Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 89

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 89

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Mr. and Mrs. H. are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, with all their children, attend services at Olivet Chapel. Mr. H. is Superintendent of the Sunday-sehool and has been a cheerful and liberal supporter of the So- eiety. He is Republican in politics, served as Sehool Director twelve years, and has been Road Commissioner of the township sinee 1885.

$ AMUEL Y. EWING, an energetic and en- terprising farmer of Mt. Hope Township, is the son of Nathaniel Ewing, of Butler County, Ky., and was born in the same county 'as his father, Aug. 25, 1845. His grand- father, James Ewing, was a native of Virginia, who emigrated to Kentucky, becoming a pioneer settler of the State. He purchased a traet of timber land in what is now known as Butler County, cleared a farm from the wilderness, and remained upon it the balance of his life. Here his son Nathaniel, the father of our subjeet, was reared to manhood, and was married to Miss Nancy Young, of Logan County. Nathaniel Ewing was possessed of excel- lent abilities, and had acquired a good education, mainly through his own efforts and love of learning. He became a civil engineer, and learned the art of sur- veying from his brother, who surveyed the greater part of Arkansas for the Government. Nathaniel Ewing beeame, an extensive landholder in Logan and Butler Counties, and after the death of his father purchased the old homestead, which he occupied until 1853, and then sold it in order to come to Me- Lean County, Ill. His household eirele now com- prised his wife and seven children, and they made the journey to the Prairie State overland with horses and wagons, the household goods being shipped via the rivers to Pekin. Previous to their final removal Mr. Ewing had visited the State of Illinois and entered 120 acres of land on section 17, of Mt. Hope Township. The family arrived in

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May and established themselves in the household of J. H. Young until Mr. Ewing eould huild a house on his land. For this he was obliged to haul lumher from Pekin. Upon the completion of the dwelling they moved into it and made themselves as comfortable as possible, and in due time a straw shed was added. Mr. Ewing afterward purchased eighty aeres more, and at the time of his death, in January, 1876, had brought the whole to a good state of cultivation. His widow is still living upon the homestead which her husband had provided for his family.

The seven children who constituted the parental houschold of our subject are recorded as follows: John, now deceased, served as a soldier of the Union in the 145th Illinois Infantry, and died in the service at Rolla, Mo .; William W., after serv- ing through the war in the 2d Illinois Cavalry, he- eame a resident of Mt. Hope Township; Samuel Y., our subject, was next in order of birth; Bev- erly N. lives in Tazewell County; Janc became the wife of James Palmer, a farmer of Mt. Hope Township; Mary married Walter Trott, of Lineoln, Neb .; Lizzie, Mrs. Calvin W. Crain, is a resident of Saline County, Neb.

Samuel Y. Ewing was a lad of eight years when his parents became residents of McLean County. He attended sehool during his youthful days, and assisted his parents in the lighter duties around the homestead. He also continued to reside under the parental roof until his marriage with Miss Cathar- ine E. Wright, which oceurred Sept. 1, 1875. Mrs. Ewing is a native of Addison County, Vt., and the daughter of William F. and Eleeta (Whitwood) Wright, natives of Vermont and Massachusetts re- spectively. Her father was horn in Addison County, Vt., in January, 1817, and was the son of Moses Wright, of the same county. He was reared in his native county, received his primary educa- tion in the district sehools, and later attended Mid- dlebury Academy. After his marriage he located on his father's homestead, and lived there until 1856, when he removed to Berlin, Wis., and after a residence there of one year, returned south to Illinois, and purchased a farm in Mt. Hope Town- ship, MeLean County, on seetion 20. He here cn- gaged in farming pursuits, and heing a gentleman

of good education, also engaged suceessfully in teaching school. This latter he followed for inany years, and departed this life in April, 1886. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Ewing, had preceded him hut a few months to the better land, her death oc- curring in Deeember, 1884.

Mr. and Mrs. Ewing have heeome the parents of two children-Katie S. and Nathaniel P. They oeeupy one of the finest homesteads in McLcan County, and Mr. Ewing is one of the largest landed proprietors of this section of the Prairie State, his possessions aggregating ahout 1,000 acres, all of which is improved and under a good state of culti- vation. He is widely and favorably known as a man of rare business talent, straightforward and upright in his transactions, and is one of the most valued citizens of the Prairie State. The home of Mr. Ewing is shown on another page of this work.

W ILLIAM R. FARR, the son of Reason S. and Elizabeth (Broadwater) Farr, is a highly respected resident of Gridley Town- ship, where he settled on section 25, in 1881. He has heen a resident of this eounty sinee a youth of seventeen years, and during a period of over a quarter of a century has proved himself a valuable member of the community, always interested in its welfare and progress.

The parents of our subject werc hoth natives of Fairfax County, Va., where they were rcared, mar- ried and lived until 1856. They then emigrated to Missouri, and remained in that State until near the elosc of the late war. Recrossing the Missis- sippi and coming into Illinois they located in Che- noa Township, this county, where the mother died Jan. 18, 1871. The father departed this life Junc 9, 1887, in MeLean, Ill. He was a farmer by oc- eupation. The six children of the parental family were all hoys, the subject of our sketeh being the third in order of birth.

William B. Farr was horn in West Virginia, while his parents were on a visit to that State, Jan. 23, 1844. He left home when about eleven years old, and two years later went to California, and worked in the mines aud at whatever else he could

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find to do. He remained on the Pacific slope until he was past seventeen years old, then came East as far as Illinois, and commenced working out by the month in this county. He was thns occupied two years, and then engaged in farming for himself. With the exception of one ycar spent in Living- ston County, Ill., he has been a resident of this county since that time.

When Mr. Farr came to this county he was com- paratively withont funds and almost a total stran- ger. He was possessed, however, of willing hands and a good stock of resolution, and his present beautiful homestead of 280 acres gives ample evi- dence of the courage and industry with which he has labored and saved.

Hc was married early in life in this county to Miss Martha E. Gallchiugh, who was born in Madi- son County, Va., Jan. 31, 1845. Their wedding took place in 1864. Her parents died when she was quite young, and bnt little is known concern- ing them. Of her union with our subject there have been born seven children, of whom Elizabeth and Richard arc deceased. Those surviving are John W., Catharine, Jessie M., Narrissa D. and Albert R. The faithful and affectionate wife and devoted mother departed this life in Gridley Town- ship, Nov. 8, 1886. She was a lady of many wor- thy and amiable qualities and was greatly beloved by her family and a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances.

Mr. Farr, since becoming a resident of this coun- ty, lias taken a genuine interest in watching its growth and prosperity, and has in no small degree contributed to the success of its agricultural and industrial interests. He was elccted Highway Commissioner in the spring of 1885, and politically is a stanchi supporter of Democratic principles.

W ALTER H. SIEBERNS is Postmaster at Gridley, and senior member of the firm of Sieberns & Brickner of that place, and in addition to his official duties is, with his partner, carrying on a good trade in general merchandise. The subject of this history is a descendant of sub- stantial German ancestry, being the son of Henry E.

and Caroline (Niergarth) Sicberns, who were born in Germany and emigrated to America in 1854. They located in Canada, whence, after a residence of seven years, they came westward to Illinois, set- tling in Woodford County. There the father en- gaged in mercantile pursuits until 1863, when he came to Gridley and engaged in trade until 1873. He then removed to Peoria, continuing however, his business in Gridley until the fall of 1884, when he disposed of his business to his son and son-in-law and is now living retired from active labor. The nine children included in the parental family were named as follows; Etta and Anna (twins), Mary R., Walter H., Minnie C., John R., Otto, Carl and Lizzie.

Walter H. Sicberns was born in Woodford County, this State, Aug. 19, 1862. He received a common-school education and assisted in his fa- ther's store until the fall of 1884, when, in com- pany with George W. Brickner, he succeeded his father in the business at Gridley, where he has since continued. Mr. Sieberns was appointed Post- master in December, 1885.

The marriage of our subject occurred in Grove- land, Ill., Sept. 7, 1886, the lady of his choice be- ing Miss Carrie Freidenger, who was born in Groveland, July 3, 1862, being the danghter of John and Mary (Sandmeyer) Freidenger. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members in good standing of the Con- gregational Church and politically our subject is strongly Democratic.

OHN BODGER, who is a highly respected member of a family well known throughout this section, and who is now a resident of Gridley Township, was born in Lincolnshire, England, July 1, 1842. His parents were John and Hannah (Ratliffc) Bodger. For parental his- tory see sketch of George Bodger on another page. Our subject came to America with his parents when a lad nine years of age, and received a good com- mon-school education, in the meantime being rcared to farming pursuits and instilled in those principles which have made of him an honest man and a good citizen.

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McLEAN COUNTY.

With the exception of eight years spent in Wood- ford County, Mr. Bodger has been a resident of Gridley Township since the spring of 1855. He is the owner of 163 acres of fine farming land upon .which he has placed good improvements, ineluding a substantial set of farin buildings and all the nec- essaries required by a first-elass agrieulturist.

After Mr. Bodger had acquired a good start in life and felt that the measure was justifiable and right, he took unto himself a companion and help- meet in the person of Miss Sarah J. Wright, to whom he was married in Bloomington, Ill., Nov. 17, 1864. Mrs. B. is the daughter of William and Martha (Boldridge) Wright, natives of Ohio, whence they removed to this eounty in about 1846, after a residence in Indiana of several years. . They first settled in White Oak Township, where they re- mained until 1865, and after that removed to Chatsworth, Ill., where they passed the remainder of their days, the mother dying Aug. 20, 1884, and the father Sept. 10, 1886. Their nine ehildren in- elnded four sons and five daughters, of whom Mrs. B. was the fifth ehild. She was born in Clinton County, Ind., Feb. 13, 1843, and has beeome thie mother of five children, of whom Mary L. and Spencer are deceased. Those surviving are France V., Raymond W. and Alice F.

Mr. Bodger, politieally, is connected with the Democratie party, and socially is a member of El Paso Lodge No. 246, A. F. & A. M.

C HRISTIAN J. W. McNEMAR is one of the foremost farmers of Money Creek Town- ship, and thoroughly understands the voea- tion which he follows. He has a fine farm on see- tion 4, and is meeting with far more than ordinary suceess in the prosecution of his calling. Mr. Mc- Nemar is a son of Elias and Catherine (Hilkey) McNemar, the former a native of Grant County, W. Va., of Irish-English ancestry and the latter of German deseent. After their marriage they settled in Grant County, W. Va., where the father was engaged in farming and various other occupations and where they lived until their death. He was born in 1800, and died in 1851, and she was born

about 1803, and died in 1857. They had eight children, named, Barbara, Amelia, Martha, Joseph W., Lorena, Christian J. W., William B. F. and Jaeob P. R.

Mr. McNemar of this notice was born in Grant County, W. Va., May 12, 1836, and was reared to inanhood in his native county, engaged the while in labor on the farm. The free school system was not at that time in vogue in liis State, and consequently his sehool privileges were limited. Hc nevertheless is not devoid of education, having during the years of his life improved opportunities he had, and has added to his fund of knowledge obtained from books, that of a practical education. In the fall of 1857 he came to this eounty, reaching Lexington October 4 of that year. Hc has been a resident of MeLean County since that time and during these thirty years has devoted his time exelusively to agricultural pursuits. When he first came to the county he worked out by the month and continued to labor in that way during 1858-59-60. He then rented land in Chenoa Township, which he worked for one year and then worked for his father-in-law three years. After this he bought eighty aeres of section 22, Gridley Township, on which he lived until the spring of 1869, when he sold his farm and going to Money Creek Township, bought the old homestead formerly owned by his father-in-law. Mr. McNemar is now the owner of 338 acres, all of which is improved.

Our subjeet was married in Money Creek Town- ship, Sept. 12, 1861, to Miss Mary E. Pirtle, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (McNaught) Pirtle. The father was born in Kentucky and the mother in Indiana. After their marriage they lived in Indiana until 1849. In the spring of that year they came to McLean County and taking up their residence in Money Creek Township, lived there un- til their death. His demisc took place Dec. 14, 1865, and hers Jan. 25, 1885. They had seven children- Ezra, Harriett, John, James, Sarah, Mary E. and Thomas. Mary E., wife of our subject. was born in Owen County, Ind., Jan. 30, 1845, and was but four years of age when her parents came to this county. By her union with our subjeet ten chil- dren have been born-Osceola, Estella, Harriett A., Ida E. married Orin Simpson, Feb. 17, 1887, and

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they live in Woodford County, Ill. ; Noah B., John T., Eva ()., Christian E., James A. and Cleveland. Estella is the wife of Anderson Patton and they live in Gridley Township; John T. died when four years old. Mr. McNemar has held the office of Township Assessor for one term and in politics is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

W ILLIAM BALLINGER. The farming com- munity of Chenoa Township entertains a high respect for the firm of Brum and Bal- linger, who are carrying on a successful business as dealers in agricultural implements and seeds, and wlio from their courteous treatment of their custo- mers, and their straightforward business transac- tions, have fully established themselves in the, con- fidence of their fellow-citizens. The business was establisbed in 1883, and their operations extend throughout this and adjoining counties. Mr. B. was born in Springboro, Warren Co., Obio, Sept. 22, 1835. His father, Jacob Ballinger, was a na- tive of New Jersey, and carried on the trade of a carriage manufacturer during the latter years of his life, in Springboro, Ohio, where he died in about 1836. He was married in early manhood to Miss Elizabeth Kestler, also a native of New Jersey, and the young people soon afterward moved from their native State to Ohio. They became the parents of four children, of whom our subject was the young- est.

William Ballinger spent his childhood and youth upon the farm, and received the advantages of a common-school education in his native town. In March, 1853, he started for Illinois, and made his first location in this State on a farm in Peoria County. When twenty years of age, in 1855, be was married to Miss Maria Runyan, of Peoria County, Ill., and the daughter of Conrad Runyan, Esq. In March, 1859, Mr. Ballinger came to this county and settled on a farm in Chenoa Township, about four miles west of the village. He made sev- cral removals afterward, locating each time in the vicinity of Chenoa. The farm which he now owns is situated on sections 4 and 9, and contains 460 acres,

under a good state of cultivation, and comprising some of the most valuable land in this section. His farm experiences enabled him to determine what was most needed by the progressive agriculturist, and in 1883 he opened up his prescut establish- mennt, while for some time afterward he still op- erated the farm. In 1887 he rented the latter, and is now turning his entire attention to his mercan- tile business. The firm carries a full line of every- thing pertaining to the farm, including wagons, buggies and carriages.

Mr. and Mrs. Ballinger are the parents of scveu children, five sons and two daughters, namely : Charles W., Elizabeth C., Edward J., Perry W., George H., Minnie M. and Orville D. Since com- ing to this locality Mr. Ballinger has thoroughly . identified himself with its moral and educational" interests, and has served eighteen ycars as School Director, and is now Road Commissioner. His carcer has been a striking illustration of what may be accomplished by steady perseverance and in- dustry. When he first made his advent into Peo- ria County his carthly possessions consisted of an old rifle and thirty-seven cents in money. He has been content to labor and wait, and is now enjoying the rich reward of his carly toil and forced economy. He is descended from substantial German ancestry, and has inherited from bis forefathers their sturdy resolution and the spirit that knows no such word as fail. In politics he is a stanch Republican.

E BENEZER D. CHURCHILL. The firm of Churchill & Sons, of whom the subject of this history is the senior member, was estab- lislied in Chenoa in 1866, and is widely and favora- bly known throughout this county for its straight- forward business methods and its importance as a representative of the business interests of McLean County. Mr. Churchill was born in Sherburne, Clienango Co., N. Y., Feb. 11, 1822. His father, Ebenezer D. Churchill, Sr., was a native of Salis- bury, Conn., where he carried on mercantile pur- suits the greater part of his life. He died, however, while comparatively a young man, when our sub-

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jeet was but six weeks old. The mother, who be- fore her marriage was Miss Sabrina Tupper, was also a native of Connecticut and of Irish ancestry. The Churchills were pure English blood, and the first representatives of the family in this country set- tled in New England in the colonial days. The parents of our subjeet soon after their marriage re- moved to New York State, where the father died. The mother subsequently removed from Sherburne to Fulton, N. Y., where she passed the remainder of her days. After the death of Mr. Churchill she was married to William Fineh.

Ebenezer D. Churchill, Jr., was the only ehild of the first marriage. He was reared comparatively among strangers, being thrown upon his own're- sourees shortly after the death of his father. He was a bright boy, however, and managed to obtain a fair education. When eighteen years of age he learned the glover's trade, which he followed several years in New York. He subsequently went to Canada and engaged in the purchase and sale of lumber, and while in the Dominion was united in marriage with Miss Hannah L. Atkins, of Buffalo, N. Y. Soon afterward the young couple removed to Madison, Wis., where they lived five years. He then built a flouring-mill at Westport, Wis., where he operated until the spring of 1866, thence re- moved to Chenoa, this State, and after engaging in the lumber business several years established his present trade in grain, which he has followed sinee that time. He built one elevator and purchased another, the former on the line of the T. P. & W. R. R., and the other on the C. & A. R. R. He also has a good elevator in the town of Meadows, four miles west of Chenoa, this county. The firm is thus possessed of the best of shipping facilities. Chenoa at one time was one of the best shipping points on the road and the efforts of Mr. Churchill contributed largely to its reputation in this diree- tion. His two sons, Charles and Delos, are engaged in the Chenoa office with their father.

Our subjeet and his wife became the parents of four children-Anna E., Charles F., E. D. and Frank L. Mr. Churchill has served as Alderman, and in other respects has been prominently identi- fied with the interests of the thriving little town. As one of the pioneers of its business interests he

is widely and favorably known and appreciated at his true worth.

Charles F. Churchill, the eldest son of Ebenezer D. and Hannah L. Churchill, was born in Vienna, Canada West, Nov. 29, 1852. His education, be- gun in the common school, was continued at Nor- mal University, Bloomington, Ill., where he applied himself elosely to his studies for one year. He then attended Monmouth College, in Warren County, this State, two years, following which he became associated with his father in the lumber trade at Chenoa. He is a young man of mueh energy and ambition, and has served two years as City Clerk of Chenoa. He was Supervisor of the township from 1881 to 1883. He was married on the 19th of October, 1876, to Miss Lora, daughter of Dr. C. S. Elder, of Chenoa. Of this union there were born four children-Lena, Hattie J., Guy F. and Edgar D. The latter died in infancy. Mr. Churchill is a member of the Masonie fraternity and belongs to Lodge No. 292, also Chenoa Chapter No. 143. In polities he is a Democrat.

R ICHARD ROWELL, deceased, formerly an honored resident of Dale Township, took possession of his homestead there in the spring of 1853. He became a resident of the Prairie State fifteen years previously, and with his brother, B. F. Rówell, commeneed farming out on the prairie at the head branch of Rock Creek, a mile and one-half from the timber. The elimate in winter at that time was very severe and these courageous and determined men went by the name of the "fool Yankees." They lived thus until 1848, at first with unentered land on both sides of them, and even in 1850 a portion of it had not yet been laid elaim to. Three years later Mr. Rowell sold out his interest in this land, erossed the Mis- sissippi, and began investigating the eastern portion of Iowa. Notwithstanding he had a pleasant jour- ney and enjoyed it very much, he saw no land equal to that in MeLean County, so he returned and purchased of Samuel Barker, of Twin Grove, the land which constituted his permanent homestead

Puchal Rowelle

Caleb Johnson

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McLEAN COUNTY.

and which he occupied from that time until his de- ceasc.

The subject of this history was born May 20, 1814, in Littleton, Grafton Co., N. H., and was the son of Jonathan and Sarah (Hoskin) Rowell, who were botlı of Puritan stock. His grandfather, Dan- iel Rowell, was a soldier of the Revolution and present in the series of battles which terminated in the surrender of Gen. Burgoync. Richard Rowell lived until twenty-two years old among the hills of his native county within sight of Mt. Washing- ton. The schools in that vicinity afforded facilities for a good education, which young Rowell was per- mitted to obtain and which he supplementcd by at- tendance at a grammar school in Concord, Vt. When eightcen years old he engaged as a teacher. In May, 1836, after reaching liis majority, hc de- termined to visit the western country and if possi- ble cngage as a teacher there. He had no friends or acquaintances in the region which he purposed visiting, but his stock of resolution and enterprise served him in good stead and he started out with hope and courage. The method of traveling was by stage, horse railroad and canal, by steam and on foot, and the route was very nearly that now traverscd by the Michigan Central Railroad. At Ann Arbor there was then no prospect of a village. and the great University which has now made it famous probably liad not been thought of. After rcaching Chicago Mr. Rowell engaged as a carpen- ter. The Pottawattomies were then receiving their last annuity aud about 2,000 were collected in the city. They soon left, however, and never returned.

In October of the same year, young Rowell started out again, proceeding to La Salle by stage. The " stage " was a wagon which the passengers were often obliged to get out of 'and lift from the mud. There were no houses where the thriving city of La Salle now stands unless there might have bcen a few concealed by the bank of the river.' After leaving the stage he embarked on the steamcr "Frontier," which was fully in keeping with the other methods of transportation in those days. After reaching Peoria and finding little prospect for employment as a teacher, he crossed the Illinois, and reaching Stout's Grove, was engaged to teach the school in that locality for the winter following.

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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 89

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