Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 48

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 48

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The subject of our sketch was born in Harrison County, Ohio, Jan. 30, 1843. His father, James Ry burn, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania, was a farmer hy occupation. After his marriage there and the birth of several children, he removed with his wife to Harrison County, Ohio. His wife, hefore lier marriage, was Miss Mary Bigley, wlio was also born and reared in the Keystone State. The families are hoth of Scotch descent. All came West in 1853, and settled in Randolph Township, this county. Our subject was the youngest but one of a family of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters. The parents both died in Ran- dolph Township, the father in 1857, and the mother in 1881. In former years the father was possessed of a good property, hut met with misfortune be- fore leaving the State of Ohio. This compelled the boys to look out for themselves, and to hegin at the foot of the ladder. They, however, had been trained to habits of industry, and all have sc- cured a good amount of property.

After the death of his parents, our subject lived with his older brothers until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he enlisted in the Union Army, in May, 1862, joining the three-months' men, Co. G, 68th Ill. Vol. Inf., Capt. Moore. After his first ,term of serviec had expired, he re-enlisted in the three years' service, hecoming this time a meinher of Co. B, 94th Ill. Vol. Inf. He was with the army of the southwest, and participated in several active engagements, being at Ft. Morgan and Mobile. In

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McLEAN COUNTY.

July, 1865, he was transferred to the 37th Illinois Infantry, and afterward discharged from this regi- ment at Springfield, Ill., after having been in serv- iee four years. Ile then returned to Randolph Township, and began the business which he has sinee followed.

Mr. Ryburn was married at the home of the bride's parents in Randolph Township, to Miss Iris Kart. She was born in Randolph Towuship, March 6, 1852, and is the daughter of William Karr, one of its earliest settlers and most extensive landholders. She was reared and edueated in this township, and remained under the parental roof until her marriage with our subject. Mrs. Ryburn has been connected with the Presbyterian Churel sinee fourteen years of age. Our subjeet, in poli- ties, is a staneh adherent of the Republican party, with which he uniformly easts his vote.

ACOB H. RITCIIIE, a well-to-do farmer of Martin Township, is pleasantly located on seetion 35, where he has been successfully engaged in farming sinee the spring of 1865. IIe is a native of Rockingham County, Va., and was born Dee. 24, 1838. He is the son of John and Magdalena (Fawley) Ritchie, both natives of the Old Dominion, of which his grandfather, Jacob Ritchie, Sr., was also a native. The father of our subjeet, who was a farmerby oceupation, emigrated froin his native State after. his marriage, and ae- companied by his children, eame to this county, in the fall of 1855. The wife and mother had died in Virginia in 1854. After reaching this county, Mr. Ritchie located in Brown's Grove, west of Bloomington, where he continued the pursuit of agriculture, and spent the remainder of his days, his decease occurring in 1860. The parental house- hold ineluded four sons and six daughters, of whom only two sons and two daughters are now living.

The subject of this biography was the youngest of his parents' family, and passed his childhood and youth in his native State, receiving in the meantime a common-school education. He was inarried in this eounty when twenty-one years of age to Miss Sallie, daughter of Jolin and Casandra

(Casey) Hurt, who deseended from an old Ken- tueky family and were among the earliest pioneers of this section. Mr. Ritehie settled with his bride in Brown's Grove, near his father's farm, where he remained until 1865, then removed to his present homestead. This consists of 160 acres of finely cultivated land, the soil of which is naturally very rich, and adapted to the growth of all farm prod- uets. Mr. Ritchie has been largely engaged of late years in raising and shipping hogs, the proceeds of which have yielded him a fine income. Ile has also raised a few Norman horses. The farm buildings are of modern style, and kept in good repair, and the whole premises present an air of neatness and thrift which is delightful to the eye. The ten ehil- dren of our subjeet and his wife, five sons and five daughters, are all living except one, and named as follows: Ida, George, Anna B., Emma, Addison, Jay, Mary A., Florence A. and Grover Cleveland; John W. was the eldest, and died in infaney.

Mr. Ritchie, politically, is a reliable Democrat, and a strong supporter of the present administra- tion. He has held the offices of Supervisor, Col- lector and School Trustee, filling each with eredit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. Both he and his wife are prominently eonneeted with the United Brethren Church.

NDREW J. JOHNSTONE, Supervisor of Dale Township, elaims it as the place of his birth, the date thereof having been Oet. 28,-1850. His father, Dr. Andrew Jolui- stone, was a native of Dumfriesshire, Scotland, born on the 21st of May, 1800, and possessed all the substantial and worthy traits of the typical Seot- tish character. The father of our subject was edu- eated in the schools of Edinburgh, and at the age of eighteen years determined to emigrate to the New World. After reaching American shores he proceeded directly to the young and rapidly grow- ing State of Ohio. He was a man of fine abilities and had taken a seientifie course of study in his native country, which he had afterward reduced to practice, and after his arrival within the bounds of

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the State mentioned, accepted a post as eivil engi- neer in the military distriet of Ohio, being in the employ of Gen. MeArthur, a large landholder in that traet.

After two or three years' residence in this eoun- try Andrew Johnstone returned to his native Seot- land, and decided to enter upon the study of medi- eine. After pursuing a three years' eourse under the best of instruction he returned to America, and loeating near Chillicothe, Ohio, beeame asso- eiated in partnership with Gen. MeArthur, and while engaged in the practice of medicine gave all his leisure time to the pursuit of farming, of which he was very fond, and took great pleasure in wit- nessing the growing and ripening of grain, the pleasant sight of domestic animals, and everything that appertained to the pursuits of agriculture.

Dr. Johnstone lived in Ohio until 1840, and then setting his face further westward, eame to the Prairie State, and located upon the site of what is now the city of Bloomington. Here he rented a traet of land which is now ineluded within the eity limits. He was one of the first to break the sod in that vicinity, and carried on farming and stock- raising for about five years thereafter. He then entered a traet of Government land in Dale Town- ship, on seetion 14, and purchased a small frame house near Hudsou, fifteen miles distant. This he removed with oxen to his land, and moving his family into it, established them comfortably and made a permanent settlement, where he remained the balance of his days, departing this life on the 31st of. August, 1873. He did not resume the practice of medicine to any extent after eoming to Illinois, but was considerably engaged. in eivil en- gineering and surveyed a large portion of the land in the county. He superintended the improve- ments on the farm, and at the time of his death had his land all enclosed and under a good state of eul- tivation.

Dr. Andrew Johnstone, the father of our subject, was married in his native Scotland, to Miss Jane Carlyle. She wasa native of Dumfreisshire County, in Seotland, and was born on the 17th of May, 1804. She, with her husband, is still living, and retains her mental faculties to a remarkable degree. The parental household consisted of three children,

Jane and Andrew J., the subject of our sketelı, be- ing the only ones living; Mary is deceased.

Mr. Johnstone of our sketeli was the youngest child of his parents, and spent the greater part of his childhood and youth upon the homestead farm. He pursued his primary studies in the distriet school, and subsequently attended Wesleyan Uni- versity at Bloomington. Although fond of study and reading, he has always had a love for the peaceful oceupation of agriculture, and to this has devoted the greater part of his life. He is also en- gaged in breeding draft horses, and eattle feeding quite extensively. At the death of his father, he took charge of the homestead which he now owns and occupies, and upon which he lias made all needed improvements. The family residenee is tasteful, convenient and comfortable, and he has a good barn, with all necessary out-buildings and farm machinery.

The subject of our sketeh was married on the 28th of October, 1875, to Miss Dora Karr, also a native of Dale Township, and who was born April 16, 1858. 'Mrs. J. is the daughter of Tliomas J. and Elizabeth (Lowe) Karr, a sketch of wliom ap- pears on another page of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Johnstone have only one child living, a son- Guy Carlyle. Lizzie, the only daughter, who was born Mareh 15, 1877, died on the 6th of January, 1880. Mr. J. is Republican in politics, is highly respeeted as a business man, neighbor and eitizen, and is serving his second year as Supervisor of Dale Township.

C HARLES J. NORTHRUP, proprietor of the dry-goods house at No. 118 N. Center street, and 208 West Washington street, Blooming- ton, was born in Lisle, Broome Co., N. Y., May 20, 1847. He is the son of Solomon J. and Annie Lavantia (Buell) Northrup, natives respectively of Lenox, Mass., and Fairfield, N. Y. The father was born Dee. 6, 1811, and the mother, May 16, 1815. Both were deeply religious people, and contributed liberally and cheerfully to the support of the Con- gregational Church, with which they were eon- neeted when quite young.

Solomon Northrup was Superintendent of the

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Sabbath-sehool for many years. He was a farmer by occupation, and removed from his native town to Lisle, N. Y., in 1840, where he remained for a period of thirty years, then sold out and engaged in merchandising in the same town. Thence he. re- moved to Binghamton, in response to a call to take charge of the Susquehannah Valley Home for the Poor, which office he held for several years. He resigned the position finally on account of failing health, and died at Long Branch, while visiting there, Aug. 1, 1882. The mother departed this life on the 21st of September, 1847. The record of their four children is as follows: Julia, Mrs. G. W. Livermore, was born Sept. 4, 1837, and died May 4, 1883; James E., a resident of Binghamton, during the late war enlisted in Co. F, 89th N. Y. Vol. Inf., of which he was made First Lieutenant, participated in many battles, and was wounded at Antietam. He was married to Miss Ruth Sykes, of Berkshire,.N. Y., and they have one ehild, a daugh- ter, Hattie E. They belong to the Congregational Church, and he is a prominent Mason, having taken all the degrees. Ira W. enlisted in Co, F, 89th N. Y. Vol. Inf., but before engaging in aetive service was taken ill from exposure, and brought home by his father, dying soon afterward, Feb. 22, 1863, when not quite twenty-one years of age, his birth occurring Dee. 28, 1842. C. J. of our sketch is the youngest living.

After the death of his first wife, Solomon J. Northrup was united in marriage with Miss Luey E. Carroll, of Springfield, N. Y., Jan. 10, 1849, and. of this union there were born two children: Emina L., Mrs. B. L. Osborne, of Camden, N. Y., and Lydia C., who died Feb. 24, 1862. The father of our subjeet was essentially a self-made man, and started out in life at the foot of the ladder. He was employed first as a farin laborer, and received his education by attending school during the winter seasons. After his marriage he farmed on rented land, his first purchase being in Lisle, N. Y. He became prominent in the political affairs of that State, and a eitizen greatly respected for his moral and intellectual worth. Politieally he was a strong Republiean. He held the office of Supervisor sev- eral years, was Deputy Sheriff of the county, and Trustee of the school at Lisle, and took an active

part in all measures ealeulated to promote the in- terests of his adopted county or State. He put forth every effort to educate his children, often re- marking that he would prefer leaving them a good education rather than gold.

The subject of this history was born in a log house, on his father's farm in Lisle, and remained there until eighteen years of age, attending the common sehools. He studied two years at Owego Academy, and afterward went to Springfield, N. Y., engaging as elerk in a country store at $5 per month, for one year. He then removed with his father to Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y. Ile attended the academy there under the tutorship of Prof. Clark, and in the spring of 1867 entered the dry-goods store of William Richardson & Co. He remained there until fall, then eame West with Mr. Richardson, and settled at Bloomington. He eon- tinued with his former employer, who had asso- eiated hinself with partners, Messrs. Wilcox Bros., and carried on the dry-goods business. Our sub- jeet remained with the firm over seven years, which then became Wileox Bros., by the withdrawal of Mr. Richardson.

Mr. Northrup established his present business Feb. 15, 1876, on the spot where he is still located. He began with one elerk and an errand-boy, and was prospered from the beginning. His business in- ereased each year, and in 1882 he seeured the ex- tension of his store to Washington street. In 1885 he purchased a stoek of goods at Lexington, where he established a branch house. In 1886 he pur- chased another stock, in the same place, and con- solidated the two. He employs from ten to fifteen elerks in Bloomington, and from five to seven at Lexington.

The subject of our sketeh was married, Sept. 27, 1877, to Miss Rose Whipp, of Normal, who was born in 1850, and is the daughter of John W. and Elizabeth (VanNess) Whipp. Her father was a banker for many years at Bloomington City, but is now in Springfield, employed by the State Board of Charities. Mr. and Mrs. N. have three children- Fred W., Charles B. and Julia E. They oeeupy an attractive home at No. 510 East Front street, and enjoy the association and friendship of the eultured people of the eity. Both our subjeet and his wife

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are members in good standing of the Second Pres- byterian Church, of which Mr. N. has been Trustce for the last six years, and is Assistant Superintend- ent of the Sunday-school. He contributes liberally and cheerfully to the support of the church, and takes a deep interest in its welfare and prosperity. He is in all respeets a representative citizen.

RA MERCHANT, a civil engineer of Blooming- ton, is the son of Daniel P. and Anna E. (Carey) Merehant, and was born in Morris County, N. J., in February, 1837. His father, a native of Con- neetieut, was taken by his parents when an infant to New Jersey, of which latter State the mother was a native. The Merchant family are of En- glish ancestry, and the father of our subject was a farmer by occupation.

The boyhood`and youth of Ira Merchant were passed on his father's farm in New Jersey, while he pursued his studies in the district school. When eighteen years of age he left his native State, and going aeross the Mississippi River into Missouri, was employed as an engineer on the North Mis- souri Railroad, under James P. Lowe, a noted en- gineer from Massachusetts. From this gentleman our subject obtained most of his knowledge of surveying. Ile continued with Mr. Lowe until the outbreak of the Civil War, and then enlisted as a Union soldier in Co. C, 28th Ill. Vol. Inf., serving faithfully for two and one-half years. He was wounded at Holly Springs, Miss., his left wrist being pierced by a ball from the enemy. He also took part in the battles of Ft. Henry, Donelson, Shiloh, the advance on Corinthi, Hatchie River, and the siege of Vicksburg. After receiving his honora- ble discharge he was mustcred out in the fall of 1863.

After his retirement from the army Mr. Merchant came into Sangamon County, Ill., where he was soon afterward elected County Surveyor, in which position he served for a term of two years. He was then employed to survey what at that time was called the Burr Oak Farm; owned by M. L. Sulli- van, of Ford County, the greatest farm at that time in the Western States. Ile was then employed to make a preliminary survey on the Peoria & Rock

Island Railroad in the fall of 1868. After com- pleting this work he came to Bloomington, being soon afterward employed as City Engineer, which position he has held nearly ten years. He was Superintendent and Engineer when the water works were constructed, and has been connected profes- sionally with most of the important improvements in the city sinee eoming here. Although holding office under different administrations Mr. Merehant never directly or indirectly solieited any appoint- ment to the ofliee he filled. He is also engineer of farm drainage, of which department lic makes a specialty, laying during the year 1886 over sixty miles of tilc.

Mr. Merchant was married in Cass County, Ill., to Miss Mary Arenz, and they bceame the parents of one child, a daughter, Ella, born in 1860, and now the wife of Charles H. McWarter, of Mason City, Iowa. Politieally Mr. Merchant is a Mug- wump, and socially is a member in good standing of the G. A. R.

R. CHARLES T. ORNER, of the firm of Barnes & Orner, is located at No. 220 North Center strect, Bloomington. He was born in Reading, Pa., Sept. 17, 1846, his parents being Jesse and Eveline P. (Pettit) Or- ner, both natives of Chester County, Pa. The father was Superintendent of the Iron Rolling Mill of Reading until the outbreak of the late war, when he enlisted in the 50th Pennsylvania Infantry, and was made Captain and chief of transportation in the 9th Army Corps. He was in the service from the capture of Beaufort, S. C., until the winter of 1864-65, and was then transferred to Chattanooga and made Superintendent of the United States Rolling Mill, which he retained until after the close of the war. He then resumed the position which he had left in the rolling-mill at Reading, Pa., and continued until his death, in 1873.

Politically the father of our subjcet was a Re- publican, and one of the early temperance workers of his locality. He was skilled in his calling and prominent among the councils of his eraft, and oe-

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cupied the office of National Counselor of the United American Mcchanies. Religiously he was connected with the Lutheran Church. The mother is still living at the old homestead at Reading, Pa. They had a family of three ehildren. One daughter married Rev. W. E. Snyder, and went with him as a missionary to India, where he died in 1859; Mrs. S. afterward returned to her old home in Reading, Pa., where she still lives. The other sister married Capt. F. M. Yeager, of Reading.

The subject of this biography received his edu- cation in the sehools of his native eity, and re- mained under the parental roof until after the out- break of the late war, when he enlisted in Co. M, 198th Pa. Vol. Inf., and was appointed Steward of the 1st Brigade and 1st Division, 5th Corps, in the Army of the Potomac, which position he held un- til the close of the war. He was engaged in the battles hefore Petersburg and at Hatehes' Run, Gravely Run, Five Forks, High Bridge, and at the surrender of Appomattox. After being mustered out he returned home and commenced the study of medieine under the instruction of Dr. S. D. Gross, of Philadelphia. He afterward attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, from which he gradu- ated on the 9th of March, 1867. He soon eom- meneed praetiee, and received the appointment of Dispensary Surgeon, which he held until August, 1868, when he went to Springfield, Ohio, and for a year following spent most of his time in travel, afterward resuming practice in his native town, where he remained until May, 1871.

In the year last mentioned Dr. Orner came to Illinois, and loeating in Sayhrook, this eounty, en- tered into partnership with Dr. J. L. Ballard, with whom he continued one year. He then praetieed alone until September, 1884, and coming to Bloom- ington City, associated himself with his present partner, Dr. Barnes, and they have operated to- gether sinee that time. Dr. Orner stands high in his profession in this State, being connected with the National, State, Illinois Central, McLean County and DeWitt County Medieal Societies, and for a time was President and is now Seeretary of the Illinois Central Medieal Society. Hc was Pension Surgeon at Saybrook for four years under President Arthur's adminstration, and is a corres-

ponding member of the Academy of National Seienec at Reading, Pa.

Dr. Orner was married in 1868, to Miss Mattie E., the daughter of William L. Crothers, of Spring- field, Ohio. Their residence is located at No. 7011 North Evans street, where they enjoy the society and friendship of the most eultured people of the city. Our subjeet and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church, to the support of which they contribute liberally and cheerfully, and are deeply interested in its prosperity. Soeially the Doctor helongs to the G. A. R., of which he is Commander, the United American Mechanics and Improved Order of Red Men. He is also Captain of the Sons of Veterans.

SAAC McBEAN, late proprictor of the Bloom- ington omnihus, carriage and transfer line, whose decease occurred March 31, 1887, was one of the representative men of the city, full of energy and enterprising, and conducted his business in a manner profitable to himself and satisfactory to his patrons. The subject of this biography was a native of Virginia, and was born in Frederick, (now West) Virginia, Jan. 2, 1829. When quite young he removed with his parents, Charles and Saralı (Harrison) McBean, to Newark, Lieking Co., Ohio, where they located and remained until 1857. They then removed further westward to Canton, Ill., where they remaincd until the closc of their lives. The McBeans were of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and the Harrisons among the first families of Vir- ginia.

Isaae McBcan, during his carlier years, attended the eity schools of Newark, Ohio, and after remov- ing with his parents to Illinois, became employed in the marble works of Peoria for three years. Thence he went to Canton and engaged in the liv- ery business until 1857, and from there to a farm in Fulton County. Here he was successfully en- gaged until the opening of the late war when, in August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. D, 103d Ill. Vol. Inf., his regiment being assigned to the Army of West Tennessee. He participated with his com- rades in the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of

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McLEAN COUNTY.

Black River, Mission Ridge, and other important engagements, and went with Sherman on the march to the sea. In the meantime he was wounded in the head by bushwhackers, and was subsequently promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant and served on the staff of Brevet Brig .- Gen. Pugh.

Lieut. MeBean finally resigned his commission, and in June, 1864, returned to Canton, Ill., and lo- eating in Piatt County again engaged in agricult- ural pursuits. He was thus occupied until 1875, when he disposed of his stock, implements, etc., and coming . to Bloomington purchased what was known at that time as the MeKissen & Page Omni- bus Line, to which he added carriages and mail- wagons, and by this means acquired control of the most profitable business of the city, carrying and transferring all the mail coming into Bloomington since 1876. In this latter department alone he used about fifty-two horses during the twenty-four hours. The stables are constructed of brick, 66x 100 fect in area and two stories in height, and have two divisions, one for carriages and the other for horses. There is also a private barn at No. 605 East Front street, which is built of brick, threc stories in height and 46x56 feet in area. In this stable is kept the blooded stock, roadsters and stal- lions, the latter for speed and breeding purposes. Of the latter one is the son of King Alınont and Wilkes, the son of the great George Wilkes. These beautiful animals will bear comparison with any others in this part of the State.

Isaae McBean and Miss Mary J. Hall, of Canton, Ill .. were united in marriage Dec. 24, 1866, and of the union there is one child-Charles, who was born July 7, 1869.

L EWIS B. THOMAS, Mayor of Bloomington, was born within the precincts of the city which he now presides over, on the 27th of September, 1838. His parents were William and Catharine (Haines) Thomas, natives of Xenia, Ohio, who removed to Bloomington in 1835, where William Thomas served as County Treasurer from 1853 to 1866. During the progress of the Rebell- ion he was also agent for the war fund, and for a

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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 48

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