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 102
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The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Catherine Cobell, who was born in Pennsylva- nia, a daughter of Jacob Cobell, of that State, who became an early settler and a farmer in Franklin County, Ohio, where he died. She resided on the homestead for a few years after her husband died, and then removed to Farmington where her death occurred at the ripe old age of seventy-seven years. Of the eleven boys born of her wedded life, eight grew to maturity: Jacob, who died in Trivoli Township; William; Daniel, a resident of Iowa; Isaac, who lives in Livingston County; Samuel : Keys, who died in Cambridge; Irving, a resident of Cambridge, and Wesley, who lives at Nashville, Tenn.
June 26, 1818, the subject of this biographical review opened his eyes to the light of the world in the primitive home of his parents, amid the prime- val forests of Franklin County, Ohio. When he was only a small boy his services were required in the labors of the farm, and he was early taught to reap with a cradle, and to carry on agriculture generally after the primitive methods of yore. The school- house in which he gained a knowledge of the con- tents of the English reader and spelling book and learned to wield the goose-quill pen, was built of logs, had slab benches and a puncheon floor, and greased paper served instead of glass in the open- ing that was cut for a window, and the establish- ment was heated by fire in a rude fireplace. His great delight in his youth was in hunting foxes, turkeys and other wild animals with hounds, and he became an expert in the use of the rifle, and is still the champion shot here, and was never beaten in a contest but once.
Mr. Cramer remained at home with his mother until twenty-six years of age. In October of 1839 he left Ohio with a six-horse team, covered wagon and carriage, beginning his eventful journey to the
4
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new home on the wild prairies of this State. He was five weeks on the way, over the rough roads and the rude pole bridges, crossed the Wabash at Terre Haute, and came directly to Farmington, enjoying himself all the way by hunting. He re- mained some two years in Farmington, and during the second summer engaged in ehopping wood for one month, which was the only time he ever worked out. He continued with his father until 1.846, when he became the possessor of eighty acres of raw land, he having previously rented land of his fa- ther. He located on his place, building a log house, and for twelve months engaged in drawing logs. Ife used two horses to break his land, turning two aeres of the prairie sod each day. He worked hard and obtained money enough to buy forty acres adjoining his first purchase, which he improved, and finally, in 1860, replaced the log dwelling that he had constructed himself, by his present com- modious residence. He built a barn, in 1848, of hard wood, which was the largest in the township at that time.
Mr. Cramer made his money principally by rais - ing corn, grain and hogs, and finally bought of his brother ninety-five acres of the old homestead, for which he paid 86,000. He kept it ten years and then sold it. At one time he owned a lot in Peoria. He bought an aere of land in Farmington and built a house on it for his mother, which he still owns. His farm is hedged, has a fine orchard and is amply supplied with small fruits. and has pleas- ant groves upon it. He rents his land, but still raises some full-blooded Poland-China hogs and good cattle. Ile used to raise fine horses and has a standard bred colt, "Mattie Hatton," and he used to have stallion roadsters.
In 1881, when the Iowa Central Railroad was being built, he was solicited to use his influence, and was very active in securing its passage through this township. lle was the first man that put down $200 on the subscription paper. The company wanted $12,000 from Trivoli Township, and after obtaining $5,000 they called upon the people to raise more, then wanted $1,000 before building the road. He was one of three who raised the necessary $1,000-John Larkin and Thomas Iliggs being the others. The company put a flag station here and
the Division Superintendent named it Cramer in honor of our subject, as it is located on his farm. A few months later they secured the location of a post-office here, thus making it a regular station.
About this time Mr. Cramer built a store and leased it, the building costing him $2,000. He then put up another building. intending to rent it to some one to go into the grain business. For two years Mr. Cramer managed the store himself, but has since rented it. He has ever manifested a marked interest in whatever enterprise would pro- mote the welfare of township and county. He gave right of way to the railroad across his land, and subscribed $533.33}, which would amount to about $2,000 in all. In politics he has always been loyal to the Democratic party and was at one time a del- egate to a convention. He has served on the Petit Jury but would never accept public office.
August 17, 1843, was the date on which the marriage of our subject to Miss Ann Rodgers was solemnized. She was born near Belfast, Ireland, October 24, 1824, and was a child when she came to Philadelphia with her father, John Rodgers, who was a native of the same place as herself. His wife died in Ireland and he came to this country in 1826, with his little daughter, and made his home in Philadelphia where he engaged in weaving in a factory until coming to Illinois in 1835. Ile lo- cated at Ilarkness Grove, Trivoli Township, on three acres of land and engaged in weaving. He prospered at his trade until he lost his health and died. He was a Presbyterian in his religious belief. Hle was twice married, the maiden name of his first wife, Mrs. Cramer's mother, being Mary A. Nich- olson. Ilis second wife was Eliza McMurdy, who died in Trivoli Township in 1886. There were two children born of the first marriage-Ann and an infant. The following are the names of the children of the second marriage-John, James, Mathew William, Samuel George and Mary. Mrs. Cramer lived in Philadelphia until she was more than ten years old, and then came by boat to Peo- ria County with her father and lived in Trivoli Township until her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Cramer have had five children: Arthur; Margery, who married Joseph Miller, a farmer of Utica, Neb .; Royal, who lives at home;
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Calvin, at home, a graduate of a college at Quincy. Ill., and at one time Township Clerk for four years. Arthur was only eighteen years old when he en- listed, in August, 1862, in the Eighty sixth Illinois Infantry, Company D, for a period of three months. Soon after enlistment he was taken sick and died, in December, 1862, in Nashville, Tenn., where he lies sleeping his last sleeep, having sacrificed his young life for his country. Silas pre-empted a homestead of one hundred and sixty aeres in Kan- sas. He was taken siek there and started for his old home, but on his way to the station, thirty miles dis- tant, he died on the Kansas prairies, being only nineteen years old.
R OBERT M. IIANNA. Setting aside papers published in Chicago, which of course bear the palm, the Peoria Transcript is recog- nized as the leading newspaper of Illinois. The position of editor on this sheet has been held with signal success by Mr. Hanna since 1883, a few years prior to which he had been called to the city hy a former associate, who, with others, had pur- chased the Transcript office and who, knowing his ability, was satisfied to place the office under his mechanical charge. In this position he continued three years, after which he became editor of the paper. Mr. Hanna is a practical printer and has also had much experience in the office work which makes or mars a journal.
Mr. Ilanna is descended from old Virginia fam- ilies and is himself a native of West Virginia, born in Braxton County, January 3, 1839. His parents, David and Caroline (Cutlip) Hanna, removed to Iowa in 1845, locating at Fairfield, Jefferson County, where the father gave up his vocation of a tanner to adopt that of a farmer. In 1850 he went to the California gold fields; he died in Fair- field, Iowa, about [874. Mrs. Hanna died in Peo- ria, Ill., at the residence of her son, our subject, January 3, 1888, at the age of sixty-eight years.
Robert M. entered the office of the Fairfield Sentinel at the age of fourteen years, and besides learning the ordinary work of a printing office
served an apprenticeship on book and blank work. A few years ago he was considered one of the most rapid typesetters in the Mississippi Valley. He was employed on the Gate City, at Keokuk and on the Hawk Eye, at Burlington, being on the latter at the same time with Bob Burdette. From Fairfield,in 1856, he went to Chariton, where on September 7, 1858, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Kneff. The parents of Mrs. Hanna were Christo- pher and Elizabeth Kneff, who resided in Hancock County, Ill., where they died.
As falls to the usual lot of printers, Mr.' Hanna has at different times been employed in various offices. During the war he worked in Burlington, Iowa, afterwards spending ten years in Keokuk and returning to Burlington for a sojourn of five years. HIe has also been employed at St. Joseph, Mo., and Leavenworth, Kan. In Keokuk he had worked with Alexander Stone, who in 1880 called him to Peoria to take a position in the Transcript office. In a few years his exceptional fitness for an editorial position became manifest and he took his place at the head of the office, where his work is being rec- ognized as potent in advancing all movements in which the Transcript is interested and molding to a large degree the sentiments of the people among whom it circulates. Mr. Hanna is a Republican, true to his party in every respect.
The family of Mr. Hanna and his good wife con- sists of six living children, and they have been called upon to part with two. Of the survivors the youngest three-Kate, Grace and Hattie are still inmates of the parental home. David is a printer at Olympia, Wash .; Ruth is the wife of George Sylvester, and May the wife of James Phipps, both living in Peoria.
6 HOMAS M. STEWART was born February 16, 1851, on section 4, Timber Township, on the old homestead that his father pur- chased from the Government more than fifty years ago, when it was a traet of forest-covered land, and improved it into a valuable farm, which has always been the home of our subject. 1Ie is now one of
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the foremost citizens of his native township, is prominent in publie life, and is one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of this section of the county.
George and Ann Eliza (Turbett) Stewart, parents of our subject, were born in Oswego County, N. Y., and Ohio, respectively. Mr. Stewart came to Illi- nois and settled where our subject now resides, in Timber Township, entering one hundred and sixty acres of land, in 1835, and during his forty years residence here he was one of the leading citizens of the place, and became quite wealthy. When he came here he had but $6 in money. Ilis land was heavily timbered, but in the course of years he cleared it, put it under excellent cultivation and erected fine buildings, making it one of the most valuable pieces of property in this locality. He was interested in the political and public life of the township, was a devoted Democrat, and at one time served as Tax Collector. Ile was one of the foremost members of the United Presbyterian Church, to which his wife also belonged, and he was an elder in the church, of which he was one of the organizers. May 6, 1875, at the age of more than sixty-five years, he departed this life, this community then losing one of its most useful and greatly respected citizens. He was twice mar- ried, taking for his first wife a Miss McFadden. His second wife, the mother of our subject, was a sister of James and William S. Turbett. Eight children were born of that marriage: Mary J .; Thomas M .; Nancy A., wife of William A. Brooks; James A .; Walter S .; Priscilla; Harriet I., wife of Oran Stewart; and Esther A.
Our subject has spent his entire life on the farm which was his birthplace. His education was con- ducted in the public schools of Timber Township, and under his father's tuition he gained a thorough practical knowledge of agriculture in all its branches, and for some years has been carrying on farming himself, keeping up his father's old farm to the same high point of cultivation that it had attained under the latter's care, and everything about the place is neat and orderly, betokening the presence of a master hand and mind.
Mr. Stewart possesses in an eminent degree those faculties that lead a man to success in any walk of
life, make him wise in counsel, quick to perceive the advantage in any situation and prompt to act thereon. His fellow citizens, recognizing the value of these attributes in a civic official, have repeat- edly called him to responsible positions in public life, and he has served two terms as Tax Collector, and is now serving his fifth term as Supervisor of the township, and has been a member of the Judi- ciary Committee, his conduct in each and every office showing him to be guided by the purest motive-a desire for the public good.
ACOB B. BARNES. The profession of journalism is represented in Peoria by sev- eral gentlemen of acknowledged ability as business managers, ready writers and intelli- gent advocates of party doctrines and the public good. Among these Jacob B. Barnes has an excel- lent standing. He has had thorough schooling in the printer's trade and in the various departments of newspaper work, has traveled considerably in the West and thus cultivated his powers of observa- tion, added to his general intelligence and become capable of discriminating accurately regarding men and motives.
The natal day of Mr. Barnes was July 11, 1839, his birthplace, Stephenson County, Ill., and his par- ents, Joseph and Chloe (Everingham) Barnes. The progenitors of our subject were natives of the Em- pire State, whence they came to Illinois in 1834, the father dying in Stephenson County in 1845. The following year the widow removed with her family to Iowa, and in the otlice of the Dubuque Tribune, our subject, at the earnest solicitation of Charles Sumner, learned his trade. In 1856 the young man went to Minnesota, several years there- after being spent by him in traveling throughout the West. He was one of the first white men to go into what is now Dakota. The party which he was attending settled at Sioux Falls, while he went on across the plains through Colorado and Utah.
Returning to Dubuque in 1865 Mr. Barnes re- mained there three years, then came to Peoria where for several years he was pressman in the
James Richardson
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Transcript office. In 1876 he went into business with E. F. Baldwin, two years later establishing the Daily Journal. For a number of years prior to that time the sheet had been issued as a weekly. Mr. Barnes is a sturdy Republican, a protectionist of the most earnest kind and a bi-metallist. The Journal has frequently been quoted in Congress because of its advocacy of those doctrines and its stirring ut- terances regarding them. Mr. Barnes is a member of the Masonic fraternity, genial and courteous, thoroughly well informed and capable of advanc- ing his opinions clearly, interestingly and forcibly.
AMES RICHARDSON, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, is an old set- tler of Logan Township, where he is still actively pursuing his calling as a practical farmer and stock-raiser. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, August 8, 1819, and is a son of Ilenry G. and Martha (Mckibben) Richardson, the former born in Campbell County, Va., June 25, 1785, and the latter in Pennsylvania, in July, 1795. He was a son of John Richardson, who was a far- mer, and entered a quarter-section of land for each member of his family. He was one of the earliest settlers of lligliland County, Ohio, was a leading member of the church, and served in the War for Independence. He married Polly Terrell, and they had three sons and four daughters, named as fol- lows: Nancy, Henry, Polly, Samuel, Sallie, John, and Mahalia. The Richardson family originated in England. The great-grandfather of our subject was born in that county, married, and had a fam- ily of seven boys and one girl.
The father of our subject was a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1806, he settled in Highland County, Ohio, on land which had been entered by his father. He remained there until the fall of 1843, and then came to Peoria County, and made his home in Elmwood Township until his demise, . August 16, 1868. He was a faithful Christian, and was almost a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also belonged.
Of their children the following is noted: Jane, the widow of Emory Dunn, of Sioux City, Iowa, has one son and five daughters; Jolin died in Jas- per County, Iowa, leaving four sons and one daugh- ter; Mary is the wife of James Mendenhall, of Peoria, and they have two sons and one daughter ; James is our subject; Martha married Benjamin Smith, and both died, leaving two sons; Henry lives in Selina County, Kan., and has a family of two sons and two daughters; Vianna is the wife of Jerry Kimsey, of Warren County, Iowa; and George is a resident of Elmwood Township.
The father of our subject was prosperously en- gaged in the nursery business for many years, be- sides carrying on farming. He was prominent in the councils of his church, and was Class-Leader. His wife was a daughter of Joseph Mckibben, who was an early settler of Fulton County, Ohio; he was a soldier of the Revolution, and also took part in the War of 1812. Hc was the father of four sons and two daughters.
His early life being passed on a farm, our sub- ject acquired a good knowledge of farming in all its branches. His education was conducted in the public schools, although at a great disadvantage, as he had to go a long distance, the first school that he attended in Ohio being six miles away. His older brothers and sisters had better opportunities for securing an education. He remained with his father until his marriage, and subsequently in the fall of 1842, came to this county with a team, and with $57 in moncy, and made a settlement in Lo- gan Township. In the following spring he bought forty acres of land, later entered another forty-acre tract,and continued buying land until he owned two hundred and forty acres. He still has one hundred and forty acres in his possession, and has sold one hundred and fifteen acres. He has given all his chil- dren money and a good start in life. Mr. Richardson bas sound, sensible views on the best ways of car- rying on farming, and his farm is well conducted, and as well ordered as any in the neighborhood. He has not lived here these many years without gaining warm friends, who recognized his intrinsic worth, and respect him accordingly. In him the Methodist Episcopal Church finds one of its most loyal and consistent members, and the Democratic
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party has in him a sturdy supporter of its policy, as he has been connected with that party ever since he cast his maiden vote for Martin Van Buren.
Mr. Richardson has been wedded three times. February 4, 1841, he was married to Mary Hart, a native of Highland County, Ohio, and a daughter of Andrew and Abigail ( McDonald) Hart, natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Highland County, Ohio. Her fa- ther died in Indiana while on a visit there, and her mother departed this life in Ohio. Mrs. Richard- son died August 18, 1849. Of her marriage with our subject, five children were born, namely: Martha, who married John Taylor, of Warren County, Iowa; both are now deceased, leaving three sons and two daughters; William, a resident of War- ren County, Iowa; Abigail, the wife of Alexander Long, of Virginia; Matilda, the wife of Thomas Taylor, of Warren County, Iowa; James F., who lives near Portland, Ore. Mrs. Richardson was a member of the Christian Church, and was in every respect a pure, true, and upright woman.
Our subject's second marriage which took place June 27, 1850, was with Nancy Parr, who was born in Ireland, and was a daughter of Joseph and Mar- garet Parr. They emigrated to this country, and first made their home in New York, and later set- tled among the pioneers of this county. By his sec- ond marriage our subject had six children, namely : Carrie, wife of James Smith, of Linn County, Orc .; Alice, wife of Ransom Kelly; Angeline, wife of William Melvin, of Livingston County ; Lucy E., wife of A. Reubsom, of Peoria; John, a resident of Missouri; and Myrtle, wife of Harry Cole, of Cass County, Neb. The mother of these children died May 17, 1871, and was greatly lamented.
The maiden name of our subject's wife, to whom lie was married Jauuary 4, 1883, was Jane Strat- ton. She was born in Logan Township, July 18, 1841, and is a daughter of William and Sarah (Clayton) Stratton, the former born in Ireland, March 25, 1788, and the latter in Brooklyn, N. Y., December 2, 1805. He came to the United States in 1816, landing on these shores October 15, and for some years was engaged in the dairy business in New York. In 1837, he came to this county and located on section 16, Logan Township, thus be-
coming one of its early pioneers. At the time of his death, February 26, 1880, he owned two hun- dred and eighty acres of land. His wife was a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Clark) Clayton, who were natives respectively of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They were Methodists in religion. Their sons and daughters were named Cornelius, Daniel, Joseph, William, and Mary, the latter now the wife of Charles Tripp, of New York City. None of the sons ever married.
Mr. and Mrs. Stratton reared a family of eleven children, as follows: Mary A., wife of Joseph Brisco; Eliza, wife of John McKinnie, of Peoria; William, who died leaving a wife and three children; James died unmarried in California, in January, 1890; Richard lives in Livingston County ; Thomas, a resident of Sumner County, Kan .; Sarah, the wife of Charles Coker, of Gove County, Kan .; Jane; Emeline, wife of James Norwood; Clara, wife of James McMain, of Gove County, Kan .; Joseph is married and living on the old homestead in Logan Township, where he was born. The maiden name of his wife was Jennie Delauder.
R ICHARD HANNY. It is sometimes a mat- ter of conjecture as to what cause men owe their success in business, and why one fails where another wins competence and fame. In the case of the gentleman above named it is comparatively easy to determine what qualities are used to better his financial condition and give him a good standing in business circles. Thorough and reliable workmanship, straightforward dealing and persevering industry win, and even such business reverses as the best managers sometimes suffer from are not irremediable. Mr. Hanny is now engaged in the manufacture of carriages, buggies, farm wagons and carts, also doing an extensive repair business, and is becoming well known as the manu- facturer of the "Hanny Road Cart," which has at- tained a high reputation for excellence.
The parents of our subject were John and Bene- dicta Hanny, of Baden, Germany, the father being a farmer. In that kingdom Richard Hanny opened
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his eyes to the light of day July 2, 1830. IIe was reared "to farm pursuits and until twenty years of age made his home under the parental roof. Feel- ing averse to the life of a soldier, he then came to America to avoid the army service which he would have been compelled to undergo had he remained in his native land. Having crossed the briny deep and landed at New York City, he went to Laneaster, Pa., and at once set to work to learn the trade of a blacksmith. He worked under the direction of Alexander Sanders two years, then removed to Hamilton, Ohio, following his trade in that place some six months and then came to Peoria.
Mr. Hanny at once secured work as a journey- man, continuing the same until 1857, when he opened a shop in Kickapoo Township. In 1863 he returned to Peoria, opened a shop on Bridge Street, and for four years confined himself to ordinary blacksmith's work. IIe thien branched out as a manu- facturer of plows upon so large a scale that the ac- eumnlations of previous years soon melted away in the unfortunate venture. Being obliged to begin anew at the bottom of the ladder, he opened a small shop on Knoxville Street, changing his quarters with the growth of the city and his trade. Ile finally lad constant employment for eleven men and is now doing so well that he has frequently to lire extra help. His own knowledge, acquired by years of practical labor, is such that only skilled work- men will satisfy him and no defective material is likely to find place in his manufactured goods. In the case of the Hanny Road Cart, any breakage resulting from defective material or improper workmanship will be remedied by him if the broken part is returned within a year. This guarantee is all that could be expected and gives dealers and users confidence in tlie vehicle and its patentee.
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