion 22, White Oak Township, ten aeres of which is timber. Two years later he inereased his landed interests by the purchase of 160 aeres on seetion 24, and in 1862 traded this latter for the ninety aeres which he now owns, and which is under a high state of cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. B. beeamne the parents of six children-Mary J., Samuel, James W., Martha, William J. and George T. Mary became the wife of William Ramsey; Samuel was twice married, his first wife having been Miss Eliza- beth J. Kendall, and the second, Miss Elizabeth Kirkpatrick; James W. married Miss Martha John- son ; Martha became Mrs. Robert Patterson; Will- iam J. married Miss Caroline Wright; George T. was twiee married, first to Miss Ilattie Ewing, and second to Miss Amanda Leach. The mother of- these children died Aug. 14, 1867, and William Baldridge was the second time married, Miss Naney P. Ewing becoming his wife. Of this union there were no children.

Mrs. Naney Baldridge is the daughter of James and Mary (Darwin) Ewing, who were natives of York County, Pa., where they were reared and educated, and married in 1775, and removed the same year to Virginia, where they remained until 1819. Thence they removed to Adams County, Ohio, where the mother died that same year. They had eight children. Our subjeet and wife are worthy members of the Reform Presbyterian Church, and in polities Mr. B. is a stanel Repub-

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lican. In 1874 he bought a fine two-story dwelling in Oak Grove Village, but subsequently traded for the place where he is now living retired from active labor, surrounded by all the comforts of life and enjoying the reward of his early toil and in- dustry, having a sufficient competeney for himself and wife.

OHN A. JONES, of Danvers Township, is pleasantly located on seetion 14, where he las a fine homestead, and is enjoying with his family the comforts of life and many of its luxuries. Mr. Jones is a native of the Prairie State, and was born in Dry Grove Township, this county, Oct. 12, 1845. He is consequently in the prime of life, and has already established himself in the confidenee and esteem of the community.

The parents of our subjeet were Benjamin L. and Mary A. (Anderson) Jones, natives respectively of Kentucky and Ohio. The father was born Aug. 31, 1812, and the mother in 1815. Benjamin Jones followed agricultural pursuits the greater part of his life. When a young man he removed from his native State to Ohio, where he made his home with his unele, and was married to Miss Mary A. Ander- son, in Clermont County, in 1835. In the fall of 1837 they came to Sehuyler County, Ill., and Mr. Jones farmed on rented land two years there, then eame to this eounty and was similarly employed for some time. In February, 1849, he met with a great affliction in the loss of his wife. Mrs. Jones died at the home of her husband in Danvers Town- ship, and her remains were laid to rest in Stout's Grove Cemetery.

Mr. Jones at an early day purchased 320 aeres of timber land, at $1.25 per aere. After the death of his wife he made his home with his children and with his brothers, one of the latter being in Sehuy- ler and the other in Mason County, this State. IIe has now resided with our subjeet for the last four years. He and his wife united with the Presbyter- ian Churel many years ago. He is greatly inter- ested in the sueeess of the temperanee movement, and a pronouneed Prohibitionist. The household eirele was completed by the birth of seven children,

of whom John A. (1st) died in infancy ; James L. married Miss Aliee Crum, and lives in Topeka, Kan .; Sarah A. and her husband, Alexander Fowler, died in Neosha County, Kan .; George W. married Miss Hattie Dunnaway; Jolm A. (2d) of our sketeh was the fifth ehild; Mary J., Mrs. Sears, is now deecased; Milton was married in Missouri.

After the death of his mother, our subjeet being only four years of age, went to live with Andrew J. Mason, with whom he remained until he was fourteen years old. He received a fair education in the common sehools, and after leaving Mr. Ma- son made his home with N. C. Carlton in Danvers Township. In 1860 he went to Texas, making the trip to that State by wagon, and being six weeks on the journey. The late war soon coming on, our subjeet being a Union man, was obliged to leave Texas and seek a place of safety in the Indian Ter- ritory, which he with several others reached by fol- lowing a hog-path through the woods. While on this journey the rebels captured nine of the party, and the others made their way into Kansas. There our subjeet enlisted in Co. C, 2d Kan. Vol. Cav., and with his comrades engaged in many of the principal battles of the war in that seetion. During the engagement at Sabine River, a sabre stroke right in front of his left ear eut a part of it, but further than this he received no serious injury and was never taken prisoner. After his retirement from the army lie went to Ft. Riley, and engaged in bailing hay for the Government, at $60 a month and board. In the fall of 1865 he returned to Illi- nois and engaged in farm work until 1881. He had been economieal and saved what he could of his earnings, and was able to purchase fifty aeres of good farming land, situated three-quarters of a mile west of Danvers; the I., B. & W. R. R. runs through the center of the farm.

Mr. Jones was married, Oet. 24, 1878, to Miss Fannie O., the daughter of Henry C. and Permelia (MeClure) MeClure, who were natives of Indiana .. Mr. MeClure was born May 9, 1828, and his wife, Permelia, April 18 of the same year. The record of their six children is as follows: Robert A. married Miss Anna Mclaughlin; Louisa A. died when a child; Horace A. was united in marriage with Miss Ella Martin; Herman W. married Miss

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May Vanee; Fannie, now Mrs. Jones, was the next child, and George L. was the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. MeClure are still living, and now residing in Gibson City, Ford Co., Ill., where Mr. MeClure and his sons are engaged in the banking business, also in grain buying and dealing in lumber. They came to Illinois at an early day. They are members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. McC. has held the office of Deacon for many years. Politieally he is a straight Republican.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had three children : Freddie died when nine months old, and one died unnamed. The one living is Marshall, who was born July 16, 1884. Mr. J. belongs to the Con- gregational Church, and his wife is connected with the Presbyterian. Our subject was elected to the office of Township Collector in 1882, and again in 1884. He has been School Director for the last three years. He is a member in good standing of the A. F. & A. M., in which he has held the office of Junior Deaeon in Lodge No. 746, Danvers Township, and in polities is a staneh Republican.

OSEPII KEENAN, banker, and Mayor of Le Roy, is one of the enterprising and self- made men of MeLean County, who have contributed so materially to its present pros- perity and importance. Mr. Keenan was born in Marion Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, March 10, 1828. His father, Peter Keenan, first opened his eyes to the light a few miles from Lexington, Ky., and his grandfather, Patrick Keenan, was' a native of Dublin, Ireland, where he was reared to manhood, and soon afterward emigrated to Amer- iea. Ile located in Kentucky in the early scttle- ment of that State, and was married to a lady of American birth and English aneestry. He engaged in farming pursuits, and after several years spent in the Blue Grass regions, removed to Warren County, Ohio, and purehased a farm near Lebanon; where he spent the remainder of his life.

Peter Keenan, the father of our subject, was a youth of fifteen years when his parents removed from Kentucky to Ohio. He grew to manhood in the latter State, and was married in Clinton County

to Miss Nancy Mitehell, who was born in Kentucky, but was of Scotch and English ancestry. He ear- ried on farming in Warren and Clinton Counties, in the latter of which he owned a farn. After the death of his wife he made his home with his chil- dren, coming West in later years, where his death occurred at the home of his son John, in Monti- cello, Ill., in about 1873. The parental household was completed by the birth of ten children, of whom the record is as follows: Elizabeth A. mar- ried William Hudson, and died in Clinton County, Ohio, when twenty-seven years of age; Mary J. hecame the wife of C. Y. Hannen, and died in Clin- ton County in September, 1885; Emeline was first married to John Thonhill, who died in 1845; her second husband was Cyrus Steans, who is also de- eeased, and Mrs. Steans lives in Clinton County, Ohio; John lives in Santa Barbara, Cal .; Joseph, our subjeet, was the fifth ehild; Melissa married John Tribby, and died in Polk County, Iowa; Samuel lives in East Portland, Ore .; William died in Decatur, Ill., in 1882; Henry served in an Ohio regiment during the late war, and died in the serv- ice while in Virginia; Nancy married George Han- nen, and lives in Iowa.

The youth and childhood of Joseph Keenan were passed in a manner common to farmers' boys. His opportunities for an education were limited, but he made the most of them, and tramped two or three miles in the winter season to the temple of learn- ing, which was an humble log cabin built upon one of the lonely roads of Clinton County, Ohio. His education could only be carried on during the win- ter season, while his summers were employed in sueh duties as he could perform around the home- stead. He assisted his father in clearing the heavy timber from the farm which they opened up in the wilderness and in cultivating the soil. When eight- een years old he started out in business for him- self, buying produce and shipping to Cineinnati. He was employed at this for about six months, and then went to work in a cooper's shop. He was in- dustrious and economieal, and saved his money, and in due time found himself with sufficient means to purehase a partly improved farm. Upon it was a log house, of which he took possession with his wife, and they lived there until he was enabled to

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put up a more pretentious dwelling, this latter be- ing two stories in height and of hewed logs. IIe continued his improvements upon this land and oc- cupied it until 1854, when he sold out and started for Illinois, via the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Riv- ers to Alton, and from there to Sangamon County, where he stopped a few weeks with his wife's brother, and in the meantime visited MeLean County and prospected for a location.

After coming to this county Mr. Keenan rented land, the first season near Le Roy, and then pur- chased 178 acres three miles southeast, paying therefor the sum of $22 per 'acre. He added to his landed interests by subsequent purchases, but in 1864 sold the original tract, and the following spring removed to Le Roy. About that time he purchased 160 acres of timber land of the late Judge David Davis, which he divided into small lots and sold nearly all of them before the close of the year. In 1866, in company with T. J. Barnett, he engaged in the dry-goods trade until August of the following year, when he disposed of his inter- ests in the business, and renting a store building in December, 1867, opened up in the same business alone, continuing until 1882, when he sold out.

In 1872 Mr. Keenan opened a private bank which was familiarly known as J. Keenan's Bank, and which he managed in connection with his store for several years. Of this, his son, Arthur J., has been the manager since 1880. He is part owner with S. F. Barnum, of the Empire Flouring-Mills, and is also interested with the same gentleman in the coal and lumber trade, and in general farming and stock- raising. In 1879 he erected a brick block in which is conducted the only first-class hotel in the town, which is known as the Keenan Ilouse, and in addi- tion to this also owns the block where he first opened up in business in Le Roy.

Mr. Keenan was married in October, 1848, to Miss Hannah Sidles, who was born in Clinton County, Ohio, and is the daughter of Israel and Nancy Sidles. Of this union there have been born four children: Walter M. took a course of study at the State Normal University, and also at the Michigan University in Ann Arbor, graduating from the latter in 1874, and is now engaged in a dry-goods commission house in Chicago; Clara B.

married L. A. Reynolds, and lives in Le Roy; Ar- thur Jay attended the State University at Chan- paign, Ill., and has managed the banking business of his father since 1880; Luther C. is a brick man- ufacturer, and lives in Northwestern Nebraska. The family residence is a model of taste and con- venience, and its inmates are surrounded by all the comforts of life and many of its luxuries. Mr. Keenan identified himself with the Republican party at its organization, and still casts his vote in support of its principles. IIe has filled various positions of trust, and is one of the most honored and respected citizens of this county. Ilis farming operations include the breeding of Norman horses, of which he has thirty-eight in number, four of them being imported animals which were secured at great expense, and the others are high grade. IIe is also interested in Short-horn cattle, and has a herd of nearly 150 hogs of the Poland-China breed. His landed estate now embraces 900 acres lying in West and Empire Townships, cach farm being supplied with good buildings and managed by reliable inen.

Mr. Keenan is one of those public-spirited and enterprising citizens which are the life of a com- munity, and without which it is impossible to build up a country or a locality. He has contributed his full share toward the agricultural and industrial in- terests of this section, and receives his reward in the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens.

RS. ELIZA M. FRENCHI was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1849, and is now a resident of Bloomington, Ill., making her home with her daughter, Mrs. T. J. Read, at No. 816 East North street. Eli H. French was a native of Belmont County, Ohio, and the son of William and Mary (Bundy) French. Ilis early years were spent upon a farm in Ohio, and he came to Illinois when a young man, where he purchased . a farm in Randolph Township, this county. He was married to Miss Eliza Mason of MeLean County. In 1854 he removed with his family to Story County, Iowa, where he purchased a farm of 360 acres. Mrs. French subsequently returned to Bloomington, where she has since lived.

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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 42

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