Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 70

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 70

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).

Our subject resumed his sehool studies for six months, and then eommeneed to learn the earpen- ter's trade. After serving two years he received journeyman's wages and began to save money. He purchased lots in Harrisonburg, upon which he built tenement houses and later beeame a contractor and builder, which business he followed until 1872. He then sold his interest in that seetion, and com- ing West to Illinois, purchased fifty-three aeres of

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land in Mt. Hope Township, this county, and com- meneed life as a farmer, continuing in agrienltural pursuits until 1884. He was prospered in his agri- cultural and business operations, and as time passed on added to his first purchase and is now the owner of 163 aeres, finely improved and under a good state of cultivation. Besides this property he owns twenty lots in different places in the village of Me- Lean. In 1884 he rented the farm, and coming to MeLean engaged in his present business.

«Mr. Yancey was married in 1869, to Miss Susan C. Rodeffer, who was born in Shenandoah County, Va., being the daughter of William H. and Eliza- beth C. (Sterling) Rodeffer. Of this union there have been born six children : Elizabeth C., Mag- gie V., Arthur, who died in infancy, Charles II., Lulu J. and Burt. Thomas Johnson, ten years of age, is also an inmate of the household. Mr. and Mrs. Yancey are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially our sub- jeet belongs to MeLean Lodge No. 469, A. F. & A. M.

OHN FEAHIL, a worthy and successful far- iner of Allin 'Township, is a native of the Kingdom of Denmark, where he was born Jan. 26, 1841. His parents were Clarence and Christina (Manges) Feahl, natives of the same country as their son. They departed this life in 1859 and 1860, respectively. When twenty-three years of age, Mr. Feahl turned his face toward the New World, sailing from Bremen in 1864, and landing in New York City, whence he proceeded directly to Illinois and MeLean County, loeating at Danvers.

Our subject was married, Jan. 28, 1868, to Mrs. Barbara (Staker) Sehertz, who was born in Butler County, Ohio, Sept. 6, 1834, of German ancestry and parentage. Her parents were John and Bar- bara (Engle) Staker, natives of Germany, who emi- grated to the United States in 1826, and located in Butler County, Ohio, where the father died in 1862; and the mother, July 11, 1886. Their children were five in number, all daughters: Elizabeth mar- ried Jacob Ehresman; Barbara of our sketch was the second; Annie is now Mrs. Peter Smith; Mag-

dlalena, Mrs. Jacob Reidell, and Catherine, Mrs. William Miller.

Mr. Feahl learned, the trade of plastering and brieklaying in his native country, in whiel he be- eame an expert, and followed his trade for some years there. He purchased, in 1878, eighty aeres of land, which constitutes his present homestead. Upon this he has a handsome and substantial resi- denee, with a good barn and all necessary out- buildings. In addition to general agriculture he is engaged in the breeding of Norman horses, the name of his stallion being Robert Prinee Imperial, who is six years old and weighs 1,850 pounds. This is a fine animal in all respeets and a model of strength and beauty. He has also several fine broods of inares, and his operations in this depart- inent of business yield him a handsome ineome.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Feahl are two in number-Elizabeth B., Mrs. E. MeReynolds, and Annie A., born March 21, 1874. Mrs. Feahl by her first marriage became the mother of five children, as follows: John E. married Miss Barbara Reser; Mary E. is single and resides with her parents; William H. married Mary J. Small, and Joseph A. married Annie E. Nebb. Mrs. F. belongs to the Mennonite Church and our subject to the . Lutheran. Mr. F. is Democratie in polities, and in all respeets is a law-abiding and worthy citizen.

OHN SHAVER, of Blue Mound 'Township, is a native of the Prairie State, born in Ful- ton County, Aug. 12, 1850. His parents were George and Margaret (Mellhaney) Shaver, natives of IIuntingdon County, Pa., where they were married and settled for a time, but later emigrated to this State. They made the journey overland with team, and took up their abode in Fulton County, where they passed the remainder of their lives. George Shaver was a farmer by occu- pation, and the parental household ineluded nine children, four sons and five daughters, as follows: Ilenrietta, Winfield, Mary C., Perinelia, Anna, John, Melville, Samuel, and Maggie; Henrietta, Winfield and Melville are deceased.

The subject of our sketch was reared to farming

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pursuits and lived at home with his parents until twenty-three years of age. In the spring of 1874 he started out for himself, and coming into this county rented a traet of land in Blue Mound Township, which he operated for about five years. He was prospered in his farming and business tran- sactions and at the expiration of this time pur- chased eighty acres of land. This, however, he sold, and purchased eighty-three acres on seetion 4, which constitutes his present homstead. lIc has a comfortable dwelling, a good barn and all other necessary outhouses, and is carrying on lis peaec- ful oeeupation with fair success.

The marriage of Mr. Shaver occurred in Lexing- ton Township, this eounty, Nov. 28, 1878, the maiden of his choice being Miss Sarah, daughter of James and Luany (Evans) Woodard, natives of Indiana. . They emigrated from Morgan County, that State, to MeLean County, Ill., in about 1862, settling in Lexington Township, where they still reside. Their five children, three sons and two daughters, arc Anna, Sarah, Pierce, Wesley and Alexander; Pieree is deceased. Mrs. Shaver was the second in order of birth. She was born in Morgan County, Ind., Dee. 23, 1858, and remained with hier parents until her marriage. She is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and our subjeet, politieally, affiliates with the Republican party.

W ILLIAM WILSON, a highly esteemed farmer of Towanda Township, is the son of Smith and Latta (Corbett) Wilson, na- tives of Ireland and Virginia respectively. Smith Wilson emigrated to America when but a boy, with his parents, who first settled in Pennsylvania, where the father engaged in farming pursuits, and where he died. Several years afterward his widow came to Bloomington to live with her children, her death taking place in that city in May, 1864. The parental household included four daughters and eight sons, of whom the subject of this history was the seventh child. He was born in Fayette County, Pa., May 1, 1822, received a common-school edu- ention, and when nineteen years of age, commenced

to learn the trade of bricklaying. at which he served an apprenticeship of three years, and which he afterward followed in conncetion with farming until the present time. Ile lived in Fayette County, Pa., until the summer of 1859, when he came to MeLean County, Ill., but after a few months returned to Pennsylvania, whence he again removed, in the spring of 1860, this time with his family, to Bloomington, Ill. There he followed his trade for nearly twelve years, and then purchased a farm in Towanda Township, on seetion 1; where he lived until the spring of 1883, and thence re- moved to seetion 6, where he now owns ninety- nine aeres of valuable land.

Mr. Wilson was first married in Allegheny Connty, Pa., to Miss Eliza Corry, a native of Pennsylvania. Of this union there have been born two children: Lotta is the wife of Dr. W. A. Williams, of Santa Barbara, Cal .; James married Miss Mattie Newton and resides in Cooksville, this eounty. Mrs. Eliza C. Wilson departed this life in Washington County, Pa., about 1857. Mr. Wilson, after coming to Illi- nois, was married the second time, on the 23d of November, 1864, in the city of Bloomington, to Mrs. Louisa (Newton) Kennedy, daughter of Henry and Martha (Haggard) Newton, and widow of Thomas Kennedy, who died in Kansas, in August, 1855, leaving his widow and one daughter, Annie, who is now the wife of Fred A. Church, of Texar- kana, Ark. Mrs. Wilson's parents after their mar- riage, settled in Kentucky, where the father was engaged iu farming. In the fall of 1836 they came to Haneoek County, Ill., and in September, 1844, moved to MeLean County, and settled in Dale Township, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Their household ineluded three children. Mrs. Wilson was born in Kentucky, Sept. 30, 1835, and by her union with our subjeet has become the mother of two children-Edwin M. and Grace E. While living in Bloomington, Mr. Wilson was a member of the Board of Alder- men, and has also served as Sehool Trustee. Both he and his wife are members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church. In polities our subjeet is strongly Republican.

One brother and three half-brothers of Mrs. Wil- sou-David Nathan, Dawson Newton and John L.

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Routt-served as soldiers in the Union army during the late war. John Routt was Sheriff of MeLean County at the outbreak of the Rebellion, and after- ward beeame a Captain in the 94th Illinois Infantry. Ile was afterward Division Quartermaster with the rank of Colonel.

G FORGE AGLE, a representative business man of Bloomington, is successfully engaged as a dealer in hides, wool, fur, leather and findings, and oceupies Nos. 207 and 209 South Center street. Mr. Agle, whose name is spelled hy the Germans Egle, was born in Erie County, N. Y., in 1843, and is the son of Frederiek and Laney (Henry) Agle, both natives of Germany, the fa- ther coming to America with his parents when a boy of eleven years. The grandfather of our suh- jeet, also George Agle hy name, after reaching tlie United States, settled in Erie County, N. Y., and was a remarkable man in many respeets. He never rode in a wagon or on horsehaek to the knowledge of our subject, and when past eighty years of age would walk, every Sabbath, five miles to ehureh. He died at the age of eighty-seven, and every tooth was as perfeet as when a child. Before coming to America he served as a soldier under the first Na- poleon for a period of eleven years and six months, during which time he was at the memorahle siege and burning of Moseow, Russia, and was the hero of many other thrilling incidents connected with his life as a soldier.

Frederick Agle, father of our subject, followed agricultural pursuits in Erie County, N. Y., until 1880, when he removed to Bloomington, and has sinee lived a retired life. The mother of our sub- jeet left her native land when a young girl, thir- teen years old, and was married to Frederick Agle in Erie County, N. Y. They became the parents of eight children, of whom our subjeet was the third in order of birth.

George Agle was reared on a farm until sixteen years of age, in the meantime receiving a practical education. He then went to Hamburg, Erie Co., N. Y., and engaged to learn the tanner and eur- rier's trade, at which he served three years, and

then, at the age of nineteen, came to Illinois and opened up the husiness he now earries on. IIe first located on East Front street for eight years. In 1881 he purchased the grounds which he now occupies, and upon which he has erected a fine hriek block, three stories in height, and occupying an area of 45x75 feet. He is also the owner of several houses and lots within the city limits, and a finely improved farm of 165 acres in Hudson Township, which is operated by a tenant.

Mr. Agle was married in 1869 to Miss Carrie W. Eckhardt, who was born in Erie County, N. Y., and is the daughter of George and Margaret (Bley) Eckhardt, also of the Empire State. Mr. and Mrs. Agle heeame the parents of three children: George F. is in the office with his father; Frank W. and Charles F. are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Agle are members in good standing of the German Lutheran Church, of which our subjeet has been a Trustee for the last eight years. He belongs to the Repub- liean party, and is essentially a self-made man, to whom all eredit is due for his worthy and persever- ing efforts, which have met with abundant suecess.

LBERT STETSON, A. M., who ably fills the chair of Language and Reading in the Illinois State Normal University, and a resident of Normal, was born in Kingston, Mass., Aug. 6, 1834. The Stetsons in the United States are direet descendants of the Pilgrims wlio landed on our shores in 1820, from the Mayflower. Albert Stetson is a son of Joseph and Hannah (Bryant) Stetson. They had a family of four chil- dren, of whom there are living at the present writ- ing-Emma F., the youngest, and Albert, our sub- jeet, the eldest. Our subject's father was a harness- maker hy trade and followed the same in Kingston, Mass.

In early life Albert worked at shoemaking, and afterward in a taek manufactory. ITis edueation, however, was not neglected, for after attending the commnon sehools at Kingston and an academy at New Hampton, N. II., for a while, he entered the Bridgewater Normal School, from which he

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graduated at the expiration of a year. Soon after leaving the Normal School he entered upon the duties of a pedagoguc at Provincetown, Cape Cod, having charge of a grammar school in that locality one year. After this he entered the preparatory de- partment of Antioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he remained a year. He then returned to New England and accepted a position as assistant teaelier in a private school for boys, at New Bed- ford, Mass., and was there one year. Leaving the school-room he was under private tutorship for a few months, and then matriculated at Phillips Exe- ter Academy, the school from which Daniel Web- ster graduated, and followed the curriculum of that institution for one year.

In 1858 Prof. Stetson entered the Sophomore elass of Harvard University and graduated therefrom with honors in 1861. having completed the entire course. He then taught for one year the High School at Provincetown, Mass., the same town where he had taught just ten years before. In the fall of 1862 Prof. Stetson came West, arriving at Normal, October 12, and accepted a postion as teacher in the Illinois State University, which position he is filling at the present time with eredit to himself and honor to the institution. Richard Edwards, long Presi- dent of the State Normal University, and now Superintendent of Public Instruction of Illinois, was one of Mr. Stetson's teachers at Bridgewater, and it was at his request that our subject accepted the position he now holds.

. Prof. Stetson was married, June 29, 1864, to Margaret E. Osband. She was born in Wayne County, N. Y., and is the daughter of Gideou and Mary Ann Osband. Their family consists of two children-Lillian M. and Will Stetson. Mrs Stet- son is a graduate of Macedon Academy, Wayne County, N. Y., and a teacher for many years. She eamn to Normal in 1861 to accept the position of Preceptress of the State Normal School, having been the first to hold that position, and continued as such for three years. She was then married to the subject of this sketeh and abandoned the profession, having taught altogether for up- ward of twelve years. In the summer of 1868 Prof. Stetson went to Europe and was absent for about four months. During that time his eompe-

tent wife taught several of his elasses. Mrs. Stet- son is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Chureh.

The brother of Mrs. S., Gen. E. D. Osband, was a resident of Chicago prior to the breaking out of the late Civil War, and was among the first to en- list in the Union army with Barker's Dragoons, in which he held the rank of First Lieutenant. This was the first company to leave Chicago for the field of conflict. He served three months under George B. MeClellan, and then came to Chicago and helped to raise the 4th Illinois Cavalry, and was elected Captain of Company A; later this company was detached, becoming Gen. Grant's escort, its Captain was thus on very intimate terms with the General, and at his request went to Missis- sippi and raised the 3d United States Colored Cav- elry, of which he became Colonel, and was finally brevetted General. He died in 1866 on a planta- tion in Mississippi, where he had settled at the close of the war.

ATTHIAS SUTTER, a representative Ger- man farmer of Blue Mound Township, has been a citizen of the United States since the spring of 1854, emigrating here with his parents when he was thirty-three years of age. He was born in Germany, Sept. 7. 1821, where he was reared to farming pursuits. In accordance with the laws and customs of his native country he was placed in school at an early age, and received a thorough German education and afterward served in the army for a period of twelve years. After landing upon American shores he proceeded at onee to Albany, N. Y., where he lived three months and then started for the West. Coming into Illinois he located in MeLean County, and for five years fol- lowing was employed in the lumber yards of the C. & A. R. R. at Bloomington. IIe then took up his abode on a small farm adjoining the city limits, where he lived until the spring of 1868, then re- moved with his family to Blue Mound Township, settling upon section 19, which has since been his home. He possesses the substantial and in- dustrious qualities of his nationality and has been

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greatly prospered in his business and farming trans- actions. Ile is now the owner of 312 acres of valuable land, with good stoek and a substantial set of frame buildings.

' Mr. Sutter was married in Bloomington on the 2d of February, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth Baldish- field, a native of Germany, born Sept. 10, 1833. Of this union there were eight children: Samuel, the eldest, married Miss Otillie Zable and resides in Blue Mound Township; Joseph, Ilenry, Edward and William ; and three-Louisa, Mary and Frank-de- eease'd. Our subject and his wife are staneh ad- herents of the Catholic Church, and politically Mr. Sutter casts his vote with the Republican party.

AMES J. HASTINGS, who has been a resi- dent of the Prairie State sinee 1859, was originally a plasterer by trade, but of late years has been engaged in farming pursuits. Ile is now the owner of 280 aeres of valuable land in Dry Grove Township, where he has a fine resi- denee and all the applianees of a modern eountry estate. Ilis land is under a higli state of eultivation, and his thrift and prosperity are the result of his own enterprise and industry. He has lived tem- perately and economieally, has invested his profits wisely, and is in all respects one of the prosperous and representative eitizens of the township. The homestead is located on seetion 12, and eominands the attention of travelers through this loeality as being the home of wealth and comfort.

Mr. Hastings was born in Fayette County, Pa., on the 25th of February, 1826. His parents were Jolın and Jane (Carroll) Hastings, both also natives of the Keystone State, and of American aneestry. John Ilastings was born May 17, 1797, passed his entire life in Pennsylvania, and died upon his farm there on the 14th of December, 1832. He was a member of the old Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Jane C. Hastings was born Nov. 6, 1796, and died in Pennsylvania Nov. 19, 1858. She was an earn- est Christian lady, a member of the same ehureh as her husband, and the mother of five children, all of whom were living in 1886. The record of the parental family is as follows: William married Miss

Sarah Cooper of Guernsey County, Ohio, and they are living in Vinton County, that State; Mary A. was first married to Moses Hayes, who is now de- eeased; her seeond husband was Alex Dougherty, and they live in Illinois. James J. of our sketel was the third ehild of the family ; Thomas C. mar- ried Miss Rachael Hayes, and they are living in MeLean County, Ill .; Jane became the wife of James H. Beeks, and they reside in this State.

The marriage of James J. Hastings and Miss Ella Lenhart was celebrated on the 25th of January, 1854. Mrs. Hastings was born in Somerset County, Pa., March 14, 1837, and is the daughter of George and Mary (Garey) Lenhart, natives of Louisiana and Pennsylvania. Both are now deceased. Of their children the record is as follows: Catharine became the wife of Josiah Wymer, and is now de- eeased; Benjamin married Miss Ella Fleek; Joseph and Angeline died in infaney; Monroe married Miss Rosa Coleman; Hannah, Mrs. B. Waltor, re- sides in Pennsylvania; Eueebie married Mr. C. Shumaker; Vietoria married Miss T. Searberg; Mary and Ella were next in order of birth; Eliza- beth, deceased, was the wife of William Goslin; George was the youngest of the family.

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hastings there were born ten children, all but one living, and the reeord is as follows: Aliee J. was born Oet. 25, 1855; Mary F., Feb. 2, 1857; John B. was born Feb. 12, 1859, and married Miss Ida Smith; they are living in this eounty; William C. was born Oet. 5, 1860; Thomas J., born Aug. 2, 1862, died July 1, 1881 ; Charles G. was born Aug. 25, 1864; Bertie E., Aug. 2, 1868; Mark L., April 7, 1870; Stella C., June 30, 1872; James J., Feb. 23, 1875.

Mr. Hastings eame to this eounty in 1859, after working at his trade of plasterer in Pennsylvania for abont eighteen years. He followed the same business in eonneetion with farmning for some time after eoming here, and previously purchased eighty aeres of land in Dry Grove Township. He then entered upon its improvement and enltivation, and subsequently added to his aereage as stated above. While not connected with any church or- ganization he is a believer in the Seriptures, and en- deavors to follow the teachings of the Master and do unto others as he wishes them to do unto him.

Gideon DCrum baugh. Written et past 81 years of age

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Politieally he is a Demoerat. He has always taken an active interest in the prosperity of his township, and has contributed liberally to the ereetion of ehurehes and the establishment of sehools. Althoughi not receiving a collegiate education he is a gentle- man of fine attainments, having been an extensive reader and keeping himself well posted upon mat- ters of general interest.

EROME T. KEPNER, one of the represent- ative eitizens of MeLean County and a sneeessful farmer and stoek-raiser, residing on seetion 11, Dry Grove Township, was born in Juniata County, Pa., Feb. 20, 1830. He is the son of Samuel and Hattie (Walker) Kepner, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of German parentage and she of German descent. The father was born in 1803, and is yet living, having attained the venerable age of eighty-four years. He is liv- ing on the farm in Pennsylvania on which he has labored for the last fifty years. The place consists of 200 aeres and is located a mile and a half from the Juniata River. The mother of our subjeet was born in 1805, and died in September, 1883, in Penn-, sylvania. The father is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in polities is a Demoerat. He became the head of a family of nine children. Those now living are, Jerome, the subject of this notice; Cal- vin; Samuel; Mary J., who is the wife of Samuel Ritzman; William W. was united in marriage with Miss Hittle, and Matilda, now Mrs. Benjamin Groni- ger.

The subject of this notice is the eldest of his father's children and was reared to farm labor, re- eeiving his edneation in the distriet sehool, and eon- tinued to reside with the old folk until the age of manhood. On becoming his own inan he eame West in 1854, and located in Peoria County, where he purchased eighty aeres of improved land. On this place he loeated with his wife and two children, and at onee engaged in its improvement. A year and a half passed by when death took his loved companion from him, her demise being eaused by consumption. Our subjeet then took his two chil- dren and returned to the place of his nativity,

reaching there in 1856. Remaining with friends until the following spring, he returned to Peoria County and was there a resident for about three years. He then went baek East and was married to Mrs. Riee Stephens, the date of the ceremony being Aug. 11, 1864. She was born June 24, 1838, in Juniata County, Pa., and was a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Kepner) Riee, of German parentage. Mr. Riee was a dry-goods and groeery mereliant at Port Royal, Juniata Co., Pa. He was born in 1803, and departed this life in January, 1859. Ilis good wife was born in 1814, and died in August, 1854. They had ten ehildren, the first of whom died in infancy'; Matilda C., Martha J .; Sarah E., wife of our subjeet, John H., Mary M., Margaret E., Winfield S., Zachariah E. and Fran- ees A.

The subject of this notice moved to Livingston County, Ill., in 1869, and was there engaged in farming for fourteen years. He then eame to this county and purehased 156 aeres of valuable and prodnetive land, the same being that on which he is at present residing. He is also engaged in the breeding and raising of fine draft horses and is meeting with signal sueeess in both branches of his voeation. He has held the various offiees of his township while a resident of this eounty and while living in Livingston County was Commissioner of Highways for ten years. He is at present one of the Board of School Trustees of this township. In polities he is Republiean, and his good wife and five daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal Chureh.

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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 70

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