Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 91

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 91

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).

In the spring of 1869 Mr. Breese came to this county and settled in Gridley, having the fall pre- vious formed a partnership with W. H. Boise, for the purpose of dealing in grain and live stock. They operated together until the spring of 1884,

under the style of Boise & Breese. Our subjeet then disposed of his interest in the business and having accumulated a fine property has since that time retired from active labor. He is the owner of 360 aeres of land in Livingston County which is fiuely improved, and 240 aeres in Gridley Town- ship, this county. He also has a pleasant family residenee in the town of Gridley.

Mr. Breese was married in England in 1846, to Miss Mary Miller, who was also a native of Cam- bridgeshire. Of this union there were born two children-Eliza and Richard. The latter died in infaney. Eliza became the wife of Christian Neu- hauser, residing in Gridley, and the mother of eleven children, and departed this life April 14, 1879. Her surviving children were Sarah, Katie, Luey L., Minerva, Williametta and Mary A .; five- are deceased. The first wife of our subjeet died in England in the fall of 1849, and he was again united in marriage in his native county, to Mrs. Sarah (Flanders) Harvey, daughter of James and Catherine (Gunton) Flanders, who were natives of Huntingdonshire, England, where they spent their lives. Her first husband was Richardson Harvey, who died in 1851. Of the parents' marriage there were born thirteen children, seven daughters and six sons, of whom Mrs. B. was the eldest but one. Her birth occurred in Huntingdonshire, Oet. 30, 1829. Of the present marriage of our subjeet there have been no children. Mrs. Breese is a member in good standing of the Congregational Church, and politically Mr. B. is a staneh Repub- liean. He has been School Director, Township Trustee and a member of the Village Board.

HOMAS FREED. The history of the sub- jeet of this sketeh, who is one of the promni- nent and prosperous farmers of Gridley Township, may be briefly summed as follows: He is the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Fleming) Freed, being the sixth of a family of eight children. Thomas Freed was born in Fayette County, Pa., July 11, 1825, and was reared on his father's farm in his native county, remaining under the parental

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roof until seventeen years of age. Ile then started out for himself, working by the month on a farm for one year, and was then apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade. He served three years at this, but preferring farming, direeted his attention aft- erward principally to agricultural pursuits,

In August, 1853, Mr. Freed of this notice left his native State, and coming to McLean County, Ill., looked over the land, but finally located in Adams County, where he remained until the fol- lowing spring. He then returned to this section, and was employed by the month for two years fol- lowing, on a farm near Bloomington. In the spring of 1856 he located in Gridley Township, which has since been his honc.

Mr. Freed, beginning life at the foot of ladder, has proved a fair illustration of what may be ae- complished by perseverance and industry. He eame here with nothing but his strong hands and will- ing disposition to labor, but is now the owner of 160 aeres of valuable land, which constitutes one of the finest homesteads in his township. He has a handsome and substantial farm residenee, a good barn, and all other necessary convenienees for the storing of grain and the shelter of stoek. He has been upright in his business transactions, prompt to meet his obligations, and in all respects has distin- guished himself as a valuable member of the com- munity.

The marriage of our subjeet took place in Grid- ley Township on the 6th of May, 1858, when he was united with Miss Mary E., the daughter of William and Susannah (Blake) Niehols, who were natives respectively of Kentucky and Ohio. After marriage Miss Niehols' parents came to Illinois and located in this county, which remained their home the balance of their lives. The father was acci- dentally killed at a house-raising in Selma, Lexing- ton Township, and the mother died upon the home- stead, in 1849. Mrs. Freed was the elder of their two children. She was born in Lexington Town- ship, this county, Nov. 17, 1839, and by her union with our subject there have been born eight chil- dren : Sarah E., now the wife of Frank Stoufer, and a resident of Gridley Township; William A., Hoke, L. D., Frank II., George W., Leander C., Luta A. and John E. William A. married Miss

Emma F. Phinney, and resides in Gridley Town- ship.

Mr. Frced, who is a Democrat in politics, has never been an office seeker, but by the persuasion of friends has served the people of his township in minor official positions, which he has filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to all eoneerned. Both our subject and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the support of which they have contributed as they eould of their means.

W ILLIAM LINDEN, a substantial German farmer of Cheuoa Township, first opened his eyes to the light in the little Kingdom of Prussia, on the 16th of March, 1834. IIe is the son of John M. and Agnes Linden, who lived in a modest way upon a small farm, spending their entire lives in their native country. Our subject was plaecd in sehool at an early age, where he re- mained until thirteen years old and then went to work on a farm and was thus occupied until his twenty-second year. IIe then decided to seek his fortunes in the New World and accordingly started for the United States, landing first in New York City.' From there, after a short stay, he proceeded to Chieago, Ill., where for the following summer he was employed in a lumber-yard. In the fall of the same year he came to Bloomington and during the winter following was engaged in chopping cord wood. In the spring of the next year he made ar- rangements to become an employe of Daniel Muntze, with whom he remained for four years. At the expiration of this time, in 1861, he was united in marriage with Miss Susanna Knipple, daughter of John Knipple, Esq.

After marriage the young people settled on the farm of John Gillespie, which Mr. Linden rented for one year. He continued to farm on rented land for eight years following, part of the time on his father-in-law's place, and then purchased eiglity aeres on seetion 35, in Chenoa Township, which is now his homestead, and is well stocked with hogs, horses and cattle. He also has eighty aeres on sec- . tion 34. Of late years Mr. L. has been interested

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in the breeding of Norman horses, in which he has been quite successful.

The family of our subject and his wife consists of four sons and one daughter, namcly, Jacob, John, William, Frank and Elizabeth. The residence is pleasantly located and the family enjoy the friend- ship and esteem of the best citizens of this vicinity Mr. Linden has served as Road Commissioner and held the office of Path Master. He is essentially a self-made man and an illustration of what may be accomplished from a small beginning. When he landed in New York City he had but twenty cents in his poeket and came a stranger to a strange land. He has climbed up step by step, slowly but surely, to a good position in the community, and by his industry and perseverance has aceumulated a eom- peteney. He has met with reverses, besides having lost several hundred dollars by the failure of the Chenoa Bank. He is a member in good standing of the Catholic Church, and fully deserves to be classed among the honest men and good eitizens of MeLean County.

M RS. CAROLINE CHENEY, widow of Hon. W. H. Cheney, and a resident of Say- brook, Ill., is the daughter of Demas and - Mary A. (Yonker) Brown, natives respect- ively of New York and Pennsylvania, and was born in Medina County, Ohio, April 2, 1848. Demas Brown was born Jan. 8, 1802, and departed this life at his home in Portage, Ohio, Sept. 21, 1869. He was the son of William and Parmelia (IIenshaw) Brown, both of English aneestry. He was reared to farming pursuits, was in all respects an exeellent man and a good citizen, and with his wife was a member of the Christian Church. The mother of Mrs. Cheney was born Dec. 7, 1817, and still sur- vives, making her home with her son, in Gibson, Ill. The parental household ineluded thirteen chil- dren, of whom eleven are still living, are mar- ricd and reside in different States of the Union.

Mrs. Cheney remained an inmate of her father's house, whicre she received careful training and a good edueation. At the age of sixteen, she came to Illinois and resided with her sister, and taught

school for eight years. On the 28thi of May, 1873, she was united in marriage with IIon. W. H. Chc- ney, who was born Feb. 19, 1822, ncar Mechanies- burg, Ohio. He came to this State in 1825, and settled in the grove which now bears the family name. Mr. Cheney was first married to Miss Mary J. Orendorff, Nov. 10, 1842, and they became the parents of nine children, of whom the record is as follows: Lavina bceame the wife of W. H. Beek- with and lives in Saybrook; Jay died in infancy, Jan. 10, 1847; Kate married Dr. H. A. Winter; Charlic married Miss Lizzie Pugsley, and lives in Kansas; Emma died April 18, 1877, and Willie, Aug. 1, 1859; Harry married Miss Ada Youle, and resides on the homestead farm; Mary B., the wife of George W. Woodbury, lives in Huron, Dak. ; Minnie E. received a fine musical education at Oberlin, Ohio, and Bloomington, Ill., and lives with Mrs. Cheney. Mrs. Mary J. Cheney, the mother of these children, died at the home of her husband in Cheney's Grove, Aug. 7, 1868; she was a lady of refinement and lovable disposition.

Of the marriage of W. H. and Mrs. Caroline Cheney, there were born three children, as follows: George W., Oct. 31, 1874; Nellie B., born May 31, 1876, died in September, 1885; Wilbur H. was born Feb. 28, 1878. Mr. Cheney died Aug. 24, 1878, a few months after the birth of his youngest son. His name is familiar throughout McLean County, as having been a man of great foree of character, and more than ordinary business ability. He was Republican in politics, and took an active part in politieal affairs. At the time of his death he owned 1,000 aeres of land, all in one body, which he had brought to a fine state of cultivation, and which he embellished with a handsome resi .. denee, and all other appliances of a first-class and progressive modern farmer.

Mr. Chency possessed the rare faculty of being able to adapt himself to places and circumstances, and while greatly interested in the progress of politieal affairs, gave due attention to his business and household. In 1867 he was elected to suc- eeed Hon. Isaae Funk in the State Senatc, and se- cured the charter of the L. B. & M., but now the L., E. & W. R. R., and to him was accorded the honor of first breaking the soil to lay the traek of

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McLEAN COUNTY. .

that railroad. He was identified for many years with the business and agricultural interests of this seetion, and in every condition in life performed whatever he undertook conseientiously and as be- came a man having at heart the best interests of county and town.

Mrs. Cheney is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and a lady universally respected for her amiability and kindness of heart, especially to the needy. These rare traits she doubtless inher- ited from the best of fathers, who was noted for his charities and substantial aid to the afflicted and distressed.

P. STUBBLEFIELD, proprietor of one of the best livery and sale stables in the city of Bloomington, is also engaged in the breeding of fine horses, chief among which are the Norman and Clydesdale, and exhibits some of the finest speeimens of these animals to be found in MeLean County.

Our subjeet is a native of this eounty, and was born in Funk's Grove, Feb. 28, 1845. His parents were Absalom and Eliza (Pearsons) Stubblefield, natives of Ohio. His grandfather, Robert Stubble- field was of English ancestry and parentage, and was born in Halifax, Va., Nov. 23, 1793. He mar- ried Miss Sarah Funk, April 14, 1814. Both families were prominent in the early days in that section, and the grandfather of our subjeet, at the age of nineteen years, engaged as a soldier in the War of 1812. After his discharge from the army he loeat- ed in Ohio, and was there married. In 1824 he eame to Funk's Grove, this eounty, located upon a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits thereafter for over fifty years, his death oeeurring June 8, 1870. Ilis eldest son, Absalom, the father of our subjeet, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, Nov. 27, 1815. He removed to Illinois with his father, and at the age of ten years began business on his own account by buying ealves and raising them, then selling, and later splitting rails. After he had earned $50 he entered forty aeres of land in Funk's Grove Township, and from this beginning he be- came one of the most extensive land-holders of McLean County. By his first marriage there were

born five children, the subject of our sketch being the third in order of birth.

J. P. Stubblefield remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-three years of age, luis younger days being spent upon the farm and herd- ing cattle on the prairie. After leaving home he located in Dale Township on a farm of 240 aeres, and since that time has been extensively engaged in the breeding of fine stoek, principally horses, the Norman and Clydesdale. He lived on his farm until 1884, and then removing to Bloomington, es- tablished his livery and sale stable, which contains some of the finest horses and equipages to be found in this section. Mr. S. still retains possession of his farm, where he employs from two to six men, and has thirty head of fine horses, high grades and full bloods.

Mr. Stubblefield, in 1867, was united in marriage with Miss Naomi C. Thomas, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and the daughter of Joseph and Annie (Moore) Thomas, who were born in Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively, They removed' to Ohio in 1862, and engaged in farming in Adams County, and there the mother died in 1885. The father is still living on the homestead. The house- hold eirele ineluded thirteen children, of whom Mrs. Stubblefield is the eighth in order of birth.

Mr. and Mrs. Stubblefield have become the par- ents of one ehild, a daughter, Clara E., who was born in 1869. She is now an accomplished young lady, having received a literary and musical edu- eation. Their handsome residenee is located at No. 305 South Center street, and both within and without is indieative of eultivated tastes and ample means.

For many years Mr. Stubblefield has been prom- inently identified with the interests of this loeality, and whenever opportunity afforded has done what he eould toward the advancement of its educational and industrial interests. For fourteen years he has been Sehool Director, and has also served as Sec- retary and Treasurer of the Board. In polities he is a staneh Republiean. He identified himself with the Methodist Church when eighteen years old, and continued with this denomination until 1876. Mrs. S. first became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but united with the Christian

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Church when in her eighteenth year. They now belong to the United Brethren, of which their daughter has been a member since a child of nine years old, and is still an earnest worker in the church and Sabbath-school. The family name of our subject is widely and favorably known in this section, and needs no comment from us as to its excellence and worth. Mr. S. has always taken a great interest in church matters and, although liv- ing in Bloomington, still holds the office of Steward in the United Brethren Church of Dale Township, and has been a delegate to the annual conference every year since his uniting with the church.

OHIN L. TYNER, SR., who is pleasantly lo- cated in Mt. Hope. Township, occupies a comfortable home on section 4, and is suc- cessfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is a native of the Prairie State, having first opened his eyes to the light in Clay County on the 29th of February, 1820. The father of our subject, James Tyner, was a native of West Virginia, and his grandfather, Samuel Tyner, was of German birth and parentage, possessing all the brave and generous qualities of the warm-hearted German race. Samuel Tyner emigrated from his native land when a young man, making his first settlement in West Virginia, whence he removed to Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his days. His son James grew to man- hood in his native county and then set out to seek his fortunes in the western country. After reach- ing Indiana, he located for a time in Posey County, where he made the acquaintance of Miss Eliza Gra- ham, and they were united in marriage. The mother of our subject was a native of Maryland, and after their marriage, in about 1812, they re- moved to the Territory of Illinois and settled in Clay County. Here, James Tyner entered a claim, and when the land came into market he secured his title. He improved and cultivated his posses- sions, opened up a fine farm and occupied it until his death, which occurred in 1828. Soon after this event his widow, with her four children, returned to her old home in Posey County, Ind .. and lived with her mother and stepfather until she was mar-

ried again. She kept her children together until they were able to earn thicir own living, carefully trained them to principles of honor and honesty, and gave them all the advantages possible for ed- ucation.

When the subject of our sketch had arrived at the age of fourteen years, he was separated from his mother and went to live with his older brother, a blacksmith by trade. IIc remained with him two or three years, assisting in the shop and around the home and then, going to Albion, Ill., entered the employ of a physician, working for his board and clothes. After one year thus occupied he re- turned to the home of his grandfather in Indiana and subsequently became an inmate of his uncle's home, where he remained until he had attained to" years of manhood.

At the age of twenty-two years, John L. Tyner was united in marriage with Miss Jane Hindman, a native of South Carolina, their wedding taking place on Oct. 21, 1842. This lady became the mother of nine children, and departed this life in Allin Township, this county, Nov. 8, 1865. After his marriage Mr. Tyner located upon a tract of rented land in Posey County, Ind., which he occupied for a few years and then removed upon a tract of forty acres which had been given him by his grandfather and where he made his home until 1855. He then sold out and came to Illinois, locat- ing at once in McLean County, He cultivated rented land for a few years and then purchased six- ty acres in Mt. Hope Township, on section 4, and lived upon this until 1865, when he sold it and purchased the farm which he now owns and oc- cupies. It comprises 82} acres in Mt. Hope, and 40 in Allin Township, and is supplied with a good residence and all needful out-buildings for the stor- ing of grain and the shelter. of stock.

The children of the first marriage of Mr. Tyner were named as follows: William L., Thomas II., Joseph, John L., Orpah Jones, James A., Emma Staley, Rosetta Baldwin, and Cora. The second marriage of our subject was with Miss Anna Cox, a native of Posey County, Ind. and took place Sept. 6, 1866. Of this union there have been born two children-Franklin E. and Charles A. Thomas H. Tyner served in the late war, escaped without

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serious injury, and now lives in Arkansas City, Cowley Co., Kan.

Mr. and Mrs. Tyner are connected with the Cuin- berland Presbyterian Church, and in polities Mr. T. is an uneompromising Demoerat. Ile is a straight- forward and intelligent business man, a skillful and enterprising farmer, and highly esteemed in the eonununity of which he has been a resident for so inany years.

The father of Mrs. Anna (Cox) Tyner, James Cox by name, was a native of Kentucky and her grandfather, Jesse Cox, was born in North Carolina and removed to Kentucky at an early period in the history of that State. In 1812 he removed to the Territory of Indiana, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Posey County. There he cleared a farm, established a permanent home and spent the remain- der of his days, dying in Robinson Township. His son James, the father of Mrs. T. of our sketch, spent the last years of his life on his father's farm. In early manhood he was united in marriage with Miss .Fannie Gwaltney. She was born in Kentucky, and when a child three years of age removed to Posey County, Ind., with her father, John G. Gwalt- ney, where she remained until her marriage with James Cox.

NDREW T. MITCHELL, a highly re- spected member of the family of this name, who are well and favorably known in this vicinity, owns and oeeupies a comfortable homestead on section 22, Dale Township, and is engaged in general farming. Our subject is a na- tive of the Prairie State, having been born in the town of Paris, Edgar County, on the 17th of Oe- tober, 1840. He was but an infant when he came to McLean County with his parents, and received his early education in the pioneer school, which was conducted in a log cabin. When not in sehool he assisted his parents in the duties around the homestead, and after beeomning of age, was asso- ciated with his brother, John J., in the manage- ment of the home farm. Ile was thus occupied until 1880, when he removed to the homestead which he now owns and oeeupies, it being located

on a part of sections 14, 15, 22 and 23. He erected the present family residence, and in addition to general agriculture is also giving much attention to stock-raising.

The marriage of Andrew T. Mitehell and Miss Louisa Baird took place in October, 1867. Mrs. Mitchell is a native of Springfield, Clarke Co., Ohio, and the daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Fisher) Baird, natives of Virginia and Kentucky. Of her union with our subjeet there have been born two children-Mary L. and Aliec N. Their home, a view of which is presented in this work, is pleasantly located, and they are surrounded by all the comforts of life. Mrs. Mitchell is connected with the Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. Mitchell is strongly Republican.

OSEPH HI. ABBOTT, owner of a fine farm of 160 aeres on seetion 9, Towanda Town- ship, is meeting with suecess in the prosecu- tion of his vocation. He is the son of Abi- jah and Eleanor (Weakley) Abbott, natives of Cul- peper County, Va. Abijah Abbott was born June 17, 1806, and his wife, June 3, 1807. They were both reared and educated in Culpeper County, and there married April 9, 1829. In 1831 they removed to Newark Township, Licking Co., Ohio, where they lived until 1852, when they eame to this county and settling in Towanda Township, the father labored at his calling until his death, which event oceurred Nov. 22, 1885. His wife survives him and is living in Towanda Township, making her home with her son Joseph. Four sons and four danghters were born of their union, of which number our subject was the youngest.

Joseph H. Abbott was born in Lieking County, Ohio, Aug. 10, 1849, and was but three years old when his parents came to this eounty, and having lived here ever since, may be said to have been- identified with the advancement of the eounty thus far in life. Mr. Abbott's education was re- eeived in the common sehools of this county, and he has known no other oeeupation than that of a tiller of the soil. He is at present the owner of 160 acres of valuable and produetive land, on

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McLEAN COUNTY.

which he has good and substantial buildings, and is meeting with signal sueeess in the condueting of his farm.

Mr. Abbott was married to Miss Sarah E. Ham- pleman Dee. 23, 1875. She is the daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Fleteher) Hampleman, natives of Ohio, and was reared to womanhood in the vi- einity of Clinton, De Witt Co., Ill. [For sketeh of her parents see sketeh of F. M. Jones.] The parents removed from Ohio to this State, and set- tled near Clinton, where the mother died. The father survives and resides near Clinton and is a farmer by ealling. Nine children were born of their union, five sons and four daughters, and Mrs. Abbott is the youngest. She was born near Clin- ton, De Witt Co., Ill., Sept. 16, 1853, and by her union with our subjeet has beeome the mother of three children-John W., Albert D. and Charles P. In politics Mr. Abbott is a Demoerat.

E LISHA B. STEERE, one of the leading re- tail boot-and-shoe merchants of Blooming- ton, has been a resident of the Prairie State sinee 1861, and ranks among the leading business men of this eounty. He is a native of Rhode Isl- and, and was born on a farm near Dorr's Battle- Ground, Sept. 12, 1822. His father, Rufus Steere, a tanner and eurrier by trade, was also born in Rhode Island, and became a prominent boot-and- shoe dealer in Laurens, Otsego Co., N. Y., where he also engaged in the manufacture of harness. 'The grandfather of our subjeet, Robert Steere, was one of the early settlers of Rhode Island, where he became a well-to-do farmer, and represented his county in the State Legislature. His son Rufus after reaching manhood, was united in marriage with Miss Eliza A. Brown, a native of Kentucky, who removed to Rhode Island in her youth. They became the parents of seven ehildren, four sons and three daughters, one of whom died when young; the others living to mature years, married and have families of their own. Of these the record is as follows: Esther L. became the wife of E. S. Brown, deceased, and is now a resident of Chicago; Elisha B., of our sketeh, was the second ehild;

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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 91

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