Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 99

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 99

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J. married John Bush, of MeLean County, Ill., and Margaret, Mrs. Thompson Clemens, lives in Chenoa.

During his childhood John MeCune attended the common schools of his native town, and remained with his mother until reaching his majority. The gold fever being tlien at its height he started aeross the plains to California, accompanied by J. A. C. MeCune, an attorney of Shippensburg, Pa., and after reaching that State engaged in mining near Saeramento. After an absence of three years and nine months he returned to his old home in l'enn- sylvania, and Oet. 6, 1853, was married to Miss Annie G. Kelley, of Cumberland County. They located on the old homestead farm, near Oakville, Cumberland Co., Pa., and two years afterward our subjeet visited Illinois and purehased a half seetion of land in Chenoa Township, this eounty. He then returned to Pennsylvania, and in October of that year, 1855, moved to this county with his family, settling on a new farm which was then a wild prai- rie. He began breaking the sod, planted an or- chard, and steadily carried on the improvement and cultivation of his purchase, which included the erection of a tasteful and substantial residence, a good barn and other necessary out-buildings. Ile was a skillful farmer and an excellent business manager, and in due time accumulated a fine eom- peteney. The homestead which he thus established, and which his family to-day enjoy, consists of 160 aeres, adjoining a quarter seetion which was por- chased by his sister in 1855. Mr. MeCune improved three farms during his residence in this eounty.

Mr. and Mrs. MeCune became the parents of seven children, of whom William died when five years of age. Those surviving are Mary G., Cor- nelia B., the wife of G. J. Arnold; Sarah J., John A. C., Maggie E. and Joel C. Mr. MeCune was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church of Chenoa, in which he was a Deaeon from the time of its organization. He was also a Trustee in the Chureli, and one of the School Trustees in Chenoa Township.

The death of Mr. MeCune oeeurred under very painful eireumstanees. On Feb. 10, 1887, he was accidentally killed by the falling of a shed. This structure had been regarded as unsafe for some months. On the day mentioned Mr. McCune had

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arranged with his son, who was a telegraph opera- tor in Chenoa, to come home and assist in the pull- ing down of the shed. It had originally been thatched with slough grass. This had mostly blown off, so that there was little left of the roof but the rafters. It is supposed that when Mr. MeCune opened the door of the shed the cattle started in and pushing against one of the heavy perpendicn- lar supports which held the roof, caused it to fall, the heavy timbers falling on him. He was found with one of these timbers lying across his shoulder, and another aeross his feet. The announcement of this calamity was received with universal sorrow by the people among whom he had lived so long, and by whom he was so generally respected. The widow and her children still occupy the homestead.

Mrs. McClure was born and reared in Cumber- land County, Pa., and in her youth united with the Lutheran Church. Of late years she has been con- neeted with the Presbyterian Chiirch, and is a lady greatly respected for her Christian character and blameless life. In politics Mr. MeCune was a Dem- oerat.

G EORGE GREGORY, a prosperous and in- fluential farmer of Gridley Township, owns and operates 460 acres of valuable land, whieli is finely improved with a handsome and sub- stantial dwelling, a good barn and other necessary outhouses, and, in fact, all the appliances of a first- class modern agrienlturist. Mr. Gregory is a na- tive of this township, born March 23, 1855, and is consequently a gentleman in the prime of life, with a prospeet of many useful years before him. His parents were John and Mary Gregory, and his early education was carried on in the common schools of Normal.

Mr. Gregory was reared to farming pursuits, having, during the last few years, made a specialty of stock-raising. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which took place in Fay- ette County, Ohio, Sept. 5, 1877, when he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Miss Amanda Moon, daughter of Simon and Martha (MeKillip) Moon, natives of Ohio. After marriage, the par- ents of Miss Moon settled in Fayette County,

where the mother died in January, 1859. The fa- thier still survives, and resides in Fayette County, Ohio. Jolın MeKillip and Elizabeth (Whieker) MeKillip, grandparents of Mrs. Gregory, were of Irish and German descent. The paternal ancestors of our subject were of German and Welsh extrae- tion. Mrs. Gregory was the tenth ehild of a family of six sons and five daugliters, her birtli occurring Jan. 31, 1855. She and her husband are the par- ents of two daughters-Emma and Lois. They are members in good standing of the Christian Church, and politically our subjeet uniformly casts his vote with the Democratie party.

ATT C. SMITH, City Treasurer of Bloon- ington, is a native of New York State, and was born in Newburg, on the Hud- son River, July 18, 1854. His father, Mathew C. Smith, Sr., was an old steamboat Cap- tain on the Hudson, and died when our subject was an infant. His mother, before her marriage, was Mary J. Stephens, and like her husband was a na- tive of New York. After the death of the father the mother removed West with her family, which consisted of two sons beside our subjeet. They located in Bloomington, where the mother is still living.

The subject of this history came to this county in the fall of 1865, in company with the late Dr. S. C. Wilson, who was a Lieutenant in the late war, and a prominent dentist, who stood at the head of his profession. At the time of his death, in 1881, he was an Alderman of this city. He married the only sister of our subject, Miss Anna E. Smith.

Mr. Smith of this history was thrown upon his own resources at the early age of twelve years. Principally through his own efforts he seenred a good common-school education, by studying nights, his days being employed in making a living. He was fortunately enabled afterward to attend one year at a private school, and subsequently cutered the office of his brother-in-law, Dr. S. C. Wilson, to learn dentistry. After serving six years he was employed by Dr. F. H. McIntosh, successor of Dr. Wilson, with whom he continued until May, 1886.

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Mr. Smith was appointed Oil Inspector for the city of Bloomington in 1879, which position he oc- cupied three years. In the spring of 1884 he was elected City Treasurer, and was re-elected in 1886, IIe has been' prominent in the polities of this section, is Secretary of the · Republican Central Cominittee, of which he has been a inember for three years, and is Sergeant of the Young Men's Republican Club. He also belongs to the K. of P. and the order of Improved Red Men. Mr. Smith was married, in 1880, to Miss Bell Popple, of Bloomington, and they have become the parents of one child, Wil- son P.

BRAIIAM WILSON. The importance of biography as a means of instruction, as well as a branch of historical literature, is indisputable, and the reader must certainly have frequently seen and realized that in the life of an individual ean be seen mirrored, not only his own individuality and struggles, but all mankind's epitome. Emerson justly says "That all history is only the biography of inan." The troubles, trials and labors of one individual are but specimens of efforts of many who have to fight the battles of life and who go down to their graves nnchronicled. In listening to the history of Mr. Wilson we could but see the truth of his statement. It would teach the discouraged hope under the mnost unsatisfactory circumstances, perseverance amid great difficulty, and assurance that labor and faith will eventually conquer.

Abraham Wilson is a prominent and highly re- speeted resident of Gridley 'Township, and eame to this county in 1843. During this period of over forty-three years he has fully established himself in the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. Hle was born among the Ohio hills in Lieking . County, Mareh 7, 1827, and was the son of Archi- bald and Hannah (Areher) Wilson. The father was a native of Virginia and the mother of Licking County, Ohio. After marriage they settled in that county, and were among the early pioneers of that region. Archibald Wilson was educated for the ministry but for some reason unknown to his son he devoted his time mostly to teaching school. He

spent the remainder of his days in Lieking County, his demise occurring in 1836, while still in the prime of life. The mother afterward emigrated to Illinois, locating in this county in 1843, and dicd in Gridley Township in the fall of 1879. Four of their seven children attained to years of maturity, namely : James, Abraham, Mary A. and Rebecca A. The former became the wife of Jehial Stretch and resides in Gridley Township, which is also the home of Rebecca A.

Abraham Wilson received a fair education in the common schools. He was but nine years of age when his father died and he continued with his mother and assisted in the labors around the farm homestead, and came with her to Illinois, bc- ing about sixteen years of age at the time of his arrival here. During the progress of the late war he enlisted as a soldier of the Union in September, 1861, bceoming a member of the 4th Illinois Cavalry, and serving three years and two months. He entered the army as a private and was soon promoted Sergeant. He was remarkably fortun- ate in his army experience, suffering neither sick- ness nor imprisonment, and receiving only a slight wound, seareely worthy to be mentioned. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he received his honorable discharge, and returning to Gridley 'Township, resumed his position as a tiller of the soil. He began life at the foot of the ladder, with no assistance but his strong arms and willing dispo- sition. He is now the owner of a half section of valu- able land, which he has brought into a fine state of cultivation and upon which he has ereeted a first- elass set of farm buildings, ineluding a handsome and substantial residence, a convenient barn and all other structures necessary for the shelter of stock and the storing of grain. It is supplied with the latest improved farm machinery and in short is fitted with all the requirements of a modern agriculturist.

One of the most interesting events in the life of our subjeet occurred on the 20th of March, 1866, when he was united in marriage at the home of the bride's parents in Peoria County, Ill., with Miss Christina, the daughter of Jonathan B. and Aliee (Leonard) Merritt. The parents of Mrs. Wilson, who were natives of Licking County, Ohio, were there rearcd and married and soon afterward located

Sailor Bower

Abraham Wilson

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in Putnam County, whenee they removed in 1859 to Illinois, settling in Sayhrook, this eounty. They afterward removed to Prineeville, Peoria County. While on a visit to his children in Gridley Town- ship, Mr. Merritt was taken suddenly ill and died hefore he eould reach homc. The mother still survives. Their family consisted of nine children, five daughters and four sons. Christina, Mrs. Wil- son, was the fifth child. She was born in Putnam County, Ohio, Sept. 22, 1844. Of her union with our subject there have heen born two children: Emma E., the wife of Osear L. Craig, of Clark County, Ill., and Edwin M., a resident of Gridley Township.

Mr. Wilson has held the offices of School Trustee, Treasurer, Collector and Assessor of the township. Politically he is a reliable Republican and relig- iously identifies himself with the United Brethren Church. Mrs. W. is eonneeted with the Seventh- Day Adventists. As a representative citizen we present the portrait of Mr. Wilson in this volume.

h ENRY T. BOWER. The late Henry T. Bower was a prominent and highly respect- ed farmer of Dale Township, and an old resideut of MeLean County. He huilt up for himself a lasting reputation as a man possessing most excellent personal traits of character, upright and honorable in his business transactions, and im- bued with that generous. publie spirit that was always ready to assist in whatever was ealeulated to promote the welfare of his county and com- munity.

Mr. Bower was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Armagh Township, Miffliu County, on the 6th of Fehruary, 1820. His father, Joseph Bower, was a native of Franklin County, the same State, and his great-grandparents on his father's side were of German parentage. Jacob Bower, upon coming to America, located in Laneaster County, Pa., where he spent the last years of his life. His son, the grandfather of our suhject, served as a soldier during the whole of the Revo- lutionary War. Near the elose of that immortal struggle, and while in the cavalry service, his horse

fell upon him and broke his thigh, which ended his military eareer. He survived this aeeident, however, for several years, and died in Franklin County,

Joseph Bower, the father of our suhjeet, was reared upon a farm. He was only about four years old when his father died, and soon afterward his mother and elder brothers moved from Frank- lin to Mifflin County, where Joseph grew to man- hood and was married. He afterward removed to Huntingdon County, where he purchased a farm, which he occupied for five years. He then re- turned to Mifflin County and engaged in driving a stage from Lewiston to Huntingdon for four years, and then rented a tavern on the pike from Phila- delphia to Pittshurgh. He kept public house for a period of seven years, and in the meantime was agent for the stage company. He then took eharge of a packet-boat for the stage company, and ran on the Pennsylvania Canal for three or four years, when he resumed farming upon a tract of rented land for a few years, when he went to Altoona. After onc year's residenee in that plaee he crossed the Alleghanies, and engaged as foreman along the line of railroad which was then in process of eon- struction, and after two years thus employed oper- ated as a contractor. His wife having died in In- diana County, he removed to Bradford County, and spent the last years of his life at the home of his daughter. He served his eountry in the War of 1812, was a wide-awake and ambitious man, and kept himself well posted in regard to whatever was going on in the world around him. The mother of our subject, hefore her marriage with Joseph Bower, was Miss Elizabeth Kerswell. She was born in Miffliu County, Pa .. and was of Scoteh-Irish ancestry. The parental honschold eonsisted of seven children.

The subject of our sketch was the second ehild and eldest son of his parents. He attended sehool during his childhood days, and when his father was in the hotel husiness assisted him. After the hotel was abandoned he operated as a farmer on land which his father had rented, and made his home with his parents until he was nineteen years of age, when he was married, and Nov. 25, 1839, located upon a rented farm in Mifflin County. He

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cultivated rented land in that locality until 1855. and in the meantime was also engaged in butcher- ing. During that same year he came to Illinois and purchased the southwest quarter of section 7, now in Dale Township, upon which he removed with his family the following year. They made the journey via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Alton, and from there by railroad to Shirley. His land was wild prairie and the first year of his resi- dence here lic rented a farm on section 25, in the meantime working upon his own land as time per- mitted. He broke seven acres that ycar, and in 1857 removed to Allin Township and rented a house into which he removed his family, and which they occupied for two years and eight months. He then purchased a small frame house and moved it upon his own land, established his family within it, and was a resident of the farm thus opened until his death. His homestead is now finely improved, the land under a good state of cultivation, and the family occupies a tasteful and comfortable farm residence, and has an excellent barn and all neccs- sary out-buildings, convenient for the storing of grain and the shelter of stock. For two years pre- vious to his death he rented the greater part of his land and was practically retired from active labor, living in the well-incrited enjoyment of the fruits of his early industry.

The subject of our sketch was married on the 25th of November, 1839, to Miss Rebecca Shade, a native of Berks County, Pa., and the daughter of John and Mary (Schumaker) Shade. The house- hold circle was completed by the birth of eight children, of whom the record is as follows: Mary is a resident of Dalc Township; Matilda became the wife of David R. Stubblefield, also of Dale Township; Sarah married William Davis of Downs Township; James E. married Celestia J. Perry and lives in Allin Township; Anna R. married John K. Shade, of Dalc Township; Harriet M., the wife of Isaac Skinner, lives in Dale Township; Martha E. inarricd Alonzo James, and lives in Nuckoll Coun- ty, Neb., and Frances H., the wife of John B. War- low, is a resident of Allin Township.

Mr. Bower was Democratic in politics, and lib- eral in his religious views. Hc was straightforward and methodical in his business transactions and

ranked among the representative men of one of the most important counties of the Prairie State. His death occurred April 3, 1887, and caused great mourning in the community that he had been so closely identified with for so many years.

This brief sketch and accompanying portrait will serve as a means of , perpetuating the memory of one who was in every respect a noble, true-hearted man, and an estcemed and worthy citizen.

ARRISON JENKINS, living on section 31, Money Creek Township, is one of the suc- cessful and progressive farmers of McLean County. His father, Levi, and his mother, Mary A. (Hickman) Jenkins, were natives of Vir- ginia and of English ancestry. His father was a farmer by calling and after his marriage with Miss Hickman settled in Virginia, where he followed his vocation and whence he emigrated to Licking County, Ohio. There he laborcd at his calling un- til his death, which event took place in 1845. His good wife survived him thirteen years and then, in 1858, passed to join him in the better home abovc. They had nine children who lived to attain the age of man and womanhood-Eveline, William, James, John, Harrison, Nancy, Sally, Calvin and George.

Our subject was the fifth in order of birth of his parents' children, and was born in Licking County, Ohio, July 27, 1822. He was reared on a farm, his school privileges being exceedingly limited. He lived at home until he was about twenty-six years old and continued to make Licking County his resi- dence until 1854. In the fall of that year he came to McLean County with his wife and one child,' making the journey overland. On his arrival here he settled in Money Crcek Township, on section 31, and has made that his home until the present time. The first purchase of land consisted of 114 acres, and he is now the owner of 120 acres of valuable and productive land, with good and substantial im- provements upon it.

Mr. Jenkins was married in Licking County, Ohio, Sept. 26, 1844. The lady whom he selected as his life companion was Miss Mary A., daughter of Thomas and Amelia Jackson, natives of Virginia.

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Her parents emigrated from Virginia to Licking County, Ohio, in 1828, and making that their home until 1845, they moved to'Deleware County, Ind., where the father died Oct. 19, 1862. The mother died in Madison County, Ind., Nov. 11, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson had four children who lived to attain the age of maturity. and four who died in early years. The living arc, Mary A., William, Franklin and Elizabeth. Mary A., wife of our sub- ject, was born in Loudoun County, Va., Jan. 9, 1825, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of two children-Mary A. and Thomas C. Mary A. is the wife of William Fincham and they are living in Towanda Township. Thomas C. mar- ried Miss Mary A. Moots, and lives in Money Creek Township. Mr. Jenkins has been Overseer of Highways and has also been tlie incumbent of the office of School Director. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church, and in politics our subject is a stanch Republican.

OHN E. WIGHTMAN. The gentleman whose history we briefly sketch in the fol- lowing lines, is the oldest representative of the hardware trade in the flourishing little town of Chenoa. He comes of excellent Welsh an- cestry, and was born in Steuben County, N. Y., on the 10th of June, 1837. His father, E. E. Wight- man, deceased June 1, 1887, at Sand Springs, Nev., which was his place of residence, was married in early manhood to Miss Mary Madole, a native of New York and the daughter of Jacob Madole. The grandfather of our subject, Elias Wightman, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and in the War of 1812. He was killed by a fall from a load of hay, in New York.

The Wightman family settled in New England at an early day, and were distinguished for their excellent business qualities, their integrity, and their worth as citizens, neighbors and friends. They became prominent among the colonists as honest men and valuable members of society, and identificd themselves thoroughly with the. interests of their adopted country.

The father of our subject removed from the Em-

pire State with his family in September, 1838, and located in Richmond, McHenry County, this Statc. After a residence there of three years, they rc- moved into the village of McHenry, where Mr. Wightman engaged in the hotel and livery busi- ness. In 1850 he went to California, remaining until 1866, and thence removed to Sand Springs, Nev., where he lived until his death. The par- ental family consisted of five children, two sons and three daughters, of whom one daughter is de- ceascd.

The subject of this history remained with his parents in McHenry County, Ill., until about 1859, and obtained a good education in the common schools. When sixteen years of age he went to Chicago, and served a three years' apprenticeship at the tinner's trade, becoming thoroughly ac- quainted with that business. He then returned to McHenry County, and was the first person to en- gage in the business in the town of McHenry. He soon afterward, however, removed to Waukegan, Ill., where he worked for three years, then reinoved to De Witt County, this State, and commenced in the hardware business on his own account in Clin- ton. He continued there until his removal to Chenoa in the spring of 1866, where he went into partnership with Mr. Besley, and they opencd a hardware store under the firm name of Besley & Wightman, and operated together until January, 1882. Mr. Wightman then purchased the interest of his partner, and continued alone until Jan. 1, 1887, when he took in his son, J. E., as partner. The firm carries a fine stock of hardware and fur- niture, and is doing a profitable and steadily in- creasing trade. They occupy a double store with a frontage of 48x100 feet and a good basement under the whole.

Mr. Wightman by his thorough business meth- ods and strictly honest business course, has fully established himself in the confidence of the busi- ness community, of which he is considered one of its most important factors. The family enjoy the society of the best people of Chenoa, and in their pleasant home are surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

The marriage of John E. Wightman and Isabet Atkinson took place on the 31st of December, 1857,

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in St. Charles, Ill. Mrs. Wightman is the dangh- ter of William and Sarah Atkinson, and was born in England, in 1838. Our subjeet and his wife have become the parents of four children, one of whom, William, died when eleven years of age. Those surviving are, Henrietta E., Hattie B. and John E., Jr. Mr. Wightman is Democratie in pol- itics, and a great admirer of President Cleveland. He was elected Mayor of Chenoa in 1877, which office he held two years. He represented his Ward as Aldernan four years, and was School Director ' for a period of fifteen years. He was again elected Mayor in the spring of 1885, for a term of two years, and served with great eredit to himself and the eity.

. .

LMON B. KEMPTON, deceased, was num- bered among the most highly respected and worthy citizens of Chenoa Township. He. was a native of Sunbury, Delaware Co., Ohio, born March 12, 1840, and was the son of Benjamin and Mary (Bowley) Kempton, who re- mnoved to Illinois at an early day and settled near Nauvoo on the Mississippi River. There the father died within a short time and when Almon B. was a ehild four years of age. His mother subsequently married again and removed baek to Ohio, where our subjeet continued to reside until he had reached his eighteenth year. He then returned to this State and completed his studies in Farmington, Fulton County, a year later. Soon afterward he began teaching, which he followed until the outbreak of the late war, when he enlisted in the Union army, becoming a member of Co. A, 11th Indiana Zou- aves, which did valuable service in assisting to de- fend the Union. Young Kempton was engaged with his eomrades in the battles of Ft. Donelson, Mission Ridge, the siege of Vieksburg and other important engagements of the war. He was mus- tered out before the expiration of his enlistment, in the fall of 1864, on aeeount of protraeted illness, the result of small-pox, from which he suffered long and severely.

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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 99

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