Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 44

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 44

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. and Mrs. Lott have lived in MeLean County sinee their marriage, and in his business and farm- ing operations our subjeet has been uniformly sue- eessful. His management of the Poor Farm has been wise and judieious, and he has proved him-

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self fully equal to the duties of a difficult position. He has held various minor offices in his township, and in politics is a solid Republican. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lott are members in good standing of the Christian Church. Mr. Lott is a member of the G. A. R., Post 146, of Bloomington, Ill.

It is with pleasure that the publishers of this work present the portrait of Mr. Lott, as being that of an honored and worthy representative of Bloomington Township.

R. JOHN SCOTT, of Bloomington, is a registered veterinary surgeon, and re- ceived the gold medal of a class of eighty- five students, who graduated from Ontario Veterinary College, at Toronto, Canada, in 1886. He is also a member of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Society, and the Illinois Veterinary Medi- cal Association. His office in Bloomington is at No. 408 West Front street, where he is prosecuting the practice of his profession intelligently and suc- cessfully.

The subject of our sketch is a native of Western Canada, and was born Feb. 16, 1862. His parents were William and Margaret (Smith) Scott, the former a Canadian of Irish descent, and the mother, of excellent Scottish ancestry, was born in the land of the thistle and came to Canada with her parents when cight years of age. She was married to the father of our subject in 1858, and they located upon a farm. Since that time William Scott has been industriously engaged in farming and stock- raising, and now has a finc estate of 200 acres near Orangeville, Canada. The parental household con- sisted of four children, of whom Isaac is a student at the Ontario Veterinary College; John, our sub- ject, was the second son; Jeanette and Thomas are in Canada. William Scott is one of the prominent men of Western Canada, and has been intimately identified with the growth and progress of that por- tion of the Dominion. He belongs to the Reform party, and with his wife is a member of the Pres- byterian Church.

'Dr. John Scott remained at home witlı his par- ents until he was twenty-one years of age, assist-

ing in the labors on the farm, and pursuing his studies in the High School where he received a fine education. He attended the Ontario College for a period of two years, giving his principal atten- tion to the details of the branches which he is now , pursuing, and in the meantime engaged in practice under the instruction of Dr. O'Neill, one of the leading veterinary surgeons of Canada. Our sub- ject came to Bloomington on the 22d of April, 1886, and even in this comparatively short time has built up a fine practice with rare prospects for the future. He is a young man, ambitious to excel in his profession, and if he continues in the manner in which he has begun, will become one of the leading men in his profession in this State. He is independent in politics, and keeps himself well posted upon all matters of general interest.

AMES H. ROBINSON, deceased, was one of the most active and prominent business men of Bloomington. and greatly respected for his excellent moral character and genial social qualities. He was a native of the Empire State, born in Washington County. March 11, 1808. He removed from Saratoga Springs to Bloomington in the fall of 1836, and from that time was intimately identified with the business in- terests of this section.

The father of our subject was Benjamin Robin- son, a native of New England, and the mother was formerly Miss Ruhanna Wood, who was born in Westport, Mass., Dec. 9, 1778. James H. Robin- son was the fifth of a family of eleven children, and entered upon his business career in Blooming- ington, Ill., as a clerk with James Allen in general merchandise. He afterward became the partner of his employer, and they continued business until 1840, when the business was sold out. Four years + later Mr. Robinson went into business on his own account, which he operated very successfully until 1852. His next venture was in the lumber trade, ·which he conducted successfully for about six years. In 1860 he became President of the Bloomington Bank, in which he was one of the principal stock- holders, and which position he occupied until his

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death, which occurred in December, 1874. This is now known as the First National Bank, and un- der his wise management were laid the foundations which have been the secret of its success.

Mr. Robinson was married in 1842, to Miss L. M. Drake, who was born in 1821, and is the daugh- ter of Rev. B. B. Drake, a minister of the Presby- terian Church. Of their children the following survive: Charles W. is Cashier of the First Nat- tional Bank of Bloomington; John D. is a florist ; James and Benjamin are pursuing their studies at Harvard College.

The fine briek residence on East Clay street, which constitutes the present homestead of the family, was erceted in 1869. It is built after. the modern style of architecture, and is surrounded by beautiful and extensive grounds, embellished with native forest trees and choice shrubbery. All its appointments both within and without are indie- ative of refined tastes and ample means, and the family is held in the highest respeet throughout the county, where they are widely known.

OHN D. ROBINSON, florist, at Bloomington, is the second son of James H. and Latreeia (Drake) Robinson, the date of his birth be- ing Aug. 16, 1852. He was educated in the publie schools of his native eity, and in early years indicated by his tastes in floriculture, the business to which he was best adapted in life. With this end in view he spent two years in the Bloomington Nursery, which was then known as the Phoenix. During that time he acquired a thorough knowledge of plants and trees and the care and treatment re- quired in their successful propagation and growth. After graduating from this department he spent one year with William C. Wilson, a noted nursery-man of New York, and completed the experience re- quired in the successful operation of the business of a florist.

Returning to Bloomington, in 1871, Mr. Robin- son established the grounds and greenhouse which have now become familiarly known as the largest and inost thoroughly equipped of anything of the kind in the city. In the construction of his green-

house there were employed 16,800 feet of glass, which furnishes ample room for the multitude of plants and flowers which he keeps constantly on hand. The establishment is warmed by a complete system of hot water pipes attached to three boilers, in which the water is kept at an even temperature.

Mr. Robinson has built up a fine trade, and be- sides the bulbs and roots which he furnishes by the thousand, he also deals extensively in eut flowers, large numbers of which he furnishes for funerals, weddings, and other important events. He also ships large orders of these to Kansas City, Peoria, and intermediate points, besides having a good home trade. Mr. Robinson is unmarried, and makes his home with his widowed mother in the family residenee at the intersection of Clay and East streets.

BEL GALE SMITH, editor of the Le Roy Free Press, is a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., and was born Oet. 13, 1832. His father, Jacob Denton Sınith, was a na- tive of the same State, where he followed farming pursuits until 1833, when he removed with his family to Ohio and located on a farm in Erie County. His decease occurred at Sandusky City in 1849. His wife, the mother of our subjeet, was formerly Elizabeth Conger, also a native of Penn- sylvania. She was married to Jacob D. Smith in Pennsylvania, and removed with him to Ohio and died at Shelby, Richland County, on the 30th of April, 1877. They were the parents of six ehil- dren, of whom the record is as follows: Cordelia married Harrison Mickey, of Shelby, in 1846; Mrs. Robert A. Smith lives in Chicago; Abel G. was the third child and eldest son; Miss Docia B. Smith lives in Chicago; Emma, Mrs. Silas Abbott, lives in Kentucky; Robert is engaged in printing in Chicago.

The subject of this history was one year old when his parents removed from his native State to Ohio. He remained with them until he was seven- teen and then adopted the printer's trade. In 1855 he purchased the Free Press at Milan, which he con- dueted for six years, and then, removing to Wat- seka, Ill., became owner of the Iroquois Republican,

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which he eondueted for five years. He then re- mnoved to Danville and entered upon the publiea- tion of the Danville daily and weckly Times, con- tinning there until 1881. Thence he came to Le Roy.

The Le Roy Free Press was founded by A. G. Smith, Sept. 29, 1882. It is a neatly gotten up six-column folio paper, Republiean in polities and has a fair eirenlation. Mr. Smith is an old and ex- perienced newspaper man and has established a good many papers in his time, all of which have done good service in the journalistic field. The Free Press is well edited and a very readable pa- per, and devoted particularly to the building up of the thriving town of Le Roy.

The marriage of Abel Gale Smith and Miss Charlotte B. Paige was celebrated on the 15th of September, 1875. at Alexander, Genesee Co., N. Y. Mrs. Smith is a native of Owego, Tioga Co., N. Y., and became a resident of Illinois in 1872. Of this union there have been born two sons-Paul and Gale. By a former marriage Mr. Smith has one son-Dudley, of Chicago.

ALMADGE ROSS, deceased, was a native of Piekaway County, Ohio, and born Feb. 11, 1820. He departed this life near Le Roy, July 23, 1882. having made for himself a good reeord as a worthy eitizen, a kind husband and father, and one whose name is held in kindly remem- branee for his sterling worth in all the relations of life. . The father of our subjeet, Moses L. Ross, was one of the early pioneers of Piekaway County, Ohio, where he purchased a tract of timber land, opened up a farm in the wilderness, and established a com- fortable home where he spent the remainder of his days. In early manhood he was nited in marriage with Miss Mary Frazee, who survived her husband a number of years and died in MeLean County, while on a visit to her son in 1882.

Tahnadge Ross was reared on his father's farm in Ohio and remained under the parental roof until his marriage. He then purchased 160 aeres of land in Pickaway County, upon which was a hewed log house and a barn, and about two-thirds of the land

was under cultivation. He had been rearcd to habits of industry and economy, and proceeded with the improvements of his new purchase with the hope and courage of youth, meeting with success. In a little more than two years he obtained a clear title to his purchase and thus, while a young man, had a good start in life. In 1855 he sold out and' came to Illinois, aeeompanicd by his wife and two children. They located in Champaign County, where Mr. Ross rented a hotel which he conducted for one year and then, coming to McLean County, purchased 225 acres of land in Empire Township. As time passed on he added to his landed area and beeame the possessor of 480 acres, all enclosed and improved, and supplied with a fine set of frame buildings. In addition to general farming he gave considerable attention to stock-raising and beeame one of the most prominent and successful farmers of this section. His death oceurred upon the home- stead, which he had improved and beautified, and where he had surrounded his family with all the eomforts and many of the luxurics of life.

The marriage of Talmadge Ross and Miss Mar- garet E. Thomas was celebrated in Pickaway County, Ohio, Dee. 25, 1850. Mrs. Ross was born in said county Jan. 10, 1830, being the daugh- ter of Edward and Fannie (Lair) Thomas, natives respectively of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Her grandfather, Nicholas Thomas, was a native of Maryland, and emigrated to Pickaway County, Ohio, at an early day. He settled upon a timber traet from which he eleared a farm and where he spent his last years. His son Edward, the father of Mrs. Ross, was reared to farming pursuits and spent his entire life in Pickaway County, Ohio, engaged in agriculture. The mother also died in that county. The parental household consisted of six ehildren, as follows: Davis C. is a resident of Bloomington, Ill .; Mary E., the wife of William Ross, lives in Empire Township, this county ; Josephine E., Mrs. Clark W. Davis, also lives in this township; Pamelia F. married Henry Crumbaugh, and they live in Monarch, this county ; James E. lives on the home- stead, and Talmadge J. resides with his mother. In September, 1883, the year following her husband's death, Mrs. Ross removed to Le Roy, where she pur- chased a residence and lived one year. She then

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returned to the farm for two years, and in 1886 went baek to Le Roy, which is her present home. She is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and greatly respeeted by a large eircle of friends and associatesas having been the worthy helpineet and companion of one of the most worthy men of this eounty.

J OSEPH KING, a well-to-do farmer of Oak Grove Township, is a native of the Prairie State and of this county, born Oet. 15, 1844. Ilis parents were Christian and Phebe (Barnett) King, both natives of Baden, Germany. Christian King emigrated to America in 1830, and went dircetly to Butler County, Ohio, where he rented a traet of land and carried on farming for ten years. He emigrated to this State in 1840, and engaged here in farming pursuits until his death, which oeeurred in April, 1882. The mother aecom- panied her husband to Illinois, and departed this life in 1876. Politically Mr. King, in later years, was independent, and both parents were worthy members of the Mennonite Chureh.

The subject of this history was reared on his father's farm, and received a common-school edu- eation. Ile was married in 1868, to Miss Anna Hodler, and they lived upon his father's farm for five years. He then purchased eighty-four aeres of good land which constitutes his present homestead. He has a handsome and commodious residence, with a good barn and all necessary out-buildings, and is making a specialty of raising fine horses of Hambletonian stoek. Of these he has now about twelve head, and some fine speeimens of Norinan.

Mr. and Mrs. K. have become the parents of four children-Emanuel A., Joseph A., Walter F. and Charles. Mr. K. is one of the progressive farmers of this section, a gentleman in the prime of life, and possessing those exeellencies of character which have gained him the confidence and esteem of those who know him.

The children of Christian and Phebe King, the parents of our subjeet, were as follows: Christian married Miss Barbara Saltzman; John married Miss Lydia Troyer ; Jacob married Miss Anna Nenhanser;

Daniel married Mary Hodler; Peter, Miss Barbara Hodler; Joseph, Miss Anna Hodler; Samnel, Miss Mary Sehad; Barbara became the wife of David S. Ropp.

Joseph Hodler, the father of Mrs. King, was a native of Franee and born in 1820, and departed this life in March, 1881. His wife, formerly Miss Barbara Sehertz, was born in Germany. Both par- ents eame to America when quite young, settling in Pennsylvania, where the mother was married the first time and removed to Butler County, Ohio, with her husband, where he died. She was also married in that eounty to Joseph Hodler and they lived there for some years afterward, removing thenee to McLean County, this State, and loeating in Dale Township, where they spent the remainder of their days. Joseph Hodler departed this life in March, 1881. The mother had died in 1868.

Joseph Hodler was twiee married, his first wife having been Miss Mary Sehertz, and his seeond, the mother of onr subjeet. Mrs. Hodler by her first marriage became the mother of one ehild, a son, Christian Imhoff.

Mr. K. is Republiean in polities, but latterly has voted the independent ticket at local elections. Both he and his wife are members in good standing of the Mennonite Church.

W ILLIAM JONES, one of the self-made men and energetie citizens of Le Roy, is a na- tive of Liverpool, England, and born Sept. 20, 1836. His father, John Jones, a tailor by trade, was a native of the same country, his birth having oeeurred July 4, 1800. He followed his trade in Liverpool in early life, and in about 1840 emigrated to America. He first located in Spring- field, Ohio, and in company with another gentle- man engaged as a merehant tailor, and two years later was joined by his wife and son. They lived in Springfield until 1851, then came to Illinois and located in Danville, where John Jones opened a tailor-shop, and carried on business until his death, which oeeurred in 1857. In early life he was mar- ried to Miss Betsey Wood, a native of his own country, who was born July 10, 1804. They be-

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eame the parents of five children, two now living, of whom our subjeet was the second. Ifis sister Maggie, who was born in Ohio, married Joseph Taut, and they live in Terre Haute, Ind .; Martha died in Vincennes, Ind., a few months after her marriage. The mother survived her husband a few months, and died in Danville, Ill., in 1857.

William Jones was a child of six years when he eame to Ameriea with his mother to join his father in Ohio. He remained under the parental roof during his childhood and youth, and received care- ful home training, and attended a private school in Springfield. When fifteen years old he eom- mneneed working in a blacksmith-shop at Selma, but after a few months proceeded to Danville, Ill., whence, later, he went to Higginsville, but finally returned to Danville, and from there went to Deca- tur. He possessed natural mechanical talent, and after a short apprenticeship of two years was so skillful and correct in his work that he eommanded journeyman's wages. Ile also beeame quite a trav- eler, and visited various places in Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Texas. In the latter State he estab- lished business near Ft. Graham, on the Brazos River, in 1858. At that time this was on the front- ier, and about 225 miles from any railroad station. From there, in 1860, he went to Decatur, Ill., thenee, in 1861, to Newburg, and then to Le Roy, and established a blacksmith-shop, which he opera- ted four years, and then removed to Gillespie, in Macoupin County, establishing a shop there also. After eighteen months he returned to Le Roy, and engaged as a machinist in the shops of the I., B. & W. R. R., where he remained until the spring of 1871. In March of that year he started a blaek- smith-shop, and engaged in horse-shoeing and gen- eral repairs for four or five years, and then estab- lislicd the machine-shop which he has managed until the present time. He is industrious, energetic and wide-awake, and has uniformly met with success, being now in the enjoyment of a handsome compe- tency.

The marriage of William Jones and Miss Eliza- betlı Johnson took place in Deeatur, Ill., on the 9th of January, 1857. Mrs. Jones was born in Spring- field, Sangamon Co., Ill., and is the daughter of Benjamin F. and Elizabeth Johnson, of Kentucky.

Of their union have been born five children, of whom the record is as follows: Emma is the widow of Dr. A. C. Fisk, and lives in Le Roy ; John F. married Miss Sallie Allensworth, and lives at Minier, Tazewell County ; Charles G. is associated with his father in business; Ada died in infaney ; Edith is thic youngest, and at home with lier parents.

The great-grandfather of Mrs. Jones, Graneier Johnson, was a native of Germany, and came to tho United States prior to the Revolutionary War, settling in "Old Virginia." He was there married, and beeamc the father of three children-James, Stephen and William. Stephen became a Baptist preacher, while the other two followed farming. William, the grandfather of Mrs. Jones, married Miss Tabitha Boller. They reared six children, namely, Sarah, James, Benjamin, Edmund, Younger and Thomas. They removed to Kentucky in 1797, being among the first settlers of the Green River country, where they were neighbors of Daniel Boone, the famous Indian fighter and hunter. The daugh- ter, Sarah, became the wife of Jonathan Broom- baek, a native of Germany. They came to Illinois in 1835, and settled at the old trading-post, twelve miles east of Decatur, in Maeon County, before the Indians had left that part of the country. Both Mr. and Mrs. B. died there, having had one son, James, who married Miss Polly Turpin. He was drowned in the Kentucky River.

Benjamin Johnson, the father of Mrs. Jones, was born in Virginia in 1791, and was six years old when his parents removed to Kentucky. He re- mained with them until his marriage, in 1816. His wife, formerly Miss Elizabeth Agee, was also a na- tive of the Old Dominion, and the daughter of Ad- ler and Rejoice Agee, the former a native of Ire- land. Mr. Johnson followed farming until 1834, but after his removal to Grant County, Ky., en- gaged in tobacco raising until 1837. He then re- moved with his family to Illinois, and lived one year at the old trading-post in Maeon County. Thence, in 1838, he removed to Decatur, where he purchased a farm and again resumed agriculture until his death. Only three of their ten children are now living-Willis, Louisa and Elizabeth (Mrs. Jones.) Willis Johnson was born in Madison County, Ky., in 1820. He eame to Illinois with

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his parents in 1837, and on the 14th of July, 1842, was married to Miss Damaras A. Sinelair. Ile also engaged in tobacco raising for three years, but is now earrying on a farm near Decatur, Ill. Louisa became the wife of James Abrams, and is also a resident of Decatur, Ill. The grandfathers of Mrs. Jones on both sides served in the Revolutionary War.

Politieally our subjeet is Republican, and socially is a member of Le Roy Lodge No. 221, A. F. & A. M. Mrs. Jones is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The family residenee is a handsome and tasteful strueture, Io- cated on the corner of Walnut and Green streets, and Mr. Jones and his family enjoy the friendship and association of the best elass of the community.

AMES K. NOBLE, Constable of MeLean County, has his residence at No. 604 East Taylor street, Bloomington, his office being at No. 221 North Main street. Mr. Noble is a na- tive of Ilamilton County, Ohio, and was born June 28, 1829. He is the son of David and Rebecca (Karr) Noble, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of New Jersey. They came to Illinois in 1831, and settled in Randolph Grove, Randolph Town- ship, this eounty. Here, David Noble purchased a farin which was but slightly improved, and carried on the pursuit of agriculture until about 1850. He then sold out and took possession of 160 aeres in another part of the township, this latter being .Government land. He built a comfortable farm house and all necessary out-buildings, planted an orehard and shrubbery, and established a comfort- able home, upon which he spent the remainder of lis days, dying in 1865. The mother died in this · State in 1838. Their family of six children are as follows: William C., Sarah J. (Mrs. Munson), Ste- phen K., Merey A. (Mrs. Rust), James K. and Thomas J. David Noble was for many years Post- master of Randolph Township, and a member of the Masonie fraternity. He was a man of great personal worth and highly respected wherever he made his home.

The subject of this biography was reared on a

farm until twenty-one years of age, receiving a common-sehool education. After becoming his own man he first rented a farm in Randolph Town- ship, which he operated for a few years, and in 1858 purchased eighty aeres in the same township. which he cultivated and occupied until 1870. lle then disposed of his farm property and moved into Bloomington, which has sinee remained his home. He purchased his present residenee in 1872.

The marriage of James K. Noble and Miss Sarah A. Johnston took place in this county in 1872. Mrs. N. was a native of New Jersey, and the daughter of William and Rebeeea Johnston. Of her union with our subject there were born the fol- lowing: Mark is a resident of Chicago; Rebeeea, Mrs. LaBelle of Bloomington, is the mother of one ehild, a son, Stanley ; Frank is janitor of the county jail in Bloomington; William J. is telegraph oper- ator and press reporter for the Western Union at Bloomington; Cliarles A., also a telegraph oper- ator, is stationed at Springfield; Lillie, Carrie, Hattie and Clyde are at home.

Mr. Noble in earlier years learned the plasterer's trade, at which he worked a few years after coming to Bloomington. In 1874 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff under James Hoodhart, which position hie oeeupied four years, and was elected County Con- stable in 1882, holding the position until the present (1887). While in Randolph Township he served as School Director, and has always taken an active interest in whatever was caleulated to advanee the growth and prosperity of his county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Noble are connected with the Christian Church, and our subjeet in all respeets is rated as a representative eitizen and business man.

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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 44

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