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 107
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the Sunday-school held in the schoolhouse near his home.
The mother of our subject is still living, her home being in the village of Brimfield, and her age more than three-score. She was born near Hey- wood, Lancashire, England, in 1823, and when about nineteen years old came to Central Illinois with her parents. She bore the maiden name of Susannah Howarth, and is a daughter of Richard Howarth, of whom a further notice will be found elsewhere in this volume. ller marriage was cele- brated in Kickapoo Township. She is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, re- spected for her virtues and loved for her kindly nature. The Howarths were all coal miners in England.
The family circle, of which our subject is the fifth member, includes also Mrs. Martha Bower, of Rosefield; Mrs. Alice Ilowarth, of Livingston County ; Mary A., who lives with her mother in Brimfield ; David, of Edwards Station, this county ; Richard, a furniture dealer and undertaker in Brim- field; Mrs. Elizabeth llayes, of Jubilee Township; Mrs. Arvesta J. Rook, of Edwards Station, and May S., with her mother.
James Hindle, the subject of this biographical sketch, was born on the place he now occupies, February 16, 1855. llis school privileges were fair, comprising an attendance at the district school during the winters of his early years. With ready intelligence he has added to the foundation thus acquired a creditable degree of knowledge on general topics and current events. He early began to assist in the summer work on the farm, ere long learned to burn lime and made himself quite useful in hauling coal. As he grew toward manhood he likewise began to work in the mines in the winter season. He remained at home until he was twenty- three years old, when he rented one hundred and twenty acres on seetion 18, of his father, operating it until his marriage.
That important event occurred in Brimfield Township, March 1, 1882, the bride being Miss Elizabeth J. Church. That young lady was born in Brimfield Township, and prior to her marriage was successfully engaged as a school teacher, a po- sition for which her mental acquirements, tact and
good judgment well qualified her. The young couple settled upon a farm in Kickapoo Township belonging to R. Howarth, where the husband oper- ated over two hundred acres of land, devoting his attention to the cultivation of grain and hay and to an extensive dairy business.
In 1887 Mr. Hindle's mother wished him to take charge of the homestead, from the management of which she desired to retire, and he therefore re- turned with his family to his early home. He has gained a prominent place among the young farmers of the township. being straightforward in his man- ners and dealings, possessing an unusual amount of energy, and being ambitious to excel in his occu- pation as well as to bear his part in those things which pertain to to the public welfare.
ยท Following the example set before him by his worthy father. Mr. Ilindle votes the Republican ticket, and attends and supports the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ile is now serving acceptably as Township School Trustee, having previously been Constable a year or two. Ile and his wife find their home pleasures enhanced by the presence at their fireside of three interesting children- Mary, Richard H. and Olive I. Their first-born, J. Fred, has been removed from them by death.
G EORGE H. MCILVAINE, Vice-President of the Peoria National Bank, and President of the Clearing House and Banker's Asso- ciation, is also President of the Peoria Mercantile Library Association, which he assisted in establish- ing, and contributed liberally toward the erection of the building. He is a man well educated, well informed, liberal and progressive in his ideas, and has been a member of the Board of Education thirty years, serving as President and Treasurer, and assisting in the erection of every school-house in the city.
M :. Mellvaine was born in Pittsburg, Pa., Au- gust 10, 1834, and is a son of the Rev. W. B. and Elizabeth (Breading) MeIlvaine, natives of Penn- sylvania. The mother died in Pittsburg, in 1851, the father is living in Peoria, He grew to mature years
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in his native city, and completed his education in Washington College, Pa., from which he was grad- uated in 1853, with the degree of A. B. The de- gree of A. M. was conferred recently. After leav- ing college, Mr. McIlvaine, in 1854, started for the West, settling in Peoria, and engaging in the hard- ware and iron business, purchasing the interest of II. Liglitner in the firm of Walker & Lightner. The firm title was then changed to Walker & Mc- Ilvaine, and they conducted an extensive wholesale and retail business until 1872. Mr. Mellvaine then disposed of his interests in the concern, and be- came connected with the Second National Bank, of which he was the Manager, Vice-President and Cashier nntil the expiration of its charter in 1883. Ile engineered the business during the panic of 1872-73, maintaining it upon a substantial basis, and paid in liquidation of $1753 for $100 of stock. In 1883 it was succeeded by the Peoria National Bank, and Mr. McIlvaine continued as Cashier un- til November 1, 1888. He then resigned the ac- tive management of the bank, and has since simply been the Vice-President of the Association, which during a period of five years has accumulated nearly 840,000 surplus.
Mr. McIlvaine has been President of the Clear- ing House since its organization. Indeed there are few public enterprises where his sound judgment and substantial aid have not been solicited and given. He was one of the organizers of the Peoria Library Association, and assisted in the erection of its present fine and commodious building which stands at the corner of Jefferson and Main Streets. Although the library has been turned over to the city, the association still owns the building and ground. Ile has been for many years a Director of the Chamber of Commerce, and for a time was quite extensively engaged in real-estate transac- tions, putting up a three-story building erected on Adams Street, and which is now occupied by the well-known firm of Pardee, Mills & Co. This was the first really good building put up in that locality.
Althongh keeping himself posted upon the polit- ical movements of the day, Mr. McIlvaine has never sought office, believing he could make himself more useful elsewhere. During the progress of the Civil War he was a member of the Christian
and Sanitary Commission instituted by the Young Mens' Christian Association of Peoria, and cou- tributed freely of his time and means thereto. Ile has for many years been prominently connected with the Presbyterian Church and Sunday-school, officiating as Superintendent in the latter, and be- ing particularly interested in the Fourth Ward Mis- sion, which grew into Grace Church, and of which he was Superintendent. He has had experience as Sunday-school Superintendent for twenty-two years continuously, maintaining the same warm interest in the training of the young, that he manifested in his early manhood. It has been the habit of Mr. MeIlvaine, to carry through whatever he under- takes, and this rule has been followed in connection with his religious work as perseveringly as in busi- ness channels. It is said he never made a failure. In his sanitary commission work he was greatly aided and encouraged by D. L. Moody, the well- known Evangelist.
The marriage of George H. Mellvaine and Miss Priscilla J. McClure, a resident of Peoria, was cele- brated at the bride's home in this city, on the 18th of August, 1857. Mrs. McIlvaine was born in Franklin County, Pa., in 1834, and is a daughter of Josiah E. and Jane MeClure. The former was among the carly settlers of Peoria County. locating in the city, where Mr. McClure employed himself at pork packing. The well-known Col. J. D. Mc- Clure is a brother of Mrs. Mellvaine. Of this union there have been born six children, five of whom are living, namely: William B., an attorney in Chi- cago; Elizabeth B., the wife of Albert T. Jolinson, of the Peoria National Bank; Emma, Priscilla, and George remain with their parents.
The Mellvaine family residence is a beautiful and commodions structure, occupying No. 111 North Madison Avenue, and with its surroundings forms one of the most attractive homes in the city. The first part of the residence was being built when Mr. Mellvaine married, and the newly wedded pair thus took up their abode in their own home. It has since been enlarged and improved, and in every way indicates the exercise of cultured tastes and ample means. The grounds were originally occu- pied by an apple orchard. and one of the veteran trees is still standing on the front lawn, where it
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has been stationed for a period of over thirty years. It still bears its blossoms every season, and is cher- ished with particular care, as one of the old relies which it is hoped will withstand the storm of many years to come. Mr. MeIlvaine is now retired from active business, suffering from nervous prostration brought on by mental labor and overwork.
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b ARRISON IIARLAN. All acquainted with the agricultural affairs of Radnor Township, or with its political workings, will immedi- ately recognize this name as that of a man prominently identified with both. Mr. Harlan is now serving his second term as Township Super- visor, having been first elected to the office in the spring of 1889 and re-elected in 1890. He has held the place of School Director, performing the manifold duties of that position in a manner that commended him to teachers and patrons. In the work of his political party, the Republican, he is active and useful, showing his faith by his works and never failing to deposit a vote in the interests of good government. As a man, intelligent, enter- prising, genial and honest. he gains respect and makes many warm friends.
Our subject is a representative in the third gen- eration of two pioncer families of this county, and is a son of a gentleman and lady well known in the township for a number of years. Ilis father, John Harlan, was born in the Buckeye State, and his mother, Caroline (Please) Harlan, in the Old Dominion. After their marriage, which took place in this county, they settled on section 22, Radnor Township, where the wife and mother died in 1855. The husband and father is now living in Harvey County, Kan. They had five sons and one daugh- ter, he of whom we write being the second son.
The natal day of Harrison Harlan was the 12th of February, 1842. He grew to manliood in the town- ship where he still makes his home, pursuing his studies in the common schools and from his early years devoting himself to farming as a life work. He now owns the old homestead of two hundred and eighty acres, upon which he has made many
substantial improvements, erecting a first-class set of buildings and surrounding his family with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He has been abundantly prospered in the vocations of general agriculture and stock-raising, to which he gives his attention, ranking among the solid men of the township.
Mr. Harlan was fortunate in winning as his wife a lady of fine character, domestic skill and intelli- gence, who, as companion, mother and neighbor, is worthy of regard. She was known in her girl- hood as Miss Hannah L. Gordon, was born in this township January 10, 1847, and married at her home, November 6, 1863. Her parents, Samuel and Hannah (Bush) Gordon, were early settlers of this county and departed this life in Radnor Township. She was their only child. Mr. and Mrs. Harlan have had twelve children, three of whom died in infancy, and Harry in later years. The living children are: Ida M., Frank E .. Cora A., Amy I., Jolin, Laura E., Fred and Elsie C. Two of these have left the parental home for their own abodes, Ida being the wife of Charles T. Harwood, and Cora having married A. J. Dunlap.
Our subject joined the Union army in 1864, was assigned to Company A, Thirty-second Illinois Veteran Infantry, and was in the service nine months. During that time the only severe battle in which he participated was that of Bentonville, N. C. He was mustered out at Washington. D. C., and returning to his former place of abode re- sumed his peaceful occupation of farming. Mr. Harlan served the township as Assessor one year, and was re-elected the second year, but not hav- ing the time to spare, did not serve.
In connection with this biographical review, the reader will notice on another page a view of the home of our subject with its surroundings.
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P ROF. S. L. COULTER. The death of Prof. Coulter, which occurred September 5, 1885, removed from Peoria County a gentleman of deep erudition, and model character both in public and private life. During the years in
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which he had resided here he had become noted for his scholarship, for his success as an instructor. and for his scientific researches. He was born in Washington County, Pa., in May, 1815, received the advantage of excellent schooling, was gradu- ated at Jefferson College and became the princi- pal of the academy at Beaver, which position he held twelve years.
In 1854 Prof. Coulter removed to the Missis- sippi Valley, settling in Peoria, Ill., and for a number of years conducted a select lligh School. On account of failing health he finally retired to a farm, without by any means abandoning his scholarly pursuits, but finding time to carry on his researches in natural history, and continued the study of the classics, in which he took great de- light. He finally returned to the county seat, where for a brief period he was editor of the Peoria Republican, and where he finally elosed his eyes to earthly things.
Prof. Coulter was a life-long student of the Bible, from which he drew the principles which animated his life, making it a model worthy the emulation of all with whom he came in contact. His mem- bership was in the Second Presbyterian Church, where he held a leading position. The estimable lady who survives to mourn the loss of a most considerate companion, is a native of Beaver, Pa., and at the time of her marriage to our subject was the widow of Stephen Stone.
CI LEXANDER STONE, Manager of the Pe- oria Transcript and Postmaster of that city. was appointed to this latter office April 14, 1889, during a recess of Congress and was re-ap- pointed on the 21st of December following and confirmed by the United States Senate. He is an Ohio man, having been born in Licking County. that State, June 14, 1845, and is a son of James and Lucina P. (Chapman) Stone, with whom he remained in his native county until fourteen years old. Then, in 1859, they removed to Iowa, and during his sojourn there Mr. Stone entered the
army and served in the Quartermaster's and Com- missary departments for abont two years and until the close of the war.
Soon after this event Mr. Stone located in Keo- kuk, lowa, becoming connected with the Gate City, with which he remained in various capacities for thirteen years. In the meantime he obtained quite a reputation as a humorous writer, producing many admirable little sketches and one poem especially, entitled "The Patter of the Shingle," whose author- ship has frequently been a question from time to time, and which has been extensively copied in the papers all over the United States, also set to music and sung on the operatic stage. Its authorship has been accredited to nearly every humorons writer in the country, including Robert J. Bur- dette, who a few years since published an article concerning it, giving the credit where it was due.
Mr. Stone during his connection with the Gate City employed himself largely as City Editor, and when withdrawing from the paper, in 1880, came to Peoria and assumed the management of the Transcript, with which he has since been connected. He has taken an active part in politics, rendering signal service to the Republican party, serving as Chairman of the Congressional Committee for a number of years and as a delegate to nearly all the State, Congressional and county conventions. Ilis energy, persistence and industry have con- spired to give him a leading position among the newspaper men of the West. He is a good finan- cier, a thorough business man and has the art of making friends wherever he goes.
The subject of this notice was married May 3, 1870, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Miss Ella M. Knight. Mrs. Stone was born December 14, 1846, in Wash- ington County, Pa., and is a daughter of Oliver and Rachel ( Welch) Knight. The father of our subject was James Stone, likewise a native of Licking County, Ohio, and born February 10, 1810. In early manhood he followed farming, but subse- quently engaged in the mercantile business at New- ark until his removal to lowa; he is now living retired from active business at a pleasant home in Norwalk, one of the most beautiful little cities of the Buckeye State. The mother of our subject is also living, and is about ten years her husband's
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junior. James Stone during the late Civil War served as a Captain, and on account of efficient and meritorious service was breveted a Major. For ten years after the war he was a Government clerk in the War Department at Washington.
OHN SCHOFIELD, Justice of the Peace, oc- cupies a centrally located office at No. 100 North Adams Street, having been called to the duties of this position in 1889. After years of business activity he had retired, and was enjoying the fruits of former industry when called to serve the citizens of the place in which he has resided for more than twenty years. His sense of right and justice is acute, and his knowl- edge of that which devolves upon a citizen of this great metropolis under the laws which govern it, such as to add to his fitness for the office which he is holding.
Born in England May 23, 1829, Mr. Schofield was but eleven years old when he became a resi- dent of the United States. In 1840 he accompa- nied his father, Allen Schofield, across the Atlantic to Brooklyn, N. Y., whence the father afterward re- moved to Worcester, Mass. In the latter city young Schofield grew to maturity and completed his schooling. At New Bedford he first engaged as an employe in a cotton-mill, subsequently work- ing in a woolen mill in Newark, N. J. For seven years he was weaving boss for the Lonsdale Com- pany in Rhode Island. There he married Miss Marion McGregor, the ceremony taking place September 2, 1862. The bride was born in Ayre, Scotland, and in girlhood came with her parents to Rhode Island also living for a time in New York. She possesses all the thrifty ways of her race to- gether with a disposition which qualifies her for the duties of wife and mother. Mr. and Mrs. Schofield have had but one child, which was removed from them by death.
From New England Mr. Schofield removed to Lawrenceburg, Ind., where he resided until 1866, working for a woolen-mill company. He then took charge of the weaving department of the
Rushville Woolen Manufacturing Company in Rushville, Ill., which position he held until 1869. He next changed his residence to Peoria,abandoned weaving and engaged in the cigar and news trade. For twelve years he was thus occupied, during the most of that time being city circulator for the Democrat and Journal, finally selling out to the Journal Company. He then, in 1881, in com- pany with two others, established the Evening Post subsequently buying out the Democrat from the Central City Publishing Company. After being connected with that enterprise two years Mr. Schofield retired from active work until elected to his present official station, in which he is satisfy- ing the people.
Mr. Schofield is a member of the Masonic order, having taken thirty-two degrees. He belongs to Temple Lodge, No. 46, of which he has been pre- siding officer four or five years; Chapter No. 7, Royal Arch degree, in which he was High Priest for five years and one of the officers of the Grand Lodge of Illinois; he is a member of the Peoria Consistory, and has been presiding officer of the Lodge of Perfection in said Consistory. He is thoroughly convinced that the principles of Ma- sonry are an excellent foundation upon which to build a fine character, and to the order he has given the best years of his life. During the late Civil War he enlisted in Company D. Ninthi Rhode Is- land Infantry, serving until the expiration of his term as a brave and spirited patriot. He is iden- tified with the Democratic party.
u RIAH J. STEWART is numbered among the successful and well-to-do farmers and stock-raisers of Logan Township, who are actively carrying forward its extensive agricult- ural interests. Ile is a son of John W. and Mary (Stewart) Stewart, natives respectively of Allegha- ney County, Pa., and Butler County, Ohio. They came to Peoria County about 1857, making the journey from their old home in Ohio to the Prai- rie State with a wagon. They took up their abode
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in Logan Township,and before his death Mr. Stew- art became prominent among its farmers and stock- raisers and accumulated a valuable property. His first purchase here comprised one hundred and sixty aeres of land on section 7,which he increased from time to time until he became the proprietor of three hundred and sixty acres of very fertile land, constituting one of the choice farms of the township. He and bis wife were in every way worthy of the estimation in which they were held and as members of the United Presbyterian Church were sincere Christians.
Uriah Stewart was born in Rush County, Ind., March 15,1842. and when he accompanied his par- ents to their new home in the then sparsely settled township of Logan, he was large enough to be of great assistance to his father in condneting his ag- ricultural interests. Ile thus early acquired a taste for farming, and has always been engaged in it. After marriage he located where he now lives on a forty-aere tract of land in Logan Township. and actively entered upon its improvement, and by downright hard labor, has made it a very prodne tive and exceedingly valuable piece of property, and has since increased its acreage by the purchase of eighty aeres of fine farming land. Ilis buildings are neat and conveniently arranged and he has a plentiful supply of farming machinery, and every- thing needful for carrying on agriculture.
In the month of March, 1871, Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Flora Patterson and to them have come five children: Mary A., Myrta J .. Charles P., Walter, who died at the age of three years; and Oliver E.
Mrs. Stewart is a daughter of Robert and Mary ( Rankin) Patterson, who were born near Union- town, Fayette County, Pa. They were farmers by occupation and removed to Ohio about 1840, and there he died in 1846, and his wife in 1877 at the age of eighty years. They were stanch mem- bers of the United Presbyterian Church. They had six children, two sons and four daughters: William R., died when ten years old ; Samuel, Jane ; Hannah died when forty years old; Mary and Flora E., all of whom married and reared families. Mrs. Stewart's paternal grandparents were Samuel and llannah Patterson, and they had the following
children-Robert, Flora, Jane, Mary, William, James, John and Elijah. They moved to Ohio prior to or about 1835, and died in that State. They were members of the United Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Stewart's maternal grandparents were William and Jane (McClanahan) Rankin, of Fayette County, Pa. The names of their chil- dren were Hugh, John, William, Samuel, Ann, Es- ther and Mary. They were farmers and life-long residents of Pennsylvania, and belonged to the United Presbyterian Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are people whose excellent traits of character commend them to the confi- dence and respect of their neighbors, and they are greatly liked by all in their community. Mr. Stewart stands well as a farmer, possessing good business qualifications, and his word is good where- ever given.
ENRY S. SHOLL is a member of the firm of A. Sholl & Son, whose business is de- scribed at some length in the sketch of Jo- seph Sholl, found elsewhere in this ALBUM. lle is a son of Adam and Charlotte (Monroe) Sholl, and was born near the city of Peoria, March 19, 1844. He was reared in and near the county seat, where he finished his education in the high school. From boyhood his interests have been in the coal fields, and it was by his individ- ual efforts that the No. 1 and 2 shafts, the great- est of the Peoria group, were opened up.
One of the elegant residences in Peoria is at No. 606 Second Street, which was built and is now occupied by Mr. Sholl. The lady in charge of the establishment was known some years since as Miss Mary L. Tracy, but became the wife of our subject in 1875. She is the daughter of a very old settler in this county and was left alone in childhood. Her birthplace was Newark, N. J. Mr. and Mrs. Sholl are the parents of three dangh- ters and two sons, named respectively : Mabel F., Harry, Grace, Frank and Ethnol.
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