Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 85

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 85

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).

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our subject died when he was a little lad five years old. He remained with his father until reaching inanhood, and chose for his wife Miss Eunice Free- man, to whom he was married Dec. 5, 1866. Mrs. R. is a native of this county, born June 20,1844, and is the daughter of Caleb and Martha (Barnard) Freeman, natives of Ohio. Caleb Freeman, who was born in 1814, still survives, and is a farmer by oeeupation. His wife, Martha, was born Feb. 14, 1819, and departed this life at the home of her husband, May 11, 1884. Their eight children were Rebecca B .. Samuel B., Eunice, Victory, Clinton D., Leven E .; Elizabeth H., who died when elevcu years of age, and Abraham L.

The eight children of our subject and. his wife are Martha E., Annie L., Oliver, Abigail, Elton B. and Ellis J. [twins], Arthur A. and Davis. Soon after the outbreak of the late Civil War, Mr. Rogers. laying aside his personal and private interests, prof- fered his services as a soldier of the Union, becom- ing a member of Co. B, 33d Ill. Vol. Inf., under Col. Hovey, and afterward under Col. Lippincott and Capt. Morgan, in August, 1861. At the ex- piration of his term of enlistment he veteranized, in January, 1864, in the same company and regi- ment. Their first duties lay in Missouri, where they were detailed to guard bridges on the Iron Mountain Railroad. Thence they proceeded to Ar- kansas, participated in the fight at Cache Creek, July 7, 1862, and afterward with hard marching and scant rations reached Helena, Ark., in July, where they spent three months at Old Town Land- ing. In October following they returned North, spending the winter with the command of Gen. Davidson, in Missouri. In the spring they joined Grant's army, and our subject, with his comrades, participated in the battle of Ft. Gibson, skirmished around Edwards' Station on the Black River, and were present at the siege of Vicksburg, and the bat- tle of. Jackson, Miss. Thenee they proceeded to New Orleans, accompanied the expedition up the Hatchie River, and returned to New Orleans in November, 1863. They then took boats for Indian- ola; after which they were detailed for speeial duty until about the time the term for which our sub -. ject had first enlisted, had expired. After a short time spent with friends at Bloomington, Mr. Rog -.

ers rejoined his comrades in 1864, and in the spring of 1865 was present at the siege and capture of Mobile and Spanish Fort. Returning to Camp Butler, Ill., he received both his pay and an hon- orable diselarge. During the summer of 1865 he was detailed for duty at the Freedmen's Bureau. Mr. Rogers recalls his war experience with melan- eholy interest, his comrades now being scattered from Maine to Oregon.

He has been a member of the G. A. R. since its organization in this locality, and politically is a fervent Republican. He has been Justice of the Peace of Arrowsmith Township for the last four years, during which time there have never been any appeals from his decisions. As a business man and citizen he is held in the highest respect, and constitutes one of the finest representatives of the solid and reliable elements of this section.

G EORGE W. RIGGS, a retired farmer and now a successful merchant of Saybrook, this county, has been a resident of the Prairie State for fifty-seven years. During this length of time he has been an intcrested witness of the re- markable changes which have occurred throughout. the great West. He commenced life in a humble manner, but by the exereise of his native industry and more than ordinary business ability, is now in the enjoyment of a competeney. He also long years ago established himself in the confidence of his friends and fellow-citizens and has built up for himself a good record as an honest man and valu- able member of the community.

Mr. Riggs is a native of Kentucky, aud was born in Fleming County, Dec. 11, 1827. He is the son of William M. and Naney (Pitts) Riggs, the for- mer a native of Maryland and the, latter of Ken- tucky. William M. Riggs was of English descent and was born Sept. 7, 1803. He received a com- mon-school education, was reared to farming pur- suits and from early youthi was of a serious and religious turn of mind. He was a Methodist exhorter for a number of years, and after coming to this county, in 1830, founded the Methodist Episcopal Church in Cheney's Grove and officiated .

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McLEAN COUNTY.

as an exhorter here over fifty years. He was married, Dee. 28, 1826, to Miss Nancy Pitts, who was born in 1806, and they becanie the parents of six chil- dren, all living with the exception of one, who died in 1884, when forty-six years of age. Those surviv- ing are, George W .; Henry M., a resident of Ore- gon; Margaret P., Mrs. P. Lewis of this township; William H., living in Saybrook; Mary J., Mrs. Hall, of Texas, and Samucl R. William M. Riggs survived the death of his wife six years, and passed to his long home on Jan. 28, 1887.

George W. Riggs came with his parents to Illi- nois in 1830, when a ehild three years of age. He attended the district sehool and worked with his father on the farm until he was twenty-two years old. He was then united in marriage with Miss Minerva W. Lewis, Oct. 11, 1849. Mrs. R. was born in Kentucky, Dee. 28, 1827, and was the daughter of William D. and Nancy (Pitts) Lewis, bothı natives of the Blue Grass State. Her father was born in 1801 and died Oct. 14, 1872. He was a farmer.by occupation and with his wife, in early life beeame connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Nancy P. Lewis was born Jan. 30, 1806, and died Dee. 19, 1866. Their family consisted of eleven ehildren, of whom the record is as follows: Martin M., who was born Aug. 8, 1826, died when one year old; Minerva W., Mrs. Riggs, was the eldest daughter; Lueinda was born Aug. 18, 1829, and became the wife of Reuben Coonrod; Louisa E. was born June 6, 1831 ; Mary A., in 1833; James A., in 1835; John, June 8, 1837; Naney C., Oet. 5, 1840; Allen H., July 12, 1843; William R., Dec. 23, 1845; Margaret, April 14, 1849.

Mr. and Mrs. Riggs beeame the parents of eleven ehildren, as follows : Olive J. was born Sept. 11, 1850; Nancy H., Dec. 1, 1851; William A., born Sept. 21, 1853, died June 27, 1855, from a rattle- snake bite; John W., born Jan. 26, 1855; Melville L., Dee. 17, 1856 ; Charles B., July 29, 1859 ; Martin Luthier, Nov. 13, 1861 ; Mary L., Nov. 6, 1863; Ella C., born Jan. 18, 1866, died November 27 of that year; Eva M. was born May 24, 1868, and R. Bell, July 24. 1870. These children are all married and settled in comfortable homes of their own ex- cept R. Bell, and our subjeet and his wife are quite

proud of the faet that they have eight grand- children.

In 1881 Mr. Riggs retired from the labors of the farm and became a resident of Saybrook. With the assistanec of his sons he is carrying on a profit- able trade in dry-goods and clothing, the firm be- ing familiarly known as G. W. Riggs & Sons. Hav- ing been one of the earliest pioneers of Cheney's Grove Township, he is accorded that peculiar veneration and respect which are tacitly given to those who first ventured into the Western wilds and marked out a path for a later civilization. Since arriving at manhood he has been intimately identified with the agricultural and business inter- ests of McLean County, has been active in the support of schools and churches, and interested in whatever enterprise was set on foot to advanee the intellectual and moral well-being of the locality. Both he and his wife for many years have been connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Riggs has been an active Sunday-sehool worker and served in his church as Trustee, Steward and Class-Leader for many years. He has been a stanch Republican since the organization of the party and although never an office-seeker, has served as Road Commissioner and occupied other important posi- tions in the affairs of his township.

G EORGE R. BODGER, son of John and Hannah (Ratliffe) Bodger, is one of the most highly estecmed residents of Gridley Township. He comes of excellent English ancestry and emigrated to this country in the fall of 1851, with his parents, who, after landing upon Ameriean shores proceeded directly westward to this State and settled near Washington, Tazewell County. They remained there until 1855, then came to this eounty and located in Gridley Township, where the mother died in Deeember, 1867. The father still survives and lives in Gridley Township. Their eight children eomprise five boys and three girls, the subject of this sketch being next to the eldest.

George R. Bodger was born in England, Feb. 20, 1837, and was about fourteen years old when his parents came to the United States, He was

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reared to agricultural pursuits, in which he has been engaged thus far in life. During the thirty years which he has been a resident of this section he has built up a record of an honest and industrious citizen, always willing to contribute his full sharc toward the development of his adopted country.

The subject of our sketch was married in Taze- well County, Ill., Feb. 20, 1872, to Miss Sarah, the daughter of William and Cclia (Ricketts) Holmes. The parents of Mrs. S. were natives respect- ively of Kentucky and Indiana, whence they re- moved to Illinois and located in Tazewell County, where the father departed this life Nov. 8, 1873. The inother afterward removed to Washington County, Neb., where her death occurred July 11, 1884. Of their cight children, Mrs. B. was the fourth in order of birth. She was born in Woodford County, Ill., Jan. 15, 1842. Our subject and his wife had only one child, who died in infancy. Mr. B. has served as School Director of his township and in politics is a stanch adherent of the Demo- cratic party.

ACOB J. HAM, a wealthy and influential farmer of Hudson Township, owns and occu- pies a beautiful country seat located on sec- tion 33, and which forms one of the most attractive spots in the landscape of McLean County. Mr. Ham settled where he now lives in 1862, and has been of material assistance in the development and advancement of the industrial and agricultural interests of this section. The subject of this his- tory is a native of Columbia County, N. Y., and was born in Kinderhook on the 28th of February, 1820. His parents, Jacob C. and Catharine (Poch- man) Ham, were also natives of the Empire State, and the family circle included eleven children, of whom our subject was the fourth in order of birth. His ancestors were from Holland and several gen- erations ago settled in Pennsylvania and subse- quently moved to New York State.

Jacob J. Ham was reared on his father's farm in New York State and pursued his primary studics in the common schools. This was supplemented by attendance for a short time at college, and bc-

ing a studious and ambitious boy he thus obtained sufficient education to enable him to adopt the pro- fession of a teacher. In this he became quite suc- cessful and followed it for about fifteen years, the last six of these being spent in Padua Township.

Mr. Ham came to Illinois in October, 1856, lo- cating at once in McLean County, and in 1862 he purchased 160 acres of land, upon which hic settled and which constitutes a part of his present farm. The land was not much improved when he took possession of it, but by persevering industry he has made it one of the finest farms in that section of the State. He added to his real estate as time passed on and is now the owner of a half section, one-quarter being located on section 28 and the other on section 33, and it is all under a good state of improvement. In 1873 he erccted his present handsome and commodious farm dwelling, which is built of brick, two stories in height, and cost over $8,000. It is in all respects one of the best farm residences in the county and his barns and other out-buildings correspond with the balance of the improvements. Thic premises at all points indicate the existence of cultivated tastes and ample means. His costly farming implements arc of the most im- proved pattern and everything is in keeping with the appliances of a first-class agriculturist. Mr. Ham of late lias been giving much attention to stock- raising, dealing in high grade cattle, and at present feeds and sells large numbers of live stock of all kinds annually.

In early life our subject was a Democrat, but when the rebels fired upon Ft. Sumter he at once identified himself with the Republicans and became an ardent supporter of the Union. Since 1880 he has identified himself with the Prohibitionists, hav- ing been a strong temperance man all through life, and believing that in this manner he could more substantially cast his influence against the use and manufacture of spirituous liquors. He has been a man of strong and decided views, fearless in his expression of opinion, and bound to cast his' influ- ence toward the cause which he believed to be right, whatever might be the consequences. He has been an incumbent of the various offices of his township, although he would much prefer to give his entire attention to his own business matters.

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At the age of eighteen years Mr. Ham identified himself with the German Reform Church, but in 1861, after eoming West, he united with the Baptists.

The marriage of our subjeet with Miss Elsie M. Warner took place July 21, 1859. Mrs. Ham was born in Chenango County, N. Y., eame West alone after becoming a young lady. and engaged as a teacher in MeLean County until her marriage. Of this union there have been born five ehildren, two of whom died in infaney; Henry Orlo spends his winters in Florida, where he owns an orange grove, and eomes North during the summer to the home of his parents. He was married, April 7, 1887, to Ida J. Tilgliman, daughter of Rev. N. J. Tilghman, their marriage taking place in Franeis, Fla. Nettie, the wife of James T. Gildersleeve, resides in Hudson Township; they have one ehild, Elsie M. Eddie is at home with his parents.

Mr. Ham has been most essentially the arehiteet of his own fortune, assisted by his estimable and energetie wife. He started out in life without financial assistance, but by persevering industry and the aid of superior business qualifieations he has made of life a fine sueeess and is now enjoying the reward of a competeney and the profound re- speet of all who know him. A view of Mr. Ham's residenee and surroundings is given in this work.

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G EORGE B. WHEELER, editor and propri- etor of the Daily Leader, of Bloomington, is a native of Kennebunkport, York Co., Me., and was born Aug. 1, 1853, being the son of John A. and Louisa M. (Bourne) Wheeler, natives of the same State. Of their three children only two are living, George B., our subjeet, and his brother, Frank K. John Wheeler engaged in mer- eantile pursuits through life, and was Postmaster from 1869 until his death. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the mother was especially devoted to Christian and charitable duties. The latter is still living at her old home in Maine.

The subject of this biography received a good common-sehool education, and afterward gradu-

ated from the preparatory eollege course of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill. He en- tered Bowdoin College at Brunswiek and graduated with honors in the elass of 1874. After leaving eollege he taught sehool one year, and then entered the office of the Portland Advertiser, to learn the printer's trade. In 1876, he purchased the Merri- mac Journal, at Franklin, N. H., which he eon- dueted for two years, in partnership with his bro- ther, Frank K. During his residenee at Franklin. he was a member of the Board of Education and Chairman of the Republican Central Committee. He came to Bloomington, Ill., in June, 1880, and in company with his brother-in-law, Maj. W. F. Crawford, purchased a one-half interest in the daily and weekly Leader, and in 1886, they purchased the balanee. Mr. Wheeler at onee assumed the editorial management of the paper, which position he has sinee held, and has distinguished himself as an able journalist and exeellent business man. In 1882, on aeeount of the appointment of his part- ner, Mr. Crawford. to a Government office, Mr. Wheeler beeame business manager of the establish- ment, and in his varied duties has met with remark- able sueeess.

The Leader [weekly ] of Bloomington, was estab- lished in November, 1868, by John S. Seibird and O. Waters, with Elias Smith as editor. On the 22d of February, 1870, the Daily Leader was started, with A. F. Diggs as editor. Subsequently a stoek company was organized to conduct the paper. Later on, O. Waters and J. W. Niehols became the proprietors. In 1875, M. F. Leland purchased tlie plant, and Mr. Niehols continued as editor. In 1880, Messrs. G. B. Wheeler and W. F. Crawford, of Maine, purchased a half interest, and assumed the control of the Leader, Mr. Wheeler taking the editorial, and Mr. Crawford the financial manage- ment. In August, 1886, this firm purchased the entire interest in the paper, and have sinee owned it. Mr. Crawford, however, retired from the man- agement to take charge of his bank in Cameron, Tex. The Leader is an eight-column folio paper, neatly and attraetively gotten up, and is, and al- .ways has been, a stalwart Republican journal. The weekly Leader is a ten-column folio. This journal has a large eirculation, is devoted to the interests

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of its patrons and the principles of the Republican party, of which it is an able advocate. It is bright and newsy, and is one of the prominent and influ- ential journals of the Statc.

The circulation of the Bloomington Leader is steadily increasing, and its prosperity and influence are greatly due to the shrewd business tact and jour- malistic ability of its present editor and business manager.

Mr. Wheeler was married in 1880, to Miss Laura E. Crawford, of Brunswick, Me., a charming lady socially, and a noted elocutionist. Of this mar- riage there has been born one child, a daughter, Helen Louise.

OHN M. DARNALL, is an honored resident of McLean County, and one of the oldest settlers of Mt. Hope Township. During his long residence in this locality, Mr. Darnall has built for himself a reputation as an honest man and a good citizen, and is a gentleman who has materially assisted in the development of this sec- tion of the Prairie State.

Mr. Darnall is a native of McLean County, and first opened his eyes to the light in 'Lawndale Township on the'30th of September, 1833. His father, Nieholas Darnall, was a native of Kentucky, and was born in Booneville, in about 1808. The parents of the latter were early settlers of the Blue Grass State, and their son Nicholas was but six years old when they died. He then went to live with a married sister, Mrs. John Henline, of Ken- tucky, and remained with her until he was old enough to learn the trade of a blacksmith. He was still serving his apprenticeship when, in 1828, his brother-in-law, Mr. Henline, came to Illinois, and Nicholas Darnall came with him. The journey was made overland, with six horscs and a wagon. Mr. Henline started with his family and the first day met with an accident, and was then obliged to employ his brother-in-law, the father of our sub- ject, to drive the teamn through. The western por-

tion of McLean was then a part of Tazewell Coun- ty, and Mr. Henline settled in Lawndale Township. Mr. D. lived with him until 1832, in the meantime having entered a claim, and made all the improve- ments he could upon the land. He then settled on his place, which he occupied for the following two years. Then, in the spring of 1834, he sold out, and moved into what is now Allin Township. In the meantime, having been married, with his wife he took up his abode with his father-in-law, witlı whom he lived until the following December. He had also purchased a tract of unimproved land of the latter, which was located on section 6 of what is now Mt. Hope Township. There he erected a log cabin, built a small shop, and carried on farm- ing and blacksmithing together. They lived in the log cabin until the winter of 1842-43, when Mr. Darnall built a frame house, which he occupied with his family until the close of his life, in April, 1848.

The father of our subject was united in marriage with Miss Sarepta Brooks, who was the daughter of Miles and Lucy Brooks, and was born in Hart County, Ky. Her parents removed to McLean County, Ill., at an carly period in the history of this section, and were among the first settlers of Brooks' Grove.

The household circle of the parents of our snb- ject, was completed by the birth of eight children, of whom five are still living, namely: John M., who is the subject of our sketch, was the eldest; William lives at Stanford, this county ; Henry is a resident of Mt. Hope Township; Rachel married Alfred Bozarth, of the same township; Elvira be- came the wife of B. N. Ewing, and lives in T'azc- well County, Ill.

The subject of our sketch, and the first born of his parents, entered life in the humble log cabin into which they removed soon after their marriage. He was but a little over a year old when they rc- moved from Lawndale to Mt. Hope Township, and has been a resident of the latter township since that . time. He is, in point of settlement, the oldest res- ident of the township, and is held in that peculiar veneration and respect which is tacitly accorded the old settlers, whose numbers are rapidly grow- ing less. He attended the subscription schools bc-

RESIDENCE OF DR. S . G . WOODMANCY, SEC. 17 MT. HOPE TP.

RESIDENCE OF JOHN M. DARNALL , SEC. 5. MT. HOPE TP.

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fore frec schools were instituted, and as soon as large enough began to assist his parents around the homestead. His father died when he was fourteen years of age, and being the eldest the care of the family devolved upon him. He remained at home until 1861, and then built a house on the farm which he now owns and occupies. He enlisted, May 2, 1864, in Co. D, 145th Ill. Vol. Inf., and was mustered in at Camp Butler, Springfield, with the rank of Corporal. The regiment was ordered to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, and thenee to Rolla, Mo., doing guard duty. Part of the regiment, with which was Mr. Darnall, was transferred to Alton, Ill., where they guarded prisoners at the old penitentiary. On the expiration of his hun- dred days' service he was mustered out at Camp Butler, returned to his home in this eounty, and continued his farming operations.

After his return from the service of his country, he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Zol- lers, the wedding taking place Jan. 3, 1865. Mrs. Darnall was born in Waynesville, De Witt County, and by her union with our subject became the mother of six ehildren, viz: Lee, Charlie and Clar- ence H., and three who died in infancy unnamed.

Mr. Darnall has been engaged in farming pur- suits during the greater part of his life, and has also given much attention to the breeding of fine stoek. He is now engaged to a considerable ex- tent in feeding and shipping the latter, and from his operations in this direction enjoys a fine income. .In 1882 he erected the present commodious family residenee, and but ten years prior had put up a large and convenient barn. The farm estate in- eludes 243 aeres, a part of which lies in Allin Township, and is all in a good state of cultivation. He has all the conveniences for carrying on agri- culture in a first-class manner, and in every respect is a straightforward business man, meeting his obli- gations promptly and doing by his neighbors as he would wish to be done by. In polities he is a Re- publiean and has been sinee the organization of the party. Prior to that time he was a Whig. For the last sixteen years he has served as a School Director.

A fine lithographie view of the splendid home- stead of Mr. Darnall is shown in this work.

R. SAMUEL G. WOODMANCY, an en- terprising and sueeessful farmer of Mt. Hope Township, owns and occupies a fine homestead on section 17, and is a splendid representative of the enterprising and intelligent farmer. The homestead presents one of the pret- tiest spots in the landscape of McLean County and is equipped in every respect with all the applianees for carrying on agriculture in a first-class manner, and is highly indicative of the abode of refinement and culture in no ordinary degrec. The proprietor of this fine farm estate may justly be proud of what his genius, his talents and industry have aecom- plished in this direction alone, and it is with pleas- ure that we embellish this volume with a view of it, with others of the fine residenees and farms for which McLean County is especially noted.

The subject of this biography is a native of New England, having been born in Warren, Rhode Isl- and, on the 22d of June, 1823. His father, George Woodmancy, was born in Swansea, Mass., March 17, 1782, his mother, May 30, 1784, and his grand- father, Reuben Woodmaney, is supposed to have been a native of England and of English aneestry. He was a fariner by occupation, eame to this could- try in early manhood, and spent the last years of his life in the town where his son, the father of our sub- ject, was born. His death took place June 13, 1797. The father, at the age of fourteen years, was appren- tieed to a shoemaker at Warren, R. I. It was stipu - lated that he should serve seven years. During this period times were hard and business dull and his employer allowed him to make two trips at sea. When he became twenty years of age he purchased his time and opened a shop for himself. He was a good workman, had plenty to do, and in the course of time was enabled to purehase a lot and build a house. He there followed his trade until one year before his death, which occurred April 10, 1852. In early manhood, Dee. 11, 1802, he was united in marriage with Miss Rebeeca Goff, a native of War- ren, R. I., and she departed this life Feb. 13, 1829. After the death of his first wife George Wood- mancy was the second time married, this time to Mrs. Martha (Ingraham) Goff. Their marriage took plaec July 28, 1829. By the first marriage there were born seven ehildren, five of whom grew to be-

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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 85

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