Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 79

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 79

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).

Jannes Hornfaon

Harry Skar

669

MCLEAN COUNTY.

B. are members in good standing of the Baptist Church, in the Sunday-school of which our subjeet has been Superintendent for several years. He has held many of the minor offices of his township, and at present is Justice of the Peace, having been elected in 1885. Politically he is a strong Re- publiean and uniformly casts his vote in support of the principles of that party.

J AMES THOMPSON, a gentleman who is widely and favorably known in MeLean County, and a resident of Cheney's Grove Township, which he represents in the Board of Supervisors, is a native of Summit County, Ohio, and was born Jan. 2. 1840. He is the son of Bowman and Elizabeth (Cannon) Thompson, natives respectively of England and Pennsylvania. His father was born in Northumberland County, Jan. 5, 1811. He remained in his native county until he was nineteen years of age, then emigrated alone to the United States and, loeating in Stark County, Ohio, followed farming pursuits. Thenee he went into Maumee County, where he purchased a farm but remained there only a short time. On account of the fever and ague in that region he then removed to Summit County and purchased a farm. On the 2d of September, 1834, he was mar- ried, near Massillon, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Can- non, who was born near Carlisle, Pa., March 13, 1813. Mrs. T. was the daughter of John and Eliza- beth (Gilchrist) Cannon. Her father for a number of years before the war was a slave-owner, but finally liberated his slaves of his own free will. The grand- father of Mrs. T. was a Major in the Revolution- ary War, serving directly under Gen. Washington, and came out of the confliet without a wound. The Gilehrist family, in years gone by, was widely rep- resented throughout the Southern States.

The parents of our subject were orphaned at an early age, and Bowman Thompson, in his early life, probably acquired those habits of persistence and industry which proved the secret of his success. He departed this life in Cheney's Grove Township, Oet. 13, 1865. His wife survived until May 2, 1876, nearly eleven years. Their five sons and two

daughters were John, George, James, our subjeet, Robert, Saralı C., Harry B. and Jane E. James passed his childhood and youth upon the farm in Summit County, Ohio, receiving a common-school education. After arriving at years of manhood lie was united in marriage, Jan. 2, 1861, with Miss Charlotte S. Cliver, who was born Feb. 23, 1843, and was the daughter of Richard and Ann (Brit- nell) Cliver, both natives of England. Richard Cliver was born Nov. 28, 1816, and departed this life in Tazewell County, Ill., in 1881. The mother died in 1854. They were married in England, came to America in 1837, and located in Tremont, Tazewell County, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Of their seven children three are now living-John, Thomas and Charlotte S .; Thomas H., Luey A., and two unnamed, died in in- faney. Mr. Cliver was a painter and cabinet-maker by trade, and carried on a good business in the gro- eery line. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M. for many years, belonged to the Sons of Temper- anee, and during his early life had connected him- self with the Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson became the parents of six eliildren- James R., who married Miss Ida Newland and has two children; Albert B., Luey C., Elizabeth C., John R. W. and Harry G.

During the late war Mr .- T. became a member of Co. L, 4th Ill. Vol. Cav. He participated with his comrades in the fight at Fts. Henry, Donel- son and at Pittsburg Landing, being among the first on the scene of conflict. Thence he went with his regiment to Corinth, Miss., and after the eap- ture of Island No. 10, moved upon Memphis, thenee to Trenton, and in February was with his regiment at the battle of Coffeeville, where the fa- mous Col. MeCullough was killed, being piereed again and again with the enemy's bullets. There our subjeet was taken prisoner but escaped within an hour on account of the friendly darkness which aided him. He then proceeded to Vieksburg and from there to Natchez, Miss. This was in 1864, and in October of that year, having completed his term of enlistment he was mustered out, receiving his honorable discharge at Springfield, Ill. He had determined to aid in the confliet to the end and re- tired . with the comforting assurance that he had

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performed his part bravely and faithfully. He en- tered the serviee as a private and was promoted Commissary Sergeant. After retiring from the army he resumed his oeeupation as a farmer, and has distinguished himself as an intelligent and val- nable. member of the community. He served as Colleetor of his township three years, was Super- visor four years and still holds the office. He has held other prominent positions among the counsels of his townsmen, and is a worthy inember of the Ma- sonie fraternity, having held the various offiees of Lodge No. 468 at. Cheney's Grove. He gives elose attention to his business, is prudent in the management of his affairs, and strietly honorable in his dealings, and is a man who enjoys to the full- est degree the confidence and respeet of his friends.

The farm estate of our subjeet comprises 167 aeres of finely eultivated land with a good resi- denee, barn and out-buildings, aud in faet all the aeeessories of the skilled and intelligent agrieultur- ist. · Mr. Thompson sinee 1872 has been a member of the Republican County Central Committee, and has upheld the principles of his party to the best of his ability. Both he and the various members of his family are prominently connected with the Christian Church.

As one of the leading representative men of the eounty we take pleasure in presenting the portrait of Mr. Thompson in this volume.

h ARVEY B. KARR, a resident of Dale Town- ship, and the son of an honored pioneer of MeLean County, seems to be in possession of the enterprise and energy which so ehar- aeterized his aneestors in a remarkable manner, and is successfully engaged in farming pursuits and in the breeding of draft horses, eattle and hogs. He is a gentleman in the prime of life, and in the midst of his usefulness and activity, and presents the happy speetaele of an energetie, thorough-going business man, with eneouraging prospects in view, and enjoying the confidenee and esteem of hls as- soeiates and fellow-eitizens.

Mr. Karr is a native of this county, having been born in Randolph Township, Oet. 26, 1843. His

father, Thomas Jefferson Karr, was a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born on the 10th of Feb- ruary, 1820, and his grandfather, Dr. Thomas Karr, was born in Bucks County, Pa., on the 23d of April, 1793. The father of the latter and the great- grandfather of, our subjeet, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and held a Captain's commis- sion. After the eolonies had established their in- dependenee Capt. Karr removed from his native State to Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1810, and was among the earliest pioneers of that region. He subsequently removed to the Territory of Illinois and spent the last years of his life in MeLean County, dying in the town of Randolph, and his remains were interred in Heyworth.

. The grandfather of our subjeet was a youth of seventeen years when his parents removed to Ohio. He was married at North Bend, White Water Township, Hamilton County, in that State. In 1835 he removed with his family to Illinois, aud settled in Randolph Township, this county, where. he had previously purchased a traet of land. Upon this he now built a log cabin, and removed into it with his family, oceupying it for two years, after which he ereeted a comfortable frame house. He engaged industriously in the improvement and eul- tivation of his farm, was rewarded with abundant suceess, and lived to see the country well devel- oped.

. Thomas Jefferson Karr, the father of our subjeet, was the third child and eldest son of his parents. He came to MeLean County with his father and mother, and made his home with them until he had grown to manhood. He possessed a great amouut. of energy and ambition, and early in life eom- meneed to do business for himself. He engaged as a dealer in live stoek, which he purehased in this see- tion and sold in Milwaukee. He'also purchased considerable timber land, and sold wood and lumber to the railroads. At the same time he engaged ex- tensively in farming and stoek-raising, and mnet with sueeess in the various departments of his business. He was removed from the seenes of his earthly labors while in the prime of life, on the 17th of February, 1866, his death being the result of a railroad aeeident. At the time of his death, the father of our subjeet was the owner of 800

McLEAN COUNTY.

671

aeres of land, forty of which he had entered from the Government, and for the greater part of the remainder he paid $30 and $50 an aere.

He was married in Deeember, 1843, to Miss Elizabethı Low, and soon after his marriage settled upon the farm which is now oeeupied by his widow, and is pleasantly located on seetion 13 of Dale Township. The parental household consisted of five ehildren: Harvey B., of our sketeh, was the eldest; Lizzie beeame the wife of Dr. Bradley, of Pekin, Ill .; Guy is manager of the homestead; Martha, who was born Dee. 9, 1853, died July 2, 1856; Dora, born April 16, 1857, married A. J. Johnstone, of Dale Township, and of whom a sketeh appears in another part of this work.

Harvey B. Karr spent the greater part of his youthful days in attendance at the distriet sehools in Dale Township. In 1858 he entered the Model Department of Normal University, and in 1860 at- tended the Wesleyan University of Bloomington, where he entered upon a seientifie eourse, and re-' mained at this institution for a period of three years. In the winter of the year last mentioned he went to Chieago, Ill., and studied in the Business College of Bryant & Stratton, and thus fitted him- self for the later and praetieal duties of a business and farming life. After he had completed his stud- ies Mr. Karr returned to his father's farm in Dale Township, where he remained until the death of the latter, and then administered upon the estate. When this had been settled he turned his attention to the buying' of live-stock, which he shipped to Chieago and the Eastern markets, and was thus sueeessfully engaged until 1870. He then loeated upon his present homestead, where he was prinei- pally oeeupied in agricultural pursuits for four years following. In 1874 he again began his opera- tions as a stoek-dealer, operating thus for two years, and then resumed farming.

Mr. Karr was the first time married in 1870, to Miss Irene Shannon, a native of Newport, Ky. This lady only remained the companion of her hus- band four short years, dying on the 21st of No- vember, 1874. She became the mother of one ehild, a daughter, Theresa, who died at the age of seven years. The second wife of our subjeet was Miss Emily K. Jackson, to whom he was married on

the 17th of Deeeinber, 1879. Mrs. Emily Karr is a native of Madison County, Ky., and the daughter of Henry L. and Margaret (Riee) Jaekson. Of this union there have been born three children-Harvey L., Kitty and Thomas J. Mr. K. and his family oeeupy a handsome residenee, which, within and without, is indieative of refined tastes and am- ple means. They are held in the highest respeet in the community, and Mr. K. enjoys in a marked degree the confidenee and esteem of his fellow- townsmen.

The maternal grandfather of our subjeet, whose name was Nathan Low, was one of the earliest pio- neers of MeLean County, having settled in Dale Township in 1829. He was born in Maryland on the 6th of January, 1791, and was the son of Na- than and Naney (Wright) Low. In 1805 he emni- grated from his native State to Licking County, Ohio, and was there married, in 1814, to Miss Sarah Brooks. After this event he was oeeupied as a eattle dealer, purchasing stoek in Ohio and driving it through over the mountains to Harris- burg, Pa. In June,' 1821, he started with his fam- ily for an overland journey to Illinois, and arrived in MeLean County in July following. His means at the time were limited, and his pioneer house or 'shanty, as it would now be ealled, contained but one room, was only 12x14 feet in dimensions, and beeame the home of ten persons. Mr. Low, how- ever, made the best of eireumstanees, was enter- prising and ambitious, and soon established a more comfortable home. His energy, however, out- weighed his physical strength, and his health was broken while he was comparatively a young man. He died in 1844; his widow survived hin until 1879, and departed this life in Dale Township. .

It is with pleasure that the publishers of this work present the portrait of Mr. Karr, as being that of a worthy and honored representative of Dale Town- ship.

AMES CORRY WILSON, one of the mem- bers of the firm of Wilson & Wilson, engaged in general merchandise business at Cooks- ville, is a native of Fayette County, Pa., and was born May 10, 1856. His parents were Will- iam and Elizabeth (Corry) Wilson, natives of

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MCLEAN COUNTY.

the Keystone State, the father at present a resident of Towanda Township, and a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. The subject of this sketeh was hut four years of age when his parents removed from his native State to Illinois and lo- eated in Bloomington. He received a good eduea- tion in the common schools, and remained under the home roof until the spring of 1879. Since that time he has been a resident of MeLean County with the exception of three years spent in Colo- rado. He lived in Boulder, Col., three years, re- turning to MeLean County in the fall of 1882. Soon afterward he formed a partnership with Ben- jamin L. Anderson, and they operated together un- der the firm name of Anderson & Wilson, which lasted until November, 1886. Mr. Anderson then sold out his interest to James Corbett Wilson, and the firm is now known as Wilson & Wilson. The firm holds a good position among the other thriving business houses of Cooksville, hoth its members he- ing gentlemen of integrity, prompt to meet their obligations and valued members of society.

Our subjeet was married, in Blue Mound Town- ship, June 21, 1883, to Miss Mattie V. Newton, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Routt) New- ton, the mother being a sister of ex-Gov. Routt, of Colorado. Mrs. Wilson was born in Blue Mound Township, Feb. 14, 1864, and of this union there was horn one child, a daughter, Florence B. Mr. Wilson is a staneh supporter of the Republican party.

G EORGE A. ROSS, a well-to-do farmer of this county, residing on seetion 2, township 21, Funk's Grove Township, is a native of Sara- toga County, N. Y., and was born April 19, 1828. His father, John B. Ross, is a native of New Jersey, and the paternal grandfather of our suhjeet was horn in Seotland. The latter came to the United States prior to the Revolutionary War, and was a soldier in the same on the side of the colonists, and spent the last years of his life in New Jersey. The father of our subjeet, early in life, learned the trade of a blacksmith in New Jersey, and after following the same in that State for a time removed to Sehenee- tady, N. Y. He labored at his trade in the latter

county for a few years and then went to Niagara County, same State, and settled in the town of Royalton, where he still continued at blaeksinith- ing, and where he made his home until his death, in July, 1883. The maiden name of his wife was Eliza Stewart, and she was born near Seheneetady, N. Y., and departed this life in 1830. There were but two children horn of this union, our subjeet and his sister, Mary Elizabeth, who married Charles Jackson, and is living at Royalton, N. Y.

George A. Ross was only a year and ten months old when his mother died, and was reared to man- hood under the care of a step-mother. At fourteen years of age he commeneed working in his father's hlaeksmith-shop, attending sehool part of the time. He continued to work in the shop until he was twenty years old, when his father assisted him to start a shop of his own at Jeddo, Orleans Co., N. Y. This he condueted with partial sueeess for fourteen months, when he sold it with the intention of going to California. His many relatives and friends, however, talked him out of the notion, and he came to Illinois instead. This was in the fall of 1852, and on arrival in this State he first located at Decatur; remaining there during the winter he re- turned East, and then came back to Illinois. He was there employed on'railroad work for a short time, and then became seetion foreman for the Illinois Central Railroad, and moved his residence to Hud- son, Ill. We next hear of him at Heyworth, this county, where he was in the employ of the railroad company at that place until 1856. During that year he abandoned railroading, aud for six years farmed on rented land. By this time he had eeono- mized sufficiently to enable him to purchase a traet of land, which he did and began farming on his own property. He bought his present farm in the fall of 1861. There was a small frame house on , the place when he hought it, which in 1866 gave way to the substantial residenee in which our sub- jeet now resides. In 1876 he ereeted a commodious barn on his place. Hle has 251 acres of land in a body and also nine aeres of timher, and is meeting with sueeess in the prosecution of his ealling.

Mr. Ross and Miss Ellen Jackson were married Nov. 27, 1853. She was born in Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., July 5, 1838. Her father, Charles

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McLEAN COUNTY.

Jackson, was a native of New York State, and her mother. Julia Phillo, was also born in that State. Charles Jackson was a carpenter by trade, and spent the latter years of his life in Orleans County, N. Y., his demise occurring in 1874. His wife is still living, and resides in Orleans County, N. Y., with her brother. Mr. Ross cast his first presi- dential vote for Gen. Winfield Scott, and has voted for the success of the Republican party ever since its birth. On the thirtieth anniversary of the wed- ding of Mr. and Mrs. Ross they were agreeably sur- prised by their neighbors and friends, who took possession of their house and setting the table pre- pared a sumptuous repast. After the meal Mr. and Mrs. Ross were the recipients of a beautiful silver pitcher. They will long remember the pleasant countenances whom they met in their home on that occasion.

W ILLIAM SHANNON, the only harness- maker in the town of Heyworth, is located on West Main street where he has carried on his business since the spring of 1870. He has a permanent and finely established trade, and by his straightforward business methods has secured the respect and esteem of the community. He was formerly a resident of Bloomington, where he lo- cated in 1849, and followed his trade for a period of twenty years.

Mr. Shannon was born in Shelby County, Ky.,, Fcb. 7. 1813. His father, Hugh Shannon, was a na- tive of Ireland and came to the United States when a young man and settled in Virginia. He was there married to Miss Sarah Kendall, whose father was a farmer, and who became a resident of Shelby County, Ky., which afterward remained the home of both our subject's parents during their life- time. At the time of their decease both werc well stricken in years, and had built up a good record by their honest lives and kindly deeds. Of their eleven children our subject was the third in order of birth. He grew to manhood in his native county, and there learned his trade under the instruction of Harris Hickman. After serving an apprentice- .ship of three years he set out as "jour" and in duc time took unto himself a partner and helpincet in

the person of Miss Nancy B. Ritchey, their union occurring on the 2d of April, 1835.

Mrs. Shannon was born aud reared in Scott County, Ky., of parents who were born, reared and married in Virginia, her father being engaged iu farming pursuits. Later they removed to Owen County, Ky., where the father died about 1836. The mother, who was formerly Miss Catharinc' Bronson, after the death of her husband came to Illinois and died at the home of her grand-daugh- ter, Mrs. Sarah Chase, when seventy-seven years old. Mr. and Mrs. Shannon of this notice became the parents of seven children, of whom George F. and Mary C. are deceased. Those living are Sa- rah, Samuel R., John T., Irene and William B., all married and settled in comfortable homes.

Mr. Shannon followed his trade in Owen County and Covington, Ky., for some time after his mar- riage. Thence he removed to Bloomington, Ill., where he established a good business and was suc- cessful. In Heyworth he has been President of the Village Board, and is Democratic in politics. He is greatly interested in the cause of temperance, and of late years has identified himself with the Prohi- bition movement. All the family arc members of the Baptist Church, and are recognized in this com- munity as law-abiding and useful citizeus,

OHN RYAN, a farmer by calling, and the owner of 163 acres of valuable land on sec- tion 1, Towanda Township, where he resides, is meeting with signal success in the con- ducting of his vocation. Mr. Ryan is the son of John and Margaret (Curboy) Ryan, natives of Ire- land. They had nine children and John was the second in order of birth. He was born on the Emerald Isle in 1824. When twenty-five years of age, in 1849, he emigrated to this country, and taking up his home in Kanc County, Ill., continued to reside there for two years. In 1851 he came to this county, and settling in Bloomington was there variously occupied until 1878. During that year he removed to Bluc Mound Township, and subse- quently to Towanda Township, where he has made his home until the present time.

While a resident of Bloomington, Mr. Ryan was a

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MCLEAN COUNTY.

portion of his time engaged as an employe of the C. & A. R.R. Sinee leaving Bloomington he has devoted his time exclusively to farming. He is now the owner of.163 aeres of land, all of which is under an ad- vaneed state of enltivation, and on which he has ereeted good and substantial improvements.' Mr. Ryan was married, in Bloomington, Ill., June 9, . 1856, to Miss Julia, daughter of William and Mary (Fitzgerald) Dwyer, natives of Ireland. Her par- ents had eleven children, and Mrs. Ryan was the fifth in order of birth. She first saw the light in the Land of the Shamrock, March 24, 1835.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Ryan has been pro- duetive of the birth of five children-Margaret, John, Edward, Matthew and Mary A. Margaret is deeeased. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan, as well as their ehildren, are members of the Catholic Church. In polities he is a Demoerat. The mother of our sub- jeet departed this life in her native land, and the father died at Bloomington, this State. In addition to the fine farm which is the property of our sub- jeet, lie is also the owner of considerable eity prop- erty in Bloomington. He is a self-made inan, and what he has of this world's goods he has aeeumu- lated through his own energy and good judgment, and not as the recipient of any legaey whatsoever.

R OBERT CLARK. Among the farmers of Towanda Township possessing enterprise and push, and a gentleman whose sueeess is attributable to his own energy and good judgment, we take pleasure in relating a few faets connected with the history of Robert Clark. He is living on his fine farm on seetion 9, and is meeting with sueeess as a tiller of the soil. The parents of our subjeet were Robert and Jeannette (Paxton) Clark, of Irish and Seotch aneestry. The oecupa- tion of the father was that of a farmer, and he was also a wagon-maker by trade. After his marriage ›to Miss Paxton he settled in Washington County, Pa., where they continued to reside until their de- mise. Eleven children, five sons and six daughters, were born of their union, our subjeet being the fourth in order of birth.

Robert Clark was born in Washington County,

Pa., Feb. 22, 1812. He lived with the old folk until twenty-four years old, when he started out to do for himself. Ilis edueation was received in the common sehools, and in early years he studied civil engineering, which he mastered, but which in after life he never followed." He also learned the trade of .a wagon-maker under the instruction of his father, and on leaving the parental household he engaged in working for a brother-in-law in the same county, and was in his employ for seven and a half years, engaged the while in farming. He then weut to Mereer County, Pa., and there purchased a farm of 118 aeres, and for twenty-one years lived upon the place and was oeeupied in its cultivation and improvement.

Selling his farm in Mereer County, in the win- ter of 1865, our subjeet eame to this eounty and purchased 160 aeres, located on seetions 9 and 16, Towanda Township. He settled on seetion 9, and has made that his home until the present time. By hard labor, economy, industry and good judgment he has succeeded in adding to his original purehase, and at the present time is the proprietor of 360 acres of valuable land. He lias on his farm a fine set of buildings, ineluding residenee, barn, and other necessary out-buildings, and is recognized as one of the progressive farmers of MeLean County.

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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 79

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