Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 74

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 74

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W ILLIAM ROCKEL. The subject of this biography owns a comfortable farm homc- stcad on seetion 18, Blue Mound Town- ship, and has been a resident of MeLeau County since 1865. Here he has 115 acres of valuable land, all improved and under a good state of ! cultivation and supplied with convenient and taste- ful farm buildings. Mr. Rockel is a native of Onio, born in Clarke County, Sept. 15, 1844, and remained a resident of his native county until 1865. His parents were Adam and Mary (Baker) Rockel, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. After their marriage they located in Clarke County, Ohio, where the father engaged in farming pursuits and where both parents spent the remainder of their lives. Adam Roekel departed this life May 18, 1884, and the mother April 14, 1886. Their five children were Peter, Harriett, Henry, Mary and William.

Upon first coming to this county, being then a young man twenty years of age, William Roekel worked as a farmer and earpenter for three years. In 1868 he became a resident of Blue Mound Township, where he has lived, with the exception of one year, since that time. He . was married in Lexington, Ill., Feb. 4, 1868, to Miss Hes- ter A. Heller, daughter of Elias and Eliza (Branstet- ter) Heller, who were both natives of Pennsylvania. They removed, soon after their marriage, to Clarke County, Ohio, and from there to this eounty in about 1856, settling in Towanda Township. They are still living, making their home in the village of Towanda. Their household cirele included eiglit ehildren, viz: Rebecca J., Mary E., Christian M., Benjamin F., Eliza J., Hester A., Squire W. and William C. Mrs. Roekel was born in Clarke County,

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Ohio, April 11, 1847, and remained with her par- ents until her marriage. Of her union with our subjeet there have been born three children-Aliee L., Clement W. and Mary A. Mr. Roekel, politi- eally, is an adherent of the Demoeratie party. Ile has served as School Direetor in his township and is fully entitled to be elassed as an honest man and a good eitizen.

C ALVIN RAYBURN, of the firm of Rayburn & Barry, attorneys at law, and oeeupying a worthy position among his professional brethren of Bloomington, is a native of the Buek- eye State, having been born in London, Madison Co., Ohio, Dee. 20, 1847. His father, William K. Rayburn, was a native of Ross County, Ohio, and his grandfather was Judge James Rayburn, who was born in Virginia. The father of the latter was the son of one of three brothers who emigrated to Ameriea from Seotland prior to the Revolutionary War, in which two of the brothers took part. William K. Rayburn, the father of our subjeet, was a farmer and stoek-raiser and became a resident of this State and county in 1851. He located in Bloomington Township, where he lived two years, then moved into Blue Mound Township, remaining until the fall of 1873. He then purchased a farm in Empire Township, where the family removed and where he lived four or five years; thenee he moved to his father's farm, where he remained until the latter's death. In the spring of 1885 William K. Rayburn re- moved to El Dorado, Kan., where he now lives. The mother of our subjeet, formerly Miss Amanda M. V. Dungan, of Ohio, was the daughter of Wilson Dungan, a prominent merehant of London, in that State. By her marriage with William K. Rayburn she became the mother of eleven ehildren, five of whom died in infaney. The six surviving are four sons and two daughters, of whom Calvin, our sub- ject, is the eldest.

The education of Calvin Rayburn was first con- ducted by a private teacher and he afterward at- tended the city sehools of Bloomington. He re- mained under the home roof until twenty-one years- of age, then entered Illinois Wesleyan College from

which he graduated in 1876. He then taught sehool two years as Principal of the High School at Shelbyville, Ill., and in 1878, he was Superintendent of Hillsboro City Sehools. Having deeided upon the study of law, he entered the office of Rowell & Hamilton, in Bloomington, under whose instrue- tion he studied one year, and took a course in the Law Department of Wesleyan University. From there he graduated in 1879, and was at onee ad- initted to the bar. Ile opened an ofliee in July, 1879, and entered into partnership with HI. H. Green, who withdrew two years later, sinee which time Mr. Ray burn has eondueted his praetice alone.

Mr. Rayburn is, an enterprising and useful eiti- zen who has fully identified himself with the in- terests of the community. He is one of the Direetors, and Secretary and Treasurer of the Eleetrie Light Company, and loeal attorney for the Thompson-Huston Electric Company of Boston, Mass.

The marriage of our subjeet oeeurred on the 12th of July, 1877, when he was united with Miss Jennie Buttolph, of Bloomington, and they have one child, a son-William B.

OIIN S. ROUSH, deeeased, was the head of the firm of J. S. Roush & Sons, one of the important factors of the business and indust- rial elements of Bloomington, and was pros- perously engaged in trade as a wholesale groeer, giving muell attention to the better grade of eoffees and the roasting thereof.

John S. Roush was born in Highland County, Ohio, in September, 1832. His mercantile ex- perience eommeneed when he was seventeen years of age, with a capital of $600 and good eredit, in Taylorville, Ohio, where he eondueted a small store consisting of a stoek of general groeeries and house- hold artieles. He operated there until 1858, and then removed to Hillsboro, the county seat of Highland County, where he first engaged as dry- goods elerk and then associated himself in partner- ship with Henry Strain, in the grocery business for five years following, when he purchased the interest

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of his partner and operated alone until 1869, during which year he removed to Bloomington.

Here he entered into partnership with John MeMillan, in the wholesale grocery business, under the style of MeMillan & Roush, with whom he operated for eighteen months and then purchased the interest of his partner, continuing alone for nine months. He then took in John F. Humphreys and they continued together until 1879, under the style of Roush & Humphreys, when our subject disposed of his interest to George R. Newton, and then went into business with his two sons, Charles F. and Edwin C., on Front street, where they operated until 1880, and then moved into their own building at the corner of Grove and Front streets. This is 46x90 feet in dimensions, with three stories and basement, all departments being occupied in the extensive business of the firm, which is now finely established and operates extensively throughout this and other counties. John S. Roush came to his death by accident in September, 1884, by his horse running away. He was an enterprising and useful citizen and universally respected. The mother is still living, the two sons now in business being the only children of the family, and who are still successfully doing the large and lucrative busi- ness of their father.

MOS YODER. Among the agricultural element of MeLean County who have met with success in their calling and who are entitled to enjoy the accumulation's of a handsome competency, acquired mainly through their own exertions and good judgment, Mr. Yoder is entitled to a place. He is busily engaged in the prosecution of his calling on his fine and product- ive farm on section 8, Money Creek Township. Amos Yoder is the son of Jonathan and Magdalen (Wagner) Yoder, the former a native of Berks County, Pa., and the latter of Pottsville, that State. They were married in their native State, and soon thereafter settled in Mifflin County, whence they removed to Center County, that State, whence, after a nine years' residence, they removed to Juniata County, Pa. They lived in the latter county until

the spring of 1851, when, hoping to better their financial condition in the undeveloped West, they came to this county and settled in Danvers Town- ship. From the latter township they removed to Dry Grove Township, where the good wife died in February, 1866. He died in Woodford County, Ill., in the winter of 1869. Twelve children were born to Jonathan and Magdalen Yoder, six sons and six daughters, and the subject of this notice was the sixth in order of birth.

Amos Yoder was born in Mifflin County, Pa., Dee. 17, 1828. He received as good schooling as the times and locality afforded, was reared to manhood on the farm, and has followed that call- ing all' his life with the exception of about three . years, in which he was engaged in mercantile pur- suits at Normal. Mr. Yoder came to this county in 1848, and settled in Dry Grove Township, where he made his home until the spring of 1880. He then removed to Towanda Township and lived there two years, then took up his residence at Nor- mal. In that city he was engaged in the grocery business for about three years, meeting with only partial success, and in January, 1886, he moved on to his place in Money Creek Township, consisting of 320 acres, nearly all of which was under an ad- vanced state of cultivation, and on which he has a good farm residence and substantial out-buildings.

While a resident of Dry Grove Township, Mr. Yoder concluded that he would try his fortune still farther West. He consequently sold out and vis- ited some of the Western States and Territories, but came to the conclusion that no country excells McLean County for productiveness, and after an absence of about two months, came back satisfied to make this his permanent home. Our subject was married in Danvers Township, in July, 1852, to Catherine Donner. She was born in Butler County, Ohio, and bore our subject five children- Millie, Barbara, Frank, Anna and Charles. Millie is the wife of D. J. Myers, and they are living in Ashland, Ohio; Barbara and George L. Kirekner became man and wife, and she died in Buck Horn Valley, Col., April 28, 1883; Frank is a fariner and follows his calling in Dakota; Anna is the wife of D. A. Muse, and their home is at Denver, Col. ; Charles lives at home. Mrs. Yoder died in Dry

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MCLEAN COUNTY.

Grove Township, Sept. 20, 1864, and our subject formed a second matrimonial allianee, Mrs. Cath- erine (Kistler) Lantz being the other eontraeting party, and the date of their marriage Dee. 11, 1864. She was a daughter of John M. and Elizabeth (Naff- zinger) Kistler, and widow of Joseph P. Lantz, who died in Dry Grove Township, June 30, 1861. Of her union with Mr. Lantz five children were born, viz: Thomas, Mary, Rebceea, Horaee and Joseph. Thomas is married and resides in Nebraska; Mary is living at Normal; Rebeeea is the wife of John P. Yoder, a resident of La Salle County, Ill. ; Hor-' ace is a farmer, and lives in Missouri; Joseph is unmarried.

The parents of Mrs. Catherine Yoder came to this eounty from Butler County, Ohio, in 1838, and settled in Dry Grove Township, soon thereaf- ter removing to Woodford County, Ill., whenee they returned to this county, and several years later beeame residents of La Salle County, this State. They removed from the latter eounty to Missouri, where the father died in October, 1876. The mother died in Iowa, in 1880. Eleven ehil- dren were born to them, and all lived to attain the age of man and womanhood. Mrs. Yoder of this notiee was the eldest of her parents' children. She was born in Butler County, Ohio, Dee. 10, 1833, and by her union with our subjeet has beeome the mother of seven ehildren-Laura B., Salina, Leou- ard M., Elmer G., Minnie A., Henry L. and Effie E. While a resident of Towanda Township, Mr. Yoder held the office of Justice of the Peace for a little more than a year. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Mennonite Church, and in polities our subject is a staneh Republiean.

R. HENRY A. WINTER, a reliable and sueeessful physician of Saybrook Village. is a native of New York, born in Cayuga County, Nov. 9, 1843. His parents were Hermau H. and Sabrina A. (Abbott) Winter. The mother was the sister of Chaney M. Abbott, who was a Senator in the General Assembly of his State and who died while in the midst of his usefulness.

The Abbott family was of English origin, and be- eame widely and favorably known in different parts of the United States. The grandfather of Mrs. W. during the old Revolutionary times, was Cap- tain of a company of seouts and a brave Indian fighter. His capture was greatly desired by the British Government who offered £40 for his sealp. He was one of a family of nine sons, all of whom were distinguished for their energy of eharaeter, their ambition, and the activity with which they engaged in whatever they were inter- ested.

After the death of her husband Mrs. Winter, who remained a widow, devoted herself to the eare of her children of whom there were only two, and makes her home with her son, Dr. H. A. Winter. The sister of our subjeet, Adelaide J., beeame the wife of Dr. F. M. Hiett, and they have one son, John. This lady was finely edueated, having pur- sued her studies at Mt. Holyoke Female Seminary, in Massachusetts. She afterward taught sehool and was especially proficient in musie. She was of amiable and excellent eharaeter, greatly re- speeted by all who knew her, and a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After a lin- gering illness with eonsumption she died at her home in Wiseonsin, Dee. 21, 1871.

The subject of this history commeneed attending sehool in his native eounty when he was four years of age, and when of suitable years and attainments, entered Cortland Academy, where he remained under the excellent tutership of Prof. Clarke until April, 1861. He then journeyed westward to Wis- eonsin and entering the High School at Berlin, in Green Lake County, remained until Oetober of that same year. Then, the Civil War being in progress, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Co. B, 11th Wis. Vol Inf., and one year afterward was taken with typhoid fever at Helena, Ark., and compelled to aeeept his honorable diseharge. He returned to . his old home in New York and soon afterward eommeneed traveling for his health, going through the States of Michigan, Wiseonsin and Indiana. He was still interested in the sueeess of the Union troops and after arriving in Indianapolis, resolved to onee more offer his assistance to preserve the Union. He re-enlisted in Co. B, 72d Ind. Vol. Mtd.

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McLEAN COUNTY.

Inf., and joined his command at Murfreesboro, Tenn. On the 24th of June they moved out on Hoover's Gap, where occurred a lively battle and in which the Union troops, by the aid of their Spencer rifles, came out victorious. They were afterward engaged at the battle of Chickamaugua and our subject with his comrades went through the Atlantic campaign, during which he was wounded with a spent ball in the right leg. He had the honor of being one of the division which assisted in the capture of Jefferson Davis, and afterward, at the Lamar House in Macon, Ga., talked face to face With the Confederate chieftain. Young Win- ter was afterward transferred to Co. B, 44th Ind. Vol. Inf., with which he was mustered out at Nash- ville, Tenn., Sept. 14, 1865.

After returning from the army our subject lo- cated in Williamsport, Ind., where he took up the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. F. M. Hiett, with whom he remained until 1867. Dur- ing the following fall and winter he attended Rush Medical College, at Chicago, and until 1872, taught school and practiced medicine alternately. He then purchased a share in the business of Samuel Rob- erts, but wishing to perfect himself in his medical studies, returned to Chicago, and after another thorough course in Rush Medical College, gradu- ated Feb. 19, 1873. Removing to this county, Dr. Winter engaged in practice in Saybrook, and has since distinguished himself as a fine practitioner, especially of surgery, in which he takes great pride and has always been ambitious to excel. He has been remarkably successful in his practice, and by it has accumulated a fine .competency. Both as a man and a physician he is held in the highest re- spect. His property in Saybrook consists of three dwelling-houses.

Dr. Winter was united in marriage with Miss Della Atkinson, Sept. 25, 1867, and they had one child, Willianı A., who is now in the Freshman class of Wesleyan University, at Bloomington. Mrs. Della A. Winter departed this life Feb. 24, 1885. She was a lady greatly estecmed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as are also her husband and son. The second wife of our subject to whom he was married at Saybrook, this county,

was Miss Catherine Cheney, a native of this county, born in 1848, and the daughter of ex-Sena- tor W. H. Cheney, a pioneer of this county.

Dr. Winter belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Mt. Olivet Commandery, and s connected with the K. of P., Hope Lodge No. 140, at Saybrook. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., Saybrook Lodge No. 460, and of the G. A. R., McPherson Post No. 79.

W H. MILNER, an expert architect of Bloom- ington, is closely identified with its inter- ests, having been born here on the 29th of September, 1864, and spending his boyhood and youth mainly within its limits. He is one of the rising young business men of McLean County, and for some time has given evidence of more than or- dinary skill and genius as applied to the business which he has chosen for his vocation in life.

The subject of this history is the son of John V. and Angeline (Baker) Milner, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Massa- chusetts. J. V. Milner and wife came to Blooming- ton in 1854 and he is now one of the most extensive hardware dealers in the county. They have a family of six children.

Warren H. Milner received his earliest instruc- tion from his mother, until ten years old, then commenced attending a ward school from which he graduated in four years. He then entered the High School and after spending a like season, grad- uated from there also. In the meantime his leisure time had been occupied in the study of architect- ure, under the instruction of H. A. Miner, and during vacations he worked at the carpenter's trade with the same gentleman, remaining with him eighteen months. In 1884 he went to St. Paul, Minn., and engaged as a draughtsman, partly there and partly in Minneapolis, for the follow- ing year. He then returned to Bloomington and opened an office 7x14 feet in dimensions, and after two months his business so increased he had to remove to larger quarters. Ile then fitted up and furnished rooms at Nos. 306 and 308 North Main street, where he now employs two

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men and is doing a fine business. His reputa- tion as a skillful architect has already extended into adjoining States, and he has received orders from abroad as well as near' home. Besides this business he is giving much attention to raising, and dealing in blooded road and saddle horses, and takes great delight in watching the develop- inent of this noblest of animals.

Mr. Milner is Republican in politics, and in all respects bids fair to become one of the substantial business men of MeLean County.

0 WEN SCOTT, publisher and proprietor of the Bloomington Bulletin, is a native of Ef- fingham County, Ill., and was born in Jack- son Township on the 6th of July, 1848. He is a son of Dr. John O. and Martha B. (Parkhurst) Scott, of Tennessee. Dr. John O. Scott is still liv- ing in Effingham, Ill., and having been born in 1805, is consequently now over eighty-one years of age,' The mother was born one year later and is still living. The parental household included five children.

Dr. John O. Scott came to Illinois in company with his father in 1822, when a young man of sev- enteen years. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812. After his term of military service had expired he resolved to occupy himself in farming pursuits. Dr. Scott became a highly esteemed citizen of Effingham County, and for several years was School Commissioner, the office now known as County Superintendent, being first elected in 1842. HIe was a man of fine abilities, an extensive reader, and during the winter season, among other things, applied himself to the study of medicine, and be- came so interested in this, and acquired such a good knowledge of it that he commenced practice in 1850. In this he was so successful that he abandoned the farm a few years later and took up his residence in the city of Effingham, where he is now living in ease and retirement.

Owen Scott of this history obtained his early education in the common schools, which he at- tended until sixteen years of age. He was bright and studious, fond of his books, and at the age of

sixteen years commenced teaching, his first school being near his birthplace. Here he taught twelve months in succession, the latter six of which course of instruction was carried on in a grove out of doors. Whenever a rainstorm came on he and his pupils crawled into a little old hut which stood near, as protection from the rain. His journey to and from the school lay about two and one-half miles through the woods, and the pioneer peda- gogue carried his gun along, by means of which he supplied game to families at both ends 'of the route. He had been reared to habits of industry, and his parents, in common with other settlers of a new country, had very little "hard cash." At one time when he was about eleven years of age, and very much in need of a pair of boots, he took a va- cation from school of one week, and going to the woods with his dog caught rabbits, which he sold at five cents apiece, and on the following Monday morning, bright and carly, was in his place proud of the new boots.

In the course of time young Scott was enabled to realize his long-cherished plan of attending the State Normal University at Normal, where he pur- sued a thorough course of study and then resumed teaching. He soon distinguished himself as an in- structor, and in 1871 became Superintendent of the Effingham City Schools, which position he finally resigned to enter the law office of Judge S. F. Gil- more, and under whose assistance and instruction he became ready for admission to the bar in Janu- ary, 1874. In the meantime, on the 6th of Novem- ber, 1873, he was married to Miss Nora Miser, of St. Louis, Mo. Ou Nov. 4, 1873, he became County Superintendent of Schools, and served eight years. While occupied with the duties of this position he also devoted considerable time to the practice of his profession. On the 1st of Oe- tober, 1881, he purchased a half interest in the Ef- fingham Democrat, and in a short time became sole proprietor. He conducted the paper for about four years and then sold out.

Mr. Scott served three years as Deputy Treas- urer of Effinghain County, and was City Attorney of Effingham during 1877-78. In 1884 he came to Bloomington and purchased the Bulletin, which was formerly edited by John II. Oberly.

RESIDENCE OF EPHRAIM HESTER, SEC . 11., CHEENEY'S GROVE TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF JOSHUA GRAYSON, SAYBROOK.

RESIDENCE OF D. A . MEANS , SEC. 15., CHEENEY'S GROVE TOWNSHIP.

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The daily Bulletin was established Feb. 8, 1881, as a daily eight-column folio paper, by the Bulletin Publishing Company. The Bulletin is a strong Democratie paper of the Jacksonian type, and its establishment at first was largely due to the exer- tions of the Democratie leaders of Bloomington. It was conducted by Mathew T. Scott, and was published as a morning paper until 1884, when it was changed to an evening paper. Sept. 8. 1884, Owen Scott purchased the entire interest, and has since been sole proprietor and editor. A weekly was started at the same time as the daily, and is issued on Friday. It is a six-column quarto. The daily is a seven-column folio; circulation of daily about 2,100, of the weekly 3,500. It has a steam-power press and a good job and binding office. The Bulletin for so young a journal has de- veloped remarkable vitality. It is conducted with ability, and is the leading Democratie newspaper in this section of the country.

Mr. Scott also publishes the Illinois Freemason, a paper which is devoted to the Masonic interests of the State. It was established Sept. 15, 1885, and is a four-column quarto, published monthly, with a circulation of about 2,000. It is a well gotten up Masouic journal, and a credit to the city.

Mr. Scott is a Democrat in polities, a member in good standing of the A. F. & A. M., and with his wife is a worthy member of the Baptist Church. Of the union of our subject and his wife there have been born two children-Henrietta L. and Nora F.

S AMUEL WEEKS, reckoned among the use- ful and highly respected residents of Lawn- dale Township, is descended from excellent ancestry, having been the son of John and Mary (Brailey) Weeks, natives of England, and who became the parents of nine children. Of these the subject of this history was the second. He was also born in England, Aug. 2, 1832, and continued to live in his native land until the summer of 1856, when he started for the New World. After reach- ing American shores he located in Batavia. N. Y., where he worked on a farm by the month for nearly one year and a half, then came westward to this State.'

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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 74

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