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 19
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EWTON C. DOUGHERTY. Side by side in their responsibility for the proper train- ing of the young, stand the home and the school, and inasmuch as to many a true home life is denied, the moral and intellectual status depends solely upon the influences thrown around them in school days. It is therefore of prime importance that the instructors of our land be men and women of large hearts and grand characters, as well as of mental culture and development. The office of Superintendent of Schools is one of grave respon- sibility, and he who worthily fills it is entitled to high esteem and an honored place on the scroll of fame, and it is the purpose of the biographical writer to see that N. C. Dougherty is not passed by "unhonored and unsung."
Mr. Dougherty is a native of the Keystone State, born on a farm in Chester County, near Kennet Square, January 10, 1847. Ile is the youngest son and child of Philip and Hattie (Perry ) Dougherty, both natives of the same county. The father is of Scotch-Irish extraction and the mother of English dleseent, her grandfather having come to America in 1700. Both parents are still living on the okl homestead, the father now in his eighty-second and the mother in her eighty-first year.
The boyhood of our subject was passed in the
usual manner of a farmer's son, his studies being prosecuted in the district schools until he was fourteen years old. He then entered Newark Academy, but six months later became a student in the State Normal School, at Millersville, where he prepared for college. In 1864 he matriculated in I'nion College, in New York State, from which he was graduated in 1868. The following year he came to the Prairie State as Principal of the schools in Morris, Grundy County, going thence to Mt. Morris, Ogle County, where he became Principal of the Rock River Seminary. This institution is one of the oldest in the State, and from it have gone forth some of the most talented men of the common- wealth, among them Senators Cullom and Farwell, ex-Gov. Beveridge, Hon. R. R. Hitt, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Ilon. James A. Rawlins, Chief of Gen. Grant's staff.
Mr. Dougherty remained at the head of that in- stitution until 1878, when he came to Peoria and took up the duties of Superintendent of the city schools. He ranks among the best educators in this State that has so long prided itself on the efficiency of its school system, and is ont-ranked by few, even of those in which settlements were first made and schools first organized. Ilis commanding personal appearance is but the index of a brain whose powers are sufficient to grasp abstruse topics and present them clearly and logieally to less cultured minds, and the heart that beats in sympathy with the needs of those in whom the hope of the Nation rests. Ile is highly regarded as a eitizen, popular in the community, and endeared to his pupils by many encouraging words and helpful deeds. He is a member of Temple Lodge No. 46, Free and Accepted Masons, and Commandery No. 3. He is also identified with the Congregational Church.
It would naturally be supposed that Mr. Dough- erty would choose for a wife a lady of rare mental attainments,as well as estimable character and social qualities. Such was the case; she whom he won being Anna, daughter of Dr. Richard Edwards, now Superintendent of Instruction for the State of of Illinois. Their marriage rites were celebrated at the home of the bride's parents, December 25, 1871, and they have three children, Mabel, Horace and Ralph, who are developing talent and courtesy
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under the example and wise training of the father and mother. The Superintendent's dwelling on East Bluff Street is the center of a circle that in- cludes the best and most talented residents of the city and frequent visitors from other cultured so- ciety.
AMES A. WONDER, who entered the Gov- ernment service in November, 1889, as United States Storekeeper, has become well known in Peoria by reason of a long resi- dence and a connection with the protective measures adopted here. He is a respected member of the Grand Army of the Republic, commemorating by bis connection with that order the days which he spent in campaign life and on fields of battle dur- ing the dark days of the Civil War. He comes of loyal ancestry, his maternal grandfather having been a member of Gen. Washington's body guard during the entire period of the Revolution. His own connection with the army began during the Mexican War, when he was a drummer boy at Ft. McHenry. His father had objected to his going to Mexico, but was finally prevailed upon to give his consent and to put him in the charge of Capt. Goodwin H. Irvin, with whom he got as far as the fort mentioned.
Our subject was born in Mifflin County, Pa., October 14, 1829, and begun his residence in Peo- ria in 1857. Ilere he entered a sawmill as fore- man, but soon taking the Pike's Peak fever made his way to Colorado in search of a fortune. Like many another he soon realized the habit of the "fickle jade" to fly from those who would woo her, and not being able to pick up the precions metal as he had expected he returned to Peoria in the condition known as being "dead broke." Here lie secured a position on the police force, retaining it until the outbreak of the Civil War when he en- listed as a private in Company A. Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry. He was promptly made drum major and commissioned by Gov. Yates. The Forty-seventh was sent to St. Louis, assigned to Fremont's command and took part in the battles of Osage Bridge and Island No, 10, together
with the minor conflicts and tedious duties of campaign life which fall to the lot of all soldiers. Mr. Wonder followed the destinies of the regi- ment until a general order was issued in 1863 for mustering out all commissioned drum majors, when he returned to the North.
After reaching Peoria Mr. Wonder took a posi- tion in the Provost Marshal's office remaining there until the affairs of the office were closed up. He then re-entered the police force, becoming Cap- tain, a position which he held four years. This was prior to the days of a Chief of Police in the city and as Captain, Mr. Wonder accomplished sev- eral needed reforms in the service. In 1872 he be- gan work in the shops of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad Company, where he labored al- together eight years. although not consecutively, as he alternated it with police service. He after- ward became depot master and finally entered the Government service as before mentioned.
Mr. Wonder was fortunate in securing for his wife a lady of estimable character,domestic virtues and pleasing social qualities. This was Miss Emma P. McKee, of Lewistown, Pa., with whom he was united August 31,1853. The union has been blest by the birth of two sons, named respectively : Will- iam S. and James F. A peaceful and law-abiding citizen, a man of intelligence and good habits, Mr. Wonder is respected as he deserves and his wife is nowise behind him in the esteem of those who know them.
ANIEL H. FLAGLORE, M.D., is num- bered among Peoria's successful practiti- tioners of physics and surgery. He is a close student whose sole ambition has been to succeed in the profession which he chose-a desire which has met with an admirable reward. He was fortunate in being surrounded in his early life by the circumstances which enabled him to study in the best schools and fit himself as thoroughly as he wished for his battle of life.
Dr. Flaglore was born in Newburg, N. Y., whence his father, Valentine Flaglore, removed to
Det Flagler
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New York City in 1846. The youth was given every advantage, including the privilege of at- tending the New York Classical Institute, immedi- ately after his graduation from which he began the study of his chosen profession with Professor Williams.of Cincinnati Medical College. After three years of study with that able anatomist and physi- cian, he entered Bellevne Hospital and Medical College, whence he took his degree after a three years' course.
In 1866 Dr. Flaglore came West and began practice in Bureau County, this State. He next spent a year in Chillicothe, whence he removed to Glasford, remaining there until 1882. He then located at Peoria where he has built up a most ex- cellent reputation, both as a professional man and as a private citizen. In the midst of his busy career he finds time to pursue huis investigations, deeming it his duty as well as his pleasure to learn all that is possible in those fields of science which have a bearing upon his profession. Ile is a mem- her of the Masonic order and one of the most prominent Druids in the State, having repeatedly held the highest honors in that excellent fratern- ity.
An important step in the life of Dr. Flaglore was taken in 1868, at which time the rites of wedlock were celebrated between him and Miss Hannah M. Hinkle. a native of Peoria. It would naturally be supposed that the lady whom Dr. Flaglore desired for a companion would have a cultured mind, a sincere sympathy in his pursuits, and a kindly na- ture. Such is the case and Mrs. Flaglore discharges her duties cheerfully and concientiously.
OHN WILSON. The experience of this gentleman has been a varied one, and many an interesting tale might he tell of the scenes he has witnessed or participated in during former years. He occupies a pleasant resi- dence on Pecan Street, Peoria, and within the walls of the home friends find a cordial welcome and generous hospitality dispensed with grace. The subject of this notice is at the head of the Wilson
Wholesale Grocery Company, which does a busi- ness of about $900,000 per year, and is interested as stockholder or proprietor in other affairs of im- portance. There are few men now living in Peoria who are better versed in the growth of this city and the elements that have led to its prosperity than Mr. Wilson, who came here in boyhood and has virtually grown with the town.
In England the eyes of llenry Wilson and Mar- tha Wood opened to the light of day, and in that grand country they grew to maturity and were united in marriage. In 1827 they emigrated to America, making their home in the Empire State until 1835, when they came to Peoria. Mr. Wil- son had been a farmer in his native land, but in New York he engaged in clerking, and after com- ing West he resumed his old occupation, but did not long survive to pursue it, being called from time to eternity the fall after his removal hither. The family at that time consisted of nine children, four of whom yet live. They are Mrs. Jane Wham, of this city ; Henry, a farmer in Nebraska; John; and William, who resides in the State of Washington.
The birth of John Wilson occurred in Pough- keepsie, N. Y. June 4, 1827. In that city he ob- tained a part of his education, completing his studies here. For a number of years he devoted himself to farming, and he also learned the cooper's trade with George Woodruff. When the gold fever broke out in 1850 he joined the throng of fortune seekers, and with an ox-team crossed the plains to the Eldorado on the Pacific coast. Ile followed mining successfully until 1852. when he returned to the States, buying cattle in Iowa and Missouri and driving them on east of the Missis- sippi, where their sale proved a fair speculation. He made a second trip to California, going via Panama and walking across the isthmus. On his return, in 1859, lie came by the way of Nicaragua, New Orleans and up the Mississippi River. 1
Mr. Wilson established himself in the grocery business after his return to Peoria,continuing in that line of trade two years and then entering the cattle business, buying extensively from the head waters of the Missouri,south to Texas. He now has a cattle ranch in New Mexico. which has been established
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about fourteen years, and in the management of which a Mr. Holcomb is associated with him. He has raised, bought and sold cattle, having a varied experience in this business as well as in other oc- cupations. He feeds as high as seven thousand lwvad per year. He is a member of the corporation running the Hamburg Distillery at Pekin, of which he was for a number of years President. The es- tablishment has a capacity of twenty-five hundred bushels. The wholesale grocery business in which Mr. Wilson is interested was entered upon by him in 1885, in connection with C. E. Hale, who sub- sequently removed to Tacoma, Wash.
An interesting event in the life of our subject was the occasion of his marriage, June 5, 1855. llis bride was Miss Emily J., daughter of Samuel Woodruff, a lady of refinement and womanly ac- complishments that merit and win regard. Seven children have been born to the happy couple. Two of their offspring, Cora and Alfred, died in child- hood. The living are Arthur W .; Everett W., who is in Pekin with the Hamburg Distillery; Charles S., also in that place; John A., a travel- ing salesman for the grocery house; and Freder- ick L., who remains at home.
The political affiliation of. Mr. Wilson is with the Republican party. As a citizen be is reliable and public spirited; as husband, father and neigh- bor, kindly and cordial; and as a business man honorable, enterprising and judicious.
y ERION BROS. These agreeable, hospitable gentlemen rank among the successful farm- ers of Trivoli Township, where they oper- ate an estate consisting of one hundred and sixty acres on section 29, and forty acres of timber. They are engaged in farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of the latter, to which they have devoted more and more attention each year since they took possession of the farm. They raise from one hundred to one hundred and fifty head of hogs of good grades, have twenty to thirty head of road horses, and are the happy possessors of the finest driving team in the township. This span is
of Morgan and Flying Cloud, and of Morgan Clay blood. Their younger brother, John, who lives with them, owns Eureka, an Abdallah and Morgan . stallion, whose record is 2:40.
The Yerion line is of French and German origin, the remote ancestors of our subjects having been residents in Alsace. Their grandfather, William Yerion, a native of Pennsylvania, accompanied a colony to Virginia, where he was engaged in farm . ing and distilling. About 1840. he came West, located on raw land near Brunswick, Ill., and improv- ing one hundred and sixty acres, resided thereon until 1855. He then sold, bought another tract of raw land in the vicinity of El Paso, farmed there some five years and then moved into the village. Later he became a resident of Bloomington, pass- ing his last days there and dying in 1885, at the age of eighty-four years.
Among the members of the family of Grandfather Yerion was a son, William, who was born in Vir- ginia, but became a resident of the Prairie State in early boyhood. His first employment away from home was driving a team when the Illinois Central Railroad was being built through Woodford County. He next bought forty acres of land in that county, improved and resided upon it until 1881, when he took up his abode in Farmington, Fulton County. There be spent the remnant of his days, dying in 1885, in his fifty sixth year. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and during the last thirteen years of his life a local minister. He was a strong Democrat in politics, a self-made man in finances, and an honored citizen.
The maternal grandfather of our subjects was George Patten, who was born in Ireland and brought to America by his parents when eight years old. The family settled in West Virginia, whence Grand- father Patten removed to McLean County, Ill.,and later to Buchanan County. Mo. He was of the Protestant religion. His occupation was that of a farmer. His daughter Catherine, became the wife of William Yerion, Jr., sharing his joys and sor- rows until 1878, when she entered into rest. Like her husband, she was an honored member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was the mother of five children. four of whom are living in Tri-
JUDGE CHARLES BALLANCE.
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voli Township. These are, Adelia F., Alva A., George W. and John D. The fourth child. Joseph R., is engaged in the grocery business in Farming- ton, Fulton County.
Alva A. Yerion was born in El Paso Township, Woodford County, November 1, 1857, and his brother, George W., February 3, 1860. Their child- hood was spent on the farm, their time being di- vided between home duties and attendance at the common schools, which were in session only dur- ing the winter months. In 1880 they came to Tri- voli Township, Alva being in the employ of D. B. Stookey four years, and George working at various places until 1884, when they formed the present partnership, renting the land from their stepmother. They began business with a capital of $700, engag- ing in farming, raising grain principally, and as fast as possible turning their attention toward stock. As before stated, they are successful in the em- ployment they have chosen, and as they are still comparatively young, are likely to become the possessors of a comfortable fortune by the time they have reached middle age.
The elder of our subjects is unmarried, but George W. took a wife January 10, 1889. This was Miss Lucy, daughter of William H. and Re- becea (Dunn) Meeker of this township, whose fam- ily history will be found elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Yerion was reared in this township, educated in its schools and fitted for usefulness in her sphere. She is the mother of one child-Cena. She and her husband are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Concord. Both the Yerion brothers are Democrats; Alva has been delegate to connty con. ventions and is now Constable.
h ON. CHARLES BALLANCE. The record of the life of Mr. Ballance is an interesting one; it is a record of energy, of persever- ance in the face of difficulties, and of final success. Through the long period of his life of more than three-score and ten years, he retained his enterprise of disposition, his cheerfulness and his belief in human nature. As a member of the
bar he was quick in decision and prompt in execu- tion; he saw at a glance the difficult point in any case, and as readily pursued the means that must be used to gain success. Ilis portrait, which is presented in connection with this account of his life, will be welcomed by the many friends to whom a long acquaintance had endeared him.
Tracing the ancestry of our subject, we find that he was descended from an ancient family, who re- sided in Durham, England, and some of whom im- migrated to Virginia more than two centuries ago. The grandfather, bearing the same name as he of whom we write, was a Revolutionary soldier and was killed during that famous conflict. Our subject was a son of Willis and Rejoice (Green) Ballance, natives of Culpeper County, Va., and during their residence in Madison County, Ky., their son Charles was born November 10, 1800. ITis boyhood days were passed in Kentucky, and ambitious to obtain an education, he did whatever he could to procure the means, er 1 for several years engaged in teach- ing. lle subsequently read law in Harrodsburg with Judge Terry T. Haggin, and was admitted to the bar when abont twenty-nine or thirty years of age.
Entering upon the practice of his profession in Kentucky, Judge Ballance continued there two or three years, and then, coming to Illinois opened an office in Peoria in 1832, and there he was engaged in active professional work until the time of his death. His legal ability was of a superior order and in all questions regarding the land laws and rights of property-holders he had no equal and was famous as a land-title lawyer. During those early days the settlers of Peoria were much troubled to secure titles to their lands, on account of the "French claims," and with unfaltering faith and true courage he took up the battle in their behalf, against these old claims. lle waged a long and bit- ter warfare against the French claimants, and at last secured to the rightful owners the peaceful possession of their property. He had in early times purchased a large tract of land in the lower end of the city, where some of those French claims rested and as a result of his litigations, gained a clear title to them, and their possession added much to his wealth. Besides attending to the inter-
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ests of his large clientage, Mr. Ballance published a history of Peoria, a book of two hundred and seventy pages, this being the last work of his life and appearing in 1870.
llis fellow-citizens occasionally called Mr. Bal- lance to devote some of his energy and valuable time to aiding in the administration of public affairs. and thus in 1852, he was Alderman of the city from the First Ward, and in 1855, served very acceptably as Mayor of the city. He passed from the busy scenes of earth August 10, 1871, and thus was rounded out and finished an eventful life that was closely associated with the rise and progress of the city and county. His death caused a gen- cral feeling of regret throughout this section of Illinois, where he was so well known and where his ability and the strict integrity of his character made him respected and esteemed by the entire community. Mr. Ballance took a lively interest in politics and supported the Whig party so long as it existed, and on the organization of the Re- publican party he became one of its strongest sup- porters.
During the Civil War Judge Ballance was a stanch I'nion man, and raised. largely at his own expense, the Seventy-seventh Regiment. Illinois Infantry, of which he was elected Colonel. On ac- count of his advanced age he resigned before the regiment was ordered to the front. His son-in law, Lysander R. Webb, was elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the Seventy-seventh Regiment and participated in all the battles in which they took part. While gallantly leading the men he was killed in the dis- astrons Red River Expedition. His share in the success of the Union was no inconsiderable one and his name is held in grateful remembrance by the people of Peoria and the citizens of Illinois. where- ever patriotism is known.
The wife of our subject, to whom he was in- debted for a happy wedded life and the comforts of a well-appointed home. survives him. She occul- pies an elegant residence at No. 212 Randolph Avenue, and in this beautiful home is quietly pass- ing the declining years of a well-spent life. She is a true Christian and a member of the Second Pres- byterian Church, in whose good work she has long Fren active, She bore the maiden name of Julia
Schnebly, and was born in Maryland, July 13, 1816. Her parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Snavely) Schnebly, were natives of Washington County, Md., where her father carried on farming exclu- sively. Concluding that slavery was wrong he came West in the fall of 1835, and settled among the pioneers of Peoria County, where he died in 1852. He had been a Whig all his life and in the days of the incipiency of the Republican party be- fore its organization. he was at loss to know where he belonged, and asked Mr. Ballance, "Where do I. amidst the confusion, belong?"
The wedding of our subject and his estimable wife was celebrated March 24, 1836. They reared nine children, of whom the following six are liv- ing: Mrs. Daniel N. Bash, wife of Maj. Bash. of the regular army; Mrs. James M. Rice, wife of an attorney in Peoria; Charles, now living in Omaha; Willis II., is one of the owners and Secretary of Gipps Brewery Company ; Mary B., wife of H. O. Collins, an attorney of Los Angeles, Cal. ; John G., First Lieutenant of Twenty-second Infantry, United States Army, now stationed at Ft. Keogh, Mont. The deceased are Josephine R., first wife of Daniel N. Baslı; Julia, former wife of Leslie Robi- son, and Amy, former wife of William S. Brackett.
NSLOW S. STEVENS. The agricultural interests of this county have received an added impulse within the last decade from its native-born sons, who have come forward to aid in the work so well begun by their pioneer sires in developing and advancing the rich resources of this region. Among these, the gentleman whose name heads this sketch is deserving of notice. lle has a farm in Trivoli Township that is complete in all its appointments, and ranks among the best estates in the vicinity.
Trivoli Township is the birthplace of our sub- ject, and here he was born on his father's home- stead, June 6. 1856. He is a son of Joseph F. Stevens, who was born near Danbury. Conn., in 1814. His father, Zadock Stevens, was also a native
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of that New England State. Ile was a mason and also carried on farming to some extent, being the owner of a small farm. His days were passed amid the rural scenes of his native place. lle married Mary Ann White, who traced her ancestry back to the pilgrims of the "Mayflower."
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