Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 52

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 52

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Our subjeet was married in Bloomington, Il1., Feb. 21, 1850, to Miss Mary A. Depne, who bore him one child, Margaret A., who died when about eleven years of age. Mrs. Bishop departed this life in Old Town Township, Nov. 26, 1856, and Mr. Bishop was a second time married, in the same township, .Jan. 1, 1861, to Miss Mary A. Hart. She is the daughter of William and Sarah (Sharp) Ilart, natives of South Carolina and Kentucky re- speetively. IIer parents after their marriage set- tled in Indiana, whenee they moved to Greene County, this State, and where they both died. Their children were nine in number, seven sons and two daughters, of whom Mrs. Bishop was the eighth in order of birth. She first saw light in In- diana, March 28, 1823, and by her mion with our subject one child, William H., was born. He is at present agent for the I., B. & W. R. R. at Gillum

station. Mr. Bishop has held the office of Road Commissioner and other minor ofliees of his town- ship. In polities he claims to be a Democrat, al- though he is inclined to vote for the best men for the office.

AMES W. QUINN, an extensive and pros_ perous farmer of Dale Township, owns and occupies a fine estate on seetion 34, and is one of the reliable and representative citizens of MeLean County. He was born in Madison County, Ky., May 10, 1827, two months after his father's death, and was the youngest son of Iliram and Elizabeth (Moberly) Quinn.

The subject of our sketch was reared by his mother on the old homestead and educated in the subseription sehool. He remained at home until his marriage, in 1849, and then purchased land near by upon which he carried on agricultural operations until 1854. He then, accompanied by his wife and one ehild, started overland for the prairies of Illi- nois. They were equipped with one pair of horses, a wagon and a buggy, and after stopping a few days in Indiana, arrived in MeLean Connty, Ill., on the 9th day of October of the above year. They moved into the house with his brother, H. W. Quinn, and our snbjeet purchased 160 aeres on the south- east quarter'of seetion 33, in Dale Township. There was npon it a frame house 16x26 feet in di- mensions, a log stable, and fifty-five aeres broken.

The following spring Mr. Quinn disposed of this property and removed to the farm which he now owns and oeenpies. IIe has greatly improved the condition of this sinee it came into his posses- sion, and now has all the land well improved and feneed, and supplied with excellent farm buildings. He purchased the quarter seetion adjoining him on the east and also the southwest quarter of seetion 30, in the same township, these latter being oper- ated by tenants, and they yield to their owner ? handsome ineome.

The marriage of James W. Quinn and Miss Eliza- beth S. Dozier took place on the 8th of November, 1849. Mrs. Quinn is a native of the same State and county as her husband, and was born Aug. 20, 1833. Iler parents were Yetman and Susan (Mo-

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berly) Dozier, of Madison County, Ky. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Q. there have been born three children : Nancy J. became the wife of Fay- ette Barelay, and lives in Dale Township; Leonard F. married Salley Park, of Irvine, Ky., and lives on section 34, Dale Township; Sidney is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Q. and all their children are connected by membership with the Christian Church, and politi- eally our subject uniformly votes the Democratic tieket.

Mr. Quinn is one of the substantial and reliable business men of this eounty, and has assisted ma- terially in the development of its resources and in the mareh of civilization and progress. The home- stead is one of the finest in the county and invaria- bly attraets the eye of the traveler through this seetion by its air of comfort on all sides. The resi- denee, within and without, is tastefully finished and furnished, and the barns and out-buildings possess all the conveniences for the storing of grain and the shelter of stock. Everything about the place is in good order and all operations are carried on in a systematie manner, which denotes the exereise of wise judgment and ample means.

C HATHAM H. D. HARRIS, one of the early settlers of the Prairie State, came from the Blue Grass regions of Kentucky in 1857. He now owns and oceupies a comfortable home- stead in Allin Township ou section 2, where he is fulfilling the obligations of a good eitizen, and car- rying on the peaceful occupation of a farmer with fair success.

Our subjeet is the son of Rev. William and Naney Harris, natives of Virginia. The former was born in Roekbridge County in 1767, aud the latter in 1770. They were married in Green County, Ky., in 1797, and located upon a farm there for a short time. Thenee they removed to Warren County, and in about 1845 to Simpson County, Ky. Here the father died, July 9, 1845; the mother survived until November, 1863, having spent her last days in Warren County. Of their family of twelve sons and five daughters six sons were ministers; the names of the seventeen are as

follows: James, Sarah, John, Thomas H., David R., Rev. Alexander C., Anna, Harvey, Mary, Susan, Rev. William B., Finis E., Rev. Josiah G., Chatham H. D. Naney L., Louie L. D. and Cyrus L. The parents were members of the Cumberland Presbyter- ian Church, of which the father of our subjeet was a minister for fifty years. He belonged to the Whig party politieally, and was a man of sound judgment and great foree of character.

The subject of this history completed his educa- tion in the High Seminary in Springfield, Tenn., which he attended for over three years. After he had completed his eollege eourse, which had been devoted to elerieal studies, he was ordained to the ministry in Simpson County, Ky., in 1842, becoming a pastor in the Cumberland Presbyterian Chureh, and in which he still continues his ministra- tions. After coming to Illinois he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza J. Johnson, in Dale Township, this county, in 1858. He afterward preached four years at Danvers, and in the winter of 1860 held a large revival, during which the ehureh received an addition of ninety-six members, beside a eonversion of sixty-five, who went else- where. The membership of the church at Danvers became very large in numbers, and there were enough withdrew from it to form a congregation of Congregationalists, who have a good house for worship in Danvers, and are prospering in the good eause. This withdrawal did not eripple the mother church from which they withdrew, but to the con- trary, as both ehurehes are in a prosperous eondi- tion. Several of the members of the Danvers eou- gregation organized a ehureh near Stanford, built a large house for worship, and the church at this point numbers over 200 members. They also or- ganized a chureh west of Danvers, and it is in a flourishing condition. There were also a num- ber of families went from Danvers to Gibson City, and established a ehureh there, erected a fine house of worship, and are prospering in the good eause.

Mr. Harris now preaches in Hopedale, Tazewell County, where he has conducted a large meeting suecessfully. He has also assisted at revivals in Lincoln, Logan County, and Le Roy, this eounty.

Mr. Harris is the owner, of 160 acres, with all modern improvements, the family residenee being

McLEAN COUNTY.

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pleasantly located and its inmates surrounded by all the comforts of life. He is an earnest Prohibi- tionist, and served as Supervisor of his township for two years. Mr. and Mrs. H. became the par- ents of one ehild only, Cora A., who died in in- faney.

DAM GUTHRIE, who is identified with the industrial interests of Bloomington as a tobaeconist, is located at the corner of Main and Jefferson streets, Northwest Side. Mr. Guthrie is a native of the Buekeye State, his birth having taken place in Piekaway County, March 10, 1825. He is the son of Robert and Catharine (Spawr) Guthrie, natives of Penn- sylvania. The paternal grandfather of our subjeet was of Seotch-Irish desecnt, while the mother's an- eestors were from Germany. Robert Guthrie came to Illinois and, settled in Funk's Grove in Septem- ber, 1826. He took up a Government claim of 160 aeres, built a log cabin and made some improve- inents, then sold it and made another elaim in . Money Creck Township. After partially improv- ing the latter claim he sold this to the Ogdens, then in 1831, with his family, moved on land belonging to James Allin, which is now in the city limits of Bloomington. After occupying this two years, the fatber of our subjeet moved into what is now the eity and built a house of split boards on the corner of Lec and Front streets. The floor of this structure was of puneheon and the weather board- ing was rived and shaved by hand. A door was improvised out of a poplar box, which Mr. G. had brought with him from Ohio, full of goods. Into this house the family removed, where the father re- inained until his death, in 1846. The mother sur- vived ten years and died in 1856.

When the father of our subjeet first moved into Funk's Grove he took his ax on his shoulder and went out to work. Not far away he found two buek dee :. which had been fight.ng and were locked together by their horns. He slipped up to them and killed them with an ax and the bodies furnished his family with meat and oil for light during that winter. Upon removing to Money Creek, Robert Guthrie, in company with Frederick Trimmer,

journeyed to St. Louis after goods for James Allen, being equipped with one ox-team and a horse-team. After they had secured their merchandise and ar- rived near Edwardsville, on the return trip, they were obliged to stop on aeeount of the deep snow. They put their goods under shelter and turned their oxen into a eorn-field and made their way home laboriously on the baeks of the horses. In the spring they went baek and got their goods and oxen. At this time the parental family. ineluded seven children, who remained on the farmn and lived on hog and hominy all winter, having no bread in the house. Afterward four more children were add- ed to the household circle and of the eleven whiel completed the family, only four are now living: Rev. Robert E., of Wichita, Kan .; Margaret, Mrs. Steele, of Kansas City; Adam of our sketeh, and Peter, formerly of Normal but now a eonstable in Bloomington City. Robert Guthrie was a steady and energetie man, and in addition to his farm and other business, was employed as a contractor, brick- layer and plasterer. Politieally he affiliated with the Whig party and was a great admirer of Henry Clay. Upon first coming to Illinois, both parents were connected with the Presbyterian Church, but after the older children joined the Methodists the parents went with the latter and adhered to this denomination the balance of their lives.

Adam Guthrie remained at home until after the death of his parents, in the meantime receiving a good edueation in the subseription schools. He then worked with his father at plastering and fol- lowed the same until 1862. Then, the Civil War being in progress, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Co. A, 94th Ill. Vol. Inf., where he soon became Corporal and was in the service eight months. He engaged with the enemy at Prairie Grove, Ark., in December, 1862, and when he returned home was quite content with his experience of army life. 'The following year he was made a member of the police force of the eity of Bloomington, being thus employed for two years and then resumed his trade until 1866. In that year he was elected Township Assessor, in which ofliee he continued fifteen years and then established his present busi- ness, in which he has been engaged sinee that time. Being one of the oldest settlers of the county now

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living, he is accorded that peenliar deference and respect whieli is involuntarily shown toward those who saw this country in its virgin state and assisted materially in bringing it to its present prosperous condition. Onr subjeet is Republican in polities, and with his wife, is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Adam Guthrie was married in 1849, to Miss L. L. Butler, of New York, daughter of Ira and Lydia (Thrasher) Butler, of the same State. Of this un- ion there were born three children: Eva, now Mrs. Kimball, of Bloomington, has three children- Bernie, Cora and Lucian; Permeno A. married Miss Anna Noble, a native of this county, and they have two sons, Sydney .A. and Dudley; Permeno A. is Deputy County Clerk; Oscar F. is a ticket broker, having his office at the corner of Main and Jefferson streets. The residence of Mr. G. is pleasantly located at No. 802 North Center street.

HOMAS Z. CHICK, of the firm of Chick & Covey, grocers of Le Roy, was born in Em- pire Township, on section 21, Ang. 28, 1857. His father, Zachariah Chick, a native of Somerset- shire, England, was born June 6, 1826, and was the son of John and Harriett (Combs) Chick, both na- tives of Somersetshire. The great-grandfather of our subjeet, Thomas Chick, was a native of Dor- setshire, where he carried on farming the greater part of his life, and later removed to Somerset- shire, where he spent the remainder of his days. His son John, the grandfather of our subjeet, fol- lowed the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and finally became a contractor and builder, and spent his entire life in Somersetsliire, as also did his wife. The former died in 1858, and the latter in 1884. Their seven children, who grew to become men and women, were named Jane, Thomas, Harriett, Mary, Zachariah, John and Louisa Ann. Zachariah and John were the only ones who came to America. The latter lives in Essex County, Ontario, Canada.

Zachariah Chick, the father of our subject, learned his trade of his father, and lived with him until he was twenty years old. He then went with a consin to the Isle of Jersey, where he worked at

his trade one year, and then volunteered in the Great Britain naval serviec, and was assigned to duty as carpenter and joiner on the man-of-war Penelope. They set sail from Portsmouth, Jan. 9, . 1847, and went via the Western and Cape Verd Islands to the west coast of Africa, the mission of the vessel being to suppress the African slave trade. After fifteen months' service, Zachariah Chick was sent home on account of failing health. During this trip he visited the Madeira Islands, Cape Pal- mas and the Island of Fernando Po, and was in- valided at Ascension Island. After his return to Portsmouth he was discharged, and resumed his trade, being employed part of the time for the Government.

On the 6th of April, 1851, Mr. Chick set sail from Plymonth, bound for America, and landed at Quebee May 9. He went thence to Montreal, where he worked four months at his trade, then proceeded to Chicago in the fall of the year, and after four months spent there, went to Griggsville, Ill., and later to Maysville, Pike County, where he · worked at his trade until September, 1854. In the meantime there had been waiting in England, a lady who was expecting to become the sharer of his home and fortunes. Considering now that his prospects for the future justified the step, Zacha- riah Chiek returned East to New York City, from which he set sail on the 5th of October, for his na- tive England. He landed at Liverpool on the 16th of November following, and on the 16th of Deeem- ber was united in marriage with the maiden of his choice, Miss Caroline Bond. She was born in Bar- rington, Somersetshire, being the daughter of Thomas and Edith (Swain) Bond, who were na- tives of the same shire. The paternal grandpar- ents of Mrs. Chick were Charles and Sarah (Up- still) Bond, natives of Coventry and Shipton re- spectively. Thomas Bond during his lifetime was a very prominent contractor and builder in South- ern England, and at times had as many as thirty men in his employ.

The 1st day of March following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Zachariah Chick set sail from Liver- pool, and landed at New York City April 16. Thenee they came directly to Illinois, locating first at Ottawa, where they lived until June, 1856.

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"They then removed to this county, which Mr. Chiek had visited the fall before, and had pur- eliased 120 aeres of wild prairie land in West Town- ship, on section 24. He did not settle upon this at onee, however, but located at Le Roy and worked at his trade. Two years later he traded his land for eighty acres on section 28, of West Township, to which he removed, and engaged in farming until 1863. He then sold and returned to Le Roy, where he opened a wagon-shop, and has been engaged in the manufacture of road vehicles since that time. He has a pleasant residence on Center avenue, at the corner of Cherry street, own- ing the entire block on which he lives, with the ex- eeption of two lots occupied by our subject. 'He erected his present dwelling in 1876. It is a hand- somne and tasteful structure, and the yard is planted with choiec shrubs and ornamental trees. Mr. and Mrs. Chick became the parents of six children- Thomas Z. (our subjeet), John B., Sarah B., Carrie B .; William L., the youngest child, died at the age of one ycar and six months; the eldest died in in- faney unnamed. The parents are members of the Episcopal Church.

The mother of our subjeet was the ninth of eleven children born to her parents, and the only one who came to the United States. IIer brother William went to Australia in 1848, where he ear- ried on the business of a mereliant tailor at Sidney, New South Wales, and was very sueeessful. He died there in March, 1885. The rest of the family remained in England. Zachariah Chick has always been Demoeratie in politics and prominent in the affairs of this locality since coming here. Ile served one term as Mayor of Le Roy, and three terms as Alderman and Collector. He has been an Odd Fellow thirty-eight years, and has attended the Grand Lodge in this State.

Thomas Z. Chiek remained with his parents dur- ing his childhood and youth, and received a fair education in the publie schools of Le Roy. At sixteen years of age he eommeneed clerking for N. I. Umphrey & Son, and was thus employed for this and other firms the greater part of the time until 1880. He then established himself in the dry-goods trade. After a few months he visited Dakota with a view of removal in ease the country

suited him, but not being satisfied with the ont- look, returned, and resuming his occupation as a clerk, continued until December, 1885. Ile then, in company with a partner, purchased the grocery store of N. I. Umphrey, and since that time they have operated under the firm name of Chick & Covey. They carry a good line of groceries, queensware and notions, and are building up a good trade.

Mr. Chick was united in marriage with Miss Clara Lackey, Sept. 6, 1881. Mrs. Chick is the daughter of Richard and Matilda (Kirby) Laekey, and by her union with our subjeet has become the mother of two children-Edith B. and Edwin Z. Mr. Chiek is Democratic in polities, and belongs to Le Roy Lodge No. 149, I. O. O. F., also Legion of Honor of Bloomington.

HARLES R. PARK, Justice of . the Peace in Normal Township, is a native of Tioga County, N. Y., where he was born on the 24th of January, 1819. His father, Daniel R. Park, was a native of Connecticut, a farmer by oc- eupation, and died on the farm in Tioga County when nearly ninety years of age. The mother, Elizabeth (Dougherty) Park, was of Irishr birth and parentage, and emigrated to the United States with her parents when a child. She was educated in New York City, whenee she removed to Tioga County, and was there married to Daniel R. Park. She became the mother of ten children, and died at the old homestead, aged about seventy years. Of the children, three are now living: James E., of St. Louis, Mo .; Charles R., our subject, and George W., a resident of Owego, N. Y.

The subject of this history was reared on his father's farm, in thic meantime receiving a fair ed- ueation, and remained in his native State until about twenty-five years of age, his time being oc- cupied mainly in farming pursuits. He also ear- ried on a grocery business at No. 546 Grand strect, New York City. In 1854 Mr. Park emigrated West, and has sinee been a resident of the Prairie State. Ile followed railroading on the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad for a few years, and then engaged in

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the commission business at Chicago until the open- ing of the Rebellion. HIe then removed to Panola, and engaged in general merchandising, whenee he removed to El Paso and embarked in the hardware business. Ile afterward carried on a trade in lum- ber, and in the meantime served under President Johnson as Deputy Revenue Collector for Wood- ford County.

In about 1871 Mr. Park removed to Gilman, Ill., and for eighteen months engaged in the hotel busi- ness. He then went to Chieago and occupied him- self in the grocery business until December, 1874, when he came to Normal which has since been his residence. HIere he served as Justice of the Peace for eight consecutive years, has been Notary Publie, and also carried on an insurance business and a real-estate ageney.

In politics Mr. Park is strongly Democratie. In 1886 he was the candidate of his party for County Treasurer, but was defeated with the balance of his tieket. Previous to the war our subjeet was eon- neeted with the State Militia of New York, where he held the rank of Captain, Ensign and Lieu- tenant Colonel, serving with the military for a period of eight years.

Mr. Park was married in 1856, to Miss Martha J. Bennett, their wedding taking place in the city of Chicago. Mrs. Park was a native of Wilkes Barre, Pa. She died on the 19th of January, 1885. By this union there was one ehild, a daughter, who died in infancy. Fannie, an adopted daughter, is "the wife of L. B. Fuller, of Normal. Mr. Park is a member of Normal Lodge No. 673, A. F. & A. M., having been connected with the fraternity sinee 1860.

S IMON CAVANAUGH, a leading farmer of Cheney's Grove Township, owns and oecu- pies a fine homestead on seetion 32. He has been a resident of this county sinee 1856, and is a representative of the warm-hearted Irish nationality, so many of whom have emigrated to this eounty and assisted in its development and colonization. The birthplace of our subjeet was in Wieklow County, Ireland, where he first opened . his eyes to the light on the 9th of September, 1836.

Ilis parents were Thomas and Mary (Ryan) Cava- naugh, both of whom are now deecased. They left their native land in 1848, and after a safe ocean voyage landed at New Orleans, whenee they at onee proceeded to Greene County, Ohio, where they took up their residence and spent the remainder of their lives. Thomas Cavanaugh engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, and the parental household was completed by the birth of seven children, six of whom are now living, namely, Mary, Bridget, John, Simon, Annie and William. Andrew was killed by the fall of a tree, in Ohio, when twenty-three years of age.

The subject of this history remained with his parents until twenty-one years old, receiving a common-school education and assisting his parents in the duties around the farm. Soon after attain- ing his majority he was united in marriage with Miss Julia Stansbury, on the 10th of September. 1857. Mrs. Cavanaugh was born in Tennessee in 1836, her parents being Isaae and Ruth (Lacey) Stansbury. They removed to Kansas, where the father died in 1877; the mother is still living. Our subjeet and his wife are the parents of ten children, of whom the record is as follows: Mollie became the wife of N. MeCarty, and lives in Piatt County, Ill .; William H. married Miss Mary MeCoy, and they are residents of Nebraska; Annie became the wife of William McCoy; Ida, Rosa, Harry and Maude are at home with their parents. Three died in infaney.

When Mr. Cavanaugh first came to this county he was employed as a farm laborer two years. Hle had been trained to habits of industry and economy, and at the end of this time found himself with suf- fieient means to purchase eighty acres of land. This he cultivated, improved, and added to, so that he now has a fine farm of 120 aeres under an ad- vaneed state of cultivation. The residence is a substantial and shapely building. He has a good barn and all other buildings necessary for the sue- eessful prosecution of agriculture, the shelter of stoek and the storage of grain. Everything about the premises is kept in good repair and denotes the enterprise of its proprieter. . He has been upright and methodieal in his business transactions, and by this course has seeured the esteem and confidence

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of his fellow-townsmen, who have from time to time honored him with the various township offices, including that of School Directer.

Politically Mr. Cavanaugh is a stanch Repub- lican, and he and his family are members and regu- lar attendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Saybrook Lodge No. 468, in which he has held the office of Junior and Senior Deacon for some years. Hle is a great admirer of the principles of the fraternity, which he upholds with honest zeal.

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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 52

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