Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 64

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 64

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).

The subject of this narration is the son of Jessc and Amanda (Gilmore) Trimmer, and was born in Money Creek Township, this county. Jan. 17, 1845. He was reared on the farm of his father, received a common-school education, and remained under the parental roof until the breaking out of the late Civil War. He was rather young for a soldier at

its commencement, but as time passed on and re- cruits were constantly in demand he enlisted in February, 1864, in the 94th Illinois Infantry, scrv- ing until the close, being mustered out in June, 1866. While in the service he was transferred to the 37th Regiment and went to Texas with his comrades to guard the Freedman's Bureau.

After his return from the army Mr. Trimmer pursued his studies in the Commercial College at Bloomington for a period of three months, and then engaged in farming and stock-raising in his native township. In 1874 he sold out, with the intention of going further West, but the grasshopper scare preventing, he gave up the idea and purchased another farm in Money Creek Township, which he still owns. This contains 465 acres, and besides this he has 760 acres in Bates and Henry Counties, Mo. In 1879 he removed to the latter-named county, where he engaged in operating a portable sawmill, his business principally being the cutting of walnut timber. Hc also carried on a farm and engaged in stock-raising; for two successive years he gathered the corn from 400 acres, and had enough stock to consume it. In 1884 he returned to Illinois, and in 1886 purchased the property in Normal which he now owns, and has devoted his entire attention to his present business. "He now has some of the finest thoroughbred animals in McLean County. having in 1884 imported nine head of horses from France, and in 1886, eleven more, among which are six inares, so that his stables now contain twelve head of full-blood horses.

In 1869 Mr. Trimmer was united in marriage with Miss Priscilla Surface, who was born in Illi- nois but at the date of her marriage resided in Dayton, Ohio. They have become the parents of six children, of whom one, Pearlic Gone, died in childhood. Those living are Artic, Daisy, Willie, Myrtle and an infant son. They occupy a pleasant and attractive residence, and are surrounded by all the comforts of life, besides enjoying the cstcem and friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. Politically Mr. Trimmer indorses the principles of the Republican party, but is more interested in his business pursuits than in politics.

The parents of our subject, Jesse and Amanda (Gilmore) Trimmer, had a family of ten children, of

RESIDENCE OF W. J. BARNES , ONE HALF MILE EAST OF ME LEAN , ILLS.

JAMES DIALER IN

DODGE

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STOYET AND

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Hardware.

AND-

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STOVES, PUMPS & HARDWARE

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BUSINESS HOUSE OF JAMES DODGE , COR. BUFORD AND LINDEN STS. NORMAL, ILLS .

RESIDENCE OF S.A . STOOPS, SEC. 32,BLUE MOUND TP.

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whom the record is as follows : three-George, Ada and Charles-died in childhood; William enlisted as a Union soldier in Co. C, 33d Ill. Vol. Inf., and served until discharged on aeeount of physical dis- ability ; returning home he died soon afterward from disease eoutraeted in the army. Eliza became the wife of T. McNaught; John F. is our subject; David F. resides in Lexington; 'Sarah E. married J. A. Seott, and Mary became Mrs. Frank Hobart; Enos R. is engaged in farming on the old home- stead in Money Creek Township.

E CKHART WENDEROTH, a representative farmer and stoek-raiser of Danvers Town- ship, owns a traet of valuable land on sec- tion 31, which embraees 130 aeres, with a fine two- story dwelling and all necessary barns and out- houses for the earrying on of farming and stock- raising after the most approved methods. Our subject is a native of the German Empire and was born in Hesse-Cassel, Sept. 6, 1833. He is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Wenderotli) Wenderoth, natives of the same Province. His father was born in 1783, and in 1839 was instantly killed by a run- away team, leaving a widow and five children -Conrad, Henry, Elizabeth, Eekhart and Phillip. Henry and Elizabeth are now deceased.

Mr. Wenderoth remained in his native country until after his marriage. His wife was Miss Elizabeth Maurer, and their wedding took place on the 29th of January, 1869. Mrs. W. was the daugh- ter of Samuel and Magdalena (Schwartzentruber) Maurer, and was born Feb. 29, 1834. She came to Ameriea with her parents in 1860, and they located in Bloomington. They are both now deceased, the father dying in June, 1863, at his home, and the mother in November, 1884. Their family ineluded eight children-Phæbe, Christian, Peter, Elizabeth, Jacob, John, Dauiel and Catharine.

Mr. and Mrs. Wenderoth have become the par- ents of five childrei-Samuel P., Emil D., Catharine L., Matilda P. and Arthur O. After landing upon American shores Mr. Wenderoth spent a short time in the city of Baltimore, afterward going to Ohio, thenee to Indiana, where he spent one year,

and finally came into MeLean County, Ill. Ile eommeneed life with nothing to depend upon but his own labor, and was employed as a farm laborer for some years, in the meantime saving what he eould of his earnings. In 1869 he found himself possessed of, sufficient means to purchase eighty aeres of land, to which he subsequently added as time progressed and his capital increased. He has done a large amount of hard work and has pursued a straightforward eonrse through life. In his later years he is reaping a liberal reward, and is highly respected by his fellow-eitizens.

Our subject, sinee early childhood, has been identified with the Mennonite Church, which em- braeed the religious faith of his parents, and Mrs. W. and two of their children. Samuel P. and Emil D., are also connected with this denomination. In polities our subject affiliates with the Democratie party, and takes an intelligent interest in whatever is for the general good of his eounty and community.

HOMAS P. GARRETT, one of the most skillful photographers of Bloomington, may be found in a handsome studio at No. 221 North Main street. He is a native of Delaware, and was born in Stanton, July 10, 1846. His par- ents, Benjamin and Mary (Haines) Garrett, were natives of Pennsylvania, whenee they removed to Delaware in 1841, and engaged in farming. In 1872 they returned to Pennsylvania, where the fa- ther retired from business and departed this life in 1884. The mother lives in Pennsylvania, making lier home with her sons. Of these they had three-David H., a bauker of Philadelphia; Isaae P., a farmer of Delaware County, Pa., and Thomas P., our subject. Benjamin Garrett held the offices of County Con- missioner and School Director, and with his wife belonged to the Society of Friends.

Thomas P. Garrett remained at home with his parents until sixteen years old, his earlier years be- ing spent upon the farm. After completing his primary studies lie attended the Normal Sehool for three years and then went to Wilmington, Del., and learned photography. At the age of eighteen,

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McLEAN COUNTY.

July 10, 1864, he enlisted in Co. E, 7th Del. Vol. Inf., and after a few months was transferred to the 1st Delaware Artillery, being in serviee one year and with the Army of the West in Louisiana and Arkansas.

After receiving his honorable discharge from the army young Garrett went to Kansas and resumed his ehosen occupation, remaining there for six years. He then returned East to Philadelphia and pursued his ealling in the Quaker City from 1871 until 1877 .. He then went to Harrisburg, and eighteen months later to Illinois, reaching the Prairie State in 1879, and loeating in Bloomington, where he has since re- mained and sneeessfully pursued the ealling of his . ehoiee.

Mr. Garrett was married in 1878, to Miss C. A. · Etherington, a native of Maryland, and the daughter of William G. Etherington, of Ceeilton. Of this union there were born two ehildren -- Elsie and Marjorie. The pleasant family residenee is lo- eated at No. 608 East Grove street, and is the re- sort of the cultured people of the eity. Our sub- ject is Republican in politics and a member of the G. A. R., the Seven Wise Men, the National Union, the Red Men, and Royal Areanum.

W ILLIAM SCHIENCK, a prosperous and higlily respeeted farmer of Danvers Town- ship, and who possesses in all respeets the reliable and substantial qualities of his German an-' eestors, is located on seetion 27, where he has a comfortable home, a good farın, and is living at peace with all his neighbors. Mr. Sehenek was born in Germany, July 20, 1842, being the son of John and Margaret (Mire) Sehenek, also natives of the Fatherland, the former born in 1812, and the latter in 1820. They were married in Germany, and emi- grated to Ameriea in 1880, reaching this eountry in October of that year. They eame direetly West to McLean County, to the home of our subjeet, who had preceded them to the New World and was then located in Bloomington City. The par- rents afterward removed to the country upon land

belonging to William, where they are still living, although not engaged in aetive labor.

The parental family of our subjeet ineluded nine children, of whom the record is as follows: Will- iam of our sketeh was the eldest; Henry died when about six years old; Anna became the wife of John Maurer; Nicholas died in infaney, and Henry when seven years of age; the next one, an infant girl, died unnamed; John died when three years old; Elizabeth beeame the wife of William Bassellman ; Henry is traveling for a cigar manufactory. The parents are members of the Lutheran Chureli, and in polities John Sehenek is strongly Republiean.

William Sehenek resided with his parents until 1864, when he was about twenty-two years of age. IIe then emigrated to America, and proceed- ing westward, eame into this State and county, and engaged for a short time as a farm laborer. He afterward went to Bloomington, where he lived for seven years and then purehased his present fine farm. This consists of 160 aeres upon which is a good set of frame buildings, and which is furnished with all the requirements of a first-elass agrieult- urist.

Mr. S .. was united in marriage with Miss Fanny Maurer in 1875. She is a daughter of Christian and Barbara (Masimans) Maurer, and was born in Butler County, Ohio, Feb. 26, 1847. Mrs. Maurer's parents were natives of Franee. They had seven ehildren, five living-John, Joseph, Christian, Anna and Fanny, all born in Ohio.

'Mr. and Mrs. Sehenck have two children-Ida, who was born Feb. 5, 1876, and Elmer, June 29, 1879. He has four step-children: Mary, the wife of John Meyers; Elizabeth, Mrs. John Imhoff; William and Frank. Mr. Sehenek formerly was eonneeted with the Mennonite Church but is not now a member of any religious organization. Mrs. S. is a Baptist.

When eoming to this eountry our subjeet was on the water seven weeks and three days, during which time there were thirty-three deaths on board the. ship and three births. The supply of drinking water gave out and they were obliged to resort to salt water, which was a poor substitute for quenehing thirst. The year previous Mr. S. had broken his leg by falling from a horse, from which

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accident he has never fully recovered. He learned bricklaying in the old country and followed it for a number of years there. In 1884 Mrs. S. had her wrist broken while rolling a barrel, having slipped and fallen, in consequence of which she was laid up for some time.

AMES W. CAMPBELL, a native of Adams County, Ohio, owns and oeeupies a comfort- able homestead in Dry Grove Township, on seetion 2. Ilis birth oceurred on the 15th of May, 1829, and his parents were James and Elizabeth (Kerr) Campbell, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. James Kerr departed this life in Ohio, in July, 1839; the mother sur- vived him eight years and also died in that State. The father of our subjeet followed the joint oecu- pations of miller and farmer, and was a good eiti- zen and member of the Presbyterian Church. The parental family ineluded ninc eliildren, one of whom dicd in infaney; the record is as follows : Jane, Mrs. P. D. Smith, is now deceased; Robert K. married Miss Elizabeth MeNeill, and lives in Livingstone County, Ill .; Nancy E. married John Steen, of Adams County, Ohio, who is de- eeased; Sarah A. beeame tlic wife of Joseph Me- Neil, now deceased; Samuel married Miss Emma Van Dieman and lives in Webster City, Iowa; Elizabeth beeame the wife of R. C. Morrison; James, of our sketeli, was the eighth child; Mary, Mrs. Canada, is now deceased.

James W. Campbell and Miss Saralı J. Kirkpat- riek were married in Ohio on the 6th of January, 1853. Mrs. Campbell became the mother of six children, and died Feb. 13, 1876. Their children were Mary E., Bryee M., Emma A., now Mrs. W. L. MeNeill, of Dakota; Naney E., Mrs. H. M. Ben- son of this county ; Anna K., who died at the age of nine years, in December, 1876, and Ollie A. The second wife of our subjeet was Mrs. Naney (Forbes) Kirkpatrick, to whom he was married Nov. 25, 1877. Mrs. Nancy Campbell is a native of Ohio, and was born Feb. 29, 1832. She is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Jamison) Forbes, who were natives respectively of Scotland and

Pennsylvania. The mother was born in 1800, and departed this life in MeLean County in 1862; the father also dicd in this county. They were the parents of nine children: Andrew, Alex., Samuel, Boyd, Nancy, Bartley J., Mary J., Isaac and Isa- bell.

Mr. Campbell eame to Illinois in 1852, and pur- chasing 120 aeres of wild land set to work at onee to improve it. He subsequently added to his es- tate and is now the possessor of 280 aeres, finely cultivated, a handsome and substantial dwelling, a good barn and all the appliances of a first-elass agriculturist. In 1871 he began the raising of fine stoek, ineluding horses and eattle. He has one fine blooded Norman horse, five years old, which weighs 1,760 pounds, and is a model of symmetry and strengtlı. Mr. Campbell has been very suc- eessful in his stock operations, and has obtained quite a reputation as a horseman in this eounty.

Our subject has been prominent in the affairs of liis township since coming here. He served as Supervisor four terins; has been Road Commis- sioner for the last eighteen years, and Chairman of the Committee on City Incorporation. In polities he is a stanch Republican, having been eonneeted with the party sinee its organization, and religious- ly is a member in good standing of the United Presbyterian Church.

P HINEAS M. STUBBLEFIELD, a promi- nent farmer, stoek-raiser, and breeder of Norman horses, is a highly respected resi- deut of Funk's Grove Township, and a member of the family so widely and favorably known throughout this seetion. He owns and oe- eupies a beautiful liomne on section 9, the family residenee being situated on a rise of ground and commanding an extensive view of the surrounding country. A view of the place is presented ou an- other page of this volume.

Mr. Stubblefield was born in Funk's Grove Township, Oet. 25, 1851, and is the third son of John and Elisannah (Houser) Stubblefield (see sketeh.) He attended the district sehools, and re- mained under the home roof until twenty years of

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age. Then, wishing to further pursue his studies he entered Wesleyan University, and continued four years, improving the opportunity thus offered and acquiring a store of useful knowledge. He then returned home and assisted his father in the labors of the farm until his marriage, when he located with his young wife upon his present homestead. This contains 160 acres, all enelosed and under a good state of cultivation. The buildings arc shapely and substantial, and kept in good repair, and everything about the place denotes the intelli- gent and progressive farmer.

Mr. Stubblefield was married on the 27th of February, 1879, to Miss Mattie B. Willerton, who was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, England, March 24, 1854. Her father, Christopher Willerton, also a native of England, was reared there to farming pursuits, where he was also married and lived until 1857. Then, accompanied by his wife and three children, he emigrated to America, settling first in . Oswego, N. Y., until 1865, and then came to Me- Lean County, Ill. He now owns a good farm in Danvers 'Township, and is still engaged in agricult- ural pursuits. His wife, before her marriage, was Miss Harriet Baldwick, a native of his own eoun- try. Mr. and Mrs. Stubblefield have no children. They are members in good standing of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. Politically our subjeet is Republican, and socially belongs to MeLean Lodge No. 469, A. F. & A. M.

HOMAS W. NEAL, of Allin Township, is occupied in farming pursuits on section 5, where he owns 410 acres of land, which he has brought to a finc state of cultivation. Mr. Neal is a native of Indiana, born in 1835, and the son of Thomas and Nancy (Wilson) Neal, natives respectively of Kentucky and Tennessee. The inother was born near Nashville in about 1798, and Thomas Neal in about 1800. They were mar- ried in 1826, and located in Indiana on a tract of timber land consisting of 240 aeres, which Mr. Neal cleared and brought to a state of cultivation, and where he established a homestead, which he oeeu- pied until 1851. He then sold out and came into

Allin Township, this county, where he purchased a half section of land, which constituted a part of the homestead upon which he spent the remainder of his days. He subsequently added to his first purchase and before his death was the owner of 400 aeres. Ifis wife, the mother of our subjeet, de- parted this life in 1888, and Thomas Neal, in 1884. Their ninc children were as follows : Mary J., John A., Sarah A., Elizabeth, Malinda, Martha and Su- san (twins) ; Thomas, and the youngest child died unnamed. The parents were connected with the Presbyterian Church and worthy members of the community.

Mr. Neal of our sketch attended school during his youth and boyhood and remained with his par- ents until his marriage, which oceurred after he had reached his majority, the lady of his choice being Miss Cynthia A. Brown. After marriage the young people removed to their farm of 160 acres, which constitutes a part of their present homestead. To this Mr. Neal subsequently added until he is now the possessor of 420 acres, all under a good state of cultivation.

The farm residence is a commodious and sub- stantial building, and the barns and outhouses fulfill the requirements of a first-class modern agri- enlturist. Mr. Ncal is giving much attention to the raising of ·fine stock, which includes Durham eattle and Poland-China hogs.

Mr. Neal has been prominent in the affairs of his township sinee coming here, holding the offices of Trustee for about nine years, and has also been Path Master and School Director. He is Demo- eratie in polities, and his wife is a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church. Their children, twelve in number, are Emily, who married William Ayers; Margaret, deceased; an infant boy who died un- named; Osear; Ida Belle, who married David Holmes; George, Bertie, Anna May, Mary II., de. eeased, another infant unnamed, Frank and Ada.

.Mrs. Neal is the danghter of Joel and Margaret (Ayers) Brown. Her father, who was born in Ten- nessee, died in Tazewell County, Ill., in 1855, and the mother, a native of Ohio, died of cholera in 1854. They were the parents of four children, three sons and one danghter, the latter, Mrs. Neal. being eleven years of age when she was made an

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McLEAN COUNTY.

orphan. Her brothers were Richard, Edward and James. The parents were worthy and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and carried out in their daily lives the principles which they professed.

ILLIAM W. OUTLAW, who is familiarly known in Cheney's Grove Township as one of its most successful farmers and stock-raisers, has a fine estate of 480 acres of land, located on section 2, which he took possession of in 1869. On this farm he has 131 head of thorough- bred cattle with a-magnificent full-blooded bull, and twenty-four valuable horses, the head of the stable being a full-blooded Clyde which, although only two years old, pulls down the scales at 1,360 pounds. This fine animal, which is named Marcus, is a model of symmetry and beauty and the admira- tion of that section. In addition to his horses and cattle Mr. O. feeds annually large numbers of hogs, having now about 130 head, and this branch of business has proved especially profitable. He also has 112 head of sheep, the male being the registered Shropshire, about three years old. The farmers of Illinois have usually been a little careful about attempting sheep-raising, but Mr. Outlaw has proved that with a proper understanding of the business, it may be made as successful as any other branch of agriculture.

Mr. Outlaw was born in Posey County, Ind., Feb. 27, 1850, and two years later removed with his parents to Illinois. He is the son of George W. and Lucinda (McReynolds) Outlaw, the father a native of North Carolina and the mother of Ken- tucky. George Outlaw was born in 1827, is still living, and resides in Nebraska, being engaged the greater part of his life in farming and milling. His wife, who was born in 1830, departed this life at the home of her husband in 1873. The record of their nine children is as follows: James and John died in their youth; Mary A. became the wife of S. D. Reaugh; William W. of our sketch is the fourth child; Robert D. married Miss McReynolds and located in Colfax, Ill .; Thomas married Miss Endicott and they are living in Stanford, this

county ; Sarah became the wife of James McReyn- olds; Lovina married George Pollard; George W. is the youngest, and lives in Nebraska.

The subject of this history remained with his . parents at their home until after he attained his majority, and was then united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Cales, Feb. 27, 1872. This lady was a native of Virginia, born in 1844, and the daughter of James and Sarah (Buchanan) Cales, with whom she lived until reaching years of woman- hood. She came to Illinois with her parents when a maiden of seventeen years old. Her parents were natives of Virginia; the father born July 15, 1818, and is still living and resides in Kansas; the mother died at the homestead in Tazewell County, Ill., in 1866. The second wife of James Cales was Miss Gaines, with whom he lived about sixteen years, and she departed this life in about 1884. He was married the third time, the name of the lady not now known. His ten children were John B., Sarah E., Mary A., Margaret, James W., Martha A., Eliza E., Augusta V., Elmira E., and one who died in infancy. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Outlaw there were also ten children, as follows: Emma J. and James D. (twins) were born June 7, 1873; Thomas F., Oct. 13, 1874; Minnie M., Feb. 1.4, 1876; Ibba A., Sept. 26, 1877; Bertha A., Jan. 6, 1879; Joseph O., July 16, 1880 ; John, July 3, 1882; Lewis, Dec. 3, 1883; Imo A., Oct. 8, 1886. James D., Thomas F. and Ibba A. are deceased, having died in infancy.

ENRY NAFZIGER, one of the intelligent farmers of Danvers Township, owns and occupies a good homestead on section 22. He was born in the Kingdom of Wurtem- berg, Germany, Oct. 19, 1832, being the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Rockey) Nafziger. The father of oun subject was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Aug. 12, 1800. He came to America in the fall of 1847, and after landing in New York City, pro- ceeded directly westward, staying in Peoria about a month, then came to this county, where he remained until his death, which occurred in May, 1882. The mother of our subject was born in Ba-

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McLEAN COUNTY.

varia and was the second wife of Jacob Nafziger, his .first wife having been Miss Veronica Roekey, a sister of the second wife. Of the first marriage there were three children-Jacob, Christian P'. and Veroniea. The second marriage of Jacob Nafziger occurred in 1828, and of this union there were born, Catherine, who married Christian Nafziger; Henry, our snb- jeet; Peter and Frederick, deceased ; and Eliza, un- married, and who lives in Danvers Village.

The subject of this sketch was a youth of fifteen years when his parents eame to the United States. He was trained to habits of industry and economy and remained under the home roof until reaching manhood. He was then united in marriage with Miss Helen Nafziger, April 5, 1855. Mrs. N. was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, Oet. 22, 1832, and came to America with her parents when a young woman twenty years of age. Our subjeet and his wife became the parents of nine children, three now deceased : Robert W. married Miss Mary Slabach; Fredericka died when eighteen years of age; John E. is farming in Tazewell County, this State; Fred is at home; Emma became the wife of August Habeeker, and lives in Tazewell County ; Henry is deceased; Albert at home; Annie died when young ; Jacob is with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. N. are members in good standing of the Men- nonite Church, of which Mr. N. is Trustee and has been Treasurer for several years. He has been a cheerful and liberal eontributor to the support .of the church and was one of the building committee at the time their house of worship was erected.

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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 64

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