Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 50

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 50

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The wife of our subjeet is the daughter of Abra- ham W. and Mary (Goodpasture) Carloek. Mr. C. was born April 7, 1800, in Hampshire County, W. Va., and his wife, Jan. 24, 1804, in Overton County, Tenn., about fifteen miles from Livingston, the county seat. In the spring of 1827 he re- moved with his family to Dry Grove, and sub- sequently moved to White Oak Township. Mr. C. at one time was the owner of 1,000 aeres of land, 200 of which he afterward disposed of. Their

twelve children were, John G., Madison P., Sarah, Mahala, Lavina, William B., Abraham H., Margery, Martha, Reuben, Naney J., and Mary. The four last named are deceased. Mr. C. was a staneh Dem- oerat politieally. He died at the age of eighty-four years; his widow still survives.

After the death of his father, Ira Rowell took charge of the estate, straightened up the business of the old homestead, and took his mother and broth- ers into his own honseliold. Ile has been the architeet of his own fortune, and what he possesses is the result of his industry and economy. He keeps hinself well posted upon matters of general interest. Formerly he was Demoeratie in polities but is now mostly independent, aiming to east his vote for the man whom he deems best fitted for the varions offiees. Ile has been School Trustee and Road Supervisor sinee his twenty-first birthday, having thus early in life established himself in the good opinion of his townsmen.

The household eirele of our subjeet and his wife has been completed by the birth of five children, as follows: Lillie was born Sept. 27, 1870; Laura B., Dee. 20, 1871; Lulu J., Nov. 21, 1875; Edith I., June 30, 1879; Ira HI., Oet. 10, 1885.

E DWARD WILSON, one of the honored pio- neers of MeLean Connty, owns and oecu- pies a fine estate in Dale Township, on see- tions 14 and 15, and in his agricultural and stoek- raising operations has met with abundant suceess. He is an industrious and enterprising business man, conducts his farming operations with diseretion and judgment, and is strictly honorable and reliable in his transactions with his neighbors and fellow-eiti- zens.

Mr. Wilson is a native of Madison County, N. Y., and was born on the 6th of August, 1827. As soon as old enongh he attended the publie seltools of his native county, and during the sum- mer seasons assisted his father on the farm. At the age of seventeen years he came to MeLean County with his parents, and often reealls the ineidents of the overland journey. The family stopped a few days in Chicago, which was then a eity of only a

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few thousand inhabitants, with muddy streets and cheap frame buildings. From Chieago the family procecded to Jolict, where they were obliged to stay until the fall of the year on account of the high water and absence of bridges. In the fall they resumed their journey and came into McLean County. He made his home with his parents until they removed to Bloomington, and his first start in life was like that of Abe Lincoln, as a rail-splitter. Mr. W. split rails at fifty cents per hundred, and boarded himself, but even at that small profit he managed to save something, and in duc time bc- came a landed proprictor. He added to his first purchase as time and means permitted, and is now the possessor of 375 acres, all of which, with the exception of fifteen acres, is in Dale Township and all in one body. His farm is enclosed with good fences, the soil is fincly cultivated, and the whole presents a picture of a first-class farni estate. In 1861 Mr. Wilson put up his first frame building, and in 1873 built the handsome residence in which he now resides. He has good barns, valuable ma- chincry and implements, and all the appliances of a first-class agriculturist.

The marriage of Edward Wilson and Mrs. Louisa (Perry) McWhorter took place June 2, 1864. Mrs. Wilson, was born in Jessamine County, Ky., May 29, 1832, and is the daughter of John and Charity Perry, and the widow of Stephen McWhorter. Of her first marriage there was born one son, Stephen A., who married Miss Dolly Millikin, and is now a commission merchant in Omaha, Neb.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have become the parents of four children-William L., Esther M., John and Walter C .; the latter died in 1872, when two years and four months old. Mr. W. is connected with the Baptist and his wife with the Christian Church. He is Republican in politics, and has been identified with this party since its organization. Hc was formerly a Whig, and cast his first Presidential vote for Zachariah Taylor.

During the progress of the Mexican War Mr. W. cnlisted as a soldier, and also proffered his services to the Union Army in the late Civil War, but was rejected in both instances on account of physical disability. He has been called to fill various offices of trust in his township, having served as Assessor

and School Director, and was twice elected Justice of the Peace, which office he still holds. He has always been warmly interested in educational mat- ters, and has uniformly given his support to the cause of morality, sobricty and good order, and in all respects is esteemed one of the most valucd citi- zens of his township. He has lived to see great changes in the Prairie State since he first chose it for his home, and has contributed his full quota as opportunity, permitted toward the establishment of a later civilization which has constituted Illinois one of the wealthiest and most prosperous States in the Union.

R PUMPHREY, deceased, was one of the most successful farmers of Randolph Township. In addition to the pursuit of general agri- culture, he gave much attention to the raising of fine stock. In all his transactions, whether of a business or social nature, he bore the reputation of an honest man and a good citizen. He had been a resident of the county since 1863. During his early manhood he was one of the most industrious and energetic men of Randolph Town- ship. These qualities in duc time were amply rc- warded. From a limited beginning, he became the owner of 1,000 acres of land, part of which, how- ever, he afterward disposed of.

The Pumphrey homestead compriscs 400 acres of land, and a handsome and commodious set of farm buildings. He put up one of the best brick houses in this part of the county, and the other buildings on the premises correspond in all respects to the main one. There was also other valuable property belonging to the estate, and which was divided up among the heirs.

Our subject was born in Brooke Co., W. Va., Aug. 23, 1810, and died at his home in Randolph Town- ship, May 11, 1884, of paralysis. He spent threc winters in Florida, where it was hoped his failing health, would be recovered, but in vain. Mr. Pumphrey was reared in Brooke County, W. Va. His parents, Reason and Ann (Boonc) Pumphrey, were natives of Maryland, but of Welsh ancestry and parentage. The mother of our subject was the daughter of Richard Boone, a relative of the well-

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known Kentucky hunter and pioneer, Daniel Boone. She was married to Reason Pumphrey in Virginia whenee they removed, in 1828, to Ohio, settling in Harrison County. There the mother died, at the age of sixty-five and one-half years, and a few years later the father passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Emily Holmes, in Carroll County. Ohio, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. While in Virginia he was engaged in milling and accumulated a fine property, and was also sueeess- ful in his farming operations, later, in Ohio.

The subject of this history received a good edu- eation in the schools of his native county in Vir- ginia and after arriving to suitable years, worked with his father in the mill. IIe subsequently went to Fayette County, Pa., where he met Miss Ann G., the daughter of Charles and Ann (Combs) Griffin, to whom he was married on the 8th of December, 1835. The parents of Mrs. Pumphrey were natives of Delaware and Eastern Pennsylvania respectively. They were married in Fayette County, the latter State, and soon afterward located upon a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits in that county, and there lived the remainder of their lives. The mother departed this life on the 10th of August, 1846. aged sixty years. The father survived her several years and died the latter part of December, 1862, having arrived at the advanced age of eighty- five years. The parental family consisted of eight children, six sons and two daughters. Two of the sons died young and five are yet living. Mrs. Pumphrey of our sketeh was the third ehild and second daughter, and was born in Fayette County, Pa., Aug. 1, 1816. She received careful home training from excellent parents, and remained with them until her marriage, having also enjoyed the advantages of a good education.

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. P. there were born eight children, one of whom, Mary M., died at the age of sixteen months. Of the living, all but two are married. One is a minister of the Presbyterian Church, having charge of a parish at Armourdale, Kan. This son was educated at Bloomington, Chicago, and Crawfordsville, Ind., and possesses more than ordinary ability as a pas- tor and orator. Each member of this intelligent family is possessed of those excellent qualities for

which their parents have been long and favorably known in this section. Soon after his marriage Mr. Pumphrey united with the Presbyterian Church, with which he was prominently connected after- ward, having been Deacon for many years. Dur- ing the latter years of his life he was connected with the church at lleyworth, of which his wife and family are now members and regular attend- ants. Politically Mr. Pumphrey was a Democrat.

6 SIIOMAS J. STOREY. The history of our subjeet presents a fine illustration of what ean be accomplished by a course of perse- vering industry and the determination to "get on in the world." He commeneed life at the foot of the ladder without means or influenee, and by his own efforts elimbed up step by step until he is now a prominent and honored member of society and the owner of a fine property. Thomas J. Storey was born in Lineolnshire, England, July 27, 1843. His fa- ther, Thomas Storey, Sr., who all his life followed agricultural pursuits, was accidentally killed while driving a fraetious horse attached to a cart. 'The animal beeame frightened, ran away, and Mr. Sto- rey was thrown to the ground with such violenee that he suffered dislocation of the neek, and only lived thereafter three days. Our subjeet was then a little lad of about ten years old. The mother was left with eight children, the family having in- eluded ten, two of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Storey was a woman of great foree of character, and intensely anxious for the welfare of her ehil- dren. Not being satisfied with their condition or prospeets in their own country she determined to emigrate to the United States. They first located in Delaware, whither she had been preceded by her eldest son. In less than a year, however, they started for the West, and coming into Illinois, lo- eated at Brimfield, Peoria County. The mother only survived about ten years, dying when less than fifty years of age from eaneer in the breast. She had been a great sufferer and bore her afflie- tions with courage and fortitude. Of the eight children who survive her all are married ; two liv- ing in MeLean County, one in Livingston County,

SCALES

RES. OF ARTHUR S. CATRON , SEC. 25., TOWANDA TOWNSHIP.

SCALES

RESIDENCE OF PETER H. JANES , SEC . 22., MONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF THOS. C. HASTINGS, SEC.11., BLUE MOUND TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF J . WALLACE JOHNSON , SEC.34, DANVERS TOWNSHIP .

RESIDENCE OF EDWARD WILSON , SEC. 14, DALE TOWNSHIP.

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one in Fulton County, Ohio, two in Woodford County, Ill., two in Nebraska. Their names are Tunnard, Joseph, Elizabeth, Thomas J., Hannah, Jacob, Mollie and Sarah J. .

The subject of our sketeh made his home with his mother until her death and then lived with rela- tives until his marriage, which oeeurred in 1863. The lady of his choiee was Miss Florida D). Rodg- ers, who was born in Peoria County, June 12, 1845, and was, the daughter of Joseph and Rebeeea M. (Keyser) Rodgers, natives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Illinois after their marriage and set- tled in Peoria County, where the mother now lives, the father having died about 1871. Mrs. Rodgers makes her home with her younger son, Napoleon B., who is married, and employed on a railroad. The wedding of our subjeet and his wife took place in Eugene, Knox Co., Ill. They lived in, Peoria County for two years afterward, and then our sub- jeet purchased eighty aeres of good land on seetion 1. Padua Township, this eouuty, where he has made fine improvements and established a permanent homestead. He possesses all the elements of an honest man and a good eitizen, and has been re- markably sueeessful in his farmning and business transactions. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members iu good standing of the United Brethren Church, in which he has been prominent as a Trustee and in other official positions. Politieally he is a solid Repub- liean and uniformly easts his vote in support of the party in which he believes. The two living ehil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Story are daughters, Emma D. and Lizzie B. Their little son, George E., died when two years of age.

ACOB STOREY, an enterprising young farmer of Padua Township, where he is also sueeessfully engaged in stock-raising, owns and occupies eighty aeres of valuable land on section 2, and operates another eighty aeres on seetion 1. He became a resident of this eounty in 1866. Ile is of English birth and parentage, being the son of Thomas Storey, who was a farmer by oeeupation and spent his entire life in his native England. Jacob was born Nov. 8, 1849, and was

a little lad of five years when his father died. His mother afterward emigrated to the United States with her eight children, and loeated first in Dela- ware. They only lived a year there, however, thien started for the West and coming into this State settled first in Peoria County, where the mother died in September, 1859.

After the death of his mother our subjeet went to live with his guardian in Peoria County, with whom he remained a few years, and then started out to make his own way in the world. When but eighteen years of age, he enlisted as a soldier in Co. I, 146th Ill.' Vol. Inf., in 1864. He served eleven months, not being in any aetive engage- ment. After returning from the army, he was em- ployed as a farm laborer until his marriage, which oeeurred in Arrowsmith Township, this eounty, May 2, 1871. His wife, who was formerly Miss Isabella Maurice, was born and reared in Ohio, and eame to Illinois with her parents when a child, re- maining in this eounty until her marriage. Of this union there have been born two children-William A. and Charles E. Mr. Storey is a solid Repub- liean, and bids fair to become one of the promi- nent farmers and citizens of MeLean County. Ilis energy and industry are surely deserving of entire sueeess.

E BENEZER WRIGHT, of Normal, appren- tieing agent of the New York Juvenile Asy- lum, is a native of Hampden County, Mass., and was born on the 19th of September, 1830. His father, Rev. E. B. Wright, was also born in the Bay State, was liberally educated and at the age of seventeen years graduated from Williams College. He then entered Andover, graduating from there three years later, receiving a ministerial education. Upon attaining his majority he became pastor of a Congregational Church and remained as such for a period of thirty years thereafter. Afterward he served as Chaplain iu the State Prim- ary School at Palmer, Mass., and departed this life at the advanced age of seventy-six years.

The mother of our subject, Mrs. Harriet (Goodell) Wright, was a native of the same State as her hus- band and son, spent her whole life in New England,

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McLEAN COUNTY.

and died at the age of fifty-nine years. The pa- rental family consisted of three children: Eunice, the wife of Rev. W. F. Avery, paster of a Congre- gational Chureli at IHuntingdon, Mass .; Theodore G., a physician of Plainville, Conn., and Ebenezer, the subject of this sketch, who was the second of the children.

Ebenezer Wright entered upon his primary stud- ies in the common sehools of his native town, and received his preparatory eourse at Easthampton, Mass. IIe then entered Williams College, where lie attended several years, and was about to graduate when he accepted the position of Superintendent of the City Department of the New York Juvenile Asylum. He afterward attended the Columbia Law School, where he took the full eourse, but did not graduate on account of irregular attendance. In 1867 he accepted his present situation, and was lo- cated at Chicago until after the great fire of 1871, sinee which date he has resided at Normal.

The New York Juvenile Asylum was elartered in 1851. It receives truant and disobedient ehil- dren, and such as are surrendered by their parents and friends, between the ages of seven and four- teen years. They are left in the Asylum about two years, during which time they attend sehool daily, and are afterward sent to the apprentieing agent who finds homes for them. The girls are apprenticed until eighteen years old, and the boys until twenty-one. Only about one-fourth of the children of the Asy- lum are brought West, and these are all distributed in the State of Illinois. The whole number brought thus to this State froin the time of establishing the ageney, in 1851, to Dee. 31, 1866, is 4,557, an an- nual average of 142. The important work of pro- viding suitable homes for these waifs of humanity is wholly intrusted to Mr. Wright, and it is sufficient to state that he has performed it with credit to himself and the institution which he has represented for nearly twenty years. He is a gentleman in the fullest sense of the term, kind-hearted, sympathetie, and admirably adapted to the business which he has in hand.

Mr. Wright was married in November, 1860, at Amherst, Mass., to Miss Mary D. Cowles, who was born in that city in 1839, and is the daughter of L. D. Cowles, of Amherst. Of this union there

were born eight ehildren, of whom five are living- Charles S., Frederick C., Mary D., Robert and Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are worthy members of the Congregational Church, and enjoy the friendship and esteem of the best eitizens of Normal.

OHN USSELTON LYONS, who became a resident of the Prairie State when a eliild four years of age, is now pleasantly loeated in Martin Township on a fine farm of 160 aeres. Here he has a tasteful and substantial resi- denee and all the accessories of a first-elass coun- try estate. He has proven himself a thorough and progressive farmer and stoek-raiser, and has brought his homestead to its present position by the exer- cise of eultivated tastes and ample means. In the meantime he has also distinguished himself as an honest man and a good eitizen. and for many years has been prominent in the affairs of his township and county. He has been the firm friend of relig- ion, education and morality, and has contributed generously of his time and means to whatever en- terprise was set on foot for the advancement of the interests of this seetion.

John U. Lyons was born near Frankfort, Ky., Oet. 22, 1830, and is the son of William and Catha- rine (Eddings) Lyons. The father of our subjeet, whe was a native of Virginia, removed to the Blue Grass regions when a young man, where he after- ward married. After a few years he removed with his family to Indiana, and thence to Edgar County, Ill., where the mother died. He afterward returned to Indiana and died in Switzerland County, in 1860.

A short time before the death of his father, John U., our subjeet, eame again to the Prairie State and purehased a farm of 160 acres, but the following year rented his land, taking possession of his farm in 1860. This latter was formerly owned by Dr. Martin. Mr. Lyons, on the 8th of September,- 1853, took to himself a wife and helpineet in the person of Miss Mary J., daughter of Thomas R. and Rhoda (Smith) Wiley. Mrs. Lyons was born in Switzerland County, Ind., Oet. 24, 1837. Her father was a native of Virginia, and her mother of Kentucky. The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Lyons

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took place in Switzerland County, Ind., and they settled on a farm near the Ohio River, opposite Warsaw, Ky., where they remained until 1860, then removed to MeLean County, Ill.

When Mr. L. purchased his farm in this eounty he eould pay but $400 down and gave a mortgage on it for the balanee, but by ineessant industry and the exereise of a naturally good judgment and rigid economy, in due time he sueeeeded in elear- ing himself from debt. His first crop consisted mainly of onions, he having brought a large quantity of " sets " from Indiana, from which he raised 200 bushels and which repaid him handsomely for his labors. As time progressed he branched out into the various produets of the farm, and in his grain raising and other farm operations has uniformly met with sueeess. He has been prominent in the affairs of his township and has served as Road Commissioner two terms. Before the war he was Demoeratie politieally, but during that period eon- sidered that he had reason to enange his views and east his Presidential vote first for Lincoln and then for Grant. He was a strong Union man during the war, and contributed generously of his means in aid of its preservation.

The reeord of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Lyons is as follows: Thomas R. was born Sept. 17, 1854; Rhoda C., March 16, 1856, and is liv- ing at home with her parents; John D. was born March 30, 1858; William A., Mareh 14, 1860; Lytle R. W., now deceased, was born Nov. 15, 1862; Ulysses S. G. was born Aug. 11, 1864; Sarah C., now the wife of L. W. Baldwin, of Colfax, was born Aug. 31, 1866; Mary E. was born March 26, 1869, and is living at home with her parents; Emma J. was born Feb. 14, 1871 ; Hannah M., Jan. 1, 1873, and E. S., April 22, 1876.

Mrs. Lyons is prominently eonneeted with the Methodist Church, of whieli she was elected a Stew- ard in 1885, and both she and our subjeet have contributed cheerfully and liberally to the support of the Gospel in this vieinity. John U. Lyons is a foreible illustration of the self- made man, having by the death of both parents been thrown npon the world at the tender age of eleven years. He pos- sessed more than ordinary intelligenee, however, and as soon as old enough to reflect decided to ob-

tain a good education. This he aecomplished by working days and studying nights, and possesses a fund of praetieal knowledge which has proved an invaluable aid to his business transactions and has enabled him to seeure and maintain a good position as a member of the community. Ile is universally respected wherever known, and now in the enjoy- ment of a comfortable home is receiving the reward of his early toil and saerifiees.

ILLIAM R. PATTON. The gentleman whose history is briefly sketehed in the following lines, is an active and praetieal farmer, in the prime of life, and the proprietor of a snug homestead in Martin Township, on seetion 6. He is a native of this State and county, his birth taking place on the 11th of August, 1852. Ile eomes of a good family, his grandfather being John Patton, who was a native of Kentneky, whenee lie emigrated in early life to Switzerland County, Ind., and thenee after his marriage, to MeLean County, taking up his residenee liere in 1838, near where Pleasant Hill is now located, which at that time was an Indian town. In this locality he, in due time beeame the owner of a large traet of land, and re- mained there until his death. IIis son, William W., tlie father of our subject, eame to this eounty with his parents when a boy. He was here reared to manhood and received a limited edneation in the pioneer sehools. He married Miss Catharine, daughter of Jesse Cain, and a native of Rush County, Ind. William W. Patton was born in Switzerland County, Ind. After his marriage he settled on a farm in MeLean County, where his son, our subjeet, was born, and which farm the latter now owns and oeeupies.

The subject of this history is the only one living of three eliildren born to his parents. ITis father died when he was but two years of age. The mother subsequently married Charles Griffin of Indiana. Her death took place in this township, in 1868. Mr. Griffin died ten years later in 1878. Young Patton remained on the farm with his mother, and during the winter season pursued his studies in the district sehools. Later he attended

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McLEAN COUNTY.

Wesleyan University for eighteen months, and when his education was completed engaged in farming pursuits. He was married in the twenty- third year of his age, to Miss Anna Woodard, a native of this eounty, and the daughter of James and Luanna Woodard, of Morgan County, Ind. After marriage the young people went to live on the old homestead, which they have occupied since that time. It lies on the south side of the Maek- inaw, and comprises 200 acres of the finest farming land in the county. Mr. Patton has given mueh attention to the growing of fine stock, and has also been extensively engaged in the raising of eorn and hay. The homestead presents an air of comfort in all its appointments, everything about the place being in good order and well eared for.

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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 50

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