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 22
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George A. Wilson was reared in agricultural pur- suits, but as he had a natural taste for learning. he preferred entering one of the professions, and was given every advantage to secure a liberal eduea- tion. He attended Eureka College three years.and selecting the medieal profession as the most desira-
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ble, he became a student in Dr. Arnold's office at Peoria in 1853. The breaking out of the war found our subject still pursuing his medical studies. Ile watched the progress of the war with grave interest as the days darkened and matters continually grew more serious, and at length he threw aside all per- sonal aims and ambitions, resolving to offer his ser- vices to the Government, and go out in the ranks to aid in fighting his country's battles, and April, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Seventeenth Regiment Illinois Infantry, serving as private and non-commissioned officer until September 2, 1862, when he was appointed First Assistant Surgeon of the Fourteenth Cavalry, which position he retained with honor until April 14, 1865. The most im- portant engagements in which he took an active part were those of Frederick, Md., Ft. Donelson and Shiloh, and as Surgeon he accompanied his regiment on many a march and raid. While on the Stoneman raid he was taken prisoner, and was in Confederate strongholds at Macon, Ga., and Charleston, S. C., about four months, and was fin- ally exchanged the last of October, 1864, and glad was he to breath the air of liberty once more after his experience of life in rebel dungeons.
As soon as the war closed Dr. Wilson established himself as a medical practitioner, and was thus en- gaged until he was called to public life in the fall of 1868, when he received the compliment of nomi- nation and election to the important office of Cir- cuit Clerk of Peoria County, at the hands of his Democratic friends. His discharge of the duties devolving upon him in that capacity showed him to have been peculiarly adapted to the position, and he retained the office during a period of eight years. He then abandoned official life for awhile to engage in the practice of law, which he gave up in turn to accept the position offered him by President Cleveland in 1885, as Collector of Internal Reve- nne for District No. 5. Ile was alert, faithful and capable in that position, and made one of the best officers who had ever held the office. July 15, 1889, President Harrison, in pursuit of the policy to the "victor belongs the spoils," saw fit to remove Mr. Wilson from the Internal Revenue office and re- place a Republican. He then resumed the practice of law, and also accepted the general agency of the
German Fire Insurance Company of Peoria. Ill., a home institution, whose affairs are in a flourishing condition.
Mr. Wilson and Miss Helen M. Hoskinson were united in marriage February 23, 1867, and they have established in this city one of its most charm- ing homes. Mrs. Wilson is a daughter of John L. Hoskinson, a well-known resident of Macomb, Me- Donough County.
Mr. Wilson is of a bright, genial, frank nature, a man of broad outlook, liberal in his views, and his tact and executive ability have gained him an enviable reputation among the leading men of the city. Hle is very prominent in Democratic cireles, and received the nomination by acclamation for Congress, at the convention held August 25, 1890. Ile is conspicuously identified with the Grand Army of Republic of this city and State, and was Commander of his Post in 1880.
OHN WEAVER, M. D. The Homeopathic school of medicine has an excellent repre- sentative in Chillicothe in the person of the gentleman above named. Ile is the possessor of a cultured mind, well-bred manners, and a broad knowledge of the principles of therapeutics as understood by the medical school of which he is an exponent. During the few years in which he has been established in this thriving city his prac- tice has been steadily growing, proving remunera- tive to himself and valuable to the community.
The natal day of Dr. Weaver was February 20, 1852, and his birthplace near Canton, this State. His preliminary education was obtained in the public schools of Fulton County, and from his es- timable parents he received the best of home training. Ile began his medical studies with Dr. W. B. Bolton in Cuba. with whom he read medi- cine four years. He then entered the Homeopathic Medical College, in St. Louis, Mo., from which he was gradnated in March, 1879.
The early practice of our subject was in Glas- ford, this county, but after some monthis he re- moved to Canton, Fulton County, and formed a
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partnership with his former preceptor, who became a resident of Canton in 1878. and in 1887 entered the ministry, and who is now a minister of the Methodist Protestant Church, in Princeton, Bureau County. The partnership was dissolved after three years' continuance and Dr. Weaver spent one year traveling in the West with his wife for the benefit of her health. Returning to this State, he located in Chillicothe in July, 1884, and has continued to reside in this place.
The lady whom Dr. Weaver won for his wife was one with whom his acquaintance began in eariy life, and with whose character and acquirements he was thoroughly acquainted. This was Miss Har- riet A. Bolton, of Canton, daughter of his medical preceptor. She was born in Allegheny City, Pa., October 22, 1856, but has lived in the Mississippi Valley since she was five years old. In Iowa, Kan- sas and Illinois she has resided at various times, but the latter has been her home for many years. Here she was mainly educated, her young lady- hood being passed in Canton. She is the mother of three children, one of whom died in infancy and one, Louie V .. when fifteen months old. The liv- ing child bears the name of Mary B.
Dr. Weaver belongs to Calumet Lodge, No. 196, 1. O. O. F., in which he has filled all the chairs. Ile is also a member of George Washington Lodge, No. 222, A. F. & A. M. His vote is cast with the Democratic party. He and his wife belong to the ,Methodist Episcopal Church.
The grandfather of our subject was Matthew W. Weaver, of Seoteh-Irish stock, and a native of Vir- ginia. Ile married Miss Sarah Parrish, who was of Irish extraction. In later life they removed to Ohio, where the wife died when quite aged. The lius- band afterward went to Canton, Ill., making his home with his son, Jacob, dying about 1860 at the extreme age of one hundred and one years and seven months. He had never taken a dose of medicine from a physician, being hale and hearty all his life.
The father of our subject was Jacob Weaver, born in Loudoun County, Va., in 1806. He was about sixteen years old when he started out on his own account, and going to Ohio, settled in Cler- mont County. when it was still a sparsely settled
region. There he continued to live until 1840. when he settled on a new farm in Fairview Town- ship, Fulton County, Ill. Some time later he sold out and purchased other lands near Canton, dur- ing the progress of his labors improving consider- able land in the county, being ever hard-work- ing and energetic. He finally, in 1884, disposed of his landed estate and retired to Canton, where his death occurred July 30, 1889. He was a Meth- odist in religion and a Democrat in politics.
His first wife, Jane Patchel, was born in Ohio, and died there in middle life, leaving five children, one of whom, Zachariah, now survives, his home being in Monterey, Fulton County. The second marriage of Jacob Weaver took place near Cincin- nati, his bride being a native of that city and named Mary A. Cummins. Her parents were Irish. She was reared and educated in Hamilton County, and is now living in Canton, this State, with some of her children. She is more than seventy years of age, yet active and useful. She is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Of the second marriage of Jacob Weaver there were born nine children, four boys and five girls, five of whom are living, named respectively : George H. resides in Colorado; Eliza E., now Mrs. Young, resides on the homestead; our subject; Joseph L. resides in Peoria County ; and Jacob, Jr., resides in Canton.
ANIEL F. RAUM. The name of Raum is familiar to the ears of all American citi- zens who know the part taken by the Prairie State in the Civil War, and are acquainted with the political history of the nation since that time. In generations prior to that of our subject it has been borne by men who served the State and nation efficiently on fields of battle, in legislative halls and in the legal arena. In the person of our subject it is becoming well known in Peoria.
The grandfather of our subject was an Ensign and Lieutenant in the War of 1812 and the Black Hawk War. Ile came to Illinois in 1822 and was
Yours Truly Wm , Ho millon
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a member of the legislature when Vandalia was the capital of the State. Ile enjoyed the distinction of being the longest continuons office holder in the country, being County Clerk of Pope County thirty-five years. Ile was an ardent Union man, and undoubtedly did more than any other one man in his locality to foster a feeling of loyalty about the time of the breaking out of the Civil War. He lived to see the reconstruction measures carried out, dying in 1870.
The parents of our subject are Gen. Green B. and Maria (Field) Raum. now of Washington, D. C. ITis materual grandfather, Daniel Field, came to the Prairie State while it was yet a Territory. During the late war Green B. Raum entered the service as Major in the Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General. At the close of the war he returned to the active prac. tice of the law, in which he has gained an eminent name. He was elected to the Fortiethi Congress and served with distinction. From August, 1875. to April 30, 1883, he was Commissioner of Internal Revenue, and in October, 1889, was appointed Commissioner of Pensions.
The subject of this biographical sketch was born in l'ope County, Ill., and grew to manhood there, attending the public schools, and afterward attend- ing Whipple Academy and Illinois College, at Jack- sonville, Ill. He entered the Columbian Law School, in Washington, D. C., and was graduated therefrom in the class of 1878. He located in Peoria in 1881, where he has since practiced his profession. He married a young lady of Aurora, Ill., formerly known as Miss Rae Copley.
ILLIAM R. HAMILTON. The growth of Peoria has been witnessed by Dr. Hamilton since 1848, at which time he arrived here, and during the years of his residence he has be- come widely known for his enterprise in the behalf of her interests as well as for his own individual advancement. He is now living in retirement. looking after his extensive property interests, and
enjoying the esteem of all to whom his labors are known. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and his Christian life adds to the regard bestowed upon him for his professional skill and business tact.
The immediate progenitors of our subject were Richard and Ann ( Reynolds) Hamilton. The former was born in Cumberland County. l'a., and the latter in Birmingham. England, whence she was brought when six years old. Mr. Hamilton was a farmer, and was the father of eleven children, those who now survive being Mrs. Mary C. Elliott, of Denver, Col., William R., and Dr. John L. The mother died September 17, 1830. and the father in December, 1844.
The gentleman of whom we write, was born in Venango County, Pa., February 18, 1816, and re- ceived his education in his native State and in Ohio. When about twenty years old he started on foot for the Buckeye State, having 85.62} in his pocket. For two years he taught in Portage County, alternating his teaching with attendance at Windham Academy. From that section he went to Clark County, where he also tanght, as he like- wise did in Logan County, during this time begin- ning the reading of medicine. In his medical studies he was guided by his brother, James W., who practiced many years in Logan County, dying there in 1879.
After attending lectures at Willoughby, Lake County. the young physician began practice in Huntsville in 1840. There he remained eight years, successfully pursuing his chosen vocation and building up the largest practice in the county. In those days the life of a physician was even more arduous than at present. as the roads were not so good and much riding had to be done on horse- back. Dr. Hamilton possessed a wonderful stock of vitality which carried him through an experi- ence which would have proved very wearing upon many men. When he determined to move farther west and selected Peoria as his new home, he made the journey hither on horseback, entering this place an entire stranger.
Opening an office Dr. Hamilton resumed his professional labors, to which he had devoted his at- tention for twelve years when he was elected Mayor
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and gave his attention to the affairs of the munici- pality. He was elected on the Republican ticket by a majority of two hundred and fifty-two, al- though but three weeks before the Democratic ticket with Douglas at its head had been carried by three hundred majority. Dr. Hamilton therefore had a part in the organization of the Republican party in this section. He had formerly been a Whig, vot- ing for William Ilenry Harrison in 1840. Prior to to his election to the Mayoralty he had served as an Alderman.
In 1860. Dr. Hamilton went to Pennsylvania and engaged in the oil business. Immediately after the battle of Chattanooga, in 1863, he went South as a volunteer surgeon under a commission from Gov. Morton, of Indiana. lle and his companions were the first surgeons from the North to reach the battle-ground. In 1864, he was again a volunteer surgeon after the battle in front of Petersburg. In 1865, he returned to Peoria and during the snc- ceeding year built a fine block on the corner of Adams and Liberty Streets, which is a splendid property. In 1867, during the agitation regard- ing the Peoria & Rock Island Railroad, he partici- pated in the work, was elected a Director and then made President, a capacity in which he served seven years. lie succeeded in raising between $600,000 and $700,000 in subscriptions along the route. lle made all the arrangements for ironing and equipment of the road, making a trip East to accomplish this end. In 1875, the Doctor en- gaged in the coal trade, continuing in the business until 1881, when he sold out. Since that time he has not been engaged in active business further than that of looking after his property interests.
The lady who now occupies the place at the head of Dr. Hamilton's household, became his wife in May, 1880, prior to which time she was known as Mrs. Sarah M. Dewey.
A lithographie portrait of Dr. Hamilton appears elsewhere in this work.
QUILA MOFFATT has made a business of operating mines in Peoria County, these many years, besides giving much attention to agriculture, and his success in the management of these two industries has placed him among the most substantial men of Limestone Township where he has a very attractive home re- plete with all the comforts and luxuries of mod- ern life. Its location is one of beauty, as it is on the bluffs just five miles from the court house, overlooking the city and commanding a lovely view of the surrounding country.
The Moffatts were of Scotch origin and this rep- resentative of the family was born on the State line between Wisconsin and Illinois, and does not know whether he is a "Badger" or a "Sucker." The place of his birth is near Scales Mound, Jo Daviess County, and the date of that important event in his life was October 8, 1837. His father, Benjamin F., was a son of Joseph and Mary (Piper) Moffatt, who at one time lived in Boston after their marriage and subsequently removed to Ohio, and were among its pioneers and there the mother died in 1819, leaving eleven children. In 1822, the father with eight children came to this State from Cincinnati. The names of the children accompanying him were: Alva, Aquila, Mary, Sarah, Olive, Benjamin F., Eliza and Elisha, and many of these grew to be old and honored citi- zens of Peoria.
Dr. Hamilton has been married three times. His first matrimonial alliance was contraeted in 1839, his bride being Miss Catherine F. Wright, who died in 1866, after nearly thirty years of happy wedded life. The union had resulted in the birth of four children, two of whom are now living. They are Mrs. Catherine Hill of this eity, and Mrs. Benjamin F. Moffatt, the father of our subject, received his education in the village of Peoria,and in due time was married to Miss Naney J. Risdon, a native of Connecticut. He took an active part in the Black Hawk War, serving along the river Amanda Gregg, a widow, living with her father. In 1867. Dr. Hamilton married Miss Fannie T. Norton, who survived until April 27, 1879. She bore her husband two children-May and William, the latter now in the drug business in this city. . as far as Wisconsin. His wife died in 1853 at the .
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age of thirty-three. Her marriage with Mr. Mof- fatt was fruitful of nine children, of whom the following six grew to maturity-Thomas, Aquila, Mary Ann, Elmira, Joseph and Alva, and three of these are still residents of Peoria and vicinity.
Our subjeet was born during the lead mining troubles in Jo Daviess County, and the early years of his life were passed there until he was seventeen years old. He attended school in Wisconsin and in 1854 accompanied his father to Peoria, and continued his education at the briek school-house. At the age of twenty years he started out in life for himself, and at the age of twenty-four had done so well that he was enabled to marry and establish a home for himself. The maiden name of the young lady whom he then invited to share his life and fortune with him was Mary Ball, a daughter of Samuel Ball. She was born in Wales of English parentage and eame to the I'nited States with her father and mother in 1849. They first located in Pennsylvania, whenee they came in 1852 to this county and settled on section 25, where Bar- tonville now stands. They had a farm there of thirty acres, which they cultivated. and where they made their home until the father closed his mortal career February 3, 1879. The mother lived with Mrs. Moffatt after that until her death which occurred June 21, 1890.
Mr. and Mrs. Moffatt have had eight children born to them, and have lost two (twins) who died at the age of five months. Their other children are: Franklin A., born April 27,1862, who married Miss Amelia Treasure and has two children -- Walter G. and Earl; Edward, born in 1864; Sarah; Effie, wife of Harry Wolland. a member of an old pio- neer family; they have two boys-Leslie and Aquila; Samuel and Annie. Miss Annie is a young lady of much musical talent, which has been carefully cultivated and she is now a successful teacher of music.
Mr. Moffatt has followed mining and farming for many years very prosperously. Ile has had a farm of sixty-eight acres all of which has coal in- der it and he has disposed of the coal at a good round price. He formed a co-operative coal eom- pany and opened a bank on his place which is now worked by another company, and he has otherwise
extensively operated mines. He bought his home in 1881, and built a fine, large residence on the bluffs.
Mr. Moffatt proved his patriotism and loyalty to his country during the trying times of the late civil strife, by the faithful and competent service that he rendered the Government as an enrolling offieer for the draft to serve the papers on the cit- izens who were drafted. In 1865 he enlisted in Company G. Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, and took part in the campaign against Johnston near Raleigh, N. C. and was on many a hard march. Ile with other members of his regiment marched out to Fort Kearney, a distance of six hundred miles, and after seven months in the army our subject was hon- orably discharged at Ft. Leavenworth Kan., and returned to private life.
Mr. Moffatt is a self-reliant, straight-forward man, of good practical views of life and of exeep- tional habits, and his standing in the community is among our best and most reliable citizens. He has held the office of School Director and whether in educational, moral or material matters, he is never baekward in contributing his quota to advance the interests of township and county.
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of LEXANDER BUCHANAN has the choie- est location for a farm residence in the township of Trivoli, having on seetion 17, what is considered one of the best farms in all the country around and he ranks amongst the most intelligent, progressive and skillful farmers and stoek-raisers in the county.
Our subject is of Pennsylvania birth and ante- eedents. His father, David Buchanan, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa .. in 1792. Ilis grand- father, David Buchanan, a native of County An- trim, Ireland, came to this country in Colonial times, when he was eighteen years old, and after living in Eastern Pennsylvania, became a pioneer of Westmoreland County, in 1791, loeating on a tract of land in the woods. He cleared it of the primeval forest trees that stood upon it and was very successful in his attempts to evolve a farm
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from the wilderness, and at the time of his death, in 1817, bad accumulated a comfortable property. lle was a Presbyterian Elder in the church of that denomination at Congruity.
The sire of our subject was a blacksmith by trade and had a shop in Salem Township, where he also engaged in farming, having there one hundred acres of land. During the War of 1812 he acted as teamster, drawing wood for the use of the soldiers. llis oldest brother was lieutenant of a company that took part in that conflict. Mr. Buchanan lived in his native State until 1869, when he disposed of his property in order to take up his residence in Illinois. After coming here he bought eighty acres of land on section 17, Trivoli Township, which he was engaged in improving until his wife died. lle then lived with his children until his death in 1880 at the age of eighty-eight years. He was a man of firm and lofty principles, and was a strong Repub- liean and a sturdy Presbyterian.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject was MeBride. and she was born in Westmoreland County, Pa .. on the Loyal Hannah Creek. She was a daughter of James McBride, who was a farmer there. Iler death occurred here on her husband's homestead in 1872, at the age of eighty years. A true Christian woman, she was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. She was the mother of nine children, of whom we record the follow- ing: James is a retired farmer in Westmoreland County, Pa .; Jane, Mrs. Ralston, died here; D. Wilson lives in Kansas: Martha, Mrs. Irwin, died in Colorado; Alexander; Mona, Mrs. Marshall, died in Farmington; Prudence, Mrs. Sloan, lives in Westmoreland County; Margaret, Mrs. Rainey. died in Westmoreland County; Elizabeth, Mrs. Cun- ningham, lives in Yates City.
Alexander Buchanan was born in the town of Congruity in the county of Westmoreland, Pa., July 25, 1825. Ile passed his early years on his father's farm and in attendance at the district school, which was at first conducted on the sub- scription plan in a rude log house, with slab seats, puncheon floor and mud and stick chimney. Hard work at farming was his portion. Ile remained at home until he was thirty years old and then started a general store at Harvey's Five Points, with a capi-
tal of $100. He remained at the corners until 1864, then moved to Murrysville, where he was quite successful in the same business in which he had invested some $4,000 or $5,000. He also ran a buckster wagon to Pittsburg twice a week and made that venture profitable.
In the spring of 1867 Mr. Buchanan sold out his business intending to engage in farming, but he could not come to terms with his father, and in the fall he emigrated to this county, shipping his goods to Farmington, where he arrived October 3, 1867. lle bought one hundred acres of his present farm in Trivoli Township for $7,500. This was counted the best farm in the county, and after it came under his management he kept it in a good condition, kept the buildings in good repair and made money from its fertile soil. The next year he bought twenty-five acres more, and later forty acres, and then fifteen aeres, and in 1888 ten acres on section 17. He now has one hundred and ten acres in one body, having given eighty acres of his land to his son. His land is all tillable and is under fine culti- vation, is fenced and hedged into five fields. He has a large house and a commodious barn, 30x64 feet in dimension, windmill and tank, groves and an orchard, constituting in all one of the finest im- proved places in the vicinity. He raises corn and grain but his hobby is horses and hogs. He has full-blooded Short-horn cattle and fine draft horses.
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