Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 58

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 58

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G ARRIGUS BROS. Wilbur C. and Josephi C. Garrigus are eondueting a livery, boarding and sale stable at Nos. 423 and 425 North Main street, Bloomington, having also a feed- yard in connection. Although comparatively young in business, having established in 1886, they have been sueeessful from the start. Their stoek comprises from twelve to twenty fine horses, and their vehieles are of first-class deseription. They

also eondnet an undertaking business, having a fine hearse and all other accessories.

Wilbur C. and Joseph C. Garrigus were born in Marshall County, Ill., being the sons of Jacob and Matilda (Chandler) Garrigus, natives of New Jer- sey, the former of whom eame to Illinois with his parents when a boy, and they settled in Marshall County. The father was engaged in general mer- ehandising, and became County Treasurer and Postmaster. He resided there until 1872, then removed to Chicago, and for a number of years was engaged in the real-estate business. Later he was appointed United States Gauger, which offiee he still holds. He has always been an active and prominent business man and takes an interest in all matters pertaining to the publie welfare ..

The two brothers received a fine education and bid fair to follow in the footsteps of their father as regards business talent and enterprise. Their younger brother, Charles, is in their employ, aud the firm is becoming favorably known in this lo- eality as reliable, prompt to meet its obligations, and in all respects ranking with the first-elass busi- ness interests of the eity. One of the brothers is Democratie in polities, one Republiean, and one a Prohibitionist. Wilbur C. married Miss Belle Clark, of Wiseonsin, and they are the parents of one son- Roy. Their residence is at No. 1104 North Prairie street.

AMES COOPER, one of the pioneers of MeLean County, respected and loved by all who know him, and a progressive farmer of Funk's Grove Township, is a resident on section 1. He was born in Ross County, Ohio, July 24, 1828, and his father, Michael Cooper, was a native of Lancashire, England. The latter grew to manhood in his native land, was there married, and eame to this country about 1820. He had come to America with the intention of seeking a home for his family, but while here his good wife died in the old country, and his mother took charge of the children, who always lived in England. Mr. Cooper was again married, in Ross County, Ohio, and the lady seleeted as his life companion was Mrs. Ruhanna Hiekle. She was born in Virginia,

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and was the daughter of Abraham VanMeter and the widow of Jacob Hiekle.

Michael Cooper was a wagon-maker by trade, but after his second marriage engaged in the voea- tion of a fariner. In 1830 he bought land in Madison County, Ohio. The tract contained 160 aeres and was military land and heavily timbered. Ilis title to this property proved to be worthless, and after clearing quite a portion of it he lost the entire property. In 1837, accompanied by his wife and five children, he started for Illinois. The journey was made overland with a team of horses and a wagon, oeeupying three or four weeks' travel, and terminated at Bloomington, this State. Soon after his settlement there he rented land of Col. Gridley, at Lexington, a portion of which is now ineluded in that eity. This he worked until 1841, when he moved to Towanda Township and rented a farm, which he worked for three years. He then went to Hudson Township, where he was a renter until 1847, during which year he started on his return to England, and it is supposed lie was lost on the voyage as he has never been heard from sinee. His wife died at the home of our subject , in 1872.

Of the second marriage of Michael Cooper five children were born, the subject of this notice being the third in order of birth. He was nine years old when he came to this county with his parents, and here attended the pioneer sehool and assisted his father in the labors of the farm. After his father's death he worked out, receiving $7.50 per month for his services. He saved his earnings, and in time was enabled to carry on farming on rented land, and made money by so doing. In 1867 he bought 210 aeres of land on section 1, Funk's Grove Township. There were no buildings on the place in which to live, and he rented until 1873, when he moved on to the place and has sinee made it his home. He has a good farm under an advanced state of enltivation, and has been sneeessful in the prosecution of his labors. In 1878 his residenee was destroyed by fire and he then ereeted the one in which he is now living. The place at present consists of about 300 aeres, all of which is enelosed and well improved.

Mr. Cooper was married, Jan. 23, 1866, to Fran-

ees Veateli. She was born in this eounty Nov. 18, 1842. Her father, Covington Veatch, was a native of Indiana, and her paternal grandfather was born in Tennessee of Seoteli-Irish ancestry. Mrs. Coo- per's father lived in Indiana until nineteen years old, and then, in 1836, came to this eounty with his parents and settled with them in Randolph Township. His father entered Government land and improved several farms. lle was a carpenter by trade, and he would build a house on a small traet of land and then dispose of the place and bny another. lle spent the last days of his life in Quiney, Ill. He was also a Baptist preacher, and labored in the pulpit on Sundays for the conversion of souls. Ile died in 1878, aged eighty years. The mother of Mrs. Cooper, Eliza Branton, was born in Virginia in 1823, and eame to this State with her parents in 1834. They located in Cham- paign, where their demise occurred. Covington Veateli, after living some time on his farın in Randolph Township, sold out and went to Kansas, settling in Kingman County, where he lived a retired life.

Socially Mr. Cooper is a member of the Masonie fraternity, and holds fellowship with Lodge No. 251, of Heyworth. He is also a member of Robert T. Harvey Post No. 606, G. A. R. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. B, 94th Ill. Vol. Inf., and was in the service sixteen months, participating in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., and several other minor engagements. He was discharged on account of an affeetion of the eyes, from which he never recovered, and has lost the sight of one of them entirely.

C APT. E. C. MYERS, one of the sueeessful farmers and stoek-growers of Randolph 'Township, is located on seetion 8. His farm estate consists of 160 acres of highly improved and valuable land. Mr. Myers is the eldest son of Jo- seph and Keziah Myers, the former now living at Ioda, Iroquois Co., Ill., being seventy-one years of age. The mother of our subjeet died many years · ago in MeLean Connty, and the father is now liv- ing with his second wife. He became a settler of this eounty in 1851, and at one time was a large

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property holder in Randolph Township, most of which is still in the family.

The grandfather of our subjeet on his father's side was John Myers, a native of Pennsylvania, who was the son of Casper Myers, a native of Ger- many, who with six other brothers emigrated to the United States prior to the Revolutionary War. Five of the brothers engaged in that memorable confliet, and the two younger were in the War of 1812, one of whom fell mortally wounded at the battle of Plattsbnrg, N. Y. The survivor beeame the aneestor of our subjeet. Casper Myers, after his retirement from the army, engaged in agrieult- ural pursuits in Lieking County, Ohio, and died there at an advanced age. The grandfather of our subjeet, John Myers, was born and reared in Penn- sylvania, his birth oeenrring about 1790. He emi- grated from his native State to Ohio, being among the early settlers of Lieking County, where he se- enred a farm and established a comfortable home. He afterward came to Illinois, and spent the re- mainder of his days. His son Joseph, the father of our subjeet, was born in Pennsylvania, and was earried in the arms of his mother to their home in Lieking County, Ohio. This lady before her mar- riage was Miss Mary Gosnell, who was of English deseent and born in Pennsylvania. The family eame to Illinois in 1855; the father died in Ran- dolph Township, this county, June 1, 1869. Her husband followed her to the silent land in Deeem- ber of the same year.

Joseph Myers, the father of our subjeet, re- mained with his parents until he had attained to years of manhood, and was united in marriage with Miss Keziah Barriek. She was born in Pennsyl- vania, and when about sixteen years of age removed with her parents to Lieking County, Ohio. She subsequently eame with her family to Illinois, and died in Randolph Township, this eounty, in 1875.

Capt. Myers was born in Lieking County, Ohio, Feb. 27, 1838. When fourteen years of age he was brought to Illinois by his parents and located in this eounty with them in 1851. He remained under the parental roof until April, 1861, in the ineantime receiving a practical business edneation. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Co. C, 20th Ill. Vol. Inf., under command of Capt.

J. O. Pullen. 'After serving his term of three months, he re-enlisted, becoming a member of Co. K, 39th Ill. Vol. Inf., under Capt. Joseph Wood- ruff. The company was organized at Chicago, Aug. 14, 1861, and proceeded at onee to Benton Bar- raeks, Mo., and thienee to join the Army of the Potomae. Their first engagement with the enemy, who were led by Stonewall Jaekson, was at Bath, Va., on the 4th of January, 1862. Onr subjeet with his eomrades participated in the famons mareh of Gen. Landers, in which they traveled over a inountain road of forty miles, in sixteen hours. He was afterward transferred to the eelebrated Shields' Division, which assisted in the battle of Winehes- ter, where the enemy was routed. They afterward met the enemy in several engagements around Suf- folk, Va., thenee going to Port Royal, S. C., in February, 1863, where our subjeet witnessed the engagement between the iron-elad fleet and Ft. Sumter. The company sustained a serious loss in the death of its Captain (Woodruff), who fell at the entrance of Ft. Gregg, killed by a bursting shell.

At that time, Jan. 1, 1864, many of the company re-enlisted 'as veterans at Hilton Head, S. C. Young Myers had been serving as First Sergeant sinee January, 1862, and on the 24th of December, 1864, was made First Lieutenant and the following year Captain. He afterward took an active part in many engagements and skirmishes, and was always on duty. During the summer of 1864, the killed, missing and captured aggregated 653.men of their regiment. Capt. Myers was present at every en- gagement of the regiment from the time Ft. Sum- ter was reduced until the surrender of Lee at Ap- pomattox Court-House. Through all these dangers he eseaped unharmed and received his honorable discharge Dee. 16, 1865.

Capt. Myers was married in MeLean County on the 3d of March, 1864, to Miss Martha Crose, their wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Downs Township. Mrs. Myers was born in Downs Township, Oet. 27, 1844, and was reared on her father's farm, receiving a fair education in the eom- mon sehools. Her parents eame to this county at an early day, and assisted with their fellow pioneers in its growth and advancement.

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Capt. and Mrs. Myers became the parents of nine children, of whom one, Leota, is deceased. Those living, and all at home are, Ella M., Edith S., David, Joseph P., Thomas E., John J., Mabel and George. Capt. Myers is a member of the Re- publiean party, although in political, as well as re- ligious views, he is extremely liberal.

OSEPH W. ZOOK, Postmaster of Oak Grove, came to MeLean County in 1849, with his parents, and spent his youth and childhood " on his father's farm. He has been a resident of this vieinity sinee that time, and one of its most valued citizens. Mr. Z. was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Feb. 7, 1837. His parents were Da- vid and Barbara (King) Zook, natives of Pennsyl- vania, the father born Jan. 6, 1806, and the mother, Nov. 24, 1814. David Zook received a common- school education, and when a young man removed with his parents to Fairfield County, Ohio. He was married in Wayne County, that State, in 1834, and they remained in Fairfield County until the fall of 1849. The family then came to Illinois and loea- ted in McLean County, where the parents spent the remainder of their days, the father dying in 1872, and the mother in 1880. David Zook in early life was a staneh adherent of the Whig party, but later became a strong Republican. Both parents were members of the Omish Mennonite Church. Their family consisted of four sons and four daughters, as follows: Naney died in infancy; Joseph W. of our sketch was the second; Rebecca became the wife of Christian Kenagy; Susan E. married Henry Gephart; John K. married Miss Mary King; Sarah A. became the wife of Barton W. Stone; David A. married Miss Barbara Kinzinger; Levi W. married Miss Emma Reynolds; Rebeeea and Sarah are de- ceased.

The subject of this history resided with his par- ents until his majority, having received a common- school education. He was studious and fond of his books, and engaged one term in teaching school. The state of his health prevented him from working upon the farm, and he started the first store of gen- eral merchandise in Oak Grove, in 1864. He aft-

ward sold this and engaged in teaching writing and painting elasses. At the age of thirty-three years he was married to Miss Leah E. Plank, of Danvers, Ill., who has been a true and devoted wife and helpmeet in all his prosperity and adversity. After marriage the young people removed to Ford County and lo- cated on a farm. Our subject taught penmanship, and after two years returned to Oak Grove, of which he was subsequently appointed Postmaster, which office he has now held for six years. He is also Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Town- ship Clerk and Collector, performing the duties of each with eredit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned.

Notwithstanding he has been afilieted with rheu- matism, and his health is otherwise impaired, Mr. Zook has lived a busy life, never content to be idle. He has been afflicted with the rheumatism sinee fourteen years of age, being compelled to use erutehes for the last twenty-five years. He is Re- publiean in polities, and both himself and wife are worthy members of the Mennonite Church. They became the parents of four daughters, two de- eeased : ' Lillian Olive was born July 21, 1871, and died Sept. 7, 1872; Katie Belle was born Sept. 8, 1873; Barbara May, born Jan 21, 1876, died Jan. 26, 1877, and Lydia Maude, born June 25, 1878.

OHN J. MYERS, a native of McLean County, is now one of its most promising young farmers, and the son of a former resi- dent of Randolph Township. The latter, Joseph Myers, was a native of Pennsylvania, and when an infant was carried by his parents to the home which they had seleeted in Ohio. The family were of German ancestry and parentage. Joseph Myers was reared in Lieking County, Ohio, and after arriving at years of manhood was there mar- ried to Miss Kesiah Barriek, who was a native of Pennsylvania and removed to Ohio with her parents when a young girl. By her marriage she became the mother of ten children, of whom the subject of our sketch was the youngest but two. Of these there were six sons and four daughters, of whom five sons and three daughters are yet living, all

RESIDENCE OF D. L. WHITE, SEC. 21. BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF EDGAR BLAISDELL , COR. THIRD & OAK STS. WESTON, ILL5.

RESIDENCE, MILL & TILE WORKS OF JOSEPH DORLAND, SEC. 21, RANDOLPH TP.

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married with the exeeption of two. She died at the home of her husband in Randolph Township, this county, in 1875. The father is now living near Loda, Iroquois Co., Ill., where he owns a com- fortable home. IIe and his sons were at one time proprietors in this township of about 600 aeres of land.

The paternal grandfather of our subjeet, John Myers, was born in Pennsylvania, and was the son of Casper Myers of Germany, who, with six brothers, emigrated to the New World prior to the Revolutionary War. Five of the brothers engaged with the eolonies in the struggle for independenee, and two of the younger ones were in the War of 1812, one of these being mortally wounded at the battle of Plattsburg, N. Y. One of the survivors was Casper Myers, who, after his retirement from a military life, beeame a farmer in Lieking County, Ohio, and died there at an advaneed age. His son John, the grand- father of our subjeet, was born in Pennsylvania in about 1790. He remained there until he attained to years of manhood and then emigrated to Licking County, Ohio, being among the earliest settlers of that region. He purchased a traet of land and opened up a farm, upon which he lived for a num- ber of years, but finally came to Illinois and spent his last days in MeLean County, dying in Randolph Township in 1869. His wife, Miss Mary Gosnell, was of English deseent and born in Pennsylvania. She also died in Randolph Township before her husband but in the same year.

The subject of this history was the seventh of a family of ten ehildren. He was born in Randolph Township, this eounty, May 17, 1853, and remained with his parents until his marriage. This event oeeurred Sept. 24, 1879, in Normal, the lady of his choiee being Miss Tina Hadley, who was a native of Collinsville, Madison Co., III. She was -born Sept. 9, 1856, and is the daughter of Dempsey and Martha (Penney) Hadley, natives respectively of North Carolina and Illinois. They removed north- west while young and were married in Collinsville, where they afterward located upon a farm. There the father died in 1862. Eleven years later the mother and children removed to Normal, Ill., where the mother died in 1876, aged fifty-four years. Mrs. Myers completed her education in

the Normal University and began teaching when eighteen years of age. She followed this five years and until her marriage. Of this household there were three children, all living, Mrs. M. and one brother being twins; Charles W. is married and a resident of Pocahontas, Ill .; John J. is single and is a teacher.

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Myers there have been born three children, one of whom, Claude L., is deeeased. Those surviving are Clyde II. and Alpha E. The homestead of our subject and his family is finely located on seetion 8 and comprises 160 aeres of finely improved land, and a substantial set of frame buildings. Besides the home farm he also eultivates 160 aeres on seetion 7. Of late years he has been giving considerable attention to the breeding, purehase and sale of fine stoek. He is in all respects one of the thrifty and enterprising agrieulturists of Randolph Township, who is eon- tributing his full quota toward the advancement of its farming and industrial interests. Mrs. Myers is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church, and in polities our subjeet affiliates with the Re- publiean party.

ENRY M. MILLER, for many years a prae- tieal and sueeessful farmer, is now living within the limits of the village of Heyworth, where he has resided for the past twenty years. He was born in Jessamine County, Ky., on the 13th of March, 1830. . Both his father and grandfather before him engaged in agricultural pur- suits, and both were natives of the same State and eounty as our subjeet and spent their entire lives there, where their remains are laid to rest. The father was William Miller, and the grandfather, Franklin Miller; the family were of German de- seent.

The subject of this history grew to manhood on his father's farm in Kentucky, and when a young inan eame to the Prairie State, purchased a traet of land of sixty aeres in this eounty, and began its improvement and eultivation. He was sueeessful in his undertakings, and besides his farm, which has now become quite valuable, he has also a desirable

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village lot upon which are good improvements. Soon after coming to this county he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia A. Hooton, who was born and reared in Madison County, Ky .. and eame with her parents to Illinois in her girlhood. Her father, Nicholas Ilooton, is still living in Bloomn- ington. and is eighty-five years of age. The mother died in Heyworth some years ago.

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Miller there were born six children, two now deceased, Eddie and Mary; Smiley became the wife of Charles Rober- shaw, who operates a cabinet-shop in Hey worth ; Henry is out West; Callie and Hattie are at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are mem- bers in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in polities our subjeet is a reliable Democrat.

OSEPH M. EASTERBROOK, a resident of Belleflower, and one of its most solid and substantial eitizens. has been a resident of this locality sinee 1865 and during this time has fully established himself in the confidence and es- teem of the people of this eounty. Mr. E. is a native of Ross County, Ohio, where he was born June 3, 1830. His father, George W. Easterbrook, was born on the Atlantic Ocean while his parents were on their journey from England to the United States. His grandfather, John Easterbrook, was born in the city of London and was a leader in Gen. Proetor's band during the Irish rebellion; he also figured prominently in the War of 1812, hav- ing eome to the United States during its progress. He was captured by the troops of Gen. Harrison during the battle of the Thames. He had been foreed into the English army when quite young, against his own wishes, and after his capture by the Federals he foreswore allegianee to the King and joined the colonists, being given a Captain's com- mission by Gen. Harrison. After peace was de- elared he located at Cincinnati, Ohio, and followed the profession of music in the schools of that city, for a number of years, until he became quite aged. His death occurred in Fayette County, Ohio, after he had attained the advanced age of ninety-six

years. His son, George W., the father of our sub- jeet, was reared in Cineinnati and Ross County, and having received a good education, adopted school-teaching as a profession, which he followed nearly all his life. Ile came to Illinois and this county in 1867, spending the last years of his life in Belleflower Township. He died here in 1875.

'The mother of our subjeet, who before her mar- riage was Miss Elizabeth Pursell, was born in Ross County, Ohio. She became the mother of two children, our subject and his sister Mary. The latter married Rev. Samuel Middleton, and died in Barnesville, Ohio. Joseph M. was reared on his father's farm and assisted in the labors around the homestead. This was originally a traet of timber land and as soon as our subject was old enough he had to work upon the land, while his father added to the family income by teaching school. Our sub- jeet remained on the homestead until nine years after his marriage, and then, in 1865, purchased the farm which he now owns and oeeupies in Belleflower Township. Upon this there was a dilapidated frame house, and a part of the sod had been broken. The old house has now been replaced by a hand- some and substantial farm dwelling, with a good barn and all other necessary out-buildings. He has been prospered in his business and farming trans- actions, and has added to his first purchase until he now owns 240 aeres, all finely improved and under a good state of cultivation, with a fine area of pas- ture. The farm and its belongings constitute one of the attractive spots of the township.

Mr. Easterbrook was married, Oet. 5, 1854, to Miss Hannah J. Middleton, who is the-daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Bathurst) Middleton, natives of Center County, Pa. Her grandfather, James Middleton, of Penusylvania, descended from En- glish ancestry, followed agricultural pursuits, and spent the last years of his life in Ross County, Ohio. Jacob Middleton was reared in his native State, and after his marriage removed to Ohio, in 1821, settling in Ross County upon a traet of tim- ber land. He cleared a farm from the wilderness, where he remained until 1866, and then came to McLean County, Ill., but returned to Ohio in 1873, and there died two years later. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Lawrence Bathurst, was

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a native of Pennsylvania, whose grandfather, Allan Bathurst, a native of England, emigrated to the United States and located in Center County, Pa., where he was engaged in teaching school. The mother of Mrs. Easterbrook is still living; she makes her home with our subject and his wife, and is now ninety-three years old.

Mr. and Mrs. E. are the parents of five children, as follows: Ada, the wife of John T. Brokaw, lives in Belleflower Township; Harry is at home; Carey and George W. are at Saybrook, and Jacob is also at home. Mr. and Mrs. E. and four of the children are eonneeted with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In polities our subjeet is a stanch Republiean.

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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 58

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