Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 82

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 82

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Mr. Janes has been a prominent and useful inem- ber of the community since coming here. He is a straight Republican in polities, has held the office of School Director for a number of years, and or- ganized the first Sunday-school in MeLean County, which is still in operation. He was Superintendent of this school for a period of ten years, and fulfilled his duties in a .manner refleeting great credit upon himself and those by whom he was retained in the office. He built at his own expense a hand- some little chapel an annex to the church, 24x32 feet, furnished it with chairs, a handsome ehande- lier, ete. This, when completed, he gave to the so- eiety. On account of the pro-slavery sentiments of the pastor, Mr. Janes, with his wife and others, left the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, by letter, and iu 1861 organized the Congregational Church of Danvers.

Mr. Janes has been a man of benevolent and philanthropic impulses, and among other good works is pledged to the Trustees of the Danvers Li- brary Association for $1,000, to be kept as a per- manent loanable fund, the yearly interest of which is to be used in keeping up the Library. A part of the sum is already in the hands of said Trustees. and the balance will be paid over as soon as the preliminaries can be arranged. It is also the inten- tion of Mr. Janes to place in the Library, from his own private collection of books, over 100 selected volumes, which include the produetions of some of the best minds of the age in this and other coun- tries. An accompanying page is embellished with lithographic portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Janes.

OHN T. TANNER, an extensive dealer in grain, lumber, tile, coal, live stock, etc., is one of the pioneers of McLean County, and a resident of Anchor. He was born in Tazewell County, this State, May 24, 1837. His father, Joseph Tanner, was born in Tennessee, but in early life eame with his parents to Illinois. They settled in Tazewell County in about 1829, being among the early pioneers of that region. Joseph

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Tanner took up a tract of land and engaged in farmning and there spent the remainder of his days, dying in about 1839. The mother of our subject before her marriage was Miss Jane Brown, also a native of Tennessee. By her marriage with Joseph Tanner she became thic mother of two children, John T., and another son, who died when young. The mother, after becoming a widow, marricd Elijah Smith, and her later home was near Danvers, this eounty.

The subject of our sketeh was a small boy when the family came to Tazewell County. He received his early education in the distriet sehools and remained an inmate of his mother's house until he attained to years of manhood, although at different times he was engaged as a farm laborer in that vieinity. When twenty years old he started out for himself, beginning by farming on rented land, he having previously paid his stepfather for the privilege of leaving home and becoming his own master. The land which he cultivated belonged to J. C. Chrisom and this he opcrated for several years, then purchased a tract of timber land in the edge of Woodford County, a part of which he cleared and upon which he resided for three years. At the end of that time, in March, 1869, he returned to McLean County and purchased 160 aeres on section 8, in Anchor Township, which he cultivated until March, 1886, and in the meantime he worked a wonderful ehange upon it from its original eon- dition, and ereeted a handsome and, substantial set of fraine buildings. He then removed to An- chor Station, where he had previously established a store of general merchandise. This business in- creased to sueh an extent that he judged it best to give it his entire attention. Accordingly, renting his farm, he moved into town and in due time ex- tended his operations so as to inelude the com- modities in which he deals at present. He is finely adapted to his present employment, of which he is making a sneeess and which yields him annually a handsome income.

The marriage of our subjeet occurred in this county in March, 1859, the lady of his ehoiee being Miss Sarah C., the daughter of Absalom and Mary Bailey. Mrs. T. was born in Indiana, and by her union with our subjcet beeame the mother of ten

children, three of whom died young. Of the seven living the record is as follows: Eliza became the wife of Ò. T. Larson and lives in Anchor Town- ship; James is a resident of Cropsy Township; Luey married Charles Hudson of Anchor Town- ship; Mary, Walter, Dora and Lois are at home with their parents.

Mr. Tanner politieally is independent. He east his first ballot with the Republican party, with which he affiliated until during the late war, and sinee the closc of that confliet, has voted for the men he esteemed best qualified for office, regard- less of party. He is well read and informed and served as Justice of the Peace eleven years, besides holding many of the local offiecs of his township. He has been connected with the Christian Church for thirty-five years, being one of its most earnest supporters and contributing cheerfully and liberally of his means to its maintenance and welfare. He is a member in good standing of the Masonic fra- ternity and belongs to Colfax Lodge No. 61, also Martin Lodge No. 652, I. O. O. F.

C HARLES LAMP, of the firm of E. H. Rood & Co., proprietors of the Bloomington ele- vator, has been a resident of this city for many years, and is a fine representative of the reliable and substantial German nationality. He was born near Kiel, Germany, an important port on the Baltic Sea, the date thereof being April 1, 1834. His parents, Henry and Silke (Wiese) Lamp, had a family of eight ehildren. Our subjeet · commenced attending school at an early age and continued until sixteen years old. After that he was variously engaged for three years, when he set sail for the United States, landing at New York City, whenee he came to Bloomington in June, 1853. Here he first engaged in assisting to eon- struet the road bed of the Illinois Central Railroad at the wages of $1.25 per day. After the road was completed, he became a baggageman at Winona, Ill., and continued in the employ of the company until 1857. He then engaged in farming until the outbreak of the late war.

In July, 1862, Mr. Lamp enlisted as a Union

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soldier in Co. I, 104th Ill. Vol. Inf., serving until the closc of the war in the 14th Army Corps, under Gen. Thomas. He participated with his eomrades in the battles of Chiekamaugua, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and marehed with Sherman in the Atlanta campaign, which lasted 125 days, and after- ward to the sea under Gen. Sherman. Soon after entering the service he was captured with the whole brigade by Morgan's Raiders, and held as a prisoner several days, being then exchanged. He served through the war without receiving a scratch and was honorably discharged in June, 1865. He then returned to Bloomington and engaged with the commission firm of Ludington &. Rood, with whom he remained through its various changes until he became a partner, and is engaged with them successfully and extensively as a grain dealer, their elevator being located on the Indiana, Bloom- ington & Western Railroad.

Mr. Lamp was married in 1855, to Miss Eliza Rice of Bloomington, and they have eight ehildren, four sons and four daughters. Mr. Lamp is a straightforward and thorough-going business man, highly esteemed among his friends and fellow- citizens, and belongs to the I. O. O. F., Uhland Lodge No. 305, also to G. A. R., Post No. 146.

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B ENJAMIN STRETCH. As a representative of the agricultural class of McLean County who have made that vocation a success in life, by energetic effort, economy and good judgment, we take pleasure in mentioning the name of the subject of this notice. He has a fine farm on seetion 5, Towanda Township, on which he resides, and where he is engaged in the prosecution of his labors, and in which he is meeting with sig- nal suceess. The father of our subject was Jesse, and the mother Elizabeth (Vandolah) Stretch, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a carpenter by trade, and was chiefly en- gaged in working at the same during his life. After his marriage he settled in Pennsylvania, whenee he removed to Ohio and lived in the neighborhood of Dayton until the fall of 1830. During that year he came to this county overland, accompanied by

his wife and nine children, and settled in what is now known as Money Creck Township. There the old folk lived and labored, with but onc interest in common, until their death. They had a large family, fourteen children, who lived to attain the age of man and womanhood, eight of them being daugh- ters and six of them sons. The father was born Feb. 15, 1795, and died Dec. 29, 1852. His wife was born Mareh 6, 1790, and departed this life May 9, 1868. They were among the earliest settlers in MeLean County, and passed through all the trials incident to a settlement in a new country. ,

Benjamin Streteh was the thirteenth in order of birth of his parents' children, and first saw light in Money Creek Township, this county, Nov. 28, 1830. His school privileges were exceedingly lim- ited, and the knowledge he possesses has been ac- quired through years of constant observation, read- ing and practice. He lived with the old folk until twenty-one years of age, and thus far in life his years have been devoted mostly to agricultural pursuits. For two or three years our subjeet was, in company with Cornelius Gatliff and E. M. B. Stretch, under the firm name of Streteh & Gatliff, in mercantile business at Towanda. After leaving the parental household our subject farmed on rented land for two years, when he was enabled to purchase eighty acres in Money Creek Township. On this traet he settled and continued at farın la- bor for several years, when he removed to Lexing- ton, Ill., and there engaged in the livery business, and was thus employed for about four years. Dis- posing of his business at Lexington he returned to his farm and there resided until 1861. During that year he removed to Towanda Township and located where he is at present residing. He is the owner of 540 acres of valuable land, on which he has good improvements. He also handles stock quite extensively, and as a farmer and stock-raiser stands among the foremost of the county.

Mr. Stretch was married in Money Creek Town- ship, Jan. 16, 1851, to Miss Maranda Kerr, daugh- ter of Peter and Jane (Filphot) Kerr, natives of Tennessee. Her parents settled in their native State after their marriage, and there lived until 1848, when they emigrated to Macoupin County, this State, and thenee to this eounty and settled in

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Money Creek Township. There the father en- gaged in farming. He was born Sept. 29, 1807, and died at the residenee of our subject Feb. 23, 1861. Ilis wife was born Feb. 15, 1808, and de- parted this life Jan. 19, 1864. They had ten children, two sons and eight daughters, and Mrs. Streteh of this notice was the second in order of birth. She first saw light in Overton County, Tenn., Oet. 21, 1832, and her union with our subjeet has been blest by the birth of three eliildren living-Ethan M. B., Isabella A. and Winfrod J. P. Ethan married Miss Ella Rogers, and by her had one ehild, named Harry L. Ethan was a physician by profession and praetieed at Shirley, Ill., for some three years, when his health failed him and he was compelled to give up his praetiee and return to the farm in Money Creek Township, where he died Oet. 13, 1881. Isabella A. Streteh was united in marriage with Cornelius Gatliff, and they are living in To- wanda Township. Winfrod J. P. was married to Miss Stella MeMullon, and they are also living in Towanda Township. Our subjeet and wife have also buried two children, who died in infaney, and also a daughter, Edith. Mr. Streteh has held the office of Road Commissioner for several terins. His wife is a member of the Christian Church, and in polities he is a staneh Republiean.

OHN H. CLIFT, a prominent aud prosper- ous farmer of Yates Township, owns and oeeupies a fine homestead on seetion 27, and is a good representative of the enter- prise, intelligence and industry of this seetion of the Prairie State. He was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., April 15, 1843, being the son of Henry and . Harriett (Latham) Clift, natives of England, and who emigrated to the United States in 1842 and settled in New York, which remained their home until 1853. They then disposed of their interests in the Empire State and starting for the farther West, eamne into Illinois and located on a farm in Marshall County. There, by the exereise of indus- try and good management, the father of our sub- jeet accumulated sufficient of this world's goods to

enable him and his excellent companion to pass their later years in peace and comfort, retired from active labor. They removed from the farm into the city of Henry, where they are now residing and enjoying the association of a large eirele of friends and acquaintances. The parental family ineluded five children, of whom John II. is the eldest.

The subject of this history was ten years of age when his parents removed with their family from New York to Illinois. He received careful home training, a good eommon-sehool education, and as- sisted his father in tilling the soil. He remained under the home roof, in Marshall County, until the spring of 1869, and then, desirous of establishing a homestead of his own, eame to this eounty and set- tled upon a part of the farm which he now owns. His first purchase consisted of eighty aeres of raw prairie, which amount he subsequently doubled, so that now he is the owner of a quarter seetion which he has brought to a high state of eultivation. Upon the farm which he has thus opened and improved he erected a shapely and substantial residence, a good barn and all other necessary out-buildings. The farm is well stocked with good grades of the domestie animals and the machinery and implements for carrying on agriculture are of the latest im- proved pattern. Mr. Clift is a thorough-going business man, prompt in the fulfillment of his obli- gations and ever ready to assist in every worthy publie enterprise. Politieally he is a staneh sup- porter of the Republican party but has steadily de- elined to become an office-seeker. He belongs to the Masonie fraternity, being a member of Fairbury Lodge No. 351.

Probably the most importantevent in the life of John H. Clift oceurred on the 26th of November, 1868, when he was united in marriage with Miss Arabella, daugliter of John T. and Ann Smith. Mrs. Clift is a native of Illinois and was born in Peoria Couuty, Mareh 27, 1849. Her parents now reside in the little eity of Henry, Ill., and the fa- ther is numbered among the substantial men of Marshall County. Of this genial union there are three interesting daughters : Graee, born Aug. 23, 1870; Jennie, Jan. 11, 1879, and Edna, Feb. 22, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Clift are devoted members of the Evangelieal Methodist Church, to the support

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of which they contribute liberally and checrfully, and are among the first to encourage works of charity and benevolence. They are numbered among the useful members of the community and in their daily lives present examples worthy of imitation.

OHN N. WHEELER represents the oldest family now residing in Belleflower Town- ship. He was born in Kalamazoo County, Mich., Sept. 9, 1853, and is the son of George W. Whecler, who was born in Connecticut, ncar the city of Hartford. William Wheeler, the grandfather of our subject, who followed shoe- making and farming combined, spent the last years of his life near Hartford, and was a gentleman highly respected in his community for his upright character and straightforward business transactions. George W. Wheeler, the father of our subject, in- herited the business capacities of his father, and at the early age of ten years went out from under the home roof, ambitious to do for himself. He car- ried with him a pack containing light dry-goods and Yankee notions, which he peddled through the country, following this occupation successfully for a number of years. George W. Wheeler was the seventh of seven sous who were born to his par- ents. When he had become tired of peddling, he went into Kentucky and engaged in a plow shop, and thence, after a few years, journcyed to Michi- gan. He there purchased a tract of timber land, a part of which he cleared, and on which he erected a set of farm buildings. After providing a com- fortable home for his bride he returned to Ken- · tucky and was united in marriage with Miss Helen M. Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania. The young couple immediately started to their new home and were residents of Michigan until 1856. Thence they removed to Illinois, and after two years spent in Burean County, came, in 1858,. to McLean County. Mr. Whceler had purchased 320 acres of wild land in Belleflower Township, which comprised the southwest quarter of section 23, and for a part of which he paid $3 per acre, and for the balance lying on sections 23 and 24, he paid $2.50 per acre. He drew lumber from Ludlow, twenty-four miles

distant, to erect a house, first, however, building a sınall stable, which the family occupied before the house was completed. Ile improved a large part of his land, and lived to see the country, where the decr and wolves roamed wild when he first came to it, develop into prosperous farms. For some years there was no school accessible, and Mr. Wlecler employed a tutor for his children at his own house, believing a good education to be the best legacy he could leave them. After a well-spent life, he looked his last upon the scenes of carth, Oct. 26, 1877. Mrs. W. survived her husband until June 28, 1882. The parental family included ten chil- dren, nine now living, as follows: Amina, the widow of J. H. Dean, is a resident of Belleflower; Allie M. became the wife of F. M. Doxsee, and lives at Bloomington; John N. of our sketch was the third child; Thomas M. lives in Belleflower Township; Alida V., the wife of W. Q. Garst, and Nettic I., the wife of D. F., Sill, live in Belleflower; George W. lives in Belleflower Township; Frank W. is pursuing his studies in Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, and Nellie is a student of the High School in that city.

The subject of this history was the eldest son of his parents, and received his early education at home, as stated. He. afterward attended a district school and completed his studies in Wesleyan Uni- versity. When nineteen years of age he com- menced teaching, and was thus employed during the winters for three years following, working on the farm during the summer season. In 1876 hc went to Chicago and was employed ou a street-car as conductor. He afterward entered the employ of J. V. Farwell & Co., as department salesman. In the fall of that year his father died, and our subject, resigning his position, returned home and took charge of the farm for one ycar. The following year he operated on rented land, and then pur- chased the lumber-yard in Belleflower, conducting this for nine months, then selling out at the expira- tion of that time and purchasing a one-half inter- est in a dry-goods store. He was engaged in mer- chandising one and one-half years, then sold his interest in the business, and purchased a farm of eighty acres on section 22, Belleflower Township. This he sold in 1883, and then purchased the farni

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he now owns and occupies. This compriscs 160 aeres of good land, all enclosed and in a good state of cultivation. The farm dwelling is a shapely and substantial structure, and the barns and out-build- ings in all respects fulfill the requirements of the modern and progressive farmer.

The marriage of John N. Wheeler and Miss Jen- nie Conrad was celebrated at her home in West Township, on the 4th of March, 1879. Mrs. W. is a native of Marion County, Iowa, being the daugh- ter of William Conrad, a native of Ohio, who was the son of Adam Conrad, born in Maryland. The latter removed from his native State to Ohio, thence to Indiana, and afterward to this county, where he spent the remainder of his life. The father of Mrs. W. was married in Indiana, and after his removal from that State, settled in Marion County, Iowa, where he remained until about 1860. He now lives in Washington County; Kan. Mr. and Mr. Wheeler have two children,-Della Gracie and George W. Our subjeet is Republican in polities, and a gentle- man always interested in the progress of education and everything that pertains to the welfare of his adopted State.

J OHN STOCKDALE, a well-known citizen of Randolph Township, owns and occupies a valuable homestead located on section 32. It comprises 150 aeres of land and he has occupied it sinee 1856. In addition to other natural advantages possessed by this beautiful country-seat, there is a spring of mineral water, besides a creek which provides an unfailing supply for the farm stoek and other needful purposes. The family resi- (lenee and the buildings adjoining are tasteful structures.

John Stockdale is the eldest son of William and Jane (MeNown) Stockdale, who came from County Down, Ireland, having been married there before their einigration to this country. They were of pure Irish ancestry and parentage. The parents of our subjeet, immediately after their marriage, which occurred in 1810, started for the New World. They located in Allegheny County, Pa., on a farm of 120 acres, which remained their home for a

period of sixteen years. They then sold out and removed into Washington County, just across the river from their old home. The father here pur- chased 226 acres upon which they remained the balanec of their lives, the mother dying in 1833, when forty years of age, and the father in 1851, aged fifty-eight years. Their family consisted of ten children, five sons and five daughters, two of the younger sons being dceeased. The others are all married and comfortably established in homes of their own.

The grandfather of our subjeet, John Stockdale, Sr., was also a native of County Down, Ireland, where he spent his entire life, engaged in agricult- ural pursuits. His wife was a Miss Philps, a native of his own country, and they reared a family of three sons and two daughters. Of these the father of our subject was the youngest son. While yet a young man and when erossing the English Channel, he was pressed into the British service and com- pelled to follow the fortunes of a soldier for two years, although they were usually held for seven. He possessed a good education and obtained his release through his own efforts, and assisted by friends. He soon afterward came to America and became prominent in the political affairs of his adopted State. He was identified with the Whig party and was a man whose opinions were greatly respected, both upon political and general matters.

The subject of this history was reared in Wash- ington County, Pa., and at an early age labored hard around the homestead and in the grain fields of his father. The harvest was then gathered by the sickle and later with the eradle, the convenient machinery of to-day being unknown, and the la- bors of the farmer were arduous and almost endless. Our subject lived at home until his marriage, which occurred on the same farm where he was born, but in a house which was erected later. The maiden of his choice was Miss Margaret Corry, and their wedding took place Feb. 26, 1847. Mrs. S. was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., in October, abont 1820, her parents being James and Isabell (Stockdale) Corry, who were also born, reared and married in County Down, Ireland. They also soon afterward came to this country and located in Pittsburgh, her father being connected with the iron works of

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that city. He afterward purchased the first tract of land upon which a farm was opened up in Al- legheny County, this being owned by William Stockdale, the father of our subject. There he es- tablished a comfortable home and therc the mother died while yet in the prime of life, leaving her husband with eleven children to mourn their irrep- arable loss. The wife of our subjeet was the eld- est daughter but one of these and only two be- sides licrself are living. The father came to Iowa in 1862, and died in Van Buren County, that State, in 1879, having reached the advanced age of ninety- six years. His father before him, Frank Corry, lived and died in Ireland, and was one hundred and one years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Stockdale of this sketch became the parents of three children: William B., a hard- ware merchant of Heyworth, married Miss Anna Wakefield; James C. is manager of the home farm, and Alice B. also lives with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. S. soon after their marriage located upon the farın in Pennsylvania, and in about 1855 came to Sangamon County, Ill., where they purchased a farm and after living upon it a few months became homesick and selling out went back to that State. The year following they tried coming West again, and after coming to this State and county resolved to endure a little homesickness and have succeeded admirably. They, with their son William B. and their daughter Alice, are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically Mr. Stockdale is a Republican and a citizen who has gained the es- teem of his neighbors. The grandparents ou the maternal side were John and Miss (Hunter) Mc- Nown and the names of the grandparents of Mrs. Stockdale of our sketch were William and Miss (Hastings) Stockdale.

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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 82

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