Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 39

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1014

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 39

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When Mr. Hamlin took a companion and lo- cated permanently in Peoria there were but few families here. Samuel, Josiah and Seth Fulton and wife, John Dixon, who kept the ferry, a lawyer named Bogardus, Caldwell, the village blacksmith, Dr. Longworthy and the families of Joe Smith, and Aquilla and Alva Moffatt, were living in or near the hamlet. The old fort was in a dilapidated condition, but was rebuilt and strengthened during the Black Hawk War, and became the rendezvous of settlers during those troublous times. Mr. Ham- lin was the first man to run a keel boat, bringing supplies from St. Louis to this market. Subse- quently he became part owner of a steamer which plied the waters of the Illinois. He and a Mr. Sharp built the first gristmill on the Kickapoo, where they did grinding for all the country round about. For many years after quitting the Indian

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trade he kept a stock of dry-goods, and he is num- bered among the first and most prominent mer- . chants of this locality.

Mr. Hamlin was a member of the Ilouse of Rep- resentatives during the last session which was held at Vandalia, and favored the removal of the capital to Peoria, but the "long nine" proved too much for his party. Hle was also a member of the State Senate when the first session was held in Spring- field. His constituents found him ever alive to their interests and the good of the county and State, ever ready to oppose fraud and corruption, and to lift his voice and cast his ballot in favor of the right. He was called hence March 29, 1875, leaving behind him in the hearts of men a record more enduring than monumental stone or sculp- tured bnst. He left to his widow a comfortable estate.

Among the old settlers still living, few have been here longer or have witnessed more of the marked growth of this beautiful city than Mrs. John Ham- lin. She is now an octogenarian, having been born in Athens County, Ohio, January 10, 1808, and having come here the bride of our subject in 1829. Iler maiden name was Cynthia A. Johnson, and at the time of her marriage she was living in Spring- field, Ill. Her wedding trip was by buggy from that village to Ft. Clark.

Mrs. Hamlin delights to relate the experiences of the olden times, and when anyone suggests that she must have undergone many hardships, she cheerfully responds, "No, indeed, the happiest times of my life were when I was living in a cabin, and my husband was engaged as a trader, largely with the Indians." "Why." says she, "we used to gather great quantities of wild honey, wild fruits abounded on every hand, and Indians brought venison, wild turkey and various other articles which they gladly exchanged for trinkets, of which they were very proud."

Mrs. Hamlin occupies the homestead on the cor- ner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Knoxville Road. She is a member and ardent supporter of the New Jerusalem or Swedenborgian Church, as is her for- mer ward, Mrs. Van Buskirk, with whom she makes her home. Mrs. Hamlin and her husband took four children, whom they reared to years of na-

turity and all of whom are married. As one who shared in the toils and privations of pioneer life, and who was ever ready to lend a helping hand to those about her, as well as for the character which is the crowning glory of womanhood, Mrs. Hamlin deserves and receives the hearty respect of all to whom she is known. Her many friends will be pleased to notice her portrait, in company with that of her late husband, on another page of this volume.

Z ADOCK P. STEVENS. Trivoli Township has not within its limits a more skillful, enterprising or successful farmer than our subject, who has on section 4, a model farm and one of the pleasantest homes in this locality. He was born on this farm April 25, 1851, being a son of Joseph F. Stevens, a pioneer of this county, who was born near Danbury, Conn. (For ancestry see Onslow S. Stevens' sketch on another page of this work.)

Our subject was the third child in a family of eight children and passed his early days on the old homestead. He was well-educated, attend- ing the publie schools, and for a year was a student in the Farmington High School. He had a natural aptitude for farming, and even when a boy worked carly and late and when only fifteen years old took charge of things and successfully engaged in raising hogs and horses, and by the time he was twenty-one years old, he owned seven horses. He remained at home with his father un- til he was twenty-two years old, and then married and established a home of his own. He had a one hundred and twenty acre farm on sections 3 and 4, and he worked actively at its improvement and in raising grain and stock. He built a house on the ridge and put a stone wall of one hundred feet around the yard, planted orchards and groves and had it nicely improved. In November, 1879, his wife died and his home was then broken up as he did not care to stay there amid its sad associations, and he sold his farm and went West.

We next hear of him in Pawnee County, Neb. in a store in Pawnee City. In 1880 he pushed

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further westward, and penetrated to Furnace County, and in the town of Wilsonville made a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land, and also took up a timber claim for a like amount. Ile located there on an abandoned claim in a sod house. Ile broke the soil and had some trees set out the first year and then sold his timber claim and six months later pre-empted a homestead, buying it for $200. Ile fenced it, then rented the one hundred and sixty acres and en- gaged as a carpenter with Reynold Bros., con- tractors and builders on the Burlington, Missouri and Western Railroad. extending from Culbert- son to Denver. They sent him out with three men and he put in the first four culverts that were built on the road in the State of Colorado. Ile was thus engaged until December, 1880, and then returned to Nebraska and secured the title of his claim in January, 1881.

Mr. Stevens came home after that, remained here one season and built his present barn. a sul)- stantial building 30x56 feet in dimensions, and well adapted to its purposes.

In the spring of 1882, Mr. Stevens again went West, and in Golden, Col., accepted a position as a clerk in a grocery store, and was there for nine months. Ile then went into business as a grocer with ex-County Treasurer Dollison. They bought out a stock of goods and conducted business very successfully under the firm name of Dollison & Stevens the ensuing three years. During that time the bank in which our subject had placed $900 of his money, became insolvent and he lost it all. Ile then sold his farm for $1,000 and continued in the grocery and general merchandise business until December, 1885. He also interested himself in min- ing and prospected to some extent and staked a claim. On account of his father's ill health, he then sold his store for 84,000 and returning home bought eighty acres of the old bomestead, Trivoli Township. Since then he has been actively en- gaged in its improvement, and has it well tiled and fenced, and has here a large and conveniently arranged house, which he erected and moved into in 1889. He has substantial out buildings, a wind- mill, tank etc., and good machinery and everything convenient for carrying on farming. He has a

fine arrangement for raising and feeding hogs, making a specialty of that branch and sending two car-loads of high grade Poland-Chinas to market every year. Ile has several horses for general pur- poses, employing two teams on his farm, and he also has some cattle. His grounds are beautifully adorned by groves, and one elm tree set out by his father in 1844, is now about twelve feet in girth. Ile has considerable fruit on the place and has set out a fine orchard.

Our subject has been twice married. He was first married in this township in 1873. to Miss Lizzie Orton, a daughter of Dennis Orton, who was an early settler and still resides here, having retired from active life. Our subject has one daughter, Gertrude E .. by his first marriage. who lives with him. His second marriage which took place in January. 1887, was to Miss Hattie Rodgers, who was born in Trivoli Township, and is a dangh- ter of William Rodgers, who was born and reared here and is engaged in farming and stock-raising, having a one hundred acre farm in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have two children : Millie and Ernest.

Our subject has had a wide and varied exper- ience in life and has profited by it. He is at pres- ent serving his second term as Township School Trustee. He has been a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at Farmington, since 1882. Ile is prominent in political cireles as one of the most intelligent members of the Democratic party in this vicinity, and while in Golden was a delegate to a county convention.

OSEPII DOUBET is classed among the prom- inent members of the farming community to whom this county owes much for its present high position as a wealthy and highly im- proved section of the country. He is one of the foremost farmers and greatest land owners of Limestone Township, where be has a well-devel- oped farm, that is one of the best in its neighbor- hood in all its appointments.

Our subject is a son of Joseph Doubet, who was

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in his day one of the most prominent and active pioneers in this county. He was born in France and received a fine education in the fair land of his nativity. He emigrated to this country in an early day of its settlement, accompanied by his family and settled in Kickapoo Township, about one and one-half miles north of where our subject now lives. A man of his force of character and ability necessarily was pushed to the front, and we find him taking quite a conspicuous part in the po- litical and public life of the place. He was at one time Mayor in Belford, France, and he was among the leading Democrats of the vicinity, and held many offices. He was very much interested in the politics of his adopted country and at one time swam the Kickapoo Creek at the risk of his life that he might cast his vote for a favorite candidate. Ilis death here in 1857, was a severe blow to the inter- ests of the community.

The subject of this biography was born in France near Belford, in 1839, and was but four years old when bis parents brought him to the wilds of Peo- ria County, and here he was reared to manhood in their pioneer home. At the time of his coming here this was the home of the Kickapoo tribe and Indians were more frequent than whites. He re- ceived no schooling except from an old lady by the name of Pennington, who taught a school on Sunday for the benefit of the children of the settlers, who took a great interest in the work. Besides the instruction he thus received his school days could well be included in three months. In 1851 he took upon himself the du- ties and obligations of wedded life by his marriage in that year to Mary Ann, daughter of Nicholas and Mary Ann (Smith) Marie. They were both of French birth and died when she was very young, after coming to this county. They had set- tled here the year after Mr. Doubet came, and Mrs. Doubet was reared near her future husband.

Mr. Doubet bought his farm in Limestone Township, subject to a debt of $15,000, and dur- ing the war both he and his wife worked very hard almost day and night and made much money, and in time bad the four hundred and eighty acres of land free from incumbrance. Mr. Doubet's prosperity continued and he ad led to bis farm

until he now possesses six hundred acres of as fine land as any in the State, all under excellent im- provement.

Our subject and his wife have eleven children living: Joseph, a farmer of Limestone, who is mar- ried and has eight children; Mary, wife of John Boyer, who lives near her father; Peter, who is married and has five children; Malinda, widow of Thomas Fahey of Limestone Township, and the mother of four children; Eliza, wife of Daniel Hanlon, and the mother of six children; Julia, the next in order; Cicely, the wife of Benjamin Dorn- bus; Nicholas, at home; Henry, the next in order; Ida, the wife of William Mitchell; Eddie, at home. The greatest grief of the wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Donbet has been in the death of their daugli- ter Emma, who was next to Henry in order of birth, and died at the age of twelve years.

Mr. Doubet follows in his father's footsteps in regard to his political affiliations and is a strong Democrat. He is a member of the Catholic Church at Kickapoo, but takes no active part in church matters. Having spent the most of his life in the United States and reared under the institutions of this Government he knows no other home and his patriotism recognizes no other country. He oc- cupies a substantial place among the citizens of his township and his sturdy enterprise, great labor and shrewd financial tact, have been prominent factors in its growth.

ACOB DARST. There are times when to be unsuccessful seems almost impossible, so fa- vorable are the surroundings, and little merit accrues to the winner in such a feeble contest. But when reverses that seem insurmonnt- able to many men, are met and surmounted, serving but to stimulate the worker to greater efforts, a deep interest attaches to the winner of the prize and honor is given him by all men. A study of the manners and methods by which circumstances are bent to the ultimate rewarding of persistent shrewdness and industry, proves both interesting and profitable. It would be impossible in the lim-

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its of a sketch like this to more than hint at the means by which the gentleman above named has reached the high station he fills among the moneyed men of Peoria. The biographical writer can only say that he has overcome difficulties that would have disheartened many men and although losing as high as $300,000 at " one fell swoop," he has steadfastly persisted in the attempt to win fortune and now rejoices in the possession of a handsome one reaching much above the half million.

Some two hundred years ago the first Darst came to America, the family having prior to that time been known only in Germany. Jacob Darst, Sr., was born in Virginia and in that State Elizabeth Tarr was also born. This couple became man and wife and reared eight children, two of whom are now living. They are the subject of this sketelı, and an older brother, Eli, who lives in Ouray, Col. The father died in Ohio about 1836. In Meigs County, of that State, Jacob Darst, Jr., was born September 16, 1815. His early life was passed in the manner usual to farmers' sons, his time being alternated between attendance at the schools of the period and the labors in which his increasing strength would permit him to participate.

In June, 1835, he came to Peoria and entered the general merchandise establishment of Aquilla Ahrens as a clerk, a year later going to Galena where he engaged in lead mining. After spending two years in that arduous occupation he returned to Peoria and began buying and selling land. On a quarter section that he bought for $5 per acre he opened a coal mine which proved profitable. A short time afterward he went to boating with Mr. Ahrens, taking flatboats down to Natchez, Miss., laden with the products of this region which he exchanged for those raised along the route. On one occasion when he had about $4,000 worth of produce to be marketed, a tornado struck him at Natchez and his stock in trade was entirely de- stroyed. He reached home with $13.50 in his pocket but ready for another start in life, confident that somewhere and somehow success awaited him.

Returning to the business of coal mining, Mr. Darst made abont $15,000 in five years and keeping his capital chiefly invested in real estate which he bought and sold, he had in a short time gained

$35,000 in such operations. Since then he has given his attention entirely to dealing in real estate and while sometimes meeting reverses in the busi- ness, he has been successful on the whole as his financial status proves. The appreciation of his property is rapid, during the last year the advance having been fully $200,000. Ilis pleasant home, on North Monroe and Fayette Streets, is furnished in a style consonant with the wealth and taste of the inmates, woman's refining influence being visible in its adornments.

Mr. Darst has been twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Daugherty, with whom he was united in 1850, and lived happily until 1865, when she breathed her last. She was the mother of ten children, three of whom survive. They are Ed- win J., and William, both of whom live in Omaha. Neb., and Mrs. Casey, wife of E. A. Casey, a law- yer in Chicago. In 1867 Mr. Darst married Mrs. Helen R. Leonard, who now presides over his home and enjoys with him the comforts and luxuries by which they are surrounded. By the last marriage he has one child. Mrs. Lura Barnard, wife of J. C. Barnard, a lawyer practicing in Omaha, Neb., where they reside. Mr. Darst belongs to the Masonic fraternity in which he has progressed to the thirty- second degree. Politically Mr. Darst is a Repub- lican and during the war was a stanch Union man.

OSEPH ARMSTRONG. It would be hard to find, at least within the limits of Prince- ville Township, a gentleman more highly respected than the one above named, who has been prominently identified with the agricul- tural and public labors of this vicinity for many years. He possesses sound judgment, ripe intelli- gence and an accommodating spirit, which qualities have made him useful to his fellow men and have secured for him a comfortable fortune. Ilis grand- father, James Armstrong, was a teamster in the Revolution and at its close settled in Washington County, Pa., there operated a farm and reared his family.

The father of our subject was born in the county

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named, and when at a suitable age learned the trade of a blacksmith. In 1837, he began farming fifteen miles from the Ohio River in his native county, where he continued his agricultural labors until his death. In politics he was a Democrat and in religion a Presbyterian. He married Mary, daughter of James McCoy, who was born in Ohio County, W. Va. Iler father, a native of the North of Ireland, died in that county. The mother of our subject came to Illinois during her later years and died in Brimfield of typhoid fever.

The record of the parental family is as follows: The first-born is the subject of this sketch; James died in Missouri; Margaret lives in Princeville Township; Mrs. Eliza Whithington died in MeDon- ough County; Mary lives in Princeville Township, this county ; the home of John is in Nodaway County, Mo .; Ebenezer, who now lives in Pawnee, Rock County, Kan., joined Company K, Eighty sixth Illinois Infantry in August, 1862, and was mustered out at the close of the war as surged .'s clerk; Will- iam and an infant unnamed are deceased.

The gentleman of whom we write was born in Claysville, Washington County, Pa., April 17, 1820, learned the rudiments of farming at his home and acquired a common-school education under the sub- scription method. Upon reaching his ajority Le went to Tridelphia, Ohio County, W. Va., where he was employed in his uncle's mill about three years. He became a thorough and practical miller, and during the nine subsequent years managed a inill for a wealthy old lady on the National road on Big Wheeling Creek. near Henry Clay's monu- ment. 'There be remained until 1853 when he de- termined to come West.

Mr. Armstrong journeyed by boat to Cincinnati, Ohio, thence by rail to Terre Haute, Ind., and by stage to Springfield, Ill. Thenee the railroad con- veyed him to Naples and a boat to Peoria, in which neighborhood he determined to remain although it had been his original intention to go to lowa. The appearance of the country satisfied him re- garding the value of land here and he purchased his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 19, Princeville Township. Ile then returned to his work in the mill, making a permanent removal to Illinois in 1855. His goods

were shipped from Wheeling, and he drove through, his journey consuming one month of the beautiful fall weather. Locating on the raw prairie, he broke the soil and gradually placed his farm under good improvement and tillage.

Mr. Armstrong is one of the earliest settlers in that part of the county where he resides, and many an interesting tale lie can tell of the days when wild game was plentiful, settlers few and the fron- tiersman had need of much persistence and hope- fulness to encourage him in his efforts. His home farm is the best in the vicinity, being furnished with a fine orchard and all the improvements which will add to the convenience and comfort of the family. He now owns over six hundred and forty aeres in the township and eighty acres in Sedgwick County, Kan., for which he has paid prices ranging from $6.25 to $75 per acre. Ilis land is adapted for both grain and stock-raising and he formerly fed large numbers of cattle and hogs. He now rents all his land having five tenant houses upon it.

The lady who for many years shared in the joys and sorrows of Mr. Armstrong was a native of the same county as himself and known in her maiden- hood as Miss Marth. MeNeal. Her father, Joseph VeN. al. was a school teacher and she was well in- structed io th usual branches of study and in w. wwonly ac. mopl shments. She became the wife of our subj of March 10, 1840, and was removed by death March 3, 1877. The family comprises ten children: Mary E .. Joseph, James, Margaret L., Isabelle, Ellen T .. William R., Rosa L., Martha E. and Nancy J. Mary married Allen McMillen, of Sedgwick County, Kan. ; Joseph died at his home, June 7, 187 : James is farming in Princeville Township; Margaret lives in Fremont County, lowa, being the wife of James Parish; Isabelle, who died in Fremont County, Iowa, August 11, 1886, was the first wife of James Parish; Ellen married Jackson Liverton, of Princeville Town- ship; William R. is farming here; Nancy married Charles Blank, a farmer of this township. The other children are still with their father.

Mr. Armstrong has served as Justice of the Peace twenty- five years. During that time he was also elected Supervisor. serving eighteen out of twenty consecutive years. He was Chairman of

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the Board of Supervisors several years and held a position upon it longer than any previous incum- bent. lle was placed upon the committee to ob- tain plans for the courthouse and then upon the Building Committee. For many years he served as School Director. It will thus be seen that his fellow citizens have recognized his ability and in- tegrity of character, and that he has been honored with their confidence in positions of trust. IIe is a stanch Democrat, has served as delegate to State conventions, and has likewise been juryman in the United States and minor courts. Nine years since he resigned from the position of Supervisor, feeling that his long years of usefulness entitle him to rest.

NDREW J. BENNETT, a retired farmer, living in a very pleasant and comfortable home on Fourth Street, Chillicothe, has pursued his calling to a successful issue, has accumulated a competency, and is numbered amongst our substantial well-to-do citizens.

He retired from active life about a year ago, having been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Akron Township for thirteen years prior to that time. He came to Illinois in 1856. settling first in this county, but after his marriage went to Saratoga Township, Marshall County, and lived there for six years. At the expiration of that time he re- turned and has since made his home in Peoria County, devoting his time to farming and stock- raising.

Mr. Bennett is a native of New York, the city of Troy his birthplace and February 28, 1835, the date of his birth. His father, Elisha Bennett, was also a native of New York, born in Rensselaer County, where he was reared to the life of a farmer. He was there married to Miss Betsey Chapman, who was also born and reared in Rensselaer County, and they established their home in Stephen Township. where they lived until middle age, when they came as far westward as Martinsburg, Ind., and there the wife and mother died when she was about fifty years old. Elisha Bennett subsequently returned to his native county, was there married a second

time, and died when he was fifty-five years old. One child was born of this marriage. He was a sagacious, practical farmer, and was a good, up- right man.

The subject of this biographical review is the youngest of a family of three sons and six daugli- ters, five of whom are yet living; all are married and settled in life and two reside in Illinois, the re- mainder still living in New York State. Our sub- ject grew to manhood in his native town, and was educated in its public schools. He came from there to this State, and in Radnor Township, this county, found a wife in the person of Miss Eliza Seely. She is a woman of fine character and possesses those pleasantly womanly qualities that make her well liked by all who come in contact with her. She is a devoted member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church and is one of its active workers. Mrs. Bennett was born in Stark County. Ill., January 25, 1840, to Samuel and Delia (Richman ) Seely, natives of New York State. When they were young they had accompanied their parents to In- diana and had there grown to maturity and were there married in Allensville. They continued to live in that State some years, but after the birth of their first child, when he was about three years of age, they came to Illinois, and settled near Mossville, this county. Later they moved to the vicinity of Wyoming, in Stark County, and there they carried on farming for some years. In 1842. they came back to Peoria County, and purchased a farm in Radnor Township, where they spent the rest of their lives, Mrs. Seely dying January 25, 1863, at the age of fifty-eight years; Mr. Seely dying February 20, 1869, at the age of sixty-seven years. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and were strong in the faith. Mrs. Bennett was their next youngest child, they being the parents of eight children, seven of whom lived to maturity, five of them still living and all married. Mrs. Bennett was quite young when her parents came to Peoria County, and here she was reared and educated.

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Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 39

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1014

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1014