Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 55

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 55

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

488

McLEAN COUNTY.

one died unnamed in infancy. The parents be- longed to the Mennonite Church.

Michael Rupp worked on his father's farm and attended the common schools until reaching his ma- jority. He was married in 1871, to Miss Susan Zook, and that same year purchased 130 acres of land in Danvers Township, upon which he removed and has since resided. He was prosperous in his farming and business transactions and added to his original purchase so that now he is the owner of 218 acres, under a good state of cultivation and provided with a good farm-residence and all the necessary out-buildings.

Mrs. Rupp is the daughter of Bartholomew and Barbara (Stacker) Zook, natives of Germany and members of the Mennonite Church. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rupp there were born eight chil- dren-Magdalena, Susan, Joseph, John, Christian, Samuel, Benjamin and Eli. Mr. R. is Republican in politics, and in all respects a law-abiding and worthy citizen.

mine

HOMAS C. KERRICK, of the law firm of Kerrick, Lucas & Spencer, was born in Franklin County, Ind., April 24, 1848. He attended school until twelve years of age in Indiana, and after coming to Illinois with his parents, worked on his father's farm in summer and pur-, sued his studies during the winter season. In 1868 he entered Wesleyan University, where he took a two years' course and afterward read law in the of- fice of McNulty & Aldrich. He received his di- ploma in 1875, and was admitted to partnership with his former instructors, McNulty & Aldrich. The following year the firm was dissolved, but Aldrich & Kerrick continued until 1878. Mr. K. then practiced alone until December, 1881, when the firm became Kerrick, Lucas & Spencer.

Mr. Kerrick was elected by the Council, City At- torney in 1878, serving two terms. Besides his law business he has interested himself in the rich and fertile lands of Illinois, having a fine farm four miles north of Bloomington, and another in Ford County, Ill., which is chiefly devoted to stock-rais- ing. He is prominently identified with the business

interests of the city, and is a stockholder in the gas company.

Mr. Kerrick was married in 1871, to Miss Tollie Armstrong, who was born in Clarke County, Ohio, and is the daughter of David and Sarah Armstrong, formerly residents of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. K. arc the parents of two children-Leonidas and Alice. The family residence is at No. 324 East Locust street, and they number among their friends and associates the best people in the city. Mr. K. belongs to the Republican party, and is in all rc- spects fulfilling the obligations of an enterprising citizen. He is now President of the Business Men's Club of this city.

ORACE S. WHITNEY, a resident of Mc- Lean County since 1869, is now living a re- tired life in the city of Bloomington, where he owns and occupies a pleasant and com- fortable homestead, having retired from his labors as an agriculturist in 1883. Our subject was born in Pennsylvania in 1833, and is the son of Horace and Lucinda (Cole) Whitney, the father a native of Vermont and the mother of Pennsylvania. Horace. Whitney, a prominent resident of Erie County, Pa., was there engaged as a lumber dealer and sheep trader, and removed from the Keystone State to Wisconsin in 1843, locating upon a farm in Dane County, where he engaged in agriculture.

The parental household consisted of five chil- dren, of whom our subject was the second in order of birth. During the progress of the late war he enlisted as a Union soldier in Co. F, 36th Wis. Vol. Inf., and was in the service twenty-two months. He participated in the battle of the Wil- derness, Turner's farm, Weldon Railroad, and many skirmishes, and escaped comparatively unharmed. At the close of the war he returned to his parents in Wisconsin, where he remained until 1869. He then came to McLean County, and located in Padua Township, where he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth (Ganoe) Baddeley, the daughter of Elijah and Elender (Evans) Ganoe. The parents of Mrs. W. were natives of Ohio and early settlers of Bloom- ington City. Of their five children, four are still

489

McLEAN COUNTY.

living, Mrs. Whitney being the eldest. Her first husband, William II. Baddelcy, was a native of England, and came to America with his parents when a lad eight years of age. They settled in McLean County, Ill., and engaged in merchandis- ing at Le Roy. Their son William was rcared on a farın and married when twenty-five years of age. After this cvent, with his young wife, he settled upon a farm in Padua Township, and continued therc until his death in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Badde- lcy became the parents of three children, two now living : Josephine, Mrs. Rodman, is the mother of two children-Elmer P. and George S .; William H. married Miss Virginia Fulton, and they have one son, named after his father.

Mr. and Mrs. Whitney, in their pleasant homc at No. 506 South Evans street, are highly respected in their community and number as their friends some of the best people of Bloomington. Our subject is Republican in politics, and while in Padua Town- ship served as School Trustee and was otherwise honored with positions of trust. He has in all respects fulfilled the obligations of a good citizen and a useful member of society.

ACOB COOPER, one of the honorcd pioneers of McLean County, after a life of industry has now retired from active labor, and is enjoying a competency at his pleasant home in the village of Danvers. Mr. Cooper was born in Hardin County, Va., Jan. 12, 1828, and is the son of John and Evc (Sites) Cooper, both natives of Virginia. After their marriage they removed to Greene County, Ohio, in 1838, where they spent the remainder of their lives upon a farm, the father dying in about 1846, and the mother in 1853. Their family consisted of eight children, as follows : John married Miss Rachel Clemons, and is now deceased; Susan, Mrs. Thomas, lives in Ohio; Elizabeth married Mathias Sparr, and they removed to Indiana ; both are now deceased. Samucl married Miss Mary Fudge, and Kanc married Miss Goris; Amos took to wife Miss Sarah A. Maxwell; Mar- garet E. is unmarried ; one child died at the age of three years.

The subject of our sketch was united in marriage

with Miss Mary J. Pierce, Oct. 16, 1848. Mrs. Cooper was born Aug. 22, 1829, in Greenc County, Ohio, and is the daughter of William and Margarct (Davids) Pierce, both natives of Ohio, whence her father removed to Indiana in 1832, and died there in 1838. Hc was a blacksmith. His widow remained there one year after his deatlı, and then returned to Ohio, where the wife.of our subject was rearcd to womanhood, remaining with her mother until shc was married. The following year Mr. and Mrs. Cooper came to this county, and our subject pur- chased forty acres of laud in Allin and Danvers Townships. To this he subsequently added until he has now 270 acres about six miles southwest of Danvers, under a fine state of cultivation, with a handsome and substantial farm dwelling, two good barns and machine shed, and all other necessary out-buildings. Herc he successfully carried on his agricultural operations until 1885, and then, selling off his cattle and other stock, purchased two lots and a house in the village and prepared to establish a permanent home. Hc improved and renovated the old house, and has now a fine two-story resi- dence which, with its surroundings, makes a com- fortable and attractive home. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members in good standing of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with which they have been connected since 1878. Mr. C. has been an Elder in his church for some years, and most of their children belong to the same. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. C. were identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics our subject is a stanch Republican, and in all respects a useful and valued member of society.

The household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper was completed by the birth of five children, the record of whom is as follows: Charles W. married Miss Martha Dehart, of Iowa; Margarct E. became the wife of Emmett Williams, who died on the 17th of December, 1883; Louisa B. is single and at home ; Parrazaid A. is also unmarried, and resid- ing at home; Henry F. was married to Miss Janc M. Haynes on the 30th of December, 1885. These children were carefully traincd and educated, and have become good citizens and valued members of the community.

To the parents of Mrs. Cooper were born the

490

MCLEAN COUNTY.

following children : James C., who married Mrs. Parthena Mitchell; Elizabeth A., Mrs. William Mitchell; Parrazaid A., who married Michael Cook; John A., who married Miss Nancy Mitchell, Mary J., wife of our subject, and Isabella A., a half-sister of the others, who married George Wancy, and died in 1883.

B. WHITE, a representative citizen of Bloomington, is successfully engaged as a contractor and builder, and has his of- fice at No. 506 East Graham street. Mr. J. B. White is a native of the Prairie State, and was born at Smith Grove, this county, Sept. 26, 1844. His parents were James and Lovina (Smith) White, his father a native of New York, and his mother of North Carolina. The former came to Illinois in 1830, and settled in McLean County, where, after attaining to suitable age he engaged in contracting and building, which he fol- lowed for twenty years. He then purchased a farm of 280 acres, near Holder, this county, which he has since occupied and been industriously engaged in raising stock and grain. He was one of the pio- neer Abolitionists of the county, and since the war has been a strong Republican in politics. He has always taken an active part in educational and re- ligious matters, and been a Class-Leader and Trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. His family included three children: Mary C., Mrs. Keeney, of Kansas; J. B., of our sketch, and Asa E., also of Bloomington.

J. B. White remained with his parents until he was seventeen years old, and upon the outbreak of the late war enlisted as a Union soldier in Co. K, 39th Ill. Vol. Inf. With the exception of a few months, during which he remained at home on ac- count of a crippled knec, he served from Sept. 19, 1861, to Dec. 16, 1865. Ile participated in the battle of Winchester, and other engagements in the Shenandoah Valley, and along the James River, and endured bravely and faithfully the privations and vicissitudes of war, receiving an honorable dis- charge at the close. After his return home he

worked at the carpenter's trade, and in 1869 en- gaged as a contractor and builder. In the fall of that ycar he was married to Miss Mary, the daugh- ter of Benjamin and Elizabeth II. (Edwards) Coale, of Holder, this county. Of this union there have been born five children-William Lloyd (de- ccased), Elizabetlı H., James L., Laura A. and An- nic C.

Mr. White became a resident of Bloomington in 1870, and at once established his present business,' which has now grown to large proportions, and gives employment to thirty men. He is thoroughly skilled as an artisan, and is his own architect, mak- ing his drawings, plans, etc. The family residence is a handsome structure, and was erected in 1886, at a cost of $4,000.

Politically Mr. White is a Republican, .and greatly interested in the cause of temperance. He is prominently connected with the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mrs. W. belongs to the So- ciety of Friends at Benjaminville. Our subject is a member in good standing of the G. A. R., and both socially and as a business man occupies an enviable position among the first citizens of Bloomington.

R OBERT SWAN, of White Oak Township, has a good farm of 120 acres on section 28. HIc has been a resident of Illinois since the spring of 1854. He was born in Millfield. Northumberland Co., England, in 1823, being the son of Robert and Elspeth (Mitchell) Swan. IFis father was born in 1790, and was married in his na- tive England, where he spent his entire life, dying Aug. 22, 1859. Both parents were members of the Presbyterian Church. The mother of our subject died in about 1825, and Robert Swan, Sr., was the second time married, in 1833, to Mrs. Donaldson. Of the first marriage there were born three chil- dren-Elizabeth and Andrew, who died in infancy, . and our subject, the only one living. Of the second marriage there were four children-James, Nicholas, Thomas and William. The second wife of Robert Swan, Sr., died April 26, 1867, when sixty-two years old.

Mr. Swan of our sketch remained under the par-

491

McLEAN COUNTY.

ental roof until he attained his majority, receiving a common-sehool education. After emigrating to this country he located first at Otsego County, N. Y., where he was employed as a farm laborer for two years. He then went into Harrison County, Ohio, and was there married, Jan. 25, 1855, to Miss Martha Hilton. They located upon rented land, which our subjeet cultivated for two years, and then 'eame to Illinois, working again by the month in this eounty. This was one year prior to his marriage. He subsequently rented land for five or six years, then purchased forty aeres in White Oak Township, which constitutes a part of his present homestead. To this he subsequently added eighty aeres more, and now has it all under good eultiva- tion, with a fine residenee, good barns and all neees- sary out-buildings. He has been industrious and economieal, and riehly deserves his present reward.

Mrs. Swan is the daughter of Thomas and Agnes (Swan) Hilton, natives of England, the father born July 17. 1790, and the mother in Northumberland County, in 1791. After their marriage they eame to Ameriea in about 1818, settling in Washington County, Pa., where they remained for six years. They then removed to West Virginia, and in 1832 to Harrison County, Ohio. The mother died there in 1864, and the father in the fall of 1866. They were most worthy and excellent people, and de- voted members of the United Presbyterian Church.

Mr, Swan is engaged in general farming, in which he has been quite successful. He is greatly respected in the community, being the friend of law and order, and has contributed his full share towards its growth and prosperity.

G EORGE F. LOAR, Postmaster of Cropsey, and senior member of the firm of Loar & Hay- ward, druggists, is a native of Pennsylvania, and born in Greene County, Oet. 5, 1858. His par- ents, John and Maria (White) Loar, were natives of the same State, whenee they removed, in 1867, to Illinois, and settled in Belle Prairie Township, Livingston County, where they engaged in farming pursuits. The homestead upon which the parents still reside contains 160 acres of land, which John

Loar during his earlier and active years redeemed from an unimproved tract and converted into a fine and fertile farm.

The parental family of our subjeet ineluded nine children, of whom George was the fifth in order of birth. He was a lad of nine years when the family eame to Illinois. He was reared to manhood in Liv- ingston County, pursued his studies in the common sehools, and when nineteen years of age eommeneed teaching, a vocation which he followed for five years. In the meantime, in 1881, in partnership with his brother, David W., who is a druggist, he established a drug business at Cropsey, which was continued under the firm style of Loar Bros. until Deeember, 1885, at which date Dr. C. E. Hayward purehased the interest of David W. Loar, and the firm beeame Loar & Hayward.

Mr. Loar is one of the active and enterprising business men of this seetion and is reekoned among its substantial young citizens. He was married, Nov. 20, 1884, to Miss Clara M., daughter of A. G. and Jane (Moore) Green. Mrs. L. was born at Cedar Falls, Iowa, in 1861, and they have one son, Lloyd Alaire. Mr. Loar was appointed Postmaster at Cropsey in December, 1885, vice David W. Loar resigned, and is fulfilling the duties of his position with eredit to himself and satisfaction to all eon- eerned.

ILLEARY BALL. The subject of our sketeh is widely and favorably known throughout MeLean. County as being a representative farmer and business man of more than ordinary ability. He oeeupies a fine homestead on seetion 21, Cheney's Grove Township, and sinee 1831 has been identified with the agricultural in- terests of the Prairie State. He was born in Lewis County, Ky., Mareh 8, 1817, and is the son of Riehard C. and Katie (Clary) Ball, natives of Mary- land. His father was killed by a fall from a tree on the 25th of September, 1817; the mother after- ward removed to Illinois, and died in this county, Jan. 25, 1849. They were not connected with any ehureh but lived worthy and excellent lives, and were greatly respected by all who knew them. Their eleven children were as follows: William,

492

McLEAN COUNTY.

the eldest born, died in infaney; Mary is deeeased, her death taking place at the liome of our subjeet, aged nearly eighty-six; Hilleary, Elizabeth, Annie, Eleanor, Harriett, Rhoda, Henry, David and Snow- den, all of whom are deceased except our subjeet.

Hilleary Ball was only about six months old when his father met his death. He was reared by his mother and remained in his native county until 1831, then eane with her to Illinois, and has been a resident of this eounty sinee that time. After arriving at years of manhood he was united in mar- riage with Miss Calista Hildreth, Nov. 22, 1838, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Jonathan Cheney. Mrs. Ball was born in Lewis County, N. Y., May 27, 1817, and was the daughter of Aaron and Betsey (Maeomber) Hildreth, both natives of Massachusetts, born near the eity of Boston. Some years after their marriage they removed West to Illinois, and spent their last days in this eounty, the mother dying in February, 1860, and the father in September, 1867. Mr. H. was Republican in poli- ties, and both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their five ehildren are recorded as follows: Calista, Mrs. Ball, was the eldest; Julia married Abijah Westover, now de- ceased, and lives in this county ; Amos married Miss Maria Harteastle, and is a resident of Kansas; Charles married Miss Polly Owens, and is now de- eeased; Alfred married Miss Annie Kender, and is living in Texas. The six children of Mr. and Mrs. Hilleary Ball were as follows: William H., born Nov. 24, 1841'; Elizabeth T., Feb. 27, 1844; Julia A., July 2, 1846; Amos, Feb. 12, 1849; Alfred, born Mareh 9, 1851, died June 5, 1852; Hattie was born Oet. 21, 1856. Most of these children are married, and settled in comfortable homes of their own, and Mr. Ball is quite proud of the faet that he has nineteen grandehildren.

The farm estate of our subjeet comprises 150 aeres of land and besides this he has given his children each a fine setting out. He has seen the time when his taxes were less than $1, and also when they were over $300. He has preserved his various land warrants, and with them the autographs of several Presidents of the United States, which he considers beyoud any value in dollars and eents. In addition to general farming he has of late years

given mueh of his attention to the breeding of Norman and Clydesdale horses, many of his animals having been sold at the high price of $1,300. IIe has been uniformly prosperous in his agricultural and business operations, and besides his fine extent of valuable land has a handsome and substantial dwelling, good barns and other out-buildings, and all the aeeessories of a modern country gentleman, surrounded by all the comforts and 'inany of the luxuries of life. He is Republiean in politics, and takes a lively interest in'everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of his eounty and eom- munity. Mr. Ball has a remarkably intelligent faee, is in stature five feet and eleven inches, and weighs 140 pounds.

R OBERT MOORE, deceased, was formerly a resident of Old Town Township, his home being located on seetion 12. He was a pros- perous farmer and respected as a citizen, and left no dark spot upon any page of the his- tory of his past. His parents were John and Jane (Williamson) Moore, natives of Virginia, where they settled after their marriage, and where they continued to reside uutil their death. The parental union was blest by the birth of ten children, our subjeet being the youngest.

Robert Moore was born in West Virginia, Sept. 21, 1813, and spent upward of forty years of his life in that State, engaged the while in agricultural pursuits. In 1853, accompanied by his wife and four children, he came to McLean County, and tak- ing up his residenee in Normal Township, made that his home for thirteen years. He then traded the farm which he owned in Normal Township for one located on seetion 12, Old Town Township, to which he removed in 1866, and where he lived and labored at his ehosen ealling until his death, which occurred Dee. 4, 1883. At the date of his demise he was the owner of 165 aeres of good land, which he left to his family free of all ineumbranees. -

Mr. Moore was married in what is now West Virginia, May 6, 1840, to Miss Eliza J. Wells. She was the daughter of Charles and Margaret (Mun- sey) Wells, likewise natives of West Virginia. Her father was a farmer, and followed his ealling in the

W.H.LOPER

BLACKSMITH

SHOP & RES. OF WH. H. LOPER, HAZEL ST ., WESTON.

RES. OF THOMAS HATFIELD, SEC. 7., TOWANDA TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF S. F. BARNARD, SEC. 21., MONEY CREEK TOWNSHIP.

495

MCLEAN COUNTY.

State of his nativity until his death; his good wife also died there. Of the three children born to them Mrs. Moore was the youngest, the date of her birth being Jan. 30, 1822. By her marriage with our subject eight children were born, the rec- ord of whoin is as follows: Charles W. married Miss Emma Dean, and they are living at Storm Lake, Iowa; Jane is living at home with her mother; Martha is the wife of A. R. Arbuckle, and they reside in Nebraska; John died while in his eleventh year; George lives at home; Taylor de- parted this life when thirteen years old; Arthur married Miss Alice Craig, and resides in Nebraska, and Edwin L. died when seven years of age.

Mr. Moore was a prominent member of the Christian Church, and a worthy laborer in the cause of the Master. He also held several of the minor offiees of his township, and was respected and loved for his straightforward and manly dealings with his fellowmen, as well as for his sterling worth and integrity. Mrs.'Moore is also a member of the Christian Church, and lias belonged to that denom- ination for upward of forty years. Her husband was immersed by Alexander Campbell, and during his lifetime was an Elder in a congregation in this county ; all of the children now living are members of the same ehureh.

OHN D. DOWNS is one of a family of six brothers, who were the sons of . Larson and Sarah Downs, the family record being as follows: William, the eldest, is married and living at Heyworth; he was born Oet. 18, 1837, reared and educated in Randolph Township, and followed agricultural pursuits. His wife, formerly Miss Matilda Scott, a native of Ohio, was born May 8, 1839, and came to Illinois with her parents in her girlhood. This brother served as a soldier of the Union. being a member of Co. H, 39th Ill. Vol. Inf., which was known as the Yates Phalanx, and was commanded by Col. Thomas Osborne, now of Chicago. This gentleman was formerly Minis- ter to the Argentine Republie, South America. After enlistment this brother went with his regi- ment to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., whence he pro-

ceeded with his regiment to Williamsport, Md., and thereafter participated in about seventeen engage- ments, including the siege of Charleston. He served out his term of enlistment, then veteranized, and endured with his comrades, bravely and faith- fully, their later hardships and privations. He was also engaged in the battle of Drury's Bluff, and fol- lowed Grant into Richmond at the final surrender of Lee. After his discharge he returned home, and for five years was a resident of Miami County, Kan. He then returned to this State, and' since 1873 has made his home in this county. George W. Downs, the second son of the family, owns 180 aeres of valuable land in Rand and Downs Town- ships, upon which he is farming successfully. He also was in the army three years.

Jolın D. of our sketeh was born in Downs Town- ship, Nov. 11, 1845. He received a fair education in the common schools, and lived with his parents until his marriage with Miss Eliza Cowden, which took place in Old Town Township, Feb. 20, 1868. Mrs. Downs was born in the latter-named town- ship, March 10, 1850, and remained under the home roof until her marriage. Her father is now deceased; the mother is still a resident of Old Town Township. Our subjeet and his wife are the parents of seven children, all living at home, namely : Frank E., Mary M., Albert R., Frederick L., John C., Fannie G. and Blanche.

Mr. and Mrs. Downs after their marriage located in Downs Township, where they remained until 1878, in which year they removed to their present home in Randolph Township, which is located on section 12. The estate includes 337 aeres of finely cultivated land, and in all its appointments indi- eates the best of management.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 55

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