Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 53

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 53

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S AMUEL WADDLE, an esteemed resident of Normal, is a native of the Prairie State, having been born in Monroe County on the 10th of August, 1835. His father, James H. Waddle, of Kentucky, was reared in his native State to farming pursuits, and after arriving at years of manhood, was married to Miss Elizabeth Mundy, also a native of the Blue Grass State. Soon afterward, in 1827, they emigrated to Illinois, and were thus among the pioneer settlers. They located in the southern part of the State, and there passed the remainder of their lives. Of their fam- ily of twelve children, only two sons and two daughters are now living, and three of the children died in infancy.

The subject of this narrative was reared on his father's farm, and received his edneation in the school of forty years ago. After attaining his majority, he purchased a farm in Monroe County, Ill., which he occupied and cultivated until 1874. Then, desiring better opportunities for the educa- tion of his children, he removed to Bloomington, and one year later to Normal. Since residing in McLean County, he has given considerable atten- tion to the buying and selling of stock, which yields him a handsome income. Mr. Waddle still owns real estate to the extent of 500 acres, 350 of which are in a fine state of cultivation. The land lies near old Ft. Charter, on the American Bottoms in Monroe County. While living there he chiefly gave his attention to the raising of wheat.

The subject of our sketch was married in Sep-

tember, 1857, to Miss Christine Cline, who died in 1864, leaving three children, two now living: John A., book-keeper of a wholesale house at Portland, Ore., and Wellington, Assistant Postmaster at Nor- mal. The second marriage of Mr. Waddle occurred in 1865, when he was united with Miss Jane C. Morris, who bore him four children, of whom one daughter died in infancy ; James is a book-keeper in Chicago; Herbert C. is engaged in teaching, and Leman is attending the Illinois State Normal Uni- versity.

Our subject and his family occupy a handsome and comfortable home, and enjoy the friendship and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances. Mr. Waddle ranks among the representative citizens of Normal, and is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been connected for the past thirty years. Socially he is a Knight Templar, and politically casts his vote with the Democratic party. He has steadily declined becoming an office-holder, althoughi sev- cral times solicited to take the responsibility. He is essentially the architect of his own fortune, and his possessions have been acquired solely by his in- dustry and wise management.

W ILLIAM L. POLLOCK, M. D., one of the most successful physicians and surgeons of MeLean County, is a graduate of Jeffer- son Medical College, Philadelphia, where he se- cured his "sheepskin" 'on the 8th of March, 1871. He commenced practice at Normal, in this county, whence, in 1872, he came to Heyworth, of which he has since been a resident, and has built up an ex- tensive and lucrative practice. Dr. Pollock was born in Bellefontaine, Logan Co., Ohio, on the 4th of May, 1850, and lived in his native town un- til sixteen years of age, pursuing his carly studies in the primary schools and graduating from the High School. Before he was seventeen years old he began to receive special instruction under Rev. Mr. Shaw, a druggist of Bellefontaine, and not long afterward came to Illinois, locating in this county. IIere he entered the office of Drs. Stephen Noble, and R. D. Bradley, of Bloomington, eminent and.

CAT

RESIDENCE OF HUGH VAUGHAN, SEC . 3G, CHENOA TP.

RESIDENCE OF H. HORNEY, SEC. 29 , LEXINGTON TP.

RESIDENCE OF JAS. S. BLAND, SEC.7.(s)

EMPIRE TP.

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well-known physicians, and before he was twenty- one years old, had graduated from Jefferson College, Pennsylvania.

The father of our subjeet, John Polloek, was a native of Richland County, Ohio, where he was educated and grew to manhood. There, also, he was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Furgeson who, like himself, was of Scottish ancestry. After his marriage, John Pollock began the practice of law at Bellefontaine, Ohio, where he resided for six- teen years. In 1867 he eanie with his family to Ford County, Ill., and settled at Paxton, the county scat. There, also, he pursued his law prac- tiee until 1872, when the Republicans of that county elected him as their representative to the State Legislature. For many years he was associa- ted in partnership with Judge Semple. He is now retired from practice, and for the last six years has been enjoying the fruits of his early labors in a comfortable home at Paxton. The mother is also yet living, and both parents are over seventy years of age.

William L. Pollock was the youngest of four children, three sons and one daughter. The eldest son is now deceased. The living are: John E., an attorney of Bloomington; Mary E., the wife of J. U. Marlow, of Denver, Col., who is engaged as a hotel-keeper and is proprietor of one of the finest houses in the city, and our snbjeet. He was mar -. ried in 1872, on the 24th of December, at Nor- mal, to Miss Lillie Bingham. Mrs. P. was born March 24, 1851, in Vernon, Ind., and was educated at Eureka, Ill., to which she came with her parents when thirteen years of age. Her father, Lucius Bingham, died in Indiana, in about 1864, and the mother, Mary A. (Eldridge) Bingham, in Kansas, in 1879. Both were natives of New York State, and Mrs. B. was the sister of Edwin Eldridge, owner of Eldridge Park at Ehnira, N. Y., and who, at his death, bequeathed this to the city.

Mrs. Polloek was finely educated, and was for some time a teacher of music, in which she possessed great taste and skill. She is in all respeets an ac- complished lady and an ornament to society. She has been connected with the Presbyterian Church since twelve years of age, in whose doctrines our subjeet was also reared by a pious and devoted

mother. Sinee coming here, Dr. Polloek has been prominent in local affairs, his intelligent and well- informed mind at onee seeuring him a passport to publie favor. He has been President of the Village Board for some time, and is one of the solid Repub- licans of this locality who has been of great assist- ance in building up and maintaining the local stand- ing of this party. He is also connected with the A. F. & A. M., having been Master of Blue Lodge, and one of the most earnest workers of the frater- nity.

OSEPH G. RANNEBARGER, of Cheney's Grove Township, is pleasantly located on section 14, where he is successfully engaged as a farmer aud stock-breeder. He came to Illinois in 1851, first locating in Cumberland County, and has been a resident of MeLean County since 1876. His birthplace was in Franklin County, Ohio, and the date thereof, Feb. 27, 1844. Ile is the son of Stephen. T. and Susan ( Michaels) Rannebarger, both natives of Maryland. His father was born in 1802, and died at his home in Macon County, Ill., in October, 1874. He was a farmer by occupation, and Republican in politics. The mother was born in 1801, united with the Bap- tist Church early in life, and died in Sangamon County, Ill., in 1865. Their eleven children are as follows: Henry W., Andrew B., Adam, Saralı. Harriett J., Susan, Phillip, Mary, Stephen T., who died in infaney ; Joseph, of our sketeli, and John.

Mr. R. of this notice was but seven years of age when his parents removed from Ohio to this State. They lived in Cumberland County six years, thenee removed to Sangamon County, and after- ward to De Witt County. Joseph G. remained un- der the home roof until the breaking out of the late war, then enlisted in the 130th Illinois Infantry. Six weeks later he was taken ill and compelled to return home, where he remained thirteen montlis. He then decided to try again, and became a mein- ber of the 10th Illinois Cavalry, with which he re- mained two years and four months, his regiment being assigned to the Western Division. IIe was in the battle at. Little Rock, Ark., and in various other engagements and skirmishes, escaping witlı-

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out a wound. He received his honorable discharge in January, 1866, at San Antonio, Tex., and at onec returned to his home in this State.

Mr. Rannebarger made his home with his parents until his marriage with Miss Sarah A. Conn, which occurred Nov. 30, 1871. Mrs. R. was born in De Witt County, Ill., Aug. 19, 1851, and was the daughter of David and Elizabeth (Bennett) Conn, natives respectively of Germany and Ohio. The mother died in DeWitt County, Ill., in 1853. Their four children were Luey A., Albert, Sarah A. and James M. Mr. and Mrs. R. have six children- Perry F., Rosetta A., Nora L., Lnla M., Roy R. and Lottie B .; the latter was born Nov. 15, 1886.

The homestead of our subjeet ineludes eighty aeres of finely cultivated land, with a good resi- denee, barn, and all the necessary out-buildings for the shelter of stock and the storing of grain. His horses and eattle are of the best grades, and models of beauty and symmetry. . Mr. R. is a member of the G. A. R., and the County Vigilanee Associa- tion organized for the purpose of deteeting and punishing horse thieves. He has held the offices of Road Commissioner and School Director for many years, and politically easts his vote with the Re- publiean party.

OIIN W. FUNK, of Randolph Township, is the second son and fourth child of Jesse and Fannie U. (Stringfield) Funk, his mother being the sister of Capt. A. M. Stringfield, a sketeh of whom is given on another page of this work. The parental household included the fol- lowing children : Sarah J. is the widow of John A. Brittonham; he was formerly a farmer; Mrs. B. is living at Montieello, in Piatt County, Ill., aged sixty-one years; John W .; - Thomas C. married Miss Julia Childs, and is now a live-stoek dealer of Crawfordsville, Kan .; Delilah is the wife of James F. Brown, now living in Heyworth, this county; Ab- salom C. resides at Belleflower; he married Miss Chloe C. Bishop, and is engaged in farming and stoek-raising; Naney A., now deceased, first mar- ried Jolm Wilson, who died of smallpox; she after-

ward married John Thompson, who now lives in Santa Barbara, Cal .; Adam was fatally injured by being run over by a loaded wagon, when eleven years of age; he was a promising boy, and his death was a great affliction to the family.

The grandfather of our subjeet, Adam Funk, it is supposed was born on the Atlantic Ocean while his parents were erossing from Germany to the United States, his mother, it appears, having died on the ocean, probably at the time of his birth. The father after landing upon American shores settled near Philadelphia, Pa., and after a few years disap- peared from the knowledge of his parents. The child, Adam, was placed with a family near Phila- delphia, with whom he lived for a number of years. and subsequently went to Strasburg, Va., where he remained until his marriage with Miss Moore, the daughter of an old pioneer of that State, who lived at Mooresville, and who was of German parentage and aneestry. Adam Funk and his young bride after marriage removed to the Blue Grass regions of Kentneky, where was born their son Jesse, the father of our subjeet. Later the family eame North to Ohio, and after a few years' residence there removed to Illinois, in 1824, loeating in what is now known as Funk's Grove, MeLean County, where he lived with his brother Isaae a few months, and there, after a few years the parents died.

Jesse Funk, after arriving at years of manhood, was united in marriage with Miss Fannie U. String- field, Feb. 16, 1825. The following spring they came to Randolph Township, where Jesse Funk in time seeured 8,000 acres of the best land in this seetion, and improved a large portion of this before his death, which oeeurred Feb. 6, 1865. The mother of our subjeet survived her husband a few days over five years, dying Feb. 21, 1870. They were members in good standing of the Methodist Epis- eopal Church, and possessed in a marked degree those admirable traits of character for which the entire family is celebrated, and by which they have obtained their reputation as among the best eiti- zens of McLean County. Their son, John W., per- formed his filial duties in the most praiseworthy manner. He lived with his father until his death, and tenderly cared for his widowed mother until she followed her husband to the better land.

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John W. Funk was reared in Randolph Town- ship, where he pursned his primary studies. Later he entered Wesleyan University, where he attended three years. Ile then returned to the farm, and employed his time in agricultural pursuits until his marriage, which occurred July 30, 1867, at the home of the bride's parents in Lincoln, Logan County, this State, the maiden of his choice being Miss Elizabeth C., the daughter of John and Naney A. (Glover) Fryer. Mrs. Funk had two brothers who 'served under Gen. Jackson in the War of 1812. Her parents were natives of Ohio, and of German and English descent! They re- moved to Logan County, Ill., in 1865, whenee they came to MeLean County. and settled in Randolph Township on one of the farms of Mr. Funk. The father of Mrs. F. was a carpenter by trade, and is now about seventy years of age. The mother is also living, being sixty-six years old on the 7th of February, 1887. Both are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church.

The grandfather of Mrs. Funk, Benjamin Fryer, was reared by the Jefferson family, of which Thomas, the President, was an early member, and was married to Miss Catherine Jefferson. She was a cousin of President Jefferson. They settled in Portsmouth County, Ohio, among the early pio- neers of that section, and became intimately iden- tified with its welfare and progress, aiding by every means in their power the religious and educational element which was struggling for recognition. Ben- jamin Fryer became an invalid many years before his death, but bore his sufferings with resignation and patience, and closed his eyes upon the scenes of earth in 1868, when about eighty-five years old. He served as a soldier in the' War of 1812.

Mrs. Funk was the eldest of her father's four children, and the only daughter of the family, all the children being yet alive; Randolph B., Sam- uel B. and John F. are married and settled in homes of their own. Mrs. F. was born in Ports- mouth, Ohio, Aug. 30, 1843, and received her edu- cation in her native town. She was twenty-one years of age when she came to this State, and was employed in teaching musie until her marriage with our subjeet. Of this union were born two children, Jessie A. and John W., both at home. All the

members of the family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. F. has been Trustee and Steward for many years. Politi- cally he is a stanch Republican. Mr. Funk is largely engaged in stock-raising (high grades), in connee- tion with his farming operations. His farm com- prises 900 acres.

OSEPH HABECKER, an intelligent young farmer of Danvers Township, located on sec- tion 4, is a native of this county, and born in 1856. He is the son of John and Mag- dalena (Roth) Habeeker, natives of France, where the father was born in 1825, and the mother in 1822. The father of our subject emigrated to the United States in 1830, with his parents. They landed in New Orleans, whence they proceeded to Butler County, Ohio, where their son remained until his marriage, which ocenrred in 1845, the lady of his choice being Miss Magdalena Roth. After marriage they located upon rented land in Ohio, and there lived until 1847. John Habeeker then decided to seek the farther West, and coming into the Prairie State settled near Peoria, Tazewell County, and cultivated a tract of rented land. After about six years they removed to MeLean County, where Mr. HI. purchased eighty acres, to which he added in a short time forty aeres more. He was prospered in his farming and business transactions, and in due time found himself the owner of 225 acres of valuable land and a comforta- ble home, which he occupied until his death in 1877. The mother still survives, being now sixty - three years of age and in good health. The house- hold cirele included six children, three deceased : Barbara became the wife of Amos Yoder, and died in May, 1885; Catherine married Peter S. Gerber, of Oak Grove; Christian married Miss Irene Stntz- man, and resides in this county; Joseph, of our sketch, was the fourth child; Johnnie and Lena both died when young. The parents were mem- bers of the Mennonite Church. The father of our subject was a Republican in polities, and in all re- spects a worthy and reliable citizen.

The subject of this history was reared on his

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father's farm, receiving a fair education in the eommon sehools until he attained his majority. Then, by the death of his father, the supervision and operation of the farm fell upon him for about three years. He was soon afterward married to Miss Catherine Burkey, in 1880, and purchased a farm of 112 acres, upon which he has erected a fine dwelling, two stories in height, with an L, hand- somely finished and furnished. IIe also has a good barn and all necessary out-buildings, and if appear- anees are eorreet, is destined to be one of the promi- nent and influential farmers of this seetion.

The parents of Mrs. Ilabecker were Frederiek and Catherine (Creek) Burkey, natives of Switzer- land, whenee her father emigrated when he was twenty-five years of age, and loeated with his fam- ily near Belleville, in the southeastern part of this State. After a two years' residence there they re- moved to Woodford County, and in 1866 eame to this vicinity, and engaged in the cultivation of rented land. Frederick Burkey died in 1871. His wife survived him until May 18, 1885. Their re- mains lie side by side in the Imhoff Cemetery in this county. The parental household ineluded seven children: Frederick, Catherine; Johnnie, who died Oet. 1, 1870; Mary, who died in 1867; William, Mary (2d), and Christian. Mr. and Mrs. B. were formerly members of the Lutheran Church. After the death of her husband Mrs. B. united with the Mennonites.

Mr. and Mrs. Habeeker have two children-Jes- sie, born June 7, 1883, and Eddie, Sept. 22, 1885. Mr. H. and his wife are members of the Mennonite Chureh, and politically our subject is a straight Republican.

W. ULBRICH, manufacturer of harness and saddlery, is located at No. 512 North Main street, Bloomington, where he has built up a good trade, and established himself as one of the first business men of the city. Our subjeet was born in the Kingdom of Prussia, on the 26th of June, 1845, and is the son of Frank and Theresa (Kaps) Ulbrich, natives of the same eountry as their son. The father was. a cabinet-maker by

trade, and emigrated to Ameriea in 1853, landing on our shores on the 25th of June. He located in Chicago, and worked at his trade there for twelve years, since whiel time he has lived with his son, our subjeet, in Bloomington. The mother died in Chicago, in 1879. Their family consisted of four sons, only two of whom are living, our subjeet and his brother August; the latter is a furniture finisher and a resident of Chieago.

Mr. Ulbrich lived in the eity of Chicago from the time he was eight years of age, and came to Bloom- ington in 1882. He attended sehool until twelve years old, and then went to work in a briekyard. Ile was thus occupied for a year, and thence went into a shingle-mill for eighteen months, then made brushes for six months, and subsequently worked in a furniture factory for twelve months. He was then employed in a sash and door factory for tif- teen months, and then served an apprenticeship with his brother, Joseph F., in the harness busi- ness. In 1864 he went to Louisville, Ky., where he worked in the harness-shops of the Government for ten months. The war being then in progress he established a sutler's stand, and after one month's expericnee at this was quite satisfied with army life, and returning to Chieago purchased the harness-shop of his brother, which he operated for ten months, in the meantime employing threc workmen. Hle then went to Milwaukee and worked at his trade for two months, thence to Portage City for two months, and from there to Chicago again, where he engaged at his trade for fifteen months, and then went into business, which he continued until 1882, employing six hands. In that year he came to Bloomington, and has sinee been earrying on his business successfully and employing two workmen.

Mr. Ulbrich was married in 1867, to Miss Eliza- beth Schnur, who was born in New York City, of German parentage. They were the parents of seven children : Henry A. and Frank are in the ofliee with their father, and the others at home are Annie," William, Alphonso, Anthony and Aloysius. They are comfortably located in a pleasant residenee at No. 530 West Grove street, the property of our subject; he also has two lots on West Fourteenth street, Chicago, and four lots in the suburbs of Des

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McLEAN COUNTY. ?

Plaines. Mr. U. belongs to the Demoeratie party, and with his wife and ehildren is eonneeted with the German Catholic Church. He is highly es- teemed by his fellow-townsmen, and is in all re- spects a representative German eitizen, possessed of the honesty and industry characteristic of his raee.

C HRISTIAN GINGERICH, a prominent farmer of Allin Township, is pleasantly lo- eated on seetion 8, where he is following his chosen ealling in an intelligent and sueeessful man- ner, and pursuing the life of a peaceful and law- abiding eitizen. IIe is a representative of that val- ned German element which has so materially as- sisted in developing the resources of the Great West, being a native of the German Empire, and born Oet. 28, 1820. His parents were Michael and Barbara (IIeinanan) Gingerich, natives of the same country, the former born in 1789, and the latter ten years later. They were married in 1816, and the father, followed farming pursuits all his life. Both parents died in their native land, Michael Gingerieh in 1854, and the mother thirteen years previously, in 1841. They were members of the Mennonite Chureh, and the parents of seven ehil- · dren, namely: Jena, Barbara, Catharine, Christian, Jaeob (deecased), Margaret and Andrew.

The subject of this history remained in his na- tive eountry until he was thirty years of age, and sailed for America in the spring of 1850. He landed in New Orleans, and proceeded at once to Butler County, Ohio, where he was employed by the month on a farm. Four years later, on the 4th of March, 1854, he was married in the Buekeye State to Miss Elizabeth Miller, and they imme- diately came to Illinois and located upon rented land in this eounty. In 1865 Mr. G. purchased 120 acres, and is now the owner of a half seetion, upon which he has made fine improvements and which has beeome valnable. He has given mueh attention to the raising of fine horses, and also pur- ehased and sold in this line, which business has yielded him a handsome ineome. Upon first eom- ing to Illinois he was withont means. There was

little market for produee, and this was far away, he having to hanl his grain to Bloomington, He was, however, blest with good health, and in due time overeame the varions difficulties which beset him.

Mrs. Elizabeth Gingerieh departed this life on the 5th of September, 1865, leaving two children, Jolin and Daniel; one died in infaney nnnamed. Ile was married the second time, Sept. 7, 1866, to Miss Catharine Gingerich, and they have beeome the parents of seven ehildren-Christian, William, Ellen, Edward, Emma, Bertha and Joseph A. The family residence is a substantial two-story build- ing, and the farm is supplied with a good barn and all other modern improvements. Mr. and Mrs. G. are connected with the Mennonite Church, of which our subject has been a minister for the last thirty- two years. He has been very successful in his ministrations, and still preaches every Sunday. Po- litieally he is independent, aiming to east his vote for the best man.

OHN PETERS, of Heyworth, is senior mem- ber of the firm of Slagel & Peters, manu- faeturers of all kinds of farm implements, repairing the same, and also in eonneetion . with this, operating a feedmill. The firm was established, in the spring of 1872, and has been sueeessfully engaged sinee that time. Mr. Peters was born in Shenandoalı County, Va., Aug. 8, 1845. His father, Daniel Peters, was formerly a shoemaker and later in life a farmer. He, also, was a native of the Old Dominion, and deseended from excellent Irish and German aneestors. He was married in his native State to Miss Rebecca Blake, a Virginia lady, whose parents were among the earliest settlers of that region. They were natives of Pennsylvania and of pure German deseent. The grandfather of our subject, William Peters, lived and died in the Shenandoah Valley. He was a shoemaker by trade and very ingenions with the use of tools.

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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 53

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