Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 43

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 43

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McLEAN COUNTY.

The subject of this biography was the daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth (Frier) Mason, natives of Ohio. They came to Illinois in 1830, and settled in MeLean County, where the mother died in Downs Township in 1851; the father is still living, having arrived at the advanced age of eighty-five years. The parental family consisted of eleven children, of whom Mrs. French was fifth in order of birth, and of these only six are living. Mrs. , French some years ago connected herself with the United Brethren, and still remains a member of that church.

Mary E., the daughter of Mrs. French, was mar- ried to Mr. T. J. Read in 1870, and they have four children-Arthur C., Carrie M., Ida B. and Julia W. Mr. Read was born in Philadelphia in 1848, being the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Behring) Read, natives respectively of Maryland and Penn- sylvania. They came to Bloomington in 1856, and Mr. R. has been a resident of the city since that time. Ile is connected with the Pantagraph as collector and eireulator, is a good business man and a worthy citizen. Ile built his tasteful and convenient residence in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. R. are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is Republican in polities and a thorough news- paper man, having been associated with some of the city journals for the last thirty years.

G EORGE F. HAY, a resident of Danvers Township, where he is engaged in farming pursuits on section 24, is a native of Todd County, Ky., and was born Sept. 18, 1814. His parents were Peter and Elizabeth (Finley) Hay, natives respectively of Massachusetts and Virginia. Peter Hay was born in 1770, and died on the 24th of August, 1824, at the age of fifty-four years, in Christian County, Ky. He was by trade a tinsmith, but the latter years of his life were spent in farm- ing pursuits. Religiously he was connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. The wife fol- lowed her husband to the better land on the 1st of September, 1824. She was eonneeted with the Old- School Presbyterian Church. The parental house- hold consisted of eight children-Jane, John, Su-

san, Mary, Mareia, Rachel, Catharine B., and George F., our subject.

The early life of George F. Hay was spent on the farm and in attendance at the common schools. When twenty years of age he came to Illinois with Mr. Benjamin Major, settling near Eureka, and as- sisted Mr. Major in driving cattle from Kentucky to Walnut Grove. In February, 1836, he was ap- pointed to the office of Deputy Surveyor of Me- Lean County, which position he held for four years. Subsequently he engaged in farming pursuits, and at all times employed his leisure moments in the perusal of good and instructive books. In this manner he obtained a fund of useful information which served him well in lieu of a college educa- tion, and enabled him to engage successfully as a school teacher, which calling he followed for sev- eral winters. The first purchase of land by Mr. Hay consisted of thirty-seven aeres of timber, and his next of eighty acres, which he obtained from the Government. He is now the owner of 217 aeres, and has a good set of farm buildings, being occupied in mixed husbandry. In 1856, thinking a change would be desirable, Mr. Hay removed to Woodford County and resided four years, during whiel time he became Assessor of the county, but finally returned to the old home in MeLean, where he has been content to stay since that time.

The marriage of our subjeet took place Marel 17, 1836, when. he was united with Miss Elizabeth E. McCullough, the sister of Col. William MeCul- lough, of Bloomington, who was killed at the bat- tle of Coffeeville, Miss. Mrs. Hay was born in Fleming County, Ky., in 1821, and came to Dry Grove Township, this county, with her parents five years later, in 1826. Her father was the first man who ereeted a house in said township. Of this township Mr. Hay has also been Assessor at two different times, and served as School Trustee for fourteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Hay are the parents of one child-Elizabeth L., who was born Dee. 27, 1836, and married J. W. Owen, of Chicago, in September, 1853. Mr. O. is doing commission business at the Union Stock Yards. They have had five children, one of whom is deceased.

Mr. Hay became a member of the Christian Church at, Noah Springs, Tenn., in 1832. Mrs. Hay

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McLEAN COUNTY.

became a member of the Christian Church in Dan- vers, Ill .. and they have since been connected with that denomination, Mr. H. having held the offices of Deacon, Elder and Clerk. Politically he is a stanch Democrat. The parents of Mrs. Hay were Peter and Levina (Crooks) Mccullough, natives respectively of Maryland and Kentucky, who lo- cated in the former State after their marriage, and removed to Kentucky when Mrs. H. was but a small ehild. They came to Illinois in 1826, where the father died in January, 1858 or 1859, at the age of seventy-seven years. The mother of Mrs. Hay died in 1846, aged fifty years. Of their fam- ily of nine children two only are living: Mary M., now Mrs. Perry, of Allin Township, and Mrs. Hay of our sketch. Peter MeCullough was a Universal- ist in religious belief, but the mother of Mrs. Hay ' was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Hay relates an incident of his early life which is of considerable interest. While roaming around the country with a young companion and schoolmate they came to the mouth of a cave which had never been explored, but with true juvenile bravado they entered and procecded some distance, coming out about a quarter of a mile from where they went in. Much eredit was given the young heroes for their spirit of adventure.

B ENJAMIN F. PARKS, deceased, was for- merly a merchant of Le Roy, and one of its prominent and reliable business men. He was born near Bloomington, Ind., Feb. 21, 1827, his ancestors being among the early settlers of that State. Mr. Parks grew to manhood in his native eounty, and in company with his brother, L. II. Parks, engaged in the manufacture of tobacco until 1853. Both brothers then came to Illinois, and locating in Le Roy, this county, established a dry-goods business, which they condueted until after the war. Then our subjeet purchased the in- terest of his brother in the business and operated it alone until his death, which occurred Jan. 7, 1871.

The marriage of Mr. Parks with Miss Martha J. Brown oceurred on the 1st of September, 1858.

Mrs. Parks was born in Knox County, Ohio, March 12, 1840. Her father, Aaron Brown, was a native of Pennsylvania, where he pursued the occupation of a farmer for some years, finally removing to Knox County, Ohio, where he died in 1846. In 1852 his widow removed with her children to this county, and settled near Le Roy. Mrs. Brown be- fore her marriage was Miss Isabella Polloek, and she was born in Ohio. She made her home with Mrs. Parks until the last years of her life, her death oeeurring about 1876, aged eighty-four. Mrs. Parks has three sons living : Theophilus and Charles live in Le Roy, the former engaged in the grocery trade; Fred is at home with his mother. Mrs. P. is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Parks in politics belonged to the Democratic party, and socially was a member of Le Roy Lodge No. 149, I. O. O. F.

HARLES E. BAKER, President of the Ever- green City Business College, of Blooming- ton, is a graduate of Evansville Commercial College, and has been mainly instrumental in bring- ing it to its present prosperous condition. He is a gentleman of fine education and good business ea- pacity, having the rare faculty of adapting his at- tainments to practical uses.

Mr. Baker is a native of Indiana, and was born in Knox County, July 13, 1852. . His father, 'Na- than Baker, a farmer by occupation, still resides in Knox County, Ind. His mother, who was formerly Miss Lueretia Wyant, was a native of Illinois, and died in 1855, at the home of her husband in Knox County, Ind. Of their three children only one is living, the subject of this sketeh, who was the youngest of the family.

The boyhood of Charles E. Baker was mostly spent upon his father's farm, his primary education being carried on in the schools of his native county. After graduating from Evansville College he be- came book-keeper for the firm of French & Co., with whom he remained two years, and was then tendered the position of Assistant Principal of Crescent City Commercial College at Evansville,

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which position he occupied eighteen months. He eame to Bloomington in the summer of 1874, and was soon afterward eleeted to his present position. The school, which ` was then in its infaney, under his efficient management has beeome one of the im- portant institutions of MeLean County, and sinee its establishment has enrolled over 2,000 students, 100 of whom are now prominent and useful eitizens of Bloomington, oeeupying various positions among its business and industrial interests.

The marriage of President Baker and Miss Lyda Beek was celebrated in 1872. Mrs. B. is a native of the Prairie State, and by her union with our subjeet has beeome the mother of four children, two sons and two . daughters-Cora, Clarence, Maude and Walter. Mr. Baker is Seeretary and a prominent member of the Independent Church of Bloomington, assisting greatly in its Sunday-sehool work, and contributing of his time and means to- ward its maintenance and prosperity. He is also identified with the Knights of Honor as their See- retary, and is an active and efficient brother.

D R. LEE ALLIN, a prominent and popular member of the dental profession of Me- Lean County, is located in Bloomington, where, during a period of thirty-three years he has built up an extensive and luerative praetiee. Dr. Allin is a native of the Prairie State, having been born in Vandalia, Fayette County, Nov. 27, 1828. He is the son of Hon. James and Catharine (Livingston) Allin, natives respectively of North Carolina and Boone County, Ky. James Allin, while a small boy, removed from his native State with his parents to Indiana, and they settled on a farm near a small village ealled Rising Sun, in Ohio County.

Here the father of our subjeet passed his boy- hood and youth, assisting his parents around the homestead and receiving a fair education in the common sehools. He remained at home until twenty-one years old, and then, anxious to see something more of the world, engaged on a flat- boat, which floated grain and produce down tlie Mississippi River to New Orleans. After arriving

there he would sell his flatboat, and purchasing a pony ride baek through the Indian Territory. He followed this for several years, and then engaged in mereantile pursuits at Rising Sun. After a few years he went to Edwardsville, Madison Co., Ill., for a short time, and then pureliased a farm near Vandalia, whieli, after a short time, he sold and moved into town, where he perfeeted his arrange- ments for laying out a town in Sangamon County, that State. He started from Vandalia in the sum- mer of 1828, to prospeet for his.pet idea, and go- ing north reached the farm where the city of Bloom- ington now stands. He said to himself, "This is the place," and purchased 160 aeres of land from a man named William Evans. He returned to Van- dalia to spend the winter, and in the spring re- moved with his wife and four children to his farm.

-Before starting Mr. Allin purchased a stock of goods in St. Louis, which lie conveyed overland to the place, and also liad a building in readiness to receive his goods and family. This was built of hewed logs, but it abundantly answered the pur- pose in those days. Thus was inaugurated the first store on the present site of Bloomington, and James Allin was the first inerchant in the present limits of MeLean County. After becoming com- fortably settled he proceeded to put his idea into execution, and laid out the original town plat be- tween Front and North, and East and West streets, an area ineluding twenty-two and a half aeres of land. This he proffered to the county, if its offi- eials would locate the county seat here, which proposition they accepted. To this he added what was called the "first addition to the town plat," and afterward made several other additions. He was a man of great liberality, and gave a great many lots to people who were too poor to buy, upon the condition that they would locate and remain there.

James Allin, Sr., was the first Postmaster of Bloomington, and the first Cireuit Court was held in his hewed log cabin. After he located here his household was inereased by the birth of a daugliter, Catharine A., making in all a family of five children: William died in July, 1857, at the age of forty-two years; he was through life, until his retirement in 1855, one of the most pros- perous merchants of Bloomington, commeneing

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business with his father in 1836. James, also a merchant for many years, was appointed Postmas- ter under President Lincoln, and after his term of serviee had expired removed to Kansas in 1882, where he now resides; John, who was engaged in farming in MeLean Township, departed this life in 1865; Lee is the subject of this sketch; Catharme A. beeame the wife of Dr. Z. L. Hoover, who died in 1886; he was formerly a prominent physician of Bloomington.

Hon. James Allin, Sr., died in 1869, at the age of eighty-one years. He was a man of great force of character, and became prominently identified with the politiea' and other important matters of this section. Ile was elected State Senator abont the year 1837, and in whatever position he was ealled to fill acquitted himself faithfully and ered- itably. He was a hearty supporter of the church, and materially assisted in the establishment of Wes- leyan University and other institutions of learning. With his wife he belonged to the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and was its liberal and cheerful sup- porter until the elose of his life. In early manhood he was united in marriage with Miss Catharine, the daughter of Judge John Livingston, of Rising Sun. This lady died at Bloomington in 1872, when sev- enty years of age.

Dr. Lee Allin of our sketeh ranks among the pio- neer settlers of MeLean County, being seven months old when his parents removed to this vieinity, in 1829. Ilis boyhood days were spent alternately in the subseription school and his father's store, in which he was given an interest when twenty years of age, which he retained for four years, and then aban- (oned to eommenee the study of dentistry. In 1852 he was married to Miss Julia MeFarland, who was born in Jacksonville, Ill., in 1834, and was the daughter of James and Mary (Noble) McFarland. who removed from Philadelphia to Illinois in about 1840. The parental family consisted of five ehil- dren, of whom Mrs. Allin was the youngest born. Mrs. MeFarland died in 1875; the father of Mrs. Allin is still living in Peoria, having arrived at the advanced age of ninety years.

The Doctor and Mrs. Allin beeame the parents of three children, only two of whom are living: Lee D. married Miss Josephine Garvey, and they

have two children-Winfield S. and a babe un- named; this son is a eonduetor on the C., B. & Q. R. R. Clayborn is at home. Their pleasant and comfortable residence is located at the intersection of East and Front streets, where the Doetor also has his office. During his long residenee here he has fully established himself in the confidenee and es- teem of his fellow-citizens, and ranks among the most valued members of the community. He has witnessed great changes sinee his boyhood, and has contributed his full share as a good citizen toward the development and prosperity of MeLean County. He is independent in polities, and served as Deputy Clerk of the county in 1848-49. Both the Doetor and his wife are connected with the Methodist Epis- copal Churel.

RS. M. A. CAMPBELL, the widow of James Campbell, owns and occupies a snug homestead, consisting of eighty aeres of land and a good farm dwelling on seetion 35, White Oak Township. She is a native of Mor- gan County, Ohio, and was born in 1840, being the daughter of Jolin and Mary (Fry) Ray. Her father was born in Virginia, Dee. 30, 1803, and the inother near Wellsburg in the same State in 1,813. They were married there in 1836, whenee they re- moved shortly afterward to Ohio, and Mr. Ray pur- chased 160 aeres of land in Morgan County. There he established a comfortable home, upon which he remained until his death, which occurred April 10, 1861. Mrs. Ray is still living on the old homestead. They became the parents of the fol- lowing children: Rachel J., now Mrs. Thomas Ilempfield; M. A. of our sketch; George V., who married Miss Elizabeth Wilson; Thomas, who married Miss Eliza Ray ; Samuel, who married Miss Elizabeth Gordan, and Sarah E., unmarried and living with her mother. The parents belonged to the Presbyterian Church, and politically Mr. Ray was a staneh Demoerat.

The subject of this history was married Oet. 5, 1865, in MeConnellsville, to James T. Campbell. Mr. C. was a native of Pennsylvania, and born in 1838. After their marriage they came westward,

Harrison, C. both

This & Rugway -

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MCLEAN COUNTY. .

and located on eighty acres of land in this eounty, which Mr. C. improved and cultivated. His death occurred Dec. 4, 1878. During the late war Mr. Campbell enlisted as a Union soldier, becoming a member of Co. C, 122d Regiment, Ohio Volunteers. lle served three years, and participated in the bat- tles at Warrensburg, Port Royal, Kelley's Ford, Brandy Station, Locust Grove, and other engage- inents and skirmishes. He was also at the battle of Winehester and the siege of Vicksburg, and per- formed his duties bravely and faithfully, eseaping without a wound or being captured. As a citizen Mr. Campbell was highly valued in his community, and when among his family and friends displayed those genial and lovable traits which endeared him to all. He was a regular attendant of the Presby- terian Church, although he never connected himself with any religious organization.

Mrs. Campbell lived with her parents during her childhood and youtli, and until she was married, and received a fair education in the common sehools. Sinee the death of her husband she has carried on the farm with good judgment and in a business-like manner. She is a very intelligent and pleasing lady, and highly respected by all who know her.

HOMAS S. RIDGWAY, a prosperous and influential farmer of Funk's Grove Town- ship, whose portrait is shown in connection with this sketeh, is one of the most intelligent citizens of this locality, who has learned much from a large experience in life, and keeps himself well posted upon all matters of general interest. He is an extensive reader, and has made the most of his time and opportunities all through life.

Mr. Ridgway is a native of Venango County, Pa., and was born in Franklin on the 11th of March, 1819. His father, Jolin Ridgway, was a native of Virginia, and his grandfather, Joseph Ridgway, of England, and deseended from excel- lent English aneestry. The latter came with his parents to America in about 1794, locating first in Pennsylvania, whence they removed later to the Old Dominion. Joseph Ridgway was a millwright by trade, and possessed in a marked degree thie

skill and thoroughness in his work and system in his business transactions, for which his ancestry were noted. Ilis son John, the father of our sub- ject, also learned the trade of a millwright, but after following it a number of years purehased a traet of land in Venaugo County, and spent his later years in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. Early in life he was married to Miss Susan Titus, who was a native of Crawford County, Pa., and the daughter of Peter Titus, who was born in Germany and emigrated to America previous to the Revolu- tionary War. He became a soldier in that struggle, and was with Gen. Washington at Valley Forge. After the independence of the colonies was estab- lished he engaged in farming pursuits, and spent his last days in Crawford County, Pa., where he died at the advanced age of one hundred years.

Thomas S. Ridgway was reared in his native town under the home roof and attended the sub- seription sehools as opportunity offered. When twenty-two years of age he entered Venango Academy in Franklin, and fitted himself for a teacher. He followed this profession three years, and in the meanwhile oeeupied his leisure time in the study of law, making such proficieney that he was admitted to the bar at Franklin in 1842. He soon afterward opened an office in Franklin, but the confinement within doors undermined his health, and he was obliged to abandon his pro- fession. In 1849 he went to New Orleans and was employed as clerk in a lumber-yard there until he engaged in the same business for himself, and was thus occupied for eight years following. In 1857 he went to Nashville, Tenn., and opened a whole- sale store of general merchandise, which he opcr- ated for one and one-half years. He then eon- dueted thic same business in St. Louis for the same length of time, and afterward engaged in the wholesale grocery and liquor trade in Memphis, Tenn., until 1864, whence he came to MeLean County in June of the same year. He then pur- ehased the farm which he now owns and oeeupies, and upon which he has followed agricultural pur- suits and stock-raising. -

The marriage of Thomas S. Ridgway and Miss Franees Shelley was celebrated in New Orleans on the 6th of July, 1853. Mrs. R. is a native of

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McLEAN COUNTY.

Franee, and the daughter of Joseph Shelley, who eame to the United States with his family when the wife of our subjeet was a child six years of age. They located in Riehland County, Ohio, where Mrs. R. was reared and received her education. Of this union there has been no issue. They have an adopted daughter, Josephine, now the wife of A. D. Lawrence, of Le Roy.

The farm estate of our subjeet ineludes 405 aeres of valuable land, in a fine state of eultivation, well drained with tile. It is stoeked with fine grades of the domestie animals, and supplied with all the applianees necessary for the carrying on of agriculture after the most improved methods. The family residenee is a handsome and substantial structure, and the barns and out-buildings are in all respeets fully adapted to the storing of grain and the shelter of stock. Everything within the house and about the premises indieates the exereise of cultivated tastes and ample means, and the homestead presents one of the most attractive features in the landscape of MeLean County.

In polities Mr. Ridgway easts his vote in sup- port of the principles of the Democratie party, and in his religious views is liberal. He has been prom- inently identified with the business and agrieult- ural interests of this seetion sinee his arrival here, and has aided materially in its prosperity and advancement.

ARRISON C. LOTT, Superintendent and Manager of the County Poor Farm of Me- Lean County, was placed in charge of this institution on the 1st of March, 1882, and has oeeupied it sinee that time with eredit to him- self and satisfaction to all eoneerned. The farm is located on seetion 33, Bloomington Township, and within the last four years has had an inerease of inmates at the rate of about eight persons per annum. The farm consists of 220 aeres, and is beautifully loeated. The main building is of briek, with slate roof, and furnished with all the eonve- nienees necessary for the eare and comfort of a large household. The barns and out-buildings are in keeping with the asylum, and do eredit to the

benevolenee of the people of MeLean County.

The subject of our sketeli was born in Jefferson County, Ind., Aug. 18, 1848. His father, Abner Lott, was a native of Kentucky, and when a young man went to Jefferson County, Ind., where he mar- ried Miss Mary Orrill, who was born in Virginia, of German deseent. The parents sueeeeded in opening up a good farm in Jefferson County, where they are now living a comfortable and happy old age among the friends and associates of many long years, and loved and respeeted by all who know them. Abner Lott is now sixty-eight years of age, and his wife, Mrs. Mary Lott, sixty-three.

. Harrison C. Lott was the fourth ehild of a fam- ily of five sons and seven daughters. He was reared at home, applied himself contentedly to farm life, and attended the distriet sehools of his native county. At the age of fifteen years he en- listed in the 146th Indiana Infantry, and served seven months, the war then elosing, whiel termin- ated his soldier life. During the short time he was in the service they were compelled to mareh forty-eight hours without food. At the age of nineteen, he started out to battle for himself, and came to MeLean County, Ill., where he engaged in agricultural pursuits.

On the 29th of January, 1873, Mr. Lott was married to Miss Mary J. Waddington, a native of Williamson County, Ill., who was born May 12, 1848, and was the daughter of George and Eliza- beth (Kershaw) Waddington. Her parents were natives of England, and eame to the United States before their marriage, settling in Williams County, where they were married, and afterward removed to MeLean, loeating in Downs Township, where they established a permanent home and passed the remainder of their days. Mrs. Lott remained with her parents until her marriage, and by her union with our subjeet became the mother of six ehildren, the two eldest of whom, Ida M. and one unnamed, died in infaney. The living are George A., Will- iam H., Jessie E. and Elsie B.

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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 43

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