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 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116
September 25, 1870, our subject and Miss Mary Martin united their lives and fortunes and have since led a happy wedded life. Mrs. Murphy was born in County Tipperary, Ireland; her parents, Patrick and Julia (Bohan) Martin, came to the United States in 1852 or 1853, and first located in Ohio. They subsequently resided for a time in Peo- ria and then removed to Johnson County, Iowa. They had five children of whom three were reared to maturity : James, who was killed in battle during
the late war ; John, who was a soldier in the war and was killed in Nevada, and Mrs. Murphy. Their fa- ther, Patrick Martin, also served in the war and about fifteen years later died in Iowa City. Two of his brothers and three of his sisters came to the United States, namely: James, a resident of Peoria; Thomas, who died in Iowa; Mary and Margaret, who are living in Iowa, and Ella, a resident of the Keystone State.
Mr. Murphy has worked hard to bring his farm to its present fine condition, and has conducted his labors with wise prudence and frugality, though at the same time he has spent money liberally wher- ever it would be of the most use. Ile inherited the genial characteristics of his countrymen, is warm hearted and hospitable, and his neighbors find in him a good friend who.n they respect for his many excellent qualities. He and his wife are worthy Christian people and are devoted members of the Roman Catholic Church.
R ICHARD J. BIEDERBECK. The sons of the pioneers of Illinois are now as active in its interests as were their fathers before them, and have taken up and are success. fully carrying forward the work so well begun by their sires in the development of the wonderful re- sources of this State. The subject of this sketch is a fine type of these and already occupies a high position among the farmers and stock-raisers of this county, as the proprietor of a large and well managed farm on section 9, Millbrook Township.
Mr. Biederbeck was born in Knox County, May 28, 1857, and is a son of the well-known William Biederbeck, a pioneer of this State, whose biogra- phy appears on another page of this volume. When Richard was quite young his parents removed to this county, and he gleaned a sound education in its public schools, and here grew to man's estate. Ile had a decided taste for agriculture and adopted that calling for his life-work, and now has in his possession a well-improved farm of three hundred and forty-three acres of land that is under admir- able tillage, and is provided with a good class of
315
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
buildings, and with excellent farming machinery. and is well-stocked with cattle, horses and hogs of good grades.
Mr. Biederbeck and Miss Emma L. Aby were united in marriage February 19, 1880, and they have established a charming home, to which the gracious kindness of the hostess and the genial courtesy of the host attracts a wide circle of friends. Mrs. Biederbeck is a daughter of Elder Aby, a highly respected citizen of Millbrook Township, whose biography will be found on another page of this work. The following is the record of the four children that have blessed the happy marriage of our subject and his wife: Willie B., born March 4, 1881; Nellie E., in the month of February. 1883; Alice L., in December, 1884; Ralph, January 3, 1887.
Strong of character, keen in intellect, full of re- source, Mr. Biederbeck is well-equipped for the battle of life, and he is meeting with unqualified success in his ventures. The genuine interest that he feels for his adopted township, and the public spirit that he manifests are important factors in the promotion of its welfare. He is now serving as Sehool Director of District No. 5, and is contribu- ting his quota in maintaining the excellent school system that has been established here. Ile is a true Republican in his political views, and advocates with voice and vote the policy of bis party.
OSEPHI WRIGLEY is a progressive and able farmer and stock-raiser, a prominent mem- ber of the farming community of Trivoli Township. He is an old soldier, and the privations and sufferings that he endured uncom- plainingly in those trying times of the great Rebel- lion, proved his devotion to his country, and his war record reflects credit on this his native county.
Robert Wrigley, the father of our subject. was born in Lancashire, England, where his father, bearing the same name as himself, was a merchant and an inn keeper. His grandfather owned a farm, and on that the son passed his early years until within two years of the time when he emigrated to
America, and in that period he engaged in carting. In 1811. he came with his wife and child to this country. lle had intended to settle in Ohio, but was advised to come to Illinois, and did so, taking up his residence in this county. Ile was without means, having but $5 left after all his expenses were paid. Ile worked at farming and other em. ployments in Peoria for one year, and then entered forty acres of land in Rosefield Township, two miles east of Old Trivoli, in the Texas neighbor- hood. Ile improved it and added to it as he could find the money, and became possessed of one hun- (fred and twenty acres on section 30, Rosefield Township, of eighty acres on seetion 6, Logan Township, of one hundred and sixty acres on see- tion 1. Trivoli Township, comprising in all three hundred and sixty acres, and he also had two hun- dred acres in Rosefield Township, outside of his home farm. Ile engaged extensively in farming and stock business, and in 1880, rented his land and retired from active work, having become wealthy. He still owns two tracts of land, com- prising one hundred and twenty acres, and one hun- dred and sixty acres, and has built in Peoria a fine residence. Ile is very prominent as a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having been a lo- cal preacher while in England, and also since com- ing to this country. le is self-educated. having had no sebooling after he was seven years okl, ex- cepting what he learned in the Sunday-schools. IIe is a firm Prohibitionist.
The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Ann Fenton, was born in England, and died in Rosefield in 1876. In her early life she was a silk weaver. Five children were born of her marriage : Thomas. a resident of Farmington; . Joseph; Jane, now Mrs. Wrigley, a resident of Chicago; William D., who lives in Trivoli; and Eunice. Mrs. Bower, who died in Logan Township. in 1876.
The subject of this biographical review, was born June 14, 1841, on Jones' Prairie. Limestone Town- ship, this county. He was reared on a farm on the Texas Road. He obtained his education under difficulties, as the school which he had to attend, which was first conducted under the subscription plan. was four miles distant. He was early put to work, and afterward attended school only during
346
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
the winter session. He remained with his parents until he enlisted in August 8, 1862, when he volun- teered to aid the brave soldiers of our country in the great struggle that was then being carried on between the North and South. He became a mnem- ber of Company D .. Eighty -sixth Illinois Infantry, was mustered in at Peoria, and was sent to Louis- ville, Ky. He fought in the battles of Perryville and Nashville, and did garrison duty in the latter place. He displayed such good soldierly qualities in obedience to his superiors, in devotion to his du- ties, and in bravery in face of the enemy, that he was promoted to the position of Corporal.
In the fall of 1863, Corporal Wrigley was taken from garrison duty at Nashville, and with his com- pany was sent to take part in the battles of Chicka- mauga and Missionary Ridge. They afterward helped fight the battle of Knoxville. His regiment wintered about McAffee Church and Gordon Mills, and were often engaged in raiding and skirmishing. He and his fellow soldiers then marched through Georgia withi Sherman, and did noble service in the battles of Resaea and Rome, Ga. Our subject was wounded in the latter engagement, his left arm being broken above the elbow by a musket ball. At the time he was lying down behind a rail fence, but as he could not load his gun in that position, he raiaed himself to his knees, and while in the act of loading, the ball struck him and broke his arm, the musket ball being split by the force of the con- cussion. It was extracted from the flesh, and he carried it home, and still has it in his possession as a relic of his military days. After being wounded he made his way to the rear alone until he found an ambulance, and was carried to the field hospital, which was in an old plantation house, where his wounds were dressed. He desired the surgeon to save his arm, and thence he was sent to the hospital in Rome, where he was given a three months' fur- longh. He reported at the hospital in Springfield, with his arm in a sling. and while there gangrene set in, and it had to be burned out by nitric acid. which nearly killed him. He had an abcess on the shoulder joint, and was unable to move, and for a whole month suffered indescribable torture. Ile was finally discharged from the Springfield hospital in the month of March, 1865. He had desired to
leave in November, as he wished to go to school, but it was not thought safe for him to do so on ac. count of his condition.
On his return home Mr. Wrigley went to school until harvest time, and then drove a reaper. al- though his wound did not heal until October, 1865. After that he arranged to go to farming, and in the spring of 1866 he bought one hundred and twenty acres of his father on section 29, Rosefield Town- ship, which was partly improved. He located on it, and did well in farming and raising stock, con- tinuing to live there until 1885, when he sold that place and bought his present farm, as it was more convenient in its situation, and the land was much better than his old farm. It comprises one bun- dred and twenty-two acres on section 13, Trivoli Township, all of which is improved and supplied with necessary buildings, is well tilled, and neatly hedged, is pleasantly located one half mile from town, and is classed among the best farms in the county. Mr. Wrigley has here some high graded Short-horn cattle, and some good horses for gen- eral purposes, using two teams in the work on his place, and he makes a specialty of high graded Po- land-China hogs, having from seventy-five to one hundred and ten head on his place all the time.
Mr. Wrigley and Miss Sarah P. Sutton were united in marriage in Trivoli, February 10, 1867. She is a native of Trivoli, and a daughter of Will- iam and Mary (Young) Sutton. They came from Maine, emigrating to this county in the early days of its settlement, where he was engaged in farm- ing. Mrs. Wrigley has been an invalid for the last twelve years, but bears her suffering with resigGa- tion. Her'pleasant wedded life with our subject has been blessed to them by the birth of two chil . dren, Everett Y., and Fenton E. Both are at home and assist in the management of the farm. Ever- ett learned telegraphy at Farmington and Dixon, but prefers to follow agriculture.
lle of whom we write is prominent in the social, political, public, and religious life of the commu- nily. He is a member of the Daniel McCook Post, G. A. R., at Elmwood. He has been School Di- rector for the past four years, and while a resident of Rosefield, was Township Trustee. He is very active in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which
1
1
yours Freely P.R. It- Procheson
319
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
he is Steward and Trustee, and he has been Super- intendent of the Sunday-school. His allegiance to the Republican party, is as firm as in the days when he was fighting for his country. He has been a delegate to County Conventions. Ile has served on the Petit Jury. He is a strong advocate of tem- perance in word and act.
h ON. P. R. K. BROTHERSON. This name will be at once recognized as that of a gen- tleman who has been connected with the business interests and public labors of Peo- ria for a number of years, and one who is still identified with the moral and social prosperity of that city. Mr. Brotherson enjoys the distinction of being the first Republican ever elected to the May- oralty of Peoria, that event having taken place in 1868 and he having been re-elected with a greatly increased majority in 1872. The older residents in the city will recall the fact that he established the first exclusively wholesale grocery house here, which was conducted for some years under the style of Brotherson & McReynolds.
Philip Brotherson, the father of our subject, was born in Demarara, South America, and was brought by his parents to New York when twelve years old. Settlement was made on the North River where Philip was reared to mercantile pursuits. There he became an associate of Washington Irving, who was wont to frequently pass an evening with him in order to receive bis criticism on the latest pro- ductions of a fertile brain. Mr. Brotherson was a hearty admirer of the genial author, from whom he did not withhold the called-for criticism. In New York Mr. Brotherson wooed and won Miss Catherine Kissam, a native of the metropolis and daughter of an old Knickerbocker family. They made their home in Saratoga County, where, July 14, 1811, the subject of this sketch was born. He was the third of five children and is now the sole survivor. A second marriage of his father resulted in the birth of four daughters.
The gentleman of whom we write was reared to
a like pursuit with his father, serving an appren- ticeship in New York City, where he clerked for a dry-goods house on Broadway and for a time was in the employ of Matthews & Ostrander. He after- ward removed to Elmira, N. Y., where he engaged in the hardware business with Richard F. Seabury. In 1833 he was united in marriage with Miss Frances B. McReynolds, a native of Elmira, and after his marriage entered into business relations with his father-in-law in a general store. In 1836 the firm removed to Cadiz, Ohio, where they spent fourteen years in general merchandising,after which, in the spring of 1850, they established themselves in Peoria as wholesale grocers.
Six years later Mr. Brotherson sold out and en- gaged in the grain and pork business with Alex- ander G. Tyng, the firm of Tyng & Brotherson continuing to operate until 1877, when. having met with heavy losses, our subject retired from the business. In addition to the service which he ren- dered Peoria as Mayor, he has served several terms as Alderman. The construction of the water works was accomplished during his incumbency of the Mayor's chair, he having been very active in pro- moting the good of the people in that regard.
Mr. Brotherson was at one time President of the Adams Street Horse Railway, of which he was also a Director. He has laid out two additions to Peoria, embracing forty acres and bearing his name. He and his wife were active in sanitary work during the war. There is probably no citizen in Peoria better informed than Mr. Brotherson regarding the news of the day and those topics which bear upon the national and social welfare, while few indeed can claim a better reputation than he.
Mrs. Frances B. M. Brotherson, who died De- cember 27, 1879, was a remarkable woman. She was possessed of rare mental endowments and a most estimable character, the golden rule of her life being to do good. Her soul was thrilled by strains of poesy and her brilliant mind and vivid imagination found expression in verses which thrilled others in return. A volume of her poems has been published by her daughters so that, al- though dead, she still lives to uplift and cheer lonely hearts with the beautiful and refined sen- timents in which her works abound. Many of
350
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
her poems, especially that written for Decoration Day, 1878, have attracted much attention. She was the mother of three children: Mrs. L. B. Tyng, wife of S. G. Tyng; Mrs. M. B. Reynolds, wife of William Reynolds; and Philip, who died in Jan- uary, 1866, at the age of twenty-three years.
In connection with the personal sketch of Mr. Brotherson, we present his lithographie portrait on another page.
....
ITII 144444
ENRY BISHOP is an honored member of the farming community of Peoria County, and is closely identified with its social and religious interests. He has a well-ordered and highly-productive farm on section 10, of Kick- apoo Township, and has greatly assisted in the de- velopment of this rich agricultural region.
Our subject is of English antecedents and birth. llis father, Richard Bishop, and his mother, Eliza- beth Brewer, were natives of Cornwall, England, where they married and spent the early years of their life. In 1848 they came to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where Mr. Bishop was chiefly engaged as manager for different mines. They removed from Pennsylvania to Virginia, where he accepted the position of manager of the mining department of the Iron Works, having charge of one hundred men. He removed with his family from the Old Dominion to the Lake Su- perior country, and located at a place called Cape Hope. where he engaged in a copper mine as fore- man for a mining company. The family subse- quently returned to Virginia, and after living in different places, finally came to Illinois about 1856. Mr. Bishop purchased a coal mine about one mile above Edwards' Station, and operated it for some two years. He then removed to Tazewell County, and worked a mine there for Jacob Funk. His death in that county, in 1858, of congestion of the brain, was a blow to the industrial interests of the county and a good citizen was lost to the commu- nity. Ilis widow continued to reside there for about four years and then married John Felton. of
this county. They located in Radnor Township, where her death occurred JJune 15, 1888. There were five children born of her first marriage, one son and four daughters.
Henry Bishop was the oldest of the family, and he was born in Cornwall, England, April 30, 1846. He was quite young when his parents brought him to America, and he remained an inmate of their household nutil the death of his father, when he started out in life on his own account, being em- ployed as a farm laborer the ensuing four years. At the breaking out of the war he was in the prime and vigor of early manhood, and with pa- triotie interest he watched its progress, and in June, 1862. volunteered to take a part in suppress- ing the Rebellion. He enlisted in Company G, Sixty-seventh Illinois Infantry, for a term of three months, which was extended to five months. At the expiration of that time he was mustered out and returned to Peoria County, and the ensuing two years followed coal mining and teaming. After that he again enlisted in Company G, being at- tached to the Eleventh Illinois Infantry, and joined the regiment at Memphis. Tenn. He remained with that nine months, and was then transferred to the Eighth Illinois Infantry. as a member of Company 1, and for three months was located in Texas. lle was in the Department of the Gulf and bore a gal- lant part in several skirmishes, being in the charge of the Spanish Fort, at which time he had a nar- row escape from being wounded in the leg, a ball passing through his pantaloons.
After his experience of military life Mr. Bishop returned to Peoria, and for three years was act- ively engaged in coal mining, operating a coal bank in company with H. Walters, of Limestone Town- ship. A year later he turned his attention to farm- ing on his step-father's farm, in Radnor Township. He remained there one year, and then rented another farm in that township, which he operated one year, when he again went into the coal busi- ness. though he still continued farming, being lo- cated in Limestone Township. About 1873 Mr. Bishop gave himself up wholly to farming, con- tinuing to live in Limestone Township until 1879, when he settled on section 10, Kickapoo Township, where he owns one of the most desirable farms in
-
1
I
351
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
the locality. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres of very fertile land, which is carefully culti- vated and provided with substantial improvements.
While residing in Limestone Township, Mr. Bishop contracted a matrimonial alliance with Miss Mary M. Bontz, who is to him one of the best of wives, the ceremony that made them one being sol- emnized May 10, 1871. Mrs. Bishop's parents are Conrad and Mary M. (Bettelyon) Bontz. natives of Bavaria, Germany. They met and married in Peoria County and settled in Limestone among its pioneers, and still reside there. He is a farmer by occupation and has a good farm under his control. Mrs. Bishop was the second of nine children, and was born in Limestone Township August 26, 1848. Three children have been born of her union to our subject : Estella, Grace E. and Gertrude A.
Mr. Bishop is justly held in high consideration by the entire community, as he possesses in a full degree those qualities that mark bim as a loyal, public-spirited citizen, and a man of high princi- ple and unswerving integrity. In his relations with his fellow-citizens he is always kindly and consid- crate, and his domestic life is above reproach. He has held the offices of Highway Commissioner and School Trustee in Kickapoo Township, and in pol- ities is a true Democrat, although in local elections he votes for those whom he considers best fitted for the office. He is active in religious matters, and he and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which be has held the office of Steward. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop are also zealous promoters of the Grange movement, and with their two eldest daughters are members of Orange Grange.
ATHER PATRICK McGAIR. If thorough scholarship, cordial, kindly manners, and a devotion to the work which lies before him, entitle a man to representation in a volume of this nature, then is Father McGair especially deserving of our notice. Ile is now in charge of the parish of St. Mary's of the Woods, at Princeville, and also of the Catholic Church at Dunlap. 1Tis congregation in the former place is one of the best and wealthiest
in the county, being made up of the better class of citizens and proving a most pleasant field of labor. The church edifice is the largest in the county out- side of Peoria and was erected at a cost of over $10,000, the magnificent structure being due largely to the efforts of our subject. It was put up in 1889.
Father McGair is still quite a young man, hav- ing been born in Providence, R. I., February 8, 1854. He had the best of school advantages, im- proving them so well that he was graduated from the IHigh School when but fourteen years old. Ile then entered St. Charles College near Baltimore, prosecuting his studies thercin four years, and thence going to LaSumption, Canada. In the col- lege at that place he still further advanced his edu- cation, remaining there four years and being then transferred to the tutelage of Bishop Spalding of Peoria. In 1877, he joined the Peoria diocese and entering St. Frances Theologieal College at Mil- wankee, completed his studies for the priesthood and was ordained that year.
On June 29. 1878, Father McGair was ordained at Peoria by Bishop Spalding and sent to Wataga, Knox County, where he remained one year and three months, serving two churches. He then went to Gilman, Iroquois County, where with one as- sistant he served four missions. lle labored ardu- ously, building a large parochial house and finishing the church, also erecting a church at Ashkum, and finishing one at Watseka and Crescent City each. In March, 1884, he was placed in charge of the Princeville congregation which had been organized by Father Albright in 1868. The society had pur- chased the old Presbyterian Church and used it until recently, when they were able to take posses- sion of their beautiful new edifice.
The family of which our subject is the fourth member, includes Mrs. Catherine O'Neil and Mrs. Susan MeCarthy of Providence, R. J .; James. of Princeville, Ill .; Frank, of the Regular Army sta- tioned at Ft. Adams, Newport; Mrs. Mary McCabe. of Providence, R. I .; Mrs. Sarah Byrnes, of Prince- ville Township, this county; and Margaret, of Providence, R. I. The mother, formerly Miss Margaret Meenan, a native of Ireland, emigrated to America when seventeen years old; she is now sixty-eight.
352
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
The father of our subject was P. MeGair, born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and reared in Rhode Island to which he was brought by his parents when five years old. He studied engineering, became thoroughly practical in his business and finally rose to the position of Superintendent of the Pruit Works in Providence. There he was accidentally killed, his elothes having canght on a shaft and his spine being broken, death ensuing eight days later, Sep- tember 17, 1878. He was thien fifty-five years old.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.