Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 80

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 80

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. Clark was married in Washington County, Pa., May 28, 1844, to Margaret MeIlvain. She is a cousin of George MeIlvain, one of the Supreme Court Judges of Ohio. Her parents were Greer and Jane (Campbell) MeIlvain, both of Seotch an- eestry. They were born in Pennsylvania, married, and settled in Washington County, their native State, where the father engaged in farming and where the mother died. He is yet living, and has attained the venerable age of ninety-four years. They had seven children, five daughters and two sons, and Mrs. Clark was the third daughter born to them. She first saw light in Washington County, Pa., April 19, 1823. Of her union with our sub- jeet seven ehildren have been born, three of whom are yet living. The deceased are Robert E., whose demise oeeurred when five years old; Maggie E., who departed this life when two and a half years of age; Martha J., who died in Washington, County, Pa., at the residenee of her grandfather,

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while on a visit there, March 6, 1874, and Greer McIlvaine, who died March 6, 1877, while in the twenty-seventh year of his life. The three living children are Andrew T., a carpenter by trade, and a resident of Manitou, Col .; Oren, living at Leoti, Kan., and Lizzie, at present in Colorado for her health. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are both members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics onr sub- ject is Republican.

S. MEARS, a worthy citizen and substan- tial farmer of Yates Township, is finely lo- cated on section 20, where he owns and operates a beautiful farm, and has built up for himself an enviable reputation as an honest man and a good citizen. Mr. Mears is a native of Scot- land, born on the 3d of March, 1834, and the son of John and Mary (Dunn) Mears, who were natives of the same country as their son. In 1849 the par- ents and six children emigrated from their native land, and after a very tedious voyage in a sailing- vessel landed at New York City, and soon after- ward made their way to Syracuse; that State, near which city they settled. There the parents passed the remainder of their days; their six children- James, William, Thomas, D. S., Mary and Mar- garet-are all living, some in the East and some in the West.

The subject of this history was but a boy of fifteen years when he arrived with his parents' fam- ily in the United States. The latter were in very straightened circumstances, it having taken all their money to pay the expense of crossing the " briny deep." It was thus necessary that each member of the family should take care of himself as far as pos- sible. Under thesc circumstances onr subject bound himself ont to a farmer, who gave him his board and clothes. He served this man faithfully for eighteen months, during which time he re -. ceived harsh treatment, and finally ran away, start- ing westward, and not knowing where he was to land. He finally found himself in the city of Buf- falo, where he took passage on a boat for Cleve- land, Ohio, and in the latter State soon became em-

ployed as a farm hand, in the harvest fields of Northern Ohio, receiving as compensation fifteen cents per day. From there he drifted into Indiana, where he worked by the month for farmers at $13 and $14 until 1855. In that State he was so greatly afflicted with fever and ague that his physician ad- vised him to change his location, which he did effectnally, making his way to New Orleans, La., where he passed the winter of 1855-56. He then took passage up the Mississippi River to Alton, Ill., whence he proceeded by rail to Chicago, and found work there in a brickyard. Early in July of the latter year he met a Will County farmer, who had gone into the city to celebrate the National holiday, and as the farmer wanted to hire a hand, our subject ac- companied him to his home near Joliet, and worked for him until the winter of 1858.

During the latter year our subject came to McLean County, and after working one season near Bloom- ington, entered the employ of Nathaniel Suther- land, an extensive farmer near Towanda, with whom he remained three years. In the fall of 1861 he decided that henceforth in life he would be his own employer. He accordingly rented land near Che- noa, which he operated until 1865, then purchased the northwest quarter of section 20, which forms his present farm. When he purchased this land it was raw prairie and rather wet. He has now brought the whole to a fine and fertile condition, having put in 750 rods of tile draining, which has changed the low wet portions into productive fields. In due time he erected a good set of farm build- ings, and now has one of the most attractive and valuable homesteads in Yates Township. He makes a specialty of grain raising.

Mr. Mears was married in 1862, to Miss Anna M. Witherow, a native of Pennsylvania, born April 29, 1839, and they have become the parents of eight children-Mary J., James, Walker, Joseph, Scott, Flora, Cora, and Robert, deceased. Our sub- ject and his family are among the most highly es- teemed residents of their community, and the fam - ily mansion is the home of hospitality and good cheer. As a citizen Mr. Mears is one of that class possessing the peculiar characteristics of his Scot- tish ancestry, and his word is as good as his bond. Socially he is a Royal Arch Mason, being a mem-

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ber of Chenoa Blue Lodge No. 292, and Chenoa Chapter No. 143. Politically he casts his vote in support of the principles of the Democratie party.

S. EDDY, Cashier of the People's Bank, Bloomington, Ill., has been a resident of this State for a period of over thirty years, and most of the time sinee 1855, a resi- dent of that city. He was born in Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Sept. 12, 1837, his parents being Rev. H. J. and Abigail (Bull) Eddy, also natives of the Empire State. The father of our subject was a Baptist elergyman. After a college edneation, in 1836, he entered the ministry and presided over a parish until the outbreak of the late war, and then offieiated as Chaplain in the army from 1861 to 1864, being with the 33d Illinois Infantry. He came to Bloomington in 1855, and labored for the Baptist Church there a number of years, and in 1867 removed to Belvidere, where he remained five years and afterward labored in Syraeuse, N. Y., for six years. He then went to New York City, where he lias since resided, having retired from the min- istry some years since. The mother of our subjeet died in 1843, leaving her husband with three chil- dren: Jerome H., who is now in the newspaper business in New York City; A. S., and Herman J., engaged in the tobaeeo and cigar trade.

A. S. Eddy remained at home until fourteen years old, and received his early education in the publie schools of New York City. At the age named he became employed as messenger boy in the Bank of North America, of New York City, and after remaining two years was Assistant Teller for the same length of time. In 1855 he came with his parents to Bloomington, and was soon after- ward engaged as a elerk in the McLean County Bank, where he remained until 1859. He was ap- pointed Deputy Circuit Clerk under William Me- Culloughi, and filled the duties of this offiee until 1861. The war then eoming on he enlisted in Co. K, 8th Ill. Vol. Inf., the "Oglesby Regiment," at the three months' eall. After this term of service had expired, lie re-enlisted in the 4th New York Heavy Artillery, serving altogether from 1861 to

1864. He was first made Orderly Sergeant, then First Lientenant, and during the Wilderness cam- paign received the commission of Captain.

Mr. Eddy retired from the army in 1864, and returning to Bloomington was united in marriage with Miss Emma, the daughter of Dr. C. and Har- riet H. (Richardson) Wakefield, of this eounty. He was then employed as book-keeper for Dr. Wakefield, and after three years thus occupied be- eame a member of the firmn, where he remained six ycars. He then sold out his interest, and engaged in mereliandising for eight years following. The next seven years he was occupied as Teller in the Peoples' Bank, and since that time he has been Cashier, likewise a stoekholder since 1878.

Mr. and Mrs. Eddy have become the parents of five children-Emina A., Florenee G., Adelbert C., Louis O. and Maxwell. Our snbjeet in 'polities is independent. He at one time served as City Treasurer of Bloomington, and ranks among its most prominent and enterprising business men. He belongs to the Knights Templar and the G. A. R. The family residence at No. 406 East Wash- ington street, is replete with all the comforts and . inany of the luxuries of life, and Mr. Eddy with his family, enjoys the esteem and friendship of a large circle of acquaintances.

AMES S. VANSCOYOC. a gentleman in the prime of life and in the midst of his nseful- ness, is one of the valued citizens of Che- ney's Grove Township, where he is pleasantly located on section 20, and prosperously engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is a native of this county and was born in Padna Township, Dee. 28, 1834. Mr. Vanseoyoc is the son of James and Drusilla (Lewis) Vanseoyoe, the former a native of Penn- sylvania, and the latter of Virginia. The father of our subject was born Feb. 20, 1798, followed farming the greater part of his life, and died in Cheney's Grove Township on the 22d of February, 1877. The mother was born Feb. 7, 1801, and de- parted this life at the home of her husband, in the same township as her husband, Feb. 20, 1869. She was a lady greatly respected for,her personal worth,

RESIDENCE OF J.M. MCGINNIS , SEC. 15:, LAWNDALE TOWNSHIP.

RES. OF MRS. MARY A. NESMITH, SEC. 21., LAWNDALE TOWNSHIP.

RES. OF IRA C. PRATT, CROPSEY, ILL.

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and a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The record of their seven chil- dren is as follows: Oliver H. P. was born 'April 17, 1820, and married Miss Mary Newcomb; Isaac died in infancy ; Rebecca was born Feb. 7, 1825, and became the wife of Marks Banks; Rachel, born Aug. 29, 1828, married John Newcomb; Walter, born Sept. 10, 1831, married Miss Mary Banks; James S. of our sketch was the sixth child; Hannah was born Feb. 12, 1840, and died when six years . old.

The subject of our sketeh was reared to man- hood on his father's farm, and on the 7th of De- cember, 1854, was united in marriage with Miss Margaret P. Means, who was born on the farmn where they now live, Oct. 13, 1835. She is the daughter of Robert and Sarah (Rumsey) Means, natives of Virginia, who removed to Kentucky in their youth, and were there married. Mr. Means was a farmer by occupation, and eame to this county in 1830, where he spent the remainder of his, days. He was born in 1785, and departed this life Aug. 1, 1835. Mrs. Mcans was born Nov. 10, 1795, and survived her husband nearly forty years, dying March 1, 1875. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and became the ¿ mother of ten ehildren, as follows: America P. was born in 1820, and died in 1885; Katurah; Jemima and John were twins; the latter died when twelve years old; James R. was born March 22, 1825. The balanee were David D., Joseph K., Owen A., Elizabeth M. and Margaret P.

Mr. and Mrs. Vanscoyoe became the parents of eight children : Theodore L., born Sept. 20, 1855, died Sept. 22, 1856; Almaretta was born Aug.' 1, 1857: Sarah H., Feb. 11, 1860; Mary D., Nov. 18, 1862; Harry A., born Sept. 30, 1865, and married Miss L. L. Hiatt; Walter M., born June 24, 1869; Charlie C., March 13, 1876; Guy P., March 16, 1879. The homestead of our subjeet consists of 265 aeres of valuable land, and he has of late years been quite extensively engaged in the breeding of fine stock. He is independent in politics, and has held the various offices of his township, being a man of sound judgment, whosc opinion is uniformly held in respeet. He is prominently connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has

been Steward for a number of years, and has eon- tributed liberally and chcerfully to its support. He has in all respects fulfilled his obligations as a good eitizen, and is considered one of the impor- tant faetors in the business and agricultural com- munity.

OSEPH P. JANES, living on seetion 14. Money Creek Township, is a farmer by eall- ing, and suecessful in the prosecution of his labors. John S. Jancs and his wife, Saralı (Dunkle) Janes, parents of our subjeet, were natives of Virginia. They moved to Fayette County, Ohio, after their marriage and were there resident until the fall of 1851, when they came here and made their home in Money Creek Township. The father dicd in Indiana, Feb. 20, 1854, while there on business, and his remains were brought baek and interred at Lexington, this county. His wife sur- vived him until Feb. 13, 1887, dying in Money Creek Township. They had eight ehildren-Peter H., Martha, Laura, Jacinta, Joseph P., Elizabeth, Lorena and Barbara E.

Joseph P. Janes was born in Fayette County, Ohio, Oct. 28, 1844, and was seven years old when his parents eame to this county, and has made Moncy Crcek Township his home sinee that time. He knows no other calling than that of farming, having followed that voeation all his life, and at present is the owner of 180 acres of valuable land, located as stated. Mr. Janes was married to Miss Jennie Arbogast, a native of Virginia, who departed this life in Money Creek Township, and July 8, 1875, at Bloomington, onr subject formed a second matrimonial alliance, Miss Charlotte Foster being the other contracting party. She is the daughter of Harrison and Ann (Chance) Foster, the former a native of Kentucky. Her parents came to this county in 1851, and settled in Gridley 'Township, where they lived happily together as man and wife until 1872, the date of the demise of the mother. Seven children were born of their union, five daughters and two sons, and Mrs. Janes was the third in order of birth. She first saw light in Wapello County, Iowa, June 23, 1855, and her union with our subject has been blest by the birth

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of one ehild-Allie. Mr. Janes has held the office of Sehool Director and Overseer of Highways, and in polities is a staneh Republican. Mrs. Janes holds fellowship with the United Brethren Church.

W ILLIAM H. MACY, druggist at Towanda and also Justiee of the Peaee, is one of the recognized business men of that place, pos- sessing the confidenee and respect of his townsinen. William W. Maey, father of our subjeet, is a na- tive of Nantucket, Mass., and Mariumn P. (Hough- ton) Maey, our subjeet's mother, was born in Lynn, Mass. From New Bedford, Mass., where they had settled after marriage, the parents of our subjeet removed to New York City, in which metropolis the father died in 1838. Soon after his demise the mother removed to Nantueket, Mass., where she died Jan. 25, 1839. Two children were born of their union; one of these died in infancy, and our subjeet, the other, is the only one of the family living.

William H. Maey was born in New Bedford, Mass., Jan. 25, 1834. He lost his parents when quite young, and was brought up by relatives. He lived with Hezekiah Barnard, State Treasurer of Massachusetts, until he was fifteen years old, re- eeiving a good edueation in a Quaker sehool, and at this age was sent to West Town Boarding School. near Philadelphia, Pa., where he pursued his studies about two years. He then returned to Massaeliu- setts, and after attending sehool for another year, went to Fall River, that State, where he served an apprenticeship of something over three years in learning the cabinet-maker's trade.

In the spring of 1856, Mr. Maey eame to this State and located at Loda, Iroquois County, and was there engaged at earpenters' work for about two years. We next hear of him at Tremont, Tazewell Co., Ill., where he is working at his trade and where he continued to reside for about a year. Next he became a citizen of Fairbury, Livingston Co., Ill., whenee he removed to Pontiae, that county, and there lived until the breaking out of the late Civil War. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Co. K, 3d Ill. Vol. Cav., as a private, and served

for three years and one month. For nearly two and a half years he was detailed as Hospital Stew- ard. While near Memphis, Tenn., he eame near being captured by Forrest's troops, but sueeeeded in making his eseape. Receiving his diseharge he went to Attiea, Ind., and in June, 1865, eame to Towanda, this eounty, where he bought out a small stock of drugs. He has continued to make that his home until the present writing, and during his residenee there has been identified with every in- terest ealeulated to benefit the place, and has met with sueeess in his business adventures.

Mr. Maey was married at Fairbury, Ill., Sept. 22, 1863, to Miss Mary E. Walden, daughter of Theophilus and Naney (Oppy) Walden, natives of Ohio. They emigrated from their native State to Montgomery County, Ind., where he died. She afterward lived with her children, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Maey, in Towanda, July 24, 1880. Mrs. Maey was the youngest of her parents' ehildren, and was born in Montgomery County, Ind., Oet. 17, 1837. Her union with our subjeet has been blest by the birth of two children -Mary B. and William D. Mary is the wife of Dr. William C. Girtin, a resident of Towanda. Mr. Macy has held the office of Sehool Trustee for about nineteen years, also Village Trustee and Justiee of the Peace for several years, and is the present ineumbent of the latter office. He is a member of the Masonie fraternity, and in polities a Republican, having voted with that party sinee its formation. He and his wife, together with their two children, are members of the Baptist Chureh.

M ARTIN BATTERTON, one of the earliest settlers of MeLean County, eame here as early as Jannary, 1834. The journey from his home in Madison County, Ky., was made on horseback. He rode np through the State of Indiana and then westward into Sanga- mon County, Ill., afterward coming into MeLean County and here joining his mother's brothers who had preceded him. He at onee purchased a elaim in Lawndale Township which he began to improve,

Martine Batterton

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and has been a resident of this vieinity sinee that time, making for himself a most honorable record as an honest and upright man and a nseful member of the community.

Mr. Batterton was born in Madison County, Ky., Sept. 29, 1807. His father, Abraham Batterton, of Virginia, was born in abont 1775, and died in Ken- tucky in 1858, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. His grandfather, Henry Batterton, was of English birth and parentage and emigrated with his brother to Ameriea, but after their arrival beeame separated and the brother was lost to his relatives.

Abraham Batterton was a soldier in the War of 1812, having volunteered under. Gen. Hopkins, and was sent to the frontier to look after the In- dians who were creating disturbances. When he went to Kentucky he was a young man still living with his parents, and he was there married to Miss Susanna Hainlain, of Madison County. Her fa- ther was George Hainlain, who was of German an- cestry. After marriage they settled on the home- stead of his father in Madison County, buying out the interest of the other hcirs, and continued to re- side there the remainder of his life, dying in 1858. He left a wife and seven children, all of whom lived to mature years and all remained in Ken- tucky exeept one brother, Curtis, who settled in MeLean County, Ill., and of whom a sketch is given in this volume.

Martin Batterton passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native State, and received a eom- mon-school education. He was a natural meehanie, and without serving an apprenticeship became ear- penter, cooper and shoemaker, so that when he moved to McLean County he made his own boots and shoes, and after settling down upon his home- stead saved many a dollar by his skill in the use of tools.

After locating upon his claim as above stated Mr. Batterton, in October, 1836, was united in marriage with Miss America, the daughter of Sam- uel 'Taylor, of Knox County, to which he had re- mnoved from Boone County, Ky., in about 1835. Mr. Batterton, when he came to this county, had about $400 in easlı and in due time he added to his landed possessions until he is now the owner of 280 acres of ehoiee land, finely improved and under a

good state of cultivation. The farm residence is a shapely and substantial structure and the barn and out-buildings of first-elass deseription. The home- stead invariably attracts the attention of the pass- ing traveler and marks one of the attractive spots of MeLean County.

Mr. and Mrs. B. became the parents of three children-Ira A., Mary E. and Zerilda. After the war Ira edited a paper at Vicksburg, Miss., and it was reported was aceidentally shot, although there are grave doubts in regard to the matter; he was a stanch Union man and enlisted for a term of three . years in Co. K, 8th Ill. Vol. Inf., in which he served until being mustered out, in April, 1863, to take the rank of Adjutant in another regiment. Owing to some misunderstanding, however, he found the place occupied by another man, and returning to his regiment remained with his comrades, sharing their fortunes and the vieissitudes of war until after the siege and capture of Vieksburg. He after- ward remained in that city as a private eitizen, and clerked in the office with which he subsequently be- came connected as editor. After the eapture of the eity by Union troops the Government took possession of the printing press and during the ex- eitement of that occasion Ira Batterton was killed as above stated, in July, 1865, and his father re- moved his remains to this vicinity for burial. Mary E. Batterton became the wife of Thomas B. Kilgore, a resident of Lawndale Township; Zerilda J. mar- ried A. J. Moon, of Lexington.

Mrs. America T. Batterton departed this life in March, 1883, and since her death our subject has made his home part of the time on the farm and part of the time with his daughter, Mrs. Moon. He still looks after the affairs of the old homestead, although eighty years old. He enjoys remarkably good health and is active for one of his years. In earlier years he was quite prominent in the affairs of the township, and served as Assessor and Col- leetor. He always took a deep interest in its pros- perity and welfare. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over forty years; his wife also belonged to that ehurch, having made a profession of religion when a girl. In polities Mr. B. is an ardent Republican.

In the portrait of this venerable and revered

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pioneer of MeLean County, many of the old resi- dents with their children will recognize the features of one of those dauntless and courageous charae- ters who assisted to make permanent in this region the institutions which were inaugurated in this eoun- try by the sturdy spirits of '76, whose children have just eause for revering their memory and their deeds, and helping to cherish and preserve the history of their lives. There sprang upon the soil of Kentucky many of the resolute men, who in early life looked toward the Northwestern Territory as a desirable field for their future operations and who, eoming here, have played no unimportant part in its prosperity, both as agriculturists and financiers. Among these Martin Batterton occupies a eon- spicious and honorable position, and no better monu- ment to his virtues ean be erected than the history of his life, although briefly given, which may be handed down to his children who will peruse it and in turn teach the lesson of, his worth to their de- seendants.

UDGE C. D. MYERS, who presides over the County Court at Bloomington, is filling the duties of his responsible position intelli- gently and acceptably, and is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of MeLean County. Judge Myers was born in Meigs County, Ohio, on the 7th of May, 1847. His parents were Benjamin and Serena (Elliott) Myers, natives respectively of Virginia and Ohio.

Benjamin Myers was an experienced and skill- ful builder, contraetor and pattern-maker. He em- igrated from his native State to Ohio when a young inan, and was employed in the Pomeroy found- ries for many years, as designer and pattern-maker. He was strieken down in the prime of life and in the midst of his usefulness as a eitizen and the father of a family, at the age of forty . three years. Ilis wife, the mother of our subjeet, afterward re- moved to West Virginia, and is still living there. Their household ineluded six children, two of whom are deceased : William P. is engaged as a whole- sale groeer at Cincinnati, Ohio; Thornton B. is en- gaged in the loan aud abstraet business at Winfield, Kan .; the next son living is the subject of our

sketeh; Serena E., Mrs. Holman, lives in Lorain County, Ohio.

Judge Myers, from the time he was eight until sixteen years old, lived on the homestead in Vir- ginia with his mother, and then returning to Pom- eroy, engaged first as a elerk in a dry-goods store, and then, during the progress of the late war, en- listed in Co. B, 32d Ohio Vol. Inf., and served until the elose. He participated with his eomrades in the battle at Franklin, Tenn., and was taken prisoner at Roek Hill Station, Ky., during the trans- portation of troops and prisoners on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. The bushwhaekers had dis- placed the rails so that the train went down a steep embankment, where the Union soldiers were sur- rounded and captured. They were liberated, how- ever, the following day, but in the meantime their watehes, money and valuables were carried off by the "chivalry."

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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 80

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