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 35
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The maiden name of our subject's present esti- mable wife was Mary Slane, and she is a native of Peoria, and a daughter of Thomas Slane, one of its pioneers, She is well fitted to be the help- mate of her husband, understanding thoroughly the management of the household, and is respected by the community.
Our subject's industrious habits, his push and enterprise have made for him a substantial place among the farmers and stock-raisers of the county and he is doing well financially. His fellow-citi- zens hold him in respect for his many estimable qualities and find in him a good and obliging neigh- bor.
ACOB KREUTER was for many years a prominent merchant in Peoria, and at his death the city lost a most estimable citizen, one who had contributed his quota to bring about its commercial prosperity. Mr. Kreuter was greatly assisted in his business by his wife. who still survives him, making her home at No. 707 Green Street. After his death she conducted the business alone very successfully for three years, and then handed it over to her son Henry.
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The Kreuters came from Germany in 1846. They beeame acquainted while on board the vessel on the long voyage across the Atlantic, and their acquaint- ance, which was continued in New York City dur- ing their short stay there, finally terminated in their marriage in Columbus, Ohio, which was solemnized July 14, 1846. Mr. Kreuter had learned the trade of a miller in the Fatherland, of his father Peter Kreuter, who had a mill in Darmstadt, Germany, which was the birthplace of our subject, where he was born April 6, 1819. Mrs. Kreuter's maiden name was Theresa Stese, and her father was Johann Stese, who was a farmer. She was the only one of the family to come to America.
Mr. and Mrs. Kreuter went to Memphis, Tenn., in the fall of 1846, and there opened a store. In 1817, they removed to Mt. Pleasant, Miss., where they continued in the same business. In 1853 they returned to Ohio, and after carrying on a store for a while in Devertown, built a mill there whiel proved a bad venture, and after a year of unsue- erssful operation, they traded it for a farm.
In 1858, Mr. and Mrs. Kreuter came to Peoria. They had a hard time of it bere for awhile, but af- tur a few months their prospects brightened, as they had an opportunity to take charge of the old tavern three miles from the city, which they managed very profitably for about three months. They did so well that the proprietor, Mr. Clark, became jealous as he thought they were making too much money, and he worked to get rid of his tenants, and soon succeeded. The Kreuters then came into Peoria, and entered upon their successful mercantile career in this city. They then opened a store, which is still in existence. At the expiration of a year they bought the property, and the store is still in the hands of the family, Henry Kreuter, the son of our subject being the proprietor. Here by years of in- dustry, careful attention to the business in all its details, and by the exercise of far discerning judg- ment and due discrimination, they built up a large and lucrative trade.
February 19, 1879. Mr. Kreuter departed this life, leaving behind him the blessed memory of a good man, who was conscientious and honest in his dealings, and was true in all things. In his politi- eal views he was a pronounced Democrat. Ile was
a good citizen, and generously aided every cause that would in any way promote the welfare of his adopted city. He was happy in securing as a wife and helpmate one who is very capable, and is a thorough business woman, and, as a true wife should. looks upon his interests as her own. Three of their eight children are now living, as follows: Rosa, wife of George Schmuck, a machinist; Car- rie, wife of Nicholas l'rich, an attorney at law in Peoria: Henry, now proprietor of the store. The other children all died in childhood, with the ex- eeption of Louis, who was drowned in a cistern whilst the family lived in Ohio.
EREMIAH MOFFITT, deceased, was in his day one of the foremost pioneers of Peoria County, who was prominently identified with every enterprise for the upbuilding of the city of Chillicothe, and at his death, April 3, 1857, it lost one of its most valued citizens. He was an early settler of this part of the county, and was at one time one of the leading agricultorists of Chillicothe Township, and later became interested in its commerce as a dry-goods merchant, carrying on business with a firm under the title of J. & J. Moffitt. A few years after he entered into part- nership with H. McFadden, now of Havana, Ill., and they carried on an extensive lumber and grain trade until the death of our subject one year later. Mr. Moffitt through his business relations was widely known, and his name was greatly hon- ored in financial and social circles, as he possessed rare judgment and exceptional business talent, and was honest and straightforward in his dealings.
Mr. Moffitt came to this county and State in the early '30s, and east in his lot with the pioneers who had preceded him, and began the upbuilding of a home on land that he purchased from the Government as soon as it came into the market. He remained a resident of this county until 1856, when he made a tour to the Territory of Kansas, designing to settle there if he was pleased with the prospects. He made his way to Topeka. then a new town, and bought property on speculation,
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but under the regime then extant he did not like the surroundings, and so returned to Illinois. In this connection it is noteworthy that after seeing Kansas in those troublous days before the war, he was converted from a staneh Democrat into a solid and unchangeable Republican, holding to that party to the day of his death.
Mr. Moffitt was born in Richmond, Ross County, Ohio, November 2, 1810. His parents, John and Lydia (Cox) Moffitt, were natives of North Caro- lina, and are thought to have been of Scotch-Irish descent. After a few years married life in their native State they removed to Tennessee, in early pio- neer times, where one or two of their children were born. and then they made another move and located in Ross County very early in the settlement of Ohio, going there prior to 1810, when nearly the whole of the State was an unbroken wilderness filled with wild game and Indians. John Moffitt and his wife and small family, began their life there as pioneer settlers, and it is also thought that his parents had accompanied him there and died in Ross County when old people. The name of his father was either James or Ilugh Moffitt, and he and his wife were of Quaker stock and were members of the Society of Friends. After the birth of all their children, and after they had mostly grown to man and womanhood. John Moffitt and his wife came to Illinois, about 1830, securing a Government claim in Chillicothe Township, which became their home. After making improvements and witnessing most of the development of the country into pleasant farms and thriving towns, they both passed away full of years, aud as they were united in life, in death were not long divided, they dying within a few days of each other. Though reared to the Quaker faith, Mr. Moffitt had married out of the church, and ever afterwards declined all association with the Society of Friends. He was the father of a large family of some eleven children, all of whom are now deceased, but they have many representa- tives living in Peoria County, some of whom are among its leading citizens.
Jeremiah Moflitt, of whom we write, was well reared and received a very good education in the publie schools during the log cabin days of Ross County. He was bred to the life of a farmer, and
was nearly of age when he came to this county. a single man. Ile was married near the present city of Chillicothe to Miss Elizabeth Mead, and to her able assistance he was greatly indebted for the success that he achieved. She is a very capable woman. possessing quite a talent for business, and is now managing with success the large property left by her husband. Mrs. Moffitt was born in Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio, June 23. 1815, a daughter of Ilezekiah and Julia (Tuttle) Mead .. natives respectively of Connecticut and Massachu- setts. lIer father eame of good New England stock, and from people well-to-do, and his father was a Revolutionary soldier, and saw the burning of the town of Danbury, Conn., by the British. Hezekiah Mead grew to manhood in his native State and there followed the trade of a carpenter. He went from Connecticut to Massachusetts, where he married his wife. She had lost her parents, who were Massachusetts people, when a young girl, and she was reared in that State by her maternal grand- father, John Bull, who was a prominent man of his town. After marriage Mrs. Moffitt's parents removed to New York, where Mr. Mead carried on his trade of a carpenter and builder, and he ereeted the first publie hotel that was put up at Saratoga Springs, that now famous summer resort. He sub- sequently came with his family as far West as Ohio, and carried on his calling in Chillicothe, Ross County, until his death in the latter part of 1816, when in the prime of life. He was a skilled workman, and was in every respect a good man. His wife survived him, and was married a second time in Worthington, Ohio, taking as her husband David W. Bates, a native of Granville, Mass., a descentant of a good old Massachusetts family. and a cousin of Senator Isaac: C. Bates, of Northamp- ton, Mass. He himself was a prominent man, was a Major in the War of 1812, and fought at the battle of Lundy's Lane. With his wife and step- children he emigrated from Ohio to Illinois in 1837, and settled on a farm in Marshall County, and there he died after some years at an advanced age. His wife survived him some few years, and died while staying with her daughter, Mrs. Rogers. in Mason County, her death taking place in 1862, at the age of eighty-four years. She was a good
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woman, a sincere Christian, and a devoted member of the Episcopal Church. Her' second husband, Mr. Bates, had been reared for the ministry, but he never entered the profession, as he grew rather free in thought, though he was always a very strictly moral man.
Mrs. Moffitt was reared by her mother and step- father, who brought her to Peoria County when she was a young woman. Her marriage to our subject was blessed by the birth of five children, one of whom, Jeremiah. died at the age of eighteen years. Her daughter Maud is the wife of John M. Uhden, of Chillicothe Township. Our subject's son, Frank B., who lives in Chillicothe, married Miss Maria Anderson, a Scotch lady who died in July, 1889, and left four children. Mrs. Moffitt's daughter, Laura C., is the wife of George B. Tem- ple, of whom see biography. Her son Eugene, who makes her home with her, is the Cashier of the Pruitt Mathews & Co. Bank, of Chillicothe. He is one of the leading young inen of the city, and is well-educated and well-read, being very fond of books. Mrs. Moffitt, who holds a high place in the community, and is known and liked for her liberal- ity and charitableness, is identified with the Uni- versalist faith and is a sincere Christian.
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ENRY MANSFIELD, a veteran of seventy- three years and a highly respected resident of Peoria, is practically retired from ac- tive business, employing his time in look- ing after his private estate. He has been a resi- dent here for a space of over fifty years, having landed in Peoria January 2, 1840, and here he has since mantained his residence. He is a New Yorker by birth and born in Schoharie County, March 22, 1817.
The father of our subject was a native of North Haven, Conn., and followed agricultural pursuits, spending his last days in Illinois. When about twelve years old Henry went to Connecticut, where he spent a few years and thence to Albany, N. Y., where he was employed in a drug store for about three years and until a youth of eighteen.
At the expiration of this time he decided upon seeking the western country and engaged with a Government surveying party in the northern part of Michigan, one hundred miles from a white set- tlement and among the Chippewa Indians. He was thus occupied about four years and we next find him in Peoria, where he associated himself in partnership with Dr. N. S. Tucker in the drug business, their store occupying Nos. 122 and 204 Main Street. This partnership continued until Dr. Tucker's death, in 1888, a period of forty-nine years and nine months, during which the two men continued with the most friendly intercourse and were uniformly successful. They never gave a note or purchased any goods on credit or asked for a discount, thus following up the true princi- ples and the only safe course in conducting busi- ness.
In the meantime Mr. Mansfield invested a large amount of his capital in farm lands and city prop- erty and still has a large amount of the latter. Dr. Tucker at his death left $30,000 to bis rela- tives and the balance of his estate was left by will to Mr. Mansfield. He has in Peoria, Tazewell. Mason and Fulton Counties, five thousand eight hundred and twenty acres of land, all under culti- vation and the source of a fine income. In the city he has stores, warehouses and residences to the number of about fifty, located in its business part and of great value.
Mr. Mansfield has been the architect of his own fortune, having only a small amount from his father's estate, beginning life practically without means. The habits of industry and economy which were compulsory in his youth, later laid the foun- dations for a fortune. Ile is a man well informed upon the general topics of the day and an active worker in the Democratic party, being sent as a delegate to the various conventions and working in its interest as opportunity occurred. About 1842 he identified himself with the Masonic frater- nity, and with which he still continues. His mar- ried life began in 1846, the maiden of his choice being Miss Harriet A. Elding, who was at that time a resident of Peoria. Mrs. Mansfield was born at Red Hook, Dutchess County, N. Y., and came with her parents to Illinois at an early day. She
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became the mother of three children and departed this life at her home in Peoria, in 1852. Of these there is only one now living, a daughter, Fannie. Mis. Blakesley, of Chicago.
Mr. Mansfield contracted a second marriage with Miss Isabel F. Servos, the wedding taking place at the bride's home in the city of New York. Mrs. Isabel F. Mansfield was born in New York City. and of her union with our subject there are seven children, all living. Louise P. is the wife of C. W. Mosher, of Lincoln, Neb .; Henry, also a resi- dent of that city, was educated in the military school at Lexington, Va., and later studied law in the University of Virginia for a term of six years. Nathaniel T. remains at home with his parents; Eleanor is the wife of A. Lee Newton, of this city; Margaret, Eliza and Belle are still at home.
LIVER M. MILLER. A list of the good citizens of Hallock Township would be in- complete withont the name which stands above, its possessor and his estimable wife being esteemed for sturdy virtues of character and the display of industry and zeal in the prosecution of the labors which lie before them as owners and oc- cupants of a good farm. Their home is located on section 16, where one hundred and sixty-one aeres of the fertile soil are devoted to the raising of di- versified crops and the home comforts of a fine family.
Before outlining the career of our subject it may be well to say something of the family which he so worthily represents. The Millers are of Ger- man deseent, but two or three generations of the family were natives of the Southern States. In South Carolina, Jacob Miller, the father of our subject, was born and passed his early life. In his young manhood he removed to Ohio, where he began his career as a farmer. When but cighteen years old he enlisted and under Gen. Brown's com- mand served throughout the hostilities of the War of 1812. He was shot in the leg and carried a Brit- ish ball to his grave. He died in Putnam County,
Ohio, in 1854, at the age of sixty-eight years. Po- litically, he was first. a Democrat, and subsequently a Whig. Of excellent moral character, he yet was not a member of any religions body or a believer in any church ereed.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Buyher, and was united in marriage with Jacob Miller, in Knox County, Ohio. She was a native of Pennsylvania, of the old Dutch stock, and when young accompanied her parents to Jefferson County, Ohio. There she grew to womanhood. After the death of her husband she came to Illi- nois with her youngest son, our subject, under whose roof she breathed her last August 25, 1887. She had reached the great age of ninety-six years and twenty-five days. She belonged to the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and throughout her long life had exemplified the virtues of a Christian char- acter. She was the mother of four sons and six daughters, of whom two sons and four daughters are yet living, all married.
Oliver M. Miller, the subject of this sketch, was born August 29, 1837, in what is now Morrow, but was at that time Knox County, Ohio. He was carefully reared by his worthy parents, given the advantage of such schooling as the section afforded, and fitted as well as possible for a successful and honorable career in life. He was not yet of age when, in 1857, he became a resident of the Prairie States, spending one year in Fulton County, but the greater part of the time since his arrival in the county where he has now become quite well known. Since 1858 he has improved two farms in Hallock Township, one of which he has traded for eighty acres in Vermillion County, Ind. That tract is mostly improved. and is capable of affording a very comfortable support to whomsoever operates it.
In the city of Peoria the rites of wedlock were celebrated between our subject and Miss Amelia Vantassell. The bride was born in Hallock Town- ship, this county, April 2, 1837, belongs to a good family, and is one of the nine children of Alonzo and Harriet ( Richmond ) Vantassell. Her parents were born in the Keystone State and accompanied their respective progenitors to Illinois when quite young. They were married in this county, and always afterward lived in Hallock Township, dy-
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ing on the farm which they had improved from wild prairie. Their residence here dated from very early in the '30s or late in the '20s. Mr. Vantassell was a soldier in the Black Hawk War. In an early day he was a manufacturer of castor oil in Medina Township, this county, being the first to enter into that enterprise here. He died when quite old. but his wife departed this life in middle age.
Mrs. Miller was reared and educated in this county, was left motherless when quite young, but remained with her father until she was fully grown. She is the mother of five sons and one daughter. of whoin the three youngest-George W., Orin M. and Lewis O .- are still inmates of the par- ental home. The oldest son, Augustus, married Sarah Russell and occupies a farm in Vermillion County, Ind .; Sarah J., the second child, is the wife of John Frost, a farmer of Cass County, Mo .; Amos E. married Matilda Messersmith, and is farming in Stark County, this State. Mr. Miller and his sons give their earnest adherence to the principles ad- vocated by the Republican party. They are classed among the citizens who can be relied upon for hon- esty, good purpose and steady conduet, and are respected by their fellow-citizens as they deserve. Mr. Miller has for three years been President of the Centerville Cheese Company, whose factory is located in Hallock Township.
OHN C. ALLEN is quite well known in Peoria, where he is fulfilling the duties of United States Storekeeper in a creditable manner. He was chosen to the position in August, 1889. His integrity is beyond question, and no citizen is more highly respected for intelli- gence and industry. He was born in Jacksonville, this State, March 18, 1856, reared in that "Athens of the West," enjoying its excellent educational advantages. and completing a course of study in the Washington High School.
In 1875 Mr. Allen came to l'eoria, holding the position of Assistant Market-Master for two years. In 1878 he was appointed teacher in the Lineoln
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School of Quiney, winning so good a reputation in pedagogical labor that in 1880 he was elected Principal of the Broadway High School at Madi- son, Ind. The responsible position gave him abun- dant opportunity to display his mental powers and executive ability. Under his control the school advanced in reputation, many pupils being there fitted for honorable positions in life.
While performing the arduous duties of his pro- fession, Mr. Allen made a systematic disposition of his time, by so doing being enabled to prepare a scholarly production- "A Pedagogue's Diver- sions" -- on which the copyright has been secured and which is now in the press. Mr. Allen finds time while discharging the duties of his present responsible position, to continue the reading in which he delights and add to the extended knowl- edge which he already possesses. He is nnmarried, and the stay of his aged parents, Lafayette and Caroline Allen, who reside at No. 117 Fifth Street, Peoria.
E I'GENE GAUSS, of the firm of Gauss, Shurt- leff & Co., is a fine representative of the young business men, natives of Peoria, who, within the last few years, have taken their place among the men of great enterprise and energy, who are pushing forward the interests of their city in every direction. His name already stands high in commercial eireles, and he has a bright fu- ture before him in his honorable career as a mer- chant.
Mr. Gauss was born in Peoria, April 3, 1862, to Julius and Pauline (Bauch ) Gauss. (For parental history see sketch of William Gauss). Our subject was reared and educated in this city, and when quite young, was engaged in the grocery store of William Ganss, at that time a retail groeer on South Madison Avenue. He continued with him for thirteen years, and became thoroughly eonver- sant with the trade in every branch. In the month of November. 1887. he established himself in liis present business, in company with Flavell Shurtle ff and R. A. Schimpff, opening their store where they now are, and by their honorable dealings, and strict
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attention to business, they have worked up one of the largest and most profitable trades in town. Their store is neatly fitted up, and they carry a complete stock of everything in their line that is demanded by their custom, and they have an effi- cient corps of six clerks.
Mr. Gauss is a young man of excellent personal habits, and bears a fine reputation. He is wide- awake, possesses a large degree of enterprise and business acumen, and is already in prosperous eir- cumstances, and bids fair to become one of the wealthy men of his native city. He is bright and intelligent, possesses pleasant social qualities, and is of good social standing. He is a prominent mem- her of the Knights of Pythias, belonging to both branches, the lodge and the uniformed ranks.
ILLIAM A. ARNOLD. We are pleased to transcribe to these pages a brief record of the life of this gentleman, who is hon- ored and revered by his fellow townsmen not only as a pioneer settler and an industrious farmer of Brimfield Township, but as one of its most deserv. ing citizens, whose life. guided as it is by purity of purpose and rectitude of act. is an example worthy for all to follow. He has a comfortable home on section 16, and a good farm that compares in point of cultivation and improvement favorably with the best in its vicinity.
Mr. Arnold comes of fine New England stock and Revolutionary ancestry. lle was born amid the beautiful scenery of Windham County, Vt., October 8, 1826, a son of William G. and Mary F. (Brooks) Arnold. Ilis paternal ancestors were English, and his great-grandfather Arnold was born in England, became a settler of New England in Colonial times, and here his son was reared to manhood and took an active part in the Revolution. The father of our subject, was born in 1797, in Vermont, his father, who was a native of Rhode Island having been an early settler of the Green Mountain State. When our subject was in his eighteenth year, he came with his parents to Illinois, performing the entire journey from his early New England home
with a wagon and two teams. They started on that momentous trip, November 1, 1843, and arrived at their destination on the Brimfield Prairies the first day of the following February in 1844, having journeyed leisurely, camping by the wayside at night. The father was killed by lightning April 22, 1844, while standing in a doorway a short dis- tance north of Brimfield. The mother of our sub- ject survived until March 13, 1888, when she died at a ripe old age of ninety-two years, lacking three months. His worthy parents had a family of nine children of whom the following five are still living : George B., in Elmwood; William A .; Cyrus, in Henry County; Marietta, wife of T. O. Owen, of Henry County; and Amelia L., wife of Joseph L. Barnes of Bushnell, 11].
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