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 42
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Mrs. Detweiller was removed from her sphere of usefulness September 10, 1888, after a wedded life of forty years, and our subject then lost one who had ever been to him all a true wife can be, and ber children a devoted mother. Her death was felt far beyond the home circle, as her sweet, wholesome nature, thorough goodness and kindly charity had won her a warm place in the hearts of many, and she had been an influence for much good in the community. She was a person of serene re- ligious faith, and in her the Universalist Church had one of its most faithful helpers. She was an active member of the Woman's Christian Home Mission, and also belonged to the Woman's Relief Corps of the Old Settlers Association.
Henry Detweiller stands among our most re- vered citizens, and is widely known for his un-
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swerving integrity of character, and for his honor- able connection with the business interests of the city. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, and also of the Grand Army of the Republic. He cast his first vote for Gen. Taylor as President, and since the organization of the Republican party has always been true to its colors. He reveres the name of Lincoln, whom he knew, with honor and rev- erence.
R OBERT HILL. Among the active young business men who have in recent years step- ped to the front to assist in carrying on and extending the varied interests of this county, the subject of this biographical review is deserving of especial mention. Ile is the proprie- tor of a grocery in Bartonville. having here a well- fitted up and well stocked store, and is carrying on an extensive and lucrative trade.
Mr. Hill was born in Wesley City. just across the river from Peoria. twenty-four years ago. His parents. John and Susannah Ilill, came from Eng- land and established a home in that place and were residents there some years. They moved across the river to this county when our subject was young. They became valued citizens of Peoria, and in course of years, by industry and the exer- cise of excellent judgment in carrying on his work, Mr. ITill acquired a competency. His widow still ocenpies the old place, where she owns a fine prop- erty in addition to other interests, all of which are ably managed by her son, our subjeet.
Robert Ilill is the eighth child in a family of fifteen children, twelve of whom are now living. Ile was carefully trained by his worthy parents to a manly, useful manhood, and was given the advantages of a liberal education in the city schools of Peoria. Ile went into business for himself when but twenty-one years of age. establishing himself as a merchant. In 1887 he turned his attention to farming, in company with his brother William, and they subsequently opened a brick yard, which was known as the Robert IIill & Bro.'s yard, and was located on the outskirts of Bartonville. They carried on the manufacture of brick together until
the summer of 1890, when William sold out his interest to the Hoffman brothers, who are practical brick makers. In the season of 1889 the company made a million bricks, employing about twelve hands and two teams to deliver in the city, where they find a good market for all that they can pro- duce.
In October, 1889, Mr. Ilill opened a new store, which is fully equipped with groceries and no- tions, and he already does a thriving business as one of the leading merchants of the place, and his custom is among our best citizens.
The maiden name of the wife of our subject, who presides so gracefully over the pleasant home, sees so closely after the comforts of the house- hold, and makes their dwelling attractive to their numerous friends, was Alice Randall, and she is a daughter of Harry Randall. Two children com- plete the home circle-Harry and Johnnie.
Mr. Hill is well endowed mentally and physically, is of a forceful, resolute character. possessing a quick, keen intellect, and in an abundant degree those vigorous, earnest traits that mark a man bound to succeed in what ever he undertakes. IIe conducts his business with sound discretion, and yet with enterprise, and in all his dealings guards well his honor.
b ON. JAMES MONTGOMERY RICE. The Rice family is of Welsh ancestry and settled in Virginia in 1690,and from that State the grandfather of our subject removed to Kentucky about 1804. Ile was a surveyor and planter. Ilis son, George Poague Rice, born in Kentucky, settled in Monmouth, Ill., in 1835, re- siding there for many years. He is now a resident of Omaha, Neb., his age being seventy-eight years. Ile married Caroline Montgomery, a native of Danville,Pa., which place was largely owned by her great-grandfather, Gen. William Montgomery, a soldier of the Revolutionary War and was named in honor of her great unele. Gen. Daniel Montgom- ery. Her father.James Montgomery, was also born in that town. Mrs. Rice died in Nebraska, January
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15, 1886, in the sixty-first year of her age and was buried in Monmouth, Ill. Of the children whom she had borne, the subject of this notice is the eldest.
The gentleman of whom we write was born in Monmouth, March 8, 1842. His early school days were passed in the district schools and his physical powers were developed by labor on a farm. After acquiring a preliminary education he entered Mon- mouth College, prosecuting his studies therein un- til the outbreak of the Civil War, when he en- listed in Company E, Tenth Illinois Infantry. Ile served in the Union Army a little over three years, belonging to the First Brigade, Second Di- vision, Fourteenth Army Corps. Army of the Cumberland. Ile was present at the Siege of At- lanta, and had previously taken part in the noted battle of Missionary Ridge. During Sherman's advance from Chattanooga to Atlanta his ears were saluted with the noise of the enemy's guns for one hundred and twenty-three consecutive days. He took part in many of the less important-en- gagements during his term of enlistment, as well as some of the most bloody, and earned and re- tained the confidence of his superior officers.
On September 14, 1864,Mr. Rice was mustered out of the service, soon after which he entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, Mich.,from which he was graduated in the class of 1866. He immediately opened an office in Oquawka, Ill., becoming Master in Chan- cery. In January, 1867, he removed to Peoria. where after practicing alone for a twelvemonth. he became a partner of the Ilon. David McCul- loch. The connection continued until Mr. Riec was elected to the legislature, which met in January 1871. This was the first session after the adop- tion of the new constitution and npon it devolved the task of the revision of the State statutes, the work consuming fifteen months time altogether.
Mr. Rice has served as City Attorney and for the past nine years has been Treasurer of the Peo- ria Law Library Association, and has been Sec- retary of the Peoria Improvement Association, from its organization. For some years he was in legal partnership with Leslie Robison and Col. William S. Brackett, but for five years past he has been in partnership with his cousin, Cyrus Walker Rice.
For nearly thirty-four years Mr. Rice has been a member of the Presbyterian Church. Ilis polit- ical adherence hasever been given to the Repub- lican party. He belongs to Post No. 67, G. A. R., has been chairman of the Committee on Legisla- tion of the National Guard Association of Illinois, for the past seven years,and is one of the executive committee of the National Guard Association of the United States. Ile holds the rank of Colonel, in the Illinois National Guard and is General In- spector of rifle practice, on the Governor's Staff.
He married September 14, 1871, Miss Eliza Bal- lance. fourth daughter of Col. Charles Ballance, who settled in Peoria in 1831. She is a native of this city and a graduate of Monticello Seminary. Her social qualities fit her for the sphere in which she moves and add to her usefulness. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Rice comprises five children named respectively : Lillie Ballance, Caroline Montgom- ery: Mary Virginia, Montgomery and Willis Bal- lance.
E LIJAII R. RYER is prominent among the young farmers and stock-raisers who are contributing so largely to the material ad- vancement of this county. llis farm operations are being conducted after the most approved methods, and the fine appearance of his farm on section 18, Trivoli Township, is evidence of his practical skill and ability in his calling.
Our subject is a descendant of an ancestry that was among the early settlers of New York, and some of the best blood of the old Knickerbocker families runs in his veins. He was born in the city of New York, October 16, 1818. Ilis father, Samuel Ryer, was also a native of that metropolis, and at one time he owned a farm that was then in the sub- urbs, but is now within the municipal corporation. though it was not annexed until after his death. It comprised one hundred acres on Lucas Avenue. His family was of Holland-Dutch descent, bis fore- fathers crossing the water to this conntry in early Colonial times. The grandfather of our subject took part in the Revolution that set the Colonies free from the mother country.
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The father of our subject inherited some thirty aeres of his father's estate, and sold it with the re- mainder of his land at a later period, for a snug sum, and retired from active life. He was at one time a prominent real-estate dealer in New York, and sold houses and lots. He died in his native city in 1888. at the age of seventy-three years. IIe was a constant attendant of the Presbyterian Church, and was highly respected as a man and a citizen. The maiden name of his wife was Mary J. Bussing, and she was born in New York City. Her father, John Bussing, was also a native of that locality, having a farm in the suburbs of the metropolis, which is now included within the cor- porate limits of the city. The mother's share in the Bussing property was a part of Woodlawn, where the new reservoir is being constructed. She was also of an old Holland family, who were among the early settlers of New York. The mother of our subject died before his father did.
The parents of our subject had eight children, as follows: Susan, Mrs. Duryea; Ellen, Mrs. Wilkin- son; Louisa. Abby (Mrs. Wille), John, Elijah, Daniel, Frederick, all residents of New York, with the exception of our subjeet.
Ile of whom these lines are a record, received ex- eellent advantages for obtaining an education in the public schools of liis native city. He lived the most of the time with his grandfather Bussing, un- til he was twenty years old. He then established himself in the dairy business in the vicinity of his early home, and was prosperously engaged in it until 1873. He then traveled through various States in search of a suitable location for farming, and in 1876 he came to this State for the third time by rail, having been pleased by the fine opportuni- ties offered to a live. enterprising young farmer on this rich soil. He remained in Quincy awhile, and was in different places until he came here with his brother John, and bought a farm in partnership with him, comprising one hundred acres of land, with improvements. Our subject removed here that summer, and he and his brother were busily employed in the further improvement of their place, which they cultivated together four years. Our subject then bought his brother's interest in the property, and has sinee added to his realty, until he
has a farm of one hundred and fifty acres of till- able land, well drained with tile, neatly fenced, and supplied with a good barn, a comfortable dwelling and other necessary buildings, and ample machin- ery, and orchards and groves adorn the place. Mr. Ryer raises, buys and feeds hogs of the Poland- China breed, which command a ready market, he sending a car-load a year. He has twelve fine horses of an excellent grade, using two teams on the farm, and he has some full-blooded Short-horn cattle.
Mr. Ryer and Miss Lucretia Stanton were mar- ried in Orion Township, Fulton County, November 29, 1883. She is a daughter of Daniel Stanton, a pioneer farmer of Fulton County. Our subject and his wife have four children, named as follows: Mande M., Wilbur R., Frank E., and Cora M.
Mr. Ryer has valuable property in New York City in addition to his possessions here. He is free-hearted and open-handed in the use of his means, and his obliging, courteous manners make him popular, and his honorable course has won him the friendship of our best citizens. He was reared in the Presbyterian faitb, and has remained true to the religion of his fathers. being a member of the church of that denomination in Farmington. Po- litically, he is a Republican.
F6 RED B. VAN PETTEN. Among those who are cultivating a portion of the soil of Tri- voli Township to good advantage, and who combine with the raising of grain the feeding and raising of stock, is the gentleman above named, whose fine home is located on section 12. The home estate consists of seventy aeres upon which stands the finest dwelling in the township, and other improvements which make it a beautiful home. In addition to this fine property, Mr. Van Petten owns one hundred and forty acres on sec- tion 11, also well-improved and valuable. Our sub- ject is a self-made man, having worked his way at school, and by dint of his own untiring energy in the use of the ability with which he was endowed, secured a comfortable financial standing, and a po- sition of prominence among his fellow-citizens. Ile
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is now Supervisor of the Township, and already one of the leading members of the County Board.
Mr. Van Petten traces his ancestry back to the old Vans of Holland, in which country his grand- father, Christian Van Petten, was born in 1801. There he was reared and educated, marrying a lady who was born in the same kingdom, the same year as himself. They emigrated to America, settling at Sterling, N. Y., where Mr. Van Petten resumed his former occupation of farming. He has been very successful in life, now owns several finely improved farms, worth about $200,000, and is also interested in railroads. Ile was at one time President of a road which passed through Sterling. He is still well and hearty, transacts all his own business, and takes an active part in the work of the United Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a member since carly life. He votes the Republican ticket. Should they live until September next (1890), he and his good wife will celebrate the sixty-eight anniversary of their marriage. They have had twelve children, seven of whom are yet living, and all well situated.
The father of our subject is John Van Petten, who was born in Sterling, N. Y., reared on the farm and had the advantages of good schools, being for a time a student in the college at Auburn. When about twenty-one years old, he came to Peoria County, Ill., engaged in teaching in Trivoli Town- ship, and continued his professional labors some fifteen years. His reputation as an instructor is an excellent one, and many of the younger generation look upon him with high honor for the lessons they received while under his care. fle finally bought land on section 14, Logan Township, turned his attention to farming, and improved his one hun- dred acres until 1868. He then sold, and going to Livingston County, bought two hundred and forty acres, which he operated three years, after which he disposed of it, located in Roseville, Warren County, and began dealing in grain. In a short time he went to St. Louis, Mo., became Government store- keeper there, and discharged the duties of that office until 1878, then removed to Sterling, Rice County, Kan., where he still makes his home. Ile bought a farm near that place, but rents it, occupy- ing himself in the real estate, insurance, and loan business, and with the duties of Justice of the Peace.
He is a Deacon of the United Presbyterian Church.
The mother of our subject was known in her girlhood as Hannah T. Bourne. She was born in New Bedford, Mass., where her father, Meltiah T. Bourne, had opened his eyes to the light, and near which place he was engaged in farming. He was captain of the old Red Regiment of Massachusetts. his sword being now in the possession of our sub- ject. In the early days he settled on section 11. Trivoli Township, where he built a log cabin, pur- sned a successful career as a farmer until 1868, when he retired to Ehnwood, spending the remnant of his days there, and dying in 1884. Ilis dangh- ter, Alice, now the wife of United States Marshal, F. llitcheock, of Chicago, was the first white child born in this township. Ile was an active, influen- tial member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Hannah (Bourne) Van Petten, was married to the man of hier choice in this township, and died in Logan Township in 1861, at the age of thirty years, leaving four children of whom our subject is the second in order of birth. The others are Augustus G., a resident of Ogden, l'tah, and emt- ployed with a surveying party by the Union Paci- fic Railroad ; Lillian M .. now Mrs. W. G. Bowers. of Elmwood; Isabelle A., wife of S. P. Steck. a farmer of this township.
Great-grandfather Bourne was an Englishman of Tory persuasion, who, with other members of the family held large land grants around Massachu- setts Bay under Charles II. His brother was worth millions of dollars, won in the whale fisheries, and was a member of the State Legislature six years.
The subject of this sketch was born November 1, 1857, in the township where he now resides, and lived in this and Logan Townships until cleven years old. He learned the rudiments of farming, and attended the district schools, which were quite good. going to Livingston County with his father in 1868, and remaining there until fourteen years old. He then embarked in life for himself, coming to Elmwood and securing farm work by the month during the summer, and in the winter working for his board and attending the High School. This course he pursued four years, and was within a year of being graduated, when. in the winter of 1875, he received the appointment of clerk in the
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Peoria post-office, under John S. Stevens, Postmas- ter. He remained there nearly four years, then ac- cepted the appointment of Postal Clerk on the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad, receiving from the Government the salary of $80 per month. His run was between Logansport, Ind., and Warsaw, III. Upon leaving that road, he held a similar posi- tion on another, during the seven years in which he was in the postal service running on nearly every road from Peoria. For nearly two years he was on the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Railroad.
Resigning his position on account of ill-health, Mr. Van Petten returned to Trivoli Township, in which he had purchased land in 1881, and taking possession of the same, took up the life of a farmer, raising crops and stock. He placed his land un- der good improvement, but in 1885 bought his pre- sent home farm, upon which be removed in 1888, renting the other place. Ile remodeled the build- ings at his new home, adapting them to his taste and needs. He feeds two car-loads of cattle, and three car-loads of hogs per year; he has on hand about twenty-four head of road horses, and keeps one hand at work in the cultivation of the land de- voted to crops. He is interested in public improve. ments, and in the opening up of the country by new means of communication. He gave $200 to- ward the construction of the railroad near his home, and is equally liberal regarding other improve- ments.
At the home of the bride's parents in Brimfield Township, January 3, 1883, Mr. Van Petten was united in marriage with Miss florence A. Austin, a native of that township, daughter of James E. and Sarah Austin. Her father is numbered among the carly settlers of his section, owns four hundred acres of valuable land, and has retired from farm life with a competence. Mr. and Mrs. Van Petten are the parents of three children: Stacy A., the first-born, is the only one now living; Lutie B. died when four months old; and Elwood B. when nine months old.
Mr. Van Petten was first elected Supervisor in 1889, and re-elected in 1890 for the two years' term. Ile is an ardent Republican, active and efli- cient in political work. He was delegate to the county conventions six years, to the Congressional
covvention three years, and for the past four years has been the County Central Committeeman from this township. He was Secretary of the county con- vention in 1890, and of the Congressional conven- tion in 1888. He is Steward and Trustee in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Trivoli, his Chris- tianity being more than a mere profession. He is more than ordinarily intelligent, and combines with his upright character the pleasing manners which give him popularity and add to his usefulness in the community.
Le EWIS A. MCFADDEN, M. D., although a resident of Peoria but a few years, already occupies a high position as a physician and surgeon, enjoying a good private practice, in ad - dition to which he holds the position of County Physician. He was born in Pittsburg, Pa., March 30, 1848, receiving a common-school education in the place of his nativity. He completed an excel- lent course of study at Mt. Union, Ohio, having previously studied at Marietta. lle then became Principal of the schools in New Haven, W. Va., retaining the position several years.
Entering the Miami Medical College at Cincin- nati, Ohio, Dr. McFadden took the progressive course, remaining two years,after which he attended lectures, and was graduated from the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, Ky., in the sum- . mer of 1881.
After completing his medical studies Dr. Mc- Fadden located for practice in the West, remaining there until 1887, when he came to Peoria. Here he has made for himself a reputation as a skillful physician and surgeon. and representative citizen. In 1889 he was unanimously elected County Phy- sician, the office giving him a large practice with a salary of $1,500 per annum; he receives extra pay of from $300 to $500 in case of additional services required by the county, and yet has time to attend to his private practice, which includes attendance on many of the first families of the city.
In 1886 Dr. McFadden took a private course at Baltimore, Md., to perfect himself in the treatment
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Mors. Lo. Harrison.
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of the throat and chest; he has also studied the eye and ear as a specialty. His profession is the object of his deepest devotion and most carnest zeal, and his interest is repaid by the success that follows bim. Hle belongs to the Peoria Medical Society, and has been a member of the Board of Health but did not wish its duties this year. He is Medical Examiner for the Foresters, Red Men, Chosen Friends, and Woodmen. The charming wife of Dr. McFadden was known in her girlhood as Miss Rachael V. Richey. She was a resident of Meigs County, Ohio. Around the fireside of the Doctor's pleasant home the forms of three children cluster, gladdening the parents' hearts by their presence. They are named Una May, Goldlie Beatrice, and Walton Clark. The Doctor owns and resides in a neat dwelling at No. 1704 North Adams Street. He and Mrs. McFadden are members and regular at- tendants of the First Methodist Episcopal Church.
OVELL HARRISON. The name of Harri- son, ever popular with the American peo- ple, finds a worthy representative in the gentleman above named, a native of Connecticut, where he was born October 8, 1834. He is the son of Increase and Luey ( Martin) Harrison, bis father being a graduate of Yale College and a phy- sician in New Haven, where he took high rank in his profession. Notwithstanding this, his own early advantages were somewhat limited, as Dr. Harrison and his wife both died when the subject of this sketch was but four years old. During his early years he followed farm life for a time. then served an apprenticeship with an elder brother as an architect and builder. At the age of twenty- two years he came to Peoria, where he followed house building, subsequently turning his attention to farming, although continuing to reside in the city limits. He makes a specialty of raising fine horses-roadsters and trotters-and manages a farm which is noticeable in a country where fine estatos are the rule.
Mr. Harrison bas, as an amateur, given consid- erable attention to horticulture, in which he bas been quite successful, and in past years has been a frequent contributor to horticultural journals. The love of horticulture seems to be a family trait, as the following incident will illustrate: After the
death of Oliver Cromwell. "Lord Protector" of England, in 1658, and the accession of Charles II. to the throne. the royalists began to wreak ven- geance on his followers. Ilis great lieutenant. Gen. Thomas Harrison, one of the regicide judges who had condemned Charles 1., was arrested and beheaded ; his son, C'apt. William Harrison, a sea- faring man, for safety left England in a small vessel of his own for the colonies, but in the dan- ger and peril of the hour, he did not forget to bring along in a flower pot a scion from the an- cestral pear tree, at the "Old Manor." Landing on the Delaware River near Philadelphia, he set- tled at Gloucester, N. J., where he planted the little tree. In 1876, at the Centennial. a half bushel of fruit from the "Harrison Pear Tree" was exhibited, the tree then being two hundred and seventeen years old. The "Harrison Pear Tree" still lives, and since the death of the "Stuyvesant Pear Tree." in New York, is believed to be the oldest in the country.
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