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 112
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A second matrimonial alliance was contracted by Mr. Giles, in Peoria, October 11, 1877. His bride on this occasion was Mrs. Lucinda (Foster) Long, daughter of Samuel and Martha ( Wheeler) Foster, and widow of John H. Long. She had one child by her first marriage, Martha A .. who is the wife of Isaac Keller, of Richwood, Mrs. Lucinda Giles
was born in Harrison County, Ohio, May 1, 1824. She is a woman of ripe intelligence. notable skill as a housewife and noble Christian character, and as such possesses the esteem of a large circle of friends. She is a member of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Giles was formerly a Democrat, but since the outbreak of the Civil War has acted with the Repub- lican party. In March, 1888, he retired from active farm labor, feeling that his long efforts in tilling the soil entitled him to a rest, and the prosperity attend- ing him gave freedom from anxiety regarding the future. He is identified with the Methodist Church, and endeavors to make his life correspond with bis religious faith. It is needless to remark that he is held in high repute throughout the neighborhood.
AMES WALKER. Situated about one-quar- ter of a mile west of the village of Mapleton, is a tract of land owned and occupied by the gentleman above named. The commo- dious and pleasant dwelling and large barn are built on the face of the bluff, protected from the north winds by the hills which rise in the rear. and overlooking the Illinois River for miles. Just be- low the house runs the wagon road and the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad, and beyond stretches a fertile expanse of bottom land comprising two hundred and fifty-eight acres. This tine property, and the other possessions of Mr. Walker. have been gained by perseverance and the energetic pursuit of his purpose. He began his career in life in early youth with a capital of $2 in money and a pony worth about $10.
Mr. Walker was born in Tennessee. November 14, 1848, and removed in his childhood to Johnson County, Tex. His father, Henry Walker, died in Arkansas while on a trip in that State, and his mother, Hannah (Shaw) Walker, was killed in a cyclone when our subject was but five years old. He remained with his grandparents, Gilbert and Mary Shaw, until about sixteen years, when the strict rules under which he was held, led to his leaving his home. His sisters still reside in Texas, but his grandparents are long since deceased.
RESIDENCE
OF JAMES WAIKER SFG 19-20 & 29-30 HOILTS TP PEORIA Colli
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Securing a pony, young Walker began his life labors as a cowboy, coming with a drove of cattle through the Indian Territory to Baxter Springs, Kan., where the herd was sold to a Mr. Maple, of this county, for whom the town of Mapleton was named. lliring out to that gentleman. young Walker came to this section two years before the village was laid out. He next engaged with a Mr. Gilfoy in a coal bank. taking charge of all the out- side work, and saving his earnings for six years, then purchased a piece of land and opened up a bank of his own. Not having sufficient means to develop his coal mine, he secured as a partner, Mr. Thomas Lindsey, a merchant and property owner in the village of Mapleton, and business was begun under the firm name of Lindsey & Co.
After a few years Mr. Lindsey sold all his inter- est, including his store, to our subject, who con- tinued the mercantile business and carried on the mines until about three years since. He then sold the store and his town residence, erected a pleasant dwelling for his then good-sized family, and took up his abode upou his farm. He also leased his mines, which have a fine output of coal. The property upon which they are situated comprises · one hundred and eleven acres, and the vein of "black diamonds" is four and one-half feet thick.
At the home of the bride's parents, James and May (Buchanan) Watrous, November 5, 1874, the marriage rites were celebrated between our subject and Miss Juliette Watrous. The Christian char- acter and womanly attainments of Mrs. Walker. well fit her for her duties as wife, mother, and mem- ber of society. She has borne her husband three sons and one danghter, named respectively: Frank, Mary Lydia, Edward, and Otto. All are aequir- ing good educations, and in the intervals of study, the boys are assisting their father on the farm as their strength will permit. The mother of Mrs. Walker is a native of the Buckeye State, and her father is a son of Samnel and Julia A. Watrous.
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Mr. Walker is interested in the social and benevo- lent orders, holding membership in the Odd Fel- lows lodge at Pekin, and the Masonic lodge in Mapleton ; he has passed through the various Chairs of Odd Fellowship. In his political views he favors Democracy. Both he and his wife belong to the
Methodist Episcopal Church of Mapleton. This brief outline of the lifework of our subject is suffi- cient to impress upon those who read it, a worthy example, and prove that the character and worldly success of a poor and homeless boy are made or marred by his own efforts.
A view of the pleasant and commodious resi- dence of Mr. Walker, with its farm surroundings, is presented on another page of this work.
K. PARMENTER, a member of the firmn of Crofoot, Parmenter & Berger, wholesale boot and shoe dealers at No. 123 South Washington Street, is one of our most successful and enterprising business men, who is doing his part toward sustaining the financial prosperity of Peoria.
Mr. Parmenter is a native of this State, Knox- ville being the place of his birth and September 8, 1849, the date thereof. llis father was engaged in the retail boot and shoe business, and after our subject had completed his education he became a member of the firm of Parmenter & Son, of Knox- ville. Their partnership continued until 1884, when our subjeet went on the road as a traveling salesman, being employed by Crofoot, Steele & Co., of Chicago, boot and shoe dealers. He re- mained with them a year and then started in busi- ness for himself with his brother, in this city, in April, 1885, at No. 205 South Washington Street, conducting a wholesale boot and shoe busi- ness under the firm name of Parmenter Bros. They carried on business in that way for eighteen months, and then continued as Parmenter & Berger, and December 1, 1889. admitted A. D. Crofoot into the firm, changing the firm name to Crofoot, Parmenter & Berger. They moved to their pres- ent number, where they do a general wholesale boot and shoe trade, devoting three floors and a basement to their business, their establishment being well fitted up and amply stocked with the best of goods in their line to be found in the mar- ket. Besides the clerks they employ they send out
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two men on the road and do a business of $125,- 000 a year, which is constantly increasing, selling principally in Illinois.
Mr. Parmenter and Miss Rachael Hornbaker, of Peoria, daughter of John Hornbaker, were united in marriage December 8, 1868. They have two sons, Fred and Herbert, who are still attending school.
Mr. Parmenter is a vigorous, wide-awake man, with a fine talent for business, and by his sagacious and able management, has placed himself among the moneyed men of Peoria, and has made himself a factor in its commercial prosperity. He is well known in this community though he has not re- sided here many years, and is well liked for his geniality, courtesy and liberality.
G EN. JOHN HOUGH. The task of the bio- graphical writer becomes very pleasant when the subject of his pen is one whose unvary- ing integrity. manliness, and devotion to duty fills the heart with admiring respect. Such is the case in noting the career of Gen. Hough, whose military record is well known and appreciated by all lovers of patriotism. He spent several of his best years, hazarding strength, liberty and even life, in the service of his country, displaying gallantry which won the recognition of those above him in authority and led to his honorable promotion. In the field of diplomacy he was an acceptable representative of the United States as the Vice Consul to Panama. As a lawyer, he was especially adapted for the du- ties of counsel and office lawyer.
The Hongh family was of English extraction, the first of the name having come to America in 1665, and three generations of ancestors of our subject having lived in New Hampshire. In that State, John Hough, Sr., his father, was a Lieutenant in the War of 1812, and his grandfather, a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. Jolin Hough, Sr., carried on the occupation of tilling the soil. His wife, Nancy Stickney, belonged to a family which had been known in America for seven generations. This
worthy couple had nine children two of whom died in childhood. Others now deceased are: Daniel S., at one time a wholesale furniture dealer in New York City, who spent the greater part of his life in the Adirondacks; Lydia, wife of William Emery, of Springfield, Mass .; and Emily, formerly wife of Judge H. B. Hopkins, of Peoria. The living mem- bers of the family circle are Sarah M., widow of H. W. Holbrook in DuBois, this State; Nancy S., wife of Charles T. Elles, of Belleville; Charlotte S., wife of Baxter E. Perry, an attorney in Boston, Mass .; and our subject. The father died in his native State in 1863, and the mother passed away in 1872.
John Hough, of whom we write, was born in Dorchester, N. Il., March 23, 1835, and passed his early days on the New England farm. After hav- ing attended school in Norwich, Vt., he went to New York, where he engaged in the furniture bnsi- ness with his brother. After a time he entered an academy at Chester, Vt., solely for the purpose of learning surveying and civil engineering. In mathe- matics he is an expert, with a decided bent toward its practical application to the branches above men- tioned. He taught school at Belleville, Ill., and in Peoria, filling a temporary vacancy in this city while engaged in the study of law with Hopkins & Powell. This was soon after his arrival here in 1857. Hle had come to the State during the pre- ceding year, but was engaged in the southern part and on the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad from St. Louis to Rolla, Mo., along the line of which he bought about thirty thousand acres of land for Eastern parties.
In the prosecution of the study of law Mr. Hough had in view as a specialty, land litigation, not caring to enter the criminal courts. In April, 1860, he was admitted to the bar and at once en- gaged in active practice, which continued until after the breaking out of the Civil War when his loyalty led him to a different field of work. Immediately after the outbreak of hostilities he began raising a company, and when a call was made for seventy-five thousand troops he went to Springfield to tender the services of the company to the Governor. Re- turning to Peoria he enlisted as a private in Com- pany A, Seventeenth Illinois Infantry, but on May 26, 1861, was transferred to the non-commissioned
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staff as Sergeant-Major. On August 26 he was promoted to be First Lieutenant of Company B. On the 7th of November, while en route to Belmont he was wounded and on April 16, 1862, resigned from the service.
In a short time Mr. Hough re-enlisted, on August 28, being mustered into Company B, Seventy-sev- enth Illinois Infantry, but receiving the promotion to First Lieutenant and Adjutant, September 6th of the same year. On July 2, 1863, he became Cap- tain and Acting Adjutant-General of Volunteers, and a year later was again promoted, becoming Major and Acting Adjutant-General. In February, 1865, he was assigned to duty with the rank and pay of Lieutenant-Colonel and Acting Adjutant- General of the Sixteenth Army Corps, and a few. weeks later, March 13, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General which he held when mustered out of the service, November 25, 1865. Ilis record is an honorable one as is evidenced by his various promotions. Even when unfit for service he in- sisted upon remaining at his post. The battles in which he took part were Fredericktown, Belmont, Ft. Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh, Chicka- saw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Champion Hills, Vicks- burg, Pleasant Hill. Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, Nash- ville, Ft. Gibson, Black River Bridge, Ft. DeRussey, Lake Chicot, Old Tom Creek, Spanish Fort and Ft. Blakely. From December, 1862, until the close of the war he was with Gen. A. J. Smith, Commander of the Sixteenth Army Corps.
The following recommendation speaks for itself :
" Headquarters, Sixteenth Army Corps, Montgomery. Ala., June 23, 1865.
Brigadier-General E. D. Townsend, A. A. G. General :
I have the honor to respectfully and urgently recommend Col. John Hough, A. A. G., now on duty at these headquarters as Colonel and Acting Adjutant-General, for promotion to the rank of Brevet Brigadier-General for meritorious conduct in the field and for efficiency in his present duties as Acting Adjutant-General. Col. Hough has been in the service of his country since the beginning of the war. He has taken part in the following men- tioned engagements," (here follows the list of bat-
tles) " and has honorably conducted himself on all occasions, and to his promptness and efficiency I am indebted in a measure for the results and suc- cesses which have attended my command in these engagements. Ile is worthy of the promotion to the position asked for him and in consideration of his services I trust his Excellency will see proper and just to grant my request.
I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, A. J. SMITH, Major-General."
To this is added the recommendation of Gen. Canby, as follows:
" Respectfully forwarded. The promotion rec- ommended is well deserved. F know Col. Hough to be an officer of great merit and hope that his gallant, efficient and long-continued service may be acknowledged.
ED. R. S. CANBY, Major-General Commanding. Headquarters New Orleans, June 30, 1865."
" Approved, U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General, Headquarters, July 22, 1865.
Gen. Ilough married Mrs. Caroline Pegues, widow of Col. Pegues of the Fifth Alabama (Confederate) Regiment who was killed at the battle of Malvern Hill. Mrs. Hough was introduced to the General by Gen. A. J. Smith at the latter's headquarters while stationed in Alabama. They were married in New York City .January 6, 1866, and resided in the South, Gen. Ilough being occupied with work on cotton claims at New Orleans, until the follow- ing August when they came North. Soon after- ward the General was appointed Vice Consul to Panama. He remained at his diplomatic post three years, then spent a short time in Boston, next lo- cating in New York, which was his place of abode four years.
In 1873 Gen. Hough came to Peoria, engaged in the practice of his profession, and has long been numbered among the best citizens of the thriving municipality. llis wife possesses the charming hospitable manners so characteristic of the Southern ladies and is well fitted to stand by his side in the high circles which they frequent. Gen. Ilough was
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appointed to a position in the Revenue Depart- ment under President Cleveland, holding it until a change in the administration caused his removal. It is needless to say that he belongs to the Demo- cratic party. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and of the Grand Army of the Republic.
NTHONY U. POTTER is one of the young- est business men of this his native county, and he has already achieved marked suc- eess in his mercantile pursuits. He has a general store in the village of Edelstein that is neatly fitted up, well stocked, and of ample pro- portions, being 22x50 feet in dimensions, with a resident department adjoining. Mr. Potter was born in Hallock Township, this county, March 20, 1868, and is the son of the well-known J. A. Potter, who has long been prominently identified with the interests of this part of the State.
The father of our subject was born in Allegany County, N. Y., and there passed the early years of his life. Before he attained his majority, he had come to Peoria County, shrewdly thinking that in this newly settled country, young men of brain and action would be in demand to assist in its develop- ment. He settled in Hallock Township, and learned the blacksmith's trade of Riley Potter, and in a few years established a smithy of his own at what is known as South Hampton, in which he conducted a good business for some years. He subsequently opened a shop at West Hallock, and in 1878 estab- lished a general store in this part of the township, in connection with Mr. Crossley, a kinsman of his. A few years later he abandoned the blacksmith trade altogether, and gave his entire time to the management of the store until he sold out in April, 1889, to his son, our subject, he retiring to his farm in Akron Township.
J. A. Potter was married in llallock Town- ship, to Miss Mary S. llakes. She was born reared and educated in this township and county, and is now enjoying with her husband, the fruits of their united labors in their cozy home in Akron Township. They are substantial, highly respected
people of earnest Christian characters, and are sin- cere members of the Seventh-Day Baptist Church, of which Mr. Potter is an officer. Ile is very prom- inent in public affairs, his sagacious business quali- fications eminently fitting him to hold offices of trust; he has served his township for some years as Supervisor, and has held other local offices, being numbered among the stanch supporters of the Re- publican party. He and his wife have had three children: Mary Alice is deceased, and Edna is still with her parents.
Anthony U. Potter is the eldest child and only son of his parents. He grew up in a home sur- rounded by good influences, and was carefully trained and educated. He obtained the prelimina- ·ries of his education in the local schools, and was then sent to Alfred University, at Alfred Center, N. Y., to complete it. He there pursued a thorough course of study, that well fitted him for his career in life, and sinee leaving college has been actively engaged in business. He was engaged with his fa- ther as a merchant at West Hallock, until April, 1889, when he became sole proprietor of the busi- ness, and in August of the same year moved it to Edelstein, where he foresaw there would be a fine opening for any young man of enterprise and busi- ness tact. He has done well since he came here, and has already secured a good trade among the best elass of people. He carries a good stock of goods, and conducts his business promptly. sys- tematically, and by the most honorable methods. He and his wife are both people of agreeable social qualities, and stand well in the community, and they are active in every good work for promoting its moral, religions or educational status. They are among the prominent members of the Seventh- Day Baptist Church, and Mr. Potter is Superin- tendent of the Sunday-school. He takes an intelli- gent view of the political situation of the day, and gives his allegiance to the Republican party.
Mr. Potter was married in the town of Wirt, Al- legany County, N. Y., to Miss Mabel E. Witter. She was a native of Wirt Township. in the same county, born July 22, 1866. Her parents, Orson M. and Eliza (Allen) Witter, were likewise natives of that county, and began their wedded life on a farm in Alfred Township. They subsequently bought
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land in Wirt Township, where they still make their home. Mrs. Potter was given an excellent educa- tion at Alfred University, and lived at home until her marriage, and was prior to that time engaged in teaching.
A view of the homestead is shown on another page.
C HIARLES C. ELLIOTT is Superintendent of the Peoria County Poor Farm, and is dis- charging the onerous duties thus devolving upon him in a faithful, able and business-like man- ner, clearly showing himself to be the right man for this responsible position. On the opposite page is presented a portrait of this gentleman, who is a man of influence and honor. He is a native of Ohio, born in Butler County, April 7, 1852. Ilis parents, William and Rebecca (Ligg) Elliott, came from there to Illinois, and made their home in Adams County, until their death.
Our subjeet received a substantial education in the public schools of La Prairie, and in the course of years attained a vigorous and stalwart manhood. Upon starting out in life for himself, he came to Peoria in 1876. Ile had previously been assistant in the Adams County Poor Farm for two years, and had learned the details of the business under As- bury Elliott, who was then in charge of that insti- tution. After coming here he located at Monica, in Princeville Township, and was a resident there for some years, becoming one of its prominent citi- zens. At one time he was foreman of a large tile factory. When Berry became Sheriff of the county, our subject was appointed Deputy Sheriff, as he had previously had some experience as Constable, and before that had been City Marshal of Princeville. He did good service as Deputy Sheriff, and was a . popular and capable official.
In 1887, Mr. Elliott was appointed to his present position as Superintendent of the Peoria County Poor Farm, and entered upon the duties of his office the Ist of January. It requires an active man, of more than ordinary capacity, firmness, and tact to fill this position properly, and our subject is found to possess all these qualifications in a high
degree, and under his able management the affairs of the institution are in a flourishing condition. The house contains one hundred rooms, is well fitted up, and there are at present about one hun- dred and sixty-five inmates enjoying the privileges of a good home at the county's expense. There is a fine farm connected with it, comprising three hun- dred and twenty acres of very fertile land, which is kept under excellent cultivation, and is worked by the help of the inmates, with the exception of two hired men, and the inmates also assist in the household affairs, with the aid of one hired woman.
Mr. Elliott was married to Miss Robina, daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth Walkington, of Prince- ville Township, this county, and of Scotch origin. Mrs. Elliott ably assists her husband in the dis- charge of his duties, and is all that a helpmate and true wife can be. Her marriage with our subject has been blessed to them by the birth of one boy, Ralph, a lad of seven years.
Mr. Elliott is a man of fine physique, and is also dowered with a vigorous, well balanced mind, and, as we have seen, possesses qualifications that emi- nently fit him for the office of trust that he holds, and gains him the confidence of all with whom he comes in contact. He is a Democrat in politics, and has always taken a very active part in such affairs.
ON. LAWRENCE W. JAMES. It is a worthy pride that leads us to regard with admiration an ancestral lineage in which a name has been borne by generations of brave and honorable men and women, who are remembered by what they have done for humanity in uplifting the standards of liberty, truth and justice. A de- scendant of such ancestors can scarcely fail to real- ize his own responsibility as the heir of a noble name and labor carnestly to preserve its lustre un- dimmed and if possible add to its brillianey. That these feelings animate the mind of our subject, all acquainted with his life and character will be ready to confess. He has a double incentive in reealling his family history, as he is descended in the mater- nal line from the Washington family of Virginia,
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and in the paternal from a grandfather who served as a Government official much of his life, having accompanied the seat of the Government from Philadelphia to Washington.
Our subject is a son of William and Mary ( Wash- ington) James, and was born in the national capital August 29, 1846. A portion of his boyhood was spent in Virginia, but his literary education and legal studies were completed at his birthplace. His preceptor in the study of the law was Walter D. Davage, one of the most eminent legal lights of Washington, recognized as a leader of the bar in that city. When but nineteen years old Mr. James was admitted to practice and immediately left Washington for a Western location. Coming to the Prairie State he became a partner with his brother-in-law, S. Corning Judd. ex-Postmaster of Chicago. at Lewistown, continuing his connection with that eminent jurist until 1868.
Mr. James was then elected District Attorney for the Fifth Judicial District, which important office he filled most creditably until the year before the completion of his term, when he resigned and re- moved to Peoria. Here he opened a law office, giving assiduous attention to the large practice which he secured, for nearly a decade. He was then elected Probate Judge for the county and de . voted himself entirely to his official duties until near the expiration of his second term. His repu- tation had so extended that in April, 1890, he was elected Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court and resigned his former position to accept thehigher honor which had been bestowed upon him. Ile is recognized by his brethren of the bar as one whose legal lore is accurate and extensive, who sees clearly. . decides judiciously. and uses the eloquence and knowledge which he has at command on the side of probity, and moral as well as legal right.
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