Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 56

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 56

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).

Solomon F. Downs, a younger brother of our subject, is a resident of Saybrook, this county, and the owner of 190 acres of good land; he was mar- ried in early manhood to Miss Anna E. Reid. An- other brother, Albert P., owns 160 acres of land in Downs Township; he married Miss R. Lemon. Al- fred E., who also owns a quarter section of land in Downs Township, married Miss Ellen A. Miller.

Larson Downs, the father of our subject, was born in Tennessee, April 30, 1808, and remained in his native State until thirteen years of age. His father

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died while he was still in his childhood, and his mother was married the second time, becoming the wife of William McGee. Afterward the family all came to Illinois, Larson Downs loeating in what is now Downs Township, in 1829. He was the first permanent settler of that section, the township be- ing named after him. He died here Sept. 7, 1860, in the fifty-second year of his age. Politieally he was a Whig, and with his wife, a worthy member of the United Brethren Church. The mother of our subject, who was formerly Miss Sarah Welch, died at the old homestead in Downs Township, in 1866, aged forty-eight years. Five sons of the parental family are solid Republieans, and with the exeeption of Solomon F., are connected with the United Brethren Church.

L EONARD CHASE, a wealthy farmer and . stock-raiser of Belleflower Township, is also one of its most reliable and substantial eiti-

zens. He owns a beautiful homestead on section 9, which is finely improved, under a good state of eultivation, and well stocked with ehoiee grades of cattle and other farm animals. Our subjeet is a native of Dearborn County, Ind., the date of his birth being Aug. 26, 1831. His father, Leonard Chase, Sr., and his grandfather, Anthony Chase, were natives of Massachusetts, the latter of En- glish ancestry, and a descendant of one of three brothers, Thomas, William and Aequilla, who emi- grated from England. The grandfather of our subject was a seafaring man and died in Yarmouth, Mass. His son, Leonard, the father of our subjeet, commenced life as a sailor with his father, who was commander of the vessel, and followed the sea un- til twenty-one years of age. At this time, during the War of 1812, he was taken prisoner by the British and released after six weeks. He then started West, stopping first at Cincinnati, which was then a small place, and engaged with a farmer by the name of Jolin Ferris. While there he made. the acquaintance of Miss Mary Lee, and they were married. IIe then went into Dearborn County, Ind., and entered Government land in what is now

Lawrenceburg Township, five miles from the pres- ent town of that naine. 'Here he built a log cabin, and commenced housekeeping. After a few years this was replaced by a larger dwelling, but built of logs and covered with clapboards rived by hand. In that house the subject of this sketeh was born.

Leonard Chase, Sr., cleared a good farm, upon which he remained until his death, which occurred in October, 1841. His first wife, mother of our subjeet, was formerly Miss Mary Lee, and of this' imion there were born seven children: Reliance became the wife of Sherwood Blasdel, and died in Dearborn County, Ind .; Louisa became the second wife of Mr. Blasdel, and died in Champaign, Ill .; Catharine married Heury Blasdel, and lives in Dearborn County; Mary became the wife of Jede- diah Scogin, and lives in Champaigu County, Ill., which is also the residenee of Maria, Mrs. William P. Sweet; Anthony died in Dearborn County, Ind., while on a visit from Champaign, Ill .; Leonard, our subject, was the youngest child. The second marriage of Leonard Chase, Sr., was Miss Sallie Blasdel, who died in 1878. Of this marriage there were born two children-Jacob B., a resident of Belleflower Township, and Sallie, who married William Curtis, and lives in Dearborn County, Ind.

The subject of this history was a child of two years when his mother died and ten years old when his father died. He lived with his step-mother for a short time, and then became an inmate of the home of his sister Mary, for the following two years, when he started out for himself. He was employed at farm pursuits until twenty years of age, and then engaged on a flatboat and made two trips down the river as far as New Orleans. One of these was made on a eoaster, which traded at different points along the Mississippi. He made his home in Dearborn Connty until January, 1855, and then started on horseback for Illinois. When near Indianapolis, the ground being covered with snow, he stopped and built a cutter, which he used in conveying him to Piatt County, this State. After two weeks spent there he went into La Salle County, and purchased a quarter section of land four miles north of Utiea. He broke a few aeres of the land, but in the fall sold out and returned to Dearborn County. In the spring of 1856 he

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purchased a lot of horses. which he drove to La Salle, and remained in that place until the follow- ing fall, thence returning to Dearborn County.

In the spring of 1857, accompanied by Enoch Nowlin, Mr. Chase went to Kansas, and they en- tered claims in Calhoun, which is now Jackson County. Our subject built a log house, and broke sixty acres and fenced the entire quarter section. In 1860 lie went to Colorado with six pairs of oxen, and with goods for Central City 700 iniles distant, the trip occupying forty-five days. He remained until the 10th of January following, then started back to Kansas, arriving in Omaha eighty days later. Soon afterward he fitted up another team, made a return trip to Colorado, and engaged in mining. He remained there until the fall of 1863, then started for Montana, where he engaged in mining until 1866, when he started eastward. The first 1,000 miles over the mountains and plains was made on horseback, 200 miles alone. He arrived in Dearborn County, Ind., in February, and en- gaged in farming with his brother on the old home- stcad. He then caine to Illinois and traded his Kansas land for personal property. In the spring of 1868 he located on the farm of his brother-in- law in Champaign County, whence, after two years he came to Belleflower Township, in McLean County, where he farmed on rented land for two ycars and then purchased the farm which he now owns and occupies. This was wild prairie when it came into his possession, but he now has it all im- proved and enclosed, has planted fruit and shade trecs, and erected a good set of frame buildings.

The marriage of Leonard Chase and Miss Jane E. Smith took place on the 25th of March, 1868. Mrs. C. was born in Dearborn County, Ind., and is the daughter of John and Catherine (Tucker) Smith, being one of eleven daughters and four sons born to her parents. The daughters are all living and with one exception married : Sarah, Mrs. Wil- liam Shaw, lives at Moore's Hill, Ind .; Eliza, Mrs. Robert Haddock, lives in Harrison, Ohio; Jane E. is the wife of our subject; Matilda is umnarried and lives with her father; Mary, Mrs. Amos Lid- dle, lives in Dearborn Connty, Ind .; Adeline H. married Alonzo Jackson, and lives in Champaign County, this State; Albina E., the wife of Dr. John

Spencer, lives at Moore's Hill, Ind., also Maria, the wife of Thomas Jennings; Ellen F., Mrs. Martin Ew- bank, is a resident of De Witt County, Ill. ; Flora B., Mrs. Ezra Guard, lives in Hamilton County, Ohio; Eva B. married Charles Ward and lives in Dearborn County, Ind .; Mark, the only son now living, married Miss Anna Sutton, and resides on the old homestead in Indiana. Mrs. C., lier parents and all her brothers and sisters, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The male members of the family are Republican in politics, as is also our subject.

B URR P. HEREFORD. The subject of the following history, who was born in Culpeper, Va., March 22, 1826, came to Illinois with his parents when a boy ten years of age. They first located in Tazewell County in 1836, and in 1837 moved to Clarke County, where lie re- inained until reaching his majority, in the mean- time attending the subscription school in winter and working on his brother's farm in summer. He was the youngest child of his parents, and in the twenty-second year of his age was united in marriage with Miss Aseneth Campbell, Oct. 22, 1848. His first purchase of land consisted of 107 acres of timber in Clarke County, upon which he labored for a short time, and then lived in Wood- ford County for twenty-four years following. He became a resident of this county in 1875, and is now pleasantly located in Cheney's Grove Town- ship, on section 30. Hc has brought his land to a good state of cultivation, and has provided himself with suitable and convenient farm buildings. He has in all respects performed the part of a good citizen, and is held in high cstecm by his neighbors and acquaintances.

Our subject is the son of Ammon and Amelia N. (Powell) Hereford, who were bothi natives of Lon- doun County, Va. Ammon Hereford, born in 1791, followed farming 'as an occupation all his life, and died near Flint Hill, Va., Nov. 2, 1825. Ile was a man of strong character and excellent principles, and endeavored to follow out the pre- cepts of the Golden Rule in his dealings with his fellowman. He never belonged to any religions

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organization. He became connected with the Ma- sonic fraternity at Leesburg, Va., of whose doetrines lie was a great admirer. His wife Amclia was born in 1790, and by natural disposition and education was well fitted to become the companion of such a man as her husband. She possessed a more than ordinarily good education, and was a lady of rare intelligenee and kindness of heart. Like her hus- band, she descended from the F. F. V's. Their five children included four sons and one daughter, tlic record of whose birthis is as follows: William T. was born Ang. 16, 1814; Leven P., Feb. 3, 1816; Thomas A., Feb. 13, 1818; Sidney A., the daughter, Feb. 23, 1821; the birth of our subjeet has already been given.

Mrs. Aseneth C. Hereford was born Sept. 24, 1827, in Cabell County, W. Va., and is the daugliter of Thomas and Susan (Bradshaw) Campbell, natives of Virginia. Her father was born Aug. 25, 1805, and the mother in 1815. Both parents are still liv- ing, and are members of the Christian Clinreh. Mr. C. has followed farming all his life, and fulfilled in all respects the duties of an honest man and a good citizen. He is Republican in politics. Their chil- dren were, Ascneth, James O,, Nancy E., Mary, Hannah, Jolın F., William E., Zachariah 'T., Oliver P., and Elnora (deceased). James O. Campbell served in the Union army three years, being a member of Co. E, 29th Ill. Vol. Inf. He escaped unharmed until upon his journey homeward, when he beeame engaged in a skirmish and was instantly killed.

The twelve children of Mr. and Mrs. Hereford are as follows: William T., who was born May 26, 1850, married Miss Helen F. Camp, a lady of Ger- nian extraction, July 25, 1872; Daniel B., born Sept. 15, 1851, married Miss Maggie L. Powell, Dee. 21, 1873; Albert, born Dec. 14, 1852, married Miss Mary J. Mohr, Dec. 21, 1873; Eugene W., born Mareh 2, 1855, married Miss Sarah Emmett, Aug. 1, 1876 ; Cuthbert P., born May 7, 1858, mar- ried Miss Elizabethi Prather, Sept. 4, 1879, and died March 18, 1881; Abraham L., born April 29, 1860, died December 21, of the same year; Susan A., born Oct. 4, 1862, married Jolin M. Power, Sept. 2, 1885; Asencth M. was born April 10, 1865; Clara E., born Sept. 17, 1867, became the

wife of Frank 1 I. Bradshaw; George H. was born Oet. 4, 1869; Edgar L., April 4, 1872; Maggie, born May 3, 1874, died May 10 of the same year.

The early life of Mr. Hereford was spent in hard labor and poor fare. He started out for himself carly in life, his father having died before our sub- ject was born. He often worked for thirty-seven and one-half cents per day, and when grown to manhood received $9 per month. He knows how every dollar of his present possessions was obtained, and has learned the seeret of contentment with his lot, which is the surest guarantee of happiness. The children of Mr. and Mrs. H. were reared in Woodford County and with their parents are con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which our subjeet has been Class-Lcader for several years, besides Sunday-sehool Superintendent and Steward. He has been a staneh adherent of the Republican party sinee its organization, and has hield the minor offiees of his township.

OHN KLINE, one of the intelligent citizens of Le Roy, a self-made man in every re- speet the word implies, and a gentleman who has added to nis fund of knowledge obtained in early years in the publie schools, by continual reading, was born in Greene Village, Franklin Co., Pa., Feb. 27, 1827. His father, Nieholas Kline, was also born in that State and of German anees- try. The paternal grandfather of our subject emi- grated from Laneaster County, Pa., to Franklin County, the same State, in an early day, and it was in the latter eounty that the father of our subjeet was reared to manhood. When a young man he learned the trade of a blacksmith and carried on that business at Greene Village. He owned a small tract of land adjoining the village, and during the last two years of his life did nothing except a little gardening on this place. Ile died there in October," 1849. The mother of our subjeet, Elizabeth Nafs- ger, was born in Lancaster County, Pa. She was of German aneestry, and departed this life at Grecne Village, Franklin County, that State, in 1857. There were eight children born to the parents:

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Jeremiah died in Livingston County, Ill., in 1883; Rebecca married Peter Kreighbaum, and as his widow, is living at Chambersburg, Pa .; Eliza died in youth; Samuel was a pioneer, settled in Illinois, and was drowned in Spoon River about 1843; our subject was next in order of birth; Nieholas is a resident of Kansas ; Catherine and Sarah were twins; the former became the wife of Norval Dixon, and they are living in Padua Township, this eounty, and Sarah died when quite young.

The subject of this notice was the fifth in order of birth of his parents' children. He attended the common schools during the winter scason, and worked on a farm through the summer. When twelve years old he engaged in working on a farm for a neighbor at $3 per month, and was thus oc- eupied for nine months. The two following sea- sons he received for his serviees $4.50 per month. This was only during the summer season, and in the winters he went home and attended school. In the spring of 1842 our subjeet eommeneed work in the shop with his father, and continued to work with him until he was twenty-one years old. Then, in company with another gentleman, he bought the shop and they earried on the business for two years, when Mr. Kline disposed of his interest by sale, to his partner.

In 1850 our subject made a visit to California, and set sail from New York City April 25 of that year. While on the way the vessel ran on a reef, and they were compelled to abandon it. All the passengers escaped and reached the island of An- cachs, where they hired sehooners to take them to Turk's Island, and there chartered a brig to take thein to the Isthmus. They reached California without any further accident, on the 13th of Au- gust, and our subjeet found employment in a lum- ber-yard at San Francisco. He was almost out of means, and worked thereat long enough to replen- ish his exehequer, when he went to the mines in Calaveras County, where he was engaged for nearly a year and a half. After this he engaged in the provision business, proeuring his supplies from Stoekton, about forty-five miles distant, and was thus oeeupied until 1853. He then started on his way home, via the Isthmus, and after his arrival eame to this county, and purchased land in Downs

Township. Ile only remained a short time when he went to Casey ville, St. Clair Co., Ill., and worked at blacksmithing until the following spring. Then, returning to Pennsylvania he remained there until the following fall, when he eamc to this eounty and located at Le Roy, and became an employe of Gil- mer & Wright, blacksmiths. Ile worked for them a few months, and then bought Mr. Gilmer's inter- est, and a year later sold out and bought a farm adjoining the village. For two years he was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, and then bought a half interest in the shop of a Mr. Wright, and they continued in the business together until the break- ing out of the late Civil War. They then sold out, and our subject resumed farming, which voea- tion lie has continued to follow until the present time. His residence and part of his farm is inside the village corporation, and he is meeting with sig- nal success in the prosecution of his voeation.

Mr. Kline was married to Miss Ellen Buek, Jan. 15, 1856. She was born in Fayette County, Ind., Dec. 1, 1830. Mrs. Kline is the daughter of Har- mon C. and Lusena (King) Buck, natives of New York. Her father was born Mareh 1, 1795, and died in Le Roy, Ill., Feb. 8, 1858. The mother was born Jan. 1, 1810, and departed this life Nov. 17, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Buck were the parents of eight ehildren : Ellen, wife of our subjeet, is the eldest; Ann, born March 31, 1832; Benson, Oct. 12, 1833; Eliza Emily, May 10, 1835; Napoleon B., Feb. 19, 1837; Dudley, Sept. 17, 1838; Mer- riek York, July 12, 1840; Martha, Nov. 17, 1841. Harmon C. Buck and Lusena King were united in marriage, Jan. 21, 1830, in the city of Conners- ville, Fayette Co., Ind.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Kline was blest by the birth of eight ehildren: Lydia E. married Dr. J. A. Tuthill, and they are living at Le Roy; Le- onora is the wife of George W. Simpson, also a resident of Le Roy; Clara was next in order of birth; Charles and Grace are twins, and Harry B. The latter four are living at home. Clara is a teacher in the public sehools at Urbana; Charles has a raneh in Norton County, Kan., and Grace is teaching in the schools of Mansfield, Piatt Co., Ill. ; Irvin, the second child born to our subjeet and wife, first saw light Jan. 1, 1858, and departed this

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life April 4, 1879; Irene, born Ang. 4, 1869, died Aug. 31, 1869; she was a twin of Harry B.

Mr. Kline cast his first presidential vote for Zaeh- ary Taylor, and on the formation of the Repub- liean party joined it and voted for its suecess until 1872, since which time he has voted with the Dem- oeratie party.

EROME B. HENDERSON, a minister of the Baptist Church in Arrowsmith , Township, but who lives in Cheney's Grove Town- ship, where he also owns and eultivates a val- uable farm, is a native of Lewis County, Ky., and was born Oet. 30, 1821. He is the son of William P. and Elizabeth (Hendrickson) Henderson, the former a native of Washington County, Pa., and . the latter of New Jersey. William P. Henderson was born Jan. 1, 1792, and in early life removed from his native State to Kentucky, where he followed the trade of gunsmith, and died Sept. 15, 1841. His wife, Elizabeth, was born Aug. 5, 1784, and died in this State Oct. 11, 1858. Both parents were members of the Baptist Church. The little household included five ehildren-Thomas O. (now deceased), Richard S., Eveline B., Rebeeea J. and Jerome B.

Mr. Henderson of our sketch came to this county in November, 1852, and located on a quarter sec- tion of land which he now occupies. Ten years later he commeneed his ministerial labors, having received a good education in the common schools and .academies of Kentucky. He was also or- dained in the year last named, and has oeeupied the pulpit sinee that time, giving his leisure hours to the occupation of farining, of which he has al- ways been very fond. For his Christian labors he has never accepted any salary, and has probably offieiated at more funerals and marriages than any other minister in MeLean County. He was the first Supervisor of Cheney's Grove Township, and served in this eapaeity for a number of years, with credit to himself and satisfaction to all eoneerned. He has also been Justice of the Peace for a num- ber of years. He has organized several church so-

cieties, and been the means of great eneouragement to the support of the Gospel in this locality. He is Republican in politics, and a valued eitizen, whose influence has always been east on the side of truth and justiee.

The marriage of Jerome B. Henderson and Miss Mary Means was celebrated in Lewis County, Ky., on the 24th of July, 1845. This lady was a native of Kentucky, born Feb. 6, 1824, and died at the home of her husband April 27, 1881. She was prominently eonneeted with the Baptist Church, a lady greatly respeeted for her noble qualities of eharacter, and became the mother of seven ehildren, as follows: Mary J., born May 2, 1846, became the wife of I. T. Miller; William E., also a minister, was Chaplain of the 94tl Illinois Infantry during the late war; Katie O., born Dec. 1.1, 1847, mar- ried J. L. Arbogast; Cora B., born June 17, 1849, became the wife of William H. Harris, also a minis- ter; Willie M., born April 3, 1851, married Miss Sa- rah Hall; Emma T., born Nov. 29, 1853, married Stephen C. Murphy ; Sarah M., born Nov. 11, 1855, died when seven years of age; Richard P., born Aug. 9, 1861, married Miss Jennie Gillis. The see- ond wife of our subjeet, to whom he was married Nov. 29, 1883, was Miss Alice M. Murphy, who was born June 11, 1852, and is the daughter of Josephi and Annie (Smith) Murphy, natives re- spectively of Pennsylvania and Maryland. Of this latter union there have been born two children- Thomas O., Nov. 4, 1884, and Blanehe O., June 16, 1886.

RS. ELIZABETH STEPHENS, who is the widow of Wesley Stephens, owns and occupies a comfortable homestead of 160 aeres in White Oak Township, on see-

tion 4. Mrs. S. has been a resident of the Prairie State since 1856. She was born in Brown County, Ohio, in 1822, being the daughter of John and Jane Baird. Her father was born at Columbus, Ohio, and died in White Oak Township in about 1870. The mother was a native of Virginia, and died at the home of her husband in Twin Grove, this county, in 1866. They were members of the United Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Baird in

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politics was strongly Republican. Their thirteen children were Jeremiah, John, Margaret, Elizabeth, Sophia, Mary J., James, Joseph, Maria, Martha, Robert, William and Lucinda.

The subject of our sketch was rearcd under the home roof, and became the wife of Wesley Stc- phens in March, 1853. They came to Blooming- ton, Ill., in 1856, when there was only one black- smith-shop, one grocery-store and a few little houses scattered around. Mr. Stephens was a painter by trade, which he followed for a time after coming to Bloomington, and then purchased 160 acres of good land, which is still the home of Mrs. S. and one of her sons. Mr. Stephens was born 'in Ohio, Ang. 3, 1820, being the son of John and Martha Stephens. He was in all respects a good husband and father, and a worthy citizen. He departed this life in White Oak Township, in 1863, and his remains were laid to rest in Oak Grove Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. S. became the parents of six children: Martha J. departed this life in 1872; Alice C. became the wife of Wilson Selders; John married Miss Savilla Webster, and resides with his mothier on the old homestead; America died Aug. 19, 1860. Mrs. Stephens is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, to the support of which she has contributed cheerfully and liberally for many years. The church edifice stands just across the road from her home. She is a lady of excellent character, and greatly esteemed among hier neighbors and associates.

ENRY W. ELLINGTON. In a country which was originally inclined to swamp land the manufacture of tile has been one of its most important industries, and among the firms which have made this .a specialty, is that of Stoops & Ellington, of Colfax, in Martin Township, this county, of whom the junior member is the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch. The works were established in 1880, and have been carried on in an eminently successful and praiseworthy manner. It is probable that millions of rods of the products of this manufactory now under- lie the soil of McLean County, and probably as

many more will be laid in a corresponding number of years.

Mr. Ellington of this sketch is a native of the State of North Carolina, and was born in Randolph County on the 2d of July, 1848. He is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Eubanks) Ellington, who emigrated from North Carolina to Indiana when their son Henry was five years of age. They settled in Shelby County, where the subject of our sketch grew to manhood, receiving the advantages of a common-school education. In 1872 Henry Elling- ton started out in life for himself, and desiring to see something of the Prairie State, came into this county, and locating in Blue Mound Township, turning his attention to farming. He pursued this for six years following and then became interested in a tile manufactory, after perceiving that this in- dustry would probably be of great benefit both to the farmers around and to himself.

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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 56

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