USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 100
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After laboring there for two years young Blakes- ley took up the same employment in Winsted, whence he departed to Dayton, Ohio, after a so- journ of two years. He was still engaged in the clock works and in the progress of his employment has aided in making thousands of clocks. In 1836 his love of sight seeing and somewhat adventurous spirit led him to Peoria County, Ill., where, finding no clock- making, he contented himself with what- soever his hands found to do. He worked at wood chopping, rough carpentering and farming, for fifty cents a day, and at this figure he says he put in many a faithful day without a thought of striking.
In the prairie lands of this county Mr. Blakes- ley learned the lesson of love and having wooed and won Amy Deuel, of Elmwood, they were mar- ried June 28, 1837, and lived happily together until the death of Mrs. Blakesley February 20,
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1879. That lady was born in Delaware County, Ohio, December 9, 1813. Her father was a phy- sician who died when she was but ten days old, leaving four sons and two daughters to the care of the widowed mother. When twenty years of age Mrs. Blakesley came to the West with a brother, making the distance by teams in three weeks. Of quiet demeanor, a lover of order, benevolent and hospitable, she was beloved by all who knew her and her memory is respected by many who mourn her loss. To Mr. and Mrs. Blakesley were born seven children, four of whom are now living. These are Mrs. Mary Darby, a widow whose home is at Elmwood; Sarah, wife of J. B. Tompkins, a resident of Peoria; Henry, a far- mer at Peabody, Kan .; and Emily, wife of C. D. Clark, a hardware merchant of Peoria. A portrait of Mrs. Blakesley is shown on another page to- gether with that of our subject.
The winter after his marriage Mr. Blakesley car- ried a chain during the preliminary survey for the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad, now the Central Iowa, and the next summer contracted for a mile of that road. The succeeding fall he made some improve- ments on an eighty-acre tract in Trivoli Town- ship, and in 1839 having disposed of it, moved to Elmwood where he lived until coming to Peoria in 1864. At the home of Mr. and Mrs. Blakes- ley on the border of the settlement, numerous travelers called, claiming hospitality and lodging. Although the facilities were limited, no one was turned away, for in those days a visitor from the great world without was welcomed as a bearer of fresh news and good company, while he remained.
During his active life Mr. Blakesley was exten- sively engaged in farming, stock-raising and stock- dealing. Tle lived on one farm in Elmwood for twenty-five years. In all his business career he was successful,and accumulated a competency for his de- elining years.
In the winter of 1840-41 Mr. Blakesley felt it his duty to visit his aged parents in New York, which he did, making the trip on horseback. In 1868-69 he visited California, via the Isthmus, merely to see the land of gold and satisfy his cu- riosity. Returning overland he endured much hard- ship, as the winter was a severe one and five hun-
dred miles of the distance had to be crossed by stages. At Salt Lake City they were snowed in eight days and for three days after reaching the railroad were unable to make more than five miles a day owing to the drifts. During this time pro- visions became scarce and high prices consequently ruled. A cup of coffee, a piece of tough beef and a biscuit cost one dollar. The next year Mr. Blakesley made a trip to Europe, confining his visit to England, France and Ireland. En route he was in a terrific gale on the Atlantic which to- tally wrecked a vessel attendant upon the one in which he took passage, nothing being saved nor a life spared on the attending boat.
In 1874-75 Mr. Blakesley made a circuit of the globe, starting westward by way of San Francisco. Ilis course was a irregular one as his curiosity prompted him to deviate from the ordinary or di- reet line of travel. Ile visited now the Japanese, now the Chinese ports, thence to Singapore, and from there to Penang, the great spice island, thence to Burmah, and Allahabad, the stronghold of the British forces, and continued from there to Bombay. Ile crossed Ilindostan from Calcutta to Benares, touching the head waters of the Ganges amid the Himalayas, and crossing again to Bombay, where he took passage for Suez. Thence he traveled by rail to Cairo and Alexandria, and from that place to Joppa and the Holy Land, wherein he visited Jerusalem and many points of interest hallowed by recollections of the Savior's life. During the pro- gress of his tour Mr. Blakesley touched at Naples and Rome, and traversed much of the Italian in- terior, looking upon the beauties of art and archi- tecture at Florence, Milan and other points. Thence he passed to the wonderful Alpine regions of Switzerland, and after revisiting Paris, London and Liverpool returned to America. The trip was full of excitement and was well worth the cost of making, which, in answer to a question often asked, we may state was about $1700.
January 1, 1880, Mr. Blakesley was united in mar- riage with Mrs. John Babcock, an educated, cul- tured and refined woman, well fitted to enjoy with him the pleasures of travel and all the comforts, and even luxuries, with which they are surrounded. They occupy a pleasant home on a bluff overlook-
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ing much of Peoria, having the companionship of a large cirele of friends. The summer after their marriage was passed in Michigan and several since have been spent in sight-seeing.
Politically, Mr. Blakesley was originally a Whig, but on the organization of the Republican party became identified with its principles and is a stanch supporter of its candidates and platform. During the late war he was a strong Union man. Ile voted for Gen. Ilarrison in 1836 and 1840, and also was proud to cast his vote for the grandson of that famous general, in 1888. Religiously, he is an Episcopalian, while his wife holds membership in the Baptist Church.
ENRY T. FAHNESTOCK. There is prob. ably no farm in Trivoli Township which presents a more attractive appearance than that owned and occupied by our subject. It consists of eighty aeres on section 16, which have been thoroughly improved, no waste land being found upon the estate, but every rod being made productive, or set apart for some proper pur- pose. It is fence l in convenient fiekls, the parts bordering on the roa I being outlined by hedges, tiles having been put in wherever drainage was nec- ossary, and orchards, groves and small fruits made use of as adornments and sources of remuneration. The dwelling is more than ordinarily well built, convenient and attractive, is accompanied by good outbuildings, and surrounded by a grove of hard maple trees. The latest improved machinery is used in the work of the estate, and the two teams are first-class English draft horses.
The Fabnestock family is traced through past centuries to Rupert Von Fahnestock, who was made a Baron of the Roman Empire by Robert of Normandy, who was in power about the middle of the eleventh century. Through some of the noble families of Prussia the line has descended to Laborius Fahnestock, of Prussia, whose son, Diedrich, was born in Westphalia, and emigrated to America in 1726, settling near Ephratah, l'a. The next in the line was Casper, a native of the
Keystone State, and following him, Charles, who was born in Chester County, February 1, 1761, married Susan Smith and reared fourteen children. One of this large family was another Charles, also born in Chester County, who took up the occupa- tion of farming, becoming the owner of a large tract of land. He also had two hotels on the turn- pike between Philadelphia and Lancaster, where he entertained guests and changed the horses of the stage route. One of the hotels was the Warren Inn, spoken of in T. B. Read's great work, the "Wagoner of the Alleghanies;" the other was lo- cated near the Paoli Monument.
The next in the direct line of descent was Will- iam Fahnestock. born in Chester County, Mareb 21, 1808. He carried on the Warren Inn for some years, coming into possession of it on the death of his father. Reared on a farm, when the building of the railroad lessened his business on the stage route, he sold the inn and located on a farm near Faggs Manor. He operated one hundred acres or more until 1854, when he brought his family to Illinois, locating at Brunswick, this county, becom- ing the possessor of one hundred and ninety-nine acres of land, which he developed into a fine farm. He was one of five who bought the site of the Brunswick church and cemetery, assisted in erect- ing the building and deeded it to the Presbyterian General Assembly. lle was a pillar in the church, and Ruling Elder until his death. After the war he voted the Republican ticket. His death took place in the spring of 1881, when he was seventy- three years old.
The wife of William Fahnestock was Ann Eliza- betli Ernst, who was born in Pottsville, Pa., her father being a merchant in that town and vicinity until his death. Her brother, William Ernst, now a prominent banker of Covington, Ky., is one of the Revision Committee of the Presbyterian Creed. Mrs. Fabnestock was called hence in 1877, after a life well spent. To this worthy couple ten children were born-Charles, William, John, Amelia, Alfred, Fred, Ilenry T., Lizzie, Walter and Edward. The seventh member of the fraternal band is the subject of this notice.
Charles Fahnestock, the oldest member of this family, was a professor of the lligh School at
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Lewistown, a merchant, and also carried on a book store. He possessed strong literary tastes, and was the author of many songs which have been set to music, among them being. "Give the Boys a Chance," " We'll Have to Mortgage the Farm," " The Girls of Our Town," "Starry Waves," etc. He died in Lewistown, Ill. William was a student at Center College, and died at his home in Bruns- wick; John is a retired merchant at Galesburg; Amelia is the wife of Park Love, of Orion Town- ship, Fulton County; Alfred, a graduate of Prince- ton (N. J.) College,has been Pastor of a Presby- terian Church at Syracuse, N. Y., for fifteen years; Fred is general agent for the Singer Sewing Ma- chine Company at Cohoes, N. Y .; Lizzie died when quite small, as did Walter and Edward, who were twins.
Onr subject was born in Upper Oxford, Chester County, Pa., March 25, 1846, lived at his birth- place until seven years old, and then accompanied his parents to the Prairie State, their journey being made from Cincinnati to Peoria on a boat, and from the latter place to Johnson's Corners in a wagon. He attended the district schools, and a parochial school at Brunswick, which was under the charge of the Rev. Mr. McFarland, and like other farmers' sons was early taught to bear a hand in various home duties. When twenty-one years old he took charge of the home place, renting and operating it nntil 1880, when he bought that upon which he now resides. His father had rented his farm with the intention of moving with our subject, and had his goods packed, when he was stricken with paralysis which caused his death. Our subject was one of the three administrators of his father's place. Taking possession of his place, he continned the employment in which he had form- erly been interested, and added to the value of his new home by continued excellent improvements.
The lady who presides over the pleasant home of our subject became his wife December 18, 1871, their marriage rites being celebrated at her home in this township. She was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., bore the maiden name of Rebecca Christy, and came West with her father, William Christy, in 1866. Mr. Christy owns a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, but has now aban-
doned its operation, making his home with his son James in Fulton County. Mr. and Mrs. Fahne- stock are the happy parents of five children-Liz- zie E., Tillie W., John C., William H. and Llewel- lyn-who receive every advantage possible in the way of education and home training.
Mr. Fahnestock is a Republican, has been dele- gate to county conventions, and is an ardent advo- eate of temperance. He has served on juries. He is Ruling Elder in the Brunswick Presbyterian Church, has been Superintendent of the Sunday- school since he was twenty-five years old, and is now teacher of the Bible class. He is also a Trus- tee, and has been delegate to Presbyteries and Synods. He is a consistent Christian, whose rule in life is to do as he would be done by. One sel- dom meets a more genial, entertaining gentleman, or one of more hospitable spirit, and it is indeed an honor to know him.
OHN L. GRISWOLD. Among the earlier residents of Peoria the name of John L. Griswold is conspicuous as that of an excel- lent financier and an active participant in the improvement of the city, to which he came in October, 1840. Ile was born in New York City in 1806, being a son of N. L. Griswold, of the firm of N. L. & G. Griswold, East India merchants. Ile resided in his native city until his removal to Peoria, and upon coming here he engaged in a general mercantile business with A. G. Curte- nius. They occupied the site now used by the Rock Island depot, selling their property to the railroad corporation after having occupied it a number of years.
The death of Mr. Curtenius occurred in 1857. Mr. Mathew Griswold became a partner in 1847 with our subjeet, and business was continued under the firm name of Griswold & Co. until the latter part of the '60s, when the firm was dissolved. The death of our subject took place in the city of Peo- ria, January 15, 1883. Mr. Griswold was married in 1840. His widow survives him.
The gentleman of whom we write was not espe-
1
Q. B. Turbett
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cially interested in political affairs, but was an ae- tive participant in the improvements which took place in this city after he became a resident here. He was one of the incorporators of the old wagon bridge which took the place of Col. May's ferry, the company buying out the Colonel. Mr. Gris- wood was one of the directors of the corporation, and he was also an active agent in securing the Bureau Valley Railroad, which was the first to en- ter the city. Ile made arrangements with Mr. Farnham of the Rock Island Railroad for its con- struction. Mr. Griswold was also one of the stockholders of the first gas company here, and served as its President for some time. He was identified with the gas company until his death. The fine stores at the corner of Washington and Liberty Streets were erected by him and his brother Matthew. For many years prior to his death he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his Christian character was recognized by all with whom he came in contact. Politically he was orig- inally a Whig, then a Republican, and during the war a stanch Union man.
OIIN B. TURBETT. To gain success even under favorable circumstances bespeaks tal- ent; to win it in spite of obstacles evinces genius. Difficulties and trials have entered the life of Mr. Turbett, but they have been overcome by this indefatigable worker. For more than fifty years he has been a resident of Lo- gan Township, where he is ranked among the eu- terprising and successful farmers. His sturdy and persistent pioneer labors have contributed to de- velop the agricultural resources of this region, and to such as he Peoria County owes the prond station it occupies in the galaxy of the counties of Illinois.
Among the pioneer settlers of Peoria County were the Turbett family. The parents were John and Nancy (Beatty) Turbett, natives of Juniata County, Pa. About 1814 they removed to Fair- field County, Ohio, making the journey on borse-
back. During their residence in the last-named county John B., our subject, was born January 18, 1820. However, not feeling satisfied with pros- pects in the Buckeye State, in the fall of 1839 the family came to this county and settled on section 21, Logan Township; the two hundred and forty acres of land on which they located was purchased by their two oldest sons with money procured through a brother.
In this home Mr. and Mrs. Turbett passed their remaining days, he dying in 1847. at the age of sixty- three years, and she in 1862, at the age of seventy three. The following are the names of their ten children : Thomas, who died, leaving one daughter; Jane, Mrs. Irvin, died in Ohio; Pris- cilla, now Mrs. S. W. Brooks; Jolm B .; Eliza, Mrs. Stewart; Elien, Mrs. Stewart; Mary; Han- nah, Mrs. Stewart; William S. and James A. Mr. Turbett was a tanner in early life, and came of Irish ancestry, his father having been born in lre- land, and emigrating from that country to Penn- sylvania.
Jolın B. Turbett received but limited educational advantages, but he had a fine opportunity to be- come thoroughly conversant with farming in all its branches. Ever since he came to this State, when he was about eighteen years of age, he has fought the battle of life unassisted. For many years he has lived on the old homestead, which he owns. Ile sold one hundred and six acres of it, and now has remaining one hundred and twenty acres of fine and well-improved land. He has forty acres of valuable timber land. Here his declining years are passed in comfort and peace, and in the enjoy- ment of that respect which is called forth by an upright, honorable life. He and his wife are stanch members of the Presbyterian Church and are ever true to the faith.
The most important event in the life of our sub- ject was his marriage, December 30, 1856, to Martha Crow, who has faithfully aided him in bis labors, and they have mutually comforted each other in the sorrows that have fallen to their lot. Mrs. Turbett, who was born in Licking County, Ohio, is a daughter of William and Margaret (Downing) Crow, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. She was their only child, and her mother
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dying when she was fifteen days old, she was reared by her grandfather, William Downing.
The following is a record of the children born to our subject and his wife: Thomas A., Sydney M .; Nancy L., wife of J. W. Jacobs, of Warren County, Iowa; Priscilla J., George W. and James B. In the month of March, 1885, a terrible grief overshadowed the household of Mr. and Mrs. Tur- bett as at that time three bright and promising sons-Walter, Edwin and Orrin, aged respectively seventeen, fourteen and eleven-were removed by that dreadful seourge, diphtheria. Their afflicted parents do not grieve without hope, however, as they are sustained by their firm religious faith and believe that they will meet their children elsewhere in a brighter and better world. They lost two other children in infaney.
Elsewhere in this volume will be found a litho- graphic portrait of Mr. Turbett.
ALTER TREASURE is doing an extensive and lucrative mining business, having a large bank of eoal of a fine grade in Bar- tonville, Limestone Township. Here he has a beautiful home which is one of the finest residence properties in the city, the handsome dwelling and extensive grounds with its lovely trees and orchards being an ornament to this quarter.
Mr. Treasure is a Welshman by birth, though born of English parentage. May 15, 1829, was the date of his birth, and his parents were Richard and Ann (Hook) Treasure. They were reared and married in England and moved from there to Wales in the early period of their wedded life, and there they lived and died.
Our subject grew to man's estate in Wales, and early began to work in the coal mines, gaining a thorough knowledge of his calling. Ile was am- bitious to do more for himself and acquire a com- petency and a comfortable home, and as he labored under disadvantages in his native land, he deter- mined to emigrate to the United States of America. In April, 1852, he landed in Philadelphia erossing the Atlantic in the vessel "Tam O'Shanter," that
made a good trip in eighteen days, which was then considered fast time. The lady to whom Mr. Treasure was afterwards married crossed the water about the same time, the voyage consuming four- teen weeks. Mr. Treasure had two sisters in Potts- ville, Schuylkill County, Pa., and he sought and found employment in the mines of that place, being engaged as a miner there for a few years. After that he traveled in many of the States of the Union, including Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, and Virginia, and revisited Maryland, thence be went to Ken- tucky and finally returned to the Keystone State. In 1855, he came from there to Peoria County, but subsequently retraced his steps as far as Ohio. He staid in that State until the fall of the year and then coming back to Peoria County, for thirty-five years has been a continuous resident of this section of the State.
Mr. Treasure commenced life here in the employ of T. C. More, with whom he subsequently entered into partnership. They were together for some time and rented first from W. C. II. Barton, afterward rented from Mr. Darst, being financially very sue- cessful. Our subject now has a large bank in the village of Bartonville, and mines a good deal of coal which is of an excellent quality, finding ready sale in the city upon which he depends for his trade. He keeps several men at work and in the winter employs seven or eight hands all the time.
In 1859, Mr. Treasure bought a tract of six acres of land which is very pleasantly located in Barton- ville, and upon it be built a small house which he afterward replaced by a commodious residence. Ile has since added to his real estate eight acres of fine land, and has planted it with forest trees, thus add- ing greatly to the beauty of the place. On his first purchase of six acres he set out an apple orchard that now contains fine large trees in good bearing condition.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Margaret Noaden, took place in 1862, and theirs has been a eongenial and happy union. She is also a native of Wales and came to this country in 1856, with her parents, Richard and Mary Noaden. Mr. Treasure brought his bride to the little home that he first established here, and she has actively aided him in the upbuilding of their present commodious dwell-
-
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ing. They have had six children, three of whom died in childhood. The others are Amelia, Olive and Annie, the latter at home with her parents. Amelia is the wife of Frank Moffatt, son of Aquila Moffatt, an old pioneer of Peoria, of whom sec sketch on another page. They have two children, Walter and Earl. Olive is the wife of James Richards, a music teacher of Peoria.
Mr. Treasure, as we have seen, is eminently a self-made man and his career in life has been hon- orable to himself, and has been very useful to his adopted township and county. He is sagacious and far-sighted in his business operations, which are conducted promptly and methodically. He has a well-balanced mind, and independent and original views on all subjects and has his own ideas in regard to religion. As a loyal citizen should, he has for many years taken quite an interest in political mat- ters, favoring the Republican party with his sup- port, but he has never been a politician and has never sought for office.
C HARLES S. DUKE. Although this gentle- man has been in business for himself but a few years, his long experience and extensive acquaintance so thoroughly fitted him for the en- terprise in which he engaged that he is already well established and numbered among the leading dealers of Peoria. His stock consists of hats and men's furnishing goods, the fine selection occupy- ing an appropriate room at No. 319 Main Street, where salesmen of affable and well-bred manners assist the proprietor in his responsible charge.
The gentleman of whom we write is the young- est of three sons born to James and Elizabeth J. (Mitchell) Duke, and opened his eyes to the light in Indianapolis, Ind., August 30, 1860. In the same city his father was born, while his mother's birthplace was near Maysville, Ky. In 1867 the parents removed to Peoria, where they have sinee resided. The boyhood of our subject was passed in attendance at the public schools where he com- pleted the course of study. He began his mercan tile experience as an errand boy, advancing to the
position of clerk in the old store of Day Bros. & Co., of Peoria, with whom he remained three years.
At the expiration of that time Mr. Duke ae- eepted a clerkship with Ottenheimer Bros., and still later with Wolgamot & Co., continuing with the latter firm five years. In August. 1888. he entered into trade on his own account, having from the start a fair run of eustom among those to whom his pleasing manners and thorough knowl- edge of business methods had given him good re- pute. ITe is a member of Peoria Lodge, No. 250, K. of P., occupying the chair of Chancellor Com- mander. In polities he is a strong Republican. Hle and his wife are members in good standing of the Congregational Church. The reputation of Mr. Duke is that of a thoroughly honorable man, whose business relations are trustworthy, social and domestic life kindly, and character irreproach- able.
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