Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 83

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 83

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).

AMES KIMLER. The name of this honored pioneer, who is now a resident of MeLean, is familiar throughout the greater part of this county as being a synonym of goodness, perseverance and integrity, and it is with pleasure that we present his portrait in this volume. He eame to this section when the country was wild

and uncultivated, and in common with the early settlers of that period, experienced the trials and privations ineident to life in a new country. With them he bravely and cheerfully labored, and with them will leave his footprints where genera- tions shall follow with far less toil and many more of the comforts and luxuries of life.

The subject of this history was born in Loudoun County, Va., Aug. 16, 1811. His father, Moses Kimler, was a native of the same State, and his grandfather, John Kimler, a native of Germany, emigrated to America after his marriage and settled in Virginia, where all his children were born. He was a blacksmith by occupation and followed his trade in Loudoun County the greater part of his life. The family consisted of cight sons and two daughters, as follows: Moses, the father of our subject, was the eldest born; Evau died in Fulton County, Ill. ; Daniel spent his last years in Missouri ; John died in Bloomington, Ill .; Benjamin died in Fulton County, Ill., and Israel in Tazewell County ; Bailey and Caleb both died in Bloomington Town- ship, this county; Hannah, the wife of Alexander Montgomery, dicd in Indiana; Eliza married Sam- uel Schooley, and died in De Witt County, Ill.

Moses Kimler, the father of our subject, learned the blacksmith's trade from his father and worked at it in his native county until about 1815. A few years after his marriage he removed to Kentucky by means of a large wagon and five horses. He took with him his wife and three children, and they were accompanied by his brother John, and another family. At Wheeling, they loaded their effects and their families onto a flatboat and went down the Ohio River to Maysville. Mr. K. was out of money and stopped two weeks to earn enough to take himself and family into Bourbon County. After arriving there he followed his trade until 1824. He then determined to seek a home in Indiana, and started overland with a pair of horses and a wagon, our subject being one of the members of the family. They visited the present site of In-, dianapolis, which was then a very small village of a few log cabins, in one of which was kept a hotel. Mr. K. then looked around for a location and con- eluded to settle near Crawfordsville, Montgomery Co., Ind. He purchased eighty aeres of timber

7. 16. Hall

James Kimler

703

McLEAN COUNTY.

land and built a hewed-log house near the road which led from Crawfordsville to Indianapolis. This structure was considered quite an imposing one for those days, having four rooms, two on the ground floor and two " upstairs." Into this, when finished, he removed his family and opened a hotel. In the meantime he also worked at his trade, and remained a resident of the Hoosier State until 1834. He then came to this eounty and settled in the grove about one mile south of the present site of Le Roy. There John W. Baddeley had laid out a town, and Mr. K. purchased a lot and put up a log house and a blacksmith-shop. The village, however, did not flourish, and after Le Roy was started he removed there, and established the first blacksmith-shop in the town. He continued. here at his trade as long as able to work, but re- tired from aetive labor in 1847 ; his death occurred in 1850.

The mother of our subjeet, who before her mar- riage was Miss Mary Akers, was born in Virginia, of Welsh deseent, and by her marriage with Moses Kimler became the mother of ten children, the record of whom is as follows: John died in Indiana in 1826; Richard died in Marion County, Iowa; James, our subject, was the third child; Mary A. died in Virginia when a young child; Robert died in MeLean County, Ill. ; Elizabeth became the wife of Thomas Buckles, and lives in Empire Town- ship, this county ; William died at Le Roy ; Jeffer- son served as a Union soldier in the 94th Illinois Infantry and died in the service at Springfield, Mo., in 1862; Benjamin lives in Missouri, and Franklin in Farmer City, Ill.

James Kimler was but four years of age when his parents removed from Virginia to Kentucky, and fourteen when they went to Indiana. He re- mained with his parents until 1832, in which year he attained liis majority, then eame to this county, and worked for his uncle, John Kimler, for the two years following. In 1834 he went to Milwaukee, Wis., in company with three Orendorff brothers. They had one horse among them and "rode and tied," that is, one of the party would ride ahead and at some convenient place would tie the horse and walk along, and when the others caught up with the horse, another would do the same. The

northern part of the State was thinly settled at that time and houses were frequently twenty-five to thirty miles apart. Milwaukee then had but three storcs and Indians were a very common sight. Alfred Orendorff had been there before and made a claim. upon which he built a log cabin on land now included within the city limits of Mil- waukee. There the party kept bachelors' hall. 'The land had not then come into market but settlers were rapidly arriving and making claims, and our subjeet was employed by them to show land and build eabins, and he made and purchased elaims to a traet now, included in the city limits of Mil- waukee. In the fall of 1836 Mr. Kimler returned to Le Roy and spent the winter, and the spring following commenced to purchase cattle and drive them to the Milwaukee market, in which business he made money, and which he followed for two or three years. In 1839 the land came into market, and in company with Benjamin Cox, our subject entered about 800 acres, now also inelnded in the city. They soon afterward divided the land and Mr. K. remained upon and improved a part of liis pos- sessions. The following year he returned to Le Roy and purchased land adjoining the town on the Northwest, where he engaged in farming until 1846, then partially abandoncd agriculture and engaged in mereantile business, which he earried on for about five years. He then sold his interests in merehandise and returned to farming, which he continued until 1883. He then sold his farm and removed into Le Roy, where he entered an elevator and engaged in the grain trade. Two years later the elevator was destroyed by fire, and since that time Mr. Kimler has not been engaged in any active business, having aeeumulated a handsome competeney for himself and family.

The marriage of James Kimler and Miss Cas- sandra. Clearwaters took place Jan. 28, 1838. Mrs. K. was born in Putnam County, Ind., and is the daughter of Reuben and Jane (Miller) Clearwaters, who were natives respcetively of North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Of this union have been born six children: Mary J., the wife of Lewis Stout, lives at Le Roy ; Harriett B., Mrs. James L. Silvers, lives in Fairmount; Martha and her husband, Joseph Neal, live in Farmer City; Cassandra be-

704

McLEAN COUNTY.

came the wife of Preston Bishop, of West Town- ship; Elizabeth, Mrs. John Love, also lives in that township ;. Lina became the wife of L. H. Dela- plain, of Rush County, Kan.

Our subjeet and his wife united with the Method- ist Episcopal Church in 1840, of which he has been Trustee, Steward and Class-Leader almost sinee the beginning. He cast his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson and his second for Gen. Harrison. He voted with the Whigs until the abandonment of the old party in 1856, and then identified him- self with the new Republican party. Mr. Kimler has taken deep interest in the success of the tem- perance movement and has now arrayed himself in the cause of prohibition. He has in all respects fulfilled the obligations of a good citizen, and has his reward in the profound respeet and esteem of all who know him.

RANCIS M. HALL, a skillful farmer and breeder of Short-horn cattle, is located on seetion 24, Danvers Township, where for many years he has carried on the different depart- ments of his calling with success. Mr. Hall was born in Todd County, Ky., March 25, 1833, and is the son of Young and Rachel F. (Hay) Hall, also natives of the Blue Grass State. They came to Illi- nois and located in McLean County in the spring of 1835, since which time they have been residents here. Their family included nine children, as fol- lows : Henry P. : Francis M .; John R., who lives in Iowa; Young, who died in Kansas ten years ago; Isaac is a resident of McLean County ; George, now in Iowa; James, in Chicago; and Susan and Mary both died at the age of three years. The mother of our subject died in this county in Octoher, 1883, Mr. Hall is still living at the venerable age of eighty years.

Francis M. Hall remained under the parental roof until he had reached years of maturity, and was then united in marriage with Miss Jane E. Barnard, on the 19th of August, 1855, the cere- mony being performed by Elder G. W. Manear, of the Christian Church. Mrs. Hall was born in Me- Lean County, June 22, 1838. Her parents, James O.

and Lydia (Swallow) Barnard, were natives of North Carolina and Ohio respectively. James O. Barnard removed from his native State to Illinois in March, 1828, and located in Dry Grove Township upon a small tract of land, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1873. The mother died in 1847. Their children were Nancy A., now Mrs. John A. Artis, and the wife of our subject. The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Hall are : James F., who mar- ried Miss Furman, and is residing in Dry Grove; Lydia R., now Mrs. Bennett Snavely, residing near Kearney, Neb,; Willie died in infancy ; Young M. married Miss Mary Lamb, and is living near Kear- ney, Neb .; George E. died when one year old; Jes- sie died in infancy ; Ellen died at the age of two and one-half years; Eva J., the youngest of the family, was horn Sept. 21, 1877, and is residing at home.

Mr. Hall came to Dry Grove Township with his parents in August, 1835, and remained there until the fall of 1858, when he settled at his present home in Danvers Township, which is only ahout a mile and a half from his first. In 1874 he began the breeding of Shorn-horn cattle, and in 1885 went to Kentucky and purchased twenty-two head of choice families, including the Oxford, Bar- rington and others obtained from Col. Sims, of Paris, Ky. Besides two males he has twenty cows from different families, and among his transactions since that time one public sale of eighteen ealves six months old yielded him an average of $50 per lead.

The farm of Mr. Hall embraces 570 acres of fincly improved land. In the spring of 1882 he erected a handsome residence, 34x53 feet in area, with two stories and basement, containing twelve rooms. It is situated upon a rise of ground and commands a fine view of the surrounding country for many miles each way. His barns, outhouses and other accommodations for stock are all first class, and his husiness is conducted in that system- atic manner which is the sure forerunner of success.

Mr. Hall has been quite a traveler, visiting the principal eities of the United States. He was at the Centennial in 1876, has traveled from Washing- ton City to San Francisco, and visited the World's Fair at New Orleans in 1885. Our subject is the

705

MCLEAN COUNTY.

only representative of the Knights Templar in this township. He is an active and earnest member of the Masonic fraternity, with which he beeame iden- tified in 1874, first in Allin Lodge No. 685; he is a Royal Arch Mason of Chapter No. 26, at Bloom- ington, Ill., and also belongs to DeMolay Com- mandery No. 24, K. T. Accompanied by his wife he attended the Triennial Conclave at Chicago in 1880. Three years later they went to California, and in 1886 to St. Louis to attend the twenty-third eonclave. Mr. Hall has been Master in the Blue Lodge in Danvers for one year. He was a eharter member in Danvers Lodge No. 742, and has given mueh time as well as means in assisting to main- tain the principles of the order, of which he is a great admirer.

In politics Mr. Hall is a Douglas Democrat. He has been eonneeted with the Christian Church for the last thirty-five years, Mrs. H. also being a member of the same. Our subjeet is in all respeets a worthy representative of the enterprise, industry and intelligence of this eounty, and presents a fine example of the valued citizen and worthy member of society. In the galaxy of portraits of the lead- ing men of the county given in this volume may very properly be found that of Mr. Hall.

6 HOMAS H. BOUNDS, a highly respected farmer of Gridley Township, of which he became a resident in 1857, is the owner of 160 aeres of good land, and in a comfortable home- stead, enjoys the reward of earlier toil and industry. His parents were Henry and Hannah (Rhoads) Bounds, the father a native of Maryland, and the mother of Pennsylvania. After their marriage the parents settled in Muskingum County, Ohio, whenee they afterward removed to Lieking County, same State, where the mother died in 1842. Henry Bounds afterward removed to Michigan, in 1875, and died in 1880.

Our subject was the fifth of a family of seven chil- dren. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, Aug. 6, 1834, was reared to farming pursuits, and re- mained in his native State until he was twenty- three years old. He then came to this State and

county, settling in Gridley Township, where he has sinee resided. Here he was married, on the 27th of May, 1860, to Miss Mary Messer, who was born in Gridley Township, Oct. 8, 1841. She was a daugh- ter of J. B. and Susan (Estey) Messer, who are mentioned in the sketch of J. P. Messer, whose biography will be found in another part of this work, J. P. Messer being a brother of Mrs. Bounds. Our subject and his wife became the parents of five children, of whom the record is as follows: Maria E., the eldest, died when three years old: Henry E. married Miss Mary Bryant, and lives in Gridley Township; Thomas died when quite young; Will- iam A. and Margaret E. are at home.

Mr. Bounds has held the office of Sehool Diree- tor and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Both he and his wife are connected with the Chris- tian Church, and politieally our subject is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party.

R. HENRY PARKHURST, a highly cs- . teemed resident of the village of Danvers, this county, is a skillful physician and also a dealer in drugs and medieines. having his store and office at the corner of Broadway and Exchange streets. Dr. Parkhurst was born in . Sharon, Vt., Feb. 20, 1823, and is the son of Elisha and Hannah (Huntington) Parkhurst. Both par- ents were natives of Conneetieut, and both eame to Vermont in their childhood. They were married in the Green Mountain State, where the father died in 1840, and the mother some years later upon the farın which constituted their homestead. Of the nine children born to them, the record is as fol- lows: Harriet, Lydia and a babe unnamed died in infancy ; Hiram, Hannah, Sarah, Phineas, Harvey and Araunah lived to reach their majority, and three are now living. The Parkhurst family are of English origin, as also were the Huntingtons, and both families were remarkable as being long-lived and possessing those principles which constituted them useful and honored eitizens.

Henry Parkhurst was reared upon his father's farm, receiving his primary education in the eom- mon sehools. He was seventeen years of age when

706

MCLEAN COUNTY.

his father died. He afterward attended the Orange County Grammar School and a seleet sehool, and commeneed the study of medieine with Davis & Jones, in Manchester, N. H. After closely apply- ing himself for two years he attended Berkshire Medical College one term, the Medical College at Woodstock, Vt., for one term, and afterward en- tered Buffalo University, from which he graduated on the 26th of February, 1851. That same year young Parkhurst put out his shingle in Prairieville, Mieh., where he followed the practice of his ehosen profession sueeessfully for three years. He then eame to Danvers, this eounty, in 1854, and has continued sinee that time engaged in his praetiee and the trade in drugs. That same year, on the 1st of January, he was married to Miss Catharine L. Skillman, who was horn in New Jersey in 1832, and came to Illinois several years hefore her mar- riage. They became the parents of three children, all now deceased : Mary F. died at the age of four years; Katie, when an infant, and Julia at the age of twenty-two.

Dr. Parkhurst owns the building in which he has his store, and resides with his family in a handsome residence located on Exchange street. He is a memher in good standing of the Congregational Church, of which he has been a Trustee for a num- 'ber of years. Politieally he is a staneh supporter of the Republican party. He belongs to Danvers Lodge No. 742, A. F. & A. M., and has held various offiees in connection therewith. He identi- fied himself with the Masons over thirty years ago. The grandfather of our subjeet was an Army Sur- geon in the Revolutionary War, and died of the yellow fever, the place of his hurial being unknown.

OHN LAMONT, a retired farmer, is now a resident of Le Roy, and situated in a pleas- ant and comfortable home where he is living in the enjoyment of a competency, aeeumu- lated through his own industry and perseveranee. Mr. Lamont was born in Seotland, Feb. 14, 1809, and is the son of Peter and Martha (LaFevre) La- mont, the father a native of Argyleshire and the mother of France. Our suhjeet was but an infant

when his parents took him to England, and he there grew to manhood, in the city of London. He was trained in early life to hahits of industry, and when very young began to learn the trade of bricklay- ing and plastering, which he followed in London until 1850. Then, resolving to emigrate to Amer- jea, he set sail on the 8th of June, that year, and landed in New York City on the 31st of July fol- lowing. He was accompanied hy his wife and ehild, and proceeded directly to Buffalo, N. Y., via the Hudson River to Alleghany, and complet- ing the remainder of his journey by the Erie Canal. He followed his trade in Buffalo for a few months, then proceeded to Indiana, first stopping at Cov- ington, Ky., and thienee proceeding to Perrysville, Ind., where he remained until January, 1852. He then started overland for Illinois, with a team of horses and wagon which he had hired for the pur- pose. Upon arriving in Le Roy, this eounty, he rented a small house about one mile south of the town. His worldly possessions consisted of a seanty supply of household goods, and $2.50 in eash. He had, however, a good stock of courage and deter- mination, and immediately set ahout proeuring em- ployment. His intelligent faee and pleasing man- ner at onee seeured him friends, and he was sel- dom idle, being willing to employ his hands at whatever he eould find to do. In the winter sea- son he oceupied himself with odd jobs and when spring opened worked at his trade when opportu- nity offered, and one winter was employed on a farm at fifty eents per day, which at that time was considered good wages. He was prudent and eco- nomieal, and saved his money, and in due time was enabled to purehase seven and one-half aeres of land, for which he paid $65. Upon this he huilt a log house, and worked at his trade and eultivated his land, putting in all his time to good aeeount. He was prospered in his labors and in due time added to his landed possessions until he is now the owner of 100 aeres, under a good state of enltiva- tion, and supplied with all necessary and eonve- nient farm buildings. This he leases to a tenant who operates it, and which yields to its proprietor a handsome ineome.

Mr. Lamont was married in the city of London, in 1846, to Miss Sarah Durham, who was horn in

707

MCLEAN COUNTY.

Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, and was the daughter of Charles and Pattie (Wrighton) Dur- ham, natives of the same country. Mr. and Mrs. Lamont became the parents of oue child, a son named Peter James. He was born in England, Oct. 28, 1848, and is now a resident of Le Roy, follow- ing the trade of a bricklayer and plastercr. He married Miss Hester Atherton, a native of Ohio, and they have five children-Sarah E., Francis P., Victoria A., Clara E. and Blanche D.

Mrs. Lamont has in her possession a Bible which was printed in London in 1637, which was the prop- erty of her great-great-grandfather. It is bound in leather with brass corners, and formerly had clasps which are now.gone. She also has a Bible that was given her at thirteen years of age in a Sunday-school at Aylesbury, through the liberality of Lord Wharton.

RANCIS A. RAWLINGS, of Belleflower Township, is a native of the Prairie Statc, born near Petersburg, Menard County, Dec. 14, 1849. His father, John E. Rawlings, was born in Fleming County, Ky., Oct. 18, 1810, and was the son of Thomas Rawlings, a native of Loudoun County, Va., and the son of Presley Rawlings. The latter was born in England, whence he emigrated to America when a young man, accompanied by his brother Moses. They located in Virginia and afterward served as soldiers in the Revolutionary War, fighting iu the interests of the colonies. Moses was never heard from after the war was over. Presley Rawlings settled in Kentucky, being among the earliest pioneers of the Blue Grass Statc. He purchased a tract of timber land and opened up a farm, where he spent the remainder of his days. His son, Thomas, the grandfather of our subject, and the eldest of seven children, after attaining to manhood, married Miss Mary Triby, who was born in Virginia but of Kentucky parentage. She in- herited a tract of land adjoining her father's home- stead, together with four slaves, and lived there with her husband the remainder of her life. They became the parents of nine children, of whom John, the father of our subject, was the youngest. At

that time there were no free schools and the educa- tion of John E. Rawlings was obtained on the sub- scription plan. The temple of learning was a rude structure built of logs. into which light was adınit- ted through panes of greased paper.

John E. Rawlings assisted his father in establish- ing a homestead in the wilderness and cultivating the soil, remaining under the home roof until twenty- two years old. He then farmed in partnership with his brother-in-law for two years, when he was married and operated on rented land until 1837. In March of that year hc made the journey to Illinois, via the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, land- ing at Beardstown. He first proceeded to that part of Sangamon County included in Menard County, and purchased a farm three miles above Petersburg, on the Sangamon River. This he occupied until 1850, then removed to Waverly, Morgan Co., Ill., where he opened a store of general merchandise. Two years later, on account of cholera, he sold out and returned to his farm in Menard County. From there he removed to Sweet Water, after selling his farm, and operated upon rented land until 1859. That year he came to this county and purchased a farm in Mt. Hope Township, which he occupied un- til 1862, then removed to the town of McLcan and began to deal in grain and agricultural implements. He was thus occupied until 1873, when he purchased and removed to the homestead which he now owns and occupies.

Mr. Rawlings was married on the 16th of Jant- ary, 1834, to Miss Polly Scott, a native of Tennes- see, born May 31, 1812, and the daughter of John and Jane (Campbell) Scott. This lady died at the home of her husband in Belleflower Township, on the 19th of January, 1878. Mr. Rawlings was mar- ried the second time, Sept. 22, 1881, to Mrs. Re- becca (Day) Robbins, who was born near Spring- field, Ill., March 20, 1820. Her father, Benjamin S. Day, was a native of Virginia, and removed to Kentucky when a young man, where he married, and came to Illinois in 1818, the year in which the Ter- ritory was transferred into a State. Mr. Day was among the earliest settlers of Sangamon County, His daughter, Rebecca, remained under the par- ental roof until her first marriage in March, 1836, to -Danicl Robbins. He was County Judge of De

708

McLEAN COUNTY.

Witt County eight years and Postmaster of Clinton twelve years. He departed this life in De Witt County in about 1871. The children of Mr. Raw- lings are recorded as follows: Austin is engaged in mercantile business at Kumber, this eounty; Min- nie became the wife of R. W. Robinson of De Witt County ; John F. lives in Farmer City, Ill. Mrs. R. by her first marriage became the mother of five children; a son, Francis K., who is a resident of Wellington, Kan., is the only one living.

Franeis A. Rawlings was but ten years old when he came to McLean County with his parents, and has been a resident here since that time. He re- ceived a good cdueation, and in 1870 came to his father's farm in Belleflower Township, which he has oeeupicd since that time. He makes his home with his parents.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 83

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