Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 72

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 72

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).

Mr. and Mrs. Owen became the parents of eleven children, three of whom are deceased. The record is as follows: George was born Sept. 16, 1847, and died Junc 3, 1864, when seventeen years of age; Uriah, born Aug. 26, 1849, married Miss Annie Lips, and has one child; Elias, born July 2, 1851, married Miss Catherine Murphy, and they became the parents of three children, one of whom is de- ecased; Laura, now Mrs. William Lewis, has onc ehild; Hannah became the wife of Albert Sprad- ling; Jay died Nov. 12, 1858; Lee was born May 8, 1860, married Miss Linna Chapman, and they have one child; Charlie was born July 2, 1863;

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Mary, Feb. 7, 1866; Kate, April 11, 1868; Albert was born May 5, 1871, and died Feb. 9, 1872.

The homestead of our subjeet and his family, besides the valuable land already spoken of, ineludes a fine residence, a good barn and all necessary ont- buildings, and in all its appointments indicates the supervision of an enterprising and intelligent busi- ness man and farmer. Mr. Owen is Democratie in polities, and has served nine years as constable in his township, and three years as Commissioner of Ilighways.

h IRAM C. PURDY, engaged in general mer- chandising at Weston, is contributing his full quota to the business interests of the town, and is a most valued and enterprising citizen. He is a native of the Empire State, born in Clinton County, Feb. 8, 1824, his parents being Stephen and Mary (Chase) Purdy, natives of New York, born near Plattsburg. In about 1829 the family, with the exception of the father, who died in Clinton County, N. Y., removed to Cattaraugus County, and about three years later to Brown County, Ohio. The mother, after the death of her husband, was married to, Amos Church, who re- moved with the family to Ohio. They came to Illinois in 1844, where the mother and stepfather passed the remainder of their lives. The children of Stephen and Mary C. Purdy were, Henry, who resides in Brooke County, Kan., and Iliram C., of our sketch. By her second marriage the mother of our subject had five children, of whom only one is now living, Samantha, the wife of R. R. Gaskell, of Topeka, Kan.

The subject of this sketch was edneated in the distriet schools, which were carried on in a manner widely different from those of the present day. He accompanied the family to Illinois, in 1844, and soon afterward entered the employ of the Sweet & Fogg :Plow Manufactory, where he learned the blacksmith trade, and where he remained the fol- lowing five years. . He then went to Hennepin, and in company with a partner, engaged for the follow- ing two years in the manufacture of plows. The firm then dissolved, and our subjeet, coming into Bureau County, took np his old occupation of

blacksmithing, which he followed until 1859. Then, going into Woodford County he decided to change his occupation, and engaged in merchandising, which, however, he followed only one year at that time, having an opportunity to buy out.a good blacksmithing business, which he merged into a wagon manufactory, and carried on the same for four years following.

From this place Mr. Purdy removed to Fairbury, Ill., and embarked in the grocery trade, which busi- ness lie caried on until 1871. Ile then went to Michigan, and locating in St. Joseph engaged in lumbering until 1876, and in that year came to this county, and established his present business. He has been fairly sneeessful in his operations, and by his honest and upright course has gained the confi- denee and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Soon after coming here he was tendered the position of Dep- uty Postmaster, and was appointed Postmaster in 1877. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and since 1858 has been a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He and his wife united with it the same year.

The first marriage of our subjeet took place in June, 1847, the maiden of his choice being Miss Genevra Ann (DeCaster) Lantz, who was born in Kentucky, but whom he met in Tazewell County, this State. By her union with our subject she be- eame the mother of five children, all of whom died in infaney. She departed this life in 1855. The second wife of our subjeet, to whom he was mar- ried in June, 1857, was Miss Mary Frances Burson, a native of Virginia. Of this marriage there were born three children: Edgar S., a resident of Chi- eago; Viola Genevra, the wife of C. R. Bailey, of Chenoa, and Wilbur, who died when five years of age.

OEL YODER, who has been a resident of the Prairie State since 1861, is comfortably lo- eated on section 4, Danvers Township, where he is carrying on general farming with sue- eess. Ile first opened his eyes to the light in Mif- flin County, Pa .. in 1817, being the son of John and Susanna (Stutzınan) Yoder, natives of the same State. John Yoder was born in 1784, and

RESIDENCE OF DANIEL ROSE, SEC. G., CHEENEY'S GROVETOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF DAVID W. STANGER, SEC. 14., ARROWSMITH TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF GEO. W. BLAND, SEC 35., CHEENEY'S GROVE TOWNSHIP.

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his wife, Susanna, in 1794. They were married in Mifflin County, Pa., in 1814, and loeated upon a farın of forty aeres, which was their home until 1837. The wife and mother departed this life in 1837, then Mr. Yoder with his children removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, and he resided witli one of liis daughters until about 1852, when he went to Indiana, and died in that State about ten years later. The parental household ineluded twelve children, as follows: Catherine became the wife of Adam Greenwalt; Samuel married Miss Elizabeth Yoder; Joel of our sketeli was the third ehild; Elizabeth was married to Samuel Zook; Joseph married Miss Lydia Kurtz; Gideon married Miss Elizabeth Hartzler; Lydia became the wife of Peter Stutzman; John married Miss Staly; Susan is now Mrs. David King, and Adam married Miss Susanna Brown; two infants, twins, died unnamed. The parents were members of the Omish Mennon- ite Church.

Joel Yoder was reared by his parents until he attained his majority, and received a fair edneation in the common sehools. He served an apprentiee- ship at the weaver's trade, which he pursued until 1850. He was married, in 1840, to Miss Lydia Yoder, of Fairfield County, Ohio, and they re- mained in that State until 1851. Our subjeet then determined to ehange his loeation and oeeupation, and emigrating to Illinois, eame into this eounty and located upon rented land in Danvers Town- ship. In 1870 he purchased eighty aeres of lis present homestead, where he is earrying on gen- eral farming with good results. . He has been Sehiool Director for a number of years, and keeps himself well posted on matters of general interest.

Mr. and Mrs. Yoder became the parents of seven children, three of whom are deceased : Priseilla died when four years old, and two infants died unnamed ; Gideon married Miss Hattie Spots; Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph Zhear, is a resident of Tazewell County ; Solomon married Miss Catherine Eieher, and Naney is the wife of John Amburg. The wife of our subjeet is the daughter of Jacob and Polly (Kime) Yoder, natives of Juniata County, Pa, - They were married in 1804, and subsequently re- moved to Wayne County, Ohio, where they both died, the mother in 1828, and the father in 1852.

Their children were-Naney, Jonathan, Lydia, John, Elizabeth, Barbara, Priseilla, Samuel and Re- beeca. Mr. and Mrs. Yoder were members of the Omish Mennonite Church, as also are our subjeet and his wife.

Mr. Yoder formerly belonged to the old Whig party, but upon the organization of the Republican cheerfully endorsed the principles of the latter,, with which he has sinee affiliated. The family resi- denee is pleasantly located, and its inmates are sur- rounded by all the comforts of life.

AMES S. WILEY. The subject of the fol- lowing history, one of the prominent busi- ness men of Martin Township, is at present quite extensively engaged as a grain dealer, having his headquarters on the line of the Illinois Central Railroad, at Colfax. Ile is a gentleman in the prime of life, aetive, energetie, and with a elear head for business, and has for many years been elosely identified with the business interests of this seetion. He is a native of this eounty, and was born near the present site of Colfax on the 8th of November, 1852. IIis parents, William and Nancy S. (Hopkins) Wiley, were natives respectively of Lexington, Ky., and Spencer, Ind. William Wiley was born in 1813, and the mother of our subjeet in 1824. The latter was a daughter of Robert Hop. kins, one of the early pioneers of MeLean County, who entered the land which is now oeeupied by John Gregory in Money Creek Township.

The grandfather of our subjeet, John R. Wiley, emigrated to Illinois and located in this eounty in 1830, the winter of which year was made memor- able by the great snow which oeeasioned mueh pri- vation and suffering among the early settlers. He located in Money Creek Township, not far from the present site of Lexington, and died about the year 1854.

James S. Wiley pursued his early studies in the distriet sehools and later attended Wesleyan Uni- versity, where he took a two years' eourse, and then engaged in teaching. Soon after the estab- lishment of the town of Colfax and the Kankakee & Southwestern Railroad, which was a branch of

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the Illinois Central, Mr. Wiley reinoved to that place and entered the employ of E. D. Churchill & Son, grain buyers, of Chenoa, where he received his first lessons in the business in which he is now engaged. He soon afterward purchased the inter- est of the Churchills in the business, and forming a partnership with J. W. Bechtel, operated with him under the firm name of Bechtel & Wiley, until the present time. In addition to his grain dealings, Mr. Wiley is operating as a hardware merchant, carrying a fine stock of stoves, tinware, and every- thing pertaining to that branch of trade. This he established in 1881. Mr. Bechtel is at present also a partner in this business.

The marriage of our subjeet with Miss Ilattie Dennis, of Chatsworth, Ill., took place at the home of the bride's parents in August, 1881. Mrs. Wiley is the daughter of William F. and Maggie F. Den- nis, and by her nion with our subjeet has beeome the mother of two children, a son and daughter- Charles E. and Maggie. Mr. Wiley, socially,' is connected with the I. O. O. F., Martin Lodge No. 715. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Colfax, is connected with the Sehool Board and is Treasurer of the Colfax Coal Mining Company.

W ILLIAM H. H. ROSS, a highly esteemed resident of Mt. Hope Township, is a native of McLean County, Ill., and was born on' the 30th of May, 1840. His father, John W. Ross, was a pioneer settler of this seetion and a native of Indiana, and his grandfather, Jacob Ross of Penn- sylvania, emigrated from his native State to In- diana, where he lived a few years, and thenee re- moved to Madison County, Ill., where he opened up a farm. He, was one of the pioneer settlers of that eounty, and established a homestead there, upon which he remained until the elose of his life.

John W. Ross, the father of our subjeet, was a youth of seventeen years when his parents eame to the State of Illinois. He remained with them two years and then, at the age of nineteen years, . started out to seek his fortune and make his own way. Ile first came into MeLean County, and in due time was united in marriage with Miss Naney

Funk, the danghter of John Funk. He purchased land in Dale Township, upon which he loeated, and industriously cultivated the soil until he retired from the active labors of life, folding his hands for his final rest in the year 1853. His wife survived him eleven years, and departed this life on the home farm in 1864. Of their union there had been born seven children, of whom the record is as fol- lows: Margaret beeame the wife of Thomas Bra- zill, and lives in Oregon; JJames was the next in order of birth; Mary was united in marriage with Thomas Nieol, and lives in Allin Township; W. H. II., the subject of our sketch, was the next son; Franeis M. is a resident of Arrowsmith Town- ship; Ellen became the wife of S. Q. Park, and lives in Dale Township; John W: makes his home in Mt. Hope Township.

The subject of onr sketeh was the fourth ehild of his parents' family, and was but fourteen years of age when deprived of the care and protection of his father. He remained at home with his mother and assisted in the duties around the farm for the following seven years, and then, at the age of twenty, rented a traet of land and began farming on his own account. He was engaged in agrieult- ural pursuits thereafter until 1882, when he pur- eliased the farm which he now owns and occupies, and which is pleasantly located on seetion 1. It comprises 160 aeres, under good eultivation, and is supplied with a good set of farm buildings. Be- fore making this purchase he had rented land from Mr. George Funk, a eonsin of his mother, who was an extensive proprietor and engaged largely in the breeding of fine stoek. This gentleman took a kindly interest in young Ross, and acted as his friend and eonnselor for many years. Mr. Ross is still associated with Mr. F. in the raising and feed- ing of farm animals, and to the wise counsel and excellent judgment of this staneh friend and ad- viser, is largely due his suceess in life and his pres- ent position in the community.

William H. H. Ross was united in marriage with . Miss Pamley Price, on the 13th of February, 1860. Mrs. Ross is a native of Virginia, and the daughter of William and Mary (Deeker) Priee. They re- moved from Virginia to Illinois in 1847, settling in MeLean County, and spent their last days in Mt.

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Ilope Township, where they had established a home soon after eomning to this State.

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ross have been born four children, viz. : Belle is the wife of Will- iam Richardson, who lives in Ellsworth, this eounty ; Charles lives in Funk's Grove Township; Katie, the wife of George HIalane, lives in Allin Township, and Lula May is at home with her par- ents. Mr. Ross is Republiean in polities, and is held in the highest esteem by the community in which he resides.

M ERLE H. RAYBURN, a farmer on section 35, Money Creek Township, is a son of David C. and Nancy (Fulton) Rayburn, the former a native of Ross County, Ohio, and the latter of Madison County, that State. They located after their marriage in Madison County, Ohio, and there lived until the fall of 1851, he en- gaged up to that time in farming. He then eanie to Bloomington, Ill., with his wife and four children, and made that his home during the following win- ter and then moved to Money Creek Township and located on seetion 35. Remaining there until the fall of 1886, he removed to the village of Towanda. His good wife died in Money Creek Township Nov. 21, 1873, and he was again married, Miss Raeliel S. Bowman being the other contracting party. David C. Rayburn became the father of nine chil- dren, namely, Merle II., Quesnel, Chalmers, Cranmer G., Paseal, Duff, Zuingle and Melancthon L., and one who died in infaney. Quesnel died in Novem- ber, 1876, of consumption; Chalmers is married to Miss Isabell Hutton of Normal, this county, and they are living in Butler County, Kan; Cranmer G. married Miss Snsie Stevenson of Towanda, and they are living in Plymouth, Iowa; Paseal married Miss Julia Gceding of Towanda, and they are living in Marion County, Kan; Duff and Miss Anna Shaw were united in marriage, and he is a farmer of Money Creek Township; Zuingle became the husband of Miss Susie Priee, and they are residents of Ply- mouth County, Iowa.

The subject of this notice was born in Madison County, Ohio, Jan. 22, 1845. He was nearly

seven years of age when his parents brought him to this eounty. Here he supplemented his eduea- tion received in the common sehools by a course of two years' study at Normal. He has always oceu- pied his time in agricultural pursuits and knows no other vocation, and has been a resident of Money Creek Township ever since he first loeated there with his parents. Mr. Rayburn was married in Saline County, Neb., Oet. 26, 1872, to Miss Emma Overinan, daughter of Isaac and Rebeeea (Dill) Overman, the former a native of North Carolina, and she of Rising Sun, Ind. They were brought to this State when young and were married in Mereer County, whence they removed to Fulton County, this State, and there lived for several years. He died while a resident of that county, his demise occurring in March, 1866. The widow and her children continued to reside in Fulton County until 1868, when they removed to Lee Conn- ty, and in 1872 made another removal still further West and became residents of Saline County, Neb. In 1877 the mother eame to McLean County, where one year later, at Normal, she died. By her union with Mr. Overman six children were born- Sarah J., Frank E., Emina, Clara, Leigh and Isabell. Emma, Mrs. Rayburn, was born in Fulton County Ill., May 15, 1852, and has borne our subject four children-Merle I., David Q., Emma G. and Ray L. Mr. Rayburn has held the office of Township Clerk and in polities is a stanch Republican. IIe was a member of the 145th II1. Vol. Inf., and served five months during the late Civil War. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church and he has been a Deacon in the same for twelve years, and an Elder since July, 1886.

OHN W. STOVER, one of the large land- owners of MeLean County, and one of her most successful and progressive fariners, is pleasantly located on his finc farm on seetion 33, Money Creek Township, where he is meeting with far more than ordinary sueeess in the proseeu- tion of his vocation. Mr. Stover was born in Piek- away County, Ohio, May 15, 1833. Hle was reared to farm labor, and received but a limited education

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in his early youth, which he, however, supple- mented by a praetieal one in later years. He lived in his native county until about 1852, when he em- igrated to Illinois and took up his residence in this. county. For about five years he worked out by the month, the major portion of the time in Money Creek Township. Mr. Stover has always followed agricultural pursuits, and is a self-made man in every respect the word implies. In 1857 he settled in Money Creek Township, and has made that his home until the present time. Ile is now the owner of 600 acres of valuable and productive land, and the major portion of it is under an advanced state of eultivation.

John W. Stover and Miss Elizabeth Ogden were united in marriage in Bloomington, Ill., Ang. 20, 1857. She is the daughter of Benjamin and Saralı (Streteh) Ogden, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. Ten children were born to the par- ents, and Mrs. Stover was the seventh in order of birth. She first saw light in Money Creek Town- ship, Jan. 16, 1839, and lived with her parents until her marriage. Of her union with Mr. Stover six children have been born, and named Benjamin, W., Sarah A., Cora, Etta M., Ida B., who died when about two years of age, and one who died in in- fancy. Benjamin married Miss Fannie Heller, and they are living in Money Creek Township and have two children-May E., and an infant unnamed; Sarah is the wife of Ward B. Jones, and they are living in Towanda Township; Cora and Etta are living at home. Mr. Stover has held the office of Sehool Director of his township for many years. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in polities is a stanch Republican.

SCAR A. GREEN, a representative farmer of Cheney's Grove Township, located on section 28, besides the ordinary pursuits of agriculture is also engaged in breeding fine horses and cattle. He is the possessor of 366 aeres of finely eultivated land, and supplied with a handsome and substantial set of farin buildings. His herd of Short-horns includes thirty-five head of some of the finest animals to be found in this section, and

his horses of the Norman stock inelude two fine young roadsters which he holds at a high value. In this branch of agriculture he has already gained a fine reputation, and his farm in all respeets indi- cates .the supervision of the intelligent and pro- gressive farmer and business man.

Mr. Green was born in Erie County, Pa., April 28, 1834, and is the son of Isaae A. and Sallie (Pettitt) Green, both natives of Saratoga County, N. Y., of English extraetion, and both living. Isaac Green during the early part of his life engaged in farming pursuits, but subsequently became a banker and after a few years thus occupied, retired from aetive labor. Both parents are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the father has been Trustee and Steward for a number of years. Politically he uniformly casts his vote with the Republican party. His wife, Mrs. Sallie P. Green, was born May 5, 1809. The first representatives of both families emigrated from England over 200 years ago, landing at Prov- idenee, R. I., and they were numbered with the twelve persons who constituted the Baptist Church at that place. Phillip Green, the paternal grand- father of our subject, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1782, and married Miss Nancy Adding- ton in 1803. They were members of the first class of the Methodist Episcopal Church which was established at Galway, N. Y. From there the family removed to Illinois in 1837. One of the sons, H. A. Green, the unele of our subjeet, took part in the Black Hawk War in 1831.

Isaac Green, the father of our subjeet, removed from his native State to Peoria County, Ill., in about 1838, where he lived until 1854. He afterward became a resident of Marshall County, where he lived for a period of thirty years and whence he removed to MeLean County. Isaae and Sallie P. Green became the parents of nine sons-George, Osear, W. Lloyd, Henry, Elisha P., Rowe, Christie, Lawton and Lorin.

Oscar A. Green was the second son of the family and remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred Dec. 29, 1859. The lady of his choice was Miss Eliza Jane Snyder, a native of this State and born in Marshall County, Nov. 11, 1836. Her father was Col. Henry Snyder, a

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Virginian, who was born April 24, 1790. He re- moved from his native State wlien but a lad, and engaged in farming in Morgan County, Ohio, where his marriage occurred, Jan. 18, 1816. The mother of our subjeet was born Jan. 4, 1793, and died at the home of her daughter in Marshall, Ill., Aug. 17, 1873. Col. Snyder had died in 1855. He obtained his title by serving in the State Militia, and was a Republican in polities. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their twelve children were-David D., Emanuel, John, Sarah, James H., Samuel P., Mary C., Amanda, Oliver P., Eliza J., Elmina M. and Edwin A.

Mr. and Mrs. Green of our sketeh have become the parents of four children. The eldest daughter, Minerva C., became the wife of Martin Luther Riggs, Nov. 21, 1883; Edwin P., Alonzo (). and Henry W. are at home. While living in Marshall County, Mr. Green held the office of Highway Commissioner for five terms, and was Superintend- ent of the Sabbath-school for three years. He is at present connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Saybrook, of which lie has been Trustee and Steward for several years. Politically he is a strong Republican.

OSEPH RANKIN, one of the highly re- speeted citizens of Randolph Township, owns and operates a farm of eighty aeres, one half on section 4, in Randolph Township, and the other half within the limits of the village of Hey- worth. He purchased this in 1875, and has sinee made it his home and is carrying on mixed lius- bandry. Mr. Rankin was born in Indiana County, Pa., Nov. 16, 1834. His father, William Rankin, a farmer by oeeupation, was a native of the North of Ireland, of Seottishi descent and Protestant par- entage. His grandfather, also by name William, was a native of the same locality, reared in the Protestant religion, and married an Irish lady of his own country, where she died in a few years. IIe was then married to a lady of the Presbyterian

faith, and they became the parents of six children, of whom William Rankin, Jr., the father of our subjcet, was the youngest but two. When he was about two years of age his parents, with their fam- ily, eame to the United States in 1785, and locating in Indiana County, Pa., remaincd there engaged iu farming pursuits until the elose of their lives.

William Rankin, Jr., was reared in Indiana County, Pa., and there married to Miss Eleanor G. Turner, whose family history may be found in the sketch of John E. Wakefield in another part of this work. Mrs. Rankin was born in Washington County, Pa., whenee her parents removed to Indi- ana County, that State, where they died, as did also she and her husband in the same house in

the townslip of Wheatfield. The father at tlie time of his death in 1849 was sixty-four years of age, and the mother, who died in 1868, was seventy. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church, in which William Rankin was Elder for many years.

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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 72

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