Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 87

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 87

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Young Emerson lived with his mother and step- father most of the time until his marriage, which took place in Clark County, Ky., July 21, 1840, the maiden of his choiee being Miss Elizabeth M. Bybee, a native of Clark County, Ky., her parents also being born in that State. Two years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Emerson removed to Mis- souri and located on a farm in Jackson County, on the old Santa Fe road, near Independenee. After three years they returned to Kentucky, where they remained until 1851, living in Clark County on a farm, and then, in company with three other families, eame to the Prairie State and all lo-

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eated near Bloomington City. All started out with little means and all have been prospered. The pres- ent home of our subjeet and his wife is the same upon which they located on first coming here. He is now the owner of 100 aeres of land which is un- derlaid with three veins of a good quality of coal. Mrs. Elizabeth Einerson died at the home of her husband in Bloomington Township, on the 4th of June, 1874. She was essentially a good woman in all that the term implies, and was held in the high- est esteem by her husband and a large eirele of ae- quaintanees. Of this marriage there were born two children, who lived only a short time.

Mr. Emerson was married the second time, at Gib- son City, Ill., to Miss Eliza D. McFarland, who was born and reared upon a farm in Stark County, Ohio. Her mother died when she was but two weeks old. She was, before her marriage, Miss Eliza Davis. The father, Abel MeFarland, departed this life when his daughter, Mrs. E., was only eleven years of age. A year afterward she went to Missouri with hier elder sister, Sarah, who was a teacher, and they lived at Paris, Monroe County, for two years. Then both went to Kentucky and located in Chris- tian County, where Mrs. Emerson grew to woman- hood and received a common-school education. In 1874 she came to Illinois and located in Ford County, where she was married to our subjeet Feb. 10, 1875. Of this union there were born six ehil- dren, of whom one, an infant. is deceased. The living are Minerva B., Clara, Gracie, Mary W. and F. M., all at home. The family are members in good standing of the Christian Church, and our subject, formerly a Democrat, is now an earnest supporter of the Prohibition party.

OHN PROTHERO. A large proportion of those who first ventured into the Western country, having the courage to stake their all on the untried prairie or in the virgin forest, were natives of another continent. They crossed many miles of ocean before reaching the land which they believed would, [by the exer- eise of well directed efforts, yield them a home, and in return for their tireless industry, a competeney.

Among these, who is also numbered with the hon- ored pioneers of 1838, is the subject of our sketch, a retired farmer now living in ease and comfort in the village of Saybrook. His birth took place in the southern part of Wales on the 4th of August, 1814.

When a lad of fourteen years, Mr. Prothero came to America with his parents, who settled in Canada. The only education he ever received was during the few years' schooling he had in his native eoun- try. He lived with his parents in the Dominion un- til 1838, then started Westward with his brother-in- law, Lawton Case, and a neighbor, Thomas Newland. After arriving in this State he worked at carpenter- ing which he had previously learned. He took up his abode in Cheney's Grove, and in 1842 was uni- ted in marriage with Miss Catharine Cheney. Mrs. Prothero was born May 30, 1825, and was the daughter of Jonathan and Katie (Owens) Cheney, both natives of Virginia and of Welsh deseent, and highly esteemed people. Of this marriage there were born five children, but the household was left desolate by the loss of all. They were born as follows: Elliott L., Aug. 25, 1848; Franeis M., Sept. 24, 1850; Margaret, Aug. 2, 1858; David A., March 17, 1861; Charlie A., May 30, 1863. Mrs. Catharine (Cheney) Prothero departed this life on the 9th of May, 1869. She was a highly es- teemed Christian lady and a devoted member of the United Brethren Church.

The second wife of our subjeet, to whom he was married on the 23d of March, 1871, was Miss Laura Case, who was born in Portage County, Ohio, in 1832, and came to Illinois in 1857. Mrs. P. is finely educated and taught school for several years in Ohio, and later, in this county, and also in Me- Donough County, and met with unqualified sue- eess, being admirably adapted by disposition and intellect for this calling. Mr. and Mrs. P. for some years after their marriage lived on the farm of our subjeet in Cheney's Grove Township, and thenee, in 1873, removed to Saybrook. Their home is supplied - with all the comforts and conveniences of modern life, and Mr. Prothero, surrounded by the friends which he has made by his honorable and upright course, is passing a happy and contented old age. He is a prominent member of the United Brethren

John Porthero

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Church, of which he has served as Steward and Trustec- for several years. He was Justice of the Peace in Cheney's Grove Township for cight years, in which office he served with remarkable 'success and good judgment, never having one of his decis- ions reversed by a higher court. Politically. he has been a Republican, but recently became greatly in- terested in the movements and success of the Pro- hibitionists, believing that the issues put forward by that party are paramount to all others in which the American people are now interested and with which they must deal. Besides his finely cultiva- ted farm of eighty acres in Cheney's Grove Town- ship, he has several improved lots within the limits of Saybrook, and a snug little sum at interest.

In the portrait of Mr. Prothero, as shown on another page, are delineated the features of a gen- tleman whom to know has invariably been to honor, and who, after reaching more than threescore years and ten, can look back upon a career in which there has been little to regret, and whose impulses and desires have enabled him to act upon the higher plane, illustrating fully the character of an honest man and a good citizen, performing well his part in life, and at its close will receive, and not alone from his fellow-citizens, the plaudit of "well done."

OHN M. STIPP. Supervisor of Arrowsmith Township, and whose portrait is given on an accompanying page, is one of the most enter- prising farmers of the county. His home- stcad is pleasantly located on section 19 of the township named. The father of our subject, Henry Stipp, was a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, where lie was born Nov. 2, 1808. While still a boy he removed with his parents, Jolin and Catherine Stipp, to Indiana, settling in Vigo County, twelve miles north of Terre Haute, which was then an embryo village. In that locality our subject was reared to manhood, receiving careful parental train- ing and a good education in the common schools. He was united in marriage with Miss Martha Medd- ley, who was born near Terre Haute. After mar- riage the young people went to housekeeping, and our subject continued his farm operations in con-

nection with lumbering on the river until 1852. They then crossed over into Illinois and became residents of this county, locating first upon a tract of land in Padua Township. Five years later Mr. Stipp disposed of his property there and purchased eighty acres on section 7, in Arrowsmith Township, which he improved and cultivated, adding to it as time progressed and his means accumulated. His first wife had died in Indiana in 1844, Icaving one son, John M., the subject of this history. Henry Stipp was subsequently married to Miss Cynthia Ann Meddley, a cousin of his former companion. The father died upon the homestead which he had established in Arrowsmith Township in about 1873. His widow is still living, residing on the old home- stead. Of the two marriages of Henry Stipp therc were born five sons and five daughters, seven of whom are now living.

The subject of this sketch was born in Vigo County, Ind., Nov. 3, 1842, and came to Illinois in 1852 with the family when a boy of ten years old. He has since that_time been a resident of this county. He was rcared to farming pursuits and his early education was necessarily quite limited, as the public schools of those early days were few and far between and not conducted in accordance with the splendid system of to-day. About the tiinc young Stipp was nineteen years of age the outbreak of the Rebellion necessitated a call for volunteers to assist in the preservation of the Union. With many others he cheerfully responded to the first call, and became a member of Co. K, 8th Ill. Vol. Inf., and was mustered in in April, 1861. This was the first company to leave Bloomington, and among the very first to rush to the defense of the flag that had but a few days before fallen from the ramports of Sumter. After serving his term of three months Mr. Stipp re-enlisted and was transferred to Co. A. 1st Ill. Vol. Cav. Their regiment was soon after- ward disbanded by general orders and our subject once more returned home, but not to stay. : There being no immediate prospect of a termination of the difficulties between the North and the South, he again proffered his services as a soldier and was mustered into service as a member of Co. F, 94th Ill. Vol. Inf., and served until July 22, 1865. This time it was no child's play and Mr. Stipp entered

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into active service, participating in all the battles and skirmishes of his regiment, including the siege and eapture of Vicksburg, and Yazoo City, Miss., the eapture of Brownsville and Ft. Morgan, Ala., in which he offierated as color-bearer. Amid the seenes of danger and death he escaped eompara- tivly unharmed, and was promoted Sergeant and after the war was commissioned Lieutenant by Gov. Oglesby, of Illinois. Gen. MeNulty in presenting him the commission wrote him a lengthy letter, enumerating many aets of bravery and mentioning his meritorious conduet upou the field upon all oe- easions.

His regiment, of which he was a prominent mem- ber, as the history of the late eivil strife will al- ways show, saw mueh hard and daugerous service. We eannot in this brief sketeh rehearse the daring deeds of its men-their loyal sacrifiees and heroie achievements-but all the experiences of war were · theirs. Could they be told they would speak of early reverses, sad disappointments, gloomy fore- bodings for the future, of siekness in eamp and hospital; fearful suspense; of midnight mnarehes, of deadly ambuseades, of labor in trenches and dreary and enforced idleness in camp; of escapes, of wounds, of imprisonment in foul dens, on the dead line, and of death-of all the horrors of fratrieidal war. But they would speak too of privations willingly endured, dangers voluntarily ineurred, eeaseless labor gladly undergone, risks gladly and daringly assumed, and death most ehivalrously en- countered; of dashing assaults, of well contested fields, of the enemy's retreat and of countless vie- tories. They would speak of disaster, but also of snecess; of doubt, but yet of undying hope; of transient defeats, but still of final and enduring vietory.

After receiving his honorable discharge from the army Mr. Stipp returned to this county and resumed his farming operations in Arrowsmith Township. In 1868 he sold out and went to Kansas, remaining there, however, only one season. He then returned to MeLean County and purchased eighty aeres of his present farm. To this he added from time to time until he is now the owner of 200 aeres, all finely improved and valuable. In 1885 he ereeted a commodious and handsome farm residence, which,

with its beautiful surroundings, forms one of the most attractive spots in the landscape of this see- tion. In addition to general agriculture he is quite extensively interested in stoek-raising and among. his herds are to be found some very fine animals.

The marriage of our subjeet occurred on the 4th of March, 1866, tlie lady of his choiee being Miss Ellen, daughter of James and Margaret Wirt. Mrs. S. was born in Highland County, Ohio, March 31, 1844. The result of this union has been five ehil- dren-Minnie, Florence, Clayborn H., J. W. and Nellie.

Mr. Stipp, politieally, is an earnest Republican, and is now serving his third term in his present of- fice, that of Supervisor. IIe is a gentlemen of sound judgment and good business qualifications, and is greatly respected by all who have the honor of his acquaintance. He is a member in good standing of the A. F. & A. M., being connected with Arrowsmith Lodge No. 737.

ICHOLAS MAURER, of Danvers Town- ship, has been a resident of this State sinee

V 1843, and two years later located in MeLean County, where he has continued to make his home uutil the present. His homestead is located on section 10, Danvers Township, where he is en- gaged in general farming, and living the life of an upright and eonseientious eitizen.

The subject of our sketeh was born near the River Rhiue, Germany, in 1822, and is the son of Nicholas and Mary (Korb) Maurer, natives of the same country, where they were reared and married in 1819. Nicholas Maurer, Sr., and his wife were the parents of four children-Christian, Catherine, Nicholas of our sketch, and Joseph. They were members of the Mennonite Church, and died about 1835. They were most worthy and excellent peo- ple, and greatly respected by all who knew them.

Mr. Maurer, of this history, remained with liis - parents until twenty-one years of age, and then set sail for the New World, landing in New Orleans, whenee he soon afterward went to Butler County, Ohio, where he engaged as a farm laborer for three aud one-half years. In 1843 he came to Woodford

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County, this State, and purchased 600 acres of land. After a two years' residenee in that county he re- moved to McLean County, and in 1863, was mar- ried to Miss Mary Kohler. Mr. Maurer had pre- viously married a Miss Bochler, by whom he had one child, Catharine. He became prosperous in his business and farming transactions, and added 240 aeres to his first purchase, so that he now has a large body of fincly improved land under a good state of cultivation. The family residence is a substantial and convenient structure, and the farm is supplied with a good barn and all necessary out- buildings. -

Our subject and his wife are members of the Mennonite Church. The family of our subjeet in- cluded six children-Catharine, Samuel, Joseph and Lydia; Johnnie and Mary, two of these, died in infaney.

Mr. Maurer is the possessor of 320 acres of fine land in McLean County, and in politics he is inde- pendent. A view of Mr. Maurer's residence and surroundings is given on another page of this work.

AMES S. COON, a pioneer of the Prairie State, has been a resident of Gridley Town- ship over forty-five years. He was born near Crawfordsville, Ind., March 21, 1825, being the son of Adam and Eleanor (Diekason) Coon, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia re- speetively. They removed in early youth to Ohio, where they were married, in Fayette County, in about 1811. Subsequently they came to Indiana, settling near what is now Crawfordsville, Mont- gomery County, where they lived until July, 1837, then coming to this State and county, settled first near Towanda, whence they afterward removed to Money Creek Township, and in the spring of 1841 to Gridley Township. Here they spent the re- mainder of their lives. Of their nine children. seven lived to mature years, these being Isaiah, Jonathan, Ruth, Michael, James S., Nancy J. and Margarct. Elbert and Henry died when quite young.

James S. Coon was but twelve years old when he came to this eounty. He remained under the -

home roof until he was twenty-five years of age, when he was married, and settled in Gridley Town- ship and engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he has followed all his life. His farm consists of 180 acres of improved land, upon which he has erected a good set of frame buildings and has all the ap- pliances of a progressive modern farmer.

He was inarried in Gridley Township, Feb. 14, 1850, to Miss Maria, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Wilcox) Young, who were natives of Ohio. They were reared and married in that State, and settled first in Fayette County, whence they removed to this State in the fall of 1832, and took up their abode in Money Creek Township, this county, where they passed the remainder of their lives. The father died in 1833. The mother afterward married Jolın Thomas, by whom she had four chil- dren. Her death occurred in about 1847. Of her first marriage there were born three children. Mrs. Coon was born in Fayette County, Ohio, May 22, 1831.

Our subjeet and his wife became the parcuts of three children : Ambrose W. married Miss Cath- erine Sheppard, and they had four children, only one of whom survives, a daughter, Della M., and the wife died iu Gridley Township, June 7, 1884; Sarah E. is the wife of Wesley Lowery, and resides in Colorado, and she has four children-Isaae I .. Mary M., Carrie E. and Ambrose W .; Frank died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. C. are devoted members of the Church of Christ.

Mr. and Mrs. Coon are known all over this see- tion of the country as "Uncle Jim" and "Aunt Maria." Mrs. C. is a very cxpert carpet-weaver, in which she has been oeeupied for many years, and during that time has rolled up 1,000 yards a year, which present as handsome workmanship as is ordinarily found. Mr. Coon, during his earlier years was very fond of hunting, and in company with his brother, Michael, slaughtered seores of deer, wolves and various other kinds of game. They caught, one winter, eighteen wolves in steel traps, but finally abandoned the trap and pursued the wily rascals with greyhounds, after the country became so thickly settled that the game was nearly all captured or driven away. Being among the early settlers of the Prairie Statc, they

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were obliged to endure much privation and ineon- venience, but they possessed that brave and cour- ageons spirit for which the pioneers have ever been distinguished, and were ready for any emergency that might arise. For some years they were far from either market or mill, and even when the roads were good it took one week to make the trip to Chicago. Our subject and his wife have watched with unabated interest the progress and prosperity of this great Commonwealth, and have contributed their full share toward the industrial and agricult- ural interests of MeLean County.

In polities our subject is a stanch Republican, and uniformly easts his vote in support of the prin- ciples of his party.

W HI. BOIES, deceased, one of the most prominent and influential eitizens of Grid- ley, was largely engaged as a grain and stock dealer, and by his enterprise and activity, for many years assisted greatly in the prosperity of the business interests of this section. Mr. Boies was a native of Livingston County, N. Y., born in the town of Moscow, Jan. 22, 1833. He was the son of James C. and Caroline (Severenee) Boies, na- tives respectively of Canada and Vermont. After marriage the parents of our subject settled in Liv- ingston County, N. Y., and therc the mother died, in about 1835. James Boise then eamc to Illinois and made his home in Gridley, this county, until his death, which occurred in January, 1886, There were only two children-Wilber H. and George. The latter was formerly a conductor on the T. P. & W. R. R. for twenty-one years, but is now en- gaged in the real-estate business in Kansas City.

W. H. Boise received a good common-school education and remained a resident of his native county until 1856, five years of that time being employed as elerk in a store. In the year named, he came to Illinois, and made his home in El Paso for about six years, where he was engaged in the purchase and sale of grain. From there he went to Watseka, where he was connected with the freight office for a short time, and in the spring of 1862 came to Gridley and took charge of the station of

the T. P. & W. R. R. as their agent, a position which he occupied fourteen years; in the meantime lie was also engaged in the buying and shipping of grain. After retiring from the employ of this road he devoted his entire attention to his grain and stock operations, to which he added that of farm- ing. Ile purchased a tract of land which he suceess- fully operated, and at the time of his death was the owner of 400 acres in Gridley Township. The clevator there, which has a capacity of about 30,000 bushels, was projected and built by him, in addition to a warehouse with a capacity of 80,000.

Wilber H. Boise was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Taylor, in Perry, Wyoming Co., N. Y., Nov. 18, 1857. Mrs. B: was born in Wyoming County, Sept. 12, 1837, and by her union with our subject became the mother of four children- George V., Nettie W., Charles C. and Wilber H., Jr.

In 1884, Mr. Boisc, who had been in partnership with R. Beesc, purchased the interest of his partner and afterward carried on his business alone. He was a member of the Republican party, greatly in- terested in the success of the temperance move- ment, and served as a member of the Village Board for several ycars. Socially he was connected with' El Paso Lodge, No. 246, A. F. & A. M., also be- longed to Cœur de Leon Commandery at El Paso, and the Royal Areh Chapter.

C W. LANDER, proprietor of the livery and sale stables at Nos. 203, 205 and 207 North street, Bloomington, is a native of Ken- tucky and was born April 4, 1828. He is the son of Samuel and Sallie (Haggard) Lander, natives of the same State as their son. The father of our subject in 1835 came to Illinois with his family, and entered a tract of Government land in Bloom- ington Township. He subsequently purchased two improved farms, and at one time was the owner of 2,000 aeres in this eounty. He afterward dis- posed of the most of his property in this State, and went to Denison, Tex., where he now lives retired from active labor; the mother died in Bloomington in 1844. Their four children were John D., of Kansas; C. W. of our sketeh; Richard

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MCLEAN COUNTY.

M., of Bloomington, and Mrs. Z. A. York, of this county. Samuel Lander was a prominent man in the community in which he lived, Democratic in politics, and a member of the Constitutional Con- vention which met at Springfield in 1846. He was connected with the Baptist Church for a period of fifty-five years, fifty years of this time 'serving as Deacon. He became interested in city property, was the stanch and liberal supporter of school aud church institutions, and actively interested in all matters pertaining to the moral and intellectual welfare of his county and State.

The subject of this history was rcared on his fa- ther's farm and received a practical education. After leaving home he came to Bloomington and engaged in teaming, also in buying and selling horses until 1857. He then became proprietor of an omnibus line, which he continued to operate un- til the breaking out of the war. Enlisting in Co. E, 94th Ill. Vol. Inf., he served two months as Regi- mental Wagon-master, when he was detailed as Di- vision Wagon-master and remained in this depart- ment of the service until March, 1864. Subse- quently he was appointed Quartermaster Agent and had full control of the teams of ten regiments. He went from Missouri to Vicksburg, then down the river to Morgan's Bend; from there to New Or- leans, thence to Brownsville, Tex., and then re- turning to Louisiana soil halted at Baton Rouge. After being mustered out at Brownsville, in 1864, be returned to Bloomington, and in 1865 engaged in the wood and coal business until the spring of 1866. He was then elected City Marshal and after serving twenty months resigned and resumed the wood and coal business, following this for three ycars thereafter, and also running a dray line un- til 1872. He then established his present business, which he has successfully followed since. His stock comprises from fifteen to twenty fine horses and some of the most tasteful turnouts iu the city. A ripe experience has rendered him an expert in the business, and his courteous and obligiug man- ner has gained him hosts of friends.

Mr. Lander was married on the 31st of Decem- ber, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Wallace, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Adolph) Wallace, of Philadelphia, Pa,, and they became the parcuts of

two children; Frank, who has been engaged in the livery business at Normal since 1884, and Ida, at homc. Mrs. Lander departed this life on the 9th of Jannary, 1862, at her husband's home in Bloon- ington. She was a lady greatly esteemed by all who knew her, and a consistent member of the First Baptist Church.

The present wife of our subject. is Miss Letitia Garrittson, to whom he was married Nov. 19, 1884. Mrs. Lander was born in Indiana but reared in 'Bloomington, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of one child-Louise. Mr. Lander is held in that peculiar respect which is tacitly accorded the early pioneers, who by their industry and perseverance paved the way for a later and more perfect civilization. He has ma- terially assisted in the development and growth of this locality by contributing his full share to its business interests, and of his means to whatever had for its object the advancement and prosperity of his community. He is a man of sound judgment and one whose opinions are uniformly respected. Politically he is a stanch adherent of the Repub- lican party, has been an Odd Fellow for the last thirty-five years and is a member in good standing of the G. A. R.

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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 87

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