Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 71

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 71

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).

A portrait of Mr. Kepner is presented on another page of this work.

G IDEON D. CRUMBAUGH, Poliee Magis- trate of LeRoy, was born in Frederiek County, Md., Feb. 12, 1806. His father, Simon Crumbaugh, was a native of the same eounty, and his grandfather, Conrad Crumnbaugh, a native of Germany. The latter emigrated to the United States when a young man and located in Frederiek County, Md., being among its earliest settlers, and there spent the remainder of his days. His family ineluded eleven children, of whom the father of

608

McLEAN COUNTY.

our subjeet was the fourth son. Simon Crumbaugh was reared to manhood on the farm and with the · exception of a short time spent in learning the pot- ter's trade, was occupied in agricultural pursuits during his entire life in his native State. His farm was about ten miles northeast of Frederick City, being the old homestead where himself and all his brothers and sisters were born. He was married to Miss Phæbe Devilbiss, who was also a native of Frederick County, and died at the home of her husband near Woodsbury. Simon Crumbaugh died in November, 1843. They had but two children, Jolın and Gideon D. The former spent his entire life in Frederick County.

Gideon D. Crumbaugh was reared to farming pursuits, and lived with his parents until 1826. He then went to Frederiek City and engaged as elerk in a dry-goods store, and afterward followed the same in Dayton, Ohio, for twenty months, then re- turned to Maryland and worked on the farm whiel he had inherited from his father until 1854. Again he left Maryland, this time coming to Le Roy and engaged in elerking for three years. He was then elected Poliee Magistrate and has continued in the offiee since that time, a period of twenty-nine years. In 1861 he was appointed Postmaster, holding the office until 1866. He was re-appointed in 1869, and continued until 1877. Sinee that time he has confined himself to his duties as Police Magistrate and Collector. Mr. C. has [1887] just been elected to the office of Police Magistrate for four years longer.

Gideon D. Crumbangli was married at Dayton, Ohio, in 1829, to Miss Elizabeth Reid, who was a native of that city. Of this union there were born nine children, of whom the record is as follows: Simeon, a teaehier in the city sehools at Toledo, Ohio, died there in 1884; George is a farmer of Frederick County, Md .; Mary J. died in Paris, Edgar Co., Ill .; Kate became the wife of S. L. Bishop, and lives in Empire Township; Margaret, who married Capt. James Cannaday, lives in Martin Township; Laura died in Le Roy in 1863; Charles enlisted in Co. C, 33d Ill. Vol. Inf., and died while a soldier in the Union army; Fannie married W. H. Bartlett, of Indianapolis, Ind .; Emma beeame the wife of Dr. Parks and died at Little Rock,

Ark .; Seott died in Le Roy in 1883. Mrs. Eliza- betli Crumbaugh departed this life in 1877, and Mr. C. was married in 1879, to Mrs. Permelia Wiley. The family residence is pleasantly located and our subject and children enjoy in a marked de- gree the higliest respect of their neighbors and friends. Mrs. Perinelia (Wiley) Crumbauglı de- parted this life on the 17th of April, 1887, aged seventy-four years.

A fine likeness of Mr. Crumbaugh may be found on another page of this work.

Le YTLE R. WILEY most emphatically lives on the line which divides Martin and Lawn- dale Townships, said line running through his kitehen, but for certain reasons he prefers to be ealled a resident of Martin. Of this he has been one of its most useful and valued citizens and has contributed a generous share toward its develop- ment. Mr. Wiley was born in Garrett, Meade Co., Ky., Nov. 7, 1815. When but six months old his parents removed to another part of the State, and two years and a half later to Switzerland County, Ind., where our subjeet lived until 1835. In the fall of that year he came into MeLean County, Ill., with his father, and lived with him in what is now Martin Township for about two years, having in the meantime purchased 160 aeres of land located partly in Lawndale and partly in Martin Township. To this Mr. Wiley subsequently added from time to time until he is now the owner of 1,050 aeres of land, 100 of which is iu timber. He has been in- dustrious, economieal and wise in his disbursement of funds, and is now reekoned among the thorough- going and prosperous business men of this section.

Mr. Wiley was married iu Switzerland County, Ind., June 13, 1843, to Miss Sarah R. Wiley, a distant relative, who was born in Switzerland County, Ind., Dee. 12, 1825. Of this union there were born eight children, of whom the eldest, Thomas R., married Miss Mattie Reeves, and is a successful physician of Gibson City ; Rhoda M. and John are at home; Hannah E. and William S. are deceased; Saralı L. became the wife of Henry C. Henline, and resides iu Lawndale Township; Lytle

609

MCLEAN COUNTY.

R., Jr., married Miss Mary M. Harpole, and is a resident of Martin Township; Mary C., Mrs. Will- iam Hudson, resides in Lawndale Township. The faithful and affectionate wife and mother departed this life Sept. 25, 1881, having been a lady greatly respeeted by a wide eirele of friends and aequaint- anees. She was a prominent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wiley might properly be termed an Independent Greenbaeker politieally, and in the easting of his vote endeavors to support those men whom he deems best fitted for offiee. IIe is a man whose opinion and judgment are highly respected, and has held various ininor offices in his township.

UDGE THOMAS F. TIPTON, a prominent attorney of Bloomington, was born near Harrisburg, Franklin Co., Ohio, Aug. 29, 1833. His father, Hiram Tipton, eame to this State and county in the fall of 1844, and died Mareh 20 of the following year. The latter was a native of the same eounty as his son, and oeeupied himself in farming pursuits in Ohio during the earlier years of his life. There also he, was married to Miss De- borah, the daughter of Albert Ogden, Esq., of Fay- ette County, who was born the same year as hier husband. After marriage they located in Franklin County, whenee they removed to Piekaway County, where they lived until they started for the West. After reaching this county they settled upon a traet of land northeast of Bloomington, where the family resided for several years after the death of the father, and where our subjeet grew to manhood. The mother afterward married Henry Stumpff.

Thomas F. Tipton started out early in life on his own aeeount, his first step being to still further per- feet his studies by attendanee at sehool in Lexing- ton, under the instruetion of Col. W. N. Coler. He then commenced teaching and also studying law, and after a time thus oeeupied entered upon the study of law in the ofliee of H. N. Keightley, of Knoxville, and was admitted to praetiee in his twenty-first year, in June, 1854. He opened an offiee at Lexington, where he lived and praetieed for seven years following, and then, in January,

1862, eame to Bloomington and associated himself in partnership with Judge R. M. Benjamin. They operated together until 1870, in the meantime hav- ing taken in Judge Weldon. In 1870 Mr. Tipton was elected Cireuit Judge, the eireuit being eoin- posed of the counties of McLean, Logan and De Witt. Three years later the distriet was ehanged so that MeLean and Ford Counties constituted the eireuit, and he was re-elected in the new eireuit. Judge Tipton continued to oeeupy this position until the 1st of March, 1877, when he resigned, having in the meantime been elected member of the Forty-fifth Congress, serving two years.

Our subjeet was married in this eounty in 1856, to Miss Mary J. Strayer, who was born and reared in Logan County, Ohio, being the daughter of Nicholas Strayer. Of this union there were born seven children, five now living-Harry V., Belle E., Helen F., Laura B. and Thomas W. In early life Judge Tipton was what was known as a Douglas Demoerat, but on the breaking out of the war be- eame a staneh Republiean, and has always been prominent in the eouneils of his party in this State.

P ETER D. SPRINGER, is a native of the Provinee of Alsace Lorraine, and emigra- ted from his native country with his par- ents when a child of four years old, and beeame a resident of the Prairie State in 1854. Hle was born Sept. 5, 1826, being the son of Christian and Magdalena (Engle) Springer, a sketeh of whom will be found in the biography of Andrew J. Springer in another part of this' work.

The subject of this history remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, in the meantime receiving a fair education in the eommon sehools, and being trained to habits of in- dustry and economy. Nov. 13, 1856, our sub- jeet was united in marriage with Miss Elisa Brenaman, in Tazewell County, Ill. The young eouple soon afterward removed to the farm of Mr. S., which he had purchased before his marriage, and upon which they still reside, and which eon- sists of 390 aeres of valuable land. Our subjeet ereeted a fine dwelling, two stories in height, and

610

MCLEAN COUNTY.

covering an area of 20x34 feet, with an L 18x16. Ifis barns and out-buildings correspond with the residenee, and the whole premises indieate the su- pervision of a thorough-going and progressive farmer. Mr. Springer makes a specialty of raising Poland-China hogs, of which he has one of the finest herds in Allin Township. He has been prominently identified with the affairs of this section sinee com - ing here, and takes a genuine interest in the welfare of his adopted country. He has been Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Highways, Town Clerk, School Trustee, School Director, and in each posi- tion has acquitted himself with great credit. So- cially he belongs to the Masonie fraternity, in which he has been Senior Warden and Treasurer for a number of years.

Mrs. Springer is the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Iutzc) Brenaman, who were natives of Germany, and spent their entire lives in their na- tive country. Their thirteen children were named as follows: Jacob, Mary, Elisa, Joseph, Allen, Anna, William, Eunice, Edward, Plicbe and Christian. Two died in infaney unnamed. Both parents were members of the Mennonite Chureh.

The six children of Mr. and Mrs. Springer were Amelia P., who died Oet. 17, 1857; Mary E .; Ed- ward D., who died March 12, 1872; Emma A .; George B., who died May 5, 1867, and William H. In politics Mr. S. affiliates with the Democrats.

LEXANDER BRYANT, a prosperous far- iner and stockholder in the coal mines of Bloomington Township, is pleasantly loea- ted on section 6, where he owns 170 aercs of valuable land, mostly under a good state of cul- tivation. Mr. Bryant has been a resident of the above-named township since 1865. He formerly lived in the city of Bloomington, where he was connected with the C. & A. R. R. for fourteen years as conductor.

The subject of this history was born in Lenawee County, Mich., Sept. 6, 1842. His father; John Bryant, was a native of England, and died in Len- awee County in 1854, when our subjeet was a lad of twelve years. The mother, Margaret (Watson)

Bryant, is still living on the old homestead in thic above-named county. This is comprised of 180 acres, which her husband entered from the Govern- ment more than fifty years ago. She is now well advaneed in life, being in the eighty-sccond ycar of her age. The parents were married in Genesee County, N. Y., and their family ineluded nine children. eight sons and one daughter, all living and married, with families of their own. Alexan- der was the fifth son and sixth ehild, and remained at home after the death of his father until he was twenty-one years old. Later he began work as a farm laborer, and in August, 1865, started west and landed in the Prairie State. He soon after- ward engaged as a brakeman for the C. & A. R. R. and was thus employed just two years to a day. He was then promoted to conductor, which posi- tion he oceupied, as before stated, for fourtecn years. IIe took possession of his present home- stead soon afterward, and five years later crected one of the best farm residences in the township. He has a fine barn and all necessary out-buildings and applianecs required by a first-class agricultur- ist. Everything about the premises denotes the exercise of cultivated tastes and ample means.

Mr. Bryant was married in Bloomington, April 27, 1868, to Miss Bessie. Holmes, who was born in the Province of Ontario on the Island of Knox, Feb. 21, 1844. She was the daughter of John and Susan (Dunn) Holmes, both natives of Cork, Ire- land, where they were reared and married, and soon afterward emigrated to Canada. The father was a private in the British army, and they became the parents of seven sons and seven daughters. They afterward removed to Macon County, Ill., where the mother died in November, 1861, in her fiftieth year. The father is now living in Dale Township, this county, aged eighty. Mrs. Bryant was educa- ted in Canada, and came with her parents to Illi- nois in 1861. After the death of the mother, the family removed to tlie eity of Bloomington, in 1866.

Mr. and Mrs. Bryant have become the parents of nine children, all living except one, Howard C., who died Feb. 15, 1887; the others are Warren S., Mary Helen, Harry L., William A., Joseph B., Ralph E., Charles and Bessic L. Mrs. B. and all

611

McLEAN COUNTY.

her children are members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. B. is Assistant Supervisor of Bloomington Township; he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a solid Republican. A view of the beautiful residence and surroundings of Mr. Bryant is presented on another page of this work.

ONAS B. MAURICE, an enterprising young farmer and stock-breeder of Arrowsmith Township, is the possessor of cighty acres of thoroughly cultivated land, where he makes a specialty of Poland-China swine, and in this branch of agriculture has been remarkably success- ful. He came with his father to Illinois in 1856, and the latter purchased 120 acres of land in Pcoria County, where he followed farming and teaching alternately, having received a fine education in his youth. Our subject was born in Cumberland County, Pa., and, is the son of T. W. and Maria (Barr) Maurice, both natives of the Keystone State, the father born in October, 1827, and the mother in November following. After living in Peoria County, Ill., for a number of years, the father of our subject traded his land there for property in McLean County, of which he is now a prominent resident. He has a fine homestead, including 240 acres of land, with a good set of farm buildings, and in other respects is surrounded by the comforts of life. He is prominent in his community, highly respected, and one of the leading members of the Masonic fraternity, having been Master of the Lodge at Arrowsmith for some years. The mother died in May, 1864. Their five children were Mar- garet J .; Jonas B., our subject; Henry B .; Maria B., Mrs. W. H. Thompson; Mary, Mrs. Allen J. Major.

Mr. Maurice was reared to habits of industry, and has never been afraid to put his shoulder to the wheel. He labored'on his father's farm until he reached manhood, and in September, 1879, was united in marriage with Miss Katic V. Kerr, who was born in Virginia, Sept. 17, 1857. She removed with her parents to Independence, Mo., where her marriage to our subject took place. She is the daughter of Andrew and Sarah Jane (Bumgardner)

Kerr, also natives of the Old Dominion, the father born Aug. 23, 1826, and the mother, March 14, 1836. Of their four children the record is as fol- lows: Florence M., born May 19, 1852, became the wife of William Sullinger, of Missouri; James P. was born Feb. 14, 1855; Katie V., Mrs. M., is the third child; Parthenia R., who was born July 27, 1861, died Nov. 8, 1883. The father of these children died in Missouri, Aug. 28, 1862. His widow afterward married William Crute, Nov. 24, 1864. Mr. C. was of English birth and parentage. Of this marriage there were born three children- Sarah J., Oct. 27, 1868; William J., July 20, 1870, and Mary A., Dec. 1, 1873. Mr. Crutc departed this life Feb. 28, 1879.

Our subject and his wife became the parents of three children: T. Wilson, born Dec. 21, 1880; Sarah E., Dec. 4, 1882, and Avis L., Feb. 6, 1886. Through his own efforts Mr. M. obtained a fair ed- ucation, and he takes an active interest in the wel- farc and progress of his township. He possesses a good fund of information, and in politics casts his- vote with the Republican party.

M AGDALENA M. STUCKEY, widow of Christian Stuckey, is living on a fine farm on section 5, Danvers Township, where she is surrounded by all the comforts of life, and enjoying the respect of a large circle of friends. Mrs. S. was born in Baden, Germany, Sept. 18, 1827, being the daughter of Michael and Magda- lena (King) Miller. Her father was born in 1795, and her mother in 1800, in Germany, and they were married in 1825. Nine years later they cmi- grated to America, landing in New Orleans. Thence they went into Butler County, Ohio, where Michael Miller prosecuted farming on rented land until 1851. He then came to Illinois, and pur- chased eighty acres of land in Dry Grove Town- ship, this county. To this he soon afterward added 120 acres, and this, with its improvements, consti- tuted a permanent and comfortable homestcad, where he spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1873. The mother died in the fall of 1882. Their nine children were Christian, Magda-

612

MCLEAN COUNTY.

lena, Jacob, Michael. John, Fannie, Catherine, Eliz- abetli and Joseph. Fannie, Elizabeth and Kate are deceased. The parents were members of the Omish Mennonite Church, in which the father labored as a minister for a period of twenty years.

Mrs. Stnekey was reared by her parents, and was united 'in marriage with Christian Stnekey, Oct. 27,-1850, in Butler County, Ohio. Mr. S. was a farmer by occupation, and directly after marriage they came to this county and located on rented land near Danvers. After a few years Mr. S. en- tered forty aeres, and provided a house into which he moved his family. He was prospered in his farming and business transactions, and in time added to his first purchase, so that at the time of his death he left his family with a fine estate of 179 aeres, under a good state of cultivation and supplied with modern improvements. His death oe- enrred in Eureka Springs, Ark., whither he had gone for his health, and his remains were laid to rest in Park Lane Cemetery in Danvers. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Jona- than Schmoker, of Indiana, and Rev. Sears, of Danvers. Mr. Stuekey was a kind and indulgent father and husband. His family were , greatly attached to him, and his death was to them an ir- reparable loss. When he started for Eureka Springs it was the hope of himself and his friends that the change would be beneficial. He remained about three months, but during the last week, how- ever, he began to fail and his wife was sent for. He died a few days after her arrival, and a devoted wife and five eliildren are left to mourn their loss. The latter were Joseph, Catherine, Mary, Daniel, Samuel and Josephine. Joseph died when about three years of age. Mr. Stuekey was a stanelı Re- publiean in polities, and a member of the Omish Mennonite Church.

When Mr. and Mrs. Stuekey took possession of the present homestead it was in a wild and unim- proved condition, and its cultivation involved much labor and perseverance. The residence is a tasteful and substantial structure, and there is a good barn with all necessary out-buildings. Mrs. S. has proved an excellent manager, and is carrying on the farm after the methods adopted and estab- lished by her husband. Her two sons, Daniel and

Samuel, are still at home with their mother; the former was married, Sept. 30, 1884, to Miss Ella Paneake, of Danvers Township, and they have one son eighteen months old. Iler daughter. Mary, be- eame the wife of John Sehertz, and lives in this county ; she has four children, two sons and two daughters.

I ACOB H. ZOOK, a worthy farmer of Dry Grove Township, owns and oeenpies a eom- fortable home on seetion 28. He was born in Mifflin County, Pa., Oet. 22, 1831. IFis parents on both sides and his grandparents, to- gether with his great-grandparents, were all born in the same county and State. His great-grand- father on his mother's side was an old Indian fighter by the name of Ilostetter. The father of our subject was Yost Zook, and his mother, before her marriage, was Susan Hostetter. The former was born Aug. 21, 1803, and the latter in De- cember, 1805. Mr. Yost Zook is now over eighty-four years old and his wife eighty-one. They were married at Lewistown, Pa., Nov. 14, 1827, by Rev. Christian Zook, and lived there until 1850, when they eame to Illinois, and have since resided in Dry Grove Township.

The parental family consisted of five children, all living save one, and all in Illinois except John, who removed to Columbus, Kan., in 1885. Mrs. King, the only daughter, lives in North Dry Grove, and is the owner of two fine eighty-aere farms. Adam Zook, the eldest son, is the possessor of a comfortable fortune, and lives in Dry Grove Town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Yost Zook have twenty grand- children and three great-grandchildren. They have a fine home, and in their deelining years are living in the enjoyment of the friendship and association of those who have known them for over thirty years.

Jacob H. Zook remained under the parental roof until he had attained to years of manhood, engaged in farming pursuits. On the 21st of December, 1862, he was married to Miss Lydia Lantz, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 28, 1843. Iler parents were Jonathan and Nancy (Yoder)

613

MCLEAN COUNTY.

Lantz, natives of Mifflin County, Pa. They came to Illinois in 1851, and located in White Oak Township. The father died in Danvers, July 31, 1885; the mother departed this life at the home of her husband in White Oak Township, in 1853. They had beeome the parents of eight children, font sons and four daughters: The eldest dicd un- named; Ben is also deceased; Jonathan was the third; Jacob lives in Nebraska; Gidcon bceame a resident of Oregon in 1876; Jappha lives in Dan- vers Township; John died in September, 1861, at the age of seven years.

Mr. and Mrs. Zook have ten children, five sons and five daughters, of whom the record is as fol- lows: Elizabeth A. was born Nov. 19, 1863; Naney S .. Jan. 30, 1865; Adeline Nov. 13, 1866; Ulysses A., Nov. 6, 1868; Jappha, April 29, 1870; Lydia A., April 21, 1876; Jacob N., May 16, 1878; John L., Jan. 14, 1880: Mary E., April 2, 1882; Christian A., Sept. 20, 1884.

The homestead of our subject and his family con- sists of 1083 acres of finely cultivated land, where he makes a specialty of breeding swine and keeps a herd of milch cows. He has been prominent in the affairs of his township. He is Republican in poli- tics, and religiously is connected with the Men- nonite Church, which comprises a membership of over 400.

0 THA OWEN. This gentleman, familiarly known in Chency's Grove Township as one of its prosperous and enterprising business inen and farmers, is pleasantly located on section 35, where he has been a resident since 1853. . He came to this eounty in September, 1834, making the journey from his native State of Ohio in a . two- horse wagon and driving two eows. He was ac- companicd by his uncle's family, and the journey oeeupied thirteen days. He was employed on the farm of his unele for six years following, and then worked out by the month for $8.33. After working thus for about five years he purchased eighty acres of land, for which he paid $1.25 per acre, and aft- crward forty aercs, mueh of which was a swamp, and none liad ever been cultivated; for this he paid

$5 per acre. He proceeded to work upon and im- prove it, meeting with success in his labors, and has sinec added to it until now he is the owner of nearly 148 acres, all cneloscd and improved, and under a good state of cultivation.

Mr. Owen was born in Mcehaniesburg, Cham- paign Co., Ohio, Oct. 5, 1823, and is the . son of Uriah and Keziah (Jaeo) Owen, both natives of Virginia. The father was a farmer, by oceupation, and died in Ohio when Otha was a lad of seven or eight years. The mother died a few years later, so that our subjeet early in life became an orphan, and was forced practically to look out for himself. The parental household included six ehil- dren, as follows: Onc died in infancy; Sarah died March 15, 1882; Mary became the wife of Samucl Peckham, and died in 1880; Jonathan married a Miss Hester Shepard; Otha, our subject, was thic fifth child; George W. married Miss Catharine Kline.

Mr. Owen was reared to manhood in this county, and on the 20th of November, 1845, was married to Miss Susan Klinc, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Oct. 5, 1827. She was the daughter of George and Catherine (Miller) Klinc, both natives of Maryland. George Kline was born in 1792, and was drafted into the army during the War of 1812. His brother Jacob, however, served in his place. The mother of Mrs. Owen was born in 1802, and dicd four years after her husband, in 1884. Both parents were members of the Presbyterian Church. Their ten children werc-John, Susan, Mary, Re- becca, Harrison, Martin V., Catherine, Christina, Zarilda, who died quite young, and George.

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

Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 71

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