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 30
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In his career Mr. Slayton has not stayed to ques- tion "Is life worth living?" but has worked quietly and persistently to make it so, and has grandly risen above circumstances. His vigorous, cultured mind, and clear, thoughtful views on all subjects of general interest make his original opinions of worth, and his advice of value. The political issues of the day have an interest for him, and as he is always ready to champion any reform that he can in anywise forward, we naturally find him affiliating with the Prohibitionist party, and giving it his hearty support whenever occasion offers. He is not connected with any church as a member, but is an attendant at the Methodist. Ilis part in assist- ing in the public work of the township is as Over- seer of Highways, and it is the general opinion that no better man could have been selected for the office. Our subject was formerly a member of the Masonic order.
OHN J. HARDING is an old settler of Peo- ria County, and one of the leading farmers of Rosefield Township. The line estate upon which he lives comprises one hundred and fifty acres of well-tilled land, supplied with all that goes to make up a well-regulated, comfortable farm home, and under the efficient management of one who has long devoted his energies to the cul- tivation of the soil, produces abundantly of va- rious grains and fruits.
Mr. Ilarding is a native of Bratten Fleming, Devonshire, England, born June 3, 1819, to John and Mary (Gill) Harding, who were natives of the same parish and there entered into rest. Their family consisted of ten sons and daughters, the record of those younger than our subjeet being as follows: Ann died at Geneva, N. Y .. while on her way from England to Peoria, III .; William came to this State in 1848, but is now living in Saline County, Neb .; James and Henry, twins, emigrated
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to Canada, whence the former finally returned to his own land; Charles belonged to the English army, went to India during the rebellion there and has not since been heard from; Thomas came to Canada, thence to Woodford County, Ill., and was killed in a coal mine, leaving a widow, a son and a daughter; Elizabeth married A. Kinyon, and died in Woodford County, leaving a son Fred; lane is now Mrs. Jones, of England; Samuel, now living in Nebraska, entered the Union Army from Illinois, serving under Gen. Steele in Arkansas. The father of this family was a gardener. He died at the age of seventy-five years, his widow surviving him until eighty-nine years and six months old.
Our subject received a common-school educa- tion in his native land, whence he came to the United States in 1845, leaving England April 5, and reaching Peoria June 24. In the mother country he had been engaged in farming, but atter his removal he secured a clerkship, continuing that occupation for several years in the county seat. In 1861 he purchased eighty acres of land in Lo- gan Township, later adding another eighty over the line in Rosefield Township. About 1875 he bought that upon which he now lives, on sections 30 and 31, and deeded the other farms to his sons.
The career of Mr. Harding has been such as to win honor and respect from all who know him, on account of his moral worth, industry and good judgement. He had 850 when he entered Peoria, and from that small capital, secured by his own exertions elsewhere, has grown his present solid financial standing. Ile is a member of the Bap- tist Church, to which his estimable wife also be- longs.
The first marriage of our subject took place in England, March 29, 1815, his bride being Mary, daughter of David and Sarah Tucker. She was born in Swinebridge, Devonshire, and died in Peo- ria, Ill., in September, 1847. The present wife of Mr. Harding is likewise a native of the mother country, born in Egerton, Lancashire, and daugh- ter of James and Jane ( Pilkington) Greenough. Mr. Greenough was a +superintendent of cotton
1 manufactures. In 1842 he came to America, set- tling in Brimfield, this county, but dying in Stark
County. His wife had breathed her last in Eng- land. Their family included Robert, who was drowned in the Baltic Sea; William, who was killed by a boiler explosion in Stark County ; James, who died in Wilson, Kan .; llugh, now living in that State; Mrs. Ann Wrigley, of Peoria; Jane, the wife of our subject; Mrs. Alice Morris, of Sterling, Kan .; Roger, now living in Colorado, who was a Union soldier and wounded at Vicks- burg ; Margaret, who died in early youth.
Our subject, by his first marriage had one child, who died when five years old. The second has re sulted in the birth of the following children : John J., Henry W., Robert G., Eleazer, William W. and Adoniram J. Robert G. lives in Trivoli Township; William in Brimfield Township; and Eleazer is an attorney in Elmwood.
R EV. THOMAS PACEY. This name will be readily recognized by many of our readers as that of a prominent resident of Jubilee Township, who, occupying a pleasant farm, carries on general agricultural work and likewise finds time to prepare himself for the work which he pursues on the Lord's Day-that of preaching the Gospel as a local Elder in the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Of English birth and ancestry, he possesses the stern integrity and indomitable spirit which had been exemplified so often by Englishmen whose names have become famous the world over, and by means of well-directed studies the powers of his mind have been developed and his memory has become a storehouse of knowledge.
The father of our subject was Brown Pacey, a native of Lincolnshire, England, who followed farming there until his death. Ilis mother was Mary, a daughter of William Topper, a well-to-do farmer and the owner of the land which he tilled. The mother, a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, lived until 1888. The parental family consisted of eight children who grew to manhood and womanhood. Of these, William, Mrs. Mary Sharp. Elizabeth, and Eliza are living in their native land. John came to America
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and lost his life in the Civil War; Joseph is living in Peoria and Richard in La Harpe. Our subjeet is the second in order of birth in the family and was the first to come to America.
John Pacey was living in Brimfield when the Civil War broke out and desiring to aid in the preservation of the Union, enlisted in 1861. He was wounded before Rielimond, taken prisoner, and after the amputation of his limb, sent to Libby Prison where he died nearly three years after bis enlistment. Richard was a member of the same regiment, was wounded in the Shenandoah Valley and before his recovery was sent to a hospital at Chicago, where he acted as nurse until the expira- tion of his term of service. It had been the inten- tion of our subject to join the same regiment, but the day after writing to his brothers of his intention he was taken with intermittent fever, which con- fined him to his room almost two months.
The village of Scopwick. Lincolnshire, England, was the birthplace of Rev. Thomas Pacey, whose early years were spent upon a farm where the school system did not furnish great advantages for acquir- ing an education. He was early set to work on the farm which he assisted in cultivating from his twelfth year until he was fifteen, when he went out to work by the year. Ile continued as a farm la. borer until twenty-two years old, when, persuaded that he could better his condition in America, be bade adieu to home and friends and set out for the New World.
Leaving Liverpool on a sailing vessel in the spring of 1851, Mr. Pacey reached New Orleans after an ocean voyage of seven weeks, whenee be eame up the river and canal to Chicago. From that place he went to Kenosha. Wis., then to Big Foot Prairie, Walworth County, where he engaged on a farm near Beloit. For three years he worked hard on the farm, then began to supply the deficiencies in his early schooling by entering the seminary at Wheaton, Ill. After attending that institution about two and a half years, he began teaching dis- triet schools in Du Page and Cook Counties, making his home in Madison Township. DuPage County. He owned a farm of twenty-five aeres there which he sold in 1863 and going to Iowa located at Water- loo, near which town he bought eighty aeres of
raw land. After having taught school one winter he turned his attention entirely to the improve- ment and cultivation of his property, which he sold in December. 1866, for the purpose of removing to Peoria County, Ill., in which his brothers were living.
Mr. Paeey taught one winter after coming to this county, then gave his attention to farming, renting land in Jubilee Township until 1880. At that time he purchased forty acres on section 20, upon which so little improvement had been made that it may be said its present condition is entirely due to his efforts. Ile has been obliged to remove stumps, enclose and subdivide the land by adequate fencing, and supply it with the various buildings necessary to carry on his work and make a pleasant home for his family. A fine spring furnishes water for his herds, which include good grades of cattle and horses. Grain and bay are the principal erops, and a proper amount of attention is paid to the orchard and garden, which furnish of their abundance to supply the family needs.
The noble character and ripe intelligence of the Rev. Mr. Pacey are recognized by his associates who have reposed in him various publie responsibilities. He has been a School Director and is now Town- ship School Treasurer, an office which be bas held since t878. Ile has served as Justice of the Peace continuously since 1873. Ile is and has long been a member of the Township Central Committee, and he has frequently been a delegate to county con- ventions of the Republican party, whose principles he stanchly upholds both on election day and when political topies are the subject of discussion.
In the Methodist Episcopal Church at Brimfield, Mr. Pacey has been Class-Leader, Steward and Trustee, and has likewise held the office of local Elder for years. He began exhorting when about twenty-four years old and entered the local minis- try in Iowa in the fall of 1864. At the same time he was ordained as a traveling minister, being on the circuit about two years. In Black Hawk County he had a charge prior to his removal to Illinois, and he now preaches nearly every other week, although he has not joined the Conference here.
The marriage of Mr. Pacey and Miss Elizabeth Hayes was celebrated in Chicago in 1862. The bride
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a native of Wiltshire, England, belongs to a family whose history is given in the sketch of Charles Hayes in this volume. She entered into rest Janu- ary 13. 1888, leaving five children. Immortal through her virtues, her memory is held in loving reverence by her husband and children. who are comforted in their affliction by the hope set before them of meeting to part no more, when their work on earth is done. Her place at the head of the household is supplied as well as it may be, by her daughter Nellie, the third of the family. Harry and Thomas, Jr., are also at home. Addison, the eldest son, after having spent some time in school- teaching, is now engaged in a printing office at Brimfield. Lincoln, the second son, now in the mill at Brimfield, also labored for some time in the field of pedagogy.
OMER C. TUCKER may well be looked upon as a representative citizen of Brimfield Township, in which he has spent the greater part of his life and in whose prosperity he has assisted in various ways. He is the owner and occupant of a beautiful farm on section 22, much of which was secured to him by his own persever- ing efforts and excellent management. As the son of pioneer settlers in the township, he began quite early in life to assist in reclaiming from its primi- tive wildness the traet of land on which they were located, and to replace the long grass of the prairies with the more useful grains.
Our subject is of English stock and a son of Ezra and Sarah (Furness) Tucker, both of whom were born in the Green Mountain State and exhibited in their lives the thrift and energy which seem breathed in with the air of their native hills. In 1843, the parents determined to take up their permanent abode in Illinois, which the father had visited sev- eral years before and in which he had entered four hundred acres of Government land. Their prepa- rations for removal being completed, they set out for the West, traveling in a canal boat to Buffalo from which place the party of ten, together with their necessary household goods, was conveyed in a car-
riage and wagon each drawn by two horses. Seven weeks and three days were consumed in travel from the Empire State to Brimfield Township, Peoria County, where their future home was located. Mr. Tucker paid the Government price of $1.25 per acre for his land, which he took possession of in the condition in which it had been left by the Aborigines.
In the death of Ezra Tucker, which occurred December 31, 1854, the county lost a hard- work- ing, reliable and public-spirited citizen, whose example had exerted a good influence upon those about him. He was a Democrat in politics. His good wife survived him a few years, passing away in .July, 1860. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, namely: Mary, now Mrs. Ilartz of Wyom- ing, this State; Homer C., our subject; Ezra, a farmer of Brimfield Township; Eliza, wife of C. L. Wing of Elmwood; Sarah, wife of J. M. Leet of Chicago; Saphonia, wife of Dr. Pratt of Wichita, Kan., and Marian, wife of A. J. Klock of Wyom- ing, this State.
The subject of this notice was born in Madison County, N. Y., March 16, 1834, but having come to Illinois during his boyhood, grew to manhood amid the scenes of pioneer life in this county. Ile at- tended the common sehools of New York and Illi- nois, but his advantages not being equal to those of the present day he has depended largely upon his own efforts in becoming well informed regarding topics of practical and general interest. He has been a life-long farmer, at present combining with that honorable occupation that of buying and shipping stock. For five years he shipped grain from Brim- field, always, however, occupying and controlling the farm. His estate consists of two hundred and ten acres which bears every needful building and under intelligent management yields an excellent income.
The presiding genius of the home of Mr. Tucker is an intelligent Christian woman, who was form- erly known as Miss Emily M. Ellis. She became the wife of our subject in May, 1865, and is the mother of four children, of whom two are settled in homes of their own, while Allie Mabel and Duane HI. still remain with their parents. Brimfield is the home of the two married daughters-Clemie being
Yours Truly Dr. TB. Nowvill,
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the wife of Harry Chichester, and Carrie M. of Lewis Dungan.
Mr. Tucker has served as Township Supervisor one term and as Road Commissioner seventeen years. It is his intention to assist in everything which he thinks will advance the material and social interests of the community or in any way add to the public welfare. Ile votes the Republican ticket on every election day. He was formerly identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Tucker is a member of the Congregational Church at Brimfield, which the other members of the fan- ily attend.
HOMAS B. NORVELL, M. D. The learned professions are well represented in Peoria by men of much mental culture, practical knowledge and professional skill in their various departments. One of those who have a high stand- ing, both professionally and socially, is Dr. T. B. Norvell, whose portrait is presented on the oppo- site page and who is establishing a fine practice in the city which has been his home but a few short years. lle has not yet reached the prime of life, having been born December 2, 1851, to George W. and Luvisey (Boyd ) Norvell. His birthplace was Mon- iteau County, Mo., where his father was engaged in farming. The parental family comprised eight children, five of whom are now living and all of the sons being professional men. Jolm S. has de- voted himself to missionary work and has been sent by the Baptist Church to China; Joseph E. is a Methodist Episcopal minister in South Dakota; the next is our subject; Mary and Martha, twins, are living in Iowa, being the wives of Anthony Ilyme and William Williams, respectively.
Dr. Norvell was reared in Mills County, Iowa, where his father removed during his infancy. After having attended the public schools of the Hawkeye State, he entered Tabor College at the age of twenty years, and not long after began reading medieine with Dr. Merrill Otis. in Tabor, Iowa. After three years of student life there he attended the Chicago Medical College, and after becoming a full-fledged
physician began practicing in Fremont County. Iowa. Thence he finally removed to this county. making his headquarters for the first three years at Harker's Corners and removing to the county-seat in 1879.
In Fremont County, lowa, Dr. Norvell met. wooed and won for his wife Miss Alice, daughter of John and Sarah ( Burns) Lumm. their marriage rites being celebrated December 31, 1875. Mrs. Norvell is a lady of intelligence and refinement, well fitted to make a happy home. Two children have come to bless the happy union, and are named Helena Dee and Justin Woodley.
Dr. Norvell is a man of decided views, not easily moved from any opinion or course in which his judg- ment has concurred. lle is an undeviating Repub- lican. The only social order with which he is identi- fied is the society of Druids. His professional skill is acknowledged by all who are familiar with his work and is bringing him his fair share of the pat- ronage of the citizens, while bidding fair to secure to hin, both fame and fortune in the years to come. He and his wife are considered additions to society and have already made many friends in the city which they have adopted as their home.
ALENTINE WEBER. The business enter- prises of Princeville would be poorly repre- sented indeed, were no mention made in these pages of the life and efforts of Valentine Weber, the oldest resident merchant in the town. lle bas a fine store, well stocked with boots and shoes, and he is also the successful patentee of the Perfection Grain Weigher. Always pleasant and agreeable, he is deservedly popular in society. while his intelligence and energy of character have been utilized in the municipal and religious work of his ehosen home.
Our subject is the youngest of eight children born to Cassamire and Christine (Kutz) Weber, who, like their son, were natives of Achern, Ger- many. The father was reared upon a farm, and operated an estate in his native land until 1852. when he emigrated to America. Ile selected a lo-
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cation in Erie County, N. Y., near Buffalo. and pur- chasing a farm,continued his agricultural work until his death in 1864. His wife also died in the Em. pire State. Ile was a Democrat and a Catholic. The five children who, besides our subject, grew to mature years are: Mrs. Emrinza Fischer, who died in Buffalo, N. Y .; Mrs. Emily Petre and Anton, who lives near that city ; Mrs. Gertrude Bogner, of Marshall County, Ill .; and Christine, widow of Moritz Hamberg, of Buffalo, N. Y.
The natal day of our subject was February 14, 1847. Hle was about five years old when the fam- ily left llavre on a sailing-vessel, which landed them in New York thirty-six days later. The next ten years of his life were spent on a farm near Buffalo in a German settlement, where his studies were conducted in his native tongue until thirteen years old. Ilis knowledge of English has been mostly acquired by his own efforts, as he had very little English schooling. Soon after entering his teens he found employment in a sawmill and cheese box factory in Cattaraugus County for two years, after which he began an apprenticeship at the shoe- maker's trade in Buffalo. Ile served four years under Ben Weber, then did journey work in the same city until 1867.
We next find Mr. Weber coming to Peoria, HI., and working at his trade six months for Henry Thielbar. He then followed his trade for six months in Washington, Tazewell County. after which he opened a shoe shop in Princeville, doing both repairing and manufacturing. Ilis enterprise proved successful, compelling him to employ two hands, and in 1871 he put in a small stock of ready-made goods. Ere long he bought and re- modeled a store, which was subsequently destroyed by fire, and he then built the brick structure which he now occupies and which is 18x60 feet in dimen- sions. No other dealer in the place has been stead- ily engaged here as long as he. He handled sewing machines and musical instruments six years, but in the fall of 1889 disposed of his entire stock in those lines.
In 1884 Mr. Weber and J. A. Harrison, a thresher, conceived the idea of constructing and patenting a grain weigher. 'The models were perfected in 1885, and the Perfection Grain Weigher is proving
satisfactory, being the only arrangement in that line that is so. It is an instrument attached to the side of the separator and is in three parts-the elevator, hopper and conveyor. Improvements are being made upon it from time to time as the inventor sees low its usefulness can be enhanced. It is now manufactured by Selby Starr & Co., of Peoria, and will undoubtedly bring Mr. Weber a pleasing reward.
The estimable lady who presides over Mr. We- ber's home is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- many, and was formerly known as Miss Barbara Smith. She is a daughter of Jacob Smith, of Kick- apoo, who emigrated to the States when she was two years old. The marriage rites of herself and our subject were celebrated at her home November 24, 1868. The marriage has been blessed by the birth of eight children, those now living being Julia, Christine, Joseph, Anton and George. All are still inmates of the parental home.
Mr. Weber has been a member of the Village Board four years, and was President the first year. He belongs to the Catholic Church, assisted much in the erection of the building, being one of the committee, and in other ways aids in enlarging the organization. He is a stanch member of the Repub- lican party. He has prospered in worldly affairs, and in addition to his business property owns other lots and a pleasant residence.
HARLES HIAYES. The sturdy persistence of the English character, which, having once aimed at a certain mark will vanquish ob- stacles which would seem insurmountable to a less determined spirit, is well exemplified in the career of the gentleman above named, a resident of Jubi- lee Township. He has a most excellent reputation as a public school teacher, perhaps one of the best proofs of the regard in which he is held being the fact that he has taught the home school eight sue- cessive years and has again had it in charge two years. It being generally true that a "prophet is not without honor save in his own country and among his own people," it is a great credit to one
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engaged in the profession of teaching, to have the suffrage of the people in his own neighborhood year after year.
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Although school teaching has been the principal business of Mr. Hayes since his nineteenth year he has done good work in opening up a farm, in car- rying on the same, and in local public affairs. 1Ie is now Commissioner of Highways for Jubilee Township, and Treasurer of the Township Board of Commissioners. lle was first elected to this office in 1888 for a two year's term, at the expiration of which he was again elected, this time for three years. From 1878 until 1888 he was Township Clerk and he has also served as School Director three years. His political adherence is given to the Democratie party and he votes a straight ticket. With a fine mind which he has cultivated under good instructors and by well-directed personal efforts, with pleasing manners and an upright char- aeter, he is well esteemed by those with whom his lot in life is cast.
Robert llayes, the grandfather of our subject, was an English laboring man and his son James became an inn-keeper at White Parish, Wiltshire. The latter married Mary Russell, a native of the same shire and daughter of l'eter Russell, a dairy farmer. To this couple nine children were born, he of whom we write being next to the youngest. The seventh child, Sidney, died in England. The others accompanied their father to America in 1856, their mother having died four years previ- ously. James llayes and his family spent two months at Cleveland, Ohio, then went to Chicago, where they sojourned six months. The father did not like the country and returning to bis former neighborhood in England, leaving his children be- hind him in the United States, engaged in farming. Although now seventy-six years old he still follows that occupation. He is a member of the Episcopal Church.
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